cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Prevalence of Autoimmune Disorders Among Patients With Primary Ovarian Failure

Eighty-one patients who had a diagnosis of primary ovarian failure were studied to determine its possible association with autoimmune disorders. All 81 patients displayed 46,XX chromosome complements. On ovarian biopsy, either few or no follicles were demonstrated in 79 patients, and, in two patients, primordial follicles were more abundant. The two patients with a large number of primordial follicles had normal function of other endocrine organs; however, 15 of the 79 patients demonstrating few or no ovarian follicles had associated failure of other endocrine glands, and one patient had myasthenia gravis. Thirteen of these 15 patients sought treatment because of secondary amenorrhea, the age at onset ranging from 11 to 34 years. Of the 81 patients, 11 had primary amenorrhea and 70 had secondary amenorrhea. Among the 79 patients with few or no ovarian follicles, endocrine glandular failure, in addition to ovarian failure, was found in two patients with primary amenorrhea and in 13 patients with secondary amenorrhea. The association of polyglandular failure syndrome and primary ovarian failure, along with demonstration of a lymphocytic infiltrate in ovaries and circulating antibodies in sera of women with premature ovarian failure, suggests that an autoimmune mechanism may be a cause of primary ovarian failure in some cases.
Dual right-turn lanes in mitigating weaving conflicts at frontage road intersections in proximity to off-ramps

At frontage road intersections located downstream of freeway off-ramps, the use of dual right-turn lanes may provide improved weaving environments for right-turning vehicles from the off-ramp and reduce forced merges toward the desired right-turn bay. This paper investigates the safety impacts of the installation of dual right-turn lanes at frontage road intersections. A two-stage approach is used to estimate weaving conflicts as safety surrogates. In the first stage, micro-simulation models are calibrated based on field data to simulate vehicle trajectories. In the second stage, the trajectories are processed to estimate surrogate safety measures and frequency of weaving conflicts under different conditions. The two-stage approach is validated by correlation analysis between predicted weaving conflicts and actual crash rates. The results show that dual right-turn lanes can reduce weaving conflicts significantly compared to single exclusive right-turn lanes, and the safety benefits increase exponentially as weaving distance is reduced.
The early and late treatment of burns in children

Abstract This paper has considered the treatment of fresh burns, unhealed burns, scar contractures and deformities from burns, keloid scars and structural deformities as they occur in children. Specific detailed instructions have been outlined for the most commonly used methods of treating these conditions. The advantages and disadvantages, indications and contraindications of each method have been discussed. In addition each type of treatment has been considered with relation to its specific application for the child patient as distinguished from the adult patient. It must be emphasized that very real differences do exist between the child and the adult both in their reaction to the burn and in their reactions to the treatment necessary for recovery from it. These differences modify the fundamentals of the treatment of burns and constitute the basic principles outlined in this paper.
Calmodulin directly gates gap junction channels.

Cytosolic changes control gap junction channel gating via poorly understood mechanisms. In the past two decades calmodulin participation in gating has been suggested, but compelling evidence for it has been lacking. Here we show that calmodulin indeed is associated with gap junctions and plays a direct role in chemical gating. Expression of a calmodulin mutant with the N-terminal EF hand pair replaced by a copy of the C-terminal pair dramatically increases the chemical gating sensitivity of gap junction channels composed of connexin 32 and decreases their sensitivity to transjunctional voltage. The increased chemical gating sensitivity, most likely because of the higher overall Ca2+ binding affinity of this mutant as compared with native calmodulin, and the decreased voltage sensitivity are only observed when the mutant is expressed before connexin 32. This indicates that the mutant, and by extension native calmodulin, must interact with connexin 32 before gap junctions are formed. Immunofluorescence data suggest further that this interaction leads to incorporation of native or mutant calmodulin into the connexon as an integral regulatory subunit.
Natural Gas: From Shortages to Abundance in the United States

Abstract The history of natural gas wellhead and pipeline regulation, deregulation and regulatory reforms are discussed. These reforms brought natural gas shortages and pipeline inefficiencies to an end. They also created an economic platform that could support unanticipated developments in the supply and costs of domestic natural gas. Such unanticipated developments emerged in the last few years as several technological innovations came together to make it commercially attractive to development US shale gas deposits located deep in the earth. How and why shale gas supplies will lead to dramatic changes in the United States' energy future with appropriate environmental regulatory reforms are discussed.
Consultation with the specialist: red blood cell transfusions.

