cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Liking oral cold and hot irritant sensations: specificity to type of irritant and locus of stimulation

Humans commonly come to enjoy experiencing the innately unpalatable oral sensations produced by the consumption of «hot» irritants (e.g. chili pepper, hot mustard and horseradish), and «cold» irritants (menthol). We explore the extent to which irritant preferences reflect an underlying tendency to reverse innate aversions to oral sensations, and the extent to which reversal of oral aversions is related to liking for irritation or temperature change on the body surface, by examining individual differences in patterns of liking for these experiences
Speckle-free rear-projection screen using two close screens in slow relative motion

Speckle in rear-projection screens, such as those used in microfiche viewers, reduces resolution and can cause viewer fatigue. Many speckle-reduction techniques have been tried with varying degrees of success, including rapid movement of a single screen in its plane, the use of two stationary spaced screens, liquid-crystal screens, and the use of two closely spaced screens in slow relative orbital motion. We describe a simplified, two-screen support that permits only linear screen motion, and show that such motion provides total speckle elimination. An analysis of speckle in such screens is presented which accounts for the observed remarkable sensitivity of the speckle pattern to minute screen displacements. To confirm this analysis we have measured the speckle pattern’s correlation as a function of screen displacement using the speckle interferometry method of Francon. We consider the effects of a spatially and spectrally extended incandescent light source, and conclude that these effects are negligible in our application compared to the effect of screen motion. We show that these three speckle-reducing effects (screen motion, spatial extent of the source, and spectral extent of the source) can be considered together by introducing the notion of space-time correlation cells.
Experimental study of the effect of helium/nitrogen concentration and initial droplet diameter on nonane droplet combustion with minimal convection

In this paper, we study the influence of inert concentration and initial droplet diameter on nonane (C9H20) droplet combustion in an environment that promotes spherical droplet flames. The oxygen concentration is fixed while the inert is varied between nitrogen and helium. A range of initial droplet diameters (Do) are examined in each ambient gas: 0.4 mm < Do < 0.8 mm; and an oxidizing ambiance consisting of 30% oxygen (fixed) and 70% inert (fixed), with the inert in turn composed of mixtures of nitrogen and helium in concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% N2. The experiments are carried out at normal atmospheric pressure in a cold ambiance (room temperature) under low gravity to minimize the influence of convection and promote spherical droplet flames. For burning within a helium inert (0% N2), the droplet flames are entirely blue and there is no influence of initial droplet diameter on the local burning rate (K). With increasing dilution by nitrogen, droplet flames show significant yellow luminosity indicating the presence of soot and the individual burning histories show K reducing with increasing Do. The evolution of droplet diameter D(t) is nonlinear for a given Do in the presence of either helium or nitrogen inerts indicating that soot formation has little to do with nonlinear burning. A correlation is presented of the data in the form (D/Do)2(1+e)=1-K′t/Do2(1+e) where the effective burning rate, K′, and e are concentration-dependent. Correlations for these parameters are presented in the paper.
Outlawing ghosts: avoiding out-of-thin-air results

It is very difficult to define a programming language memory model for shared variables that both• allows programmers to take full advantage of weakly-ordered memory operations, but still• correctly disallows so-called "out-of-thin-air" results, i.e. results that can be justified only via reasoning that is in some sense circular.Real programming language implementations do not produce out-of-thin-air results. Architectural specifications successfully disallow them. Nonetheless, the difficulty of disallowing them in language specifications causes real, and serious, problems. In the absence of such a specification, essentially all precise reasoning about non-trivial programs becomes impractical. This remains a critical open problem in the specifications of Java, C, and C++, among others.We argue that there are plausible and relatively straight-forward solutions, but their performance impact requires further study. In the long run, they are likely to require strengthening of some hardware guarantees, so that they translate properly to guarantees at the programming language source level.
Pigment vs cholesterol cholelithiasis: Comparison of stone and bile composition

This report presents a comparative study of gallstone and gallbladder bile composition from 100 unselected American patients, 23 with pigment and 77 with cholesterol cholelithiasis. Cholesterol stones were predominantly composed of cholesterol, whereas pigment stones were mainly composed of an unidentified residue, bilirubin, and bile salts. The residue in pigment stones was not calcium bilirubinate, which sharply contrasts with the composition of bile pigment calcium stones found in Japanese subjects. Bile composition of the two groups differed in that the cholesterol content of biles surrounding pigment stones was significantly less than that of biles surrounding cholesterol stones. Bilirubin in biles was conjugated, but the pigment extracted from stones was unconjugated bilirubin. This study indicates that (1) pigment stones account for an appreciable percentage of gallstone specimens found at cholecystectomy, and (2) pigment stone formation involves the precipitation of bilirubin, bile salts, and unidentified material which is not calcium bilirubinate.
One versus many: Capturing the use of multiple emotion regulation strategies in response to an emotion-eliciting stimulus

