cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Localization of Basement Membrane Components After Dermal-Epidermal Junction Separation

Adult human skin was separated at the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) by 4 published methods that involved different mechanisms of action: cold 1 M salt (tissue extraction), cold trypsinization (enzymatic), induction of a suction blister (mechanical), and warm phosphate- buffered saline (protease activation). The localization of DEJ macromolecules was studied after each separation method. By all of the methods tested, bullous pemphigoid antigen remained closely associated with the epidermis while laminin, the basement membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and collagen types IV and V remained with the dermal side of the separation. The bullous pemphigoid antigen is, then, the DEJ component most closely associated with the epidermal basal cell. Of the basement membrane components tested, only the basement membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan was trypsin-sensitive.
High temperature deformation behavior of solid and semi-solid alloy 718

The mechanical response of alloy 718 with various microstructures in the solid and semi-solid state has been characterized. The experimental results presented for the lower temperature solid state deformation are in good agreement with published literature values and extend the experimental range to higher temperatures and lower strain rates. When dendrites were aligned along the compression axis, the directionally solidified materials exhibited an activation energy for plastic flow consistent with the activation energy for creep and self-diffusion in nickel, even at temperatures within the mushy zone. However, samples containing non-aligned grains in the semi-solid state exhibited a greater dependence of deformation with temperature; this was associated with lubricated flow of the grains due to the intergranular liquid in the mushy zone.
Harmonic sextupoles for the Advanced Light Source low emittance upgrade

Abstract The Advanced Light Source is a 3rd generation light source in operation since 1993. This light source is providing state of the art performance to more than 40 beamlines and their users thanks to the upgrades that have been completed over the last few years. Higher photon beam brightness is expected to become available to users in the near future through a new upgrade with the introduction of 48 sextupoles in the ALS lattice. Introducing new combined function magnets in an existing storage ring is a challenge due to the limited space available and a balance had to be found between magnet performance and spatial constraints. Moreover, the existing steering magnets will be replaced by the harmonic sextupoles. Therefore predicting the hysteresis behavior of the harmonic sextupole steering functions became critical for those included in the fast-orbit feedback loop (22 of them). After a brief introduction to the motivation for the upgrade and the scope of the project, we develop in this paper the different constraints driving the three required combined function magnet designs as well as their expected performance.
Effects of lambda-carrageenan induced experimental enterocolitis on splenocyte function and nitric oxide production

A lambda-carrageenan induced rat model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) allowed evaluation of progressive histopathological changes over time and comparison with human disease. In addition, this model was used to test the hypothesis that the immunosuppression observed in IBD may be mediated in part by augmented production of nitric oxide by splenic lymphocytes. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed standard rat chow and a drinking solution of 2% lambda-carrageenan without prior sensitization to the compound. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks, small and large intestines were removed for histological examination, and splenocytes were assayed for response to various mitogens and for nitrite production. Intestinal lesions gradually developed in lambda-carrageenan fed rats and were found to be morphologically similar to those observed in human ulcerative colitis. The proliferative response of splenocytes to known mitogens was significantly diminished in carrageenan fed rats, when compared with pair-fed controls, but was fully restored when cultured in the presence of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, a specific inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. Preliminary data suggest that overproduction of nitric oxide may provide a molecular mechanism for the immunosuppression observed during chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Further characterization of a reproducible rat model of IBD will allow further investigation into the pathogenesis of the human disease.
Gasification of silicone fluids under external thermal radiation. Part I. Gasification rate and global heat of gasification

Transient gasification rates and fluid temperatures were measured for polydimethylsiloxane fluids ranging in viscosity from 0.65 cS to 60000 cS in a nitrogen atmosphere at external radiant fluxes from 20 kW/m(2) to 70 kW/m(2). A detailed energy balance for each fluid sample was conducted to determine its global heat of vaporization. Two major energy loss corrections were identified and quantified. The absorption of incident radiation by the volatile products from short chain oligomers was measured and found to substantially reduce the incident flux to the sample surface; the energy loss due to re-radiation was determined to be a substantial factor in reducing the net heat flux to the sample for long chain length fluids. Other energy losses, e,g, heat loss to the substrate, were observed but were less significant. The average gasification rate for each fluid increased linearly with increasing external radiant flux. The global heat of gasification increases with an increase in the chain length (molecular weight) for the siloxane oligomers. These agreed well with calculated values. The global heat of gasification for 50 cS fluid is about 1200 kJ/kg and its value remains nearly constant for all higher molecular weight dimethylsiloxanes, Pyrolysis rates for siloxane fluids are very sensitive to trace catalysts, Measurements of the global heat of gasification for ultra-clean polymers resulted in significantly higher values (3000 kJ/kg), The gasification of siloxanes occurs via two modes or combinations thereof: (1) volatilization of molecular species native to the polymer, and (2) volatilization of thermal degradation products. The former process dominates for low molecular weight siloxanes (eta less than 10 cS) and the latter process dominates for high molecular weight siloxanes (eta greater than 1000 cS). For the intermediate molecular weight siloxanes, both volatilization and degradation processes occur.
Down-regulation of major histocompatibility complex Q1b gene expression by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

