cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunogenetic analysis of bone marrow aspirates in patients with non-hodgkin lymphomas

The immunogenetic analysis (IGA) on the staging bone marrow aspirates in 15 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is reported. We found the sensitivity of IGA and morphologic examination in detecting bone marrow involvement by malignant lymphoma to be 91% and 82%, respectively. In 11 cases there was agreement between the morphologic findings and IGA. In 8 of these 11 cases, IGA confirmed the morphologic involvement of the bone marrow by demonstrating clonal rearrangement of either the immunoglobulin heavy- and/or light-chain or the T-cell receptor beta chain (TCR) genes. In 3 of these 11 cases, morphology showed no involvement and IGA showed germline configurations for both the immunoglobulin heavy- and light-chain or the TCR genes. In 2 additional cases the techniques proved to be complementary, as involvement was detected by only 1 of the 2 procedures. In 1 of these 2 cases, IGA showed gene rearrangement while morphologic examination was negative for involvement by NHL, by NHL while in the other case, morphologic examination showed involvement by NHL, but IGA did not show gene rearrangement. IGA was also useful in determining the clonality of solitary lymphoid nodules in the 2 remaining cases when morphologic interpretation was equivocal. In the 12 cases with bone marrow involvement, the immunophenotype and immunogenotype agreed in 11 cases. In the one case in which there was a discordance between the immunophenotype and immunogenotype, the immunophenotype was incorrectly interpreted as B-cell lineage, while the immunogenotype demonstrated a T-cell lineage. IGA also demonstrated a clonal population in 1 case of T-chronic lymphocytic leukemia where other techniques could not demonstrate the clonality of the pathologic process. IGA analysis may detect bone marrow involvement in NHL which may not be detected by morphologic examination because of patchy distribution.
On modelling diffusion-dominated electrochemical problems via fem

The application of a Galerkin finite element method with a front tracking adaptive mesh to certain electrochemical engineering problems is discussed. Some preliminary results are presented to illustrate the technique.
Functional antibody immobilization on 3-dimensional polymeric surfaces generated by reactive ion etching

Reactive ion etching (RIE) was used to pattern antibodies onto the surfaces of polymer substrates. A low pressure, inductively coupled oxygen plasma was used to anisotropically etch 25−30 μm deep features into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Zeonex, and polycarbonate (PC). Scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurements show that the resulting surfaces exhibit significant microroughness and enhanced hydrophilicity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggests that, in addition to enhanced surface area, chemical modifications may contribute to antibody immobilization. Polyclonal antibodies preferentially bind to the etched areas in RIE-patterned PMMA and Zeonex substrates but localize in unetched regions of RIE-patterned PC surfaces. Simple immunoassays were performed to demonstrate a potential application for RIE-modified polymer surfaces. Antibodies specific for the capture of fluorescently labeled cholera toxin, S. aureus enterotoxin B, and B. anthracis protective antigen were immobili...
Kinematic and Dynamic Analysis of V-Twin Powertrains: Design Trade-Offs

This paper examines the influence of multiple design parameters on the kinematics and dynamics of a V-twin powertrain. Two models are presented to study the design trade-offs in order to provide an analytical tool that can be used for the top-level design of a V-twin powertrain. Shaking forces and bearing loads are evaluated to quantitatively comprehend the influence of design parameters such as banking angle, crank pin, piston off-set, etc. Furthermore, the influence of parameters associated with the use of conventional Lanchester balance shafts is also investigated as part of the analysis. These parameters include support bearing locations and balancing mass location on the balance shaft. The analysis results are compared to some of the studies on balancing of shaking forces and shaking moments in the literature. While the design trade-offs associated with parameters such as banking angle are well understood in the available literature, the analysis performed in this study shows interesting results for piston off-set and crank pin design, as well as for parameters associated with the balance shaft.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Hendrix's model for simultaneous actions and continuous processes: an introduction and implementation

This paper presents a self-contained introduction and implementation description to a simulation system for modeling simultaneous actions and continuous processes ( Hendrix, 1973 ). The essence of the system is described by a portion of its abstract: A new methodology for the construction of world models is presented. The central feature of this methodology is a mechanism which makes possible the modeling of (1) simultaneous, interactive processes, (2) processes characterized by a continuum of gradual change, (3) involuntarily activated processes (such as the growing of grass) and (4) time as a continuous phenomena. and by a recent review, Gaines (1975) : This is a fascinating paper that will be of interest outside the “artificial intelligence” (AI) context in which it is written, from those concerned with simulating and controling multi-element systems to those interested in operational definitions of concepts such as “causality.” Three robot world models are incrementally developed, each introducing a new modeling concept. World models, including a robot world (with sample output), electrical world, and a Turing world are also presented. The interactive operating environment presented permits the user to inspect and alter the run-time structure. A detailed account of the implementation is presented.
Processing of Colicin V-1, a Secretable Marker Protein of a Bacterial ATP Binding Cassette Export System, Requires Membrane Integrity, Energy, and Cytosolic Factors

