cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical pregnancy rates and experience with in vitro fertilization after uterus transplantation: Dallas Uterus Transplant Study.

Background The clinical pregnancy rates among patients with uterus transplantation have been reported by only a limited number of centers, and those centers have not used preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy in their protocol. Objective This study examined clinical pregnancy rates among women with absolute uterine-factor infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization using good-quality, expanded-blastocyst-stage, euploid embryos after uterus transplantation. Study Design This cohort observational study involved 20 women who underwent uterus transplantation over 3 years. Notably, 14 of these patients had successful transplants and were followed prospectively for a median of 14.1 months (range, 11–34.8 months). In vitro fertilization was performed before subjects underwent uterus transplantation, and good-quality expanded-blastocyst-stage euploid embryos were obtained and frozen for future embryo transfer. Interventions consisted of in vitro fertilization, preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, uterus transplantation, and frozen embryo transfer. Results All 14 subjects with successful transplants underwent single embryo transfer of a warmed, good-quality, euploid, expanded blastocyst and had at least 1 documented clinical pregnancy within the uterus. In 71.4%, the first embryo transfer resulted in clinical pregnancy. The median time from successful uterus transplantation to first embryo transfer was 4.5 months; from successful uterus transplantation to first clinical pregnancy, 7.3 months; and from successful uterus transplantation to first live birth, 14.1 months. A total of 13 live births have occurred in 12 subjects. Conclusion Women with absolute uterine-factor infertility who have surgically successful uterus transplantation and in vitro fertilization using preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy can achieve high clinical pregnancy rates. We have reduced the time interval from uterus transplantation to embryo transfer by at least 50% and the interval from uterus transplantation to clinical pregnancy by >6 months compared with previous studies. We believe our approach may shorten the time from transplant to clinical pregnancy and therefore decrease patient exposure to immunosuppressant therapies.
The Impact of Persuasive Response Sequence and Consistency when Auditees Address Auditor-Identified Issues in Limited Distribution Reports

We examine how audit clients’ persuasion tactics in limited distribution (non-public) assurance reports influence end-user decisions. Auditees can persuade end-users by formally discussing auditor-identified issues disclosed in certain assurance reports and, due to the limited audience, informally follow-up with end-users. Using the Elaboration Likelihood Model, we predict the type of formal persuasion used by a service provider in an attestation report (contend or concede), and its consistency with informal follow-up persuasive appeals to management (again, contend or concede), will influence end-users’ judgments. In an experiment, only when the service provider first contends the auditor’s findings does a follow-up concession (rather than contention) result in more favorable managers’ perceptions of the provider’s ability to deliver on the contracted services. Persuasion tactics impact judgments by influencing managers’ processing of risk factors and their trust in the service. These findings provide insight into how multiple persuasion tactics impact users’ decisions during compliance audits.
Parents and Best Friends Perceived Reaction to Participant Deviance and Self-Reported Delinquency: Moderation by Sex and Mediation by Youth Attitude Toward Deviance in Mid- to Late Adolescence:

The current study set out to determine whether youth perceptions of parental and best friends’ likely reactions to their involvement in deviant behavior influenced their own attitude toward devianc...
First-Episode Psychosis and the Role of the Psychiatric Consultant.

Objective Timely recognition and treatment of first-episode psychosis (FEP) is paramount. Studies suggest a significant relationship between longer duration of untreated psychosis and poorer functional outcomes. Limited data exist that characterize how treatment for FEP is initiated by consultation-liaison psychiatric services. We conducted a systematic review of FEP treatment by a consultation-liaison service at a large academic medical tertiary care. Approach to care was reviewed including recommendations for clinical assessment and management. Methods Psychiatric consultations performed at a tertiary academic center were reviewed to identify potential FEP cases during a 12-month period. Patients of ages 15–49 years, for whom the diagnostic assessment was concerning for possible FEP, were included. Demographic features and management were summarized. Results A total of 3365 new psychiatric consults were conducted during our study period. Of these, 28 were identified as having symptoms consistent with possible FEP (0.83% of total sample). However, only 12% were referred to coordinated specialty care for psychosis after discharge from an inpatient medical or psychiatric hospital. Conclusions The results of our systemic chart review indicate that workup, management, and disposition recommendations for FEP patients seen by consultation-liaison services are variable, suggesting a need for a standardized, evidence-based approach in the medical setting.
New far-ultraviolet reflectivity measurements from ALD-deposited mirror coatings

We describe new results from the ALD application of fluoride mirror coatings that offer high performance over the UV bandpass (90 -235 nm). Such coatings provide an alternative to PVD and have broad applications in the UV, particularly for UV astronomy. The fabrication process is carried out at the JPL Microdevices Lab, beginning with an optically thick layer of evaporated Al which is capped with an ALD protective fluoride layer, such as LiF. Capping the Al is necessary because it otherwise oxidizes quickly and loses significant reflectance. Immediately before applying the ALD protective thin film we use atomic layer etching (ALE) to remove any native oxides that manifested after Al deposition. FUV reflectivity measurements are conducted in the vacuum ultraviolet space hardware characterization facilities at the University of Colorado at Boulder. We present the results of reflectivity testing of five samples from 90 to 230 nm; samples include Al+LiF (3), Al+LiF+MgF2 (1), and Al+LiF+LiF3 (1). We vary the number of ALE and ALD cycles across several Al+LiF samples to begin exploring the optimal amount of etching and film thickness. Preliminary results confirm <80% reflectivity at 1200 A with one Al+LiF sample yielding 86 ± 2%. Future work will include testing how layer thickness and ALD deposition temperature impact FUV reflectivity with a focus on optimizing reflectivity below Lyβ.
Gene Transfer in Fungi

