cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer-assisted controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: where are the assisted reproductive technologies?

Although the past three decades have seen major strides in the field of assisted reproduction, the fundamental principles underlying controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) can be traced back to 1909, when Crowe et al. showed that the female and male reproductive systems are under the functional control of the anterior hypophysis. Twenty years later, Smith and Engel discovered the gonadotropic hormones: FSH, LH, and hCG. These findings, combined with the ability to isolate and purify these hormones and, more recently, the advent of genetically engineered, pharmacologically pure FSH and LH, permitted clinical development of COH and, specifically, the ability to manipulate folliculogenesis and thus achieve single or multiple follicle recruitment according to clinical conditions and requirements. The choice of an adequate ovulation induction protocol requires knowledge and understanding of the roles of FSH and LH in the physiology of follicular maturation and a clear view of the process that leads to recruitment and development of a single follicle in the natural menstrual cycle. These principles can be used to override the natural follicular selection process by increasing the follicular exposure to gonadotropins early in the menstrual cycle, allowing recruitment of several follicles from the gonadotropin-sensitive pool.
Diagnosis of primary cardiac leiomyosarcoma by endomyocardial biopsy

We report a case of a primary right ventricular leiomyosarcoma in a 58-year-old woman diagnosed by endomyocardial biopsy. Clinical findings included a 5-year history of atypical chest pain and atrial fibrillation as well as a 30-lb weight loss. A ventricular mass was identified by echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging, and an endomyocardial biopsy was performed. Biopsy was guided by right ventriculography, which revealed a mobile mass in the cavity of the right ventricle. Light microscopy revealed a fasciculated, spindle cell sarcoma, most consistent with leiomyosarcoma, and immunohistochemical staining for muscle-specific actin was strongly positive in nearly all tumor cells, confirming its myogenous differentiation. Endomyocardial biopsy provided a definitive tissue diagnosis of this rare primary malignant cardiac neoplasm without the need for a surgical procedure.
The Transdisciplinary Approach wih the Developmentally Delayed Child

Due to the lack of precise definitions of “team” approach with the developmentally delayed population, clarification the term is necessary. This is provided by a review of the literature and by use of Jantsch's schema on disciplinarily. In this hierarchal plan, Jantsch considers the transdisiplinary (TD) approach the most advanced method for coordinating disciplines. To describe TD in more detail, one example of this approach is discussed with emphasis on continuing education, parent involvement, and accountability. Advantages and disadvantages of such an approach are indicated with future challenges presented in regard to the developmentally delayed child/ parent unit.
Probabilistic roadmaps: An incremental sampling approach to approximate the connectivity of robot configuration spaces

Summary form only given. For over 15 years, a major research theme in robotics has been the development of randomized sampling schemes to create efficient motion planners. The main outcome of this research has been the Probabilistic Roadmap approach (PRM) to motion planning. Originally, this approach was intended to compute collision-free paths of robots with ldquomanyrdquo degrees of freedom-at that time, 4 or more. But, over the years, successive improvements (as well as faster computers) made it possible to handle robotic systems with several dozen degrees of freedom operating in complex geometric environments. PRM was also extended to solve planning problems with motion constraints other than collision avoidance, for instance, visibility, equilibrium, contact, and kinodynamic constraints. Concurrently, PRM planning has also been applied to non-robotics applications, e.g., for animating autonomous digital characters, designing product that can easily be assembled and serviced, testing whether architectural designs satisfy building codes, providing interactive tools to navigate in huge virtual reality models, planning complex surgical operations, and studying folding and binding molecular motions. This talk will consist of two parts. First, the PRM approach and various underlying techniques, especially sampling strategies, will be reviewed. Rather than computing an exact representation of a robotpsilas configuration space, the PRM approach ldquolearnsrdquo incrementally a simplified representation of the connectivity of this space. This representation is a network of simple paths connecting configurations sampled at random. The second part of the talk will analyze the necessary and sufficient conditions under which the PRM approach works well. It will argue that the main outcome of the research on PRM planning is what the empirical success of this approach tells us about motion planning problems, rather than the approach itself.
Hematoporphyrin derivative for detection and management of cancer.

Hematoporphyrin derivative has been evaluated as a means of detecting malignancy in 121 patients suspected of having cancer. Areas examined included the cervix, vagina, tracheobronchial tree, esophagus, peritoneum and rectum. Dysplastic and neoplastic tissue was identified by red fluorescence whereas nonneoplastic tissue appeared grayish white to black. Thirty-three of 35 primary malignancies of the cervix and vagina were detected by fluorescence. The technique was especially helpful for the identification of recurrent lesions. In the fluorescent endoscopy group, the region of malignancy was identified by fluorescence in 32 of the 34 cases in which the lesion was located where the activating light could reach it in sufficient intensity. Hematoporphyrin derivative is a valuable adjunct to detection and management of malignancy, especially in the patient who presents a problem of the extent, location or possible recurrence of a malignant lesion.
The effect of traditional risk factors for stone disease on calcium oxalate crystal adherence in the rat bladder

