cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Insulin-stimulated lipogenesis in rat adipose tissue in vitro: Incorporation of C14 from glucose and acetate into lipid fractions and fatty acids

Abstract Rat epididymal adipose tissue was incubated in Kreb's bicarbonate buffer in the presence and absence of insulin, and the incorporation of labeled acetate and glucose into major fractions and fatty acids was studied. Radioactive carbon from either substrate was incorporated predominantly into the saponifiable lipid fraction, a behavior that was exaggerated by the presence of insulin. Insulin also increased incorporation into both the glycerol and nonsaponifiable fractions but not to a comparable extent. While incorporation into all fatty acids characterized the distribution of C14 from both substrates, palmitic acid was favored. Insulin exaggerated this pattern, stimulating lipogenesis by new synthesis rather than by chain-lengthening in-situ fatty acids.
Growth and Survival of Mycoplasma neurolyticum in Liquid Media

Hottle, G. A. (Naval Biological Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley), and D. N. Wright. Growth and survival of Mycoplasma neurolyticum in liquid media. J. Bacteriol. 91:1834-1839. 1966.-Maximal growth of Mycoplasma neurolyticum (between 10(8) and 10(9) colony-forming units per ml) was obtained after 3 days of incubation at 36 C in broth media containing 10% agamma horse serum. When whole horse serum was used in the medium, a complement-mediated inhibition was observed. This inhibition could only be detected when growth was followed by daily plate counts. Maximal growth was delayed for about 24 hr by the horse serum, and the inhibition was spontaneously reversed at the temperature of incubation. Penicillin G was also found to have a temporary inhibitory effect. This was detected with as little as 40 units per ml. Maximal growth was delayed until the 6th day of incubation, when 200 units per ml was present, and until the 16th day, when 1,000 units per ml was present. The survival of M. neurolyticum at undetectable levels in cultures during the incubation period presented an "eclipse" phenomenon which has not been explained. The recrudescence of growth in such cultures late in the incubation period illustrates the events which may occur when mycoplasmas are isolated from clinical material by prolonged incubation in the presence of inhibitors. Survival data showed that M. neurolyticum had greatest stability at pH 8.0, with reduced viability at pH 9.0, 7.0, 10.0, and 6.0, in that order The data on growth and stability suggest a close relationship between the species. of Mycoplasma studied and bacteria.
How to Fix Wall Street: A Voucher Financing Proposal

Securities market intermediaries operate in a number of areas in the capital markets reducing the collective action problem facing investors. Analysts provide securities research. Proxy advisory firms assist investors in determining how to vote their shares. And even shareholders bringing proxy contests can be viewed as providing a collective benefit to the extent the contests are motivated out of a desire to increase share value. Despite the service they provide investors, many intermediaries face financing problems due to pervasive free riding on the part of dispersed shareholders. In some areas, the law provides for mandatory financing of intermediaries (including the independent audit requirement for most public firms). Regulators are poorly suited, however, to make decisions on precisely how to distribute subsidies to intermediaries. Much of the current level of subsidization therefore is left to firms (and their managers) to provide voluntarily. Firms may subsidize analysts, for example, through elevated investment banking fees to a financial brokerage firm. Managers, however, may then use firm financing of intermediaries to corrupt the intermediaries in favor of the managers. Understanding the problem of intermediary corruption as an outgrowth of the financing problem facing intermediaries cautions against simply imposing regulatory prohibitions on voluntary firm subsidies. Instead, we propose to separate the decision of how much to subsidize intermediaries from the decision on who should get the subsidies through voucher financing. Under our proposal, regulators determine a subsidy amount funded through levies on public firms (roughly equal to the present amount of subsidies which flow from firms to intermediaries). Shareholders are then given the ability to direct (using vouchers) to which intermediaries their subsidy dollars should go in proportion to their shares. Voucher financing provides a market-based mechanism to finance intermediaries, resulting in greater flexibility and responsiveness in the provision of intermediary financing. With vouchers, shareholders may mass vouchers from several firms in their portfolios and direct them across time (saving them for the future) and across different intermediaries to their highest value use. Shareholders, of course, may lack full information on the value of different intermediaries. Shareholders may also fail to coordinate in the distribution of vouchers. We think, nonetheless, that solutions exist for such problems. Moreover, voucher financing represents a superior alternative compared with error-prone mandatory regulatory attempts at providing financing for intermediaries as well as conflict-of-interest prone voluntary firm financing.
Locations and focal mechanisms of recent microearthquakes and tectonics of Livermore Valley, California