1. Moshe D. Bell, MD* 1. *The Valerie Fund Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital of New Jersey, at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, NJ After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Discuss the complications of a red blood cell transfusion for a child who has autoimmune hemolytic anemia. 2. Delineate the risk of transmitting infectious diseases during blood transfusions. 3. Describe the hemolytic, febrile, and urticarial reactions that may be associated with red blood cell transfusions. 4. Explain the role of red blood cell transfusions in the management of anemia. Red blood cells (RBCs) carry hemoglobin-bound oxygen from the lungs to capillaries, where they release some of their oxygen for diffusion into surrounding tissues that have lower oxygen tension. The ability to increase cardiac output and to shift the oxygen dissociation curve of hemoglobin allows the body, in most instances, to compensate for loss of oxygen-carrying capacity, increased tissue need, or hypoxia. In some circumstances, however, the compensatory mechanisms are insufficient, and RBC transfusion may be beneficial. The first reported blood transfusion took place between two dogs in 1666 at Oxford University in an experiment by Richard Lower. By the following year, French physician Jean Denys was transfusing blood from lambs and calves into patients afflicted with mental illness, hoping to balance their “humors” with those of the docile, domesticated animals. Many transfusion recipients had acute hemolytic reactions, and some died (Denys was tried for murder in one instance), essentially putting a halt to the use of blood transfusions for more than a century. In 1818, British obstetrician James Blundell performed the first known human-to-human transfusions, reporting success in some women who had severe postpartum hemorrhage. By mid-century, the first transfusions in the United States were performed, but they remained rare until the 20th century. The early 1900s brought major advances in transfusion medicine, starting with Karl Landesteiner's discovery and description of the ABO blood grouping system (he called it ABC) and, subsequently, the Rh …
An Analysis of the Abrasive Machining of Plane Surfaces

The grinding ratio (ratio of volume of work removed to volume of wheel consumed) is found to be related to feed rate by an equation which resembles the Taylor tool life equation for single point tools. An economic analysis of the abrasive machining of plane surfaces is presented with special charts to enable the cost optimum feed rate to be easily determined in practice. The results of the analysis are used to consider the additional grinding wheel cost that is justified for a given improvement in grinding performance.
Effect of Soil Moisture and Phenylmercuric Acetate upon Stomatal Aperture, Transpiration, and Photosynthesis

When sprayed on plant leaves, several compounds, notably phenylmercuric acetate (PMA), can induce stomatal closure (16, 17). Most of these investigations with PMA were carried out on detached leaves with petioles dipping in water; it was found that the stomatal closing markedly reduced transpiration, whereas photosynthesis was reduced to a lesser extent. In these experiments it was demonstrated that the relations between both transpiration and photosynthesis and stomatal opening agreed with the equations relating diffusion of water vapor and CO2 to resistance calculated from stomatal dimensions (8, 17). The possibility of reducing plant transpiration by chemical treatment, without materially reducing photosynthesis, is of practical importance in arid regions. In addition, this method of transpiration control offered a promising tool for the study of soilwater-plant interrelations. To serve both ends, we sprayed various plants with PMA, and observed stomatal opening, transpiration, and photosynthesis or growth. This was performed on young maize growing in soil in a controlled-environment chamber, as well as on tobacco growing in a greenhouse and sunflowers outdoors. These experiments, performed in the controlled-environment chamber are reported here; the other experiments are reported in the accompanying paper. It was realized that entire plants, drawing their water from the soil, might respond differently to a spray of PMA than did detached leaves with petioles dipping in water. The prevailing opinion concerning transpiration (13) is that, within the entire range of available soil moisture, the main resistance to transpiration is in the gaseous phase, from the evaporating surfaces of the mesophyll cells, through the stomata to the ambient air; therefore, at a given diffusion pressure gradient from the soil to the air, the most decisive factor in controlling transpiration is the stomatal opening. If this be so, stomatal closing by chemical treatment should affect transpiration in the same way and magnitude observed in detached leaves. Further, this effect should be nearly independent of soil moisture per se. This similarity of response might apply to photosynthesis as well. These similarities, however, would not occur if changes in the soil moisture brought about changes in the resistances of the soil and the plant that would be of a comparable magnitude to the diffusion resistance in the gaseous phase. Under these latter circumstances, stomatal opening might not be the only major factor controlling transpiration. The analysis of the interaction of stomatal opening and soil moisture in their effect on transpiration and photosynthesis is usually complicated by the fact that low soil moisture is generally associated with a closing of stomata; thus it is difficult to evaluate these factors independently. The control of stomatal opening by chemical treatment and the measurement of stomata provided a possibility of isolating the stomatal resistance at various levels of soil moisture.
Concentration dependence of Kondo temperature and unitarity limit in non-dilute magnetic amorphous alloys

Abstract We report the results of electrical resistivity vs. temperature measurements on an amorphous alloy Ni 41 Pd 4 B 18 containing up to 4 at. % Cr. The resistivity data fit well with Hamann's theory. The values of the unitary limit ϱ 0 and of the Kondo temperature T K are concentration dependent for alloys containing more than 1.3 at. % Cr. The anomalies in the variation of ϱ 0 and T K with concentration are attributed to the contact between the polarization clouds surrounding the neighboring Cr atoms.
Integration of Standardized Patients into Simulation

Standardized participants (SPs) can greatly enhance high-fidelity simulation. The educational experience becomes more realistic than by simply using a simulator. There is very limited literature about the use of SPs with high-fidelity simulation. This article provides an overview of SP methodology and offers suggestions for integrating SPs into medical simulation scenarios.
Film thickness and chemical processing effects on the stability of cadmium telluride solar cells

