cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physiological role of alkaline phosphatase explored in hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is the instructive rickets or osteomalacia caused by loss-of-function mutation(s) within TNSALP, the gene that encodes the "tissue nonspecific" isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP). HPP reveals a critical role for this enzyme in skeletal mineralization. Increased extracellular levels of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and inorganic pyrophosphate (PP(i)) demonstrate that TNSALP is a phosphomonoester phosphohydrolase and a pyrophosphatase that hydrolyzes much lower concentrations of natural substrates than the artificial substrates of laboratory assays. Clearly, TNSALP acts at physiological pH and "alkaline phosphatase" is a misnomer. Aberrations of vitamin B(6) metabolism in HPP revealed that TNSALP is an ectoenzyme. PP(i) excesses cause chondrocalcinosis and sometimes arthropathy. The skeletal disease is due to PP(i) inhibition of hydroxyapatite crystal growth extracellularly so that crystals form within matrix vesicles but fail to enlarge after these structures rupture. Trials of alkaline phosphatase replacement therapy for HPP suggest that TNSALP functions at the level of skeletal tissues.
An Experimental Examination of Professional Skepticism

Professional skepticism is an important concept in audit practice as evidenced by its prominence throughout auditing standards. Several empirical studies that explore whether auditors exhibit skeptical behavior when the audit circumstances warrant do not find a clear link between professional skepticism and behaviors. We explore whether viewing professional skepticism as a trait rather than strictly as a response to audit circumstances provides a clearer link between professional skepticism and auditors' behaviors. Using a scale developed specifically to measure an auditor's professional skepticism level, we examine its impact on two behaviors; evidence assessment and generation of alternatives. In an experimental workpaper review task, skeptical auditors engage in moderately more behaviors under ordinary audit circumstance and react to skepticism-inducing conditions by generally increasing their behaviors more than less skeptical auditors. Overall, we conclude that auditors with higher levels of professional skepticism behave systematically differently than less skeptical auditors.
The university of Texas: Looking forward: Research libraries in the 21st century

ABSTRACT This paper provides an overview of strategic initiatives identified by the University of Texas Libraries to address the challenges of operating research libraries in an increasingly digital environment.
Bentonite Rods Assure Ground Rod Installation In Problem Soils

Ground rods are an effective means of obtaining and maintaining a low resistance to remote ground. However, present methods of installation fail in rocky or hardpan soils. A technique has been developed that assures installation regardless of the subsoil conditions and offers a reduction in resistance of up to 36% per rod.
Tree species and size structure of old-growth Douglas-fir forests in central western Oregon, USA

Abstract We characterized the structure of 91 old-growth forests dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), using inventory data from recent (1985–1991) old-growth timber sales in western Oregon. The data were complete counts (i.e., censuses) of all live trees >20 cm diameter at breast height (dbh, measured at 1.4 m above the ground) over a mean area of 17.1 ha at each site. Across all sites, Douglas-fir accounted for 79% of the total basal area (m2/ha) of all species. The average density of trees >100 cm dbh was 19 trees/ha and 90% of these trees were Douglas-fir. Species other than Douglas-fir constituted only about 20% of the total basal area at each old-growth site, on average, but largely accounted for the structural variation between sites. We used multivariate techniques such as cluster analysis, indicator species analysis, and ordination with non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) to identify and characterize six structural groups in terms of basal area in different species–diameter classes. Almost 97% of the structural information was captured by the first (r2 = 0.841) and second (r2 = 0.128) NMS ordination axis. Geographic information systems (GIS) analysis and NMS indicated that the structural differences among groups of sites were associated with moisture, temperature, and elevation gradients within the study area. This type of analysis can be used to help define differences among old-growth forests and to set local structural goals for growing forests with old-growth characteristics.
Acute Stress–induced Increases in Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Asthma and Their Association with Endogenous Cortisol

Rationale: Psychosocial stress is known to influence the pathophysiology of asthma. Although stress has been linked to serum markers of inflammatory activity and exaggerated response to allergen challenge in asthma, few studies have examined inflammatory activity in the airways linked to psychosocial stress alone. Furthermore, although studies have demonstrated lower levels or reactivity of endogenous cortisol in asthma, the association with airway inflammatory activity in stress remains unexplored.Objectives: We therefore studied airway inflammation and cortisol response to a standardized laboratory task inducing acute psychosocial stress.Methods: Airway inflammation by the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and saliva cortisol were sampled before and up to 45 minutes after experimental challenge with the Trier Social Stress Test in 20 adult patients with asthma and 19 healthy control subjects. Respiratory inductive plethysmography was used to control for changes in ventilatory activity that impact ...
Shear girdling phenomenon in polymers

Hollow and solid specimens of polypropylene and solid specimens of polyoxymethylene exhibited an effect under torsional shear which is analogous to the necking usually observed in tensile tests. After reaching some critical shear strain in the postyield region localized shear deformation developed on the gauge length. As twisting was continued a dramatic decrease in the diameter of the cross section was observed. This torsional shear induced phenomenon was named girdling. The superimposition of hydrostatic pressure up to 6 kbar has a significant influence on the extent of girdle formation. Stress whitening, observed on the solid polyoxymethylene specimens was suppressed by the application of pressures greater than 1 kbar. Very large shear strains produced a ratchet-type fracture surface on the solid specimens which indicates the presence of axial, radial, and tangential strains. Qualitatively, these results are supported by the finite deformation theory of elasticity.
Multi-criteria decision analysis of treated wastewater use for agriculture in water deficit regions.