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews data regarding the nature of evidence for gene transfer in fungi and the characterization of the transformants, and discuss the use of gene transfer as a genetic system to seek answers to several questions concerning the regulatory control and other basic mechanisms of eukaryotes. Fungi offer a unique system for the study of genetics and biochemistry of eukaryotes. Studies of fungi have been particularly important in elucidating the process of genetic recombination, and in the emergence of yeast as the major system for the cloning of a eukaryotic gene. Fungi can be cultivated and manipulated using a combination of techniques used in the study of bacteria. Fungi possess a spectrum of nuclear, organellar genetic systems. Both the nuclear and the extranuclear genetics are very well established and thus provide an unique opportunity for the characterization of the plasmid genetic elements and their interactions with the nuclear and the organellar genetic systems.
An integrated engineering systems and controls laboratory

This paper describes a project to initiate a new undergraduate teaching laboratory in the Systems and Controls area at Colorado State University, USA. An important design goal was to provide an interdisciplinary facility, serving all the Departments of the College of Engineering. Another key design requirement for the facility was to provide the students with a real-world experience of industry standard problems and tools. A strong industry-academia partnership was invaluable in this regard.
Ex Vivo Evaluation of Canine Lung Biopsy Techniques

Objective An ex vivo comparison of thoracoscopic lung biopsy techniques in dogs. Study Design Experimental. Sample Population Cadaveric canine lung lobes. Methods Lungs were inflated to 10 cmH2O. After collecting biopsies 3 cm from the edge of lung lobes, leak pressures were recorded as inflation pressure was increased to 40 cmH2O. Pre-tied loop ligature, square knot (SQ), modified 4S Roeder knot (M4SR) with glycomer 631 and polyglactin 910 size 0 and 2-0 were used in addition to EndoGIA 45–2.5 mm (Covidien, Norwalk, CT) and a vessel sealant device (VSDS single and VSDD double seal). Six biopsies were performed with each of these modalities. Results Median airway pressure at which leakage occurred was 28 (20–34) cmH2O for EndoGIA 45; 33 (14–40) for VSDD; and 33 (10–40) for VSDS while other groups reached a median pressure of 40 cmH2O (P < .0001). Leakage occurred at 20 cmH2O in 1 sample with the EndoGIA and the VSDS, and in 2 with the VSDD while leakage did not occur in any other group (P = .36). Leakage occurred at 30 cmH2O in 1 specimen each of the 0-polyglactin SQ, 2-0 glycomer 631 M4SR, 2-0 polyglactin M4SR, and 2-0 Surgitie (Covidien, Norwalk, CT); 2 with the VSDS; and 3 with the EndoGIA and the VSDD while leakage did not occur in any other group (P = .26). Conclusions All tested techniques seemed safe except the vessel sealant device since it did not consistently seal every biopsy and leaked at pressures <20 cmH2O.
Early events in the transport of proteins into mitochondria. Import competition by a mitochondrial presequence.

Studies with a synthetic presequence peptide, F1 beta 1-20, corresponding to the NH2-terminal 20 amino acids of the F1-ATPase beta-subunit precursor (pF1 beta) show that although this peptide binds avidly to phospholipid bi-layers it does not efficiently compete for import of full-length precursor into mitochondria, Ki approximately 100 microM (Hoyt, D.W., Cyr, D.M., Gierasch, L.M., and Douglas, M.G. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 21693-21699). Herein we report that longer F1 beta presequence peptides F1 beta 1-32 + 2, F1 beta 1-32SQ + 2, and F1 beta 21-51 + 3 compete for mitochondrial import at 1000-, 250-, and 25-fold lower concentrations, respectively, than F1 beta 1-20. A longer peptide, F1 beta 1-51 + 3, was no more effective as an import competitor than F1 beta 1-32 + 2. Both minimal length and amphiphilic character appear required in order for F1 beta peptides to block mitochondrial import. Import competition by longer F1 beta peptides seems to occur at a step common to all precursors since they blocked import of precursors to F1-ATPase alpha- and beta-subunits and the ADP/ATP carrier protein. Dissipation of membrane potential (delta psi) across the inner mitochondrial membrane is observed in the presence of F1 beta-peptides, but this mechanism alone does not account for the observed import inhibition. F1 beta 1-32 + 2 and 21-51 + 3 block import of pF1 beta 100% at peptide concentrations which dissipate delta psi less than 25%. In contrast, experiments with valinomycin demonstrate that when mitochondrial delta psi is reduced 25% import of pF1 beta is inhibited only 25%. Therefore, at least 75% of maximal import inhibition observed in the presence of F1 beta 1-32 + 2 and F1 beta 21-51 + 3 does not result from dissipation of delta psi. Import inhibition by F1 beta-peptides is reversible and can be overcome by increasing the amount of full-length precursor in import reactions. F1 beta presequence peptides and full-length precursor are therefore likely to compete for a common import step. Presequence dependent binding of pF1 beta to trypsin-sensitive elements on the outer mitochondrial membrane is insensitive to inhibitory concentrations of F1 beta presequence peptide. We conclude that import inhibition by F1 beta presequence peptides is competitive and occurs at a site beyond initial interaction of precursor proteins with mitochondria.
A compact hut‐shaped printed antenna for super‐wideband applications

