cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
WebTOP: A 3D interactive system for teaching and learning optics

WebTOP is a three-dimensional, Web-based, interactive computer graphics system that helps instructors teach and students learn about waves and optics. Current subject areas include waves, geometrical optics, reflection and refraction, polarization, interference, diffraction, lasers, and scattering. Some of the topics covered are suited for introductory level physics students while others are suited for intermediate optics students. WebTOP is developed with a flexible interface to suit the various needs of instructors and students. Many of the features lend themselves to classroom use or self-guided study. WebTOP is implemented using VRML, Java, JavaScript, and VRML's Java EAI.
Characterization of an unusual lipoprotein similar to human lipoprotein a isolated from the baboon, Papio sp

An unusual lipoprotein was detected and purified from the blood of some members of a large colony of baboons, Papio sp. This lipoprotein was found to be similar to human lipoprotein a in all respects and is therefore termed lipoprotein a. Baboon lipoprotein a had a density of 1.052 g/ml and was located between low- and high-density lipoproteins in a density gradient ultracentrifugation. However, despite its greater density, baboon lipoprotein a was larger than low-density lipoprotein, based on gradient gel electrophoresis and gel filtration. The lipoprotein contained a very large apolipoprotein (apolipoprotein-lipoprotein a) which was found to consist of an apolipoprotein B linked to another protein called apolipoprotein a by a disulfide bridge(s). In all these characteristics, baboon lipoprotein a was similar to human lipoprotein a.
A Stochastic Approximation Method

Let M(x) denote the expected value at level x of the response to a certain experiment. M(x) is assumed to be a monotone function of x but is unknown to the experimenter, and it is desired to find the solution x = θ of the equation M(x) = α, where a is a given constant. We give a method for making successive experiments at levels x1, x2, ··· in such a way that xn will tend to θ in probability.
Intravascular lipoleiomyomatosis: A report of two cases

Two cases of intravascular leiomyomatosis (IVL) with histologic features of a lipoleiomyoma (LPL) are reported. Both tumors arose from preexisting uterine leiomyomata. One tumor was found incidentally in a uterus removed for leiomyomata. The other tumor extended up the inferior vena cava into the right side of the heart and presented as a cardiac mass. Although LPL is considered to be a benign lesion, IVL recurs in approximately 10% of reported cases, and must be distinguished from low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma with vascular invasion. The combination of features in these cases lends support to the theory that IVL may arise by intravascular extension of a preexisting leiomyoma.
Enhanced Fos expression within the primary olfactory and limbic pathways induced by an aversive conditioned odor stimulus

Abstract A central question in olfactory learning is how animals become tuned to odor stimuli that gain significance through conditioning. A leading view is that tuning to conditioned odor stimuli involves functional modifications within the primary olfactory pathways, themselves. 7 Here we studied this idea further by investigating responses within the olfactory system to an odor that had previously been paired with footshock in classical fear-conditioning trials in adult rats. Using the transcription factor Fos as a marker of odor-induced neuronal activation, 1. , 14. we found that in rats that had received forward pairings of odor and footshock during training, presentation of the conditioned odor stimulus, alone, produced an enhanced increase in levels of Fos in the main and accessory olfactory bulbs and anterior olfactory nucleus compared with that found in animals that had received backward presentations of the stimuli or of odor alone. These results demonstrate that Fos responses to an odor within the primary olfactory pathways can be modified through aversive conditioning, and are consistent with other evidence that olfactory conditioning can lead to functional changes within these pathways. 7
Genistein improves regulatory interactions between G551D-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and the epithelial sodium channel in Xenopus oocytes.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in addition to its well defined Cl−channel properties regulates other ion channels. CFTR inhibits epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) currents in many epithelial and non-epithelial cells, whereas the presence of ENaC increases CFTR functional expression. This interregulation is reproduced inXenopus oocytes where both the open probability and surface expression of wild type CFTR Cl− channels are increased when CFTR is co-expressed with αβγ-mouse ENaC (mENaC) and conversely when the activity of mENaC is inhibited after wild type CFTR activation. Using the Xenopus oocyte expression system, different functional regulatory interactions were observed between G551D-CFTR and αβγ-mENaC. The co-expression of G551D-CFTR and αβγ-mENaC resulted in a 5-fold increase in G551D-CFTR Cl− current compared with oocytes expressing G551D-CFTR alone. Oocytes co-injected with both G551D-CFTR and ENaC expressed an amiloride-sensitive whole cell current that was similar to that observed before and after G551D-CFTR activation with forskolin/isobutylmethylxanthine. Treatment with genistein both enhanced the functional expression of G551D-CFTR and improved regulatory interactions between G551D-CFTR and ENaC. These data suggest that genistein may be useful in patients with cystic fibrosis and the G551D-CFTR mutation.
The X-ray photoelectron spectra of MnS, MnSe, and MnTe

