cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of light-induced metastable changes on the electron drift mobility in doping-modulated amorphous silicon

Abstract The electron drift mobility in doping-modulated amorphous silicon multilayers is unchanged by the light exposure which gives rise to the large metastable excess conductance in these structures. We conclude that the light-induced metastable changes do not affect the electron trapping states in the n-type sublayers of these multilayers.
β-tributylstannylacrylates. Stereospecific synthesis conjugate additon of tributylstaknylcopper

Abstract The synthesis of cis - and trans -8-tributylstannylacrylates from conjugate addition of tributylstannylcopper to various β-substituted acrylates is shown to be a highly stereospecific reaction. Of four tributylstannylmetal reagents examined for this conversion, optimum results were obtained with tributylstannylcopper.
The pH within PFPE Reverse Micelles Formed in Supercritical CO2

We report quantitative pH determinations within the water pool of reverse micelles derived from the surfactant ammonium carboxylate perfluoropolyether (PFPE) formed in supercritical CO2. Toward this end, we use a fluorescent probe, Cl−NERF, that exhibits a pH-sensitive excitation spectrum and locates preferentially within the aqueous core region of the reverse micelle. Sodium 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (commonly know as aerosol-OT or AOT) reverse micelles were formed in liquid n-heptane and used to calibrate the PFPE/CO2 system. We report the effect of CO2 continuous phase pressure and micelle water loading on the pH within the PFPE water pool. We compare the measured water core pH to the value computed assuming CO2 saturation within the PFPE water pool and determine that the PFPE micelle provides a 0.5 pH unit barrier to CO2 partitioning into the micelle water pool.
Nonparallel transition dipole moments and the polarization dependence of electroabsorption in nonoriented conjugated polymer films

Abstract We present a comprehensive analysis of the polarization dependence of the field-induced absorption in nonoriented conjugated polymer films. The results demonstrate that the polarization anisotropy of the field-induced absorption is directly related to the relative angle, Δφ d , between the dominant one-photon and two-photon transition dipole moments responsible for the nonlinear effect. The polarization anisotropy has a maximum value of 3:1 for parallel transition dipole moments, and a minimum value of 1:3 for perpendicular transition dipole moments. We demonstrate that the predicted field-induced absorption anisotropy is consistent with Kleinmann symmetry for any relative orientation of the dominant transition dipole moments.
Experimental characterization of electromagnetic propagation of a hospital from 55–1950MHz

An examination of the electromagnetic environment and characteristics from 30MHz–7GHz in a hospital is discussed in this paper. Empirical propagation constants, building attenuation, floor height gain, and the CDF of the coverage, were calculated from 50–1950MHz. This is carried out to further understand the propagation of radio waves through hospitals. The understanding of wave propagation through hospitals will help advance the knowledge to control the electromagnetic environment of hospitals to decrease electromagnetic interference to medical devices. The understanding of the RF hospital environment is even more pressing given that many hospitals are implementing electronic medical records that would require the co-location and co-existence of many different types of RF emitters. The measurement parameters calculated are useful for propagation modelling.
Wetland influence on mercury fate and transport in a temperate forested watershed

Abstract The transport and fate of mercury (Hg) was studied in two forest wetlands; a riparian peatland and an abandoned beaver meadow. The proportion of total mercury (THg) that was methyl mercury (% MeHg) increased from 2% to 6% from the upland inlets to the outlet of the wetlands. During the growing season, MeHg concentrations were approximately three times higher (0.27 ng/L) than values during the non-growing season (0.10 ng/L). Transport of Hg species was facilitated by DOC production as indicated by significant positive relations with THg and MeHg. Elevated concentrations of MeHg and % MeHg (as high as 70%) were found in pore waters of the riparian and beaver meadow wetlands. Groundwater interaction with the stream was limited at the riparian peatland due to the low hydraulic conductivity of the peat. The annual fluxes of THg and MeHg at the outlet of the watershed were 2.3 and 0.092 μg/m 2 -year respectively.
International collaboration: the cornerstone of satellite land remote sensing in the 21st century ☆

Abstract Satellite land remotely sensed data are used by scientists and resource managers world-wide to study similar multidisciplinary earth science problems. Most of their information requirements can be met by a small number of satellite sensor types. Moderate-resolution resource satellites and low-resolution environmental satellites are the most prominent of these, and they are the focus of this paper. Building, launching, and operating satellite systems are very expensive endeavors. Consequently, nations should change the current pattern of independently launching and operating similar, largely redundant resource and environmental satellite systems in favor of true and full collaboration in developing, launching, operating, and sharing the data from such systems of the future. The past decade has seen encouraging signs of increasing international collaboration in earth remote sensing, but full collaboration has not yet been attempted. A general strategy to achieve such international collaboration is presented here, including discussion of potential obstacles, ideas for organizing and overseeing the long-term process toward collaboration, and short-term objectives whereby early successes critical to accomplishing long-term goals can be achieved.
In vitro replication and thermodynamic studies of methylation and oxidation modifications of 6-thioguanine