The performance and stability of CdS/CdTe solar cells as a function of layer thickness, back contact etch, and oxygen during the CdCl2 anneal was determined. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the statistical significance of various first order effects and interactions. With stress, all devices showed a reduction in open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) characteristic of increased recombination. Devices using thinner CdS were vulnerable to shunt formation. Oxygen during the CdCl2 anneal minimizes this effect. A thermodynamic model involving the formation of Cu-oxide is presented to explain the latter.
Controversy: Clipping of Asymptomatic Intracranial Aneurysm That is <7 mm Yes

The second (prospective) International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms (ISUIA), published in 2003 in The Lancet ,1 suggested that the risk of hemorrhage from an unruptured intracranial aneurysm <7 mm is extremely low, and that present microsurgical or endovascular treatment for patients harboring these lesions carries a far greater risk of incurring a neurological deficit than the natural history. This has led to a much more conservative approach toward managing such patients. However, considerable controversy remains on whether or not to offer therapy (surgical or endovascular) to these patients. We recall that the first (retrospective) ISUIA study, published in New England Journal of Medicine in 1998,2 demonstrated that asymptomatic intracranial aneurysms ≤10 mm had a very low rupture rate (0.05%/yr for group 1, no previous bleeding from another aneurysm; 0.5%/yr for group 2, previous bleeding from another aneurysm). The authors concluded that 10 mm should be the cutoff for considering treatment of these aneurysms, particularly in group 1 patients. This study also promoted a major change in clinical practice, so that many patients with aneurysms <10 mm were not treated. Was this a reasonable response? Probably not, especially in view of the more recent ISUIA data indicating that aneurysms that are 7 to 12 mm carry a considerable risk of bleeding. Should we significantly alter our practice on the basis of a single nonrandomized study, such as the 2003 ISUIA study? A closer examination of the 2003 ISUIA study reveals that some aneurysms <7 mm have a significant risk of bleeding (Table). Five-year cumulative risks of hemorrhage were 2.5% for posterior communicating artery aneurysms in group 1; 1.5% for anterior communicating (AC), middle cerebral (MC), and internal carotid aneurysms in group 2; and 3.4% for posterior communicating artery aneurysms in group 2. All patients with these asymptomatic aneurysms …
Combustion Products of Plastics as Indicators for Refuse Burning in the Atmosphere

Despite all of the economic problems and environmental discussions on the dangers and hazards of plastic materials, plastic production worldwide is growing at a rate of about 5% per year. Increasin...
SEMANTIC HABITS AND ATTITUDES OF BLACK COLLEGE STUDENTS

Summary.-In exploring the associative patterns and attitudes toward self and others, some measures were obtained on 79 black and 97 white college students. Results show reduced tendencies of the black students to use positive cvaluational concepts in association. Black females are much like black males in associative patterns. There is no difference in the reported self-concepts of black and white females. Black males, however, reported more positive selfconcepts than white males. Nunnally, Flaugher, and Hodges (1963) developed an instrument to measure semantic relations which refer to assignment of meaning to objects through the use of words. Semantic relations serve to describe, categorize, or depict personal relations in the human and material environment. Their working assumption is that semantic habits concern differential frequency of usage. Using the above instrument, the present study explored the associative patterns and preferences of black college students. Blacks, being a minority group to. ward which prejudice is consistently expressed, probably receive and emit less positive evaluative associations and hence concepts designating this aspect may play a smaller role in their repertory of concepts. Therefore it was hypothesized that blacks, compared with whites, would choose fewer positive evaluative associations in the semantic habits test. The connotative aspect of language or, more specifically, the way blacks assign meaning to role concepts such as self and other relevant ones, was also examined. Prior to the seventies, literature was replete with data indicating poor self-esteem and self-hatred of the minority groups. These studies (Keller, 1963; Long & Henderson, 1968) showed that white pupils had more positive self-concepts than did black pupils. More recent research (Soares & Soares, 1969; Zirkel & Moses, 1971-), however, suggests that there is either no difference in the reported self-concepts of white and black children or that black children have more positive self-concepts than white children. Reporting these findings coincides with the development of the new black consciousness. The present study employed the semantic differential technique to measure the attitudes of black and white college students toward selected relevant role concepts. METHOD
NICMOS Snapshot Survey of Damped Lyα Quasars

We image 19 quasars with 22 damped Lyα systems (DLAs) using the F160W filter and the Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope in both direct and coronagraphic modes. We reach 5 σ detection limits of ~H = 22 in the majority of our images. We compare our observations to the observed Lyman break population of high-redshift galaxies as well as Bruzual & Charlot evolutionary models of present-day galaxies redshifted to the distances of the absorption systems. We predict H magnitudes for our DLAs, assuming that they are producing stars like an L* Lyman break galaxy (LBG) at their redshift. Comparing these predictions to our sensitivity, we find that we should be able to detect a galaxy around 0.5-1.0 L*(LBG) for most of our observations. We find only one new possible candidate, that near LBQS 0010-0012. This scarcity of candidates leads us to the conclusion that most damped Lyα systems are not drawn from a normal LBG luminosity function nor a local galaxy luminosity function placed at these high redshifts.
Diastolic dysfunction in amyloid heart disease: restrictive cardiomyopathy or not?

