cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrolyte transport by bullfrog colon in vitro.

Abstract 1. 1. Studies were done on the transport function of the large intestine of Rana catesbeiana by measurement of the electrical potential difference (PD) and solute concentration gradients developed by the everted sac preparation during incubation in different media in vitro, and the effect of acetazolamide on these gradients. 2. 2. A high PD, serosa positive to mucosa, is maintained by this preparation. The PD was dependent on the ambient Na+ concentration and dropped when this was lowered to 15 mM or less. A decrease in PD associated with an increase in net serosal (s) to mucosal (m) K+ movement was effected by elevating ambient K+ concentration. 3. 3. Na+ was transported from the m to the s fluid against this PD, resulting in a high concentration gradient. This concentration difference was independent of the presence of K+ and HCO3− in the medium. 4. 4. A high osmolal gradient was developed along with the Na+ gradient since there was little net transmural movement of water. 5. 5. Cl− and HCO3− moved in roughly equal amounts along with Na+. This anion movement occurred down an electrochemical gradient. Marked qualitative differences were demonstrated in the behaviour of these two anions, however. The net movement of HCO3− was positively correlated with that of Na+, whereas this was true for Cl− only in HCO3−-free medium or in the presence of acetazolamide. Further, HCO3− movement varied with K+ transport in contrast to Cl−. Reversed net s to m movement of HCO3− was observed in Na+-free media and in the presence of acetazolamide. Reduction of m to s HCO3− movement was compensated for by an equal increase in that of Cl−, when caused by substitution of N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid for ambient HCO−3 but only partially when caused by acetazolamide inhibition of HCO3− transport. 6. 6. Net s to m movement of K+ was demonstrated to take place even against an electrochemical gradient. This movement increased in the absence of ambient HCO3−, K+ movement was increased by acetazolamide in absence of ambient HCO3− but not in its presence. On prolonged incubation of the preparation, net movements of K+ and HCO3− decreased together relative to the transport of other ions.
Use of a riboflavin homolog in the reduction of succinic dehydrogenase activity in tissues of healthy rats

Abstract Administration of 7-ethyl-8-methyl-10-(1- d -ribityl)isoalloxazine to weanling rats as their only source of flavin permits a normal rate of growth and development. A concomitant rapid and extensive loss of succinic acid dehydrogenase activity from the liver has been observed without any apparent influence on the animals' health. The loss of enzyme activity in the heart and kidney is not as rapid or as extensive as that in the liver. The livers of rats maintained on a riboflavin-deficient diet until they are near death also show a loss of enzyme activity, but no loss is observed for the hearts and kidneys. The administration of a mixture of flavins consisting of 93% of the homolog and 7% of riboflavin maintains the enzyme activity at higher levels than is found in animals receiving the homolog alone. The health of the animals receiving the homolog is indistinguishable from that of the animals receiving equivalent amounts of riboflavin.
Dynamic Analysis of Structures with Interval Uncertainty

AbstractA new method for dynamic response spectrum analysis of a structural system with interval uncertainty is developed. This interval finite-element–based method is capable of obtaining the bounds on dynamic response of a structure with interval uncertainty. The present method is performed using a set-theoretic (interval) formulation to quantify the uncertainty present in the structure’s parameters, such as material properties and cross-sectional geometry. Independent and/or dependent variations for each element of the structure are considered. At each stage of analysis, the existence of variation is considered as presence of the perturbation in a pseudodeterministic system. Having this consideration, first, a linear interval eigenvalue problem is performed using the concept of monotonic behavior of eigenvalues for symmetric matrices subjected to nonnegative definite perturbations. Then, using the procedures for perturbation of invariant subspaces of matrices, the bounds on directional deviation (incli...
The Xenopus GATA-4/5/6 genes are associated with cardiac specification and can regulate cardiac-specific transcription during embryogenesis.

Abstract The GATA family of nuclear factors has been implicated in the regulation of cell type-specific transcription. We report the isolation of theXenopusGATA-4 and GATA-6 cDNA clones and characterize the expression patterns of the xGATA-4/5/6 genes. By comparing the sequence of the cDNAs with those previously reported from chick and mammalian sources, we conclude that each is conserved across vertebrate evolution as a distinct gene product. Each gene is expressed in differentiated adult heart and gut, but maintains distinct transcript patterns in various other adult tissues. During embryogenesis, each gene displays a similar overlapping distribution of transcripts localized throughout the developing cardiogenic region. The xGATA-4 gene can be detected in dorsal cardiac progenitor rudiments prior to migration. Axis disruption experiments were used to demonstrate that transcription of these genes is intimately associated with the specification of cardiac progenitors. Ectopic expression of each gene is specifically capable of activating during embryogenesis the transcription of the cardiac genes encoding actin and myosin heavy chain α. The data are consistent with a primary role for the GATA-4/5/6 genes in regulating heart development.
Nuclear proteins of hepatocyte and erythrocyte nuclei of frog liver.