The past decade and a half has witnessed a renewed interest in the study of affective processes. James Gross' process model of emotion regulation has provided a theoretical framework for this approach. This model stipulates that individuals have a repertoire of emotion regulation strategies they use in order to modify their affect and/or the situations eliciting such affect. However, empirical investigations of the use of emotion regulation strategies have largely oversimplified this model by assuming that individuals use only one regulation strategy to manage the affect elicited by a given emotion-eliciting stimulus or situation. This is problematic because it has resulted in a limited understanding of the complex process by which individuals select and implement regulation strategies. In this brief report, we present findings suggesting that people spontaneously use multiple emotion regulation strategies in response to a brief disgust-eliciting film clip. We discuss implications for future empirical work on emotion regulation strategies.
Thermochemistry of uranium compounds X. Standard enthalpies of formation of uranyl oxalate, uranyl acetate, and their hydrates. Thermodynamics of the UO2C2O4 + H2O and UO2(CH3COO)2 + H2O systems☆☆☆

Solution-calorimetric studies of uranyl oxalate and acetate and their hydrates are described. The standard enthalpies of formation of the crystalline solids at 298.15 K, ΔHfo/kJ mol−1 are: UO2C2O4, −(1796.7 ± 2.5); UO2C2O4·H2O, −(2111.8 ± 2.4); UO2C2O4·3H2O, −(2715.3 ± 2.4); δ-UO2(CH3COO)2, −(1957.7 ± 1.1); and UO2(CH3COO)2·2H2O, −(2557.3 ± 1.1). The calorimetric data yield the following enthalpy changes at 298.15 K: UO2C2O4·3H2O(c) = UO2C2O4·3H2O(c) + 2H2O(g);ΔHfo = (119.9±3.4)kJ mol−1; (1)UO2C2O4·3H2O(c) = UO2C2O4+H2O(g ΔHfo = (73.3±3.5)kJ mol−1; (1)UO2(CH3COO)2·2H2O(c) = UO2(CH3COO)2(cσ)+ 2H2O(g); ΔHfo = (115.9±1.6)kJ mol−1; (3) Equilibrium H2O vapor pressures are estimated to be (89 ± 30), (0.4 ± 0.2), and (200 ± 50) Pa for equilibria (1), (2), and (3), respectively.
Detection of atrial tachyarrhythmias by transesophageal pacing and recording at rest and during exercise in children with ventricular preexcitation.

Ventricular preexcitation can be associated with symptomatic supraventricular tachyarrhythmias that can appear at rest and during exercise. In adults, transesophageal atrial pacing has been shown to be an effective method to induce supraventricular tachyarrhythmias and to evaluate the degree of risk in this syndrome. 1,2 In Italy, this procedure (mandatory by law) is used at rest and during exercise in competitive athletes to induce atrial fibrillation and to predict its degeneration into ventricular fibrillation by the shortest RR interval between preexcited beats.3 In the pediatric field, children have undergone transesophageal atrial pacing at rest. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of transesophageal atrial pacing in the detection of atrial tachyarrhythmias, and for the effectiveness of therapy at rest and during exercise in children with and without evidence of arrhythmias on routine tests as a possible alternative to invasive electrophysiologic studies.
The Rat Germ Cell Adenylate Cyclase: Molecular Heterogeneity

The germ cell adenylate cyclase in subcellular fractions from testis homogenates was found in both the cytosol and particulate fraction, whereas in the subcellular fractions from epididymal spermatozoa homogenates, it was found to be exclusively in the particulate fraction. The particulate enzyme activities from testis tissue and epididymal sperm were solubilized by treatment with 1% Triton X-100 in the presence of 250 mM Tris-HCl, 150 mM KCl and 15% glycerol. The molecular weight of cytosol and detergent-solubilized enzymes was estimated by gel-exclusion chromatography. The apparent molecular weight of the cytosol enzyme was approximately 60 000 in the presence of 5 mM Tris-HCl and about 44 000 daltons in the presence of 250 mM Tris-HCl. The Triton X-100 solubilized testis enzyme in the presence of 5 mM Tris-HCl migrated mostly as a large aggregate, but dissociated into fragments of about 60 000 daltons in the presence of 250 mM Tris-HCl and 0.1% Triton X-100. The adenylate cyclase derived from epididymal sperm did not dissociate under the same conditions (i. e. with 250 mM Tris-HCl and 0.1% Triton) and migrated as a large aggregate. The observed molecular heterogeneity of the testis cytosol and particulate adenylate cyclase under different experimental conditions most likely results from aggregation of a single form of the enzyme.
Structured illumination quantitative phase microscopy for enhanced resolution amplitude and phase imaging

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is an established microscopy technique typically used to image samples at resolutions beyond the diffraction limit. Until now, however, achieving sub-diffraction resolution has predominantly been limited to intensity-based imaging modalities. Here, we introduce an analogue to conventional SIM that allows sub-diffraction resolution, quantitative phase-contrast imaging of optically transparent objects. We demonstrate sub-diffraction resolution amplitude and quantitative-phase imaging of phantom targets and enhanced resolution quantitative-phase imaging of cells. We report a phase accuracy to within 5% and phase noise of 0.06 rad.
Roles of the Bradyrhizobium japonicum terminal oxidase complexes in microaerobic H2-dependent growth

