cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Angiotensin II increases activity of the ClC-K2 Cl- channel in collecting duct intercalated cells by stimulating production of reactive oxygen species.

The renal collecting duct plays a critical role in setting urinary volume and composition, with principal cells transporting Na+ and K+ and intercalated cells mediating Cl− reabsorption. Published evidence implies Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a potent regulator of the collecting duct apical transport systems in response to systemic volume depletion. However, virtually nothing is known about Ang II actions on the basolateral conductance of principal and intercalated cells. Here, we combined macroscopic and single channel patch clamp recordings from freshly isolated mouse collecting ducts with biochemical and fluorescence methods to demonstrate an acute stimulation of the basolateral Cl− conductance and specifically the ClC-K2 Cl− channel by nanomolar Ang II concentrations in intercalated cells. In contrast, Ang II did not exhibit measurable effects on the basolateral conductance and on Kir4.1/5.1 potassium channel activity in principal cells. Although both Ang II receptors AT1 and AT2 are expressed in collecting duct cells, we show that AT1 receptors were essential for stimulatory actions of Ang II on ClC-K2. Moreover, AT1R−/− mice had decreased renal ClC-K2 expression. We further demonstrated that activation of NADPH oxidases is the major signaling pathway downstream of Ang II-AT1R that leads to stimulation of ClC-K2. Treatment of freshly isolated collecting ducts with Ang II led to production of reactive oxygen species on the same timescale as single channel ClC-K2 activation. Overall, we propose that Ang II-dependent regulation of ClC-K2 in intercalated cells is instrumental for stimulation of Cl− reabsorption by the collecting duct, particularly during hypovolemic states.
3D Phage-based biomolecular filter for effective high throughput capture of Salmonella Typhimurium in liquid streams.

Abstract Foodborne illnesses caused by pathogens on fresh produce remain one of the most critical food safety problems the world faces. The recalls of pasta salad in 2018 and pre-cut melons in 2019 imply current methods in identifying the source of pathogens and outbreak prevention are inappropriate and time consuming. In this article, a new technology, called the 3D phage-based biomolecular filter, was developed to simultaneously capture and concentrate foodborne pathogens from large volumes of liquid streams (food liquid or wash water streams). The 3D phage-based filter consisted of phage-immobilized magnetoelastic (ME) filter elements, a filter pipe system, and a uniform magnetic field to fix and align the ME filter elements in the 3D filter column. The closely packed ME filter elements display a 3D layered structure which allows for enhanced surface interaction of the immobilized bacteriophage with specific pathogens in the passing liquid streams. As a result, a pathogen capture rate of more than 90% was achieved at a high flow rate of 3 mm/s with 20,000 ME filter elements. The capability of the 3D phage-based filter to capture pathogens in liquid streams at different filter element packing densities was further validated by experiments, finite element analysis and theoretical calculations. The capture rate increases significantly with larger numbers of ME filter elements placed in the testing pipe, and the turbulence flow induced by the 3D stacking of ME filter elements can further improve the capture efficiency. This technology enables rapid capture and analysis of large volume of water in processing fresh fruit and vegetables for the presence of small quantities of pathogens, which will ultimately benefit producers, the food industry, and society with improved food safety and production efficiency.
The Impact of Increased Segment Disclosure on Insider Trading Profits: Evidence from SFAS No. 131

This paper examines the impact of segment disclosure on the trading profits of corporate insiders. We focus specifically on the firms that increased their number of reported segments after the adoption of a new segment disclosure standard – SFAS No. 131 (CHG firms). Using a difference-in-differences method, we show that the insider profits of CHG firms are significantly greater than those of NOCHG firms in the pre-131 era. Additionally, we show that CHG firms exhibit a significant decline in insider profits relative to NOCHG firms in the post-131 era, which is consistent with Baiman and Verrecchia’s (1996) finding that the enhanced disclosure mitigates insiders’ ability to earn abnormal profits. This decrease is particularly pronounced in large firms whose segment information is more complex and difficult to disentangle, in firms not covered by analysts, and in pre-131 single-segment firms. Our results are robust to an alternative definition of insider trading activities and to alternative disaggregation measures. Overall, the results of this paper suggest that insiders use private segment information to obtain abnormal trading profits and that these profits are reduced when firms provide more segment data.
Predicting environmentally responsive transgenerational differential DNA methylated regions (epimutations) in the genome using a hybrid deep-machine learning approach

BACKGROUND Deep learning is an active bioinformatics artificial intelligence field that is useful in solving many biological problems, including predicting altered epigenetics such as DNA methylation regions. Deep learning (DL) can learn an informative representation that addresses the need for defining relevant features. However, deep learning models are computationally expensive, and they require large training datasets to achieve good classification performance. RESULTS One approach to addressing these challenges is to use a less complex deep learning network for feature selection and Machine Learning (ML) for classification. In the current study, we introduce a hybrid DL-ML approach that uses a deep neural network for extracting molecular features and a non-DL classifier to predict environmentally responsive transgenerational differential DNA methylated regions (DMRs), termed epimutations, based on the extracted DL-based features. Various environmental toxicant induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance sperm epimutations were used to train the model on the rat genome DNA sequence and use the model to predict transgenerational DMRs (epimutations) across the entire genome. CONCLUSION The approach was also used to predict potential DMRs in the human genome. Experimental results show that the hybrid DL-ML approach outperforms deep learning and traditional machine learning methods.
When and how to operate on spondylodiscitis: a report of 13 patients

