cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrodeposition of Sb onto the low-index planes of Cu in aqueous chloride solutions: studies by LEED, AES and electrochemistry

The underpotential deposition (UPD) of Sb on Cu(111), Cu(100) and Cu(110) has been studied using ultra-high vacuum electrochemistry (UHV-EC) techniques. Sb was deposited from acidic chloride solutions and analyzed with Auger electron spectroscopy, low-energy electron diffraction and cyclic voltammetry. A feature observed only in the first voltammetric cycle, starting from the rest potential, appears to be Sb UPD on the copper surfaces. Prior to Sb UPD, Cl structures were observed on each of the three Cu planes. When the potential was scanned into the transient reductive feature, antimony began to deposit, displacing the chlorine. Initially, structures containing both Cl and Sb were formed on the Cu surfaces, including a (√3 × √3)R30° on the Cu(111), a (2√2 × √2)R45° on the Cu(100), and a structure denoted in matrix notation as (−11) formed on Cu(110). Further Sb deposition results in displacement of the chloride and new structures on each face: Cu(111)(3 × √21)-Sb, Cu(110)(3 × 2) and Cu(100)(3 × 2). Scanning the deposition potential further negative, into bulk Sb deposition, yielded no well-ordered structures.
Intrinsic Conformational Properties of Deoxyribonucleosides: Implicated Role for Cytosine in the Equilibrium Among the A, B, and Z Forms of DNA

Structural properties of biomolecules are dictated by their intrinsic conformational energetics in combination with environmental contributions. Calculations using high-level ab initio methods on the deoxyribonucleosides have been performed to investigate the influence of base on the intrinsic conformational energetics of nucleosides. Energy minima in the north and south ranges of the deoxyribose pseudorotation surfaces have been located, allowing characterization of the influence of base on the structures and energy differences between those minima. With all bases, chi values associated with the south energy minimum are lower than in canonical B-DNA, while chi values associated with the north energy minimum are close to those in canonical A-DNA. In deoxycytidine, chi adopts an A-DNA conformation in both the north and south energy minima. Energy differences between the A and B conformations of the nucleosides are <0.5 kcal/mol in the present calculations, except with deoxycytidine, where the A form is favored by 2.3 kcal/mol, leading the intrinsic conformational energetics of GC basepairs to favor the A form of DNA by 1.5 kcal/mol as compared with AT pairs. This indicates that the intrinsic conformational properties of cytosine at the nucleoside level contribute to the A form of DNA containing predominately GC-rich sequences. In the context of a B versus Z DNA equilibrium, deoxycytidine favors the Z form over the B form by 1.6 kcal/mol as compared with deoxythymidine, suggesting that the intrinsic conformational properties of cytosine also contribute to GC-rich sequences occurring in Z DNA with a higher frequency than AT-rich sequences. Results show that the east pseudorotation energy barrier involves a decrease in the furanose amplitude and is systematically lower than the inversion barrier, with the energy differences influenced by the base. Energy barriers going from the south (B form) sugar pucker to the east pseudorotation barrier are lower in pyrimidines as compared with purines, indicating that the intrinsic conformational properties associated with base may also influence the sugar pseudorotational population distribution seen in DNA crystal structures and the kinetics of B to A transitions. The present work provides evidence that base composition, in addition to base sequence, can influence DNA conformation.
The role of thyroid hormone in amphibian metamorphosis

Recent advances in our understanding of thyroid hormone (TH) metabolism, and the nature and function of TH receptors, have shed some light on the mechanisms by which TH initiates the numerous morphologic and biochemical components of amphibian metamorphosis. The data support the view that the successful accomplishment of metamorphosis depends primarily on a series of programmed increases in the rate of secretion of TH. In addition, as climax approaches and the requirement for TH increases, the physiologic effectiveness of the circulating hormone is enhanced as a result of changes in peripheral TH economy and tissue-specific increases in TH receptor concentration. The receptor bears a striking resemblance to its mammalian and avian counterparts, and it is postulated that TH-induced metamorphic events result, at least in part, from changes in transcriptional activity induced by the effect of triiodothyronine-receptor complexes on the response element of the relevant genes.
Basis functions for sinusoidal evoked potentials: A waveform analysis program on a small computer

Abstract A computer program for the PDP-12 is described that reduces a series of discrete time points representing an evoked potential to a set of fundamental waveform specifications in amplitude, latency, duration, etc., for principal potential deflections or waves. To derive a basis function the program assumes the evoked potential is sinusoidal and estimates coefficients to the elementary waveform: v(t)=v 0 sin (ωt + œ) e αt Data is read from LINC tape as single or double precision points, smoothed and displayed with a cursor, baseline, and cursor reference location. The program locates the zero-crossover and amplitude points in either an automatic mode or by operator interaction from the console keyboard. Advantages of the program over visual waveform analysis include: Rapid reduction of the complex waveform to a few characteristic parameters, convenience and numeric output for statistics and curve fitting. The program has general usefulness to data processing in the neurosciences.
Optogenetic activation of specific neurons to ameliorate symptoms of narcolepsy in mice