Amyloid cardiomyopathy is caused by protein deposition in the myocardial interstitium, which leads to increased thickness of the ventricular walls and, eventually, congestive heart failure (1,2). The heart failure is often associated with normal or mildly reduced ventricular ejection fraction (3) and, as such, may be refractory to standard therapies aimed at improving systolic function. Although amyloid heart disease is commonly referred to as a “restrictive cardiomyopathy,” which implies rapid early ventricular filling followed by abrupt restriction to further expansion (4), this characterization is controversial. Historical investigation of diastolic function in cardiac amyloidosis. For many years it had been suspected that the heart failure of amyloid cardiomyopathy was related to the thickened, noncompliant ventricular walls found at postmortem examination. Because amyloid cardiomyopathy exhibited many of the clinical features of pericardial constriction (5,6), clinicians surmised that amyloid-associated heart failure was caused by restriction to filling on a myocardial (not pericardial) basis. Hemodynamic confirmation of this hypothesis was provided in 1950 by Fisher et al. (7), who performed right heart catheterization on a patient with amyloidosis, noting that volume infusion failed to increase cardiac output but did increase venous pressure, which suggested “mechanical limitations of diastolic filling. . . .” Other early reports (8-10) confirmed the hemodynamic similarities between amyloid cardiomyopathy and constrictive pericarditis. Both conditions were found to have “dip and plateau” or “square root” diastolic ventricular pressure patterns that, in combination with the rapid early diastolic
Soy protein combined with copper and boron compounds for providing effective wood preservation

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA), an arsenicbased wood preservative, is toxic to human health and the environment. Although CCA is stable in seasoned wood, there are potential dangers during CCA manufacture, lumber treatment, and waste disposal. This research was conducted to study the effectiveness of soy products to replace toxic chromium and arsenic compounds in wood preservative formulations. Three soy product (Arpro 2100, HM 90, and Supro 760) were used as fixative agents in preservative solutions containing anhydrous CuSO4 and Na2B4O7·10H2O. The decay resistance of treated wood blocks was measured by a soil-block culture method. Despite the large molecular sizes of copper-protein and copper-boron-protein complexes, southern pine sapwood was treatable with these preservative formulations. Wood samples treated with >6 kg°m−3 CuSO4 and 7.5 kg·m−3 soy product, and subsequently leached for 3 d and exposed to the decay fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum (Fr.) Mur., sustained only 0.5% weight loss over 12 wk. Wood samples needed 40 kg·m−3 CuSO4 and 50 kg·m−3 soy protein to resist the copper-tolerant decay fungus Postia placenta (Fr.) M. Lars. & Lomb. These results suggest that soy-based wood preservatives can prevent wood products from fungal attack and can replace CCA.
Reversible CO-Induced Chloride Shuttling in RhI Tweezer Complexes Containing Urea-Functionalized Hemilabile Ligands

The urea moiety, which acts as a good hydrogen-bond donor, has been incorporated into a hemilabile phosphinoalkyl thioether ligand. Upon reaction of the ligand with a RhI precursor, a tweezer complex with near-parallel planar urea moieties 2 forms. The host−guest interaction of 2 with Cl− has been characterized in solution and in the solid state. Cl− binding with the urea groups in 2 is retained under CO in nonpolar solvents to give a five-coordinate CO adduct 3. In polar solvents, CO binding to RhI results in a Cl− shift from the urea host site to the RhI metal center with a concomitant breaking of the Rh−S bonds. This is an unusual example of how two types of different interactions important in molecular recognition (ligand coordination to a metal and hydrogen bonding) can be regulated within one molecule through small-molecule coordination chemistry.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Correlation between aberrant behaviors, EEG abnormalities and seizures

The relationship between epilepsy, epileptiform discharges, cognitive, language and behavioral symptoms is not clearly understood. Since difficulties with socialization and maladaptive behaviors are found in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), we inquired whether epileptiform activity and seizures are associated with adverse behavioral manifestations in this population. We reviewed our EEG database between 1999-2006, and identified 123 children with ASD. EEG abnormalities were found in 39 children (31%). A control group of age and gender matched ASD children with normal EEG’s was obtained. Packets of questionnaires including the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale II (VABS), Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) were sent by mail. Out of 21 packets received, 11 had normal and 10 had abnormal EEG’s. There were no statistically significant differences in behavior between the two groups. Statistical analysis of discharge location and frequency did not reveal a significant trend. However, children with ASD and seizures had statistically significant lower scores in VABS daily living (P=0.009) and socialization (P=0.007) as compared to those without seizures. ASD children with seizures had higher ABC levels of hyperactivity and irritability. Differences in irritability scores nearly reached statistical significance (P=0.058). There was no significant difference in the degree of CARS autism rating between the groups. Our study did not reveal statistically significant differences in behaviors between ASD children with and without EEG abnormalities. However, ASD children with seizures revealed significantly worse behaviors as compared to counterparts without seizures.
Active epidermal movement in human skin in vitro.