Conflicting reports exist regarding the surgical indications, timing, approach, staged or not operation, and spinal instrumentation for patients with spondylodiscitis. Therefore, we performed this study to evaluate the outcome of a series of patients with spondylodiscitis aiming to answer when and how to operate on these patients. We retrospectively studied the files of 153 patients with spondylodiscitis treated at our institution from 2002 to 2012. The approach included MR imaging of the infected spine, isolation of the pathogen with blood cultures and/or biopsy, and further conservative or surgical treatment. The mean follow-up was 6 years (range 1–13 years). We evaluated the indications, timing (when), and methods (how) for surgical treatment, and the clinical outcome of these patients. Orthopedic surgical treatment was necessary for 13 of the 153 patients (8.5 %). These were patients with low access to healthcare systems because of low socioeconomic status, third-country migrants, prisoners or intravenous drug use, patients in whom a bacterial isolate documentation was necessary, and patients with previous spinal operations. The most common pathogen was Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The surgical indications included deterioration of the neurological status (11 patients), need for bacterial isolate (10 patients), septicemia due to no response to antibiotics (five patients), and/or spinal instability (three patients). An anterior vertebral approach was more commonly used. Nine of the 13 patients had spinal instrumentation in the same setting. Improvement or recovery of the neurological status was observed postoperatively in all patients with preoperative neurological deficits. Postoperatively, two patients deceased from pulmonary infection and septicemia, and heart infarction. At the last follow-up, patients who were alive were asymptomatic; ten patients were neurologically intact, and one patient experienced paraparesis. Imaging showed spinal fusion, without evidence of recurrent spondylodiscitis. Complications related to the spinal instrumentation were not observed in the respective patients. Conservative treatment is the standard for spondylodiscitis. Physicians should be alert for Mycobacterium tuberculosis spondylitis because of the low access to healthcare systems of patients with low social and economic status. Surgical indications include obtaining tissue sample for diagnosis, occurrence or progression of neurological symptoms, failure of conservative treatment, large anterior abscesses, and very extensive disease. Thorough debridement of infected tissue and spinal stability is paramount. The anterior approach provides direct access and improved exposure to the most commonly affected part of the spine. Spinal instrumentation is generally recommended for optimum spinal stability and fusion, without any implant-related complications.
PISA and participation in education

After celebrating its 45th anniversary and a productive relationship with M.E. Sharpe, European Education has just moved to a new home. As of 2015, the journal is being published by Taylor & Franci...
Co-opting CRISPR to deliver functional RNAs.

Portions of the CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNA can be reworked to carry functional RNA cargos to genomic loci.
Regulation of Rat Liver Glycogen Synthetase CARBOXYLIC ACID ACTIVATION OF LIVER GLYCOGEN SYNTHETASE

Abstract Rat liver glycogen synthetase is strongly stimulated by cellular carboxylic acids which are intermediates of glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Activation of glycogen synthetase by the carboxylic acids may coordinate hepatic glycogen deposition with the functional status of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. At physiological concentrations of the carboxylic acids, the I form is preferentially stimulated. Whereas citrate, isocitrate, succinate, etc., stimulate total glycogen synthetase activity about 25 to 50%, these compounds stimulate the I activity 6- to 8-fold. Citrate was used as a model compound in studies of the mechanism of glycogen synthetase activation. Stimulation of the enzyme is the result of modification of the glucose-6-P binding site which accompanies a conformational change mediated by citrate.
Two Zone Combustion Models for Second Law Analysis of Internal Combustion Engines

In this paper second law analyses of both spark-ignition and diesel engines are presented using two-zone models. The analyses include descriptions of the evaluation of the various terms in the availability balance. The analyses for the spark-ignition and diesel models are applied in a parametric study of the effects of equivalence ratio, fuel-air mixing, residual fraction and combustion duration on the chemical and thermochemical availability and the irreversibility.
Parental Anxiety Related to the Care of a Child with Apnea

This article briefly outlines the anxiety that parents harbor when their child is diagnosed with Apnea. The authors discuss the nursing implications that are necessary to help the parents adjust to and cope with the illness. Education and support is stressed for the family.
Processing Approximate Rank Queries in a Wireless Mobile Sensor Environment