Introduction Narcolepsy is now considered a neurodegenerative sleep disorder characterized by a massive loss of neurons containing the neuropeptide, orexin, also known as hypocretin. Since the orexin neurons have degenerated it is necessary to identify surrogate neurons that can release orexin and thereby ameliorate symptoms of narcolepsy. Can these surrogate orexin neurons be activated to reduce narcolepsy symtpoms? The neurons containing melanin concentrating hormone are particularly interesting as these neurons are silent during waking, which is when cataplexy is triggered. These neurons also project to the same targets as the orexin neurons. Can they be stimulated and does it change sleep- wake time? Materials and methods To answer this question the gene for the light-sensitive cation channel, channelrhodopsin-2, was delivered into the brains of wild-type or the mice models of human narcolepsy. Three weeks after recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-mediated gene transfer sleep-wake behavior was assessed. Mice were tethered to light- weight swivels and allowed 10 days to acclimate to the EEG cables. Sleep-wake behavior was recorded by polysomnogram and video. Results In-vitro slice electrophysiology studies confirmed that the ChR2 containing neurons were responsive to blue light. In-vivo studies consisted of recording sleep-wake behavior in freely-behaving WT mice ( n = 14) for 48 h. It was found that 10 and 30 Hz optogenetic stimulation of the MCH neurons induced sleep. The effects were seen at night but not the day. At night and day MCH stimulation reduced the length of wake bouts. In the next experiment, the arousal peptide, orexin, was inserted into MCH neurons and light stimulation was used to release it during waking. Research will be presented to show the effects of optogenetic stimulation of this pathway in controlling cataplexy. Conclusion These studies identify novel ways of using emerging new methods to treat sleep disorders. Narcolepsy is especially useful as animal models exist and specific pathways can be selectively manipulated. Acknowledgements Supported by the NIH and the Veterans Administration. We thank Dr. Anthony van den Pol for the MCH promoter.
Iodine metabolism in leukocytes: Effect of graded iodide concentrations

Abstract Increasing concentrations of iodide in the medium produce a rise in the 127I newly bound to iodocompounds in the resting and phagocytosing human leukocytes. Organic iodine rises in resting leukocytes as the iodide concentration in the medium is increased from 0.001 to sol10 mg iodide 100 ml . There is no additional increase in organic iodine in phagocytosing leukocytes between 0.1 and sol10 mg iodide 100 ml ; however, the organic iodine is not significantly lowered at the highest iodide concentration in the media. These data prove that the Wolff-Chaikoff phenomenon is not demonstrable in human leukocytes.
Classification using conditional probabilities and Shannon's definition of information

Our problem is to build a maximally efficient Bayesian classifier when each parameter has a different cost and provides a different amount of information toward the solution. This is an extremely computationally expensive problem. We accept a sub-optimal, although demonstrably good, solution based on Shannon's definition of Information and Uncertainty. Our solution scales up well and provides powerful diagnostics with no extra work. Our program has been used in Military Command and Control and in developing maintenance diagnostics for a very complex military electronic system. The elements of the solution to the problem are naturally computed recursively, so Lisp implementation is an effective approach.
Vectorization and parallelization of the conjugate gradient algorithm on hypercube-connected vector processors

Abstract Solution of large sparse linear systems of equations in the form A x = b constitutes a significant amount of the computations in the simulation of physical phenomena [1]. For example, the finite element discretization of a regular domain, with proper ordering of the variables x, renders a banded N × N coefficient matrix A. The Conjugate Gradient (CG) [2,3] algorithm is an iterative method for solving sparse matrix equations and is widely used because of its convergence properties. In this paper an implementation of the Conjugate Gradient algorithm, that exploits both vectorization and parallelization on a 2-dimensional hypercube with vector processors at each node (iPSC-VX/d2), is described. The implementation described here achieves efficient parallelization by using a version of the CG algorithm suitable for coarse grain parallelism [4,5] to reduce the communication steps required and by overlapping the computations on the vector processor with internode communication. With parallelization and vectorization, a speedup of 58 over a μVax II is obtained for large problems, on a two dimensional vector hypercube (iPSC-VX/d2).
Genome-Wide Scans for Diabetic Nephropathy and Albuminuria in Multiethnic Populations: The Family Investigation of Nephropathy and Diabetes (FIND)

