cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diet, trophic position of upper St. Lawrence River round goby giants reveals greater dependence on dreissenids with increasing body size

Abstract Round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) from the upper St. Lawrence River (USLR) have an abundance of some of the largest individuals recorded from the Great Lakes (>230-mm total-length). We found a distinct separation in diet and isotopic signatures (δ15N and δ13C) between round goby classified as small (≤130-mm; n = 63) and large (>130-mm total-length; n = 75) from USLR coastal bays. At small sizes, round gobies had variable diets indicative of generalist and opportunistic feeding on native and non-indigenous benthic prey. Between 100 and 130-mm total-length, signatures of assimilated carbon (δ13C) indicated a directed shift towards a dreissenid-centric diet and once larger than 130-mm total-length, round gobies appeared to feed proportionally more on dreissenid mussels. We also found that large round gobies fed proportionally more on Hydrobiidae than small round gobies. A weak negative relationship between δ15N (indicative of trophic position) and round gobies total length resulted where smaller round gobies had slightly higher δ15N values than larger conspecifics. Round gobies larger than 180-mm total-length were common in nearshore habitats (≤2-m) during the spring, and dreissenid mussels and Hydrobiidae were the most frequently encountered prey. Our results demonstrate elevated reliance on dreissenids as round goby increased body size, but the diversity of prey suggest more complex trophodynamic pathways associated with coastal bay habitats.
Lyapunov Function-Based Stabilizing Control Scheme for Wireless Power Transfer Systems with LCC Compensation Network

A stabilizing control scheme based on a Lyapunov function is proposed for wireless power transfer (or WPT) systems. A state-space model of the WPT system is developed and the Lyapunov function is formulated based on an energy equation of the system involving state variables. The internal resistance of a battery varies during charge and discharge. Therefore, if a WPT system is used to charge a battery, its output load will vary. Furthermore, the coupling coefficient between the transmitter (primary) and receiver (secondary) coils decreases when they are misaligned. Comparative case studies are conducted to verify the efficacy of the proposed controller in maintaining stability of the WPT system under load variation and acute misalignment of transmitter and receiver coils.
N-acetylcysteine inhibits aortic stenosis progression in a murine model by blocking shear-induced activation of platelet latent TGF-β1.

Objective Aortic stenosis (AS) is characterized by narrowing of aortic valve opening, resulting in peak blood flow velocity that induces high wall shear stress (WSS) across the valve. Severe AS leads to heart failure and death. There is no treatment available for AS other than valve replacement. Platelet-derived TGF-β1 partially contributes to AS progression in mice, and WSS is a potent activator of latent TGF-β1. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibits WSS-induced TGF-β1 activation in vitro. We hypothesize that NAC will inhibit AS progression by inhibiting WSS-induced TGF-β1 activation. Approach We treated a cohort of Ldlr(-/-)Apob(100/100) (LDLR) mice fed a high fat diet with N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 2% in drinking water) at different stages of disease progression and measured its effect on AS progression and TGF-β1 activation. Results Short-term NAC treatment inhibited AS progression in mice with moderate and severe AS relative to controls, but not in LDLR mice lacking platelet-derived TGF-β1 (TGF-β1platlet-KO-LDLR). NAC treatment reduced TGF-β signaling, p-Smad2 and collagen levels, and mesenchymal transition from Isolectin-B4 and CD45-positive cells in LDLR mice. Mechanistically, NAC treatment resulted in plasma NAC concentrations ranging from 75.5 to 449.2 ng/ml, which was sufficient to block free thiol labeling of plasma proteins and reduce active TGF-β1 levels without substantially affecting reactive oxygen species-modified products in valvular cells. Conclusions Short-term treatment with NAC inhibits AS progression, by inhibiting WSS-induced TGF-β1 activation in the LDLR mouse model of AS, motivating a clinical trial of NAC and/or other thiol-reactive agent(s) as a potential therapy for AS.
LINEAR REGRESSION METHOD FOR ESTIMATING APPROXIMATE NORMALIZED COPRIME PLANT FACTORS

Abstract Studies on iterative identification and model based control design have shown the necessity for identifying models on the basis of closed-loop data. Estimating models on the basis of closed-loop data requires special attention due to cross correlation of noise and input signals and the possibility to estimate unstable systems operating under a stabilizing closed-loop controller. This paper provides a method to perform an approximate identification of normalized coprime factorization from closed-loop data. During the identification, a constrained linear regression parametrization is used to estimate the normalized coprime factors. A servomechanism case study illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Chlorophyll/phytol/phytanic acid

Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that enables them to capture light for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll consists of a porphyrin ring with magnesium and the phytol side chain. Phytanic acid is a phytol metabolite. Phytanic acid and other phytol metabolites specifically bind to RXR-like receptors and participate in the regulation of the cell cycle. Green foods contain varying amounts of chlorophyll; the intensity of the green coloration is a visual guide for the concentration. Plants also may contain significant amounts of phytol or phytanic acid. Dairy fat and meat fat from ruminants contain phytanic acid. Food processing and digestion can convert chlorophyll into the derivatives pheophytin, pyropheophytin, and pheophorbide. Phytanic and pristanic acid are nearly completely absorbed from the small intestine. Pancreatic lipase and phospholipases A2 and B in the digestive tract release phytanic and pristanic acids from dietary triglycerides or other lipids, which are then incorporated into mixed micelles. These micelles transfer their content into enterocytes through poorly understood mechanisms. Phytanic and pristanic acids can then be incorporated into triglycerides and other lipids and exported with chylomicrons, just like other long-chain fatty acids. It is unlikely that significant amounts of the fatty acid intermediates are excreted. Nothing is known about excretion of phytol.
Polymer Nanocomposites for Food Packaging Applications

Polymer nanocomposites provide an opportunity for the development of next-generation food packaging with superior gas-barrier and physical properties. Montmorillonite clay is the most commonly used filler in polymer nanocomposites. A variety of polymers including polyamides, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), and polyethylene terephthalate are used to prepare these nanocomposites. Dispersion of montmorillonite nanoclay in the polymer matrix is difficult, often resulting in phase separation and agglomeration. Polymer nanocomposites with a high degree of exfoliation are desirable for best improvement in their gas-barrier and physical properties. This chapter describes the most common techniques used for the preparation and characterization of nanocomposite structures with emphasis on their gas-barrier properties. Mathematical modeling of gas diffusion through nanocomposites has provided insight into the influence of nanoclay geometrical parameters on the gas permeation properties of the composites. The application of polymer nanocomposites for food packaging is slowly emerging and is expected to grow as newer and improved processes and products will develop.
Modulation of red blood cell population dynamics is a fundamental homeostatic response to disease.

Increased red blood cell (RBC) volume variation (RDW) has recently been shown to predict a wide range of mortality and morbidity: death due to cardiovascular disease, cancer, infection, renal disease, and more; complications in heart failure and coronary artery disease, advanced stage and worse prognosis in many cancers, poor outcomes in autoimmune disease, and many more. The mechanisms by which all of these diseases lead to increased RDW are unknown. Here we use a semi-mechanistic mathematical model of in vivo RBC population dynamics to dissect the factors controlling RDW and show that elevated RDW results largely from a slight reduction in the in vivo rate of RBC turnover. RBCs become smaller as they age, and a slight reduction in the rate of RBC turnover allows smaller cells to continue circulating, expanding the low-volume tail of the RBC population’s volume distribution, and thereby increasing RDW. Our results show that mildly extended RBC lifespan is a previously unrecognized homeostatic adaptation common to a very wide range of pathologic states, likely compensating for subtle reductions in erythropoietic output. A mathematical model-based estimate of the clearance rate may provide a novel early-warning biomarker for a wide range of morbidity and mortality.
Importance of Foliar Nitrogen Concentration to Predict Forest Productivity in the Mid-Atlantic Region

To assess what difference it might make to include spatially defined esti- mates of foliar nitrogen in the regional application of a forest ecosystem model (PnET-II), we composed model predictions of wood production from extensive ground-based forest in- ventory analysis data across the Mid-Atlantic region. Spatial variation in foliar N concentra- tion was assigned based on a correlation with mean July temperature for deciduous forests and with latitude for coniferous forests. Although the slight variation observed in foliar N in conifers had little effect on predicted wood production, large differences in N concentration in deciduous trees increased agreement with field surveys by 12-59% in individual states and by 17% across the region. The validation revealed the need to develop regional foliar N concentration equations that represent the spatial variations of N concentration in deciduous forests to improve PnET-11's predictions. FOR. SCI. 50(3):279-289.
Characterization of Melanocortin Receptors

This unit describes a Scintillation Proximity Assay (SPA) for the measurement of ligand binding to melanocortin receptors (MCRs) using membranes prepared from cell lines stably expressing recombinant MCRs. It provides a facile method for determining the affinity of compounds at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, or MC5R.
G.P.206

Macroautophagy (MA) maintains protein and organelle quality control and energy balance, and it has also been shown to play regulatory and developmental roles in various tissues. In differentiated skeletal muscle, inhibition of MA leads to degenerative muscle loss and decreases force production. Myogenic factor 5 positive (Myf5 + ) progenitor cells give rise to skeletal muscle and satellite cells, and accordingly, blocking MA in mouse Myf5 + cells using a conditional autophagy gene 7 (Atg7) knockout decreases myofiber size, perturbs muscle Akt signaling and promotes glucose intolerance. These results suggest that MA in Myf5 + is required for early muscle development, and in control of glucose homeostasis. Aging and obesity associate with both reduced MA and sarcopenia, thus raising the possibility that their effects on muscle mass could be in part due to compromised MA in Myf5 + cells. We hypothesized that aging and/or obesity impair MA activity in Myf5 + cells, which in turn contributes to loss of muscle mass through impaired muscle growth and regeneration. To study the effects of aging and dietary challenge, young mice were compared to 22-month-old aged mice, and to mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) providing 60% by energy in fat. Expression of Atg genes and ATG protein levels in muscle and Myf5 + cells was analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively, while autophagic activity was determined by flux assays. We have previously observed decreased MA with obesity and age in liver and hypothalamic neurons, respectively. Here we present a conceptual framework to consider that compromised MA during obesity and aging may contribute to decreased muscle mass with age. Understanding how MA decreases with age may provide therapeutic strategies against sarcopenia and metabolic syndrome of aging.
Design of a large measurement-volume metrological atomic force microscope (AFM)

