cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of diabetic blindness with Deep-Learning

Diabetes is one of the significant causes of blindness, especially among aged adults. As diabetes increases, the vision starts to deteriorate, which is called as diabetic retinopathy. The longer a person has diabetes and the less the blood sugar is controlled, the higher chance the person has diabetic retinopathy. 7.7 million people of age 40 or more have diabetic retinopathy. More than 90% of the cases causing vision loss can be avoided if detected early. Here, we use a deep-learning approach to automatically classify the fundus images into normal, mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The dataset is collected from Aravind Eye Care System, and comprises of more than three thousand images. The images in the dataset are captured under diverse illumination conditions. We use a densely connected convolutional neural network architecture for the classification and detection of the severity level. Various pre-processing strategies are applied using OpenCV and Keras library to remove the noise from the image dataset. The model performs training for several epochs, and the hyperparameters are tuned to maximize the performance. Experimental results show that the model can successfully detect the severity of diabetic retinopathy.
MOON's Strategy for Obtaining Over Eighty Percent Follow-up at 10 Years Following ACL Reconstruction.

ABSTRACT The Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) study of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has achieved >80% follow-up for study subjects who were enrolled from 2002 to 2005; patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were reported at 2, 6, and 10 years through a carefully designed protocol that included surgeon involvement to encourage subjects to complete and return questionnaires. The process included emails and telephone calls from the central coordinating center, from research coordinators at each local institution, and lastly, from the subjects' surgeons for those who were less inclined to complete the follow-up. In order to quantify the effect of site and surgeon involvement, the enrollment year of 2005 was monitored for the 10-year follow-up (n = 516 subjects). In contact efforts made by the coordinating center, 73.8% (381) of study subjects were reached by the central site coordinator, contact information was verified, and questionnaires were subsequently sent, completed, and returned. An additional 54 subjects (10.5% of the overall study population) returned the questionnaire after local study site involvement, indicating the importance of individual surgeon and local site involvement to improve follow-up rates in multicenter studies in orthopaedic surgery. Follow-up rates were higher when a specific individual (the surgeon or the research coordinator) was given the task of final follow-up.
MAKING SENSE OF WHAT STUDENTS KNOW: EXAMINING THE REFERENTS, RELATIONSHIPS AND MODES STUDENTS DISPLAYED IN RESPONSE TO A DECIMAL TASK

Written tasks that request an explanation can offer detailed information concerning students' knowledge to the classroom teacher. The examination of students' written responses for the mathematical systems that are employed (referents), the connections that are displayed (relationships) and the communication methods that are utilized (modes) provides evidence that suggests how the student is making sense of a problem. The purpose of this article is to describe the constructs of referents, relationships and modes and to illustrate how these constructs may be reflected in students' written responses to a decimal task that requests an explanation. This article will also examine sets of responses from two classrooms using the proposed framework to illustrate the type of information that teachers may acquire through the application of this framework.
Persistence of Autoreactive T Cell Drive Is Required to Elicit Anti-Chromatin Antibodies in a Murine Model of Drug-Induced Lupus

Long-term treatment with procainamide and numerous other medications is occasionally associated with the development of drug-induced lupus. We recently established a murine model for this syndrome by disrupting central T cell tolerance. Two intrathymic injections of procainamide-hydroxylamine (PAHA), a reactive metabolite of procainamide, into (C57BL/6 × DBA/2)F 1 mice resulted in the appearance of chromatin-reactive T cells and anti-chromatin autoantibodies. The current study explores in this model the role of autoreactive T cells in autoantibody production and examines why autoantibodies after a single intrathymic drug injection were much more limited in isotype and specificity. Injection of as few as 5000 chromatin-reactive T cells into naive, syngeneic mice induced a rapid IgM anti-denatured DNA response, while injection of at least 100-fold greater number of activated T cells was required for induction of IgG anti-chromatin Abs, suggesting that small numbers of autoreactive T cells can be homeostatically controlled. Mice subjected to a single intrathymic PAHA injection after receiving splenic B cells from an intrathymic PAHA-injected syngeneic donor also developed anti-chromatin Abs, but adoptive transfer of similarly primed T cells or of B cells without intrathymic PAHA injection of the recipient failed to produce an anti-chromatin response. However, anti-chromatin Abs developed after a single intrathymic PAHA injection in Fas-deficient C57BL/6- lpr/lpr mice, suggesting that activation-induced cell death limited autoimmunity in normal mice. Taken together, these results imply that chromatin-reactive T cells produced by intrathymic PAHA created a B cell population primed to somatically mutate and Ig class switch when subjected to a heavy load or second wave of autoreactive T cells.
Chapter 17 Organization of Arts and Entertainment Industries