SUMMARY Epidermal cells migrate from the edges of adult human skin in culture during the first 48 h. In order to determine whether mitotic acitivity was responsible for this cell movement the autoradiographic labelling index for cells in DNA synthesis was determined for skin at different stages of culture. The labelling index of skin maintained for 48 h but labelled with tritiated thymidine in the first 4 h, did not differ significantly from skin both maintained and labelled for 4 h only. Skin maintained for 48 h but labelled in the last 4 h showed a much lower labelling index. No normal mitotic figures were seen in the epidermis of skin maintained for 48 h but exposed to colcemid for the last 4 h of culture. It has been concluded that at least in short-term organ culture of adult human skin there is a phase of mitotic arrest and that epidermal migration during the first 48 h is an active process independent of mitotic activity.
Bio‐based polymeric resin from agricultural waste, neem (Azadirachta indica) seed cake, for green composites

Protein-based polymeric resin has been developed from nonconventional and nonedible “neem seed cake (NSC)” that has very limited low-value applications. Neem protein (NP), after extraction from defatted NSC, was used to prepare resin with two common plasticizers (glycerol and sorbitol). Properties of the NP resin sheets were evaluated as a function of plasticizer content. Increase of plasticizer content in NP sheets from 15 to 30% (w/w) enhanced fracture strain with a reduction in tensile strength, modulus, and thermal properties. Sorbitol-plasticized NP sheets showed better mechanical and thermal properties in comparison to glycerol-plasticized sheets. Effect of cross-linking with glyoxal on the mechanical and thermal properties of sorbitol-plasticized NP sheets was also investigated. Properties improved significantly at 10% (w/w) glyoxal content. Overall, with the enhanced properties of NP sheets, NP can be a viable alternative for edible protein-based resin for making green composites. NP resin can also be used to replace some synthetic resins. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 10.1002/app.41291.
Enhanced detection of type C botulinum neurotoxin by the Endopep-MS assay through optimization of peptide substrates

It is essential to have a simple, quick and sensitive method for the detection and quantification of botulinum neurotoxins, the most toxic substances and the causative agents of botulism. Type C botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT/C) represents one of the seven members of distinctive BoNT serotypes (A to G) that cause botulism in animals and avians. Here we report the development of optimized peptide substrates for improving the detection of BoNT/C and /CD mosaic toxins using an Endopep-MS assay, a mass spectrometry-based method that is able to rapidly and sensitively detect and differentiate all types of BoNTs by extracting the toxin with specific antibodies and detecting the unique cleavage products of peptide substrates. Based on the sequence of a short SNAP-25 peptide, we conducted optimization through a comprehensive process including length determination, terminal modification, single and multiple amino acid residue substitution, and incorporation of unnatural amino acid residues. Our data demonstrate that an optimal peptide provides a more than 200-fold improvement over the substrate currently used in the Endopep-MS assay for the detection of BoNT/C1 and /CD mosaic. Using the new substrate in a four-hour cleavage reaction, the limit of detection for the BoNT/C1 complex spiked in buffer, serum and milk samples was determined to be 0.5, 0.5 and 1 mouseLD50/mL, respectively, representing a similar or higher sensitivity than that obtained by traditional mouse bioassay.
Safety issues in collaborative vehicle control

Collaborative driving systems are complex, distributed systems that control physical vehicles. They can reduce accidents, decrease fuel consumption, reduce commute times and increase the capacity of highways. However, errors in their implementation can cause unsafe conditions that result in the loss of human life. Our objective is to find ways to design, verify, and quantify safety in these systems. In this paper we describe a collaborative driving system that assists in safely and quickly merging vehicles when highways merge, following tolls, and at construction or accident sites. We describe 1) an architecture that partitions the application into modules that can be tested and modified independently, 2) a communication protocol that provides an unconventional set of services that simplifies the implementation of the system, and 3) a strategy for cooperation between the human operator and the system.
Strategy for engaging the Society for Neuroscience in science education.