Abstract We analyzed mouse hepatoma cells using differential display to discover new genes that respond to the environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). We identified a class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene, which we designated as MHC Q1 b, whose expression decreases in the presence of TCDD. TCDD-induced down-regulation of MHCQ1 b requires both the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor and the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator, transcription factors that up-regulate other genes in response to TCDD. Down-regulation of MHC Q1 b by TCDD appears to involve both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory events; the post-transcriptional destabilization of MHCQ1 b mRNA is probably a secondary response to TCDD. Our findings reveal new mechanistic aspects of gene regulation by TCDD. In addition, our observations suggest a mechanism that might account for some of TCDD’s immunotoxic effects.
Queering the Siren's Call: Signatures of Subjectivity in Dante's Purgatorio and Alison Bechdel's Fun Home

AbstractThis essay considers the significance of the Siren figure to Dante's Purgatorio and Alison Bechdel's Fun Home with a focus on the figure's relation to tropes of knowledge, specifically self-knowledge as manifested in the reading, writing, and speaking of the self. The Siren's call pertains not only to the classical notion of a woman's vocal allure, answered by those men for whom it signals the possibility of ultimate experience, but also to the allure of intertextual discourses as a means of foregrounding correlations of subjectivity and desire. Derived from Homeric epic and reinterpreted by philosophers and writers such as Boethius and Cicero, the Siren brings to the narrative a self-reflexive awareness of subjectivity manifest in subject/object positions: the self as it desires and as it knows that it desires what it desires. The Siren operates as a trope of queer subjectivity, complicating the narratives' engagement with issues of subjectivity and desire. In bringing these two texts together in...
The Trials of Clinical Trials

• Controlled clinical trials are becoming increasingly frequent in neurology. A review of the literature indicates that several trials have serious flaws in study design and conduct that render the results questionable or uninterpretable. These reports, together with my own experience with the trial of plasmapheresis in the treatment of acute Guillain-Barre syndrome, have led me to conclude that while the formulation of the crucial research question and the definition of outcomes as a measure of efficacy are extremely important, the availability of a compliant patient population of appropriate size and the compliance by the study physicians are essential. Moreover, close cooperation with the statistician in planning the trial and the statistical strategy for analysis is also critical. Suggestions are made to aid the clinician in setting up the most efficacious trial and reporting the results.
The effect of dietary ethanol on the composition of lipids of Drosophila melanogaster larvae.

At a moderate concentration (2.5%, v/v) dietary ethanol reduced the chain length of total fatty acids (FA) and increased the desaturation of short-chain FA in Drosophila melanogaster larvae with a functional alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). The changes in length in total FA were postulated to be due to the modulation of the termination specificity of fatty acid synthetase. Because the ethanol-stimulated reduction in the length of unsaturated FA was blocked by linoleic acid, it was thought to reflect the properties of FA 9-desaturase. Although the ethanol-stimulated reduction in chain length of unsaturated FA was also observed in ADH-null larvae, ethanol promoted an increase in the length of total FA of the mutant larvae. Thus, the ethanolstimulated change in FA length was ADH dependent but the ethanol effect on FA desaturation was not. Ethanol also stimulated a decrease in the relative amount of phosphatidylcholine and an increase in phosphatidylethanolamine. Because similar ethanol-induced changes have been found in membrane lipids of other animals, ethanol may alter the properties of membranes in larvae. It is proposed that ethanol tolerance in D. melanogaster may be dependent on genes that specify lipids that are resistant to the detrimental effects of ethanol.
Age-related decrements in the analgesic response to cold-water swims.

Abstract Among the compromised physiological responses affected by aging is an impaired ability to thermoregulate in a cold environment. Since acute exposure to cold-water swims (CWS) produces both analgesic and hypothermic responses in young adult rats, the present study examined whether systematic variations in these responses occurred as a function of age. Separate cohorts of 4, 9, 14, 19 and 24-month old female rats received a no-swim condition and a 2°C swim for 3.5 min with tail-flick latencies, jump thresholds and core body temperature assessed 30, 60 and 90 min later. The order of conditions was counterbalanced with an interval of four days between conditions. While the four younger cohorts displayed similar CWS analgesia on the tail-flick test, the 24-month cohort failed to display CWS analgesia on this measure. Age-related differences in CWS analgesia on the jump test appeared more gradual with the three older cohorts displaying significant attenuations relative to the 9-month group, and the oldest cohort displaying significant attenuations relative to the 4-month group. In contrast, the hypothermic effect of CWS was significantly potentiated in the three oldest cohorts, with a progressive inability to cope with thermoregulation observed as a function of age. The observed decrements in the analgesic response to CWS as a function of age appear to represent a change in (a) the ability of the animal to perceive the CWS stimulus as stressful (b) an endogenous pain-inhibitory system and/or (c) an endogenous pain transmission system that is independent of thermoregulatory mechanisms.
Majority Perceptions of Opinion Deviates’ Interpersonal Attractiveness A Communicative Analysis

