cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Image processing for new optical pattern recognition encoders

An all new type of absolute, optical encoder with ultra-high sensitivity has been developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. These position measuring encoders are unconventional in that they rely on computational pattern recognition of high speed, electronic images, made of a moving, backlit scale which carries absolute position information of either linear or rotary format. The pattern recognition algorithms combine edge detection, threshold level sensing, spatial compression, and centroiding along with fault recovery through scale image defect detection. Details of the encoder scale patterns and their design rules and the image processing algorithm which gives these encoders their unique and unparalleled performance characteristics are discussed.
Inferring haplotypes from genotypes on a pedigree with mutations, genotyping errors and missing alleles.

Inferring the haplotypes of the members of a pedigree from their genotypes has been extensively studied. However, most studies do not consider genotyping errors and de novo mutations. In this paper, we study how to infer haplotypes from genotype data that may contain genotyping errors, de novo mutations, and missing alleles. We assume that there are no recombinants in the genotype data, which is usually true for tightly linked markers. We introduce a combinatorial optimization problem, called haplotype configuration with mutations and errors (HCME), which calls for haplotype configurations consistent with the given genotypes that incur no recombinants and require the minimum number of mutations and errors. HCME is NP-hard. To solve the problem, we propose a heuristic algorithm, the core of which is an integer linear program (ILP) using the system of linear equations over Galois field GF(2). Our algorithm can detect and locate genotyping errors that cannot be detected by simply checking the Mendelian law of inheritance. The algorithm also offers error correction in genotypes/haplotypes rather than just detecting inconsistencies and deleting the involved loci. Our experimental results show that the algorithm can infer haplotypes with a very high accuracy and recover 65%–94% of genotyping errors depending on the pedigree topology.
Spectral histology of breast tissue using mid-infrared spectroscopic imaging

Histopathologic recognition is the gold standard in breast cancer diagnoses and is a primary determinant tool for cancer research. Unfortunately, the manual nature of histopathologic recognition leads to low throughput analysis, delays in decision-making and errors. Here, we present an automated means to accurate histologic recognition using mid-infrared molecular spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging is combined with statistical pattern recognition and high throughput sampling to provide automated tissue segmentation into constituent cell types. The method does not need dyes or probes and dispenses with human input. Results demonstrate that the technique is capable of accurate histologic segmentation that can potentially become competitive with that attained by conventional immunohistochemical analyses.
Molar cusp-size variability in relation to odontogenesis in hominoid primates.

Abstract Cusp-size variability increased from the mesial to the distal parts of molar teeth. The progression of increasing variability corresponds closely to the order of calcification of the cusps.
A software architecture for supporting the exchange of electronic manuscripts

As electronic-manuscript exchange becomes more prevalent, problems arise in translating among the wide variety of electronic representations. The optimum solution is a system that can support both the use and the creation of translation tools.
Fabrication of grating structures with variable period

Abstract Photoresist gratings with variable period have been fabricated by recording the interference pattern of a collimated laser beam with a converging one. The period variation as a function of position, as well as the wavelength dependent focal properties of the gratings, has also been analyzed.
p-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid stimulation of chloride-dependent sodium and potassium transport in human red blood cells

The organic mercurial p-chloromercuribenzensulfonic acid (PCMBS) reversibly increases fluxes of sodium and potassium across the human red blood cell membrane. We examined the effect of different monovalent anions on cation fluxes stimulated by PCMBS. A substantial portion of the fluxes of both cations was found to have a specific anion requirement for chloride or bromide, and was not observed when chloride was replaced by nitrate, acetate or methylsulfate. The chloride-dependent component of the cation fluxes was only observed when the cells were exposed to PCMBS concentrations of 0.5 mM or greater. Furosemide (1 mM) did not inhibit the PCMBS-stimulated cation fluxes. The observed anion specificity is directly associated with the transport process rather than PCMBS binding to the membrane. A portion of the potassium transport stimulated by PCMBS appears to involve K+-K+ exchange; however, Na+ + K+ cotransport is not stimulated by this sulfhydryl reagent.
Foaling-management practices associated with the occurrence of enterocolitis attributed to Clostridium perfringens infection in the equine neonate

Enterocolitis associated with Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) infection in neonatal foals is often severe and has been associated with a high case-mortality risk. We designed a premises-based survey to evaluate the associations of regional foaling practices, premises environmental management, periparturient foal and brood-mare management, and periparturient brood-mare ration with the occurrence of neonatal enterocolitis attributed to C. perfringens infection. Potential risk factors individually associated with enterocolitis were breed type, housing type at foaling and in the first three days of life, ground/floor surface type at foaling and in the first three days of life, brood-mare ration before and after foaling, and the presence of livestock other than horses on the premises in the past. From the multivariable-logistic regression models, six variables were significantly associated with an increased risk of the outcome of interest (p<0.05): foals of the stock horse type, housing in a stall or drylot in the first three days of life, other livestock present on the premises in the past, foal born on dirt, sand or gravel surface, and low amounts of grass hay and grain fed post-partum. Low grain amounts fed pre-partum represented a decreased risk of the outcome of interest.
Mechanical fault interaction within the Los Angeles Basin: A two‐dimensional analysis using mechanical efficiency

