cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bio-energy with carbon capture and storage via alkaline thermal Treatment: Production of high purity H2 from wet wheat straw grass with CO2 capture

Abstract Biomass has a unique potential for “negative emissions” of CO2 if carbon capture and storage are integrated into the biomass conversion. While a large body of research has explored biomass conversion, challenges such as low energy density and high moisture content persist. This study proposes and investigates a novel single-step reaction scheme called Alkaline Thermal Treatment (ATT) to convert a real biomass feedstock (e.g. wet wheat straw grass) into high purity H2 in the presence of alkali (e.g., NaOH) at a moderate temperature of 500 °C and ambient pressure. Importantly, negligible CO and a very low percentage of CO2 (0.3%) were detected in the product gas stream, thus rendering gas products from the ATT reaction usable in various applications including fuel cells without further gas purification steps. The solid residue contained a very high percentage of carbonate, confirming the in-situ carbon capture effect.
A Remarkable Difference That One Fluorine Atom Confers on the Mechanisms of Inactivation of Human Ornithine Aminotransferase by Two Cyclohexene Analogues of γ-Aminobutyric Acid

Human ornithine aminotransferase (hOAT), a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme, plays a critical role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Pharmacological selective inhibition of hOAT has been shown to be a potential therapeutic approach for HCC. Inspired by the discovery of the nonselective aminotransferase inactivator (1R,3S,4S)-3-amino-4-fluoro cyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid (1), in this work, we rationally designed, synthesized, and evaluated a novel series of fluorine-substituted cyclohexene analogues, thereby identifying 8 and 9 as novel selective hOAT time-dependent inhibitors. Intact protein mass spectrometry and protein crystallography demonstrated 8 and 9 as covalent inhibitors of hOAT, which exhibit two distinct inactivation mechanisms resulting from the difference of a single fluorine atom. Interestingly, they share a similar turnover mechanism, according to the mass spectrometry-based analysis of metabolites and fluoride ion release experiments. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and electrostatic potential (ESP) charge calculations were conducted, which elucidated the significant influence of the one-fluorine difference on the corresponding intermediates, leading to two totally different inactivation pathways. The novel addition-aromatization inactivation mechanism for 9 contributes to its significantly enhanced potency, along with excellent selectivity over other aminotransferases.
Seasonal abundance and distribution of chaetognaths in the northern Gulf of Mexico: The effects of the Loop Current and Mississippi River plume

Abstract We examined the effect of mesoscale oceanographic conditions on the seasonal abundance and distribution patterns of chaetognaths, a major component of the zooplankton community in the northern Gulf of Mexico, with data collected in late spring (May/June) and summer (July) from 2015 to 2017. Overall, 13 chaetognath species from six genera were observed in the samples. Significant pairwise associations were found between some species of chaetognaths, e.g. Flaccisagitta enflata and Sagitta bipunctata, which were affected by the distance of sampling stations to the Loop Current front. Flaccisagitta hexaptera observed in the samples appeared as an indicator species of high salinity water. Additionally, the abundance of chaetognaths showed an increasing trend as the distance increased from the Loop Current front. The potential effects of environmental factors (e.g. SST, salinity, and dissolved oxygen) and oceanographic features (i.e. the Loop Current front) on abundance and distribution of chaetognaths were further examined using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and generalized additive models (GAM). The NMDS ordination showed significant differences in chaetognath assemblages between the cruises. Furthermore, the GAM modeling displayed species-specific impacts of salinity, dissolved oxygen, and distance to the Loop Current front on the abundance of key chaetognaths in the region. Given the critical roles of zooplankton communities, this three-year study of chaetognaths contributed to the understanding of the processes and drivers of zooplankton dynamics in relation to environmental factors in the northern Gulf of Mexico to further explore how these changes would affect fisheries production and ecosystem functions in the areas.
Structural and biochemical imaging reveals systemic LPS-induced changes in the rat brain.

Abstract Despite mounting evidence for the role of inflammation in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), in vivo preclinical investigations of inflammation-induced negative affect using whole brain imaging modalities are scarce, precluding a valid model within which to evaluate pharmacological interventions. Here we used an E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-based model of inflammation-induced depressive signs in rats to explore brain changes using multimodal neuroimaging methods. During the acute phase of the LPS response (2 h post injection), prior to the emergence of a task-quantifiable depressive phenotype, striatal glutamine levels and splenial, retrosplenial, and peri-callosal hippocampal cortex volumes were greater than at baseline. LPS-induced depressive behaviors observed at 24 h, however, occurred concurrently with lower than control levels of striatal glutamine and a reversibility of volume expansion (i.e., shrinkage of splenial, retrosplenial, and peri-callosal hippocampal cortex to baseline volumes). In both striatum and hippocampus at 24 h, mRNA expression in LPS relative to control animals demonstrated alterations in enzymes and transporters regulating glutamine homeostasis. Collectively, the observed behavioral, in vivo structural and metabolic, and mRNA expression alterations suggest a critical role for astrocytic regulation of inflammation-induced depressive behaviors.
Student strategies when taking open-ended test questions