Abstract Spectral, inhibitor, and O 2 -consumption studies on membranes from free-living and bacteroid forms of Bradyrhizobium japonicum have revealed the existence of a number of terminal oxidases, and four terminal oxidase gene clusters within the heme–copper cytochrome family have been cloned. Here the complexes encoded by cox MNOP and cox WXYZ, genes with homology to Cu A -containing cytochrome c oxidases and b -type ubiquinol oxidases respectively, are studied by analysis of mutants in each of the two oxidases and a double mutant in both of the terminal oxidase genes. Membranes from microaerobically incubated strain JHK12 (which contains an insertion in cox WXYZ) were deficient in levels of CO-reactive heme b , and both strains JHK12 and Bj3430 (the latter lacks cox MNOP) were deficient in CN − -reactive cytochrome b . Membranes of the double mutant (strain JHKS4) retained less than 7% of the cytochrome b 3 and 25% of the total CN − -reactive cytochrome b of the wild type. Cyanide inhibition curves of oxygen uptake by wild-type membranes were triphasic, and only the phases inhibited by the highest (at about 50 μ M CN − , attributed to cytochrome a a 3 ) and the lowest (at approximately 0.1 μ M) CN − were identifiable in the membranes from the two individual oxidase mutants. Membrane respiratory activity of the double mutant was resistant to CN − over a broad inhibitor concentration in the micromolar range. Consistent with our findings that these oxidases are expressed when cells are incubated in a low O 2 environment, the double mutant was severely deficient in H 2 -dependent chemolithotrophic growth. The latter growth condition requires prolonged incubation in an atmosphere of H 2 , CO 2 , and a low (1% or less) partial pressure of oxygen. The double mutant was also deficient in whole cell O 2 dependent H 2 oxidation, with H 2 uptake rates 31% of the wild type.
Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Surface Malignancy: Experience with 1,000 Patients

Background Peritoneal dissemination of abdominal malignancy (carcinomatosis) has a clinical course marked by bowel obstruction and death; it traditionally does not respond well to systemic therapy and has been approached with nihilism. To treat carcinomatosis, we use cytoreductive surgery (CS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Methods A prospective database of patients has been maintained since 1992. Patients with biopsy-proven peritoneal surface disease were uniformly evaluated for, and treated with, CS and HIPEC. Patient demographics, performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group), resection status, and peritoneal surface disease were classified according to primary site. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The experience was divided into quintiles and outcomes compared. Results Between 1991 and 2013, a total of 1,000 patients underwent 1,097 HIPEC procedures. Mean age was 52.9 years and 53.1% were female. Primary tumor site was appendix in 472 (47.2%), colorectal in 248 (24.8%), mesothelioma in 72 (7.2%), ovary in 69 (6.9%), gastric in 46 (4.6%), and other in 97 (9.7%). Thirty-day mortality rate was 3.8% and median hospital stay was 8 days. Median overall survival was 29.4 months, with a 5-year survival rate of 32.5%. Factors correlating with improved survival on univariate and multivariate analysis (p ≤ 0.0001 for each) were preoperative performance status, primary tumor type, resection status, and experience quintile (p = 0.04). For the 5 quintiles, the 1- and 5-year survival rates, as well as the complete cytoreduction score (R0, R1, R2a) have increased, and transfusions, stoma creations, and complications have all decreased significantly (p Conclusions This largest reported single-center experience with CS and HIPEC demonstrates that prognostic factors include primary site, performance status, completeness of resection, and institutional experience. The data show that outcomes have improved over time, with more complete cytoreduction and fewer serious complications, transfusions, and stomas. This was due to better patient selection and increased operative experience. Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC represents a substantial improvement in outcomes compared with historical series, and shows that meaningful long-term survival is possible for selected carcinomatosis patients. Multi-institutional cooperative trials are needed to refine the use of CS and HIPEC.
Market reaction to application service provider (ASP) adoption: An empirical investigation

We examined the impact of ASP adoption on the market value of the firms and explored contextual factors in the positive abnormal returns. We employed event study methodology to analyze 268 ASP adoption announcements from 1998 to 2007. The results indicated that ASP adoption announcements were associated with positive increases in the market value of the firm. In addition, differences in market returns to ASP adoption were found to depend on strategic adoption intent, firm size, industry, and vendor status. These results provide useful implications for making decisions about whether, when, and how to adopt ASP to maximize the business value.
Does Parental Involvement Eliminate the Effects of Parental Divorce on the Academic Achievement of Adolescents

Abstract Using the NELS data set, this study assessed whether parental involvement in children's education can eliminate the effects of parental divorce and remarriage on the academic achievement of adolescents. The results indicate that consistent effects for divorce emerged using the No-SES Model, both with and without the inclusion of the parental involvement variables. Similarly, consistent effects for remarriage emerged using the SES Model, both with and without the inclusion of the parental involvement variables. The significance of these results is discussed.
The wood of Gleasonia, Henriquezia, And Platycarpum (Rubiaceae) and its bearing on their classification: some new considerations

Aliform-confluent xylem parenchyma discovered in the rubiaceous genusGleasonia strengthens its controversial alliance with the problematical generaHenriquezia andPlatycarpum. Retention of these three genera in the Rubiaceae is supported by the occurrence of two family characteristics among them: vestured pitting on the vessel elements of all and, inHenriquezia only, the ability to accumulate aluminum in the wood.
Heavy-lift contributions to a human mission to Mars

