cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Large amplitude thermospheric oscillations induced by an earthquake

Les oscillations verticales de grande amplitude et longue periode ont ete detectees au-dessus de Chatanika apres un seisme de 5,8 sur l'echelle de Richter. Les vitesses atteignaient 100 m/s a 300-450 km d'altitude. L'analyse des oscillations et de leur relation avec la frequence de Brunt-Vaisala montre un bon accord avec la theorie. Ceci montre que la haute thermosphere peut etre chauffee par interaction visqueuse
Cell Division of Intergeneric Protoplast Fusion Products

Summary Protoplasts from soybean cell suspension cultures were fused with those isolated from leaves of two Pisum sativum varieties, four Nicotiana species and Colchicum autumnale . Fusion products of all combinations underwent cell division. The first division of fusion products occurred on day 2 or 3 of the culture period. Parental soybean protoplasts started to divide on day 1, leaf protoplasts on day 5 or later. The capacity to divide proved the protoplast combinations tested to be compatible when fused.
Computer Programs for Performing Hierarchical Cluster Analysis.

This paper analyzes the versatility of 10 dif ferent popular programs which contain hierarchical methods of cluster analysis. The intent of the paper is to provide users with information which can be of assistance when choosing a cluster analysis pro gram. The four dimensions which are emphasized when discussing these programs are (1) agglomera tion vs. division, (2) linkage form, (3) similarity measure, and (4) hierarchical solution vs. single- rank.
Effect of different organic acids (citric, malic and ascorbic) on intragastric urease activity

Summary Background : The mechanism of citric acid-enhanced Helicobacter pylori urease activity remains unclear. Aim : To compare ascorbic, citric and malic acid given at the same concentration and pH on intragastric urease activity. Methods : Volunteers received 40 mg of famotidine the evening prior to breath testing. After an overnight fast volunteers were randomized to receive 100 mL of water or 100 mm citric, malic, or ascorbic acid, pH 2.3 containing 75 mg of 13C-urea. At 15 min a second 100 mL solution of one of the test solutions was taken without added urea. Results : Twelve volunteers were studied (eight men, four women, age 19–57, median 50.7) in a randomized-crossover study. The mean breath test result at 30 min with ascorbic (17.5 ± 5), malic (25.8 ± 5) and citric acid (29.5 ± 5) were all significantly greater than with water (9.5 ± 3). Citric and malic acid were similar (P = 0.699) and significantly greater than ascorbic acid (P < 0.02). When the ascorbic acid was followed by citric acid, the result was similar to that with citrate alone (25.8 ± 4) and greater than with ascorbic then ascorbic (P = 0.026). Conclusions : Enhancement of H. pylori urease activity is not strictly a function of the pH. We propose the effect is related to differential effects of the availability of nickel, which is required for urease activity. Citric acid and malic acid were essentially equivalent such that malic acid could substitute for citric acid in the UBT; ascorbic acid would be a poor choice.
A Systematic study of the genus Balduina (Compositae, Heliantheae)

The genusBalduina, endemic to the southeastern United States as interpreted here, includes a complex of three species:B. atropurpurea Harper,B. angustifolia (Pursh) Robinson, andB. uniflora Nutt. The first two species have a chromosome number ofn = 18 andB. uniflora hasn = 36. Hybridization experiments demonstrated strong internal reproductive isolating mechanisms. Flavonoid and sesquiterpene lactone data suggest a possible relationship to the tribe Helenieae.
The Toll-receptor family and control of innate immunity.

Abstract Innate immune recognition is mediated by a system of germline-encoded receptors that recognize conserved molecular patterns that are associated with microbial pathogens. These receptors are coupled to signal transduction pathways that control expression of a variety of inducible immune-response genes. Toll receptors and the associated signaling pathways of nuclear factor κB may represent the most ancient host defense system found in mammals, insects and plants.
Recruitment of CXCR3+ and CCR5+ T cells and production of interferon-γ-inducible chemokines in rejecting human arteries

Chemokine receptors preferentially expressed by Th1 cells and their IFN-γ-inducible ligands predominate in experimental and clinical allograft rejection. Previous chemokine-related transplantation studies have focused on parenchymal and microvascular inflammation which are of importance in acute rejection, but are not necessarily relevant in immune-mediated injury of conduit arteries. We have recently described a model of progressive human T cell-mediated infiltration and injury of allogeneic coronary artery segments using immunodeficient mouse hosts. In the present study, we investigated if recruitment of allogeneic T cells to different vascular compartments correlated with the expression of chemokines and their receptors. Transcripts were quantified by laser capture microdissection/real-time RT-PCR and their distribution was correlated to the corresponding protein expression detected by immunohistochemistry. Infiltrating T cells, confined to the adventitia and intima, expressed CXCR3 and CCR5, but were not recruited into the media despite production by vascular smooth muscle cells of IP-10, Mig, I-TAC, RANTES and MIP-1β. Chemokine mRNA was detected primarily in vascular cells, although chemokine protein largely localized to infiltrating leukocytes which uniquely expressed their cognate receptors. These data explain the recruitment of IFN-γ-secreting T cells to the vessel wall, and reinforce the suggestion that the arterial media may be a site of immunological privilege.
A study of drug‐related police corruption arrests