The Family Investigation of Nephropathy and Diabetes (FIND) was initiated to map genes underlying susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy. A total of 11 centers participated under a single collection protocol to recruit large numbers of diabetic sibling pairs concordant and discordant for diabetic nephropathy. We report the findings from the first-phase genetic analyses in 1,227 participants from 378 pedigrees of European-American, African-American, Mexican-American, and American Indian descent recruited from eight centers. Model-free linkage analyses, using a dichotomous definition for diabetic nephropathy in 397 sibling pairs, as well as the quantitative trait urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), were performed using the Haseman-Elston linkage test on 404 microsatellite markers. The strongest evidence of linkage to the diabetic nephropathy trait was on chromosomes 7q21.3, 10p15.3, 14q23.1, and 18q22.3. In ACR (883 diabetic sibling pairs), the strongest linkage signals were on chromosomes 2q14.1, 7q21.1, and 15q26.3. These results confirm regions of linkage to diabetic nephropathy on chromosomes 7q, 10p, and 18q from prior reports, making it important that genes underlying these peaks be evaluated for their contribution to nephropathy susceptibility. Large family collections consisting of multiple members with diabetes and advanced nephropathy are likely to accelerate the identification of genes causing diabetic nephropathy, a life-threatening complication of diabetes.
Improvement of Super Low Core-Loss Soft Magnetic Materials

In the previous work, we reported a P/M soft magnetic material with super low core loss value of W10/1k = 68 W/kg which is lower than that of 0.35mm-thick flat rolled soft magnetic laminated steel sheets. But this material lack of strength characteristics due to spherical particles produced by a gas-atomizing method. That is, the value of transverse rupture strength (TRS) was only 20MPa when a non-hygroscopicity resin was used as binder. In order to achieve both low core loss and high strength, the iron powder (shape, surface morphology) and binder strength was improved, and we were able to obtain a material with TRS of 80 MPa and core loss (W10/1k) of 108 W/kg of. Furthermore, by using this binder system, we were able to obtain a TRS of over 50MPa for the material with spherical particles (W10/1k = 81 W/kg).
Toxicity and Repellency of Hot Pepper Extracts to Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch

Increasing concern about persistence and environmental impact of synthetic pesticide residues require development of biodegradable and environmentally safe alternatives. The potential of using fruit extracts of hot pepper as alternatives to synthetic acaricides for controlling the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is explored in this study. Twenty-four Capsicum accessions (Solanaceae) were screened for their toxicity and repellency to the spider mites. Crude extracts from fruits of C. chinense, C. frutescens, C. baccatum, C. annuum, and C. pubescens were prepared in methanol and tested for their acaricidal properties. Spider mite mortality was greatest (45%) when fruit extract of accession Grif-9169 (C. annuum) was used. Results from diving board bioassays indicated that mites avoided filter paper strips treated with hot pepper extracts from accessions PI-596057 (C. baccatum), PI-195299 (C. annuum), and Grif- 9270 (C. annuum). This investigation suggests that methanolic extracts of these three accessions may have a great potential for repelling spider mites and should be field-tested on a large-scale to assess their value in managing populations of spider mites, which could reduce reliance on synthetic acaricides. An attempt was made to correlate repellency with chemical constituents of fruit extracts of the most repellent accessions to identify chemical sources of repellency. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, the pungent components of pepper fruit, were not correlated with toxicity or repellency, indicating that these are not likely related to the toxicity or repellency of the pepper fruit extracts. Other, unidentified chemicals are likely responsible for toxicity and repellency to the two-spotted spider mite.
Compressive Creep of Polycrystalline Beryllium Oxide

Compressive creep of polycrystalline beryllium oxide was studied in the temperature range 2500° to 2800°F. The apparent activation energy for creep was 96.0 kcal per mole and the creep rate was linearly dependent on the applied stress. Results were consistent with the Nabarro-Herring creep mechanism. Experimental evidence showed that extrapolation of data to 3200°F was possible.
Association of Obesity With Tumor Characteristics and Treatment Failure of Prostate Cancer in African-American and European American Men

Purpose: The impact of body mass index on tumor characteristics and treatment failure in prostate cancer is not well understood in diverse ethnic groups. We evaluated the effect of body mass index in African-American and European American patients from a radical prostatectomy cohort between 1995 and 2004 with regard to tumor histopathological characteristics and biochemical relapse-free survival.Materials and Methods: A total of 924 patients were studied to evaluate whether obese men (body mass index greater than 30) had different preoperative and postoperative tumor characteristics or biochemical relapse-free survival compared to nonobese men. There were 784 European American and 140 African-American patients analyzed using failure time models, adjusted for age, preoperative prostate specific antigen, tumor stage and race.Results: Mean and median followup was 42 and 36 months, respectively. African-American men were significantly more obese than European American men. Mean body mass index was 29.0 in Afr...
Topology Preserving Relaxation Labeling for Nonrigid Point Matching

This paper presents a relaxation labeling process with the newly defined compatibility measure for solving a general nonrigid point matching problem. In the literature, there exists a point matching method using relaxation labeling; however, the compatibility coefficient takes a binary value of zero or one depending on whether a point and a neighbor have corresponding points. Our approach generalizes this relaxation labeling method. The compatibility coefficient takes n-discrete values which measure the correlation between point pairs. In order to improve the speed of the algorithm, we use a diagram of log distance and polar angle bins to compute the correlation. The extensive experiments show that the proposed topology preserving relaxation algorithm significantly improves the matching performance compared to other state-of-the-art point matching algorithms.
Observations on the skulls of sturgeons (Acipenseridae): shared similarities of Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni and juvenile specimens of Acipenser stellatus