The reference heavy-lift launch vehicle (Ares V) for NASA's Constellation Program served as the Point of Departure for Mars Design Reference Architecture 5.0 (DRA 5.0)1, 2. The Ares V vehicle consists of two 5-segment reusable solid rocket boosters, a Core Stage with five liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen engines, and a combination upper stage and Earth Departure Stage (EDS) powered by one liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen engine.
Inactivation of Firefly Luciferase withN-(Iodoacetyl)-N′- (5-sulfo-1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine (I-AEDANS)

Abstract N -Iodoacetyl- N ′-(5-sulfo-1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine (I-AEDANS), a fluorescent reagent that selectively modifies cysteine residues, was demonstrated to irreversibly inhibit native Photinus pyralis luciferase purified from firefly lanterns. Complete inactivation of luciferase activity was accompanied by the blockage of all four cysteine thiols and the concomitant incorporation of 4 mol of N -acetyl- N ′-(5-sulfo-1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine (AEDANS) per mole of enzyme. Employing proteolytic digestions of AEDANS-labeled luciferase and reverse-phase–high-performance liquid chromatography (RP–HPLC), seven tagged peptides were isolated. The AEDANS label provided a convenient spectroscopic marker for the identification of the modified peptides. The sequences of the labeled peptides were deduced from electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESMS) and N-terminal sequencing. The fluorescent peptides included cysteine residues and spanned sequences composed of amino acids Leu78–Lys85, Thr214–Arg218, Asp224–Arg275, and Gly388–Met396. The luciferin substrate provided substantial protection against luciferase inactivation resulting in a 60–67% decrease in the labeling of all four cysteine thiols. Thus, it does not appear that a specific cysteine mediates the loss of luciferase activity. Additional LC/ESMS studies permitted the identification of 78% of the native luciferase molecule, which, unlike the recombinant protein, was found to contain an acetylated N-terminus. The AEDANS labeling results and the identification of well-defined proteolytic fragments should facilitate future structure–function investigations of the firefly luciferases.
99mTc pertechnetate fordetection of cryptic thyroid tissue in childhood hypothyroidism

1. Newman, C. G, H., O'Neill, P., and Parker, A.: Pyuria in infancy, and the role of suprapubic aspiration of urine in the diagnosis of infection of urinary tract, Brit. Med. J. 2: 277, 1967. 2. Braude, H., Forfar, J. O., Gould J. C., and McLeod, J. W.: Ceil and bacterial counts in the urine of normal infants and chiIdren, Brit. Med. J. 4: 697, 1967. 3. McCarthy, J., and Pryles, C.: Clean voided and catheter neonatal urine specimens, Amer. J. Dis. Child. 106: 473, 1963. 4. Lirenman, D. S.: Urinary tract infection in the newborn, Canad. Med. Ass. J. 10h 58, 1969. 5. Randolph, M. F., and Greenfield, M.: The ten-second urine culture and colony count, Amer. J. Dis. Child. 108: 348, 1964.
The effects of hydrogen ions on the morphology and infectivity of rhinovirions

Purified human rhinovirus type 14 has been subjected to acid and alkaline degradation and the effects of hydrogen ions on particle morphology and infectivity are being studied. Considerable morphological degradation of the capsid occurred by pH 5.5. Breakdown may be by loss of discrete capsomere groups accompanied by release of the viral genome in the form of a ribonucleoprotein strand. Examination of virions prepared for electron microscopy by the “critical point” procedure which results in essentially 3 dimensional specimens confirms this finding. Under alkaline conditions there is very little loss of infectivity up to pH 9.8. There is a precipitous loss in infectivity at around pH 10.9 accompanied by complete break up of viral capsid morphology.
Maskless Microetching of Transparent Conductive Oxides (ITO and ZnO) and Semiconductors (GaAs) Based on Reaction-Diffusion

Transparent conducting oxides and semiconductors are microetched with lateral resolution down to 200 nm using a reaction-diffusion process and micropatterned hydrogel stamps, which are both etchant reservoirs and product sinks. The method is suitable for rapid, benchtop prototyping of both bulk and thin-film materials without the need for multistep lithographic processing.
Crime, Drug Abuse, Mental Illness, and Homelessness

In this project, 345 homeless persons were interviewed during the period from May, 1985 to May, 1986 in Richmond, Virginia. Data reveal that current afflictions (e.g., hallucinations) are related to major life events in the past (i.e., psychiatric hospitalizations). Further, certain experiences prior to adulthood (e.g., drug use) predict these major life events (e.g., crime). Thus, the data support a general “drift down” hypothesis as a useful explanation of homeless for future theory development. Some policy implications are given.
Complete enumeration: a search for wholeness

Objective systems have been the foundation of the art of James Mai for most of his career. He has worked in abstract painting for over 20 years, building upon the constructivist tradition in abstract art begun in the 20th century. The authors examine, in six paintings spanning much of the artist's career to date, how Mai has employed complete enumeration in a search for new visual forms. These intrinsically mathematical paintings show the evolution of this theme in Mai's creative work from mathematically simple relationships to more complex collections of relationships that generate open mathematical questions to a new set of mathematical objects generated from polyominoes.
Atrial Fibrillation and Its Association With Sudden Cardiac Death