Employing Moscovici’s behavioral style model of social influence, this study viewed social influence as rooted in conflict and sought to determine the impact an opinion deviate’s use of evidence an...
Children's event knowledge of cancer treatment

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to systematically describe the schematic organization of children's knowledge of the routine procedures they experience when being treated for cancer (leukemia) in outpatient pediatric oncology clinics. The effects of several independent variables, including age, time in treatment, prognastic condition, and gender, were tested on children's cognitive organization and recall of their experiences in oncology clinics relative to their experiences of other common recurrent events in their lives. In general, findings indicated that children between the ages 4 and 17 demonstrated well-organized knowledge about the events they experience in oncology clinics, particularly the administration of chemotherapy.
Some further analyses of E-layer measurements in South Africa during the solar eclipse of 25 December 1954

Abstract The E-layer measurements from three stations in South Africa during the solar eclipse of 25 December 1954 have been analysed from three points of view: (a) all the radiation comes from the visible disc, in which case aE = 1.5 × 10−8cm3sec−1; (b) 15 per cent of the radiation comes from outside the disc and a′E = 4 × 10−8cm3sec−1; and (c) the effect of two species of ion with differing recombination coefficients. It is shown that to neglect the effect of a more rapidly recombining species of ion may lead to an overestimate of the effect of the corona or of the limb-brightening.
Ribosome formation from ribonucleic acid accumulated during puromycin treatment: influence of proflavin.

Abstract 1. Escherichia coli 15T− treated with puromycin accumulates RNA in the absence of protein synthesis. The accumulated RNA is incorporated into new ribosome particles for at least 45 min following removal of puromycin. 2. If proflavin is present during recovery from puromycin treatment, very little formation of new ribosomes takes place. 3. More than 50 % of the accumulated RNA (23-S, 16-S and 4-S RNA) is degraded to trichloroacetic acid-soluble material during the first 30 min after proflavin addition. A study of the breakdown reveals that the 23-S RNA is most labile in the presence of proflavin followed by the 16-S material. Most of these two components have disappeared after 30 min incubation with proflavin. Puromycin does not prevent degradation of the accumulated RNA when proflavin is present.
Characterization of two endopolygalacturonase isozymes produced by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersici

Abstract Polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15) produced by Fursarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici was purified by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, CM-cellulose, and hydroxyapatite. The purified enzyme consisted of two electrophoretically distinct “isozymes”, that behaved as charge isomers during electrophoresis in several different concentrations of polyacrylamide gel. The two isozymes had similar “endo” modes of action on polygalacturonic acid, as determined by comparison of viscosity reduction, reducing group release, and thin-layer chromartography of oligomeric hydrolysis products. Both isozymes hydrolyzed 5% of the substrate bonds in reaching 50% viscosity reduction. The amino acid compositions of the isozymes were similar and their molecular weights were about 37 000 as determined by sedimentation equilibrium. Removal of large amounts of carbohydrate during purification did not affect heat stability of the enzymes. A large proportion of the remaining carbohydrate appeared to be covalently linked to the enzyme protein.
Interpretation of Infrared Spectra of Oxidized and Reduced Nontronite

Infrared spectra of nontronite reveal shifts to lower wave, number in peaks located at 3570, 1030, and 821 cm-1, which are assigned to vibrational modes for O-H stretching, Si-Ob (basal oxygens) tetrahedral vibrations, and FeO-H deformation, respectively, as the Fe2+ content increases upon reduction. A pleochroic shoulder at 1110 cm-1 resulting from Si-Oa (apical oxygens) interactions appears to be unchanged with reduction. The absorption band at 848 cm-1 shifts to higher energy with reduction of structural iron, and persists at 840 cm-1 after complete deuteration of structural hydroxyls. The band is assigned to a Fe-OH mode where the OH moves as a unit. The shift in the Si-Ob mode to lower vibrational energy with reduction may indicate a decrease in stress forces between the tetrahedral and octahedral sheets.
Structure-function studies of yeast C-4 sphingolipid long chain base hydroxylase

Abstract The roles of putative active site residues of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae sphingolipid C-4 long chain base hydroxylase (Sur2p) were investigated by site-directed mutagenesis. The replacement of any one of conserved His residues of three histidine-rich motifs with an alanine eliminated hydroxylase activity in vivo and in vitro, indicating that they are all essential elements of the active site. An additional conserved His residue (His 249) outside of the histidine-rich cluster region was also found to be crucial for activity. Additional mutants altered in residues in close proximity to the histidine-rich cluster were generated. In order to determine their roles in hydroxylase vs. desaturase activities, residues were replaced with conserved residues from the yeast Δ7-sterol-C5(6)-desaturase, Erg3p. Residues Phe 174, Asn 182, Ser 191, Leu 196, Pro 199, Asn 266, Tyr 269, Asp 271 and Gln 275 appear to be additionally important elements of the active site but their conversion into corresponding Erg3p residues did not lead to a gain in desaturase activity. It is concluded that Sur2p is a membrane-bound hydroxylase that belongs to the diiron family of eight-histidine motif enzymes.
Endobronchial fibrous histiocytoma

