cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethanol-induced modifications to membrane lipid structure: effect on phospholipase A2−membrane interactions

Abstract Chronic ethanol intoxication leads to the development of a resistance to lipid disordering by ethanol, a phenomenon known as “membrane tolerance.” In the absence of the added ethanol, the lipid order, as measured by ESR and fluorescence techniques, does not necessarily change as a result of chronic ethanol ingestion (as in liver microsomes, for example). This suggests that the spectroscopic techniques detect tolerance somewhat indirectly, in that the modification responsible may reside in a region distinct from that being probed and also raises the question of whether membrane tolerance is necessarily associated with an alteration in the membrane lipid structure. Here we show that liver microsomes from rats treated chronically with ethanol are rendered relatively resistant to the hydrolytic action of exogenous phospholipase A 2 , compared to preparations from control animals. This resistance persists in reconstituted lipid vesicles prepared from extracted phospholipids. Since the same substrate (1-palmitoyl-2- N -(4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole)amino caproylphosphatidylcholine) was used in both membranes from ethanol-treated animals and controls, the modification appears to reside in the structure and/or organization of the membrane. Further evidence that the lipid structure is modified by chronic ethanol treatment is provided by the observation that perturbance of the membrane structural integrity by increasing levels of oleic acid led to a progressive loss of the ethanol-induced relative resistance to hydrolysis by phospholipase A 2 . The results of this study support the idea that membrane tolerance involves a modification to lipid structure probably at the bilayer surface. The use of exogenous phospholipase A 2 provides a new method for probing the structural modifications induced by chronic ethanol ingestion.
Advancing the frontiers in nanocatalysis, biointerfaces, and renewable energy conversion by innovations of surface techniques.

The challenge of chemistry in the 21st century is to achieve 100% selectivity of the desired product molecule in multipath reactions (“green chemistry”) and develop renewable energy based processes. Surface chemistry and catalysis play key roles in this enterprise. Development of in situ surface techniques such as high-pressure scanning tunneling microscopy, sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy, time-resolved Fourier transform infrared methods, and ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy enabled the rapid advancement of three fields: nanocatalysts, biointerfaces, and renewable energy conversion chemistry. In materials nanoscience, synthetic methods have been developed to produce monodisperse metal and oxide nanoparticles (NPs) in the 0.8−10 nm range with controlled shape, oxidation states, and composition; these NPs can be used as selective catalysts since chemical selectivity appears to be dependent on all of these experimental parameters. New spectroscopic and microscopic te...
Effects of the Lexington LaserComb on hair regrowth in the C3H/HeJ mouse model of alopecia areata

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease that presents with non-scarring alopecia. It is characterized by intra- or peri-follicular lymphocytic infiltrates composed of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells on histology. To this day, few treatments are effective for AA. Here we present findings of using a low-level laser comb to alleviate the symptoms of AA in a C3H/HeJ mouse model for AA. Fourteen C3H/HeJ mice with induced AA were used in this study. Two were killed to confirm AA through histology. The remaining 12 mice were randomized into two groups; group I received HairMax LaserComb (wavelength: 655 nm, beam diameter <5 mm; divergence 57 mrad; nine lasers) for 20 s daily, three times per week for a total of 6 weeks; group II was treated similarly, except that the laser was turned off (sham-treated). After 6 weeks of LaserComb treatment, hair regrowth was observed in all the mice in group I (laser-treated) but none in group II (sham-treated). On histology, increased number of anagen hair follicles was observed in laser-treated mice. On the other hand, sham-treated mice demonstrated hair follicles in the telogen phase with no hair shaft. LaserComb seems to be an effective and convenient device for the treatment of AA in the C3H/HeJ mouse model. Human studies are required to determine the efficacy and safety of this device for AA therapy.
Laparoscopic dismembered tubularized flap pyeloplasty: a novel technique.

Purpose: Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty is now an effective option for ureteropelvic junction obstruction. We describe a novel laparoscopic technique of dismembered tubularized flap pyeloplasty for a difficult recurrent long ureteropelvic junction stricture.Materials and Methods: A 73-year-old woman with ureteropelvic junction obstruction of a solitary left kidney had undergone failed multiple procedures, including open pyeloplasty, balloon incision endopyelotomy, retrograde balloon dilation and percutaneous endopyelotomy. Using a 4-port transperitoneal laparoscopic technique, the upper ureter was dissected, the scarred ureteropelvic junction stricture was excised and the dismembered ureteropelvic junction was closed with a stitch. A wide base renal pelvic flap was created and tubularized to bridge the 3 cm. upper ureteral defect. Laparoscopic intracorporeal freehand suturing was done to reconstruct the renal pelvis and upper ureter over a Double-J stent (Medical Engineering Corp., New York, New Yor...
A complex 3D human tissue culture system based on mammary stromal cells and silk scaffolds for modeling breast morphogenesis and function