Evidence is emerging to indicate that atrial fibrillation (AF) is independently associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). This association has been consistently observed in specific patient subgroups such as patients with myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure, and hypertension, and importantly, in the general population. Data from studies of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients suggest that the rapid and irregular rhythm of AF and the short-long-short cycles that are highly prevalent in AF increase susceptibility to ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. An alternative explanation for the association between AF and SCD includes confounding or mediation by shared risk factors such as coronary artery disease and heart failure. Possible risk factors for SCD in patients with AF include black race, left ventricular hypertrophy, history of MI, and diabetes. Additional research is needed to confirm the inherent proarrhythmic nature of AF, identify patients' characteristics or clinical conditions that potentiate SCD risk, and define effective SCD prevention strategies for patients with AF. (Circ J 2014; 78: 2588-2593).
Electrodiagnosis in the management of focal neuropathies: The 'WOG' syndrome

The role of electrodiagnosis in managing patients with focal neuropathies is discussed from the differing perspectives of a peripheral nerve surgeon and a practitioner of electrodiagnostic medicine. Both clinical evaluation and electrodiagnosis are useful methodologies, each having limitations. Dr. Dellon labels the overreliance on electrodiagnosis and the “WOG” (Word of God) syndrome, and describes its signs, symptoms, and treatment. Dr. Brown contends Dr. Dellon's crusade is misdirected. The exchange is an eloquent polemic on the virtues and foibles of these different approaches to evaluating peripheral nerve function and the imperative to practice them in a complementary rather than a contentious manner. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Multiresolution expansions for efficient moment method solution of wave guiding problems

It was shown that the use of orthonormal wavelets in the numerical solution of certain integral equations leads to sparsely populated matrices. This idea was employed in the moment method formulation of electromagnetic scattering problems, where a specific example of a double-slot aperture in a planar conducting screen is presented using Battle-Lemarie wavelets. A concern in the application of wavelet expansions to electromagnetic problems is the restoration of the DC or lowpass part of the fields. We show how to make this provision by a systematic use of the multiresolution analysis theory. In this way, the number of expansion functions can also be reduced to a minimum. It is believed that using wavelets with a large number of vanishing moments leads to an increase in the sparsity of the matrices. This issue is examined by a discussion of orthonormal wavelets with both infinite and compact supports. Numerical results are presented for the case of an open dielectric strip waveguide. >
Selenium Assimilation and Volatilization from Selenocyanate-Treated Indian Mustard and Muskgrass

Selenocyanate (SeCN − ) is a major contaminant in the effluents from some oil refineries, power plants, and in mine drainage water. In this study, we determined the potential of Indian mustard ( Brassica juncea ) and muskgrass (a macroalga, Chara canescens ) for SeCN − phytoremediation in upland and wetland situations, respectively. The tolerance of Indian mustard to toxic levels of SeCN − was similar to or higher than other toxic forms of Se. Indian mustard treated with 20 μm SeCN − removed 30% (w/v) of the Se supplied in 5 d, accumulating 554 and 86 μg of Se g −1 dry weight in roots and shoots, respectively. Under similar conditions, muskgrass removed approximately 9% (w/v) of the Se supplied as SeCN − and accumulated 27 μg of Se g −1 dry weight. A biochemical pathway for SeCN − degradation was proposed for Indian mustard. Indian mustard and muskgrass efficiently degraded SeCN − as none of the Se accumulated by either organism remained in this form. Indian mustard accumulated predominantly organic Se, whereas muskgrass contained Se mainly as selenite and organic Se forms. Indian mustard produced volatile Se from SeCN − in the form of less toxic dimethylselenide. Se volatilization by Indian mustard accounted for only 0.7% (w/v) of the SeCN − removed, likely because the biochemical steps in the production of dimethylselenide from organic Se were rate limiting. Indian mustard is promising for the phytoremediation of SeCN − -contaminated soil and water because of its remarkable abilities to phytoextract SeCN − and degrade all the accumulated SeCN − to other Se forms.
Synergistic actions of pemphigus vulgaris IgG, Fas-ligand and tumor necrosis factor-α during induction of basal cell shrinkage and acantholysis

This study tested a recently proposed “Basal Cell Shrinkage” hypothesis of pemphigus acantholysis through a quantitative analysis of individual and cooperative effects of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) IgG, Fas-ligand (Fas-L) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) on keratinocyte (KC) volume (i.e. cell size) and adhesive properties. Exposure of KC monolayers and MatTek EpiDermFT™ tissues cultures to the physiologic concentrations of Fas-L, TNFα or IgGs from two PV patients resulted in various degrees of reversible changes, which were not observed in control cultures either exposed to normal IgG or left intact. Within 12–24 h of exposure, basal cells in experimental cultures lost their ability to form stress fibers, retracted cytoplasmic aprons and formed keratin aggregates, indicating that their cytoskeleton collapsed. The cell volume decreased significantly (p < 0.05) as the polygonal cell shape changed to a round one. The shrunk cells detached from their neighbors and the substrate, resulting in a reciprocal incre...
Cross-National Differences in Website Appeal: A Framework for Assessment