[1] Mechanical models examine deformation within eight different structural cross sections proposed by Davis et al. [1989] and Shaw and Suppe [1996] along a northeast-southwest transect across the Los Angeles Basin, California. Horizontal contraction of the models, constrained by geodetic measurements, yields varying dip-slip rates along frictionally sliding faults within the different cross sections. Mechanical efficiency analysis using effective stiffness and strain energy density assesses the overall fault system deformation as well as the partitioning of work between fault slip and host rock strain. The cross section interpreted by Shaw and Suppe [1996] has the best fit to paleoseismically determined slip rates and the greatest mechanical efficiency (greatest proportion of work toward fault slip); however, this model produces excessive reverse slip along the Newport-Inglewood fault. A modified fault configuration with a wedge or blind Puente Hills thrust fault rather than a ramp-detachment configuration better matches the paleoseismic data with slightly lower mechanical efficiency. Slip rates in the mechanical models based on interpretations of Shaw and Suppe [1996] have much closer match to the geologically determined rates than those estimated from kinematic models. This difference is due to (1) differing time spans of slip rate estimates and (2) deformable rather than rigid host rock in the mechanical models. The mechanical efficiency analysis provides quantitative indicators of overall fault system deformation, including the cumulative effect of interaction between individual faults. Assessment of effective stiffness and strain energy density furthers our understanding of two-dimensional fault interactions in the Los Angeles Basin and offers great potential for future applications.
Fermi surface and gap symmetry of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8: A status report

Experimental aspects of recent high-resolution, angle-resolved photemission studies of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 are reviewed.
A Simulation of the Wangara Atmospheric Boundary Layer Data

Abstract Previously, the authors have studied a hierarchy of turbulent boundary layer models, all based on the same closure assumptions for the triple turbulence moments. The models differ in complexity by virtue of a systematic process of neglecting certain of the tendency and diffusion terms in the dynamic equations for the turbulent moments. Based on this work a Level 3 model was selected as one which apparently sacrificed little predictive accuracy, but which afforded considerable numerical simplification relative to the more complex Level 4 model. An earlier paper had demonstrated that the model produced similarity solutions in near agreement with surface, constant flux data. In this paper, simulators from the Level 3 model are compared with two days of Wangara atmospheric boundary layer data (Clarke et al., 1971). In this comparison, there is an easily identified error introduced by our inability to include advection of momentum in the calculation since these terms were not measured. Otherwise, the ...
Reconsidering the functions of latex

Enormous quantities of latex are found in over 40 plant families on a worldwide basis. Despite the proportions involved, the role of this substance within plants is still a matter of conjecture. Latex is closely associated with isoprene which may be emitted as a gas from both plants (that may or may not contain latex) and animals. The volume of isoprene expelled into the atmosphere each year is approximately equal to that of total methane emissions. The latter (but not the former), a known “greenhouse gas”, is the subject of considerable concern. It appears reasonable, therefore, that efforts be made to examine more thoroughly the formation and function of latex and associated compounds in order to obtain a better understanding of a number of critical biological and environmental phenomena known to be associated with these phytochemicals. Possible roles played by these substances in both plants and their surrounding environment are described.
Energy propaganda: Channels for corporate hegemony

An approach is suggested to the study of corporate hegemony. By focusing on a single policy area (e.g., energy), selected elements of the hegemonic process can be examined in the concrete. The theo...
Net hydrogenation of Pt-NHPh bond is catalyzed by elemental Pt.

Synthesis and characterization of the monomeric complex (tbpy)Pt(Me)(NHPh) (tbpy = 4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-dipyridyl) has been accomplished. Mechanistic studies reveal that 1,2-addition of dihydrogen across the Pt−anilido bond to initially produce (tbpy)Pt(Me)(H) and free aniline is catalyzed by elemental Pt rather than through a pathway that involves direct activation of H2 by Pt and 1,2-addition across the Pt−NHPh bond.
Trauma in the elderly: intensive care unit resource use and outcome.

Background: As the population ages, the elderly will constitute a prominent proportion of trauma patients. The elderly suffer more severe consequences from traumatic injuries compared with the young, presumably resulting in increased resource use. In this study, we sought to examine ICU resource use in trauma on the basis of age and injury severity. Methods: This study was a retrospective review of trauma registry data prospectively collected on 26,237 blunt trauma patients admitted to all trauma centers (n = 26) in one state over 24 months (January 1996-December 1997). Age-dependent and injury severity-dependent differences in mortality, ICU length of stay (LOS), and hospital LOS were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Results: Elderly (age ≥ 65 years, n = 7,117) patients had significantly higher mortality rates than younger (age 65 years was associ ated with a two- to threefold increases mortality risk in mild (ISS 30) have decreased ICU resource use secondary to associated increased mortality rates.
Insecticide-fertilizer mixtures for controlling the dark rice field mosquito.