THE role of nuclear proteins in the regulation of gene activity has received much attention. Although histones have been thought to be repressors of gene activity in eukaryotes1,2, recent evidence indicates that there may be other factors which are of equal or greater importance3,4. These factors may be acid proteins5,6. Certain fractions of non-histone proteins have been found which seem to prevent the transcription of DNA from being completely restricted by histone. This supports the suggestion that the acidic nuclear proteins (the non-histones) are responsible for regulation of gene activity7,8.
Direct inversion of specular reflectometry

Abstract We briefly present measurements and analysis testing the experimental feasibility of recently discovered solutions of the dynamical phase problem for specular reflection. Complex reflection amplitudes were extracted from neutron reflectivities for an asymmetric Si-polymer film with metallic reference layers and from a symmetric polymer film without references. Scattering length density profiels for the films studied were obtained by inverting the measured amplitudes.
Dispersal of adult Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) from known immature developmental areas.

Mark-release-capture experiments were conducted on Mackinac Island to examine the dispersal behavior of a potentially isolated population of adult Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) from known developmental areas and to evaluate rates of adult movement between the Island and the mainland. Results indicated that dispersal patterns and distances traveled were related to equine host distribution and activity patterns rather than upwind orientation. In addition, the island population was found to be relatively isolated from mainland populations, thereby facilitating the development of a management program.
Whole genome expression profiling of normal human fetal and adult ocular tissues

To study growth and development of ocular tissues, gene expression patterns in normal human fetal versus adult eyes were compared. Human retina/retinal pigment epithelium, choroid, sclera, optic nerve* and cornea* tissues were dissected from fetal (24 week gestational age) (N = 9; *N = 6), and adult (N = 6) normal donor eyes. The Illumina® whole genome expression microarray platform was used to assess differential expression. Statistical significance for all comparisons was determined using the Benjamin and Hochberg False Discovery Rate (FDR, 5%). Significant gene expression fold changes > 1.5 were found in adult versus fetal retina/RPE (N = 1185), choroid (N = 6446), sclera (N = 1349), and cornea (N = 3872), but not optic nerve. Genes showing differential expression were assessed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) for enriched functions and canonical pathways. In all tissues, development, cell death/growth, cancer functions, and signaling canonical pathways were enriched. There was also a general trend of down-regulation of collagen genes in adult tissues.
Daily mood and sleep: reciprocal relations and links with adjustment problems.

Summary Children's sleep problems are common and associated with increased risk for adjustment problems. We examined daily links between children's sleep and mood, using a daily diary method and actigraphy. We also tested children's daily mood as a mediator of relations among sleep and children's broader internalizing and externalizing symptoms. A community sample of 142 children (mean age = 10.69 years; 57% girls; 69% European American, 31% African American) and their parents participated. For 1 week, children wore actigraphs and parents completed a daily telephone interview about their child's mood. Following the week of actigraphy, mothers and fathers reported on their child's adjustment. Multi-level models indicated within-person relations between children's mood and subsequent sleep fragmentation (indicated by increased activity) and sleep latency, and between-person relations between sleep latency and subsequent mood on the next day. Significant indirect effects were found such that a more negative daily mood (aggregated across diary days) mediated relations between poor sleep efficiency and longer sleep latency and parent-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Findings extend previous research by highlighting disruptions to children's daily mood as a potential mechanism linking sleep problems to children's mental health.
Strain-encoded (SENC) harmonic phase imaging for fast magnetic resonance elastography

A new method is proposed for imaging the elasticity of tissue using magnetic resonance (MR). Using an external actuator to deform the tissue, local strains way according to local elasticity. The method produces images shows the distribution of strains with different grades of intensity; thus, revealing the underlying elasticity distribution. The advantages of the method are that imaging is much faster than other magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) techniques, there is no need for complicated computations, and it produces high-resolution images.
Multiligand Specificity and Wide Tissue Expression of GPRC6A Reveals New Endocrine Networks

Emerging evidence supports the hypothesis that the skeleton is an endocrine organ that regulates energy metabolism through the release of the osteoblast-derived hormone, osteocalcin (Ocn). This bone-pancreas endocrine network is controversial because important gaps remain to be filled in our knowledge of the physiological effects of Ocn in multiple organs and the complex alterations in other hormonal networks induced by Ocn administration. A key step toward understanding the integrative regulation of energy metabolism by bone is the identification of GPCR family C group 6 member A (GPRC6A) as the Ocn receptor. GPRC6A is an amino acid-sensing G protein-coupled receptor highly expressed in β-cells and is activated by recombinant Ocn in vitro and in vivo but that is widely expressed in tissues other than the pancreas and is capable of sensing multiple structurally unrelated ligands, including l-amino acids, cations, and anabolic steroids in addition to Ocn. The broad expression and multiligand specificity of...
Analysis of harvest and effort data for wild populations in fluctuating environments