The cytotoxic effects of thiopurine drugs are mostly exerted through the formation of thioguanine nucleotide and its subsequent incorporation into DNA. The 6-thioguanine (6-TG) in DNA can be converted to S6-methylthio-2-aminopurine (2-AP-6-SCH3) and 2-aminopurine-6-sulfonic acid (2-AP-6-SO3H) upon reaction with S-adenosyl-L-methionine and irradiation with UVA light, respectively. Here we prepared oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) harboring a 6-TG, 2-AP-6-SCH3 or 2-AP-6-SO3H at a defined site and examined, by using LC-MS/MS, the in vitro replication of these substrates with yeast polymerase eta and Klenow fragment (KF-). Our results revealed that 2-AP-6-SCH3 could be bypassed by KF-, with significant misincorporation of thymine opposite the lesion. The 2-AP-6-SO3H, however, blocked markedly the nucleotide insertion by KF-. Yeast pol eta could bypass all three modified nucleosides; although dCMP was inserted preferentially, we found substantial misincorporation of dTMP and dAMP opposite 2-AP-6-SCH3 and 2-AP-6-SO3H, respectively. Moreover, both KF- and yeast pol eta induced a considerable amount of -2 frameshift products from the replication of 2-AP-6-SCH3- and 2-AP-6-SO3H-bearing substrates. Our results also underscored the importance of measuring the relative ionization efficiencies of replication products in the accurate quantification of these products by LC-MS/MS. Moreover, thermodynamic studies revealed that 2-AP-6-SCH3 and 2-AP-6-SO3H could cause more destabilization to duplex DNA than 6-TG. Taken together, the results from this study shed important new light on the biological implications of the two metabolites of 6-TG.
Rare earth abundances in a high-temperature peridotite intrusion

Abstract Rare-earth (RE) abundances are reported for several rocks and separated minerals of the Lizard Peridotite intrusion, Cornwall, England. The results are interpreted as providing evidence that this peridotite equilibrated with a basic magma either as a deep-seated accumulate or as a residue left after partial melting. Crustal-mantle RE mass balances indicate that the RE abundances of the primary peridotite are consistent with chondritic RE abundances for undifferentiated terrestrial material. The RE abundances of the peridotite and contact rocks are consistent with an interpretation of contact metamorphism, but other interpretations for the origin of the metamorphic country rocks can not be eliminated on the basis of the RE data. RE analysis of unaltered minerals indicate that serpentinization has removed some of the light REE from the peridotite. The data for unaltered minerals are utilized to determine RE distribution coefficients among coexisting ultramafic phases. There are some significant differences between these distribution coefficients and the values determined from phenocryst data. The applications of the Lizard data to partial melting models for basalt generation indicate that residue mineralogies which account for basaltic major element composition do not result in correct basaltic RE abundances. All partial melting models require that the basaltic source rocks have RE absolute abundances about 4 times the chondritic average.
The distributed intelligent control of complex systems

The paper begins by discussing the relationship of planning and control, the notion of intelligent control, and the need for the distributed intelligent control of complex systems. The paper then discusses an architecture for a distributed intelligent control architecture. The first step is to define a modeling paradigm that will recursively decompose the overall system into a collection of subsystems where intelligent control exists. Next, the structure of the intelligent controller is defined, focusing on the process of task assignment, planning and execution.
Local Thresholding Technique Based On A Run Representation

This paper describes a technique for local thresholding of large digital images, obtained from line drawings of low quality. It is based on two main steps. First, the gray level image is thresholded with a global value, to discard those pixels which surely belong to a non significant background. A suitable run representation is used to compress the resulting image. Then, for each run, a set of connected runs is used to compute a local thresholding value. This threshold is applied to the pixels of the current run, to obtain the final binary image.
Potentiation of synaptic transmission in the hippocampus by phorbol esters

Protein kinase C (PKC), a calcium-dependent phospholipid-sensitive kinase which is selectively activated by phorbol esters, is thought to play an important role in several cellular processes1,2. In mammalian brain PKC is present in high concentrations1 and has been shown to phosphorylate several substrate phospho-proteins3–6, one of which may be involved in the generation of long-term potentiation (LTP)7,8, a long-lasting increase in synaptic efficacy evoked by brief, high-frequency stimulation. Since the hippocampus contains one of the brain's highest levels of binding sites for phorbol esters9 and is the site where LTP has been most thoroughly characterized, we examined the effects of phorbol esters on hippocampal synaptic transmission and LTP. We found that phorbol esters profoundly potentiate excitatory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus in a manner that appears indistinguishable from LTP. Furthermore, after maximal synaptic enhancement by phorbol esters, LTP can no longer be elicited. Although the site of synaptic enhancement during LTP is not clearly established, phorbol esters appear to potentiate synaptic transmission by acting primarily at a presynaptic locus since changes in the postsynaptic responses to the putative transmitter, glutamate, cannot account for the increased synaptic responses induced by phorbol esters. These findings, in conjunction with previous biochemical studies, raise the possibility that, in mammalian brain, PKC plays a role in controlling the release of neurotransmitter and may be involved in the generation of LTP.
On the structure of some distributions discovered by Meisters

