cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxicity and negligible genotoxicity of borax and borax ores to cultured mammalian cells

The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of refined borax and borax ores were studied in cultured mammalian cells. In V79 Chinese hamster cells, C3H/10T1/2 mouse embryo fibroblasts, and diploid human foreskin fibroblasts, crude borax ore, kernite ore, and refined borax were all cytotoxic. The lowest concentrations at which cytotoxicity was observed were 0.02 mg/ml and 0.1 mg/ml for borax ore in C3H/10T1/2 and human fibroblasts, respectively, 0.2 mg/ml for kernite ore in both cell types, and 0.1 mg/ml for refined borax in both C3H/10T1/2 and human fibroblasts. The cytotoxicity was dose dependent above these concentrations. The concentrations of borax ore, kernite ore, and refined borax that reduced the relative plating efficiency to 50% were approximately 3.2, 1.6, and 0.8 mg/ml, respectively, in human fibroblasts and were 0.8 mg/ml for all three substances in C3H/10T1/2 cells. All three borax samples were not significantly mutagenic in assays for mutation to ouabain resistance in human fibroblasts and C3H/10T1/2 cells and were at most only weakly mutagenic in an assay for mutation to 8-azaguanine resistance in V79 Chinese hamster cells. Refined borax did not induce neoplastic transformation in C3H/10T1/2 cells. Crude borax ore and kernite ore induced weak transformation that was not dose-dependent and was not reproducible in another experiment. Therefore, borax and its ores are cytotoxic to mammalian cells at high (mg/ml) concentrations and are at most weakly mutagenic but not significantly oncogenic as measured in a cell transformation assay.
Acetylthiocholine Binds to Asp74 at the Peripheral Site of Human Acetylcholinesterase as the First Step in the Catalytic Pathway

Studies of ligand binding to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) have demonstrated two sites of interaction. An acyl-enzyme intermediate is formed at the acylation site, and catalytic activity can be inhibited by ligand binding to a peripheral site. The three-dimensional structures of AChE-ligand complexes reveal a narrow and deep active site gorge and indicate that ligands specific for the acylation site at the base of the gorge must first traverse the peripheral site near the gorge entrance. In recent studies attempting to clarify the role of the peripheral site in the catalytic pathway for AChE, we showed that ligands which bind specifically to the peripheral site can slow the rates at which other ligands enter and exit the acylation site, a feature we called steric blockade [Szegletes, T., Mallender, W. D., and Rosenberry, T. L. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 4206-4216]. We also demonstrated that cationic substrates can form a low-affinity complex at the peripheral site that accelerates catalytic hydrolysis at low substrate concentrations but results in substrate inhibition at high concentrations because of steric blockade of product release [Szegletes, T., Mallender, W. D., Thomas, P. J., and Rosenberry, T. L. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 122-133]. In this report, we demonstrate that a key residue in the human AChE peripheral site with which the substrate acetylthiocholine interacts is D74. We extend our kinetic model to evaluate the substrate affinity for the peripheral site, indicated by the equilibrium dissociation constant K(S), from the dependence of the substrate hydrolysis rate on substrate concentration. For human AChE, a K(S) of 1.9+/-0.7 mM obtained by fitting this substrate inhibition curve agreed with a K(S) of 1.3+/-1.0 mM measured directly from acetylthiocholine inhibition of the binding of the neurotoxin fasciculin to the peripheral site. For Torpedo AChE, a K(S) of 0.5+/- 0.2 mM obtained from substrate inhibition agreed with a K(S) of 0.4+/- 0.2 mM measured with fasciculin. Introduction of the D72G mutation (corresponding to D74G in human AChE) increased the K(S) to 4-10 mM in the Torpedo enzyme and to about 33 mM in the human enzyme. While the turnover number k(cat) was unchanged in the human D74G mutant, the roughly 20-fold decrease in acetylthiocholine affinity for the peripheral site in D74G resulted in a corresponding decrease in k(cat)/K(app), the second-order hydrolysis rate constant, in the mutant. In addition, we show that D74 is important in conveying to the acylation site an inhibitory conformational effect induced by the binding of fasciculin to the peripheral site. This inhibitory effect, measured by the relative decrease in the first-order phosphorylation rate constant k(OP) for the neutral organophosphate 7-[(methylethoxyphosphonyl)oxy]-4-methylcoumarin (EMPC) that resulted from fasciculin binding, decreased from 0.002 in wild-type human AChE to 0.24 in the D74G mutant.
New finite elements with embedded strong discontinuities in the finite deformation range