Abstract The core level binding energies and valence band spectra of MnS, MnSe, and MnTe have been examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that the compounds are substantially more ionic in character than related transition metal compounds, and that the compounds lack significant metalmetal interactions, accounting for the nontypical nature of the compounds as transition metal chalcides.
Hydrodynamic Simulations of Gas−Solid Flow in a Riser

Conservation of mass and momentum equations for gas and solid phases were used to compute the hydrodynamics of flow in risers for two core-annular flow regimes. The principal input into the model was a semiempirical viscosity for fluidized catalytic cracking particles. The computed time-averaged radial fluxes and particle concentrations agree with experimental data obtained in a riser by Miller (Ph.D. Thesis, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, 1991) and Knowlton et al. (PSRI Challenge Problem Presented at the Eighth International Fluidization Conference, Tour, France, 1995). The model also computed the dynamics of flow, the dominant frequency of instantaneous particle concentrations, the granular temperature, and the granular pressure in reasonable agreement with measurements.
Iodinated Compounds in the Thyroids of the Offspring of Rats Maintained on Low-Iodine Diet1

Radioiodide was injected into newborn rats, their thyroids were digested and the digests fractionated by paper chromatography. Rats born to iodine—deficient dams were studied at various ages, 1–4 days, 14 days, 59 days and 94 days. After weaning, the dams and the young rats continued on a Remington low—iodine diet. Results were compared to controls of comparable age and fed commercial laboratory chow. Contrary to previous reports on adult rats fed the Remington low—iodine diet for three months and over, the young rat thyroid contained, at all ages up to 59 days, less labeled T3 than T4. The low percentage T3 in the thyroids of the youngest rats contrasted with the low—iodine content, increased 125I uptake, increased thyroid weight and a high ratio of labeled MIT to DIT. Compared to their normal controls, each age group of iodinedeficient young rats had a significantly lower percentage labeled thyroidal T3. It was concluded that newborn rats do not adapt to iodine deficiency as the adult. (Endocrinology 92...
Phenotype Ontology Research Coordination Network meeting report: creating a community network for comparing and leveraging phenotype-genotype knowledge across species

Representing phenotype in a way that can be linked to thousands of molecular genetic and environmental databases is an unresolved research challenge. A recent meeting of the Phenotype Research Coordination Network (RCN) aimed to coordinate and leverage current efforts. The three day summit meeting was hosted by NESCent (The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center) in Durham, North Carolina on the 23rd–25th of February, 2012.
AEBP2 as a potential targeting protein for Polycomb Repression Complex PRC2

AEBP2 is a zinc finger protein that has been shown to interact with the mammalian Polycomb Repression Complex 2 (PRC2). In the current study, we characterized this unknown protein and tested its potential targeting roles for the PRC2. AEBP2 is an evolutionarily well-conserved gene that is found in the animals ranging from flying insects to mammals. The transcription of mammalian AEBP2 is driven by two alternative promoters and produces at least two isoforms of the protein. These isoforms show developmental stage-specific expression patterns: the adult-specific larger form (51 kDa) and the embryo-specific smaller form (32 kDa). The AEBP2 protein binds to a DNA-binding motif with an unusual bipartite structure, CTT(N)15-23cagGCC with lower-case being less critical. A large fraction of AEBP2's target loci also map closely to the known target loci of the PRC2. In fact, many of these loci are co-occupied by the two proteins, AEBP2 and SUZ12. This suggests that AEBP2 is most likely a targeting protein for the mammalian PRC2 complex.
Lectin staining of cultured CNS microglia.

Carbohydrate binding proteins, known as lectins, bind to specific sugar groups on most membranes. We used fluorescent and light microscopy to study the interaction of various lectins with the membranes of microglia cultured from neonatal rat or fetal mouse cerebral cortices. Microglia stained intensely with GS-1, RCA, WGA, and ConA and slightly with DBA, UEA, BPA, and SBA. No staining was seen with GS-2, MPA, or PNA. Staining was specific for microglia in the mixed glial cultures and was dose dependent. In addition, microglial lectin binding could be reduced or blocked by competitive inhibition using specific sugars. Treatment of the microglia with agents such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interferon (IFN), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) did not eliminate lectin staining, although the degree of staining was altered. Positive staining of the microglia was also associated with a functional change for at least one lectin, i.e., ConA. Superoxide anion production by microglia was increased in the presence of ConA. Overall, binding of the lectins GS-1, RCA, WGA, and ConA can be used as an identifying tool for microglia in glial cultures, but intensity of staining varies depending on their functional state.
Mega-channel coincidence circuit for multilayer spherical ring positron emission tomography

Abstract An exemplary circuitry designed for the multi-layer ring (as well as sphere) PET system of 16 rings with each ring consisting of 384 detectors is analyzed and its expected performance is studied. Priority encoders and multiplexing techniques are used throughout and the final memory groups are divided into several groups so that each group can handle fractional incident coincidence counts, thus increasing the total detection speed. The total coincidence count rate which can be handled with the proposed circuit is up to 14.4 × 106 counts/s with less than 1% coincidence count loss.
24 h blood pressure profile affects the left ventricle independently of the pressure level. A study in untreated essential hypertension diagnosed by office blood pressure readings