Abstract The organization of the creative (arts and entertainment) industries rests on many types of contracts. These contracts govern collaborations between artists and other parties – at arm's length, or within an enterprise. These contracts' structures devolve from a few bedrock properties of creative work and creative products. Artists invest in developing their talents, presenting themselves before ‘gatekeepers’ who seek talents that can profitably be developed and marketed. Gatekeepers commonly function as agents for selecting artists and as match-makers between artists and complementary inputs. As an extension of the gatekeeping function, the participants in creative industries take part in a continuous ranking process that sets and revises the ranks of vertically differentiated talents. Real option contracts pervasively govern the sequential steps of developing a creative product. These can leave the artist an autonomous creative agent (pop musicians and record labels) or enclose artists' talents in an employment relationship (classic Hollywood studios). The transformation of the movie industry to ‘flexible specialization’ illustrates how changing basic conditions can transform the dominant form of organization. The scales of enterprise in the creative industries tend to be driven by the efficient scales with which creative goods are distributed (very large for record labels and movie studios, small for art galleries), and they tend to assort themselves into those focused on the distribution of creative goods (‘promoters’) and those concerned with identifying and nurturing creative talents (‘pickers’). Large enterprises also include the ‘entertainment conglomerates’ which seek synergistic gains that depend theoretically on quite special conditions; foreclosure and its avoidance may be principal motives. Non-profit enterprises dominate a number of arts activities, apparently for two interrelated reasons. These activities incur high fixed but low marginal costs, pressing them to employ two-part prices and club arrangements to ensure fixed costs' coverage. When product quality is endogenous, however, non-profit status may be necessary for the manager credibly to foreswear degrading quality once the fixed payment is in hand. Non-profits supported by donation streams thus enjoy functional advantages.
Assessment of improvement of trainee surgical skills in the operating room for tonsillectomy.

Objectives/Hypothesis To determine the feasibility, reliability, and validity of an objective surgical assessment tool designed to measure the development of tonsillectomy skills by resident trainees in the operating room. A tonsillectomy evaluation instrument created previously serves as a basis for this tool, which incorporates many similar concepts but was optimized to maximize feasibility and reliability with simplified anchors and inclusion of global and task-specific sections. Study Design Prospective longitudinal validation study. Methods Faculty input via modified Delphi technique was used to develop a new objective structured assessment of technical skills–based instrument for tonsillectomy. The task-specific checklist (TSC) and global rating scale (GRS) measured tonsillectomy technical skills and overall surgical performance, respectively. Twenty-one otolaryngology–head and neck residents (ranging from postgraduate year 1 to 6) were evaluated for a period of 3 years by 11 faculty members. Results Eighty-three evaluations were completed showing strong correlation between both instruments (r = 0.95, P < .001). Our tool demonstrated construct validity for both TSC and GRS, showing higher scores with increasing surgical experience. Both instruments showed high interitem reliability with Cronbach α coefficients of 0.97 for both parts. Conclusions This assessment tool is a feasible, reliable, and valid instrument for the assessment of surgical competency in tonsillectomy. It is effective in providing structured feedback at the end of each procedure, which encourages specific, targeted development. Laryngoscope, 2013
Administration of thiazolidinediones for neuroprotection in ischemic stroke: a pre‐clinical systematic review

J. Neurochem. (2010) 115, 845–853. Abstract Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) may prevent or attenuate CNS injury arising from an ischemic event. We performed meta-analysis of experimental studies in which a TZD (either rosiglitazone or pioglitazone) was administered in a rodent model of focal or global cerebral ischemia. Infarct volume was the primary endpoint for analysis of drug efficacy, and neurological outcome was also assessed. We identified 31 studies through the use of PubMed and Embase, 22 of which met our pre-specified inclusion criteria and were analyzed with the Cochrane Review Manager software. Treatment with TZDs decreased infarct volume and improved neurological outcome regardless of study quality, dose timing, or ischemia model (transient or permanent). Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone were similarly effective in reducing infarct volume and protecting neurologic function. Importantly, the collective data suggest that pre-treatment with a TZD is not required for neuroprotection, although additional studies are clearly needed to define the breadth of the therapeutic window. The data warrant further studies into the potential acute use of TZDs for ischemic stroke therapy in the general population.
Myogenic regulatory factors during regeneration of skeletal muscle in young, adult, and old rats

Myogenic factor mRNA expression was examined during muscle regeneration after bupivacaine injection in Fischer 344/Brown Norway F1 rats aged 3, 18, and 31 mo of age (young, adult, and old, respectively). Mass of the tibialis anterior muscle in the young rats had recovered to control values by 21 days postbupivacaine injection but in adult and old rats remained 40% less than that of contralateral controls at 21 and 28 days of recovery. During muscle regeneration, myogenin mRNA was significantly increased in muscles of young, adult, and old rats 5 days after bupivacaine injection. Subsequently, myogenin mRNA levels in young rat muscle decreased to postinjection control values by day 21 but did not return to control values in 28-day regenerating muscles of adult and old rats. The expression of MyoD mRNA was also increased in muscles at day 5 of regeneration in young, adult, and old rats, decreased to control levels by day 14 in young and adult rats, and remained elevated in the old rats for 28 days. In summary, either a diminished ability to downregulate myogenin and MyoD mRNAs in regenerating muscle occurs in old rat muscles, or the continuing myogenic effort includes elevated expression of these mRNAs.
Alkaline phosphatase release assay to determine cytotoxicity for Listeria species