Crystal adherence in the urinary tract has been studied using the chemically injured rat bladder and cell cultures. These studies have provided evidence that mucin prevents adherence and have studied various compounds for their ability to promote or inhibit crystal adherence. Little work has been done examining the effect on crystal adherence of traditional risk factors for stone disease. The study reported here examined the effect hypercalciuria, hyperoxaluria and pH on calcium oxalate crystal adherence using the intact rat bladder model. Calcium at levels seen in hypercalciuric stone formers was associated with increased adherence. Oxalate at levels seen in stone formers had no effect on adherence. There was a tendency to increased crystal adherence at higher pH values only when phosphorus was present as the buffer. Hypercalciuria is a risk factor for stone disease by increasing the level of saturation of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate in the urine and by decreasing inhibitor function. This study suggests that it may also play a role by increasing crystal adherence within the urinary tract.
Reintegrating psychiatry into pain-management programs

Abstract The authors describe traditional and modern approaches to the management of patients with chronic pain. They recommend a reintegration of psychiatry into pain-management programs net only for patients with nonorganic pain but also for those with mixed (psychogenic and organic) pain problems. Case histories are included.
The development of a radioimmunoassay for 12-L-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid.

Abstract Antibodies directed toward 12-L-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-L-HETE) were generated in rabbits by immunization with conjugates of 12-L-HETE and human serum albumin. The concentration of antibodies was determined by incubating immune plasma with 12-L-HETE that had been covalently linked to a solid support, washing the 12-L-HETE support, and measuring the quantity of bound antibodies by reaction with [125I] Protein A. The addition of 0.5 ng-10 ng of fluid-phase 12-L-HETE to the standard mixture of solid-phase 12-L-HETE and anti-12-L-HETE plasma inhibited by 21–80% the binding of antibodies and consequently of [125I]Protein A to the solid support. The 12-OH function positioned between two double bonds was the immunodominant determinant of this antigen-antibody reaction, but the carboxyl function also was recognized. This radioimmunoassay was used to detect and quantitate 12-L-HETE resolved by high pressure liquid chromatography.
Sediments of the New England Continental Rise

Sediment from short cores taken on the continental rise off Georges Banks show two facies which are best distinguished by clay mineral ratios. The green-gray material in the upper, Holocene section of the cores is carbonate and amphibole rich and has a montmonllonite/illite peak-area ratio which typically is greater than one. These characteristics serve to distinguish the upper facies from the red-brown Pleistocene sediment of the lower core section in which illite is the dominant clay mineral. The clay mineralogy of the Pleistocene facies is consistent with a source in the Permo-Carboniferous red-bed area of the Canadian Maritime Provinces. This red lutite, which acts as a tracer for bottom current movement, was entrained on the continental rise by the Western Boundary Undercurrent and transported southwestward along the regional contours. The coarse fraction of this facies probably originated in down-slope processes along the entire continental margin under a regime of lower sea level and as ice-rafted debris. The upper, Holocene facies cannot be linked o t any specific continental source, but it appears to have the sediment of the Labrador Sea as its immediate source. The montmorillonite-rich lutite is transported to the south parallel to the regional contours by the Western Boundary Undercurrent. The carbonate component consists of coarse Foraminifera which originate in the warm Gull Stream. The character of the sediment and measurement of the predominant direction and speed of the bottom currents indicate that the Western Boundary Undercurrent is a significant factor in sediment transport and deposition on the east coast continental rise. A dispersal system parallel to the regional slope is confirmed to be operative for the fine sediment.
Preferential synthesis of ferritin and albumin by different populations of liver polysomes.

Free polysomes and a mixture of free and membrane-attached polysomes were isolated separately from rat liver, and each was added to a cell-free, protein-synthesizing system. The free polysomes showed a greater capacity than the mixed polysome population for incorporation of 14C-leucine into ferritin, whereas the reverse was true for 14C-leucine incorporation into albumin.
Targeting of PCNA to sites of DNA replication in the mammalian cell nucleus.

