cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suppressive effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 on interferon-γ-induced nitric oxide production in insulinproducing cells is mediated by inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α production

During the development of Type 1 diabetes, inflammatory cytokines are known to induce the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in pancreatic islets, and subsequent production of nitric oxide (NO) contributes to beta cell destruction. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been shown to reduce cytokine-induced apoptosis of beta cells. In this study, we investigated whether GLP-1 affects cytokine-induced NO production, resulting in the inhibition of beta-cell apoptosis. We treated MIN6N8a mouse beta cells with interferon (IFN)-gamma in the presence or absence of GLP-1 and found that IFN-gamma treatment induced iNOS mRNA expression and NO production, which was significantly inhibited by treatment with GLP-1. Blocking of GLP-1 receptor signaling via the cyclic AMP and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway did not directly affect the suppressive effect of GLP-1 on IFN- gamma-induced iNOS mRNA expression. Further studies revealed that IFN-gamma induced the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA and protein, which synergistically induced NO production, and GLP-1 treatment inhibited this induction of TNF-alpha. To examine whether the reduction of TNF-alpha by GLP-1 treatment plays a role in suppressing NO production, we treated MIN6N8a cells with IFN-gamma in the presence of anti-TNF-alpha neutralizing antibody and found that NO production was reduced. In addition, treatment of mouse islets with GLP-1 inhibited the expression of iNOS and TNFmRNA. These results suggest that GLP-1 inhibits IFN-gamma-induced NO production by suppression of TNF-alpha production.
Ethanolamine on choline deficiency in rats

Abstract The addition of ethanolamine to low choline diets containing either 18 or 42% casein increased the incidence of both hemorrhagic kidneys and hemorrhagic eyes in weanling male rats consuming these diets for 7 days. At the same time the accumulation of liver fat in all animals was prevented by the added ethanolamine. The addition of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol increased the severity of the hemorrhagic condition both in the presence and in the absence of ethanolamine. Animals consuming 42% casein diets were affected less severely by ethanolamine. When choline was added to the diets containing added ethanolamine, kidney and eye hemorrhages did not occur.
Parasite-stress promotes in-group assortative sociality: The cases of strong family ties and heightened religiosity

Throughout the world people differ in the magnitude with which they value strong family ties or heightened religiosity. We propose that this cross-cultural variation is a result of a contingent psychological adaptation that facilitates in-group assortative sociality in the face of high levels of parasite-stress while devaluing in-group assortative sociality in areas with low levels of parasite-stress. This is because in-group assortative sociality is more important for the avoidance of infection from novel parasites and for the management of infection in regions with high levels of parasite-stress compared with regions of low infectious disease stress. We examined this hypothesis by testing the predictions that there would be a positive association between parasite-stress and strength of family ties or religiosity. We conducted this study by comparing among nations and among states in the United States of America. We found for both the international and the interstate analyses that in-group assortative sociality was positively associated with parasite-stress. This was true when controlling for potentially confounding factors such as human freedom and economic development. The findings support the parasite-stress theory of sociality, that is, the proposal that parasite-stress is central to the evolution of social life in humans and other animals.
Effects of interface design upon user productivity

Eight subjects experienced in the use of both 7000 and 11000 series oscilloscopes performed four typical tasks with each scope. The 7000 interface is a dedicated physical control system, while the 11000 system employs icons, pop-up menus, assignable controls, and a touch panel. On each trial the task time and measurement accuracy were recorded. Each experimental session was video recorded and verbal protocols were collected. These allowed decomposition of the subjects' behaviors into categories that would account for performance differences between the two scopes. A 77% performance difference is explained in terms of the cognitive factors of strategy selections and recall of operational details.
An ideal observer analysis of visual working memory.

Limits in visual working memory (VWM) strongly constrain human performance across many tasks. However, the nature of these limits is not well understood. In this article we develop an ideal observer analysis of human VWM by deriving the expected behavior of an optimally performing but limitedcapacity memory system. This analysis is framed around rate–distortion theory, a branch of information theory that provides optimal bounds on the accuracy of information transmission subject to a fixed information capacity. The result of the ideal observer analysis is a theoretical framework that provides a task-independent and quantitative definition of visual memory capacity and yields novel predictions regarding human performance. These predictions are subsequently evaluated and confirmed in 2 empirical studies. Further, the framework is general enough to allow the specification and testing of alternative models of visual memory (e.g., how capacity is distributed across multiple items). We demonstrate that a simple model developed on the basis of the ideal observer analysis—one that allows variability in the number of stored memory representations but does not assume the presence of a fixed item limit—provides an excellent account of the empirical data and further offers a principled reinterpretation of existing models of VWM.
Radiotracer measurement of particle deposition and reentrainment in an electrostatic precipitator