Al-Juaidi, Ahmed E., Jagath J. Kaluarachchi, and Ungtae Kim, 2010. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of Treated Wastewater Use for Agriculture in Water Deficit Regions. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(2):395-411. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2009.00409.x Abstract: Coastal regions such as the Gaza Strip of Palestine with limited freshwater supply suffer significantly due to the rapid depletion of water levels, seawater intrusion, and increased water demands. In such regions, use of treated wastewater (TWW) is a viable option if public health issues are addressed. The goal of this paper is to address the use of TWW in agriculture while considering net benefit, economic efficiency of water use (EEWU), environmental goals, and public health risks. The proposed methodology considers public health risk assessment and multi-criteria decision analysis to assess the beneficial use of TWW in agriculture. The methodology was demonstrated for the Gaza Strip. The health risk assessment suggests that increasing the elapsed time between irrigation and consumption and switching from surface to sprinkler and drip irrigation are practical measures to reduce public health risks. The optimization and decision analyses show that proper allocation of freshwater and TWW and distribution of land area by crop type can significantly increase the net benefit and EEWU. In most cases, net benefit increased by 44%, groundwater use reduced 29% while increasing the EEWU by threefold compared with the existing conditions. The multi-criteria decision analysis with weighted goal programming can develop flexible management options that considers a given decision-maker preference. When groundwater abstraction for agriculture reduced from 57 to 36 Mm3 as per decision analysis, the corresponding area below mean sea level decreased by 58% indicating significant aquifer recovery.
Benefits of the ballot box for species conservation

Recent estimates reaffirm that conservation funds are insufficient to meet biodiversity conservation goals. Organisations focused on biodiversity conservation therefore need to capitalise on investments that societies make in environmental protection that provide ancillary benefits to biodiversity. Here, we undertake the first assessment of the potential ancillary benefits from the ballot box in the United States, where citizens vote on referenda to conserve lands for reasons that may not include biodiversity directly but that indirectly might enhance biodiversity conservation. Our results suggest that referenda occur in counties with significantly greater biodiversity than counties chosen at random. We also demonstrate that large potential gains for conservation are possible if the past and likely future outcomes of these ballot box measures are directly incorporated into national-scale conservation planning efforts. The possible synergies between ballot box measures and other biodiversity conservation efforts offer an under-utilised resource for supporting conservation.
Using the danger model of immune systems for distributed defense in modern data networks

This paper represents a departure from the current paradigms of centralized attack defenses and introduces the idea of the Danger model to autonomic defense systems. In existing systems, such as anti-viruses (AV) or intrusion prevention systems (IPS), a central authority generates the defense mechanisms and deploys these to the systems in the field. While this strategy works fairly well in static systems, currently the trend is towards large and more dynamically configured systems. The future is likely to belong to ubiquitous systems where the number of devices and their diversity exceed the capacity to centrally administer them. Furthermore, ubiquitous systems will also contain many devices that are not connected all the time nor to all other devices equally. To address these issues, this paper looks at the Danger Model of computer immune systems and its application to attack defense to create a fully decentralized model. The main paradigms are co-stimulation using both evidence of an attack (knowledge-based or behavior-based) with evidence of real danger or damage. By combining these two detection models we are able to reduce the chance of an auto-immune reaction in the Active Defense Network.
A tooth-stabilized surgical template for alveolectomy

The supraeruption of teeth and bone in patients with long-standing partial edentulism often results in compromised interarch distance. A method is presented for the fabrication and predictable use of a tooth-stabilized surgical template for alveolectomy in instances where teeth are present.
Myocardial ischemia and the pains of the heart.

