cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The distribution and some morphological features of substantia nigra neurons that project to the thalamus, superior colliculus and pedunculopontine nucleus in the monkey

Neurons of the substantia nigra's pars reticulata that send axons to the thalamus, superior colliculus and midbrain reticular formation (including the pedunculopontine nucleus) have been revealed in monkeys by the technique of retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase. The populations of nigrothalamic, nigrotectal and nigroreticular neurons differ from one another in their number, intranigral distribution and somatodendritic size and shape. Nigrothalamic cells are the most abundant and, although scattered throughout the mediolateral expanse of the pars reticulata, their numbers progressively diminish from rostral to caudal levels. Nigrotectal cells are least numerous and are restricted almost exclusively to the lateral margin of the rostral one-half of the pars reticulata. Nigroreticular cells, like nigrothalamic, are scattered throughout the mediolateral dimension of the nucleus, but are more commonly located at middle to caudal levels. In addition to their restricted intranigral location, the nigrotectal cells are larger, polygonal and have more major dendritic processes than the smaller nigrothalamic and nigroreticular cells which are usually triangular or fusiform. A small proportion of cells of all three types appears to project contralaterally. These findings indicate that the efferent organization of the primate pars reticulata differs markedly from that of the rodent and the monkey's nigrotectal cells constitute a spatially and morphologically distinct subpopulation within the pars reticulata. These data should be useful in understanding the functional organization of topographic inputs to the pars reticulata such as that from the neostriatum.
Visualization in biomedical computing

Abstract Visualizable objects in biology and medicine extend across a vast range of scale, from individual molecules and cells, to the varieties of tissue and interstitial interfaces, to complete organs, organ systems and body parts, and include functional attributes of these systems, such as biophysical, biomechanical and physiological properties. Medical applications include accurate anatomy and function mapping, enhanced diagnosis, accurate treatment planning and rehearsal, and education/training. However, the greatest potential for revolutionary innovation in the practice of medicine lies in direct, fully immersive, real-time multisensory fusion of real and virtual information data streams into online, real-time visualizations available during an actual clinical procedure. Current high-performance computers and advanced image processing capabilities have facilitated major progress toward realization of this goal. With these advances in hand, there are several important applications possible to be delivered soon that will have a significant impact on the practice of medicine and on biological research.
Anthropogenic Sediment Resuspension Mechanisms in a Shallow Microtidal Estuary

The mechanisms that resuspend bottom sediments in Hillsborough Bay, a shallow, microtidal, subtropical estuary in West-central Florida, were determined by analysing hydrodynamic and suspended-solids concentration data collected during several instrument deployments made in 1990 and 1991. Large vessels in a dredged ship channel can generate forced solitary long waves that cause large water velocities and sediment resuspension at the study sites. An experiment was conducted with a trawler that resuspended bottom sediments, and some of the resuspended sediments remained in suspension for at least 8 h. A secondary impact of vessel-generated long waves and trawling is that sediments that are resuspended and newly deposited are more susceptible to resuspension by tidal currents than undisturbed bottom sediments. Natural sediment resuspension by wind waves and tidal current is less frequent or of smaller magnitude than anthropogenic sediment resuspension. The annual mass of sediment resuspended by vessel-generated long waves is estimated to be one order of magnitude greater than the annual mass of sediment resuspended by wind waves generated by winter storms.
Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of N-nitrosothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid.

N‐Nitrosothiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid (NTCA) was prepared by treating L‐thioproline with sodium nitrite at pH 2, 37°C. The compound was characterized by mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy and 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The cytotoxic and mutagenic properties of NTCA were explored by exposing the human cell line HeLa S3 at 37°C to various concentrations (10 μM‐10 mM) of the compound for various periods of time (1–36 h) and by monitoring its effects on cell viability, cell growth, intracellular metabolic activities such as DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis and on DNA repair synthesis ('unscheduled’ DNA synthesis). NTCA did not affect the cells’ viability at any concentration or incubation period but decreased cell growth at the limiting concentration of 10 mM in the growth medium. NTCA had no effect on RNA and protein synthesis, and, similarly, it had no effect on DNA synthesis at concentrations up to 3 mM. Curiously, the stimulation of DNA synthesis by NTCA was seen at 10 mM after 24 ...
X-Ray Spectra of Young Pulsars and Their Wind Nebulae: Dependence on Spin-Down Energy Loss Rate