Abstract Irradiated fly ash was injected at the inlet of an electrostatic precipitator, and the subsequent activity level on a collection plate was determined as a function of axial position and time. The results provide a direct measure of the particle deposition profile, and of the local rate of reentrainment. This type of experiment may be used to obtain quantitative information on the effects of dust properties and precipitator operating variables on dust collection efficiency, and to provide data for testing mathematical models of precipitator performance.
The damage tolerance of carbon fiber reinforced composites—A workshop summary

Abstract The principal objective of this workshop was to identify the critical problem areas associated with the damage tolerance of carbon-fiber reinforced composite materials. The discussion was divided into six areas: (1) damage tolerant materials; (2) testing methods; (3) structural life prediction; (4) damage tolerant design concepts; (5) repair methods; and (6) nondestructive testing. Approximately 1 h was devoted to the discussion of each of these topics. Discussion was stimulated by having one, two, or three introductory presentations by the discussion leaders of each topic followed by open discussion. In this report, my impressions of the discussion on each topic are combined with those of the discussion leaders and presented in the following format: Summary of Presentations; Summary of Discussion; and Critical Issues. It is possible to obtain the final conclusions of the workshop by examining the critical issues listed at the end of each section. The discussion was lively, controversial, and open. The main conclusions to be drawn from the workshop are: (1) damage from impact is the worst type of damage for these materials—significant reductions in the compressive strength will occur following impact; (2) fatigue damage at the present time does not limit the use of these materials but as new materials are developed fatigue failure may become an issue; (3) very little is understood about the micromechanics of damage, hence it is impossible to predict the effect of changing the properties of the individual components (fibers, matrix, and fiber-matrix interface) on the bulk material properties; (4) better analytical models to describe the formation and growth of impact-damage are badly needed; and (5) rapid NDT methods to inspect large components are required.
Beam intensity distributions in neutral beam injection systems

Abstract Formulas are derived analytically for beam intensity profiles for focused multi-aperture sources. These formulas are used to estimate beam transmission, beam intensity variation along the beam axis, the effect of beamlet divergence and focusing on intensity distributions, and beam power loading to beamline components in single- and multi-source beamline systems. Applications are made to ORMAK, PLT, and TFTR neutral beam systems.
Gene synthesis machines: DNA chemistry and its uses

Deoxyoligonucleotides can now be synthesized rapidly and in high yield because of recent advances in nucleic acid chemistry. Key innovations include solid-phase synthesis on silica-based supports and the development of stable deoxynucleoside phosphoramidites as synthons. When incorporated into manual, semiautomatic, or automatic instruments, these new procedures can be used to prepare probes, mixed probes, deoxyoligonucleotides for priming DNA synthesis, analogues of deoxyoligonucleotides, and DNA segments containing more than 100 deoxynucleotides.
Scaffold Properties Play a Critical Role in the Retention of Synthesized Glycosaminoglycans in Tissue Engineered Cartilage

Agarose has been used as a model scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering research due to its maintenance of chondrocyte phenotype, support of cartilage tissue development, and ability to transmit mechanical stimuli [1–4]. In a previous study, the temporal application of TGF-β3 for only 2 weeks resulted in explosive growth in the functional properties of tissue engineered cartilage [5]. The role of scaffolds in tissue engineering includes providing a physiologic three-dimensional environment for cells, decreased path lengths for diffusion and retention of cell elaborated matrix. In past studies by our laboratory, it was hypothesized that the scaffold properties in engineered cartilage plays a crucial role in the retention of synthesized glycosaminoglycan (GAG) molecules, a major extracellular matrix constituent of articular cartilage [6, 7]. This study focuses on testing this hypothesis using 3%, 2%, and 1% (wt/vol) agarose as scaffolds for engineered cartilage.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Self-Similarity and the Relationship between Abundance and Range Size

abstract: Patterns in the relationships among the range, abundance, and distribution of species within a biome are of fundamental interest in ecology. A self‐similarity condition, imposed at the community level and previously demonstrated to lead to the power‐law form of the species‐area relationship, is extended to the species level and shown to predict testable power‐law relationships between range size and both species abundance and area of census cell across scales of spatial resolution. The predicted slopes of plots of \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \newcommand\cyr{ \renewcommand\rmdefault{wncyr} \renewcommand\sfdefault{wncyss} \renewcommand\encodingdefault{OT2} \normalfont \selectfont} \DeclareTextFontCommand{\textcyr}{\cyr} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSize...
Exaggerated arthropod-bite lesions in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A clinical, histopathologic, and immunopathologic study of eight patients ☆ ☆☆ ★

