cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calmodulin binding to M‐type K+ channels assayed by TIRF/FRET in living cells

Calmodulin (CaM) binds to KCNQ2–4 channels within their carboxy termini, where it regulates channel function. The existing data have not resolved the Ca2+ dependence of the interaction between the channels and CaM. We performed glutathione S-transferase (GST)-pull-down assays between purified KCNQ2–4 carboxy termini and CaM proteins to determine the Ca2+ dependence of the interaction in vitro. The assays showed substantial Ca2+ dependence of the interaction of the channels with wild-type (WT) CaM, but not with dominant-negative (DN) CaM. To demonstrate CaM–channel interactions in individual living cells, we performed fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between ECFP-tagged KCNQ2–4 channels and EYFP-tagged CaM expressed in CHO cells, performed under total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, in which excitation light only penetrates several hundred nanometres into the cell, thus isolating membrane events. FRET was assayed between the channels and either WT or DN CaM, performed under conditions of normal [Ca2+]i, low [Ca2+]i or high [Ca2+]i induced by empirically optimized bathing solutions. The FRET data suggest a strong Ca2+ dependence for the interaction between WT CaM and KCNQ2, but less so for KCNQ3 and KCNQ4. FRET between all KCNQ2–4 channels and DN CaM was robust, and not significantly Ca2+ dependent. These data show interactions between CaM and KCNQ channels in living cells, and suggest that the interactions between KCNQ2–4 channels and CaM are likely to have Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent components.
Acute blood loss during burn and soft tissue excisions: An observational study of blood product resuscitation practices and focused review.

Background Many military and civilian centers have shifted to a damage-control resuscitation approach, focused on providing oxygen-carrying capacity while simultaneously mitigating coagulopathy with a balanced ratio of platelets and plasma to red blood cells. It is unclear to what degree this strategy is used during burn or soft tissue excision. Here, we characterized blood product transfusion during burn and soft tissue surgery and reviewed the published literature regarding intraoperative coagulation changes. We hypothesized that blood product resuscitation during burn and soft tissue excision is not hemostatic and would be insufficient to address hemorrhage-induced coagulopathy. Methods Consented adult patients were enrolled into an institutional review board-approved prospective observational study. Number, component type, volume, and age of the blood products transfused were recorded during burn excision/grafting or soft tissue debridement. Component bags (packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate) were collected, and the remaining sample was harvested from the bag and tubing. Aliquots of 1/1,000th the original volume of each blood product were obtained and combined, producing an amalgam sample containing the same ratio of product transfused. Platelet count, rotational thromboelastometry, and impedance aggregometry were measured. Significance was set at p Results Amalgamated transfusate samples produced abnormally weak clots (p ≤ 0.001) particularly if they did not contain platelets. Clot strength (48.8 [2.6] mm; reference range, 49-71 mm) for platelet-containing amalgams was below the lower limit of the reference range despite platelet-red blood cell ratios greater than 1:1. Platelet aggregation was abnormally low; transfused platelets were functionally inferior to native platelets. Conclusion Our study and focused review demonstrate that further work is needed to fully understand the needs of patients undergoing tissue excision. The three studies reviewed and the results of our observational work suggest that coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia may contribute to intraoperative hemorrhage. Blood product resuscitation during burn and soft tissue excision is not hemostatic. Level of evidence Epidemiologic study, level V.
What the face communicates: clearing the conceptual ground

Facial displays such as smiles and angry expressions appear to promote and maintain cooperation, raising the possibility that they evolved in part for signaling functions. Research programs designed to test signaling functions for these facial displays (or any others) should be organized in light of two interlocking conceptual tasks. The first task is to consider whether the display is a genuine signal, or whether it might instead be a cue or a coercive display. The second task — assuming that the display really is a signal — is to consider the evolutionary route by which the signaling system has maintained its reliability over deep time. We conclude by encouraging researchers to consider the degree of mismatch between the experimental environment and the environments in which facial displays putatively evolved to operate as signals when designing experiments to test hypotheses regarding their signaling functions — particularly in cooperative contexts.
Stable lines of transgenic zebrafish exhibit reproducible patterns of transgene expression

To study the frequency of germ-line transformation and to examine the reproducibility of tissue-specific transgene expression, we produced several lines of transgenic zebrafish expressing a recombinant chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. Supercoiled plasmids containing both Rous sarcoma virus and SV-40 promoter sequences upstream of the CAT coding region were injected into zebrafish embryos prior to first cleavage. CAT activity could be detected in batches of injected embryos as early as 8 h and up to at least 12 days post-fertilization. Approximately 18% of injected fish raised to maturity exhibited CAT activity in their fins, and approximately 5% of injected fish became stable germ-line transformants. Breeding studies indicated that although transgenic founder fish were frequently germ-line mosaics, transgenic individuals of subsequent generations were fully hemizygous for the transgene marker. The transgenes present in the F1 progeny of four independent lines were relatively well expressed in fin and skin, while lower levels of expression were observed in heart, gill and muscle. Little or no CAT expression was observed in the brain, liver and gonad. A monoclonal antibody directed against the CAT gene product consistently revealed variegated patterns of CAT expression in ectodermally derived fin epidermal cells in three of these lines. These results show that it is possible to efficiently produce stable germ-line transformants of the zebrafish and to observe reproducible tissue-specific patterns of transgene expression in this organism. Possible mechanisms for the variegated expression observed within tissues are also considered.
Cognition and Learning