Over 100 well-recorded microearthquakes (local magnitude less than 3), which occurred between January and September 1980, have been relocated, and focal mechanisms have been estimated for six regions of recent seismic activity for the Livermore Valley. Each of these microearthquakes had a minimum of 10 stations distributed in at least three quadrants around the epicenter. Data from these microearthquakes were combined with data from three USGS refraction experiments and used to develop a velocity model for Livermore Valley. Using this model, together with source region and station corrections to compensate for lateral velocity variations in the upper crust, we recalculated the locations and focal mechanisms. Comparing the results from these regions, differences were found in focal depths, patterns of epicenter locations, and focal mechanisms. Focal depths in the northern regions were usually between 5 and 11 km. These were slightly greater than focal depths (2 to 8 km) in the southern regions. The pattern of strike-slip focal mechanisms with P axes trending NNE and the linear trend of epicenters along the right-lateral strike-slip Greenville fault system in the northern regions is in contrast with the pattern of a mixture of focal mechanisms in southern regions (which includes about one-third withmore » thrust-type mechanisms where the T axis is nearer vertical than horizontal). In the southern regions, there is some indication of short offset (en echelon) segments and an absence of the extended linear trend found in the northern regions. It is speculated that this more diffuse pattern of locations and focal mechanisms in the southern regions of the valley results from general north-south compressional tectonics with both strike-slip and thrust faulting occurring in a localized zone of deformation between the Livermore Valley block and the Diablo Range block to the south.« less
Bacterial community analysis of shallow groundwater undergoing sequential anaerobic and aerobic chloroethene biotransformation.

At Department of Energy Site 300, beneficial hydrocarbon cocontaminants and favorable subsurface conditions facilitate sequential reductive dechlorination of trichloroethene (TCE) and rapid oxidation of the resultant cis- dichloroethene ( cis -DCE) upon periodic oxygen influx. We assessed the geochemistry and microbial community of groundwater from across the site. Removal of cis -DCE was shown to coincide with oxygen influx in hydrocarbon-containing groundwater near the source area. Principal component analysis of contaminants and inorganic compounds showed that monitoring wells could be differentiated based upon concentrations of TCE, cis -DCE, and nitrate. Structurally similar communities were detected in groundwater from wells containing cis -DCE, high TCE, and low nitrate levels. Bacteria identified by sequencing 16S rRNA genes belonged to seven phylogenetic groups, including Alpha -, Beta -, Gamma - and Deltaproteobacteria , Nitrospira , Firmicutes and Cytophaga – Flexibacter – Bacteroidetes (CFB). Whereas members of the Burkholderiales and CFB group were abundant in all wells (104–109 16S rRNA genecopiesL−1), quantitative PCR showed that Alphaproteobacteria were elevated (>106 L−1) only in wells containing hydrocarbon cocontaminants. The study shows that bacterial community structure is related to groundwater geochemistry and that Alphaproteobacteria are enriched in locales where cis -DCE removal occurs.
Analyzing the balancing of error rates for multi-group classification

This paper reports the relative performance of an experimental comparison of some well-known classification techniques such as classical statistical, artificial intelligence, mathematical programming (MP), and hybrid approaches. In particular, we examine the four-group, three-variable problem and the associated error rates for the four groups when each of the models is applied to various sets of simulated data. The data had varying characteristics such as multicollinearity, nonlinearity, sample proportions, etc. We concentrate on individual error rates for the four groups, i.e., we count the number of group 1 values classified into group 2, group 3, and group 4 and vice versa. The results indicate that in general not only are MP, k-NN, and hybrid approaches relatively better at overall classification but they also provide a much better balance between error rates for the top customer groups. The results also indicate that the MP and hybrid approaches provide relatively higher and stable classification accuracy under all the data characteristics.
Calculated transmission loss for a leaky feeder communication system in a circular tunnel

The transmission loss for a leaky coaxial cable communication system in a circular tunnel is calculated for an idealized model. The transmitting and receiving antennas are electric dipoles that may be located anywhere within the tunnel. For typical cable parameters, the optimum frequency is found to be in the range from 2 to 10 MHz. Calculations reveal that the use of a sparse braid and a high velocity cable will strongly improve the cable-dipole coupling with only a small penalty of a higher attenuation rate.
A case study to motivate engineering students to do mathematical proofs

Although engineering students are trained to solve a wide range of problems, they often lack experience in doing mathematical proofs. To encourage students to learn this important skill, the author presents several proofs of a well-known identity. The methods include simple algebraic and geometric proofs, engineering mathematical solutions, and techniques from finite mathematics.
Can we avoid misdiagnosis of epilepsy by discriminating between wicket rhythms and epileptiform activity

Can we avoid misdiagnosis of epilepsy by discriminating between wicket rhythms and epileptiform activity?
Human psychophysical analysis of receptive field-like properties--II. Dichoptic properties of the Westheimer function.

Abstract Foveal Westheimer function (desensitization-sensitization) determinations were performed for monoptic, mixed (“50/50”) and dichoptic viewing conditions using two different psychophysical methods. Typical Westheimer function results were obtained for monoptic viewing, whereas the “50/50” and dichoptic background field conditions revealed little or no dichoptic influences on the Westheimer function per se. However, the dichoptically-presented background fields produced an overall threshold elevation of approx 0.4 log units, which was essentially independent of the background field size. In conjunction with previous evidence, these results indicate that the psychophysical Westheimer function reflects retinal events.
NADPH oxidase but not myeloperoxidase protects lymphopenic mice from spontaneous infections.

