cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The endothelin–parathyroid hormone-related protein vasoactive peptide system in human endometrium: modulation by transforming growth factor-β

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor, and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rP), a potent vasorelaxant, are present and synthesized in human endometrium. The production of these vasoactive peptides in stromal cells of the human endometrium is modulated by sex steroid hormones. In addition, neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (also called enkephalinase), which degrades ET-1, is expressed in the stromal cells of the endometrium, and the levels of this enzyme (mRNA, protein and specific activity) are increased in response to progesterone/progestin. The sex steroid hormone-mediated regulation of vasoactive peptide formation and action in the human endometrium is believed to serve a key role in modulating spiral artery tone/blood flow, and thus endometrial bleeding, whether progestin induced or naturally occurring. Moreover, the expression of ET-1, PTH-rP and enkephalinase is modulated by transforming growth factor-beta. We hypothesize that the inappropriate expression of ET-1, enkephalinase and PTH-rP in endometrial stromal cells during synthetic progestin administration may be one cause of abnormal endometrial development and erratic endometrial bleeding.
Synthesis by guinea pig megakaryocytes of platelet glycoprotein receptors for fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor.

Abstract In the preceding paper, we described two monoclonal antibodies, PG-1 and PG-2, that selectively blocked the binding of von Willebrand factor (PG-1) or of fibrinogen (PG-2) to guinea pig platelets. In this study we examine the structures and site of synthesis of these receptors. NP-40 lysates of radiolabeled guinea pig platelets were immunoprecipitated with monoclonal antibodies PG-1 or PG-2, and the precipitates analyzed by SDS-PAGE. PG-1 recognized a single polypeptide with reduced Mr of 143,000 daltons, while PG-2 precipitated two chains with reduced Mr of 121,000 and 93,000 daltons. Periodate-[ 3 h]borohydride labeling of platelets, in conjunction with two-dimensional SDS-PAGE, showed that all three of the polypeptides are glycoproteins and that the 143,000 and 121,000 dalton chains are linked by disulfide bond(s) to smaller, -25,000 dalton polypeptides. Guinea pig megakaryocytes synthesized polypeptides immunoprecipitable by PG-1 and PG-2, with molecular weights similar to polypeptides found associated with platelet membranes. These studies demonstrate that guinea pig platelets have functional receptors for fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor that are structurally homologous to human platelet glycoproteins Ib, IIb and IIIa, and that these glycoproteins are synthesized by megakaryocytes.
Knowledge Gaps among School Staff and the Role of High Quality Ecological Assessments in Schools.

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to examine the practice validity of a new ecological assessment instrument for third through fifth graders in terms of whether it provided school staff with new knowledge about students. Method: Preassessment knowledge of school staff was compared to data obtained from 21 children and their parents on 29 measures. Data were collected using the Elementary School Success Profile. School staff preassessment knowledge was compared to obtained data across seven domains of children’s lives (neighborhood, school, family, peers, parent educational involvement, well-being, and home behavior), data sources (child and parent), and grade level of students. Results: Preassessment knowledge was not highly correlated with obtained data; preassessment expectations matched obtained data only about 41% of the time, and knowledge varied by domain, source, and grade level. Conclusions: Ecological assessments can address gaps in school staff’s knowledge of targetable factors tha...
Developments in determining the anisotropy of solid-liquid interfacial free energy

Interfacial free energy and its anisotropy are key to understanding both crystal nucleation and growth behavior. New methods for accurately determining these properties have been developed in the last few years, both theoretically and experimentally. However, there are many questions to be answered: how does the interfacial free energy (and particularly the anisotropy) depend upon material (or interatomic potential)? How does it depend upon crystalline structure? The latter is important in various suggestions that the easiest phase to nucleate from the melt may not be the thermodynamically stable phase.1–5 Do these properties depend upon the structure of the liquid? Recent developments have opened the door not only to new understanding, but to broader questions than could be previously addressed.
Fibronectin and integrin alpha 5 play essential roles in the development of the cardiac neural crest

Cardiac neural crest (CNC) plays a requisite role during cardiovascular development and defects in the formation of CNC-derived structures underlie several common forms of human congenital birth defects. Migration of the CNC cells to their destinations as well as expansion and maintenance of these cells are important for the normal development of the cardiac outflow tract and aortic arch arteries; however, molecular mechanisms regulating these processes are not well-understood. Fibronectin (FN) protein is present along neural crest migration paths and neural crest cells migrate when plated on FN in vitro; therefore, we tested the role of FN during the development of the CNC in vivo. Our analysis of the fate of the neural crest shows that CNC cells reach their destinations in the branchial arches and the cardiac outflow tract in the absence of FN or its cellular receptor integrin α5β1. However, we found that FN and integrin α5 modulate CNC proliferation and survival, and are required for the presence of normal numbers of CNC cells at their destinations.
Elimination of inert gas by the lung