This chapter traces ideas about cognition and learning from the ancient Greeks to modern times. Its treatment is divided into three sections. The first section, The Philosophical Period, describes the epistemological approach to cognition, in which theories about mental activity were framed with an eye toward the search for justifiable knowledge. The impact of the Scientific Revolution is emphasized. It created a new concept of mind—the Way of Ideas—that ultimately pushed thinkers away from philosophical concerns to psychological ones. The second section, The Early Scientific Period, begins with the founding psychology of consciousness and moves through the behaviorist movement of c. 1920–1950, in which under the impact of evolutionary theory the topic of learning—adaptive behavior change—took precedence over the topic of cognition. The third section, The Modern Scientific Period, examines contemporary cognitive science, the fruit of seeing the mind as like a computer program. The three founding concepts of this new approach to cognition and learning, feedback, information, and computationalism are described, and the two chief architectures of cognition, the symbol system hypothesis and the connectionist, or subsymbolic hypothesis are compared and contrasted. Keywords: behaviorism; cognition; cognitivism; empiricism; idealism; learning; realism
Cell interactions required for transdetermination in the imaginal leg disc of Drosophila melanogaster

Male foreleg imaginal discs from late third instar larvae were cut along radii as designated on a clockface, and the sectors were tested separately for their ability to transdetermine to wing and to regenerate leg structures. The frequency of transdetermination depended strongly on the position of the cuts: discs cut into 12-6 and 6–12 fragments or into 12-9 and 9–12 fragments gave wing frequently, derived from the 6–12 and 9–12 fragments, respectively; whereas discs cut into 6–11 and 11-6 fragments transdetermined rarely. Regeneration showed a different pattern, with the 6–12, 9–12 and 6–11 fragments regenerating frequently. Thus, the 6–11 fragments regenerated but did not transdetermine, indicating the separability of these two phenomena. The 12-6 and 11-6 fragments could be induced to transdetermine more frequently by implanting each in combination with a 6–11 piece. These results suggest that disc cells must interact with other cells not normally their neighbors in order to transdetermine, and that the transdetermining cells may be located in the upper central region of the disc.
Spaces and Times of Occupation

The following essay introduces the special issue of Transforming Anthropology entitled “Spaces and Times of Occupation.” It does so by placing the various interventions into a direct conversation with some of the dynamics of struggle that emerged in the course of the evolution of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Association between patient beliefs and medication adherence following hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome.

Background Patient adherence to medications is crucial for reducing risks following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We assessed the degree to which medication beliefs were associated with patient adherence to β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), and lipid-lowering medications (LL) 3 months following ACS hospitalization. Methods We enrolled eligible ACS patients from 41 hospitals to participate in a telephone survey. The Beliefs in Medication Questionnaire-Specific was administered to assess perceived necessity for and concerns about heart medications. Three cohorts were identified for analysis: β-blockers, ACEI/ARBs, and LL. Patients discharged on or starting the medication class after discharge were included in the cohort. The primary outcome was self-reported nonadherence to the medication class 3 months following hospitalization. Factors associated with nonadherence to each medication class were determined using logistic regression analysis. Results Overall, 973 patients were surveyed. Of these, 882 were in the β-blocker cohort, 702 in the ACEI/ARB cohort, and 873 in the LL cohort. Nonadherence rates at 3 months were 23%, 26%, and 23%, respectively. In adjusted analyses, greater perceived necessity for heart medications was significantly associated with lower likelihood of nonadherence in all cohorts (β-blocker: odds ratio 0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.98; ACEI/ARB: OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.98; LL: OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92-1.00). A greater perceived concern was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of nonadherence in all cohorts (β-blocker: OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04-1.13; ACEI/ARB: OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.11; LL: OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.05-1.14). Conclusions Patients' perceived necessity for and concerns about heart medication were independently associated with adherence to 3 medication classes. Assessment of patient beliefs may be useful in clinical practice to identify those at greatest risk for nonadherence and to stimulate development of individualized interventions to change beliefs and improve adherence.
Case hardening of sandstone

The case-hardened crust developed on the Aztec Sandstone in the Valley of Fire, Nevada, has been characterized by a variety of techniques, including electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. The case-hardened crust consists mainly of host rock, with a fine-grained cement and wind-deposited kaolinite. The cement is usually calcite, but in some cases the hydrated calcium borate, colemanite, was found to be the case-hardening cement.
The all-inside meniscus repair