This paper develops new finite elements with embedded strong discontinuities for the modeling of the failure of solids in the finite deformation range. The cases of interest include cracks, shear bands, delamination in composites and similar failures modeled by a propagating discontinuity in the deformation mapping that incorporates a cohesive law in terms of the associated displacement jumps. The new elements accommodate the discontinuity in their interiors with a linear interpolation of the displacement jumps in contrast to the existing elements with constant jumps. A general methodology is proposed for the development of such finite elements, but the final focus is on quadrilateral elements for plane problems where a constant jump interpolation leads to a spurious transfer of stresses through the discontinuity (or stress locking) in certain common configurations. The key aspect of the new elements is the proper enhancement of the deformation gradient that can represent correctly the kinematics of linearly separating discontinuities, including a relative finite rotation across the discontinuity, and in a frame indifferent manner. The enhanced parameters modeling the displacement jumps are introduced independently for each element, allowing for their static condensation at the element level and, hence, to arrive at a global system of equations with the same number and connectivity of the original global degrees of freedom for the underlying finite element mesh. This situation leads to a particularly simple implementation of the proposed approach in an existing finite element code. The performance of the new elements is illustrated with several numerical simulations, including delamination in composite materials and propagating shear bands in a finitely deforming elastoplastic solid.
Bicycle Helmet Legislation and Injury Patterns in Trauma Patients Under Age 18

BACKGROUND: The California statewide helmet law was enacted in 1994, and required all cyclists under age 18 y to be helmeted when riding a bicycle. The purpose of this study is to describe helmet use patterns, rates of head and intra-abdominal injury in Los Angeles County before and after helmet legislation, and to determine if increasing helmet use is changing injury patterns. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of trauma patients under age 18 y in the Los Angeles County trauma database between 1992 and 2009 injured while riding bicycles. We examined the variables of age, gender, race, Glasgow Coma Score, Injury Severity Score, presence of head injury, presence of abdominal injury, and use of protective helmet. RESULTS: During this time period, there were 44,187 injured children less than 18 y of age, and there were 1684 bike-related traumas with data on helmet use. Injury patterns did not change after the helmet law, with head injuries predominating. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of helmet use did not change after California legislation, and head injury remains a major source of morbidity. Rates of abdominal injury over this time period did not change. Novel strategies are needed to increase helmet use in at-risk populations. Language: en
The novel serine protease tumor-associated differentially expressed gene-14 (KLK8/Neuropsin/Ovasin) is highly overexpressed in cervical cancer☆

Abstract Objective Serine proteases are redundant enzymes implicated in the extracellular modulation required for tumor growth and invasion. Tumor-associated differentially expressed gene-14 (TADG-14) is a novel transmembrane serine protease recently reported by our group to be highly overexpressed in ovarian carcinomas. The goal of this study was to investigate the frequency of expression of the TADG-14 gene in human cervical tumors. Study design TADG-14 expression was evaluated in 19 cervical cancer cell lines (11 primary and 8 established cell lines) as well as in 8 normal cervical keratinocyte cultures by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. In addition, to validate gene expression data at the protein level, TADG-14 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tissue from which all 11 primary tumor cell lines were established. Results TADG-14 was found to be highly expressed in 82% (9/11) primary cervical cancer cell lines and in 87% (7/8) established cervical cancer cell lines by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. Expression of TADG-14 by primary squamous cervical tumors was 100% (6/6), whereas 60% (3/5) of primary adenocarcinomas expressed TADG-14. In contrast, none of the normal cervical keratinocyte control cultures (n = 4) or flash frozen normal cervical biopsy specimens (n = 4) expressed TADG-14. Immunohistochemistry staining of paraffin-embedded cervical cancer specimens confirmed TADG-14 expression in tumor cells and its absence on normal cervical epithelial cells. Conclusion Cervical cancer expressed a high level of TADG-14, suggesting that this protease may play an important role in invasion and metastasis. Because TADG-14 appears only in abundance in tumor tissue and contains a secretion signal sequence, suggesting that TADG-14 is secreted, it may prove to be a useful diagnostic tool for the early detection of recurrent/persistent cervical cancer after standard treatment or as a novel molecular target for cervical cancer therapy.
Establishing Guidelines to Improve Identification of Fire Ants Solenopsis xyloni and Solenopsis invicta

As red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, continues to expand its range into the southwestern United States, it can be easily confused with the native southern fire ant, Solenopsis xyloni McCook. Variability in the morphological characteristics commonly used to differentiate these ant species was quantified by examining the length of the clypeal tooth, striations of the mesopleuron, length of antennal scape, area of the petiolar process, number and size of mandibular teeth, and color by using both scanning electron and light microscopy. Given enough samples, the average values of each of these characteristics is different between the two species; however, significant morphological variability occurs in both S. xyloni and S. invicta populations, creating an area of overlap where either of the two species could exhibit similar characteristics. Better differentiation of these two species is achieved using a combination of characteristics, but morphological techniques are not dependable unless numerous ants from each population are analyzed by a taxonomist familiar with Solenopsis. For situations requiring a more accurate identification, such as before quarantining a county or a portion of a county, a molecular technique using mitochondrial DNA and polymerase chain reaction techniques was developed.
cDNA cloning, characterization, and functional expression of four new monoterpene synthase members of the Tpsd gene family from grand fir (Abies grandis)