A novel hypothesis uniting Acipenser stellatus and Pseudoscaphirhynchus as sister groups has recently been proposed based on analysis of DNA sequences. In this paper I compare specimens of A. stellatus and P. kaufmanni, and show that they share several putatively derived similarities in the structure of their skulls, including: the presence of large spines on the dermal bones of skull; lateral extrascapular bones that enclose the confluence of the posttemporal, supratemporal, and otic sensory canals; elongate dorsal rostral bones; border rostral bones distinct in shape from dorsal rostral bones; greatly enlarged jugal that lacks a median flange; rostral canal bones that loop posteriorly at the anterior commissure of the rostral sensory canals; and the presence of an elongate, flat, and broad posterior ventral rostral bone. These similarities support a close relationship between A. stellatus and Pseudoscaphirhynchus, but still remain to be critically tested.
Procedure for developing linear and Bayesian classification models based on immunosensor measurements

Abstract A protocol for the creation of a set of classification models was developed to differentiate between biological samples based on immunosensor measurements. For this paper, data was gathered using Au Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D) sensors inoculated with an alkanethiol self-assembling monolayer functionalized for the detection of pAkt, γH2AX, β-Actin, and FITC antigen expression. Oropharyngeal cancer lysate samples, both positive (SCC47) and negative (TU212) for high risk human papillomavirus (HPV16), were used to gather the classification model training data set. Subsequently, linear and Bayesian classifiers were formulated based on the feature values and defined linear discriminant functions. The following study distinguishes between HPV-positive and HPV-negative cell lines, yet these guidelines can be utilized for different immunosensor platforms and disease diagnosis.
Prediction of unsteady aerodynamic loads in cascades using the linearized Euler equations on deforming grids

A linearized Euler solver for calculating unsteady flows in turbomachinery blade rows due to both incident gusts and blade motion is presented. Using the linearized Euler technique, one decomposes the flow into a mean (or steady) flow plus an unsteady, harmonically varying, small disturbance flow. Linear variable coefficient equations describe the small disturbance behavior of the flow, and are solved using a pseudo-time marching Lax-Wendroff scheme. For the blade motion problem, a harmonically deforming computational rid that conforms to the motion of vibrating blades eliminates large error producing mean flow gradient terms that would otherwise appear in the unsteady flow tangency boundary condition. The paper also presents a new, numerically exact, nonreflecting far-field boundary condition based on an eigenanalysis of the discretized equations. Computed flow solutions demonstrate the computational accuracy and efficiency of the present method. The solution of the linearized Euler equations requires one to two orders of magnitude less computer time than solution of the nonlinear Euler equations using traditional time-accurate time-marching techniques. In addition, the deformable grid significantly improves the accuracy of the solution.
Effects of estrogen on the neuromuscular system in the embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Estrogen (E₂) has been shown to play an important role in maintaining central nervous system (CNS) axonal growth, synapse formation, and neurotransmitter release; however, there is less direct evidence for a similar role in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). In a previous study we have shown that when E₂ was removed from embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio) system using the aromatase inhibiter (AI) 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (4-OH-A) fish did not developmentally express normal sensory-motor (S-M) functions such as tactile, vestibular, and swimming behaviors, creating a condition called 'listless.' These findings led to speculation that E₂ deprivation, under these conditions, caused a neuromuscular-like "denervation" resulting in the 'listless' condition. Morphometric data analysis reported in this study indicated that there was an absence of vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) staining in the primary motor neurons as a result of AI treatment compared to controls. In contrast, E₂ co-treatment with AI (E₂+AI) rescued a significant number of VAChT stained nerve endings and treatment of fish with E₂ alone exhibited a significantly higher number of VAChT profiles than in control fish. In addition, in the AI treated group znp-1 antibody staining of the primary motor neurons demonstrated: 1) diminished axon branching; 2) shorter primary axons; and 3) an absence in the posterior trunk regions of fish. In turn, trunk muscles were significantly diminished in size and less organized when treated with AI when compared to controls and E₂+AI treatment restored myotome width and height accompanied by some dramatic changes in the α-bungarotoxin-labeled ACh post-synaptic receptor elements of the trunk skeletal muscles. Data from this study suggest that treatment with the AI 4-OH-A essentially denervates the zebrafish trunk skeletal muscles, most likely by compromising the development of the vesicular transport system for ACh preventing it from acting at the synaptic terminals. These findings begin to demonstrate the prominent role that E₂ plays in the developing zebrafish PNS, particularly at the neuromuscular level.
The current role of cryotherapy for renal and prostate tumors