Abstract When an inert gas G which is not part of the inspirate is present in the mixed venous blood at a partial pressure PVG, the partial pressure of G in an alveolus, PaG, or in the blood returning from this alveolus will be governed by several factors. These are λ, the Ostwald partition coefficient for that gas, a , the ventilation of the alveolus, and , its perfusion, according to the equation Pa = rmP r mV . λ/λ + V a / Q . The clearance of such a gas, Cl, is given by ( a . )/( a + λ), indicating that when a / is much higher than λ, the clearance is dictated mainly by the ventilation, while at a / considerably lower than γ, the perfusion is the determining factor. The fractional elimination of the gas is given by Cl/, and increases with a / but decreases with an increase in λ. As a result, the lung acts as a filter, retaining selectively the gases having a high solubility. When chemical transport of O2 and CO2 is taken into account, the behavior of these gases follows the same general pattern of inert gas exchange.
Predictors of Grandparent–Grandchild Closeness: An Ecological Perspective

ABSTRACT Improved health and extended life expectancy have provided opportunities for more adult grandchildren to interact with their grandparents. Applying an ecological perspective, the current study examined demographic, personal, and environmental factors associated with close grandparent–grandchild relationships. Participants were 470 young adults aged 18–27 (M = 20.16). Adult grandchildren's perceptions of their relationships with their favorite/close grandparents were examined retrospectively in three stages (childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood). Predictors of grandparent–grandchild closeness include grandparent–grandchild contact frequency, grandparents’ education levels and general health, and personality traits. Path analysis revealed intertwined directional effects of these predictors of grandparent–grandchild closeness.
Improved design of a frequency-shifted feedback diode laser for optical pumping at high magnetic field

Abstract We broaden the linewidth of an external cavity diode laser using frequency-shifted feedback from an intracavity acousto-optic modulator. The configuration employed allows for wider tunability than has been previously reported, allowing for easy tuning to the D1 or D2 line of 85Rb and 87Rb. We demonstrate the usefulness of the laser for optical pumping of Zeeman-split lines in the kilogauss regime.
Digital microfluidic platform for 3-D tissue based high throughput screening

Pharmaceutical drug development requires exhaustive testing of potential drugs in before animal and human clinical trials. Only one in ten drugs entering clinical trials receive the final approval. Most drugs fail in later stages due to lack of efficacy or toxicity which are discovered later on, after having cleared in vitro trials [1]. This highlights the need for improved laboratory testing methods to screen out failure candidates. It should be noted that 3-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs provide a better environment to mimic physiological processes as compared to conventional 2-dimensional (2D) cell based testing systems [2]Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Hemophilus aphrophilus Endocarditis With a Probable Primary Dental Focus of Infection

A case of Hemophilus aphrophilus endocarditis in association with a prosthetic valve is reported in which the organism was isolated from dental plaque as well as blood. We emphasize the need for treating the primary source of the infection; in this case, periodontal disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of H aphrophilus endocarditis in which an oral primary focus has been demonstrated.
An n-level field theory of biological neural networks.

An n-level field theory, based on the concept of “functional interaction”, is proposed for a description of the continuous dynamics of biological neural networks. A “functional interaction” describes the action from one substructure of a network to another at several levels of organization, molecular, synaptic, and neural. Because of the continuous representation of neurons and synapses, which constitute a hierarchical system, it is shown that the property of non-locality leads to a non-local field operator in the field equations. In a hierarchical continuous system, the finite velocity of the functional interaction at the lower level implies non-locality at the higher level. Two other properties of the functional interaction are introduced in the formulation: the non-symmetry between sources and sinks, and the non-uniformity of the medium. Thus, it is shown that: (i) The coupling between topology and geometry can be introduced via two functions, the density of neurons at the neuronal level of organization, and the density-connectivity of synapses between two points of the neural space at the synaptic level of organization. With densities chosen as Dirac functions at regularly spaced points, the dynamics of a discrete network becomes a particular case of the n-level field theory. (ii) The dynamics at each of the molecular and synaptic lower level are introduced, at the next upper level, both in the source and in the non-local interaction of the field to integrate the dynamics at the neural level. (iii) New learning rules are deduced from the structure of the field equations: Hebbian rules result from strictly local activation; non-Hebbian rules result from homosynaptic activation with strict heterosynaptic effects, i.e., when an activated synaptic pathway affects the efficacy of a non-activated one; non-Hebbian rules and/or non-linearities result from the structure of the interaction operator and/or the internal biochemical kinetics.
Studies of the coronary microcirculation of the cat.