Angina pectoris is usually caused by myocardial ischemia due to atherosclerotic narrowing of the epicardial coronary arteries, with or without local vasoconstriction or a superimposed thrombus, that limits the supply of blood to the myocardium. This leads to the stimulation of pain receptors that trigger the patient's perception of anginal symptoms (see Figure). Therefore, when a physician cares for a patient with chest pain whose coronary anatomy is unknown, the main question is whether the symptoms are due to coronary atherosclerosis. This question is relevant for two reasons. First, atherosclerotic heart disease is the chief cause of death in Western . . .
A knowledge-based approach for high-level programming of concurrent systems

Abstract It is generally accepted that object-based systems provide an elegant paradigm for general-purpose concurrent computations. In this paper, we propose to use the frameworks of object-oriented knowledge base and object-oriented concurrent production system to facilitate the task of programming object based systems. Specifically, we describe a program transformation system which accepts a set of sequential processes written in a conventional sequential language and a set of coordination constraints. The output of the transformation system is a set of coordinating (distributed) processes where each of which is a production system and parallel in nature, communicating asynchronously with others, and all-together satisfying the coordinating constraints identified by the programmer.
Supersaturation of Vertically Propagating Internal Gravity Waves

The usual assumption that vertically propagating internal gravity waves will cease growing with height once their amplitudes are such as to permit convective instability anywhere within the wave is reexamined. Two factors lead to amplitude limitation: (1) wave clipping associated with convective mixing, and (2) energetic constraints associated with the rate at which the wave can supply energy to the convection. It is found that these two factors limit supersaturation to about 50 percent for waves with short horizontal wavelengths and high relative phase speeds. Usually the degree of supersaturation will be much less. These factors also lead to a gradual, rather than sudden, cessation of wave growth with height.
Uncommon truths: A diary of practical wisdom

The author reflects on unconventional truths that he has learned from over twenty-five years of student affairs administration.
Orally-effective, long-acting sorbitol dehydrogenase inhibitors: synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and in vivo evaluations of novel heterocycle-substituted piperazino-pyrimidines.

Optimization of a previously disclosed sorbitol dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDI, II) for potency and duration of action was achieved by replacing the metabolically labile N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl group with a variety of heterocycles. Specifically, this effort led to a series of novel, in vitro potent SDIs with longer serum half-lives and acceptable in vivo activity in acutely diabetic rats (e.g., 62, 67, and 69). However, the desired in vivo potency in chronically diabetic rats, ED90 ≤ 5 mg/kg/day, was achieved only through further modification of the piperazine linker. Several members of this family, including 86, showed better than the targeted potency with ED90 values of 1−2 mg/kg/day. Compound 86 was further profiled and found to be a selective inhibitor of sorbitol dehydrogenase, with excellent pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic properties, demonstrating normalization of sciatic nerve fructose in a chronically diabetic rat model for ∼17 h, when administered orally at a single dose of 2 mg/kg/day.
On-Chip Initiation and Burn Rate Measurements of Thermite Energetic Reactions

Burn rates of various nano-energetic composites were measured by two techniques; on-chip method and conventional optical method. A comparison is presented to confirm the validity of on-chip method. On-chip initiators were prepared using platinum heater films and nanoenergetic composites. Thin film Pt heaters were fabricated with different dimensions and ignition delay was studied using a nano-energetic composite of CuO nano-rods and Al-nano-particles. The ignition delay as a function of electrical power is presented for the same energetic composite. Heater with smaller surface area is found to be more efficient, which may be due to the lower heat losses.
Perpetrator, worker and workplace characteristics associated with patient and visitor perpetrated violence (Type II) on hospital workers: A review of the literature and existing occupational injury data

Abstract Problem Non-fatal type II violence experienced by hospital workers (patient/visitor-on-worker violence) is not well described. Methods Hospital administration data (2004-2009) were examined for purposes of calculating rates of type II violent events experienced by workers. We also conducted a review of the hospital-based literature (2000-2010) and summarized findings associated with type II violence. Results 484 physical assaults were identified in the data, with a rate of 1.75 events/100 full-time equivalents. Only few details about events were captured, while non-physical events were not captured. The literature yielded 17 studies, with a range proportion of verbal abuse (22%–90%), physical threats (12%–64%) and assaults (2%–32%) reported. The literature lacked rigorous methods for examining incidence and circumstances surrounding events or rates of events over time. Discussion For purposes of examining the impact of type II violence on worker safety, satisfaction and retention, rigorous surveillance efforts by hospital employers and researchers are warranted.
Structure of Human Carnitine Acetyltransferase MOLECULAR BASIS FOR FATTY ACYL TRANSFER

Carnitine acyltransferases are a family of ubiquitous enzymes that play a pivotal role in cellular energy metabolism. We report here the x-ray structure of human carnitine acetyltransferase to a 1.6-A resolution. This structure reveals a monomeric protein of two equally sized α/β domains. Each domain is shown to have a partially similar fold to other known but oligomeric enzymes that are also involved in group-transfer reactions. The unique monomeric arrangement of the two domains constitutes a central narrow active site tunnel, indicating a likely universal feature for all members of the carnitine acyltransferase family. Superimposition of the substrate complex of a related protein, dihydrolipoyl trans-acetylase, reveals that both substrates localize to the active site tunnel of human carnitine acetyltransferase, suggesting the location of the ligand binding sites for carnitine and coenzyme A. Most significantly, this structure provides critical insights into the molecular basis for fatty acyl chain transfer and a possible common mechanism among a wide range of acyltransferases utilizing a catalytic dyad.
The phylogeny and geography of Myrceugenia (Myrtaceae).