An approach is developed for analysis of harvest and effort data that uses a surplus production model modified for analyses in a fluctuating environment, and that maximizes harvest with as small an effect on the intrinsic rate of increase as possible. Harvest and hunter effort data that are suitable for analysis with a surplus production model have been collected for several wildlife species for many years. I used data for the mallard duck, lesser scaup duck, white-tailed deer, and black bear. The parameters were estimated with harvest and hunter data using non-linear least squares. For each species both the relation between the maximum sustainable harvest (MSH) and effort and a more conservative optimal level of harvest and effort were obtained under a range of environmental conditions. The mallard duck and white-tailed deer were both over harvested for short periods in the past, but only the black bear population appears over harvested today.
Electrical reliability and breakdown mechanisms in single-walled carbon nanotubes

We show that single-walled carbon nanotubes can carry current densities > 1 MA/cm2 for several hours but degrade over time at rates that depend on initial input power. Above a current threshold maximum, we observe large scale physical migration at the CNT-Au electrode interface, which results in Au voids as large as 300 nm in diameter and nearby mounds 3× as tall as the original 50 nm structure. We suggest that the likely mechanism for this void and mound growth is either localized melting, thermomigration, electromigration, or some combination of these. We also show two unique end-of-life breakdown mechanisms for CNTs, a classical fracture via resistive breakdown, and a physically intact but nonconducting failure mode.
The Political Economy of Legislation on Terrorism

1 This paper presents an empirical analysis of what drives congressional legislation on terrorism during the period 1995 to 2010. We utilize and augment current methodology to compile and analyze data on sponsorship and cosponsorship of terrorism related data. Our results on the sources of legislation on terrorism are largely in line with past examinations of the importance of committee membership and leadership, party majority-ship, and other political factors. Further, we find that the most significant and robust drive for legislation on terrorism is the September 11th attacks. And while the impact of 9/11 affected legislative productivity everywhere, we find that it most significantly affected states surrounding New York and Washington D.C. Our results indicate that the economy may be one factor motivating politicians to legislate on terrorism; however, these results are not robust. 1This research was funded in part by a grant from the Lowe Institute of Political Economy. The corresponding author is S....
Design Decisions for a Voice Navigation System

Voice navigation systems allow users to interact with computer applications by voice. In this paper we present human factors research that evaluated design alternatives for major user interface components. In the first study we evaluated the appropriateness and discriminability of four sets of icons that were candidates for functions in theVoice Toolbar of the navigation system. In the second study we studied two different ways of organizing and presenting voice commands in theWhat Can I Say window. The key finding was that the alternative organization seemed to improve task performance. The results provided the basis for design recommendations.
Growing Up in a Culture of Respect: Child Rearing in Highland Peru

Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Raising Children in Poverty Village Structure, Living Conditions, and Subsistence Strategies Fieldwork and Research Methods Change: For Better or for Worse Central Ideas of Chapters Chapter 1. From the Womb to the Cradle Pregnancy and Its Prevention Giving Birth Caring for the Newborn Unuchakuy--An Ancient Rite of Baptism When Things Go Wrong at Birth Sick Infants Chapter 2. Early Childhood Learning to Care in a Culture of Respect Enculturation and Socialization Becoming Part of the Adult World Children's Rights and Responsibilities A Typical Day with a Chillihuani Family Disabled Children When Death Comes Too Soon Chapter 3. Children at Play and Work Developing Creativity through Play Games Children Play Children at Work Chapter 4. The Many Faces of Learning Laying the Foundations for Creative and Holistic Thinking Schooling in Chillihuani A New School Curriculum Mathematics--The Favorite Topic of Chillihuani Children Weaving and Mathematics Chapter 5. Rituals and Ceremonies on Top of the World Pukllay--An Ancient Way to Play and Celebrate Suyay Ch'isin--The First Night of Rituals Ch'allaska in Honor of the Family Herds Dancing amid Thunder and Lightning Chapter 6. Adolescence: A Time of Many Challenges Gender Complementarity and Cooperation An Adolescence Free from Stress? Approaching Adult Life Rondas Campesinas: Strengthening Solidarity and Self-Defense Chapter 7. Building a Society of Respect What Makes for a Happy Childhood? Learning the Skills for Life Adolescents' Integration into Adulthood What Does It Take to Build a Society of Respect? Notes Glossary Bibliography Index
Electrical Pulse Burnout of Transistors in Intense Ionizing Radiation

Tests examining possible synergistic effects of electrical pulses and ionizing radiation on transistors were performed and energy/power thresholds for transistor burnout determined. The effect of ionizing radiation on burnout thresholds was found to be minimal, indicating that electrical pulse testing in the absence of radiation produces burnout-threshold results which are applicable to IEMP studies. The conditions of ionized transistor junctions and radiation induced current surges at semiconductor device terminals are inherent in IEMP studies of electrical circuits.
Inflammatory cytokine gene expression in THP‐1 cells exposed to Stachybotrys chartarum and Aspergillus versicolor