Assessments are common in undergraduate classrooms, with formats including multiple-choice and open-ended (in which the students must generate their own answers) questions. While much is known abou...
"La trampa de la soberanía": entre la potencia y la excepción

The following work interrogates the theoretical production of the Italian contemporary philosopher Giorgio Agamben from what we consider to be a constitutive aporia of his thought, and of contemporary thought in general. We identify this aporia with a sort of amphibological use of notions such as politics, sovereignty, nude life, biopolitics, among others. At the same time, this problem leads Agamben to oscillate between an Schmittian notion of exception and a Benjaminian notion of potentiality. Through a confrontation with his main categories, we critically review his closure of the political universe and question his unilateral understanding of power, sovereignty and biopolitics. To do that, we use Jacques Derrida’s seminar on The Beast and the Sovereign.
The Impact of Repealing Sunday Closing Laws on Educational Attainment

Adolescents face daily trade-offs between human capital investment, labor, and leisure. This paper exploits state variation in the repeal of Sunday closing laws to examine the impact of a distinct and plausibly exogenous rise in the quantity of competing diversions available to youth on their educational attainment. The results suggest that the repeals led to a significant decline in both years of education and the probability of high school completion. I explore increased employment opportunities and risky behaviors as potential mechanisms. Further, I find a corresponding decline of the repeals on adult wages.
Discovering numeric laws, a case study: CO$_2$ fugacity in the ocean

The idea to automate the discovery of numeric laws goes back to early 1980's when some authors showed how to use to this end AI search techniques. Later, the community somewhat lost interest in this task, reasoning that it was unlikely that a computer program would ever "outperform" human intuition supported by background knowledge. Only recently did some authors manage to overcome this scepticism: their programs were able to discover new numeric laws in soft-science domains such as ecology and psychology. In the case study reported here, we describe a successful attempt to assist ocean chemists in their attempts to predict absorption rate of CO$_2$ in certain regions of the ocean. The system we have developed has found equations that outperform those suggested by field experts assisted by regression techniques. Our experience indicates that more attention should be paid to the following: the impact of spatio-temporal aspects, the existence of "hidden causes" (not directly reflected in a given set of variables), and the need for a field expert to post-process the results.
Effect of Hydrophobic Surfactant Proteins SP-B and SP-C on Binary Phospholipid Monolayers: II. Infrared External Reflectance-Absorption Spectroscopy

In situ external reflection infrared spectroscopy at the air-water interface was used to study the influence on phospholipid structure of an endogenous mixture of the two hydrophobic surfactant proteins, SP-B and SP-C, which are thought to play pivotal roles in the adsorption and function of pulmonary surfactant. Mixtures studied were 1:1, 2:1, and 7:1 (mol:mol) DPPC-d62:DPPG, and 7:1 DPPC-d62:DOPG, alone and in the presence of 0.5–10 wt % mixed SP-B/C purified chromatographically from calf lung surfactant extract. Perdeuteration of DPPC produced a shift in vibrational frequencies so that it could be differentiated spectroscopically from the phosphoglycerol component in the surface monolayer. CH2 antisymmetric and symmetric stretching bands (∼2920 and 2852 cm−1) along with the analogous CD2 stretching bands (∼2194 and 2089 cm−1) were analyzed, and band heights and peak wavenumber positions were assessed as a function of monolayer surface pressure. Small, near-physiological contents of 1–2 wt % SP-B/C typically produced the maximum observed spectroscopic effects, which were abolished at high protein contents of 10 wt %. Analysis of CH2 and CD2 stretching bands and C-H/C-D band height ratios indicated that SP-B/C affected PC and PG lipids differently within the surface monolayer. SP-B/C had preferential interactions with DPPG in 1:1, 2:1, and 7:1 DPPC-d62:DPPG films that increased its acyl chain order. SP-B/C also interacted specifically with DOPG in 7:1 DPPC-d62:DOPG monolayers, but in this case an increase in CH2 band heights and peak wavenumber positions indicated a further disordering of the already fluid DOPG acyl chains. CD2 band height and peak wavenumber analysis indicated that SP-B/C had no significant effect on the structure of DPPC-d62 chains in 7:1 films with DPPG or DOPG, and had only a slight tendency to increase the acyl chain order in 1:1 films of DPPC-d62:DPPG. SP-B/C had no significant effect on DPPC-d62 structure in films with DOPG. Infrared results also indicated that interactions involving SP-B/C and lipids led to exclusion of PC and PG lipids from the compressed interfacial monolayer, in agreement with our previous report on the phase morphology of lipid monolayers containing 1 wt % SP-B/C.
Empirical Bayes state estimation in discrete time linear systems

Linear dynamic systems state estimation, using empirical Bayes decision theory to develop filter set
Calculation of the positronium hyperfine interval using the Bethe-Salpeter formalism