Querying in the context of moving objects environments has been largely studied. Extensive research effort has also been dedicated to exploring different techniques of handling uncertainty, an issue intrinsic to the nature of node mobility. Current trends in moving object database-related applications impose the need to consider uncertainty from different perspectives. In this paper, we examine the case in which the exact locations of moving objects are never reported to the central database server. Instead, deductions about the objects positions are based on data gathered from the readings of mobile sensors. With this arrangement in mind, we introduce and study approximate rank queries, where a mobile object is in the answer set of a query with probability p and is assigned a rank with probability P. The rank reflects the objects approximate distance from the query point. Queries are evaluated based on different pruning techniques and ranking heuristics. Our work is backed with an extensive simulation study, which examines the effectiveness of the algorithm with varied numbers of mobile sensors and objects.
Charge Separation Effects on the Rate of Nonradiative Relaxation Processes in Quantum Dots−Quantum Well Heteronanostructures

Using time-resolved optical hole (oh)-burning techniques with femtosecond lasers, the time dependence of the spectral diffusion of the oh is examined for both the CdS quantum dot (QD) and the CdS/HgS/CdS quantum dot quantum well (QDQW) nanoparticles. It is found that the nonradiative relaxation of the optical hole is at least 3 orders of magnitude slower in the QDQW than in the QD system. Analysis of the second derivative of the broad transient bleach spectrum of the QDQW system in the 1.6−2.5 eV energy region at 50 fs delay time is found to have a minimum at 2.1 eV, corresponding to a minimum in the radiative probability. Around this energy, the rise and decay times of the transient bleach in the spectrum are found to change greatly. These results suggest that spectral diffusion in the QDQW is a result of relaxation from high- to low-energy exciton states, involving an intervening dark state at an energy of ∼2.0 eV. The energies of the maxima and minimum of the second-derivative curve are found to be in ...
Limiting ischemic injury by inhibition of excitatory amino acid release

Excitatory amino acids (EAAs) are important mediators of ischemic injury in stroke. N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists have been shown to be very effective neuroprotective agents in a...
The microstructure of (Hg,T1)-based high temperature superconducting films on LaAlO3 substrates

Abstract The results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray microanalysis of a (Hg, Tl)Ba2Cu3O8+x (1223) thin film on a LaAlO3 substrate are presented. The film was highly textured but polycrystalline, with c - axis oriented perpendicular to the substrate surface. The film/substrate interface was mostlsharp, but in some areas a 4–5 nm thick intermediate layer, of the (Hg,Tl)Ba2Ca1Cu2O6+x (1212) phase and an amorphous phase, was observed. CuOx, BaCuO2 and Ca-rich precipitates were found in the film. The intergrowth of other members of (Hg,Tl)BaCaCuO compound family, in the form of stacking faults and ordered structures, were found to be common. Microstructural evidence suggested that texture was induced by surface energy/growth anisotropy, and initiated at the substrate surface more than at the free surface.
Semiautomated finite element mesh generation methods for a long bone

The objective of this work was to develop and test a semi-automated finite element mesh generation method using computed tomography (CT) image data of a canine radius. The present study employs a direct conversion from CT Hounsfield units to elastic moduli. Our method attempts to minimize user interaction and eliminate the need for mesh smoothing to produce a model suitable for finite element analysis. Validation of the computational model was conducted by loading the CT-imaged canine radius in four-point bending and using strain gages to record resultant strains that were then compared to strains calculated with the computational model. Geometry-based and uniform modulus voxel-based models were also constructed from the same imaging data set and compared. The nonuniform voxel-based model most accurately predicted the axial strain response of the sample bone (R^2=0.9764).
Auger line-shape analysis of the structure of hydrogenated amorphous silicon

Calculated Si ${L}_{23}\mathrm{VV}$ Auger line shapes are presented for five realistic structural models of hydrogenated amorphous silicon ($a$-Si: H), based on the local-electronic-structure calculations of Ching, Lam, and Lin. The calculated Auger spectra show peak shifts of the main Si ${L}_{23}{M}_{23}{M}_{23}$ ($\mathrm{pp}$) transition up to 6 eV, and distinct line shapes dependent on the H-bonding configuration. Comparison of the calculated spectra to the experimental work of Allie et al. on sputtered $a$-Si: H clearly shows an expected increased prominence of the ${L}_{23}{M}_{1}{M}_{23}$ ($\mathrm{sp}$) term relative to the ${L}_{23}{M}_{23}{M}_{23}$ ($\mathrm{pp}$) term, due to the Si $3s$ localization upon hydrogenation. The results indicate that valuable structural information is available from Auger spectroscopy for this interesting system.
The effect of the CGRP receptor antagonist (MK-8825) on the response to trigeminal nociception in rodents

Several highly prevalent and debilitating conditions involve pain in the trigeminal distribution. Although effective treatments exist, for many patients these treatments are far from optimal. Therefore understanding the pathophysiology of pain in the craniofacial region is critical. CGRP plays an essential role in the process of peripheral and central sensitization in the trigeminovascular system. Release of CGRP contributes to the process of neurogenic inflammation generating allodynia and hyperalgesia, clinical characteristics in neuropathic, inflammatory and migraine pain.
Crystal structure of Arabidopsis thaliana cytokinin dehydrogenase.