Abstract Background: Unusual papulovesicular lesions resembling arthropod bites have been described in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Objective: Our purpose was to describe and characterize further the clinical, histopathologic, and immunopathologic features of these lesions. Methods: Eight patients were identified retrospectively who had CLL and characteristic skin lesions. Clinical and histologic features were recorded. Skin biopsy specimens were analyzed immunohistochemically for eosinophil granule major basic protein, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, neutrophil elastase, and mast cell tryptase. Results: The clinical features, including the lesional distribution, suggested arthropod bites, although most patients could not recall having been bitten. Mixed T- and B-cell lymphoid cell infiltrates were present within lesions, along with prominent eosinophil infiltration and eosinophil granule protein deposition. Conclusion: Exuberant papulovesicular lesions develop in patients with CLL apparently as an exaggerated response to arthropod bites. Prominent eosinophil infiltration and degranulation within these lesions likely contribute to the severity of symptoms. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;39:27-35.)
“Drawing the Line of Equality”: Hannah Mather Crocker on Women's Rights

Hannah Mather Crocker was the leading American political theorist between 1800 and 1820 to engage the controversial question of sex equality. In the wake of the postrevolutionary backlash against political radicalism, she became a subtle rhetorician of women's rights. She accepted how her cultural context placed limits on the realization of women's rights, yet she did not analytically conflate these temporal limits with women's capacities to contribute to their polity. She sought to normatively defend and gently extend American women's ongoing informal political participation in the postrevolutionary era and challenged the separate spheres discourse that aimed to restrict it. Through the first comprehensive study of Crocker's oeuvre, this article provides new insight into the political role and rhetorical style of women's rights discourse and women's activism in the early republic and uncovers Crocker's philosophical legacies for scholars who seek to reconcile the standpoints of equality and difference feminism.
An optical and spectroscopic study of laser-induced sparks to determine available ignition energy

This work conducts an optical and spectroscopic study of laser-induced sparks created in air. It is aimedat determining the minimum ignition energy associated with laser spark ignition. Gas breakdown was produced using a single-mode, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. It produced a 0.6 cm diameter beam at a wavelength of 1064 nm with a 5.5 ns pulse duration. The beam deflection and the absolute two-line intensity ratio techniques were used for measuring the spark expansion and temperature. The results were used to determine the shock propagation energy, the radiation energy losses, and the energy of the hot gas that is left over after the shock has been propagated away. With spark energies ranging from 15 to 50 mJ, we found that the shock energy was from approximately 70% to 51%, the radiation energy losses were from 22% to 34%, and the energy of the remaining hot gas was about 7% to 8% of the spark total energy. As far as ignition is concerned, the shock propagation and the radiation energies are wasted. The energy of the hot gas is the energy source that causes ignition. Thus, within the limits of error of the present measurements and calculations, the ignition energy obtained by the laser spark ignition does not differ greatly from that obtained by the electric spark ignition as has been reported.
Inactivation of alcohol dehydrogenase by 3-butyn-1-ol

Abstract Horse liver and yeast alcohol dehydrogenases are rapidly inactivated during their catalysis of the oxidation of 3-butyn-1-ol. In the case of the horse liver enzyme, the inactivation is secondary to covalent modification of the apoenzyme by an electrophilic product that accumulates in the reaction solution and that can also react with water, glutathione, and other enzymes. The modified protein exhibits enhanced ultraviolet absorbance, which is not bleached upon dialysis of the denatured enzyme at pH 7.4 for 24 h. The inactivation by 3-butyn-1-ol is more rapid than that which is afforded by the related alcohols 2-propyn-1-ol and 2-propen-1-ol under identical conditions and no inactivation is seen upon incubation with 3-hydroxypropanoic nitrile plus nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide.
A comparison of nπ* - ππ* interactions in aromatics with dπ* - ππ* interactions in iridium(III) complexes☆

Abstract Luminescence lifetimes of iridium(III) complexes with proximate dπ * and ππ * states are found to increase with solvent polarity. This is analogous to the dependence of the phosphorescence lifetimes of several aromatic carbonyl compounds with close-lying nπ * and ππ * states on the solvent medium. The results are interpreted in terms of a dπ * - ππ * interaction, which is compared with the nπ * - ππ * interaction in acetophenone.
Identification of Amphetamine Isomers by GC/IR/MS

The methods of gas chromatography/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (GC/FTIR) and gas chromatography/infrared spectroscopy/mass spectrometry (GC/IR/MS) are evaluated for their ability to differentiate side chain isomers of amphetamine. It is found that absorption bands from 3000 to 2850 cm-1 and 900 to 650 cm-1 are most useful for differentiating the alkyl amines, while the bands from 1600 to 900 cm-1 are only useful for differentiating primary amines from the other substituted amines. The combination of GC/IR/MS is superior for differentiating these side chain isomers.
Frequency of paradox in a common n-winner voting scheme

This paper investigates the extent to which a commonly used electoral scheme — voting for n candidates when there are n vacancies to fill — is likely to lead, in practice, to paradoxical results. Two types of paradox are investigated. One occurs when an increase in the number of vacancies causes a candidate to drop from the list of winners. The second occurs when the Condorcet candidate fails to win. Using a Monte Carlo study, we show that the likelihood of paradox can be substantial and depends critically on the degree of homogeneity of voters' preferences and on the number of voters.
School-based prevention program associated with increased short- and long-term retention of safety knowledge