An observational model is presented for the spectra of young rotation-powered pulsars and their nebulae based on a study of nine bright Crab-like pulsar systems observed with the Chandra X-ray observatory. A significant correlation is discovered between the X-ray spectra of these pulsars and that of their associated pulsar wind nebulae, both of which are observed to be a function of the spin-down energy loss rate, E. The 2-10 keV spectra of these objects are well characterized by an absorbed power-law model with photon indices, Gamma, in the range of 0.6 < Gamma (sub PSR) < 2.1 and 1.3 < Gamma(sub PWN) < 2.3, for the pulsars and their nebulae, respectively. A linear regression fit relating these two sets of indexes yields Gamma(sub PWN) = 0.91 +/- 0.18 + (0.66 +/- 0.11) Gamma (sub PSR), with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.97. The spectra of these pulsars are found to steepen as Gamma = Gamma(sub max) + alpha E (exp -1/2), with Gamma(sub max) providing an observational limit on the spectral slopes of young rotation-powered pulsars. These results reveal basic properties of young pulsar systems, allow new observational constraints on models of pulsar wind emission, and provide a means of predicting the energetics of pulsars lacking detected pulsations.
Future treatment strategies in phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria (PKU) was the first inherited metabolic disease in which treatment was found to prevent clinical features of the disorder; dietary management was established almost 60 years ago. The institution of a low-phenylalanine (Phe) diet in the first few weeks of life was made possible by Guthrie neonatal screening, which further increased effectiveness of therapy. Indeed, neonatal diagnosis of PKU followed by institution of a low-Phe diet has been a remarkable success in preventing the devastating brain damage associated with untreated PKU. Nevertheless, significant difficulties exist in caring for PKU patients, including problems with adhering to the prescribed dietary regimen and the presence of neurocognitive deficits despite therapy. During the past few years, several ideas for new treatment strategies have emerged. This review aims to address these treatment strategies based on theoretical considerations of the biochemistry and pathogenesis of PKU. Recent times have seen the introduction of a wide array of novel treatments currently in clinical use, including more palatable medical foods, glycomacropeptide, large neutral amino acids, and tetrahydrobiopterin. Human trials are underway using an enzymatic therapeutic approach, while preclinical work continues in the fields of gene and cellular therapy. These therapeutic strategies propose to treat PKU at various levels, including nutritional intake, gut, liver, and blood-brain barrier, and have the potential to further improve outcome in PKU.
A Method for Measuring Social Behavior of Psychiatric Outpatients

A system for the assessment of traits characterizing the social interaction of patients in the family setting has been briefly described. This system attempts to measure the relationship between the patient and the relaive who is being interviewed concerning the patient's behavior. Using a method of coding to evaluate the respondent's answers to various open-ended questions, we are able to delineate those characteristics of the patient's behavior which are most salient to the relative and most indicative of the relationship between the relative and the patient. This system is presently being used to study the behavior of schizophrenic outpatients in a clinic setting in which the primary method of treatment is ataractic therapy. It is assumed that for psychiatric outpatients changes in their social relationships at home are as important as changes in their mental status. The social traits are being used both as predictors of change in the patient's behavior and as indices measuring the effects of treatment...
T1 measurements in cell cultures: a new tool for characterizing contrast agents at 1.5T.

The objective of this work was to assess the feasibility and accuracy of T1 and relaxivity measurements in cell cultures using 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the long-term goal to develop a tool for evaluation of novel paramagnetic agents in a realistic macromolecular environment. This initial study was carried out using MCF-7 cells treated with independently determined concentrations of Gd-DTPA. Two cell culture systems were evaluated: cell pellets and single layers of cells grown on microporous inserts. High-resolution T1 measurements of cell cultures were acquired with two dimensional Inversion Recovery Fast Spin Echo (2D-IR-FSE), three dimensional Inversion Recovery Fast Spin Echo (3D-IR-FSE), and 3D-SPGR sequences. The T1 and relaxivity accuracy of these sequences was confirmed with aqueous Gd-DTPA samples of known concentration. Relaxivities of 1.71 +/- 0.15 [mM(-1)second(-1)] and 1.55 +/- 0.50 [mM(-1)second(-1)] were measured in the cell pellets and cell monolayers, respectively, and were different from the value of 4.3 [mM(-1)second(-1)] for Gd-DTPA in water. Both cell pellets and monolayers are suitable for initial assessment of novel MR contrast agents.
Parental decisions following the prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome abnormalities.

Abstract Objective: To report parental decisions regarding pregnancy termination following the prenatal diagnosis of a sex chromosome abnormality (SCA) in the fetus. Methods: Retrospective collection of data from records of 61 families receiving genetic counseling after prenatal diagnosis of a sex chromosome abnormality in the fetus in the Division of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Geneva during the time period 1980–2001. Results: Among 61 couples with a prenatal diagnosis of a sex chromosome abnormality (SCA), 44 couples (72.1%) decided to terminate pregnancy. Pregnancy termination rates were 100, 73.9, 70, 50 and 42.9% for Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, 47,XXX females, 47,XYY males, and mosaic cases, respectively. In all 11 cases with a fetal abnormality seen on ultrasound, pregnancy was terminated. Termination rates were higher among couples with a higher mean number of previous children. Maternal age and year of test did not influence parental decisions. Conclusions: Parental decision to terminate a pregnancy for a fetus with a SCA varied by type of sex chromosome abnormality, by presence of fetal ultrasound anomalies, and by the mean number of previous children.
Lack of an inhibitory effect of hyperprolactinemia on androgen-dependent marking.