Abstract Coronary capillary red cell velocity and capillary diameter were measured in the left atrium of the intact beating cat heart by transillumination of the left atrial muscle. Capillary red cell velocity was determined from moving pictures after injection of methacholine, nitroglycerin, norepinephrine, isoproterenol and after vagal stimulation. Coronary capillary red cell velocity declined with methacholine, vagal stimulation and nitroglycerin, and increased with norepinephrine and isoproterenol. There is evidence of autoregulation in the coronary bed after administration of nitroglycerin and isoproterenol. Temporary arrest of capillary flow was observed after injection of methacholine and vagal stimulation.
Middleware support for protecting personal data from web based data services

Web based data services are very popular with the average computer user. Examples of such services include Gmail.com, Yahoo Photos, Yahoo Briefcase and Amazon S3 Service. The user outsources personal data to such services. Such services have many advantages which include: a) Mobile access: The data can be accessed from any computer connected to the internet; b) Availability: the data is available 24/7; c) Good service: Typically such services employ experts who provide a quality service. However, such a model does raise some fundamental questions concerning data privacy and security. The data is stored in plaintext at the service provider and is vulnerable to data theft from disgruntled employees and internet thieves.This paper describes our research in designing middleware architectures that secure personal data using cryptographic techniques before it is outsourced to the service provider. Care is taken such that service provider can continue to provide data services on secured data. We describe the challenges in designing and implementing such middleware architectures, a summary of our past work and the future directions that we intend to take.
Radial gas dispersion in a column packed with screen cylinders

Gaseous eddy diffusivity measurements were made by a point injection technique in a 6.5-in. column packed with open-end screen cylinders varying in size from 3/8-in. to 1 1/2-in. diameter, and made from wire cloth varying from 4 to 28 mesh/in. Oxygen was used as the tracer gas. Only packings made from 4 to 10 mesh/in. produced concentration profiles which were symmetric. The latter data show that turbulent diffusivity increases linearly with gas flow rate, but decreases with decreasing mesh opening and wire diameter. A correlation is presented for turbulent diffusivities as a function of the Reynolds number, dmuρ/m, and the ratio dw/dm. On a mesure la diffusivite ďun tourbillon gazeux au moyen ďune methode ďinjection en un point dans une colonne de 6.5 pouces, garnie de cylindres-cribles en toile metallique de 4 a 28 mailles au pouce, dont les extremites etaient ouvertes et dont le diametre variat entre 3/8 pouce et 1 1/2 pied; on a utilise ľoxygene comme gaz-indicateur. Seules les garnitures en toile metallique de 4 a 10 mailles au pouce ont produit des profils de concentration qui etaient symetriques, ce qui indique que la diffusivite du tourbillon gazeux augmente en ligne droite avec la vitesse ďecoulement du gaz, mais decroǐt avec les mailles et le diametre de la toile metallique. On presente une correlation pour les diffusivites turbulentes en fonction du nombre de Reynolds dmuρ/m, et du rapport dw/dm.
Regional residence time of sulfur dioxide over the eastern United States

Abstract Calculations of regional residence time T of sulfur dioxide in the mixing layer are based on the following assumptions: (a) Dry deposition, precipitation scavenging, and chemical transformation are the removal mechanisms of the pollutant from the atmosphere; (b) The deposition velocity is 1 cm s−1 and chemical transformation rate is 1 × 10 −6 s −1 regardless of the season and the location; (c) The ratio of concentration of the pollutant in the precipitation water to that in the air is 5 × 10 4 on a volume basis ; (d) There is no leakage of pollutant from the top of the mixing layer; and (e) Import and export fluxes due to turbulent diffusion across the boundaries are balanced. The climatological data of the mixing layer depth (Holzworth, 1972) and the hourly precipitation data (U.S. Department of Commerce, 1974) are used for the calculation of the mean regional residence time, T . T is calculated for the region of the United States east of 105°W longitude, for the cold season (November–April), and for the warm season (May–October). The results are shown as isopleths of T over the studied area.
The tempering of Fe-C lath martensite

The changes in matrix structure that occur during tempering of an Fe-0.2C martensite at 400° to 700°C have been investigated. Light and electron metallographic observations show that when tempered, the fine martensitic lath structure coarsens while retaining the elongated packet-lath morphology. The as-quenched hardness 504 Khn and total grain boundary area per unit volume 50,800 cm−1 decrease abruptly at the higher tempering temperatures and in seconds reach relatively stable values that decrease slowly with time. The decrease in low angle boundaries accounts for most of the initial grain boundary area change, while the large angle boundary component of total boundary area decreases gradually with tempering time. Recovery processes are responsible for the initial changes in matrix structure, and carbide boundary pinning suppresses recrystallization until grain growth dominates in the later stages of tempering.
The intersection of stress, drug abuse and development

Use or abuse of licit and illicit substances is often associated with environmental stress. Current clinical evidence clearly demonstrates neurobehavioral, somatic growth and developmental deficits in children born to drug-using mothers. However, the effects of environmental stress and its interaction with prenatal drug exposure on a child's development is unknown. Studies in pregnant animals under controlled conditions show drug-induced long-term alterations in brain structures and functions of the offspring. These cytoarchitecture alterations in the brain are often associated with perturbations in neurotransmitter systems that are intimately involved in the regulation of the stress responses. Similar abnormalities have been observed in the brains of animals exposed to other adverse exogenous (e.g., environmental stress) and/or endogenous (e.g., glucocorticoids) experiences during early life. The goal of this article is to: (1) provide evidence and a perspective that common neural systems are influenced during development both by perinatal drug exposure and early stress exposure; and (2) identify gaps and encourage new research examining the effects of early stress and perinatal drug exposure, in animal models, that would elucidate how stress- and drug-induced perturbations in neural systems influence later vulnerability to abused drugs in adult offspring.
Kernels of nonlinear Hamming codes

Given a binary code,C, of lengthn, thekernel of the code is defined to be the set of all vectors which leave the code invariant under translation. Throughout this paper, various properties of kernels will be considered. However, the main idea of this paper is to show the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of kernels of all possible sizes for nonlinear perfect binary codes.
Real-time monitoring of ischemic and contralateral brain pO2 during stroke by variable length multisite resonators.