Based on existing theory and research, a framework for the examination of national differences in Website feature appeal is developed. The framework is applied to data collected in five nations (U.S.A., Canada, Austria, Iran, Taiwan). The results confirm the importance, when assessing website appeal cross-nationally, of considering the type of user evaluation (i.e., “elevation” or sheer level of demand for features as a group, “differentiation” or the degree to which features are distinct in the extent to which they are preferred, and “priority” or the relative preference for a feature over others). The approach also highlights the importance of distinguishing between “individual” vs. “societal” level mechanisms when gauging inter-nation differences.
Characterization of iron dinitrosyl species formed in the reaction of nitric oxide with a biological Rieske center.

Reactions of nitric oxide with cysteine-ligated iron−sulfur cluster proteins typically result in disassembly of the iron−sulfur core and formation of dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs). Here we report the first evidence that DNICs also form in the reaction of NO with Rieske-type [2Fe-2S] clusters. Upon treatment of a Rieske protein, component C of toluene/o-xylene monooxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. OX1, with an excess of NO(g) or NO-generators S-nitroso-N-acetyl-d,l-pencillamine and diethylamine NONOate, the absorbance bands of the [2Fe-2S] cluster are extinguished and replaced by a new feature that slowly grows in at 367 nm. Analysis of the reaction products by electron paramagnetic resonance, Mossbauer, and nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy reveals that the primary product of the reaction is a thiolate-bridged diiron tetranitrosyl species, [Fe2(μ-SCys)2(NO)4], having a Roussin’s red ester (RRE) formula, and that mononuclear DNICs account for only a minor fraction of nitrosylated iron. Reduction ...
Mobility degradation due to the gate field in the inversion layer of MOSFET's

A simple classical theory that explains how the carrier mobility degrades as a function of the gate field in the inversion layer of MOSFET's is presented here. A formula of effective gate field-dependent mobility is derived and is reducible to the well-known empirical formula at the limit of large gate oxide thickness. However, their difference becomes drastic at thin gate oxide and high gate fields. For example, at t_{ox} = 200 A, and V_{GS} = 5 V, the difference is about 20% for mobility prediction if same physical parameters are used in both formulae. The present theory has been incorporated into a new model for I-V characteristics of MOSFET's and good agreements with experimental data for t_{ox} = 200 A transistors have been observed.
Coproduction of Government Services and the New Information Technology: Investigating the Distributional Biases

This article investigates how communications advances affect citizens’ ability to participate in coproduction of government services. The authors analyze service requests made to the City of Boston during a one-year period from 2010 to 2011 and, using geospatial analysis and negative binomial regression, investigate possible disparities by race, education, and income in making service requests. The findings reveal little concern that 311 systems (nonemergency call centers) may benefit one racial group over another; however, there is some indication that Hispanics may use these systems less as requests move from call centers to the Internet and smartphones. Consistent with prior research, the findings show that poorer neighborhoods are less likely to take advantage of 311 service, with the notable exception of smartphone utilization. The implications for citizen participation in coproduction and bridging the digital divide are discussed.
EMERALD: A Web Application for Seismic Event Data Processing

Seismologists studying earthquake sources and the structure of the Earth’s interior commonly use event‐based seismic data processing, with typical workflow including the acquisition, preprocessing, and analysis of data associated with one or more discrete seismic events. Until recently, most seismic event datasets were relatively small, including at most a few thousands or tens of thousands of seismic waveforms used in a given study (e.g., Dziewonski and Woodhouse, 1987; Grand, 1987, 1994; Woodward and Masters, 1991; Engdahl et al. , 1998). More recently, however, the size of datasets has increased significantly, not only from larger‐scale investigator‐driven temporary field experiments such as the Kaapvaal Project (Carlson et al. , 1996), La RISTRA (Wilson et al. , 2005), the High Lava Plains Project (Carlson et al. , 2005), NorthEast China Extended SeiSmic Array (NECESSArray; Grand et al. , 2006), the Carpathians Basin Project (Hetenyi et al. , 2009), and Project INDEPTH (e.g., Langin et al. , 2003; Karplus et al. , 2011) but also from large regional networks (i.e., from several dozens to 100+ broadband stations) such as the Advanced National Seismic System (earthquake.usgs.gov/monitoring/anss), Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (www.pnsn.org), Hi‐net (http://www.hinet.bosai.go.jp), ORFEUS (http://www.orfeus-eu.org), and AfricaArray (www.africaarray.psu.edu). Furthermore, new projects such as the EarthScope’s USArray (www.usarray.org) and SinoProbe (www.sinoprobe.org) are generating unprecedented volumes of data from hundreds to thousands of broadband stations. The advent of datasets potentially containing millions of seismic waveforms has exposed limitations of traditional seismic processing methods. Preprocessing and processing methods for seismic data vary widely by investigator, but they have some common attributes. They frequently consist of some combinations of standardized command‐line programs such as Seismic Analysis Code (SAC; Goldstein et al. , 2003 …
Rapid invasion of host cells by Toxoplasma requires secretion of the MIC2–M2AP adhesive protein complex

