cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An improved method for separation of neutrophils from human blood using methylcellulose

Since the early report by Boyum (1) a one step centrifugal technique using Sodium /metrizoate and Ficoll gradient is widely used for the separation of neutrophils from human blood. Weening et al (2) combined this procedure with lysis of erythrocytes with hypotonic ammonium chloride. Eggleton et al. (3) suggested to eliminate density gradient polymers that may affect neutrophils adversely ; these authors proposed to combine cell lysis with differential centrifugation. Here we report that addition of 0.2% methylcellulose to solutions used for neutrophil preparations improves stability of the isolated cells and increases their sensitivity to agonists and to compounds affecting signal transduction.
Women's out-of-pocket expenditures and dispensing patterns for oral contraceptive pills between 1996 and 2006.

Abstract Background Little is known about the out-of-pocket expenditures and dispensing patterns for oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), factors associated with these outcomes and whether they change over time. Study Design Observational cohort using 1996–2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys. Results Women spent $16 out-of-pocket per pack, on average (median=$10.41). Of the OCP users, 38% paid $15 or more per pack and 44% obtained one pack per purchase. Over time, fewer women paid $15 or more (52% in 1996–1998 vs. 34% in 1999–2006, p Conclusion Women paid a substantial amount out-of-pocket for OCPs and dispensing limits remained, although these improved over time. Better insurance coverage of contraception and policies targeting younger women and the uninsured in particular would help overcome barriers to OCP access.
Influenza vaccination in children with neurologic or neurodevelopmental disorders

Background Children with neurologic or neurodevelopmental disorders (NNDDs) are at increased risk of complications from influenza. Although the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recognized NNDDs as high-risk conditions for influenza complications since 2005, little is known about influenza vaccination practices in this population.
Hormone Effects on Specific and Global Brain Functions

The first demonstration of how biochemical changes in neurons in specific parts of the brain direct a complete mammalian behavior derived from the effects of estrogens in hypothalamic neurons that facilitate lordosis behavior, the primary reproductive behavior of female quadrupeds (Pfaff. Estrogens and Brain Function. 1980; Pfaff. Drive: Neurobiological and Molecular Mechanisms of Sexual Motivation. 1999). Sex behaviors depend on sexual arousal that in turn depends on a primitive function: generalized CNS arousal (Pfaff. Brain Arousal and Information Theory. 2006). Here we summarize one of the ways in which a generalized arousal transmitter, norepinephrine, can influence the electrical excitability of ventromedial hypothalamic cells in a way that will foster female sex behavior.
The BAG-family proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract The co-chaperone Bcl-2 associated gene product (BAG) proteins modulate Hsp70's activity in animals. There are six BAG genes in human that encode nine isoforms with different subcellular locations. Analysis of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome revealed eight genes encoding proteins with a conserved BAG domain. The BAG-like protein family in A. thaliana can be grouped into three classes based on the presence of other conserved domains. Class I consists of AtBAG-1, AtBAG-2, AtBAG-3, and AtBAG-4, each containing an additional ubiquitin-like domain. These four proteins are structurally similar to the human BAG-1 proteins and might be BAG-1 orthologs in plants. Class II consists of only one protein AtBAG-5 that has no other conserved motifs. Class III includes AtBAG-6, AtBAG-7, and AtBAG-8, which may be regulated by Ca2+ because of the presence of a calmodulin-binding domain. “Digital Northern” analysis on transcripts indicates that AtBAG genes fall into three groups based on the significance test: the first group, AtBAG-2, AtBAG-5, AtBAG-6, and AtBAG-8, has less than five expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for each gene; the second group, AtBAG-1, AtBAG-4, and AtBAG-7, has six to seven ESTs; the third group, AtBAG-3, has 17 ESTs. BAG-like genes are also found in other plant species including commercially important crops such as rice, cotton, potato, tomato, and soybean. Other animal Hsp70 co-chaperones such as CHIP (carboxyl terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein) and HOP (Hsp70/Hsp90 organizing protein) are also identified in A. thaliana, indicating that many of their functions are likely conserved in plants as well. A thorough understanding of how co-chaperones function at the molecular level would provide an insight into the mechanisms of Hsp70's regulation by these proteins.
An Absolute Method for Measuring The Velocity of Fluids

Trains of sound waves of a definite frequency, emitted by sound sources which are separated by a known distance, are sent up and down a pipe in which flows a stream of fluid whose velocity is required. Anti-nodes formed in the region between the sound sources undergo a shift the magnitude of which depends upon the velocity of the fluid. By using interrupted wave trains the effects of reflections at the ends of the pipe are eliminated. The meaning of the velocity measured by this method is considered when the flow of the fluid is turbulent. Experiments on air flow show that the antinodes are sharply defined, stationary with time, and occur on planes normal to the axis of the pipe. It is concluded that the average velocity as calculated from the sound shift method differs by a negligibly small amount from the average velocity obtained by dividing the total flow per second past a section, by the area of the section. A smoke cloud introduced into the air stream and timed over a known distance yields results which are compared with those obtained from the sound shift method.
Marxism, Ideology, Power and Scientific and Technical Writing:

This article claims that the primary determinant of how texts are structured and produced in scientific and technical communication is the ideology of the ruling force. Scholars concerned with ideology in scientific and technical communication have treated ideology as a competing approach to writing not as the determinant of writing. Thus, they have not been able to suggest how texts are structured and produced. Scientific and technical writing actually belongs to a tradition in which science and scientific activities have always been used to create and transmit the ideology of the ruling force. An examination of several cases of scientific and technical communication suggests that ideology of the ruling force indeed determines how a text is structured and produced. The immediate implication is that we should perhaps avoid resistant pedagogy and try what I call the “revelation pedagogy,” which is aimed at dialogue rather than resistance.
Flexural and shear strengths of ZrO2 and a high-noble alloy bonded to their corresponding porcelains.

Statement of problem Flexural and shear strength between ZrO 2 cores and veneering porcelains require investigation to facilitate clinical use. Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the strength of ZrO 2 and a high-noble alloy with corresponding porcelains. Material and methods Forty rectanglar (12 × 10 × 3 mm) and 20 cylindrical (5 × 5 mm) specimens of ZrO 2 (Lava) and high-noble alloy (Olympia) were fabricated for 4-point flexural testing and shear testing. IPS d.SIGN veneering porcelain for high-noble alloy and Lava Ceram, 2 mm thick, were fired, joining the 2 corresponding rectangles of high-noble alloy and ZrO 2 to create flexural test specimens. The same types of veneering porcelains, 3 mm in thickness, were fired on 1 side of the corresponding high-noble alloy and ZrO 2 cylinders to produce shear specimens. The flexural and shear specimens were divided into 4 groups (n=10); metal ceramic and ZrO 2 with and without thermal cycling. Thermal cycling was performed at 5°C and 55°C for 5000 cycles with a 20-second dwell time. Flexural and shear tests were performed using a universal testing machine. Fractures were characterized using a stereomicroscope and SEM. Data were analyzed with a 1-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD post hoc test (α=.05). Results The ANOVA revealed a significant difference among flexural groups ( P =.008) and among shear groups ( P P =.005) between metal ceramic thermal cycled and ZrO 2 thermal cycled groups, with a higher value of 91.01 (22.33) MPa for the metal ceramic group. In shear, the Tukey HSD post hoc test revealed a significant difference between metal ceramic and ZrO 2 groups, with a higher value of 82.00 (22.49) MPa for the metal ceramic group. Thermal cycling did not have a significant effect on flexure or shear strength. ZrO 2 specimens failed cohesively within the veneering porcelain. Conclusions There were no significant differences among the groups in flexure, except between thermal cycled metal ceramic and ZrO 2 groups. There was a significant difference between the metal ceramic and ZrO 2 groups in shear. Thermal cycling did not have a clear effect among different groups in both tests. (J Prosthet Dent 2008;100:274-284)
Effects of particulate matter on rates of membrane uptake of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons

Investigations of the mechanism of particle‐enhanced uptake of benzo{a]pyrene into model membranes and microsomes have been extended by studying the effects of particulates on the rates of uptake of four additional polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) into model membranes. Adsorption of dibenzo[a.h]anthracene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, and 3‐methylcholanthrene to the surface of particles resulted in enhanced rates of membrane uptake of these PAH. Adsorption to the fibrous asbestos minerals (chrysotile and anthophyllite) produced the greatest enhancement in membrane uptake rates compared to uptake from microcrystalline dispersions of the PAH. Adsorption of these PAH to nonfibrous minerals resulted in uptake rates intermediate between those of the asbestos‐adsorbed and microcrystalline states. In contrast, adsorption of dibenzo‐[c,g]carbazole to particles did not result in enhanced uptake. In this case, the rates of uptake in the absence and presence of particles were all extremely high, presumably as a resu...
Plasmonic Internal Photoemission for Accurate Device In Situ Measurement of Metal‐Organic Semiconductor Injection Barriers

Current injection in organic semiconductors remains difficult to predict due in large part to the challenge of characterizing the contact energy barrier and interface density of states directly in organic electronic devices. Here, resonant coupling to surface plasmon polariton modes of a metal contact is demonstrated as a means to carry out internal photoemission (IPE) accurately in disordered organic semiconductor devices and enable direct measurement of the contact injection barrier by isolating true IPE from spurious sub-gap organic photoconductivity. The substantial increase in sensitivity afforded by resonant coupling enables measurement in the low-field injection regime where deviation from the standard Fowler prediction is explained quantitatively by the existence of a broad distribution of interface states. This technique is broadly applicable to metals and surface treatments commonly used in organic light emitting diodes, thin film transistors, and photovoltaics, and should therefore provide a quantitative basis to understand and model current injection in these devices over their entire operational lifetime.
Characterization of the switching properties of a singlemode polymer optical fiber