Abstract Meisters has proved that if α β is a suitable irrational number, where α > 0, β > 0, then there are distributions (in the sense of Schwartz) S and T on R such that δ ′ = S − S α + T − T β , where δ′ is the derivative of the Dirac δ-function, and where S α and T β are the translates of S and T by α and β, respectively. The present note gives explicit formulas for S and T , for which Meisters gave only the Fourier transforms. S and T contain the Cesaro 1 sums of infinite series of δ′ distributions so translated as to fill out (uniformly in a certain sense) the intervals (0, β) and (0, α), respectively. The formulas make possible a direct verification of the mutual cancellation of the distributions in the combination S − S α + T − T β , which happens in such a way as to leave only the residuum δ′ at the origin of R .
Modulation of Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Macrophage Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Production by ω-3 Fatty Acid Is Associated with Differential Cyclooxygenase-2 Protein Expression and Is Independent of Interleukin-10

Background. The role of ω-3 fatty acids (FA) as anti-inflammatory agents involves the inhibition of macrophage (Mφ) cytokine production, but the mechanisms involved are not well defined. The effects of ω-3 FA on the transcription and translation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and the production of interleukin-10 (IL-10) were investigated as potential mechanisms for the down-regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor-α production. Methods. RAW 264.7 Mφ were incubated with OmegavenR (10 mg% ω-3 FA), LipovenosR (10 mg% ω-6 FA), or DMEM for 4 h of pretreatment. The cells were then exposed to LPS (1 μg/ml) or medium alone for 3 h. COX-2 mRNA levels were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and COX-2 protein levels were determined by Western blotting. The levels of PGE2 and IL-10 proteins secreted into the medium were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results. Pretreatment with ω-3 FA increased Mφ COX-2 protein expression levels without altering the levels of COX-2 mRNA in response to LPS stimulation. In addition, pretreatment with ω-3 FA dramatically decreased the PGE2 and IL-10 production induced by LPS, whereas pretreatment with an equivalent dose of ω-6 FA only resulted in a modest increase in PGE2 and a slight decrease in IL-10 production compared to controls. Conclusion. As COX-2 protein levels were increased without a change in COX-2 mRNA levels with ω-3 FA pretreatment, this suggested that ω-3 FA did not upregulate COX-2 at the transcriptional level. The ω-3 FA may instead posttranscriptionally stabilize existing COX-2 mRNA. The increased COX-2 expression may thus be explained by increased translation of COX-2 and/or decreased COX-2 degradation. The decreased PGE2 production could be attributed to the replacement of Mφ membrane ω-6 FA substrates by ω-3 FA and the competitive inhibition of COX-2 enzyme by ω-3 FA. The reduction of active COX-2 product associated with an increase in COX-2 enzyme implies the existence of a negative feedback mechanism. Surprisingly, IL-10 production was decreased by ω-3 FA pretreatment, indicating that the reduced IL-10 inhibition of Mφ cytokine production was superceded by the other actions of ω-3 FA.
Stabilization of Nitrosyls by Surface Oxygen: Structure and Reactivity of NO on Oxygen-Modified Mo(110)

The effects of preadsorbed atomic oxygen on nitric oxide (NO) structure and reactivity on Mo(110) are studied via temperature programmed reaction, high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, and infrared reflectance absorbance spectroscopy. NO reaction on two different oxygen overlayersa saturated low-temperature surface overlayer and a thin-film oxideis studied in detail. The dissociation of NO to atomic nitrogen and oxygen, the predominant pathway for NO reaction on clean Mo(110), is inhibited by surface oxygen, even though NO dissociation displaces surface oxygen from high- to low-coordination sites. The same low-temperature pathways observed for N−N bond formation on clean Mo(110)N2O formation from dinitrosyl coupling and N2 formation from reaction of molecular NO with atomic nitrogenare observed on the oxygen-modified surfaces, but in lesser relative and absolute amounts than on clean Mo(110). As oxygen coverage is increased, NO desorption becomes the dominant reaction pathway and occurs at in...
Guideline of guidelines: a review of urological trauma guidelines

Objective To review the guidelines released in the last decade by several organisations for the optimal evaluation and management of genitourinary injuries (renal, ureteric, bladder, urethral and genital). Methods This is a review of the genitourinary trauma guidelines from the European Association of Urology (EAU) and the American Urological Association (AUA), and renal trauma guidelines from the Societe Internationale d'Urologie (SIU). Results Most recommendations are guided by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) organ injury severity system. Grade A evidence is rare in genitourinary trauma, and most recommendations are based on Grade B or C evidence. The findings of the most recent urological trauma guidelines are summarised. All guidelines recommend conservative management for low-grade injuries. The major difference is for haemodynamically stable patients who have high-grade renal trauma; the SIU guidelines recommend exploratory laparotomy, the EAU guidelines recommend renal exploration only if the injury is vascular, and the AUA guidelines recommend initial conservative management. Conclusion There is generally consensus among the three guidelines. Recommendations are based on observational or retrospective studies, as well as clinical principles and expert opinions. Multi-institutional collaborative research can improve the quality of evidence and direct more effective evaluation and management of urological trauma.
Isolation and characterization of glycolic acid dehydrogenase from human liver