Myrceugenia is a mainly temperate South American genus with two species on the Juan Fernandez Islands, 12 in central and southern Chile and adjacent Argentina, and 25 in the highlands of southeastern Brazil and adjacent regions. The continental populations are separated by about 1000 km. Numerical cladistic procedures based on the criteria of parsimony, compatible characters and a combination of compatible characters and character correlation are used to deduce hypothetical phylogenetic undirected trees. These indicate that 3–8 groups of species bridge the continent of South America. An explanation of how the distribution of the genus could have come about is given based on: 1) the above mentioned numerical analyses, 2) the ecology of the species, 3) the distribution of other plant genera, and 4) theories of the geologic and climatic history of southern South America. Myrceugenia is hypothesized to have grown continuously across South America during the early Tertiary and to have become divided into eastern and western populations probably during the Miocene.
Late Quaternary fault segmentation from analysis of scarp morphology

A thorough knowledge of the lateral extent of individual prehistoric ruptures along a fault is necessary to assess the locations and geologic characteristics of boundaries between independent faultrupture segments. Paleoseismic studies employing only trenching may yield insufficient data to evaluate the lateral extent of individual rupture events. Systematic mapping of fault scarps and degradation-equation modeling of relative scarp ages on the Lemhi fault, a range-bounding normal fault in east-central Idaho, provide a method to assess rupture extent and boundaries between rupture segments. The youngest latest Quaternary surface ruptures occurred at distinctly different times on adjacent segments of the fault. The boundaries between rupture segments differ in characteristics, although most are at intersections of the currently active range-bounding fault and mid-Tertiary normal faults. Several major structural and tectonic discontinuities did not form segment boundaries in the most recent rupture cycle or (probably) in the previous cycle. The Lemhi fault illustrates both the importance of preexisting structures in controlling extent of ruptures and the need for detailed analysis along an entire fault zone.
Invariant solutions of the underwater acoustic wave equation

Abstract The dilatation group is applied to the cylindrically symmetric acoustic wave equation. Admissible classes of index of refraction functions are determined, which remain invariant under that group. Using several such functions we find exact invariant solutions of the resulting acoustic equation, and one numerical evaluation is made.
An open path, fast response infrared absorption gas analyzer for H 2 O and CO 2

An open path infrared absorption based instrument for fast response measurements of H2O and CO2 fluctuations is described. This instrument performed reliably in several field experiments in both terrestrial and marine environments, on both fixed (tower) and mobile (boat, plane) flux platforms. Noise levels for H2O and CO2 concentrations were less than 10 mg/m3 and 300 Μg/m3, respectively for frequencies between 0.005 and 10 Hz. Drifts in instrument output, associated with changes in instrument temperature, are compensated for electronically.
Yieldlike Constitutive Transition in Shear Flow of Entangled Polymeric Fluids

We describe an unexpected constitutive transition in entangled polymer solutions. At and beyond a critical stress, the initial spatially homogeneous and well-entangled sample transforms from its entangled (coiled) state into a fully disentangled (stretched) state over a period during which the resulting shear rate increases in a spatially inhomogeneous fashion. In the mode of controlled shear rate, the sample exhibits a stress plateau over three decades. Flow birefringence and normal stress observations unravel additional features of these flow phenomena.
Effect of reflex stimuli on vascular resistance and glycerol release in in vivo dog subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Although direct autonomic nerve stimulation and infusion of catecholamine has been shown to result in substantial amounts of lipolysis in dog subcutaneous adipose tissue, there is no evidence to indicate that reflex autonomic stimulation will result in qualitatively and quantitatively similar changes. The present studies were, performed to evaluate the effects of reflex autonomic stimulation on vascular resistance and glycerol release in isolated, innervated and blood-perfused subcutaneous fat pad. Autonomic nerve stimulation at physiological frequencies was performed and resulted in release of glycerol that was compatible with previously reported data. Reflex stimulation by moderate and severe hypoxemia did not result in a significant glycerol release, but a maximal reflex stimulus (ventricular fibrillation) did. Since the majority of these reflex stimuli resulted in large changes in vascular resistance, it would appear that reflex hemodynamic changes can occur in these preparations without concommitant changes in glycerol release. Alpha blockade of the vasoconstriction resulted in the appearance of rising glycerol output suggesting that vasoconstriction prevents lipolysis.
Infected Mediastinal Bronchogenic Cyst Successfully Treated by Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration

Bronchogenic cysts are one of the most common bronchopulmonary congenital malformations found in adults. Most authors agree that symptomatic or infected cysts should be surgically removed. We report our experience in which we treated an infected mediastinal bronchogenic cyst with a combination of antibiotics and drainage by endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration, with resolution of symptoms and no evidence of recurrence after an 18-month follow-up.
A numerical model of submarine debris flow with graphical user interface

Abstract A 1-D numerical model of the downslope spreading of a finite-source subaqueous debris flow is presented. The model incorporates the Bingham, Herschel–Bulkley, and bilinear rheologies of viscoplastic fluids. Any of these rheologies can be selected by the user. The layer-integrated conservation equations of mass and momentum balance are solved in a Lagrangian framework using an explicit finite difference scheme. The flow is assumed to remain laminar throughout the computation. Starting from an initial parabolic shape, the debris mass is allowed to collapse and propagate on a given topography. The code is written in the visual basic programming language and has a graphical user interface. The required input parameters can be specified interactively, and the propagation of the debris flow can be viewed as the solution proceeds. The user interface for the software is described in detail. Simulated results from different rheological models are compared.
Case-Based Reasoning for planning turn-taking strategy with a therapeutic robot playmate

In this paper, we focus on robot intelligence to generate turn-taking strategies in response to human play actions. This work builds on our previous work on play behavior recognition, and expands it to the child-robot therapeutic domain where the robot must understand and learn the play of a child and take turns manipulating the toys. The main contribution of this work is a novel attempt in applying Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) for planning human-robot turn-taking strategies. By comparing the child's play in the current scene to some past play cases stored in memory, we retrieve the best solution and adapt it to the set of toys that are available for the play scenario, bypassing a long complicated decision process. In order to ensure real-time performance, a low dimension scale invariant shape descriptor is proposed for shape matching. Turn-taking CBR (ttCBR) system is then evaluated for stacking and inserting tasks with four subjects, by comparing the decision made by the system and the actual choice of the humans.
Realization of logic gates using Y defect in a two dimensional photonic crystal structure

In this paper a novel design of a two dimensional Photonic crystal structure (PCs) has been proposed for realization of optical OR and AND gates by introducing rods of Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 )forming a Y-defect in the structure. 1550 nano meter of signals are used in the input face so that the output signal is obtained at the opposite face of the structure. All the simulations are made by using Finite Difference Time Domain method.
A correlative study between analysis and experiment on the low velocity impact of finite beams

Abstract A comparison of experimental results and theoretical predictions for the low velocity impact response of finite beams is presented. Experimental data are obtained from previous investigations of low velocity beam impact. Analytical results are obtained through the solution of appropriate mixed boundary value problems using integral transforms techniques. The analytical model is shown to correctly predict the low velocity impact response of finite beams.
Biomechanical Effect of One-Level or Two-Level Minimally Invasive Posterior Cervical Foraminotomies

The option to treat unilateral cervical radiculopathy with minimal posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) surgery over the traditional anterior approach raises concerns due to the unknown changes that occur to the structural properties of the spine. The objective of this study was to determine the biomechanical stability of unilateral minimally invasive PCF performed at one or two levels in a human cadaveric cervical spine model. Five fresh human sub-axial (C2-T1) cadaveric cervical spines were biomechanical tested under a combined compressive force and flexion or extension bending moment. Three spine conditions were studied: harvested, one-level C5-C6 foraminotomy, and two level C5-C6 and C6-C7 foraminotomies. Measurements included global and individual motion segment unit (MSU) rotations and analyzed at an end load limit of 3Nm. Individual MSU contributions relative to global motion were statistically compared using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls test (P=0.05). No significant differences occurred in the total rotation or the segment rotational contributions between the three spine conditions in flexion testing or extension. From a biomechanical perspective, a one-level or two-level PCF is appropriate surgical option for treating cervical radiculopathy.
Variation of wage rates with size of establishment

Abstract Using Census of Manufactures data at the four digit level, wages rise with establishment size, especially in the upper ranges of establishment sizes.
Comparison of laparoscopic versus open liver tumor resection: a case-controlled study

Background Although there are data in the literature about the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic liver resections, there are not many studies comparing laparoscopic versus open approaches in a case-matched design. The purpose of this study is to compare the perioperative outcome of laparoscopic versus open liver resections from a single institution.
Umbilical Cord Blood Banking: Helping Parents Make Informed Choices

Umbilical cord blood banking is a hot topic among pediatricians, obstetricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives and others caring for pregnant women and newborns. Surveys have indicated that expectant parents want information about it, but the information they receive needs to be based on sound evidence.
First Report of White Pine Blister Rust in Colorado.