The design of a large measurement-volume metrological atomic force microscope (AFM) is presented. The translation of the sample is accomplished with multiple stages which allow for separate 'coarse' and 'fine' motion. Interferometers and autocollimators are used to measure the position and orientation of the sample. The instrument does not attempt to control position via feedback from the interferometers, thereby allowing use of readily available commercial translation stages and controllers.
Nearly frozen Coulomb liquids

We show that very long-range repulsive interactions of a generalized Coulomb-like form $V(R)\ensuremath{\sim}{R}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\alpha}}$, with $\ensuremath{\alpha}ld$ ($d$ dimensionality), typically introduce very strong frustration, resulting in extreme fragility of the charge-ordered state. An ``almost frozen'' liquid then survives in a broad dynamical range above the (very low) melting temperature ${T}_{c}$ which is proportional to $\ensuremath{\alpha}$. This ``pseudogap'' phase is characterized by unusual insulatinglike, but very weakly temperature dependent transport, similar to experimental findings in certain low carrier density systems.
Culture media and their components differ in their ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species in the plasmid relaxation assay

Abstract Objective: To investigate the modulation of DNA-damaging effects of reactive oxygen species by media composition. Design: In vitro study. Setting: Academic medical center. Patient(s): None. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Plasmid relaxation. Result(s): Ham's F-10 medium, 1% Percoll, superoxide dismutase (1, 10, or 100 IU), and synthetic serum substitute did not affect DNA damage by reactive oxygen species and did not have any effect on plasmid DNA damage. Plasmid DNA damage was partially inhibited in the presence of P-1 and human tubal fluid media. Human serum albumin, phenol red, glucose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sucrose, and HEPES also were found to protect DNA from damage. Conclusion(s): In vitro fertilization media and their components vary widely in the way they affect DNA damage by reactive oxygen species.
International committee for radionuclide metrology: Guidelines for international acceptance of radioactivity calibration sources

Abstract These Guidelines for the International Acceptance of Radioactivity Calibration Sources were written in response to a request from the International Committee for Radionuclide Metrology (ICRM). They outline the common basis for the quality control of the production of national standard samples of radioactivity. The members of ad hoc committee were: D. Bek-Uzarov Belgrade, Yugoslavia C. Ballaux † Brussels, Belgium P. Christmas † Teddington, England K. Debertin † Braunschweig, Germany D. D. Hoppes † Gaithersburg, MD, U.S.A. J. M. R. Hutchinson, Chairman † Gaithersburg, MD, U.S.A. T. Radoszewski Otwock Swierk, Poland A. Szorenyi Budapest, Hungary H. Volchok, deceased New York, NY, U.S.A.
From the Students' Point of View: Experiences in a Freshman Engineering Design Course

We evaluated the pilot semester of a freshman introduction to engineering course in order to provide an understanding of the students' experience in the course and identify aspects of this experience that could lead to improved student retention in engineering. The course concentrates on having students work in teams to identify customer needs, find solutions, and design and build a final product. We used qualitative research methods for data collection and analysis that included interviewing students using a set of open-ended questions, thus allowing them to introduce issues and describe their experiences. Our analysis indicated that students experienced engineering in a supportive, team-oriented environment that provided a context for making informed career decisions. The students' experiences indicate that courses such as this one can help students face the challenges they encounter in beginning their engineering education.
Rate allocation and buffer management for differentiated services

A novel algorithm for buffer management and rate allocation is presented for providing loss and delay differentiation for traffic classes at a network router. The algorithm, called JoBS, provides delay and loss differentiation independently at each node, without assuming admission control or policing. Contrary to most existing algorithms, scheduling and buffer management decisions are performed in a single step. Both relative and (whenever possible) absolute Quality-of-Service requirements of classes are supported. Simulation examples, including results for a heuristic approximation, are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the approach, to compare the new algorithm to existing methods for loss and delay differentiation.
Gag3p, an Outer Membrane Protein Required for Fission of Mitochondrial Tubules