Validation of program effectiveness is essential in justifying school-based injury prevention education. Although Risk Watch (RW) targets burn, fire, and life safety, its effectiveness has not been previously evaluated in the medical literature. Between 2007 and 2012, a trained fire service public educator (FSPE) taught RW to all second grade students in one public school district. The curriculum was delivered in 30-minute segments for 9 consecutive weeks via presentations, a safety smoke house trailer, a model-sized hazard house, a student workbook, and parent letters. A written pre-test (PT) was given before RW started, a post-test (PT#1) was given immediately after RW, and a second post-test (PT#2) was administered to the same students the following school year (ranging from 12 to 13 months after PT). Students who did not complete the PT or at least one post-test were excluded. Comparisons were made by paired t-test, analysis of variance, and regression analysis. After 183 (8.7%) were excluded for missing tests, 1,926 remaining students scored significantly higher (P = .0001) on PT#1 (mean 14.8) and PT#2 (mean 14.7) than the PT (mean 12.1). There was 1 FSPE and 36 school teachers with class size ranging from 10 to 27 (mean 21.4). Class size was not predictive of test score improvement (R = 0%), while analysis of variance showed that individual teachers trended toward some influence. This 6-year prospective study demonstrated that the RW program delivered by an FSPE effectively increased short-term knowledge and long-term retention of fire/life safety in early elementary students. Collaborative partnerships are critical to preserving community injury prevention education programs.
A comparative study of later work experience among full-time, part-time, and unemployed male youth

Abstract This paper considers the unique contribution of prior labor market status, defined in terms of working time, on later work experience controlling for a number of demographic and work pattern variables. The labor market status variables are established on the basis of trends in a young man's early career experience. Part-time employment is found to be a viable early labor market alternative to the extent of later economic and occupational success. Early career unemployment is not a critical factor in retarding personal economic advancement, relative to educational background and first job experience, but does have negative job attitudinal consequences.
Photoactivated h/d exchange in tyrosine: involvement of a radical anion intermediate.

The aromatic hydrogen nuclei of tyrosine are photochemically labile and exchange with deuterons in neutral D2O solution. The site meta to the ring hydroxyl substituent is preferentially deuterated, exhibiting a meta/ortho deuteration rate of ∼4:1. In contrast with acid-catalyzed H/D exchange and with nearly all of the reported photoactivated H/D exchange studies, the UV-induced H/D exchange of tyrosine is optimal at pH 9 and is effectively quenched at acid pH. Photochemical H/D exchange is strongly stimulated by the α-amino group (the aromatic hydrogens of p-cresol are far less subject to exchange) and by imidazole or phosphate buffers. On the basis of the results obtained here and on the previously identified cyclohexadienyl radical (Bussandri, A.; van Willigen, H. J. Phys. Chem. A 2002, 106, 1524−1532), we conclude that the exchange reaction involves a radical intermediate and results from two distinct roles of tyrosine: (1) as a phototransducer of light energy into solvated electrons (eaq-), and (2) a...
Shaping Retention from Research to Practice.

This article presents seven guidelines to direct professional practice aimed toward the improvement of institutional student retention rates. For each of the seven guidelines, specific recommendations to provide direction to the enactment of the focal guideline are described. These seven guidelines spring from empirical studies of campus-based interventions and from recommendations for policy and practice advanced in empirical studies of college student retention.
Expression of mutant α(I)-procollagen in osteoblast and fibroblast cultures from a proband with osteogenesis imperfecta type IV

This study compares the synthesis of mutant type I collagen in cultured dermal fibroblasts and trabecular osteoblasts that were isolated from a patient with moderately severe osteogenesis imperfecta (type IV). Previous study of this patient's dermal fibroblasts revealed a 2000 dalton deletion located in cyanogen bromide peptide 4 of alpha 2(I)-collagen. The phenotype of the bone cell cultures was defined by a 3-4 day logarithmic phase doubling time, predominantly type I collagen production over type III and alkaline phosphatase activity 13.5 times dermal fibroblast levels. The current study revealed that both fibroblasts and osteoblasts synthesized a normal and a shortened alpha 2(I) chain, each as the product of separate alleles. Following pepsin treatment of the procollagens, a shortened alpha 1(I) chain was also seen in both cell types. Cyanogen bromide peptide mapping of osteoblast alpha-chains demonstrated the same deletions in the cyanogen bromide peptide 4 as observed in the fibroblast cyanogen bromide maps. PAGE analysis of oligonucleotide-specific cDNA that was reverse transcribed from RNA isolated from fibroblasts and osteoblasts also demonstrated the presence of two bands, one the normal size of alpha 2(I) cDNA and a second species that was smaller by 54 base pairs. Sequencing of polymerase chain reaction-amplified cDNA fragments revealed an in-frame deletion of exon 12. This finding was confirmed by the RNase protection method. Genomic DNA sequencing detected a T----G point mutation in the second position of the 5' splice donor site of intron 12. Therefore, in this patient with osteogenesis imperfecta there was no qualitative alteration in the osteoblast-specific expression of this mutant alpha 2(I)-collagen allele compared to dermal fibroblasts.
Testing a Spanish-language colorectal cancer screening decision aid in Latinos with limited English proficiency: Results from a pre-post trial and four month follow-up survey