We use a variation of the Bethe-Salpeter equation to complete the calculation of the one-photon annihilation contribution to the hyperfine interval of positronium at order $m{\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{6}.$ Our results are in accord with a quite different calculation independently done using an effective field theory approach. This completes the evaluation of all the $m{\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{6}$ terms. We give the total theoretical value for this interval and compare with experiment.
A Method for Making and Testing Quarter-Wave Plates

A test for quarter-wave plates is described which requires only a light source and collimator, half-silvered mirror, Nicol prism, and full-silvered mirror. The test is sensitive and does not require a quarter-wave plate for comparison or other purposes. A mechanism is described for tilting mica sheets of approximately correct thickness so that they become effective quarter-wave plates.
Minimum fault covering in reconfigurable arrays

Abstract One way to increase the yeild in chip production is to place redundant elements on the chips and use these redundant elements to replace the defective elements after the chips are fabricated. It is desirable that as few redundant elements are used for replacement as possible since the cost to reconfigure a chip is proportional to the number of redundant elements used. This paper discusses the case in which the redundant elements are arranged in the form of spare rows and spare columns for a rectangular array. Redundant RAMs are examples of such case. A covering is a set of rows and columns that contain all the defective elements in the array. Replacing the rows and columns in the covering with spare rows and columns will then repair the chip. We introduce the notion of a critical set which is a maximum set of rows and columns that must be included in any minimum covering. We show that for a given pattern of defective elements the corresponding critical set is unique . We also present a polynomial-time algorithm for finding the critical set, and demonstrate how the concept of critical sets can be applied to solve a number of fault covering problems.
The Wilms tumor suppressor WT1 directs stage‐specific quiescence and differentiation of human hematopoietic progenitor cells

WT1, a transcription factor implicated in both normal kidney differentiation and tumorigenesis, is also expressed in differentiating hematopoietic progenitors. Most human acute leukemias contain high levels of the wild-type transcript, while a minority have point mutations, raising the possibility that this tumor suppressor might have a paradoxical oncogenic effect in some hematopoietic cells. Using high titer retroviral infection, we demonstrate that WT1 triggers rapid growth arrest and lineage-specific differentiation in primary hematopoietic progenitors and differentiation-competent leukemia cell lines, while it induces cellular quiescence in a primitive subset of primary precursors. Growth arrest by WT1 is associated with induction of p21CIP1, but expression of this cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor alone is insufficient for either cellular differentiation or primitive cell preservation. The effects of WT1 are enhanced by co-expression of its naturally occurring isoforms, and are correlated with the physiological expression pattern of WT1 in vivo. Our observations suggest a role for WT1 in the differentiation of human hematopoietic cells, and provide a functional model that supports its capacity as a tumor suppressor in human acute leukemia.
Rent, income distribution and growth in an underdeveloped agrarian economy

Abstract A model is constructed to examine the determination of income distribution in an underdeveloped agrarian economy such as the Indian one, in which both rich capitalist farmers and poor subsistence farmers rent in land from landlords. It is used to analyse the growth and income distributional consequences of different kinds of institutional and technological changes, the possibilities of the growth of capitalism, and the impact of industrial expansion.
The Concept and measurement of subsistence: A survey of the literature

Abstract Subsistence is a widely-used concept. But most of the time, its precise meaning is not property stated. This study attempts to provide an appropriate exposition of the concept by examining the manner in which it is used and the role it plays in different theoretical analyses and policy formulations. It has been shown that contrary to the conventional notion of a minimum standard of physical needs only, subsistence is an absolute minimum standard of physical and mental survival and productive efficiency. The lowest standard of social desirability is given by the needs of physical and mental survival. In addition to these, the standard of subsistence includes the needs of physical and mental efficiency for productive living in the society. The attainment of a certain minimum of physical, mental, and social magnitudes provides the standard of subsistence. Commodities or their characteristics are the needs of this standard. Income, by providing the command over these needs, affords an individual the capability to attain it. Hence income is used to characterize subsistence. Three different methods of subsistence determination have been identified. The most commonly used methods—the social and the scientific ones—are found to be arbitrary. The determination of subsistence from the analysis of the agents' declaration or behavior seems to be a better method. While the declaration or expenditure-based studies suffer from various limitations, studies based on the behavior of income earning offer a better direction.
Estimating Monthly Solar Radiation in South-Central Chile

La radiacion solar es un componente clave en los modelos basados en procesos. La cantidad de esta energia depende de la ubicacion, epoca del ano, y tambien de las condiciones atmosfericas. Varias ecuaciones y modelos han sido desarrollados para diferentes condiciones, utilizando datos historicos de las redes de estaciones meteorologicas o de las mediciones por satelite. Sin embargo, las estimaciones de la radiacion solar son demasiado locales con estaciones meteorologicas, o con una resolucion muy gruesa cuando se trabaja con satelites. En el presente estudio se estimo radiacion solar global mensual para la region centro sur de Chile mediante el uso del modelo r.sun y se valido con observaciones de estaciones meteorologicas automaticas. Se analizo el desempeno de los resultados de la irradiacion global con los modelos Hargreaves-Samani (HS) y Bristol-Campbell (BC). Las estimaciones del modelo calibrado r.sun explican un 89% de la varianza (r2 = 0.89) en valores medios mensuales observados. El modelo se comporto muy bien para una amplia zona de las condiciones de Chile, comparados con los modelos HS y BC. Nuestras estimaciones de la radiacion global utilizando el modelo r.sun podrian ser mejoradas aun mas con una posterior calibracion a partir de observaciones y una mejor estimacion de la nubosidad en la medida que esten disponibles. Con procedimientos adicionales, el modelo r.sun podria ser utilizado para proporcionar estimaciones espaciales de la radiacion solar diaria, semanal, mensual, y anual.
Lifetimes of the 6.91- and 7.12-Mev Excited States of O 16