Abstract An experiment was performed to determine if hyperprolactinemia (chronically elevated serum prolactin levels), which inhibits testosterone-activated male sexual activity, also affects other androgen-dependent behaviors. Thus defecation and urine marking in response to a novel environment were examined in sham-operated and pituitary-grafted (hyperprolactinemic) male rats that had been castrated or castrated and given subcutaneous testosterone implants. Both castration and pituitary grafting significantly inhibited defecation, with the inhibitory effects of hyperprolactinemia being most pronounced in the castrated nontestosterone-treated animals. In contrast, castration significantly reduced the amount of urine marking observed, but pituitary grafting was without effect on this behavior. Thus, although hyperprolactinemia may inhibit sexual activity through an antagonism of the activational effects of testosterone, these results suggest that this effect is specific to sexual behavior and does not involve a more generalized inhibition of the effects of testosterone on androgen-dependent behaviors.
Twisted bit-line technique for multi-gigabit DRAMs

A new twisted bit-line (TBL) technique is presented to reduce bit-line coupling noise for multi-gigabit DRAMs. Sufficient noise reduction effects have been monitored through soft-error rate measurement on test chips using the proposed TBL technique. Also, the problem of excessive chip area penalty in the conventional TBL techniques can be solved in the proposed TBL technique.
Generating phonon pairs with cavity optomechanics

We demonstrate the generation of classically correlated phonon pairs, for which two mechanical modes in a silica microsphere are coupled to a common optical mode via optomechanical parametric amplification and state-transfer processes, respectively.
Zooarchaeological and taphonomic analysis of the Die Kelders Cave 1 Layers 10 and 11 Middle Stone Age larger mammal fauna

Middle Stone Age (MSA) and Middle Paleolithic (MP) faunal assemblages have gained widespread attention due to their relevance to the debate over the modernity of hominid behavior during the MSA/MP. A recent critique of the scavenging argument for MSA/MP behavior drew on a summary presentation of the skeletal abundance and surface modification data from Die Kelders Cave 1 Layer 10 (Marean, 1998). This paper provides a more complete presentation of those data, adds the smaller Layer 11 sample, and provides a detailed analysis of the taphonomic history of both samples.Bone fragment density is higher in Layer 10 than in Layer 11. Bone densities vary horizontally as well, with Layer 10 showing greater deposition in the exposed areas of the cave. An analysis of long bone breakage patterns indicates that non-nutritive breakage on the Layers 10 and 11 samples was present but not intense. Size 1 mammals were predominantly accumulated by owls and/or other large raptors, not hominids, in Layer 10. Hominids were the predominant accumulator of Sizes 2-4 mammals in Layers 10 and 11 as indicated by the frequency of hammer-stone percussion marks and carnivore toothmarks. After discard by hominids, a significant portion of these remains were discovered and scavenged by carnivores. Overall, the larger mammal fauna of Layer 10 is dominated by Sizes 3 and 4 bovids, mostly young and adult eland, and thus hominids were focusing on the high-ranked prey items. Shaft portions of long bones, the portions with the most flesh, have the highest frequencies of cutmarks. A comparison of the Layers 10 and 11 cutmark frequencies to Selvaggio's (1998) scavenging model shows that the frequencies are significantly outside the range of variation documented in Selavaggio's scavenging sample.
The effects of repeated minimal electroconvulsive shock exposure on levels of mRNA encoding fibroblast growth factor-2 and nerve growth factor in limbic regions

Chronic, but not acute, exposure to minimal electroconvulsive shock (ECS) has been shown to decrease vulnerability to neuronal cell death, without itself causing neuronal damage. One potential mechanism for the neuroprotective effect of ECS is the increase in fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) which occurs after chronic, but not acute, ECS exposure. This raises the possibility that repeated seizures over a period of several days may alter the transcriptional regulation of FGF-2. To test this hypothesis, the present study compared the effect of acute (1 day) vs. chronic (7 days) ECS treatment on levels of mRNA for FGF-2 in rhinal and frontal cortices, hippocampus, and olfactory bulbs. In addition, mRNA for another prominent neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor (NGF), was assayed concurrently. At 8 h after acute ECS, mRNA levels increased by 60% for FGF-2 and 136% for NGF in rhinal cortex, 32% for FGF-2 and 36% for NGF in frontal cortex, and by 13% for NGF in hippocampus. After 7 days of ECS treatment the respective increases were 72% and 80%, 53% and 38%, and 28%. No increases were observed in olfactory bulbs after either treatment regimen. The peak increases in FGF-2 mRNA were consistently greater after chronic treatment, but the differences from those seen acutely reached significance in frontal cortex only. However, the duration over which mRNA for FGF-2 was elevated did not differ between the acute and chronic ECS groups. NGF mRNA induction was neither enhanced nor prolonged as a result of chronic ECS as compared to acute ECS treatment. These results suggest that chronic ECS treatment may lead to an enhanced rate of transcription of message for FGF-2 but not for NGF, in selected brain regions. At the same time, the results indicate that chronic ECS treatment induces FGF-2 and NGF mRNA expression in a tissue-specific manner and that this induction is maintained over the 7-day treatment period. The sustained increases in mRNAs for these trophic factors may contribute to the neuroprotective actions of chronic ECS treatment.
WELFARE ECONOMICS AND THE MEASUREMENT OF NNP