Abstract Glycolic acid dehydrogenase has been purified over 800-fold from human liver by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and column chromatography with DEAE-cellulose and hydroxyapatite. The enzyme catalyzes the direct oxidation of glycolate to oxalate without forming glyoxylate as a free intermediate. Activity is found only in the liver in the soluble fraction. The enzyme is specific for glycolate and inhibits no activity towards glycine or glyoxylate. Glyoxylate and dl -phenyllactate exhibit the enzyme. Optimum activity occurs sharply at pH 6.1 and the Michaelis constant for glycolate was 6.3 · 10 −5 M . Molecular oxygen does not appear to be the electron acceptor and no requirement for cofactors has been demonstrated, although flavin mononucleotide, ascorbate and cytochrome c stimulate activity. The isolation of this enzyme which may account for a significant part of the normal oxalate excretion in man, provides a more complete understanding of the pathways of oxalate biosynthesis and must be taken into account when considering possible methods for controlling disorders of oxalate metabolism.
Self-efficacy, entrepreneurial intentions, and gender: Assessing the impact of entrepreneurship education longitudinally

Abstract This paper examines the role of entrepreneurship education in strengthening entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and entrepreneurial intentions (EI). In addition, the nature of the relationship between ESE and students' intentions to pursue an entrepreneurial career is explored. Finally, the role of gender in moderating this relationship is tested. Data were collected at the beginning and the end of a semester-long, introductory entrepreneurship course. Findings show that while ESE increased for both groups, this increase was statistically significant only for the male students. In addition, while entrepreneurial intentions did not change in a statistically significant way for either gender subgroup, findings revealed a positive correlation between ESE and EI, showing this relationship to be moderated by gender. These findings suggest that gender must be integrated into any study of ESE and EI. Results also imply that current entrepreneurship education programs may not be effectively reaching females and may need to be redesigned.
Sintering processes of two nanoparticles: A study by molecular dynamics simulations

Molecular-dynamics computer simulations were employed to investigate the mechanisms of sintering of two single-crystal nanoparticles of Cu at a temperature of 700 K. Owing to their ultra-fine size ...
Treatment of keratoacanthomas with intralesional methotrexate

Multiple modalities exist for the treatment of keratoacanthoma. Excisional surgery is currently the treatment of choice for the majority of keratoacanthomas. This can result in functional and cosmetic defects when large or strategically located lesions are treated. An effective nonsurgical treatment would be desirable in such cases. Intralesional therapy, particularly with 5-fluorouracil, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of keratoacanthomas. Systemic methotrexate has been tried, with variable success. We report an open, noncontrolled study of nine consecutive patients with unusually large or strategically located solitary keratoacanthomas treated successfully with intralesional methotrexate. All lesions responded promptly, with complete resolution after a mean of 3.0 weeks and a mean of 1.7 injections. No side effects occurred, and scarring was minimal. We concluded that intralesional methotrexate is a simple and effective modality for the treatment of select keratoacanthomas and may offer greater efficacy, a more rapid response, decreased pain, and lower cost compared with intralesional 5-fluorouracil.
Quantitative capillary electrophoresis–ion-trap mass spectrometry determination of methylphenidate in human urine

A quantitative capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry method has been demonstrated for the determination of methylphenidate in human urine over a dynamic range of 640. The samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction using 4 ml of human urine. The extracts were analyzed using a Finnigan LCQ ion-trap mass spectrometer in a two-event, positive-ion full-scan MS and tandem MS selected reaction monitoring mode. The lower level of quantitation was determined to be 1.5 ng/ml methylphenidate in human urine. The intra-assay precision had a relative standard deviation less than 6.8%. The intra-assay accuracy was less than +/-14.7% bias from the nominal concentration for the full-scan MS analysis, and less than +/-26.5% bias for the tandem MS analysis. Six incurred human urine samples containing methylphenidate were analyzed and a simple pharmacokinetic curve is presented.
Dried whole-plant Artemisia annua slows evolution of malaria drug resistance and overcomes resistance to artemisinin

Pharmaceutical monotherapies against human malaria have proven effective, although ephemeral, owing to the inevitable evolution of resistant parasites. Resistance to two or more drugs delivered in combination will evolve more slowly; hence combination therapies have become the preferred norm in the fight against malaria. At the forefront of these efforts has been the promotion of Artemisinin Combination Therapy, but despite these efforts, resistance to artemisinin has begun to emerge. In 2012, we demonstrated the efficacy of the whole plant (WP)--not a tea, not an infusion--as a malaria therapy and found it to be more effective than a comparable dose of pure artemisinin in a rodent malaria model. Here we show that WP overcomes existing resistance to pure artemisinin in the rodent malaria Plasmodium yoelii. Moreover, in a long-term artificial selection for resistance in Plasmodium chabaudi, we tested resilience of WP against drug resistance in comparison with pure artemisinin (AN). Stable resistance to WP was achieved three times more slowly than stable resistance to AN. WP treatment proved even more resilient than the double dose of AN. The resilience of WP may be attributable to the evolutionary refinement of the plant's secondary metabolic products into a redundant, multicomponent defense system. Efficacy and resilience of WP treatment against rodent malaria provides compelling reasons to further explore the role of nonpharmaceutical forms of AN to treat human malaria.
Immune system: not so superior.