A simple cytotoxicity assay for Listeria species was developed by assaying alkaline phosphatase (AP) release from an infected hybrid B lymphocyte (Ped-2E9) line. Eight of eight L. monocytogenes and six of 11 L. ivanovii strains induced significantly high AP release from Ped-2E9 cells compared to five other L. ivanovii strains and other Listeria spp. In contrast, all L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii test strains showed high release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity from Ped-2E9 cells. The molecular mass of AP was estimated to be about 128-165 kDa, suggesting severe membrane damage in Ped-2E9 cells due to Listeria infection. The data presented here indicate that AP assay could be used over LDH assay to detect Listeria-induced cell cytotoxicity.
Characterization of thin and thick films by means of corona–assisted surface potential measurements

Advanced designs of specialty films have led to the need for better measurement tools to confirm product quality. One of the most critical parameters of specialty films is thickness measurement. Increasing demands for improved precision and repeatability require the ability to measure films as thin as 1 nm and as thick as 1 mm or more. Although several commercial devices and techniques based on ellipsometry, spectrophotometry, eddy current, and ultrasound exist, and have adequately addressed the needs of layer thickness measurements in the past, they are not capable of such precision. In this paper, we describe a new technique for measuring the thickness and constant of dielectrics for ultra thin, thin and thick films. This technique uses Corona Discharges as a source of ions and non-contact Surface Potential measurements. Corona-assisted Surface Potential measurements are excellent tool in measuring film thicknesses as thin as 1 nm and as thick as 1 mm. Experimental results show that Surface Potential variations are directly related to the thickness and to the dielectric constant of contaminants or oxides. A model fitting with these results is proposed and discussed.
Protein-marking-based assessment of infield predator dispersal

Understanding infield predator dispersal is crucial for designing predator conservation programmes. A study aimed at evaluating methods of collecting insects in protein-marking studies and monitoring predator movement was conducted. Results indicate that collection by sweep net does not result in false positives and predator groups displayed distinct dispersal patterns.
Chemie und Biochemie der Pflanzenstoffe, XXXII. Zur Synthese von Flavanol-Derivaten

Flavanyl-(3)-methylather (12) und 7-Methoxy-flavanyl-(3)-methylather (18) entstehen bei Cyclisierung der entsprechenden 1.3-Diphenyl-2-methoxy-propanole-(3) (7 und 10), die durch katalytische Hydrierung der entsprechenden Chalkone (8 und 11) erhalten werden. Die Umsetzung von 7 und 10 mit Polyphosphorsaure-haltigem Diphosphorpentoxid fuhrt zu den Benzalcumaranen 14 und 17. Chemistry and Biochemistry of Plant Constituents, XXXII. – Synthesis of Flavanol Derivatives 3-Flavanyl methyl ether (12) and 4-methoxy-3-flavanyl methyl ether (18) are synthesized by cyclization of the corresponding 1,3-diphenyl-2-methoxy-3-propanols (7 and 10), obtained by catalytic hydrogenation of the corresponding chalcones (8 and 11). The reaction of 7 and 10 with diphosphoric pentoxide, containing polyphosphoric acid, furnishes the benzalcoumaranes 14 and 17.
p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway Protects Adult Rat Ventricular Myocytes against β-Adrenergic Receptor-stimulated Apoptosis EVIDENCE FOR Gi-DEPENDENT ACTIVATION

Abstract We have shown that stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors (β-AR) by norepinephrine (NE) increases apoptosis in adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVMs) via a cAMP-dependent mechanism that is antagonized by activation of Giprotein. The family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) is involved in the regulation of cardiac myocyte growth and apoptosis. Here we show that β-AR stimulation activates p38 kinase, c-jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) in ARVMs. Inhibition of p38 kinase with SB-202190 (10 μm) potentiated β-AR-stimulated apoptosis as measured by flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. SB-202190 at this concentration specifically blocked β-AR-stimulated activation of p38 kinase and its downstream substrate MAPK-activated protein kinase-2 (MAPKAPK2). Pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of Gi/Go proteins, blocked the activation of p38 kinase and potentiated β-AR-stimulated apoptosis. Activation of Gi protein with the muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol protected against β-AR-stimulated apoptosis. Carbachol also activated p38 kinase, and the protective effect of carbachol was abolished by SB-202190. PD-98059 (10 μm), an inhibitor of ERK1/2 pathway, blocked β-AR-stimulated activation of ERK1/2 but had no effect on apoptosis. These data suggest that 1) β-AR stimulation activates p38 kinase, JNKs, and ERK1/2; 2) activation of p38 kinase plays a protective role in β-AR-stimulated apoptosis in cardiac myocytes; and 3) the protective effects of Gi are mediated via the activation of p38 kinase.
Absorption model amplitude analysis for the reaction π−p → π−π+n at 17.2 GeV/c

Abstract The absorptive OPE model readily explains the recent amplitude analysis of the π−p → π−π+n CERN-Munich experiment at 17.2 GeV/c if the full helicity dependence of absorption corrections is included. No evidence for appreciable A2-exchange in the forward direction is found.
Subordinates Must Wait