The mean lives of the 6.91- and 7.12-Mev excited states of ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ have been measured through a nuclear resonance scattering experiment. The ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}(p, \ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{O}}^{16*}$ reaction was used as the source of Doppler-broadened gamma radiation. The relative intensities of the 6.91- and 7.12-Mev gamma-ray lines in this source were determined by observations of the associated alpha particles. From the magnitude of the resonance fluorescence effect and the angular distribution, mean lives of (1.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}14}$ second for the 6.91-Mev level and (1.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}14}$ second for the 7.12-Mev level were calculated.
Escitalopram in the Treatment of Adolescent Depression: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Multisite Trial

Abstract Objective This article presents the results from a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of escitalopram in adolescent patients with major depressive disorder. Method Male and female adolescents (aged 12–17 years) with DSM-IV-defined major depressive disorder were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of double-blind treatment with escitalopram 10 to 20 mg/day ( n = 155) or placebo ( n = 157). The primary efficacy parameter was change from baseline to week 8 in Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) score using the last observation carried forward approach. Results A total of 83% patients (259/312) completed 8 weeks of double-blind treatment. Mean CDRS-R score at baseline was 57.6 for escitalopram and 56.0 for placebo. Significant improvement was seen in the escitalopram group relative to the placebo group at endpoint in CDRS-R score (−22.1 versus −18.8, p=.022; last observation carried forward). Adverse events occurring in at least 10% of escitalopram patients were headache, menstrual cramps, insomnia, and nausea; only influenza-like symptoms occurred in at least 5% of escitalopram patients and at least twice the incidence of placebo (7.1% versus 3.2%). Discontinuation rates due to adverse events were 2.6% for escitalopram and 0.6% for placebo. Serious adverse events were reported by 2.6% and 1.3% of escitalopram and placebo patients, respectively, and incidence of suicidality was similar for both groups. Conclusions In this study, escitalopram was effective and well tolerated in the treatment of depressed adolescents. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry , 2009;48(7):721–729.
Molecular Modeling of Vanadium Peroxides

A computational study of vanadium peroxides (LnV(O2)m; m = 0−4), important for their biochemical and catalytic activity, is reported. In the compounds studied, ancillary ligands (Ln) are generally the hard, oxygen- and nitrogen-based donor ligands, e.g., carboxylates and pyridines, prevalent in the coordination chemistry of vanadium peroxides. The utility of estimating missing metal-dependent molecular mechanics (MM) parameters from quantum calculations is demonstrated. Given the limited vibrational data for many families of transition metal complexes, quantum calculations are a viable source for parameters to use in development of force fields. A conformational search of [V(O2)3F]2- using MM yielded a geometry inconsistent with experiment, but consistent with ab initio geometry optimizations. A reinvestigation of this structure is therefore of interest. Molecular mechanics provides a quick and accurate method for obtaining structural information. The level of agreement for structural prediction is compet...
Partial life-cycle analysis: a simplified model for post-breeding census data

Age-specific demographic data are not available for many species of conservation concern, and conservation biologists must rely on incomplete demographic data which can be collected much more easily. Models that allow demographic analyses based on incomplete demographic data have recently received substantial attention. Such models (hereafter, partial life-cycle models) are particularly appropriate for situations where age-specific demographic data are not available, and when perturbation analyses involving ages at first and last reproduction are desired. Here, I present a partial life-cycle model appropriate for the analyses of incomplete demographic data collected from post-breeding censuses when estimates of age at last reproduction are not available. Using example calculations, I have shown that results of the simple model resemble those obtained from corresponding age-structured models, and that ignoring age at last reproduction for demographic analyses of long-lived organisms results in little or no loss of information. These results justify the use of the simple model presented here, and should be encouraging to investigators working on long-lived organisms for which estimates of age at last reproduction are rarely available.
Gene-Sharing Networks Reveal Organizing Principles of Transcriptomes in Arabidopsis and Other Multicellular Organisms

