cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping of quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus bone to chromosome 1 by genome-wide linkage analysis.

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) may predict the risk of fracture independent of bone density. The aim of this study was to identify, using quantitative trait linkage analysis, chromosomal regions that might contain genes influencing variation in calcaneal ultrasound measures in a set of families from the general population. A genome-wide autosomal scan was conducted in 324 Caucasian families (1270 measured individuals) from the Framingham Osteoporosis Study, using a set of 401 Marshfield microsatellite markers with a 10 cM average density map. QUS measurements included broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), speed of sound (SOS), and quantitative ultrasound index (QUI). These phenotypes were regressed on age, age2, body mass index, height, alcohol and caffeine consumption, smoking status, physical activity, and estrogen use in females, in each sex and generation separately. Adjusted QUS phenotypes demonstrated a strong heritability ranging from 0.45 (SOS) to 0.52 (BUA). By two-point variance components genome screening, phenotype-specific regions of possible linkage were identified on chromosomal regions 1p36.3 and 5p15.2. The maximum LOD score attained was 2.74 for BUA with D1S468 (4 cM) and 2.69 for SOS with D5S817 (23 cM). QUI, a linear combination of the SOS and BUA, showed linkage with both markers (LOD = 2.1 with D1S468 and LOD = 2.2 with D5S817). Results of two-point analysis were confirmed by multipoint linkage analysis only for BUA, with LOD = 2.4 at D1S468, but not for SOS or QUI. The results for QUS, adjusted for femoral and lumbar spinal bone mineral density, in addition to the above covariates, were virtually the same. In conclusion, our results suggest that there may be genetic determinants for BUA on 1p36.3. These results should encourage further investigations of the genetic source of QUS variability and candidate polymorphisms in this region.
Diffusion in partially-saturated porous materials

The diffusive transport of ions in two classes of porous media was studied as a function of fluid saturation and wetting properties. A lattice Boltzmann method was used to model phase separation of a binary mixture, including wetting effects, in porous media. Diffusive transport is then evaluated in each separate phase.
Seasonality, abundance, and microhabitat distribution of meiofauna from a Chickahominy River, Virginia tidal freshwater marsh

Meiofauna were sampled from intertidal pool and vegetative hummock microhabitats at a tidal freshwater marsh on the Chickahominy River, Virginia. Nematodes, ostracods, tardigrades, oligochaetes (Naididae), copepods (Harpacticoida and Cyclopoida), and the sabellid polychaete Manayunkia spp. were numerically dominant in monthly collections. Total meiofaunal densities ranged from 169 individuals 10 cm−2 (low marsh pools, April) to 13832 individuals 10 cm−2 (low marsh hummocks, September). Highest densities of total meiofauna were observed in August–September, coincident with recruitment of oligochaetes and Manyunkia spp. to low marsh hummocks. Nematodes were generally abundant in all seasons and represented 37% of total meiofauna collected. Nematode densities were significantly greater on hummocks (p=0.0001). Ostracods were significantly more abundant in pools, Greatest densities of ostracods were observed in May. Tardigrades were abundant November through March, and September. Significantly greater abundance of tardigrades was observed on hummocks. Harpacticoid copepods were abundant from December through April and cyclopoids were abundant from May through September (low marsh only).
Control of the Embryonic Stem Cell State

Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells hold great promise for regenerative medicine. These cells can be propagated in culture in an undifferentiated state but can be induced to differentiate into specialized cell types. Moreover, these cells provide a powerful model system for studies of cellular identity and early mammalian development. Recent studies have provided insights into the transcriptional control of embryonic stem cell state, including the regulatory circuitry underlying pluripotency. These studies have, as a consequence, uncovered fundamental mechanisms that control mammalian gene expression, connect gene expression to chromosome structure, and contribute to human disease.
Replication of herpes simplex virus in blood monocytes and placental macrophages from human neonates.

Replication of Herpes Simplex Virus in Blood Monocytes and Placental Macrophages from Human Neonates
High Resolution Deuterium Magnetic Resonance - An Approach to the Study of Molecular Organization in Biological Membranes and Model Systems,

Abstract : Reported are the results obtained from the high resolution deuterium resonance (2H NMR) spectra of selectively deuterated lauric acid intercalated in sonicated egg lecithin bilayers. Deuterium resonance has the advantage that selective deuteration can be easily effected and that the linewidths are principally determined by quadrupole relaxation. Intermolecular effects (dipole-dipole interaction) which complicate proton relaxation mechanisms are eliminated in 2H NMR.
Plasma generation by ultrashort multi-chromatic pulses during nonlinear propagation