We report on the all-optical switching characteristics of a single-mode polymer optical fiber with a squaraine dye-doped poly(methyl)methacrylate core using a Sagnac interferometer.
Heterogeneous effect of an Emergency Department Expert Charting System

Abstract Study objective: We compare results from different modules (occupational exposure to blood and body fluids, low back pain, and fever in children) of the Emergency Department Expert Charting System. Each module of this electronic medical record provides real-time advice based on clinical guidelines embedded in the software. Methods: We used a staggered off-on-off interrupted time-series design with an intent-to-treat analysis to implement the Emergency Department Expert Charting System in a university hospital emergency department for the treatment of fever in children, low back pain, and occupational exposure to blood and body fluids. We measured the quality of documentation as the percentage of essential items contained in the medical record and discharge instructions, the percentage of appropriate testing and treatment decisions, median charges per patient visit, physician satisfaction by pre-experiment and postexperiment questionnaires, and patient satisfaction by telephone questionnaire. Results: The Emergency Department Expert Charting System improved documentation rates for all modules. The Emergency Department Expert Charting System consistently improved the appropriateness of diagnostic testing and treatment decisions for patients with occupational exposure to blood and body fluids while decreasing median charges. For the low back pain and fever in children modules, improvements in appropriateness of testing and treatment were less consistent and did not result in a decrease in charges. Although physicians were generally supportive of the intervention, the physicians' use of the Emergency Department Expert Charting System and satisfaction with the modules were greatest with occupational exposure to blood and body fluids and least with fever in children. For each presenting complaint, mean patient satisfaction was highest during the Emergency Department Expert Charting System phase. Conclusion: The delivery of guidelines through an electronic medical record with background decision support improved documentation, patient care, and patient satisfaction, although effects were heterogeneous across presenting complaints. The optimal guideline implementation strategy likely varies with the nature of the clinical problem and the type of health care delivery setting. For selected problems, delivering guidelines in this format through the Internet holds great promise for modifying physician behavior and improving care (see www.needlestick.mednet.ucla.edu ). [ Ann Emerg Med. 2003;41:644-652.]
THE INFLUENCE OF THE THYROID ON CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM

1. The thyroid exerts a retarding action on the carbohydrate destroying mechanism of the body. 2. This retarding action is not changed when the gland is boiled, showing that it is not a ferment action. 3. Iodothyrin, the active principle of the gland, exerts this retarding influence more markedly even than the whole thyroid. 4. This antagonism between the thyroid and the carbohydrate destroying mechanism is a direct one, as other ductless glands and the nervous system are eliminated from the experiments. 5. These results confirm those of Falta along similar lines.
Large-Angle Electron Pair Production from Hydrogen

Positrons of 70-Mev energy produced in a liguid hydrogen tnrget are detected at 90 d to a 137-Mev peak energy bremsstrahlung beam made by passing an electron beam through a tantulum radiator. The positrons are momentum analyzed by a double-focusing magnetic spectrometer and detected by two plexiglas Cherenkov counters in coincidence. (W.D.M.)
Functional criteria for mandibular implant placement post resection and reconstruction for cancer.

Abstract Statement of problem. Osseointegrated implants used in the mandible post resection and reconstruction for cancer represents a treatment option with the potential for functional improvement and enhanced quality of life. Unfortunately, protocols for their use in this patient population have been empirical and technique-driven with the assumption that they will overcome most, if not all, functional deficits encountered. Purpose. The article reviews the salient oral physiologic factors for this group of patients and presents a rational approach and functional criteria for patient selection and implant placement. Other considerations discussed include: timing of implant placement, irradiated and compromised tissues, patient motivation, and tumor prognosis. Conclusion. These principles, if followed, may enhance realistic functional outcomes for this patient population. (J Prosthet Dent 1999;82:107-13.)
Optically active BINOL core-based phenyleneethynylene dendrimers for the enantioselective fluorescent recognition of amino alcohols.

A dramatic enhancement in fluorescence intensity from 1,1‘-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) to dendritic phenyleneethynylenes containing the BINOL core was observed. The strong fluorescence of the dendrimers allows a very small amount of the chiral materials to be used for sensing. The light harvesting antennas of the dendrimer funnel energy to the center BINOL unit, whose hydroxyl groups upon interaction with a quencher molecule lead to fluorescence quenching. This mechanism makes the dendrimers have much more sensitive fluorescence responses than corresponding small molecule sensors. The fluorescence of these dendrimers can be enantioselectively quenched by chiral amino alcohols. It is observed that the fluorescence lifetime of the generation two dendrimer does not change in the presence of various concentrations of 2-amino-3-phenyl-1-propanol. This demonstrates that the fluorescence quenching is entirely due to static quenching. Thus, formation of nonfluorescent ground-state hydrogen-bond complexes between the de...
Iron oxide nanoparticles induce Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth, induce biofilm formation, and inhibit antimicrobial peptide function