Fibrous histiocytomas are uncommon pulmonary tumors. They generally involve only the lung parenchyma. Endobronchial involvement is extremely rare. Usually, surgical resection of the mass is required for definitive diagnosis and therapy. We report a case of benign atypical fibrous histiocytoma visualized during fiberoptic bronchoscopy and review the clinical findings and pathologic features of this tumor.
VENTURE CAPITALISTS AND THE DECISION TO GO PUBLIC

This paper examines the timing of initial public offerings and private financings by venture capitalists. Using a sample of 350 privately held venture-backed biotechnology firms between 1978 and 1992, I show that these companies go public when equity valuations are high and employ private financings when values are lower. Seasoned venture capitalists appear to be particularly proficient at taking companies public near market peaks. The results are robust to a variety of controls and alternative explanations.
Indirect measures of N2 fixation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under field conditions: The role of lateral root nodules

The role of lateral root nodules in N2 fixation and the relationships between total shoot N and several traits which influence or control N2 fixation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)i.e., acetylene reduction value, specific nodule activity, leghemoglobin concentration, total leghemoglobin and nodule mass, were investigated in field studies. Significant variation among bean lines was observed for all the traits measured. Lines varied for the proportion of total N accumulated up to the R3 growth state, thus measurements of total shoot N near maturity (e.g., R7) provided a better estimate of total N2 fixation than measurements taken at an early growth stage. Nodule mass was correlated with acetylene reduction and total leghemoglobin, and total leghemoglobin was correlated with acetylene reduction value. Total shoot N at R7 was correlated with seasonal means of nodule mass and number, acetylene reduction value and total leghemoglobin. For all traits except total leghemoglobin, values for lateral roots were more highly correlated with total shoot N than were values for either crown roots or the whole root system. Seed yield was most highly correlated with nodule mass of the lateral roots. These results will be useful in devising breeding strategies for improved N2 fixation of the host plant.
Correctness principles for rule-based expert systems☆

Abstract This paper defines a set of acceptability principles for a rulebase. The principles go beyond mathematical correctness concerns to distribution and simplicity conditions that can signal the existence of errors or awkwardness in the rules. The principles are Consistency, Completeness, Irredundancy, Connectivity, and Distribution. The intent of these principles is to assist the rulebase designer in constructing a rulebase and validating its behavior. The five principles are implemented by mathematical and computational criteria that specify algorithms for analyzing rulebases. The Consistency criteria address the logical consistency of the rules, and can rightly be considered “correctness” criteria. The Completeness and Irredundancy criteria preclude oversights in specifications and redundancy in the rules, and are more like “reasonability” criteria for the terms in the rules. The Connectivity criteria concern the inference system defined by the rules, and are like completeness and irredundancy criteria for the inference system. Finally, the Distribution criteria are “esthetic” criteria for the simplicity of the rules and the distinctions they cause, as well as the distribution of the rules and the values implied by them. These procedures do not solve the (hard) problem of choosing a representation for the important features of the system being modeled, and turning the characteristics of the features into rules. They only allow a set of rules to be checked for the various criteria, so that many commonly occurring specification errors can be caught quickly. This paper discusses the formation of rulebases from a set of rules, not the formulation of rules from a system under study.
Direct measurement of subcritical crack growth rate in magnesium-aluminosilicate glass by the indentation technique

Abstract Subcritical crack growth measurements were carried out on magnesium-aluminosilicate glass specimens using the indentation technique. Crack growth velocities were accurately measured between 10 −9 m/s and 10 −7 m/s. The subcritical crack growth susceptibility coefficient, N , was calculated to be 36.6 and 41. These values compare well with the values determined by the double torsion specimen containing a macro-crack. A macro-crack begins propagating at higher velocities (or higher loads) and it is impractical to maintain the experimental conditions for a substantial period of time before a velocity of 10 −9 m/s can be measured. Therefore, the present technique seems to be a viable alternative to measurement of specimens containing macro-cracks.
Beyond the far too incessant schism: special education and the social model of disability

Special education critics' vigorous appraisals of the social model of disability, along with their analysis of its implications for special education, provide a valuable forum for meaningful dialogue about how educators are to understand the nature of disability. In this article, we offer our response to their recent articles. As advocates of the social model, we find their critiques intriguing, at moments a bit provocative, but more importantly we find in their work an opportunity to advance beyond the far too incessant schism between those who support the medical model of disability and those who endorse its alternatives.
Effect of external cation and anion substitutions on sodium transport in isolated frog skin.