The use of femtosecond lasers in industrial, biomedical, and defense related applications during the last 15 years has necessitated a detailed understanding of pulse propagation coupled with ultrafast laser-material interactions. Current models of ultrashort pulse propagation in solids describe the pulse evolution of fields with broad spectra and are typically coupled to models of ionization and laser-plasma interaction that assume monochromatic laser fields. In this work we address some of the errors introduced by combining these inconsistent descriptions. In particular, we show that recently published experiments and simulations demonstrate how this contradiction can produce order-of-magnitude errors in calculating the ionization yield, and that this effect leads to altered dimensions and severity of optical breakdown and laser-induced modifications to dielectric solids. We introduce a comprehensive treatment of multi-chromatic non-equilibrium laser-material interaction in condensed matter and successfully couple this model to a unidirectional (frequency-resolved) pulse propagation equation for the field evolution. This approach, while more computationally intensive than the traditional single rate equation for the free electron density, reduces the number of adjustable phenomenological parameters typically used in current models. Our simulation results suggest that intentionally multi-chromatic fields (i.e. strongly chirped pulses or co-propagating pulses of different frequencies) can be arranged to control ionization yields and hence ultrafast laser induced material modifications.
Numerical Investigation of Electrohydrodynamic-Conduction Pumping of Liquid Film in the Presence of Evaporation

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) conduction pumping is associated with the heterocharge layers of finite thickness in the vicinity of the electrodes, generated by the process of dissociation of the neutral electrolytic species and the recombination of the generated ions. This paper numerically investigates the EHD-conduction pumping of a liquid film in the presence of evaporation. The flow system comprises a liquid film flowing over a two-dimensional flat plate. The vapor phase above the flat plate is extended far beyond the interface. The channel is separated into four different sections: the entrance, electrode, evaporation, and downstream sections. The entrance, electrode, and downstream regions are adiabatic while a constant heat flux is applied in the evaporation section. The concept of EHD-conduction pumping of liquid film in the presence of phase change is numerically demonstrated in this paper. The resultant heat transfer due to conduction pumping is evaluated as well. The results for heat transfer coefficient along the channel indicate considerable improvement of heat transfer coefficient compared with the pressure-driven counterpart.
Theory and Observation in Science

The present information explosion on the World Wide Web poses a problem for the general public and the members of an academic discipline alike, of how to find the most authoritative, comprehensive, and up-to-date information about an important topic. At the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (SEP), we have since 1995 been developing and implementing the concept of a dynamic reference work (DRW) to provide a solution to these problems, while maintaining free access for readers. A DRW is much more than a web-based encyclopedia, and its scope far exceeds that of an electronic journal or preprint exchange. In this article we document the progress of the SEP toward full implementation of the DRW concept. We discuss the fiscal challenges posed by our desire to maintain free or low-cost access to the contents of the SEP, and we consider technological challenges posed by the desire to stay abreast of technological developments in document markup while making it easy for authors and subject editors to write and maintain entries representing the very best scholarship.
A self-consistent mechanics method for solids containing inclusions and a general distribution of cracks

The damage in a composite material due to a distribution of cracks manifests itself as a reduction of moduli and/or change in elastic constants. This paper presents the effective elastic moduli of a solid containing inclusions and a general distribution of tunnel cracks. Both in-plane and out-of-plane elastic constants are determined. In addition to crack density and inclusion volume fraction, the effective elastic constants are found to depend on a function ϱ(θ), which characterizes the crack orientation distribution, while the anisotropy of a cracked composite is solely induced by the crack orientation distribution. It is established that the effect of inclusions and microcracks on effective moduli is decoupled, i.e., one can obtain the moduli of a solid containing microcracks and inclusions by the corresponding moduli of the solids with microcracks only and with inclusions only. For a solid containing a crack distribution with mirror symmetry, the effective elastic constants can be greatly simplified and can be expressed in terms of two scalar quantities rather than a general function ϱ(θ). This conclusion is particularly useful in the analysis of the micromechanical model. The effect of the asymmetry of ϱ(θ) on the effective elastic constants is also investigated.
Serendipity and the Discovery of Novel Compounds That Restore Mitochondrial Plasticity

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) plays a central role in energy generation in the cell. Mitochondrial dysfunctions diminish adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and result in insufficient energy to maintain cell function. As energy output declines, the most energetic tissues are preferentially affected. To satisfy cellular energy demands, the mitochondrial ETC needs to be able to elevate its capacity to produce ATP at times of increased metabolic demand or decreased fuel supply. This mitochondrial plasticity is reduced in many age-associated diseases. In this review, we describe the serendipitous discovery of a novel class of compounds that selectively target cardiolipin on the inner mitochondrial membrane to optimize efficiency of the ETC and thereby restore cellular bioenergetics in aging and diverse disease models, without any effect on the normal healthy organism. The first of these compounds, SS-31, is currently in multiple clinical trials.
Metabolic substrates other than glucose support axon function in central white matter.

We tested the hypothesis that non-glucose energy sources can support axon function in the rat optic nerve. Axon function was assessed by monitoring the stimulus-evoked compound action potential (CAP). CAP was maintained at full amplitude for 2 hr in 10 mM glucose. 20 mM lactate, 20 mM pyruvate, 10 mM fructose, or 10 mM mannose supported axon function as effectively as did glucose, and 10 mM glutamine provided partial support, but beta-hydroxybutyrate, octanoate, sorbitol, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate failed to support axon function. Our results indicated that a variety of compounds can sustain function in CNS myelinated axons. Axons probably use lactate, pyruvate, and glutamine directly as energy substrates, whereas mannose and fructose could be shuttled through astrocytes to lactate, which is then exported to axons.
Effect of Planting Date and Thermal Energy Intensity on Rate of Phosphorus and Potassium Accumulation by Maize (Zea mays L.)