Epithelial-stromal interactions play a crucial role in normal embryonic development and carcinogenesis of the human breast while the underlying mechanisms of these events remain poorly understood. To address this issue, we constructed a physiologically relevant, three-dimensional (3D) culture surrogate of complex human breast tissue that included a tri-culture system made up of human mammary epithelial cells (MCF10A), human fibroblasts and adipocytes, i.e., the two dominant breast stromal cell types, in a Matrigel™/collagen mixture on porous silk protein scaffolds. The presence of stromal cells inhibited MCF10A cell proliferation and induced both alveolar and ductal morphogenesis and enhanced casein expression. In contrast to the immature polarity exhibited by co-cultures with either fibroblasts or adipocytes, the alveolar structures formed by the tri-cultures exhibited proper polarity similar to that observed in breast tissue in vivo. Only alveolar structures with reverted polarity were observed in MCF10A monocultures. Consistent with their phenotypic appearance, more functional differentiation of epithelial cells was also observed in the tri-cultures, where casein α- and -β mRNA expression was significantly increased. This in vitro tri-culture breast tissue system sustained on silk scaffold effectively represents a more physiologically relevant 3D microenvironment for mammary epithelial cells and stromal cells than either co-cultures or monocultures. This experimental model provides an important first step for bioengineering an informative human breast tissue system, with which to study normal breast morphogenesis and neoplastic transformation.
A method for modeling household occupant behavior to simulate residential energy consumption

This paper presents a statistical method for modeling the behavior of household occupants to estimate residential energy consumption. Using data gathered by the U.S. Census Bureau in the American Time Use Survey (ATUS), actions carried out by survey respondents are categorized into ten distinct activities. These activities are defined to correspond to the major energy consuming loads commonly found within the residential sector. Next, time varying minute resolution Markov chain based statistical models of different occupant types are developed. Using these behavioral models, individual occupants are simulated to show how an occupant interacts with the major residential energy consuming loads throughout the day. From these simulations, the minimum number of occupants, and consequently the minimum number of multiple occupant households, needing to be simulated to produce a statistically accurate representation of aggregate residential behavior can be determined. Finally, future work will involve the use of these occupant models along side residential load models to produce a high-resolution energy consumption profile and estimate the potential for demand response from residential loads.
Tantalum thin films deposited by ion assisted magnetron sputtering

Abstract This work investigated the effect of ion bombardment on tantalum thin films deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering at ambient temperature on (100) oriented silicon and polycrystalline aluminum. Negative bias voltage, 0 to − 300 V, was applied to the substrate to control the energy of the ions bombarding the growing film. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The desired pure body centered cubic phase Ta films were deposited with − 150 V substrate bias and with comparable atom and ion fluxes, conditions significantly different than reported earlier, and achievable in a relatively simple system that is easy to scale to industrial operation.
Advances in the laboratory diagnosis of viral respiratory disease.

Background: In recent years significant advances in the laboratory diagnostics available to detect respiratory viral infections have been achieved. Methods: This article presents the types of diagnostic methods currently available to the practitioner, as well as those on the horizon. The article covers tissue culture, serology and direct examination as well as some rapid diagnostic techniques and molecular assays, previewing developing new technology. Conclusions: Laboratory diagnosis will likely be clinically useful in some but not all cases of viral infection. As new diagnostic methods become widely available, it is increasingly important to develop guidelines for laboratory testing when viral illness is suspected.
Functional morphology of the ankle and the likelihood of climbing in early hominins

Whether early hominins were adept tree climbers is unclear. Although some researchers have argued that bipedality maladapts the hominin skeleton for climbing, others have argued that early hominin fossils display an amalgamation of features consistent with both locomotor strategies. Although chimpanzees have featured prominently in these arguments, there are no published data on the kinematics of climbing in wild chimpanzees. Without these biomechanical data describing how chimpanzees actually climb trees, identifying correlates of climbing in modern ape skeletons is difficult, thereby limiting accurate interpretations of the hominin fossil record. Here, the first kinematic data on vertical climbing in wild chimpanzees are presented. These data are used to identify skeletal correlates of climbing in the ankle joint of the African apes to more accurately interpret hominin distal tibiae and tali. This study finds that chimpanzees engage in an extraordinary range of foot dorsiflexion and inversion during vertical climbing bouts. Two skeletal correlates of modern ape-like vertical climbing are identified in the ankle joint and related to positions of dorsiflexion and foot inversion. A study of the 14 distal tibiae and 15 tali identified and published as hominins from 4.12 to 1.53 million years ago finds that the ankles of early hominins were poorly adapted for modern ape-like vertical climbing bouts. This study concludes that if hominins included tree climbing as part of their locomotor repertoire, then they were performing this activity in a manner decidedly unlike modern chimpanzees.
Pharmacodynamic separation of gemcitabine and erlotinib in locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer: therapeutic and biomarker results