Effects of changes in external ionic strength, external cation and/or anion substitution on transepithelial influx and efflux of sodium, short-circuit current and on transepithelial potential difference and resistance were studied in isolated frog skin. Active transport of Na was found to be highly dependent on both anionic and cationic composition of external medium. Relative abilities of external monovalent cations to inhibit active Na transport were H>Li>K>Rb>Cs>choline. Relative abilities of external monovalent anions to stimulate active Na transport were I>Br>Cl. Sequences of anion interaction and of resistance changes suggest that anionic stimulation of Na transport is not due to electrical coupling across outer cell membrane. The ability of different anions and cations to alter Na transport suggests that externally located charged groups act as important barriers or filters to ion movement. In addition, the experiments suggest that an increase in ionic strength of external medium has an effect on active transport of Na, a finding that indicates interference of surface charges with Na entry. Directional changes in efflux of Na due to changes in ionic composition of external medium usually paralleled changes in active Na transport. It is possible that the observed relationship between influx and efflux of Na is the result of common pathways and of interaction of the active transport system with Na efflux.
Anisotropic plasticity and chain orientation in polymer glasses

The anisotropic mechanical response of oriented polymer glasses is studied through simulations with a coarse-grained model. Systems are first oriented by uniaxial compression or tension along an axis. Then the mechanical response to subsequent deformation along the same axis or along a perpendicular axis is measured. As in experiments, the flow stress and strain hardening modulus are both larger when deformation increases the degree of molecular orientation produced by prestrain, and smaller when deformation reduces the degree of orientation. All stress curves for parallel prestrains collapse when plotted against either the total integrated strain or the degree of molecular orientation. Stress curves for perpendicular prestrains can also be collapsed. The stress depends on the degree of strain or molecular orientation along the final deformation axis and is independent of the degree of orientation in the perpendicular plane.
Elucidation of the Specific Function of the Conserved Threonine Triad Responsible for Human l-Asparaginase Autocleavage and Substrate Hydrolysis.

Our long-term goal is the design of a human l-asparaginase (hASNase3) variant, suitable for use in cancer therapy without the immunogenicity problems associated with the currently used bacterial enzymes. Asparaginases catalyze the hydrolysis of the amino acid asparagine to aspartate and ammonia. The key property allowing for the depletion of blood asparagine by bacterial asparaginases is their low micromolar KM value. In contrast, human enzymes have a millimolar KM for asparagine. Toward the goal of engineering an hASNase3 variant with micromolar KM, we conducted a structure/function analysis of the conserved catalytic threonine triad of this human enzyme. As a member of the N-terminal nucleophile family, to become enzymatically active, hASNase3 must undergo autocleavage between residues Gly167 and Thr168. To determine the individual contribution of each of the three conserved active-site threonines (threonine triad Thr168, Thr186, Thr219) for the enzyme-activating autocleavage and asparaginase reactions, we prepared the T168S, T186V and T219A/V mutants. These mutants were tested for their ability to cleave and to catalyze asparagine hydrolysis, in addition to being examined structurally. We also elucidated the first N-terminal nucleophile plant-type asparaginase structure in the covalent intermediate state. Our studies indicate that, while not all triad threonines are required for the cleavage reaction, all are essential for the asparaginase activity. The increased understanding of hASNase3 function resulting from these studies reveals the key regions that govern cleavage and the asparaginase reaction, which may inform the design of variants that attain a low KM for asparagine.
MO‐FF‐A2‐03: A Method for Measuring X‐Ray Beam Profiles Using a Flat Panel Detector

Purpose: Many digital x‐ray imaging applications require knowledge of the spatial distribution of the incident x‐ray flux intensity (beam profile), which is often obtained through Monte Carlo simulations or dedicated measuring equipment such as point detector that is raster scanned. Direct measurement of flux intensities using an area detector is difficult due to detector gain variations. We present a method to separate detector gain variations from flux intensity variations thus providing a practical means for efficient measurement of beam profiles using area detectors.Method and Materials: A flat panel imager is used to acquire at least two unattenuated intensity images at slightly shifted positions. Signal intensity differences read from the same pixel are assumed to be due to flux intensity variations while differences measured at a same spatial location are assumed to be due to gain variations. Detector gain maps and flux intensity maps are then created by mathematically decoupling the flux and gain intensity components from the readings. The process is repeated in the other in‐plane direction to generate 2‐D maps. To test the method, a Varian Paxscan 4030CB was used to measure the beam profile produced by a Varian G242 tube. Results were compared to Monte Carlo simulations and raster‐scanned photodiode measurements. Results: The detector gain of the imager and the beam profile of the source were separated. The beam profiles measured using the propose method were independent of how prior gain calibrations were performed and matched well with Monte Carlo predictions and photodiode measurements. Conclusions: A robust method to measure the beam profile of an x‐ray field using an area detector is presented. The method also generates a detector gain map that is independent of flux intensity variations. Employees of Varian Medical Systems.
Regulation of leptin release by insulin, glucocorticoids, Gi-coupled receptor agonists, and pertussis toxin in adipocytes and adipose tissue explants from obese humans in primary culture