The effect of planting date and thermal energy intensity (TEI) on the rate of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) accumulation by maize from a Hamerly clay loam soil (Aerie Calciaquoll) was examined with and without supplemental irrigation. Soil- and air-TEI expressed as growing degree days per day (GDD d−1) were determined from hourly temperature measurements taken within each plot. Net K accumulation occurred during the vegetative growth stage, reached maximal rates of about 62.2 to 91.4 mg plant−1 day−1, and attained maximal accumulations ranging from about 1.15 to 2.3 g plant−1. Accumulation of P occurred during vegetative and reproductive growth stages, reached maximal rates of about 4.6 to 10.3 mg and 6.5 to 12.1 mg plant−1 day−1, respectively and maximal accumulations of 0.175 to 0.27 g and 0.11 to 0.26 g plant−1, respectively. During vegetative growth, K and nitrogen (N) accumulation characteristics were closely correlated with about 2 moles of N accumulated per mole of K. Maximal accumulation of K (and N) consistently preceded that of P by about 5.2 to 8.3 days and that of the plant dry weight by about 15.9 to 20.5 days during the vegetative growth stage. Time required to reach maximal accumulation during the reproductive growth stage, tr followed the order N < P < dry weight for early plantings and followed the order N < P < dry weight for delayed plantings. Time coefficients for K and P accumulation were correlated closely with soil-TEI, but models of each coefficient relied on unique combinations of TEI. Time coefficients for dry matter accumulation were apparently unrelated to soil- or air-TEI.
Bottom water formation in the western Weddell Sea

Abstract In February 1976 a hydrographic section was occupied from the central Weddell Sea up onto the continental shelf near the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Very closely spaced stations, with an average spacing of about 3 km, were occupied over the continental slope. The profiles of temperature and salinity indicate that bottom water formation probably does not take place by a simple continuous mixing process at the shelf break but in a more intermittent manner in both space and time. There is also evidence that some of the water flowing down slope does not become true bottom water but interleaves at depths just above the bottom. Intense interleaving was found in the shelf break region, indicative of active mixing there.
Bioremediation of polychlorinated biphenyls degradation capabilities in field lysimeters

The degradation of 4-chlorobiphenyl (4CB) was compared in field lysimeters containing 60 Kg of soil contaminated with 5–10 mg/Kg of polychlorinated biphenyls.Alcaligenes A5, a bacterium carrying a plasmid for 4CB degradation, was inoculated into three lysimeters. When compared to an untreated control, soil samples from water, mineral, and yeast extract treated lysimeters with and without a bacterial inoculum exhibited greater than 10-fold increases in the rate of [1-14 C-acetate incorporation into lipids and14CO2 production from [U-14C-4-chlorobiphenyl. Gene probe analyses for the 4CB plasmid and most-probable-number enumerations demonstrated the presence of biodegradative populations in lysimeters and the probable survival of the addedAlcaligenes A5.
Filopodia: fickle fingers of cell fate?

Abstract Epithelial cells often produce extensions, known variously as filopodia, cell feet or cytonemes, which can extend across many cell diameters to directly contact non-adjacent cells. Do they function in morphogenesis, cell–cell signaling or both?.
Nature and Role of Bridged Carbonyl Intermediates in the Ultrafast Photoinduced Rearrangement of Ru3(CO)12

The photochemistry of the trimetal cluster,Ru(3)(CO)12, was investigated on the ultrafast timescale using UV-vis pump, infrared probe spectroscopy in order to study the transient intermediates formed upon photoexcitation.
Internet research ethics and the institutional review board: current practices and issues

The Internet has been used as a place for and site of an array of research activities. From online ethnographies to public data sets and online surveys, researchers and research regulators have struggled with an array of ethical issues around the conduct of online research. This paper presents a discussion and findings from Buchanan and Ess's study on US-based institutional review boards and the state of internet research ethics.
Collagenolytic activity of periodontal ligament and hydroxyproline content during human deciduous root resorption

The periodontal ligaments of human resorbing deciduous teeth were analyzed biochemically for collagenolytic activity. Total hydroxyproline content of dentine was also measured. Activity was present in resorbing teeth, while control teeth exhibited no activity. Concomitantly, hydroxyproline levels were approximately 43 percent lower in resorbing teeth (8.2 grams percent) than in control teeth (14.4 grams percent), representing a significant difference between the two groups. These results appear to support the concept that collagenolytic activity is responsible, in part, for physiological resorption.
Designing modern childhoods: history, space, and the material culture of children