Some relationships between NNP and economic welfare are explored in the confines of a simple, static welfare maximization model. Various assumptions concerning both the measurement of NNP and the economic system underlying this model are dropped seriatem and the implications for the correspondence between NNP and economic welfare are examined. The following conclusions emerge. There are several classes of resource reorganization in which NNP and welfare move in the same direction, so that NNP can serve as an ordinal proxy for welfare. These include changes in taxes or competitive imperfections which result in product substitution and movements along the transformation function. With a general qualification, NNP-welfare correspondence is preserved for allocative changes which affect the real costs and prices of goods included in NNP or of non-included goods in inelastic demand; changes in involuntary unemployment; and changes in technological externalities affecting producers. There are other cases where changes in NNP and welfare are not positively correlated. Included here are changes in real costs of non-included goods for which demand is elastic and changes in technological externalities imposed on consumers.
Heart rate variability in a case of pheochromocytoma

Indices of heart rate variability (HRV) reflect cardiac autonomic tone and may be markedly affected by pheochromocytoma. The effect of pheochromocytoma on HRV was determined by Holter monitoring before diagnosis, under pre-operative α-blockade and 5 and 19 months after surgery in a 40 year-old female. Mean heart rates, although higher under α-blockade, were unchanged by surgery but indices of HRV reflecting both short term (vagally mediated) and longer term (mediated by vagal, sympathetic and other influences) rhythms were diminished under α-blockade and post-surgery. High frequency power (0.15–0.40 Hz), an index of vagal tone, declined from 512 ms2 pre-diagnosis to 220 ms2 under α-blockade to just over 100 ms2 post-surgery. Low frequency power (0.04–0.15 Hz), a measure reflecting both vagal and sympathetic tone, declined from 409 ms2 pre-diagnosis to 186 ms2 under α-blockade and was just over 200 ms2 post-surgery. SDNN, the standard deviation of normal-to-normal interbeat intervals over 24 hours, declined from 118 ms pre-diagnosis to just over 70 ms both under α-blockade and post-surgery. The ratio of low frequency to high frequency power (LF/HF ratio) increased to 0.84 under α-blockade, and doubled after surgery (0.79; before, 2.05; after). These changes in HRV may provide insights into the effects of endogenous catecholamines and intrinsic counter-regulatory autonomic mechanisms on HRV.
Expression of ICAM‐1 enhances in vivo lymphocyte adhesion in a murine fibrosarcoma

Background and Objectives ICAM-1 is essential for lymphocyte-endothelial cell interactions. We have demonstrated that increased expression of ICAM-1 in tumors results in an enhanced response to adoptive immunotherapy. We undertook this study to determine whether increased expression of ICAM-1 results in increased lymphocyte adhesion in vivo. Methods Parental MCA-105 tumor cells were cotransfected with ICAM-1 and the NeoR plasmid. A neomycin resistant clone (Cl149) was selected and increased expression of ICAM-1 confirmed by FACS analysis. Tumor fragments (MCA-105 or Cl149) were placed in a dorsal skinfold chamber on day 0 in C57BL/6 mice. Lymphocytes were fluorescently labeled using 0.5% acridine orange and activity recorded on videotape at 700× magnification. Lymphocyte activity was quantitated over 30 second intervals in postcapillary venules as either passing or rolling/sticking (R/S). The % R/S was calculated for each category and evaluated using χ2 analysis. Results Whereas 38% of lymphocytes were classified as R/S in normal tissue, 32% were classified as R/S (P > .05) in the MCA-105 tumor. However, in the ICAM-1 transfected CL149, there was significantly greater R/S at 53% (P < .05). Conclusions These data demonstrate increased lymphocyte adhesion in tumors with enhanced expression of ICAM-1 by direct in vivo observations and may partially explain the salutary effect of increased ICAM-1 expression on adoptive immunotherapy. This suggests the possible application of adhesion molecule expression in the cellular therapy of cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 1977;66:39–44. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Competing impact of excess weight versus cardiorespiratory fitness on cardiovascular risk.

Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, whereas high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is cardioprotective. This study evaluated the competing effect of weight and fitness on biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in a nationally representative sample of 2,112 adults (20 to 49 years of age; body mass index [BMI] ≥18.5 kg/m 2 ) without previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2002. CRF levels were assigned using age- and gender-specific reference points of estimated maximal oxygen consumption calculated from submaximal graded exercise treadmill testing. CRF was also categorized by sample-specific tertiles of maximal oxygen consumption. Weight was categorized using BMI. Fasting insulin level >12.2 mU/L, C-reactive protein level ≥3.0 mg/L, and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio (TC/HDL) >5 characterized increased cardiovascular risk. CRF and BMI were independently associated with increased fasting insulin and C-reactive protein (p
Abstract 970: Obesity promotes melanoma metastasis by modulating Snai1 and KiSS1 expression

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Malignant melanoma accounts for 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. Its lethality comes from its aggressive metastasis to secondary sites such as the lungs. Epidemiological and animal studies suggest that obesity may increase the ability of melanomas to metastasize. The objective of these studies was to determine the mechanism by which obesity increases the aggressiveness of melanomas to metastasize. To this end, we used ob/ob mice as a model of obesity, as well as different cell culture conditions which mimic obesity, to investigate the molecular mechanism by which obesity affects the metastatic phenotype of B16BL6 mouse metastatic melanoma cells in vitro. In cell culture, we showed that serum from obese mice increased the ability of melanoma cells to invade. We showed that both obese mouse serum and conditioned medium collected from mature 3T3L1 adipocytes promoted a mesenchymal phenotype, as seen by an increased expression of genes associated with this phenotype, such as Snai1, and a corresponding decreased expression of the metastasis suppressor gene KiSS1. Our preliminary results suggest that obesity may increase the metastatic ability of melanomas via the pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin 6 (IL-6). Therefore, our hypothesis is that obesity promotes melanoma metastasis by promoting the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its associated phenotypic changes by up-regulating Snai1 and down-regulating KiSS1 through IL-6. These findings will help us understand how obesity affects melanoma metastasis and allow us to identify key cellular signaling pathways that can be used to prevent or possibly inhibit melanoma metastasis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 970. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-970
ALGORITHMIC SYNTHESIS OF GENERAL NON-SHARP SIMPLE DISTILLATION COLUMN SEQUENCES

An algorithmic approach was used to select recoveries for non-sharp sequence designs. Simple distillation columns were employed. The non-key component distribution was modeled using the Fenske equation. The combination of producing impure products and allowing non-key component distribution, results in a large search space. With this large search space size and software limitations, five problems were solved (see summary table in the Design Examples sub-section). The optimal non-key component distribution was found to be significant but not necessarily maximal. Parallel processing was selected as optimal in contrast to the more traditional sequential processing.
Application of multivariate data-analysis techniques to biomedical diagnostics based on mid-infrared spectroscopy

The objective of this contribution is to review the application of advanced multivariate data-analysis techniques in the field of mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopic biomedical diagnosis. MIR spectroscopy is a powerful chemical analysis tool for detecting biomedically relevant constituents such as DNA/RNA, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, etc., and even diseases or disease progression that may induce changes in the chemical composition or structure of biological systems including cells, tissues, and bio-fluids. However, MIR spectra of multiple constituents are usually characterized by strongly overlapping spectral features reflecting the complexity of biological samples. Consequently, MIR spectra of biological samples are frequently difficult to interpret by simple data-analysis techniques. Hence, with increasing complexity of the sample matrix more sophisticated mathematical and statistical data analysis routines are required for deconvoluting spectroscopic data and for providing useful results from information-rich spectroscopic signals. A large body of work relates to the combination of multivariate data-analysis techniques with MIR spectroscopy, and has been applied by a variety of research groups to biomedically relevant areas such as cancer detection and analysis, artery diseases, biomarkers, and other pathologies. The reported results indeed reveal a promising perspective for more widespread application of multivariate data analysis in assisting MIR spectroscopy as a screening or diagnostic tool in biomedical research and clinical studies. While the authors do not mean to ignore any relevant contributions to biomedical analysis across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, they confine the discussion in this contribution to the mid-infrared spectral range as a potentially very useful, yet underutilized frequency region. Selected representative examples without claiming completeness will demonstrate a range of biomedical diagnostic applications with particular emphasis on the advantageous interaction between multivariate data analysis and MIR spectroscopy.
2005 Special Issue: Optimizing conductance parameters of cortical neural models via electrotonic partitions

Development of automated methods for fitting computational models to observed biological data is an important challenge of neural modeling. Previous work has focused on generalized search techniques combined with distance measures tuned to specific neural morphologies. We propose general analysis techniques to guide construction of distance measures across a broader range of cell types. Specifically, we evaluate the use of multiple external stimuli to evoke characteristic behaviors of underlying active channel densities on a simple three-compartment model. We also examine the use of frequency analysis to smooth search space distortions induced by temporal shifts in recorded voltage traces. We propose a novel method of parameter optimization that is characterized by linear regression over the conductance densities using channel permissiveness as a basis of ionic current. We derive this method and demonstrate, given known anatomy and kinetics, it will solve all conductance densities in an N compartment model given N spatially distinct membrane potential traces with minimal error. We compare the regression method with the covariance matrix adaptation evolutionary strategy (CMA-ES) over a two-compartment cortical neuron and empirically show that regression over electrotonic partitions solves the cortical model near-optimally. We also show that electronic partitioning significantly improves search performance of CMA-ES on the cortical model.
Transport of lipoprotein lipase across endothelial cells.