The basal release of leptin by adipocytes from massively obese human subjects incubated for 48 hours in serum-free suspension culture was comparable to that by explants of subcutaneous adipose tissue from the same obese individuals. There was no stimulation due to dexamethasone or insulin alone of leptin release by adipocytes. However, the combination of insulin and dexamethasone doubled leptin release by adipocytes. The release of leptin was also stimulated by agonists of G(i)-coupled receptors (prostaglandin E(2) [PGE(2)], brimonidine [an alpha(2) catecholamine agonist] and cyclopentyladenosine [CPA]) in the presence of dexamethasone. Leptin release by these agents was further enhanced by insulin in both adipocytes and adipose tissue. Pertussis toxin, which irreversibly inactivates G(i) heterotrimers, inhibited leptin release and abolished the stimulatory effects of G(i)-coupled receptor agonists. However, pertussis toxin did not block the stimulation of leptin release by insulin in either adipose tissue or adipocytes. These data indicate that the release of leptin by human adipocytes cultured for 48 hours in a serum-free medium is comparable to that by explants of adipose tissue except that dexamethasone stimulation of leptin release requires the presence of insulin.
Geometry of the renormalization group with an application in two dimensions

Abstract The renormalization group is viewed as a theory of the geometry of action space. A general covariant relation between coupling constant and field renormalization is derived. As an application, the crossover between the two-dimensional minimal modes M m and M m −1 is calculated to two-loop order in a minimal subtraction scheme.
Triangular NURBS surface modeling of scattered data

We propose to fit triangular NURBS surfaces to noisy, sparse, scattered 3D data while simultaneously localizing and preserving sharp edges. We use a vector voting method to interpolate, from sparse data, three dense potential fields for surfaces, edges, and junctions. The global voting interpolants encode several human perceptual grouping principles such as cosurfacity, proximity, and constancy of curvature. The inferred potential fields are stored in three volumetric grids, giving each voxel the probability of being a surface point, an edge point, and a junction point. Then we use a new model called "winged B snakes", which are deformable triangular NURBS surfaces embedded with active curves, to fit the surfaces and align the edges and junctions. Finally, a smooth C/sup 1/ surface which preserves discontinuity edges and junctions is constructed. Fine tuning and surface fairing is done by adjusting the weights.
Selecting the Innovative Interfaces, Inc. (III) Electronic Resource Management (ERM) System for University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Library

An electronic resource management (ERM) system is meant to serve as a repository of information about a library's electronic resources collection. Although still relatively new, this emerging techn...
Polymorphisms in dipeptidyl peptidase IV gene are associated with the risk of myocardial infarction in patients with atherosclerosis.

Abstract Background Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) is not only important in pancreatic β-cell regulation but also has proinflammatory actions that can contribute to atherosclerosis progression. Previously, we showed that DPP-IV is co-localized with CD31 (an endothelial cell marker) in the neovessels within the human atherosclerotic plaques. These characteristics of DPP-IV may predispose patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) to plaque rupture and thus to myocardial infarction. The goal of this investigation was to determine whether genetic alterations in DPP-IV predispose to plaque vulnerability and myocardial infarction (MI). Methods Between Aug 2004, and March 2007, blood samples of patients (age n =421) and those without ( n =454). A genome-wide association study was performed using the Affymetrix 6.0 chip to identify loci that predispose to MI. In the current study we only focused on DPP4 gene to assess the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the DPP-IV gene and risk of MI in patients with CAD. For genotyped SNPs, association was tested by logistic regression with significance level of 0.05. Plasma DPP-IV level was measured using a commercial ELISA kit. Results Average patients' age at diagnosis of CAD was 46.8years for MI group and 50.8 in the non MI group. There was no difference in distribution of traditional risk factors between the two groups. We identified one SNP (rs3788979) that was significantly related to angiographic CAD with MI, vs. without MI (OR: 1.36, p =0.03). The association of the identified SNP to MI risk was not attenuated after adjustment for traditional risk factors. The SNP was associated with lower levels of plasma DPP-IV ( p =0.005). Moreover, CAD patients with the major alleles (GG) and no MI had highest plasma DPP-IV levels. (481.6, p =0.002). Conclusions A polymorphism in the DPP-IV gene in patients with known CAD may increase the risk of MI. This SNP is associated with decreased plasma DPP4 level in patients with MI.
Solution of the Direct Problem of Uniform Circular Motion in Non-Euclidean Geometry

(2002). Solution of the Direct Problem of Uniform Circular Motion in Non-Euclidean Geometry. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 109, No. 7, pp. 650-655.
Reverse osmosis in homogeneous catalysis

Abstract Selectively permeable polyimide membranes have been used to separate soluble transition metal complexes from reaction mixtures by reverse osmosis. Adiponitrile solutions, obtained by hydrogenation of 1,4-dicyanobutene with RhCl(PPh3)3 and by hydrodimerization of acrylonitrile with RuCl3 complexes, have given 60 – 99% separations of the metal complexes. Similar results were obtained in the separation of cobalt and rhodium complexes from hydroformylation products of 1-pentene and of a palladium carboalkoxylation catalyst from ethyl hexanoate. The differential permeability of ligands and metal complexes has been used to synthesize new dinitrogen complexes of ruthenium. Reverse osmosis treatment of RuCl2(PPh3)4under N2 pressure led to separation of dissociated triphenylphosphine and isolation of Similarly, the diphenyltriazenide complex RuH(N3Ph2)(PPh3)3 gave RuH(N2) (N3Ph2) (PPh3)2.
Use of computerized axial tomography of the head and neck region.