Erlotinib marginally improves survival when administered continuously with gemcitabine to patients with advanced pancreatic cancer; however, preclinical data suggest that there is antagonism between chemotherapy and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors when these are delivered concurrently. We tested a pharmacodynamic separation approach for erlotinib plus gemcitabine and interrogated EGFR signaling intermediates as potential surrogates for the efficacy of this strategy. Patients with measurable, previously untreated locally advanced unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer were treated with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion over 30-min on days 1, 8, 15 and erlotinib 150 mg/day on days 2–5, 9–12, 16–26 of each 28-day cycle. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints included RECIST objective response rate (ORR) and safety. The study was terminated after thirty patients due to funding considerations. The median PFS was 2.07 months (95 % CI; 1.87–5.50 months) and the ORR was 11 %. No unexpected safety signals were seen: the most common grade 3 or higher adverse events were neutropenia (23 %), lymphopenia (23 %), and fatigue (13 %). Patients with mutant plasma Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) had significantly lower median PFS (1.8 vs. 4.6 months, p = 0.014) and overall survival (3.0 vs. 10.5 months, p = 0.003) than those without detected plasma KRAS mutations. Although pharmacodynamically separated erlotinib and gemcitabine were feasible and tolerable in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, no signal for increased efficacy was seen in this molecularly unselected cohort. Detection of a KRAS mutation in circulating cell-free DNA was a strong predictor of survival.
The effect of aging on percutaneous absorption in man

Despite much research into the mechanisms of cutaneous aging and the identification of significant age-associated biological and biophysical changes within the skin, the question "How does aging affect percutaneous absorption (PA) in vivo?" remains unanswered. We have made in vivo measurements of PA in young (18-40 years) and old (greater than 65 years) subjects. Standard radiotracer methodology was employed and PA was quantified from the urinary excretion profiles of 14C radiolabel (corrected for incomplete renal elimination). Testosterone (TST), estradiol (EST), hydrocortisone (HC), benzoic acid (BA), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and caffeine (CAFF) have been studied. Permeation of HC, BA, ASA, and CAFF was significantly (p less than 0.01, 0.01, 0.01, and 0.05, respectively) lower in aged subjects, whereas the absorption of TST and EST was similar in the two groups. Thus it appears that aging can affect PA in vivo and that relatively hydrophilic compounds are particularly sensitive. The diminished surface lipid content of "old" skin implies a diminished dissolution medium for compounds administered topically. It is reasonable to speculate that this physiologic change will impact most severely upon those permeants whose lipid solubility is lowest (that is, HC, BA, ASA, CAFF). Furthermore, the typically reduced hydration of aged stratum corneum will compound this effect for these chemicals. Conversely, highly lipid-soluble chemicals (TST and EST) may still be able to dissolve readily into the stratum corneum even when the available lipid medium is reduced.
Sarcoidosis of the liver: Evaluation with multiple imaging modalities

Although sarcoidosis of the liver is common pathologically, imaging findings are extremely rare, because the noncaseating granulomas are usually not macroscopic and thus do not produce focal abnormalities. We present 2 cases of liver sarcoidosis with focal findings on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear scanning, and ultrasonography. Imaging characteristics, which may facilitate making the diagnosis, are presented.
Structure-Property Relations in Sol-Coated PMN Ceramics: Microscopy, Dielectric and Electromechanical Response

Some of the most promising materials for electrostrictive response are Pb(Mg 1/3 , Nb 2/3 )O 3 (PMN) - ceramics; however, the properties of a given composition are only optimum in a limited range of temperatures. In a previous study, it was found that sol coating of PMN particles modified and improved the electromechanical and/or dielectric properties of the resulting product--doubling induced strain in some cases. Understanding the origin of these changes will help to produce an optimized PMN ceramic for a given application from a single source powder. This work concentrates on the Ti and Zn coatings which gave superior properties within the concentration matrix. The relation between the structure and the enhanced electrostrictive behavior is studied. Structural characterization is done by XRD, TEM and SEM.Electrical measurements of dielectric constant, loss, polarization and strain, the property determinations needed to complete the structure-property suite.
Properties of Regular Uniform k—Stratified Graphs

Abstract A regular graph G = (V, E) is a k-stratified graph if V is partitioned into V1, V2, …, Vk subsets called strata. The stratification splits the degree dv ∀v ϵ V into k-integers dv1, dv2, …, dvk each one corresponding to a stratum. If dv1 = dv2 = … = dvk ∀v ϵ V then G is called regular uniform k-stratified, RUks(n, d) where n is the cardinality of the vertex set in each stratum and d is the degree of every vertex in each stratum. For every k, the class RUks(n, d) has a unique graph generator class RUls(n, d) derived by decomposition of graphs in RUks(n, d). We investigate the minimization of the cardinality of V, the colorability, vertex coloring and the diameter of the graphs in the class. We also deal with complexity questions concerning RUks(n, d). Some well-known computer network models such as barrel shifters and hypercubes are shown to belong in RUks(n, d).
Trends in anti‐D immune globulin for childhood immune thrombocytopenia: Usage, response rates, and adverse effects