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to provide empirical data on cases of drug‐related police corruption. It identifies and describes incidents in which police officers were arrested for criminal offenses associated with drug‐related corruption.Design/methodology/approach – The study is a quantitative content analysis of news articles identified through the Google News search engine using 48 automated Google Alerts queries. Statistical analyses include classification trees to examine causal pathways between drugs and corruption.Findings – Data were analyzed on 221 drug‐related arrest cases of officers employed by police agencies throughout the USA. Findings show that drug‐related corruption involves a wide range of criminal offenses, and that cocaine is the most prevalent drug. Older officers and those employed by large agencies are less likely than others to lose their jobs after a drug‐related arrest.Research limitations/implications – The study is limited by the quality of the available content in ea...
Massless field supermultiplets with arbitrary spin

Abstract Lagrangians for massless free fields with arbitrary spins are derived by postulating gauge transformations for these fields. Global supersymmetry field variations are then exhibited for a massless system involving the pair of spins ( S,S+ 1 2 ), and the supersymmetry algebra is explicitly shown to close on-shell. The linear representation theorem for this algebra is used to prove these massless systems are suitably free of intermediate helicity modes. Local coupling of higher-spin fermions to gravity is briefly discussed.
Late complication of type 1 thyroplasty: a case report.

Summary We present a previously unreported late complication of medialization laryngoplasty (ML), also described as a thyroplasty, type 1. Five years following ML with Silastic, a 64-year-old female presented with dysphonia and a mass in the laryngeal ventricle on the ipsilateral side of the ML. A computed tomography scan of the larynx revealed migration of the thyroid cartilage window into the ventricle without migration of the silastic implant. These findings were confirmed on surgical exploration. Following removal of the Silastic implant and the thyroid cartilage window fragment, the patient was successfully remedialized with autologous lipoinjection. Migration of the thyroid cartilage window appears to be a late complication of ML when the thyroid cartilage window is left intact and not removed. Complications of ML are discussed; specifically, difficulties resulting from retention of the thyroid cartilage window at the time of the ML are addressed.
The adsorption and reaction of 2-butanol on clean and oxygen-covered Pd(100)

Abstract The surface chemistry of 2-butanol is explored on clean Pd(100), c(2 × 2)-O/Pd(100) and p(2 × 2)-O/Pd(100) surfaces by means of temperature-programmed desorption, reflection–absorption infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. 2-Butanol adsorbs molecularly on clean and oxygen-covered Pd(100) below ∼ 190 K, but then appears to react to form 2-butoxide species at ∼ 200 K. Both 2-butanone and 2-butanol desorb from the clean surface at ∼ 226 K, by β-hydride elimination from the 2-butoxide species and rehydrogenation of the 2-butoxide, respectively. In contrast, almost exclusively 2-butanone is formed on oxygen-covered surfaces. Butanone desorbs at ∼ 195 K and ∼ 260 K from c(2 × 2)-O/Pd(100) with the 195 K peak being the most intense. However, on p(2 × 2)-O/Pd(100), 2-butanone desorbs at ∼ 195 K and ∼ 295 K, and the latter peak is the most intense. The ∼ 195 K, 2-butanone state is proposed to occur due to abstraction by adsorbed atomic oxygen and the change in relative intensity of these features is ascribed to the lower ability of surface hydroxyl groups to facilitate β-hydride elimination on oxygen-covered surfaces. Further heating results in the formation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and leaves a small amount of carbon deposited on the surface.
Bone tissue engineering using 3D printing

With the advent of additive manufacturing technologies in the mid 1980s, many applications benefited from the faster processing of products without the need for specific tooling or dies. However, the application of such techniques in the area of biomedical devices has been slow due to the stringent performance criteria and concerns related to reproducibility and part quality, when new technologies are in their infancy. However, the use of additive manufacturing technologies in bone tissue engineering has been growing in recent years. Among the different technology options, three dimensional printing (3DP) is becoming popular due to the ability to directly print porous scaffolds with designed shape, controlled chemistry and interconnected porosity. Some of these inorganic scaffolds are biodegradable and have proven ideal for bone tissue engineering, sometimes even with site specific growth factor/drug delivery abilities. This review article focuses on recent advances in 3D printed bone tissue engineering scaffolds along with current challenges and future directions.
Activity regeneration in continuous Clostridium acetobutylicum bioconversions of glucose