The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) has more than 37,000 members and constitutes one of the largest single-theme scientific societies in the United States. Although many of its members are engaged in various activities that support their local science education programs, historically the society has not played a major role in shaping the national debate on science education. This posture changed with the adoption of a Strategic Plan in 2003 and revision in 2006 that defined a global mission and vision for the organization (SfN, 2003 ) and its role in public education. The goals aligned with science education were taken up by the Committee on Neuroscience Literacy (CNL), which has recently merged with the Public Information Committee to become the Public Education and Communication Committee. To focus the committee's charge associated with the Strategic Plan, the CNL met in early 2005 to revise its mission statement and to establish priorities for public education programs over the next decade. The CNL seeks to increase the level of public awareness and education efforts in the neurosciences. The Committee aims to increase the level of neuroscience literacy in the public; increase the number of neuroscientists properly trained and engaged in public communications, outreach, and advocacy; increase the number and depth of neuroscientist/teacher partnerships; emphasize neuroscience in the K–12 school curricula and in teacher professional development; and enhance the stature and visibility of neuroscience/science education within the society and academic community. From these aims, two major focus areas emerge. The first focus relates to preparing neuroscientists for public interactions that are educational in scope, and the second focus relates to optimizing the impact of our programs for the science education community. Focus area 1 involves catalyzing a shift in the professional culture of SfN members to include and embrace public communications, outreach, and education about neuroscience. Focus area 2 involves fundamentally shifting SfN's K–12 education activities in two ways: 1) Invest in broader, national education efforts aimed at the shared agenda of improving science education, thus increasing the national readiness for science research, leadership, and innovation; and 2) move SfN's education efforts to venues that are more accessible by teachers. These foci generated by the CNL have been embraced by the society leadership and have been incorporated into the current Strategic Plan approved in early 2006. In particular, the Society has articulated renewed importance for communicating the results and benefits of biomedical research to the general public and to educators as a step toward ensuring public awareness and use of the knowledge gained as well as an electorate that is supportive of the research endeavor.
PYK-2 is tyrosine phosphorylated after activation of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide receptors in lung cancer cells

The signal transduction mechanisms of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) were investigated in lung cancer cells. Previously, PACAP-27 addition to NCI-H838 cells increased phosphatidylinositol turnover and intracellular cAMP leading to proliferation of lung cancer cells. Also, PACAP receptors (PAC1) regulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK, focal adhesion kinase, and paxillin. In this communication, the effects of PACAP on cytosolic Ca2+ and PYK-2 tyrosine phosphorylation were investigated. PACAP-27 increased cytosolic Ca2+ within seconds after addition to FURA-2 AM loaded NCI-H838 cells. The increase in cytosolic Ca2+ caused by PACAP was inhibited by PACAP(6–38) (PAC1 antagonist), U73122 (phospholipase C inhibitor), or BAPTA (calcium chelator), but not H89 (PKA inhibitor). PACAP-38, but not vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), addition to NCI-H838 or H1299 cells significantly increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of PYK-2 after 2 min. The increase in PYK-2 tyrosine phosphorylation caused by PACAP was inhibited by PACAP(6–38), U73122, or BAPTA, but not H89. The results suggest that PAC1 regulates PYK-2 tyrosine phosphorylation in a calcium-dependent manner.
Role of the Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathway in melanoma-mediated dendritic cell tolerization

Recent studies have shown that tumor immune evasion mechanisms significantly contribute to immunotherapy failure. Emerging data is indicating that tumor-associated dendritic cells (DCs) undergo phenotypic tolerization and promote the differentiation and activation of regulatory T cell (Treg) populations to generate local immune subversion. The critical role of DCs in orchestrating anti-tumor immunity suggests that the signaling pathways that regulate DC tolerogenesis may be promising targets for pharmacologically augmenting immunotherapy efficacy. Previous work has shown that the β-catenin signaling pathway plays a potential role in the DC tolerization process. Others have demonstrated that the DC-expressed enzyme, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), promotes tumor-induced immune tolerance by catalyzing the conversion of the amino acid tryptophan into kynurenine. Other investigators have demonstrated melanomas to upregulate the expression of several Wnt ligands during their malignant transformation. Using a transgenic murine model of melanoma, we have determined that melanoma-associated DCs exhibit elevated levels of expression of IDO and other β-catenin target genes and demonstrate diminished T cell stimulatory capacity in vitro. Further studies have shown that Wnt3a and Wnt5a induce the expression and enzymatic activity of IDO in myeloid DCs (mDCs) in a β-catenin-dependent fashion while IDO reporter assays suggest this process to be mediated by direct promoter activation. This data suggest the Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathway to be a potential target for suppressing melanoma-induced DC tolerization and enhancing anti-tumor immunity. Indeed, both small molecule inhibition and genetic silencing of the PORCN acyl transferase enzyme which is necessary for Wnt secretion, abrogated B16 melanoma paracrine induction of β-catenin signaling and IDO expression by local mDCs. Further studies have shown PORCN-silenced B16 melanomas to exhibit reduced tumorigenecity in vivo and that this effect correlated with decreased mDC IDO expression and reduced levels of local Tregs. We therefore hypothesize that melanoma-expressed Wnt ligands induce DC tolerogenesis and stimulate β-catenin-dependent IDO expression and subsequent Treg generation in the tumor microenvironment, resulting in the development of an immunotolerant state and ultimately allowing for disease progression. Further, we propose that the pharmacological inhibition of this pathway can reverse this mechanism of immune evasion and enhance other immunotherapeutic approaches. Future work will include testing the ability of the small molecule PORCN inhibitor to stimulate the generation of tumor antigen-specific T cell responses in an autochthonous transgenic melanoma model.
Using hosts of mixed sizes to reduce male‐biased sex ratio in the parasitoid wasp, Diglyphus isaea