This work examines whether the 24 h blood pressure (BP) pattern per se might affect the left ventricular structure independently of the pressure level. One hundred subjects with abnormally high office BP readings who had never received any antihypertensive treatment were submitted to 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring and left ventricular echocardiographic assessment. They were classified into two groups, as follows: dippers (group 1), consisting of 46 subjects whose mean nighttime systolic BP was reduced by at least 10% in comparison to the corresponding daytime value, and nondippers (group 2), consisting of 54 subjects whose nighttime BP did not drop or was reduced by < 10%. Left ventricular mass and end-diastolic volume values, both normalized for body surface area, were significantly higher in nondippers (r = 3.12, P < .003, and r = 7.46, P < .001, respectively). The two groups did not differ in diastolic thickness of either intraventricular septum or left ventricular posterior wall (both values normalized for body surface area), in mean 24 h systolic or diastolic or average blood pressure, or in age. In conclusion, in untreated essential hypertension diagnosed on the basis of abnormal office BP readings, the higher incidence of left ventricular mass increase in subjects unable to reduce their blood pressure during the night was more due to left ventricular dilatation than to myocardial wall thickening. The effect of the 24 h BP profile on left ventricular volume appears to be independent of both the BP level and age.
Model-integrated program synthesis environment for parallel/real-time image processing

In this paper, it is shown that, through the use of model- integrated program synthesis (MIPS), parallel real-time implementations of image processing data flows can be synthesized from high level graphical specifications. The complex details in inherent to parallel and real-time software development become transparent to the programmer, enabling the cost-effective exploitation of parallel hardware for building more flexible and powerful real-time imaging systems. The model integrated real-time image processing system (MIRTIS) is presented as an example. MIRTIS employs the multigraph architecture (MGA), a framework and set of tools for building MIPS systems, to generate parallel real-time image processing software which runs under the control of a parallel run-time kernel on a network of Texas Instruments TMS320C40 DSPs (C40s). The MIRTIS models contain graphical declarations of the image processing computations to be performed, the available hardware resources, and the timing constraints of the application. The MIRTIS model interpreter performs the parallelization, scaling, and mapping of the computations to the resources automatically or determines that the timing constraints cannot be met with the available resources. MIRTIS is a clear example of how parallel real-time image processing systems can be built which are (1) cost-effectively programmable, (2) flexible, (3) scalable, and (4) built from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components.
THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, ANTITRUST LEGISLATION AND INTEREST GROUP COALITIONS

This article examines the testimonial behavior of the American Bar Association with respect to congressional hearings conducted to consider proposed changes in the antitrust laws during the 1970s. The ABA displayed a pattern of agreement in opposition to the proposed antitrust legislation with recurrently appearing business interest groups, and the Nixon and Ford Justice Departments. ABA testimony proved inconsistent with the views expressed by the Federal Trade Commission and a consumer lobby, the Consumer Union. Variable intergroup interaction levels, and data on the vested interests of ABA leaders are suggested as possessing explanatory power.
Critical Point of Metals from the van der Waals Model

The classical van der Waals model of fluids is modified by a more accurate equation of state for hard spheres. The hard-sphere diameter and the van der Waals constant $a$ are obtained from experimental data. The model is used to predict the critical constants of metals, as well as the equation of state, cohesive energy, and coexistence curves near the critical point. The model is also applied to rare gases and ionic salts. The semiquantitative predictions of the model are at least as accurate as those of other theories. Of the three critical constants, the critical temperature is most accurately predicted, being within 11% of experiment. More information about the interatomic potential in metals is needed before the theory can be substantially improved.
High Performance Work Systems and Intermediate Indicators of Firm Performance Within the US Small Business Sector

Within this manuscript I present conceptual and empirical evidence that indicates that within the US small business sector high performance work systems (HPWS) are associated with outcomes that are key to the success of small US firms. I also present empirical evidence that indicates that within this sector of the US economy HPWS do not necessarily produce outcomes that exceed the labor costs associated with the use of these systems.
Predicting solar radiation at high resolutions: A comparison of time series forecasts

Abstract The increasing use of solar power as a source of electricity has led to increased interest in forecasting radiation over short time horizons. The relevant horizons for generation and transmission can range from as little as 5 minutes to as long as several hours. Forecasting experiments are run using six data sets, at resolutions of 5, 15, 30, and 60 min, using the global horizontal component. The data exhibits nonlinear variability, due to variations in weather and cloud cover. Nevertheless, the dominance of the 24-h cycle makes it straightforward to build predictive models. Forecasting tests are run using regressions in logs, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), and Unobserved Components models. Transfer functions, neural networks, and hybrid models are also evaluated. All the tests use true out-of-sample forecasts: The models are estimated over history prior to the start of the forecast horizon, the data is forecasted, and the predicted values are compared with the actuals. In nearly all the tests, the best results are obtained using the ARIMA in logs, with time-varying coefficients. There are some exceptions. At high resolutions, a transfer function using cloud cover is found to improve over the ARIMA. In a few cases, the neural net or hybrid models can improve at very high resolutions, on the order of 5 min. The success of the ARIMA is attributable mainly to its ability to capture the diurnal cycle more effectively than other methods.
Photochemical reactions of bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)- titanium dichloride