Compared with non-Latinos, Latinos in the US have low rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and low rates of knowledge regarding CRC screening tests and guidelines. Spanish speaking Latinos have particularly low CRC screening rates and screening knowledge. Our purpose was twofold: (1) to evaluate the effect of a computer-based, Spanish-language CRC screening decision aid on screening knowledge, intent to obtain screening, and screening self-efficacy in a community sample of Latinos with limited English proficiency (LEP); and (2) to survey these decision aid viewers at four months to determine their rates of CRC discussions with a health care provider as well as their rates of screening test completion. We recruited 50-75 year old Latinos with LEP who were not current with CRC. Participants screening viewed a 14 minute multimedia decision aid that addresses CRC screening rationale, recommendations, and options. We conducted an uncontrolled (pre-post) study in which we assessed screening knowledge, self-efficacy, and intent at baseline and immediately after decision aid viewing. We also conducted a follow-up telephone survey of participants at four months to examine rates of patient-provider screening discussions and test completion. Among n = 80 participants, knowledge scores increased from 20% (before) to 72% (after) decision aid viewing (absolute difference [95%CI]: 52% [46, 59]). The proportion with high screening self-efficacy increased from 67% to 92% (25% [13, 37]); the proportion with high screening intent increased from 63% to 95% (32% [21, 44]). We reached 68 (85%) of 80 participants eligible for the follow-up survey. Of these 36 (53%) reported discussing screening with a provider and 13 (19%) completed a test. Viewing a Spanish-language decision aid increased CRC screening knowledge, self-efficacy, and intent among Latinos with LEP. Decision aid viewing appeared to promote both CRC screening discussions with health care providers and test completion. The decision aid may be an effective tool for promoting CRC screening and reducing screening disparities in this population.
A subset of Schwann cells in peripheral nerves contain a 50-kDa protein antigenically related to astrocyte intermediate filaments

Antisera raised to the astrocyte intermediate filament structural protein stained elements in the peripheral nerves of several species. These elements were not associated with myelinated nerve fibers, were more common in splenic and vagus nerves than in the sciatic nerve, and persisted after nerve transection. In teased nerve preparations antigen-positive cells appeared to be the Schwann cells that surround small diameter, unmyelinated axons. Absorption of the antiserum with purified rat spinal cord 50-kDa protein or with bovine splenic nerve cytoskeletal extract blocked the reaction with CNS astrocyte processes or with PNS nerve fibers. Immunoblots of cytoskeletal preparations of bovine splenic nerve or rat sciatic nerve showed that the antigen from peripheral nerves comigrated at 50 kDa with antigen from bovine or rat spinal cord or cultured rat astrocytes. The CNS and PNS 50-kDa proteins from bovine tissues were subjected to limited digestion with Staphylococcus aureus protease V8. After separation on SDS-gels, antigenic peptides were detected by immunoblotting. The pattern of antigenic peptides for the CNS and PNS proteins were identical. We conclude that Schwann cells associated with nonmyelinated axons contain a cytoskeletal protein that is the same size and has the same peptide map as the major structural protein of astrocyte intermediate filaments.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Tactical Mobile Robotics Program

Today’s regional military conflicts are increasingly likely to occur in populated urban areas, in, around, over, and under unknown buildings. This places land forces in dangerous and unpredictable ...
Ultrastructural changes in muscle and motor end-plate of the dystrophic mouse

Abstract A comparative study of dystrophic mice ( C57BL 6J -dy 2J ) and normal littermates, 6 to 9 months old, has revealed numerous ultrastructural changes in the dystrophic soleus. Vacuoles, swollen mitochondria, vesicular aggregates, membranous bodies, Z-line degradation, localized hypercontraction, myofibrillar disorientation, and focal necrosis were common. We report here new observations. Discontinuous, dense bands (240 A wide) were observed rarely between inner and outer membranes in some nuclei. Closely associated with infoldings of nuclear membrane were paracrystalline, vesicular structures, actin-like filaments, and autophagic vacuoles. With the degeneration of the nuclear membrane, actin-like filaments were observed within the nucleus. The primary synaptic clefts were widened and contained osmophilic-dense granules (diameter 0.2 to 0.7 μ). There was loss of secondary synaptic folds. Discontinuity of pre- and postsynaptic membranes could be observed, though rarely. Lysosome-like dense bodies were present among myofilaments. The myeloid bodies and autophagic vacuoles that were associated with nuclei, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria gave a positive acid phosphatase reaction. Such degenerative changes were not observed in the normal soleus.
Subcellular fractions and the refringent granules of the spermatozoa of Ascaris suum (Nematoda).