Grand fir (Abies grandis) is a useful model system for studying the biochemistry, molecular genetics, and regulation of defensive oleoresin formation in conifers, a process involving both the constitutive accumulation of resin (pitch) in specialized secretory structures and the induced biosynthesis of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes (turpentine) and diterpene resin acids (rosin) by nonspecialized cells at the site of injury. A similarity-based cloning strategy, employing primers designed to conserved regions of existing monoterpene synthases and anticipated to amplify a 1000-bp fragment, unexpectedly yielded a 300-bp fragment with sequence reminiscent of a terpenoid synthase. Utilization of this amplicon as a hybridization probe afforded four new, full-length cDNA species from a wounded fir stem cDNA library that appeared to encode four distinct monoterpene synthases. Expression in Escherichia coli, followed by enzyme assay with geranyl diphosphate (C(10)), farnesyl diphosphate (C(15)) and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (C(20)), and analysis of the terpene products by chiral phase gas chromatography and mass spectrometry confirmed that these sequences encoded four new monoterpene synthases, including (-)-camphene synthase, (-)-beta-phellandrene synthase, terpinolene synthase, and an enzyme that produces both (-)-limonene and (-)-alpha-pinene. The deduced amino acid sequences indicated these enzymes to be 618 to 637 residues in length (71 to 73 kDa) and to be translated as preproteins bearing an amino-terminal plastid targeting sequence of 50-60 residues. cDNA truncation to delete the transit peptide allowed functional expression of the "pseudomature" forms of these enzymes, which exhibited no change in product outcome as a result of truncation. Sequence comparison revealed that these new monoterpene synthases from grand fir are members of the Tpsd gene subfamily and resemble sesquiterpene (C(15)) synthases and diterpene (C(20)) synthases from conifers more closely than mechanistically related monoterpene synthases from angiosperm species. The availability of a nearly complete set of constitutive and inducible monoterpene synthases from grand fir (now numbering seven) will allow molecular dissection of the resin-based defense response in this conifer species, and detailed study of structure-function relationships among this large and diverse family of catalysts, all of which exploit the same stereochemistry in the coupled isomerization-cyclization reaction.
Successful application of hyperbranched multidisplacement genomic amplification to detect HIV-1 sequences in single neurons removed from autopsy brain sections by laser capture microdissection

To confirm studies suggesting that HIV-1 infects neurons and to determine whether CD8+ T lymphocytes traffic to HIV-1-infected neurons, we used laser capture microdissection to remove hippocampal neurons with and without perineuronal CD8+ T cells from AIDS patients with HIV-1 encephalitis (HIVE) or without HIVE and from normal controls. We used hyperbranched multidisplacement amplification for whole gene amplification (MDA-WGA) plus two rounds of PCR to amplify housekeeping sequences (HK+) and, in HK+ samples, to amplify HIV-1 gag, nef, and pol sequences. Sample size and, in single neurons, MDA-WGA correlated with housekeeping gene amplification (P 0.05). Neuronal viral sequences correlated with HIVE (43% vs. 13% and 0 in non-HIVE and controls, respectively) and, in HIVE cases, with perineuronal CD8+ T lymphocytes (70% in CD8+ samples vs. 37% of CD8− samples). Our results suggest that MDA-WGA is a useful technique when analyzing DNA from single cells from autopsy brains, supporting prior studies that show that neurons may contain HIV-1 neuronal sequences in vivo. The association between neuronal infection and perineuronal CD8+ T cells supports our hypothesis that these cells specifically traffic to infected neurons but raises the possibility that CD8+ T cells, if infected, could transmit virus to neurons.
Absolute Kinetics of Amidyl Radical Reactions

An absolute kinetic scale for amidyl radical reactions was established by a combination of direct laser flash photolysis (LFP) and indirect competition kinetic studies. Six amidyl radicals were studied by LFP. Arrhenius parameters were determined for 6-exo cyclizations of the N-butyl-6,6-diphenyl-5-hexenamidyl radical (2) and the N-butyl-6-(trans-2-phenylcyclopropyl)-5-hexenamidyl radical (5) and for 1,5-hydrogen transfer in the N-(6,6-diphenyl-5-hexenyl)acetamidyl radical (3); rate constants for these reactions at 20 °C are 3.0 × 107 s-1 (2), 5.5 × 106 s-1 (3), and 1 × 107 s-1 (5). Kinetic limits were established by LFP for the fast cyclizations of the N-methyl-5,5-diphenyl-4-pentenamidyl radical (1) and the N-methyl-5-(trans-2-phenylcyclopropyl)-4-pentenamidyl radical (4) (k > 2 × 108 s-1 at ambient temperature) and for the slow fragmentation of the N-(2,2-diphenylethyl)acetamidyl radical (6) (k = 2 × 104 s-1 at 48 °C). Rate constants for amidyl radical reactions with Bu3SnH and PhSH were determined by ...
Clinical Pharmacology of Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists and 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors

Blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trials have established that cysteinyl leukotriene (cysLT) receptor antagonists and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors are safe and effective asthma treatments. Trials of 13- to 26-wks' duration demonstrate that both the cysLT1 receptor antagonist, zafirlukast, and the 5-LO inhibitor, zileuton, improve pulmonary function and decrease daytime and nocturnal symptoms. Concomitant rescue β -agonist inhaler use and the need for corticosteroid rescue are also reduced. Preliminary studies suggest that antileukotriene agents may also reduce indices of airway inflammation, including inflammatory cell counts and airway hyperresponsiveness. Both cysLT1 antagonists and 5-LO inhibitors offer a new approach to asthma management. Drazen J. Clinical pharmacology of leukotriene receptor antagonists and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors.
A method for assessing the usability of graphical, direct-manipulation style interfaces

A model‐based method for assessing the usability of graphical, direct‐manipulation style interfaces was developed. The method involves collecting and integrating verbal protocol data, history logs, and videotapes of the system display. Then, an analyst familiar with the task, the data, and Norman's (1986) user activity model reviews the data and makes determinations on what they mean in terms of the model. An encoding scheme is next applied to the integrated data, to structure the Human Computer Interaction (HCI) process at a detailed interaction level. The structured data now support the application of quantitative methods and the identification of meaningful patterns and frequencies that highlight potential usability problems or instances of indirectness. Error encodings reflect user‐system interface difficulties not only in the execution stage but also in the psychological stages. The method was used to evaluate the usability of a military airspace scheduling system; the types of usability problems ide...
Pro)renin receptor contributes to diabetic nephropathy by enhancing renal inflammation

1. (Pro)renin receptor (PRR) binding to renin or prorenin mediates angiotensin (Ang) II-dependent and -independent effects. Expression of the PRR is increased in kidneys of diabetic rats, but its role in diabetic nephropathy is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of the PRR to the development of diabetic nephropathy through enhancement of renal production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta. 2. Normoglycaemic control and streptozotocin-diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study. The urine albumin : creatinine ratio (UACR), renal interstitial fluid (RIF) levels of AngII, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta and renal expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were evaluated in control, untreated diabetic and diabetic rats treated with either a PRR blocker (PRRB; 0.2 mg/kg per day NH3-RILLKKMPSV-COOH), the AT(1) receptor antagonist valsartan (2 mg/kg per day) or combined therapy, administered directly into the renal cortical interstitium for 14 days via osmotic minipumps. 3. Compared with values in normoglycaemic control rats, UACR and RIF AngII, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were significantly higher in untreated diabetic rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with the PRRB or valsartan alone and in combination significantly reduced UACR and RIF TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels. Renal expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta was higher in untreated diabetic rats than in control rats, but was reduced significantly following treatment with PRRB or valsartan alone and in combination. Renal PRR expression was increased in untreated and PRRB-treated diabetic rats and reduced in rats receiving valsartan alone or combination therapy. The PRRB had no effect on RIF AngII levels, whereas valsartan alone and in combination with the PRRB significantly increased AngII levels. 4. In conclusion, the PRR is involved in the development and progression of kidney disease in diabetes by enhancing renal production of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, independent of renal AngII effects.
The influence of basic fibroblast growth factor on acetylcholine receptors in cultured muscle cells

Abstract Acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) in Xenopus muscle cells undergo changes in channel kinetics during development in culture and these changes are somehow related to innervation. Recently we showed that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), when locally applied, can mimic the effect of nerve in inducing a postsynaptic-type development. In this study, we examined where bFGF can influence the developmental changes of AChRs. Patch clamp method was employed to record single AChR channel currents from cultured Xenopus myotomal muscle cells and the kinetics of low-conductance AChR channels were analyzed. In cultures treated with 1 μg/ml bFGF at an early stage (stage 23), the burst duration of low-conductance AChR channels showed a 1.5-fold decrease between the first and second day in culture, while it underwent a remarkable 3-fold decrease during the same period in the control. Histogram analyses showed that the low-conductance channels were composed of a fast and a slow component and that the decrease in burst duration was due to a shift in the population from the slow to the fast. bFGF treatment appeared to slow down this shift by retaining the slow channels for a longer period of time. This effect is probably not due to channel modulation as the burst duration of short channel in older cells (stage 40) was not affected by bFGF. These data suggest that bFGF may enhance the metabolic stability of intrinsically short-lived AChRs. This effect seems to parallel the stabilization of junctional AChRs at the innervated endplate. Thus, bFGF, or a related polypeptide growth factor, may mediate this and other innervation-induced changes in the postsynaptic membrane.
Transition moment, radiative lifetime, and quantum yield for dissociation of the 3Π0+u state of 81Br2

Abstract The electric dipole moment of the B → X transition of 81 Br 2 has been calculated from the measured absorption of single vibration-rotation lines with a YAG laser at 558 nm to be | R e | 2 = 0.12 D 2 . The corresponding radiative lifetime is τ rad = 20 μ sec. Fluorescence decay times have been measured, as a function of pressure, with a narrowband, nitrogen pumped, dye laser, for vibrational levels v ′ = 16, 19, 23. The quantum yield for predissociation at zero pressure is near unity.
Practical considerations in estimating dimension from time series data