Abstract Irradiation of benzene solutions 10−3 M in both titanocene-d10 dichloride and titanocene dichloride with light of wavelengths 313, 360, 400, and 520 nm leads to the formation of titanocene-d5 dichloride with quantum yields of 0.02, 0.005, 0.01 and 0.007 mol Ei−1, respectively. Photodecomposition of titanocene dichloride is negligible even at much longer photolysis times than those required for isotopic equilibration. Photolysis of benzene solutions 10−2 M in titanocene dichloride and 1.0 M in methanol leads to the formation of cyclopentadienyl(methoxo)titanium dichloride with a quantum yield of about 0.08 mol Ei−1 when the irradiating wavelength is 313 nm.
To kill, you have to duck an HDAC

Analysis of the serine-threonine phosphoproteome leads to the intriguing find that phosphorylation of the histone deacetylase HDAC7 is key to cytotoxic T lymphocyte function.
Reply to Letter to the Editor by Hamilton et al

In Reply:—If most medical writers, or biomedical communicators, were hired by bad writers with good ideas, I would have no problem with the suggestions made by Dr. Hamilton et al. However, many medical writers are hired by pharmaceutical companies (or indirectly through medical education companies) to flesh out manuscripts prescripted by pharmaceutical companies as part of a marketing strategy. Certainly all authors, including medical writers, should be acknowledged. But the term “author” applies to those who are in fact responsible for the ideas, facts, and perspectives in a paper. The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) Code of Ethics seems to acknowledge the limitations under which medical writers toil.1 The first principle cited by Hamilton et al. means that medical writers should obey the law. Principle 3 states, in part, that biomedical educators “should attempt to prevent the perpetuation of incorrect information.” These are hardly stellar standards, which makes it rather disheartening that only 59% of survey respondents observe them. I'm not just picking on medical writers. The researchers who sign sponsored articles understand that they are being paid for ceding control to the sponsor. A researcher who insists on control of a paper will be allowed to make changes, but if changes do not fit the sponsor's agenda, that version of the manuscript will not be published. And an uncooperative sham author cannot expect future assignments. When a sponsoring company determines not only the ideas, facts, and perspectives in a paper, but additionally determines when, where, and whether to publish it, then the sponsor is also an author. In my ideal world, medical journals would simply list sponsoring companies as primary authors. At an absolute minimum, published disclosures should explicitly state that “author X was paid to write this manuscript on behalf of drug company Z.”
Environmental Dimensions of Aesthetic Education

(1972). Environmental Dimensions of Aesthetic Education. The Journal of Environmental Education: Vol. 3, New Concepts and Clientele, pp. 30-35.
Munshi's Proof of the Nullstellensatz

(2003). Munshi's Proof of the Nullstellensatz. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 110, No. 2, pp. 133-140.
Spin-fluctuation resonance in mixed-valence materials

We analyze the neutron magnetic form factor of a lattice of fluctuating spins when the narrow band of resonance levels is partially occupied. The form factor is predominantly that of the conduction electrons at the Fermi level. This result shows that spin fluctuation is not the sole source of heavy electrons in a number of mixed-valence and heavy-electron systems, which have been shown experimentally to have f-electron form factors in the Fermi-liquid phase. A resolution of this dilemma is proposed and the proper place where the spin-fluctuation theory applies is identified.
Direct visualization of hemolymph flow in the heart of a grasshopper ( Schistocerca americana )

Hemolymph flow patterns in opaque insects have never been directly visualized due to the lack of an appropriate imaging technique. The required spatial and temporal resolutions, together with the lack of contrast between the hemolymph and the surrounding soft tissue, are major challenges. Previously, indirect techniques have been used to infer insect heart motion and hemolymph flow, but such methods fail to reveal fine-scale kinematics of heartbeat and details of intra-heart flow patterns. With the use of microbubbles as high contrast tracer particles, we directly visualized hemolymph flow in a grasshopper (Schistocerca americana) using synchrotron x-ray phase-contrast imaging. In-vivo intra-heart flow patterns and the relationship between respiratory (tracheae and air sacs) and circulatory (heart) systems were directly observed for the first time. Synchrotron x-ray phase contrast imaging is the only generally applicable technique that has the necessary spatial, temporal resolutions and sensitivity to directly visualize heart dynamics and flow patterns inside opaque animals. This technique has the potential to illuminate many long-standing questions regarding small animal circulation, encompassing topics such as retrograde heart flow in some insects and the development of flow in embryonic vertebrates.
The Biology of Angiotensin II Receptors