Abstract The adaptive immune system plays an important role in host defense against invading micro-organisms. Yet, mice deficient in T- and B-cells are surprisingly healthy and develop few spontaneous infections when raised under specific pathogen-free conditions (SPF). The objective of this study was to ascertain what role phagocyte-associated NADPH oxidase or myeloperoxidase (MPO) plays in host defense in mice lacking both T- and B-cells. To do this, we generated lymphopenic mice deficient in either NADPH oxidase or MPO by crossing gp91 phox -deficient (gp91 ko) or MPO ko mice with mice deficient in recombinase activating gene-1 (RAG ko). We found that neither gp91 ko, MPO ko mice nor lymphocyte-deficient RAG ko mice developed spontaneous infections when raised under SPF conditions and all mice had life spans similar to wild-type (WT) animals. In contrast, gp91xRAG double-deficient (DKO) but not MPOxRAG DKO mice developed spontaneous multi-organ bacterial and fungal infections early in life and lived only a few months. Infections in the gp91xRAG DKO mice were characterized by granulomatous inflammation of the skin, liver, heart, brain, kidney, and lung. Addition of antibiotics to the drinking water attenuated the spontaneous infections and increased survival of the mice. Oyster glycogen-elicited polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and macrophages obtained from gp91 ko and gp91xRAG DKO mice had no detectable NADPH oxidase activity whereas WT, RAG ko, and MPOxRAG DKO PMNs and macrophages produced large and similar amounts of superoxide in response to phorbol myristate acetate. The enhanced mortality of the gp91xRAG DKO mice was not due to defects in inflammatory cell recruitment or NO synthase activity (iNOS) as total numbers of elicited PMNs and macrophages as well as PMN- and macrophage-derived production of nitric oxide-derived metabolites in these mice were similar and not reduced when compared to that of WT mice. Taken together, our data suggest that that NADPH oxidase but not MPO (nor iNOS) is required for host defense in lymphopenic mice and that lymphocytes and NADPH oxidase may compensate for each other’s deficiency in providing resistance to spontaneous bacterial infections.
Near-Native Protein Loop Sampling Using Nonparametric Density Estimation Accommodating Sparcity

Unlike the core structural elements of a protein like regular secondary structure, template based modeling (TBM) has difficulty with loop regions due to their variability in sequence and structure as well as the sparse sampling from a limited number of homologous templates. We present a novel, knowledge-based method for loop sampling that leverages homologous torsion angle information to estimate a continuous joint backbone dihedral angle density at each loop position. The φ,ψ distributions are estimated via a Dirichlet process mixture of hidden Markov models (DPM-HMM). Models are quickly generated based on samples from these distributions and were enriched using an end-to-end distance filter. The performance of the DPM-HMM method was evaluated against a diverse test set in a leave-one-out approach. Candidates as low as 0.45 A RMSD and with a worst case of 3.66 A were produced. For the canonical loops like the immunoglobulin complementarity-determining regions (mean RMSD 7.0 A), this sampling method produces a population of loop structures to around 3.66 A for loops up to 17 residues. In a direct test of sampling to the Loopy algorithm, our method demonstrates the ability to sample nearer native structures for both the canonical CDRH1 and non-canonical CDRH3 loops. Lastly, in the realistic test conditions of the CASP9 experiment, successful application of DPM-HMM for 90 loops from 45 TBM targets shows the general applicability of our sampling method in loop modeling problem. These results demonstrate that our DPM-HMM produces an advantage by consistently sampling near native loop structure. The software used in this analysis is available for download at http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~dahl/software/cortorgles/.
GENETIC ORGANIZATION AND COMPLETE SEQUENCE OF THE PROTEUS MIRABILIS PMF FIMBRIAL OPERON

Abstract Proteus mirabilis, commonly associated with urinary tract infection, pyelonephritis and bacteremia, produces a number offimbriae, including PMF ( P.m irabilis f imbriae). Genes encoding PMF were isolated and the complete nucleotide (nt) sequence was determined. The pmf gene cluster, encoded by 5655 bp, predicts five polypeptides: PmfA (18921 Da), PmfC (93 107 Da), PmfD (28208 Da), PmfE (38875 Da) and PmfF (19661 Da). PmfA, PmfC, PmfD and PmfF share >25% amino acid (aa) sequence identity with gene products of the pap, mrp and sfa fimbrial gene clusters. PmfE shares no similarity with any polypeptide in the SwissProt database. No regulatory gene(s) or regulatory elements were evident in the sequence. The pmf cluster shares common features with other enteric fimbrial gene clusters, but also displays features that are unique.
Statistical mechanical deconvolution of thermal transitions in macromolecules. II. General treatment of cooperative phenomena

