cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mg/Al layered double hydroxide-Pt nanoparticle composite by delamination-restacking route

Platinum nanoparticle intercalated magnesium–aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH) composite was prepared by restacking the colloidal dispersion of organically modified LDH in the presence of preformed oleylamine capped platinum nanoparticles in n-butanol. The resultant nanocomposite was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The PXRD pattern of the composite indicates an expanded interlayer due to the intercalation of the Pt-nanoparticles into the LDH interlayer region. PXRD patterns along with the IR spectra confirm the formation of the precursors and the composite. TEM image of Pt-nanoparticles shows spherical particles with an average particle size of ~3 nm and that of the composite shows dispersed Pt-nanoparticles on the LDH matrix. The presence of Pt, Mg and Al in the composite is indicated in the EDX data.
Demonstration of Bi-Chormatic Channelization Slow Light in Rubidium Vapor

We demonstrate EIT-based slow light delay of modulated light with frequency widths far exceeding the EIT linewidth. Using a magnetic field to split two EIT resonances, we employ a two-color version of the
Rapid preconditioning neuroprotection following anoxia in hippocampal slices: Role of the k+ATP channel and protein kinase C

Abstract Sublethal cerebral anoxic/ischemic insults may “precondition” and thereby protect brain from subsequent anoxic/ischemic insults. We tested two hypotheses in hippocampal slices: (i) that short periods of anoxia, each followed by reoxygenation, precondition and thereby improve recovery of synaptic activity following “lethal” anoxic insults; and (ii) that the ATP-sensitive potassium channel [K+ATP] or protein kinase C mediates anoxic preconditioning neuroprotection in hippocampal slices. Hippocampal slices were subjected to three short periods of anoxia, each separated by 10 min of reoxygenation. These anoxic insults were prolonged only until the onset of anoxic depolarization. Thirty minutes following these insults, slices underwent a “test” anoxic insult, which was characterized by an anoxic insult that lasted 1 min of anoxic depolarization. Recovery of evoked potential amplitudes was followed for 30 min of reoxygenation. The beneficial effects of preconditioning was shown by the significant recovery of evoked potentials after “test” anoxic insults in preconditioned slices, when compared to controls that only underwent a “test” anoxic insult. In control slices, transient superfusion with an ATP-sensitive potassium channel agonist (10 μM pinacidil) 30 min prior to “test” anoxia markedly improved evoked potential recovery. Administration of 5 AM of the sulfonylurea tolbutamide, an ATP-sensitive potassium channel antagonist during preconditioning insults, blocked the protection afforded by preconditioning. Transient superfusion of a protein kinase C activator (500 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) did not improve evoked potential recovery. Administration of 50 nM chelerythrine, a protein kinase C inhibitor during preconditioning insults did not block the protection afforded by preconditioning. These data support the hypothesis that the ATP-sensitive potassium channel is involved in the neuroprotection afforded by anoxic preconditioning in hippocampal slices. However, protein kinase C activation does not appear to play a role in this neuroprotection.
Estrogen-priming can enhance progesterone's anti-seizure effects in part by increasing hippocampal levels of allopregnanolone

Abstract Estrogen can be proconvulsant, while progesterone and its metabolite allopregnanolone typically have anti-seizure effects. We investigated whether estrogen-priming also has anti-seizure effects by altering progesterone's metabolism to allopregnanolone, or levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in the hippocampus. Two experiments investigated effects of different estrogen-priming regimen (Experiment 1—10 μg; Experiment 2—2 μg) on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures and levels of estrogen, progesterone and allopregnanolone in plasma and hippocampus. In Experiment 1, ovariectomized (ovx) rats were administered sesame oil vehicle or 10 μg 17β-estrogen at hour 0. Forty-four hours later, progesterone (500 μg; SC) or vehicle was administered. At hour 47, PTZ (70 mg/kg IP) was administered. For Experiment 2, a similar protocol was used except that ovx rats were administered vehicle or 2 μg 17β-estradiol at hours 0 and 24. Progesterone, alone or in conjunction with either 10 or 2 μg estrogen-priming, tended to increase the latency to, and significantly reduced the number of, tonic seizures and elevated levels of progestins in hippocampus and plasma. Two, but not 10, micrograms of estrogen alone had anti-seizure effects and increased levels of allopregnanolone in the hippocampus. BDNF levels in the hippocampus were increased by estrogen-priming, but reduced by progesterone administration. Thus, estrogen may have anti-seizure effects by enhancing formation of allopregnanolone.
On the growth of abnormal grains