In 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added a black box warning to anti-D immune globulin (Rho(D) immune globulin, anti-D) for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) to warn of the complications related to severe hemolysis. The objective of this retrospective medical record review was to examine recent trends in anti-D use to treat ITP and rates of adverse events in a single large pediatric hematology program. Over a 7-year period, 176 (35%) of 502 ITP patients at our center received anti-D. Anti-D was the second most commonly prescribed drug for ITP from 2003 to 2010 overall and was given first most frequently (41%). Sixty-four percent of patients responded to anti-D, but 36% had adverse effects, including five patients requiring hospitalization. From 2003 to 2010, the use of anti-D as an initial therapy for ITP significantly decreased (P < 0.001). This trend preceded the 2010 FDA black box warning. In our experience, anti-D was associated with a significant number of adverse effects when used as a treatment for ITP, although none were life-threatening. Despite recent guidelines suggesting anti-D therapy for initial treatment for ITP, anti-D therapy for ITP has significantly decreased over the past 7 years.
Alternative methods for the calculation of the pulmonary clearance delay (PCD)

Abstract The pulmonary clearance delay (PCD) is the most commonly used index of uneven pulmonary ventilation. However, the only method previously available for its calculation involves the fitting of a mathematical model to which several investigators have raised objections. This paper presents two new methods. One involves a different mathematical model and illustrates the way in which the PCD can be derived from a variety of models. The second method does not utilize the parameters of any fitted model but calculates the PCD by simple arithmetic procedures from the original data observations.
Enantiomeric separation of furan derivatives and fused polycycles by cyclodextrin-modified micellar capillary electrophoresis.

The enantiomeric separations of highly hydrophobic furan derivatives and polycycles were performed and optimized using CD-modified micellar CE. The most effective chiral selector for the enantiomeric separation of these analytes was hydroxypropyl-γ-CD. The effects of CD and SDS concentration and organic modifier were examined in order to optimize the separation conditions. The ratio of CD to surfactant concentration affected the enantiomeric separation significantly, with increases in the derivatized CD concentration generally enhancing resolution. Addition of an organic solvent modifier to the run buffer served to increase the analytes' solubility and enhance the separation efficiency. A highly acidic pH was necessary to effectively suppress the EOF when operating in the reverse polarity mode.
Methyl glucoside hydrolysis catalyzed by β-glucosidase

Sweet almond beta-glucosidase is a retaining, family 1, glycohydrolase, catalyzing the highly efficient hydrolysis of a variety of glycosides. For example, the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of methyl beta-D-glucopyranoside is approximately 4 x 10(15)-times faster than the spontaneous hydrolysis at 25 degrees C. As with most enzymes, the dependence of k(cat)/K(m) on pH is bell-shaped, indicating the importance of a protonated (acidic) residue and a deprotonated (nucleophilic) residue in its mechanism. Surprisingly, however, in D(2)O the pD-independent k(cat)/K(m) (= 28M(-1) s(-1)) is essentially identical to the value obtained in H(2)O, yielding a solvent kinetic isotope effect of (DOD)(k(cat)/K(m))(lim) = 1.05 (+ or - 0.08). There is also no effect of substituting D(2)O for H(2)O on K(m) nor on the K(i) values for a variety of competitive inhibitors. The lack of a solvent kinetic isotope effect on k(cat)/K(m) can be explained by a stepwise mechanism for the glucosylation of the enzyme. This mechanism involves a preequilibrium protonation of the glycosidic oxygen of the bound substrate followed by the rate-limiting cleavage of the glycosidic bond. Much of the enzymic rate enhancement is due to the stabilization, presumably by ionic interactions, of the protonated glucoside.
Inhibition of β-Adrenergic Responsiveness in Muscle Cell Cultures by Dexamethasone

Cultures of two myogenic cell lines, L6E9 and L8, were grown in the absence or presence of dexamethasone. Dexamethasone (1 μM) completely inhibited the formation of myotubes. Partial inhibition (20–40%) was obtained at a concentration as low as 1 nM. Dexamethasone also inhibited β-adrenergic responsiveness, as noted by decreases in isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and cAMP accumulation. These effects were both dose and time dependent. In the presence of dexamethasone, the number of β-adrenergic receptors, as assessed by [125I]iodohydroxybenzylpindolol binding, decreased coordinately with the decrease in cAMP. A high affinity, limited capacity cytosolic binding site for [3H]triamcinolojie acetonide observed under control conditions (Kd = 0.7 nM; maximum binding, 2.7 pmol/mg protein) increased in number as a function of developmental stage. These data indicate that glucocorticoids inhibit myogenesis and β-adrenergic responsiveness in vitro.
Effects of dehydration on the urine concentration and salt gland secretion of the green sea turtle