Direct advantages for dominant Mexican jays, Aphelocoma ultramarina, were investigated at an artificial food source. The time birds spent waiting to gain access to the food was used to test the prediction that access time and its variance would increase with a decrease in status. The number of feedings/h was also recorded to determine if, as a consequence of longer ‘wait’ times, these declined with a decline in status.
Spontaneous Adult Height in Patients with Idiopathic Short Stature

This paper is a review of studies investigating adult height achieved by patients with idiopathic short stature. In all of these studies, final height SDS was increased compared with height SDS at presentation, but mean adult height usually fell short of target height. Prediction of adult height was inaccurate, varied with the method used and was imprecise. There was little objective evidence of a negative psychosocial impact of short stature, although patients did perceive the disadvantages of short stature.
Estimation Of Statistical Distributions For Modal Parameters Identified From Averaged Frequency Response Function Data

An algorithm is presented to estimate the statistical distributions of identified modal parameters based on the random errors associated with averaged frequency response function (FRF) estimates. In this study, the modal parameters are assumed to be random variables and the objective is to estimate their dis tribution statistics (e.g., mean and variance). The algorithm first uses a classical approach to estimate the error on the averaged FRF using the coherence function averaged over an ensemble of measured samples. A Monte Carlo simulation approach is then used to propagate the estimated spectral function errors through the modal parameter identification process. A bootstrap estimate of the modal parameter distribution over the full ensemble of individual measurement samples is used to verify the accuracy of the Monte Carlo algo rithm. The statistics of the resulting modal parameter distribution are suitable for use as weights or filtering criteria in model correlation and damage identification schemes. ...
NITROGEN UPTAKE BY FUCUS SPIRALIS (PHAEOPHYCEAE)1,2

Ammoniun, nitrate and nitrite update by Fucus spiralis L. from the Massachusetts coast was examined. Uptake of all appeared to follow saturation type nutrient uptake kinetics, with uptake often restricted at ambient nutrient concentrations. Although only relatively large difference in K8 values could be easily distinguished, K8 values for NO3− and NH4+ were generally similar and low compared with NO2−. There was also some suggestion that K8 was reduced at lower temperatures. At 15 C. Vmax for light and dark uptake for both NH4+ and NO3−, and light uptake of N02− were similar, suggesting comparable potential use at higher concentrations. Ammonium and NO3−uptake decreased at lower temperatures giving Qro values of 1.8 and 1.6, respectively, between 5 and 15°C. Nitrate and NH4+ were taken up together and high levels of NH4+ did not inhibit NO3− uptake. Light did not affect uptake of either but did stimulate NO2− uptake. Ammonium and NO3− uptake were highest in apical frond and whole young plants, and lowest in slower growing, older frond and stipe. On a relative basis. NO3−, NH4+ and NO2− were estimated to have contributed ca. 59, 39 and 2% respectively, to the yearly N uptake by apical frond. During winter, NO3− would provide ca. twice the N to F. spiralis as would, NH4+. From summer to early fall, when NO3− levels are lower, NO3− and NH4+ would be used in comparable amounts.
Effect of strongly favorable substrate interactions on the thermal properties of ultrathin polymer films.

The thermal behavior of ultrathin films of poly-(2)-vinylpyridine spin-cast on acid-cleaned silicon oxide substrates is considered. The interaction between the polymer and the substrate is polar in nature and very favorable. As a means of examining the thermal properties of the films, x-ray reflectivity is used to measure the temperature dependence of the film thickness. This experimentally measured thickness-temperature data is used to determine transition temperatures and thermal expansivities. Significantly increased transition temperatures (20-50 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C above the measured bulk glass transition temperature) are observed in ultrathin polymer films. The transition temperature increases with decreasing film thickness, while the degree of thermal expansion below the transition temperature decreases with decreasing film thickness. If one assumes that a region of reduced chain mobility exists near the solid substrate-polymer interface, an analysis of the measured thermal expansion behavior below the transition temperature indicates that the length scale of substrate interactions is on the order of the macromolecular size.
Immunity to blood stages of malaria

Those developmental stages of malaria parasites that infect erythrocytes are responsible for the severe morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. The nature and specificity of the slowly acquired immunity seen in endemic populations remain to be defined, but significant progress has been made recently in identifying specific blood-stage proteins, characterizing immune responses to them, and exploring the dynamics of non-specific host responses to infection.
USE OF ALTERNATIVE LIQUIDS IN LASKIN NOZZLE GENERATED AEROSOLS FOR FILTER TESTING

This study examines the mass concentration and photometer response from aerosols produced by Laskin nozzles with di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DOP) and alternative liquids. Knowledge of both characteristics is critical when using a photometer's fixed internal reference light calibrated by the manufacturer with a DOP aerosol at a known concentration to measure penetration of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters when it is inadvisable to open a contaminated plenum to make a direct upstream measurement. The technique has been authorized in the revised standard for field certifying biological safety cabinets. The six liquids tested were (1) Shell Ondina mineral oil; (2) Emery 3004, a synthetic aliphatic hydrocarbon; (3) Kaydol mineral oil; (4) Union Carbide PEG-400; (5) corn oil; and (6) DOP. After each alternative liquid was aerosolized at 20 psig (137 kPa) pressure with Laskin nozzles into a controlled flow wind tunnel, concentration was measured gravimetrically by sampling onto glass filter papers,...
Autonomic manipulation influences both temporal and frequency analyses of late potentials.