Edited by Marta Gutman and Ning de Coninck-Smith, New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University Press, 2008, 346 pp., $24.95 (cloth), ISBN 978-0-8135-4196-9 What insights can modernity grant into children'...
Combined headspace and extraction technique for profile analysis by capillary gas chromatography

Abstract A method is described whereby a transevaporatoer is used for sampling 60–100 μl of aqueous sample. Volatiles are stripped from the sample either by a stream of helium and collected on a porous polymer, Tenax, or by 0.8 ml of 2-chloropropane and collected on glass beads. The volatiles are thermally desorbed into a precolumn which is connected to a capillary gas chromatographic column for analysis. The technique is shown to be reproducible and suitable for determining chromatographic profiles for a wide variety of sample types.
Lattice-Reduction Aided Linear Equalization in Cyclic-Prefix System

Cyclic-prefix (CP) insertion in a single or multi-carrier system transforms the frequency-selective channel into a set of parallel flat channels, thus reducing the equalization complexity considerably. To harness the channel multipath diversity in this parallelized system the use of error control codes and/or linear precoding are proposed in the literature. A more recent result shows that maximum diversity can be achieved by lattice-reduction aided equalization together with precoded OFDM transmission. In this paper, we show that full diversity lattice-reduction is possible {\em without} requiring either precoding or error control codes. In earlier work it was shown that some cyclic-prefix systems have a diversity that is rate-dependent; we show that lattice-reduction diversity does not follow the same pattern of behavior. We also explore and expose important distinctions between diagonal and non-diagonal equalization for cyclic prefix systems.
Puncture procedures utilizing transvaginal ultrasonic guidance.

The introduction of transvaginal sonography has enabled the use of this scanning method for guided puncture procedures. A total of 102 puncture procedures are described: 63 fetal reductions, eight punctures of ectopic pregnancies, 19 drainages of pelvic contents, seven punctures of ovarian cysts, four diagnostic culdocenteses and one injection of a cervical pregnancy. Every procedure is discussed in detail. There was only one procedure-related complication. The advantages of the ultrasound-guided vaginal puncture procedure are its performance under real-time imaging, a low complication rate, a better pregnancy outcome when considering the reduction of multifetal gestations, and, most importantly, the fact that abdominal surgery can be avoided in several cases. Copyright © 1991 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Temporal variations in the separation of Brazil and Malvinas Currents

Abstract The separation of the Brazil and Malvinas (Falkland) Currents from the western boundary is explored with the use of satellite and drifter data. The location of the separation of these boundary currents from the continental margin over a multiyear period is determined by digitizing the crossing of the surface thermal front indicative of each feature with the 1000 m isobath. Three years (July 1984 to June 1987) of 1 km resolution AVHRR data collected by the Argentina Meteorological Service and 4 years of lower resolution Global Retrieval Tape (GRT) data were used to generate a total time series extending from November 1981 to June 1987; i.e. 5 1 2 years. The mean latitudes of separation from the shelf break are 35.8 ± 1.1° for the Brazil Current and 38.6 ± 0.9° for the Malvinas Current. The along-coast ranges of the separation positions, 930 and 850 km, respectively, are quite large relative to similar statistics for the Gulf Stream or Kuroshio. Observed temporal variability suggests cyclical excursions of the currents along the coast at semi-annual and annual periods, although there is considerable interannual variation in the signal. Drifter trajectories overlaid on satellite images demonstrate events associated with the annual transition in 1984–1985. Shorter time-scale perturbations in the currents' separation latitudes occur in the 30–60 day band, which corresponds to the mesoscale eddy field. The connection of the variation in the separation with various possible forcing mechanisms is briefly discussed, along with the problem of gaining a theoretical understanding of this dynamic situation. Finally, the extensions of the two currents into the South Atlantic interior are described statistically using the high resolution data set.
Ultracytochemical localization of guanylate cyclase in the oviduct of estrogen‐stimulated rat

Many reports have indicated that estrogens increase uterine guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels via increasing the activity of guanylate cyclase. In the present study, guanylate cyclase activity was studied cytochemically in the oviduct of immature rats 24 hours after one or two doses (20 micrograms/kg, subcutaneously) of diethylstilbestrol (DES), one dose per day. The reaction product indicating guanylate cyclase was localized in the plasma membrane of epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells of all DES-treated animals, but was absent from those of the vehicle control immature rats. The Golgi saccules of secretory cells and the periciliary membrane of ciliated cells were stained for the enzyme 24 hours after the first and second dose of DES, but the activity seemed diminished 24 hours after the second dose. Likewise, reaction product indicating guanylate cyclase was more prominent in the plasma membrane of epithelial cells of animals treated with one dose of DES than those animals treated with two doses of DES. However, in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells, guanylate cyclase activity increased after two doses of the estrogen. Further, pinocytotic vesicles or caveolae in these cells were also strongly stained for the enzyme after one and two doses of DES. These findings confirm the suggestion that guanylate cyclase plays a significant role in the growth, differentiation, and function (secretion and transport) of the oviduct.
Note on recognition of matroid systems

