cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiomyocyte Specific Bmal1 Deletion Triggers Extracellular Matrix Response Associated with Markers of Impaired Inflammation Resolution and Diastolic Dysfunction

The mammalian circadian clock consists of multiple transcriptional regulators that coordinate biological processes in a time-of-day-dependent manner. Cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of the circadian clock component BMAL1 (aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein 1) leads to age-dependent dilated cardiomyopathy and decreased lifespan in mice. We investigated whether cardiomyocyte-specific BMAL1 knockout (CBK) mice display early alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, inflammation modulators, and cardiac diastolic function. By 28 weeks of age, CBK mice developed diastolic dysfunction, ventricular hypertrophy, increased fibrosis and expression of ECM-regulatory genes, as well as a gene expression pattern consistent with impaired resolution of inflammation (compared to aged matched controls). More specifically, CBK mice exhibited (p 1.5 fold) expression of collagen I and III, as well as th...
A NOVEL DIABETES SYNDROME IN AMERICAN BLACKS (TYPE 1.5 DIABETES): INSULIN SECRETORY AND BINDING STUDIES

A NOVEL DIABETES SYNDROME IN AMERICAN BLACKS (TYPE 1.5 DIABETES): INSULIN SECRETORY AND BINDING STUDIES
Building electronic wave packets from scratch

Summary form only given. Unipolar "half-cycle" pulses (HCPs) can be used to alter the momentum distribution of atomic electrons over subpicosecond timescales. Previously, momentum "kicks" from HCPs were used to produce electronic wave packets from highly excited Rydberg eigenstates. In addition, these pulses have been used to kick bound electrons into the continuum, making it possible to monitor the time-dependent momentum distribution of electronic wave packets. Conversely, our most recent experiments have shown that HCPs can extract momentum from free electrons, facilitating their capture by positive ions. In the experiments, calcium atoms in the singlet 4s4p level are photoionized into the continuum using a 1.5ps, 390-nm laser pulse.
Expression of The Embryonic Stem Cell Transcription Factor SOX2 in Human Skin: Relevance to Melanocyte and Merkel Cell Biology

SOX2 is a gene located on chromosome 3q26.33 that encodes a transcription factor important to maintenance of embryonic neural crest stem cell pluripotency. We have identified rare SOX2-immunoreactive cells in normal human skin at or near the established stem cell niches. Three subsets of SOX2-positive cells were defined in these regions: those expressing only SOX2 and those that co-expressed SOX2 and either CK20 or microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, which are consistent with dichotomous differentiation of SOX2-expressing precursors along neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) or melanocytic lines, respectively. Examination of Merkel cell carcinomas confirmed nuclear SOX2 expression in this tumor type. In human patient melanoma, strong nuclear expression of SOX2 was noted in a subset of tumors, and the ability to detect SOX2 in lesional cells significantly correlated with primary tumor thickness in a survey cohort. To assess the potential role of SOX2 in melanoma growth, an in vivo tumorigenesis assay was used. Whereas SOX2 knockdown failed to influence proliferation of cultured melanoma cells in vitro, tumor xenografts generated with the SOX2-knockdown cell line showed significant decrease in mean tumor volume as compared with controls. In aggregate, these findings suggest that SOX2 is a novel biomarker for subpopulations of normal skin cells that reside in established stem cell niches and that might relate to Merkel cell and melanocyte ontogeny and tumorigenesis.
Letter from a Lovelorn Pre-Radical: Looking Forward and Backward at Martin Luther King Jr.

In July 1952, 23-year-old Martin Luther King Jr. made the following statement: “So today capitalism has outlived its usefulness. It has brought about a system that takes necessities from the masses to give luxuries to the classes.”1 He did not say these words from the pulpit nor during one of the many political speeches he gave during his lifetime. He did not write them for a newspaper editorial nor any document produced for public consumption, such as his 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” But he did write them in a letter. It was a private letter to Coretta Scott, whom he had started dating earlier that year. The King, who wrote this letter, had just finished his first year of graduate school at Boston University and he was serving as the associate pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He was not yet Dr. King. He was not yet the public, political figure whose status and popularity in the dominant American collective memory is equal to, if not greater than, the nation’s most exalted presidents. Tracing King’s popularity from its lows to its present highs reveals that the transformation of King’s status in US history and in the nation’s collective memory is startling.
Cognitive Results of Health Behavior Contracting.