Abstract Lipoprotein lipase (LPL), synthesized in muscle and fat, hydrolyzes plasma triglycerides primarily while bound to luminal endothelial cell surfaces. To obtain information about the movement of LPL from the basal to the luminal endothelial cell surface, we studied the transport of purified bovine milk LPL across bovine aortic endothelial cell monolayers. 125I-labeled LPL (125I-LPL) added to the basal surface of the monolayers was detected on the apical side of the cells in two compartments: (i) in the medium of the upper chamber, and (ii) bound to the apical cell surface. The amount of 125I-LPL on the cell surface, but not in the medium, reached saturation with time and LPL dose. Catalytically active LPL was transported to the apical surface but very little LPL activity appeared in the medium. Heparinase treatment of the basal cell surface and addition of dextran sulfate (0.15 microM) to the lower chamber decreased the amount of 125I-LPL appearing on the apical surface. Similarly, the presence of increasing molar ratios of oleic acid/bovine serum albumin at the basal surface decreased the transport of active LPL across the monolayer. Thus, a saturable transport system, which requires heparan sulfate proteoglycans and is inhibited by high concentrations of free fatty acids on the basal side of the cells, appears to exist for passage of enzymatically active LPL across endothelial cells. We postulate that regulation of LPL transport to the endothelial luminal surface modulates the physiologically active pool of LPL in vivo.
Voter demand for fluoridated water: a tale of two c(av)ities

Government fluoridation of public water systems to promote dental health has long been advocated by many health associations, based on the findings of mainstream scientific studies. Despite this, fluoridation remains a controversial issue. Some in the public are antithetical to the science behind fluoridation while others view it as an infringement on individual choice. Voting data from referendums in two of the six largest US cities without fluoridated water (Portland, Oregon, and Wichita, Kansas) are used to examine the factors driving voter demand for and against fluoridation. Although regression analysis reveals differences between the cities, a strong commonality is greater support for fluoride coming from voting precincts with higher concentrations of college graduates. Additionally, even though advocates often laud water fluoridation as a relatively inexpensive way to extend dental health benefits to all children (regardless of income levels), presence of children in households surprisingly does no...
Inverse optimal design of cooling conditions for continuous quenching processes

This paper presents an inverse design methodology to obtain a required yield strength with an optimal cooling condition for the continuous quenching of precipitation hardenable sheet alloys. The yield strength of a precipitation hardenable alloy can be obtained by allowing solute to enter into solid solution at a proper temperature and rapidly cooling the alloy to hold the solute in the solid solution. An aging process may be needed for the alloy to develop the final mechanical property. The objective of the design is to optimize the quenching process so that the required yield strength can be achieved. With the inverse design method, the required yield strength is specified and the sheet thermal profile at the exit of the quenching chamber can also be specified. The conjugate gradient method is used to optimize the cooling boundary condition during quenching. The adjoint system is developed to compute the gradient of the objective functional. An aluminium sheet quenching problem is presented to demonstrate the inverse design method. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Cobalt Hydride that Never Was: Revisiting Schrauzer’s “Hydridocobaloxime”

Molecular cobalt-dmg (dmg = dimethylglyoxime) complexes are an important class of electrocatalysts used heavily in mechanistic model studies of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Schrauzer’s early isolation of a phosphine-stabilized “[H-Co^(III)(dmgH)_2P(nBu)_3]” complex has long provided circumstantial support for the plausible intermediacy of Co(III)-H species in HER by cobaloximes in solution. Our investigation of this complex has led to a reassignment of its structure as [Co^(II)(dmgH)_2P(nBu)_3], a complex that contains no hydride ligand and dimerizes to form an unsupported Co–Co bond in the solid state. A paramagnetic S = 3/2 impurity that forms during the synthesis of [Co^(II)(dmgH)_2P(nBu)_3] when exposed to adventitious oxygen has also been characterized. This impurity features a 1H NMR resonance at −5.06 ppm that was recently but erroneously attributed to the hydride resonance of “[H-Co^(III)(dmgH)_2P(nBu)_3]”. We draw attention to this reassignment because of its relevance to cobaloxime hydrides and HER catalysis and because Schrauzer’s “hydridocobaloxime” is often cited as the primary example of a bona fide hydride that can be isolated and characterized on this widely studied HER platform.
Sinterbonding cobalt-cemented tungsten carbide to tungsten heavy alloys

Abstract Cobalt-cemented tungsten carbide (WC–Co) powder was sinterbonded to nickel–iron tungsten heavy alloy (WHA) for use in high-temperature tooling applications. Sinterbonding was performed under various conditions, including changes to the sintering conditions and initial WHA material forms, to determine various processing conditions that yield a consolidated interface indicative of a high degree of bonding. Sinterbonding WC–Co to fully dense WHA bar stock yielded a consolidated interface comprised primarily of complex η-carbides. Defects at the interface, including voids, microcracking, and porosity were the result of other sinterbonding processing conditions explored in this work. Co-rich η-carbides were found to form at the interface in every condition examined. A thermodynamic evaluation of η-carbides as a function of carbon activity determined that Co-rich η-carbides formed preferentially in regions of low carbon activity. The predicted thermodynamic trends are in agreement with interfacial microstructural observations.
Expression analysis and subcellular distribution of the two G-protein regulators AGS3 and LGN indicate distinct functionality. Localization of LGN to the midbody during cytokinesis.