Understanding tissue-related gene expression patterns can provide important insights into gene, tissue, and organ function. Transcriptome analyses often have focused on housekeeping or tissue-specific genes or on gene coexpression. However, by analyzing thousands of single-gene expression distributions in multiple tissues of Arabidopsis thaliana, rice (Oryza sativa), human (Homo sapiens), and mouse (Mus musculus), we found that these organisms primarily operate by gene sharing, a phenomenon where, in each organism, most genes exhibit a high expression level in a few key tissues. We designed an analytical pipeline to characterize this phenomenon and then derived Arabidopsis and human gene-sharing networks, in which tissues are connected solely based on the extent of shared preferentially expressed genes. The results show that tissues or cell types from the same organ system tend to group together to form network modules. Tissues that are in consecutive developmental stages or have common physiological functions are connected in these networks, revealing the importance of shared preferentially expressed genes in conferring specialized functions of each tissue type. The networks provide predictive power for each tissue type regarding gene functions of both known and heretofore unknown genes, as shown by the identification of four new genes with functions in guard cell and abscisic acid response. We provide a Web interface that enables, based on the extent of gene sharing, both prediction of tissue-related functions for any Arabidopsis gene of interest and predictions concerning the relatedness of tissues. Common gene-sharing patterns observed in the four model organisms suggest that gene sharing evolved as a fundamental organizing principle of gene expression in diverse multicellular eukaryotes.
Spectroscopy and lasing performance of Er-doped LiYF4 and KYF4

The spectroscopic properties of Er3+ in the fluoride hosts LiYF4 and KYF4 or YLF and KYF respectively, are presented as they relate to cascade lasing of the 4I11/2 to 4I13/2 and 4I13/2 to 4I15/2 transitions. In this manner simultaneous lasing at near 2800 and 1600 nm is obtained.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Through-Thickness Shear Strain in Silicon Steel under Asymmetric Rolling

Through-thickness shear strain variation with speed/radius/friction ratio in cold rolled silicon steel under different asymmetric rolling modes was analyzed by finite element method (FEM). Cold rolling textures were also investigated quantitatively to correlate with the calculated shear strain. With increasing speed/radius/friction ratio, shear strain distribution under differential-speed and differential-radius rolling exhibits similar characteristic in contrast to differential-friction rolling. Unidirectional shear strain develops through sheet thickness when asymmetric speed and radius ratio exceeds 1.125, whereas it does not appear even at friction ratio of 1.5. Shear strain distribution dependent on asymmetric rolling modes can be well understood by forward and backward slip zones as well as roll pressure as a function of speed/radius/friction ratio.
Transportation geography and geographic thought in the United States: an overview☆

The development of transportation geography is considered in the context of three geographic traditions: ecology, area study and spatial organization. Beginning in the mid-1950s, there was an increase in spatial, quantitative and theoretical work. During the 1970s, a critique of this positivistic approach emerged. Since 1970, there has been a growth of pluralism with a complex intertwining of philosophical and definitional paradigms that have had an important impact on transportation studies. It is hoped that future emphasis will be on the specific-theory level of a paradigm, particularly the link between theory and empiricism as exemplified by: verification studies; GIS; mode l-context analysis; policy analysis; and regional studies.
Multispectral Analysis for Quantitative Measurements of Myoglobin Oxygen Fractional Saturation in the Presence of Hemoglobin Interference

Quantitative values for myoglobin oxygen fractional saturation were extracted from visible absorption spectra of myoglobin and hemoglobin solutions by analysis with three algorithms: classical least-squares, partial least-squares, and stagewise multiple linear regression. In an effort to mimic in vivo conditions, oxygen tensions and concentrations of myoglobin and hemoglobin solutions in separate cuvettes were varied independently. Transmission measurements were made through both cuvettes so that spectra contained contributions from both myoglobin and hemoglobin. Oxygen tensions in the myoglobin solutions spanned the rapidly varying region of the myoglobin oxygen saturation curve with pO2 ranging from 0 to 4.79 Torr, corresponding to fractional saturation values between 0 and 0.903. A range of hemoglobin oxygenations from fully oxygenated to fully deoxygenated was used. Estimation of myoglobin fractional saturation by the classical least-squares algorithm had a standard error (SEest) of 0.094, while the partial least-squares method resulted in an SEest of 0.070. Partial least-squares estimations resulted in an SEest of 0.041 when a limited wavelength range was used. The stagewise multiple linear regression method had an SEest of 0.052. Results indicate that stagewise regression and partial least-squares yielded estimates of myoglobin fractional saturation that were more accurate than those obtained from classical least-squares.
Mechanical and Subcellular Function of Rat Myocardium during Chronic Ethanol Consumption

AbstractHemodynamic, mechanical, and subcellular function in a rat model of chronic ethanol consumption (A) and pair-fed control rats (C) were evaluated over a 17-week course. Between 5 and 17 weeks, isovolumetric peak systolic pressure did not change (C = 260 ± 20 mmHg; A = 265 ± 35 mmHg;p > 0.1). At 17 weeks myocardial contractility as evaluated by (dP/dt-max)/32 x LVP began to decline in the A rats (Vmax = 1.46 ± 0.12, r = 0.89; C = 1.560 ± 0.09, r = 0.95) but this is not statistically significant. Neither the velocity of calcium uptake by the isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) nor the whole heart homogenate (H) was different between C and A rats during the 17-week period and the estimated quantitative content of SR/g Heart did not change (at 17 weeks: mg SR/g Heart = 0.15, C and A). Utilizing Triton X-100 purification of cardiac myofibrils, Mg2+-dependent, Ca2+-stimulated myofribrillar ATPase activity began to decline at 11 weeks (A = 80% of control) and continued to decline at 17 weeks (A = 72% of ...
Neuroimaging Abnormalities in Infants With Congenital Hemiparesis