Abstract 1. 1. Urine of normally hydrated green turtles was isosmotic relative to plasma (320 mOsm/kg). 2. 2. Green turtles kept out of water for 10–20 days produced urine with a mean concentration of 450 mOsm/kg; plasma concentration for these animals was 390 mOsm/kg. 3. 3. Mean urine composition of dehydrated animals was 16 mmol/1 Na + , 38 mmol/l K + , 2.4 mmol/1 Ca 2+ , 74 mmol/1 NH 3 , 5.8 mmol/1 Cl − and 34 mmol/1 urea. The balance of the urine composition presumably consists of unknown organic anions. 4. 4. Salt gland secretions were composed primarily of sodium and chloride ions and had a mean concentration of 1845 mOsm/kg for dehydrated animals; normally hydrated animals had a mean concentration of 768 mOsm/kg.
Evaluation of numerical techniques applied to soil solution speciation including cation exchange

Most existing models of soil solution speciation utilize either NewtonRaphson or Picard iteration to obtain a numerical solution to the nonlinear set of algebraic equations expressing mole balance and charge balance of free ions for major species as well as cation exchange. A computer program was written to test speed and accuracy of these and other methods. Picard iteration was fastest but produced a mean relative error (MRE) for mole and charge balance of 0.03 with no further convergence after a few iterations. A tensor (quadratic) method and two simplex methods converged to the correct result. The tensor method was preferable because the final result was more accurate; the rate of convergence was faster by 10 to 100 times, and convergence occurred for all compositions tested up to an ionic strength of 0.25. These results point out the value of testing various algorithms prior to implementation of speciation code applied to soils.
Additive inhibition of dendritic cell allostimulatory capacity by alcohol and hepatitis C is not restored by DC maturation and involves abnormal IL-10 and IL-2 induction.

Background: Excessive alcohol use results in impaired immunity, and it is associated with increased incidence and progression of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Here we investigated the effects of HCV infection and alcohol on myeloid dendritic cells (DC) that are critical in antiviral immunity. Methods: Immature and mature DCs were generated from monocytes of chronic HCV infected patients (HCV-DC) and controls (N-DC) with IL-4 plus granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the presence or absence of alcohol (25 mM). DC allostimulatory capacity was tested in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and cytokine production by ELISA. Results: Allostimulatory capacity of HCV-DCs was reduced compared to N-DCs and it was further inhibited by alcohol treatment (p < 0.01). MLR was also decreased with alcohol-treated N-DCs. DC phenotypic markers and apoptosis were comparable between HCV-DCs and N-DCs irrespective of alcohol treatment. However, HCV-DCs and alcohol-treated N-DCs exhibited elevated IL-10 and reduced IL-12 production. Reduced MLR with HCV-DCs and its further inhibition by alcohol coexisted with decreasing IL-2 levels (p < 0.017). DC maturation partially improved but failed to fully restore the reduced allostimulatory function of either alcohol-treated or alcohol-naive HCV-DCs (p < 0.018). Conclusions: Alcohol and HCV independently and together inhibit DC allostimulatory capacity, increase IL-10, reduce IL-12 and IL-2 production that cannot be normalized by DC maturation. HCV and alcohol interact to modulate innate and adaptive immune responses via dendritic cells.
Maximizing Quadriceps Strength After ACL Reconstruction

The primary objectives of ACL surgery and rehabilitation are to restore knee function to preinjury levels and promote long-term joint health. Often these goals are not achieved, however. The quadriceps is critical to dynamic joint stability, and weakness of this muscle group is related to poor functional outcomes. Because of this, identifying strategies to minimize quadriceps weakness following ACL injury and reconstruction is of great clinical interest. This article reviews the current literature and critically discusses current rehabilitation approaches to restore quadriceps muscle function after ACL reconstruction.
High-Quality (211)B CdTe on (211)Si Substrates Using Metalorganic Vapor-Phase Epitaxy

High-quality (211)B CdTe buffer layers are required during Hg1−xCdxTe heteroepitaxy on Si substrates. In this study, direct metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) of (211)B CdTe on Si, as well as CdTe on Si using intermediate Ge and ZnTe layers, has been achieved. Tertiary butyl arsine was used as a precursor to enable As surfactant action during CdTe MOVPE on Si. The grown CdTe/Si films display a best x-ray diffraction rocking-curve full-width at half-maximum of 64 arc-s and a best Everson etch pit density of 3 × 105 cm−2. These values are the best reported for MOVPE-grown (211)B CdTe/Si and match state-of-the-art material grown using molecular-beam epitaxy.
Auditory, electrosensory, and mechanosensory lateral line pathways through the forebrain in channel catfishes.