The regeneration of product‐forming activity by periodic nutrient feeding was studied in a continuous immobilized Clostridium acetobutylicum reactor system. Activity levels were increased by feeding ammonia and vitamins during selected intervals of the experiments; these compounds were not otherwise present in the medium. In contrast with experiments utilizing rich, complex media, regeneration with a defined medium resulted in increased rates of product formation far in excess of rates of concomitant cell growth. During one nutrient feeding phase, the increase in the butyric acid production rate was five times that of the cell growth‐rate increase, while the analogous ratio for butanol was 18. A hypothesis explaining the patterns of substrate consumption and product formation during the regeneration and deactivation periods has been developed: decreasing levels of exogenous ammonia induce the high‐affinity ammonia uptake system, causing the adenylate energy charge of the cells to increase; this in turn leads to the repression of glucose carbon flow through the EMP pathway and to the use of the acid‐forming catabolic reactions for more efficient production of ATP. Pulsewise addition of three different vitamins during one regeneration phase yielded interesting results, including a 50 % increase in butyric acid production rate that appeared to be connected with the addition of biotin. Finally, enumeration of the different morphological types of immobilized cells provided the first measurements of population dynamics in an immobilized cell system. Changes in the numbers of each cell type are consistent with the sporulation and germination processes of C. acetobutylicum observed with suspended cells.
A tribological investigation of the graphite-to-diamond-like behavior of amorphous carbon films ion beam deposited on ceramic substrates☆

Abstract A tribological investigation was conducted on the graphite-to-diamond-like behavior of hard carbon films produced on SiC, Si 3 N 4 and ZrO 2 substrates by ion beam deposition. Friction tests were performed on a ball-on-disk machine with pairs of various ceramic balls and disks coated with hard carbon films in dry and humid air, argon and N 2 . The friction coefficients of carbon films sliding against Si 3 N 4 and sapphire balls were in the range 0.02–0.04 in N 2 and argon, but were significantly higher (about 0.15) in humid air. The wear rates of ceramic disks coated with carbon films were unmeasurable, and, depending on the test environment, the wear rates of counterface ceramic balls were reduced by two to four orders of magnitude below those of balls slid against uncoated ceramic disks. Graphite disks were also tested, to obtain friction data that can help us to understand the graphite-to-diamond-like tribological behavior of carbon films. Micro laser Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to analyze the structure and chemistry of worn surfaces and to elucidate the graphite- and diamond-like tribological behavior of amorphous carbon films.
Renormalized Periods on GL(3)

A theory of renormalization of divergent integrals over torus periods on GL(3) is given, based on a relative truncation. It is shown that the renormalized periods of Eisenstein series have unexpected functional equations.
Nitrogen absorption and dissociation on small Tantalum clusters

Abstract Using a first-principles PAW based technique we study the absorption of N2 on small Tan ( n ≤ 4 ) clusters and show that such clusters do dissociatively absorb N2 and are suitable candidates for catalysis in reactions which require dissociation of N2.
Endoscopic features associated with ileal pouch failure.

Background Endoscopic features as predictors in pouch failure have not been studied. A well-constructed J-pouch typically has an "owl's eye" appearance in the proximal pouch body. We hypothesized that loss of the owl's eyes is associated with a high risk for pouch failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the distorted endoscopic appearance of owl's eyes and pouch failure. Methods A total of 711 available pouch endoscopic images from 426 J-pouch patients were reviewed and scored blindly. A scoring system was generated for distorted owl's eyes. Multivariable analyses were performed to assess the link between the endoscopic feature or other variables and pouch failure. Results A total of 37 patients (8.7%) developed pouch failure, with a median of 5.0 (interquartile range, 2.0-11.0) years of follow-up. Multivariable analyses showed that 2 or more "beak" abnormalities were associated with failure rates of 33.3%, 44.4%, and 72.2% by 5, 10, and 15 years of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, respectively (hazard ratio = 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-9.0). In addition, diagnosis of Crohn's disease or surgical complications, the postoperative use of anti-tumor necrosis factor biologics, and a high cuff endoscopy inflammation score had statistically significant hazard ratios of 3.2, 5.8, and 1.5 for pouch failure, respectively. Conclusions Distorted appearance of "beak" portion of owl's eyes along with Crohn's disease of the pouch or surgery-related complications, postoperative use of biologics, and persistent cuffitis were the risk factors associated with pouch failure. The assessment of endoscopic owl's eye structure may provide an additional clue to predict pouch outcome.
Redox Conditions in the Solar Nebula: Observational, Experimental, and Theoretical Constraints

Crystallization experiments on liquids with compositions similar to those of compact Type A, Type B1 and Type B2 refractory inclusions were conducted under controlled temperature and fO2 conditions. Application of the results to the compositions of coexisting Ti 3+ -bearing fassaitic clinopyroxene + melilite pairs in natural inclusions shows that, if they crystallized at ~1509 K, they did so at log fO2 = −19.8 ± 0.9, only slightly below the equilibrium log fO2 of a partially condensed system of solar composition at the same temperature, − −
Rotatable Cage for High-Density Aquaculture

(1972). Rotatable Cage for High-Density Aquaculture. The Progressive Fish-Culturist: Vol. 34, No. 1, pp. 8-8.
Solution processable polydiacetylenes (PDAs) through acyclic enediyne metathesis polymerization

Novel polydiacetylenes (PDAs) bearing alkyl and phenyl substituents have been synthesized, for the first time, by solution polymerization using acyclic enediyne metathesis. The resulting polymers are soluble in common organic solvents and show distinct physical and photophysical properties both in solution and as thin films, caused by different steric and electronic effects from the side-groups. Bulk heterojunction solar cells employing these PDAs have been fabricated and evaluated.
Failure to demonstrate decreased β-adrenergic receptor concentration or decreased agonist efficacy in term or preterm human parturition