Extracellular secretion of the peptide antibiotic colicin V (ColV) in Escherichia coli is mediated by a dedicated exporter system consisting of host TolC protein and the products of two specific genes, cvaA and cvaB, the latter being a member of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) superfamily. An amino-terminal export signal of ColV is specific for the CvaA-CvaB-TolC exporter and is processed concomitant with secretion. In this study, we attempt to characterize this processing with a secretable marker protein, ColV-1, using a newly developed in vitro assay. Processing is found to be dependent on both CvaA-CvaB transporters and the TolC protein and to require membrane integrity. An additional cytoplasmic soluble factor(s) is also necessary for the processing. Although the sequence of the cleavage site suggests it could be a substrate, ColV-1 cannot be processed in vitro by the purified leader peptidase I. Moreover, ColV-1 processing is inhibited by antipain and N-ethylmaleimide. Furthermore, the processing requires energy in the form of nucleotide hydrolysis. These results indicate that the processing of ColV-1 is specific and more complex than expected, requiring the CvaA-CvaB-TolC transporter intact in the membrane, energy, and cytosolic factors for rapid cleavage.
Some Properties of Mitochondria from Irradiated Tomato Fruit

SUMMARY —Homestead tomato fruit were irradiated with 300 Krad of 60Co gamma rays at three stages of maturity–mature-green, 2 and 6 days from color break. Though oxygen consumption by mitochondrial preparations was greatly suppressed immediately after irradiation it increased to a maximum during the following 2 days and then declined similarily to nonirradiated fruit. Oxygen consumption was reduced considerably during ripening of the nonirradiated and irradiated 6 day breakers. Mitochondria from irradiated fruit exhibited lower P/O ratios than from nonirradiated fruit. A considerable reduction was less pronounced with the 2 and 6 day breakers. In vitro irradiation of mitochondrial preparations indicated no differences in activity with doses up to 100 Krad, but at 150 and 300 Krad, the activity decreased by 50 and 90%, respectively.
Photoinduced charge migration in the picosecond regime for thianthrene-linked acridinium ions

The thianthrene ring system has a novel redox chemistry that has been the subject of study for three decades. The sulfur heterocycle undergoes a reversible on-electron oxidation (E{sub 1/2} = 1.23 vs SCE, CH{sub 3}CN), yielding a radical cation species that is stable enough to be isolated for independent investigation; magnetic resonance studies on the cation have included ESR, ENDOR, and CIDEP measurements. Photoinduced electron transfer involving thianthrene (TH) as an electron donor has been studied, including a report of trapping of the radical cation. As part of a study of linked donor-acceptor systems that employ the acridinium ion as electron acceptor, the authors have prepared the first linked thianthrenes appropriate for investigation of intramolecular electron transfer involving TH as an electron donor. Principal findings include the observation of very fast forward and back electron transfer (charge shift, CSH) in the picosecond time domain involving TH and acridinium subunits.
Hyperthermic reactions of voles to novel and repetitive psychogenic stimuli.

Abstract 1. 1. Montane voles (Microtus montanus) respond to brief conspecific encounters with strange voles by adrenergic reactions which result in elevations of their core temperatures by approximately 1.0°C. 2. 2. Elevations of body temperatures and agonistic behaviors decrease in intensity with sequential encounters between the same conspecific challengers but are restored when one of the challengers is replaced by a new “strange” vole. 3. 3. The rates of habituation of agonistic behaviors and of hyperthermic response are a function of the number of encounters permitted, rather than time between encounters. 4. 4. Levels of hyperthermic responses resulting from contact between previously habituated animals are higher than those elicited by non-specific stimuli such as noise or handling. 5. 5. Radiotelemetry of feral animal temperature homeostasis may provide a useful measure of low-frequency social encounters between conspecific voles.
Team Knowledge Sharing Intervention Effects on Team Shared Mental Models and Student Performance in an Undergraduate Science Course

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a shared mental model (SMM) based intervention on student team mental model similarity and ultimately team performance in an undergraduate meteorology course. The team knowledge sharing (TKS) intervention was designed to promote team reflection, communication, and improvement planning. Results reveal that the TKS intervention was partially effective in enhancing student team SMM and team scores on meteorology lab assignments. The TKS intervention has potential for use in science courses where a teaming approach is used. Similar interventions could likely be developed, empirically examined, and potentially employed to promote success in handling complex challenges while working in teams in the classroom and beyond.
Characterization of the succinate dehydrogenase-encoding gene cluster (sdh) from the rickettsia Coxiella burnetii.