This paper presents a contribution to the theory of abnormal grain growth in two dimensions by considering an idealized model with both a variable boundary energy and a variable mobility. The authors idealize the problem by considering a single A grain in a matrix of B grains where the AB boundary has a different energy and mobility from the BB boundaries. The analysis is based on the differential curvature rule which allows the boundary to have any shape between vertices which are assumed to be in equilibrium. The authors consider both the instantaneous growth rate of grain A, and the ultimate size of A relative to that of the B grains during grain growth. An extensive literature exists on abnormal grain growth; some of the recent investigations show the importance of variable boundary properties. Harase et al., for example, find that the boundaries of growing grains in secondary recrystallization in silicon steel have a higher frequency of coincidence site boundaries with low sigma ({Sigma} < 33) than is expected for randomly oriented grains.
Lignin from rice straw Kraft pulping: Effects on soil aggregation and chemical properties

Abstract Lignin contained in pulping liquor that is generated during the pulping process for papermaking is a disposal problem for the pulp and paper industry. Separating lignin and other organic components from pulping liquor with inorganic acids may improve its applicability to fields as a beneficial soil amendment while offering a potential disposal alternative. Sulfuric acid-precipitated lignin from rice straw pulping liquor applied at rates of 1.67 and 3.34 g C kg −1 soil was incubated to evaluate its effects on soil properties over 8 weeks of incubation. Addition of this acid-precipitated lignin at these rates decreased soil pH by 0.24–0.53 units over 8 weeks of incubation, suggesting that this sulfuric acid-precipitated lignin from pulping liquor may have potential as a soil acidifying agent. Soil electrical conductivity (EC) only increased by up to 0.36 dS m −1 , but highest EC levels were less than 4 dS m −1 , indicating that lignin applied at both rates would not cause salinity problems. Application of this lignin increased soil organic C by 1.46 and 3.13 g C kg −1 , and total soil N by 0.07 and 0.17 g N kg −1 over the incubation period. Lignin improved the macroaggregation of >2 mm size fraction, and increased wet microaggregate stability of >2 mm and 0.5–0.25 mm aggregates compared to a nonamended control. The results of this study suggest that this acid-precipitated lignin from pulping liquor may have potential as a beneficial soil amendment.
Divergent Phenotypes in Mutant TDP-43 Transgenic Mice Highlight Potential Confounds in TDP-43 Transgenic Modeling

The majority of cases of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are pathologically defined by the cleavage, cytoplasmic redistribution and aggregation of TAR DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43). To examine the contribution of these potentially toxic mechanisms in vivo, we generated transgenic mice expressing human TDP-43 containing the familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-linked M337V mutation and identified two lines that developed neurological phenotypes of differing severity and progression. The first developed a rapid cortical neurodegenerative phenotype in the early postnatal period, characterized by fragmentation of TDP-43 and loss of endogenous murine Tdp-43, but entirely lacking aggregates of ubiquitin or TDP-43. A second, low expressing line was aged to 25 months without a severe neurodegenerative phenotype, despite a 30% loss of mouse Tdp-43 and accumulation of lower molecular weight TDP-43 species. Furthermore, TDP-43 fragments generated during neurodegeneration were not C-terminal, but rather were derived from a central portion of human TDP-43. Thus we find that aggregation is not required for cell loss, loss of murine Tdp-43 is not necessarily sufficient in order to develop a severe neurodegenerative phenotype and lower molecular weight TDP-43 positive species in mouse models should not be inherently assumed to be representative of human disease. Our findings are significant for the interpretation of other transgenic studies of TDP-43 proteinopathy.
An EM autoradiographic study of the hypothalamo-hippocampal projection.

Abstract Previous studies have shown that in many different mammals there is a small but distinct projection from the supramammillary region in the caudal hypothalamus to the junctional region between the regio superior and regio inferior of the hippocampus. We have analyzed the mode of termination of this hypothalamo-hippocampal projectionin the rat by electron microscopic (EM) autoradiography following injections of [3H]proline into the caudal hypothalamus. The projection is confined to the regio inferior where it is centered over the subicular end of field CA3, but also spans the adjoining region, field CA2. In our material the highest densities of labelling have been seen over the deeper part of the pyramidal cell layer and in the adjacent stratum oriens but, in addition, above background levels of labeling have been found superficial to the pyramidal cell layer in the stratum lucidum and the deep part of the stratum radiatum. Most of the labeled synapses appear to be on the perikarya and primary dendrites of the hippocampal pyramidal cells, but some axo-spinous contacts have also been seen. All the labeled boutons contained clear, spheroidal synaptic vesicles and made asymmetric, Type I, contacts with their targets.
Preparation and stability of sixteen murine tissues and organs for flow cytometric cell cycle analysis