Abstract Iodine 125-labeled iodocyanopindolol, a radioactive β-adrenergic antagonist, bound to particulate preparations of pregnant human myometrium in a manner compatible with binding to the β-adrenergic receptor. Studies with a specific β 2 -antagonist, IPS 339, indicated that 72% of receptors present were of the β 2 -subtype. Quantitative studies of β-receptor concentrations in myometrium from women at term indicated no change in receptor concentration during labor. Similarly, there was no difference in β-receptor concentration in myometrium from women in labor or before labor between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation. Concentrations of the β-receptor were not different at any stage of gestation assayed. Isoproterenol competition for iodocyanopindolol binding was used to examine efficacy of receptor agonist interactions in myometrium from women at term, in labor, or before labor and from women in preterm labor. There was no difference in high-affinity binding, an index of efficacy, in any of the groups examined.
Fluctuations and simple chaotic dynamics

Abstract We describe the effects of fluctuations on the period-doubling bifurcation to chaos. We study the dynamics of maps of the interval in the absence of noise and numerically verify the scaling behavior of the Lyapunov characteristic exponent near the transition to chaos. As previously shown, fluctuations produce a gap in the period-doubling bifurcation sequence. We show that this implies a scaling behavior for the chaotic threshold and determine the associated critical exponent. By considering fluctuations as a disordering field on the deterministic dynamics, we obtain scaling relations between various critical exponents relating the effect of noise on the Lyapunov characteristic exponent. A rule is developed to explain the effects of additive noise at fixed parameter value from the deterministic dynamics at nearby parameter values.
Structure of a Key Intermediate of the SMN Complex Reveals Gemin2's Crucial Function in snRNP Assembly

The SMN complex mediates the assembly of heptameric Sm protein rings on small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), which are essential for snRNP function. Specific Sm core assembly depends on Sm proteins and snRNA recognition by SMN/Gemin2- and Gemin5-containing subunits, respectively. The mechanism by which the Sm proteins are gathered while preventing illicit Sm assembly on non-snRNAs is unknown. Here, we describe the 2.5 A crystal structure of Gemin2 bound to SmD1/D2/F/E/G pentamer and SMN's Gemin2-binding domain, a key assembly intermediate. Remarkably, through its extended conformation, Gemin2 wraps around the crescent-shaped pentamer, interacting with all five Sm proteins, and gripping its bottom and top sides and outer perimeter. Gemin2 reaches into the RNA-binding pocket, preventing RNA binding. Interestingly, SMN-Gemin2 interaction is abrogated by a spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)-causing mutation in an SMN helix that mediates Gemin2 binding. These findings provide insight into SMN complex assembly and specificity, linking snRNP biogenesis and SMA pathogenesis.
Contactless, photoinitiated snap-through in azobenzene-functionalized polymers

Abstract Photomechanical effects in polymeric materials and composites transduce light into mechanical work. The ability to control the intensity, polarization, placement, and duration of light irradiation is a distinctive and potentially useful tool to tailor the location, magnitude, and directionality of photogenerated mechanical work. Unfortunately, the work generated from photoresponsive materials is often slow and yields very small power densities, which diminish their potential use in applications. Here, we investigate photoinitiated snap-through in bistable arches formed from samples composed of azobenzene-functionalized polymers (both amorphous polyimides and liquid crystal polymer networks) and report orders-of-magnitude enhancement in actuation rates (approaching 102 mm/s) and powers (as much as 1 kW/m3). The contactless, ultra-fast actuation is observed at irradiation intensities <<100 mW/cm2. Due to the bistability and symmetry of the snap-through, reversible and bidirectional actuation is demonstrated. A model is developed to elucidate the underlying mechanics of the snap-through, specifically focusing on isolating the role of sample geometry, mechanical properties of the materials, and photomechanical strain. Using light to trigger contactless, ultrafast actuation in an otherwise passive structure is a potentially versatile tool to use in mechanical design at the micro-, meso-, and millimeter scales as actuators, as well as switches that can be triggered from large standoff distances, impulse generators for microvehicles, microfluidic valves and mixers in laboratory-on-chip devices, and adaptive optical elements.
Thermal Control of a Mars Entry Capsule

Thermal control of Mars entry capsule with fiberglass honeycomb sandwich shell analyzed with and without aft thermal curtain, emphasizing cruise-flight phase
Uptake and Release of γ‐Aminobutyric Acid in the Guinea Pig Cochlear Nucleus After Axotomy of Cochlear and Centrifugal Fibers