Abstract We have identified and sequenced four genes that encode the protein subunits comprising the succinate dehydrogenase enzyme complex (Sdh) of the rickettsia Coxiella burnetii . The Sdh-encoding gene cluster (sdhCDAB) begins 3326 bp upstream from the citrate synthase-encoding gene ( gltA ) start codon and is read with opposite polarity. An open reading frame encoding the N-terminal 280 amino acids (aa) of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (SucA) begins 24 bp downstream from the stop codon of the gene specifying the iron-sulfur subunit ( sdhB ) of Sdh. The deduced as sequence of Sdh subunits and the N-terminal portion of SucA revealed significant as identity with the Esherichia coli homologues ranging from a low of 36.6% for SdhD to a high of 61.2% for SdhA and SdhB. Primer extension identified transcription start points ( tsp ) for sdh and SucA . The region upstream from the sdh tsp , but not the sucA tsp , displayed homology to promoter consensus sequences of E. coli . Further evidence that sucA transcription can occur independent of sdh transcription was provided by demonstrating that a Tn phoA insertion disrupting sdhB had no effect on the production of SucA by an E. coli cell-extract-directed in vitro transcription/translation system. The plasmid clone pLPM60, which carries the C . burnetii sdhCDAB coding and upstream regulatory regions, rescued an E. coli sdhA mutant (MOB252), indicating functional expression of the rickettsial locus. A cell extract of MOB252 transformed with pLPM60 showed a sixfold greater level of Sdh enzyme activity over the E. coli wild type. A plasmid clone lacking the sdh upstream regulatory region did not complement nor produce sdh mRNA by dot blot analysis. These data suggest that sdhCDAB is an operon under control of a single promoter immediately upstream from sdhC .
Vascular isolation of the rat cremaster muscle

Abstract The vascular supply to the rat cremaster muscle was completely isolated to provide a microvascular preparation with a controllable blood flow. The anatomy of the cremaster vascular supply and the surgical approach to isolate the cremaster muscle on its neurovascular pedicle are described. The functional integrity of this isolated cremaster preparation was tested using intravital video microscopy to evaluate the tissue's response to vasoactive agents and to peripheral nerve stimulation. The isolated cremaster muscle was positioned in situ in a controlled tissue bath and concentration response curves to the topical application of norepinephrine (NE) and acetylcholine (Ach) were determined. Vasoconstriction elicited by the topical application of NE or by stimulation of the genitofemoral nerve trunk was similar for both the isolated and standard cremaster preparations. Application of 10 −5 M Ach caused maximal vasodilation equal to that produced by 10 −3 M papaverine in both preparations. In summary, the isolated cremaster muscle of the rat is an acceptable model of a skeletal muscle microcirculation which can be used to investigate microvascular function when precise monitoring or control of perfusion to the entire muscle is needed.
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of estrogen action on the skeleton.

The many recent and exciting advances that have taken place in the field of estrogen action on the skeleton are the subjects of this review. Leading these new developments is the discovery of alternative estrogen receptors that exhibit differential mechanisms of transcriptional control of estrogen-responsive promoters, thereby broadening both the ranges of possible target cells and their responses. More potentially important genes under estrogenic control have been identified in vitro, and the skeletal phenotypes caused by disruption of estrogen signaling due to mutations in humans and mice have been described. Lastly, clinical studies in humans have revealed a greater appreciation for the importance of estrogen in bone mass maintenance in both sexes. J. Cell. Biochem. Suppls. 32/33:123-132, 1999.
Electron-Tunneling Pathways in Cytochrome c

Distant Fe2+-Ru3+ electronic couplings have been extracted from intramolecular electrontransfer rates in Ru(histidinex) (where X = 33, 39, 62, and 72) derivatives of cytochrome c. The couplings increase according to 62 (0.0060) 39 (12.3) > 33 (11.1) > 72 (8.4 angstroms)]. The rates (and the couplings) correlate with the lengths of σ-tunneling pathways comprised of covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds, and through-space jumps from the histidines to the heme group. Space jumps greatly decrease couplings: One from Pro71 to Met80 extends the σ-tunneling length of the His72 pathway by roughly 10 covalent-bond units.
Hydrodesulphurization of Thiophene by Transition Metal Sulphides: The Electronic Basis for Catalytic Activity

Transition metal sulphides (TMS) have the ability to catalyze the hydrodesulphurization (IDS) of thiophenes occurring in oil. The catalytic activity varies strongly across the TM series, and can in some cases be significantly enhanced by the addition of promotor elements (e.g. Co/Ni in MoS2). From a series of density functional (DF) scattered-wave electronic structure calculations on first, second and third row TMS, electronic parameters related to the catalytic activity have been identified. The occupation and topology of metal-sulphur antibonding orbitals near the Fermi level are particularly important. An activity parameter, I, which is a measure of the strength of the interaction between metald and sulphur3p electrons, correlates well with the experimental HDS activities.
Numerical Simulation of Nonlinear Jet Streak Adjustment

Abstract The geostrophic adjustment process in a propagating jet maximum is studied through numerical experiments performed with a two-layer, nonlinear primitive equation model. Gravity-inertia modes generated by the jet streak from an initial three-dimensional balanced flow are isolated with the aid of diagnostic quasi-geostrophic and balance models. Them modes appear to represent gravitational subsynoptic “signal” rather than “noise,” and their behavior is examined as a function of initial core strength. Persistent unbalanced patterns relative to the jet core are discovered, whose amplitude increases approximately as the square of the Rossby number. Their behavior is suggestive of forced, rather than free, ageostrophic modes, and their existence implies that the “four-cell” vertical motion pattern characteristic of jet streaks in filtered models may be significantly altered in a real jet streak. The free response to initial data imbalances placed at varying locations in a jet streak environment is explo...
Forest recovery after swidden cultivation across a 40-year chronosequence in the Atlantic forest of southern Bahia, Brazil