Given the increased use of iron-containing nanoparticles in a number of applications, it is important to understand any effects that iron-containing nanoparticles can have on the environment and human health. Since iron concentrations are extremely low in body fluids, there is potential that iron-containing nanoparticles may influence the ability of bacteria to scavenge iron for growth, affect virulence and inhibit antimicrobial peptide (AMP) function. In this study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA01) and AMPs were exposed to iron oxide nanoparticles, hematite (α-Fe2O3), of different sizes ranging from 2 to 540 nm (2 ± 1, 43 ± 6, 85 ± 25 and 540 ± 90 nm) in diameter. Here we show that the greatest effect on bacterial growth, biofilm formation, and AMP function impairment is found when exposed to the smallest particles. These results are attributed in large part to enhanced dissolution observed for the smallest particles and an increase in the amount of bioavailable iron. Furthermore, AMP function can be additionally impaired by adsorption onto nanoparticle surfaces. In particular, lysozyme readily adsorbs onto the nanoparticle surface which can lead to loss of peptide activity. Thus, this current study shows that co-exposure of nanoparticles and known pathogens can impact host innate immunity. Therefore, it is important that future studies be designed to further understand these types of impacts.
Human renal homotransplantation in the presence of blood group incompatibilities.

Although red cell antigens are not thought to contribute to the homograft rejection process. there has been general insistence that human renal homografting should be restrieted to those cases in which the major blood groups are identical in the donor and recipient patients(1–3). Inasmuch as the red cell antigens are widely distributed in human tissues, including the kidney(4)- it has been feared that the mismatched graft would lead to either immediate or delayed red cell agglutination. Recently, we have performed 3 renal transplants in the presence of donor-recipient major blood group incompatibilities. No undesirable sequelae were observed.
Distribution of Sub and Super Harmonic Solution of Mathieu Equation Within Stable Zones

The third stable region of the Mathieu stability chart, surrounded by one π-transition and one 2π-transition curve is investigated. It is known that the solution of Mathieu equation is either periodic or quasi-periodic when its parameters are within stable regions. Periodic responses occur when they are on a “splitting curve”. Splitting curves are within stable regions and are corresponding to coexisting of periodic curves where an instability tongue closes. Distributions of sub and super-harmonics, as well as quasi-periodic solutions are analyzed using power spectral density method.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Auditory systems of Heteromyidae: postnatal development of the ear of Dipodomys merriami.

Serial histological sections of kangaroo rats of postnatal ages 0-, 3-, 7-, 10-, and 14-days were prepared and studied. At birth the middle ear is mostly filled with mesenchyme and small in size, having only a small hypotympanum and a very small epitympanic recess. During the first postnatal two weeks, much of the hypertrophy found in the adult middle ear develops. Because an entotympanic element is never formed, the previously called entotympanic chamber is here renamed the hypotympanum. The epitympanic recess greatly expands to form what has been called the dorsal (or anterior) mastoid sinus. Since this chamber has no relation to the mastoid, it is here renamed the epitympanum. Posteriorly, the previously called posterior mastoid sinus develops from the growth of the hypotympanum into and beyond the region of the posterior and horizontal semicircular canals. In development and adult position it is comparable to the primate antrum and so is here renamed the antrum. At birth the organ of Corti is very immature but its major cell types can be identified. During the first two weeks of development the following events occur: (1) the vas spirale disappears, (2) the inner spiral sulcus cells atrophy, (3) the hair cells and supporting cells mature, (4) the cells of Hensen differentiate with their apical processes elevating the reticular lamina, (5) the innermost cell of Claudius migrates under and supports the Hensen's cells, and (6) the hyaline mass of the zona pectinata of the basilar membrane loses its connective tissue cells and expands in size. The developmental events support the previous description and identification of Hensen's and Claudius' cells.
Polydopamine-enabled surface functionalization of gold nanorods for cancer cell-targeted imaging and photothermal therapy.

Aim: A novel biomimetic strategy was employed for presenting antibodies on gold nanorods (NRs) to target growth factor receptors on cancer cells for use in photothermal therapy. Materials & methods: Polydopamine (PD) was polymerized onto gold NRs, and EGF receptor antibodies (anti-EGFR) were immobilized onto the layer. Cell-binding affinity and light-activated cell death of cancer cells incubated with anti-EGFR-PD-NRs were quantified by optical imaging. Results: PD was deposited onto gold NRs, and antibodies were bound to PD-coated NRs. Anti-EGFR-PD-NRs were stable in media, and were specifically bound to EGFR-overexpressing cells. Illumination of cells targeted with anti-EGFR-PD-NRs enhanced cell death compared with nonirradiated controls and cells treated with antibody-free NRs. Conclusion: PD facilitates the surface functionalization of gold NRs with biomolecules, allowing cell targeting and photothermal killing of cancer cells. PD can potentially coat a large variety of nanoparticles with targeting li...
Glucose and C-peptide changes in the perionset period of type 1 diabetes in the Diabetes Prevention Trial-Type 1.