Since first discovered in Zea mays, cytokinin dehydrogenase (CKX) genes have been identified in many plants including rice and Arabidopsis thaliana, which possesses CKX homologues (AtCKX1-AtCKX7). So far, the three-dimensional structure of only Z. mays CKX (ZmCKX1) has been determined. The crystal structures of ZmCKX1 have been solved in the native state and in complex with reaction products and a slowly reacting substrate. The structures revealed four glycosylated asparagine residues and a histidine residue covalently linked to FAD. Combined with the structural information, recent biochemical analyses of ZmCKX1 concluded that the final products of the reaction, adenine and a side chain aldehyde, are formed by nonenzymatic hydrolytic cleavage of cytokinin imine products resulting directly from CKX catalysis. Here, we report the crystal structure of AtCKX7 (gene locus At5g21482.1, UniProt code Q9FUJ1).
Rapid Diagnosis of Cardiac Tamponade Using Pulsatility Index Variability in a Patient With a HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device

A 59-year-old man with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, advanced heart failure, and group 2 pulmonary hypertension underwent HeartWare left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation as bridge to transplantation. Off-pump LVAD implantation was performed via minimally invasive left thoracotomy and upper hemisternotomy with an estimated blood loss of 200 mL. Postoperative VAD settings were as follows: speed, 2600 rpm; power, 4 W; flow, 5.5 to 5.7 L/min; and pulsatility index (PI), 4. Aspirin 325 mg daily and warfarin were begun on postoperative day 1. Over the course of the next few days, he was extubated and optimized hemodynamically with continued inotropic support (milrinone), and a therapeutic international normalized ratio (2–3) was achieved. Before his transfer out of the intensive care unit, he underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram, …
Smart Grid security: Deriving informed decisions from cyber attack game analysis

Protection of smart grids against cyber attacks has become one of the nation's top priorities. Most existing approaches have focused on intrusion detection and post-attack responses in a similar fashion to fault detection and recovery. However, attack behaviors are much more complex and less predictable than fault behaviors as an attacker often changes his course of actions during the attacks. Thus, there is a need for a systematic approach that can incorporate behaviors of attackers into the decision analysis of security management. This is especially crucial as attackers can keep advancing their techniques to outsmart security technologies. Our research aims to enhance the science of security that enables behavioral modeling as well as model extensibility. In particular, we present an analytical game theoretic approach to analyzing security of smart grid SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems by including attacker/defender behaviors in the proposed sequential, non-zero sum, and two-player game model. The paper describes the development of the game payoffs and illustrates how informed decisions can be made on a real-world scenario of attacks at the sensor level of the smart grid SCADA systems.
Financial Reform, Property Income Growth and the Potential Impacts on Inequality in China

The Seventeenth Communist Party National People's Congress in 2007 declared, for the first time, that the Chinese government would create conditions and opportunities to promote property income growth in order to enhance common prosperity. This new policy on the one hand helps to garner support for the further financial reform in China; but on the other hand, it entails potentially adverse impacts on economic equality in China, given the current configuration of income and wealth distribution, uneven process of financial development and other socio-economic structures. Employing the Institutionalist theory on property and distribution, this paper explores the impacts of institutions and institutional changes in the financial system on income and wealth inequality in China.
Nanoplasmonics: past, present, and glimpse into future

A review of nanoplasmonics is given. This includes fundamentals, nanolocalization of optical energy and hot spots, ultrafast nanoplasmonics and control of the spatiotemporal nanolocalization of optical fields, and quantum nanoplasmonics (spaser and gain-assisted plasmonics). This article reviews both fundamental theoretical ideas in nanoplasmonics and selected experimental developments. It is designed both for specialists in the field and general physics readership.
Detection and positioning of radioactive sources using a four-detector response algorithm

Abstract A method for detecting and identifying radioactive gamma-ray sources along with determining a directional bearing is described. This method is based upon comparing the relative intensities of four detectors placed side by side in a four-quadrant formation, allowing for the system to take advantage of shadowing in the occluded array of detectors. Based on this shielding principle, a fuzzy logic algorithm is used to analyze the gross count response of each individual detector with respect to the other three. The result of this algorithm is a numerical result that can be converted to a directional bearing in a 360° x–y plane.
Violence and the Arts of Resistance: An Expedition in Critical Communicology

In this article, the author reviews conceptions of symbolic violence, especially that developed by Pierre Bourdieu, and argues that there are dimensions of the symbolic that are left unaccounted for by the idea that such violence is “gentle,” “quiet,” and “mitigated.” Group forms of communication under authoritarian and semiauthoritarian conditions of existence are drawn upon to show how traces of physical violence are lived and how forms of symbolic violence are conscious experiences for perpetrators and victims. Correlatively, opacity rather than absolute transparency of meaning marks effective resistance under such constraints—that is, emancipatory potential is not necessarily contingent on raising the normative bar but on foiling the dominant other's game in singular instances. Violence is understood here as both multivocal and redirectable, with those who resist using whatever means are available to counter actual and potential violation. The task for the critical communicologist is to take up gradat...
Effect of Pine Bark Mulch on Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) Water Demand