Massive populations of the dark rice field mosquito, Psorophora confinnis (Lynch-Arribalzaga), are produced in southwestern Louisiana by the water management methods used in the cultivation of rice.
Mechanism of transmitter release: voltage hypothesis and calcium hypothesis

The calcium hypothesis of synaptic transmission has been challenged by experimental results using the crayfish neuromuscular junction that suggest that presynaptic depolarization can trigger transmitter release directly without calcium influx. Results from electrophysiological experiments using the same preparation do not support this voltage hypothesis, but are consistent with the calcium hypothesis. Voltage may modulate, but not elicit, transmitter release.
The effect of fibre orientation closure approximations on mechanical property predictions

Abstract Current approaches used to simulate the flow of short-fibre suspensions employ fibre orientation tensors where the dependence upon higher-order orientation tensors is alleviated through the use of a closure. Unfortunately, the effect that a given closure has on material property predictions has received little attention in the literature. Accordingly this investigation demonstrates that current objective fourth-order closures assume an orthotropic form, whereas existing sixth-order closures are shown to provide a material representation with fewer symmetries than orthotropic. Numerical calculations demonstrate the existence of shear–extensional and shear–shear coupling in simple homogeneous flow and for a center-gated disk. Although these components are minor in comparison to principal components of the stiffness tensor, these components can be obtained via existing sixth-order closures.
Crystal Structure of CCM3, a Cerebral Cavernous Malformation Protein Critical for Vascular Integrity

CCM3 mutations are associated with cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM), a disease affecting 0.1–0.5% of the human population. CCM3 (PDCD10, TFAR15) is thought to form a CCM complex with CCM1 and CCM2; however, the molecular basis for these interactions is not known. We have determined the 2.5 Å crystal structure of CCM3. This structure shows an all α-helical protein containing two domains, an N-terminal dimerization domain with a fold not previously observed, and a C-terminal focal adhesion targeting (FAT)-homology domain. We show that CCM3 binds CCM2 via this FAT-homology domain and that mutation of a highly conserved FAK-like hydrophobic pocket (HP1) abrogates CCM3-CCM2 interaction. This CCM3 FAT-homology domain also interacts with paxillin LD motifs using the same surface, and partial CCM3 co-localization with paxillin in cells is lost on HP1 mutation. Disease-related CCM3 truncations affect the FAT-homology domain suggesting a role for the FAT-homology domain in the etiology of CCM.
The U.S. heavy-ion fusion program

Abstract Since the last Symposium, the US has restructured its fusion program to emphasize science, enabling technologies, and innovation. A principal goal of the restructured program is to develop new, more attractive fusion options. As part of the restructuring, we have canceled ILSE, an accelerator project described at previous Symposia. Instead of ILSE, we have initiated a program of small experiments, technology development, and end-to-end numerical simulation of accelerators and targets. In addition, we have expanded our effort in chamber dynamics and power-plant technologies. This new program has two goals: (1) the development of a more compelling (less expensive) long-term vision for heavy-ion fusion and (2) the development of the scientific and technological foundation for the construction of an accelerator research facility with far greater capability than ILSE. This accelerator facility (sometimes called the Integrated Research Experiment) together with the National Ignition Facility and the expanded program in chambers and power plant technologies will, if successful, provide a sound basis for a decision to begin construction of a full-scale heavy-ion driver that could be upgraded to drive a demonstration power plant. The National Ignition Facility is expected to demonstrate ignition by 2006. With adequate funding, it would also be possible to complete the Integrated Research Experiment by this time.
Changes in nucleotide-binding proteins during oocyte maturation in Xenopus laevis

Photoaffinity nucleotide analogs of ATP and GTP have been used to investigate the purine nucleotide-binding proteins of Xenopus laevis oocytes. These analogs label Xenopus oocyte supernatant proteins in a highly specific manner. The pattern of proteins labeled with these analogs was determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A number of changes in this pattern were observed during the time course of progesterone-stimulated maturation in vitro. If one alters the dynamic balance of phosphatase and kinase activities with NaF, these changes are not observed. This photoaffinity approach also provides an assay for the purification of high-affinity nucleotide-binding proteins, including protein kinases, which may be important in the process of oocyte maturation.
Reservoir characterization of the Mt. Simon Sandstone, Illinois Basin, USA