OBJECTIVE —We examined metabolic changes in the period immediately after the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and in the period leading up to its diagnosis in Diabetes Prevention Trial–Type 1 (DPT-1) participants. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —The study included oral insulin trial participants and parenteral insulin trial control subjects ( n = 63) in whom diabetes was diagnosed by a 2-h diabetic oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) that was confirmed by another diabetic OGTT within 3 months. Differences in glucose and C-peptide levels between the OGTTs were assessed. RESULTS —Glucose levels increased at 90 ( P = 0.006) and 120 min ( P P P = 0.052). Among those same individuals the median change in peak C-peptide levels from the last normal OGTT to the confirmatory OGTT (interval 7.5 ± 1.3 months) was −23.8% ( P −1 · month −1 ( P = 0.468, n = 36) from ∼12 to 6 months before diagnosis, −0.10 ng · ml −1 · month −1 ( P = 0.059, n = 55) from 6 months before diagnosis to diagnosis, and −0.43 ng · ml −1 · month −1 ( P = 0.002, n = 63) from the initial diabetic OGTT to the confirmatory diabetic OGTT. CONCLUSIONS —It seems that postchallenge C-peptide levels begin to decrease appreciably in the 6 months before diagnosis and decrease even more rapidly within 3 months after diagnosis.
Late-Season Patrolling Behavior and Flash Patterns of Female Photuris lucicrescens Barber (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Abstract Female fireflies in the genus Photuris are predatory on males of other firefly genera and are known to lure unsuspecting prey by mimicking female flash patterns. From 2004–2012, late-season (2 July–10 August) female Photuris lucicrescens were captured while emitting variable atypical signals on the wing and flying in loose associations in non-breeding habitat in Delaware and Pennsylvania. These observations corroborate those recognized by Herbert S. Barber in his description of the species over sixty years ago. I report these atypical flash patterns (single and multiple weak and bright flashes) and hypothesize that late-season P. lucicrescens might be patrolling non-breeding habitat in an effort to locate sedentary females who would respond to their variable male-like flash patterns. This hypothesis differs from traditional “femmes fatales” firefly models in that late-season female P. lucicrescens appear to be mimicking signaling males, rather than sedentary females, to locate prey.
Analysis of Double-Negative (DNG) Bandwidths for Metamaterials Composed of Three-Dimensional Periodic Arrays of Two Different Magnetodielectric Spheres Arbitrarily Arranged on a Simple Tetragonal Lattice

Based on the theory describing traveling waves on three-dimensional (3-D) periodic arrays of two sets of magnetodielectric spheres arbitrarily arranged on a simple tetragonal lattice, dispersion diagrams of seven different arrangements of the spheres are analyzed for three combinations of sphere types: I) dielectric spheres with equal permittivity but different radius; II) dielectric spheres with equal radius but different permittivity; and III) one set of spheres is purely dielectric while the other set is magnetic. Results show that the maximum bandwidths of the DNG region provided by different spheres arrangements for spheres combinations I-III are, respectively, 0.21%, 0.069%, and 7.403%. Compared to results reported in previous literature, analysis of these possible arrangements of the spheres shows similar narrow double-negative (DNG) bandwidths for spheres combinations I and II, and wider DNG bandwidths for spheres combination III. Although purely dielectric materials with relative permittivity much greater than one are readily available, the usefulness of purely dielectric DNG metamaterials still depends on whether the narrow bandwidths achievable are acceptable for the particular applications. Since purely magnetic materials with relative permeability much greater than one above 1 GHz are not currently available, the practicality of fabricating DNG metamaterials using arrays with spheres combination III is questionable for radio frequency (RF) applications, at least at present, despite the fact that this combination yields much wider DNG bandwidths than those of spheres combinations I and II.
A micromachine high frequency ultrasound scanner using photolithographic fabrication

In this paper we describe two new types of transducer assemblies fabricated from polyimide films with photolithography that use a polyimide micromachined (MEMS) actuator to mechanically scan an ultrasound beam. Forward viewing transducers pivoted on cantilever hinges and side scanning transducers tilted on torsion hinges were fabricated on polyimide substrates with tables 1.125 mm and 2.25 mm wide. PZT transducers fabricated on these tables operating at 20 MHz and 30 MHz yielded insertion losses of 20-26 dB and fractional bandwidths of 34-49%. The transducer assemblies driven by MEMS actuators produced sector scans of 45-60/spl deg/ in air at resonant frequencies of 32 to 90 Hz and sector scans in fluid of 6-8/spl deg/. Real time images of wire phantoms were obtained using a single channel imaging system based on a personal computer platform with LabVIEW software.
The coordination of intelligent robots: a case study

A case study of modeling the coordination level of an intelligent robotic system by the coordination theory of intelligent machines is presented. The coordination structure designed for the coordination level of the system consists of a dispatcher, a vision coordinator, a sensor coordinator, a path planning coordinator, an arm coordinator, and a gripper coordinator. Petri net transducers for the dispatcher and the coordinators are described. The coordination structure is constructed by integrating the dispatcher and coordinators through the specification of their connection and cooperation procedures. Task simulation based on the coordination structure is conducted with various task plans for the system to investigate and evaluate the coordination processing in the system during task execution. >
Cutting Edge: Limiting Amounts of IL-7 Do Not Control Contraction of CD4+ T Cell Responses