In the preceding article1 we demonstrated that the partition function of a system is experimentally accessible from scanning calorimetric data. In this article the general results of the deconvolution theory are applied to the general case of cooperative transitions in macromolecules. It is demonstrated that, in the limit of very large systems, all the relevant molecular averages and molecular distribution functions can be directly obtained from the experiment. In doing this, the method of the grand partition function is used. It is shown that in the case of homopolymers, only one parameter, the stability constant, needs to be explicitly specified for a complete description of the system. Since the partition function is directly evaluated from the experiment, no special assumptions or artificial constraints directed to obtain a mathematically solvable model are required. This result offers the unique opportunity of having direct experimental access to statistical averages of systems in which the partition function cannot analytically be solved. Consequently, the theory can be extended to cooperative transitions occurring in two and three dimensions by introducing cluster distribution functions.
NextGen protein design

Protein engineering is at an exciting stage because designed protein–protein interactions are being used in many applications. For instance, three designed proteins are now in clinical trials. Although there have been many successes over the last decade, protein engineering still faces numerous challenges. Often, designs do not work as anticipated and they still require substantial redesign. The present review focuses on the successes, the challenges and the limitations of rational protein design today.
Loss of Transposase-DNA Interaction May Underlie the Divergence of mariner Family Transposable Elements and the Ability of More than One mariner to Occupy the Same Genome

Mariners are a large family of eukaryotic DNA-mediated transposable elements that move via a cut-and-paste mechanism. Several features of the evolutionary history of mariners are unusual. First, they appear to undergo horizontal transfer commonly between species on an evolutionary timescale. They can do this because they are able to transpose using only their own self-encoded transposase and not host-specific factors. One consequence of this phenomenon is that more than one kind of mariner can be present in the same genome. We hypothesized that two mariners occupying the same genome would not interact. We tested the limits of mariner interactions using an in vitro transposition system, purified mariner transposases, and DNAse I footprinting. Only mariner elements that were very closely related to each other (ca. 84% identity) cross-mobilized, and then inefficiently. Because of the dramatic suppression of transposition between closely related elements, we propose that to isolate elements functionally, only minor changes might be necessary between elements, in both inverted terminal repeat and amino acid sequence. We further propose a mechanism to explain mariner diversification based on this phenomenon.
Acceptability and Utilization of Frequently-Cited Intervention Strategies.

Acceptability ratings of three typesof interventions (behavioral, pragmatic, and humanistic) applied to two types of behavior problems (acting out vs. passive resistance) were evaluated by use to the Intervention Rating Profile (IRP-15) developed by Witt and Martens (1984). The relationships among acceptability scores of interventions and self-reported utilization of the three types of interventions also were evaluated. Student teachers (N = 73) read descriptions of two behavior problems and then rated each of three diffenet interventions in regard to perceived acceptability. Results indicated that both behavior problems were regarded as being equally severe; however, the acting out behavior problem was more likely to be referred for intevention outsie the clasroom. The ratings of the interventions indicated that the student teachers regarded the humanistic approach as being the most acceptable, the behavioral intervention as next in acceptability, and the pragmatic approach as least acceptable. Variations also were noted inregard to type to behavior problem exhinited and intervention type. There was not a significant discrepancy among the acceptability ratings of the three intervention types and student teachers's self-reported utilization of these three types of interventions.
Ultrafast Photon-Photon Interaction in a Strongly Coupled Quantum Dot-Cavity System

We study dynamics of the interaction between two weak light beams mediated by a strongly coupled quantum dot–photonic crystal cavity system. First, we perform all-optical switching of a weak continuous-wave signal with a pulsed control beam, and then perform switching between two weak pulsed beams (40 ps pulses). Our results show that the quantum dot–nanocavity system enables fast, controllable optical switching at the single-photon level.
Decreased adventitial neovascularization after intracoronary irradiation in swine: a time course study.

Abstract Background: Intracoronary radiation (IR) suppresses the formation of neointima after arterial injury in swine, through mechanisms incompletely understood. Neointimal development appears related to expansion of adventitial microvessels; we therefore examined the hypothesis that IR inhibits neointima formation through an anti-angiogenic effect. Methods and Results: Juvenile swine were treated with either 0 or 15 Gy 192 Ir (γ-source) and euthanized 3, 7, or 14 days later or treated with 18 Gy 90 Y (β-source) and euthanized after 14 days. Adventitial area (AA), intimal area (IA), IA corrected for medial fracture length, and adventitial vessel area were assessed in both injured and uninjured segments by computer-aided histomorphometry on Verhoeff-Von Giesson stained sections. Adventitial vessel count (AVC) was enumerated visually on hematoxylin and eosin stained sections and confirmed by anti-factor VIII–associated antigen immunostaining for endothelial cells. AA and IA were reduced in injured arteries subjected to IR as compared to controls. The AVC was significantly lower in injured irradiated arterial segments as well as all uninjured segments as compared with injured control segments. In the injured and irradiated arteries, the AVC remained unchanged at 3, 7, and 14 days. The injured segments of arteries treated with IR demonstrated a significantly lower adventitial microvessel density (AVC/AA) as compared to the injured control segments. Comparison of γ- and β-irradiation at 14 days did not show any differences for vessel parameters and measurements of adventitial microvessels. IA and AVC were correlated positively (R 2 = 0.63, α = 0.79, p Conclusion: IR induced an early and sustained anti-angiogenic effect between 3 and 14 days. The relation between IA and AVC may indicate an antiproliferative effect associated with an anti-angiogenic effect independent of the type of radiation. CONDENSED ABSTRACT Intracoronary radiation suppresses neointima formation after arterial injury in swine, through mechanisms and with consequences that are not fully known. Reduction of angiogenesis may inhibit restenosis. In the present study, intimal area and adventitial area were reduced in the intracoronary radiation groups 3–14 days after arterial injury as compared to their respective controls, with a parallel reduction in the adventitial vessel count and adventitial vessel density. Intimal area and adventitial vessel count were correlated positively. Neointima reduction after intracoronary radiation may depend not only on an antiproliferative effect but also on an anti-angiogenic effect.
Antigens and chemical composition of Blastomyces dermatitidis