This study attempts to determine if gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may be a transmitter of cochlear nerve fibers projecting from the cochlea to the cochlear nucleus, and of centrifugal fibers projecting to the cochlear nucleus via the trapezoid body and the acoustic striae of the medulla. The uptake and the electrically evoked release of exogenous [14C]GABA were measured, in vitro, in the three major subdivisions of the guinea pig cochlear nucleus; the anteroventral, posteroventral, and dorsal cochlear nuclei. These activities were compared using unlesioned animals, animals with bilateral cochlear ablations, and animals whose trapezoid body and acoustic striae were interrupted on the right side of the medulla. Subdivisions from unlesioned animals took up [14C]GABA, achieving concentrations in the tissues that were 11-19 times that in the medium. Electrical stimulation evoked a Ca2+-dependent release of [14C]GABA from each subdivision. Bilateral cochlear ablation, which presumably destroyed the cochlear nerve fibers, had no effect on [14C]GABA uptake and release. Section of the trapezoid body and the acoustic striae on the right side of the medulla typically severed all known connections of the right posteroventral and dorsal cochlear nuclei with the rest of the brain, but left intact many connections involved with the right anteroventral cochlear nucleus. This lesion partially depressed [14C]GABA uptake and release in the right posteroventral and dorsal cochlear nuclei, but not in the right anteroventral cochlear nucleus. These findings suggest that one or more of the centrifugal tracts projecting to the cochlear nucleus may be GABAergic, 88% or more of the cochlear nerve fibers probably are not GABAergic, and some neurons of the cochlear nucleus are probably GABAergic.
POSSIBILITY OF AN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH TO INVESTMENT STUDIES

(2001). Possibility of an Experimental Approach to Investment Studies. Journal of Psychology and Financial Markets: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 57-61.
Illusory Correlations in Perceptions of Obese and Hypertensive Patients’ Noncooperative Behaviors1

This research investigated perceived medical noncompliance between obese and hypertensive patients. An illusory correlation formed between obese patients and their noncooperative behaviors. Participants overestimated the frequency with which obese patients did not cooperate with their physician's advice when these patients appeared infrequently. When hypertensive patients appeared infrequently, however, participants were accurate in their estimates of noncooperation for these patients. These findings suggest that stigmatized patients suffer more from an illusory correlation bias than do nonstigmatized patients, and this effect is exacerbated when people have infrequent contact with stigmatized patients.
Complete Agenesis of the Right and Left Pulmonary Arteries, with Main Pulmonary Artery Originating from the Right Ventricle, Presenting as Primary Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn: Case Report

A female infant who had been misdiagnosed as having primary pulmonary hypertension of the newborn was found to have agenesis of the branch pulmonary arteries with collateral-dependent pulmonary circulation. The intracardiac anatomy was completely normal. Unifocalization of branch pulmonary artery was done, followed by stenting of the ductus arteriosus.
Closed-loop commutation control of an MRI-powered robot actuator

Actuators that are powered, imaged and controlled by Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanners offer the potential of inexpensively providing wireless control of MR-guided robots. Similar to traditional electric motors, the MR scanner acts as the stator and generates propulsive torques on an actuator rotor containing one or more ferrous particles. To generate maximum motor torque while avoiding instabilities and slippage, closed-loop control of the electromagnetic field gradients, i.e., commutation, is required. This paper proposes and demonstrates a method for commutation based on interleaving pulse sequences for rotor tracking and rotor propulsion. Fast rotor tracking is achieved by a new technique utilizing radio-frequency (RF) selective excitation of a properly located fiducial marker by the ferrous particle of the rotor. Optimal marker location is derived and demonstrated to provide accurate estimates of rotor angle. In addition, closed-loop commutation control is shown to increase motor torque and also to enable regulation of rotor angle.
Short, local duplications in eukaryotic genomes

Short, local duplications lead to an increase in the local copy number of a 1-100 bp sequence motif. They are usually unstable and evolve rapidly. When they involve a functional sequence such as a transcription factor binding site or a protein-protein interaction domain, they can drive phenotypic diversity. Short, local duplications have been implicated in the dramatic morphological differences among different dog breeds, and in the differences in social structure between two sister species of voles. Several human diseases and disorders are also caused by this class of duplication, which encompasses microsatellites, minisatellites and doublets.
Chaotic Desynchronization as the Therapeutic Mechanism of Deep Brain Stimulation

High frequency deep-brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (DBS) relieves many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease in humans and animal models. Although the treatment has seen widespread use, its therapeutic mechanism remains paradoxical. The subthalamic nucleus is excitatory, so its stimulation at rates higher than its normal firing rate should worsen the disease by increasing subthalamic excitation of the globus pallidus. The therapeutic effectiveness of DBS is also frequency and intensity sensitive, and the stimulation must be periodic; aperiodic stimulation at the same mean rate is ineffective. These requirements are not adequately explained by existing models, whether based on firing rate changes or on reduced bursting. Here we report modeling studies suggesting that high frequency periodic excitation of the subthalamic nucleus may act by desynchronizing the firing of neurons in the globus pallidus, rather than by changing the firing rate or pattern of individual cells. Globus pallidus neurons are normally desynchronized, but their activity becomes correlated in Parkinson's disease. Periodic stimulation may induce chaotic desynchronization by interacting with the intrinsic oscillatory mechanism of globus pallidus neurons. Our modeling results suggest a mechanism of action of deep brain stimulation and a pathophysiology of Parkinsonism in which synchrony, rather than firing rate, is the critical pathological feature.
Human Epidermal Langerhans Cells Maintain Immune Homeostasis in Skin by Activating Skin Resident Regulatory T Cells