The forebrain auditory, electrosensory, and mechanosensory lateral line pathways in the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, were examined by applying the fluorescent tracer DiI to (1) the auditory part of the torus semicircularis, (2) the electrosensory part of the torus semicircularis, (3) the lateral preglomerular nucleus, and (4) the anterior tuberal nucleus. Three distinct pathways ascend from the torus semicircularis to the telencephalon; they course through either (1) the lateral preglomerular nucleus of the posterior tuberculum, (2) the anterior tuberal nucleus of the hypothalamus, or (3) the central posterior nucleus of the dorsal thalamus. The anatomical data suggest that each of these ascending pathways carries information from more than one sensory modality. The lateral preglomerular nucleus receives an electrosensory input from nucleus electrosensorius in the diencephalon, but it also receives auditory and mechanosensory inputs directly from the torus semicircularis. The anterior tuberal and central posterior nuclei receive primarily auditory and mechanosensory, but also minor electrosensory, inputs. The efferent projections of the central posterior nucleus are presently unknown, but the lateral preglomerular and anterior tuberal nuclei project to nonoverlapping portions of the telencephalon. A cladistic analysis of these indirect torotelencephalic pathways reveals that (1) the pathway through the dorsal thalamus is probably a primitive character for gnathostomes, (2) a well-developed pathway through the posterior tuberculum is probably a derived character for actinopterygian fishes, (3) the pathway through nucleus electrosensorius is probably a derived character for catfishes and gymnotoid teleosts, and (4) auditory pathways through the hypothalamus probably evolved independently in catfishes and frogs.
Effects of coincident 5-HT1A receptor stimulation and NMDA receptor antagonism on l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia and rotational behaviors in the hemi-parkinsonian rat

Rationale Serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) agonists reduce l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia and enhance motor function in experimental and clinical investigations of Parkinson’s disease (PD). While the mechanism(s) by which these effects occur are unclear, recent research suggests that modulation of glutamate neurotransmission contributes.
Evaluation of Approaches to Characterize Seismic Isolation Systems for Design

Current design codes generally use an equivalent linear approach for preliminary design of a seismic isolation system. The equivalent linear approach is based on effective parameters, rather than physical parameters of the system, and may not accurately account for the nonlinearity of the isolation system. This article evaluates an alternative normalized strength characterization against the equivalent linear characterization. Considerations for evaluation include: (1) ability to effectively account for variations in ground motion intensity; (2) ability to effectively describe the energy dissipation capacity of the isolation system; and (3) conducive to developing design equations that can be implemented within a code framework.
Iphoneography as an emergent art world

The iPhone has come to be one of the most popular and widely used cameras because of its ubiquity and the ease with which images can be uploaded directly to sites like Flickr, Facebook, and Twitter. The introduction of photography “apps,” like Hipstamatic or Instagram, adds layers of aesthetic capabilities not previously available within the camera. These capabilities have attracted artists seeking technologies for new media of artistic expression. Drawing on Becker’s theory of “art worlds,” this article describes the ways in which iPhone photographers, or iphoneographers, engage in the process of art world building. Through online ethnography and semistructured interviews, this study reveals the ways iphoneographers are creating, sharing, and critiquing their work. The practices of iphoneographers are not unlike those of artists engaged with new media throughout history, and indicate patterns of remediation. Through their activities, the iphoneography community is grappling with issues about the values, ...
Interaction of SDS with Na+/K+-ATPase: SDS-solubilized enzyme retains partial structure and function.

Because nearly all structure/function studies on Na+/K+-ATPase have been done on enzymes prepared in the presence of SDS, we have studied previously unrecognized consequences of SDS interaction with the enzyme. When the purified membrane-bound kidney enzyme was solubilized with SDS or TDS concentrations just sufficient to cause complete solubilization, but not at concentrations severalfold higher, the enzyme retained quaternary structure, exhibiting α,α-, α,β-, β,β-, and α,γ-associations as detected by chemical cross-linking. The presence of solubilized oligomers was confirmed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. This solubilized enzyme had no ATPase activity and was not phosphorylated by ATP, but it retained the ability to occlude Rb+ and Na+. This, and comparison of cross-linking patterns obtained with different reagents, suggested that the transmembrane domains of the enzyme are more resistant to SDS-induced unfolding than its other domains. These findings (a) indicate that the partially unfolded oligomer(s) retaining partial function is the intermediate in the SDS-induced denaturation of the native membrane enzyme having the minimum oligomeric structure of (α,β,γ)2 and (b) suggest potential functions for Na+/K+-ATPase with intrinsically unfolded domains. Mixtures of solubilized/partially unfolded enzyme and membrane-bound enzyme exhibited cross-linking patterns and Na+ occlusion capacities different from those of either enzyme species, suggesting that the two interact. Formation of the partially unfolded enzyme during standard purification procedure for the preparation of the membrane-bound enzyme was shown, indicating that it is necessary to ensure the separation of the partially unfolded enzyme from the membrane-bound enzyme to avoid the distortion of the properties of the latter.
Performance Analysis of Orthogonal Beamforming with User Selection in MIMO Broadcast Channels