In June 1999, a survey was conducted north and west of Redfeather Lakes, CO (≈64 km northwest of Fort Collins) to determine the extent of white pine blister rust, caused by Cronartium ribicola. To date the disease has not been reported in Colorado on any of the known hosts. The survey was initiated after the disease was reported on limber pine, Pinus flexilis, in 1998. A total of 65 sections were traveled by driving passable roads within three townships in Larimer County in northern Colorado. Infected limber pines were observed in nine sections. Incidence of infected trees ranged from 3 to 50% of trees sampled. A minimum of 10 trees was sampled at each location. Where trees were more abundant, 40 trees were sampled. The highest incidence of blister rust was observed near the Colorado and Wyoming state line along Cherokee Park Road. Both main stem and branch cankers were observed. Cankers appeared to be 3 to 5 years old. Mortality of entire trees was not observed. Ribes spp. were observed in the vicinity o...
A Versatile Surface Modification Scheme for Attaching Metal Nanoparticles onto Gold: Characterization by Electrochemical Infrared Spectroscopy

A simple method for preparing metal nanoparticle films immobilized on gold substrates is described. A variety of nanoparticle films are characterized by electrochemical infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (EC-IRAS) in which the anomalous "negative-absorbance" properties commonly observed in metal particle arrays can be completely controlled. Such "anti-absorbance" v C O band components obfuscating the EC-IRAS data interpretation are associated with the complex dielectric behavior induced by metal nanoparticles aggregates. To achieve a well distributed metal nanoparticle array, the substrates were pretreated with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane before anchoring gold, platinum or platinum-ruthenium alloy nanoparticles on the gold substrates. The prepared nanoparticle films displayed excellent electrochemical properties implying facile electronic communication through the organic glue matrix between the nanoparticle arrays and the gold substrates. Coating of the gold nanoparticle arrays with platinum via copper underpotential deposition (UPD) steps furthermore demonstrates optimal electronic response between the nanoparticle arrays and the underlying substrate. These findings will facilitate better nanoparticle analysis by electrochemical and optical spectroscopic means.
Structure and functional development of the eel leptocephalus Ariosoma balearicum (De La Roche, 1809)

Eels, elopids, notacanths and other elopomorph fishes spawn in the ocean and the hatchlings spend their larval life as pelagic, planktonic organisms. The larvae are known as leptocephali and their transparent, leaf-like body characteristically bears little resemblance to the respective adult form. Planktonic life in the ocean may last for years before the leptocephalus undergoes a morphological transformation and takes on a recognizable fish-like appearance. A prolonged larval life suggests a delay in structural and functional development and this premise was the basis for the present study. Before this work on morphology, chemical analysis of the whole leptocephalous body indicated an internal salinity and osmolality far and above the known values for marine teleost fishes. For that reason, particular attention was given to the structural maturation of the gills, gut and kidney, all of which are intimately concerned with osmoregulation. The leptocephalus of the bandtooth conger Ariosoma balearicum was chosen for morphological studies because of its abundance in the tropical western Atlantic and because the Bathymyrinae, which includes , is a reasonably generalized subfamily of congrid eels. The congrids are primitive and representative of the basic eel plan and, as such, are accorded a rather ancestral position. In order to grasp the fundamental organization of a leptocephalus it was soon discovered that all parts of the body needed to be examined. One by one, a long list of structural peculiarities came to light, each of which seemed to have a direct relation to the functional adaptation of the leptocephalus for a prolonged oceanic existence. The section describing the chondrocranium is particularly detailed and permits comparison with an examination of the leptocephalous skull in Anguilla performed by Norman some fifty years ago. The advantages of current methods for processing tissue and the electron microscope are evident in the micrographs of cell surfaces and intracellular organelles. Gill function in the premetamorphic leptocephalus is limited by structure to a mandibular hemibranch. The four gill arches are present, but the vasculature is undeveloped and gill filaments are absent. The gastrointestinal tract is always devoid of food material and some sections of the intestine do not have a discernible lumen. The size, shape and appearance of the teeth seem unrelated to the source of nutrition. All kidney tubules are aglomerular. In summary, the leptocephalus demonstrates many features of structural and functional immaturity and, until transformed by metamorphosis, appears to be an obligatory inhabitant of the open ocean.
Measurement of the refractive index of highly turbid media: reply to comment

Peiponen et al. [Opt. Lett.35, 4108 (2010)] have expressed concern that a theoretical model we proposed in Calhoun et al. [Opt. Lett.35, 1224 (2010)] for total internal reflection from a turbid medium may be inconsistent with the experimental data, in the sense that the model fails to take into account unexplained oscillations in our data. We show that their concern arises from misinterpretation of our data and theory, and is, therefore, unfounded. NOTE: Optics Letters apologizes to the authors for the delay in the publication of this Reply.
ANALYSIS AND NUMERICAL COMPUTATION OF THE DIMENSION OF COLORED NOISE AND DETERMINISTIC TIME SERIES WITH POWER-LAW SPECTRA