We have examined the targeting of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), an integral component of the mammalian replicative enzyme DNA polymerase delta, with sites of DNA replication by using confocal microscopy and computer image analysis. Labeling (5 min pulse) of DNA replication sites in normal human diploid fibroblast cells (NHF1) with BrdU was followed by immunostaining with PCNA antibodies. A striking degree of colocalization was seen between PCNA and the characteristic patterns of DNA replication sites of early, middle and late S-phase (Nakayasu and Berezney [1989] J. Cell. Biol. 108:1-11). These observations were confirmed by quantitative computer image analysis which revealed that approximately 90% of the PCNA-stained area overlapped with DNA replication sites in early S-phase. Pulse-chase experiments, involving in vivo labeling for replication followed by PCNA staining at later time points, suggested that PCNA disassembles from previously replicated sites and targets to newly active sites of DNA replication. To further study this phenomenon in living cells, stable GFP-PCNA transfectants under the control of a tetracycline-inducible promoter were created in mouse 3T6 cells. Like the endogenous PCNA, GFP-PCNA targeted to sites of replication (approximately 80% colocalization) and demonstrated similar dynamic changes following pulse-chase experiments in fixed cells. Studies of living cells revealed progressive changes in the GFP-PCNA distribution that mimic the replication patterns observed in fixed cells. We conclude that GFP-PCNA targets to DNA replication sites in living cells and is an effective marker for tracking the spatio-temporal dynamics of DNA replication as cells transverse the S-phase.
STAT3 regulates NF-κB recruitment to the IL-12p40 promoter in dendritic cells

Interleukin-10-deficient (IL-10(-/-)) mice develop an IL-12-mediated intestinal inflammation in the absence of endogenous IL-10. The molecular mechanisms of the dysregulated IL-12 responses in IL-10(-/-) mice are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-12p40 gene expression in bone marrow derived-dendritic cells (BMDCs) isolated from wild-type (WT) and IL-10(-/-) mice. We report higher IL-12p40 mRNA accumulation and protein secretion in LPS-stimulated BMDCs isolated from IL-10(-/-) compared with WT mice. LPS-induced NF-kappaB signaling is similar in IL-10(-/-) and WT BMDCs as measured by IkappaBalpha phosphorylation and degradation, RelA phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, and NF-kappaB transcriptional activity, with no down-regulatory effects of exogenous IL-10. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated enhanced NF-kappaB (cRel, RelA) binding to the IL-12p40 promoter in IL-10(-/-) but not WT BMDCs. Interestingly, LPS induced STAT3 phosphorylation in WT but not IL-10(-/-) BMDCs, a process blocked by IL-10 receptor blocking antibody. Adenoviral gene delivery of a constitutively active STAT3 but not control green fluorescence protein (GFP) virus blocked LPS-induced IL-12p40 gene expression and cRel recruitment to the IL-12p40 promoter. In conclusion, dysregulated LPS-induced IL-12p40 gene expression in IL-10(-/-) mice is due to enhanced NF-kappaB recruitment to the IL-12p40 promoter in the absence of activated STAT3.
Electrostatic coupling between retinal isomerization and the ionization state of Glu-204: a general mechanism for proton release in bacteriorhodopsin

The pKa values of ionizable groups that lie between the active site region of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) and the extracellular surface of the protein are reported. Glu-204 is found to have an elevated pKa in the resting state of bR, suggesting that it corresponds to the proton-releasing group in bR. Its elevated pKa is predicted to be due in part to strong repulsive interactions with Glu-9. Following trans-cis isomerization of the retinal chromophore and the transfer of a proton to Asp-85, polar groups on the protein are able to interact more strongly with the ionized state of Glu-204, leading to a substantial reduction of its pKa. This suggests a general mechanism for proton release in which isomerization and subsequent charge separation initially produce a new electrostatic balance in the active site of bR. Here it is proposed that those events in turn drives a conformational change in the protein in which the ionized state of Glu-204 can be stabilized through interactions with groups that were previously inaccessible. Whether these groups should be identified with polar moieties in the protein, bound waters, or Arg-82 is an important mechanistic question whose elucidation will require further study.
Managing Fish and Invertebrate Resources in a Wood Stork Feeding Pond

ABSTRACT We monitored densities and growth of juvenile bluegills ( 50 mm standard length) to be useful wood stork food, the majority sought refuge in beds of vegetation and were thus not readily available to storks until July when a complete drawdown concentrated them in residual water. Bluegill growth and survival were not affected by detrital supplements or fish stocking rates (even as high as 450,000/ha). However, detrital hay supplements increased densities of tadpoles and most invertebrates. Fish density did not significantly affect invertebrate abundance.
Surgery for peripheral nerve and brachial plexus injuries or other nerve lesions.

The selection of patients who will benefit from peripheral nerve surgery continues to evolve. The evaluation of patients with peripheral nerve problems, and the indications and timing of surgery are reviewed. This includes patients with transections, lesions in continuity, entrapments, tumors, injection injuries, and birth palsies. The treatment outlined for patients with peripheral nerve and brachial plexus injuries is based on a comprehensive clinical and electrodiagnostic evaluation complemented by imaging studies. A systematic approach to the surgical management of these neural lesions has evolved at our institution, based in part on extensive experience with intraoperative recording of nerve action potentials (NAPs) and a resultant large number of referrals. Advanced microsurgical techniques including use of grafts have expanded the scope of peripheral nerve surgery. These advances coupled with intraoperative electrophysiologic measurements have improved outcomes.
Coupled resonator optical waveguides (CROW)

We investigate theoretically and experimentally the characteristics, performance and possible applications of coupled resonator optical waveguides (CROWs). The ability to engineer the dispersion properties of a CROW and especially the ability to realize ultra-slow group velocities paves the way for various applications such as delay lines, optical memories and all-optical switching. Simple analytic expressions for the time delay, usable bandwidth and overall losses in CROW delay lines are derived and compared to exact numerical simulation. Good quantitative agreement is found between the theoretical transmission function obtained by transfer matrix formalism and the measurement of a CROW interferometer realized in polymer material.
Variations in the perception of trauma-related complications between attending surgeons, surgery residents, critical care nurses, and medical students.