Angiotensin II is very important in the regulation of blood pressure. This small peptide binds to cell surface receptors, initiating a wide diversity of physiologic responses. There are two major subtypes of angiotensin II receptors referred to as AT1 and AT2. In this article we describe the cloning and the biochemical characterization of the AT1 receptor. Antibodies against this receptor have been used to define its tissue distribution. The AT1 receptor is a member of the seven transmembrane spanning class of receptors. It initiates a complex series of signaling events, including activation of membrane phospholipases and intracellular kinases. In the human a single AT1 receptor protein mediates virtually all the effects of angiotensin II, suggesting that tissue specificity of angiotensin II must be due to organ-specific intracellular signaling.
T cell-tumor cell: a fatal interaction?

Fas (Apo-1/CD95) is a cell-surface protein that is responsible for initiating a cascade of proteases (caspases) culminating in apoptotic cell death in a variety of cell types. The function of the Fas/FasL system in the dampening of immune responses to infectious agents through the autocrine deletion of activated T cells has been well documented. More recently, it has been proposed that tumor cells express FasL, presumably to avoid immune detection. In this review, we focus on the role of the interaction of Fas and FasL in the modulation of antitumor responses. We critically examine the evidence that FasL is expressed by tumor cells and explore alternative explanations for the observed phenomena in vitro and in vivo. By reviewing data that we have generated in our laboratory as well as reports from the literature, we will argue that the Fas/FasL system is a generalized mechanism used in an autocrine fashion to regulate cell survival and expansion in response to environmental and cellular cues. We propose that FasL expression by tumor cells, when present, is indicative of a perturbed balance in the control of proliferation while “immune privilege” is established by “suicide” of activated antitumor T cells, a form of activation-induced cell death.
Abstracts of computer algebra papers from 1984 national meeting of American Chemical Society

The 188th National Meeting of American Chemical Society held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during August 26-31, 1984, had a special symposium on symbolic algebraic manipulation. Following are the abstracts of computer algebra papers in that symposium (courtesy Dr. Richard Pavelle of Symbolics, Inc).
Role of sodium in hemodialysis.

Role of sodium in hemodialysis. Sodium chloride is the most abundant salt in extracellular fluid. In normal individuals, the tonicity exerted by dissolved sodium chloride determines plasma osmolality and indirectly determines intracellular tonicity and cell volume. Uremic patients retain nitrogenous wastes and have an elevated plasma osmolality. While urea exhibits osmotic activity in serum, no sustained gradient can be established across cell boundaries because it readily diffuses through cell membranes. Thus, sodium remains the major indicator of body tonicity and determines the distribution of water across the intracellular–extracellular boundary, subsequent cell volume, thirst, and, among patients with renal insufficiency, systemic blood pressure. As a result of highly conserved plasma tonicity control systems, uremic subjects demonstrate remarkable stability of their serum sodium. Dialysate is a synthetic interstitial fluid capable of reconstituting extracellular fluid composition through urea extraction and extremely efficient solute and solvent (salt and water) transfer to the patient. Subtle transdialyzer gradients deliver and remove large quantities of trace elements, solvent, and solute to patients, creating a variety of dialysis "disequilibrium" syndromes manifest as cellular and systemic distress. Every dialysis patient uses dialysate, and the most abundant chemicals in dialysate are salt and water. Despite its universal use, no consensus on dialysate composition or tonicity exists. This can only be explained if we believe that dialysate composition is best determined by matching unique dialysis delivery system characteristics to specific patient requirements. Such a paradigm treats dialysate as a drug and the dialysis system as a delivery device. Understanding the therapeutic and toxic profiles of this drug (dialysate) and its delivery device (the dialyzer) is important to safe, effective, goal-directed modifications of therapy. This article explores some of the historical rationale behind choosing specific dialysate tonicities.
On the Evolution of Surface Morphology of Polysilicon Mems Structures During Fatigue

This paper presents the results of an atomic force microscopy (AFM) study of the evolution of surface topology in notched polysilicon MEMS structures deformed under cyclic loading at room temperature. Thein-situ andex-situ AFM studies reveal changes in surface topology after cyclic actuation at a relative humidity of ≈70%. These lead ultimately to large wavelength modulations close to the bottom of the notch, in the areas where the tensile stresses are maximum. This is in contrast with the wavelength of the surface modulations away from the notch, which remain relatively unchanged. The results are discussed in terms of possible chemical/surface processes that can occur in the presence of water vapor.
THE EFFECTS OF β‐METHYLGLUCOSE, 3‐0‐METHYLGLUCOSE and THIOGLUCOSE ON AFLATOXIN PRODUCTION BY ASPERGILLUS PARASTICUS