A numerical comparison is made of algorithms for computing the dimension of attractors using the Grassberger-Procaccia correlation dimension and the Badii-Politi nearest neighbor approach. Using experimentally realizable data sets, the nearest neighbor method appears to have the better power law behavior when the attractor dimension is between 3 and 7.
Observations of eddies in the Newfoundland basin

Abstract Evidence is presented to demonstrate clearly the existence of energetic baroclinic fluctuations (eddies) on the offshore or mid-Atlantic Ridge side of the North Atlantic Current in the southern segment of the Newfoundland Basin. Vertical displacements of the 10° isotherm based on newly acquired XBT data have a range between 100 and 145 m with horizontal distances between minima (maxima) of 185 to 260 km. These results, in conjunction with previous investigations, imply a field of variability with a range of amplitudes and horizontal scales containing those most recently observed.
Oleaginous yeast Cryptococcus curvatus culture with dark fermentation hydrogen production effluent as feedstock for microbial lipid production

Volatile fatty acids (VFA) from dark fermentation hydrogen production were tested as carbon sources for the culture of oleaginous yeast Cryptococcus curvatus, which is a promising feedstock for biofuel production. The optimal acetate concentration and pH were investigated when potassium acetate was used as the sole carbon source. Comparisons were then made when hydrogen production effluent (HPE) from synthetic wastewater was tested as feedstock. A pH-stat culture fed with acetic acid ultimately produced 168 g/L biomass, with a lipid content of 75.0%. No inhibitor to yeast growth was produced in the hydrogen production process. However, inhibition occurred in culture with HPE from food waste (FW), indicating that inhibitors may be present in the original raw food waste. This inhibition could be avoided by a process that uses glucose as the initial carbon source and then is continuously fed with FW-HPE. The biomass productivity in this continuous culture process reached 0.34 g/L/h, but the lipid content was only 13.5%. These results suggest that FW-HPE alone is not an optimal feedstock, but HPE derived from nitrogen-deficient waste streams could be good feedstocks. This study provides preliminary evidence for the feasibility of using organic waste for the co-production of hydrogen and lipid.
Relationships Among Creativity, Intelligence, and Achievement Measures in Upward Bound Students.

Ninety-four disadvantaged, Upward Bound students were administered a test battery of the Otis Quick-Scoring Mental Ability Test, Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, Guilford's tests of Expressional Fluency, Alternate Uses, and Consequences; and the Figural Form of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. Significant sex differences favoring males were obtained for Otis I J(P < −025), PSAT-Verbal (p <.01), and PSAT-Quantitative (p <.001). Females excelled males on the figural elaboration score from the TTCT (p <.001). White disadvantaged students scored significantly higher than their Indian counterparts on Otis IQ (p <.05) and higher than their black counterparts on the PSAT-Quantitative (p <.01). White students also scored significantly higher than their Indian counterparts on Guilford-Consequences — Obvious (p <.05). A varimax rotation of the correlation matrix resulted in a two-factor solution defined by intelligence-achievement scores and figural creativity. Guilford creativity tests were more closely related to the intelligence-achievement factor, while the Torrance figural creativity test remained a distinct factor. The results are discussed in relation to previous studies of the creativity-intelligence distinction.
Chemical diabetes mellitus in the child.

Abstract Nineteen asymptomatic children, siblings or close relatives of children with diabetes mellitus, have been evaluated for glucose tolerance. Five were found to have definite clinical diabetes while seven had borderline carbohydrate intolerance. All of these subjects were found to have hyperinsulinism in response to glucose and other islet cell stimulants when compared with children of normal weight who do not have diabetic relatives. Those siblings with normal carbohydrate tolerance had a greater insulin response to glucose than did those with chemical diabetes. Growth hormone responses under several test circumstances did not clearly differentiate the two groups of siblings from each other or from normal. Detailed lipid analysis was found to be normal except for elevation in FFA concentration in the diabetic siblings when compared to normal children.
SPECIFIC HEAT, ENTROPY, AND EXPANSION COEFFICIENT OF LIQUID HELIUM-THREE

The specific heat of liquid He/sup 3/ is measured over the temperature range 0.015 to 0.3 nif- K at pressures of 0.12, 6.45, to polynomials suitable for the calculation of absolute entropies. The isobaric thermal expansion coefficient is measured over the same temperature interval at pressures of 14.4, 21.1, and 28.5 atm, and is found to be negative over the entire region investigated. The thermodynamic consistency of these two sets of measurements is discussed. (auth)
A “superimposed frequency” motor test

Feeding 3-phase currents to the slip rings of induction motors at slip frequency for speed regulation or phase advancing (power factor improvement), or at any other frequency for other purposes is used frequently and the principle is well known. Another possible application of this principle is that of testing induction motors under full current loading conditions, while running at full speed, with the stator supplied at full voltage and frequency, and without the use of any kind of loading machine. This results in a large saving of energy because the run is taken at near zero power factor for primary and secondary supply.
Egg Quality Genetic Variation and Covariation