‘Without these tools (skin-test and complement fixation antigens for epidemiological, diagnostic, and prognostic use) we are at least 50 years behind in our defining of the disease blastomycosis’ (63). This statement by Rippon et al. emphasizes the need for a well defined antigen or group of antigens from Blastomyces dermatitidis, not only for the two tests named above, but for any serological or immunological test. Several different preparations have been reviewed which are beginning to approach the quality necessary for such a sensitive and specific antigenic tool. All of these require further characterization and, in most instances, purification. One purified fraction isolated from blastomycin, the F fraction, has shown exceptional promise as a skin-test agent in guinea pigs but has not been further studied. A 10–30K molecular weight fraction of the yeast cytoplasm has shown good reactivity, and contains a protein shown by PAGE to be common to several skin-reactive preparations. This fraction has not been further purified. An ASWS preparation has been partially characterized and shown to be especially sensitive and specific in animals, though not yet in humans. Purification of this fraction by PAGE has uncovered a highly reactive protein which may be related to one isolated from the cytoplasm. Investigations using this purified component have not been attempted in humans. The A antigen has been well characterized regarding its applicability to human diagnosis. It has been partially purified and two of its components associated with its reactivity. It also has probably the best possibility as an immediate serologic tool. Even here, though, current preparations contain much extraneous material which could conceivably create cross-reactivity problems in the future. The ethanol-precipitate antigens which have shown such superior results in the past have not been employed recently, nor have they been extensively characterized. This fraction may contain the reactive A antigen or other antigens deserving of study. Hopefully, the use of this technique can be encouraged as one starting point for isolation procedures. The importance and isolation of enzymes and mannose containing antigens have probably not received adequate attention. An almost uniform identification of mannose in reactive preparations argues for purification procedures based on its presence. Finally, use of hybridoma technology to produce antibodies specific for antigens of B. dermatitidis promises to improve our understanding of the organism and to help isolate purer antigenic fractions. The search for antigens of importance in the immunology of B. dermatitidis should not be confined to any one or all of the antigens discussed above. A variety of components will likely be necessary for complete understanding of the disease and for diagnostic use. It has been observed that ‘information of clinical value can be obtained from immunological reactions to several different antigens’ (35), thereby encouraging continuous efforts to obtain as many as possible.
Microrheological effects of drag-reducing polymers in vitro and in vivo

Abstract Soluble long-chain polymers with a molecular mass >10 6 D have been found to significantly reduce resistance to turbulent flow in pipes, thereby increasing flow rate at constant pressure or decreasing pressure at constant flow rate when added to the flowing fluid at minute concentrations (Toms effect). These molecules, named drag-reducing polymers (DRPs), did not affect resistance to laminar flow in a straight tube. Although, the flow conditions associated with the Toms effect do not occur in the cardiovascular system, a number of studies demonstrated that intravenous administration of nanomolar concentrations of DRPs in experimental animals produced significant hemodynamic effects increasing tissue perfusion and decreasing peripheral vascular resistance without affecting blood viscosity and with no direct effect on the tone of the vessel wall and the intraluminal area. The DRPs were successfully applied in animal models of severe hemorrhagic shock, myocardial ischemia and other pathological conditions demonstrating improvement of impaired hemodynamics and animal conditions/survival. In vitro studies of blood flow in microchannels demonstrated that the DRPs reduced flow and phase separations which occur in the vascular system at normal physiological and pathological conditions. This paper reviews some animal and in vitro studies which employed DRPs as blood additives. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms behind the observed polymer effects on blood circulation are discussed.
A balancing view: Fecal incontinence: test or treat empirically--which strategy is best?