Earlier work characterizing the effects of glucose analogs on growth and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus was expanded by assessing the effects of β-methylglucose (βMG), 3-0-methylglucose (3MG) and thioglucose (TG). As sole carbon source of conidia-initiated cultures, βMG and 3MG, but not TG, supported growth, but none supported toxin production. In glucose-containing replacement cultures, MG appeared to stimulate toxin production, while TG was inhibitory and 3MG had no effect. Preliminary assessment of the effects of βMG, 3MG, TG, 2-deoxyglucose and α-methylglucose on glucose uptake and utilization by glucose-containing replacement cultures indicated that under conditions that favor aflatoxin production, none of the analogs inhibited the uptake of 14C-labelled glucose. It appears that the glucose transport system(s) of A. parasiticus may be unusual in that it is insensitive to a variety of glucose analogs.
Estimation of CpG coverage in whole methylome next-generation sequencing studies

Methylation studies are a promising complement to genetic studies of DNA sequence. However, detailed prior biological knowledge is typically lacking, so methylome-wide association studies (MWAS) will be critical to detect disease relevant sites. A cost-effective approach involves the next-generation sequencing (NGS) of single-end libraries created from samples that are enriched for methylated DNA fragments. A limitation of single-end libraries is that the fragment size distribution is not observed. This hampers several aspects of the data analysis such as the calculation of enrichment measures that are based on the number of fragments covering the CpGs. We developed a non-parametric method that uses isolated CpGs to estimate sample-specific fragment size distributions from the empirical sequencing data. Through simulations we show that our method is highly accurate. While the traditional (extended) read count methods resulted in severely biased coverage estimates and introduces artificial inter-individual differences, through the use of the estimated fragment size distributions we could remove these biases almost entirely. Furthermore, we found correlations of 0.999 between coverage estimates obtained using fragment size distributions that were estimated with our method versus those that were “observed” in paired-end sequencing data. We propose a non-parametric method for estimating fragment size distributions that is highly precise and can improve the analysis of cost-effective MWAS studies that sequence single-end libraries created from samples that are enriched for methylated DNA fragments.
Aggregation kinetics of cerium oxide nanoparticles in monovalent and divalent electrolytes

Abstract As a result of the commercial availability and use of nanoparticulate cerium oxide, CeO2, it is extremely likely that this material will be introduced into the environment requiring knowledge of its fate, transport and bioavailability in natural aquatic systems. To this end, this work probes the physicochemical interactions that govern the aggregation kinetics of cerium oxide nanoparticles using time-resolved dynamic light scattering (TR-DLS) over a range of monovalent, Na+, and divalent, Ca2+, electrolyte concentrations. Sets of nanoparticles were synthesized by precipitation in aqueous solutions containing varying concentrations of methanol. The point of zero charge (pzc) of these nanoparticles changes as a result of synthesis method. Those produced in the absence of methanol had pzc = 6.5. As predicted by the theories of Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO), both reaction-limited and diffusion-limited aggregation were observed in each solution type. The experimental critical coagulation concentrations (CCC) at pH 11.0 was ca. 80 mM and ca. 16 mM for the monovalent (NaCl) and divalent (CaCl2) salts, respectively. DLVO theory proved to be an adequate predictor for the interactions between cerium oxide nanoparticles albeit the derived Hamaker constant of 1.0 × 10−20 J was somewhat smaller than experimental Hamaker constants determined for other metal oxide nanoparticles. Deviations between experimental data and DLVO theory are discussed.
Your "What" Is My "How": Iteration and Hierarchy in System Design

Systems are naturally constructed in hierarchies, in which design choices made at higher levels of abstraction levy requirements on system components at the lower levels. Thus, whether an aspect of a system is a design choice or a requirement largely depends on your vantage point within the system components' hierarchy. Systems are also often constructed from the middle-out rather than top-down; compatibility with existing systems and architectures and availability of specific components influence high-level requirements. Requirements and architectural design should be more closely aligned: requirements models must account for hierarchical system construction and architectural design notations must better support requirements specification for system components.
Steganography and cartography: interesting assignments that reinforce machine representation, bit manipulation, and discrete structures concepts

Today's generation of students crave assignments that are relevant to their world, both in terms of graphical interfaces and, more importantly, the application area. To be fully engaged they must find the application of importance. However, we have found that many assignments in computer science attempt to engage the students by moving further and further away from the underlying machine representations. This causes a disconnect between the applications our students write and the material we present on machine representations and architecture. We present examples of assignments based from the fields of Steganography and Cartography that we have found to be valuable in helping to reinforce the importance of machine representations with today's students. We found that the students were excited and intrigued to see how their discipline could play a vital role in the war on terrorism and how what they were learning in their CS 1 course was directly relevant to what they heard on the nightly news and experience on a daily basis via the Internet.
The role of computed tomography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis

Abstract Background: Routine contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) has been described as an accurate diagnostic imaging modality in patients with acute appendicitis. However, most patients with acute appendicitis can be diagnosed by clinical findings and physical exam alone. The role of CECT in patients suspected of having appendicitis but with equivocal clinical exams remains ill defined. Methods: One hundred and seven consecutive patients who were thought to have appendicitis but with equivocal clinical findings and/or physical exams were imaged by CECT over a 12-month period. Oral and intravenous contrast-enhanced, spiral abdominal and pelvic images were obtained using 7-mm cuts. CECT images were interpreted by a board-certified radiologist. Main outcome measures included CECT sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, comparing CECT with ultrasound, and determining the impact of CECT on the clinical management of this patient population. Results: A group of 107 patients consisting of 44 males (41%) and 63 females (59%) with a median age of 33 years (range 13 to 89 years) were imaged with CECT to evaluate suspected appendicitis. Of the 107 CECTs performed, 11 false-positive and 3 false-negative readings were identified, resulting in a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 85%, PPV of 75%, NPV of 95%, and an overall accuracy of 90%. Forty-three patients were imaged with ultrasound and CECT, and CECT had significantly better sensitivity and accuracy (30% versus 92% and 69% versus 88%, P Conclusions: CECT is a useful diagnostic imaging modality for patients suspected of having acute appendicitis but with equivocal clinical findings and/or physical exams. CECT is more sensitive and accurate than ultrasound and is particularly useful in excluding the diagnosis of appendicitis in those without disease.
Vapor-liquid equilibrium of near-critical binary alkane mixtures

The modified Leung-Griffiths model of Rainwater and Moldover is used to correlate vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) surfaces in pressure, temperature, and density for binary mixtures in the near-critical region. The systems studied are butane-pentane, propane-isopentane, butane-hexane, and ethane-butane. The model, which has also successfully fit several other mixtures, is based on scaling-law equations of state expressed in terms of field variables. It incorporates a variation of the principle of corresponding states as well as the coupling of density and composition change across the phase boundary. As the width of the dew-bubble curves increases, additional parameters are required to obtain successful VLE correlations.
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis in the pathogenesis of addiction and dual diagnosis disorders.

Background As knowledge deepens about how new neurons are born, differentiate, and wire into the adult mammalian brain, growing evidence depicts hippocampal neurogenesis as a special form of neuroplasticity that may be impaired across psychiatric disorders. This review provides an integrated-evidence based framework describing a neurogenic basis for addictions and addiction vulnerability in mental illness. Methods Basic studies conducted over the last decade examining the effects of addictive drugs on adult neurogenesis and the impact of neurogenic activity on addictive behavior were compiled and integrated with relevant neurocomputational and human studies. Results While suppression of hippocampal neurogenic proliferation appears to be a universal property of addictive drugs, the pathophysiology of addictions involves neuroadaptative processes within frontal-cortical-striatal motivation circuits that the neurogenic hippocampus regulates via direct projections. States of suppressed neurogenic activity may simultaneously underlie psychiatric and cognitive symptoms, but also confer or signify hippocampal dysfunction that heightens addiction vulnerability in mental illness as a basis for dual diagnosis disorders. Conclusions Research on pharmacological, behavioral and experiential strategies that enhance adaptive regulation of hippocampal neurogenesis holds potential in advancing preventative and integrative treatment strategies for addictions and dual diagnosis disorders.
Macrophage polarization in response to wear particles in vitro

Total joint replacement is a highly successful surgical procedure for treatment of patients with disabling arthritis and joint dysfunction. However, over time, with high levels of activity and usage of the joint, implant wear particles are generated from the articulating surfaces. These wear particles can lead to activation of an inflammatory reaction, and subsequent bone resorption around the implant (periprosthetic osteolysis). Cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage orchestrate this chronic inflammatory response, which is dominated by a pro-inflammatory (M1) macrophage phenotype rather than an anti-inflammatory pro-tissue healing (M2) macrophage phenotype. While it has been shown that interleukin-4 (IL-4) selectively polarizes macrophages towards an M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype which promotes bone healing, rather than inflammation, little is known about the time course in which this occurs or conditions in which repolarization through IL-4 is most effective. The goal of this work was to study the time course of murine macrophage polarization and cytokine release in response to challenge with combinations of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) particles, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and IL-4 in vitro. Treatment of particle-challenged monocyte/macrophages with IL-4 led to an initial suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production and subsequent polarization into an M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype. This result was optimized when IL-4 was delivered before PMMA particle challenge, to an M1 phenotype rather than to uncommitted (M0) macrophages. The effects of this polarization were sustained over a 5-day time course. Polarization of M1 macrophages into an M2 phenotype may be a strategy to mitigate wear particle associated periprosthetic osteolysis.
Resolution of Conformational Activation in the Kinetic Mechanism of Plasminogen Activation by Streptokinase