Very little is known about the mechanisms that occur in human cells upon exposure to fungi as well as their mycotoxins. A better understanding of toxin-regulated gene expression would be helpful to identify safe levels of exposure and could eventually be the basis for establishing guidelines for remediation scenarios following a water intrusion event. In this research, cytokine mRNA expression patterns were investigated in the human monocytic THP-1 cell line exposed to fungal extracts of various fragment sizes obtained from Stachybotrys chartarum RTI 5802 and/or Aspergillus versicolor RTI 3843, two common and well-studied mycotoxin producing fungi. Cytokine mRNA expression was generally upregulated 2-10 times following a 24 h exposure to fungal extracts. Expression of the proinflammatory interleukin-1β, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α genes increased while the anti-inflammatory gene interleukin-10 also increased albeit at very low level, suggesting that negative feedback regulation mechanism of production of proinflammatory cytokines initiated upon 24 h of incubation. In addition, submicron size extracts of A. versicolor caused significant death of THP-1 cells, whereas extracts of S. chartarum caused no cell death while the mixture of the two fungi had an intermediate effect. There was no general correlation between gene expression and fragment sizes, which suggests that all submicron fragments may contribute to inflammatory response.
Effect of Roughness and Surface Topography on Adhesion of PVB to AA2024-T3 using the Blister Test

Abstract Corrosion protection through protective coatings depends on the adhesion of the coating system to the base metal, which is controlled by surface treatments. Measuring adhesion strength is a challenging task. However, the Blister Test (BT) is a quantitative and reproducible technique not exploited in the corrosion field. In this investigation, the effect of roughness and surface topography is studied using this technique. Samples were abraded using SiC paper up to 120, 180, 600 and 1200 in a randomly or aligned manner to obtain different topographies and roughness levels in the range of 0.026 to 1.324 μm. The surfaces were characterized using Optical Profilometry before polyvinyl butyral (PVB) coating was applied. Then the adhesion strength was determined using the BT. The substrates abraded randomly presented lower average roughness than the ones abraded in an aligned manner due to continual cross abrasion of grooves. The adhesion strength results from the BT were reproducible and could rank different mechanical treatments. Roughness degree and surface topography were found to be very important factors for adhesion strength. Adhesion strength was found to increase with roughness for both abrasion methods; however the random samples exhibited the highest adhesion strength at similar roughness values. The groove peaks were found to be stronger barriers than the groove valleys as a result of a higher peeling angle needed for delamination to take place, increasing the energy used for plastic deformation and therefore decreasing the energy available for blister growth. An adhesion strength indicator (AS) was defined based on peeling rate and found to be effective in sensing adhesion strength.
Combination of 6-thioguanine, capecitabine, and celecoxib with temozolomide or lomustine for recurrent high-grade glioma

We evaluated the efficacy of temozolomide (TMZ) or lomustine (CCNU) in combination with 6-thioguanine, capecitabine, and celecoxib for the treatment of recurrent high-grade glioma. Forty-three patients with recurrent glioblastoma and 31 patients with recurrent anaplastic glioma (AG) were enrolled in this open-label, non-comparative study. Patients previously treated with TMZ received CCNU while all others received TMZ; all patients received 6-thioguanine, capecitabine, and celecoxib. Endpoints were 12-month progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with AG, 6-month PFS for patients with glioblastoma, duration of PFS, and MRI-based objective response rates. Results from the TMZ and CCNU treatment arms were combined in the final analysis because there was no statistically significant difference between them. Thirty-eight patients with glioblastoma were treated with the lomustine-based regimen, and five received the TMZ-based regimen. For the 43 glioblastoma patients, the objective response rate was 12 and 33% had stable disease; the 6-month PFS was 14% and median overall survival 32 weeks. For the 31 AG patients, the combined objective response rate was 26 and 42% had stable disease; the 12 month PFS was 44%. Treatment was reasonably well tolerated with hematological toxicity common and more frequent with CCNU than TMZ. The combination therapy with 6-thioguanine, capecitabine and celecoxib plus CCNU or TMZ does not appear to be more effective than other alkylating agent schedules for patients with recurrent glioblastoma. The combination, however, is promising for patients with recurrent high-grade AG.
Differentially expressed genes in adipocytokine signaling pathway of adipose tissue in pregnancy

Objective: To profile the differential gene expression of the KEGG Adipocytokine Signaling pathway in omental compared to subcutaneous tissue in normal pregnancy. Study Design: Subjects included 14 nonobese, normal glucose tolerant, healthy pregnant women. Matched omental and subcutaneous tissue were obtained at elective cesarean delivery. Gene expression was evaluated using microarray and validated by RT-PCR. Differential gene expression was defined as ≥1.5 fold increase at p
The structure of mood: A comparison between sleep deprivation and normal wakefulness conditions