Mitochondrial morphology and function depend on MGM1, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene encoding a dynamin-like protein of the mitochondrial outer membrane. Here, we show that mitochondrial fragmentation and mitochondrial genome loss caused by lesions in MGM1 are suppressed by three novel mutations, gag1, gag2, and gag3 (for glycerol-adapted growth). Cells with any of the gag mutations displayed aberrant mitochondrial morphology characterized by elongated, unbranched tubes and highly fenestrated structures. Additionally, each of the gag mutations prevented mitochondrial fragmentation caused by loss of the mitochondrial fusion factor, Fzo1p, or by treatment of cells with sodium azide. The gag1 mutation mapped to DNM1 that encodes a dynamin-related protein required for mitochondrial fission. GAG3 encodes a novel WD40-repeat protein previously found to interact with Dnm1p in a two-hybrid assay. Gag3p was localized to mitochondria where it was found to associate as a peripheral protein on the cytosolic face of the outer membrane. This association requires neither the DNM1 nor GAG2 gene products. However, the localization of Dnm1p to the mitochondrial outer membrane is substantially reduced by the gag2 mutation, but unaffected by loss of Gag3p. These results indicate that Gag3p plays a distinct role on the mitochondrial surface to mediate the fission of mitochondrial tubules.
Brilliant cresyl blue as a stain for plant chromosomes.

Methods are proposed for staining plant chromosomes with the dye brilliant cresyl blue, and for making these stained preparations permanent by using polyvinyl alcohol mounting medium.The stain, which is composed of 2% brilliant cresyl blue in 45% aqueous acetic or propionic acid, is used with fixed material in making smear preparations. The technics for staining are similar to those employed in the aceto-carmine method.The mounting medium is made by mixing 56% polyvinyl alcohol, which is diluted in water to the consistency of thick molasses, with 22% lactic acid and 22% phenol by volume. The permanent slides are made by floating off the cover slip of the temporary slide in 70% alcohol, then applying the mounting medium and replacing the cover slip.The chief advantages of the methods described are:1)The preparation of the stain is rapid and simple. The batch of stain will be good with the first try.2)The staining procedure in some instances is shorter than when using aceto-carmine.3)The stain shows a high ...
Thermal properties of microcrystalline cellulose-filled PET–PTT blend polymer composites

Polymer composite materials were prepared from poly(ethylene terephthalate)–poly(trimethylene terephthalate) blends as the matrix and different microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) filler levels (0–40 wt%) using melt compounding followed by compression molding. The composites were analyzed using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The DSC results indicated that there is no consistent or significant influence of the MCC addition on the glass transition (T g), melting (T m), and crystallization temperature of the composites. With increasing MCC content, dynamic mechanical properties improved because of the reinforcing effect of the MCC. The tan δ peak values from the DMTA were not significantly changed as the MCC content increased. TG indicated that the onset temperature of rapid thermal degradation decreased with increasing MCC content. It was also found that the thermal stability of the composites slightly decreased as the MCC content increased.
Fecundity Differences Between Primiparous and Multiparous Female Alaskan Tanner Crab (Chionoecetes Bairdi)

ABSTRACT Fecundities of primiparous and multiparous female Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi) from the eastern Bering Sea are compared. Primiparous females are approximately 70% as fecund as equal-sized multiparous females. Since primiparous females molt and grow before extruding eggs, whereas multiparous females do not grow, the lesser fecundity of primiparous females may be due either to the energetic cost of growth or to their having a smaller volume within the exoskeleton available for ovarian tissue at their premolt size.
Physics prospects for Belle

Abstract In this paper, we present the physics prospects for BELLE, an experiment dedicated to the study of CP violation in the B meson system. A brief introduction will give the physics motivation for the experiment. The current status will be given, and the prospects for the next running period and beyond will be outlined.
On the adsorption of polyelectrolyte macromolecules on a flat interface. An approximate theory for low potentials

Summary An approximate theory is developed for the adsorption of not too long polyelectrolyte macromolecules on a flat interface from an aqueous salt solution. The macromolecules are assumed to be adsorbed with a train of units on the interface and a tail of units dangling in solution. The electrical free energy of the surface, of the “tail” phase and of the coils in solution is formulated for small potentials and for the diffuse electrical double layer thin compared to the dimensions of the macromolecules, with a one-dimensional “Hermans and Overbeek” argument. Non-electrical intermolecular interactions and the influence of the electrical field on the configurational properties are not taken into account. The partition function for the system is evaluated with the method of Lagrangian multipliers. Derived are an adsorption isotherm (a relation between the number of units on the surface and the polymer concentration in solution), a relation for the fraction of the units in the tails and a relation for saturation adsorption and for the original charge on the surface necessary to prevent adsorption. Predicted are a plateau type adsorption isotherm for a high molecular weight polymer, a non-molecular weight dependent saturation adsorption, a tight adsorbed phase at adsorption values below 90% of saturation and a much looser adsorbed phase at saturation adsorption.
Addition of magnesium sulfate improves effectiveness of ritodrine in preventing premature delivery