This note shows that a recognition algorithm for matroid systems developed by J.S. Provan and M.O. Ball can be modified to run in O(n^2m) time. The original algorithm runs in O(n^3m) time.
Comment on "Asymmetry of the Aharonov-Bohm diffraction pattern and Ehrenfest's theorem"

In a recent paper [D. H. Kobe, V. C. Aguilera-Navarro, and R. M. Ricotta, Phys. Rev. A 45, 6192 (1992)], Kobe et al. have calculated the expectation values of position and momentum in the Aharonov-Bohm effect and have found that both are shifted by the Aharonov-Bohm potentials. Although these shifts appear to contradict certain ``no-shift'' theorems proved by various authors, we show that this apparent contradiction is the result of different assumptions. Specifically, one of the assumptions on which the no-shift theorems are based does not hold for the parameters used by Kobe et al.; that is, with their parameters, there is no reason to expect the no-shift theorems to hold. On the other hand, with the parameters of actual two-slit experiments, all of the conditions of the no-shift theorems do hold and the no-shift theorems do apply.
The sensitivity of the one-sample and two-sample student t statistic

By Monte Carlo simulation, this study illustrates and summarizes the extent of robustness of the one-sample and two-sample Student t statistics for inferences on means to the assumptions of normality and/or equal variances when very small sample sizes are involved. It is determined that in a relative sense the two-sample t statistic is more robust to the assumption of normality than the one-sample statistic, if equal sample sizes are used. Whereas the robustness of the two-sample statistic is truly exceptional for both the normality and equal variance assumptions when n1 = n2, that of the one-sample statistic appears to be restricted to situations in which the underlined distribution is either symmetrical or only modestly skewed. The robustness of the two-sample statistic deteriorates considerably when the sample sizes differ by a factor of two or more. Therefore, the best protection available to a practitioner for the one-sample case is to use relatively large sample sizes, say around 25 to 30 observations, and to use equal sample sizes for the two-sample case.
The Serre problem on Riemann surfaces

Part II. Complete Resolution for Riemann Surfaces 1. Existence of a Distance Function D on Certain Domains such that l o g D is Strictly Subharmonic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 2. Hyperbolic Surfaces and the Green Kernel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 3. l o g D is Exhausting ifX is Regular Hyperbolic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 4. Green Functions on Caratheodory Complete Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 5. An Invariant Subharmonic Functions Diverging on Irregular Sequences . . . . . . . . . 155 6. Global Continuous Plurisubharmonic Exhaustion Functions on Holomorphic Fiber Bundles with Stein Bases and Hyperbolic Surfaces as Fibers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 7. Existence of an Appropriate Subharmonic Exhaustion Function on Parabolic Surfaces . . 159 8. Steinness of the Total Space when the Fiber is Parabolic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 9. Generalisation to Complex Spaces of Dimension One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Endocrine biology of the Painted Lady butterfly Vanessa cardui

Abstract Experiments dealing with the role of juvenile hormone, adipokinetic hormone and diuretic hormone in the Painted Lady butterfly Vanessa cardui are reported. The results demonstrate an important role of JH in the regulation of ovarian and colleterial gland development in females, and in the regulation of accessory gland, tubular gland and ejaculatory duct development in males. In addition, the presence of an adult reproductive diapause, characterized by decreased effective juvenile hormone haemolymph titres, is suggested. Evidence for the existence of both adipokinetic and diuretic hormones in the Painted Lady is also presented, as is data indicating that both hormones may be similar or identical to those previously described in Monarch butterflies. Owing to the above results, and the existence of an artificial diet suitable for mass rearing in the laboratory, the Painted Lady appears to be an excellent species for studies on adult lepidopteran neuroendocrinology.
Detection of immunoprecipitated systemic lupus erythematosus antigens by immunoblot analysis.

When antigens are isolated from staphylococcal protein A immunoprecipitation pellets for analysis by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting, severe background problems, due to the presence of antisera and bacterial proteins, can result. We describe a procedure for the analysis of immunoprecipitated systemic lupus erythematosus antigens (e.g., La, Ro, and Sm) which significantly reduces this background while retaining sensitivity with respect to antigen detection. We have adapted a method previously described (MacSween, J.M. and Eastwood, S.L. Methods Enzymol. 1981; 73:459-471) in which lithium diiodosalicylate is used to separate the immunoprecipitated antigen from a covalent antibody-staphylococcal protein A complex. In addition, a modified series of immunoblot incubations was employed, in which antigenic proteins were identified by incubating blots with the antiserum used for the original immunoprecipitation (e.g., La) followed by protein A-biotin and avidin-alkaline phosphatase. Overall, the procedure is straight-forward and may be applicable to other immunoblot systems.
Electronic transport in bandgap states of hydrogeneted amorphous silicon

Abstract Measurements of the primary photocurrent for photon energies between 0.58 and 2.0 eV in an aSi:H solar-cell structure give information about the density of states above the valence band as well as show that holes are mobile deep in the bandgap. Measurements of the response time of the secondary photocurrent as well as its magnitude are used to determine the majority carrier drift mobility for excitation energies above and below the bandgap. The drift mobility is independent of excitation energy indicating that the majority carriers are excited to the same states irrespective of the excitation energy.
Alveolar Bone Loss Due to Open Interproximal Contacts in Periodontal Disease