Summary The stability of the factor structure of mood was examined under two different experimental conditions, sleep deprivation and normal wakefulness In the first phase of the study, two different forms of a mood scale were administered to several college classes, and the ratings for each scale were intercorrelated and factored Eight interpretable factors emerged from each analysis, and the two sets of factors were highly congruent. In the second phase of the study subjects completed the mood ratings after staying awake all night or after getting a good night's rest Comparisons between the means for the two groups showed significant differences on 26 of the 44 variables included in the scale The scores for the sleep-deprived group were then intercorrelated and factored, and the factor structure was compared with the relevant factor structure obtained in the first phase of the study The results of the comparison showed that six of the eight factors appeared under both conditions of sleep deprivation and normal wakefulness Additional analysis indicated that a seventh factor appeared, but in the guise of different variables The only factor which failed to appear under sleep deprivation was elation. It was concluded that although variable ratings showed high sensitivity to the experimental operations, the basic structure of the underlying mood states remained remarkably stable The results indicate that the search for a list of basic mood states may be quite fruitful An important methodological implication was that a variable may be selected to measure a mood under various experimental operations with the assurance that the nature of the mood to be measured does not change as a result of those operations
Spin dependence of the isospin-forbidden decay 8Be(Ex=27.5 MeV)-->d

The first T-italic = 2 state in /sup 8/Be (E-italic/sub x-italic/ = 27.483 MeV) has been studied by means of the isospin-forbidden resonance in the reaction d+ /sup 6/Li..--> cap alpha..+..cap alpha... Angular distributions of the cross section and of the four analyzing powers for the reaction /sup 6/Li(d-arrow-right,..cap alpha..) /sup 4/He have been measured at energies above, below, and on resonance. Off-resonance analyzing power measurements have also been obtained for /sup 2/H(/sup 6/Li-arrow-right,..cap alpha..) /sup 4/He. Because of the symmetry properties of the reaction, the number of independent collision matrix elements is fairly small, and this makes it possible to determine the matrix elements directly by fitting the data. By comparing the matrix elements, one can determine partial widths (GAMMA/sub 0/ and GAMMA/sub 2/) for decay of the /sup 8/Be state into d+ /sup 6/Li states with channel spin 0 and 2. The measured ratio of the partial widths is GAMMA/sub 2//GAMMA/sub 0/ = 0.322 +- 0.091.
Stage-specific effects of bone morphogenetic proteins on the oligodendrocyte lineage.

Oligodendrocyte maturation is regulated by multiple secreted factors present in the brain during critical stages of development. Whereas most of these factors promote oligodendrocyte proliferation and survival, members of the bone morphogenetic protein family (BMPs) recently have been shown to inhibit oligodendrocyte differentiation in vitro. Oligodendrocyte precursors treated with BMPs differentiate to the astrocyte lineage. Given that cells at various stages of the oligodendrocyte lineage have distinct responses to growth factors, we hypothesized that the response to BMP would be stage-specific. Using highly purified, stage-specific cultures, we found that BMP has distinct effects on cultured oligodendrocyte preprogenitors, precursors, and mature oligodendrocytes. Oligodendrocyte preprogenitors (PSA-NCAM+, A2B5−) treated with BMP2 or BMP4 developed a novel astrocyte phenotype characterized by a morphological change and expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) but little glutamine synthetase expression and no labeling with A2B5 antibody. In contrast, treating oligodendrocyte precursors with BMPs resulted in the accumulation of cells with the traditional type 2 astrocyte phenotype (GFAP+, A2B5+). However, many of the cells with an astrocytic morphology did not express GFAP or glutamine synthetase unless thyroid hormone was present in the medium. The addition of fibroblast growth factor along with BMP to either oligodendrocyte preprogenitor or the oligodendrocyte precursor cells inhibited the switch to the astrocyte lineage, whereas platelet-derived growth factor addition had no effect. Treatment of mature oligodendrocytes with BMP elicited no change in morphology or expression of GFAP. These data suggest that as cells progress through the oligodendrocyte lineage, they show developmentally restricted responses to the BMPs. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 43: 1–17, 2000
Asymptotic properties of serial covariances for nonlinear stationary processes

Let {Xt; t ∈ Z} be a strictly stationary process with mean zero and autovariance function (a.c.v.f.) γv, v ∈ Z. Let γv = n − 1 ∑n − |v|t = 1 be the serial covariance of order v computed from a sample X1, ..., Xn drawn from {Xt}. We assume that {Xt} is nonlinear but satisfies some mild regularity conditions. We prove that for a fixed integer l, the distribution of n1/2(γv − γv), ..., n1/2(γv+l − γv + l) is, asymptotically, normal with mean zero and a finite covariance matrix. The result holds both for finite v and when v → ∞ but v/n → 0 as n → ∞.
Twilight for Organized Labor