The use of the computerized axial tomography has been well received in the field of otolaryngology. Five cases are presented illustrating the capability of the total body scanner (Delta scanner) to contribute to radiologie diagnosis below the level of the base of the skull. The advantages of non-invasibility and three dimensionality are compared to the disadvantages of added cost, added radiation exposure, comparatively long exposure time and relatively poor detail. Because of the overall usefulness of this diagnostic tool, evolution of rapid scanning devices with greater detail is awaited with interest.
Cesium-induced atrial tachycardia degenerating into atrial fibrillation in dogs: atrial torsades de pointes?

Atrial Torsades de Pointes?Introduction: In this study, we investigated whether the potassium channel blocker, cesium chloride (CsC1), which is capable of producing early afterdepolarizations (EADs) and polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmias resembling torsades de pointes, might exert similar effects in the atria. Methods and Results: In nine anesthetized open chest dogs, 5 mL of CsC1 in incremental doses (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25 mM/mL) was injected into the sinus node artery to induce atrial arrhythmias. A polymorphic atrial tachycardia (P-AT) apparently triggered by an EAD and degenerating into atrial fibrillation resulted after CsC1 administration in six dogs, but not in the remaining three dogs at any dose of CsC1. The P-AT developed during a normal atrial rate (110 ± 13.5 beats/min) on six occasions and during atrial bradycardia (58.6 ± 17.9 heat/min) five times. P-AT that occurred during a normal atrial rate had the last normal P wave temporally closely related to ventricular activation, with a VA interval of almost zero (1.3 ± 3.3 msec), whereas P-AT induced from an atrial hradycardia had no relation to ventricular activation. The%EAD in the atrial hradycardia group (13.9 ± 2.5) exceeded that in the normal atrial rate group (10.9 ± 1.8) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: CsC1 induces atrial EADs that provoke P-AT that degenerates into atrial fibrillation. P-AT has some characteristics similar to ventricular torsades de pointes.
Sequential temporo‐fronto‐temporal activation during monitoring of the auditory environment for temporal patterns

Subjects detected rarely occurring shifts between two simple tone-patterns, in a paradigm that dissociated the effects of rarity from those of pitch, habituation, and attention. Whole-head magnetoencephalography suggested that rare attended pattern-shifts evoked activity first in the superior temporal plane (sTp, peak ~100 ms), then superior temporal sulcus (sTs, peak ~130 ms), then posteroventral prefrontal (pvpF, peak ~230 ms), and anterior temporal cortices (aT, peak ~370 ms). Activity was more prominent in the right hemisphere. After subtracting the effects of nonshift tones (balanced for pitch and habituation status), weak but consistent differential effects of pattern-shifts began in aT at 90-130 ms, spread to sTs and sTp at ∼130 ms, then pvpF, and finally returned to aT. Cingulate activity resembled prefrontal. Responses to pattern shifts were greatly attenuated when the same stimuli were ignored, suggesting that the initial superior temporal activity reflected an attention-related mismatch negativity. The prefrontal activity at ~230 ms corresponded in latency and task correlates with simultaneously recorded event-related potential components N2b and P3a; the subsequent temporal activity corresponded to the P3b. These results were confirmed in sensors specific for frontal or temporal cortex, and thus are independent of the inverse method used. Overall, these results suggest that auditory working memory for temporal patterns begins with detection of the pattern change by an interaction of anterior and superior temporal structures, followed by identification of the event and its consequences led by posteroventral prefrontal and cingulate cortices, and finally, definitive encoding of the event in anterior temporal areas.
Equine subepithelial keratomycosis.

Objective To describe clinical findings in equine subepithelial keratomycosis (SEK). Design Retrospective medical records study. Animals studied Medical records of horses that had subepithelial keratomycosis (SEK) at the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Center from 2007 to 2011 were reviewed. Procedures Data collected from the medical records included signalment, clinical descriptions of ocular lesions, diagnostic techniques, and therapeutic outcomes. Results Twenty-one horses, consisting of three Quarter horse geldings, two Morgan geldings, one Morgan mare, two Arabian mares, three Arabian geldings, two warm blood mares, two warm blood geldings, two Thoroughbred geldings, one Thoroughbred mare, one Appaloosa mare, one Holsteiner gelding, and one Holsteiner mare with SEK were identified. Multifocal punctate and/or geographic patterns of subepithelial opacification were present in all eyes. Intermittent phases of weak fluorescein and/or rose Bengal dye were found in 16 eyes. Clinical signs of iridocyclitis were absent in all eyes. Cytologic confirmation of fungi was found in ten cases, Candida was cultured from one eye, and Aspergillus cultured in three eyes. Nineteen of 21 eyes with SEK resolved when topical antifungal therapy was initiated. Two of the 19 responding eyes recurred and required additional therapy, and two other eyes progressed to ulcerative keratomycosis. Conclusions This is the first clinical report of a subtle form of keratomycosis in the horse. Subepithelial keratomycosis may be a distinct clinical entity or represent a continuum in the described forms of equine keratomycosis.
10 MWe Solar Thermal Central Receiver Pilot Plant — Heliostat Evaluation