(1982). Cognitive Results of Health Behavior Contracting. Health Education: Vol. 13, No. 5, pp. 21-23.
A 1.1–8.2 GHz tuning range In-phase and Quadrature output DCO design in 90 nm CMOS technology

This paper presents a high-frequency wide tuning range Digital Control Oscillator (DCO) with In-phase and Quadrature outputs designed using a 90nm CMOS process with 1.2 V power supply. The proposed design operates in the frequency range of 1.1–8.2GHz. The designed ring oscillator with digital control inputs attains high oscillation frequencies by applying negative delay inputs to the transistors in parallel to the conventional static CMOS inverter. The stage delay of the ring oscillator with the proposed design is less than the conventional static CMOS inverter and the skewed delay inverter cell. At 2.02GHz oscillation frequency, the measured phase noise is −90.43dBc/Hz at an offset of 1 MHz and −117.64dBc/Hz at an offset of 10MHz.
GENE CONVERSION AND TRANSFER OF GENETIC INFORMATION WITHIN THE INVERTED REGION OF INVERSION HETEROZYGOTES

ABSTRACT Prior studies of recombination which monitor exchange events in exceedingly short intervals (i.e., separable sites within a cistron) reveal that the basic event in recombination involves a non-reciprocal transfer of information, termed conversion. As a logical consequence of the model suggested by the work in Drosophila, the present investigation examined recombination between rosy mutant alleles ( ry :3-52.0) in Drosophila melanogaster in a paracentric inversion ( In(3R)P 18 ) heterozygote, which placed the rosy region approximately at the center of the inverted region. Comparison of the results of this study with experiments carried out in standard chromosome homozygotes reveals a dramatic suppression of classical crossovers between the rosy mutant alleles in the inversion heterozygote. However, conversions continue to occur for all rosy mutant alleles in all heterozygous combinations in the inversion heterozygote. Moreover, the order of magnitude of conversion frequencies seen in the inversion heterozygote does not change from that seen in the standard chromosome homozygote study. The significance of these observations with reference to the role of rearrangements as barriers of information transfer is discussed. Particular attention is directed to the elaborate inversion polymorphisms seen in natural populations, and to notions concerning their role in the evolution of adaptive gene complexes.
Organizational rhetoric doomed to fail: R. J. Reynolds and the principle of the oxymoron

In the fall of 1995, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company engaged in a public relations advertising campaign that opposed restrictions on tobacco advertising proposed by President Clinton. This essay argues that in spite of the presence of creative and varied Burkean identification appeals in the messages of the RJR campaign, the campaign was fatally flawed by illegitimate presumptions of similarity and an oxymoron that violated Burke's “principle of the oxymoron.” The essay argues that this transcendent principle is unidirectional; it must offer a rise in social status for it to provide a motive for identification.
Precipitation chemistry investigations in the continental United States

Abstract This paper presents some aspects of precipitation chemistry from a pollution-control viewpoint. This includes a review of pH and hydrogen-ion content of water as it depends upon temperature and various trace contaminants. The paper concludes with a brief survey of North American precipitation chemistry networks, and some projections for future measurements.
Analysis of supramolecular complex energetics in artificial replicators

The energetics of complex formation in a number of artificial self-replicating systems has been studied by density functional theory calculations. Complex stabilities were dissected into stabilizing contributions from hydrogen bonding, dispersion, electrostatics, and destabilizing distortions of monomers from their optimum geometries. Strong cooperative effects were identified in all systems, and dispersion and electrostatics contribute more to the overall energies of complex formation than hydrogen bonding in some systems.
Time-varying heat transfer from partially insulated basements

The Interzone Temperature Profile Estimation (or ITPE) technique is applied to determine the steady-periodic temperature distribution within earth in contact with a partially insulated rectangular basement. A water table is assumed to exist at a given depth below the soil surface. The solution derived addresses all the common insulation configurations for basements and crawl spaces. The effect of basement depth and of partial insulation length and U-value on the mean, amplitude, and phase lag of total heat loss from the basement floor and walls is investigated through a parametric analysis.
Physician and patient use of and attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of infertility

Abstract Objective To determine use of and attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among infertility patients and subspecialty physicians. Methods Infertility patients were asked to complete anonymous written surveys at an academic infertility practice; members of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility were electronically surveyed. Both groups were assessed regarding their use of and attitudes toward CAM. Results The response rate was 32.1% (115/358) among patients and 22.6% (225/995) among physicians (P Conclusion Significant discrepancies exist between subfertile patients and physicians in attitudes toward the use of CAM. The current prevalence of CAM use among infertility patients requires greater physician attention and justifies further study on the risks and benefits of integrating CAM into the biomedical treatment of infertility.
Rebalancing Immune Specificity and Function in Cancer by T-Cell Receptor Gene Therapy

Adoptive immunotherapy with tumor-specific T lymphocytes has demonstrated clinical benefit in some cancers, particularly melanoma. Yet isolating and expanding tumor-specific cells from patients is challenging and there is limited ability to control T-cell affinity and response characteristics. T-cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy, in which T lymphocytes for immunotherapy are redirected using an introduced rearranged TCR, has emerged as an important alternative. Successful TCR gene therapy requires consideration of a number of issues, including TCR specificity and affinity, optimal gene therapy constructs, types of T cells administered, and the survival and activity of the modified cells. In this review we highlight the rationale for and experience with TCR gene therapy as well as new approaches to enhancing it.
“Start” Mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Are Suppressed in Carbon Catabolite-Derepressing Medium

Temperature-sensitive cell division “start” mutants cdc28, cdc36, cdc37, and cdc39 of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae arrested cell division in the G1 phase of the cell cycle in glucose medium. I report here that cdc28, cdc36, and cdc39 mutants were suppressed when grown in carbon catabolite-derepressing medium.
The effects of histamine and an antihistamine on Trichinella spiralis and on trichinous enteritis in the host.