Mulching has been reported to moderate soil temperatures, lessen the erosive effects of rain, suppress weeds, and reduce evapotranspiration losses from crops worldwide. Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) growers seeking an alternative and/or a complement to supplemental irrigation require accurate crop-specific information on the water conserving benefits of mulch. Twenty-eight weighing lysimeters equipped with soil moisture monitors were used at five sites throughout the Downeast Region of Maine to compare water budgets of lowbush blueberry grown on un-mulched and mulched soils. Despite occurrence of the second wettest growing season in 60 years, April through September mean hourly soil water potential values at all sites indicated significantly (p < 0.001) drier conditions in un-mulched compared with mulched soils. Differences in soil water potential values between un-mulched and mulched soils were much more pronounced during three dry periods, totaling approximately 53 days, than during the 20...
Intrarenal ghrelin receptor antagonism prevents high-fat diet-induced hypertension in male rats.

Excess weight gain contributes up to 65% of the risk of primary hypertension, and the increase in blood pressure in response to high-fat diet (HFD) is preceded by significant increases in renal tubular sodium (Na+) reabsorption. In normal rats, intrarenal ghrelin infusion increases distal nephron-dependent Na+ reabsorption via activation of the intrarenal ghrelin receptor (GHSR). This study focusses on the role of intrarenal GHSR-mediated Na+ reabsorption in HFD-induced hypertension. Dahl salt-sensitive rats received standard diet or HFD for 6 weeks. Rats underwent uninephrectomy and osmotic minipump implantation for chronic intrarenal delivery of vehicle (0.25 μL/h × 28 d), selective GHSR antagonist [D-Lys-3]-growth hormone releasing peptide-6 (0.2μM/d), or GHSR inverse agonist [D-Arg1, D-Phe5, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]-substance P (SUB-P) (3.6μM/d). HFD rats with vehicle pumps had significantly increased renal GHSR expression compared with standard diet (0.092 ± 0.005 vs 0.065 ± 0.004 arbitrary units; P < .05), ...
Growth and characterization of GaAs/InGaP heterostructure for semiconductor laser cooling

We present the growth and characterization of high quality semiconductor laser cooling material. The structure consists of GaAs passivated by InGaP which has been reported to have a longest surface recombination lifetime. GaAs was grown on 10 degree miscut GaAs substrate and sandwiched between lattice matched In 0.49 Ga 0.51 P. This structure was grown by a low-pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) system. The material was grown in the temperature range of 550 to 700 °C at 60.8 Torr. The morphology of InGaP was improved by the growth on 10 degree miscut substrate along direction, which is confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The uninterrupted growth technique and GaP separation layer are employed to prevent the indium segregation and P/As intermixing at the interface between InGaP and GaAs. The effects of V/III ratio, growth temperature and material precursors on material impurities were also studied. The carrier lifetimes were measured using the time resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) technique at cryogenic temperatures. The experimental results show that the carrier lifetime was increased by 5 times with the use of TBA as arsenic source in place of AsH 3 . Recent results show a highest room temperature carrier lifetime of 2 μsec.
Nucleation of elementary \{\bar {1}\,0\,1\,1\} and \{\bar {1}\,0\,1\,3\} twinning dislocations at a twin boundary in hexagonal close-packed crystals

In this paper, we study the kinetics and energetics involved in the nucleation and propagation of and twinning dislocations (TDs) in Mg using atomistic simulations. We demonstrate that for both twins, a 2-layer TD of mixed character nucleates as a result of the interaction of a basal dislocation with a twin boundary. The favorability of the 2-layer TD over a 4-layer TD of edge character can be explained by its greater mobility. The twin boundary likely translates by nucleating and propagating 2-layer TDs with opposite-signed screw components in equal amounts on average.
Conditioned Limit Theorems for Random Walks with Negative Drift

Summary. In this paper we will solve a problem posed by Iglehart. In (1975) he conjectured that if Sn is a random walk with negative mean and finite variance then there is a constant c~ so that (St,.j/c~nl/2[N>n) converges weakly to a process which he called the Brownian excursion. It will be shown that his conjecture is false or, more precisely, that if ES~ = -a x)~ x -q L(x) as x-~ oo then (SE,,.j/nlS,,>O) and (St,,jnlN>n) converge weakly to nondegenerate limits. The limit processes have sample paths which have a single jump (with d.f. (1-(x/a)-q) +) and are otherwise linear with slope -a. The jump occurs at a uniformly distributed time in the first case and at t = 0 in the second.
High Transmission through Sharp Bends in Photonic Crystal Waveguides.