Purpose Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry using variable length multi-probe implantable resonator (IR), was used to investigate the temporal changes in the ischemic and contralateral brain pO2 during stroke in rats.
Is signal transduction modulated by an interaction between heterotrimeric G-proteins and tubulin?

Although it is generally accepted that tubulin plays an important role in G-protein-mediated signal transduction in a variety of systems, the mechanism of this phenomenon is not completely understood. G-protein-tubulin interaction at the cell membrane and the cytosol, and the influence of such an interaction on cellular signaling are discussed in this review article.
HLA allotype expressivity in transplantation

In this issue of Blood , Petersdorf et al observe more adverse outcomes in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with unrelated donors when the patient's mismatched HLA-C allele has a high level of expression.[1][1] The authors imputed the expression levels of each HLA-C allele present in each of
Constraints on the Moment Tensor of the 2011 Tohoku‐Oki Earthquake from Earth’s Free Oscillations

Free oscillations of the Earth provide crucial constraints for seismic source properties of very large earthquakes, especially on the seismic moment. In this work, the scalar moment and mechanism of the 11 March 2011 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake are examined through the analysis of 15 modes. The approach utilizes receiver strips that compress mode excitation information, and are also used to set up an objective data weighting scheme. The moment tensor inversion is performed in two steps. An initial solution is obtained from a linear inversion by fitting the real and imaginary components of the receiver‐strip spectra. In order to take advantage of the difference in the robustness of the amplitude and phase spectra, the second procedure solves a nonlinear problem in an iterative approach. Because the 2011 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake is at a shallow depth, special attention is needed to treat the dip‐slip components of the moment tensor. Low‐frequency modes are practically insensitive to these components, and presents a challenge in estimating the mechanism and seismic moment based purely upon free‐oscillation data. The final result is consistent with the thrust mechanism reported elsewhere, and gives a scalar moment corresponding to M w 9.1.
Typicality in random matrix product states

Recent results suggest that the use of ensembles in statistical mechanics may not be necessary for isolated systems, since typically the states of the Hilbert space would have properties similar to those of the ensemble. Nevertheless, it is often argued that most of the states of the Hilbert space are nonphysical and not good descriptions of realistic systems. Therefore, to better understand the actual power of typicality it is important to ask if it is also a property of a set of physically relevant states. Here we address this issue, studying if and how typicality emerges in the set of matrix product states. We show analytically that typicality occurs for the expectation value of subsystems' observables when the rank of the matrix product state scales polynomially with the size of the system with a power greater than 2. We illustrate this result numerically and present some indications that typicality may appear already for a linear scaling of the rank of the matrix product state.
Tests of remote skywave measurement of ocean surface conditions

A pulse-Doppler backscatter radar operating in the HF band was used to test the feasibility to measure ocean surface motions in the North Atlantic Ocean under a variety of environmental conditions. Using the ionosphere as a part of the propagation path, data were collected at ranges from 600 to 2200 nmi. Environmental conditions included a relatively small hurricane, a large storm, and a relatively calm ocean. The Doppler data were converted to wind vectors and compared with weather data taken at the same times and places. Preliminary results indicate that there is, in general, good agreement between wind directions as determined from the radar data and this is indicated on the weather chart at all ranges and under all of the environmental conditions encountered. The agreement in wind strengths is fair to good, but at present reliability is mainly limited to the first-hop data because of multiple propagation modes. Improvements in this technique can be expected from refinement in the theoretical models of scattering, and in developing radar operation methods that minimize multipath responses.
On the Decomposition of Free Energies

the cumulant expansion of the excess free energy contains coupling terms in second and higher orders. It is shown here that this expansion can be 2 Laboratory of Chemical expressed in terms of temperature derivatives of the mean energy, Physics, National Institute of suggesting a natural decomposition of the free energy into components Diabetes and Digestive and corresponding to each term in the Hamiltonian. This result is derived in Kidney Disease, National such a way that it establishes the equivalence to a particular form of Institutes of Health, Bethesda component analysis based on TI in which all terms in the interaction MD 20892-0520, USA energy are turned on simultaneously using 1/kT as the coupling parameter.
Conversion of straw-manure mixtures to methane at mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures.