Sandia is responsible for evaluating the heliostats at the 10 MWe Solar Thermal Central Receiver Pilot Plant in Barstow, California. The three evalaution objectives are: (1) characterize heliostat performance, (2) identify areas where heliostat research and development may lead to performance improvements, and (3) evaluate the need for a heliostat beam characterization system in future plants.
InP HEMT low-noise amplifier-based millimeter-wave radiometers from 90 to 180 GHz with internal calibration for remote sensing of atmospheric wet-path delay

The recent introduction of 35-nm gate length InP MMIC low-noise amplifiers has enabled significant advances in Earth remote sensing. These low-noise amplifiers achieve 2-dB and 3-dB noise figure at 180 GHz and 90 GHz, respectively, at room temperature. For Earth remote sensing using ocean surface altimeters, the design of new millimeter-wave radiometers is motivated by the fact that these missions include nadir-viewing, co-located 18–37 GHz microwave radiometers to measure wet-tropospheric path delay. However, due to the substantial area of the surface instantaneous fields of view (IFOV) at these frequencies, the accuracy of wet path retrievals begins to degrade at approximately 50 km from the coasts. In addition, conventional microwave radiometers do not provide wet-path delay over land. For a maximum antenna aperture size on Earth observation satellites, the addition of higher-frequency millimeter-wave (90–170 GHz) radiometers to current Jason-class radiometers is expected to improve retrievals of wet-tropospheric delay in coastal areas and to increase the potential for over-land retrievals.
ZZ-HVS: Zig-zag horizontal and vertical sleep transistor sharing to reduce leakage power in on-chip SRAM peripheral circuits

Based on Recent studies peripheral circuit (including decoders, wordline drivers, input and output drivers) constitutes a large portion of the cache leakage. In addition as technology migrate to smaller geometries, leakage contribution to total power consumption increases faster than dynamic power, promoting leakage as the largest power consumption factor. This paper proposes zig-zag share, a circuit technique to reduce leakage in SRAM peripheral. Using architectural control of zig-zag share, an integrated technique called Sleep-Share is proposed and applied in L1 and L2 caches. The results show leakage reduction by up to 40X in deeply pipelined SRAM peripheral circuits, with only a 4% area overhead and small additional delay.
Incorporation of explicit transmission coefficients in the wave propagation model enhances the results of Bayesian analysis of fast and slow wave propagation in cancellous bone

Ultrasonic propagation in cancellous bone is a challenging coupled-mode problem as a result of the existence of two compressional modes, a fast wave and a slow wave. In previous reports, we demonstrated that Bayesian probability theory combined with a simple wave propagation model permits the estimation of fast and slow wave velocities and slopes of attenuation (nBUA), even in cases where the two waves overlap significantly. The hypothesis that underlies the current work is that by explicitly specifying the functional forms of the transmission coefficients at the entry and exit surfaces additional information that might further characterize bone structure could be obtained. This extension of the propagation model leads directly to the introduction of fast wave and slow wave effective mass densities, ρlfast and ρslow. In the long view, this work represents a step toward improving the utility of bone sonometry for monitoring pharmacological treatment designed to reverse osteoporosis.
uMELT: prediction of high-resolution melting curves and dynamic melting profiles of PCR products in a rich web application

Summary: uMelt SM is a flexible web-based tool for predicting DNA melting curves and denaturation profiles of PCR products. The user defines an amplicon sequence and chooses a set of thermodynamic and experimental parameters that include nearest neighbor stacking energies, loop entropy effects, cation (monovalent and Mg ++ ) concentrations and a temperature range. Using an accelerated partition function algorithm along with chosen parameter values, uMelt interactively calculates and visualizes the mean helicity and the dissociation probability at each sequence position at temperatures within the temperature range. Predicted curves display the mean helicity as a function of temperature or as derivative plots. Predicted profiles display stability as a function of sequence position either as 50% helicity temperatures or as the helicity probability at specific temperatures. The loss of helicity associated with increasing temperature may be viewed dynamically to visualize domain formation within the molecule. Results from fluorescent high-resolution melting experiments match the number of predicted melting domains and their relative temperatures. However, the absolute melting temperatures vary with the selected thermodynamic parameters and current libraries do not account for the rapid melting rates and helix stabilizing dyes used in fluorescent melting experiments. uMelt provides a convenient platform for simulation and design of high-resolution melting assays. Availability and implementation: The application was developed in Actionscript and can be found online at http://www.dna.utah.edu/ umelt/umelt.html. Adobe Flash is required to run in all browsers.