Abstract The arthroscopic "all-inside" meniscus suturing technique offers the arthroscopist a way of placing vertically oriented sutures through peripheral posterior horn tears located posterocentral without the risks of nerve, vessel, or posterior capsular entrapment inherent in both the "outside-in" and the "inside-out" arthroscopic methods. This technique introduces new instrumentation that allows the surgeon to both place sutures and tie suture knots intraarticularly under arthroscopic control.
Development and Applications of Position-Sensitive Solid-State Gamma Ray Detectors

The development of high-resolution position-sensitive, solid-state detectors will enable gamma ray detectors with improved sensitivity and imaging capabilities. The gamma ray astrophysics group at NRL has been developing germanium strip detectors for several years. We have shown that three-dimensional locations for gamma ray interactions can be determined with sub-millimeter accuracy, and have also demonstrated imaging capability within a single germanium strip detector. We have also initiated work on thick, silicon strip detectors. This was based on the fact that three sequential interactions can enable the energy and direction cone of the incident gamma ray to be determined, even without total energy deposition of the incident gamma ray. We are also working on low-power ASICs that are required to handle the large number of channels associated with arrays of strip detectors. Progress on this work will be presented, along with applications to high-energy astrophysics, medical imaging, nuclear physics, detection of fissile materials, and monitoring of environmental radioactivity.
Intensity of Raman scattering from molecules adsorbed on a metallic grating

A simple phenomenological model is presented for the calculation of intensity of Stokes scattered light due to vibrations of molecules adsorbed on a metallic grating or a rough metal surface. The surface roughness is assumed to be represented by a superposition of sinusoidal gratings of different periodicities, with each amplitude small compared to the wavelength of the incident light. Enhancements of the surface-plasmon field and the resulting induced surface charge density arising from resonant excitation of transverse surface plasmons are calculated explicitly. In our model, the net enhancement of the Raman cross section is shown to arise from two different types of contribution. The first contribution represents the usual mechanism involving the modulation of the molecular polarizability $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ in the presence of the enhanced electromagnetic field at the molecular site, with the possibility of an additional enhancement due to the conversion of the near-zone Stokes field into the scattered radiation field by the metal surface. The second contribution comes from the modulation of the surface polarizability $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ arising from the finite spatial extent of the induced surface charge density at the surface. For vibrations of molecular monolayers perpendicular to the surface, it is shown that the additional polarizability contribution can become larger than the first contribution if the barrier potential for the conduction electron tunneling to the molecular site is less than about 1 eV.
A QM/MM Approach to Interpreting 67Zn Solid-State NMR Data in Zinc Proteins

We present here a 67Zn solid-state NMR investigation of Zn2+ substituted rubredoxin. The sample has been prepared as both a dry powder and a frozen solution to determine the effects of static disorder on the NMR line shape. Low-temperature experiments have been performed at multiple fields to determine the relative contributions to the NMR line shape from the electric field gradient and the anisotropic shielding tensors. Finally we present the theoretical interpretation of the experimental results utilizing a combined quantum mechanical molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach. Theory predicts a sizable contribution from anisotropic shielding as compared with previously examined model systems. This is in good agreement with the experimental data.
Pneumocephalus: Case Illustrations and Review

Background Pneumocephalus is commonly encountered after neurosurgical procedures but can also be caused by craniofacial trauma and tumors of the skull base and rarely, can occur spontaneously. Contributing factors for the development of pneumocephalus include head position, duration of surgery, nitrous oxide (N2O) anesthesia, hydrocephalus, intraoperative osmotherapy, hyperventilation, spinal anesthesia, barotauma, continuous CSF drainage via lumbar drain, epidural anesthesia, infections, and neoplasms. Clinical presentation includes headaches, nausea and vomiting, seizures, dizziness, and depressed neurological status. In this article, we review the incidence, mechanisms, precipitating factors, diagnosis, and management of pneumocephalus. Search of Medline, databases, and manual review of article bibliographies. Considering four case illustrations that typify pneumocephalus in clinical practice, we discuss the common etiologies, and confirm the diagnosis with neuroimaging and management strategies. Avoidance of contributing factors, high index of suspicion, and confirmation with neuroimaging are important in attenuating mortality and morbidity. A significant amount of pneumocephalus can simulate a space-occupying lesion. Supplemental oxygen increases the rate of absorption of pneumocephalus.
Evidence of metastable hcp phase grains in as-deposited nanocrystalline nickel films

Precession microscopy is applied to determine the morphology of pulsed laser deposited and unannealed Ni films. The nanostructure of these films, nominally 50 nm in thickness, is heterogeneous and comprised predominantly of face-centered cubic (fcc)-Ni phase with regions of 〈1 0 1〉fcc, 〈1 1 2〉fcc and 〈0 0 1〉fcc fiber texture. Metastable hexagonal close-packed (hcp)-Ni phase grains approximately 8.5 nm in size are also present, and there is compelling evidence that local texture of the predominant fcc-Ni phase facilitates the formation and resulting texture of the metastable counterpart.
Measurement of helium isotopes in soil gas as an indicator of tritium groundwater contamination.