Clinical and neuroimaging characteristics of congenital hemiparesis were examined in a retrospective cohort study nested within 199,176 births within the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, 1997-2002. Infants with a physician diagnosis of paresis or cerebral palsy were electronically identified, and charts were reviewed to confirm congenital hemiparesis. A neuroradiologist reviewed available head MRI and CT scans. Of 96 infants with congenital hemiparesis (population prevalence 4.8 per 10,000), 81% received either a head magnetic resonance imaging (n = 55) or head computed tomography only (n = 23). Perinatal arterial infarction was the most common (30%) neuroimaging finding in term infants. Infants with right-sided hemiparesis (relative risk 4.6, 95% confidence interval 1.4-14.4) or moderate to severe weakness (relative risk 4.4, 95% confidence interval 1.1-17.7) were more likely to have had a perinatal arterial infarction. Periventricular white matter lesions predominated in preterm infants (71%). Brain malformations observed in 14 (18%) patients included polymicrogyria, heterotopia, and schizencephaly. The 14 infants (18%) with a normal head imaging study were more likely to outgrow all signs of hemiparesis by age 3 than were infants with an abnormal brain image (29% vs 0%, P < 0.001). Neuroimaging studies provide useful diagnostic and prognostic information in infants with congenital hemiparesis.
Initiation of meiotic recombination by double-strand DNA breaks in S. pombe.

Abstract Mitotic gene conversion and reciprocal recombination have recently been shown to be efficiently initiated by double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We tested whether DSBs could also initiate meiotic recombination at the mat1 locus in S. pombe. The mat1 switching-mechanism-generated DSB found in mitotically growing cells can be repaired without mat1 switching, since strains deleted for both donor loci ( mat2 -P and mat3 -M) have the break but do not produce inviable cells. A ( mat1 -P × mat1 -M) cross produced a high frequency (20%) of 3:1 gene conversions of mat1 in meiotic tetrads. Gene conversion events were associated with the recombination of flanking markers. Strains lacking the DSB failed to convert. Thus, the DSB at mat1 promotes efficient meiotic recombination in fission yeast.
A Poverty Oriented Cost-Benefit Approach to the Analysis of Development Projects

Abstract This essay presents a form of cost-benefit analysis where benefits are defined in terms of contributions to basic human capabilities. This capabilities approach to project analysis is contrasted with the US Agency for International Development's logical framework approach, the World Bank's economic cost-benefit approach, and distributionally sensitive economic cost-benefit analysis. I argue that international development agencies' concessional resource transfers could contribute more to the well-being of the world's poor if guided by this cost-benefit approach than they do under current arrangements. The notion of capabilities as fundamental requirements for well-being has been developed by Amartya Sen.
Contact Allergens and Epidermal Proinflammatory Cytokines Modulate Langerhans Cell E-cadherin Expression in Situ

After exposure to antigen, Langerhans cells (LC) migrate from the epidermis to lymph nodes, where they initiate primary immune responses in T cells. The adhesion molecule E-cadherin mediates adhesion of LC to keratinocytes in vitro and may be responsible for localization of LC in epidermis. To determine if levels of LC E-cadherin are modulated during LC emigration from epidermis, we utilized flow cytometry to evaluate E-cadherin expression on BALB/c LC exposed in situ to the contact allergen 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB). TNCB induced increased I-A/E antigen and decreased E-cadherin expression on a subpopulation of LC as early as 12 h, and as late as 48 h, after application. At 24 h, ∼30% of LC in TNCB-treated skin expressed increased I-A/E antigens; of these activated LC, ∼40% expressed decreased levels of E-cadherin. E-cadherin levels on this latter subset were ∼15% of those expressed by LC in normal skin, and were similar to levels on cultured LC and LC that migrated from skin explants. The effect was specific for allergens; no changes occurred in LC following treatment with several contact irritants or the tolerogen dinitrothiocyanobenzene. To determine if cytokines modulated LC E-cadherin expression, we introduced various cytokines into BALB/c ear skin and assayed I-AlE antigen and E-cadherin levels. Of the cytokines tested, only interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor a reproduced the effects of TNCB. We propose that downmodulation of E-cadherin expression occurs as a consequence of local cytokine production during antigen-induced LC activation, facilitating LC emigration and the initiation of immune responses against antigens encountered in epidermis.
Continuum Modeling of Charged Particle Transport: RF Breakdown and Discharges of SF6