Activator of G-protein signaling 3 (AGS3) and LGN have a similar domain structure and contain four G-protein regulatory motifs that serve as anchors for the binding of the GDP-bound conformation of specific G-protein α subunits. As an initial approach to define further the different functional roles of AGS3 and LGN, we determined their expression profile and subcellular distribution. AGS3- and LGN-specific antisera indicated a widespread tissue distribution of LGN, whereas AGS3 is primarily enriched in brain. Brain punch biopsies of 13 discrete brain regions indicated that both AGS3 and LGN are expressed in all areas tested but are differentially regulated during development. LGN is expressed in neuronal, astroglial, and microglial cultures, whereas AGS3 expression is restricted to neurons. In primary neuronal cultures as well as in dividing cultures of PC12 cells, immunocytochemistry indicated distinct subcellular locations of AGS3 and LGN. The subcellular locations of the two proteins were differentially regulated by external stimuli and the cell cycle. In PC12 and COS7 cells, LGN moves from the nucleus to the midbody structure separating daughter cells during the later stages of mitosis, suggesting a role for G-proteins in cytokinesis. Thus, although AGS3 and LGN share a similar overall motif structure and both bind G-proteins, nature has endowed these proteins with different regulatory elements that allow functional diversity by virtue of tissue-specific expression and subcellular positioning.
Theory of electronic structure in superlattices

Abstract This review begins with a survey of various methods of calculating the subband structures of semiconductor superlattices, showing the complementary nature of the self-consistent potential approach and the bulk-based empirical approach. The nature of the subbands is described in terms of a group theory analysis. Finally, as an example, the subbands of the GaAs/AlAs superlattice are synthesized from the results of computations and of experiments. Physical pictures for key features, such as the fundamental gap and various valley mixings, are explored.
A comparison of soot, fine particle and sodium emissions for air- and oxy-coal flames, with recycled flue gases of various compositions

Abstract A 37 kW down fired pilot scale laboratory combustor, specially modified to allow recycle of both dirty and cleaned flue gas, was used to investigate aerosol formation under air- and oxy-coal combustion conditions. The focus was on emission of soot or black carbon, formation of fine and ultra-fine particulate matter, and partitioning and vaporization of sodium in the mineral matter. Whereas previous research has addressed some of these issues using fresh, once through CO 2 as the O 2 diluent, this paper describes results using actual recycled flue gas, which is closer to industrial practice. Specific emphasis is on determining the effects of various extents of recycled flue gas cleanup on soot and ash aerosol formation characteristics. Without clean up, recycle can create flue gas with contaminant concentrations approximately four times greater than those in air combustion, and this is important in determining the effects of retrofit on soot and ash aerosol properties. Tests were conducted for three coals over air and a wide range of oxy-fired conditions at 27–32% inlet O 2 with a constant 3% O 2 in the exhaust. Results suggest that changes in the combustion atmosphere have only subtle effects on sodium partitioning chemistry, whereas soot mass emissions can be significantly diminished upon being recycled into the furnace along with dirty moist flue gas, in addition to being decreased relative to air-firing by the high CO 2 environment present under oxy-fired conditions. Ultrafine particle concentrations may increase within the boiler despite flue gas treatment with fabric filters, which may fail to remove the finest of them. Sodium vaporization under oxy-combustion appears to follow similar behavior as under air combustion, suggesting that initial fouling mechanisms are also similar.
Rest-Activity and Light Exposure Patterns in the Home Setting: A Methodological Case Study

Background—This methodological case study describes light exposure and rest-activity patterns in an older adult with dementia and his caregiver spouse. Methods—Two devices were used to measure rest-activity and light exposure data: a wrist-worn actigraph with a light sensor to record full spectrum light exposure data and an eye-level wavelength sensitive light meter (Daysimeter ™ ). The wife wore both devices simultaneously; the husband wore only the actigraph. Results—There were minimal feasibility issues in using the devices in the home setting. The wife’s light exposure was considerably better than her husband’s, but she spent little time in bright lighting. Her circadian stimulus (CS) and activity values suggest high level of circadian disruption. Conclusion—This case study provides beginning support for the use of the Daysimeter in the home setting while also highlighting unrecognized circadian disturbances and very low light levels in an older couple’s home.
Freeze-drying of bovine spermatozoa.

SINCE 1956, increased attention has been given to techniques for freeze-drying bovine spermatozoa as a method for long-term semen preservation1–5. In one approach1–3, spermatozoa were dried in vacuum after being diluted, glyeerolated, equilibrated and slowly frozen. Low survival-rates and frequent failures were encountered. Leidl3 suggested three possible causes: (a) concentration of glycerol to toxic levels; (b) excessive removal of water; (c) morphological damage (occasional broken mid-pieces).
ON HYPERTROPHY AND REGENERATION OF THE ISLANDS OF LANGERHANS.