Fecal incontinence—the involuntary, unwanted, and often embarrassing discharge of bowel contents—usually results from structural or functional disruption of the anorectal unit. Rarely, other factors, such as overwhelming diarrhea or central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, may play a role. Morphological and functional testing of the anorectum is generally felt to be useful, both in the evaluation and management of these patients, but evidence is sparse and whether it influences the outcome of treatment remains debatable. Dr. Bharucha presents elegant arguments in favor of testing, whereas Dr. Wald has vigorously contested this. How do we reconcile these diverse opinions?
Spectral interferences using the Zeeman effect for furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy

Abstract Using a transverse, a.c. Zeeman system, with the magnet on the analyte, background correction is performed at the exact analyte wavelength. As a result, nearly all of the spectral interferences associated with continuum correction are eliminated. Errors may occur, though, using Zeeman correction if coincident or nearby absorption lines or molecular absorption bands exhibit Zeeman splitting. We have found an example of overcorrection in the determination of Cd at the alternate 326.1-nm line that we believe is due to splitting of PO bands. We have also confirmed errors from Ft in the determination of Fe at the alternate 271.9-nm line and from Co in the determination of Hg at 253.6 nm.
An unusual post-ERCP pneumoperitoneum.

A 74-year-old man with symptomatic common bile duct stricure secondary to chronic pancreatitis had undergone multiple ndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCP) with lastic stent placements. The patient refused hepaticojejunostomy nd did not present for scheduled stent exchange. Hewas admitted o the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with severe acute cholangitis and eptic shock eighteen months after the last stent exchange. Urgent RCP showed biliary stent migration with biliary dilation andmuliple stones over the stricture (Fig. 1a). Stoneswere extractedwith a ormia basket and a partially covered SEMS (Wallflex, Boston Scintific) and naso-biliary drain were placed to drain purulent bile
Bacterial Siderophores That Evade or Overwhelm Lipocalin 2 Induce Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1α and Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion in Cultured Respiratory Epithelial Cells

Iron is essential for many cellular processes and is required by bacteria for replication. To acquire iron from the host, pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria secrete siderophores, including enterobactin (Ent). However, Ent is bound by the host protein lipocalin 2 (Lcn2), preventing bacterial reuptake of aferric or ferric Ent. Furthermore, the combination of Ent and Lcn2 (Ent+Lcn2) leads to enhanced secretion of interleukin-8 (IL-8) compared to that induced by either stimulus alone. Modified or structurally distinct siderophores, including yersiniabactin (Ybt) and glycosylated Ent (GlyEnt, or salmochelin), deliver iron to bacteria despite the presence of Lcn2. We hypothesized that the robust immune response to Ent and Lcn2 requires iron chelation rather than the Ent+Lcn2 complex itself and also can be stimulated by Lcn2-evasive siderophores. To test this hypothesis, cultured respiratory epithelial cells were stimulated with combinations of purified siderophores and Lcn2 and analyzed by gene expression microarrays, quantitative PCR, and cytokine immunoassays. Ent caused HIF-1α protein stabilization, induced the expression of genes regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), and repressed genes involved in cell cycle and DNA replication, whereas Lcn2 induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Iron chelation by excess Ent or Ybt significantly increased Lcn2-induced secretion of IL-8, IL-6, and CCL20. Stabilization of HIF-1α was sufficient to enhance Lcn2-induced IL-6 secretion. These data indicate that respiratory epithelial cells can respond to bacterial siderophores that evade or overwhelm Lcn2 binding by increasing proinflammatory cytokine production.
Development and Characterization of a 9-mm Inductively-Coupled Argon Plasma Source for Atomic Emission Spectrometry

Abstract A new 9-mm (i.d.) inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) torch is described which supports a stable, analytically useful plasma at less than 500 W of r.f. power and 7 l min -1 total argon gas flow. Detection limits, working curves and other analytical characteristics of the new device are compared with those of both a miniature (13-mm i.d.) and conventional (19-mm i.d.) ICP. Although temperatures of the new plasma are somewhat lower than those in the larger plasmas, the new system offers promise for future, miniaturized ICP instruments.
In Situ Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Study of CO2 Reduction on Polycrystalline Platinum in Acid Solutions

The reduction of CO 2 on polycristalline Pt in 0.1M HClO 4 has been investigated with in situ Fourier transform infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques.
Nonuniformity correction of a resistor array infrared scene projector

At the Kinetic-kill vehicle Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulator (KHILS) facility located at Eglin AFB, Florida, a technology has been developed for the projection of scenes to support hardware-in-the-loop testing of infrared seekers. The Wideband Infrared Scene Projector program is based on a 512 X 512 VLSI array of 2 mil pitch resistors. A characteristic associated with these projectors is each resistor emits measurably different in-band radiance when the same voltage is applied. Therefore, since it is desirable to have each resistor emit the same for a commanded radiance, each resistor requires a Non-Uniformity Correction (NUC). Though this NUC task may seem simple to a casual observer, it is, however, quite complicated. A high quality infrared camera and well-designed optical system are prerequisites to measuring each resistor's output accurately for correction. A technique for performing a NUC on a resistor array has been developed and implemented at KHILS that achieves a NUC (standard deviation output/mean output) of less than 1 percent. This paper presents details pertaining to the NUC system, procedures, and results.
Utilization of exploration-based learning and video-assisted learning to teach GlideScope videolaryngoscopy.