Continuity equations for the concentration of electrons, positive ions, and negative ions were constructed and solved to predict rf breakdown voltages and the electrical properties of SF6 discharges. These balances for the three types of charged species include terms for convection (electric field-driven fluxes), diffusion, and reactions (ionization, electron attachment, and negative-positive ion recombination). The mobilities, diffusivities, and reaction rate coefficients necessary for the rf discharge model are based on reported measurements and calculations of these parameters in dc electric fields. The electric fields developed in the rf discharge are calculated from Poisson’s equation and applied voltage conditions. Predictions based on this model are compared with measured rf breakdown characteristics of SF6.
Lattice-Fringe Fingerprinting: Structural identification of nanocrystals by HRTEM

A novel method for the structurally identification of a nanocrystal from a single high resolution (HR) transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrograph is described. Components of this method are demonstrated on both experimental and simulated HRTEM images. On the experimental side, the structural information that can be extracted from a HRTEM image is the projected reciprocal lattice geometry, the plane symmetry group, a few structure factor amplitudes and phases, and an outline of the projected atomic structure to the limited resolution of the HRTEM (via a Fourier synthesis of the structure factors). Searching for this information in a comprehensive database and matching it with high figures of merit to that of candidate structures should allow for highly discriminatory identifications of nanocrystals, even without additional chemical information as obtainable in analytical TEMs.
Evaluation of the activated clotting time and activated partial thromboplastin time for the monitoring of heparin in adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients.

Introduction:Historically, the activated clotting time (ACT) has been the preferred monitoring test of the heparin effect in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients. However, few adult ...
Microanalysis on controlled spot test paper by X-ray fluorescence

X-ray instrumentation combined with a confined spot test technique has proven very useful for the determination of major constituents and trace constituents in microsamples, i.e., less than 3 mg of material. When the concentration of the major constituent is about 50%, the sample size needed is approximately 250μg. Samples containing as little as 0.1% of the element of interest require approximately 1 mg of sample. This technique is simple and rapid with respect to operator time and is quite versatile, being applicable to the determination of elements above atomic number 12.
Human papillomavirus DNA replication. Interactions between the viral E1 protein and two subunits of human dna polymerase alpha/primase.

Papovaviruses are valuable models for the study of DNA replication in higher eukaryotic organisms, as they depend on host factors for replication of their DNA. In this study we investigate the interactions between the human papillomavirus type 11 (HPV-11) origin recognition and initiator protein E1 and human polymerase α/primase (pol α/primase) subunits. By using a variety of physical assays, we show that both 180- (p180) and 70-kDa (p70) subunits of pol α/primase interact with HPV-11 E1. The interactions of E1 with p180 and p70 are functionally different in cell-free replication of an HPV-11 origin-containing plasmid. Exogenously added p180 inhibits both E2-dependent and E2-independent cell-free replication of HPV-11, whereas p70 inhibits E2-dependent but stimulates E2-independent replication. Our experiments indicate that p70 does not physically interact with E2 and suggest that it may compete with E2 for binding to E1. A model of how E2 and p70 sequentially interact with E1 during initiation of viral DNA replication is proposed.
Separation of Alternaria into protein and carbohydrate fractions with phenyl Sepharose

To evaluate the contribution of high carbohydrate-containing fractions to the allergen content of Alternaria, samples of an Alternaria extract were bound to a phenyl Sepharose column and eluted with Tris buffer containing 4, 2, and 1 mol/L of NaCl and then distilled water. The fractions were dialyzed and lyophilized. The 4 mol/L fraction accounted for 79% of the dry weight and most of the carbohydrate content. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the fractions demonstrated significant interfraction differences with the largest number of silver-stained bands in the H2O fraction. Although individual differences in skin reactivity to the fractions were present, geometric means of histamine equivalent pricks were approximately the same with only a 0.5 log dilution higher potency for the 1 mol/L and H2O fractions. The 50% IgE ELISA-inhibition concentration was 100 micrograms/ml for the 1 mol/L and distilled water fractions and 10 micrograms/ml for the other fractions. Since the 4 mol/L fraction accounted for most of the dry weight and had the highest carbohydrate to protein ratio (5.8), purification of Alternaria extracts by removal of carbohydrate fractions may result in significant loss of allergenic material.
Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Differences in the Incidence of Obesity Related to Childbirth

Objectives. We investigated the relationship between childbirth and 5-year incidence of obesity.Methods. We performed a prospective analysis of data on 2923 nonobese, nonpregnant women aged 14 to 22 years from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth Cohort, which was followed from 1980 to 1990. We used multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine the adjusted relative risk of obesity for mothers 5 years after childbirth compared with women who did not have children.Results. The 5-year incidence of obesity was 11.3 per 100 parous women, compared with 4.5 per 100 nulliparous women (relative risk [RR] = 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.4, 4.9; P < .001). The 5-year incidence of obesity was 8.6 for primiparous women (RR = 2.8; 95% CI = 1.5, 5.0) and 12.2 for multiparous women (RR = 3.8; 95% CI = 2.6, 5.6). Among parous women, White women had the lowest obesity incidence (9.1 per 100 vs 15.1 per 100 for African Americans and 12.5 per 100 for Hispanics).Conclusions. Parous women have a hi...
The Effects Of Boresighting Errors When Using Two Mosaic Focal Planes