Abstract The effects of histamine and an antihistamine on the number and fecundity of adult Trichinella spiralis and on trichinous enteritis measured by determining myeloperoxidase activity in the small intestine of the host on days 7, 9 and 11 postinfection (PI) were examined during primary infections of the CD-1 Swiss white mouse. In mice receiving oral doses of histamine the fecundity of adult worms decreased, the number of adult worms was unaffected and enteritis was elevated above that seen with untreated mice or mice receiving oral doses of saline alone. In mice injected intramuscularly with antihistamine after day 7 PI fecundity of adult worms increased, the number of adult worms remained the same and enteritis decreased compared to untreated mice receiving intramuscular injections of saline. As the concentration of histamine present in the incubation medium (0.01, 0.1, 10, 25, 50 or 100 mg%) was increased above 0.01 mg% the fecundity of adult worms during culture in vitro decreased. As the concentration of antihistamine present in incubation medium (0.01, 0.1, 10 or 100 mg%) was increased above 0.1 mg% the fecundity of adult worms during culture in vitro decreased.
Pitch and temporal contributions to musical phrase perception: Effects of harmony, performance timing, and familiarity

Four experiments assessed pitch and temporal contributions to phrase judgments made on excerpts from classical music. In Experiment 1, pitch-condition trials retained the original pitch pattern but were equitemporal, temporal-condition trials retained the original temporal pattern but were equitonal, and combined-condition trials contained both patterns. In Experiment 2, one pattern was shifted in phase and recombined with the other pattern to create the pitch and temporal conditions; in the combined condition, both patterns were shifted together. The stimuli in Experiments 3 and 4 used durations from a recorded performance. In all experiments, a linear combination of the pitch- and temporal-condition ratings accurately predicted the combinedcondition ratings. Familiarity with the music resulted in a higher correlation between pitch- and temporal-condition ratings, but did not alter the additive relationship; performance timing had little effect.
Sapphire temperature sensor coal gasifier field test

This paper describes the effort in developing a sapphire temperature prototype sensor for coal gasifier applications. The sensor is tested in laboratory to 1600 degree C and demonstrated 0.47% accuracy with respect to full measurement range. The efforts on sensor prototype development ranging from sensor probe packaging at each level, sensor electronics, LED modulation to remote data access are addressed.
Tactical simulation in an object-oriented animated graphics environment

Action Graphics (AG) combines the ideas of animated graphics, free-form spreadsheets and object-oriented programming to produce a problem solving and simulation environment.
Ground-state energy of a dilute fermi gas

Abstract A large assembly of identical fermions interacting via a repulsive two-body potential is considered, and a series expression for the ground-state energy is developed. All terms preceding those dependent on parameters of three (or more)-particle scattering, are calculated. For the particular case of a hard-core interaction of diameter a , the ground-state energy is developed as ΔE = Ic + Jc 2 + Kc 3 + Lc 4 ln c + O ( c 4 ), where c ≡ k F a and k F is the Fermi wavenumber of the system; and the coefficients I , J , K , and L are calculated. Two methods, using Goldstone and Feynman diagrams respectively, are developed simultaneously and are shown to form complementary techniques. The Feynman technique has not previously been applied to this problem beyond the term of O ( c 2 ). Some formal properties of the exact Bethe-Goldstone equation in the case of the hard-core interaction, are developed in an appendix.
Observing the pole tide with satellite altimetry

[1] Almost 9 years of sea surface height observations from the TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) satellite altimetry mission are used to observe the geocentric pole tide deformations of the sea surface. If the oceans are assumed to have an equilibrium response, then satellite altimeters effectively observe the equipotential surface that is associated with the solid Earth and ocean pole tide deformations. The long-wavelength component of the geocentric pole tide deformations at the Chandler wobble period is observed from T/P altimetry to be consistent with the theoretical self-consistent equilibrium response of the ocean pole tide. The geocentric pole tide explains 70% of the variance in the degree 2 order 1 spherical harmonic component of the residual sea surface heights that are observed by T/P, after removing the seasonal, inverse barometer, and lunisolar tidal effects. If the long-wavelength component of the ocean pole tide is assumed to have an equilibrium response at the Chandler wobble period, then satellite altimetry proves to be another geodetic technique that can be used to estimate the Love number k2 at that period.
First Confirmed Report of Sugar Beet Cyst Nematode, Heterodera schachtii, in North Dakota

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and canola (Brassica napus L.) are major crops in North Dakota, with sugar beet production primarily in the eastern part of the state in the Red River Valley and canola production across the northern half of the state. Both crops are hosts of sugar beet cyst nematode (SBCN), Heterodera schachtii Schmidt. In April 2011, soil samples were collected from four sugar beet fields belonging to three growers who believed the fields were infested with SBCN. The fields were located in a 65-km2 area in the Yellowstone Valley of western North Dakota. Cysts were extracted by sieving and Heterodera-like cysts with eggs were observed in all four soil samples. Population densities in the four fields ranged from 100 to 1,750 eggs/100 cm3 soil. Sugar beet seedlings (cv. M832224) were grown in a potting mix for 6 weeks in the greenhouse and then transferred to conetainers (type D40; volume 656 ml) containing autoclaved river sand. Conetainers were placed in sand in plastic pots immersed in a wa...
Water slope and discharge in the Amazon River estimated using the shuttle radar topography mission digital elevation model