Vertebrate cells are highly susceptible to infection by obligate intracellular parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, yet the mechanism by which these microbes breach the confines of their target cell is poorly understood. While it is thought that Toxoplasma actively invades by secreting adhesive proteins from internal organelles called micronemes, no genetic evidence is available to support this contention. Here, we report successful disruption of M2AP, a microneme protein tightly associated with an adhesive protein called MIC2. M2AP knockout parasites were >80% impaired in host cell entry. This invasion defect was likely due to defective expression of MIC2, which partially accumulated in the parasite endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. M2AP knockout parasites were also unable to rapidly secrete MIC2, an event that normally accompanies parasite attachment to a target cell. These findings indicate a critical role for the MIC2–M2AP protein complex in parasite invasion.
Identifying predictors of hepatic disease in patients after the Fontan operation: a postmortem analysis.

Objective We characterized the histologic liver changes that occur after the Fontan operation and identified the factors associated with worsening hepatic disease. Methods From 1979 to 2009, 33 patients who died after the Fontan operation had a postmortem analysis at our institution. The liver histologic findings were graded for sinusoidal and portal fibrosis. Results The median interval from the Fontan operation to death was 14 days (range, 0 days to 25.6 years). The median age at death was 7.7 years (range, 1.9-52.9 years). Hepatic sinusoidal fibrosis occurred in 25 of 33 patients (76%), with significant fibrosis (grade 2 or greater) in 15 of 25 patients (60%). Portal fibrosis occurred in 17 of 33 patients (52%). The degree of sinusoidal (P Conclusions The interval from the initial Fontan operation to death is associated with increased sinusoidal and portal fibrosis. In this small cohort, older age at Fontan operation was associated with sinusoidal fibrosis. Significant sinusoidal fibrosis was observed in patients who died early after the Fontan operation, with more severe disease present in patients with heterotaxy syndrome.
Improved preparation of tris(organoamino)boranes

Abstract Tris(organoamino)boranes may be rapidly and conveniently prepared by the interaction of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate and N-lithiodialkyl-, diaryl-, and alkylarylamides in tetrahydrofuran. The procedure is more general and is less sensitive to steric effects than older ones and affords previously described as well as new tris(organoamino)boranes in high yields.
Relationship of Embryo Weight as a Percent of Egg Weight to Efficiency of Feed Utilization in the Hatched Chick

Abstract The relationship between efficiency of embryonic utilization and efficiency of utilization of feed by the hatched chick was studied by comparing the 10-day embryo weight as a percentage of egg weight (percent embryo weight) to feed conversion ratio of their full-sibs from 1–9 weeks of age. There was no relationship between embryonic efficiency (as measured by percent 10-day embryo weight) and early (1–5 week) chick efficiency (as measured by feed conversion ratio). The correlations of .19 and .12 obtained for percent 10-day embryo weight and 5–7, 7–9 feed conversion also indicated a lack of relationship between embryo efficiency and latter chick efficiency. Similar low correlations between percent 10-day embryo weight and feed conversion (.12 and .16) and embryo weight with growth weight (0 and −.06) were obtained. A negative correlation of −.46 between percent embryo weight and egg weight resulted because of the rather constant embryo weight over varying egg weights.
A NEW CLASS OF HUMAN IMMUNOGLOBULINS. I. A UNIQUE MYELOMA PROTEIN.

The unique myeloma protein from S. J., a patient with multiple myeloma, was isolated and characterized. It resembled other myeloma proteins in many respects. The S. J. myeloma protein migrated in a distinct peak in the slow β-globulin region on zone electrophoresis, appeared as a single band on starch gel electrophoresis, and sedimented at 7.04S in the ultracentrifuge. Papain and cysteine treatment produced Fc (fast) and Fab (slow) fragments. Reduction and alkylation of the myeloma protein produced heavy and light chains in a ratio of approximately 3:1. The S. J. myeloma protein had type L (type II) light chains. These were antigenically similar to the Bence Jones protein also found in this patient. The S. J. myeloma protein was unique in the properties of its heavy chains. The myeloma protein (and its heavy chains and Fc pieces) did not contain antigenic determinants specific for IgG, IgA, or IgM. The myeloma protein (and its heavy chains), however, did contain antigenic determinants which are characteristic of a new class of immunoglobulin. The S. J. myeloma protein was unusual also in its effect on the metabolism of normal IgG and in the electrophoretic mobility of the Fc fragment produced by papain digestion. No evidence was obtained to indicate that the entire heavy polypeptide of the S. J. protein was a grossly abnormal product of malignant cell metabolism. The unique properties of the S. J. myeloma protein (and its heavy chains) are believed to represent, in large measure, properties to be found in a small part of the normal immunoglobulin population.
Sensitivity of Diffusion- and Perfusion-Weighted Imaging for Diagnosing Acute Ischemic Stroke Is 97.5%

Background and Purpose—MRI using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is the most sensitive diagnostic imaging modality for early detection of ischemia, but how accurate is it and how much does perfusi...
The role of complement in experimental disease models.