Overproduction of males in mass rearing of parasitic Hymenoptera contributes to higher costs for biological control because only females directly kill pests. We present a technique, based on manipulating host composition, to generate less male-biased sex ratios in parasitoid species that adjust their sex allocation in response to relative host size. Our system consisted of chrysanthemum, Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev var. 'Miramar'; a leafminer, Liriomyza langei Frick (Diptera: Agromyzidae); and a commercially available parasitoid, Diglyphus isaea (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). We compared the offspring sex ratios of D. isaea females presented with different compositions of L. langei larvae on chrysanthemum. Presenting individual females with only large hosts increased mean sex ratio from 32 to 67% male over 2 days. However, presenting individual females with progressively larger hosts over 1 or 2 days reduced mean sex ratio from 90 to 100% male to less than 30% male. Groups of females produced sex ratios around 58% male if presented with both plants infested by only small hosts and plants infested by only large hosts. In comparison, groups of females produced sex ratios around 48% male if presented with plants infested by both small hosts and large hosts. We compared the use of both small hosts and large hosts to only large hosts for simulated mass rearing of wasps over 8 weeks. Using both small hosts and large hosts produced similar numbers of wasps as using only large hosts, but reduced mean sex ratio of weekly cohorts from 66% male to 56% male. The two techniques produced females of similar size, but using both large hosts and small hosts produced slightly smaller males than using only large hosts. The use of both small hosts and large hosts for mass rearing of D. isaea could reduce actual costs of females by 23%.
High-frequency (8 to 16 kHz) reference thresholds and intrasubject threshold variability relative to ototoxicity criteria using a Sennheiser HDA 200 earphone.

ObjectiveThe first purpose of this study was to determine high-frequency (8 to 16 kHz) thresholds for standardizing reference equivalent threshold sound pressure levels (RETSPLs) for a Sennheiser HDA 200 earphone. The second and perhaps more important purpose of this study was to determine whether r
Clutter suppression using amplitude weighted waveforms

When the range extent of clutter exceeds the PRF interval of a constant amplitude radar pulse-burst (or coherent dwell), standard Doppler filtering using an FIR filter bank with amplitude weighting on receive, no longer provides adequate clutter suppression. A simple solution to this problem is to add fill pulses to each coherent dwell, so that every PRF interval processed by the FIR filter will include clutter from all range ambiguous intervals. For radars needing to operate with a short time-on-target, this approach degrades the performance due to wasted transmitter power and a longer dwell time. The use of amplitude weighting of the transmitted pulse burst to overcome this problem is well known from studies relating to ballistic missile defense radars operating in an environment of range extended debris and chaff. In conventional ground based radar scenarios, clutter is usually present in the same range interval as the target but may also come from longer ambiguous ranges. The maximum range of clutter is usually limited by the radar horizon, but may extend beyond the radar horizon due to non-standard propagation. For such scenarios an amplitude weighting scheme has been proposed where only the leading pulses in the coherent dwell are weighted in amplitude. This paper presents a trade-off between this unilateral weighting approach and the bilateral weighting schemes considered previously.
Calcium gradients in inner ear endolymph.

Recent studies suggest that endolymphatic hydrops resulting from the ablation of the endolymphatic duct and sac in guinea pigs may be caused by a disturbance of endolymph calcium homeostasis. A similar disturbance of calcium homeostasis could represent the underlying cause of Meniere's disease. In this study, we mapped the calcium concentrations and electrical potentials throughout the endolymphatic system in normal guinea pigs. Large concentration differences exist between different compartments, including a more than twofold increase along the length of the cochlea. The electrochemical potential for calcium (the force driving passive longitudinal calcium movement) was calculated for all the endolymphatic compartments. The results show that endolymph is extremely inhomogenous with respect to calcium potentials. On the basis of these potentials, it appears that calcium is transported into endolymph in the cochlea and out of endolymph in the saccule and utricle. The possibility that endolymphatic hydrops arises from a disturbance in longitudinal flow of calcium, rather than in longitudinal volume flow, is considered.
Evaluation of liposome-encapsulated butorphanol tartrate for alleviation of experimentally induced arthritic pain in green-cheeked conures (Pyrrhura molinae)