Abstract THE time lag between the day an egg is laid and the day the housewife breaks open that egg for consumption is a period of continual loss in albumen quality as it is presently defined. While attempts are being made to shorten the span of time in marketing channels and thus reduce the total loss in albumen quality, it appears that few housewives will obtain eggs averaging less than 7 days old. Egg grading stations have begun to demand eggs of a certain minimum albumen quality and some poultry-men have found themselves without a suitable market when their eggs failed to reach this standard. The purpose of the research reported in this paper was to determine the degree to which albumen quality loss is heritable and to study its relationship with other economic traits in the Regional Cornell Control population. For purposes of our investigation albumen quality loss was measured…
NIUST AUV's study shipwrecks in the northern Gulf of Mexico

In October 2009 two autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV's), the explorer class Eagle Ray and the seabed class Mola Mola, were launched from the NOAA ship Nancy Foster to locate and retrieve information about sunken ships of historic interest, some of which had disappeared below the water surface of the northern Gulf of Mexico, almost 200 years ago. In a collaboration between the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology (NIUST,) the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) and the US NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER), targets identified in side scan sonar images, were selected and investigated by the AUVs. Eagle Ray, due to its large size and design features, performed initial multibeam surveys of the target areas, producing high-resolution maps of the seafloor. These maps were used to determine safe working areas for the Mola Mola, which was subsequently launched to take a continuous series of photographs in close proximity to the seafloor, producing a photo-mosaic map of the target area. Operational procedures and results from these dives will be presented, showing the complementing features of these two very different AUVs in operation.
The Role of Macrophage Phenotype in Vascularization of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Angiogenesis is crucial for the success of most tissue engineering strategies. The natural inflammatory response is a major regulator of vascularization, through the activity of different types of macrophages and the cytokines they secrete. Macrophages exist on a spectrum of diverse phenotypes, from "classically activated" M1 to "alternatively activated" M2 macrophages. M2 macrophages, including the subsets M2a and M2c, are typically considered to promote angiogenesis and tissue regeneration, while M1 macrophages are considered to be anti-angiogenic, although these classifications are controversial. Here we show that in contrast to this traditional paradigm, primary human M1 macrophages secrete the highest levels of potent angiogenic stimulators including VEGF; M2a macrophages secrete the highest levels of PDGF-BB, a chemoattractant for stabilizing pericytes, and also promote anastomosis of sprouting endothelial cells in vitro; and M2c macrophages secrete the highest levels of MMP9, an important protease involved in vascular remodeling. In a murine subcutaneous implantation model, porous collagen scaffolds were surrounded by a fibrous capsule, coincident with high expression of M2 macrophage markers, while scaffolds coated with the bacterial lipopolysaccharide were degraded by inflammatory macrophages, and glutaraldehyde-crosslinked scaffolds were infiltrated by substantial numbers of blood vessels, accompanied by high levels of M1 and M2 macrophages. These results suggest that coordinated efforts by both M1 and M2 macrophages are required for angiogenesis and scaffold vascularization, which may explain some of the controversy over which phenotype is the angiogenic phenotype.
Self-efficacy and motivation to quit during participation in a smoking cessation program.

The associations between failure to quit and posttreatment self-efficacy and motivation were examined among 600 African American smokers enrolled in a randomized trial testing the efficacy of bupropion for smoking cessation. Participants also received brief motivational counseling and were followed for 6 months. Baseline levels of self-efficacy and motivation for all participants were high (8.2 and 8.5 on a 10-point scale, respectively). Longitudinal analyses indicated that smokers who failed to quit were less likely than quitters to report high self-efficacy and motivation from posttreatment to follow-up. However, examination of mean self-efficacy and motivation scores at posttreatment and follow-up revealed that smokers continued to sustain high self-efficacy and motivation. Mean self-efficacy and motivation scores differed by less than 1 point from baseline levels, even though the majority of participants failed to quit smoking. Results suggest that unsuccessful participation in a smoking cessation program does not meaningfully reduce smokers’ self-efficacy and motivation to quit.
A generative framework for predictive modeling using variably aggregated, multi-source healthcare data

Many measures of healthcare delivery or quality are not publicly available at the individual patient or hospital level largely due to privacy restrictions, legal issues or reporting norms. Instead, such measures are provided at a higher or more aggregated level, such as state-level, county-level summaries or averages over health zones (HRR1s and HSA2s). Such levels constitute partitionings of the underlying individual level data into segments that may not match the data clusters that would have been obtained if one analyzed individual-level data. Moreover, different data sources may use different underlying partitions as the bases for their data summarization. How can one run data mining procedures such as clustering or regression on data where different variables are available at different levels of aggregation or granularity? We first examine this problem in a clustering setting given a mix of individual-level and (arbitrarily) aggregated level data. For this setting, we present an extension of the Latent Dirichlet Allocation model that can use such aggregated information. The model provides reasonable cluster centroids under certain conditions, and is extended to impute masked features at the individual-level. The imputed feature values are based on an underlying mixture distribution, and help to improve the performance in subsequent predictive modeling tasks. The model parameters are learned using an approximated Gibbs sampling method, which employs the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm efficiently. Experimental results using data from the Dartmouth Health Atlas, CDC, and the U.S. Census Bureau are provided to illustrate the generality and capabilities of the proposed framework.
The affected sib method. IV. Sib trios.