Abstract The integration of open hole well log analyses, core analyses and pressure transient analyses was used for reservoir characterization of the Mt. Simon sandstone. Characterization of the injection interval provides the basis for a geologic model to support the baseline MVA model, specify pressure design requirements of surface equipment, develop completion strategies, estimate injection rates, and project the CO2 plume distribution. The Cambrian-age Mt. Simon Sandstone overlies the Precambrian granite basement of the Illinois Basin. The Mt. Simon is relatively thick formation exceeding 800 meters in some areas of the Illinois Basin. In the deeper part of the basin where sequestration is likely to occur at depths exceeding 1000 m, horizontal core permeability ranges from less than 1×10−12 cm2 to greater than 1×10−8 cm2. Well log and core porosity can be up to 30% in the basal Mt. Simon reservoir. For modeling purposes, reservoir characterization includes absolute horizontal and vertical permeability, effective porosity, net and gross thickness, and depth. For horizontal permeability, log porosity was correlated with core. The core porosity-permeability correlation was improved by using grain size as an indication of pore throat size. After numerous attempts to identify an appropriate log signature, the calculated cementation exponent from Archie’s porosity and resistivity relationships was used to identify which porosity-permeability correlation to apply and a permeability log was made. Due to the relatively large thickness of the Mt. Simon, vertical permeability is an important attribute to understand the distribution of CO2 when the injection interval is in the lower part of the unit. Only core analyses and specifically designed pressure transient tests can yield vertical permeability. Many reservoir flow models show that 500–800 m from the injection well most of the CO2 migrates upward depending on the magnitude of the vertical permeability and CO2 injection rate (CO2 velocity). Assigning a specific value of vertical permeability to model cells is dependent on the vertical height of the model cell. Measured vertical permeability on core is scale dependent, such that lower vertical permeability is expected over longer core lengths compared to smaller lengths. Consequently, a series of vertical permeability tests were conducted on whole core varying in lengths of samples from 7 cm to 30 cm that showed vertical perm could change by an order of magnitude over a 30 cm height. For one well, the results from a series of pressure transient tests over a perforated interval much smaller than the gross thickness (
Intra-industry signals embedded in bank acquisition announcements

Abstract Bank acquisitions have increased in recent years, as more banks attempt to exploit potential synergies, economies of scale, and other benefits. Numerous studies have determined that bank acquisitions generate strong positive valuation effects for targets on average, while the evidence of the impact on acquirers is mixed. Our objectives are: (1) determine whether the announcement of a bank acquisition transmits intra-industry signals; (2) explain why the intra-industry effects vary across acquisition announcements; and (3) explain why the valuation effects of individual rival banks vary. We find that bank acquisition announcements generate significant positive intra-industry effects, on average. The intra-industry effects of rival bank portfolios are not uniform across announcements, as they are conditioned by variables that could signal information about the probability that rival banks will become takeover targets. The valuation effects of rival bank portfolios are positively related to the valuation effects of the target banks, and inversely related to the size and prior performance of rival bank portfolios. Furthermore, the valuation effects are more favorable for individual rival banks that are ultimately acquired. To the extent that these variables reflect the probability of being acquired in the future, the intra-industry effects appear to be more favorable for acquisitions in which there is a higher probability that the corresponding rivals will become targets. Overall, investors discriminate based on event-specific and rival bank-specific characteristics when interpreting the signal transmitted as a result of bank acquisitions.
The mechanism of the non-oxidative segment of the pentose cycle in the liver.

Abstract [1-14C] Xylitol was used as substrate for isolated liver parenchymal cells from fasted rats or hamsters, and the glucose formed was isolated and degraded. Over 90% of the total radioactivity was in carbons 1 and 3, and the ratio of specific activity of C-1 to that of C-3 was only slightly under two, the expected ratio for the classical mechanism of the non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway.
Feasibility of electron cooling and luminosity potentials of colliders

Abstract Luminosity upgrades of colliders with hadron beams tend to require decreased and maintained beam emittances using a suitable cooling technique. The breakthroughs of recent years: realization of beam energy recovery in superconducting linear accelerators; flat to round beam transformations; and new beam transport concepts (discontinuous solenoid, circulator rings, hollow beams, dispersive cooling ); have promoted the feasibility of efficient electron cooling of intense high energy hadron beams. Electron cooling, in cooperation with strong SRF fields in storage rings, will allow one to obtain very short hadron bunches , as result of which the luminosity can be raised by making a low beta-star . Short bunches also would make feasible crab crossing , that allows one to remove the parasitic beam–beam interactions and maximize the collision rate. Cooling also results in flatness of uncoupled beam equilibrium; this can be used to diminish the IBS impact on luminosity. The staged cooling agenda will be discussed and illustrated. Evaluation of these advances leads one to consider that luminosity levels (in units of cm −2 s −1 ) of 10 35 in future electron–ion colliders at the hadron energy up to 150 GeV and 10 37 in hadron colliders at the energy range 1–7 TeV might be feasible. 1
CINE turbo spin echo imaging.