Previous studies of late potentials have not standardized the autonomic milieu at the time of testing. We studied the effects of autonomic manipulation in seven patients with previous Q wave myocardial infarction. Late potentials were evaluated using standard temporal (TD) and spectral temporal mapping techniques (STM) in the drug free state, and during separate intravenous administration of each of the following: isoproterenol, esmolol, and atropine. Isoproterenol was nitrated to achieve a heart rate of 130% of baseline. Esmolol was infused at a rate of 250 μg/kg per minute, after a loading dose of 500 μg/kg. Atropine was given as a 2-mg bolus. In addition, five patients who received no drug infusions acted as controls, undergoing four serial signal-averaging studies in the baseline state: a “baseline” study, and then three additional studies at time intervals similar to those incurred by the study patients. Therefore, a total of 21 TD and 21 STM tests were done in the study group seven patients; three drugs per patient) during the drug infusions, and 15 TD and 15 STM tests were done in the control group (five patients; three “nonbaseline” tests per patient). A change normal to abnormal, or vice versa) in TD during a drug infusion occurred in 24% of the tests. No such change occurred in the control group (P < 0.01). A change in STM during a drug infusion occurred in 38% of tests, versus 13% of tests in the control group (P = 0.14). Overall, six of seven patients had a change in TD and/or STM diagnosis with infusion of one or more of the study drugs. Optimal clinical use of late potentials may require a standardized autonomic environment.
Promutagen activation by rodent-liver postmitochondrial fractions in the L5178Y/TK cell mutation assay

Abstract Individual S9 microsomal fractions prepared from normal livers of 8 rodent species or strains and from 1 rat strain pretreated with Aroclor 1254, were used to metabolize the promutagens N -acetyl-2-aminofluorene, 1,2--benzanthracene, to metabolize the promutagens N -acetyl-2-aminofluorene, 1,2-benzanthracene, benzo[ a ]pyrene, and 3-methylcholanthrene to active forms during 3-h co-incubation in the presence of L5178Y/TK +/− cells. The 8 compatible S9 preparations all converted each of the 4 chemical carcinogens into active mutagens with varied efficiencies except for the Aroclor-induced rat S9/benzanthracene combination which produced only weak activity. Aroclor induction did not notably enhance the mutagenicity of benzo[ a ]pyrene or 3-methylcholanthrene beyond that activity mediated by the other non-induced preparations. Syrian hamster S9 and, to a lesser degree, C57BL/6J mouse S9 were exceptionally active in converting N -acetyl-2-aminofluorene to toxic and mutagenic metabolites. One source of Swiss mouse liver (Blu : Ha ICR) provided the most active S9 when tested with the 3 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In general, mutagenicity and cytotoxicity were roughly correlated within S9 + promutagen combinations. Almost all of the methylcholanthrene metabolizing activity was lost by the 12th week when Aroclor-induced rat S9 was held at −20°C, yet this activity remained constant when similar S9 was stored at −80°C for 14 weeks. Surprisingly, some S9 sources including the induced rat-liver preparation converted anthracene to a weak or border-line mutagen. The activation of both 1,2-benzanthracene and anthracene may be linked within each species or strain although Aroclor induction enhanced anthracene mutagenicity yet attenuated the mutagenicity of 1,2-benzanthracene. Collectively, these data underscore the current inchoate state of development for S9 coupled somatic cell mutation assays.
Multidimensional measures of response and fluctuations in stochastic dynamical systems

A class of experiments is proposed which involve multiple measurements combined with multiple perturbations of a nonlinear classical complex system. A family of multipoint n + m − 1 dimensional measures R^((n,m)) that provide complementary information on complex systems is obtained by combining m nonlinear stimuli and n measurements. They represent the combined effect of causal response and noncausal spontaneous fluctuations. The proposed signals can be measured either in the frequency domain or in the time domain. Generalized fluctuation-dissipation relations which hold in the nonlinear regime restrict the number of independent techniques. Two-dimensional correlation plots derived from such measurements can reveal various types of couplings among collective modes.
Opportunities in Martensite Theory

A workshop has explored interactions of materials science, applied mechanics, physics and mathematics in understanding fundamentals of martensitic transformations. System theory offers a framework for addressing realistic complexity. Theory of invariant-plane kinematics has been extended to multivariant plate groups and hierarchical structures. Electronic total energy calculations explore the origins of martensitic phase stability, and Landau-Ginzberg models for transformations with and without shuffles provide nonlocal continuum theories for treatment of interfacial structure and mobility as well as the competition between classical and nonclassical transformation mechanisms. Quantitative kinetic theory incorporates defect distributions, but requires further analysis of the evolution of mean particle volume. Kinetic theory provides the basis for constitutive relations for transformation plasticity.
Emissions of PCDD/F from uncontrolled, domestic waste burning