During the acute T cell response most effector T cells die while some survive and become memory T cells. Selective expression of CD127 (IL-7Rα) on effector T cells has been proposed to engender their survival into the memory pool. We assessed the role of IL-7 in effector T cell survival using MHC class II tetramers to track a CD4+ T cell response following infection with a recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV-2W1S). Exogenous IL-7 prevented the contraction of the 2W1S-specific CD4+ T cell response after rVV-2W1S infection. IL-7 increased proliferation of, and Bcl-2 expression within, 2W1S-specific T cells; the latter was required for IL-7-driven prevention of contraction. Conversely, in vivo neutralization of IL-7 or Bcl-2 did not exacerbate the contraction of 2W1S-specific CD4+ T cells. These data suggest that IL-7 administration may enhance the survival of effector T cells but that IL-7 is not the limiting factor during normal contraction of the response.
Instability of higher harmonic electrostatic ion cyclotron waves in a negative ion plasma

We present a kinetic theory analysis of the electrostatic ion cyclotron (EIC) instability in a plasma containing positive ions, electrons, and negative ions that are much more massive than the positive ions. Conditions are investigated for exciting the fundamental and the higher harmonic EIC waves associated with each ion species. We find that as the concentration of heavy negative ions increases, the wave frequencies increase, the unstable spectrum in general shifts to longer perpendicular wavelengths, and the growth of higher harmonic EIC waves tends to increase within certain parameter ranges. Applications to possible laboratory plasmas are discussed.
Prelude to Victory: the Battle for Convoy HX 231, 4–7 April 1943

This article describes and analyses a critical convoy battle at the darkest period of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Customizing event ordering middleware for component-based systems

The stringent performance requirements of distributed realtime embedded systems often require highly optimized implementations of middleware services. Performing such optimizations manually can be tedious and error-prone. This paper proposes a model-driven approach to generate customized implementations of event ordering services in the context of component based systems. Our approach is accompanied by a number of tools to automate the customization. Given an application App, an event ordering service Order and a middleware platform P, we provide tools to analyze high-level specifications of App to extract information relevant to event ordering and to use the extracted application information to obtain a customized service, Order(App), with respect to the application usage.
Substrate Inhibition of D-Amino Acid Transaminase and Protection by Salts and by Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide: Isolation and Initial Characterization of a Pyridoxo Intermediate Related to Inactivation †

D-Amino acid transaminase, a pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) enzyme, is inactivated by its natural substrate, D-alanine, concomitant with its alpha-decarboxylation [Martinez del Pozo, A., Yoshimura, T., Bhatia, M. B., Futaki, S., Manning, J. M., Ringe, D., and Soda, K. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 6018-6023; Bhatia, M. B., Martinez del Pozo, A., Ringe, D., Yoshimura, T., Soda, K., and Manning, J. M. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 17687-17694]. beta-Decarboxylation of d-aspartate to d-alanine leads also to this inactivation [Jones, W. M., van Ophem, P. W., Pospischil, M. A., Ringe, D., Petsko, G., Soda, K., and Manning, J. M. (1996) Protein Sci. 5, 2545-2551]. Using a high-performance liquid chromatography-based method for the determination of pyridoxo cofactors, we detected a new intermediate closely related to the inactivation by d-alanine; its formation occurred at the same rate as the inactivation and upon reactivation it reverted to PLP. Conditions were found under which it was characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectral analysis and mass spectroscopy; it is a pyridoxamine phosphate-like compound with a C2 fragment derived from the substrate attached to the C'-4 of the pyridinium ring and it has a molecular mass of 306 consistent with this structure. In the presence of d-serine, slow accumulation of a quinonoid intermediate is also related to inactivation. The inactivation can be prevented by salts, which possibly stabilize the protonated aldimine coenzyme complex. The reduced cofactor, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, prevents D-aspartate-induced inactivation. Both of these events also are related to formation of the novel intermediate.
Citizen science reveals widespread negative effects of roads on amphibian distributions

Landscape structure is important for shaping the abundance and distribution of amphibians, but prior studies of landscape effects have been species or ecosystem-specific. Using a large-scale, citizen sci- ence-generated database, we examined the effects of habitat composition, road disturbance, and habitat split (i.e. the isolation of wetland from forest by intervening land use) on the distribution and richness of frogs and toads in the eastern and central United States. Undergraduates from nine biology and environ- mental science courses collated occupancy data and characterized landscape structure at 1617 sampling locations from the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program. Our analysis revealed that anuran species richness and individual species distributions were consistently constrained by both road density and traffic volume. In contrast, developed land around wetlands had small, or even positive effects on anuran species richness and distributions after controlling for road effects. Effects of upland habitat com- position varied among species, and habitat split had only weak effects on species richness or individual species distributions. Mechanisms underlying road effects on amphibians involve direct mortality, behav- ioral barriers to movement, and reduction in the quality of roadside habitats. Our results suggest that the negative effects of roads on amphibians occur across broad geographic regions, affecting even common species, and they underscore the importance of developing effective strategies to mitigate the impacts of roads on amphibian populations.
Appearance of Photochemical Activity in Isolated Chloroplasts from Far-red-illuminated Leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris

Chloroplast development was followed in intact bean leaves illuminated with far-red light by extracting chloroplasts at various times to assay photosynthetic activities. Photochemical activity was detected in isolated chloroplasts prior to the times which were previously re ported for intact leaf discs. Cyclic phosphorylation was observed in isolated chloroplasts after 8 h of far-red illumination while non-cyclic electron transport and phosphorylation were measurable after 12 and 16 h of illumination respectively. The P/2e ratios were less than 0-5 after 24 h of far-red exposure but approached a value of 1 -0 by 60 h of illumination. Ammonium chloride (10~3 M) had little effect on electron transport in isolated chloroplasts until after 24 h of far-red illumination. Chlorophyll a accumulated slowly from the onset of far-red illumina tion while chlorophyll b was not detected until after 48 h of far-red exposure. Leaf fresh weight increased four-fold over the 60 h illumination period. Electron microscopy of isolated chloroplasts from far-red-illuminated leaves indicated the presence of unfused primary thylakoids by 12 h of exposure and prolamellar bodies through out the entire 60 h illumination period. Grana were not observed in isolated chloroplasts nor were they induced by a 2 min exposure of the chloroplasts to 172 000 lx of white light. O2 evolution in leaf discs of far-red-illuminated plants was measurable after 16 h of illumina tion, attained a maximum value by 36 h of far-red exposure, and then declined. Net CO2 fixation was observed in leaf discs after 8 h of far-red illumination and the rates remained con
RCS computation over a frequency band using the characteristic basis and model order reduction method

In many practical applications, it is desirable to analyze the radar scattering from an object over a wide frequency band. Earlier attempts to achieving a fast frequency sweep involved the computation of higher order moments of the MoM matrix, which requires considerable fill time for each frequency point when the number of unknowns is large. In this paper, we present an approach for constructing a set of universal basis functions that can be used over the entire frequency band of interest. The use of this universal basis set obviates the need to factorize the block sub-matrices at each frequency, and results in considerable time saving. The numerical accuracy and the computational advantage of the proposed technique are illustrated by studying the problem of plane wave scattering from a PEC plate over a wide frequency band.
Clinical features of carcinoid syndrome and the use of somatostatin analogue in its management.

A review is given on the clinical features of carcinoid syndrome including symtomatology, diagnostics, biochemistry and treatment. We have reviewed the literature on current therapy of carcinoid patients with special emphasis on the use of the somatostatin analogue SMS 20-1995. In addition, we present data on the effects of SMS 201-995 on indices of a clinical, biochemical and tumor growth. Diarrhea is abolished or significantly reduced in 75% of patients, flushing improves in 100%, wheezing in 100% with a decrease in airways resistance, and in one patient myopathy has improved. Blood serotonin is notoriously resistant to intervention and urinary 5-HIAA will decrease in 75% of causes but subsequently rebounds in 38%. Tumors, in general, continue to grow, but this may be slowed or in rare cases tumor growth is arrested. In individual instances the tumor may even infarct, leading to spontaneous cure. Tumors secreting PP, ACTH and calcitonin may be particularly resistant to treatment, whereas VIP secreting tumors appear to be sensitive.
Proteomics Modifies Our Understanding of Cell Cycle Complexity

Walther Flemming and his contemporaries first described the process of mitotic cell division on the basis of microscopic observations over a century ago. In the ensuing 100-plus years, the disciplines of cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology have provided a detailed, yet incomplete, molecular view of the mechanics and regulation of eukaryotic cell division and its relationship to diseases such as cancer. Now, genomic and proteomic technologies offer new and powerful tools to enhance our understanding of this amazingly intricate and fundamental life process. Proteomic studies shed new light on cell division through the large-scale mapping of cell cycle-dependent protein modifications. These studies alter our perception of the complexity of the cell cycle and will serve as a framework for future research efforts to completely characterize the molecular mechanisms of its regulation.
Developing IMS–IMS–MS for rapid characterization of abundant proteins in human plasma