The Old Unionism, organized labor in the private economy, is in irreversible decline. Economic and market factors beyond its control are principally responsible. The absence of effective leadership and its emphasis on political, instead of trade union, goals do not help. The substitution has diverted much of organized labor’s large financial resources to advancing a political agenda which has brought no material gains in membership and market share, but stigmatizes the union movement as a “special interest” group and as the Luddites of the new century: “American labor organizations ... are shaped much more basically by events of the past century than by forces of the past fifteen years” (Dunlop, 1978, p. 79).
14-3-3 proteins as potential therapeutic targets

The 14-3-3 family of phosphoserine/phosphothreonine-binding proteins dynamically regulates the activity of client proteins in various signaling pathways that control diverse physiological and pathological processes. In response to environmental cues, 14-3-3 proteins orchestrate the highly regulated flow of signals through complex networks of molecular interactions to achieve well-controlled physiological outputs, such as cell proliferation or differentiation. Accumulating evidence now supports the concept that either an abnormal state of 14-3-3 protein expression, or dysregulation of 14-3-3/client protein interactions, contributes to the development of a large number of human diseases. In particular, clinical investigations in the field of oncology have demonstrated a correlation between upregulated 14-3-3 levels and poor survival of cancer patients. These studies highlight the rapid emergence of 14-3-3 proteins as a novel class of molecular target for potential therapeutic intervention. The current status of 14-3-3 modulator discovery is discussed.
Development of nicotinic responses in the rat adrenal medulla and long-term effects of neonatal nicotine administration.

Abstract 1. The development of nicotinic responses in the rat adrenal medulla was examined at various ages from 1 to 50 days of age by testing the ability of nicotine (10 mg/kg, s.c.) to deplete catecholamines and induce tyrosine hydroxylase. 2. Catecholamines were depleted 25% 3 h after injection of nicotine at all ages tested, but the degree of tyrosine hydroxylase induction 24 h after nicotine increased with age. 3. These data indicate that functional nicotinic receptors are present in the neonatal adrenal medulla before the development of functional splanchnic innervation, but that the development of the ability to induce tyrosine hydroxylase is not coupled directly to the development of secretory mechanisms. 4. The long-term effects of a single dose of nicotine (10 mg/kg, s.c.) administered to one day old rats were also examined. 5. After the short-term catecholamine depletion caused by nicotine, there were persistent elevations of catecholamines and tyrosine hydroxylase until 23 days of age; however, dopamine beta-hydroxylase remained elevated into young adulthood. 6. These data indicate that neonatal nicotine administration can produce long-term changes in adrenal catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes.
Methane Production from Cattle Waste in Laboratory Reactors at 40° and 60°C After Solid-Liquid Separation

Whole dairy waste and liquid effluent separated from the same waste with a solid-liquid separator were fermented at mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures. Chemical analyses of the two materials were similar. Methane production was superior in thermophilic reactors. With subtrates adjusted to 4.1% volatile solids, average methane production at 60 degrees C (166 ml/g volatile solids fed to reactors at 3- and 6-day retention time) was as efficient as the 40 degrees C (162 ml/g at 5- and 10-day retention times). Thermophilic reactors produced 1.67 liter methane/liter reactor per day as compared to .93 liter for mesophilic reactors. Efficiency of methanogenesis was no greater for whole waste than for separated effluent. Production of methane for the two substrates averaged over retention times and temperatures was 156 ml/g volatile solids fed to reactor for whole waste and 173 ml/g for separated effluent.
Molecular Design of Porphyrin-Based Nonlinear Optical Materials

Nonlinear optical chromophores containing (porphyrinato)Zn(II), proquinoid, and (terpyridyl)metal(II) building blocks were optimized in a library containing ∼106 structures using the linear combination of atomic potentials (LCAP) methodology. We report here the library design and molecular property optimizations. Two basic structural types of large β0 chromophores were examined: linear and T-shaped motifs. These T-shaped geometries suggest a promising NLO chromophoric architecture for experimental investigation and further support the value of performing LCAP searches in large chemical spaces.
Packet Compression for Time-Synchronized Wireless Networks

Reducing the number of transmitted bytes in a wireless sensor network reduces the time the radio is on, resulting in a significant increase in battery lifetime. Toward this end we have developed a compression technique that is independent of the protocols used in the network, acts as a transparent layer, and consumes minimal computing resources. Patterns in recent packets are identified and replaced in the transmitted packet by bit flags. This algorithm was tested on packet traces collected from commercial wireless sensor networks for 40-80% compression, yielding comparable energy savings in a time-synchronized network.
Free electron lasers applied to VUV and soft X-ray physics of semiconductors