The focus of this study was to define the shape and extent of tritium groundwater contamination emanating from a legacy burial ground and to identify vadose zone sources of tritium using helium isotopes ( 3 He and 4 He) in soil gas. Helium isotopes were measured in soil-gas samples collected from 70 sampling points around the perimeter and downgradient of a burial ground that contains buried radioactive solid waste. The soil-gas samples were analyzed for helium isotopes using rare gas mass spectrometry. 3 He/ 4 He ratios, reported as normalized to the air ratio (R A ), were used to locate the tritium groundwater plume emanating from the burial ground. The 3 He (excess) suggested that the general location of the tritium source is within the burial ground. This study clearly demonstrated the efficacy of the 3 He method for application to similar sites elsewhere within the DOE weapons complex.
Bar Codes for Libraries

The evolution of bar code standards is briefly discussed. The two standards most frequently adopted by libraries, Code‐A‐Bar and CODE 39, are described in detail. The format of the codes, as used in many library applications, is illustrated. Definitions of terminology employed in the article are appended.
A variational inequality approach for marketable pollution permits

In this paper, we present a variational inequality framework for the modeling, qualitative analysis, and computation of equilibria in markets in pollution permits. The models developed herein allow for different modes of competitive behavior, including oligopolistic behavior, while taking into account the cost of polluting plus the prices of the licenses to pollute at different receptor points. The models deal explicitly with spatial differentiation and also ensure that the imposed environmental quality standards are met through the initial allocation of licenses. An algorithm is proposed, along with convergence results, to compute the profit-maximized quantities of the firms' products and quantities of emissions, as well as the equilibrium allocation of licenses and their prices. Numerical examples are included to illustrate the approach. This is the first time that this methodology is utilized in environmental economics.
Superantigen-induced cytokine release from whole-blood cell culture as a functional measure of drug efficacy after oral dosing in nonhuman primates

Abstract Evaluation of drug efficacy for human diseases is routinely performed in animal models for efficiency and in accordance with FDA regulations. Rhesus macaques have been used as models for various lethal diseases and correlates of immunity, as nonhuman primates (NHP) closely resemble humans. We examined the ex vivo cytokine response of superantigen-stimulated whole-blood cells as a first step to therapeutic efficacy testing for bacterial superantigen-induced shock in NHP after oral dosing of pentoxifylline. Doses of 120 mg/kg of pentoxifylline effectively attenuated staphylococcal enterotoxin B-induced tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), gamma interferon (IFNγ) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) in ex vivo culture of NHP whole-blood cells by 88%, 81%, and 76%, respectively, whereas lower doses of 48 or 72 mg/kg had no inhibitory effect. Thus cytokine release of stimulated peripheral blood cells provides a convenient biological measurement of the anti-inflammatory potency of pentoxifylline and has the advantage of assessing functional responses to a specific biotoxin of interest.
HREM of Defects in GaAs/Ga 1-x In x As Strained Layer Superlatuices

GaAs/Ga l-x In x As strained layer superlattices with well-widths of 7nm, barrier widths of 14nm and periods of 10 to 30 have been examined by HREM both in plan view and cross section. Strain release occurs mostly by dislocation generation but twins are also observed, especially at the substrate interface. High resolution images of dislocations, twins and interfaces are analyzed to elucidate mechanisms of strain release.
Experimental study on the mechanical behavior of carbon/epoxy composites with a carbon nanofiber-modified matrix

Material property characterization tests were performed on satin weave carbon/epoxy composites, where the epoxy resin was modified with 2 wt% carbon nanofibers prior to infusion into a continuous carbon fiber preform. Uniaxial tension tests, tension-tension fatigue tests, and fracture tests were initially performed on 0–3 wt% carbon nanofibers-reinforced epoxy specimens in order to determine the carbon nanofiber weight fraction leading to the optimal mechanical properties of the modified epoxy matrix. In general, the elastic modulus of the modified epoxy increased with increasing carbon nanofibers weight fraction. The ultimate tensile strength, fatigue life, and fracture toughness also increased significantly with increasing amounts of carbon nanofibers and reached maximal values at a carbon nanofiber weight fraction of 2 wt%. The improvement in tensile properties of carbon nanofiber–modified epoxy became more pronounced for specimens loaded at higher strain rates. Further increases in nanofiber content, ...
The X-15 airplane - Lessons learned

The X-15 rocket research airplane flew to an altitude of 354,000 ft and reached Mach 6.70. In almost 200 flights, this airplane was used to gather aerodynamic-heating, structural loads, stability and control, and atmospheric-reentry data. This paper describes the origins, design, and operation of the X-15 airplane. In addition, lessons learned from the X-15 airplane that are applicable to designing and testing the National Aero-Space Plane are discussed.
Magnetoresistance measurements of graphene at the charge neutrality point.