Ninety patient records were examined in order to determine radiographically whether an association between open interproximal contacts and increased alveolar bone loss exists. The amount of alveolar bone in the open contact site was compared to the amount of alveolar bone in the contralateral closed contact site. Open interproximal contacts were not found to be associated with increased alveolar bone destruction in Class, I, III and IV periodontal disease groups. In group of 53 Class II cases, open contacts were found to be associated with an average of 2.4% less relative bone height than contralateral closed contacts. This difference was significant at the 0.01 to 0.02 level.
Design, synthesis, and studies of small molecule STAT3 inhibitors.

A series of small molecule STAT3 inhibitors originally derived from our lead compound STA 21 were synthesized and evaluated. The most potent compound in this series, compound 1, exhibited the same anti-proliferative activities as STA 21 against prostate cancer cell lines that express constitutively active STAT3. Molecular docking showed compound 1 bound to the STAT3β SH2 domain in a similar manner as STA 21.
The reliability of proton-nuclear interaction cross-section data to predict proton-induced PET images in proton therapy

In vivo PET range verification relies on the comparison of measured and simulated activity distributions. The accuracy of the simulated distribution depends on the accuracy of the Monte Carlo code, which is in turn dependent on the accuracy of the available cross-section data for ?+ isotope production. We have explored different cross-section data available in the literature for the main reaction channels (16O(p,pn)15O, 12C(p,pn)11C and 16O(p,3p3n)11C) contributing to the production of ?+ isotopes by proton beams in patients. Available experimental and theoretical values were implemented in the simulation and compared with measured PET images obtained with a high-resolution PET scanner. Each reaction channel was studied independently. A phantom with three different materials was built, two of them with high carbon or oxygen concentration and a third one with average soft tissue composition. Monoenergetic and SOBP field irradiations of the phantom were accomplished and measured PET images were compared with simulation results. Different cross-section values for the tissue-equivalent material lead to range differences below 1 mm when a 5 min scan time was employed and close to 5 mm differences for a 30 min scan time with 15 min delay between irradiation and scan (a typical off-line protocol). The results presented here emphasize the need of more accurate measurement of the cross-section values of the reaction channels contributing to the production of PET isotopes by proton beams before this in vivo range verification method can achieve mm accuracy.
A lateral electrophoretic flow diagnostic assay.

Immunochromatographic assays are a cornerstone tool in disease screening. To complement existing lateral flow assays (based on wicking flow) we introduce a lateral flow format that employs directed electrophoretic transport. The format is termed a “lateral e-flow assay” and is designed to support multiplexed detection using immobilized reaction volumes of capture antigen. To fabricate the lateral e-flow device, we employ mask-based UV photopatterning to selectively immobilize unmodified capture antigen along the microchannel in a barcode-like pattern. The channel-filling polyacrylamide hydrogel incorporates a photoactive moiety (benzophenone) to immobilize capture antigen to the hydrogel without a priori antigen modification. We report a heterogeneous sandwich assay using low-power electrophoresis to drive biospecimen through the capture antigen barcode. Fluorescence barcode readout is collected via a low-resource appropriate imaging system (CellScope). We characterize lateral e-flow assay performance and demonstrate a serum assay for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus (HCV). In a pilot study, the lateral e-flow assay positively identifies HCV+ human sera in 60 min. The lateral e-flow assay provides a flexible format for conducting multiplexed immunoassays relevant to confirmatory diagnosis in near-patient settings.
Reactions of thioacetamide in alkaline buffer systems

Abstract Measurements have shown that the rate of formation of sulphide from thioacetamide is greater in the presence of ammonia and carbonate buffer systems than that predicted from previous measurements in sodium hydroxide solutions. In solutions buffered with ammonia and ammonium chloride at pH 10, the rate of sulphide formation is first-order with respect to the thioacetamide and second-order with respect to the ammonia concentration; the third-order rate constant was found to be 0.055 litre2 mole−1 min−1 at 90°. The energy of activation was calculated to be 12 kcal per mole from 60° to 90°. In carbonate-hydrogen buffers the rate of formation of sulphide has a first-order dependence on both thioacetamide and carbonate ion concentrations, but has an inverse half-order dependence on hydrogen carbonate ion. The rate constant was calculated to be 0.015 litre 1 2 mole 1 2 min−1 at 90°.
Impact of protein kinase CK2 on inhibitor of apoptosis proteins in prostate cancer cells.