Minimally invasive treatments continue to evolve as an alternative method for the treatment of kidney and prostatic tumors. Of the mainstream ablative procedures reported in the literature, the cryotherapy data appear to be the most durable. Currently, select kidney and prostatic lesions are treated using cryotherapy. Although limited long-term survival data using cryotherapy are available, recent series have provided compelling results, promoting interest in renal and prostatic cryoablation. This article assesses the current status of cryotherapy in urology, specifically the indications, techniques, and clinical results in treating kidney and prostate tumors.
Gold nanorod biochip functionalization by antibody thiolation

Conjugation of biomolecules on gold nanorod (GNR) surfaces is the basis for successful applications in biosensing, imaging, and drug delivery. Current functionalization methods are often problematic, involving multi-step nanoparticle modification to replace surfactant bilayer, delicate nanoparticle protection during surfactant exchange, and material loss due to inevitable aggregation. Instead of intensive surface modification of GNRs, we describe herein a facile method to functionalize gold nanorod surfaces via covalent Au–S bonds by thiolating receptors. The resulting GNR-bioconjugates showed superior dispersion and stability in buffer for months without morphology change and aggregation. ELISA tests confirmed the high biofunctionality of the thiolated anti-IgG moieties immobilized on the GNR surfaces. Furthermore, this simple method facilitated a straightforward functionalization of GNR assembly on glass substrate to construct a specific biochip, which can detect human IgG targets in a label-free fashion with high sensitivity and specificity. Compared to electropolymeric coating to functionalize the GNR, our method exhibited a five-fold enhancement in the spectral sensitivity to refractive index change caused by the target binding. This universal GNR bioconjugation method can be extended to bind different proteins and antibodies for development of biosensors or drug delivery.
Fabric of the cretaceous-tertiary marine macrofaunal transition at Braggs, Alabama

Abstract The record of latest Cretaceous and earliest Tertiary macroinvertebrates in the K-T boundary sequence at Braggs, Alabama is documented by high resolution stratigraphic data. Latest Maastrichtian and earliest Danian strata lie within a reversed magnetic interval identified as Chron C29R. The faunal decline across this interval is abrupt and severe, with 50% of the terminal Cretaceous species dropping out of the record. A pronounced Lazarus Effect is displayed across the boundary. However, persistently high Cretaceous and low Tertiary diversity, coupled with good stratigraphic resolution and comparable quality of preservation of both Cretaceous and Tertiary faunas in similar lithologies, all argue for a relatively abrupt decline. The Lazarus Effect is most likely the result of local extinction and/or migration rather than taphonomic or collection difficulties. If only previously published species lists were used in this study, either a gradual extinction pattern or a larger scale Lazarus Effect could have been invoked to explain the observed diversity changes. Extensive collecting, however, has revealed a persistently high diversity throughout the latest Maastrichtian. No stepwise extinctions were observed and most taxa represent widespread and long-ranging clades. The Braggs faunal transition is consistent with proposed catastophic extinction hypotheses, but a limit in temporal resolution of up to 0.8 Ma for the faunal turnover at this site allows ample time for other, longer-term extinction processes and patterns to have developed. This resolution is perhaps as good as can be expected with current methods and the shallow-marine character of the sequence.
First Report of Bacterial Blight of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) Caused by Pseudomonas cannabina pv. alisalensis in California.

Greenhouse-grown Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea L. var. gemmifera) transplants from Monterey County, California showed symptoms in 2006 of a previously undescribed disease. Initial symptoms consisted of small (1 to 2 mm in diameter), angular, water-soaked flecks, some of which were surrounded by chlorotic haloes. These flecks coalesced into large, irregularly shaped, gray brown lesions as large as 10 mm. Lesions were visible from both adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces and generally retained chlorotic borders. This disease resulted in decreased quality and reduced marketability of the transplants. Gram-negative, blue-green fluorescing bacteria were consistently isolated from lesions on King's medium B agar. Ten isolates were selected and used in further studies. Isolates were levan positive, oxidase negative, and arginine dihydrolase negative. Isolates did not rot potato slices but induced a hypersensitive reaction in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun). These data indicated that the bacteria be...
Analysis of Component Failure Problee Using Partially Ordered Sets

It is often desirable, due to expense in time and money, to find the cause of component failures directly from available operational data rather than to resort to controlled tests. Such a method for analyzing component failures cause by manufacturing processing problems is illustrated by an application to a group of early failures among Scyllac capacitors. The application of the method proves that the failures were predominantly caused by inadequate drying of the capacitor packs. The method involves the use of partially ordered sets and can be considered as an abstraction of multivariate regression. The advantages and disadvantages of the method with respect to multivariate regression are discussed.
Idiopathic gingival ulcerations: Ten cases of a previously unreported entity

This report presents ten cases of a previously undescribed form of gingival ulceration. The lesions did not respond to the treatments given, but all were self-limiting. This condition may represent a reaction to an environmental toxin.
Identification of proteinaceous binding media in paintings by amino acid analysis using 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate derivatization and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Identification of binding medium, the vehicle which adheres pigment particles to each other and to a backing or substrate, is important to both art conservators and curators. Proteinaceous binders such as egg, glue and milk casein have been widely used by artists. A protocol for the identification of different proteinaceous binding media in paintings was developed using HPLC analysis with fluorescent detection of 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC-Cl) derivatives of amino acids. A scheme based on peak area ratios of FMOC-amino acid derivatives was developed and successfully used on museum samples. The sample preparation techniques, identification scheme and museum applications are discussed.
Rapeseed meal. 3. A simple method for detoxification.

