cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of infectious diseases of poultry in selected African countries

Abstract The importance of poultry production to the economy and food requirements of developing countries is demonstrated by the increase in the domestic production and consumption of eggs and broilers. The demand for poultry products has resulted in the emergence of specialized agribusiness sectors which apply intensive production technology acquired from the United States and Europe. The concentration of poultry into large units has rendered industries more vulberable to the effects of disease. The introduction of specific infections may be manifested by catastrophic mortality and cessation of production. Less virulent pathogens exert an erosive effect which depresses the efficiency of production and reduces the profitability of poultry enterprises. The Republics of Egypt and South Africa have been selected to illustrate the effect of endemic diseases and the conditions which are of economic significance. The size, structure, and development of poultry industries in the subject countries are analyzed in relation to the differences which exist in the incidence and occurrence of disease. The response of the respective governments and of producers to existing problems are evaluated with reference to the programs to treat and prevent catastrophic and erosive conditions. Alternative strategies which are appropriate include quarantine, depopulation, immunization and medication. Field diagnostic and laboratory resources are essential in implementing and supporting programs to prevent disease. Based on a comparison between the incidence of diseases which exist in the two countries, specific programs are suggested which would reduce the impact of disease in tropical areas which have emerging poultry industries.
Finite-difference time-domain analysis of spontaneous emission in a microdisk cavity

Exploring the close analogy between classical electrodynamics and quantum electrodynamics, we have developed a general algorithm to calculate the spontaneous emission rate and the spontaneous emission factor in a microcavity of arbitrary geometry. Both the emission spectrum of the light source and the decay of the electromagnetic modes are taken into account in our model. Assuming a Lorentzian line shape for the emission spectrum, we apply our algorithm to calculate the spontaneous emission rate and the spontaneous emission factor in a dielectric microdisk cavity. We find that the spontaneous emission characteristics in the microdisk are greatly modified by the whispering gallery modes. The influence of the spectral linewidth of the light source on the spontaneous emission rate and the spontaneous emission factor is also discussed.
Surface mobility of Re2O7 in the system Re7+Pd0γ-Al2O3

Abstract Effect of hydration on the mobility of Re 2 O 7 on γ-Al 2 O 3 in the system Re 7+ Pd 0 γ- Al 2 O 3 was investigated by TPR and XRD techniques. In samples dried at 110 °C, reduction of Re 2 O 7 takes place with T max = 47°C i.e., at a temperature lower by ca. 400 °C than that observed in the absence of metallic palladium. The low-temperature migration of Re 2 O 7 to preexisting Pd 0 crystallites, where reduction takes place, is consistent with the Tamman temperature of Re 2 O 7 . This mechanism is supported by the observed interaction between Pd and Re, manifested by the decreased formation of palladium hydride and by changes in the X-ray diffraction spectra. Dehydroxylation of alumina at 500 °C causes interaction between Re 2 O 7 and Al 2 O 7 to occur, hindering the surface migration. In dehydrated samples most of the rhenium heptoxide is reduced away from Pd crystallites above 400 °C.
DEVELOPMENT OF A SOLVENT EXTRACTION PROCESS FOR CESIUM REMOVAL FROM SRS TANK WASTE

An alkaline-side solvent extraction process was developed for cesium removal from Savannah River Site (SRS) tank waste. The process was invented at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and developed and tested at Argonne National Laboratory using singlestage and multistage tests in a laboratory-scale centrifugal contactor. The dispersion number, hydraulic performance, stage efficiency, and general operability of the process flowsheet were determined. Based on these tests, further solvent development work was done. The final solvent formulation appears to be an excellent candidate for removing cesium from SRS tank waste.
Safe initiation of oral diets in hospitalized patients based on passing a 3-ounce (90 cc) water swallow challenge protocol.