We have previously demonstrated that protein kinase CK2 is a potent suppressor of apoptosis in cells subjected to diverse mediators of apoptosis. The process of apoptosis involves a complex series of molecules localized in various cellular compartments. Among the various proteins that modulate apoptotic activity are inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) which are elevated in cancers and have been proposed to block caspase activity. We have examined the impact of CK2 signal on these proteins in prostate cancer cells. Cellular IAPs demonstrate distinct localization and responsiveness to altered CK2 expression or activity in the cytoplasmic and nuclear matrix fractions. Modulation of cellular CK2 by various approaches impacts on cellular IAPs such that inhibition or downregulation of CK2 results in reduction in these proteins. Further, IAPs are also reduced when cells are treated with sub-optimal concentrations of chemical inhibitors of CK2 combined with low or sub-optimal levels of apoptosis-inducing agents (such as etoposide) suggesting that downregulation of CK2 sensitizes cells to induction of apoptosis which may be related to attenuation of IAPs. Decreased IAP protein levels in response to apoptotic agents such as TNFα or TRAIL were potently blocked upon forced overexpression of CK2 in cells. Together, our results suggest that one of the modes of CK2-mediated modulation of apoptotic activity is via its impact on cellular IAPs.
Moderation and Mediation of an Effective HIV Risk-Reduction Intervention for South African Adolescents

Background “Let Us Protect Our Future” is a sexual risk-reduction intervention for sixth-grade adolescents in South Africa. Tested in a cluster-randomized controlled trial, the intervention significantly reduced self-reported intercourse and unprotected intercourse during a 12-month follow-up period.
Nondestructive inspection using Rotating Field Eddy Current (RoFEC) Probes

The use of Rotating Field Eddy Current (RoFEC) Probe for inspection of metallic steam generator tubes in nuclear power plant offers higher operation speed and sensitivity relative to traditional rotating probe coil and array probes. This paper investigates the feasibility of the RoFEC probe which does not require rotating the coils mechanically. Results of finite element modeling and simulation results with Reduced Magnetic Vector Potential Formulation (RMVP) are presented for non-magnetic and ferromagnetic tube inspection.
Energy Expenditure in 104 Postoperative and Traumatically Injured Dogs with Indirect Calorimetry

Summary Apparent restihg energy expenditure (AREE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were determined by open flow indirect calorimetry in a group of 104 apparently resting, critically ill, postoperative and severely traumatized dogs. The evaluations were conducted in a calm, temperature-controlled environment after at least a 12-hour fast. Subjects were allowed to acclimilate to the monitoring equipment prior to beginning the study. The clinical patients were compared to a group of 20 clinically normal, apparently resting, client owned dogs (NC). The data was also compared to published normals (NP) for energy expenditure of apparently resting dogs. Measurements were indexed to actual body weight in kilograms (BW) as well as to metabolic body size(BW0.75). Measurements of VO2 (VO2/kg and VO2/kg0.75) and VCO2 (VCO2/kg and VCO2/kg0.75) were used to calculate the RQ and the AREE. Critically ill, postperative and severely lower RQ values AREE/kg or AREE/kg0.75 (p=0.39). The PO&T dogs did exhibit significantly lower RQ values (p<0.0001) than either the (NC) or (NP) groups. Measured AREE of the PO&T dogs was significantly less than a calcualted value using the illness/injury/infection energy requirement (IER), (p<0.0001). Energy expenditure in typical trauma and postoperative patients may commonly be overstimated by the IER method. Conclusion: The AREE of critically ill, postoperative and severly trumatized dogs was not higher than healthy dogs as has been previously suggested in the literature.
Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein lipidation and control of CD1d on antigen-presenting cells

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone that loads lipids onto apolipoprotein B, also regulates CD1d presentation of glycolipid antigens in the liver and intestine. We show MTP RNA and protein in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and by immunoblotting of mouse liver mononuclear cells and mouse and human B cell lines. Functional MTP, demonstrated by specific triglyceride transfer activity, is present in both mouse splenocytes and a CD1d-positive mouse NKT hybridoma. In a novel in vitro transfer assay, purified MTP directly transfers phospholipids, but not triglycerides, to recombinant CD1d. Chemical inhibition of MTP lipid transfer does not affect major histocompatibility complex class II presentation of ovalbumin, but considerably reduces CD1d-mediated presentation of alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-galcer) and endogenous antigens in mouse splenic and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs), as well as in human APC lines and monocyte-derived DCs. Silencing MTP expression in the human monocyte line U937 affects CD1d function, as shown by diminished presentation of alpha-galcer. We propose that MTP acts upstream of the saposins and functions as an ER chaperone by loading endogenous lipids onto nascent CD1d. Furthermore, our studies suggest that a small molecule inhibitor could be used to modulate the activity of NKT cells.
Adaptive near-duplicate detection via similarity learning

In this paper, we present a novel near-duplicate document detection method that can easily be tuned for a particular domain. Our method represents each document as a real-valued sparse k-gram vector, where the weights are learned to optimize for a specified similarity function, such as the cosine similarity or the Jaccard coefficient. Near-duplicate documents can be reliably detected through this improved similarity measure. In addition, these vectors can be mapped to a small number of hash-values as document signatures through the locality sensitive hashing scheme for efficient similarity computation. We demonstrate our approach in two target domains: Web news articles and email messages. Our method is not only more accurate than the commonly used methods such as Shingles and I-Match, but also shows consistent improvement across the domains, which is a desired property lacked by existing methods.
Lens-based glaucoma surgery: Using cataract surgery to reduce intraocular pressure