Two types of treatments of presscake meal of rapeseed (Brassica napus), steaming and water extraction, were tested to remove the thioglucosides responsible for its toxicity. The efficiency of each was judged by the residual concentration of isothiocyanates and oxazolidinethiones and the biological quality, available lysine, net protein utilisation and digestibility in rats. Double water extraction gave the best results. It resulted in a reduction of 84 % in oxazolidinethiones, the factor directly responsible for toxicity, and 77 % in isothiocyanates. Net protein utilisation increased to levels corresponding to those of animal proteins, from 40 to 69 %. The improvement in digestibility was reflected in the growth of rats. Steaming and simple water extraction, however, reduced toxicity only slightly and improved biological quality very little. The greatest change of the gross chemical composition in treated samples was observed in crude fibre, which appeared to increase.
The Effect of Water Evaporation on Photoacoustic Signals in Transition and Molecular Flow

Evaporation of water changes the response of photoacoustic instruments to light-absorbing particles. Previous calculations of this effect are valid for particles much larger than the mean free path of air. These calculations are extended here to include transition and molecular flow as well as various mass accommodation coefficients for water. For commonly encountered conditions, evaporation can significantly reduce the photoacoustic signal if the mass accommodation coefficient of water on aerosol particles is larger than about 0.01. Unlike the growth of cloud droplets, the photoacoustic signal is very sensitive to changes in the accommodation coefficient between 0.1 and 1. This may provide a way to measure large accommodation coefficients. For a given accommodation coefficient, the change in the photoacoustic signal depends more on absolute than relative humidity. To minimize the effects of evaporation it is better to remove water from the air rather than reduce relative humidity with heating.
Boundary integral domain decomposition of hierarchical memory multiprocessors

A method, called Boundary Integral-based Domain Decomposition was recently proposed for the solution of Laplace's equation. The method is characterized by the complete decoupling of the problem domain into subdomains which is possible after integral equation based techniques are used for the calculation of the solution on the subdomain boundaries. We describe some theoretical and practical issues involved in the use of such methods on shared memory multiprocessors.
Letras combatientes: género epistolar y modernidad en la Gaceta de Caracas , 1808-1822

La Gaceta de Caracas, el primer periodico venezolano, estuvo sujeto desde su inauguracion hasta su clausura a los altibajos de las Guerras de Independencia, oscilando entre manos patriotas y realistas, y cambiando de caracter con cada reves militar y politico. Por ende, las letras de la Gaceta fueron letras combatientes, y atestiguan de manera partidaria y propagandistica los ajusticiamientos, las masacres y los combates que arrasaron a Venezuela entre 1811 y 1822. Sin embargo, denominar la Gaceta simplemente un periodico oficial es empobrecer su riqueza textual. A pesar de que el periodico esgrime la letra como instrumento de control social, tambien la utiliza para deslegitimar su propia autoridad escrituraria; la letra se vuelve arma contra la letra del otro. Este combate de palabras desestabiliza la definicion instrumentalista de la escritura oficial, sustituyendola con una definicion mas ironica, contradictoria y moderna que descarta las verdades absolutas y transparentes. La transformacion de la letra en mascara, mentira o codigo por descifrar se lleva a cabo por medio del genero epistolar, el cual permea las paginas del periodico desde el principio. En las paginas que siguen, comenzamos con un breve recuento de la historia de la Gaceta de Caracas y de los discursos que constituyeron su caracter oficialista. Despues de estas tentativas cronologicas y tipologicas, analizamos las diversas definiciones y usos del genero epistolar durante la vida del periodico. Mostraremos que el genero epistolar confunde espacios privados y publicos, se constituye como ficcion e invita a ejercicios hermeneuticos que desacreditan el lenguaje como sistema de signos fidedignos y autoritarios.
Simultaneous flow cytometric measurement of viability and lymphocyte subset proliferation