We demonstrate highly efficient transmission of light around sharp corners in photonic band-gap waveguides. Numerical simulations reveal complete transmission at certain frequencies, and very high transmission $(g95%)$ over wide frequency ranges. High transmission is observed even for 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} bends with zero radius of curvature, with a maximum transmission of 98% as opposed to 30% for analogous conventional dielectric waveguides. We propose a simple one-dimensional scattering theory model with a dynamic frequency-dependent well depth to describe the transmission properties.
Abnormalities of Th1 function in non-IgE food allergy, celiac disease, and ileal lymphonodular hyperplasia: a new relationship?

Background Non-IgE mechanisms may also be involved food allergy (FA). Our group has been studying the immunopathogenesis clinical entities in children with gastro-intestinal symptoms and in whom biopsies of the terminal ileum show lymphoid tissue masses referred to as ileal lymphonodular hyperplasia. Our more recent studies have demonstrated Th 1 /Th 2 cytokine profiles associated with non—IgE FA and other clinical entities. Objective We investigated 12 subjects with non-IgE FA (group 1) and 4 subjects with celiac disease (group 2). Cytokine profiles and immunologic studies of lymphocytes in peripheral blood and from gastro-intestinal biopsy tissues from patients in groups 1 and 2 were also evaluated. Methods Group 1 consisted of 12 children with clinical symptoms of anorexia, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The diagnosis of non-IgE FA was established by positive double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge and reduced or negative immediate-type skin testing and negative IgE radioallergosorbent tests. Group 2 consisted of four patients with celiac disease and three adult females with biopsy-proven clinical symptoms of celiac disease. Results In group 1, peripheral blood CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte distributions were normal, with a predominance of CD4+ cells with a decreased intracellular Th 1 cytokine pattern and a normal Th 2 intracellular cytokine pattern. In contrast, all four patients in group 2 not only displayed abnormal CD4 and CD8 peripheral blood lymphocyte distributions (CD8 > CD4), but also an abnormal predominance of CD4+ cells with an increased Th 1 and a normal Th 2 cytokine pattern. A similar abnormal pattern of CD4 > CD8 ratio was observed in intestinal biopsies. All 12 patients in group 1 showed lymphonodular hyperplasia in each of the biopsies and by ileoscopy. Conclusions These studies suggest that abnormalities in Th 1 function may not only play a role in some patients with non—IgE-mediated FA in whom decreased Th 1 function is seen, but also in patients with celiac disease in whom an increased Th 1 function is seen. The studies also suggest that lymphonodular hyperplasia may be a hallmark histologic lesion in patients with non—IgE-mediated FA.
Assessing Artistic and Problem-Solving Performance in Minority and Nonminority Students Using a Nontraditional Multidimensional Approach:

The persistent underrepresentation of ethnic minority students in gifted programs requires change. Because identification tools used for entry into gifted programs often are held responsible for mi...
Fourier transform near-infrared monitoring of reacting resins using an evanescent wave high-index fiber-optic sensor

In this work, a high-index silica-based fiber-optic mini-bundle sensor was constructed and implemented with a Fourier transform near-infrared spectrometer in the spectral region from 10 000 to 4500 cm-1. The refractive index of the multimode step index fiber was 1.618. This arrangement allows the propagation of waveguiding modes when the sensor is immersed in most resin systems. The reactions of a polyisocyanurate resin system and an epoxy resin system were monitored and peak assignments were made and discussed with respect to their potential for use in real-time analysis to be applied to cure control. Last, cure monitoring with this sensor was successfully demonstrated in a glass-reinforced resin transfer molded epoxy part.
CL/EBIC-SEM Techniques for Evaluation of Impact of Crystallographic Defects on Carrier Lifetime in 4H-SiC Epitaxial Layers

The effect of various types of in-grown stacking faults and threading screw/edge type dislocations on carrier lifetime and diffusion lengths in 4H-SiC epitaxial films was investigated through cathodoluminescence decays and charge collection efficiencies of electron beam induced current signals at specific defects sites. Most stacking faults yielded ~40% reduction in the carrier lifetime. Moreover, drastic lifetime reductions were observed in regions containing surface triangular defects and bulk 3C polytype inclusions. Dislocations of both types serve as efficient recombination centers, though stronger reduction in diffusion lengths was observed in the vicinity of screw type dislocations.
Experimental Induction of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Horses with the Gammaherpesvirus Equine Herpesvirus 5

Gammaherpesviruses (γHV) are implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis in humans and murine models of lung fibrosis, however there is little direct experimental evidence that such viruses induce lung fibrosis in the natural host. The equine γHV EHV 5 is associated with equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF), a progressive fibrosing lung disease in its natural host, the horse. Experimental reproduction of EMPF has not been attempted to date. We hypothesized that inoculation of EHV 5 isolated from cases of EMPF into the lungs of clinically normal horses would induce lung fibrosis similar to EMPF. Neutralizing antibody titers were measured in the horses before and after inoculation with EHV 5. PCR and virus isolation was used to detect EHV 5 in antemortem blood and BAL samples, and in tissues collected postmortem. Nodular pulmonary fibrosis and induction of myofibroblasts occurred in EHV 5 inoculated horses. Mean lung collagen in EHV 5 inoculated horses (80 µg/mg) was significantly increased compared to control horses (26 µg/mg) (p < 0.5), as was interstitial collagen (32.6% ± 1.2% vs 23% ± 1.4%) (mean ± SEM; p < 0.001). Virus was difficult to detect in infected horses throughout the experiment, although EHV 5 antigen was detected in the lung by immunohistochemistry. We conclude that the γHV EHV 5 can induce lung fibrosis in the horse, and hypothesize that induction of fibrosis occurs while the virus is latent within the lung. This is the first example of a γHV inducing lung fibrosis in the natural host.
E-Pulse Diagnostics of a Coated Conductor Using a Nonplanar Interrogation Field