[1] We find that the standard deviation, hence error, of the water surface elevation data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) is 5.51 m for basin-wide, regional and local Amazon mainstem reaches. This error implies a minimum reach length of 733km in order to calculate a reliable water-surface slope. Resulting slopes are 1.92 ± 0.19 cm/km for Manacapuru, 2.86 ± 0.24 cm/km for Itapeua and 3.20 ± 0.34 cm/km for Tupe. Manning's equation is applied with these slopes and with channel width measurements from the Global Rain Forest Mapping project synthetic aperture radar mosaics (GRFM SAR), channel depths averaged from nautical charts, and reasonable estimates of Manning's n. Resulting discharge values are 84,800 m3/s at Manacapuru, 79,800 m3/s at Itapeua, and 62,900 m3/s at Tupe averaged over the SRTM mission period. These values are within 6.2% at Manacapuru, 7.6% at Itapeua, and 0.3% at Tupe of the in-situ gage-based estimates for the same or similar time period.
Oxides of nitrogen in combustion: Oscillatory combustion at elevated pressure

Abstract Measurements of the local perturbations of pressure were made during the oscillatory combustion of mixtures of air and natural gas at elevated pressure under macroscopically steady conditions. The results indicate a complicated effect of the interrelation of mixture ratio and weight rate of flow upon the time-average pressure and the residual quantities of the oxides of nitrogen as well as upon the frequency and amplitude of the perturbations. The results also reveal a complicated microscopic behaviour from both a physical and chemical standpoint at pressures in excess of twice that of the atmosphere. The thermal transfer to the walls of the combustor was a marked function of the nature of the pressure perturbations.
Nonlinear Disturbance Evolution Across a Hypersonic Compression Corner

The nonlinear evolution of the second-mode disturbance across a compression comer under the hypersonic flow condition is studied by spatial direct numerical simulation in this investigation. A fifth-order weighted essentially nonoscillating scheme is employed for this simulation. After the mean flow is obtained, the two- and three-dimensional mono- or random-frequency disturbances are added into the mean flow at the beginning of the computational domain. The nonlinear simulations show that two-dimensional disturbance will become saturated downstream of the separation region when its amplitude grows to a quite large value. For three-dimensional monofrequency disturbance evolution, with appropriate initial disturbance amplitude, the nonlinear interactions of the oblique disturbance will first happen at the beginning of the separation region, and some superharmonics will begin to appear in this region, but only downstream of the separation region do these harmonics begin to grow rapidly
It takes a village to grow a tissue.

A recent meeting emphasized the importance of integrating concepts from developmental biology and other disciplines into tissue engineering.
Deadhead Selection for the Long-Haul Crew Pairing Problem

The long-haul crew pairing problem involves the assignment of crews to scheduled flights such that overall costs are minimized and crew availability and work rule restrictions are satisfied. These problems are characterized by international flights that typically do not operate on a daily schedule, resulting in a sparsity of flights and extended periods of inactivity for crews at some stations. To eliminate these extended rest periods and reduce overall costs, it is advantageous in some cases to deadhead crews, that is, to assign crews to flights as passengers for repositioning and better utilization. In this paper, a heuristic methodology is developed to improve crew pairing solutions through the efficient selection and utilization of deadhead flights. The methodology uses the dual solutions determined in solving the linear programming relaxation of the crew pairing problem to build arrival and departure profiles at each station. These profiles provide a mechanism to price-out potential deadhead flights. Flights that price-out favorably may be used to build improved solutions to the crew pairing problem. The Deadhead Selection Procedure is tested using data provided by a long-haul airline and is shown to achieve significant improvement in crew costs by reducing the total number of deadhead hours flown and by reducing the total duration of rest periods.
MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CONDUCTIVE SRRUO3 THIN FILMS FORMED BY PULSED-LASER DEPOSITION

Transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution electron microscopy have been used to study microstructural properties of conductive SrRuO3 films grown by pulsed laser deposition on (001) LaAlO3 and (001) SrTiO3 substrates. It was found that the SrRuO3 films deposited on both substrates consist of mixed domains of [001] and [110] orientations, with orientation relationships that can be described as (i) (001)f ‖ (001)s and [110]f ‖ [100]s and (ii) (110)f ‖ (001)s and [001]f ‖ [100]s, respectively. The SrRuO3 films deposited on SrTiO3, in particular, were found to have a layered domain structure, with the [110] domain grown initially on the substate, followed by growth of the [001] oriented domain with increasing thickness. The films on SrTiO3 are strained and have a coherent interface with the substrate. The SrRuO3 films deposited on LaAlO3, on the other hand, contain a high density of structural defects such as stacking faults and microtwins on the (022) planes. Microtwins as large as 50 nm in thickness are observed in the films deposited on LaAlO3. Possible causes for the observed structural defects in the films are discussed.
Current transcriptomics in pig immunity research