Tree species composition and structure of a 40-year chronosequence of secondary forests was compared with old-growth forests in southern Bahia, Brazil. Twelve stands were randomly selected that represented three age classes: 10, 25, and 40 year old with four replications in each class. All stands selected had been established after abandonment from swidden cultivation and were surrounded by old-growth forests. In every stand, ten 0.01-ha transects were established and all stems (≥5 cm diameter at breast height) were measured and identified. Results were compared with the dataset of two neighboring old-growth sites. Mean diameter, total height, and stand basal area increased with age. Number of trees/ha peaked in 40 year old stands. The results showed that secondary forests in this region take much more than 40 years to recover the structure of old-growth forests. In contrast, species richness recovery was rapid with a continuous accumulation of species with age in secondary forests. Species richness and diversity increased with age as did similarity between secondary stands and old-growth stands. More than half of the species found in the 40 year old stands were shared with the neighboring old-growth forests. However, species richness and diversity were higher in old growth sites.
Late-onset Wilson's disease with neurological involvement in the absence of Kayser-Fleischer rings

We report a patient with Wilson's disease whose case is unusual in two respects. First, the patient was 58 years of age when the diagnosis was made based on urinary, serum, and hepatic copper studies, as well as liver histological investigation. Second, despite the patient's neurological impairment, Kayser-Fleischer rings had not developed. We conclude that in patients with chronic, degenerative neurological disease, particularly when associated with hepatic dysfunction, the diagnosis of Wilson's disease should be considered regardless of age at onset or the absence of Kayser-Fleischer rings on slit lamp examination.
Fast transient analysis of acoustic wave scattering from rigid bodies using a two-level plane wave time domain algorithm

It is well known that the computational cost associated with the application of classical time domain integral equation methods to the analysis of scattering from acoustical targets scales unfavorably with problem size. Indeed, performing a three-dimensional scattering analysis using these methods requires O(NtNs2) operations, where Ns denotes the number of basis functions that model the spatial field distribution over the surface of the scatterer and Nt is the number of time steps in the analysis. Recently, novel plane wave time domain algorithms that augment these classical methods and thereby reduce their high computational cost have been introduced. This paper describes such a plane wave time domain algorithm within the context of the analysis of acoustic scattering from rigid bodies and outlines its incorporation into a time domain integral equation solver in a two-level setting. It is shown that the resulting scheme has a computational complexity of O(NtNs1.5 log Ns). Examples comparing the accuracy and computational efficiency of the conventional and accelerated methods are presented. The proposed two-level scheme renders feasible the broadband analysis of scattering from large and complex bodies.
An extension of the delta-function model of H+2 - a possible laboratory for studying theories of exchange forces☆

Abstract A small change is made in the delta-function model so as to give it more of the characteristics of H+2. The EL - HAV approximation is then tested on this model.
Evidence against Defective trans-Golgi Acidification in Cystic Fibrosis

Defective organelle acidification has been proposed as a unifying hypothesis to explain the pleiotropic cellular abnormalities associated with cystic fibrosis. To test whether cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) participates in trans-Golgi pH regulation, intraluminal trans-Golgi pH was measured in stably transfected Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts (expressing CFTR or DeltaF508-CFTR) and CFTR-expressing and nonexpressing epithelial cells. trans-Golgi pH was measured by ratio-imaging confocal microscopy using a liposome injection procedure to label the lumen of trans-Golgi with fluid phase fluorescein and rhodamine chromophores (Seksek, O., Biwersi, J., and Verkman, A. S.(1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 4967-4970). Selective labeling of trans-Golgi was confirmed by colocalization of the delivered fluid phase fluorophores with N-(6-[(7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1, 3-diazol-4-yl)amino]caproyl)-sphingosine. In unstimulated fibroblasts in HCO3--free buffer, trans- Golgi pH was 6.25 +/- 0.04 (mean +/- S.E.; n = 80, vector control), 6.30 +/- 0.03 (n = 74, CFTR) and 6.23 +/- 0.06 (n = 60, DeltaF508) (not significant). After stimulation of plasma membrane Cl- conductance by 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP (CPT-cAMP), trans-Golgi pH was 6.42 +/- 0.07 (n = 22, control), 6.47 +/- 0.07 (n = 20, CFTR), and 6.35 +/- 0. 07 (n = 22, DeltaF508) (not significant). Similarly, significant pH differences were not found for control versus CFTR-expressing cells in 25 mM HCO3- buffer. In epithelial cells, which do not express CFTR, trans-Golgi pH was (in 25 mM HCO3-) 6.36 +/- 0.04 (n = 33) and 6.34 +/- 0.08 (n = 23, CPT-cAMP) in MDCK cells and 6.25 +/- 0.04 (n = 18) and 6.24 +/- 0.06 (n = 15, CPT-cAMP) in SK-MES-1 cells. In Calu-3 cells, which natively express CFTR, trans-Golgi pH was (in 25 mM HCO3-) 6.19 +/- 0.05 (n = 25) and 6.17 +/- 0.08 (n = 23, CPT-cAMP). To test whether CFTR expression affects pH in the endosomal compartment in HCO3- buffer, pH was measured by ratio imaging in individual endosomes labeled with fluorescein-rhodamine dextrans. Comparing control and CFTR-expressing fibroblasts, average endosome pH (range, 5.40-5.53 after 10 min; 4.79-4.89, 30 min) differed by <0.13 unit, both before and after cAMP stimulation. These results indicate that CFTR expression and activation do not influence pH in the trans-Golgi and endosomal compartments, providing direct evidence against the defective acidification hypothesis.
Field dependence, sex role self-perceptions, and mathematics achievement in college students: A closer examination☆