When a coated planar conductor is illuminated by a transient plane wave, the late-time scattered field may be written as a series of natural oscillations with frequencies dependent on both the material properties of the coating and the incidence angle of the illuminating wave. Thus, changes in the material properties of the coating may be diagnosed using the E-pulse technique. Using the E-pulse technique with a nonplanar interrogation field is more complicated. Since the incident wave may be viewed in terms of a plane-wave decomposition, with each component having a different angle of incidence, a natural mode series representation of the reflected field may only be approximately valid. However, it is anticipated that as the standoff distance of the source is increased and the incident wavefront becomes more planar, the E-pulse technique will provide adequate capacity to diagnose changes in typical coatings. To investigate this effect, the canonical problem of a coated conductor illuminated by a line source is used to determine the effect of standoff distance on the performance of the technique. It is shown that E pulses created using the natural resonance frequencies found for plane wave illumination may be used in the diagnosis, and that the performance of the technique improves as the standoff distance is increased.
Solubilities of families of heterocyclic polynuclear aromatics in organic solvents and their mixtures

The solubilities of anthracene, acridine, xanthene, thioxanthene, carbazole, dibenzofuran, and dibenzothiophene have been experimentally determined in benzene, cyclohexane, thiophene, and pyridine from ambient temperature to approximately 440 K. The results have been correlated using the classical equation for solid-liquid solubility to obtain the experimental activity coefficient of the solute in the solvent. These experimental activity coefficients have been regressed, using three common solution models, to find the binary interaction parameters needed in those models. The solubilities of biphenyl, dibenzofuran, and dibenzothiophene have been experimentally determined in five binary mixtures of the solvents. The experimental activity coefficients have been found and compared to the values predicted by the four solution models, using the binary interaction parameters obtained from the solubilities in the pure solvents and solventsolvent binary interaction parameters obtained from literature vaporliquid equilibria data. The effect of substituting various heteroatoms into the ring structure has been discussed.
Diwali in the HIV Ward

She wears her festivals on her ears, hair, arms, on gilded gold parrot cages dangling in crisp miniature from earlobes, on freshly plucked jasmine buds in her hair and a thin plume of its scent that formed a trail behind her, in a magenta skirt, blouse, shiny with a silver zari: and in the green-glass translucent bangles that drew me and clinked every time she gesticulated. She wears her inheritance, like her festivals on her ears, hair, arms, on the scarab-like lesions above silver anklets, on her neck a scaly black pendant, on her reedy, hollow frame, in her blood where tiny insects exploded off ballooned cells, each other, multiplied, grew legs, and stomped deep through her veins, leaving a swath of destruction. Come again, she asks. Yes I answer. But playing a fast reel in my mind are questions I cannot ask; What if, in the morning, the rickety, metal bed with peeling white paint, is stripped of sheets clean —the blotched brown rubber mattress showing at angles, and the floor below being swept? Or worse, is occupied by another little girl, who on her ears, hair, arms also wears her inheritance?
Hepatic ontogeny and tissue distribution of mRNAs of epigenetic modifiers in mice using RNA-sequencing.

Developmental regulation of gene expression is controlled by distinct epigenetic signatures catalyzed by various epigenetic modifiers. Little is known about the ontogeny and tissue distribution of these epigenetic modifiers. In the present study, we used a novel approach of RNA-sequencing to elucidate hepatic ontogeny and tissue distribution of mRNA expression of 142 epigenetic modifiers, including enzymes involved in DNA methylation/demethylation, histone acetylation/deacetylation, histone methylation/demethylation, histone phosphorylation and chromosome remodeling factors in male C57BL/6 mice. Livers from male C57BL/6 mice were collected at 12 ages from prenatal to adulthood. Many of these epigenetic modifiers were expressed at much higher levels in perinatal livers than adult livers, such as Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b, Apobec3, Kat1, Ncoa4, Setd8, Ash2l, Dot1l, Cbx1, Cbx3, Cbx5, Cbx6, Ezh2, Suz12, Eed, Suv39h1, Suv420h2, Dek, Hdac1, Hdac2, Hdac7, Kdm2b, Kdm5c, Kdm7, Prmt1–5, Prmt7, Smarca4, Smarcb1, Chd4 and Ino80e. In contrast, hepatic mRNA expression of a few epigenetic modifiers increased during postnatal liver development, such as Smarca2, Kdm1b, Cbx7 and Chd3. In adult mice (60 d of age), most epigenetic modifiers were expressed at moderately (1–3-fold) higher levels in kidney and/or small intestine than liver. In conclusion, this study, for the first time, unveils developmental changes in mRNA abundance of all major known epigenetic modifiers in mouse liver. These data suggest that ontogenic changes in mRNA expression of epigenetic modifiers may play important roles in determining the addition and/or removal of corresponding epigenetic signatures during liver development.
Abstract 4661: Decreased epidermal growth factor receptor plasma levels as an indicator for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma case status and disease progression