In this article, a novel super-wideband planar microstrip-fed monopole antenna is investigated and designed. The antenna consists of a well-optimized hut-shaped radiating patch having a diamond-shaped slot window at its center. To achieve nearly omnidirectional pattern, a partial ground plane consisting of an optimized slit exactly on the opposite of the feed line is used. Measurement results show that the impedance bandwidth for |S11|dB ≤ 10 dB is enhanced largely to 184.5% with a ratio bandwidth more than 24.8:1 (0.9 − 22.35 GHz). This, together with its nearly constant measured gain of 3.35 dBi ±1 dB over this entire band makes it a potential candidate for both ultra-wideband and super-wideband applications. Moreover, the proposed antenna has a compact size of 40 × 25 mm2 on 1.6 mm thick FR4 substrate with dielectric constant of 4.4. Details of the proposed antenna are described, and both theoretical and experimental results are presented. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:2645–2649, 2015
Kinetic evidence of multiple reversible cholinesterases based on inhibition by organophosphates

Abstract Inhibition of serum cholinesterase (ChE) and erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase by diisopropylphosphorofluoridate and amiton did not follow first order kinetics. Curving of the rate plots was concave upward and varied greatly. An equation was derived on the assumption that curving reflected inhibition of a multiple enzyme system. The curves obtained with partially purified horse ChE were then resolved into four linear components at 5° and into three linear components with an indication of a fourth at 25°. Similar results were obtained with human IV-6-3 ChE and bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase. Each resolved component represented the first order rate plot for the inhibition of one form of ChE, indicating that four forms were present in each preparation. The phosphorylation (k2) and binding constants (Ka) of the various forms of horse and human ChE inhibited by amiton at 5° and of horse ChE inhibited by diisopropylphosphorofluoridate at 25° were obtained and were found to vary significantly. For example, the k2 values of horse ChE inhibited by amiton at 5° varied from 48.8 ± 2.2 min-1 to 0.0028 ± 0.0003 min-1 while Ka varied from 7.6 ± 1.2 x 10-6 m to 3.2 ± 1.5 x 10-7 m. Binding increased as k2 decreased with one exception. Since cholinesterases are probably agglomerates of subunits, this indicated that the kinetic properties of the various forms may differ profoundly with the state of agglomeration. However, additional results also indicated that not every inhibitor nor inhibition at every concentration is capable of bringing out these differences. The intercepts at t = 0 of the linear first order plots were independent of the inhibitor used and of its concentration and provided a criterion by which shifts in the relative concentrations of the various forms could be followed. Changes in either temperature or the ChE concentration changed the relative concentrations of the multiple forms, suggesting that they were interconvertible. With the horse ChE preparations the rates of reversibility increased by about 60-fold when the temperature was raised from 5° to 25°.
Anatomic correlation of NMDA and 3H-TCP-labeled receptors in rat brain

Using quantitative autoradiography, we have compared the regional distribution of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors labeled with 3H- glutamate and dissociative anesthetic binding sites labeled with 3H-N- (1-[2-thienyl]cyclohexyl)3,4-piperidine (3H-TCP). Binding of both ligands was highest in the hippocampal formation, with high concentrations in a number of cortical and olfactory regions. Intermediate amounts of binding for both ligands were measured in several thalamic and basal telencephalic structures. Very little binding was observed in the hypothalamus, some deep forebrain regions, and most brain-stem structures. Linear-regression analysis comparing the binding at both sites revealed a marked concordance (R = 0.95; p less than 0.001; Pearson product-moment). The granule cell layer of the cerebellum was the only region in which this concordance was not observed. Scatchard analysis of 3H-glutamate binding to NMDA receptors in stratum radiatum of hippocampal formation revealed an apparent single binding site with a Bmax of 9.78 +/- 0.84 pmol/mg protein and KD of 158 +/- 37 nM. 3H-TCP also bound to an apparent single site with a Bmax of 2.07 +/- 0.16 pmol/mg protein and KD of 127 +/- 30 nM. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the dissociative anesthetic binding site is linked to the NMDA receptor, and the data suggest that there are approximately 4–5 NMDA binding sites for each dissociative anesthetic binding site.
Choose a Variety of Grains Daily, Especially Whole Grains: A Challenge for Consumers