Swine performance in the face of disease challenge is becoming progressively more important. To improve the pig’s robustness and resilience against pathogens through selection, a better understanding of the genetic and epigenetic factors in the immune response is required. This review highlights results from the most recent transcriptome research, and the meta-analyses performed, in the context of pig immunity. A technological overview is given including wholegenome microarrays, immune-specific arrays, small-scale high-throughput expression methods, high-density tiling arrays, and next generation sequencing (NGS). Although whole genome microarray techniques will remain complementary to NGS for some time in domestic species, research will transition to sequencing-based methods due to cost-effectiveness and the extra information that such methods provide. Furthermore, upcoming high-throughput epigenomic studies, which will add greatly to our knowledge concerning the impact of epigenetic modifications on pig immune response, are listed in this review. With emphasis on the insights obtained from transcriptomic analyses for porcine immunity, we also discuss the experimental design in pig immunity research and the value of the newly published porcine genome assembly in using the pig as a model for human immune response. We conclude by discussing the importance of establishing community standards to maximize the possibility of integrative computational analyses, such as was clearly beneficial for the human ENCODE project.
Heart rate control and mechanical cardiopulmonary coupling to assess central volume: a systems analysis

Small negative changes of central volume reduce cardiac output without significant alterations of arterial blood pressure (ABP), suggesting an adequate regulatory response. Furthermore, evidence has arisen supporting a Bainbridge reflex (tachycardia with hypervolemia) in humans. To investigate these phenomena, multivariate autoregressive techniques were used to evaluate the beat-to-beat interactions between respiration, R-R interval, and ABP at six levels of decreased and increased central volume. With reductions of central volume below control, baroreflex and respiratory sinus arrhythmia gains were reduced, while with increases of volume above control, gains increased for the first two levels but decreased again at the highest volume level, suggesting the presence of a Bainbridge reflex in healthy human subjects. The mechanical influence of respiration on central venous pressure (CVP) had an unexpected shift in phase at the point of mild central hypervolemia, with the expected negative relation at lower volumes (inspiration lowers CVP) but a positive relation at higher volumes (inspiration raises CVP). We conclude that multivariate techniques can quantify the relations between a variety of respiratory and hemodynamic parameters, allowing for the in vivo assessment of complex cardiorespiratory interactions during manipulations of central volume. The results identify the presence of a Bainbridge reflex in humans and suggest that short-term cardiovascular control is optimized at mild hypervolemia.
Absolute cross-section measurements in XQQ instruments: Ar+ + N2 → Ar + N+2

Abstract The energy dependence of the cross-section, σ(E), for the asymmetric near-resonant charge-transfer reaction Ar+ + N2 → Ar + N+2 was measured in the NBS triple quadrupole (QQQ) tandem mass spectrometer. For P ⋍ 0.04–0.35 mtorr and E ⋍ 5–60 eV (LAB) [the range of collision energies used for collisionally activated dissociation (CAD)], identical σE values were measured from both the rate of reactant ion decay and the rate of product ion formation. Therefore, these σE values are substantially free from kinetic interferences (i.e. no back reactions, no impurity reactions, no scattering losses, minimal fringing fields, no mass discrimination, well-defined gas target, etc.). Moreover, there is probably no significant systematic error in our measurements of the absolute σE values for Ar+ + N2 → Ar + N+2 because the σE values we measured with this same technique for Ne+ + Ne → Ne + Ne+ and Ar+ + Ar → Ar + Ar+ agreed well with literature values obtained with several well-established techniques.
The use of advanced-age donor hearts adversely affects survival in pediatric heart transplantation.

There is a limited supply of adequate donor hearts for cardiac transplantation. The safety of using advanced-age donor hearts has been debated in adult transplantation but has not been studied previously in pediatric recipients. In this retrospective study, survival of 79 pediatric heart transplant recipients was reviewed. Pediatric recipient groups were stratified based on donor age (group 1 donor age > 40 yr, n = 5; group 2 donor age 40 yr, n = 12; 40 yr of age. One-year survival was 58% (older donors) vs. 85% (younger donors, p < 0.005) and two-year survival was 44% (older donors) vs. 79% (younger donors, p < 0.005). Advanced-age donor hearts should be contraindicated in pediatric transplantation with the exception of critically ill patients who may not be able to wait for a younger heart.
Magnetic assembly and pyrolysis of functional ferromagnetic colloids into one-dimensional carbon nanostructures.