Three different technical protocols were used to prepare samples for flow cytometric (FCM) analysis. Each protocol developed worked best for only certain organs. Protocol I involved mincing small pieces of fresh tissue in the propidium iodide (PI) staining solution and filtering through packed glass wool. The organs that were prepared by protocol I were: submandibular gland, urinary bladder, liver, thymus, bone marrow, spleen, lung, kidney and testis. Protocol II involved exposure of the organ to 0.5% acetic acid for 48 h prior to mincing in the PI. The organs that were prepared by protocol II were: uterus, rectum, colon, ileum, and heart. Protocol III utilized an exposure to 0.5% acetic acid, pepsinization, and then staining with PI. The tissues that were prepared by protocol III were the epithelium of the anterior surface of the cornea and the epithelium of the surface of the tongue. A total of 16 different organs and tissues were successfully prepared. For each organ, averaged DNA histograms were analyzed by nonparametric and parametric programs and the results (phase fractions) are presented in tabular form. Several of the organs used came from animals exposed to 1.0 mg/kg vincristine (VC) for 5-6 h to test the capability of the different protocols to detect the enlargement of the G2 + M compartment by the accumulation of VC-arrested mitotic figures. The stability of the many different sample preparations was tested by comparing averaged DNA histograms obtained on the day of sample preparation to averaged DNA histograms of the same set of samples after storage at 4 degrees C, with or without fixation in 10% phosphate-buffered formalin, for days to weeks. After staining with propidium iodide, fixation of the sample with a final concentration of 2-3% phosphate-buffered formalin, was the procedure adopted to assure sample stability. The demonstration of sample stability permits sample preparation to occur at one site followed by transport of the samples to the FCM laboratory at another geographical location. The major findings of this work were a) technical protocols were developed which resulted in acceptable nuclear suspensions for FCM from 16 different murine organs or tissues, b) the stability of these samples can be assured by fixing the PI stained nuclear suspension with formalin, and c) each different protocol was capable of detecting and preserving at least some of the mitotic figures arrested and collected by vincristine.
Simpler Alternatives to Information Theoretic Similarity Metrics for Multimodal Image Alignment

Mutual information (MI) based methods for image registration enjoy great experimental success and are becoming widely used. However, they impose a large computational burden that limits their use; many applications would benefit from a reduction of the computational load. Although the theoretical justification for these methods draws upon the stochastic concept of mutual information, in practice, such methods actually seek the best alignment by maximizing a number that is (deterministically) computed from the two images. These methods thus optimize a fixed function, the "similarity metric," over different candidate alignments of the two images. Accordingly, we study the important features of the computationally complex MI similarity metric with the goal of distilling them into simpler surrogate functions that are easier to compute. More precisely, we show that maximizing the MI similarity metric is equivalent to minimizing a certain distance metric between equivalence classes of images, where images f and g are said to be equivalent if there exists a bijection ? such that f(x) = ?(g(x)) for all x. We then show how to design new similarity metrics for image alignment with this property. Although we preserve only this aspect of MI, our new metrics show equal alignment accuracy and similar robustness to noise, while significantly decreasing computation time. We conclude that even the few properties of MI preserved by our method suffice for accurate registration and may in fact be responsible for MI's success.
Scintigraphic studies of rectal emptying in patients with constipation and defecatory difficulty

We prospectively evaluated 38 adult patients with chronic constipation with and without defecatory difficulties using a newly described scintigraphic test to measure rectal emptying and compared them to 20 healthy controls. All patients underwent anorectal manometry, and 30 who complained of infrequent defecation underwent a colonic transit study using radiopaque markers. Control subjects promptly evacuated both 100 ml and 200 ml artificial stool in a characteristic fashion, but three evacuated none of the 100-ml volume and two had no evacuation of the 200-ml stool (inhibited controls). Constipated patients exhibited three patterns of emptying: (1) normal emptying of both volumes (47%); (2) poor emptying of both volumes or inhibited defecation (29%); and (3) normal emptying of the 200-ml but abnormal evacuation of the 100-ml volume (24%). An abnormal expulsion pattern during manometry occurred in 21% of patients and was strongly associated with the inhibited defecation pattern. However, defecation patterns could not be predicted on the basis of age, gender, symptoms, duration of complaints, colonic transit, or other rectal manometric parameters. Although rectal scintigraphy has potential advantages as a diagnostic test in terms of quantitation and decreased radiation exposure, the inability of the test to distinguish patients with slow transit constipation and defecatory complaints makes the potential utility of this test of uncertain value in clinical and investigative settings.
The Growing Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes: Increased Incidence or Improved Survival?