The 2000 edition of Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans is the first to include a specific guideline for grain foods, separate from fruits and vegetables, and recognize the unique health benefits of whole grains. This paper describes and evaluates major tools for assessing intakes of total grains and whole grains, reviews current data on who consumes grain foods and where, and describes individual- and market-level factors that may influence grain consumption. Aggregate food supply data show that U.S. consumers have increased their intake of grain foods from record low levels in the 1970s, but consumption of whole-grain foods remains low. Data on individual intakes show that consumption of total grains was above the recommended 6 serving minimum in 1994-1996, but consumption of whole grains was only one third of the 3 daily servings many nutritionists recommend. Increased intake of whole-grain foods may be limited by a lack of consumer awareness of the health benefits of whole grains, difficulty in identifying whole-grain foods in the marketplace, higher prices for some whole-grain foods, consumer perceptions of inferior taste and palatability, and lack of familiarity with preparation methods. In July 1999, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a health claim that should both make it easier for consumers to identify and select whole-grain foods and have a positive effect on the availability of these foods in the marketplace.
A supersonic turbulent boundary layer in an adverse pressure gradient

This investigation describes the effects of an adverse pressure gradient on a flat plate supersonic turbulent boundary layer (Mf ≈ 2.9, βx ≈ 5.8, Reθ, ref ≈ 75600). Single normal hot wires and crossed wires were used to study the Reynolds stress behaviour, and the features of the large-scale structures in the boundary layer were investigated by measuring space–time correlations in the normal and spanwise directions. Both the mean flow and the turbulence were strongly affected by the pressure gradient. However, the turbulent stress ratios showed much less variation than the stresses, and the essential nature of the large-scale structures was unaffected by the pressure gradient. The wall pressure distribution in the current experiment was designed to match the pressure distribution on a previously studied curved-wall model where streamline curvature acted in combination with bulk compression. The addition of streamline curvature affects the turbulence strongly, although its influence on the mean velocity field is less pronounced and the modifications to the skin-friction distribution seem to follow the empirical correlations developed by Bradshaw (1974) reasonably well.
A Plasmid-Encoded Phosphatase Regulates Bacillus subtilis Biofilm Architecture, Sporulation, and Genetic Competence

B. subtilis biofilm formation is tightly regulated by elaborate signaling pathways. In contrast to domesticated lab strains of B. subtilis , which form smooth, essentially featureless colonies, undomesticated strains such as NCIB3610 form architecturally complex biofilms. NCIB3610 also encodes an 80-kb plasmid absent from laboratory strains, and mutations in a plasmid-encoded homolog of a Rap protein, RapP, caused a hyper-rugose biofilm phenotype. Here we explored the role of rapP-phrP in biofilm formation. We found that RapP is a phosphatase that dephosphorylates the intermediate response regulator Spo0F. RapP appears to employ a catalytic glutamate to dephosphorylate the Spo0F aspartylphosphate, and the implications of the RapP catalytic glutamate are discussed. In addition to regulating B. subtilis biofilm formation, we found that RapP regulates sporulation and genetic competence as a result of its ability to dephosphorylate Spo0F. Interestingly, while rap-phr gene cassettes routinely form regulatory pairs, i.e., the mature phr gene product inhibits the activity of the rap gene product, the phrP gene product did not inhibit RapP activity in our assays. RapP activity was, however, inhibited by PhrH in vivo but not in vitro . Additional genetic analysis suggests that RapP is directly inhibited by peptide binding. We speculate that PhrH could be subject to post-translational modification in vivo and directly inhibit RapP activity, or, more likely, PhrH upregulates the expression of a peptide that in turn directly binds to RapP and inhibits its Spo0F phosphatase activity.
Clinical and Molecular Characterization of S1118F-CFTR

Background Cystic fibrosis is a lethal autosomal recessive disorder usually associated with lung disease, pancreatic insufficiency and high sweat chloride levels. Clinical Case A patient admitted to Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center (LBCMC, Memphis, TN) showed symptoms of meconium ileus which required exploratory laparotomy, bowel resection and ileostomy. Genotyping showed ΔF508/I1027T on one chromosome and S1118F on the other. Sweat testing on three different occasions gave negative and intermediate results (22.7, 24.6 mmol/L; 55.1, 58.6 mmol/L and 55.1, 58 mmol/L) and pancreatic elastase testing showed normal levels. Objective To characterize S1118F-CFTR mutation at a molecular level to help understand the associated CF-phenotype. Methods Molecular characterization of S1118F-CFTR mutant was studied in HEK-293 cells at 37°C. Various biochemical methods such as Western blotting, real-time PCR, Pulse chase labeling and iodide efflux assay were employed. Results S1118F-CFTR makes less than 10–15% of mature CFTR (band C) compared to WT-CFTR. The mRNA levels of S1118F-CFTR and WT-CFTR are comparable. S1118F-CFTR is functional but shows about 10–15% of WT-CFTR activity. S1118F-CFTR shows impaired maturation and CF-correctors can increase the amount of mature and functional CFTR by three- to fourfold. Conclusion S1118F-CFTR shows impaired maturation and an individual with S1118F-CFTR paired with ΔF508-CFTR exhibits atypical CF symptoms with intermediate sweat chloride level and meconium ileus despite documented pancreatic sufficiency. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:1003–1009. ©2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
FACTORS GOVERNING INSULIN AND GLUCAGON RESPONSES DURING NORMAL MEALS