Six subcellular fractions were isolated by differential centrifugation of the homogenate of spermatozoa of Ascaris suum. The cellular constituents of pelleted fractions, as identified by electron microscopy, were membranes and membranous organelles (fraction A1), microsomal (A2), cytoplasmic (A3), large refringent granules (B1), small refringent granules (B2) and a detergent-soluble fraction (B3). Polypeptide analysis by SDS-PAGE showed that the 18,400-dalton band, one of the major spermatozoan proteins, is detectable in all of the fractions. However, the cytoplasmic (A1) and refringent-granule (B1) fractions contained the highest level. The isolated refringent granules consisted of 2–6 % lipid while the nonlipid fraction formed an insoluble matrix with a fibrillar network morphology. This fibrillar matrix contained three polypeptides of small molecular weight (7,000–14,000) in addition to the 18,400-dalton polypeptide. These small polypeptides (7,000–14,000 MW) are detectable only in fractions of the refringent granules and are therefore called the refringent-granule proteins (RGP). These RGP are sensitive to tryptic hydrolysis and have solubility properties similar to the protein, ascaridine.
Impedance assessment of a dual-resonance acoustic liner

Abstract Acoustic liners are commonly used to reduce noise from commercial aircraft engines. Engine liners are placed in the nacelle inlet and aft bypass duct to attenuate the noise radiated from the engine. Traditional engine liners are constructed of a perforated facesheet over a honeycomb structure to create a quarter-wave absorber. With this design, the low frequency performance of the liner is limited by the depth of the honeycomb. However, with advances in engine design, lower frequency sound absorption is becoming more critical while liner depth must be minimized. Acoustic metamaterials can exhibit unique acoustic behavior using periodically arranged sub-wavelength resonators. Researchers have shown that acoustic metamaterials can effectively block the propagation of low-frequency acoustic waves. Therefore, acoustic metamaterial-inspired concepts are being investigated to improve the low frequency performance of engine liners. A proposed dual-resonance liner is presented here that combines the idea of a Helmholtz resonator metamaterial with a traditional quarter-wave acoustic liner. The low frequency acoustic absorption of a traditional liner can be significantly increased by adding a second, low frequency resonance to the system. The normal incidence absorption coefficient of the proposed liner is more than 10 times larger than a conventional honeycomb liner at the designed Helmholtz resonance frequency while retaining similar performance at higher frequencies.
Optoelectronic Probing of Neural Circuits with Multifunctional Fibers

With its diversity of signaling modalities: electrical, chemical and mechanical, nervous system poses demands of multimodality on neural interface technologies. Multimaterial fiber technology may enable minimally invasive multifunctional probing of the complexity of neural circuits.
Settling analysis of fine sediment in salt water at concentrations low enough to preclude flocculation

Abstract A new method for measuring settling velocities of fine sediment in salt water at small (∼1–10 mg 1 −1 ) concentrations is outlined. The method combines conventional settling tube procedures with aliquot volume measurements using a Coulter Counter. Sensitivity of the Coulter Counter in volume measurements allow settling tube experiments to be conducted at particle concentrations that preclude flocculation from occurring during the measurement period. The procedures have been applied to samples of North Pacific clays with initial concentrations of 1.6–600 ppm. These results show by differences in settling distributions that flocculation effects occur at concentrations as low as 50 ppm. Absence of flocculation at lower concentrations is confirmed by an experiment conducted in fresh water.
The neutral-red reaction

A general survey of the reaction of neutral red upon a selected series of living animal organisms is made, and the rationale indicates that neutral red is an indicator of proteolytic enzyme action, whether this be intra- or extracellular. Cellular hydrolytic and cellular synthetic systems are thus manifested. The neutral-red reaction also reveals the course of assimilation and secretion in organisms, the nature of fertilization, and the beginning of embryological differentiation.
Influence of the Circadian System on Disease Severity

The severity of many diseases varies across the day and night. For example, adverse cardiovascular incidents peak in the morning, asthma is often worse at night and temporal lobe epileptic seizures are most prevalent in the afternoon. These patterns may be due to the day/night rhythm in environment and behavior, and/or endogenous circadian rhythms in physiology. Furthermore, chronic misalignment between the endogenous circadian timing system and the behavioral cycles could be a cause of increased risk of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers in shift workers. Here we describe the magnitude, relevance and potential biological basis of such daily changes in disease severity and of circadian/behavioral misalignment, and present how these insights may help in the development of appropriate chronotherapy.
Ethanol promotes T cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway

Clinical reports suggest that acute ethanol intoxication is often associated with lymphopenia. Previously, ethanol was reported to invoke thymocyte apoptosis. We studied the effect of ethanol on T cell apoptosis. In addition, we evaluated the molecular mechanism of ethanol-induced T cell apoptosis. Human T cells harvested from healthy subjects after an alcohol drinking binge showed enhanced T cell apoptosis (before, 0.4 +/- 0.2% versus after, 19.6 +/- 2.5% apoptotic lymphocytes/field; P < 0.001). In in vitro studies, ethanol in a concentration of 50 mm and higher enhanced the apoptosis of Jurkat cells. DNA isolated from ethanol-treated Jurkat cells displayed integer multiples of 180 base pairs. Ethanol decreased Jurkat cell expression of Bcl-2, whereas ethanol increased Jurkat cell expression of Bax. Jurkat cells treated with ethanol also showed translocation of cytochrome C into cytosol. Moreover, a caspase-9 inhibitor partially inhibited ethanol-induced Jurkat cell apoptosis. In in vivo studies, after binge drinking, T cell expression of Bcl-2 also decreased. In addition, binge drinking induced the cleavage of caspase-3, suggesting activation of caspase-3 in T cells. These results suggest that ethanol promotes T cell apoptosis through the activation of intrinsic or mitochondrial pathway.
Henry Ossawa Tanner’s Negotiation of Race and Art: Challenging “The Unknown Tanner”

This essay is a response to an article recently published by Will South titled “A Missing Question Mark: The Unknown Henry Ossawa Tanner” in the journal Nineteenth-Century Art Worldwide. Tanner was...
The Diversity and Biogeography of the Alpine Flora of the Sierra Nevada, California

Abstract The alpine zone of the Sierra Nevada of California, defined as non-forested areas at or above 3500 m, includes 385 species (409 taxa) of native vascular plants. Were the alpine boundary defined as at or above 3300 m, the alpine flora would grow to 536 species (570 taxa). There are 97 species that reach elevations of 4000 m and 27 species that reach to 4200 m. Over half of the alpine species occur in just six families, led by the Asteraceae (55 species, 59 taxa), Poaceae (39 species, 47 taxa), Brassicaceae (34 species), and Cyperaceae (31 species). The largest genus present is Carex with 29 species, and 18 more species would be added by lowering the alpine boundary to 3300 m. Next in size are Draba (14 species) and Lupinus (11 species, 16 taxa). Life forms of the flora are heavily dominated by broad-leaved erect perennials (50%), followed in importance by graminoid perennials (21%) and mats and cushions (11%). Annuals and woody shrubs each account for about 6% of the flora. Only nine species are o...
A Distributed Algorithm for Finding Maximum Barrier Coverage in Wireless Sensor Networks

Constructing sensor barriers to detect intruders crossing restricted regions, such as country borders, is one of the major application categories for wireless sensor networks. In this paper, we present a distributed algorithm to find the maximum number of disjoint sensor barriers in wireless sensor networks. Our solution works for any sensor deployment, for any size and shape of a covered region, and even for heterogeneous sensor nodes. In particular, our algorithm is distributed and works perfectly in an asynchronous communication environment. It utilizes the property of wireless channel and has lower complexity compared with other algorithms. For a deployment of n sensors, our algorithm spends O(n^2) messages and O(n^2) time.
On compressibility of protein sequences

We consider the problem of compressibility of protein sequences. Based on an observed genome-scale long-range correlation in concatenated protein sequences from different organisms, we propose a method to exploit this unusual redundancy in compressing the protein sequences. The result is a significant reduction in the number of bits required for representing the sequences. We report results in bits per symbol (bps) of 2.27, 2.55, 3.11 and 3.44 for protein sequences from M. jannaschii, H. influenzae, S. cerevisiae, and H. sapiens respectively, the same protein sequences used by Nevill-Manning and Witten in the "Protein is incompressible" paper. The observed long-range correlations could have significant implications beyond compression and complexity analysis of protein sequences.
QR algorithm and array architectures for multichannel adaptive least squares lattice filters

An algorithm and a set of array architectures that implement and multichannel adaptive least squares lattice filter are presented. The algorithm is based on QR decomposition and provides both a numerically sound and regularly structured set of recursions. For m channels and p filter taps, O(pm/sup 2/) computations are required at each sample update. Several array architectures are presented to illustrate the space-time tradeoffs available. These range from an array of p processing elements (PEs) that compute a sample update in O(m/sup 2/) time to an array of O(pm/sup 2/) PEs that computes the update in constant time. The in-between arrays of O(m), O(m/sup 2/), or O(pm) PEs are also outlined. >
Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescence has more than tripled in the last three decades (Hedley et al., 2004; Ogden, Flegal, Carroll, & Johnson, 2002; Troiano & Flegal, 1998). The sharp rise in overweight and obesity rates among youth has prompted major public health concerns in recent years (Olshansky et al., 2005). Body mass index (BMI) between the 85th and 95th percentile for age and sex is considered at-risk for overweight, and BMI above the 95th percentile is considered overweight or obese (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001). Based on this sex-specific BMI for age criteria (see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts for all BMI ranges), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2008) reported that child and adolescent obesity had reached a national high with 17.0 % of youth considered overweight or obese. Moreover, if current trends continue, the prevalence of overweight in children and adolescents has been estimated to increase 1.6-fold to approximately 30 % by the year 2030 (Wang, Beydoun, Liang, Caballero, & Kumanyika, 2008).
An algorithm for simultaneous pin assignment and routing