While high resolution TSE images have demonstrated important details of carotid artery morphology, it is evident that pulsatile blood and wall motion related to the cardiac cycle are still significant sources of image degradation. Although ECG gating can reduce artifacts due to cardiac induced pulsations, gating is rarely used because it lengthens the acquisition time and can cause image degradation due to non-constant TR. This work introduces a relatively simple method of converting a conventional TSE acquisition into a retrospectively ECG correlated cineTSE sequence. The cineTSE sequence generates a full sequence of ECG correlated images at each slice location throughout the cardiac cycle in the same scan time that is conventionally used by standard TSE sequences to produce a single image at each slice location. The cineTSE images exhibit reduced pulsatile artifacts associated with a gated sequence but without the increased scan time or associated non-constant TR effects.
New approaches to enhanced wound healing: future modalities for chronic venous ulcers

Venous leg ulcers are a common complication of venous insufficiency, and result in significant patient morbidity and socioeconomic costs related to care. Patients with venous leg ulcers often fail to achieve complete healing with standard of care treatments even with the addition of the numerous adjuvant therapies available. To gain insight into new treatment directions, we reviewed current clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of novel therapeutics in the treatment of venous ulcers.
Comparison of intact plant and excised root assays for acetylene reduction in grass rhizospheres

Abstract Intact plant and excised root assays for acetylene reduction in grass rhizosphere were compared. Five strains of Cynodon dactylon and six other C-4 grass species displayed significant acetylene reduction activity in the excised root assay in this study. Pennisetum clandestinum had the highest activity of the grasses assayed, with a maximal rate of 809.6 and an average 486.6 nmoles C2H4 g dry roots·h−1. Prior assays of the same plants using the intact plant Mylar bag assay revealed little to no activity. P. clandestinum had a mean of only 2.8 nmoles C2H4 g dry roots·h−1. These results suggest that previous published estimates of nitrogen fixation in tropical grass rhizospheres based on the excised root assay should be interpreted with caution.
Power and energy footprint of openMP programs using OpenMP runtime API

Power and energy have become dominant aspects of hardware and software design in the High Performance Computing (HPC). Recently, the Department of Defense (DOD) has put a constraint that applications and architectures need to attain 75 GFLOPS/Watt in order to support the future missions. This requires a significant research effort towards power and energy optimization. OpenMP programming model is an integral part of HPC. Comprehensive analysis of OpenMP programs for power and execution performance is an active research area. Work has been done to characterize OpenMP programs with respect to power performance at kernel level. However, no work has been done at the OpenMP event level. OpenMP Runtime API (ORA), proposed by the OpenMP standard committee, allow a performance tool to collect information at the OpenMP event level. In this paper, we present a comprehensive analysis of the OpenMP programs using ORA for power and execution performance. Using hardware counters in the Intel SandyBridge x86-64 and Running Average Power Limit (RAPL) energy sensors, we measure power and energy characteristics of OpenMP benchmarks. Our results show that the best execution performance does not always give the best energy usage. We also find out that the waiting time at the barriers and in queue are the main factors for high power consumption for a given OpenMP program. Our results also show that there are unique patterns at the fine level that can be used by the dynamic power management system to enhance the power performance. Our results show substantial variation in energy usage depending upon the runtime environment.
Oxidation of Propane by Doped Nickel Oxides

IN the course of an investigation into the catalytic properties of doped nickel oxide catalysts, it was observed that these materials could oxidize propane directly at elevated temperatures into carbon dioxide and water, the rate of the reaction depending to a marked extent on the nature and concentration of dopent present.
Glutamate and GABA in lateral hypothalamic mechanisms controlling food intake

Abstract By the 1990s a convergence of evidence had accumulated to suggest that neurons within the lateral hypothalamus (LH) play important roles in the stimulation of feeding behavior. However, there was little direct evidence demonstrating that neurotransmitters in the LH could, like electrical stimulation, elicit feeding in satiated animals. The present paper is a brief review in honor of Bartley Hoebel's scientific contributions, emphasizing the evidence from my lab that the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the LH mediate feeding stimulation and feeding inhibition respectively. Specifically, we summarize evidence that LH injection of glutamate, or agonists of its N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors, elicits feeding in satiated rats, that NMDA receptor antagonists block the eating elicited by NMDA and, more importantly, that NMDA blockade suppresses natural feeding and can reduce body weight. Conversely, GABAA agonists injected into the LH suppress feeding and can also reduce body weight, while GABAA receptor antagonists actually elicit eating when injected into the LH of satiated rats. It is suggested that natural feeding may reflect the moment-to-moment balance in the activity of glutamate and GABA within the LH.
P165 IL-1bêta module la sécrétion d’insuline des cellules bêta via la régulation du remodelage de l’actine et des adhésions focales