The effects of temperature (35 and 55 degrees C) and straw-manure mixtures (90, 75, 50 and 0% straw) on methane (CH/sub 4/) production were studied using laboratory-scale fermentors. Batch fermentations showed that the ultimate CH/sub 4/ yield (Bo) of straw-manure mixtures was directly proportional to the relative proportion and Bo of the individual components. Also, hammer or ball milling did not increase the Bo of straw. Kinetic analysis showed that fermentation stress occurred when the straw content of straw-manure mixtures was higher than 40% at 35 degrees C or higher than 75% at 55 degrees C. This fermentation stress was observed to occur when the free ammonia concentration was below 10 g/cu.m. (Refs. 17).
A quantitative assay for tumor antigen based on inhibition of cytotoxicity of sensitized lymphocytes

Specific inhibition of cell-mediated cytotoxicity can be used as a quantitative measure of soluble tumor antigen if highly cytolytic cells are obtained. In vitro secondary stimulation of spleen cells sensitized in vivo to the syngeneic 13762A mammary adenocarcinoma results in a lymphocyte population consistently more cytolytic than lymphocytes after primary stimulation. Maximal cytolysis requires removal of dead lymphocytes from the effector population. Soluble tumor antigen (STA) is detected only in supernatants of 13762A mammary tumor cultures grown in the presence of the proteolytic enzyme inhibitor, epsilon-amino caproic acid. Soluble MTM antigen preparations block lymphocytes immune to the mammary tumor but not lymphocytes immune to a second mammary adenocarcinoma (R3230) or to allogeneic spleen cells. Soluble antigen preparations from other tumors do not inhibit lymphocytes specifically cytolytic to the 13762A tumor. Additional evidence that the STA preparation contains tumor antigen is its ability to induce specific cytolytic lymphocytes and partial protection from challenge with live MTA tumor cells.
Experimental results on Bayesian algorithms for interpreting compliant tactile sensing data

The successful operation of a remote compliant tactile sensor requires that the shape of the surface membrane be accurately reconstructed from noisy data. To solve this problem, the reconstructed approximation to the shape of the membrane should depend smoothly on the data, but for an idealized fingertip, it is shown that it does not. Furthermore, experiments conducted on a prototype compliant fingertip show that a least-squares solution to the problem of determining the membrane shape behaves poorly in the presence of noise. A solution based on specific probabilistic assumptions is presented and the Bayes' theorem is used to compute a maximum a posteriori estimate. While application of this technique is problematic unless the conditional density function is unimodal, a novel condition that will guarantee unimodality, and hence a certain robustness, is presented. This result is applied to interpret tactile sensing data for the prototype fingertip. >
Human herpesvirus 6.

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a T-lymphotropic herpesvirus, which infects almost all children by the age of two years and persists lifelong. Two distinct variants of HHV-6, HHV-6A and HHV-6B, have been described, and the latter has been shown to be a common cause of acute febrile illnesses in young children, including exanthem subitum (roseola). HHV-6 has also been associated with a number of neurological disorders, including encephalitis and seizures, and the virus has been postulated to play a role in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome (CFIDS). This review provides a critical summary of research conducted on HHV-6.
Immunochemical characterization of a Mr 115 lens fiber cell-specific extrinsic membrane protein.

Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies have been produced against a lens fiber cell extrinsic membrane protein, with a relative molecular weight of approximately 115 kd. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) of retina, ciliary body-iris, liver, and skeletal muscle, utilizing these antibodies, suggest that the antigen is unique to the lens. Immunocytochemistry indicates that the antigen is present only in the differentiated fiber cell, and is absent from the lens epithelium. Further, immunocytochemical reactivity is predominantly associated with the fiber cell plasma membrane. However, sequential extraction of fiber cell homogenate, followed by quantitative, competitive ELISA analysis, indicates that most of the antigen is recovered in the neutral buffer extract. ELISA analysis using monoclonal antibodies indicates that an analogous antigen is present in human and rabbit lenses. On the basis of these results we characterize this antigen as a conserved extrinsic membrane protein, which is unique to the d...
HLA antigens: rabbit antisera reacting with all A series or all B series specificities

Papain-solubilized HLA antigens giving only two bands of 34 000 mol.wt. and 11 000 mol.wt. by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis and isolated from the cultured human lymphoblastoid cell line RPMI 4265, have been used to prepare antisera in rabbits. Antisera were raised against soluble products of the A (or 1 st) series of HLA, bearing the determinant HLA-A2 (A2 substance), or against a mixture of products of the B (or 2nd) series of HLA, bearing the determinants HLA-B7 and HLA-B12 (B7-12 substances). Rabbit antisera to A2 substance reacted primarily with A2 substance on Ouchterlony analysis, showing an apparent spur of cross-reactivity with B7-12 substances. Rabbit antisera to B7-12 substances reacted primarily with B7-12 substances, giving a spur of cross-reactivity with the A2 material. Neither antiserum precipitated beta-2microglobulin. Both types of sera reacted with membrane molecules of 43 000 mol.wt. and 11 000 mol.wt. by immune precipitation and gel electrophoresis in SDS of detergent-solubilized radiolabeled membranes from cultured cell lines, as predicted for sera directed towards HLA antigens. F(ab')2 fragments of the antibodies blocked the complement-mediated cytotoxicity of all HLA alloantisera tested for human peripheral blood lymphocytes. After absorption with B7-12 substances, F(ab')2 fragments of antisera to A2 substance only blocked the cytotoxicity of HLA alloantisera to A series specificities. After absorption with A2 substance, F(ab')2 fragments of rabbit antisera to B7-12 substances only blocked the cytotoxicity of HLA alloantisera to B series specificities. The results prove the existence of shared antigenic determinants between all members of the same series. These findings support the genetic evidence that A series HLA antigens are allelic products of a single locus, while B series HLA antigens are allelic products of a separate locus, by establishing some invariance of structure, presumably amino acid sequence, between members of the same series. The apparent cross-reactivity between A2 substance and B7-12 substances, and the ability of the unabsorbed F(ab')2 preparations to block the cytotoxicity of all HLA alloantisera, suggests that some determinants are common to both HLA loci. This may be considered to support the hypothesis that the two loci arose by gene duplication.
A taxonomy and design considerations for Internet accounting