Approximately 347 million persons were estimated to have diabetes worldwide in 2008, an increase of 194 million cases from 1980. Diabetes now affects both high- and low-income countries, with low-income countries bearing the majority of the burden. The epidemiologic transition from traditional health risks, such as poor hygiene, to modern health risks, such as sedentary lifestyle, has facilitated the increase in incidence in diabetes, especially in developing countries. The effect of these risk factors may be especially pronounced in some racial and ethnic populations. Increased surveillance for diabetes has contributed to increased diabetes prevalence in higher-income countries. Survival with and some risk factors for diabetes have improved in developed countries, but global diabetes mortality has increased by 20 % since 1990. Population growth and aging will only increase the burden of diabetes, and public health interventions are needed to address diabetes risk factors to stem the tide of this epidemic.
Trabecular Bone Adaptation to Variations in Porous-Coated Implant Topology

Trabecular bone adaptation adjacent to porous-coated platen implants embedded within canine distal femoral metaphyses was evaluated following 24 weeks of daily compressive loading. The in vivo experimental model delivered controlled loads to five different platen implant topologies with variations in platen shape and porous coating distribution. Adaptive changes were evaluated based on three-dimensional stereological analyses of trabecular bone architecture underneath each platen and non-destructive mechanical tests of platen construct stiffness. Fully coated cylindrical platen designs possessed the highest construct stiffness in both tension and compression. Changes in local trabecular bone morphology were also found to be significantly influenced by platen implant topology. Cylindrical platens with fully coated bottom surfaces were associated with greater decreases in trabecular bone volume and connectivity than cylindrical platens with smooth bottom surfaces or fully coated conical platens. Comparisons to site-matched contralateral control bone volumes across all platen designs indicated significant decreases in the average bone volume fraction, trabecular plate number, and connectivity within experimental samples, but no change in trabecular plate thickness. In addition, analyses of microstructural anisotropy revealed a 20 degrees or 20.2 degrees trabecular reorientation towards the axis of loading in experimental tissue. This study demonstrates that trabecular bone adaptation near porous-coated surfaces is influenced by variations in local implant topology and provides insight into specific mechanisms of implant-mediated microstructural adaptation.
Group Formation and the Cultural Division of Labor

A structural theory of the relationship between class and status group formation is presented. The approach postulates, first, that differences in the solidarity of any objectively defined groups are independently determined by the extent of stratification among these groups and interaction within them. These expectations are confirmed by an analysis of variation in the solidarity of 17 American ethnic groups in 1970. Second, the relative importance of class as against status group division in societies as a whole is held to depend upon the degree of hierarchy and segmentation of their respective cultural divisions of labor. Supportive evidence is found in the examination of differences in the strength of class voting among five Australian states in 1964.
Studies on single foci of hematopoietic cells transformed by avian myeloblastosis virus.

Abstract Standard avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) was used to infect yolk sac cultures with two virus dilutions. The cultures were overlayed with agar and individual transformed foci were isolated and transferred onto quail fibroblast feeder cultures. Supernatant fluids were tested for infectious virus, and several foci were found to be virus-free. These were challenged with four different leukosis viruses, and rescue of transforming AMV was accomplished in some cases.
Formation and stability of size-, shape-, and structure-controlled CdTe nanocrystals: Ligand effects on monomers and nanocrystals

The formation of nearly monodisperse CdTe nanocrystalsdots (either zinc blende or wurtzite crystal structure), rods, and tetrapodsin a noncoordinating solvent was studied. Several strong ligand effects were observed, and the ligand effects on the monomers were found to play a more important role than the ligand effects on the nanocrystals. Experimental results suggest that, instead of monomer concentrations, monomer activities is a more relevant term for understanding the formation of nanocrystals because strong ligands always exist in the reaction solutions. The bonding strength and the steric effects of ligands dramatically affect the reactivity of monomers and are considered as contributors to the activity coefficients of monomers. The overall optical properties of the as-prepared CdTe nanocrystals are better than those reported in the literature and comparable to the standard CdSe nanocrystal system. The configuration of the hydrocarbon chains of the ligands on the surface of each nanocrystal also pla...
Dendrimer‐Encapsulated Ruthenium Oxide Nanoparticles as Catalysts in Lithium‐Oxygen Batteries

Dendrimer-encapsulated ruthenium oxide nanoparticles (DEN-RuO2) have been used as catalysts in lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries for the first time. The results obtained from ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy show that the nanoparticles synthesized by the dendrimer template method are ruthenium oxide, not metallic ruthenium as reported by other groups. The DEN-RuO2 significantly improves the cycling stability of Li-O2 batteries with carbon electrodes and decreases the charging potential even at ten times less catalyst loading than those reported previously. The monodispersity, porosity, and large number of surface functionalities of the dendrimer template prevent the aggregation of the RuO2 nanoparticles, making their entire surface area available for catalysis. The potential of using DEN-RuO2 as a standalone cathode material for Li-O2 batteries is also explored.
Effects of an insect–nematode–fungus pest complex on grain yield and composition of specialty low linolenic acid soybean