In his news focus story “on the origin of the immune system” (1 May, p. 580), J. Travis nicely lays out some of the issues surrounding the evolution of the adaptive immune system, particularly the biologically novel VDJ recombination process. The selective advantage of the adaptive immune system is, however, not at all clear. Citing the view of “many immunologists,” Travis describes the notion that the adaptive immune system allowed more complex organisms to deal with more complex threats. He also cites Craig Thompson’s suggestion that the adaptive immune system conserves resources, implying that the innate immune system is more resource intensive. These arguments fail by simple inspection. Whatever organismal complexity means, there is no evidence that invertebrates are less complex than gnathosomes or agnatha (which has its own version of adaptive immunity). On the issue of resource intensity, as T. Pradeu points out in his reply (“Immune system: ‘Big Bang’ in question,” Letters, 24 July, p. 393), the adaptive immune system never works on its own; it is activated first by an intensive innate response. In addition, adaptive immunity further amplifies innate reactions. An equally likely possibility is thus the adaptive immune response, with its high rate of cellular expansion and contraction, is actually more resource intensive. In any event, neither of these conjectures has been supported by experimentation. The underlying theme of the Travis news story as well as the reply by A. M. Silverstein (“Immune system: Promethean evolution,” Letters, 24 July, p. 393) is that the adaptive immune system is somehow a great advance (“Big Bang”) in the evolution of free-living organisms. Proponents of this view would thus be obliged to show that gnathosomes have a reduced incidence of mortality associated with disease, but I know of no such evidence. In fact, invertebrates are plagued by many of the same families of viruses, bacteria, and protists as vertebrates, and yet they do not exhibit high mortality rates due to infection nor do their populations collapse under the weight of parasitism. In fact, the immune system may be the cause of its own necessity (1). Incremental immune evolution surely confers a selective advantage, but such an advantage is quickly countered by the more facile evolution of thousands of parasitic agents. Over eons, there has grown an immune appendage that is nonetheless unable to decrease the overall burden of parasitism. This principle was described by van Valen as “The Red Queen Hypothesis” (2). The notion that the immune system plays the bouncer, raising the velvet rope for beneficial bacteria and giving attitude to their less desirable brethren, was taken one step further by Margaret McFall-Ngai. She proposed that the adaptive immune system evolved, in part, to recognize and manage complex communities of beneficial microbes living on or in vertebrates (3). In summary, comparative genomics has shown various components of the immune system to be under continuous positive selection, and yet we cannot assume we know the basis for this selective pressure (4).
Clinical Vignette Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism, Presenting with Osteoma Cutis

A 10-MONTH-OLD girl was seen by the dermatologist for evaluation of ‘‘marks’’ on her abdomen. Her parents thought that they had been there since birth or very early infancy. They were asymptomatic but seemed to be growing slightly. There was no family history of similar lesions. On physical examination, the patient had a 4 3 5 mm, slightly depressed, violaceus, rock-hard, intradermal, plaque-like lesion in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen (A) and a similar, smaller lesion in the right lower quadrant, as well as small lesions around the left areola and left anterior thigh. X-rays revealed short fourth and fifth metacarpal bones bilaterally (B). The infant’s hands were ‘‘chubby’’ with dimples on the dorsi at the distal ends of the metacarpals. She exhibited a normal calcium of 10.2 mg/dl (normal 8.0–11.5), phosphorous of 5.9 mg/dl (normal 3.5–6.0), and serum parathyroid hormone of 32 pg/ml (normal 15–65). T4 was slightly low at 6.9 mcg/dl (normal 7.6–16.0) and a TSH of 1.2 (normal 0.0–10.0). A biopsy of the skin lesion showed findings consistent with osteoma cutis (C). Pseudohypoparathyroidism presents in childhood typically with hypocalcemic tetany, hyperphosphatemia, and elevated serum PTH. The usual phenotype is a short individual with ‘‘stubby’’ hands often with dimples on the dorsi of the hands. Often firm violaceus intradermal lesions appear over the body and have been reported to migrate. X-rays of the hands show shortened metacarpals. Although termed ‘‘calcinosis cutis,’’ most if not all of these nodules represent osteoma cutis or new bone formation in the dermis. Skin biopsy reveals heterotopic ossification. There may be a preclinical phase,i.e.,phenotypewithoutbiochemicalchanges,orpseudopseudohypoparathyroidism. Identification of such infants prior to overt biochemical changes can allow a lifetime of normal serum calcium concentrations if these infants are followed every 3 months to detect early hypocalcemia.
Clinical Trial to Evaluate Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Alternate Day Prednisone in Patients with IgA Nephropathy: Report from the Southwest Pediatric Nephrology Study Group