Background: GlideScope (GS) is used in pediatric endotracheal intubation (ETI) but requires a different technique compared to direct laryngoscopy (DL). Purposes: This article was written to evaluate the efficacy of exploration-based learning on procedural performance using GS for ETI of simulated pediatric airways and establish baseline success rates and procedural duration using DL in airway trainers among pediatric providers at various levels. Methods: Fifty-five pediatric residents, fellows, and faculty from Pediatric Critical Care, NICU, and Pediatric Emergency Medicine were enrolled. Nine physicians from Pediatric Anesthesia benchmarked expert performance. Participants completed a demographic survey and viewed a video by the GS manufacturer. Subjects spent 15 minutes exploring GS equipment and practicing the intubation procedure. Participants then intubated neonatal, infant, child, and adult airway simulators, using GS and DL, in random order. Time to ETI was recorded. Results: Procedural performance...
Lunar occultation and provisional identification of MSH 19-27.

Lunar occultation and identification of MSH 19-27 radio source, noting computer analysis of brightness distribution
Impacts of parametric and radar rainfall uncertainty on the ensemble streamflow simulations of a distributed hydrologic model

Abstract We diagnose the manner with which rainfall input and parametric uncertainty influence the character of the flow simulation uncertainty in a validated distributed hydrologic model. An extensive Monte Carlo numerical experiment was undertaken for several study watersheds in the southern Central Plains of the United States. It examined the sensitivity of ensemble flow simulations produced by the distributed model HRCDHM to uncertainty in parametric and radar rainfall input. The watersheds are associated with the Distributed Model Intercomparison Project (DMIP) organized by the US National Weather Service Office of Hydrologic Development. The model validated well in DMIP both for watershed outlets and interior points on various scales with Nash-Sutcliffe efficiencies of 0.6–0.9 for hourly flow simulations [J. Hydrol. (2004) 14504, this issue], and we expect that the qualitative nature of the results of this study are of greater applicability than for this model alone. The uncertainty scenarios included: parametric uncertainty involving multiple soil model parameters simultaneously, routing model parameter uncertainty, rainfall uncertainty under two different error distributions, and combined uncertainty in both parameters and input. The flow sensitivities are summarized in terms of a relative measure of the dispersion in the flow ensembles computed for each event, and for several watershed locations consisting of the watershed outlet and additional interior locations. The results consistently show that the flow simulation uncertainty is strongly dependent on catchment scale for all cases of prescribed parametric and radar-rainfall input uncertainty. Simulation uncertainty is significantly reduced for larger scales of distributed model resolution. The consistency of this result across the selected watershed locations allows for the development of scaling relationships between catchment size and the flow uncertainty measure. The derived scaling relationship may be used to infer pronounced small-scale simulation uncertainties in distributed hydrologic model applications. Several fruitful future research directions are identified including the incorporation of model structure uncertainty in the analysis.
Hydrogen-Bonding Dynamics between Adjacent Blades in G-Protein β-Subunit Regulates GIRK Channel Activation

Functionally critical domains in the betagamma-subunits of the G-protein (Gbetagamma) do not undergo large structural rearrangements upon binding to other proteins. Here we show that a region containing Ser(67) and Asp(323) of Gbetagamma is a critical determinant of G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying K(+) (GIRK) channel activation and undergoes only small structural changes upon mutation of these residues. Using an interactive experimental and computational approach, we show that mutants that form a hydrogen-bond between positions 67 and 323 do not activate a GIRK channel. We also show that in the absence of hydrogen-bonding between these positions, other factors, such as the displacement of the crucial Ggamma residues Pro(60) and Phe(61), can impair Gbetagamma-mediated GIRK channel activation. Our results imply that the dynamic nature of the hydrogen-bonding pattern in the wild-type serves an important functional role that regulates GIRK channel activation by Gbetagamma and that subtle changes in the flexibility of critical domains could have substantial functional consequences. Our results further strengthen the notion that the dynamic regulation of multiple interactions between Gbetagamma and effectors provides for a complex regulatory process in cellular functions.
Racial Difference in Sarcoidosis Mortality in the United States