Abstract Linolenic acid is a precursor to components in plant defense responses to pests and pathogens. Soybean cultivars with altered seed linolenic acid contents have been developed for improved oil qualities, specifically reduced fatty acid content with increased stability. We examined how three common soybean pests, the soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines ), brown stem rot (BSR) caused by Cadophora gregata and the soybean aphid (SBA; Aphis glycines ), affect yield and seed linolenic acid percentage of low linolenic acid cultivars. In a micro-plot field experiment, soybean cultivars with varying concentrations of linolenic acid in the seed (ultra-low or low) and resistance to SCN (susceptible or resistant) were grown at a central Iowa research farm. Plots were kept free of pests (control) or artificially infested with a single pest (SCN, BSR or SBA) or the combination of all three pests (multiple pest). The use of resistant cultivars (SCN and BSR) or an insecticide at an economic threshold (SBA) was analyzed to determine the efficacy of current management recommendations for low linolenic acid soybean production. Seed was collected at the end of the season to measure yield and grain composition. All three pests alone or in combination were capable of reducing yield, but only the three pests in combination were capable of affecting seed linolenic acid percentages, increasing linolenic acid percentages by 11.7% in SCN-susceptible cultivars. For all three pests, current management recommendations (resistant cultivars or economic thresholds) provided protection of both yield and grain composition, indicating no changes in management are necessary for altered linolenic acid soybean cultivars.
Two-Dimensional Echocardiographic Methods for Assessment of Left Atrial Volume

Left atrial (LA) size is an important predictor of cardiovascular events. Various methods of LA volume assessment exist, but their differences have not been defined. This prospective study included 631 patients (331 men; mean age of 68 +/- 14 years) without a history of atrial arrhythmias, stroke, valvular heart disease, pacemaker implantation, or congenital heart disease. All underwent echocardiography with comprehensive diastolic function assessment and LA volume measurement by 3 commonly used methods: biplane area-length, biplane Simpson's method, and the prolate-ellipsoid method. Mean LA volumes were 39 +/- 14 ml/m2 by the area-length method, 38 +/- 13 ml/m2 by the Simpson's method, and 32 +/- 14 ml/m2 by the prolate-ellipsoid method. In 92% of patients, the prolate measurement was smaller than the 2 biplane methods. Pairwise correlations (r) were 0.98 for area-length versus Simpson's, 0.85 for prolate versus area-length, and 0.86 for prolate versus Simpson's (all p values <0.001). For distinguishing normal (n = 62) from pseudonormal diastolic function (n = 240) using receiver-operating curve analysis, areas under the curves were 0.76, 0.78, and 0.75 for the area-length, Simpson's, and prolate methods, respectively (all p values <0.001, no significant intermethod differences). In conclusion, our findings suggest that there are systematic differences among existing LA volume methods. Biplane area-length and Simpson's methods compare closely, whereas the prolate-ellipsoid method generally yields smaller volumes.
The Conditions of Realism

The concern of this paper is not with the truth of any particular realist or anti-realist view, but rather with determining what it is to be a realist or anti-realist in the first place. While much skepticism has been voiced in recent years about the viability of such a project, my goal is to articulate interesting and informative conditions whereby any view in any domain of experience can count as either a realist or an anti-realist position.
Multiobjective optimization for design of multifunctional sandwich panel heat pipes with micro-architected truss cores

Abstract A micro-architected multifunctional structure, a sandwich panel heat pipe with a micro-scale truss core and arterial wick, is modeled and optimized. To characterize multiple functionalities, objective equations are formulated for density, compressive modulus, compressive strength, and maximum heat flux. Multiobjective optimization is used to determine the Pareto-optimal design surfaces, which consist of hundreds of individually optimized designs. The Pareto-optimal surfaces for different working fluids (water, ethanol, and perfluoro(methylcyclohexane)) as well as different micro-scale truss core materials (metal, ceramic, and polymer) are determined and compared. Examination of the Pareto fronts allows comparison of the trade-offs between density, compressive stiffness, compressive strength, and maximum heat flux in the design of multifunctional sandwich panel heat pipes with micro-scale truss cores. Heat fluxes up to 3.0 MW/m2 are predicted for silicon carbide truss core heat pipes with water as the working fluid.
Composting studies of poly (β-hydroxybutyrate-co-/gb-hydroxyvalerate)

Abstract The compost activity of poly (β-hydroxybutyrate) [P(β-HB)] and a copolymer of 20% β-hydroxyvalerate [P(β-HB-co-20% β-HV)] were studied in a simulated municipal solid waste compost test at a constant temperature of 55 °C and a constant moisture content of 54%. The goal of this study was to compare the biodegradation rate of the polymer at various time points during the composting cycle as well as to investigate the effect of the acclimation or exposure time of a sample. The test films were divided into two groups. Group one was made up of samples which were exposed to the bioreactor continuously for a total of eighteen days with the sample weight loss being measured at time increments of three days of exposure. Group two was made up of samples which were each individually only exposed to the bioreactor environment for a total of three days but the exposure was at various time points during the composting cycle. Biodegradation was measured through weight loss and normalized for thickness (μg/mm 2 ). The compost activity was found to be divided into three stages with the maximum rate of polymer degradation occurring between the tenth and fifteenth day. Higher degradation rates were observed for the continuously exposed samples. The weight loss of the P(β-HB-co-20% β-HV) was found to be significantly faster than that for the P(β-HB) in this compost test.
Electrophoretic analysis of proteins from normal and cesium chloride-treated Escherichia coli ribosomes.