We report on transport measurements of the insulating state that forms at the charge neutrality point of graphene in a magnetic field. Using both conventional two-terminal measurements, sensitive to bulk and edge conductance, and Corbino measurements, sensitive only to the bulk conductance, we observed a vanishing conductance with increasing magnetic fields. By examining the resistance changes of this insulating state with varying perpendicular and in-plane fields, we probe the spin-active components of the excitations in total fields of up to 45 T. Our results indicate that the $\ensuremath{\nu}=0$ quantum Hall state in single layer graphene is not spin-polarized.
Splitting the normal brain with reaction time

Two simple choice-reaction-time experiments were performed using tachistoscopic flashes containing a dot to the right or left of fixation or a blank field as stimuli. One experiment required a verbal response and the other a manual response to the presence or absence of a dot. Median verbal reaction times to a right dot averaged 386 msec, while those to a left dot or to a blank field averaged 419 and 420 msec, respectively. Median manual reaction times to a blank field averaged 382 msec, while those to a right or to a left dot averaged 336 and 341 msec. respectively. The 30–40 msec differences are taken to be a reflection of callosal transmission time, that is, the delay required for the information received in one hemisphere to be acted upon by the other hemisphere.
A note on automated detection of mobility of skeletal structures

Abstract A geometry-based rigorous approach to the detection of global and internal mobility of skeletal structures (trusses and frames) is presented. The method is useful for automated design of skeletal structures at the conceptual stage where the overall topology of the structure is known, but no exact detail on geometry and size is available. Such topologies are, for example, those generated by interpreting homogenization images in topology optimization. The two-dimensional theory is illustrated utilizing two design examples, a classical two-bar truss design, and one generated in the framework of the integrated structural optimization system (ISOS), introduced in earlier publications. An extension to three-dimensional structures is also provided along with a space truss design example, solved in the literature using force-based techniques.
Phosphorylation of TNF-α converting enzyme by gastrin-releasing peptide induces amphiregulin release and EGF receptor activation

G protein-coupled receptors induce EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling, leading to the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. Elucidation of the mechanism of EGFR activation by G protein-coupled receptors may identify new signaling paradigms. A gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)/GRP receptor-mediated autocrine pathway was previously described in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck. In the present study, we demonstrate that TNF-alpha converting enzyme (TACE), a disintegrin and metalloproteinse-17, undergoes a Src-dependent phosphorylation that regulates release of the EGFR ligand amphiregulin upon GRP treatment. Further investigation reveals the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) as the intermediate of c-Src and TACE, contributing to their association and TACE phosphorylation. Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1), a downstream target of PI3-K, has been identified as the previously undescribed kinase to directly phosphorylate TACE upon GRP treatment. These findings suggest a signaling cascade of GRP-Src-PI3-K-PDK1-TACE-amphiregulin-EGFR with multiple points of interaction, translocation, and phosphorylation. Furthermore, knockdown of PDK1 augmented the antitumor effects of the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib, indicating PDK1 as a therapeutic target to improve the clinical response to EGFR inhibitors.
Augmented planar reflective symmetry transform

Symmetry has been playing an increasing role in 3D shape processing. Recently introduced planar reflective symmetry transform (PRST) has been found useful for canonical coordinate frame determination, shape matching, retrieval, and segmentation. Guided by the intuition that every imperfect symmetry is imperfect in its own way, we investigate the possibility of incorporating more information into symmetry transforms like PRST. As a step in this direction, the concept of augmented symmetry transform is introduced; we obtain a family of symmetry transforms indexed by a parameter. While the original PRST measures how much the symmetry is broken, the augmented PRST also gives some information about how it is broken. Several approaches to calculating the augmented transform are described. We demonstrate that the augmented transform is beneficial for shape retrieval.
Source of the ice-binding specificity of antifreeze protein type I.

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) are a group of structurally very diverse proteins with the unique capability of binding to the surface of seed ice crystals and inhibiting ice crystal growth. The AFPs bi...
Network coding in duty-cycled sensor networks

Network coding and duty-cycling are two popular techniques for saving energy in wireless adhoc and sensor networks. To the best of our knowledge, the idea to combine these two techniques, for more aggressive energy savings, has not been explored. One explanation is that these techniques achieve energy efficiency through conflicting means, e.g., network coding saves energy by exploiting overhearing, whereas duty-cycling saves energy by cutting idle listening and, thus, overhearing. In this paper, we evaluate the use of network coding in duty-cycled sensor networks. We propose a scheme, called DutyCode, in which a MAC protocol implements packet streaming and allows the application to decide when a node can sleep. We investigate our scheme analytically and implement it on mote hardware. We evaluate our solution in a 42-node indoor testbed. Performance evaluation results shows that our scheme saves 20–30% more energy than solutions that use network coding, but do not use duty-cycling.
Gas-phase reactions of methane and natural-gas with air and steam in non-catalytic regions of a solid-oxide fuel cell