Abstract Background The morbidity and mortality conference (M&M) is a key component of the performance improvement process. The audience response system (ARS) has been shown to improve audience participation and promote more truthful responses in various settings. We implemented the ARS in our trauma M&M and evaluated the responses we received from different categories of participants. Methods This was a prospective observational study undertaken between November 2006 and July 2007. Cases were graded based on the American College of Surgeons scoring system. We evaluated the responses of attending surgeons, residents, critical care nurses, and medical students using the ARS. Results We had 695 responses for complications and 936 responses for deaths. Residents consistently scored complications as more severe than other groups ( P = .03). There was no difference in the scoring of deaths. Conclusions Surgical residents assign higher severity to trauma-related complications than other groups when using an anonymous automated scoring system.
Surviving Two Diseases: Addiction, Recovery, and Spirituality among Mothers Living with HIV Disease:

Drawing upon narratives spoken by mothers living with HIV/AIDS, this article describes the role of recovery in helping many women survive the two “diseases” of HIV infection and addiction. The them...
Deterministic Hydrologic Modeling of Grazing System Impacts on Infiltration Rates

ABSTRACT: Techniques for predicting the hydrologic effects of grazing schemes have heretofore been unavailable. The available literature on grazing intensity influences on infiltration rates is used as a basis for a model of infiltration behavior in response to grazing systems. Background, development, cautions, and an example are given.
Taming of wild Rattus norvegicus by lesions of the mesencephalic central gray

Wild-trapped Rattus norvegicus show a consistent pattern of fear and defensive behavior to nonpainful stimuli such as an approaching experimenter, an anesthetized conspecific, or tactile stimulation of the back and vibrassae, as well as to painful stimuli. This reactivity to a range of stimuli, and the different behaviors by which such fear or defensiveness may be expressed, including flight, freezing, vocalization, the jump-attack, and specific biting patterns, make wild rats very appropriate subjects for the analysis of brain mechanisms underlying fear. Lesions of the mesencephalic central gray dramatically lowered these defensive reactions to both painful and nonpainful threat stimuli, reducing or eliminating each of the defensive reactions measured. The subjects showed no evidence of significant motor impairment or disturbance of primary sensory mechanisms. Because these experimental lesions involved considerable damage to the superior colliculi, a second study used wild rats with damage only to the colliculi. These animals displayed some deficits in visually guided behavior and in reactivity to certain tactile stimuli, but most of their fear reactions were intact. These findings suggest that the mesencephalic central gray, traditionally regarded as involved in reactivity to pain, may be one component of a mechanism underlying fear and defensive behaviors to nonpainful as well as noxious stimuli.
Strontium Isotope Geochemistry of Great Salt Lake, Utah

Strontium in the brines of Great Salt Lake appears to be isotopically homogeneous and has an average 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio of 0.7174 ± 0.0004 (1σ). The enrichment in radiogenic 87 Sr compared to young volcanic rocks and modern sea water is consistent with the 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios in water from its major tributary rivers which drain the Wasatch Mountains east and southeast of the lake. Subsurface brines from the Great Salt Lake Desert west of the lake have significantly lower 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios averaging 0.7133 ± 0.0006 (1σ). A sample of salt from the Bonneville Salt Flats has an 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio of 0.7106 and water discharged by Locomotive Springs has a ratio of 0.7110. The high 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio of the brines in Great Salt Lake is fairly representative of the strontium released by chemical weathering of silicate rocks on the continents.
The ubiquitin conjugating enzyme UBE2L3 regulates TNFα-induced linear ubiquitination.

The inducible and reversible modification of proteins with polyubiquitin chains has emerged as one of the most common and versatile means of protein modification. Ubiquitin contains 7 lysine residues, each of which can serve as an acceptor site for formation of polyubiquitin chains. In addition, the C-terminal glycine of one ubiquitin molecule can form a conventional peptide bond with the N-terminal methionine of an acceptor ubiquitin, leading to the formation of linear polyubiquitin chains. Linear ubiquitin chains stabilize proteins and play critical roles in signaling complex assembly. The linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC) consists of at least 3 proteins: HOIP (also known as RNF31), HOIL-1L (also known as RBCK1), and SHARPIN [1-6].
Floorplanning of memory ICs: routing complexity vs. yield