Combined analysis of DNA content and immunofluorescence on single cells by flow cytometry provides information on the proliferative response of cellular sub-populations in mixed cell preparations. However, the presence of considerable numbers of dead (nonviable) cells impairs accurate flow cytometric data analysis, mainly, because dead cells can bind antibodies non-specifically and show alterations in their DNA staining profiles. We developed a rapid method for identification of dead cells by fluorescence in cell preparations that are stained simultaneously for two-color immunofluorescence and DNA content. Cells are stained with 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) for dead cell discrimination and with fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC) and phycoerythrin (PE)-labeled monoclonal antibodies (mAb) for cell surface immunofluorescence. Diffusion of 7-AAD from stained, dead cells into unstained, live cells after cell permeabilization is blocked by the addition of its non-fluorescent analogue actinomycin D (AD). DNA is stained with red-excitable TO-PRO-3 iodide (TP3) which has an emission spectrum that can be effectively separated from the emissions of FITC, PE, and 7-AAD. TP3 staining is performed in the presence of ribonuclease A (RNAse) in phosphate-citrate buffer containing saponin (PCBS) at low pH. FITC fluorescence is sensitive to acid pH; therefore, PCBS is replaced after DNA staining with 1x PBS at pH 7.2 containing saponin to permit accurate detection of FITC immunofluorescence on the flow cytometer. We apply this method to the analysis of differential proliferation of lymphocyte subsets in cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with low viability.
Polarized fluorescence measurements of jet-cooled 2,5-diphenylfuran and van der Waals complexes

Abstract Picosecond-resolution time-correlated single-photon counting experiments have been used to monitor polarized fluorescence time profiles of jet-cooled 2,5-diphenylfuran (PPF) and some van der Waals aggregates. Recurrences of the fluorescence polarization anisotropy over 1–5 ns have been used to deduce mean rotational constants, and to assign structures for 1:1 van der Waals aggregates with argon and methane. In contrast with stilbene, the complexing species are found to be centrally bound on PPF. Also, the structures of higher aggregates are directly assigned; for PPF/Ar 2 , the complexing species are shown to be attached to opposite faces of the planar PPF molecule (i.e. the 1,1 isomer is observed).
Gout in the heart transplant recipient: physiologic puzzle and therapeutic challenge.

Purpose Hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis have been associated with cyclosporine use in renal transplant recipients. Patients requiring heart or heart-lung transplantation may have additional risk factors for the development of gout, yet it has not previously been described in this population. We share herein our clinical experience with gouty arthritis in six heart transplant recipients. Patients and methods During a one-year period, six hospitalized male heart transplant patients were seen in consultation for gouty arthritis. Five were subsequently followed for gout as outpatients; the sixth died within six months. Management included trials of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, allopurinol, and intra-articular steroid injections, as well as attempts to minimize cyclosporine nephrotoxicity. Results Three patients had gout in remission at time of transplant surgery, and three others developed gout for the first time two to 45 months after transplantation. Following transplant surgery, both pre-existing and new-onset gout appeared to exhibit an accelerated course, with unusually rapid development of chronic polyarticular disease and tophi in four of the five patients followed for more than six months. Peak serum uric acid levels ranged from 11.0 mg/dL to 16.5 mg/dL. NSAIDs produced reversible renal insufficiency in four patients. Gout-related infections occurred in three patients, one of whom died. Conclusion Acute gouty arthritis may occur in the heart transplant recipient despite concomitant use of immunosuppressive drugs. Cyclosporine, with its attendant hypertension and nephrotoxicity, appears to be the major risk factor for hyperuricemia in this setting, leading to the accelerated development of tophi and chronic polyarthritis. Management is complicated by the patients' renal insufficiency and propensity to infection, as well as by interaction with transplant-related medications. Prevention of hyperuricemia by minimizing cyclosporine nephrotoxicity appears to be the best management strategy, with judicious use of allopurinol for those patients in whom this preventive approach fails.
Self-trapped excitons at the quartz(0001) surface

We have studied self-trapped excitons in α-quartz using density functional theory (DFT), both in the crystal and at the (0001) surface. The excitons are triplet excited states that distort the crystal locally. They have a long lifetime, of the order of a millisecond, and become thermally equilibrated. We have calculated the drop in the exciton energy as it approaches the surface from the interior of the crystal. In the subsurface layer of the –OH terminated (0001) surface, the energy has dropped by 0.7 eV. Another 0.4 eV drop occurs as the exciton enters the surface layer, where it breaks off an OH radical. The drop in energy can be understood from the greater ease of structural distortion at the surface. These calculations illustrate that excitons formed in the bulk could migrate out to the surface and form chemically active surface species. Molecules adsorbed at the surface could also serve as traps for the excitons and could, in principle, be induced to undergo structural or chemical transitions.
The role of acidic phosphoproteins in biomineralization

AbstractBiomineralization is the process by which living organisms deposit mineral in the extracellular matrix. In nature, almost 50% of biominerals are calcium-bearing minerals. In addition to calcium, we find biominerals formed from silica and magnetite. Calcium-containing biominerals could be either calcium phosphate as in apatite found in vertebrates or calcium carbonate as in calcite and aragonite found in many invertebrates. Since all biomineralization is matrix mediated, an understanding of the nature of the proteins involved is essential in elucidating its mechanism. This review will discuss some of the proteins involved in the process of biomineralization involving calcium. Two proteins, dentin matrix protein 1 and dentin phosphoprotein (Phosphophoryn) will serve as models for the vertebrate system, and two others – P16 and phosphodontin will serve as models for the invertebrate system.
Energy loss and storage in RC-transmission lines