From October, 1981, to July, 1983, 225 patients were evaluated for premature labor at Forsyth Memorial Hospital. Sixty-five of these patients were considered to be candidates for intravenous ritodrine treatment. Of this group, 24 patients were successfully treated and had pregnancy prolongation ranging from 1 to 17 weeks. Forty-one patients did not respond to maximal intravenous ritodrine therapy (300 to 350 μg/min). Eleven patients subsequently delivered within 24 to 48 hours of treatment initiation. The remaining 30 patients received intravenous magnesium sulfate (1 to 3 gm/hr) in addition to intravenous ritodrine. Eighteen patients responded favorably to this combination treatment and had pregnancy prolongation ranging from 1 to 11 weeks. Twelve patients delivered within 1 week from treatment initiation. In all cases where pregnancy prolongation was achieved, birth weight and neonatal outcome were significantly improved compared to patients who did not respond to either intravenous ritodrine alone or intravenous ritodrine and magnesium sulfate combination. Treatment related maternal/fetal complications were not significantly different in the various groups examined. From the foregoing we conclude that, in a select group of patients in premature labor not responding to conventional ritodrine therapy, magnesium supplementation in pharmacologic doses could have a beneficial effect with respect to pregnancy outcome.
Fabrication of giant magneto resistance sensing devices with vertically grown Co∕Cu nanowires on a substrate

We describe the fabrication and analysis of a giant magneto resistance (GMR) sensing device with multilayered magnetic nanowires containing alternating ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic layers on a silicon substrate. Multilayered nanowires with Co and Cu layers were vertically grown using pulsed electrochemical deposition to control the periodic structure of nanolayers in a nanopore template. Lithography-assisted template bonding (LATB) was applied to attach a polymer nanopore membrane and grow nanowires on silicon and polyimide substrates. For magnetic field sensing, the multilayered nanowires were electrically connected to top and bottom electrodes by overgrowing nanowires, and low contact resistance values of GMR sensing devices were achieved. The GMR effect was measured with magnetic field changes perpendicular and parallel to the axis of the nanowires. This simple fabrication process is highly favorable for the development of nanoscale electronics with magnetic nanowires at low cost and would offer large design flexibility.
FETAL CEREBRAL RESPONSES TO VENTILATION AND OXYGENATION

Previous studies have shown that cerebral oxygen consumption (CMRO2) increases by nearly 50% at birth. The perinatal factors responsible for this increase are unknown, but onset of ventilation and increased arterial PO2 (PaO2) are one possibility. In 7 fetal sheep (131-138d gestation) we inserted vascular catheters and an endotracheal tube in utero. After l-3d recovery, we measured cerebral blood flow (CBF) with radioactive microspheres, and arterial and sagittal sinus oxygen contents (CaO2, CvO2). We calculated CMRO2 (Ca2-Cv2 × CBF), oxygen transport (OT = CBF × CaO2) and fractional oxygen extraction (E = CMRO2/OT). Measurements were made during nonventilated control (C), ventilation with 3% O2 (V) and ventilation with an FiO2 sufficient to raise PaO2 to 73 Torr (0). A calf lung surfactant extract was instilled intratracheally prior to ventilation to maintain stable pH and PaO2. Although CBF fell, OT and CMRPO2 were maintained during 1-2 hrs of fetal oxygenation. Therefore, these results show that fetal CMRO2 is apparently not limited by fetal PaO2.
Effects of power conservation, wireless coverage and cooperation on data dissemination among mobile devices

This paper presents 7DS, a novel peer-to-peer data sharing system. 7DS is an architecture, a set of protocols and an implementation enabling the exchange of data among peers that are not necessarily connected to the Internet. Peers can be either mobile or stationary. It anticipates the information needs of users and fulfills them by searching from information among peers. We evaluate via extensive simulations the effectiveness of our system for data dissemination among mobile devices with a large number of user mobility scenarios. We model several general data dissemination approaches and investigate the effect of the wireless converage range, 7DS, host density, query interval and cooperation strategy among the mobile hosts. Using theory from random walks, random environments and diffusion of controlled processes, we model one of these data dissemination schemes and show that the analysis confirms the simulation results for scheme
Correlation between nonequilibrium thermodynamic theory and V‐I curves of a thermionic converter

The methods of irreversible thermodynamics are used as a basis for developing a transport theory applicable to thermionic cesium diodes. This theory is applied in describing certain aspects of experimental voltage-current (V-I) characteristic curves of a thermionic diode. Emphasis is placed on the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current of the V-I curves. Experimental results show that the open-circuit voltage is essentially independent of the interelectrode spacing, whereas the short-circuit current varies inversely with the interelectrode separation. The inverse dependence is in agreement with the results of the present analysis and also with results expected from diffusion theory, which has been used in other analyses. In fact, the theory used in this investigation reduces to diffusion theory under special assumptions. Deviations from diffusion theory, which were found in experimental results, can be accounted for using the theory developed in this paper.
Lanthanide complexes with more intense luminescence: a strategy for the formation of polymetallic lanthanide dendrimer complexes and semiconductor nanocrystal compounds