This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial evaluated the role of prednisone and omega 3 fatty acids (O3FA) in patients with IgA nephropathy. Entry criteria were (1) biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy, (2) estimated GFR > or = 50 ml/min per 1.73 m2, and (3) moderate to severe proteinuria. Thirty-three patients were randomly assigned to receive prednisone 60 mg/m2 every other day for 3 mo, then 40 mg/m2 every other day for 9 mo, then 30 mg/m2 every other day for 12 mo (prednisone group); 32 were randomly assigned to receive O3FA 4 g/d for 2 yr (1.88 g eicosapentaenoic acid, 1.48 g docosahexaenoic acid; O3FA group); and 31 were randomly assigned to receive placebo (placebo group). Most (73%) patients completed 2 yr of treatment. Randomly assigned patients who were hypertensive were given enalapril 2.5 to 40 mg/d. The primary end point was time to failure, defined as estimated GFR <60% of baseline. An overall significance level of 0.10 was used. The three groups were comparable at baseline except that the O3FA group had higher urine protein to creatinine (UP/C) ratios than the placebo group (P = 0.003). Neither treatment group showed benefit over the placebo group with respect to time to failure, with 14 patient failures overall (two in the prednisone group, eight in the O3FA group, and four in the placebo group). The primary factor associated with time to failure was higher baseline UP/C ratios (P = 0.009). Superiority of prednisone or O3FA over placebo in slowing progression of renal disease was not demonstrated in this study. However, the relatively short follow-up period, inequality of baseline UP/C ratios, and small numbers of patients precludes definitive conclusions.
Square-root Bryson-Frazier smoothing algorithms

Some new square-root algorithms for Bryson-Frazier smoothing formulas are suggested: square-root algorithms and a fast square-root (or so-called Chandrasekhar type) algorithm. The new square-root algorithms use square-root arrays composed of smoothed estimates and their error covariances. These algorithms provide many advantages over the conventional algorithms with respect to systolic array and parallel implementations as well as numerical stability and conditioning. For the case of constant-parameter systems, a fast square-root algorithm is suggested, which requires less computation than others. >
Investigation of In-Cylinder Mixing Using Large Eddy Simulation Models for LTC Diesel Applications

In-cylinder mixture preparation and early combustion heat release are studied using Large Eddy Simulation (LES) for direct injection (DI) diesel with high exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and early injection timing. Both LES and traditional Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes (RANS) calculations are carried out using KIVA-3V release 2 and compared with experimental results of medium load LTC-diesel (Low Temperature Combustion) cases. Simulations presented in this paper are carried out using KH-RT (Kelvin Helmholtz – Rayleigh Taylor) breakup model for spray atomization and CHEMKIN n-heptane mechanism for combustion and both dynamic structure LES and RNG (re-normalized group) ke RANS for turbulence model. Although engine simulation using LES model poses significant challenges on practical engine grids, significant agreement with LTC-diesel experiments is observed by using an additional spray source term for modeling the effect of liquid sprays on sub-grid kinetic energy transport calculation in engines. Results when compared to RANS, demonstrate that LES is able to predict local spots of early heat release resulting in more accurate prediction of start of combustion timing and early heat release phasing. Mixing due to bulk fluid motion such as swirl is also observed more distinctively in LES calculations.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Demonstration of two separate descending noradrenergic pathways to the rat spinal cord: evidence for an intragriseal trajectory of locus coeruleus axons in the superficial layers of the dorsal horn.

The rat spinal cord receives noradrenergic (NA) projections from the locus coeruleus (LC) and the A5 and A7 groups. In contradiction to previous statements about the distribution of descending NA axons, we have recently proposed that in the rat LC neurons project primarily to the dorsal horn and intermediate zone, whereas A5 and A7 neurons project to somatic motoneurons and the intermediolateral cell column. The aim of the present study was to determine the funicular course and terminal distribution of descending NA axons from the LC and from the A5 and A7 groups. The organization of the coeruleospinal projection was analyzed by using the anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin in combination with dopaminehyphen;β-hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. The trajectory of A5 and A7 axons was studied in spinal cord sections of rats following ablation of the coeruleospinal projection with the neurotoxin DSP-4. To assess the relative contribution of the LC and the A5 and A7 groups to the NA innervation of the spinal cord, unilateral injections of the retrograde tracer True Blue were made at cervical, thoracic, and lumbar levels, and retrogradely labeled NA neurons were identified by dopamine-β-hydroxylase immunofluorescence. The results of the anterograde tracing experiments confirm our previous findings that LC neurons project most heavily to the dorsal horn and intermediate zone. Analysis of horizontal sections revealed that LC axons descend the length of the spinal cord within layers I and II. In contrast to the intragriseal course of LC fibers, A5 and A7 axons travel in the ventral and dorsolateral funiculi and terminate in the ventral horn and the intermediolateral cell column. Retrograde transport studies indicate that the contribution of the A5 and A7 groups to the NA projection to the spinal cord is greater than that of the LC. We conclude that descending axons of the LC and A5 and A7 groups differ in their course and distribution within the spinal cord. The documentation of a definite topographic order in the bulbospinal NA projections suggests that the LC and the A5 and A7 groups have different functional capacities. The LC is in a position to influence the processing of sensory inputs, in particular nociceptive inputs, whereas A5 and A7 neurons are likely to influence motoneurons.
Planning and designing for the multiple use role of habitats in urban/suburban landscapes in the Great Basin