Abstract The development of free electron lasers as a spectroscopic source would offer unique research opportunities and open up new avenues of research for the bulk and surface electronic properties of semiconductors. Existing spectroscopic techniques, based on conventional sources or synchrotron radiation, have contributed immensely to our understanding of the electronic structure of filled (photoemission) and empty (inverse photoemission) electronic levels. However, much less is known about the dynamic transient processes of electrons excited into empty states. A detailed understanding of both bulk (e.g., hot electron properties) and surface phenomena (e.g., photochemical reactions) are critically dependent on the transient dynamics of the excited electrons. The main assets of free electron laser radiation would be its high intensity, tunability, and time-structure. The tunability will provide selectivity for the final state energies into which the electrons are excited. Interesting resonance phenomena should be observed where interference occurs between different deexcitation channels. The time-structure will make it possible to study the time evolution of electron-electron, electron-phonon, electron-defect, etc., interactions of photoexcited carriers. The traditional optical probes (e.g., fluorescence) of hot carriers are bulk techniques. The photoelectron spectroscopy techniques are surface sensitive and provide a possible tool to study differences in relaxation phenomena for states at the surface versus states in the bulk. The surface sensitivity also makes it possible to study other dynamical processes on the surface: chemical reactions, chemi- and physi-sorption, and surface reconstructions.
Coherent backscattering of a picosecond pulse from a disordered medium: Analysis of the pulse shape in the time domain

We have studied the temporal profile of the picosecond laser pulse scattered from random media in the backward direction in two angular regions: Coherent (-1\ensuremath{\le}\ensuremath{\theta}\ensuremath{\le}1 mrad) and diffuse (7.5\ensuremath{\le}\ensuremath{\theta}\ensuremath{\le}9.5 mrad), using a streak camera with overall 15-ps time resolution. To give a good description of the temporal profile of the scattered pulse, in addition to a diffusion term, terms from the maximally crossed diagrams are required to account for the coherent enhancement of scattered intensity in the backward direction due to time-reversal symmetry.
TH-C-BRD-06: A Novel MRI Based CT Artifact Correction Method for Improving Proton Range Calculation in the Presence of Severe CT Artifacts

Purpose: Severe CT artifacts can impair our ability to accurately calculate proton range thereby resulting in a clinically unacceptable treatment plan. In this work, we investigated a novel CT artifact correction method based on a coregistered MRI and investigated its ability to estimate CT HU and proton range in the presence of severe CT artifacts. Methods: The proposed method corrects corrupted CT data using a coregistered MRI to guide the mapping of CT values from a nearby artifact-free region. First patient MRI and CT images were registered using 3D deformable image registration software based on B-spline and mutual information. The CT slice with severe artifacts was selected as well as a nearby slice free of artifacts (e.g. 1cm away from the artifact). The two sets of paired MRI and CT images at different slice locations were further registered by applying 2D deformable image registration. Based on the artifact free paired MRI and CT images, a comprehensive geospatial analysis was performed to predict the correct CT HU of the CT image with severe artifact. For a proof of concept, a known artifact was introduced that changed the ground truth CT HU value up to 30% and up to 5cm error in proton range. The ability of the proposed method to recover the ground truth was quantified using a selected head and neck case. Results: A significant improvement in image quality was observed visually. Our proof of concept study showed that 90% of area that had 30% errors in CT HU was corrected to 3% of its ground truth value. Furthermore, the maximum proton range error up to 5cm was reduced to 4mm error. Conclusion: MRI based CT artifact correction method can improve CT image quality and proton range calculation for patients with severe CT artifacts.
Baseline Comparability in Clinical Trials: Prevention of “Poststudy Anxiety”

“PostStudy Anxiety” syndrome is our term for the feeling of ill-being at the end of a randomized clinical trial upon finding that the randomized groups differ to a disquieting degree with respect t...
Suitability of Organic Matter Surrogates to Predict Trihalomethane Formation in Drinking Water Sources

Abstract Broadly applicable disinfection by-product (DBP) precursor surrogate parameters could be leveraged at drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) to curb formation of regulated DBPs, such as trihalomethanes (THMs). In this study, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV254), fluorescence excitation/emission wavelength pairs (IEx/Em), and the maximum fluorescence intensities (FMAX) of components from parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis were evaluated as total THM formation potential (TTHMFP) precursor surrogate parameters. A diverse set of source waters from eleven DWTPs located within watersheds underlain by six different soil orders were coagulated with alum at pH 6, 7, and 8, resulting in 44 sample waters. DOC, UV254, IEx/Em, and FMAX values were measured to characterize dissolved organic matter in raw and treated waters and THMs were quantified following formation potential tests with free chlorine. For the 44 sample waters, the linear TTHMFP correlation with UV254 was s...
A Collaborative Effort To Improve University Engineering Instruction.

This study focused on the instructional development of an assistant professor of environmental engineering in collaboration with science education and higher education faculty members. One semester of data was collected in the assistant professor's environmental engineering laboratory class as he endeavored to address his teaching goals. Data collection included pre and post interviews with the assistant professor, students, and program coordinator, and collection of course documents, such as the course syllabus and assignments. In addition, all of the classroom sessions were observed and videotaped, and a midsemester video stimulated-recall interview was conducted. Results show the assistant professor made growth in the areas of questioning strategies, “think time” for students, increased class participation, and the implementation of a student-designed field research project. Implications include that new professors can benefit from peer faculty support, and they and their students can benefit when the new professors recognize the complementary nature of research and teaching.
Functions of oral candidiasis episodes that are highly prognostic for AIDS.