Macro-block pin assignment and routing are important tasks in physical design planning. Existing algorithms for these problems can be classified into two categories: 1) a two-step approach where pin assignment is followed by routing, and 2) a net-by-net approach where pin assignment and routing for a single net are performed simultaneously. None of the existing algorithms is "exact" in the sense that the algorithm may fail to route all nets even though a feasible solution exists. This remains to be true even if only 2-pin nets between two blocks are concerned. In this paper, we present the first polynomial-time exact algorithm for simultaneous pin assignment and routing for 2-pin nets from one block (source block) to all other blocks. In addition to finding a feasible solution whenever one exists, it guarantees to find a pin-assignment/routing solution with minimum cost α · W + β · V, where W is the total wirelength and V is the total number of vias. Our algorithm has various applications: 1) It is suitable in ECO (Engineering Change Order) situations where a designer wants to incrementally modify the existing solution instead of redoing everything after a design change. 2) Given any pin assignment and routing solution obtained by any existing method, our algorithm can be used to increase the number of routed nets and reduce the routing cost. Furthermore, it provides an efficient algorithm for the pin assignment and routing problem of all blocks. The method is applicable to both global and detailed routing with arbitrary routing obstacles on multiple layers. Experimental results demonstrate its efficiency and effectiveness.
State Interagency Coordination for Personnel Development under Public Law 99-457: Building Teams for Effective Planning.

Providing a comprehensive service system for young children and their families requires the exchange of knowledge and skills among professionals in a variety of agencies and disciplines. This article describes the process of interagency coordination for personnel development in early intervention and relates stages of the process to evaluation of state planning teams. The literature on interagency coordination and on the process of group development is discussed in relation to one state case. Guidelines and recommendations for successful interagency coordination at the state level are provided.
Purification and characterization of ensconsin, a novel microtubule stabilizing protein

In previous studies (Bulinski and Borisy (1979). Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 76, 293-297; Weatherbee et al. (1980). Biochemistry 19, 4116-4123) a microtubule-associated protein (MAP) of M(r) approximately 125,000 was identified as a prominent MAP in HeLa cells. We set out to perform a biochemical characterization of this protein, and to determine its in vitro functions and in vivo distribution. We determined that, like the assembly-promoting MAPs, tau, MAP2 and MAP4, the 125 kDa MAP was both proteolytically sensitive and thermostable. An additional property of this MAP; namely, its unusually tight association with a calcium-insensitive population of MTs in the presence of taxol, was exploited in devising an efficient purification strategy. Because of the MAP's tenacious association with a stable population of MTs, and because it appeared to contribute to the stability of this population of MTs in vitro, we have named this protein ensconsin. We examined the binding of purified ensconsin to MTs; ensconsin exhibited binding that saturated its MT binding sites at an approximate molar ratio of 1:6 (ensconsin:tubulin). Unlike other MAPs characterized to date, ensconsin's binding to MTs was insensitive to moderate salt concentrations (< or = 0.6 M). We further characterized ensconsin in immunoblotting experiments using mouse polyclonal anti-ensconsin antibodies and antibodies reactive with previously described MAPs, such as high molecular mass tau isoforms, dynamin, STOP, CLIP-170 and kinesin. These experiments demonstrated that ensconsin is distinct from other proteins of similar M(r) that may be present in association with MTs. Immunofluorescence with anti-ensconsin antibodies demonstrated that ensconsin was detectable in association with most or all of the MTs of several lines of human epithelial, fibroblastic and muscle cells; its in vivo properties and distribution, especially in response to drug or other treatments of cells, were found to be different from those of MAP4, the predominant MAP found in these cell types. We conclude that ensconsin, a MAP found in a variety of human cells, is biochemically - and perhaps functionally - distinct from other MAPs present in non-neuronal cells.
Channel Noise in Excitable Neural Membranes

Stochastic fluctuations of voltage-gated ion channels generate current and voltage noise in neuronal membranes. This noise may be a critical determinant of the efficacy of information processing within neural systems. Using Monte-Carlo simulations, we carry out a systematic investigation of the relationship between channel kinetics and the resulting membrane voltage noise using a stochastic Markov version of the Mainen-Sejnowski model of dendritic excitability in cortical neurons. Our simulations show that kinetic parameters which lead to an increase in membrane excitability (increasing channel densities, decreasing temperature) also lead to an increase in the magnitude of the subthreshold voltage noise. Noise also increases as the membrane is depolarized from rest towards threshold. This suggests that channel fluctuations may interfere with a neuron's ability to function as an integrator of its synaptic inputs and may limit the reliability and precision of neural information processing.