1. Hypertrophy of the islands of Langerhans occurs in two forms: (1) the simple type which is nothing more than an increase in size of preexisting islands; and (2) the columnar type, in which the islands are composed of anastomosing columns of cylindrical cells. 2. Regeneration of the islands of Langerhans takes place by means of a budding off of columnar cells from the ducts. The process is analogous to the development of the islands in the fetal pancreas. 3. Newly formed islands of Langerhans are composed of cylindrical cells similar in all respects to those constituting hypertrophied islands of the columnar type. The two structures are identical, the latter being a later phase of the former. 4. Newly formed islands of Langerhans are capable of a greater hypertrophy than preexisting islands. Both types of insular hypertrophy are usually of a compensatory character, the columnar, or regenerative type, being the more important. 5. Hypertrophy and regeneration of the islands of Langerhans occur most frequently in diabetes mellitus (34 per cent. of 100 cases studied). These changes are usually associated with sclerosis or hyaline degeneration of other islands. 6. Hypertrophy and regeneration of the islands of Langerhans are occasionally observed in cirrhosis and carcinoma of the pancreas. In some of the most advanced cases, however, the islands have been spared and neither hypertrophy nor regeneration are present. 7. Regeneration of the islands of Langerhans has been noted in five cases in which there was no evidence of diabetes and where the pancreas was for the most part normal. In four of these cases, columnar hypertrophy of the islands was also observed. All five cases were associated with abnormalities of the larger ducts-obstruction, chronic inflammation, and adenomatous proliferation of the lining epithelium. 8. The occurrence of hypertrophy and regeneration of the islands of Langerhans affords considerable evidence in favor of their anatomic and functional independence.
Methotrexate/misoprostol embryopathy: report of four cases resulting from failed medical abortion.

Methotrexate, a methyl derivative of aminopterin, is a folic acid antagonist and a known human teratogen; misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog that causes uterine contractions. Recently, there has been resurgence in the use of methotrexate in combination with misoprostol or of methotrexate alone for the treatment of unwanted or ectopic pregnancies, respectively. This report documents the findings in four infants who were exposed prenatally to methotrexate alone or in combination with misoprostol in a failed attempt at medical abortion or treatment of ectopic pregnancy. All patients demonstrated growth deficiency, with growth parameters <10th centile, and all displayed features consistent with methotrexate and/or misoprostol embryopathy. Since an increasing number of medical abortions are being performed, it is important for physicians to recognize the associated teratogenic effects of these abortifacients. Data from the patients herein described should prompt obstetricians and other health care practitioners who prescribe these medications to counsel their patients regarding these risks, especially if the treatment regimen fails to induce an abortion.
Characterization of the carbonyl compounds in reverted soybean oil1,2,3

Twenty-one mono-carbonyl compounds were identified in a reverted but not rancid soybean oil with a peroxide number of 2.7 meq/kg and a flavor score of 6.0. Six of the carbonyl compounds were saturated methyl ketones, ten were saturated aldehydes and five were 2-enals. The amount of 2,4-dienals in the reverted soybean oil was too small to be fractionated and identified. One fraction of the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones of mono-carbonyl compounds obtained was different in chemical properties from those of the four known classes of compounds; viz. saturated aldehydes, saturated ketones, 2-enals, and 2,4-dienals. The chemical identity of this fraction has not been completely established.
Turbulent bursts and rings on a cone in helium at Me = 7.6.

Review of data obtained on turbulent burst geometry and growth characteristics for cone boundary-layer transition in a helium wind tunnel at a boundary-layer edge Mach number (Me) of 7.6. Detailed data concerning turbulent spot geometry and downstream propagation velocities were obtained using a spark schlieren system with sequential spark capability. In one particular test evidence of a symmetrical turbulent burst ring was obtained; all other bursts developed in a singular random manner. Profiles of the apparent outer edges of the bursts were obtained, and the velocities of the leading and trailing edges of the bursts relative to the local velocity were determined. The velocities of the leading and trailing edges were found to be fairly consistent for each observation, with the leading edge of the burst traveling at about local edge velocity, while the trailing edge moved supersonically relative to local speed.
Smart programming playgrounds

Modern IDEs contain sophisticated components for inferring missing types, correcting bad syntax and completing partial expressions in code, but they are limited to the context that is explicitly defined in a project's configuration. These tools are ill-suited for quick prototyping of incomplete code snippets, such as those found on the Web in Q&A forums or walk-through tutorials, since such code snippets often assume the availability of external dependencies and may even contain implicit references to an execution environment that provides data or compute services.We propose an architecture for smart programming playgrounds that can facilitate rapid prototyping of incomplete code snippets through a semi-automatic context resolution that involves identifying static dependencies, provisioning external resources on the cloud and injecting resource bindings to handles in the original code fragment.Such a system could be potentially useful in a range of different scenarios, from sharing code snippets on the Web to experimenting with new ideas during traditional software development.