A novel synthetic route to functionalize and magnetically assemble ferromagnetic colloids into one-dimensional (1-D) carbon nanostructures is reported. The synthesis of ferromagnetic cobalt nanoparticles with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) shells was achieved by ligand exchange of PAN onto preformed polystyrene-coated ferromagnetic cobalt nanoparticles. PAN-coated ferromagnetic nanoparticles (PAN-CoNPs) were then cast onto supporting surfaces from N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of an external magnetic field and pyrolyzed to form 1-D carbon nanoparticle chains spanning microns in length. Atomic force microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and X-ray diffraction were used to confirm the preparation of these 1-D hybrid nanostructures. This versatile methodology provides an alternative approach to prepare 1-D carbon materials using soluble precursors that can be magnetically directed and organized.
Transport Systems and Policies for Sustainable Cities

The 20th century witnessed revolutionary developments in transportation technology with major impacts on the form and character of cities. Progress in increasing mobility has brought many benefits as well as serious problems, particularly in deterioration of livability and sustainability. Increase in auto ownership led to serious problems of chronic traffic congestion. Attempts to rebuild cities to provide full accommodation of private cars have led to serious problems of auto dependency and deterioration of cities. Experiences from recent decades have shown that urban transportation is much more complex than usually realized. Livable and sustainable cities require policies that lead to creation of a transportation system consisting of coordinated public transit and private cars, and encourages pedestrian environment and efficient, sustainable development. Great need for better understanding of the complex problems in implementing incentives and disincentives aimed at achieving intermodal balance is emphasized. Brief descriptions of cities which lead in achieving such livable conditions is followed by a summary of lessons and guidelines for the future.
Structure of short thick filaments from Limulus muscle

Shortened Limulus thick filaments, isolated from stimulated muscle, are structurally similar to long filaments, isolated from unstimulated muscle, except for length. Both have 3-fold screw symmetry with a helical repeat at approximately 43 nm, axial spacing of 14.5 nm between successive crowns of crossbridges and 4-fold rotational symmetry as estimated from the Bessel argument, by analysis of optical transforms of electron micrograph negatives of negatively stained samples. Both short and long filaments also have similar radii for the location of their crossbridges, thus similar diameters. Equal numbers of subunits/helical strand are also apparent on images of metal-shadowed long and short filaments. Since these data argue against molecular reorganization during filament shortening, it is suggested that the change in length of Limulus thick filaments may occur by reversible disaggregation of constituent protein molecules.
Torsades de pointes, a potential complication of diuretic-induced hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia in patients with congestive heart failure: Conference presentation of a generic patient

Abstract Background: Despite improvements in care, the prognosis for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) remains poor. Fifty percent of patients with CHF suffer from arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. This may be attributable in part to the use of medications that contribute to electrolyte imbalance. Objective: This article presents a case report of a woman with CHF due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Results: The case report involved a 52-year-old white woman with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, atypical chest pain, and dyslipidemia. Her medical treatment had included the use of furosemide (a loop diuretic), digoxin, and sotalol; she subsequently developed torsades de pointes (TdP). An electrocardiogram showed normal sinus rhythm; the QT c interval was 530 msec. Levels of digoxin, K + , and Mg 2+ were 1.8 ng/mL, 3.5 mEq/L, and 1.5 mEq/L, respectively. Results of a Holter monitor recording suggested that the hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia, interacting with the digoxin and sotalol, potentiated the development of a prolonged QT interval. To ensure the TdP did not recur, an IV bolus of Mg 2+ was administered and oral triamterene therapy was added to the patient's current medications. These additions appeared to correct the electrolyte imbalance. Conclusion: This case exemplifies the importance of recognizing and managing electrolyte imbalance in the treatment of patients with CHF.
Quantitation of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein mRNA in mononuclear blood cells by competitive RT-PCR

Abstract Background: The genes for the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1a (SREBP-1a), -1c, and -2, the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, and the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase play a key role in the intracellular cholesterol and lipid metabolism. Methods: To enable the absolute and relative quantitation of the mRNA levels of these genes we developed a competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. The inclusion of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene for reference and normalization enabled us to accurately discriminate between a twofold variance in the expression levels of these genes. We used this assay to study their expression in mononuclear peripheral blood cells (PBMNC). Results: We found that the relative expression of SREBP-1a is tenfold higher than that of SREBP-1c, but only half of that of SREBP-2. The level of SREBP-1a transcripts correlated with that of the SREBP-1c, LDL receptor, HMG-CoA reductase, and SREBP-2 genes, whereas the amount of SREBP-1c mRNA did not show a relationship with that of the latter three genes. The most abundant transcript in PBMNC is that of SREBP-2, followed by that of SREBP-1a, whereas SREBP-1c mRNA is only found in smaller amounts. Conclusions: This competitive RT-PCR method is very well suited for the accurate quantitation of the respective mRNAs.
Distribution of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure in children: normalized reference values and role of body dimensions

Background Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is an essential tool in the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of arterial hypertension in children. The statistical use of pediatric ABPM reference values has been compromised by the non-Gaussian distribution of 24-h blood pr
Succinylcholine for Endotracheal Intubation

In the emergency department at Hennepin County Medical Center, succinylcholine has been used to assist difficult intubations since March 1, 1979. In this report, the first 48 cases are reviewed. In these 48 patients, complete relaxation allowing endotracheal intubation was achieved in 42. Forty of the 42 patients intubated suffered no adverse effects. One patient vomited, delaying intubation, and another developed transient asystole. Six of 48 patients were not successfully intubated after succinylcholine; five of these six subsequently required cricothyrotomy. Inadequate dose, improper technique of administration, foreign material obscuring airway, and idiosyncratic reactions were thought to be reasons for failure. When properly administered, succinylcholine can be used to facilitate difficult intubations in the emergency department with an acceptable incidence of adverse effects or failures.
A Mesh in the Sky: A Routing Protocol for Airborne Networks