Summary The classical sib pair method uses the expected and observed HLA (human leukocyte antigen) haplotype sharing distribution in sib pairs, who are affected with an HLA associated disease, to make inferences about the inheritance of the disease. In this paper we present the expected HLA haplotype sharing distributions in affected sib trios, and sib pairs, from families with three or more affected sibs. The underlying model for both distributions, as for the classical sib pair method, is that disease predisposition is determined by a single allele at an HLA-linked locus. The sib trio tests of hypotheses (additive and recessive), and disease parameter estimates (additive, recessive and intermediate), can be compared with those obtained from the classical sib pair analysis. In addition, the sib trio data allow parameter estimation for a general disease model to be made, if the data fall within the bounds of the expectation. This study forms the basis of later investigations which show that haplotype sharing of affected sib trios for two susceptibility alleles (negative complementation) model, which appears appropriate for insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), moves outside the bound of the single susceptibility expectations outlined here, whereas haplotype sharing values for sib pairs are bound by the single susceptibility allele expectations. Available Caucasian IDDM data have been analysed. The results support genetic heterogeneity of IDDM.
Disentangling biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning: deriving solutions to a seemingly insurmountable problem

Experimental investigations of the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) directly manipulate diversity then monitor ecosystem response to the manipulation. While these studies have generally confirmed the importance of biodiversity to the functioning of ecosystems, their broader significance has been difficult to interpret. The main reasons for this difficulty concern the small scales of the experiment, a bias towards plants and grasslands, and most importantly a general lack of clarity in terms of what attributes of functional diversity (FD) were actually manipulated. We review how functional traits, functional groups, and the relationship between functional and taxonomic diversity have been used in current BEF research. Several points emerged from our review. First, it is critical to distinguish between response and effect functional traits when quantifying or manipulating FD. Second, although it is widely done, using trophic position as a functional group designator does not fit the effect-response trait division needed in BEF research. Third, determining a general relationship between taxonomic and FD is neither necessary nor desirable in BEF research. Fourth, fundamental principles in community and biogeographical ecology that have been largely ignored in BEF research could serve to dramatically improve the scope and predictive capabilities of BEF research. We suggest that distinguishing between functional response traits and functional effect traits both in combinatorial manipulations of biodiversity and in descriptive studies of BEF could markedly improve the power of such studies. We construct a possible framework for predictive, broad-scale BEF research that requires integrating functional, community, biogeographical, and ecosystem ecology with taxonomy.
Emulsion polymerization and copolymerization in continuous reactor systems

Results are presented for four projects: (i) elimination of conversion oscillations in continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR) by use of a tubular prereactor; (ii) use of a seed-fed CSTR to measure free radical transport from monomer-swollen latex particles; (iii) development of a continuous process as an alternative to a commercial batch process; and (iv) determination of copolymerization kinetic parameters with a steady-state CSTR system
IN VITRO MORPHOGENESIS OF AMPHIBIAN ERYTHROBLASTS

Non-mammalian vertebrate erythrocytes are flattened nucleated ellipsoids containing marginal bands (MBs) of microtubules that assemble during cellular morphogenesis. Earlier work suggested that pointed erythroid cells containing pointed MBs were intermediate stages in terminal differentiation, rather than aberrant forms, but direct evidence was lacking. Here we report on morphogenesis in individual post-cytokinetic amphibian erythroblasts in culture. Daughter cells remained adjacent in pairs, and developed pointed morphology over 1-2 h in the following sequence: (a) ends opposite the cytokinetic furrow became pointed, producing a spheroidal singly-pointed stage; (b) furrow ends usually became pointed, yielding doubly-pointed cells; (c) furrow-end points disappeared, producing a second singly-pointed stage that was flattening. Over a longer term, the single points sometimes disappeared, yielding a flattened discoid. These observations support the hypothesis that pointed cells are normal intermediates in a biogenetic program in which post-mitotic centrosomes organize MBs while occupying the singly-pointed ends of differentiating erythroblasts.
Algorithm and architecture for Gray code ordered fast Walsh transform

The generation of two new Walsh transforms in Gray code orderings from the straight binary code is shown. A recursive algorithm for Gray-code-ordered Walsh transforms is based on a novel operator called the bisymmetrical pseudo Kronecker product. The recursive algorithm is the basis for the flow diagram of a constant geometry fast Walsh transform in Gray code ordering. The algorithm is fast (N log/sub 2/ N additions/subtractions), is computer efficient, and is implemented in the iterative architecture. >
GMM and 2SLS estimation of mixed regressive, spatial autoregressive models