Abstract This study was performed to examine the relationships among intelligence, field dependence, sex role, and mathematics achievement, and involved 287 college students. In addition, information was gathered on subjects' mathematics background. Although the number of mathematics courses taken and intelligence were the two best predictors of mathematics achievement, other variables were found to have indirect contributions. Path analysis revealed that field dependence and sex role affected mathematics achievement by influencing the number of mathematics courses taken by students while in high school and college.
Comparison of efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of in-office cup forcep biopsies versus operating room biopsies for laryngopharyngeal tumors.

Summary Objective To compare the diagnostic yield, safety, and cost of biopsies of laryngopharyngeal tumor performed in an office setting with those performed in the operating room (OR) under general anesthesia. Study Design This was a retrospective review of patients’ records at Boston Medical Center from 2006 to 2008. Methods In-office biopsies were performed using flexible digital videolaryngoscopy with cup forcep biopsies taken via the working channel in patients in whom cancer was strongly suspected. Patients whose in-office biopsies were nondiagnostic or suspected to be falsely negative were taken to the OR for biopsy under general anesthesia and served as the control group. Results Twelve patients fit the selection criteria and had in-office biopsies attempted. One patient could not tolerate the in-office biopsy. Seven of the 11 in-office biopsies performed were diagnostic for squamous cell carcinoma. The average cost (facility and professional otolaryngology charges) for an in-office biopsy was $2053.91. Five of these patients required further biopsy in the OR at an average cost (charges for surgeon, OR, anesthesia, and recovery room) of $9024.47. There were no significant complications reported for any of the procedures. Conclusions In patients with strongly suspected laryngopharyngeal cancer, in-office cup forcep biopsies were 64% diagnostic. When compared with the OR, in-office cup biopsies of laryngopharyngeal tumor are safe and considerably more cost-effective. Although 36% of patients required operative biopsies, the cost would have been considerably higher in this cohort if all patients had gone to the OR for biopsies.
A pseudo zeta function and the distribution of primes.

Abstract The Riemann zeta function is given by: ζ(s) may be analytically continued to the entire s-plane, except for a simple pole at s = 0. Of great interest are the complex zeros of ζ(s). The Riemann hypothesis states that the complex zeros all have real part 1/2. According to the prime number theorem, pn ≈ n logn, where pn is the nth prime. Suppose that pn were exactly nlogn. In other words, in the Euler product above, replace the nth prime by nlogn. In this way, we define a pseudo zeta function C(s) for Re s > 1. One can show that C(s) may be analytically continued at least into the half-plane Re s > 0 except for an isolated singularity (presumably a simple pole) at s = 0. It may be shown that the pseudo zeta function C(s) has no complex zeros whatsoever. This means that the complex zeros of the zeta function are associated with the irregularity of the distribution of the primes.
An estimate of J/ψ production in b decays

Abstract The branching ratio for the decay B → J/ψ + hadrons is estimated from a calculation of the quark decay b → J/ψ + s.
Using spreadsheets in student exercises for signal and linear system analysis

Several student exercises in signal and linear system analysis that use the power of PC-based spreadsheet programs to aid students' understanding and cognitive development are presented. The first exercise examines the Fourier series and allows students to see graphically how the harmonics of the series add and subtract to form a new periodic waveform. In the second assignment, students work through problems designed to acquaint them with implementing singularity functions and integration methods on the path to accomplishing the convolution of two signals. The final exercise teaches students how to form iterative solutions to state space problems. The exercises allow students to focus on gaining a conceptual understanding of signal and linear system analysis while deemphasizing the rigors of developing a user interface, a common problem when using structured programming languages. >
Local cattle movements in response to ongoing bovine tuberculosis zonation and regulations in Michigan, USA

Bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) is an ongoing management issue in the state of Michigan with eradication from livestock as the ultimate goal. Eradication has been a challenge owing to the presence of a wildlife reservoir; competing interests in managing the livestock and wildlife hosts; and many uncertainties in transmission dynamics of M. bovis. One of the cornerstones of the eradication effort has been to stop movement of infected cattle among farms by imposing strict pre-movement testing on cattle being moved within, into and out of the Modified Accredited Zone (MAZ) in northeastern Michigan. In addition to pre-movement tuberculosis testing, detailed information about the origin and destination premises of all movements within the MAZ has been recorded in Michigan. The aim of this study was to describe the farm-to-farm movements of cattle within the MAZ, report changes in the network of movements during a 6-year period when the MAZ was a constant size (2004-2009), and examine changes in cattle movement patterns when the MAZ was reduced from 11 to 5 counties in 2010. Non-slaughter cattle movement within the MAZ was characterized by predominantly local movements at a sub-county scale. Premises that shipped cattle were primarily senders or receivers, but rarely both. From 2004 to 2009, the number of cattle shipped, size of shipments, number of shipments and distance of shipments decreased; there was little change in the network patterns of interaction among individual premises; and interactions among all premises became more disconnected. After accounting for MAZ size, there were also no changes in cattle movement network patterns following the reduction of the MAZ in 2010. The movement of cattle was likely not a key risk factor in bTB spread among premises in the MAZ during the study period and the effect of zonation and movement regulations appeared to further reduce the risk of tuberculosis spread via cattle movements among farms in Michigan's MAZ.
Examining the efficacy and maintenance of contracture correction after collagenase clostridium histolyticum treatment for Dupuytren's disease.

Background This study examined the efficacy, complications, and contracture recurrence in patients who received injectable collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) for Dupuytren’s-induced metacarpophalangeal (MP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contractures.
Attenuation of AMPA receptor activity improves motor skills in a mouse model of juvenile Batten disease.

Abstract Juvenile Batten disease, caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene, is a fatal, incurable neurodegenerative disorder in children. The Cln3 -loss-of-function ( Cln3 Δex1–6 ) mouse model of the disease exhibits many characteristic pathological features of the human disorder including a deficit in motor skills. Our recent findings [Kovacs, A.D., Weimer, J.M., Pearce, D.A., 2006. Selectively increased sensitivity of cerebellar granule cells to AMPA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity in a mouse model of Batten disease. Neurobiol. Dis. 22, 575–585] suggested that the neurological deficit in the Cln3 Δex1–6 mouse model of the disease might result from an abnormally increased AMPA receptor activity in the cerebellum. Therefore, we tested if administration of low doses of an AMPA receptor antagonist, that attenuate AMPA receptor function but avoid a toxic, complete blockade of the receptor, have beneficial effects in Cln3 Δex1–6 mice. Here we show that attenuation of AMPA receptor activity by a single intraperitoneal injection of the non-competitive AMPA antagonist, EGIS-8332 (1 mg/kg), significantly improves the motor skills of Cln3 Δex1–6 mice. Our results provide a new, promising therapeutic approach for juvenile Batten disease.
Mathematical models for determining the intersections of quadric surfaces

Abstract Intersections of two or three quadric surfaces may be computed by using matrix algebra and parametric equations. Methods are described for generating “line-drawing” pictures of quadric-surface bodies.
Spliced stromal cell-derived factor-1α analog stimulates endothelial progenitor cell migration and improves cardiac function in a dose-dependent manner after myocardial infarction

Objectives Stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α is a potent endogenous endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) chemokine and key angiogenic precursor. Recombinant SDF-1α has been demonstrated to improve neovasculogenesis and cardiac function after myocardial infarction (MI) but SDF-1α is a bulky protein with a short half-life. Small peptide analogs might provide translational advantages, including ease of synthesis, low manufacturing costs, and the potential to control delivery within tissues using engineered biomaterials. We hypothesized that a minimized peptide analog of SDF-1α, designed by splicing the N-terminus (activation and binding) and C-terminus (extracellular stabilization) with a truncated amino acid linker, would induce EPC migration and preserve ventricular function after MI. Methods EPC migration was first determined in vitro using a Boyden chamber assay. For in vivo analysis, male rats (n = 48) underwent left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. At infarction, the rats were randomized into 4 groups and received peri-infarct intramyocardial injections of saline, 3 μg/kg of SDF-1α, 3 μg/kg of spliced SDF analog, or 6 μg/kg spliced SDF analog. After 4 weeks, the rats underwent closed chest pressure volume conductance catheter analysis. Results EPCs showed significantly increased migration when placed in both a recombinant SDF-1α and spliced SDF analog gradient. The rats treated with spliced SDF analog at MI demonstrated a significant dose-dependent improvement in end-diastolic pressure, stroke volume, ejection fraction, cardiac output, and stroke work compared with the control rats. Conclusions A spliced peptide analog of SDF-1α containing both the N- and C- termini of the native protein induced EPC migration, improved ventricular function after acute MI, and provided translational advantages compared with recombinant human SDF-1α.
Southern California and the perfect drought: Simultaneous prolonged drought in southern California and the Sacramento and Colorado River systems