Introduction Les patients diabetiques de type 2 presentent un defaut de secretion d’insuline associe a l’inflammation des ilots, gouvernee en parti par la cytokine IL-1β. Cependant, il est connu que de faibles doses d’IL-1β sont benefiques pour la cellule β, mais les mecanismes moleculaires ne sont pas bien compris a ce jour. Nous avons demontre precedemment la necessite du remodelage de l’actine et des adhesions focales (FA) lors de la stimulation par le glucose de l’exocytose des granules a insuline. Notre etude a pour but de determiner les effets de differentes concentrations d’IL-1β sur ces mecanismes moleculaires. Materiels et methodes Des cellules β primaires triees de rat ont ete traitees avec differentes concentrations d’IL-1β pendant 2 h au maximum. La fonction des cellules a ete evaluee par test de secretion d’insuline en reponse au glucose, l’activation des proteines des FA par western blot et leur remodelage par immunofluorescence. Resultats Une faible concentration d’IL-1β (0,1 ng/ml) en presence de glucose, induit une augmentation de la secretion d’insuline de 42,6 ± 7,6 % (p = 0,028) qui correle avec la formation d’un dense reseau de filaments d’actine, une augmentation de la taille des FA (> 2,5 μm) de 47,7 ± 16,6 % (p = 0,015) ainsi que l’activation par phosphorylation de la paxillin et ERK1/2 (proteines cles de la voie de secretion d’insuline). Par ailleurs, l’IL-1β induit tres rapidement une relocalisation nucleaire du facteur de transcription NFκB necessaire a l’induction du remodelage de l’actine et des FA par l’IL-1β. Actuellement, nous realisons une analyse transcriptomique afin de determiner de nouveaux acteurs impliques dans la regulation de la secretion d’insuline par l’IL-1β. Conclusion Une faible dose d’IL-1β pour 2 h est benefique pour la secretion d’insuline, agissant via l’activation de NFκB et la regulation du remodelage de l’actine et des adhesions focales.
Floodplain storage of sediment contaminated by mercury and copper from historic gold mining at Gold Hill, North Carolina, USA

Abstract Previous research on the environmental consequences of mining has shown that metal contaminants can have long-lasting impacts on water quality and aquatic ecosystems because of the remobilization of sediment-associated contaminants that have been stored in floodplains. We examined the magnitude and distribution of mercury (Hg) and copper (Cu) contamination of floodplain deposits associated with nineteenth century gold (Au) mining activities in the Gold Hill mining district, North Carolina. A comparison of post-mining metal concentrations in overbank deposits with sediment quality guidelines indicates that overall about 21% are contaminated above the probable effect concentration (PEC; above which adverse effects are expected to occur more often than not) for both Cu and Hg. The highest contamination occurs upstream near the mine source where 51% of the samples exceed the PEC for Hg and 57% exceed the PEC for Cu. Of the three different methods used to estimate metal mass storage, the most reliable estimate suggests that about 6.8 Mg of Hg and 619 Mg of Cu currently reside in floodplain deposits within this watershed. Although overbank sediment storage increases downstream and with valley width, about 75% of the Hg and Cu mass are stored in the upstream portion of the watershed. Hg mass storage displays a strong negative relationship with cross-sectional stream power, but the relationship between Cu mass storage and stream power is insignificant. We used vertical changes in overbank metal concentrations and the mining history to estimate a mean sedimentation rate of 2.7 cm y − 1 during the most intensive period of Au mining at Gold Hill (1842–1856) that is three times the long-term (1842–2007) rate of 0.9 cm y − 1 . Long-term average rates at Gold Hill are comparable to those reported elsewhere in the eastern Piedmont. The downstream increase in long-term rates may indicate a spatial and temporal lag effect where the locus of deposition shifts downstream with time.
Vibrational distributions in desorption induced by femtosecond laser pulses: coupling of adsorbate vibration to substrate electronic excitation

Abstract Quantum-state distributions are reported for nitric oxide (NO) molecules desorbed from a Pd(111) surface at a base temperature of 140 K by laser pulses of 400 fs duration. Significant vibrational populations are observed in the V ; = 0, 1, and 2 levels. For a femtosecond laser fluence capable of producing substrate electronic temperatures of ∼ 4500 K, the vibrational distribution of the desorbed NO molecules is roughly thermal with an average degree of vibrational excitation corresponding to a temperature of 2900 K. These measurements can be regarded as the reverse of the usual vibrational relaxation measurement in that here energy flows from the substrate to the adsorbate vibration. The high degree of excitation of the NO intramolecular vibration can be attributed directly to efficient coupling to the electron-hole pairs generated in the Pd substrate by the femtosecond laser pulse. The process is modeled by calculating electronic and lattice temperatures for the Pd substrate and then incorporating the electron temperature profile into a master equation for the NO vibrational populations. The analysis permits an effective coupling constant of ∼ 15 cm −1 to be inferred for the interaction between the substrate electronic excitation and the intramolecular vibration.
Monotone approximations of unstable solutions

Assume that for a nonlinear two-point problem we have a subsolution lying above a supersolution. It is well-known that in general one cannot conclude the existence of a solution in between. However, if one restricts the growth of the nonlinearity, then under some restrictions on the super- and subsolution, one gets both existence of a solution and two sequences of monotone approximations. In addition, we can assert some qualitative property of the solution.
Increasing sequence diversity with flexible backbone protein design: the complete redesign of a protein hydrophobic core.