Cataract surgery has been demonstrated to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in eyes with glaucoma. The evidence is strong in angle-closure patients that cataract surgery improves IOP and dramatically reduces the future risk for IOP spikes and acute attacks. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that cataract surgery may be preferable to laser iridotomy or phacotrabeculectomy. The data are so convincing that an RCT has been undertaken to assess whether clear lens extraction may be appropriate following acute attacks and in cases of uncontrolled IOP. The case favoring cataract surgery in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is more controversial. Impressive IOP reduction has been shown in OAG patients when the patients are stratified by preoperative IOP. The patients with the highest preoperative IOPs have pressure reductions up to 8.5 mm Hg. However, these findings have been criticized for methodological weaknesses. Combining cataract surgery with microinvasive glaucoma surgery in phaco-plus procedures provides further options for lens-based glaucoma surgery. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Firms' Voluntary Recognition of Stock-Based Compensation Expense

This study investigates factors associated with firms' decisions in 2002 and early 2003 to recognize stock-based compensation expense under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123. We find that the likelihood of SFAS 123 expense recognition is significantly related to the extent the firm is active in capital markets, private incentives of top management and members of the board of directors, the extent of information asymmetry, and political costs. Although recognizing firms have significantly smaller SFAS 123 expense, we find no significant incremental relation between recognition likelihood and SFAS 123 expense magnitude after controlling for other factors we expect explain the recognition decision. We also find significant positive announcement returns for earlier announcing firms, particularly those stating that increased earnings transparency motivates their decision.
Perceptions of executive pay: does pay enhance a leader's aura?

This study used policy capturing to test the ‘figurehead’ assertion that executive pay level contributes to followers' perceptions of a leader's ability. Findings indicated human capital factors including promotion history, degree earned and university prestige all furnished more explanation than pay for CEO ratings. Results challenged the underlying logic of figurehead explanations for executive compensation to the rank and file. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ether Lipid-Ester Prodrugs of Acyclic Nucleoside Phosphonates: Activity against Adenovirus Replication In Vitro

The acyclic nucleoside phosphonate cidofovir (CDV) and its closely related analogue (S)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)-adenine ([S]-HPMPA) have been reported to have activity against many adenovirus (AdV) serotypes. A new series of orally active ether lipid-ester prodrugs of CDV and of (S)-HPMPA that have slight differences in the structure of their lipid esters were evaluated, in tissue-culture cells, for activity against 5 AdV serotypes. The results indicated that, against several AdV serotypes, the most active compounds were 15-2500-fold more active than the unmodified parent compounds and should be evaluated further for their potential to treat AdV infections in humans.
The Making and Unmaking of the Haya Lived World: Consumption, Commoditization, and Everyday Practice

The Making and Unmaking of the Haya Lived World: Consumption, Commoditization, and Everyday Practice. BRAD WEISS. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1996. viii + 250 pp., maps, figures, plates, references, index.
Gating and inward rectifying properties of the MthK K+ channel with and without the gating ring.

In MthK, a Ca2+-gated K+ channel from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum, eight cytoplasmic RCK domains form an octameric gating ring that controls the intracellular gate of the ion conduction pore. The binding of Ca2+ ions to the RCK domains alters the conformation of the gating ring, thereby opening the gate. In the present study, we examined the Ca2+- and pH-regulated gating and the rectifying conduction properties of MthK at the single-channel level. The open probability (Po) of MthK exhibits a sigmoidal relationship with intracellular [Ca2+], and a Hill coefficient >1 is required to describe the dependence of Po on [Ca2+], suggesting cooperative Ca2+ activation of the channel. Additionally, intracellular Ca2+ also blocks the MthK pore in a voltage-dependent manner, rendering an apparently inwardly rectifying I-V relation. Intracellular pH has a dual effect on MthK gating. Below pH 7.5, the channel becomes insensitive to Ca2+. This occurs because the gating ring is structurally unstable at this pH and tends to disassemble (Ye, S., Y. Li, L. Chen, and Y. Jiang. 2006. Cell. 126:1161–1173). In contrast, above pH 7.5, a further increase in pH shifts the Po-[Ca2+] relation towards a lower Ca2+ concentration, augments Po at saturating [Ca2+], and activates the channel even in the absence of Ca2+. Channel activity is marked by bursts of rapid openings and closings separated by relatively longer interburst closings. The duration of interburst closing and the burst length are highly Ca2+ and pH dependent, whereas the kinetics of intraburst events is Ca2+ and pH independent. The rapid intraburst openings and closings are also observed with the isolated MthK pore lacking the attached intracellular gating ring. The fast kinetic events, independent of both Ca2+ and pH, therefore appear to be determined by processes occurring within the ion conduction pore, whereas the slow events reflect the gating process controlled by Ca2+ and pH through the gating ring.