Abstract Southern California relies heavily upon imported water from the Sacramento and Colorado river systems to augment local supplies and to mitigate the impacts of drought. In this paper a ‘perfect drought’ is defined as a prolonged drought that affects southern California, the Sacramento River basin and the upper Colorado River basin simultaneously. Examination of instrumental climate and discharge records shows that over the past century such perfect droughts do occur, but generally persist for less than five years. Perfect droughts that extend across all three areas are associated with anomalous upper-level high pressure off west coast and over western North America which is in turn associated with anomalously cool eastern Pacific sea surface temperatures. Exploratory dendrochronological reconstructions of winter Palmer Drought Severity in southern California, annual discharge of the Sacramento River and annual discharge of the Colorado River demonstrate that prolonged perfect droughts (∼30–60 years), which produced arid conditions in all three regions simultaneously, developed in the mid-11th century and the mid-12th century during the period of the so-called ‘Medieval Climate Anomaly’. Prolonged aridity in western North America during this period appears to have been associated with cooling of the eastern equatorial and North Pacific related to the differential thermal response of the western and eastern Pacific to increased tropical radiative forcing at that time. This potential linkage between positive radiative forcing and prolonged perfect droughts raises serious concerns regarding the hydrological impacts of future climate warming in southern California and the West.
Applications of Diffusion Data to High-Temperature Earth Systems

Diffusion in general is such a widespread phenomenon in nature that a basic knowledge can serve very effectively to address well known applications not only to thermochronology and petrology, but also to environmental geology (e.g., paleoclimate), sedimentology, and applied geosciences (e.g., assessing contamination of gas stations). Indeed, the list of potential applications of diffusion phenomena is so long that an exhaustive treatment would quickly exceed the scope of this review. The reader is therefore referred to reviews covering various aspects of diffusion in the Earth sciences, including diffusion in melts (Watson 1994; Chakraborty 1995), diffusion processes during diagenesis (Berner 1980; Krom and Berner 1980; Boudreau 2000) and diffusion phenomena in general (e.g., Lasaga 1998; Ganguly 2002; Watson and Baxter 2007; Zhang 2008). All of these treatments are based on the same general concepts of diffusion, which do not need restating here in great detail. Applications of diffusion profiles in igneous systems have been thoroughly reviewed a recent Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry volume (RiMG 69 – Putirka and Tepley 2008) and there is also an excellent volume on low temperature thermochronology (RiMG 58 – Reiners and Ehlers 2005) describing the impact and application of diffusion theory for age and thermal history determination. With these precedents in mind, we focus the present review on the application of diffusion in high temperature regimes (i.e., systems at T > 500 °C). Both igneous and metamorphic systems are addressed, but because of the recent precedents noted above, we emphasize recent developments and challenges in metamorphic studies. In a broad sense, diffusion describes the statistical, non-directional movement of molecules (or heat) through a medium of interest. As independent theories of diffusion were developed in the early 19th century and compared with the principles of statistical variance, it was …
Bronchial responsiveness after inhalation of cotton bract extract.

This study examined nonspecific airway responsiveness to methacholine (MC) after inhalation of cotton bract extract (CBE). In a randomized double-blind, crossover trial, 13 healthy volunteers underwent an MC inhalation challenge test prior to inhalation of CBE and normal saline solution (NSS) aerosol sham as well as 2, 8, 24, and 168 h (7 days) later. The response parameter was the concentration of MC required to induce a 25% decrement in the maximal expiratory flow at 40% of the vital capacity below total lung capacity on the partial expiratory flow-volume curve (PC25MEF40%(P) ). Five of 13 subjects demonstrated a ventilatory response to CBE with a 20% or larger decrement in the MEF40%(P); no subject demonstrated such change with NSS. For the group, the maximal decrement in MEF40%(P) was to 76.5 ± 20.3% of baseline (mean ± SD), occurring approximately 60 to 90 min after provocation, whereas the largest decrement after normal saline was to 88 ± 10.6% of baseline, occurring immediately after inhalation. Ch...
Asymptotic solution of the Schrödinger equation for the three body problem

Abstract The W.K.B. method is applied to determine the asymptotic expansion of the Schrodinger wave function for a system of three spinless particles which interact through central forces. A new assumption is made concerning the form of the asymptotic wave function. This is designed to take advantage of the fact that the total angular momentum of the system is constant. As a result, new equations for the phase and amplitude of the wave function, different from those which follow from ordinary W.K.B. theory, are obtained. In particular, the phase function satisfies a Hamilton-Jacobi-like equation of degree 2(2L + 1). The method is applied to the helium atom for S - and P - states. The wave functions and energy eigenvalues are determined by means of perturbation theory. A classical description of the various electronic motions in the helium atom is presented. Previous attempts to describe the helium atom in terms of the old Bohr theory are clarified.
Photophysics of constrained tryptophan derivatives