The role of complement has been assessed in several experimental immunologic diseases. The diseases to be reviewed herein include glumerulonephritis, the Arthus vasculitis, immunologic synovitis, the arteritis of immune complex disease, and experimental myasthenia gravis.
Associations of body mass index and anthropometric indicators of fat mass and fat free mass with all-cause mortality among women in the first and second National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys follow-up studies.

Abstract PURPOSE: This study tests whether fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) have opposite associations with mortality in a nationally representative sample of females. METHODS: Data on 13,369 female participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) I and II (aged 25 to 75 years) were analyzed. Mean follow-up time was 16.1 years. Ninety-seven percent of the participants with 3020 deaths were successfully followed. Subscapular and triceps skinfolds thickness were used as a FM indicator (FMI). Upper arm circumference was used as a FFM indicator (FFMI). Cox regression tested the relationships of BMI, FM and FFM with all-cause mortality adjusting for various socio-demographic variables. RESULTS: BMI had a U-shaped relationship with mortality with a nadir of approximately 27 kg/m2. When FFMI was added to the model, the relationship between BMI and mortality became more monotonic increasing. FMI showed a significant negative relationship with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to expectations, both FFMI and FMI had negative relationships with mortality. These results differ from patterns previously observed in males and may reflect sex differences in fat distribution. Research using superior measures of body fat amount and distribution may resolve these discrepancies.
Using Fast Food Nutrition Facts to Make Healthier Menu Selections

Abstract Objectives: This teaching idea enables students to (1) access and analyze fast food nutrition facts information (Calorie, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sugar, and sodium content); (2) decipher unhealthy and healthier food choices from fast food restaurant menus for better meal and diet planning to reduce obesity and minimize disease risk; and (3) discuss consumer tips, challenges, perceptions, and needs regarding fast foods. Target Audience: Junior high, high school, or college students, with appropriate levels of difficulty included in this paper.
An online fully-digital calibration of leakage noise in MASH continuous time ΔΣ modulators

This paper presents an online background calibration technique for eliminating the quantization noise leakage in MASH continuous-time delta-sigma modulators (CT-MASH). By using a system identification approach, the signal and noise transfer functions of each stage in CT-MASH are fully identified. This information is used to adaptively tune the coefficients of the digital noise cancellation filters (NCF) and therefore eliminate the leakage noise. This technique enables the design of high performance CT-MASH modulators despite the large variations in process and environment parameters. The accuracy of matching required to achieve a given signal-to-quantization-noise ratio (SQNR) is analyzed and verified through simulation.
Improving Real-time Fault Analysis and Validating Relay Operations to Prevent or Mitigate Cascading Blackouts

This paper proposes a new strategy at the local (substation) level, aimed at preventing or mitigating the cascading blackouts that involve relay misoperations or inadequate local diagnostic support. The strategy consists of an advanced real-time tool that combines neural network based fault detection and classification (NNFDC) algorithm and synchronized sampling based fault location (SSFL) algorithm with a relay monitoring tool using event tree analysis (ETA). The fault analysis tool provides a reference for conventional distance relay with its better performance and the relay monitoring tool provides detailed local information about the disturbances. The idea of the entire strategy is to meet several NERC recommendations to prevent blackouts using wide area protection and control
Shopping assistant with interface for wheelchair users

The current options for manual wheelchair shoppers do not adequately support the needs of those bound to their wheelchairs. Our device provides a robust solution for assisting shoppers with manual wheelchairs by giving them the freedom to remain in their own wheelchair while shopping. A battery-powered (two 12V batteries) device will effortlessly propel the user through the store by way of two 0.44 hp motors, while providing the user with over 14 cubic feet of storage space in a conveniently rotating basket. The cylindrical basket consists of four compartments that can be lined with normal shopping bags for easy transport of goods. The device will be thoroughly tested under every reasonably conceivable extreme to ensure its proper operation in the applicable environment, including but not limited to: the navigation of inclined wheelchair ramps, aisles, doorways and check-out stations with variable load schemes. This device will not only improve the quality of life for manual wheelchair users but will also offer a superior solution for supermarkets at a significantly lower cost than current devices on the market.
Tiny intraplate earthquakes triggered by nearby episodic tremor and slip in Cascadia

Episodic tremor and slip (ETS) has been observed in many subduction zones, but its mechanical underpinnings as well as its potential for triggering damaging earthquakes have proven difficult to assess. Here we use a seismic array in Cascadia of unprecedented density to monitor seismicity around a moderate 16 day ETS episode. In the 4 months of data we examine, we observe five tiny earthquakes within the subducting slab during the episode and only one more in the same area, which was just before and nearby the next ETS burst. These earthquakes concentrate along the sides and updip edge of the ETS region, consistent with greater stress concentration there than near the middle and downdip edge of the tremor area. Most of the seismicity is below the megathrust, with a similar depth extent to the background intraslab seismicity. The pattern of earthquakes that we find suggests slow slip has a more continuous temporal and spatial pattern than the tremor loci, which notoriously appear in bursts, jumps, and streaks.
Decoding Sensory Stimuli from Populations of Neurons: Methods for LongTerm Longitudinal Studies

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Recording Populations of Single Neurons PSTH-Based Classification of Sensory Stimuli Conclusions and Future Directions Acknowledgments References