We investigate the box dimension of a graph of time series generated by trigonometric series with an inverse power-law spectrum. Such time series can either be random, in which case it is called colored noise, or deterministic in nature. We show analytically that both series can have fractal dimensions depending on the value of the exponent in the power-law. However, the fractal dimension of colored noise is 0.5 higher than that of the corresponding deterministic series. We comment on calculating fractal dimensions and present a reliable numerical algorithm which yields a high degree of consistency between experimental and analytical results.
Ductile-brittle transition behavior of tungsten under shock loading

La transition ductile-fragile du tungstene forme a chaud a ete examinee sous des conditions de chargement de choc au cours d'experiences de choc/recuperation douce a 22° C et 400° C. Les resultats de l'experience a 22° C indiquent que des tensions resultant de chocs (19 GPa) apparaissent sous forme de processus de fractures, c'est-a-dire qu'il n'y avait aucune indication de deformation plastique resultant du choc et l'echantillon a ete reduit en morceaux. A 400° C l'echantillon a ete recupere intact et la plasticite entrainee par le choc a entraine la formation de bandes de deformation et une augmentation de la densite de dislocation du materiau. Les resultats de cette experience montrent le principe de la transition ductile-fragile du tungstene dans des conditions de chargement de choc uni-axial et indiquent qu'une deformation explosive du tungstene resultera en une pulverisation due au chargement de choc
Cervical nodal metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: what to expect.

The treatment and management of malignancies of the head and neck is directly altered by the presence of metastatic cervical adenopathy. The treatment of nodal metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCCA) is determined by the lymphatic drainage of the upper aerodigestive tract. The lymphatic drainage is site-specific and occurs in a predictable manner. The purpose of this text is to provide an overview of the normal routes of lymphatic drainage in the head and neck and correlate this with the current nodal classification system. The specific aims of this manuscript are to 1) illustrate the expected lymphatic drainage patterns of HNSCCA arising in the different subsites (nasopharynx, oropharynx, oral cavity, larynx, and hypopharynx) and 2) review the expected frequency of metastases within nodal groups for HNSCCA that arise in these locations. An understanding of the topographical distribution and incidence of cervical lymph node metastases plays an integral role in the physical examination and radiological evaluation of patients with HNSCCA. For the neuroradiologist, this information may increases the ability to identify those nodal groups at risk for metastatic involvement.
Influence of Soybean Canopy Closure on Predator Abundances and Predation on Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Eggs

Planting soybeans [ Glycine max (L.) Merril] early and in narrow rows is the most effective cultural control for preventing outbreaks of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) in soybean. Soybeans planted early in narrow rows close canopy earlier in the season compared with soybeans planted late and in wide rows (i.e., leaves of plants from adjacent rows touch each other and eventually become densely interwoven). Although several lines of research have established dramatically higher mortality for corn earworm eggs or small larvae in closed canopies, none has found the cause. In 1994 and 1995, we planted soybeans in every combination of early (mid-May) and late (mid-June) planting and narrow (0.46 m) and wide (0.92 m) row spacing to provide a spectrum of canopy closure and examined how canopy closure affects populations of foliage-inhabiting predators and their impact on the egg stage of the corn earworm. The most common predators were Nabis spp., Geocoris spp., Orius insidiosus (Say), and spiders. None of these predator groups' abundances was substantially affected by canopy closure. Regardless of canopy closure, predators consumed ≈70% of H. zea eggs exposed to predation in the field for 24 h in 5 of 6 experiments conducted over 2 yr. Egg predation does not seem to account for differences observed in the survival of this pest between open- and closed-canopy soybean fields.
Radiation-induced peripheral artery disease

Radiation therapy is a cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This is due to the significant degree of atherosclerosis seen in the vessels in the vicinity of the area being irradiated. Radiation-induced peripheral arterial disease is increasingly being recognized as large populations of cancer patients survive longer, yet it is a problem that is often under reported. Although it has most commonly been associated with carotid artery disease, all vascular beds are prone to this form of injury. The injury is accelerated by usual risk factors for atherosclerosis. Developing a healthy lifestyle, dietary prudence and the aggressive treatment of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia should all be encouraged in this patient population. When revascularization strategies are warranted, the percutaneous approach may be superior to open surgery as technical difficulties may arise in the fibrotic, scarred tissue. Stenting with distal embolic protection devices should be considered as the treatment of choice for patients with radiation-induced carotid artery disease. Several reports also suggest good results with balloon angioplasty with or without stenting in the case of radiation-induced renal, iliac, and femoral artery disease. Lifelong antiplatelet therapy may be appropriate.
Sub-Doppler high-resolution wave-mixing detection method for isotopes in environmental applications