Background: Safe and timely oral alimentation is crucial for optimum patient care. Objective: To determine the short-term success of recommending specific oral diets, including drinking thin liquids, to acute care hospitalized patients at risk for dysphagia based on passing a 3-ounce water swallow challenge protocol. Design: Prospective single group consecutively referred case series. Setting: Large, urban, tertiary care, teaching hospital. Participants: 1000 hospitalized patients. Intervention: 3-ounce (90 cc) water swallow challenge protocol. Measurements: Specific diet recommendations and volume (in cc) of liquid ingested at the next day's meal 12–24 h after passing a 3-ounce challenge protocol were accessed electronically from oral intake information entered on each participant's daily care logs. Eating and drinking success, clinically evident aspiration events and compliance with ordering the recommended diet were recorded. Care providers were blinded to the study's purpose. Results: Of 1000 patients, 907 met the inclusion criteria of stable medical, surgical or neurological conditions 12–24 h after passing a 3-ounce water swallow challenge protocol. All 907 were both eating and drinking thin liquids successfully and without overt signs of dysphagia. Median volume of liquid ingested was 340 cc [interquartile range (IQR), 240–460]. Specific diet recommendations were followed with 100% accuracy. Conclusions: A 3-ounce water swallow challenge protocol successfully identified patients who can be safely advanced to an oral diet without subsequent identification of overt signs of aspiration within 12–24 h of testing. Importantly, when a clinical 3-ounce challenge protocol administered by a trained provider is passed, specific diet recommendations, including drinking thin liquids, can be made safely and without the need for additional instrumental dysphagia testing.
Single-cell analysis of the relationship among transferrin receptors, proliferation, and cell cycle phase in K562 cells†

Multiparameter single-cell analysis by flow cytometry was used to distinguish between size-related changes in K562 cell transferrin receptor (TfR) expression and changes in membrane receptor density throughout the cell cycle and over time in culture. Light-scatter pulse-width time-of-flight, a direct and readily calibrated measure of cell diameter, was used to calculate receptor density as the average number of receptors per unit cell surface area. Cell surface TfRs were unimodally distributed over the cell population and were present throughout the cell cycle. The number of receptors increased as cells progressed through the cell cycle, but cell cycle phase was also correlated with cell volume. However, when size heterogeneity was factored out by reanalysis of listmode data, there was a clear cell-cycle effect: among cells of the same size, both the number of receptors per cell and the receptor density increased from G1 to S to G2/M. TfR expression was also followed over time in culture after dilution into fresh medium. A decrease in growth rate after four days was preceded by one to two days by a decrease in both number of TfRs per cell and mean receptor density, indicating that decreased TfR expression represented true "down-regulation" and not just decreased cell size or an increase in the proportion of smaller G1 cells. This type of analysis is generally applicable for resolving the effects of cell size heterogeneity and cell cycle on membrane protein distribution and for other studies of ligand-receptor interaction.
Analysis of the fatigue failure of a mountain bike front shock

Abstract We present an analysis of a mountain bike front shock failure. The failure of the 1-year-old shock occurred catastrophically as the bike was ridden off of a 1-m drop. The failure was the result of fast fracture through both shock tubes at the location where the tubes were press fit into the shock upper crown. Examination of the fracture surfaces of the tubes revealed regions of fatigue crack growth that nearly penetrated the entire thickness of both tubes. An estimate of the forces during use, coupled with stress analysis, revealed three stresses near the fracture site—axial compression, bending, and hoop stresses. During operation, the axial compressive stress is negligible while the hoop and bending stresses are significant. Based on fracture mechanics, and an estimate of the bending stress from a 1-m drop, it is confirmed that the fatigue cracks present on the fracture surface were large enough to induce fast fracture. Prior to the existence of the fatigue cracks, the stresses were magnified locally near the fracture site by a significant stress concentration caused by the sharp transition from the shock tube to the crown. The fatigue cracks initiated at a circumferential location in the tube commensurate with high tensile bending stress and the stiffest region of the crown (highest stress concentration). Based on the evidence, the most probable cause of the bike shock fatigue failure was the shock design, which facilitated high local stresses during use.
Precise Orbit Determination Using Satellite Radar Ranging