Abstract Most researchers agree that preserving, creating, and restoring urban wildlife habitats has to be an interdisciplinary undertaking if it is to succeed. Ecologists and wildlife biologists must be key participants. The culturally modified context of most urban habitats suggests that landscape architects also have a primary role to play. Open space in the urban/suburban environment is a scarce and valuable resource. Private and public sector pressure to convert these spaces to commercial or intensive recreational uses are immediate and intense. Presenting arguments to preserve or restore urban open space solely as habitat for wildlife is seldom successful. Decision makers are more likely to support urban wildlife habitat programs if other uses are also accommodated. There is a growing body of research data that suggests that wildlife are being adversely impacted by multiple uses of urban habitats. The challenge for planners and designers is to minimize adverse impacts and capitalize on those attributes of other uses that enhance habitat value. Planning for the temporal as well as spatial dimensions of site uses is required if the needs of wildlife are to be met. The paper presents three general areas in which landscape architects have traditionally contributed to an interdisciplinary approach to urban wildlife habitat planning: contextual perspective, problem solving process, and design/technical execution. Reflecting back on his past 10 years of experience as a landscape architect planning urban wildlife habitats, the author presents several case study projects in which: (A) accommodation of multiple use objectives, including wildlife habitat, was required; (B) interdisciplinary teams participated in the planning and design process; (C) key principles from the fields of landscape ecology, conservation biology and wildlife biology were applied to facility and activity location, habitat configuration, and management. Plans of completed projects are used to illustrate how habitat values were preserved or enhanced and multiple uses accommodated in public open spaces. The paper concludes with a brief summary of keys to success common to each project.
Biochemical and Genetic Analysis of the Vaccinia Virus D5 Protein: Multimerization-Dependent ATPase Activity Is Required To Support Viral DNA Replication

The vaccinia virus-encoded D5 protein is an essential ATPase involved in viral DNA replication. We have expanded the genotypic and phenotypic analysis of six temperature-sensitive (ts) D5 mutants (Cts17, Cts24, Ets69, Dts6389 [also referred to as Dts38], Dts12, and Dts56) and shown that at nonpermissive temperature all of the tsD5 viruses exhibit a dramatic reduction in DNA synthesis and virus production. For Cts17 and Cts24, this restriction reflects the thermolability of the D5 proteins. The Dts6389, Dts12, and Dts56 D5 proteins become insoluble at 39.7 degrees C, while the Ets69 D5 protein remains stable and soluble and retains the ability to oligomerize and hydrolyze ATP when synthesized at 39.7 degrees C. To investigate which structural features of D5 are important for its biological and biochemical activities, we generated targeted mutations in invariant residues positioned within conserved domains found within D5. Using a transient complementation assay that assessed the ability of D5 variants to sustain ongoing DNA synthesis during nonpermissive Cts24 infections, only a wtD5 allele supported DNA synthesis. Alleles of D5 containing targeted mutations within the Walker A or B domains, the superfamily III helicase motif C, or the AAA+ motif lacked biological competency. Furthermore, purified preparations of these variant proteins revealed that they all were defective in ATP hydrolysis. Multimerization of D5 appeared to be a prerequisite for enzymatic activity and required the Walker B domain, the AAA+ motif, and a region located upstream of the catalytic core. Finally, although multimerization and enzymatic activity are necessary for the biological competence of D5, they are not sufficient.
Guidance of radiofrequency catheter ablation by transesophageal echocardiography in children with palliated single ventricle.

Abstract In summary, biplane TEE contributed significantly to successful radiofrequency catheter ablation in 6 patients with palliated single ventricle by allowing catheter positioning that may not have been possible under fluoroscopy alone, by monitoring catheter stability during application of current, and by providing immediate information regarding the presence or absence of early postablation complications.
Processing of the seven valine tRNAs in Escherichia coli involves novel features of RNase P