Recent studies have demonstrated that the skin of a normal adult human contains 10-20 billion resident memory T cells, including various helper, cytotoxic, and regulatory T cell subsets, that are poised to respond to environmental antigens. Using only autologous human tissues, we report that both in vitro and in vivo, resting epidermal Langerhan cells (LCs) selectively and specifically induced the activation and proliferation of skin resident regulatory T (Treg) cells, a minor subset of skin resident memory T cells. In the presence of foreign pathogen, however, the same LCs activated and induced proliferation of effector memory T (Tem) cells and limited Treg cells' activation. These underappreciated properties of LCs, namely maintenance of tolerance in normal skin, and activation of protective skin resident memory T cells upon infectious challenge, help clarify the role of LCs in skin.
Development of humanized mice as a model of inflammatory arthritis.

Clinically, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic deforming disease characterized mainly by joint swelling and destruction. Although synovial inflammation and bone erosion are the hallmarks of this disease, the presentation of various features between patients is clearly heterogenous, suggesting that there are different variants of RA. Hence, the development of an animal model that has all of the elements of human RA has remained elusive. This review explores several different views on the etiology of RA and the recent data from various murine arthritis models which provide support for these theories. In addition to discussing the potential roles of CD4+ T cell activation, autoantibodies, and lymphocyte-independent cytokine production, the role of CD4+ T regulatory cells will be presented in the context of a newly developed humanized transgenic mouse model. This novel T cell receptor transgenic model is being characterized to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the breach of self-tolerance that occurs in autoimmune disorders such as RA.
Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Protein Kinase from Soybean Root Nodules: Partial Purification, Characterization, and Up/Down-Regulation by Photosynthate Supply from the Shoots☆☆☆

Abstract Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) kinase was partially purified about 3000-fold from soybean root nodules by a fast-protein liquid chromatography protocol. This protein-serine kinase has an apparent native molecular mass of about 30,000 as estimated by size-exclusion chromatography. Following electrophoresis of this partially purified PEPC-kinase preparation in a denaturing gel containing dephospho maize leaf PEPC as substrate, thein siturenaturation and assay of protein kinase activity revealed two, PEPC-dependent kinase polypeptides with molecular masses of about 32 and 37 kDa. The ∼32-kDa polypeptide was significantly more active than the ∼37-kDa catalytic subunit. The activity of this partially purified PEPC kinase, and a less purified sample, was Ca2+-insensitive. This protein kinase preparation was able to phosphorylate purified PEPCs from soybean nodules, maize leaves, and a sorghum recombinant C4PEPC. In contrast, this PEPC kinase was unable to phosphorylate a phosphorylation-site mutant form of sorghum C4PEPC (S8Y), two other soybean nodule phosphoproteins [nodulin-26 and nodulin-100 (sucrose synthase)], bovine serum albumin, and histone III-S. Followingin vitrophosphorylation of purified dephospho soybean nodule PEPC from stem-girdled plants by the partially purified nodule PEPC kinase, the former's activity and sensitivity to l -malate inhibition increased and decreased, respectively. Notably, the Ca2+-independent PEPC kinase activity in nodules from illuminated plants was markedly greater than that in nodules harvested from plants subjected to stem girdling or prolonged darkness. Furthermore, the kinase activity in nodules was controlled reversibly by illumination and extended darkness pretreatments of the parent plants, suggesting that photosynthate supply from the shoots is likely responsible for these striking changes in PEPC kinase activity observedin plantain the legume nodule.
Expression of Ca2+ receptors in Xenopus oocytes injected with poly(A)+ mRNA from a rat calcitonin-secreting cell line.

Poly(A)+mRNA extracted from rat calcitonin-secreting cells (rMTC 44-2) was injected into Xenopus oocytes. In mRNA-injected oocytes the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), measured with the Ca2+ indicator dye, fura2, increased in response to an elevation of the extracellular Ca2+ ions ([Ca2+]o). In some oocytes [Ca2+]i transiently increased in high [Ca2+]o but it did not respond to the subsequent alterations of [Ca2+]o. The addition of 10 μM carbonyl cyanide m-chlorphenylhydrazone (CCCP) to the extracellular medium restored the dependence of [Ca2+]i on [Ca2+]o in such cells. It was concluded that rMTC 44-2 cells possessed a receptor which recognizes changes in [Ca2+]o and that these receptors can be functionally expressed by microinjection of messenger RNA from rMTC 44-2 cells into Xenopus oocytes.
Tit‐for‐tat and the negotiation of nuclear arms control

(1988). Tit‐for‐tat and the negotiation of nuclear arms control. Arms Control: Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 207-233.
Results of orchiopexy for the undescended testis