Abstract This paper uses a large elementary reaction mechanism to study the homogeneous chemistry of methane and natural-gas mixed with air and steam. Temperatures and residence times are chosen to represent SOFC operating conditions, including within feed lines that may be at elevated temperature but without any electrochemical or catalytic interactions. Mole fractions of six major species (CH4, O2, H2O, H2, CO, and CO2) are presented as contour maps as functions of temperature, residence time, and initial fuel mixture compositions. In addition, deposit propensity is predicted by the sum of mole fractions of all species containing five or more carbon atoms, designated as C 5 + . Comparison with chemical equilibrium predictions shows that the homogeneous reactions are far from equilibrium. These results indicate that the composition of the fuel mixture entering the active SOFC region might be significantly different from that originally entering the fuel cell.
Ionic mechanisms of aglycemic axon injury in mammalian central white matter

The authors investigated ionic mechanisms underlying aglycemic axon injury in adult rat optic nerve, a central white matter tract. Axon function was assessed using evoked compound action potentials (CAPs). Glucose withdrawal led to delayed CAP failure, an alkaline extracellular pH shift, and an increase in extracellular [K(+)]. Sixty minutes of glucose withdrawal led to irreversible axon injury. Aglycemic axon injury required extracellular calcium; the extent of injury progressively declined as bath [Ca(2+)] was decreased. To evaluate Ca(2+) movements during aglycemia, the authors recorded extracellular [Ca(2+)] ([Ca(2+)](o)) using Ca(2+)-sensitive microelectrodes. Under control conditions, [Ca(2+)](o) fell with a similar time course to CAP failure, indicating extracellular Ca(2+) moved to an intracellular position during aglycemia. The authors quantified the magnitude of [Ca(2+)]o decrease as the area below baseline [Ca(2+)]o during aglycemia and used this as a qualitative measure of Ca(2+) influx. The authors studied the mechanisms of Ca(2+) influx. Blockade of Na(+) influx reduced Ca(2+) influx and improved CAP recovery, suggesting Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger involvement. Consistent with this hypothesis, bepridil reduced axon injury. In addition, diltiazem or nifedipine decreased Ca(2+) influx and increased CAP recovery. The authors conclude aglycemic central white matter injury is caused by Ca(2+) influx into intracellular compartments through reverse Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange and L-type Ca(2+) channels.
Effects on Survival and Homing of Trucking Hatchery Yearling Coho Salmon to Release Sites

Abstract Effects of transporting yearling coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch to release sites in Oregon coastal river systems were determined by comparing survival of fish transported before release to that of fish released without being transported. Ocean catches of fish transported before release ranged from 43 to 113% of those for control fish within years. Over 4 years, ocean catches of fish trucked and returned to the hatchery for release, trucked and released upstream from the hatchery, and trucked and released in a tributary downstream from the hatchery averaged 76, 83, and 84% of ocean catches of untrucked fish. For yearling coho salmon trucked to another Oregon coastal river system for release, fish acclimated at the release site for 6 weeks before release showed consistently higher survival than groups released immediately upon arrival at the release site. Almost all returning adult fish released as yearlings at a site 23 km upstream from the rearing hatchery returned to the rearing site, whereas ...
Thermal decomposition of toluene: Overall rate and branching ratio

Abstract The two-channel thermal decomposition of toluene, C6H5CH3 → C6H5CH2 + H (1) and C6H5CH3 → C6H5 + CH3 (2), was investigated in shock tube experiments over the temperature range of 1400–1780 K at a pressure of 1.5 (±0.1) bar. Rate coefficients for reactions (1) and (2) were determined by monitoring benzyl radical (C6H5CH2) absorption at 266 nm during the decomposition of toluene diluted in argon and modeling the temporal behavior of the benzyl concentration with a kinetic model. The first-order rate coefficients determined at a pressure of 1.5 bar are expressed by k1(T) = 2.09 × 1015 exp (−87510 [cal/mol]/RT) [s−1] and k2(T) = 2.66 × 1016 exp (−97880 [cal/mol]/RT) [s−1]. The resulting branching ratio, k1/(k1 + k2), ranges from 0.8 at 1350 K to 0.6 at 1800 K.
TIRFM Imaging of PTRF and MG53 Translocation to Cell Surface Membrane following Osmotic-Stress Induced Injury