Objective—To evaluate injection of microcrystalline sodium urate (MSU) for inducing articular pain in green-cheeked conures (Pyrrhura molinae) and the analgesic efficacy of liposome-encapsulated butorphanol tartrate (LEBT) by use of weight load data, behavioral scores, and fecal corticosterone concentration. Animals—8 conures. Procedures—In a crossover study, conures were randomly assigned to receive LEBT (15 mg/kg) or liposomal vehicle subsequent to experimental induction of arthritis or sham injection. The MSU was injected into 1 tibiotarsal-tarsometatarsal (intertarsal) joint to induce arthritis (time 0). Weight-bearing load and behavioral scores were determined at 0, 2, 6, 26, and 30 hours. Results—MSU injection into 1 intertarsal joint caused a temporary decrease in weight bearing on the affected limb. Treatment of arthritic conures with LEBT resulted in significantly more weight bearing on the arthritic limb than treatment with vehicle. Administration of vehicle to arthritic conures caused a decreas...
Topographical Organization of the N-Terminal Segment of Lung Pulmonary Surfactant Protein B (SP-B1-25) in Phospholipid Bilayers

The location and depth of each residue of lung pulmonary surfactant protein B (SP-B1-25) in a phospholipid bilayer (PB) was determined by fluorescence quenching using synthesized single-residue-substituted peptides that were reconstituted into 1,2-dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC)-enriched liposomes. The single-residue substitutions in peptides were either aspartate or tryptophan. The aspartate was subsequently labeled with the N-cyclohexyl-N‘-(4-(dimethylamino)naphthyl)carbodiimide (NCD-4) fluorophore, whereas tryptophan is autofluorescent. Spin-labeled compounds, 5-doxylstearic acid (5-DSA), 7-doxylstearic acid (7-DSA), 12-doxylstearic acid (12-DSA), 4-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecyl)ammonium-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl iodide (CAT-16), and 4-trimethylammonium-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxy iodide (CAT-1), were used in the quenching experiments. The effective quenching order is determined by the accessibility of the quencher to a fluorescent group on the peptide. The order of quenching effi...
Oblateness of solar models with rotating cores

ROOD and Ulrich1 have discussed the oblateness of solar models with a rotating core. They find a larger oblateness for the same model than we did2. We have looked again into the oblateness calculation and now believe that the correct solution of the equations of Goldreich and Schubert3 gives an oblateness for the final model of our2 sequence C4 in agreement with the value derived by Rood and Ulrich. We also agree with Rood and Ulrich's explanation for the discrepancy.
Solid state inductors

Abstract Previous analyses of inductive effects in common emitter transistor circuits are extended and new circuits are presented which exhibit larger inductive effects. These include circuits, for which there are no vacuum-tube equivalents, in which the transistor is operated above its α = 1 voltage. The mechanisms which limit the obtainable values of inductance and the ratio of reactance to resistance are described. Temperature stability data and methods of temperature compensation are presented. It is concluded that simple techniques can be used to obtain sufficient stability for many applications.
Capstone Design Courses, Part Two: Preparing Biomedical Engineers for the Real World

Abstract The biomedical engineering senior capstone design course is probably the most important course taken by undergraduate biomedical engineering students. It provides them with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in previous years, develop their communication, teamwork, project management, and design skills, and learn about the product development process. It prepares students for professional practice and serves as a preview of what it will be like to work as a biomedical engineer. The capstone design experience can change the way engineering students think about technology, themselves, society, and the world around them. It can make them aware of their potential to make a positive contribution to healthcare throughout the world and generate excitement for, and pride in, the engineering profession. Ideas for how to organize, structure, and manage a senior capstone design course for biomedical and other engineering students are presented here. These ideas will be helpful to faculty who ar...
Dialkylamino-bis(trimethylsilyl)amino-chlorborane und ihre Reaktion mit Natrium-bis(trimethylsilyl)amid

Verbindungen des Typs R2NBCIN(Sime 3)2 * (R=C2H5,iC3H7, C6H11, C6H5) bleiben bis zu hohen Temperaturen bestandig. Sie reagieren jedoch mit NaN(Sime 3)2 unter Ubertragung einer Methylgruppe von einem Silicium-zu einem Boratom zu N,N′-Bis(trimethylsilyl)-tetramethylcyclodisildiazan und R2NBmeN(Sime 3) (R=C2H5,iC3H7).
Bacteriogenic sulfur isotopic ratios in geology

Stable sulfur isotopes may aid in distinguishing sulfides of a magmatic hydrothermal origin from sulfides containing biogenic sulfur. For those sulfide ore depositis that are intimately associated with the intrusive body from which it is inferred their ore solutions were derived, the variation in δS34 values is generally less than ± 5 permil. Biogenic sulfides, on the other hand, exhibit a broad spread in δS34 values that is rately less than a few permil. The reason for this is that the sulfur produced, as hydrogen sulfide by anaerobic bacteria, is isotopically fractionated by variable amounts resulting in a relatively broad spread in δS34 values. Raw culture experiments have illustrated the isotopic effects resulting from reduction of sulfate to hydrogen sulfate by sulfate reducing bacteria. The characteristics of enrichment of S32 to a highly variable extent in hydrogen sulfide is verified by these experiments. In addition, a series of closed system raw culture experiments resulted in fractionation factors between 1.043 to 1.062 which are similar to variations in δS34 between juxtaposed sulfides in nature produced by bacteriogenic processes.