An experimental model is described which can be used to study substrate and hormone responses to normal meals administered in very near normal circumstances. After 500, 300 and 125 calorie meals, the relative proportion of fat or protein content did not influence the plasma glucose except for minor differences between the high protein-high fat meals. The insulin response to such meals was correlated positively with the increment in glucose but reduction of protein content below 8 g caused a signficant reduction in the increment in plasma insulin per unit increase in plasma glucose. Alterations in protein content above 8 g made no difference. Fat content of the meal did not significantly alter the insulin response. No evidence was obtained for a major component of insulin release attributable to either bulk or preabsorption phenomena such as sight or smell. It is concluded that a significant accentuation of the insulin response to meals is dependent on a minimum amount of protein and that this is probably mediated by one of the gastro-intestinal hormones. Glucagon release is dependent on protein and carbohydrate content of the meal and is independent of the fat content. There may also be an early stimulation of glucagon release, regardless of content, which may also be hormonally mediated.
Interfacial adsorption of an inhalation anesthetic onto ionic surfactant micelles and its desorption by high pressure.

Abstract The effects of pressure and temperature on the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) were measured in the presence of various concentrations of an inhalation anesthetic, methoxyflurane. The change in the partial molal volume of SDS on micellization, Δ V m , increased with the increase in the concentration of methoxyflurane. The CMC-decreasing power, which is defined as the slope of the linear plot between ln(CMC) vs. mole fraction of anesthetic, was determined as a function of pressure and temperature. Since the CMC-decreasing power is correlated to the micelle/water partition coefficient of anesthetic, the volume change of the transfer (ΔVpo) of methoxyflurane from water to the micelle can be determined from the pressure dependence of the CMC-decreasing power. The value of ΔVpo amounts 6.5±1.8 cm3·mol−1, which is in reasonable agreement with the volume change determined directly from the density data, 5.5±0.6 cm3 · mol−1. Under the convention of thermodynamics, this indicates that the application of pressure squeezes out anesthetic molecules from the micelle. The transfer enthalpy of anesthetic from water to the micelle is slightly endothermic. The partial molal volume of methoxyflurane in the micelle (112.0 cm3·mol−1) is smaller than that in decane (120.5 cm3·mol−1) and is larger than that in water (108.0 cm3·mol−1). This indicates that the anesthetic molecules are incorporated into the micellar surface region, i.e., the palisade layer of the micelle in contact with water molecules, rather than into the micelle core.
Viscoplastic model for geologic materials with generalized flow rule

The general yield function in the hierarchical approach for constitutive modelling of materials is used with Perzyna's theory to characterize viscoplastic behaviour of geologic materials: a sand and rock salt. Particular attention is given to determination of the constants from laboratory quasistatic or short term, and creep tests. The proposed model is verified with respect to observed laboratory response of the sand and salt. It is implemented in a non-linear finite element procedure and applied to analyse time-dependent behaviour of a cavity in the rock salt.
Inhaled nickel nanoparticles alter vascular reactivity in C57BL/6 mice.

Background: The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in technological applications is rapidly expanding, but the potential health effects associated with NP exposure are still largely unknown. Given epidemiological evidence indicating an association between inhaled ambient ultrafine particles and increased risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality, it has been suggested that exposure to NPs via inhalation may induce similar cardiovascular responses.Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed via whole-body inhalation to either filtered air (FA) or nickel hydroxide (NH) NPs (100, 150, or 900 µg/m3) for 1, 3, or 5 consecutive days (5 h/day). At 24-h post-exposure, vascular function in response to a vasoconstrictor, phenylephrine (PE), and a vasodilator, acetylcholine (ACh), was measured in the carotid artery.Results: Carotid arteries from mice exposed to all concentrations of NH-NPs showed statistically significant differences in graded doses of PE-induced contractile responses compared with those from FA mi...
Analysis of the Wicking and Thin-Film Evaporation Characteristics of Microstructures

The topology and geometry of microstructures play a crucial role in determining their heat transfer performance in passive cooling devices such as heat pipes. It is therefore important to characterize microstructures based on their wicking performance, the thermal conduction resistance of the liquid filling the microstructure, and the thin-film characteristics of the liquid meniscus. In the present study, the free-surface shapes of the static liquid meniscus in common microstructures are modeled using SURFACE EVOLVER for zero Bond number. Four well-defined topologies, viz., surfaces with parallel rectangular ribs, horizontal parallel cylinders, vertically aligned cylinders, and spheres (the latter two in both square and hexagonal packing arrangements), are considered. Nondimensional capillary pressure, average distance of the liquid free-surface from solid walls (a measure of the conduction resistance of the liquid), total exposed area, and thin-film area are computed. These performance parameters are presented as functions of the nondimensional geometrical parameters characterizing the microstructures, the volume of the liquid filling the structure, and the contact angle between the liquid and solid. Based on these performance parameters, hexagonally-packed spheres on a surface are identified to be the most efficient microstructure geometry for wicking and thin-film evaporation. The solid-liquid contact angle and the nondimensional liquid volume that yield the best performance are also identified. The optimum liquid level in the wick pore that yields the highest capillary pressure and heat transfer is obtained by analyzing the variation in capillary pressure and heat transfer with liquid level and using an effective thermal resistance model for the wick. DOI: 10.1115/1.3160538
Enrichment of viable lymphocytes in defined cycle phases by sorting on the basis of pulse width of axial light extinction