Abstract Emissions of polychlorinated dibenzodioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) result from inefficiencies of combustion processes, most typically waste combustion. Uncontrolled combustion, such as occurs during so-called “backyard burning” of domestic waste, may therefore produce optimal conditions for formation and emission of PCDD/F. However, few assessments of PCDD/F emissions are available from these sources. This work describes the first known comprehensive assessment of PCDD/F emissions from uncontrolled, domestic waste burning. Emissions were copious, but highly variable, ranging over several orders of magnitude. The potential for emissions appears to be related primarily to combustion parameters and concentrations of various gas-phase species, the latter which may be affected by changes in waste composition, waste orientation, and/or combustion conditions.
Estimation of Left Ventricular Filling Pressure with Exercise by Doppler Echocardiography in Patients with Normal Systolic Function: A Simultaneous Echocardiographic–Cardiac Catheterization Study

Background Doppler echocardiography is now used to evaluate left ventricular filling pressures in patients at rest. However, the clinical use of Doppler echocardiography in the determination of filling pressures with exercise has been less well studied. Objective The aim of this prospective study was to confirm the validity of an accepted Doppler parameter (ratio of transmitral E velocity to Doppler tissue annular e' velocity [E/e']) as a measure of filling pressure in patients with normal systolic function during rest and exercise. Methods Twelve patients who presented with symptoms of dyspnea and ejection fraction greater than 50% underwent an exercise right heart catheterization during a symptom-limited bicycle exercise test. Simultaneous Doppler assessment of transmitral flow and tissue Doppler annulus motion was recorded. Results The transmitral E velocity increased from 0.88 ± 0.2 to 1.29 ± 0.4 cm/s whereas the mitral annular e' velocity increased from 0.08 ± 0.02 to 0.11 ± 0.06 with exercise. The E/e' ratio increased from 11.7 ± 0.5 to 14.4 ± 0.6. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) increased from 14 ± 4 to 23 ± 10 mm Hg at peak exercise. The sensitivity of an E/e' of 15 or less as a predictor for a normal PAWP during exercise was 89%. Conversely, in all cases where the E/e' was greater than 15, the PAWP was elevated during exercise. Conclusion Noninvasively obtained Doppler of mitral and mitral annulus velocities provides a reliable estimation of PAWP not only at baseline, but also with exercise. Specifically, an E/e' ratio of greater than 15 during exercise is associated with a significantly elevated PAWP of greater than 20 mm Hg.
Soluble age-related factors from skeletal muscle which influence muscle development.

Abstract Successful regeneration of damaged striated muscle in adult mice is dependent on the regeneration of newly differentiated myofibers from proliferating satellite cells and inhibition of scar tissue formation by fibroblasts. As with most tissues, the ability of skeletal muscle to regenerate decreases in older animals. In this study, we have analysed soluble extracts from intact and regenerating skeletal muscle from mice of different ages for their ability to affect avian myogenesis in tissue culture. We were interested in determining whether an age-dependent difference could be detected with this tissue culture bioassay system. Total cell proliferation in the cultures, measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation was increased equally by muscle extracts from both young and older mice but the resulting cell populations differed in proportion of cell types. The ratio of myoblasts to fibroblasts was significantly greater in cultures exposed to extracts from younger mouse muscle as compared with cultures exposed to extracts from older animals. This age-related activity was found to reside in a low molecular weight (MW) (>12 kD) component of the extract. This fraction had dissimilar effects on myoblasts and fibroblasts. Relative to saline controls, myoblast proliferation was increased and fibroblast proliferation decreased. The low MW fraction from younger mouse muscle extracts stimulated myogenic cell proliferation and myotube formation to a greater extent than the similar fraction prepared from older mouse muscle. Conversely, younger mouse muscle fractions had significantly greater inhibitory activity against fibroblast proliferation than did older mouse muscle fractions.
Controlled incremental filtration: a simplified approach to design and fabrication of high-throughput microfluidic devices for selective enrichment of particles.

The number of microfluidic strategies aimed at separating particles or cells of a specific size within a continuous flow system continues to grow. The wide array of biomedical and other applications that would benefit from successful development of such technology has motivated the extensive research in this area over the past 15 years. However, despite promising advancements in microfabrication capabilities, a versatile approach that is suitable for a large range of particle sizes and high levels of enrichment, with a volumetric throughput sufficient for large-scale applications, has yet to emerge. Here we describe a straightforward method that enables the rapid design of microfluidic devices that are capable of enriching/removing particles within a complex aqueous mixture, with an unprecedented range of potential cutoff diameter (below 1 μm to above 100 μm) and an easily scalable degree of enrichment/filtration (up to 10-fold and well beyond). A simplified model of a new approach to crossflow filtration – controlled incremental filtration – was developed and validated for its ability to generate microfluidic devices that efficiently separate particles on the order of 1–10 μm, with throughputs of tens of μL min−1, without the use of a pump. Precise control of the amount of fluid incrementally diverted at each filtration “gap” of the device allows for the gap size (~20 μm) to be much larger than the particles of interest, while the simplicity of the model allows for many thousands of these filtration points to be readily incorporated into a desired device design. This new approach should enable truly high-throughput microfluidic particle-separation devices to be generated, even by users only minimally experienced in fluid mechanics and microfabrication techniques.
Cloning and analysis of axolotl ISL2 and LHX2 LIM-homeodomain transcription factors.