Economic principles are increasingly being suggested for addressing some complex issues related to distributed resource allocation for QoS (Quality of Service) enhancement. Many proposals have been put forth, including various strategies from Pricing Theory and market-based insights for security in the Internet. A central need of these endeavors lies in the design of efficient accounting architecture for collecting, storing, processing and communicating relevant technical information to parties involved in transactions. This paper proceeds to a systematic classification of the major characteristics of accounting models with the aim of highlighting important features to optimize for building effective architectures.
Cameral Deposits in Orthoconic Nautiloids

Previous investigations of the cameral deposits of nautiloids are reviewed, with a discussion of their morphology, their distribution in shells, and growth relationships with other shell parts. Cameral deposits are developed commonly in the orders Actinoceratida, Michelinoceratida, Discosorida, and Oncoceratida. While the patterns and growth relationships of cameral and siphonal deposits are specific, and therefore of great potential taxqnomic value, the presence of such structures alone is not a valid basis for the recognition of species or genera.
MaxBin: an automated binning method to recover individual genomes from metagenomes using an expectation-maximization algorithm.

Background: Recovering individual genomes from metagenomic datasets allows access to uncultivated microbial populations that may have important roles in natural and engineered ecosystems. Understanding the roles of these uncultivated populations has broad application in ecology, evolution, biotechnology and medicine. Accurate binning of assembled metagenomic sequences is an essential step in recovering the genomes and understanding microbial functions. Results: We have developed a binning algorithm, MaxBin, which automates the binning of assembled metagenomic scaffolds using an expectation-maximization algorithm after the assembly of metagenomic sequencing reads. Binning of simulated metagenomic datasets demonstrated that MaxBin had high levels of accuracy in binning microbial genomes. MaxBin was used to recover genomes from metagenomic data obtained through the Human Microbiome Project, which demonstrated its ability to recover genomes from real metagenomic datasets with variable sequencing coverages. Application of MaxBin to metagenomes obtained from microbial consortia adapted to grow on cellulose allowed genomic analysis of new, uncultivated, cellulolytic bacterial populations, including an abundant myxobacterial population distantly related to Sorangium cellulosum that possessed a much smaller genome (5 MB versus 13 to 14 MB) but has a more extensive set of genes for biomass deconstruction. For the cellulolytic consortia, the MaxBin results were compared to binning using emergent self-organizing maps (ESOMs) and differential coverage binning, demonstrating that it performed comparably to these methods but had distinct advantages in automation, resolution of related genomes and sensitivity. Conclusions: The automatic binning software that we developed successfully classifies assembled sequences in metagenomic datasets into recovered individual genomes. The isolation of dozens of species in cellulolytic microbial consortia, including a novel species of myxobacteria that has the smallest genome among all sequenced aerobic myxobacteria, was easily achieved using the binning software. This work demonstrates that the processes required for recovering genomes from assembled metagenomic datasets can be readily automated, an important advance in understanding the metabolic potential of microbes in natural environments. MaxBin is available at https://sourceforge. net/projects/maxbin/.
Motesanib inhibits Kit mutations associated with gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Activating mutations in Kit receptor tyrosine kinase or the related platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) play an important role in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). This study investigated the activity of motesanib, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) 1, 2, and 3; PDGFR; and Kit, against primary activating Kit mutants and mutants associated with secondary resistance to imatinib. Single- and double-mutant isoforms of Kit were evaluated for their sensitivity to motesanib or imatinib in autophosphorylation assays and in Ba/F3 cell proliferation assays. Motesanib inhibited Kit autophosphorylation in CHO cell lines expressing primary activating mutations in exon 9 (AYins503-504, IC50 = 18 nM) and exon 11 (V560 D, IC50 = 5 nM; Δ552-559, IC50 = 1 nM). Motesanib also demonstrated activity against kinase domain mutations conferring imatinib resistance (V560D/V654A, IC50 = 77 nM; V560D/T670I, IC50 = 277 nM; Y823 D, IC50 = 64 nM) but failed to inhibit the imatinib-resistant D816V mutant (IC50 > 3000 nM). Motesanib suppressed the proliferation of Ba/F3 cells expressing Kit mutants with IC50 values in good agreement with those observed in the autophosphorylation assays. In conclusion, our data suggest that motesanib possesses inhibitory activity against primary Kit mutations and some imatinib-resistant secondary mutations.
Propofol-induced apoptosis of neurones and oligodendrocytes in fetal and neonatal rhesus macaque brain