Abstract Ribosomal proteins isolated from 70 s, 50 s and 30 s Escherichia coli ribosomes are characterized by acrylamide gel electrophoresis. A high degree of specificity with only little overlap is found in the gel electrophoresis patterns from the 50 s and 30 s ribosomes. The patterns of the two units add up to the patterns of 70 s ribosomes. The 50 s and 30 s ribosomes were further fractionated into protein-deficient cores (42 s and 23 s, respectively) and free protein by equilibrium density-gradient centrifugation in cesium chloride. On the basis of gel electrophoresis of the core proteins and the dissociated proteins, it appears that cesium chloride treatment removes a specific group of proteins from both 50 s and 30 s ribosomes.
Thermodynamic properties of liquid 3 He- 4 He mixtures near the tricritical point. II. Data analysis by the scaling-field method

The scaling theory for tricritical phenomena by Riedel is applied to the analysis of thermodynamic properties of liquid3He-4He mixtures near the tricritical point. Within this theory experimental data for the phase diagram, the3He molar concentrationX, and the concentration susceptibility (∂X/∂Δ) T are discussed in terms of two scaling fields that are functions of the temperatureT and the difference Δ= $$\hat \mu $$ 3 − $$\hat \mu $$ 4 of the chemical potentials of the two helium isotopes. The quantitiesX and (∂X/∂Δ) T in terms of thefields T and Δ as independent variables are obtained for the intervals −0.1<T − T t<0.53 K and −9<Δ − Δ t <0.8 J/mole, from vapor pressure and calorimetric data described in a previous paper by Goellner, Behringer, and Meyer. The transformed data are analyzed to yield the tricritical exponents, amplitudes, scaling fields, and scaling functions. The values of the tricritical exponents are found to agree with those predicted by the renormalization-group theory of Riedel and Wegner. (Logarithmic corrections are beyond the precision of the present experiment.) Relations between amplitudes are derived and tested experimentally. The (linear) scaling fields are determined by using their relationship to geometrical features of the phase diagram. The data forX and (∂X/∂Δ) T are found to scale in terms of these generalized scaling variables. The sizes of the tricritical scaling regions in the normal and superfluid phases are estimated; the range of apparent tricritical scaling is found to be appreciably larger in the normal-fluid phase than in the superfluid phase. The tricritical scaling function for the concentration susceptibility is compared with the analogous scaling function for the compressibility of pure3He near thecritical gas—liquid phase transition. Finally, when the critical line near the tricritical point is approached along a path of constant Δ<Δ t , the experimental data are found to exhibit the onset of the crossover from tricritical to critical behavior in qualitative agreement with crossover scaling.
Biomarkers and Correlative Endpoints for Immunotherapy Trials: What Can We Learn in Lung Cancer from Other Tumor Types?

Immunotherapies for lung cancer are reaching phase III clinical trial, but the ultimate success likely will depend on developing biomarkers to guide development and choosing patient populations most likely to benefit. Because the immune response to cancer involves multiple cell types and cytokines, some spatially and temporally separated, it is likely that multiple biomarkers will be required to fully characterize efficacy of the vaccine and predict eventual benefit. Peripheral blood markers of response, such as the ELISPOT assay and cytokine flow cytometry analyses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells following immunotherapy, remain the standard approach, but it is increasingly important to obtain tissue to study the immune response at the site of the tumor. Earlier clinical endpoints such as response rate and progression-free survival do not correlate with overall survival demonstrated for some immunotherapies, suggesting the need to develop other intermediary clinical endpoints. Insofar as all these biomarkers and surrogate endpoints are relevant in multiple malignancies, it may be possible to extrapolate findings to immunotherapy of lung cancer.
Outcome Following Surgical Treatment of 23 Cases of Primary Plantar/Palmar Annular Ligament Desmopathy: A Retrospective Study