The luminescence arising from lanthanide cations offers several advantages over organic fluorescent molecules: sharp, distinctive emission bands allow for easy resolution between multiple lanthanide signals; long emission lifetimes (μs - ms) make them excellent candidates for time-resolved measurements; and high resistance to photo bleaching allow for long or repeated experiments. In order to obtain luminescence from lanthanide cations, the cation must be located at close distance to a suitable sensitizer ("antenna"). Two similar methods have been used in our group to develop more efficient lanthanide complexes based on a polymetallic approach to obtain lanthanide compounds with improved luminescence efficiency. The first method involves using dendrimers to combine multiple antennae groups and several lanthanide cations into the same discrete molecule. The second approach involves doping CdSe semiconductor nanocrystals with luminescent terbium cations to use the nanocrystal electronic structure as an antenna to sensitize lanthanide cations. Using nanocrystals as antennae provides a superior way to protect the lanthanide cations from non-radiative deactivations, while providing a variety of controlled donating energy levels. In both methods, it is possible to incorporate several lanthanide metal cations into each dendrimer or nanocrystal, thus increasing the number of emitters and the resulting luminescence intensity of the species.
The new type 2 diabetes gene TCF7L2

Purpose of review Common variants in the gene that encodes the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) have been strongly associated with type 2 diabetes. This highly reproducible association may uncover novel mechanisms of glycemic pathophysiology. Recent findings The initial publication of an association of common variants in TCF7L2 with type 2 diabetes in people of European descent has been followed by an avalanche of replication reports. These papers not only confirm the original finding, but also extend it to other populations, fine map the source of the association signal, describe its effect on metabolic parameters in humans, open the door to a more precise molecular characterization, and provide an insight into its possible impact on diabetes therapy. Summary The discovery of TCF7L2 as a diabetes gene illustrates that novel true diabetes genes can be found, their association with type 2 diabetes replicated and their effect incorporated into risk prediction models. It is hoped that the detection of other such genes in genome-wide association scans will help elucidate the genetic architecture of this disease.
A modified uniformization method for the solution of the chemical master equation

The chemical master equation is considered an accurate description of general chemical systems, and especially so for gene regulatory networks and protein-protein interaction networks. However, solving chemical master equations directly is considered computationally intensive. This paper discusses an efficient way of solving the chemical master equation for some prototypical problems in systems biology. Comparisons between this new approach and some traditional approaches, especially Monte-Carlo algorithms, are also presented, and show that under certain conditions the new approach performs better than Monte-Carlo algorithms.
A new high‐content model system for studies of gastrointestinal transit: the zebrafish

The zebrafish gastrointestinal (GI) tract displays an anatomy and cellular architecture that is similar to the human GI tract, with concentric layers of inner epithelia, connective tissue, circular muscle and outer longitudinal muscle layers. Propulsion of luminal content results from the integrated activity of smooth muscle cells, enteric neurons and the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Zebrafish larvae are transparent and propagating contractions in the entire GI tract are easily visualized. A new moderate-throughput zebrafish-based GI transit assay is described in this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility. This assay utilizes intact zebrafish larvae which contain essential regulatory elements (ICC and enteric neurons). Forward genetic analysis, which identifies genes underlying specific phenotypes, is possible using the zebrafish system. The zebrafish model system compliments existing models for studies of GI motility and will contribute to the understanding of the regulation of GI motility, and to identification of novel drug targets.
Physiological constraints on the spread of Alliaria petiolata populations in Massachusetts

The expansion of plant species into new sites is limited by a combination of environmental conditions and the capacity for adaptive variability in trait expression. Here, we investigated whether and how adaptation to forest edge conditions might be limiting the spread of the invasive plant Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) into the forest interior in eastern Massachusetts. We conducted a common garden experiment to test whether plants from forest edge vs. forest interior microhabitats differ in their plasticity and physiological responses to experimental shading. All plants in the experiment responded to shading with reductions in growth, photosynthetic activity, and reproduction regardless of the source environment, indicating a high degree of plasticity and a strong likelihood that most seeds in our study populations are produced at the forest edge. Effects of the source habitat on physiological function were detectable, but small compared to the magnitude in growth and reproductive responses to light. Plants from the forest edge physiologically outperformed those from the interior when grown in the shade, but had equally low reproductive success. Plants originating in the forest interior, in contrast, demonstrated greater allocation to growth in relation to photosynthesis and reproduction compared to plants originating at the forest edge. We compare our findings to earlier work on the importance of plasticity for invasive spread in this species, and conclude that failure by garlic mustard to invade some forest interior sites is due in part to overwhelming reproductive and physiological disadvantages in low light. We further suggest that in some cases shade tolerance in this species is constrained in favor of plastic responses that optimize fitness in high light conditions. The implications for geographic variation in the spread and management of this species are discussed.
Large noncleaved follicular center cell lymphoma clinical features in 53 patients