Sub-Doppler laser wave-mixing spectroscopy is presented as a sensitive and high-resolution optical method for measuring isotopes and hyperfine structures. By fingerprinting isotopes at sensitive levels, one can track biohazardous pollutants in various environmental samples since isotope and hyperfine profiles are unique and characteristic of specific locations and sources including those for heavy metal contaminants and chemical runoff. We present an unusually sensitive optical absorption method that offers isotope specificity and resolution at excellent detection sensitivity levels. Sub-Doppler laser wave-mixing spectroscopy is a resonant nonlinear optical technique which uses three intersecting laser beams to produce a signal beam that has all the coherent properties of the original input laser beams. This laser-like signal beam can be efficiently directed, collected, filtered and detected. The use of counter-propagating input beams minimizes Doppler broadening and the resulting sub-Doppler spectral resolution is suitable for isotope and hyperfine splitting measurements. This relatively simple absorption-based method offers better sensitivity and selectivity levels and it requires minimum sample preparation steps.
Determination of in situ tissue neuropeptides by capillary immunoelectrophoresis

Abstract Neuropeptide modulation of host defenses is associated with a number of clinical conditions in which tissue injury is caused by a process called neurogenic inflammation. Monitoring of neuropeptide concentrations during both disease episodes and therapy has proven difficult due to a lack of suitable procedures available for correlating laboratory evaluations with disease activity. In an attempt to overcome this problem, a technique has been developed which determines neuropeptide concentrations present in sections of tissue biopsies. The technique involves micro-dissection of morphologically defined areas of frozen sections obtained from routine pathological or clinical examination, followed by analysis of the in situ neuropeptides by immunoaffinity capillary electrophoresis. In this procedure, immobilized antibodies are used to capture the analytes of interest prior to resolution by capillary electrophoresis and detection by laser-induced fluorescence. One advantage of the system is that it provides a relatively rapid technique for measuring a number of selected analytes. It also eliminates the need for pre-analysis clean up of the labeled sample, as such materials are flushed through the capillary prior to release of the captured analytes. The technique compares favorably with results obtained using a conventional immunoassay and has the added advantage that multiple analytes can be measured in defined morphological areas of biopsy material.
Photoperiodic responses of certain geographical strains of Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera)

Abstract Strains of Pectinophora gossypiella were collected from El Paso (32°N) and Port Lavaca (28°N), Texas; Virgin Islands (18°N), West Indies; Villa de Cura (10°N), Venezuela; Palmira (3°N), Colombia; and Saenz Pena (27°S), Argentina. These were reared in laboratory cultures and tested with photoperiods having from 10 to 14 hr of light time/day at temperatures of 21, 27, and 32°C and on a diet having a lipid content of 1 and 5 per cent. The response curves plotted from the combined data obtained in the photoperiods having from 10 to 12 hr of light time/day showed that the incidence of diapause in each strain from highest to lowest was as follows: El Paso, Port Lavaca, Argentina, Virgin Islands, Colombia, Venezuela. Temperature had a profound effect on the incidence of diapause. The higher temperatures strongly inhibited diapause and at 32°C the percentage of larvae of all strains in diapause was very small. An increase in the lipid content of the diet produces a concomitant increase in the incidence of diapause. This was particularly true for the Virgin Islands strain. This strain also showed a strong response to temperature. The critical photoperiod was not affected by temperature or diet. It remained almost the same in the El Paso, Port Lavaca, Argentina, and Virgin Islands strains. The incidence of diapause was always limited in the Venezuela strain regardless of the experimental regimen. In the Colombia strain, a high incidence of diapause was produced only in the photoperiod having a short light fraction of 10 hr. This photoperiod, LD 10 : 14, is never encountered in nature by the Colombia strain. In all strains, diapause was prevented when the light fraction of the photoperiod was increased to more than 13 hr/day.
ICOS receptor instructs T follicular helper cell versus effector cell differentiation via induction of the transcriptional repressor Bcl6.

Summary The nature of follicular helper CD4 + T (Tfh) cell differentiation remains controversial, including the minimal signals required for Tfh cell differentiation and the time at which Tfh cell differentiation occurs. Here we determine that Tfh cell development initiates immediately during dendritic cell (DC) priming in vivo. We demonstrate that inducible costimulator (ICOS) provides a critical early signal to induce the transcription factor Bcl6, and Bcl6 then induces CXCR5, the canonical feature of Tfh cells. Strikingly, a bifurcation between Tfh and effector Th cells was measurable by the second cell division of CD4 + T cells, at day 2 after an acute viral infection: IL2Rα int cells expressed Bcl6 and CXCR5 (Tfh cell program), whereas IL2Rα hi cells exhibited strong Blimp1 expression that repressed Bcl6 (effector Th cell program). Virtually complete polarization between Bcl6 + Tfh cells and Blimp1 + effector Th cell populations developed by 72 hr, even without B cells. Tfh cells were subsequently lost in the absence of B cells, demonstrating a B cell requirement for maintenance of Bcl6 and Tfh cell commitment via sequential ICOS signals.