Plasma membrane damage repair is an intrinsic physiological process for maintenance of integrity of eukaryotic cells under a variety of insults. Osmotic-shock has been widely used to induce cell membrane injury and has become a useful tool to study the mechanisms of cell membrane repair. It is known that following a series of hypo-osmotic stress, intracellular vesicles can traffic to and fuse with the cell surface membrane. These vesicles are labeled with caveolin-1 and PTRF, two essential proteins of the caveolae membrane structure. We have previously shown that PTRF can interact with MG53, a main component of the cell membrane repair machinery, for anchoring of the repair patch at the acute membrane injury site. In this study, we sought to explore the trafficking behavior of PTRF and MG53 during osmotic shock using two-colorTotal Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy (TIRFM). We found that rapid translocation of MG53 toward the cell surface membrane could be triggered upon return of the cell to an isotonic environment following pre-exposure of the cell to a hypotonic solution (150 mOsm, 1 min). This process is PTRF dependent, as MG53 cannot translocate to cell membrane in HepG2 cells which lack endogenous PTRF expression. These data support our previous finding that PTRF is an indispensable component of the MG53-mediate membrane repair process. We are currently in the process of defining the kinetics and temporal relationship for the movement of PTRF/MG53-containing vesicles after osmotic shock, toward understanding the role for MG53/PTRF in facilitating the membrane fusion and fission processes during cell membrane repair.
On the sintering of single crystal rutile

Abstract The sintering of single crystal rutile spheres has been studied in air and in reducing atmosphere in the temperature range 900 to 1350°C. The rate of sintering is characterized by two stages: a slow initial one, followed by a more rapid period. Simultaneously with the change in sintering rate, flat surfaces develop on the rutile spheres. It is suggested that this phenomenon is responsible for the change in sintering rate. From qualitative and quantitative evidence, it is concluded that surface diffusion is the transport process controlling sintering under the conditions of the present studies. The results of this investigation are at variance with those of previous studies. Possible reasons for the discrepancy are discussed.
Growth-Rings of Trees: Their Correlation with Climate

Many differences in the ring-width growth within a tree may be attributed to changing supplies of food and hormones. In moist sites or during periods of favorable climate, there may be sufficient food for the production of wide rings throughout the tree. But in dry sites or during years of low moisture and high temperatures, food competition within the tree is likely to be greater and the cambium at the base of the stem is likely to receive a limited food supply and may produce narrow rings. The cambium at the stem base depends upon the entire crown for food, hence ring growth reflects the tree's ambient climate. But, the cambium in the top of the tree or in the upper branches depends upon a more restricted portion of the crown for its food and hormone supplies. The rings produced by the cambium vary greatly from branch to branch and are less reliable indicators of the climate surrounding the entire tree than rings at the tree base. Therefore, ring series at the base of trees in semiarid sites provide the most reliable, as well as the longest, record of macroclimatic variation. Tree-ring widths in certain coniferous species growing in semiarid sites appear to represent the integrated effect of climate on food-making and food accumulation in the crown throughout the 14 to 15 months previous to and including the period of growth. Trees in warm, low-elevation sites may utilize winter moisture most efficiently; trees in cool, high-elevation or more northern sites may utilize early summer and early autumn moisture most efficiently. But even with these differences, a significant amount of variance is found to be common among tree-ring series from a wide range of sites, species, and geographical areas in western North America (14, 19, 34), emphasizing a common dependence of ring widths on the gross regional patterns of precipitation and temperature. The remaining variance, which is not correlated among sites, may be attributed to local en-vironmental and climatic differences, to variability among and within trees, and to compounding effects of occasional fires, insect or other infestations, and recurring years of high seed production. It is evident that a large portion of the variability in ring-width patterns from semiarid sites in western North America does reflect differences in climate from year to year. If ring chro- nologies are derived from a number of trees in semiarid sites and if adequate corrections for age and trend are made, these chronologies may be used to reconstruct a first approximation of annual, or somewhat longer period, climatic fluctuations in the past (19).
Education for Epiphany: The Case of Plato's Lysis

While a great deal has been written on Plato's Lysis in philosophy and philology journals over the last thirty years, nothing has been published on Lysis in the major Anglo-American philosophy of education journals during that time. Nevertheless, this dialogue deserves attention from educators. In this essay, Mark Jonas argues that Lysis can serve as a model for educators who want to move their students beyond mere aporia, but also do not want to dictate answers to students. Although the dialogue ends in Socrates's affirmation of aporia, his affirmation is actually meant to persuade his interlocutors to reflect on an epiphany they had previously experienced. In what follows, Jonas offers a close reading of relevant passages of Lysis, demonstrating the way that Socrates leads his interlocutors to an epiphany without forcing his answers upon them.
Subnuclear organization of the ophidian trigeminal motor nucleus. II. Ultrastructural measurements on motoneurons innervating antagonistic muscles