Summary: We cloned and characterized the ISL2 and LHX2 LIM-homeodomain transcription factors of the Mexican salamander, or axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum. Using a degenerate PCR approach, partial cDNAs representing five LIM-homeodomain genes were cloned, indicating conservation of this class of transcription factors in urodeles. Full-length cDNAs for Isl2 and Lhx2 were identified and sequenced. The predicted ISL2 and LHX2 proteins are well conserved, especially in the LIM and DNA-binding domains. The Isl2 and Lhx2 genes are expressed at all examined stages of embryogenesis and display tissue-restricted expression patterns in adults. In functional tests, axolotl LHX2 was inactive compared to homologous mammalian factors and adopted unusual DNA/protein complexes. However, axolotl ISL2 bound and induced transcription from the rat insulin gene. These experiments demonstrate conservation of key developmental regulatory proteins in salamanders and will allow future studies of their potential roles in the molecular regulation of tissue regeneration in such species. genesis 38:110–121, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Electron diffraction study of gaseous tetrahydrofuran

Ah&met-The gas phase molecular structure of tetrahydrofuran has been reinvestigated. Experimental diffraction intensities are well accounted for by a freely pseudo-rotating molecule. The mean value of the pseudo-rotational puckering coordinate was found to be qr = @38 f W2 A, a value slightly lower than the spectroscopic q0 value reported in a far IR study. A definite distinction between free pseudo-rotation and the presence of one or more static puckered conformations could not be made from the electron diffraction intensities. Mean bond lengths and amplitudes of skeletal vibrations were determined and found to be normal.
The internal cavity of the staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin pore accommodates approximately 175 exogenous amino acid residues.

The cavity within the cap domain of the transmembrane staphylococcal α-hemolysin (aHL) pore is roughly a sphere of diameter ∼45 A (molecular surface volume ∼ 39 500 A 3 ). We tested the ability of the cavity to accommodate exogenous polypeptide chains. Concatemerized Gly/Ser-containing sequences ("loops", L; number of repeats = n; number of residues = 10n + 5, n = 0-21) were inserted at a position located within the cavity of the fully assembled heptameric αHL pore. Homomeric pores containing 25 or less residues in each loop (n ≤ 2) could be assembled. The pores were protease-resistant, indicating that they had been formed correctly, and produced currents in planar lipid bilayers. The pores showed an up to 70% reduction in unitary conductance, depending on the length of the inserted loop. Protease-resistant heteromeric pores containing wild-type (W) and L subunits were also assembled: when n = 3, up to five L subunits were tolerated; when n = 4, three L subunits were tolerated; and when n = 5 or 6, two L subunits were tolerated. For n ≥ 7, only one L subunit was incorporated. As the inserted loop was lengthened, transient closures were observed in planar bilayer experiments with single pores. However, L 1 W 6 pores with very long loops (n = 14 and 21) had unitary conductance values close to those of W 7 , suggesting that the loop is extruded through the opening in the cap of the pore into the external medium. Further analysis of bilayer recordings and electrophoretic migration patterns indicates that the upper capacity of the cavity is ∼175 amino acids. The findings suggest that small functional peptides or proteins might be assembled within the aHL pore.
Restoration of enzymatic activity in the submaxillary gland of the hypophysectomized albino rat.

SINCE Lacassagne (1) demonstrated a morphologic sex difference of submaxillary glands in mice, a large number of studies and experiments have accumulated which indicate a hormonal control of at least some of the functions of these glands in rats and mice. It has been shown that hypophysectomy (2), thyroidectomy (3), castration (4), and a combination of castration and thyroidectomy (5) lead to a relative reduction of the intralobular ducts in the submaxillary gland of rats. Changes after thyroidectomy, castration, and castration-thyroidectomy were reversed following injections of thyroxine, testosterone, and the combination of the two hormones. It was further demonstrated that hypophysectomy results in the reduction of proteolytic activity of these glands (2). The present study was undertaken to study the effect of testosterone and thyroxine on the enzymatic action of the submaxillary gland of hypophysectomized rats and to correlate these findings with the morphologic changes of the glands.
Ion-exchange study of thiocyanate complexes of the actinides and lanthanides

Abstract The ion-exchange behaviour of many tripositive actinides and lanthanides and yttrium from Dowex-1 anion-exchange resin with ammonium thiocyanate solutions has been studied. Lanthanides and yttrium elute sooner than actinides under all conditions studied. Neither lanthanides nor actinides showed a simple elution sequence of the members within the series. On elution from Dowex-50 with ammonium thiocyanate, the actinides eluted in the usual sequence of decreasing atomic number. The lanthanides studied also exhibited the usual elution sequence from Dowex-50; however, the actinides eluted sooner than the lanthanides of comparable ionic radius, indicating stronger complexing of actinides with thiocyanate.
Lineage-specific expression of polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) in Drosophila embryos

Polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) is a member of the hnRNP family of RNA binding proteins (Nucleic Acids Res., 20 (1992) 3671) that functions in a number of processes important for the regulation of mRNA metabolism and gene expression (reviewed in Curr. Biol., 7 (1997) R705). Specifically, PTB binds polypyrimidine-rich intronic elements upstream of alternatively spliced exons to antagonize the binding of the essential U2AF splicing factor and repress the use of the regulated exons in specific tissues (RNA, 1 (1995) 234). Additionally, PTB interacts with elements that mediate 3-prime end processing of nascent transcripts (Mol. Cell. Biol., 19 (1999) 78) and is required for the expression of viral mRNAs that contain an internal ribosome binding site (RNA, 5 (1999) 344; RNA, 1 (1995) 924). Tissue-specific or alternatively spliced isoforms of PTB are thought to have different gene regulatory properties (Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 97 (2000) 6350; RNA, 7 (2001) 819), but little is known about the function and activity of PTB isoforms during development. Here, we investigate the expression of PTB during Drosophila embryogenesis using in situ hybridization assays. We show that PTB expression is patterned in the early embryo and occurs in specific mesodermal and neuronal lineages as well as in the imaginal discs and adult germline. These data indicate that PTB regulates gene expression in specific tissue lineages during development.
Pauli-Fierz Gravitons on Friedmann-Robertson-Walker Background

Abstract We derive the Hamiltonian describing Pauli–Fierz massive gravitons on a flat Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) cosmology in a particular, non-generic effective field theory. The cosmological evolution is driven by a scalar field Φ with an arbitrary potential V ( Φ ) . The model contains two coupled scalar modes, corresponding to the fluctuations of Φ and to the propagating scalar component of the Pauli–Fierz graviton. In order to preserve the full gauge invariance of the massless version of the theory, both modes have to be taken into account. We canonically normalize the Hamiltonian and generalize the Higuchi bound to FRW backgrounds. We discuss how this bound can set limits on the value of the Pauli–Fierz mass parameter. We also observe that on a generic FRW background the speed of propagation of the scalar mode of the graviton is always smaller than the speed of light.
Inflammation in the Vascular Bed: Importance of Vitamin C

Despite decreases in atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease over the last several decades, atherosclerosis remains a major cause of mortality in developed nations. One possible contributor to this residual risk is oxidant stress, which is generated by the inflammatory response of atherosclerosis. Although there is a wealth of in vitro, cellular, and animal data supporting a protective role for antioxidant vitamins and nutrients in the atherosclerotic process, the best clinical trials have been negative. This may be due to the fact that antioxidant therapies are applied "too little and too late." This review considers the role of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid in preventing the earliest inflammatory changes in atherosclerosis. It focuses on the three major vascular cell types involved in atherosclerosis: endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and macrophages. Ascorbate chemistry, recycling, and function are described for these cell types, with emphasis on whether and how the vitamin might affect the inflammatory process. For endothelial cells, ascorbate helps to prevent endothelial dysfunction, stimulates type IV collagen synthesis, and enhances cell proliferation. For vascular smooth muscle cells, ascorbate inhibits dedifferentiation, recruitment, and proliferation in areas of vascular damage. For macrophages, ascorbate decreases oxidant stress related to their activation, decreases uptake and degradation of oxidized LDL in some studies, and enhances several aspects of their function. Although further studies of ascorbate function in these cell types and in novel animal models are needed, available evidence generally supports a salutary role for this vitamin in ameliorating the earliest stages of atherosclerosis.
Oil bioremediation in salt march mesocosms as influenced by N and P fertilization, flooding, and season

Bioremediation of crude oil in salt marsh mesocosms growing Spartina alterniflora was investigated during winter and summer to determine the influence of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization, flooding, and season. Fertilization with urea and ammonium (NH4+) applied at 75 or 150 kg N ha-1 with or without P did not significantly (p = 0.05) increase oil or hydrocarbon degradation in continuously flooded mesocosms over an 82 day period during winter (temperature range of 17 to 30 °C). Phosphorus applied at 40 kg P ha-1 significantly (p = 0.05) increased oil and hydrocarbon degradation. Nitrate (NO3-) added alone did not increase oil or hydrocarbon degradation, but when added with P, it significantly (p = 0.05) increased degradation above that for P alone. Up to 70% of applied oil and 75% of applied hydrocarbons were degraded in P supplemented treatments. Inipol, an oleophilic fertilizer containing N, P, and a dispersant, significantly increased oil and hydrocarbon degradation. During a 40 day summer experiment (temperature range of 27–42 °C), N and P fertilization did not increase oil or hydrocarbon degradation. For continuously flooded treatments, 72% of applied hydrocarbons were degraded while 51% were degraded in alternately flooded treatments. Mesocosms provided conditions suitable for quantitative recovery of oil and results indicated that N and P fertilization, flooding, and season interacted to influence oil bioremediation. Even under the most favorable conditions, more than 1 month was required for most of the oil to disappear.