This work considers the problem of multiuser transmission in a downlink transmission system where a transmitter with multiantenna elements sends information to a set of scheduled users with each having a single antenna. We investigate the sum rate performance of an orthogonal beamforming (OBF) scheme called adaptive OBF, which is a suboptimal low-complexity alternative to the capacity-achieving dirty paper coding approach. We develop a simple order statistics framework to evaluate the probability density functions (pdfs) of the scheduled users' signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR) values based on the knowledge of channel statistics and selection procedure. In particular, the pdf expressions for first and second scheduled users' SINR values are obtained in closed-form. The analysis is verified by numerical results.
LXXXIX. Determination of the currature invariant of space-time

(1924). LXXXIX. Determination of the currature invariant of space-time. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 47, No. 281, pp. 907-918.
Concentration of viruses from tap water and sewage with a charge-modified filter aid

Abstract Positively charged microporous filters have been shown to have definite advantage over negatively charged filters for concentrating viruses from water as they eliminate the need of water conditioning (acidification and multivalent cation addition) prior to filtration. The present study was designed to evaluate the use of a charge-modified (Zeta plus) filter aid (AMF CUNO, Meriden, CT) for the concentration of viruses (Poliovirus-1, Coxsackievirus B-3 and ECHO virus-7) from large volumes of tap water. Charge-modified filter aid could efficiently adsorb polio, coxsackie and ECHO viruses from water. The adsorbed viruses from both tap water and secondary sewage were most efficiently eluted with 4% beef extract — 0.5 M NaCl, pH 9.5. The efficiency of recovery of poliovirus, coxsackievirus and ECHO virus from 10- to 20-1 vols, of tap water ranged between 32 and 98%, 67 and 100% and 69 and 100%, respectively. This technique appears to have distinct advantages over previous methods as it requires low cost equipment (47 mm polypropylene filter housing) and materials, is simple and easy to handle, can filter large volumes of water (⩾20 l) with good recoveries at ambient pH and can be efficiently used to monitor viral water quality.
Objective and perceived neighborhood characteristics and tobacco use among young adults.

Background In the US, past month tobacco use is higher among young adults aged 18–25 years than among any other age group. Neighborhood disorder may be a malleable environmental determinant of tobacco use among young adults; its correlation with tobacco use is understudied. The purpose of this study is to examine whether perceived and objectively measured neighborhood factors are associated with tobacco use among young adults in Baltimore City.
Stating security requirements with tolerable sets

This paper introduces and develops the concept of tolerable sets for analyzing general security requirements. Tolerable sets, and corresponding purging functions and invisibility based on the sets, are used to state and test such requirements. The approach used in this paper resulted from our attempt to apply the noninterference ideas of Goguen and Meseguer to the problem of stating special security requirements in the case of so-called trusted subjects. It turns out that the conditional purging function defined by Goguen and Meseguer is only one example, though an important one, of a conditional purging function. This paper provides a definition and characterization of a general class of purging functions similar to the purging function of Goguen and Meseguer. Furthermore, it relates purging and invisibility to security requirements. Some particular applications are described toward the end of the paper. At the end there are some critical remarks about purging functions.
Comparisons of devices for aerating inflow of pipes

Abstract Eleven different devices for aerating water discharged from pipes were evaluated for effectiveness in increasing dissolved oxygen (DO) and decreasing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentrations. All devices were more effective than a straight pipe in oxygenating water and provided DO concentrations above 4 mg/l. DO concentrations above 6 mg/l resulted with Tee and Ell aspirators and with a half-open gate valve. The gate valve had the greatest oxygen transfer rate. Although the aerators removed as much or more CO 2 than they added O 2 , none was efficient in removing CO 2 . Water was highly supersaturated with CO 2 , and concentrations were only reduced by 3.7 to 13.4 mg/l - 2.2 to 8.6% of the initial vaiues.
Ion-assisted deposition of MgF2 at ambient temperatures☆

Abstract We have investigated the use of a low energy (less than 250 eV) argon ion beam bombardment during the deposition of thin MgF2 films onto unheated substrates to increase their abrasion resistance and their adhesion. Films made in this manner have a durability comparable with that of films deposited at 300 °C. The UV absorption edge of the films shifts to slightly longer wavelengths, but no significant additional absorption is introduced in the visible region. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies show that the structure of the bombarded films is different from that of the unbombarded films, deposited onto either hot or ambient temperature substrates. Rutherford backscattering shows the bombarded films to have some fluorine depletion. These films adhere to plastics significantly better than do those deposited without bombardment.
TU-E-217BCD-02: An X-Ray Scatter Correction Method for Dedicated Breast Computed Tomography.