Precise orbit determination can be achieved using only range measurements (no angle measurements) collected from several radars in a regional network. As uncompensated range biases are comparable to Global Positioning System pseudorange errors, 1 position and velocity errors smaller than 10 m and 1 cm=s are possible. Global Positioning System-level accuracies can be achieved rapidly during initial trilateration and maintained for the duration of the satellite pass (e.g., 1000 s) because initial velocity errors are small. Missile defense radars can benefit from trilateration because accurate orbit determination and excellent covariance fidelity can be achieved on a very short timeline. Covariance fidelity is improved with a recursive trilateration filter that characterizes the effects of range measurement biases on the estimation process. An important finding is that, for a multiple radar network, trilateration is more accurate than fused triangulation with uncalibrated angle biases.
INTERSTITIAL CELL STIMULATING HORMONE. II. METHOD OF PREPARATION AND SOME PHYSICO-CHEMICAL STUDIES11

ARECENT PUBLICATION (i) from this laboratory described a chemical procedure to separate two gonadotropic fractions from sheep pituitary: the follicle L. stimulating hormone (FSH) andthe interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH). By modification of this method it has now been possible to secure the ICSH in a homogeneous state as judged by electrophoresis experiments. The biological properties of the preparation have been studied in detail and results appeared in Paper I(2).The method of purification and some of the physicochemical properties of the product are presented here. The method of purification is given below; all steps were carried out at 4 to 6°C. (a) The 40% alcohol extract (1) of acetone-dried sheep pituitaries was used as the starting material. The extract was precipitated with alcohol and dried with ab solute alcohol and ether.
Synthesis, Electrochemistry, Photophysics, and Solvatochromism in New Cyclometalated 6-Phenyl-4-(p-R-phenyl)-2,2′-bipyridyl (R = Me, COOMe, P(O)(OEt)2) (C∧N∧N) Platinum(II) Thiophenolate Chromophores

Three new cyclometalated 6-phenyl-4-(p-R-phenyl)-2,2′-bipyridyl (C∧N∧N) Pt(II) thiophenolate complexes (R = Me (2a), COOMe (2b), and P(O)(OEt)2 (2c)) have been synthesized and studied. The new C∧N∧N ligands L2 (R = COOMe) and L3 (R = P(O)(OEt)2) undergo cyclometalation with a Pt(II) source to give the Pt(II) chloro complexes 1b and 1c, respectively, which are luminescent in fluid solution with λmax ∼ 575 nm, assigned to a metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) emissive state. Reaction of the chloro complexes 1a (R = Me), 1b, and 1c with sodium thiophenolate gives 2a−2c, respectively, in good yields. The novel thiophenolate complexes have two interesting absorption bands in their electronic spectra tentatively assigned to a charge-transfer to C∧N∧N (1CT) (λabs ∼415 nm) transition and a mixed metal/ligand-to-ligand′ charge-transfer (MMLL′CT, λabs ∼ 555 nm) transition, respectively. The MMLL′CT band is solvatochromic with absorption maxima in the range of 496 nm in MeOH to 590 nm in toluene (e ∼ 4000 dm3 mo...
Surveillance through nonmetallic walls

Over the past ten years, our goal has been to convert 'High Tech' DoD capabilities into cost-effective tools to help law enforcement people better do their jobs. In many field surveillance operations it is desirable to accurately map the contents of a room or area where access is denied. This presentation will discuss how uniquely crafted radar waves penetrate materials and how the user can determine what is on the other side of a non-metal wall or barrier. The objective of this new technology is to provide accurate surveillance through any non-metal wall. The accuracy and quality of the information depends on the type of wall, the distance from the radar to the wall and the type of radar wave being used. Surveillance in the clear or through interior walls can provide the best resolution and accuracy for mapping and imaging of both moving and nonmoving objects. Penetrations of more dense walls, such as wood and brick, infers longer radar waves with a corresponding reduction in angle resolution, but with good range information. Very dense walls made of reinforced concrete require even longer wave radar signals. In this case, moving target detection is very good, but with reduced range information and relatively poor angle resolution. Physical laws of each situation dictate the type of sensor that can be used and the quality of the surveillance that can be obtained.
The effect of vowel similarity and syllable length on acoustic memory