Background Exposure of the fetal or neonatal non-human primate (NHP) brain to isoflurane or ketamine for 5 h causes widespread apoptotic degeneration of neurones, and exposure to isoflurane also causes apoptotic degeneration of oligodendrocytes (OLs). The present study explored the apoptogenic potential of propofol in the fetal and neonatal NHP brain. Method Fetal rhesus macaques at gestational age 120 days were exposed in utero, or postnatal day 6 rhesus neonates were exposed directly for 5 h to propofol anaesthesia (n=4 fetuses; and n=4 neonates) or to no anaesthesia (n=4 fetuses; n=5 neonates), and the brains were systematically evaluated 3 h later for evidence of apoptotic degeneration of neurones or glia. Results Exposure of fetal or neonatal NHP brain to propofol caused a significant increase in apoptosis of neurones, and of OLs at a stage when OLs were just beginning to myelinate axons. Apoptotic degeneration affected similar brain regions but to a lesser extent than we previously described after isoflurane. The number of OLs affected by propofol was approximately equal to the number of neurones affected at both developmental ages. In the fetus, neuroapoptosis affected particularly subcortical and caudal regions, while in the neonate injury involved neocortical regions in a distinct laminar pattern and caudal brain regions were less affected. Conclusions Propofol anaesthesia for 5 h caused death of neurones and OLs in both the fetal and neonatal NHP brain. OLs become vulnerable to the apoptogenic action of propofol when they are beginning to achieve myelination competence.
Voltage-gated K+ channels sensitive to stromatoxin-1 regulate myogenic and neurogenic contractions of rat urinary bladder smooth muscle

Members of the voltage-gated K+ (KV) channel family are suggested to control the resting membrane potential and the repolarization phase of the action potential in urinary bladder smooth muscle (UBSM). Recent studies report that stromatoxin-1, a peptide isolated from tarantulas, selectively inhibits KV2.1, KV2.2, KV4.2, and KV2.1/9.3 channels. The objective of this study was to investigate whether KV channels sensitive to stromatoxin-1 participate in the regulation of rat UBSM contractility and to identify their molecular fingerprints. Stromatoxin-1 (100 nM) increased the spontaneous phasic contraction amplitude, muscle force, and tone in isolated UBSM strips. However, stromatoxin-1 (100 nM) had no effect on the UBSM contractions induced by depolarizing agents such as KCl (20 mM) or carbachol (1 μM). This indicates that, under conditions of sustained membrane depolarization, the KV channels sensitive to stromatoxin-1 have no further contribution to the membrane excitability and contractility. Stromatoxin-1 (100 nM) increased the amplitude of the electrical field stimulation-induced contractions, suggesting also a role for these channels in neurogenic contractions. RT-PCR experiments on freshly isolated UBSM cells showed mRNA expression of KV2.1, KV2.2, and KV9.3, but not KV4.2 channel subunits. Protein expression of KV2.1 and KV2.2 channels was detected using Western blot and was further confirmed by immunocytochemical detection in freshly isolated UBSM cells. These novel findings indicate that KV2.1 and KV2.2, but not KV4.2, channel subunits are expressed in rat UBSM and play a key role in opposing both myogenic and neurogenic UBSM contractions.
The Unusual Temporal and Spatial Slip History of the Wassuk Range Normal Fault, Western Nevada (USA): Implications for Seismic Hazard and Walker Lane Deformation

We document temporal and spatial variations in vertical displacement rate across 6 temporal orders of magnitude to better understand how the 100-km-long, east-dipping Wassuk Range normal fault system has accommodated strain in the context of the Walker Lane, a tectonically active, NNW-trending zone of dextral and extensional deformation that affects significant portions of western Nevada and eastern California. We combine 10 Be and 26 Al cosmonuclide exposure ages with shallow seismic and gravity data from the buried hanging wall of the Wassuk fault to derive a post–113 ka (10 5 yr time scale) vertical displacement rate of 0.82 ± 0.16 mm/yr. We also perform large-scale fault scarp analysis to constrain the long-term (>1 Ma; 10 6 yr time scale) displacement rate. Our fault-scarp analysis results imply similar vertical displacement rates, with higher long-term vertical displacement rates along the southern fault (∼1.1 mm/yr) relative to the northern fault ( Vertical displacement rate data at the 10 6 , 10 5 , 10 3 , and 10 1 yr time scales (this study and others) support a constant vertical displacement rate between 0.75 and 1.0 mm/yr for the Wassuk Range fault since ca. 4 Ma. An anomalously high vertical displacement rate at the 10 4 yr time scale is best explained by an earthquake cluster between ca. 15.5 ka and ca. 10.5 ka, potentially linked to rapid filling of the Walker Lake basin immediately prior to the ca. 13 ka Sehoo highstand of ancestral Lake Lahontan. We hypothesize that this flood event induced seismicity by placing an additional load on the hanging wall of the Wassuk Range fault and by increasing the pore-fluid pressure within and adjacent to the fault. Although an earthquake cluster like this is consistent with Wallace-type fault behavior, we suggest that a nontectonic stressor induced the cluster, resulting in the apparent discrepancy in vertical displacement rate at the 10 4 yr time scale. Thus, we posit that the long-term slip along Wassuk fault is better explained by slip-predictable Reid-type behavior, which deviates from the behavior of other well-documented fault systems. Based on these results, we suggest that similar, unrecognized nontectonic stressors may influence rates of strain release along other major fault systems worldwide. Finally, we present a revised model of central Walker Lane kinematics, based on data from this and other recent studies.
A probable case of hypoparathyroidism in a cat

Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism was suspected in a young female cat. The relevant historical and clinical findings were: anorexia, intermittent muscle tremors, hindlimb ataxia, behavioural changes and cataracts. Salient laboratory findings were: hypocalcaemia, hyperphosphataemia and normal renal function (normal serum urea and creatinine concentrations with hypersthenuria). No evidence of intestinal malabsorption, pancreatitis or nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism was found. Treatment with oral synthetic vitamin D (1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol) and intravenous and oral calcium supplements was successful in correcting the hypocalcaemia and abolishing the clinical signs.
The Intersection of Knowledge Transfer and Health Literacy in Reducing Readmission Rates for Heart Failure

Introduction: Cardiac glycosides are the only available oral agents which have positive inotropic effects and do not increase myocardial oxygen consumption. We conducted a single center study of acute intravenous digoxin loading in patients with low output decompensated heart failure (HF) with hemodynamic monitoring. Hypothesis: Digoxin loading is safe and effective in improving cardiac index (CI) and decreasing the need for IV inotropic support in low output decompensated HF. Methods: A total of 10 patients with low output HF monitored with a Swan Ganz catheter were loaded with 1 mg of Digoxin over a 24 hour period. Loading dose was given intravenously as 0.5 mg followed by 0.25 mg in six hours and then 0.25 mg six hours later. Hemodynamic variables were obtained before and after digoxin loading. Safety end points included atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and digoxin level at 72 hours after loading. Results: Baseline echocardiographic and hemodynamic variables were consistent with advanced HF, with a mean LVEF of 15 +/5 %, a baseline mean CI of 1.67 L/min/m2 and a mean PCWP of 27.4 mm Hg. After Digoxin loading, CI improved by a mean of 60.1 % (0% to 135.7%) and PCWP decreased by 38.2% (11% to 50%). Mean arterial pressure remained stable along with mean heart rate change of -2.1 % (-20. 6 % to +11.4%). Four patients who were IV inotrope dependent were successfully transitioned off IV inotropes to oral agents. None of the patients had any significant atrial or ventricular arrhythmias during the ICU stay. Digoxin levels were consistently below 2 ng/ml at 72 hours post digoxin loading. Conclusions: We demonstrated the efficacy and safety of IV digoxin loading in acutely improving cardiac index and facilitating weaning off IV inotropes in the setting of low output decompensated HF.
First-principles prediction of phase-segregating alloy phase diagrams and a rapid design estimate of their transition temperatures

We calculate the transition temperature versus concentration (${T}_{c}$ vs $c$) phase diagrams of several phase-segregating alloys [fcc Ca-Sr, Au-Pt, and Rh-(Pd,Cu,Ag,Au)] using a multiscale method combining first-principles calculations and Monte Carlo via the cluster expansion (CE). We study Pd-Rh, with its well-known high-$T$ miscibility gap, to verify the method's reliability. We predict that Ca-Sr segregates at low temperatures. We then show that a rapid estimate of ${T}_{c}$ is obtained from enthalpies analytically derived from a CE, and, using thermodynamic integration, we determine under what circumstances this mean-field estimate is accurate compared to Monte Carlo results. Also, we discuss how an electronegativity difference of the alloying elements quickly assess when vibrational entropy effects should be included in the estimate of ${T}_{c}$.
Hillslope evolution by nonlinear creep and landsliding: An experimental study

Landscape evolution models are widely used to explore links between tectonics, climate, and hillslope morphology, yet mecha- nisms of hillslope erosion remain poorly understood. Here we use a laboratory hillslope of granular material to experimentally test how creep and landsliding contribute to hillslope erosion. In our experimental hillslope, disturbance-driven sediment transport rates increase nonlinearly with slope due to dilation-driven gran- ular creep, and become increasingly episodic at steep slope angles as creep gives way to periodic landsliding. We use spectral analysis to quantify the variability of sediment flux and estimate the slope- dependent transition from creep to landsliding. The power spec- trum of sediment flux steepens with hillslope gradient, exhibiting fractal 1/f scaling just below the creep-landsliding transition. By evolving the experimental hillslope under fixed base-level boundary conditions, we demonstrate how disturbance-driven transport gen- erates hillslope convexity. The transient evolution is consistent with numerical predictions derived from a recently proposed nonlinear transport model, as initially steep hillslopes are lowered rapidly by landsliding before slopes decay slowly by creep-dominated transport.