Conventional ad hoc routing protocols face challenges in airborne network due to aircraft movement, which often results in intermittent links and can cause dramatic topology changes. In this paper, we propose a cluster-based reactive routing protocol to alleviate these problems. Our solution takes advantage of mesh routers installed in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or aircraft capable of hovering, when such airborne assets are available. As those mesh points usually have relatively stable connections among themselves, they play the role of cluster heads, forming a hierarchical routing structure. A simple self-organizing rule is introduced in cluster management to limit the cluster control overhead and route discovery flooding. In addition, a disruption tolerant mechanism (DTM) can be deployed in the routing protocol to increase resilience to temporary link or node failure.
EPA-1375 – Associations of vitamin d with clinical and evoked pain in a mono- and di-zygotic female twin sample

Introduction The etiology of acute and persistent pain is complex, multifactorial and poorly understood. In addition to known factors such as obesity, stress, and inflammation, vitamin D is a potentially important variable. Objectives To examine how vitamin D is linked with pain in a genetically informative sample. Aims Generalized Estimating Equations were used to estimate the contribution of vitamin D levels to clinical and evoked pain. Within-pair zygosity-stratified correlations were examined to explore the heritability of vitamin D level. Methods 96 female twin pairs (76% monozygotic), some pain-free and some selected for persistent pain, were recruited from a large community-based twin registry. Twins individually provided clinical pain ratings using a validated visual analog scale of the degree of pain experienced over the past 30 days, and evoked pressure pain ratings at threshold using dolorimetry. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels (25(OH)D) were assayed in all. Results Higher 25(OH)D (>50 ng/mL) was associated with higher clinical pain ratings (B=−.481, p=.02) and higher evoked pressure pain ratings at threshold (B=−.458, p=.05) controlling for age and body mass index. Within-pair correlations suggested low heritability of 25(OH)D. Conclusions Vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency was unassociated with pain in this sample, whereas vitamin D sufficiency was associated with greater clinical pain and higher evoked pain ratings, indicating greater pain sensitivity. Given the low heritability of 25(OH)D, these associations are unlikely to be confounded by shared genetics. Differences in vitamin supplementation or outdoor activity and sun exposure between twins with and without pain conditions might partially explain these findings.
Coarse-grained modeling of the structural states and transition underlying the powerstroke of dynein motor domain

This study aims to model a minimal dynein motor domain capable of motor function, which consists of the linker domain, six AAA+ modules (AAA1-AAA6), coiled coil stalk, and C-terminus domain. To this end, we have used the newly solved X-ray structures of dynein motor domain to perform a coarse-grained modeling of dynein's post- and pre-powerstroke conformation and the conformational transition between them. First, we have used normal mode analysis to identify a single normal mode that captures the coupled motions of AAA1-AAA2 closing and linker domain rotation, which enables the ATP-driven recovery stroke of dynein. Second, based on the post-powerstroke conformation solved crystallographically, we have modeled dynein's pre-powerstroke conformation by computationally inducing AAA1-AAA2 closing and sliding of coiled coil stalk, and the resulting model features a linker domain near the pre-powerstroke position and a slightly tilted stalk. Third, we have modeled the conformational transition from pre- to post-powerstroke conformation, which predicts a clear sequence of structural events that couple microtubule binding, powerstroke and product release, and supports a signaling path from stalk to AAA1 via AAA3 and AAA4. Finally, we have found that a closed AAA3-AAA4 interface (compatible with nucleotide binding) is essential to the mechano-chemical coupling in dynein. Our modeling not only offers unprecedented structural insights to the motor function of dynein as described by past single-molecule, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and electron microscopy studies, but also provides new predictions for future experiments to test.
Lichen metabolism identified in Early Devonian terrestrial organisms

We used δ 1 3 C values to identify lichen metabolism in the globally distributed Early Devonian (409-386 Ma) macrofossil Spongiophyton minutissimum, which had been alternatively interpreted as a green plant of bryophyte grade or as a lichen, based on its morphology. Extant mosses and hornworts exhibited a range of δ 1 3 C t i s s u e values that was discrete from that of extant lichens. The δ 1 3 C t i s s u e values of 96 S. minutissimum specimens coincided with δ 1 3 C t i s s u e values of extant lichens. In contrast, S. minutissimum δ 1 3 C t i s s u e values showed no similarity to bryophyte carbon isotope values. The identification of large global populations of lichens during the Early Devonian may indicate that lichen-accelerated soil formation fostered the development of Paleozoic terrestrial ecosystems.
Impact of phase-sensitive-amplifier's mode structure on amplified image quality

We study phase-sensitive image pre-amplification versus pumping conditions and number of signal modes. We see image improvement by pre-amplification, and high-spatial-frequency enhancement for “higher-order-pump,” “nonzero-wavevector-mismatch” cases.
Advanced time‐domain formulation of BEM for two‐dimensional transient elastodynamics