Here we report that RNase P is required for the initial separation of all seven valine tRNAs from three distinct polycistronic transcripts (valV valW, valU valX valY lysY and lysT valT lysW valZ lysY lysZ lysQ). Particularly significant is the mechanism by which RNase P processes the valU and lysT polycistronic transcripts. Specifically, the enzyme initiates processing by first removing the Rho-independent transcription terminators from the primary valU and lysT transcripts. Subsequently, it proceeds in the 3′ → 5′ direction generating one pre-tRNA at a time. Based on the absolute requirement for RNase P processing of all three primary transcripts, inactivation of the enzyme leads to a >4-fold decrease in the levels of both type I and type II valine tRNAs. The ability of RNase P to initiate tRNA processing at the 3′ ends of long primary transcripts by endonucleolytically removing the Rho-independent transcription terminator represents a previously unidentified function for the enzyme, which is responsible for generating the mature 5’ termini of all 86 E. coli tRNAs. RNase E only plays a very minor role in the processing of all three valine polycistronic transcripts.
CPAP versus Oxygen in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with hypertension, inflammation, and in­ creased cardiovascular risk. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) reduces blood pressure, but adherence is often suboptimal, and the benefit beyond manage­ ment of conventional risk factors is uncertain. Since intermittent hypoxemia may underlie cardiovascular sequelae of sleep apnea, we evaluated the effects of noctur­ nal supplemental oxygen and CPAP on markers of cardiovascular risk. Methods We conducted a randomized, controlled trial in which patients with cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors were recruited from cardiology prac­ tices. Patients were screened for obstructive sleep apnea with the use of the Berlin questionnaire, and home sleep testing was used to establish the diagnosis. Participants with an apnea–hypopnea index of 15 to 50 events per hour were randomly assigned to receive education on sleep hygiene and healthy lifestyle alone (the control group) or, in addition to education, either CPAP or nocturnal supplemental oxygen. Cardio­ vascular risk was assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of the study treatment. The primary outcome was 24­hour mean arterial pressure.
Engineering Efficiency Roll-Off in Organic Light-Emitting Devices

Previous studies have identified triplet-triplet annihilation and triplet-polaron quenching as the exciton density-dependent mechanisms which give rise to the efficiency roll-off observed in phosphorescent organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). In this work, these quenching processes are independently probed, and the impact of the exciton recombination zone width on the severity of quenching in various OLED architectures is examined directly. It is found that in devices employing a graded-emissive layer (G-EML) architecture the efficiency roll-off is due to both triplet-triplet annihilation and triplet-polaron quenching, while in devices which employ a conventional double-emissive layer (D-EML) architecture, the roll-off is dominated by triplet-triplet annihilation. Overall, the efficiency roll-off in G-EML devices is found to be much less severe than in the D-EML device. This result is well accounted for by the larger exciton recombination zone measured in G-EML devices, which serves to reduce exciton density-driven loss pathways at high excitation levels. Indeed, a predictive model of the device efficiency based on the quantitatively measured quenching parameters shows the role a large exciton recombination zone plays in mitigating the roll-off.
RF-N/MEMS integrated reconfigurable antenna for public safety applications

We have presented the design and full-wave analyses of a frequency reconfigurable antenna in response to public safety communities' mobile wireless communications applications. The antenna, MRA patch, can be tuned to operate at 0.8 GHz, 2.4 GHz and 4.9 GHz frequrencies. The MRA patch exhibits very similar gain and well behaved radiation patterns at each frequency band. The design and microfabrication of a new type of reduced size MEMS switches, which are called NEMS switches, are in progress. We are currently integrating NEMS type switches into the architecture of MRA patch for fabrication and test/characterization.
Ill‐posedness in three‐dimensional plastic flow

This paper examines partial differential equations for frictional materials flowing via plastic yield, including the equations given by the Critical State Theory of Soil Mechanics. In particular, the material density is considered as a dependent variable. In previous work we demonstrated that two-dimensional plastic flow may be ill posed due to an instability along two rays in Fourier transform space. In this paper, we show that in three dimensions the equations are linearly well posed provided all three strain rates are nonzero.
The super X divertor (SXD) and a compact fusion neutron source (CFNS)

A new magnetic geometry, the super X divertor (SXD), is invented to solve severe heat exhaust problems in high power density fusion plasmas. SXD divertor plates are moved to the largest major radii inside the TF coils, increasing the wetted area by 2–3 and the line length by 2–5. Two-dimensional fluid simulations with SOLPS (Schneider et al 2006 SOLPS 2-D edge calculation code Contrib. Plasma Phys. 46) show a several-fold decrease in divertor heat flux and plasma temperature at the plate. A small high power density tokamak using SXD is proposed, for either (1) useful fusion applications using conservative physics, such as a component test facility (CTF) or fission–fusion hybrid, or (2) to develop more advanced physics modes for a pure fusion reactor in an integrated fusion environment.
Behavioral decay in aging male C. elegans correlates with increased cell excitability

Abstract Deteriorative changes in behavioral functions are natural processes that accompany aging. In advanced aged C. elegans nematodes, gross decline in general behaviors, such as locomotion and feeding, is correlated with degeneration of muscle structure and contractile function. In this study, we characterized the age-related changes in C. elegans male mating behavior to determine possible causes that ultimately lead to age-related muscle frailty. Unlike the kinetics of general behavioral decline, we found that mating behavior deteriorates early in adulthood, with no obvious muscle fiber disorganization or sperm dysfunction. Through direct mating behavior observations, Ca2+ imaging, and pharmacological tests, we found that the muscular components used for mating become more excitable as the males age. Interestingly, manipulating either the expression of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) genes or dietary-mediated ether-a-go-go family K+ channel function can reduce the muscle excitability of older males and concurrently improve mating behavior, suggesting a correlation between these biological processes.