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-Met and G-protein-coupled receptor signaling pathways contribute to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) growth. To assess these pathways in HNSCC patients, we measured plasma levels of EGFR, the EGFR ligands transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α) and amphiregulin (AR), the c-Met ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and COX-2, a component of prostaglandin production, in HNSCC patients (n=22) and cancer-free controls (n=32) enrolled through an Early Detection Research Network- (EDRN-) sponsored effort. Analytes were measured using a multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Differences in analyte levels between cases and controls and the prognostic potential of each analyte were evaluated. EGFR plasma levels were significantly decreased (P=0.04, rank sum test (RST)) and HGF plasma levels significantly increased (P<0.01, RST) in HNSCC cases compared to cancer-free controls. TGF-α levels tended to be higher in HNSCC cases (P=0.07, RST) while AR and COX-2 levels did not differ between cases and controls (P=0.32 and 0.32, respectively RST). Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve for HGF levels in subjects with low EGFR plasma levels was 0.92. EGFR plasma levels were significantly reduced in HNSCC cases who were former or active smokers compared to never smokers (P = 0.009, Kruskal-Wallis test (KWT)), but no difference in EGFR plasma levels by smoking status was observed among cancer-free controls (P = 0.97, KWT). HGF plasma levels tended to be lower in HNSCC cases who were never smokers (P=0.06 KWT) but did not differ by smoking status among cancer-free controls (P=0.16, KWT). Low EGFR plasma levels were associated with significantly reduced progression-free survival (PFS) in EDRN HNSCC cases (P = 0.03, log rank test); no other analyte tested was associated with PFS. We noted a negative correlation between EGFR plasma levels in EDRN HNSCC cases and previously reported EGFR tumor levels assessed by immunohistochemical staining that was not significant (Spearman's rho=-0.41, P=0.10, n=17). Plasma EGFR and HGF levels may provide indications of HNSCC cancer status, and EGFR plasma levels may be a valuable prognostic indicator for patients with HNSCC. Decreased plasma EGFR levels in HNSCC patients were likely not due to general effects related to smoking and instead may reflect tissue characteristics specific to tobacco-related cancers. We found EGFR plasma levels in HNSCC patients were not positively correlated with EGFR tumor levels. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4661.
Modeling of light scattering by B-cells using a parallel FDTD method

We have developed a parallel FDTD code to simulate light scattering distribution from B-cells. The 3D internal structure of the B-cell was constructed numerically using images from a confocal microscope and the correlation between cell morphology and distributions of scattered light was established.
Quantitative paper chromatography of lipids.

Ein qualitatives Verfahren zur papierchromatographischen Trennung von Fettsauren und Derivaten liess sich zur quantitativen Bestimmung ausbauen. Die Methode hat eine Fehlergrenze von etwa ± 5% und ist unabhangig von den funktionellen Gruppen der Molekule. Sie ist fur gesattigte Di- und Triglyceride nicht direkt anwendbar.
Comparison of bromcresol purple and capillary protein electrophoresis for quantification of serum albumin in multiple myeloma.

According to the International Staging System (1), serum albumin concentration is a key factor in determining patient prognosis in multiple myeloma. A recent study published in Clinical Chemistry described significant discordance between bromcresol green (BCG)1 albumin dye and agarose gel serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) for albumin concentration determination in patients with high concentrations of monoclonal (M)- protein (2). Also available, however, are commonly used alternative methods for albumin determination, such as bromcresol purple (BCP) albumin dye and capillary zone SPEP (3). To examine whether the previously observed comparative discordance of measured albumin concentration is limited only to the BCG dye and agarose gel SPEP methods of albumin determination (2), we retrospectively compared measured albumin concentrations as determined by BCP albumin dye and capillary zone SPEP in a large cohort of multiple myeloma patients. The ratio of measured BCP albumin to SPEP albumin concentrations in patients with a previously identified monoclonal protein was retrospectively calculated for 579 specimens submitted to the University of Arkansas Immunology laboratory for routine serum protein electrophoresis by capillary zone SPEP. All specimens had concurrent albumin determination by a BCP albumin dye method. These consisted of 355 IgG, 122 IgA, 29 IgM, 13 IgD, and 60 free-light-chain myeloma patient specimens. …
The Federal Government and Slavery: Following the Money Trail

This is a final draft of the article published by Cambridge University Press journal "Studies in American Political Development."