The traction kernel is derived by using the causality of the waves and the resulting kernel is explicite. An appropriate set of linear time interpolation functions together with quadratic spatial variations are incorporated. The algorithm has a capability of handling problems with multiply connected regions. This above algorithm is now a part of the general purpose BEM code known as GPBEST
Combinative ligand‐receptor interactions: Effects of CAMP, epinephrine, and met‐enkephalin on RAW264 macrophage morphology, spreading, adherence, and microfilaments

Cell surface ligand-receptor interactions play a central role in the regulation and expression of macrophage function. Included among these macrophage membrane receptors are the beta-adrenergic and opioid receptors. We studied the abilities of epinephrine, met-enkephalin, forskolin, and adenosine 3':5' cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) analogues to affect macrophage morphology, spreading, and adherence. Cell spreading was quantitated by measuring the perimeters of adherent cell images recorded by videomicroscopy. Epinephrine induced a dose-dependent decrease in macrophage spreading; at 10(-5) M epinephrine the mean perimeter was 10.4 +/- 0.3 microns in comparison to 15.0 +/- 1.0 microns for controls. The inhibition of spreading can be blocked by the antagonist propranolol. On the other hand, met-enkephalin induced a dose-dependent increase in macrophage spreading, with a perimeter of 18.5 +/- 1.0 microns at 10(-8) M. Since catecholamines and opioids are simultaneously released from chromaffin cells of the adrenal, we examined the combinative effects due to treatment with both ligands. When macrophages were exposed to 10(-5) M epinephrine and 10(-8) M met-enkephalin, cell morphology and spreading were indistinguishable from that due to 10(-5) M epinephrine alone. The epinephrine dose-response curve in the presence of 10(-8) M met-enkephalin was similar to that of epinephrine alone. The beta-adrenergic receptor is apparently capable of diminishing or abrogating the opioid receptor signal(s). These combinative and epinephrine-mediated effects may be at least partially accounted for by the action of cAMP. Forskolin and the cAMP analogues N6-2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3':5' cyclic monophosphate (dbcAMP) and 8-bromoadenosine 3':5' cyclic monophosphate (Br-cAMP) affected cell morphology and spreading in the same fashion as epinephrine. These differences in morphology and spreading behavior were accompanied by changes in the distribution of F-actin, as judged by phalladicin staining and fluorescence microscopy. We suggest that cAMP and microfilaments play important roles in receptor-mediated neuroregulation of macrophage function.
Acute human immunodeficiency virus infection in a breast-fed infant in New York City.

Acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in a breast-fed infant is a rare diagnosis in developed countries. We present a six-month old girl with postnatally acquired HIV infection complicated by Pneumocystis jeroveci pneumonia, cytomegalovirus pneumonitis and encephalopathy. Her mother had tested negative for HIV during pregnancy. Children infected by mothers during an acute seroconversion may have more rapid disease progression.
The Relationship between AMP-activated Protein Kinase Activity and AMP Concentration in the Isolated Perfused Rat Heart

The objective of this study was to define the relationship among AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, AMP concentration ([AMP]), and [ATP] in perfused rat hearts. Bromo-octanoate, an inhibitor of beta-oxidation, and amino-oxyacetate, an inhibitor of the malate-aspartate shuttle, were used to modify substrate flux and thus increase cytosolic [AMP]. Cytosolic [AMP] was calculated using metabolites measured by (31)P NMR spectroscopy. Rat hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing glucose and either no inhibitor, the inhibitors, or the inhibitors plus butyrate, a substrate that bypasses the metabolic blocks. In this way, [AMP] changed from 0.2 to 27.9 microm, and [ATP] varied between 11.7 and 6.8 mm. AMPK activity ranged from 7 to 60 pmol.min(-1).microg of protein(-1). The half-maximal AMPK activation (A(0.5)) was 1.8 +/- 0.3 microm AMP. Measurements in vitro have reported similar AMPK A(0.5) at 0.2 mm ATP, but found that A(0.5) increased 10-20-fold at 4 mm ATP. The low A(0.5) of this study despite a high [ATP] suggests that in vivo the ATP antagonism of AMPK activation is reduced, and/or other factors besides AMP activate AMPK in the heart.
Multiple Myo4 motors enhance ASH1 mRNA transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ASH1 mRNA is transported to the bud tip by the class V myosin Myo4. In vivo, Myo4 moves RNA in a rapid and continuous fashion, but in vitro Myo4 is a nonprocessive, monomeric motor that forms a complex with She3. To understand how nonprocessive motors generate continuous transport, we used a novel purification method to show that Myo4, She3, and the RNA-binding protein She2 are the sole major components of an active ribonucleoprotein transport unit. We demonstrate that a single localization element contains multiple copies of Myo4 and a tetramer of She2, which suggests that She2 may recruit multiple motors to an RNA. Furthermore, we show that increasing the number of Myo4–She3 molecules bound to ASH1 RNA in the absence of She2 increases the efficiency of RNA transport to the bud. Our data suggest that multiple, nonprocessive Myo4 motors can generate continuous transport of mRNA to the bud tip.