A drift tube mass spectrometer that utilizes back-to-back ion mobility regions separated by a collisional activation zone and new autosampling [R.T. Kurulugama, S.J. Valentine, R.A. Sowell, D.E. Clemmer, Development of a high-throughput IMS–IMS–MS approach for analyzing mixtures of biomolecules, J. Proteomics 71 (3) (2008) 318–331] and data acquisition techniques [S. Trimpin, D.E. Clemmer, Ion mobility spectrometry/mass spectrometry snapshots for assessing the molecular compositions of complex polymeric systems, Anal. Chem. 80 (23) (2008) 9073–9083; C. Becker, K.N. Qian, D.H. Russell, Molecular weight distributions of asphaltenes and deasphaltened oils studied by laser desorption ionization and ion mobility mass spectrometry, Anal. Chem. 80 (22) (2008) 8592–8597; S.I. Merenbloom, S.L. Koeniger, B.C. Bohrer, S.J. Valentine, D.E. Clemmer, Improving the efficiency of IMS–IMS by a combing technique, Anal. Chem. 80 (6) (2008) 1918–1927; M.E. Belov, B.H. Clowers, D.C. Prior, W.F. Danielson III, A.V. Liyu, B.O. Petritis, R.D. Smith, Dynamically multiplexed ion mobility time-of-flight mass spectrometry, Anal. Chem. 80 (15) (2008) 5873–5883] is used to analyze tryptic peptides from proteins obtained from 70 individual human plasma samples. The combination of methods allows ions to be efficiently separated in an initial drift region (based on differences in mobilities that arise from initial conformations), activated (in order to alter conformations), and then separated again in a second drift region, prior to detection in a mass spectrometer. The two-dimensional ion mobility separation makes it possible to create a large analytical peak capacity for the complex mixture. Additionally, the mobility distributions of the ions in different states (precursor and post-activation) provide a signature that is valuable in verifying that the same ions are being examined across the distribution of individuals. Finally, because this characterization is carried out in the gas phase it is possible to obtain information in a high-throughput fashion. Here, we develop and assess an analysis that requires ∼4 min per sample. While this prototype approach is at a very early stage several thousand peaks can be resolved and detected for each sample. From a comparison of 15 plasma samples analyzed with IMS–IMS–MS and LC–MS/MS techniques we find that an average of 262 ± 54 (1� ) unique peptides assigned in the latter analyses are also observed in the former. On average, these assigned peptides represent 63 ± 9 proteins. The utility of the approach as a means of characterizing physiologies in a state-to-state fashion is discussed.
Decoupling of unpolluted temperate forests from rock nutrient sources revealed by natural 87Sr/86Sr and 84Sr tracer addition

An experimental tracer addition of 84Sr to an unpolluted temperate forest site in southern Chile, as well as the natural variation of 87Sr/86Sr within plants and soils, indicates that mechanisms in shallow soil organic horizons are of key importance for retaining and recycling atmospheric cation inputs at scales of decades or less. The dominant tree species Nothofagus nitida feeds nearly exclusively (>90%) on cations of atmospheric origin, despite strong variations in tree size and location in the forest landscape. Our results illustrate that (i) unpolluted temperate forests can become nutritionally decoupled from deeper weathering processes, virtually functioning as atmospherically fed ecosystems, and (ii) base cation turnover times are considerably more rapid than previously recognized in the plant available pool of soil. These results challenge the prevalent paradigm that plants largely feed on rock-derived cations and have important implications for understanding sensitivity of forests to air pollution.
Energy-Efficient Reprogramming of a Swarm of Mobile Sensors

Existing code update protocols for reprogramming nodes in a sensor network are either unsuitable or inefficient when used in a mobile environment. The prohibitive factor of uncertainty about a node's location due to their continuous movement coupled with the obvious constraint of a node's limited resources, pose daunting challenges to the design of an effective code dissemination protocol for mobile sensor networks. In this paper, we propose ReMo, an energy-efficient, multihop reprogramming protocol for mobile sensor networks. Without making any assumptions on the location of nodes, ReMo uses the LQI and RSSI measurements of received packets to estimate link qualities and relative distances with neighbors in order to select the best node for code exchange. The protocol is based on a probabilistic broadcast paradigm with the mobile nodes smoothly modifying their advertisement transmission rates based on the dynamic changes in network density, thereby saving valuable energy. Contrary to previous protocols, ReMo downloads pages regardless of their order, thus, exploiting the mobility of the nodes and facilitating a fast transfer of the code. Our simulation results show significant improvement in reprogramming time and number of message transmissions over other existing protocols under different settings of network mobility. Our implementation results of ReMo on a testbed of SunSPOTs also showcase its better performance than existing reprogramming protocols in terms of transfer time and number of message transmissions.
Synthesis and Characterization of 2‐Pyridylsulfur Pentafluorides

Current approaches to prepare SF5-substituted heterocycles during the synthesis of targeted heterocyclic compounds require the use of SF5-functionalized aryl or alkyne reagents or SF5Cl as a source of the SF5 functional group. Herein we report that excess oxidative fluorination of 2,2′-dipyridyl disulfide with a KF/Cl2/MeCN system leads to the formation of thirteen new 2-pyridylsulfur chlorotetrafluorides (2-SF4Cl-pyridines). These molecules are found to undergo further chlorine–fluorine exchange reactions by treatment with silver(I) fluoride enabling ready access to a series of ten new substituted 2-pyridylsulfur pentafluorides (2-SF5-pyridines). This is the first preparatively simple and readily scalable example of the transformation of an existing heterocyclic sulfur functionality to prepare SF5-substituted heterocycles.