The undescended testis is one of the most common congenital abnormalities of the genitourinary system. Outcomes of orchiopexy include (1) having a viable, palpable testis in the scrotum, (2) fertility, as measured by paternity rates or semen analysis in adulthood and (3) risk of testicular cancer. Multiple operative techniques have been described and are associated with various success rates. In the past decade, success of orchiopexy for inguinal testes has been >95%. For abdominal testes, success for orchiopexy has been >85-90% in most series with single stage orchiopexy or two stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy, both with open surgical or laparoscopic technique. However, having a palpable testis in the scrotum does not assure fertility, as there are iatrogenic factors that may adversely affect the outcome. In adult men with a history of unilateral orchiopexy, fertility is nearly normal, but is significantly reduced following bilateral orchiopexy. The risk of testicular carcinoma is increased by a factor of 3.7 to 7.5 times. Tumor type is most commonly seminoma if the testis is undescended, whereas tumors that occur following orchiopexy are much more likely to be nonseminomatous.
Data base design for computer-integrated structural engineering

The most likely architecture for an integrated engineering software system is a series of application programs operating off a shared central data base. The data base is the most critical part of the system. This article proposes a design for such a data base. The steps involved in data base, design are first reviewed, and several requirements for an effective structural engineering data base system are identified. A data base design based on a “component-connection” abstraction model and the object-oriented data model is then presented.
Parameter optimization in systems subject to worst (bounded) disturbance

In a given system which is subject to the worst bounded disturbance that maximizes a chosen performance index, the best parameters can be so determined that the same performance index is minimized. The disturbance, which is assumed deterministic and bounded, acts only for some fixed time, known a priori. The Maximum Principle is applied in the determination of the worst disturbance [1]. An algorithm which yields the worst disturbance and the best parameters is developed by employing in the parameter optimization an approximation technique based on the steepest descent. Computational results are presented, and the existence of the solution is discussed.
Management of Program Storage in Computers

Computer systems play an increasingly important role in modern enterprises. Such systems represent a major investment, and their performance has major effects on profitability, utilization and user satisfaction. Much effort is therefore directed at the efficient management of these systems, and this paper is a step in this direction. Specifically, we consider the optimal allocation of programs and data to various storage devices in order to minimize the expected operational costs, subject to capacity and timing constraints. This problem is one of the many optimization problems that the system management faces, and its solution, though suboptimal for the whole system, might contribute considerably to the overall system's performance and costs. An effective procedure for the optimal storage allocation is presented, whose application to an actual large-scale operating system resulted in high relative savings. This procedure, with minor modifications, might be applied to many allocation problems which face users and management of computer systems.
Economic Assessment of the Possibility of Using Different Types of Wind Turbine in Turkey

Abstract Some of Turkey's region has vast open land. Therefore, she has great potential for using solar and wind energy sources for domestic and industrial use. This research is going to propose and assess about the wind power cost per kWh of electricity produced using three types of wind electric conversion systems at 22 locations in Turkey. Wind duration curves were developed and utilized to calculate the cost per kWh of electricity generated from three chosen wind turbines. According to the research findings. Kumkoy is the most advantageous station from the point of view of economical and production of wind power.
Design of a Novel Ex Vivo Bioreactor to Investigate the Effect of Pressure Induced Stretch on Aortic Valve Biology

Abstract A variety of ex vivo bioreactors have been developed to study the mechanobiology of valves and valve substitutes. Especially, bioreactors to mimic the individual mechanical stimuli (stretch, pressure and shear), have been well established. Going forward, it is essential to characterize the structural and biological changes in the aortic valve when subjected to a combination of these stimuli. Especially, since it is expected that a synchronized exposure to combined mechanical stimuli has a significantly different effect than the effect caused by individual stimulus. To this end, a novel bioreactor was designed, fabricated and validated to study the effect of stretch induced by the physiological transvalvular pressure gradient on fresh porcine aortic valve. The ex vivo bioreactor developed in the current study can maintain consistent physiological loading conditions with independent control of the flow rate, pressure and frequency to reproduce clinically relevant mechanical conditions. The design consists of a linear actuator system driving the culture media through the valve at a prescribed flow rate. The pressure levels on either side of the valve can be controlled by using a compliance chamber on the aortic side which is connected to a compressed air circuit. The linear drive system has a piston arrangement at its end, and drives the media in a rigid cylindrical ventricle section. The media returns to the ventricular side though a compliant channel during the reverse motion of the linear actuator. The entire setup is placed inside an incubator maintained at 370 C and 5% CO2. The flow and pressure variations were observed to be physiologically accurate and consistent over the time period of the experiment. Other salient features include low volume of the entire setup, and replaceable valve mounting mechanism to accommodate different sized valves. To ensure that the valve cells are healthy and native phenotype is maintained in the bioreactor, porcine aortic valves were mounted to the stents and subjected to normal physiological conditions of 80/120mmHg pressure, 5 LPM flow rate of Dulbecco’s modified eagle media(DMEM). The entire setup was placed inside an incubator. After 48 hours of culture, Movat Pentachrome stain was done to observe the tissue morphology, and DAPI stain was done to assess the cell viability. Fresh porcine AV leaflets were used as controls. The results were comparable to fresh controls, and indicated that the bioreactor is capable of preserving leaflet morphology and cell viability when cultured under normal physiological conditions for 48 hours.
Enzyme activities in appalachian soils: 2. Urease