The aromatic amino acid tryptophan is widely used as an intrinsic fluorescent probe of the solution conformation and dynamics of peptides and proteins. However, its complex photophysics makes it difficult to interpret the fluorescence results. The biexponential fluorescence decay of the tryptophan zwitterion is presumed to be due to ground-state rotamers. Intramolecular proton and electron transfer reactions involving the excited indole ring and amino acid functional groups have been proposed to account for the lifetime differences among rotamers. Excited-state H-D exchange occurs at the C-4 position of indole. In the proposed mechanism for the photosubstitution reaction, the ammonium group loops back over the aromatic ring and assists the proton exchange.
Surface-enhanced Raman optical data storage (SERODS): principle of a new optical data storage system

This paper describes the basic principle of a new approach for large- memory optical disk storage based on the Surface-Enhanced Raman Optical Data Storage (SERODS) technology. With the SERODS technology, the molecular interactions between the optical layer molecules and the substrate are modified by the writing laser, changing their surface- enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) emitting properties, so that they are encoded to store information as bits. Since the SERS-emitting properties are extremely sensitive to molecular microenvironments (enhancement up to a million fold), lower laser energies (shorter pulses and/or faster rate) and much smaller 'molecular holes' are required for the writing process. A reading laser with much lower energy than the writing laser, and a photometric detector tuned to the frequency of the Raman emissions, are used to retrieve the stored information. The SERODS technology has great potential to offer several advantages including high storage density, unique spectral features of the encoded signals three-dimensional storage capability.
Feasibility Study of Mapping Continuous Water Planes Along the Southeast Lake Agassiz Basin

Please click here to download the map associated with this article. Numerous researchers have reconstructed water planes of glacial Lake Agassiz by mapping discontinuous strandlines throughout the ...
College students' perceptions of individuals with anorexia nervosa: irritation and admiration.

AbstractBackground: Stigmatizing attitudes against anorexia nervosa (AN) may act as barriers to treatment.Aims: Evaluated college students’ perceptions of AN as compared to major depressive disorder (MDD).Method: One-hundred two female undergraduates read vignettes describing targets with mild or severe MDD or AN, then rated biological, vanity, and self-responsibility attributions; feelings of admiration, sympathy, and anger; and behavioral dispositions toward coercion into treatment, imitation, and social distance.Results: AN was perceived more negatively than MDD in terms of vanity attributions, self-responsibility attributions, and feelings of anger, but more positively in terms of admiration and imitation.Conclusions: This research demonstrates stigma-related mixed messages received by individuals with AN, which might be useful in improving eating disorders mental health literacy.
An examination of forward volatility

This paper investigates the adequacy of various principal components (p.c.) approaches as data reduction schemes for processing contingent claim valuations on baskets of equities. As a general proposition we are interested in discovering possible features and rules-of-thumb for the applicability of p.c. techniques. In particular, what accuracy does one lose in valuation-hedging schemes as the dimensionality of the p.c. space is reduced? We also have an interest in validating the posted "stylized" facts of implied volatility as they apply to our data sets.
Marginal vitamin C status is associated with reduced fat oxidation during submaximal exercise in young adults.

Background Vitamin C is a cofactor in the biosynthesis of carnitine, a molecule required for the oxidation of fatty acids. A reduction in the ability to oxidize fat may contribute to the reported inverse relationship between vitamin C status and adiposity. To examine this possibility, we conducted a preliminary trial to evaluate the impact of vitamin C status on fat oxidation during submaximal exercise.
Electro-thermal modeling, control and optimization in power distribution networks

The approach to electrical energy systems at all levels is undergoing large changes due to ever increasing demand for greater efficiency and improved power density. At the center of these systems are the power electronic converters that make efficient, flexible and controllable energy conversion possible. However, as power density and efficiency demands continue to increase, heat dissipation and cooling are hindering breakthroughs to the next level of performance. Current practices for the design and control of a power converter completely decouples the thermal management and the power electronic control aspects of the design. This paper presents an electro-thermal dynamic modeling and control methodology for power electronic converters that will optimize both electrical and thermal performance.
17-nm rubidium-ion laser.

We demonstrate a rubidium-ion laser with two strong laser lines at 17.3 and 17.6 nm. The lasing transitions are 3p → 3s transitions in Ne-like rubidium. Gains of 1.9 and 1.4 cm−1 are measured for these two lines, respectively. This weak gain, as compared with that in other Ne-like laser systems, is ascribed to both the surface roughness of the target and the dilution associated with using rubidium chloride salt. In addition, three weaker lasing transitions are observed, including the anomalous J = 0 → 1 transition at 16.5 nm.
Observational learning in an uncertain world

We study a model of observational learning in social networks in the presence of uncertainty about agents' type distributions. Each individual receives a private noisy signal about a payoff-relevant state of the world, and can observe the actions of other agents who have made a decision before her. We assume that agents do not observe the signals and types of others in the society, and are also uncertain about the type distributions. We show that information is correctly aggregated when preferences of different types are closely aligned. On the other hand, if there is sufficient heterogeneity in preferences, uncertainty about type distributions leads to potential identification problems, preventing asymptotic learning. We also show that even though learning is guaranteed to be incomplete ex ante, there are sample paths over which agents become certain about the underlying state of the world.