A correlation between cell size and cycle state is demonstrated for mitogen stimulated murine lymphocytes. Cell cycle analysis was performed using multiparameter cytofluorometric analysis of acridine orange stained cells. Cell size was determined by measuring "time of flight" of axial light extinction. Cells with diameters of 5.0 - 6.0 micron are shown to be predominately in G0. Among stimulated cells, those 6.0 - 7.0 micron in diameter are predominately early and late G1 (80%) with some S phase cells. Cells in G2 + M were found to predominate among lymphocytes with diameters of 7.5 - 12 micron. This approach provides a method for isolation of lymphocytes in specific phases of the cell cycle which are suitable for subsequent functional studies.
Effects of the ΔF508 mutation on the structure, function, and folding of the first nucleotide-binding domain of CFTR

The fatal autosomal recessive disease cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the gene which encodes the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Many of these disease-causing mutations, including the deletion of F508 (delta F508) which accounts for approximately 70% of the disease alleles, occur in one of the two consensus nucleotide binding sequences. Peptide studies have directly demonstrated that the N-terminal nucleotide binding sequences bind adenine nucleotides. Structurally, circular dichroism spectropolarimetry indicates that this region of CFTR assumes a beta-stranded structure in solution. The delta F508 mutation causes a diminution in the amount of beta-stranded structure and a concomitant increase in the amount of random coil structure present, indicating that either the mutant peptide has a different native structure or that the conformational equilibrium is shifted toward a more disordered form. Furthermore, the mutant peptide is more sensitive to denaturation, indicating that delta F508 is a stability, or protein-folding mutant. Here we review these results and discuss their implications for interpreting the behavior of delta F508 in situ and for the rational design of new CF drugs.
Host pathogenesis in urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the result of an interaction between bacterial virulence and host defense factors that compete to invade or protect the host, respectively. Research over the past 30 years has demonstrated that vaginal colonization with uropathogens precedes most UTIs. Receptivity of the vaginal mucosa for uropathogens is an essential initial step in vaginal mucosa colonization. When vaginal and buccal epithelial cells were collected from patients susceptible to reinfection and compared with such cells obtained from controls resistant to UTIs, the strains that caused cystitis adhered much more avidly to the epithelial cells from susceptible women. These genotypic traits for epithelial cell receptivity may be a major susceptibility factor in UTIs. The presence or absence of blood group determinants on the surface of uroepithelial cells may influence an individual's susceptibility to UTIs. The protective effect in women with the secretor phenotype may be due to fucosylated structures at the cell surface which decrease the availability of putative receptors for Escherichia coli. Susceptibility among women who do not secrete blood group antigens may be due to specific E. coli-binding glycolipids that are absent in women who secrete blood group antigens. Recent studies have shown that the vaginal fluid, which forms an interface between uropathogens and epithelial cells, also influences vaginal colonizations.
Salinity tolerance in diapausing embryos of the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus is supported by exceptionally low water and ion permeability

The annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus inhabits rainwater pools in the Maracaibo basin of Venezuela. This species persists in ephemeral habitats by producing diapausing embryos that are resistant to the stresses imposed by the drying of their aquatic habitat. Embryos of A. limnaeus are likely exposed to a highly variable osmotic environment during development, but their tolerance of osmotic stress has not been characterized. We investigated the capacity of these embryos to survive in hypersaline environments and evaluated the possible mechanisms used to support osmoregulation. Diapausing embryos of A. limnaeus defend their internal osmolality of around 290 mOsmol kg−1 H2O−1 against salt stress as high as 50 ppt salinity. We find that diapausing embryos of A. limnaeus have a permeability to water that is orders of magnitude lower than other teleost fish embryos. The activity of ion motive ATPases that may be important in the extrusion of ions via mitochondrial rich cells do not appear to be playing a large role in osmoregulation of A. limnaeus embryos. We conclude that for the duration of embryonic development the unique properties of the enveloping cell layer of A. limnaeus embryos acts as a permeability barrier to water and ions and supports osmoregulation in this species in response to a broad range of osmotic environments.
MODELLING WAVE PROPAGATION IN GRANULAR MEDIA USING ELASTIC NETWORKS

The object of the present study is a generalization of Boardman's work (on a dynamic finite-element model for wave propagation studies) to include both normal and tangential contact loadings through the development of a new 1-D dynamic element. The element possesses both normal and tangential stiffness and damping coefficients whose numerical values were obtained from dynamic photoelastic experiments. Comparisons of the proposed numerical model with experimental results are given.
Gestational weight gain by body mass index among US women delivering live births, 2004-2005: fueling future obesity.