To clarify the clinical characteristics of large noncleaved lymphoma (LNC-FCC; intermediate grade, large cell, noncleaved, Working formulation), 53 patients were studied. Thirty-one were male and 22 female. Median age was 54 years. Initial symptoms included lymphadenopathy (40%), pain (34%), and B symptoms (21%). Stage I disease was present in 6, Stage II in 9, Stage III in 14, and Stage IV in 24 (72% Stage III or IV). Gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement was present in 13. Central nervous system (CNS) disease was present at diagnosis in two patients, occurred during therapy in two, and was the sole site of relapse in two. Bone marrow involvement was found in 7 of 50 patients (14%). Complete remission was attained in 60% of all patients. Twenty-nine Stage III and IV patients received intensive multiagent chemotherapy; complete remission (CR) was attained in 69%. In contrast, zero of nine patients with Stage III or IV disease who did not receive an anthracycline-containing regimen, attained CR. Median survival for the entire group was 25 months. It was concluded that, in our patients with LNC-FCC, GI involvement was prominent (25%) and CNS disease was not uncommon (11%). Long-term disease-free survival may be achieved in patients with more advanced disease after the administration of anthracycline-containing combination chemotherapy.
Classroom Resistance Strategies of Type-A Scoring Students

In a study of 94 college students, students' self-reported Type-A scores were positively associated with Direct Communication (r = .59) and Avoidance (r = .52) resistance strategies to teachers' on-task behavior.
Calorimeters for calibration of high-dose dosimeters in high-energy electron beams

Abstract Graphite calorimeters in both single-slab and modular multiple-slab disk geometries have been designed and used for measuring absorbed doses in graphite in intense electron beams of 2 to 12 MeV energy. The modular system has also been used with two to eight graphite elements to measure electron-beam depth-dose curves and to calibrate the response functions of radiochromicfilm and alanine-pellet dosimeters. An advantage of this new design is that such calibrations can be accomplished without requiring electron-beam current or charge monitoring, since the calorimeter modules adjacent to the dummy graphite element used to hold the dosimeters during calibration provide simultaneous calorimetric dose monitoring. Temperature-dependence corrections for dosimeter response are also simplified in this way.
Ignition target fabrication and fielding for the national ignition facility

Continued advances in the design of ignition targets have stimulating new development paths for target fabrication, with potentially important simplifications for fielding cryogenic ignition targets for the National Ignition Facility. Including graded dopants in ablators as well as optimizing capsule and fuel layer dimensions increase implosion stability. This has led to developments of micron-scale fill tubes to fill and field the targets. Rapid progress has been made in development of the graded dopant layers in capsules as well as their characterization, in fabrication methods for micro-fill-tubes, and in fuel fill control with these fill tubes. Phase-contrast x-ray radiography has allowed characterization of fuel layers in beryllium targets. This target development program includes participation from General Atomics, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Ocean margin drilling slated for 1981 start

The first clear outlines of the Ocean Margin Drilling Program have emerged with the recent release of the president's FY 1981 budget. If Congress cooperates by appropriating the money for the program, the first phase of the 10-year, $700 million project will begin in 1981. The budget request calls for the government to spend about $10 million during this initial stage, with oil companies contributing a like amount.
Probabilistic production cost model for a power system with storage

Abstract The conventional production cost model uses the power system load for an average day with no consideration of the uncertainty that is entailed in this load. A probabilistic production cost model is presented that considers the stochastic nature of the load which is used for a power system with energy storage operating on a daily or weekly cycle. The optimum energy storage device, in the sense of minimizing the expected cost of meeting demand, is found. The model minimizes the statistical data and permits a separation of the fuel cost from it, so that a change in fuel cost would not require a great deal of recomputation. Finally, the deterministic approach using an average load is compared with the stochastic one, and it is shown that the deterministic approach leads to significant error in the optimum storage capacity.
siRNA Targeting the Natriuretic Peptide Receptor-A Prevents Airway Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Allergic Asthma

Airway Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Allergic Asthma X. Wang, W. Xu, X. Kong, S. Shirley, R. Lockey, S. Mohapatra; University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL. RATIONALE: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a human cardiovascular hormone that regulates blood pressure, volume and sodium/potassium balance. ANP also affects the immune system by promoting a Th2-type response. ANP binding to its receptor, NPRA, produces cyclic GMP (cGMP), which activates protein kinase (PKG) and modulates cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation. These experiments examined whether silencing NPRA expression in allergic mice by small interfering RNA (siRNA) can reduce allergen-induced airway inflammation. METHODS: siRNA for NPRA (siNPRA) were synthesized or cloned in pSilencer-1.0 vector. The inhibition of NPRA by siNPRA was verified in vitro by NPRA immunoblotting. For in vivo assays, Balb/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin, then treated with chitosan siNPRA nanoparticles intranasally or transdermally. Cytokines from splenocyte cultures, eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung histopathology were analyzed 4 days after siNPRA treatment. RESULTS: Splenocytes from siNPRA-treated mice showed reduced expression of IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-g. siNPRA also significantly decreased allergen-induced inflammatory lung damage and eosinophil infiltration compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that ANP signaling via NPRA is involved in airway inflammation and that siRNA silencing of NPRA expression may provide an effective treatment for allergies and asthma. Supported by funds from the NIH (5R01-HL71101-01A2), VA Merit Award, Joy McCann Culverhouse and Mabel& Ellsworth Simmons Endowment. Funding: NIH
Clays are messy—also on Mars

The Curiosity rover on Mars, landed in 2012, is capable of mineralogical investigation using X-ray diffraction, complementing the abundant infrared remote sensing data already available on clay minerals. We can, however, expect that the in situ X-ray diffraction information will convey a more complex picture than that inferred from infrared spectroscopy alone. CheMin has landed.
Photobiological effects of UVA and UVB light in zebrafish embryos: evidence for a competent photorepair system.