Protein design tests our understanding of protein stability and structure. Successful design methods should allow the exploration of sequence space not found in nature. However, when redesigning naturally occurring protein structures, most fixed backbone design algorithms return amino acid sequences that share strong sequence identity with wild-type sequences, especially in the protein core. This behavior places a restriction on functional space that can be explored and is not consistent with observations from nature, where sequences of low identity have similar structures. Here, we allow backbone flexibility during design to mutate every position in the core (38 residues) of a four-helix bundle protein. Only small perturbations to the backbone, 1-2 A, were needed to entirely mutate the core. The redesigned protein, DRNN, is exceptionally stable (melting point >140°C). An NMR and X-ray crystal structure show that the side chains and backbone were accurately modeled (all-atom RMSD = 1.3 A).
The effect of age and telomere length on immune function in the horse.

Summary Telomeres, specialized structures present at the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes, function to maintain chromosome stability and integrity. Telomeres shorten with each cell division eventually leading to replicative senescence, a process thought to be associated with age-related decline in immune function. We hypothesized that shortened PBMC telomere length is a factor contributing to immunosenescence of the aged horse. Telomere length was assessed in 19 horses ranging in age from 1 to 25 years. Mitogen-induced 3 H-thymidine incorporation, total serum IgG, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was also determined for each horse. Relative telomere length (RTL) was highly correlated with overall age. RTL was positively correlated with 3 H-thymidine incorporation and total IgG. Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was negatively correlated with RTL. These measures were also correlated with age, as expected. However, RTL was not correlated with immunosenescence and inflammaging in the oldest horse.
Impulse Activity Differentially Regulates [Leu]Enkephalin and Catecholamine Characters in the Adrenal Medulla

Regulation of the putative peptide neurohumour [Leu]enkephalin and the catecholaminergic enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine-N-methyl-transferase was examined in the rat adrenal medulla in vivo and in vitro. Surgical denervation of the adrenal gland or pharmacologic blockade of synaptic transmission, treatments known to decrease catecholamine traits, increased [Leu]enkephalin content. Medullas explanted to culture exhibited a 50-fold rise in [Leu]enkephalin in 4 days, whereas tyrosine hydroxylase remained constant, and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase decreased to a new baseline level. Veratridine-induced depolarization prevented the accumulation of [Leu]enkephalin, an effect that was blocked by tetrodotoxin, which antagonizes transmembrane Na+ influx. These studies suggest that enkephalinergic and catecholamine characters are differentially regulated by impulse activity and depolarization in the adrenal medulla.
Genome-wide association study identifies genetic variants in GOT1 determining serum aspartate aminotransferase levels

We carried out a genome-wide association study of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity in 866 Amish participants of the Heredity and Phenotype Intervention Heart Study and identified significant association of AST activity with a cluster of single nucleotide polymorphisms located on chromosome 10q24.1 (peak association was rs17109512; P=2.80E-14), in the vicinity of GOT1, the gene encoding cytosolic AST (cAST). Sequencing of GOT1 revealed an in-frame deletion of three nucleic acids encoding asparagine at position 389 c.1165_1167delAAC (p.Asn389del) in the gene. Deletion carriers had significantly lower AST activity levels compared with homozygotes for the common allele (mean±s.d.: 10.0±2.8 versus 18.8±5.2 U l−1; P=2.80E-14). Further genotyping of the deletion in other Amish samples (n=1932) identified an additional 20 carriers (minor allele frequency (MAF)=0.0052). The deletion was not detected in 647 outbred Caucasians. Asn at codon 389 is conserved among known mammalian cASTs. In vitro transient transfection of wild-type and mutant cAST indicated that mutant cAST protein was barely detectable in the cells. Furthermore, even after correction for cAST expression, mutant cAST had markedly diminished enzymatic activity. Remarkably, we did not find any association between the deletion and metabolic traits including serum fasting glucose or insulin, fasting and post-meal lipids, inflammatory markers, or sub-clinical markers of cardiovascular disease. In conclusion, we discovered a rare in-frame deletion in GOT1 gene, which inactivates cAST enzyme in the Old Order Amish. This finding will help us to understand structure and function of the enzyme and would be useful for predicting serum AST levels.
Self-consistent-field calculations of atoms and ions using a modified local-density approximation.

Local-density-approximation calculations of atomic structure are useful for the description of atoms and ions in plasmas. The large number of different atomic configurations that exist in typical plasmas leads one to consider the expression of total energies in terms of a Taylor series in the orbital occupation numbers. Two schemes for computing the second derivative Taylor-series coefficients are given; the second, and better one, uses the linear response method developed by Zangwill and Soven [Phys. Rev. A 21, 1561 (1980)] for the calculation of optical response in atoms. A defect in the local-density approximation causes some second derivatives involving Rydberg orbitals to be infinite. This is corrected by using a modified local-density approximation that had previously been proposed [Phys. Rev. B 2, 244 (1970)].
Interactive responses of gala apple fruit volatile production to controlled atmosphere storage and chemical inhibition of ethylene action.