Objective Current pregnancy weight gain guidelines are based on prepregnancy body mass indices (BMI), but gestational weight gains by BMI class among US women are unknown. Study Design We assessed the amount of gestational weight gain among 52,988 underweight, normal-weight, overweight, and obese US women who delivered a singleton, full-term infant in 2004-2005. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy was defined as gaining 35 or more pounds for normal-weight and 25 or more pounds for overweight women. Results Approximately 40% of normal-weight and 60% of overweight women gained excessive weight during pregnancy. Obese women gained the least, although one-fourth of these women gained 35 or more pounds. Excessive weight gain levels were highest among women aged 19-years-old or younger and those having their first birth. Conclusion Excessive gestational weight gains were common, especially among the youngest and those who were nulliparous. These results predict higher obesity levels from pregnancy weight gains among US women.
A Sequence within the First Transmembrane Domain of PEN-2 Is Critical for PEN-2-mediated Endoproteolysis of Presenilin 1

Macromolecular complexes containing presenilins (PS), nicastrin (NCT), APH-1, and PEN-2 mediate the γ-secretase cleavage of the β-amyloid precursor protein and Notch. APH-1 and NCT stabilize the PS1 holoprotein, whereas PEN-2 is critical for endoproteolysis of PS1. To define the structural domains of PEN-2 that are necessary for mediating PS1 endoproteolysis and γ-secretase activity, we coexpressed APH-1, NCT, and PS1 together with a series of PEN-2 mutants, which harbored deletions in hydrophilic segments, or chimeric PEN-2 molecules that contained heterologous transmembrane domains (TMDs). We now report that with the exception of the PEN-2 variants with deletions proximal to the TMDs, the vast majority of the deletion variants were functional. Mutants that were nonfunctional were also unstable but were rescued by transposition of a heterologous sequence containing conservative amino acid substitutions into the deleted region. Notably, the carboxyl-terminal hydrophilic domain of PEN-2 was dispensable for promoting PS1 endoproteolysis but was critical for stabilizing the resulting PS1 derivatives. More importantly, we demonstrated that a chimeric PEN-2 with a replacement of the TMD2 with the TMD1 from sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) is fully functional but that a chimeric PEN-2 with a replacement of the TMD1 with the TMD2 from SREBP-1 is not. The function of this latter chimera was rescued by the replacement of the proximal two-thirds of the SREBP-1 TMD2 with the proximal two-thirds of the authentic TMD1 from PEN-2. These results suggest that the proximal two-thirds of the PEN-2 TMD1 is functionally important for endoproteolysis of PS1 holoproteins and the generation of PS1 fragments, essential components of the γ-secretase complex.
Expression of HER2neu (c-erbB-2) and epidermal growth factor receptor in cervical cancer: prognostic correlation with clinical characteristics, and comparison of manual and automated imaging analysis

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate HER2neu and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression with respect to overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS), and correlate expression with pretreatment factors. Comparative evaluations of manual and automated immunohistochemical imaging systems for HER2neu and EGFR expression were made. Methods. Fifty-five patients with stages I–IVA carcinoma of the cervix were treated with definitive radiation therapy. Immunohistochemistry was performed for HER2neu and EGFR, and scored by both manual and automated methods. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) as primary endpoints, and biomarkers were evaluated for correlation between prognostic factors. Results. Strong correlations in HER2neu and EGFR protein expression were observed between digitally and manually analyzed staining ( P ≤ 0.0001). Increased FIGO stage and decreased HER2neu expression were significant for reduced DFS on univariate analysis ( P ≤ 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively). Increased FIGO stage, decreased HER2neu expression, and increased membranous staining of EGFR were significant for diminished OS on univariate analysis ( P ≤ 0.0001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.043, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed only increased membranous staining of EGFR associated with diminished DFS and OS ( P = 0.046 and P = 0.012, respectively). Overexpression of HER2neu correlated significantly with adenocarcinoma, and overexpression of EGFR correlated significantly with squamous cell carcinoma histology ( P = 0.038 and P = 0.035). Inverse correlations were observed between HER2neu expression and clinical stage, EGFR membranous staining, and EGFR distribution ( P = 0.007, P = 0.006, and P = 0.034, respectively). Conclusions. Increased expression of HER2neu and decreased EGFR membranous staining identified patients with improved DFS and OS on univariate analysis, although only decreased EGFR membranous staining was significant on multivariate analysis. We also found strong correlation of results between manually and automated imaging methods.
Heavy Ion Source Development at the Bevatron

The Bevatron 20 MeV duoplasmatron source is currently being modified with the goal of producing 1 mA of 20Ne3+. Initital tests at 420 KeV show a total beam of 20 mA of which 400 ?A is 20Ne3+. The quantity of beam in various charge states is determined with a pulse field magnetic spectrometer. Titanium sublimation and cryogenic pumping of the PIG source in the High Voltage Terminal and its resultant effects on the acceleration of carbon and nitrogen will be discussed.
Remote Host Databases: Issues and Content

The recent introduction of a new generation of electronic information products is a significant advance in the evolution from paper‐based to electronic research. These products combine indexing and abstracting of large numbers of journals in multiple subject fields with full‐text delivery capability, storage on remote hosts, and access via the World Wide Web. Any library contemplating the purchase of a remote host database must address several issues to insure its successful integration into the library’s repertoire of electronic information products. The analytical process is complicated by these databases’ rapid evolution, by their large and ever‐changing journal lists, and by the differing strategies employed by the major vendors in regard to their products’ structures. In this article, Majka attempts to assist librarians with their purchase decisions by identifying vendor product strategies and library implementation issues and by suggesting analytical approaches for the comparison of the contents of remote host indexes and databases.
Analysis of the zinc finger domain of TnpA, a DNA targeting protein encoded by mobilizable transposon Tn4555.