The GMM method and the classical 2SLS method are considered for the estimation of mixed regressive, spatial autoregressive models. These methods have computational advantage over the conventional maximum likelihood method. The proposed GMM estimators are shown to be consistent and asymptotically normal. Within certain classes of GMM estimators, best ones are derived. The proposed GMM estimators improve upon the 2SLS estimators and are applicable even if all regressors are irrelevant. A best GMM estimator may have the same limiting distribution as the ML estimator (with normal disturbances).
There is no trade-off between speed and force in a dynamic lever system

Lever systems within a skeleton transmit force with a capacity determined by the mechanical advantage, A. A is the distance from input force to a joint, divided by the distance from the joint to the output force. A lever with a relatively high A in static equilibrium has a great capacity to generate force but moves a load over a small distance. Therefore, the geometry of a skeletal lever presents a trade-off between force and speed under quasi-static conditions. The present study considers skeletal dynamics that do not assume static equilibrium by modelling kicking by a locust leg, which is powered by stored elastic energy. This model predicts that the output force of this lever is proportional to A, but its maximum speed is independent of A. Therefore, no trade-off between force and velocity exists in a lever system with spring-mass dynamics. This demonstrates that the motion of a skeleton depends on the major forces that govern its dynamics and cannot be inferred from skeletal geometry alone.
Organizational Size and Bureaucratic Structure

Patterns in the evolutionary development of bureaucratic organization are analysed as functions of the interplay between four structural dimensions: work-flow interdepen dence, hierarchical shape, administrative intensity, and mechanisms of control. Three stages of growth, marked by distinct configurations of these four structural dimensions are associated with increases in organizational size. The growth stages are derived as ideal types which are constructed on the basis of 'technical rationality'. These technically ideal types are compared to Max Weber's bureaucratic ideal-type, and some terminological confusions in the organizational literature are identified.
A Non-Particle Based Method for Streamline Visualization in Microfluidic Systems

Microscale flow visualization techniques are used primarily for device verification and validation of numerical studies. Current experimental techniques involve either the tracking of particle markers introduced into the flow ( ‘particle-based’ methods) or the monitoring of the transport of conserved scalar quantities within the flow (‘scalar-based’ methods). In this work, we describe the development of a non-particle-based methodology for the generation and imaging of dye streamlines in microfluidic systems; in essence, this is a micro-scale adaptation of the classic dye-based streamline visualization technique. Multiple converging flows, alternately fluorescently tagged, form a lamellar composite flow with stream boundaries corresponding to streamline location. Laser scanner confocal microscopy (LSCM) is used to image the flow, thus eliminating cross-excitation of flurophores and resultng in sharper images and improved spatial resolution in comparison to 2-D fluorescence microscopy. Corresponding numerical simulations using the volume-of-fluids (VOF) multiphase algorithm to track the interface between the multi-component flow corroborate the experimental findings and demonstrate the feasibility of the technique.
Conformational changes of lysozyme during photodynamic inactivation.

— Egg white lysozyme was inactivated by photodynamic treatment in sodium phosphate buffer at pH8 using methylene blue, eosin Y and FMN as sensitizers. Measurements sensitive to changes in protein conformation, in particular, tryptophyl fluorescence and protease digestibility, were made during the course of inactivation. The rate of change of lysozyme tertiary structure as measured in these ways correlated closely with the rate of loss of enzyme activity during photodynamic treatment. Further, forms of lysozyme which were enzymatically active, but which were more sensitive to high temperature than native enzyme were produced by photodynamic treatment. It is concluded that the photodynamic inactivation of lysozyme under the conditions used results largely from the photooxidation of amino acid residues essential for the maintenance of the catalytically active conformation of the enzyme.
Deriving Polarization Properties of Desert-Reflected Solar Spectra with PARASOL Data

Abstract. One of the major objectives of the Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) is to conduct highly accurate spectral observations to provide an on-orbit inter-calibration standard for relevant Earth-observing sensors with various channels. To calibrate an Earth-observing sensor's measurements with the highly accurate data from the CLARREO, errors in the measurements caused by the sensor's sensitivity to the polarization state of light must be corrected. For correction of the measurement errors due to the light's polarization, both the instrument's dependence on the incident polarization state and the on-orbit knowledge of the polarization state of light as a function of observed scene type, viewing geometry, and solar wavelength are required. In this study, an algorithm for deriving the spectral polarization state of solar light from the desert is reported. The desert/bare land surface is assumed to be composed of two types of areas: fine sand grains with diffuse reflection (Lambertian non-polarizer) and quartz-rich sand particles with facets of various orientations (specular-reflection polarizer). The Adding–Doubling Radiative Transfer Model (ADRTM) is applied to integrate the atmospheric absorption and scattering in the system. Empirical models are adopted in obtaining the diffuse spectral reflectance of sands and the optical depth of the dust aerosols over the desert. The ratio of non-polarizer area to polarizer area and the angular distribution of the facet orientations are determined by fitting the modeled polarization states of light to the measurements at three polarized channels (490, 670, and 865 nm) by the Polarization and Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Science instrument coupled with Observations from a Lidar (PARASOL). Based on this physical model of the surface, the desert-reflected solar light's polarization state at any wavelength in the whole solar spectra can be calculated with the ADRTM.