Abstract The consequences of UVB and UVA irradiation on hatch rate, mortality, and malformation were studied in embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio). The use of zebrafish embryos has expanded from traditional developmental models to diverse studies, including many techniques utilizing light exposure. To characterize useful indicators of photodamage, the responses and threshold limits of UV radiation as a function of embryonic stage and fish source were evaluated. Significant differences in UVB susceptibility were observed in embryos at 3, 6–7, 12, and 24 h post-fertilization (hpf), with the 1000-cell stage (3 hpf) having greatest tolerance to UVB. Embryos derived from zebrafish raised in outdoor ponds were more tolerant to UVB than were embryos from laboratory-raised fish. Combinations of UVB and UVA exposure were used to confirm the presence of a competent photorepair system in zebrafish that could return otherwise malformed embryos to a normal phenotype. Overall, embryonic zebrafish had large tolerances (LD50 of 850 J/cm2) to UVA, confirming their suitability for photoactivation and photorepair studies.
Challenge with environmental tobacco smoke exacerbates allergic airway disease in human beings

Background Despite widespread perceptions that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a potent risk factor for allergic airway disease, epidemiologic studies studying this have been equivocal. There is a clear need for experimental studies to address these questions. Objective We directly tested the hypothesis that ETS could interact with allergen in human beings to alter immune responses and promote changes associated with allergic airway disease. Methods In a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study, 19 nonsmoking volunteers with ragweed allergy underwent nasal lavage followed by controlled chamber exposures to 2 hours ETS or clean air followed by another nasal lavage. Subjects immediately randomly received nasal challenge with either ragweed allergen or placebo (300 μL saline). Lavages were also performed 10 minutes, 24 hours, and 4 and 7 days after challenge and IgE, cytokines, and histamine measured. The other arms of the study were spaced at least 6 weeks apart. Results Environmental tobacco smoke promoted the production of allergen-specific IgE, the hallmark of allergic disease in nasal lavage fluid. Four days after exposure to ETS/ragweed, levels were on average 16.6-fold higher than after clean air/ragweed challenge. In addition, ETS (vs air) promoted the induction of a T H 2-cytokine nasal milieu (increased IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 and decreased IFN-γ production), characteristic of an active allergic response. Moreover, nasal histamine levels were 3.3-fold greater after ETS/ragweed challenge than after clean air/ragweed challenge. Conclusion These studies provide the first experimental evidence that secondhand smoke can exacerbate allergic responses in human beings. Clinical implications The studies suggest that patients with allergies should avoid tobacco smoke.
Bolus chasing computed tomography angiography using local maximum tracking method

Tracking bolus peak position is a crucial issue for Computed Tomography Angiography(CTA). In this paper, a local maximum tracking method is proposed and tested using real patient data. The method uses a second order polynomial to approximate bolus density function locally. By estimating the local maximum density position at next sampling time, bolus peak trajectory is closely followed. Experiments with Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) patient data show a significant performance improvement using the proposed tracking method over the conventional constant speed counterpart.
Shell Theory and Collective Theory for the Pb Isotopes

The 0.570-Mev gamma ray in ${\mathrm{Pb}}^{207}$ and the 0.803-Mev gamma ray in ${\mathrm{Pb}}^{206}$ are electric quadrupole transitions and have transition rates which are much too fast for neutron transitions. The surface tension parameters necessary to give the observed transition rates are determined by assuming that the collective motion of the core is weakly coupled to the external nucleons. The calculated surface tension parameters are 1100 Mev for ${\mathrm{Pb}}^{207}$ and 520 Mev for ${\mathrm{Pb}}^{206}$. These two values are large compared to the hydrodynamic surface tension, as expected near closed shells, but the difference of a factor of 2 is unexpected. The quadrupole moment of ${\mathrm{Bi}}^{209}$ also indicates weak surface coupling. Also determined are the configurations which describe the low-lying energy levels of ${\mathrm{Pb}}^{204}$, assuming short-range two-body forces. Reasonable agreement with experiment indicates that the shell model can account for the main portion of the level splitting. Many levels are predicted which have not been observed as yet. The 0.375-Mev gamma ray in ${\mathrm{Pb}}^{204}$ is anomalously slow even with weak surface coupling. A possible explanation for this slowdown is indicated by the configurations describing the initial and final states. In connection with the ${\mathrm{Pb}}^{204}$ problem, formulas are given for antisymmetrical wave functions in the $j\ensuremath{-}j$ coupling scheme for three and four particles.