Although oral candidiasis lesions are widely recognized as markers for AIDS, the relative prognostic significance of functions of these episodes has not been examined. We compare the associations with time to AIDS of one fixed and six time-dependent metrics of oral candidiasis lesions, including proximity of a lesion to seroconversion, any candidiasis history, and recency of a lesion. We show in Cox regression models that two metrics are clinically and statistically far more significant than the others, alone or in combination: any history of candidiasis since HIV seroconversion, and recency of a candidiasis episode. The latter metric indicates that the risk of an AIDS diagnosis is high during a candidiasis episode. The results hold for two cohorts of male seroconverters, 627 haemophiliacs and 196 men who have sex with men. Identification of highly prognostic functions of a patient's oral candidiasis history allows clinicians and researchers to focus on these aspects of the history and to omit extraneous information from data collection. Our method extends well beyond candidiasis and AIDS, and may shed light on associations of covariates with outcomes in a variety of settings.
Energetic particle activity at 5-min and 10-s time resolution in the magnetotail and its relation to auroral activity

The paper examines several energetic particle bursts associated with substorm events in the magnetotail using data from the Imp 7 and 8 spacecraft experiments. Individual proton and electron bursts observed by the spacecraft do not always coincide nor does magnetotail activity correlate strongly with auroral activity on time scales less than 1 hr. The pitch angle distributions were determined with a time resolution of 10 s by combining magnetic field and particle measurements on Imp 8; during intense particle bursts the 0.3-MeV protons exhibit unidirectional or bidirectional anisotropies along the magnetic field. The data suggest the presence of small localized acceleration regions in the magnetotail observable when magnetically connected to the spacecraft; little evidence is found for a single neutral line extending across the width of the magnetotail.
Mathematical analysis of axisymmetric sessile drop: Application to the reduction of bromine in a two-phase electrolyte

Abstract The profile of an axisymmetric sessile drop was mathematically analyzed to relate the drop height, H , and equatorial diameter, D , to the contact radius with 180° contact angle, R , and the ratio of buoyant to interfacial tension forces, β. The relationships between ( H D ) and ( R D ) or log 10 β, which are valid over 0.2 H D , were derived from a numerical integration of the differential equations and fitting of the results to fifth-order polynomials. Asymptotic formulas were also obtained analytically for the cases where H D and H D > 0.9 and all contact angles. The results of the mathematical analysis were used to analyze the data on the enhancement in the bromine reduction current that was observed with a two-phase electrolyte consisting of sessile drops of bromine complexed with trimethylethylammonium bromide less than 0.2 cm high on a ruthenized titanium electrode in an aqueous electrolyte ( 2M ZnBr 2 1M ZnCl 2 3M KCl ) containing dissolved bromine.
Mn(III) Center Availability as a Rate Controlling Factor in the Oxidation of Phenol and Sulfide on δ-MnO2

Manganese oxides are involved in many environmentally important redox reactions. This work focuses primarily on the reaction of phenol and sulfide with delta-MnO2 (birnessite) and the inhibitory effect of pyrophosphate on these reactions. The reactions were modeled in terms of Mn(III) center surface availability. The model partitioned the observed rate constants between two different hypothetical reaction pathways. One of these pathways was deemed to be dependent on Mn(III) center concentration, while the other was Mn(III) center independent. The relative contribution of each pathway was then calculated based on the equilibrium concentration of free Mn(III) centers at a given pyrophosphate concentration. Using this approach it was possible to model the observed pyrophosphate effects and to predict inhibition with respect to reactant concentration. Finally, the effects of pyrophosphate and orthophosphate on the reaction of sulfide and hydroquinone with delta-MnO2 were observed and compared to previously published observations. The observed orthophosphate and pyrophosphate effects were consistent with the two reaction pathway model in terms of Mn(III) center complexation. These findings have important implications for modeling and understanding the fate and transport of redox reactive material.
Second normal stress difference of a Boger fluid

Abstract Measurement of the second normal stress difference for a highly elastic, constant viscosity ‘Boger fluid’ is reported. Two very different experimental techniques have been used: (1) measurement of the height of the free surface in rod-climbing flow; (2) measurement of the pressure distribution in cone-and-plate shearing flow. The second normal stress difference is at least 30 times smaller in magnitude than the first normal stress difference, and opposite in sign. The results should prove useful in distinguishing between the various constitutive equations proposed for Boger fluids.
Expanding multiviral reactive T cells from cord blood

In this article, Hanley and colleagues describe a novel method to rapidly expand polyclonal populations of viral reactive CTLs from naive cord blood T cells that target CMV, adenovirus, and EBV. 1