Reasons for performing study Little exists in the literature regarding the outcome of endoscopically-guided desmotomy of the palmar/plantar annular ligament (PAL) where injury to the PAL was the only diagnosis. Objectives To report the return to previous level of exercise in horses treated with endoscopically guided PAL resection in which PAL injury was considered to be the primary condition. Study design Retrospective case series. Methods Medical records of surgical cases at Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery between 2005 and 2013 were reviewed. The inclusion criteria were cases that had undergone surgical transection of the palmar/plantar annular ligament under general anaesthesia and endoscopic guidance using a No. 12 scalpel blade where annular ligament injury was the only notable finding at surgery. Follow-up was obtained by a telephone questionnaire. Results Twenty-three horses were included in the study. Twenty horses were noted to have restriction to passage of the arthroscope within the digital flexor tendon sheath at the time of surgery. Following the initial 3-month post operative rest period 21 horses were sound. Three horses did not return to their previous level of activity due to unrelated lameness issues and 2 returned to a lower level of competition due to owner preference. Of the remaining 18 horses, 16 returned to their previous level of athletic performance. Two horses had recurrent or persistent lameness associated with the residual PAL desmopathy. Conclusions In this case series surgical treatment of primary PAL injury carries a good prognosis (89% return to previous level of exercise) in contrast to a previously reported study (<50% of horses were able to return to athletic function) [1]. Ethical animal research: Ethical committee approval not currently required by this congress: retrospective study of clinical records. Explicit owner informed consent for participation in this study was not stated. Sources of funding: None. Competing interests: None.
PROCESSING OF METAL AND CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES WITH THREE-DIMENSIONAL BRAIDED REINFORCEMENT

ABSTRACT This paper summarizes some of the pioneering work done in developing the processing techniques to consolidate metal and ceramic matrix composites with 3-D braided fiber architecture. The 3-D braided fiber architecture features a fully integrated structure with multidirectional reinforcement and allows for the braiding of complex shapes. For metal matrix composite, a 3-D braided AI2O3 fibers preform reinforced Al-Li matrix composite has been successfully fabricated by liquid vacuum infiltration methods. For ceramic matrix composites, chemical vapor infiltration technique has been used to densify a 3-D braided Nicalon fibers preform with SiC matrix composite. A significant improvement in composite performance can be achieved through the architecture of 3-D integrated reinforcement geometry. The future needs and directions for developing viable methods for fabricating strong, tough high temperature composites with 3-D reinforcements is also discussed.
Substituent Effects on Redox Potentials and Optical Gap Energies of Molecule-like Au38(SPhX)24 Nanoparticles

A molecule-like substituent effect on redox formal potentials in the nanoparticle series Au38(SPhX)24 has been discovered. Electron-withdrawing “X” substituents energetically favor reduction and disfavor oxidation, and give formal potentials that correlate with Hammett substituent constants. The ligand monolayer of the nanoparticles is shown, thereby, to play a strong role in determining electronic energies of the nanoparticle core and is more than simply a protecting or capping layer. The substituent effect does not, however, detectably change the HOMO−LUMO gap energy, being identical for the HOMO and LUMO levels and presumably inductive in nature.
Fire management and climate variability: Challenges in designing environmental regulations

a b s t r a c t Designing fire management regulations is a challenging task given the spatial and temporal variation of climate conditions. Using the burning calendar, a fire management tool to prevent forest fires in Mexico, we assessed the temporal and spatial overlap between this regulation, climate variability and fire use in Calakmul, Mexico. Based on technical recommendations and fieldwork, we defined ranges of wind speed, relative humidity and rainfall that are needed for burning. We studied how these conditions varied over periods of 10 to 50+ years based on meteorological records in 5 locations. Participant observation of agricultural burns and interviews with community leaders and government officials allowed us to study the challenges of following regulations. Results indicate that during the legal time to burn, from 4 to 11 am, there is, on average, only 1 h with suitable climate conditions for agricultural fire. Farmers burn in the afternoon, when moisture is lower, increasing the chances of successful agricultural burns to 25% and up to 80% compared to morning conditions. However, in the afternoon, wind speed tends to increase, elevating the likelihood of uncontrolled secondary fires. In terms of seasonality, the period to burn is suitable for some years in some locations but it is not infallible. Environmental rules aimed at fire management must be sensitive to local climate variations in order to achieve both wildfire prevention and support livelihood systems relying on fire. Rules that do not correspond to the physical context are not only less likely to be followed, but are not legitimate to actors whose behaviors are intended to be regulated.
The evolutionary origins of gene regulation.

One way that organisms cope with constantly changing physical and biological conditions is by regulating the expression of genes and thereby altering protein production. Clearly, altering the protein production to match the environmental demands can be adaptive, but there may be evolutionary barriers to the transition from constitutive expression to regulated expression. In particular, down-regulating a gene when it is not needed means that there will necessarily be a delay in protein production when the protein is up-regulated in the future. We develop a model of simple gene regulation in response to randomly changing environmental conditions. We calculate the long-term behavior of gene expression and determine the fitness consequences of changes in the gene regulation. We then embed this model into a population genetic framework in order to determine the conditions that allow populations to evolve environment-specific transcription rates. The population genetic model follows the evolutionary transition from constitutive expression to regulated expression. There are three distinct possible evolutionary outcomes. The gene may be stuck in the always on position, the gene may first evolve to an intermediate constitutive expression level and then evolve regulation, or regulation can evolve directly from the ancestral state in a smooth fashion. Regulation is most likely to evolve when the costs of mis-expression are low and the transcript decay rate is high. This suggests that genes that have less severe reductions in fitness when mis-expressed are more likely to initially evolve regulation. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Ecol.) 314B:327–340, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Gaussian Beams in Hollow Metal Waveguides