Purpose: To reduce the impact of x‐ray scatter in dedicated breast computed tomography (BCT) images.Methods: The inclusion of x‐ray scatter in BCT projections results in cupping artifacts, loss of contrast, and quantitative inaccuracies. To correct for this, an additional set of BCT projections is acquired with a tungsten plate placed between the x‐ray source and the patient breast. The tungsten plate includes a two‐dimensional grid of perforations to generate an array of pencil beams. Due to the limited area illuminated by the x‐ray pencil beams, an array of signals of primary x‐rays only is obtained. At the pencil beam locations, the difference between the plate projections and the standard projections is an estimate of the scatter present in the latter. These estimates are interpolated to obtain scatter‐only estimates of the whole images, which are subtracted from the standard projections, resulting in BCT projections with primary signal only, which are then reconstructed. To reduce the impact of the quantum noise of the scatter signal, the resulting reconstructions are noise filtered. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to estimate the amount of scatter included in the pencil beams and the dose from these additional projections. The algorithm was tested using breast phantoms on a BCT clinical prototype system. Results: The maximum scatter signal in the pencil beams is 2.2% (mean of 0.7%) of the total signal, so the pencil beams are an excellent estimate of the primary‐only signal. The additional projections Result in only 0.4% of the glandular dose of the standard projections. The homogeneity of the resulting phantom images, the signal difference between adipose and glandular tissue, reconstruction accuracy, and contrast‐to‐noise ratios were improved with this algorithm. Conclusions: The proposed algorithm has the potential to substantially improve BCT image quality with practically no additional dose to the patient breast.
A Second Locus for Very-Late-Onset Alzheimer Disease: A Genome Scan Reveals Linkage to 20p and Epistasis between 20p and the Amyloid Precursor Protein Region

We used a covariate-based linkage method to reanalyze genome scan data from affected sibships collected by the Alzheimer Disease (AD) Genetics Initiative of the National Institute of Mental Health. As reported in an earlier article, the amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) region is strongly linked to affected sib pairs of the oldest current age (i.e., age either at last exam or at death) who lack E4 alleles at the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) locus. We now report that a region on 20p shows the same pattern. A model that includes current age and the number of E2 alleles as covariates gives a LOD score of 4.1. The signal on 20p is near the location of the gene coding for cystatin-C, previously shown to be associated with late-onset AD and to codeposit with APP in the brains of patients with AD. Two-locus analysis provides evidence of strong epistasis between 20p and the APP region, limited to the oldest age group and to those lacking ApoE4 alleles. We speculate that high-risk polymorphisms in both regions produce a biological interaction between these two proteins that increases susceptibility to a very-late-onset form of AD.
The development of conceptual interests in young children

Abstract We conducted a longitudinal analysis of the relative intensity and duration of interests associated with conceptual domains between the ages of 4 and 6 years, respectively. Results indicated a significant portion of preschool children do sustain an interest in conceptual domains during some portion of their childhood. Expected gender differences were found, with boys more likely to express an interest in a conceptual domain than girls. A latent growth curve analysis revealed that the probability of exhibiting a conceptual interest declined as school began, though the rate of that decline was similar for both boys and girls. Potential explanations for the decrease in conceptual interests as school begins are considered.
Magnetic-field-dependent assembly of silica-coated magnetite nanoclusters probed by Ultra-Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (USAXS)

Abstract Colloidal suspension of the silica coated magnetic nanoclusters (MNCs) was used to study the magnetic field mediated assembly of magnetic nanoparticles. The spatial arrangement of these MNCs in colloidal suspension was studied using the ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) technique with magnetic field applied in directions orthogonal and parallel to the scattering vector. In situ magnetic field analysis of the USAXS scattering measurement showed anisotropic behavior that can be attributed to the formation of colloidal crystals. During magnetization, the clustered magnetic core induces a large dipole moment, and the thickness of the silica shell helps keep distance between the neighboring particles. The assembly of these hybrid nanostructured particles was found to be dependent on the strength and orientation of this external magnetic field. The dipolar chains formed of MNCs arranged themselves into colloidal crystals formed by two-dimensional magnetic sheets. The structure factor calculations suggested that the lattice parameters of these colloidal crystals can be tuned by changing the strength of the external magnetic field. These experiments shed light on the stimuli-responsive assembly of magnetic colloidal nanoparticles that leads to the creation of tunable photonic crystals.
Paranoid schizophrenia may be caused by dopamine hyperactivity of CA1 hippocampus.

Explicit consolidation of memory, or fixation of declarative belief, appears to be physically represented in changes of synaptic conductances of neurons in the parietal-temporal-occipital association cortex (PTO) of the mammalian forebrain. This fixation of belief in PTO is postulated to be critically dependent on a diffuse reinforcement signal via the inferior temporal cortex (ITC) ultimately caused by an increased output of the CA1 pyramidal cells of hippocampus. Analogous to the reinforcing mechanisms of other forebrain systems, this updating of the connection weights of the neural nets in PTO by the output of the critical neurons in CA1 is directly related to concentrations of dopamine (DA). We propose that the delusions (i.e., unreasonable beliefs) of paranoid schizophrenia are caused by a hyperactivity of the same DA-sensitive CA1 neurons that are responsible for the fixation of normal beliefs. The dramatic reduction in delusions with administration of neuroleptics, as DA D2 blockers, in schizophrenics may thus be explained by their acting to ameliorate the hyperactivity of these CA1 DA D2 receptors.