It has recently been shown that for very large chips, especially those with some incorporated redundancy, the chip's floorplan may affect its yield. When selecting a floorplan, the designer should, therefore, consider the expected yield in addition to the traditional objectives such as area, performance, and routing complexity. This paper studies the two seemingly unrelated objectives of routing complexity minimization and yield maximization, and justifies the need for a trade-off analysis when determining the floorplan. We will focus on the analysis of large memory ICs with redundant modules, for which several alternative floorplans may exist.
Do Ask, Do Tell

As a consequence of bias and ignorance within the medical profession, lesbians and gay men frequently receive suboptimal health care. Knowledge of each patient's sexual orientation and behaviors is critical for the development of a productive therapeutic relationship, accurate risk assessment, and the provision of pertinent preventive counseling. However, clinicians often forget to ask about this information, and many lesbians and gay men are reticent to reveal the truth. I present vignettes from my personal experiences as a lesbian patient and doctor to illustrate the importance of creating an environment in which such disclosure can occur and to portray the challenges and rewards of coming out as a gay physician.
Transepithelial potential difference in toad urinary bladder is not due to ionic diffusion.

KOEFOED-JOHNSEN and Ussing proposed1 that the transepithelial potential difference (PD) in frog skin was due to the sum of two diffusion potentials, one at the outside border due to sodium, and one at the inside due to potassium. Others have shown somewhat similar results in toad urinary bladder2,3. Although there is evidence to support the notion that such a mechanism cannot account for the entire PD4–6, the hypothesis is still favoured by many investigators.
Experimental study of new diagnostic system for coronary artery disease using coronary transit index

Abstract Objectives Noninvasive cardiac imaging techniques have had an increasing role in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. However, these techniques are not widely available as a tool in the office setting. The purpose of this study was to provide an accurate assessment of coronary artery disease for screening purposes using Coronary Transit Index (CTI) assessment with small, high-resolution gamma cameras. Methods Total coronary blood flow was measured with ultrasonic flow probes placed around the left anterior descending coronary artery, left circumflex coronary artery, and right coronary artery in a total of 33 conditions in 5 healthy mongrel dogs. The coronary blood flow was reduced stepwise with vascular occluders placed around the coronary arteries. The procedure for obtaining CTI included 4 parts: 1) The animal was injected intravenously with a bolus of a radioactive tracer (2.5–5.0 mCi of 99mTc-DTPA); 2) Dedicated gamma sensors monitored the passage of the injected bolus; 3) Time–activity curves were measured at the left ventricle with and without its wall; 4) The ratio of the washout rates of the 2 curves determined the CTI. Results Coronary Transit Index was successfully obtained from the left ventricle. The coronary blood flows measured by flow probes were well correlated with the regional myocardial blood flow. The percentage of the baseline value of the total coronary blood flow had the highest correlation (R = 0.807, p Conclusions These data indicated that a new diagnostic system using CTI successfully identified reduced coronary blood flow.
Anti-cancer IAP antagonists promote bone metastasis: a cautionary tale

The bone microenvironment is complex, containing bone-forming osteoblasts, bone-resorbing osteoclasts, bone-maintaining osteocytes, hematopoietic lineage cells, as well as blood vessels, nerves, and stromal cells. Release of embedded growth factors from the bone matrix via osteoclast resorption has been shown to participate in the alteration of bone microenvironment to facilitate tumor metastasis to this organ. Many types of malignancies including solid tumors and leukemias are associated with elevated levels of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins, and IAP antagonists represent an important emerging class of anti-cancer agents. IAPs exert anti-apoptotic roles by inhibiting caspases and upregulating pro-survival proteins, at least in part by activating classical NF-κB signaling. In addition, IAPs act as negative regulators in the alternative NF-κB pathway, so that IAP antagonists stimulate this pathway. The role of the classical NF-κB pathway in IAP antagonist-induced apoptosis has been extensively studied, whereas much less attention has been paid to the role of these agents in the alternative pathway. Thus far, several IAP antagonists have been tested in preclinical and early stage clinical trials, and have shown promise in sensitizing tumor cells to apoptosis without significant side effects. However, recent preclinical evidence suggests an increased risk of bone metastasis caused by IAP antagonists, along with potential for promoting osteoporosis. In this review, the connection between IAP antagonists, the alternative NF-κB pathway, osteoclasts, and bone metastasis are discussed. In light of these effects of IAP antagonists on the bone microenvironment, more attention should be paid to this and other host tissues as these drugs are developed further.
How Safe Is a School? An Exploratory Study Comparing Measures and Perceptions of Safety

This exploratory study investigates the relation between incident reports to local law enforcement, and students' and teachers' perceptions of school safety. Using a combination of grounded theory and statistics, we compared quantitative data collected from law enforcement agencies with qualitative data provided by students and teachers during focus groups. Findings show that incidents of serious violence and attacks, minor violence, and other school-related crime, in that order, constituted the most frequently reported incidents. Infrequently reported events included intimidation and bullying, and weapon and alcohol possession. In some cases, even though both students and teachers had similar perceptions of safety, their perceptions did not necessarily match the frequency of official incident reports.
Anisotropic Hydrogen Etching of Chemical Vapor Deposited Graphene