Various families of Gaussian beams have been explored previously to represent the propagation of nearly plane electromagnetic waves in media having at most quadratic transverse variations of the index of refraction and the gain or loss in the vicinity of the beam. However, such beams cannot directly represent the wave solutions for propagation in planar or rectangular waveguides, and sinusoidal mode functions are more commonly used for such waveguides. On the other hand, it is also useful to consider the possibility of recurring Gaussian beams that have an approximately Gaussian transverse profile at certain distinct planes along the propagation path. It is shown here that under some conditions recurring Gaussian beams can describe wave propagation in hollow metal waveguides, and they can also lead to efficient coupling between the waveguide fields and free-space beams.
The Genome Project and human health.

The author claims that the positional cloning approach, whereby a gene is identified by its map position without making assumptions about its structure or function, has provided significant information about common inherited disorders. Genes responsible for cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and neurofibromatosis have been cloned. However, this technology has been labor intensive and extremely expensive. The Human Genome Project will provide information that will drive research for at least the next 100 years and will likely transform medicine in the 21st century into the preventive mode.
The hard sphere gas in the Boltzmann-Grad limit

Abstract This talk will review what has been rigorously proved about the time-dependent behaviour of a gas of classical hard spheres in the limiting regime where the number n of particles per unit volume becomes infinitely large while the particle diameter ϵ goes to zero in such a way that nϵ2 approaches a finite non-zero limit. (It is in this limiting regime that the Boltzmann equation is expected to become exact.) The review will emphasize general conceptual issues including: (1) How one constructs, in a mathematically precise way, a reduced macroscopic description appropriate to this limiting regime. (2) How probabilistic considerations enter the analysis. (3) At what point irreversibility appears.
Betweeness for real vectors and lines, III alternative characterizations of betweennesses

This paper introduces terminology enabling the discussion of centerrelated betweennesses defined with respect to centers other than the origin. Thus, it is then proved that the familiar Open image in new window -betweenness in Open image in new window which is origin-centered, is equivalent to a non-origin-centered Open image in new window -betweenness in one lower dimension. A new betweenness inK, denoted by Open image in new window , (r>0), is defined and studied, and it is shown that its restriction to Open image in new window is precisely Open image in new window -betweenness for a certain ν. Finally, by a method elaborated in the earlier papers, a new betweeness, Open image in new window , is induced on the upper open-hemisphere-plus-a-point in 3-space, and a characterization of it is obtained which is expected to facilitate later investigations of betweenness is complex spaces.
An examination of the structure and inversion barrier for lithium and sodium phosphide

Abstract The structure and inversion barrier for lithium phosphide (PLi3) and sodium phosphide (PNa3) have been examined using ab initio quantum-chemical methods. Optimized geometries for planar and non-planar structures have been determined at the HF, MP2 and MP3 levels of theory using 6-31G(d) and 6-31G(2d) bases, and the energetics of these structures have been determined. Vibrational frequencies and infrared intensities have been calculated at the HF/6-31G(d) and MP2/6-31G(d) levels for lithium and sodium phosphide planar and non-planar structures. Only the non-planar structures correspond to the minimum on the potential energy surface. The planar structures are first-order saddle points. Inversion barriers have been determined. The barrier for lithium and sodium phosphide are 4.9 and 7.5 kcal mol−1, respectively.
Stimulation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate production by natriuretic peptide in human biliary cells

Abstract Background & Aims: Guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), whose production is stimulated by the interaction of nitric oxide, natriuretic peptides, and guanylin with their respective guanylate cyclases, activates secretion through ion channels in several epithelia. Cl − channels have been identified in the apical membrane of biliary epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the production of cGMP and its effects on Cl − permeability in biliary epithelial cells. Methods: Halide efflux measurement, whole-cell patch clamp recording, radioimmunoassay, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction using two human biliary cell lines (H69 and Mz-ChA-1) were performed. Results: In cells equilibrated with 125 I, bromo-cGMP stimulated halide efflux by 22%. In whole-cell patch clamp recordings, the addition of cGMP intracellularly, or of atrial natriuretic peptide extracellularly, stimulated inward currents at negative membrane potentials, consistent with Cl − efflux through open channels. In H69 cells, atrial and C-type natriuretic peptides stimulated production of cGMP. Mz-ChA-1 responded only to atrial natriuretic peptide. Both cell lines expressed messenger RNA for the guanylate cyclase type A receptor and the guanylate cyclase free-clearance receptor. Conclusions: These data suggest that natriuretic peptide stimulates cGMP production in human biliary epithelial cells, which in turn may regulate ductular bile formation through the opening of Cl − channels. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1998;114:782-790