The mobilizable transposon Tn4555, found in Bacteroides spp., is an important antibiotic resistance element encoding a broad spectrum β-lactamase. Tn4555 is mobilized by conjugative transposons such as CTn341 which can transfer the transposon to a wide range of bacterial species where it integrates into preferred sites on the host chromosome. Selection of the preferred target sites is mediated by a DNA-binding protein TnpA which has a prominent zinc finger motif at the N-terminus of the protein. In this report the zinc finger motif was disrupted by site directed mutagenesis in which two cysteine residues were changed to serine residues. Elemental analysis indicated that the wild-type protein but not the mutated protein was able to coordinate zinc at a molar ration of 1/1. DNA binding electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that the ability to bind the target site DNA was not significantly affected by the mutation but there was about a 50% decrease in the ability to bind single stranded DNA. Consistent with these results, electrophoretic mobility shift assays incorporating zinc chelators did not have a significant on affect the binding of DNA target. In vivo, the zinc finger mutation completely prevented transposition/integration as measured in a conjugation assay. This was in contrast to results in which a TnpA knockout was still able to insert into host genomes but there was no preferred target site selection. The phenotype of the zinc finger mutation was not effectively rescued by providing wild-type TnpA in trans. Taken together these results indicated that the zinc finger is not required for DNA binding activity of TnpA but that it does have an important role in transposition and it may mediate protein/protein interactions with integrase or other Tn4555 proteins to facilitate insertion into the preferred sites.
Acinetobacter peritonitis during chronic peritoneal dialysis.

Among gram-negative bacilli isolated during peritonitis in chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD), Pseudomonas species are most common but Acinetobacter species are nearly as frequent. A survey of more than 450 patient-years' experience with CPD revealed 23 episodes of Acinetobacter peritonitis (AP), making this the second most common form of gram-negative peritonitis. Concomitant break in sterile technique and exit-site/tunnel infection were infrequent. AP appeared as the first peritonitis episode in five cases and as the second in six cases, and the duration of CPD at the time of AP ranged from 56 months. However, AP was noted to appear shortly after treatment of another peritonitis episode or shortly after CPD access placement, within 2 months in 11 cases (47%) and within 3 months in 14 cases (61%). Treatment with intraperitoneal antibiotics succeeded in 21 cases (91%) without CPD interruption or catheter removal, with tobramycin or gentamicin alone in 16 cases, and with combined aminoglycoside and penicillin or cephalosporin in six cases. In two cases intraperitoneal antibiotics alone were insufficient therapy: one case with concomitant tunnel infection and dialysate leak and one case with bacteremia while receiving corticosteroids. The time-dependent incidence of AP suggests opportunistic infection during a vulnerable period in the first 2 to 3 months following another peritonitis episode, but AP also appears amenable to intraperitoneal antibiotic therapy alone without interruption of the CPD routine in the maj6rity of cases.
Interior tomography with radial Hilbert filtering and a priori information in a small circular area

Interior tomography problem can be solved using the so-called differentiated backprojection-projection onto convex sets (DBP-POCS) method, which requires a priori information within a small area interior to the region of interest (ROI) to be imaged. In theory, the small area wherein the a priori information is required can be in any shape, but most of the existing implementations carry out the Hilbert filtering either horizontally or vertically, leading to a vertical or horizontal strip that may be across a large area in the object. In this work, we specifically re-derive the reconstruction formula in the DBP-POCS fashion with radial Hilbert filtering (namely radial DBP-POCS method henceforth). We implement the radial DBP-POCS method, and thus the small area with the a priori information can be roughly circular (e.g., a sinus or ventricles among other anatomic cavities in human or animal body). We also conduct an experimental evaluation to verify the performance of this practical implementation. The performance of the radial DBP-POCS method with the a priori information in a small circular area is evaluated with projection data of the standard Shepp-Logan phantom simulated by computer. The preliminary performance study shows that, if the a priori information in a small circular area is available, the radial DBP-POCS method can solve the interior tomography problem in a much more practical way at high accuracy. In comparison to the implementations of DBP-POCS method demanding the a priori information in horizontal or vertical strip, the radial DBP-POCS method requires the a priori information within a small circular area only. Such a relaxed requirement on the availability of a priori information can be readily met in practice, because a variety of small circular areas (e.g., air-filled sinuses or fluid-filled ventricles among other anatomic cavities) exist in human or animal body. Therefore, the radial DBP-POCS method with a priori information in a small circular area is feasible in clinical and preclinical practice.