We report a simple, clean, and highly anisotropic hydrogen etching method for chemical vapor deposited (CVD) graphene catalyzed by the copper substrate. By exposing CVD graphene on copper foil to hydrogen flow around 800 °C, we observed that the initially continuous graphene can be etched to have many hexagonal openings. In addition, we found that the etching is temperature dependent. Compared to other temperatures (700, 900, and 1000 °C), etching of graphene at 800 °C is most efficient and anisotropic. Of the angles of graphene edges after etching, 80% are 120°, indicating the etching is highly anisotropic. No increase of the D band along the etched edges indicates that the crystallographic orientation of etching is in the zigzag direction. Furthermore, we observed that copper played an important role in catalyzing the etching reaction, as no etching was observed for graphene transferred to Si/SiO(2) under similar conditions. This highly anisotropic hydrogen etching technology may work as a simple and convenient way to determine graphene crystal orientation and grain size and may enable the etching of graphene into nanoribbons for electronic applications.
Novel impact modification in a TPO system

An innovative TPO, based upon a complex fluid, is described, which shows an unusual balance of physical properties. The effects of complex fluid composition are addressed in a statistically designed experiment. Physical performance, rheological effects, thermal analysis, and morphological characterization are reported. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 12:183–191, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Investigation of E. coli Heptosyltransferase I Dynamics

Interest in new methods to treat gram-negative bacterial infections has emerged due to a significant increase in antibiotic resistance amongst bacteria. Bacterial biofilms are a major contributor to this immunity. Heptosyltransferase-I (HepI) is an essential enzyme for the biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), an important component to bacterial biofilms. Cells deficient in HepI have decreased intestinal colonization and are more susceptible to hydrophobic antibacterials, which makes HepI a good target for developing inhibitors. HepI is a member of the GT-B structural subclass of glycosyltransferases. Crystal structures of GT-B enzymes have been observed to interconvert between open and closed conformations based up the ligation state of the proteins; we therefore hypothesize that HepI will also interconvert between open and closed conformations to enable catalysis. In HepI, there are eight tryptophan residues, which enable us to observe changes in the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence upon substrate binding. Using wild-type and mutant forms of HepI we are attempting to discern which regions are undergoing conformational changes upon binding of the sugar acceptor substrate (associated with an observed blue shift in the fluorescence). Individual HepI tryptophan residues have been mutated to phenylalanine. Arginine residues that we hypothesize to have an important role in substrate induced conformational changes have also been mutated. Fluorescence circular dichroism have been used to determine the impact of these residues upon binding. Enzyme kinetics were also performed on all mutants to ensure that the mutagenesis was not impacting catalysis. Data thus far suggest that a conformational change is indeed needed for chemistry to occur. Monitoring whether a large dynamic closing occurs, is also being explored using mutagenesis and site specific fluorophore incorporation. Ultimately, an enhanced understanding of HepI's protein dynamics and mechanism may lead to the design of more effective gram-negative therapeutics.
Infrared Today & Tomorrow-Plus 11 Years

Eleven years ago I edited Vol. 2, No. 1, of the SPIE Journal (now Optical Engineering), under the title "Infrared Today & Tomorrow." In it I summarized the state-of-the-art of civilian and military infrared technology and ended by stating, "In the future the development of imaging systems which will produce a visible picture of objects sensed only by their infrared energy is anticipated. This will permit the use of photographic instrumentation techniques in connec-tion with systems analyses and data recording activities...," and ". . . the equivalent of television based on IR content." We also (see McFee, op. cit., p. 16) predicted, ". . . the develop ment of techniques to build preamplifiers in juxtaposition to detector elements . . .," and ". . microelectric fabrication techniques . . . to include detector elements in a single package with the electronic circuits."
Bacteria associated with eggs and first-instar larvae of the european corn borer: Isolation techniques and pathogenicity

Abstract Egg masses of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, were collected from caged corn plants to study the bacterial diseases of egg masses and first-instar larvae. In 1972, a reduction in the percentage hatch, indicative of a disease epizootic, was noted among the first-generation egg masses. Bioassays of the bacteria on first-instar larvae and egg masses showed that Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki was pathogenic only to larvae. Bacillus megaterium was active primarily against the egg stage.
Sequence analysis of the nucleocapsid and phosphoprotein genes of avian pneumoviruses circulating in the US.