The distribution of energy supplied by a step-voltage generator to a semi-infinite transmission line with uniform series resistance and shunt capacitance is investigated; and explicit (simple integral) representations for both line and generator losses as well as the line storage during an arbitrary time interval are given. A relatively greater loss due to internal resistance of the generator obtains in the initial phase of excitation while that due to resistance of the line predominates in the long run. A larger proportion of energy is stored in the line at the outset and, ultimately, the output of the generator is equally divided between line loss and storage in its internal capacitance.
Colitis in patients with breast carcinoma treated with taxane-based chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND Colitis is a rare but serious gastrointestinal complication associated with taxane-based chemotherapy in patients with cancer. The incidence, clinical presentation, and outcome of colitis in patients with breast carcinoma treated with taxane-based chemotherapy is not known. METHODS The authors searched their electronic database and identified patients with breast carcinoma who were treated with taxane-based chemotherapy between January 1997 and December 1999. Patients diagnosed with colitis were identified and their presentation and clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS During the study period, 1350 patients received taxane-based chemotherapy. Sixty-four patients were admitted to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) (73 admissions) for gastrointestinal complications. Neutropenia and/or fever accounted for 56 of these admissions. Fourteen patients (16 admissions) were diagnosed with colitis. All had abdominal pain at median Day 6 of their chemotherapy cycle (range, 3–8 days), with or without other symptoms. Computed tomography scans of the abdomen and pelvis were abnormal for the 10 patients tested, whereas only 3 of the 9 patients who underwent radiographic abdominal series had abnormal findings. Two patients had a colonoscopy that confirmed the diagnosis of colitis. Blood cultures were positive in only 3 (20%) of 15 colitis events. All eight patients tested for Clostridium difficile toxin were negative. One patient died of sepsis. An autopsy subsequently revealed cecal ulceration. Two patients had bowel perforations requiring hemicolectomy. Colitis recurred in two patients after they resumed taxane-based chemotherapy without dose reduction. Dose reductions prevented the recurrence of colitis in seven patients. Treatment discontinuation of taxane-based chemotherapy also prevented disease recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Acute abdominal pain in patients with breast carcinoma treated with taxane-based chemotherapy signaled a potentially fatal colitis, and warrants aggressive supportive care. Dose reduction or discontinuation of taxane-based chemotherapy may prevent the recurrence of colitis. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Anelastic relaxation controlled cyclic creep and cyclic stress rupture behavior of an oxide dispersion strengthened alloy

Cyclic creep deceleration relative to static creep was observed in oxide dispersion strengthened alloy Inconel MA 754 at 760 °C and cyclic stresses of 221 MPa-41 MPa, 231 MPa-41 MPa, and 241 MPa-41 MPa. Tests were run over the range of frequency from 0.05 cycles per hour to six cycles per hour. The maximum cyclic deceleration, which was manifested as a reduced net creep rate and increased rupture life, was observed at the highest cyclic frequency. Considerable anelastic strain, having a magnitude of ea/ee∼ 1/3, is stored in MA 754 at 760 °C under these creep loads, and this strain may be recovered in the off-load half cycle of a cyclic creep test. During the higher frequency tests, the effect of an incomplete storage of anelastic strain on the accompanying nonrecoverable creep rate provides a mechanism for the frequency dependent cyclic creep deceleration. The proposed mechanism is in agreement with mixed-mode test results and with TEM examination of interrupted-test specimens.
Differences between dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators with cylindrical and rectangular exposed electrodes

Surface dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) used as plasma actuators can induce significant time-averaged forces in nearby neutral gases. For single-barrier actuators (one electrode insulated) these forces are dependent on the geometry of the exposed electrode. We demonstrate that using thin cylindrical exposed electrodes can increase the induced force by several hundred percent compared with an actuator with a rectangular exposed electrode of the same thickness. This difference is due almost exclusively to the extent of the exposed electrode in the same direction as the gap between the two electrodes, which tends to be much longer for actuators constructed with rectangular exposed electrodes. The exact shape of the electrode cross-section plays no role. In addition, using an intensified digital camera we observed a new filament-free plasma that occurred only in discharges with exposed electrodes smaller than approximately 0.15 mm in diameter. These discharges spent an increasing fraction of the applied voltage period in this mode as we reduced the exposed electrode diameter. The mode shared several characteristics with a positive corona, and was partially responsible for a decrease in the electrical power used by these discharges.
Comparison of experiments for a class of positively dependent random variables

Using Blackwell's definition for comparison of experiments, it is shown that some sets of positively dependent random variables are less informative than similar sets of independent random variables. It is also shown that the information content of symmetric multivariate normal random vectors with a common known variance increases as the common correlation coefficient decreases. Some results which compare members of two-parameter exponential families are also included.