Abstract The urease enzyme in many soils plays an important role in the efficient use of urea fertilizer. Urease activities in fourteen hill land soils of the Appalachian region were determined. The two top horizons from each of the soils were sampled in early spring and stored at field moist conditions at 4°C. Observed urease activities varied with soil types, and magnitude of activities were comparable to reported urease activities in other soils. Surface horizons had 1.6 times higher urease activities than subsurface horizons. Relationships between urease activities and soil pH, sand, silt and clay content were nonsignificant. Urease activities were positively related to soil C, N, forms of P and S. CEC, and original moisture content. Each soil type had its own inherent level of urease activity. The urease levels found in these hill‐land soils would suggest that urea culd be effectively used as N fertilizer source in the Appalachian region.
Cell differentation, aging and cancer: The possible roles of superoxide and superoxide dismutases

Abstract A unified theory of cell differentiation, aging, and cancer is discussed. All cells are hypothesized to originate from stem cells. These stem cells mature as they divide and eventually reach a fully differentiated cell, which cannot divide. Aging is caused by the loss of stem cells, either due to cell death or terminal differentiation, and by eventual death of fully differentiated cells. Both loss of stem cells and death are brought about by oxygen radicals. The cancer phenotype is caused by an inability of a stem cell to differentiate fully under the local environmental conditions. Because the cancer cell cannot differentiate, it never loses its potential for growth. The block in differentiation of cancer cells is caused by a relative lack of radical scavengers, particularly manganese superoxide dismutase, coupled with production of radicals, especially superoxide. The high reactivity of these radicals leads to changes in key subcellular structures and prevents the cell from attaining the organization needed for cell differentiation to occur.
Performance characterization of video-shot-change detection methods

A number of automated shot-change detection methods for indexing a video sequence to facilitate browsing and retrieval have been proposed. Many of these methods use color histograms or features computed from block motion or compression parameters to compute frame differences. It is important to evaluate and characterize their performance so as to deliver a single set of algorithms that may be used by other researchers for indexing video databases. We present the results of a performance evaluation and characterization of a number of shot-change detection methods that use color histograms, block motion matching, or MPEG compressed data.
Field effect conductance of conducting polymer nanofibers

We report on the electrical conductance of nanofibers of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (RRP3HT) as a function of gate-induced charge. Nanofibers of RRP3HT were deposited onto SiO 2 /Si substrates by casting from dilute p-xylene solutions. An analysis of the nanofibers by atomic force microscopy revealed fiber lengths of 0.2-5 μm, heights of 3-7 nm, and widths of approximately 15 nm. A field effect transistor geometry was used to probe the conductance of webs of nanofibers and single nanofibers; in these measurements, gold electrodes served as source and drain contacts, and the doped SiO 2 /Si substrate served as the gate. Temperature-dependent transport studies on webs of nanofibers revealed an activation energy of 108 meV at a gate-induced hole density of 3.8 × 10 12 charges/cm 2 . Pretreating SiO 2 with a hydrophobic hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) layer reduced the activation energy to 65 meV at the same charge density. The turn-on gate voltage on treated and untreated substrates increased in magnitude with decreasing temperature. Conductance measurements on single nanofibers on HMDS-treated SiO 2 yielded hole mobilities as high as 0.06 cm 2 /Vs with on/off current ratios greater than 10 3 .
An intersection of women’s and perinatal health: the role of chronic conditions

This paper has three objectives: 1) to review data on the prevalence of chronic disease among women of reproductive age; 2) to establish that chronic diseases are an important influence on perinatal health; and 3) to emphasize opportunities where women's health and perinatal health can intersect. This involves broadening strategies aimed at improving perinatal health to emphasize a woman's overall health, regardless of childbearing status or plans, and using perinatal health care as a bridge to ongoing care for women. These issues are discussed in the context of a continuum often used to organize perinatal health interventions.
Combined interface boundary condition method for coupled thermal simulations

A new procedure for modeling the conjugate heat-transfer process between fluid and structure subdomains is presented. The procedure relies on higher-order combined interface boundary conditions (CIBC) for improved accuracy and stability. Traditionally, continuity of temperature and heat flux along interfaces is satisfied through algebraic jump conditions in a staggered fashion. More specifically, Dirichlet temperature conditions are usually imposed on the fluid side and Neumann heat-flux conditions are imposed on the solid side for the stability of conventional sequential staggered procedure. In this type of treatment, the interface introduces additional stability constraints to the coupled thermal simulations. By utilizing the CIBC technique on the Dirichlet boundary conditions, a staggered procedure can be constructed with the same order of accuracy and stability as those of standalone computations. Using the Godunov-Ryabenkii normal-mode analysis, a range of values of the coupling parameter is found that yields a stable and accurate interface discretization. The effectiveness of the method is investigated by presenting and discussing performance evaluation data using a ID finite-difference formulation for each subdomain.