Abstract Avian pneumovirus (APV) has recently been described as the cause of a new respiratory syndrome in turkey flocks in the United States. We here describe the complete sequence of the nucleocapsid (N) and phosphoprotein (P) genes of this emerging APV (APV/US). Our results show 59 and 61% nucleotide sequence identity of the APV/US N gene with N genes of previously described European APV subgroups A and B, respectively. The P gene of APV/US showed only 53% nucleotide sequence identity with the ortholog from APV subgroup A. Phylogenetic analyses of both N and P genes clearly demonstrate that the APV/US lineage is evolutionarily related but distinct from European APVs. Moreover, sequence analysis of the N and P genes from two laboratory adapted isolates of APV/US (APV/MN-1a and APV/MN-1b) and from ten clinical samples from APV-infected turkeys suggests only modest level of amino acid divergence in the N (0–0.3%) and P (0–1.4%) proteins. Taken together, the results of this study indicate support that APV/US represents a new subgroup (subgroup C) of APV and show that there is limited heterogeneity in the N and P genes of APV/US isolates.
Benzene under high pressure: a story of molecular crystals transforming to saturated networks, with a possible intermediate metallic phase.

In a theoretical study, benzene is compressed up to 300 GPa. The transformations found between molecular phases generally match the experimental findings in the moderate pressure regime (<20 GPa): phase I (Pbca) is found to be stable up to 4 GPa, while phase II (P43212) is preferred in a narrow pressure range of 4–7 GPa. Phase III (P21/c) is at lowest enthalpy at higher pressures. Above 50 GPa, phase V (P21 at 0 GPa; P21/c at high pressure) comes into play, slightly more stable than phase III in the range of 50–80 GP, but unstable to rearrangement to a saturated, four-coordinate (at C), one-dimensional polymer. Actually, throughout the entire pressure range, crystals of graphane possess lower enthalpy than molecular benzene structures; a simple thermochemical argument is given for why this is so. In several of the benzene phases there nevertheless are substantial barriers to rearranging the molecules to a saturated polymer, especially at low temperatures. Even at room temperature these barriers should all...
The Under “Privileged:” Journalism Students Seeking the Shield

(2011). The Under “Privileged:” Journalism Students Seeking the Shield. Free Speech Yearbook: Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 17-30.
Investigating material trends and lattice relaxation effects for understanding electron transfer phenomena in rare-earth-doped optical materials

Abstract Rare-earth-doped insulators and semiconductors play an important role in a wide range of modern optical technologies. Knowledge of the relative energies of rare-earth ions’ localized electronic states and the band states of the host crystal is important for understanding the properties of these materials and for determining the potential material performance in specific applications such as lasers, phosphors, and optical signal processing. Current understanding of the systematic variations of electron binding energies in these materials is reviewed with analysis of how lattice relaxation affects the results obtained from different experimental techniques. Detailed examples are presented for rare-earth-doped YAG and LaF3 material systems. A method for predicting the chemical shift of the 4f electrons of rare-earth impurities from the host crystal’s photoemission spectrum is also demonstrated. Furthermore, a simple model is presented that predicts host-dependent trends in the binding energies of the rare-earth ion states in materials ranging from the elemental metals to the ionic fluorides. By understanding the systematic changes in the relative energies for different states, different ions, and different host materials, insight is gained into electron transfer transitions, valence stability, and luminescence quenching that can accelerate the development of materials for optical applications.
Effects of the structure of the Fermi surface on the normal and superconducting parameters of the high-Tc oxide superconductors

We have described the major features of the Fermi surfaces of the high-Tc cuprates. The description in momentum space and use of Fermiology allows us to analyze the large anisotropy and multiband structure of the new materials. These properties are crucial because of the extremely small values of the coherence length. The Fermi surface can be reconstructed with the use of experimental data. Based on this method, we have evaluated the parameters such as effective mass, Fermi energy, Fermi velocity, and coherence length and estimated them for La1.8Sr0.2CuO4 and Y1Ba2Cu3O7 with the use of heat capacity and Hall effect measurements.
Mechanical Testing of Thin Films

Metal films used as conductors in integrated circuits must be able to withstand stresses created during their deposition, caused by mismatches in thermal expansion coefficients and by bending which occurs during manufacture and installation. These stresses may be biaxial or uniaxial in nature. This paper discusses testing techniques and gives examples of results of mechanical testing of thin metallic films of aluminum, aluminum-copper(2%), copper, and tungsten in uniaxial and biaxial tension. The film specimens were deposited on and removed from production silicon wafers in order to simulate as much as possible actual device conditions. Basic considerations for the comparison of the two testing methods are also presented.
Mechanobiological modulation of cytoskeleton and calcium influx in osteoblastic cells by short-term focused acoustic radiation force.