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP), injected intramuscularly, specifically labeled motoneurons innervating antagonistic jaw muscles in the cottonmouth mocassin, Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus. Adductor mandibulae profundus, part 3a, motoneurons were localized in the lateral regions of the ventral and intermediate subnuclei of the trigeminal (V) motor nucleus. These were large cells containing fine, granular reaction product characteristic of alpha-motoneurons. Small cells, which contained large coarse reaction granules characteristic of gamma-motoneurons were localized in a separate cluster in the lateral regions of the dorsal subnucleus of the V motor nucleus. Depressor mandibulae motoneurons were localized in the ventromedial regions of the facial (VII) motor nucleus, primarily in the caudal half. Cell sizes ranged from 30--50 micrometers in diameter and HRP staining characteristics were variable, indicating a mixed population of motoneuron functional types without the segregation noted in the V motor nucleus. Boutons which made synaptic contact with labeled somata or processes were classified according to morphological type and their frequency of appearance. Boutons containing spherical vesicles (S-, C-, T-) were distributed similarly on motoneurons of both muscles, but more F-boutons, those with flattened vesicles, synapsed on the adductor motoneurons. Comparison of snake bouton distribution with that in mammalian spinal cord indicates that synaptology on all these motoneurons are remarkably similar. The more frequent occurrence of C-boutons, those with a subsynaptic cistern, on reptilian motoneurons may indicate a stronger intrasegmental input, as determined from mammalian degeneration studies.
The Many Faces of PPARγ

In an era marked by the increasing prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) has emerged as a transcriptional regulator of metabolism whose activity can be modulated by direct binding of small molecules. As the master regulator of fat-cell formation, PPARγ is required for the accumulation of adipose tissue and hence contributes to obesity. Yet PPARγ ligands are clinically effective antidiabetic drugs, although side effects limit their utility. Can PPARγ be targeted with greater benefit and with less risk to patients? The answer depends upon the basic biology of PPARγ, and the possibility of selectively modulating the activity of this nuclear receptor in a tissue- and target-gene-specific manner.
Antibody and lymphoblastogenic responses of dogs experimentally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi isolates from North American mammals

The humoral and cellular immune responses of dogs infected with either a non-pathogenic Trypanosoma cruzi isolate from a North American dog (Tc-D) or a pathogenic T. cruzi isolate from an opossum (Tc-O) were studied over a 240 day period. Antibody to T. cruzi epimastigote antigens prepared from Tc-O or Tc-D isolates were first detected by ELISA by Day 26 post infection (PI), peaked by day 175 PI and remained elevated throughout the experimental period in both Tc-O and Tc-D infected dogs. Differences in antibody levels between infected groups were not detected. Western blot analyses were performed using Tc-O and Tc-D epimastigote antigens probed with pooled sera and sera from individual Tc-O and Tc-D infected dogs prior to infection (Day 0), and during the acute (Day 16–35 PI), indeterminate (Day 50–135 PI) and chronic (Day 235 PI) stages of infection. Generally, the patterns, number of protein bands, and temporal appearance of the protein bands identified by pooled sera and sera from individual dogs within each antigen preparation were similar. However, similarities and differences were present in antibody responses between sera from Tc-O and Tc-D infected dogs. Blastogenic responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from Tc-O and Tc-D infected dogs to mitogens (concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed) were not significantly different from controls at any time during the experimental period. The PBMC from both groups of dogs were unresponsive to epimastigote antigens during the acute stage of infection. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in PBMC responsiveness from controls were observed on Days 70 and 175 PI. Responses decreased to pre-infection levels by Day 240 PI. These studies demonstrate that although two North American T. cruzi isolates have markedly different virulence for dogs, some aspects of their cellular and humoral immune responses are similar while other responses, such as antibody recognition of specific T. cruzi antigens, vary.
R.F. plasma deposition of silicon nitride layers

Abstract A versatile r.f. plasma deposition system used to deposit high quality Si3N4 films at low temperature (200–350°C) is described. By introducing the reactant gases separately and reactively reducing the oxygen content of the system, films which exhibited very little oxygen contamination could be deposited. Rutherford backscaterring studies were used to evaluate the atomic composition of the films. The composition was related to other parameters such as the index of refraction, the etch rate and the deposition rate. The nitride layers described here were used successfully to anneal ion-implanted GaAs with negligible surface degradation.
Integrating Rehabilitation Engineering Technology With Biologics

Rehabilitation engineers apply engineering principles to improve function or to solve challenges faced by persons with disabilities. It is critical to integrate the knowledge of biologics into the process of rehabilitation engineering to advance the field and maximize potential benefits to patients. Some applications in particular demonstrate the value of a symbiotic relationship between biologics and rehabilitation engineering. In this review we illustrate how researchers working with neural interfaces and integrated prosthetics, assistive technology, and biologics data collection are currently integrating these 2 fields. We also discuss the potential for further integration of biologics and rehabilitation engineering to deliver the best technologies and treatments to patients. Engineers and clinicians must work together to develop technologies that meet clinical needs and are accessible to the intended patient population.
Femtosecond intermolecular vibrational motion in pyrrole

Abstract Femtosecond optical Kerr effect measurements were performed on neat pyrrole, neat deuterated pyrrole- d 5 and mixtures with ethyl-ether. Underdamped oscillatory motion is observed that is shown to be due to intermolecular vibration of pyrrole dimers.