Gala apples exposed to the ethylene action inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) for 12 h at 20 °C were stored at 1 °C in air or a controlled atmosphere (CA) maintained at 1 kPa O2 and 2 kPa CO2. Volatile compounds were measured after 4, 12, 20, and 28 weeks plus 1 or 7 days at 20 °C. Treatment with 1-MCP and then storage in air or CA or storage in CA without 1-MCP treatment reduced volatile production as compared to apples not treated with 1-MCP stored in air. The reduced production of esters, alcohols, aldehydes, acetic acid, and 1-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)benzene was observed. Ester production by fruit stored in CA decreased throughout the storage period regardless of previous 1-MCP treatment. The production of esters, alcohols, aldehydes, acetic acid, and 1-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)benzene by 1-MCP-treated fruit stored in air plus 7 days at 20 °C increased after 20 or 28 weeks of storage. Continuous exposure to 417 μmol m-3 ethylene for 7 days at 20 °C after 12 or 28 weeks of storage stimulated production ...
Paradoxical increases of circulating nonesterified fatty acids in somatotropin treated cattle undergoing mild disturbances

Effects of various doses of bovine somatotropin (bST) on plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were studied in a 14-d Latin square with six Holstein heifers. Animals were given daily injections of excipient or bST at 12:00 p.m. and fed twice daily at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. On Day 14, plasma NEFA remained low through the day except around the 7:00 p.m. feeding when they were substantially elevated. The elevation was significantly greater in bST-treated animals and corresponded to the excitement of the animals in anticipation of the evening feeding. To further investigate this phenomenon, a second experiment was conducted in which nine growing Holstein steers were fed hourly and received either daily intramuscular (i.m.) injection of excipient or bST (120 mg/kg BW) for 15 d in a crossover design. Daily profiles of NEFA were obtained under undisturbed conditions or concurrently with intensive handling. Although no elevations could be detected in any case in control animals, bST caused a substantial rise in NEFA concentration only when animals were subjected to intensive handling. This suggested that NEFA peaks noted in bST-treated heifers in the first experiment resulted from increased ability of adipose tissue to respond to adrenergic stimulation associated with the anticipation of feeding. Consistent with this hypothesis, plasma NEFA concentrations in bST-treated steers were increased to a greater extent during a challenge involving i.v. injection of epinephrine. This amplification of adipose tissue response by bST must be considered when conducting intensive studies. Even the minimal excitement associated with blood sampling can confound the results regarding lipid mobilization, and this may have contributed to the notion that ST is a lipolytic hormone.
The phase transition in superconductors

Synopsis By analysing a simple model of a superconductor it is shown that Van der Leeden's conjecture of a double-point belonging to the class D (1,1) on the transition line is probably not correct. Instead it appears that the transition lines for positive and negative magnetic fields are continuous in all their derivatives at the transition temperature T c , but that just below T c the transition line has a discontinuity of curvature where a critical point marks the change from second-order to first-order transitions. The critical point should only be detectably different from T c for very small specimens.
The restriction of diffusion of cations at the external surface of cardiac myocytes varies between species

Abstract In cardiac muscle sarcolemmal structures such as T-tubules, caveolae and negatively charged protein-polysaccharides may affect the rate of cation exchange on the external surface of the cells. To test this hypothesis, we examined the rate of external cation exchange in adult rabbit and rat ventricular myocytes using a rapid solution switcher to change the bulk external solution within 4 ms. To assess the rate of diffusion of monovalent cations, we increased [K+]o from 4.4 to 6.6 or 8.8 mM and measured the time required to achieve a stable membrane depolarization. In rat myocytes, the mean time to 90% depolarization (t90) was significantly longer than that in rabbit myocytes (137 and 64 ms, respectively) and the difference in t90 was not associated with the cell size. To assess the time course of exchange of external Ca2+, we rapidly exposed the myocytes to 0 Ca2+-2 mM EGTA solution at specific time points before action potentials or voltage clamp steps, and measured the rate of alteration of the normalized peak [Ca2+]i transient (Flux-3) or Ca2+ current. Exposure to 0 Ca2+-2 mM EGTA solution caused a decline in the intracellular calcium transient. In rat myocytes, the rate of decline in the [Ca2+]i transient was much slower (t90 > 1500 ms, the time required for 90% decline) than for the rabbit (t90 = 295 ms). Also, the rate of decline in the Ca2+ current was prolonged in rat myocytes (t90 = 910 ms) compared with rabbit myocytes (t90 = 241 ms). These data indicate that there is a restricted space on the external surface of sarcolemma which limits diffusion of divalent cations more markedly than monovalent cations. The extent of this limitation of cation diffusion varies between species, and may have functional significance.
On a classification rule for multiple measurements

Abstract In this paper an optimum procedure, based on the maximum-likehood criterion, for classification into one of two populations has been studied when multiple observations are available on the same variable for each individual. The distribution of the classification statistics, which turns out to be a nonlinear function of the mean and variance of the observations of the individual, are derived, and formulae (exact and approximate) for the computation of the conditional probability of misclassification are given when the parameters are known, as well as when the parameters are unknown. This procedure is further extended to more than two populations.