BACKGROUND The clinical presentation and outcome of sarcoidosis varies by race. However, the race difference in mortality outcome remains largely unknown. METHODS We studied mortality related to sarcoidosis from 1999 through 2010 by examining data on multiple causes of death from the National Center for Health Statistics. We compared the comorbid conditions between sarcoidosis-related deaths with deaths caused by car accidents (previously healthy control subjects) and rheumatoid arthritis (chronic disease control subjects) in both African Americans and Caucasians. RESULTS From 1999 through 2010, sarcoidosis was reported as an immediate cause of death in 10, 348 people in the United States with a combined overall mean age-adjusted mortality rate of 2.8 per 1 million person-years. Of these, 6, 285 were African American and 3, 984 Caucasian. The age-adjusted mortality rate for African Americans was 12 times higher than for Caucasians. African Americans died at an earlier age than Caucasians. African Americans living in the District of Columbia and North Carolina and Caucasians living in Vermont had higher mortality rates. Although the total sarcoidosis age-adjusted mortality rate had not changed over the 12 year period studied, this rate increased for Caucasians (R = 0.747, P = .005) but not for African Americans. Compared with the control groups, pulmonary hypertension was significantly more common in individuals with sarcoidosis. CONCLUSIONS This nationwide population-based study exposes a significant difference in ethnicity and sex among people dying of sarcoidosis in the United States. Pulmonary hypertension investigation should be considered in all patients with sarcoidosis, especially African Americans.
Multi-Scale Biomechanics in a Marfan Syndrome Model of Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the cause of death for a significant subset of patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS), a connective tissue disorder involving the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein fibrillin-1. However, it remains controversial whether this DCM is a primary symptom of MFS or a secondary effect of the more common vascular and heart valve defects. We trace the multi-scale mechanical pathway from cardiac chamber function to sub-cellular stiffness and adhesion in a mutant (MT) mouse model that expresses ∼20% of normal fibrillin-1 and displays early onset and progressively severe symptoms of MFS. Pressure-volume (PV) loop curves measured in MT mice demonstrate a rightward shift with significant elevation of end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (p < 0.05) compared to wild-type (WT) littermates. Elastic modulus of isolated whole hearts measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicates significantly softer tissue for MT (5.3 ± 4.0 kPa, n=4) compared to WT (21.1 ± 10.2 kPa, n=4, p < 0.0001). AFM was also utilized to measure sub-cellular stiffness and surface receptor binding affinity on live cardiomyocytes isolated from the two mouse models and maintained in a passive state with blebbistatin. Interestingly, cell stiffness was not different between MT (2.2 ± 0.6 kPa, n=6) and WT (2.6 ± 0.6 kPa, n=10, p = 0.23), whereas surface adhesion was diminished significantly in the MT cells (138 ± 99 pN vs. 560 ± 268 pN, p = 0.0025). The results imply an ECM-driven maladaptive response of cardiac function in the MFS model, as evidenced by the decreased whole heart stiffness while cardiomyocyte passive stiffness remains unaltered. The diminished cell surface adhesion force suggests impaired myocyte-ECM binding that is critical for multi-scale force transmission in the heart, revealing a possible direct biophysical mechanism for the cardiomyopathy observed in Marfan syndrome.
Region-of-Interest Detection and its Application to Image Segmentation and Compression

In many intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications, it is desirable to detect potential targets or regions of interest (ROIs) within various types of digital imagery. These ROIs can then be used to automatically cue sensors and assets, to control intelligent region-of-interest-based image compression algorithms, and to direct further analysis for target identification and recognition. In this article, we present our hierarchical region-of-interest detection (HROID) algorithm that can quickly identify and isolate critical regions within low-quality imagery
Intratumoral hypoxia, radiation resistance, and HIF-1.

Abstract Failure to achieve complete remission after radiation therapy is a predictor of patient mortality, and hypoxic cancer cells are more likely to survive radiation therapy. Recent studies have shown that radiation-induced endothelial cell death results in secondary tumor cell killing. In this issue of Cancer Cell , Moeller et al. (2004) now provide evidence that radiation induces HIF-1-mediated expression of VEGF and bFGF in tumor cells, which promotes endothelial cell survival.
ACCELERATED PORK PROCESSING: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF BACTERIAL FLORA OF CURED AND SMOKED HAMS

96 hams (48 left and right pairs) were assigned to either accelerated or conventional processing methods following separation from their respective sides at a commercial slaughter plant. Bacteriological survey samples were aseptically removed from the accelerated and the conventionally processed hams prior to curing. A second bacteriological sample was removed from both the rapid and conventional treatments following curing, smoking and chilling. Total bacterial counts were then determined on both the fresh and cured muscle tissue. The effect of different processing techniques was evaluated by bacterial flora present in the rapid and conventionally processed hams. Aerobic bacteria (15°C and 37°C) anaerobic bacteria (37°C) and anaerobic sporeformers were analyzed statistically. Anaerobic sporeformers were estimated by the most probable number method. No significant differences (P < 0.01) were found between rapid or conventional processing techniques in total aerobes and anaerobic sporeformers in fresh or cured muscle tissue. Total anaerobes were significnatly greater (P < 0.05) in conventional processing when compared to rapid processing. Results reveal no significant bacteriological problems in the rapid processing of pork prior to initial chilling.
Secondary electrons from charged particle collisions with atoms and molecules

Abstract Since a large fraction of the energy transfer in energetic atomic collisions is in the production of secondary electrons, most of the radiation effects are a result of this process. Therefore, a knowledge of the energy spectrum (and for some purposes the angular distribution) of secondaries is crucial in understanding the interaction of charged particles with matter. Semi-empirical models for the differential cross sections for secondary electron production by proton and electron impact on atoms and molecules have been developed which summarize a large amount of information in the form of analytical equations with a few parameters for each target species.