In many sensor systems, simultaneous sightings with two independent focal planes are required. A two-color experiment is an example. When the sensor has a mosaic focal plane with thousands or millions of detectors, precise alignment between each pair of corresponding detectors is impossible. The individual chips on each focal plane will be offset from the desired position. These offsets can be in two linear directions, a rotation, or a combination of these. The effect of these offsets depends both on the distribution of the energy in the observed scene and on the parameters of the sensor. In this paper, these effects are analyzed. A specific example is shown to demonstrate the effects and method of evaluation. No discussion is included about how to align the focal planes, how to measure the boresight errors, or the sensor rigidity requirements.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Enteric Glia Cells Attenuate Cytomix-Induced Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Breakdown

Intestinal barrier failure may lead to a systemic inflammatory response and distant organ injury in patients following severe injury. Enteric Glia Cells (EGCs) have been shown to play an important role in maintaining gut barrier integrity through secretion of S- nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). We have recently shown than Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) increases EGC activation, which was associated with improved gut barrier integrity. Thus, we sought to study the mechanism by which VNS prevents epithelial barrier injury using an in vitro model. We postulated that VNS activates EGCs via a nicotinic cholinergic signaling mechanism, causing secretion of GSNO, resulting in improved epithelial barrier function through improved expression of intestinal tight junction proteins. To determine the effects of EGCs on epithelial cells, epithelial cell lines were co- cultured with EGCs or incubated with GSNO and stimulated with Cytomix (TNF-[alpha], INF-[gamma], IL-1[beta]). We found that EGCs and GSNO were able to attenuate Cytomix- induced monolayer permeability through improved expression of the tight junction proteins ZO-1, occludin, and phosphorylated Myosin Light Chain (P-MLC). EGCs were treated with nicotine to determine if a nicotinic cholinergic agonist would induce their activation as a potential signaling mechanism linking EGCs with VNS- induced barrier protection. Treatment with nicotine resulted in EGC activation, as evidenced by an increase GFAP expression, and was associated with improved barrier function in epithelial monolayers exposed to inflammatory insults. Thus, therapies that increase EGC activation, such as VNS, limit intestinal barrier failure and may be a novel treatment strategy in patients following severe injury
Sign change of induced hyperfine fields in the 5p shell

Author(s): Frankel, R.B.; Huntzicker, J.; Matthias, E.; Rosenblum, S.S.; Shirley, D.A.; Stone, N.J.
Feline dysautonomia in the Midwestern United States: A retrospective study of nine cases

Dysautonomia of domestic animals is pathologically characterized by chromatolytic degeneration of the neurons in the autonomic nervous ganglia that results in clinical signs related to dysfunction or failure of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The exact cause is unknown. It has a poor prognosis among all species reported and no definitive treatment is available currently. To date, most reported feline cases have occurred in the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. The cases reported here highlight the clinical signs, physical examination findings, and results of autonomic nervous system function testing in nine cats with dysautonomia in the US. Feline dysautonomia is uncommon in the US, but may have a regional prevalence, as is seen in dogs with most cases reported in Missouri and Kansas.
A Systematic Study of the Effects of Metal Substitutions for Cu in Yba2(Cu1-XMX)3O7-δ, M=Fe, Co, Al, Ga, Cr, Ni, and Zn

A series of polycrystalline YBa 2 (Cu 1‐x M x ) 3 O 7‐δ (1:2:3) samples with a typical grain size > 10μm was prepared using well controlled and reproducible precedures. This relatively large grain size allowed microprobe studies of individual grains to determine M content of the 1:2:3 phase. Solubility limits of substitutions for Cu in these samples are estimated. Superconducting transition temperatures and lattice parameters are presented. In the case of Ga, microprobe studies show no evidence for Ga content of 1:2:3 above x=0.01. Preliminary studies show no evidence for solid solution above x=0.01 when substituting Mn, Cr, Zr, and Ti for Cu in 1:2:3.
Rethinking cancer clinical trials for the future.

59 (2014). 10 Breslow MJ. Remote ICU care programs: current status. J. Crit. Care. 22(1), 66–76 (2007). 11 PatientsLikeMe. www.patientslikeme.com 12 Young LB, Chan PS, Lu X, Nallamothu BK, Sasson C, Cram PM. Impact of telemedicine intensive care unit coverage on patient outcomes: a systematic review and meta- analysis. Arch. Intern. Med. 171(6), 498–506
Improvised Explosive Device: The Problem of Definition

This research note provides a descriptive content analysis of contemporary definitions of improvised explosive device (IED) before offering a systematic and comprehensive alternative definition. The analysis of existing definitions identifies significant differences across a number of dimensions, including whether IEDs can be characterized in terms of their components, mode of delivery, initiation type, perpetrator identity, ingredient type, what it is they are ultimately designed to do and also what it is that “improvised” actually refers to. In an effort to move toward greater conceptual clarity and ultimately an operational definition, this article offers a descriptive content analysis of 29 definitions before offering a new definition of IED that captures dimensions critical both for measuring and understanding changes in the nature and extent of IEDs for the purposes of academic analyses.