Mechanotransduction has demonstrated potential for regulating tissue adaptation in vivo and cellular activities in vitro. It is well documented that ultrasound can produce a wide variety of biological effects in biological systems. For example, pulsed ultrasound can be used to noninvasively accelerate the rate of bone fracture healing. Although a wide range of studies has been performed, mechanism for this therapeutic effect on bone healing is currently unknown. To elucidate the mechanism of cellular response to mechanical stimuli induced by pulsed ultrasound radiation, we developed a method to apply focused acoustic radiation force (ARF) (duration, one minute) on osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and observed cellular responses to ARF using a spinning disk confocal microscope. This study demonstrates that the focused ARF induced F-actin cytoskeletal rearrangement in MC3T3-E1 cells. In addition, these cells showed an increase in intracellular calcium concentration following the application of focused ARF. Furthermore, passive bending movement was noted in primary cilium that were treated with focused ARF. Cell viability was not affected. Application of pulsed ultrasound radiation generated only a minimal temperature rise of 0.1°C, and induced a streaming resulting fluid shear stress of 0.186 dyne/cm2, suggesting that hyperthermia and acoustic streaming might not be the main causes of the observed cell responses. In conclusion, these data provide more insight in the interactions between acoustic mechanical stress and osteoblastic cells. This experimental system could serve as basis for further exploration of the mechanosensing mechanism of osteoblasts triggered by ultrasound.
Transgenic citrus expressing the antimicrobial gene Attacin E ( attE ) reduces the susceptibility of ‘Duncan’ grapefruit to the citrus scab caused by Elsinoë fawcettii

Citrus scab, caused by Elsinoe fawcettii (anamorph Sphaceloma fawcettii), is a common foliar fungal disease affecting many citrus cultivars, including grapefruit. No commercial grapefruit cultivar is resistant to scab, and the disease results in severely blemished fruit which reduces its marketability. Transgenic ‘Duncan’ grapefruit trees expressing the antimicrobial attE gene were produced via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. In in vitro leaf and greenhouse assays, several transgenic-lines had significantly lower susceptibility to E. fawcettii compared to the non-transformed control (P < 0.0001). In the greenhouse studies, sporulation on all transgenic lines except 1 was significantly reduced (P < 0.0001) but the level of sporulation over time did not correspond to disease severity ratings. Lesion size was also significantly reduced on transgenic lines compared to the non-transformed control (P < 0.0001) and the least susceptible line A-23 had the smallest lesions, but in general there was no correlation between lesion size and disease susceptibility. The level of attE mRNA was inversely related to the number of copies detected by Southern blot. The least susceptible line had a single inserted copy of the attE transgene whereas more susceptible lines had multiple copies. Since the attacin mode of action was thought to be specific to Gram-negative bacteria, it was unexpected to find that there was a significant activity against E. fawcettii.
The effect of joint surface contours on the transverse strength of repaired acrylic resin

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate what effect the configuration of the joint interface surfaces had on the transverse strength of repaired acrylic resin. After the acrylic resin test specimens were fractured under a transverse load, the joint interface surfaces were prepared either as a butt joint, rabbeted joint, or rounded joint and then repaired with an autopolymerizing acrylic resin. Sixteen of the 45 specimens were repaired with the rabbeted joint, 15 specimens with a butt joint, and the remaining 14 specimens with a rounded joint. Three specimens required a higher second load to produce fracture. Two of these fractured through the repair material and one at the interface. In these instances, the repaired specimen was at least not weaker than the original. Only 6.3 per cent of the rabbeted joints, 20 per cent of the butt joints and 57 per cent of the rounded joints could be considered as properly made since the fracture line did not in these instances occur along the joint interface surfaces. A statistical analysis using a fixed-effect model as the analysis of variance and Scheffe's multiple comparison statistically showed that the mean of the rounded joint was significantly different from the mean of both the rabbet joint and the butt joint. This experimental data thus indicated that the rounded joint is clearly superior to the rabbeted joint and the butt joint.
Evolution of vascular fellowship training in the new era of endovascular techniques

Abstract Purpose: The endovascular technique has revolutionized the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). At our institution, we examined the impact of an endovascular program on the traditional operative training of the vascular fellows in the treatment of infrarenal AAA. Methods: We examined the records of our vascular fellows' experience from July 1995 to May 2000. We introduced the endovascular treatment for infrarenal AAA in 1995. Results: The fellows have performed increasing numbers of endovascular cases each year, with a predicted number of 124 cases for 1999-2000. However, despite an increase in the overall volume of patients with infrarenal AAA (102 cases in 1998-1999 and a predicted 160 cases in 1999-2000), the trainees will experience a reduction in the number of open AAAs from 61 cases in 1998-1999 to a predicted 36 cases in 1999-2000. However, the volume of open suprarenal AAA has also increased from eight cases in 1998 to 1999 to a predicted 24 cases in 1999-2000. With no significant change in the open aortoiliac occlusive cases from previous years, the current fellows will graduate with a similar volume of open aortic procedures as their predecessors. Conclusion: With the recent advances in endovascular technology, our traditional operative approach to the treatment of AAA disease may be lacking in the training of future vascular surgeons. At our institution, although fewer open infrarenal AAA cases were performed, the trainees have maintained the open aortic experience by performing an increased volume of suprarenal AAAs. We have to critically reevaluate and redefine what constitutes adequate vascular fellow experience in the surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:S106-10.)