Streptokinase (SK) activates plasminogen (Pg) by specific binding and nonproteolytic expression of the Pg catalytic site, initiating Pg proteolysis to form the fibrinolytic proteinase, plasmin (Pm). The SK-induced conformational activation mechanism was investigated in quantitative kinetic and equilibrium binding studies. Progress curves of Pg activation by SK monitored by chromogenic substrate hydrolysis were parabolic, with initial rates (v(1)) that indicated no transient species and subsequent rate increases (v(2)). The v(1) dependence on SK concentration for [Glu]Pg and [Lys]Pg was hyperbolic with dissociation constants corresponding to those determined in fluorescence-based binding studies for the native Pg species, identifying v(1) as rapid SK binding and conformational activation. Comparison of [Glu]Pg and [Lys]Pg activation showed an approximately 12-fold higher affinity of SK for [Lys]Pg that was lysine-binding site dependent and no such dependence for [Glu]Pg. Stopped-flow kinetics of SK binding to fluorescently labeled Pg demonstrated at least two fast steps in the conformational activation pathway. Characterization of the specificity of the conformationally activated SK.[Lys]Pg* complex for tripeptide-p-nitroanilide substrates demonstrated 5-18- and 10-130-fold reduced specificity (k(cat)/K(m)) compared with SK.Pm and Pm, respectively, with differences in K(m) and k(cat) dependent on the P1 residue. The results support a kinetic mechanism in which SK binding and reversible conformational activation occur in a rapid equilibrium, multistep process.
The evolving challenge of chronic heart failure management: a call for a new curriculum for training heart failure specialists.

Chronic heart failure (HF) is a growing epidemic, and therapy options are becoming more complex. Specifically, device management of HF represents a new “class” of therapy that can reduce mortality and alleviate morbidity of the disease syndrome. Heart failure training programs seldom provide structured opportunities for trainees to gain competence in device implantation and management. This curriculum outlines a new approach to training interventional HF cardiologists and internal medicine HF specialists to meet the growing demands for specially trained health care providers.
Effects of bacteria on leafhopper transmission of the Western X-disease agent

Abstract Cultures of an Erwinia-like bacterium, when injected into the leafhopper Colladonus montanus with whole insect extract containing the agent causing Western X-disease (WXA), killed many leafhoppers and reduced transmission by the surviving vectors. Serial 10-fold dilutions of the bacteria were made by using full strength WX insect extract as the diluent. Transmission by leafhoppers injected with bacterial dilutions of 10−1 and 10−2 was significantly lower than that of controls receiving bacteria-free WX extract. Injection with bacterial dilutions of 10−3 and 10−4 did not reduce WXA transmission significantly. Bacteria were also mixed with WX extract and subsequently removed by filtration prior to injection into leafhoppers. Such treatment did not reduce the number of injected leafhoppers becoming infected, but the incubation period of WXA in such vectors was 7 days longer than in the controls and these vectors also transmitted to approximately one-third fewer plants. These results suggest that the titer of WXA was reduced by the bacteria prior to injection into the leafhopper vectors. However, the data do not preclude the possibility that bacteria may also interfere with the transmission of WXA by damaging insect vector tissues that may be needed for WXA multiplication. Bacteria-free broth caused no reduction in the transmission of the WXA after injection into C. montanus, nor did it result in premature mortality of the vector.
Perception of the Length of Voluntary Movements

Two experiments were performed to study the ability of blindfolded subjects to estimate distance on the basis of proprioceptive cues. In the first experiment, subjects judged the length of metal rods that they were allowed to explore freely. With this access to positional as well as other cues, subjects' estimates were a nearly linear function of actual length. These data closely paralleled control measurements obtained under conditions of visual, rather than haptic, inspection.In the second experiment, each subject slid his or her index finger laterally along a straight path delimited by the apparatus, and then gave a magnitude estimate of the distance through which the finger had moved. Velocity of movement was manipulated by asking subjects, on each trial, to move at one of five speeds ranging from “very slow” to “very fast”; these instructions elicited velocities spanning a 100-to-l range.Magnitude estimates of distance in this second experiment increased as a function of actual distance, but decrease...
Avian scale development. VI. Ultrastructure of the keratinizing cells of reticulate scales.

Reticulate scales develop as radial symmetrical anlagen, in contrast to scuttate scales which appear initially as "epidermal placodes." Unlike scuttate scales whose outer and inner epidermal surfaces elaborate β-and α-type keratins, respectively, reticulate scales elaborate only one type of epidermal surface which has been reported to give an α-type, X-ray diffraction pattern. We find that, histologically and ultrastructurally, this surface differs from either epidermal surface of scuttate scales. The keratinizing cells become filled with long interweaving bundles of α-filaments which aggregate into rather homogeneous α-fibrils. Keratohyalin granules, which have been shown to be associated with other keratinizing regions in the bird, do not form during the keratinization of reticulate scale epidermis.
Vehicle minimization for periodic deliveries

We consider the problem of minimizing the number of vehicles required to make strictly periodic, single destination deliveries to a set of customers, under the initial assumption that each delivery requires the use of a vehicle for a full day. This problem is motivated by inventory routing problems in which customers consume goods at a steady rate. We evaluate the complexity of the problem and discuss its general properties, including problem decomposition. We also present an algorithm that we show is optimal for special cases. Finally, we extend these results to a general version of the problem.