Darwin and Baddeley (1974) argue that the presence of recency, suffix, and modality effects are not attributable to the acoustic properties of the stimuli but, rather, to the acoustic distance between the items comprising the test series. The present study is designed to determine whether stimulus duration is a significant variable in acoustic memory. Eight different blocks of synthetic stimuli were prepared; one block each of 60 msec similar and dissimilar syllables and 190 msec similar and dissimilar syllables. The other four blocks consisted of these same vocabularies, but each list in the block had an eighth syllable suffix of the same duration as the syllables in the block. Significant recency and suffix effects are seen for dissimilar syllables of both durations. No effects are demonstrated for 60-msec similar syllables, but both of the effects are seen for 190-msec similar syllables. These results indicate that whether or not a speech sound is preserved in precategorical acoustic storage (PAS) depends upon not only the acoustic distance between the stimuli, but also on other characteristics intrinsic to the stimuli, e.g., stimulus duration.
Measurement and Simulation of Fluid Flow in Agitated Solid/Liquid Suspensions

Numerical and experimental investigations were carried out to improve the knowledge of the flow field in solid/liquid suspensions in agitated vessels and to examine the ability of the commercial CFD, code CFX 4.2, for this application. The numerical results were compared with our own experimental results of time resolved Laser-Doppler-Velocimeter (LDV) and power input measurements with particle concentrations of up to 15 percent of the volume. To perform LDV measurements within the solid/liquid flow the refractive index matching method was used. Results of the CFD simulation show the necessity to use high grid resolution, the k-ϵ turbulence model and an advanced discretization scheme to achieve a grid-independent solution. Simplifications of the grid geometry were shown to be an acceptable way to minimize the time required for calculation. The comparison of experimental and numerical results shows good agreement for velocities and power input in the single- and in all two-phase flow cases. Good agreement with regard to the kinetic energy k is also apparent, except in the region near the stirrer blades, where local maxima are underestimated by the simulation.
Combination of CO2 Reforming and Partial Oxidation of Methane over NiO/MgO Solid Solution Catalysts

To overcome the explosions that can occur during the partial oxidation of methane, the latter exothermic reaction is coupled with an endothermic one, namely, the CO 2 reforming of CH 4 . These combined reactions have been carried out over NiO/MgO solid solution, NiO/Al 2 O 3 , and NiO/SiO 2 catalysts. About 90% conversion of CH 4 and about 98% selectivities to CO and H 2 were obtained at 790°C and a GHSV (gas hourly space velocity) of 90000 cm 3 /g.h (O 2 /CO 2 /CH 4 =14.5/26.9/58.6), over a reduced NiO/MgO solid solution catalyst. Almost no change in activity and selectivity occurred during 50 h of reaction. Compared to the reduced NiO/MgO, the reduced NiO/SiO 2 and NiO/Al 2 O 3 catalysts provided lower activities and stabilities. The effects of the reaction temperature, space velocity, and feed gas composition for a ratio CH 4 /(CO 2 +2O 2 )=1 were investigated. The increase in O 2 in the feed gas resulted in a higher conversion of CH 4 , but the apparent conversion of CO 2 passed through a maximum. The CH 4 conversion decreased with increasing space velocity, while during the partial oxidation, because of the hot spots, it would have increased. This means that the coupling can, indeed, control the thermal behavior of the reactor.
Motion Picture Photomicrography with Electronic Flash

Motion picture photography of very small objects by reflected light at high speed requires a large amount of radiant light flux per unit area. Difficulties are often experienced with temperature-sensitive subjects, such as biological specimens. The required light and heat, besides causing evaporation of liquid, can raise the temperature so that abnormal, unwanted conditions are present. The purpose of this paper is to point out several advantages of the xenon electronic flash system for closeup photography. The heating produced on the subject with xenon flash lamps is less than with continuous lamps for the same photographic result. The advantages of xenon strobe lighting are (1) there is no light on the subject when the motion picture shutter is closed between frames since the lamp is not on; (2) the electronic flash lamp need not operate before the camera is up to speed or after a specified time of operation; (3) the color temperature of a typical xenon lamp is 7000° K resulting in a greater blue-to-red ratio than with tungsten light.
The changing face of newborn screening: diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism by tandem mass spectrometry.

Technological advances are revolutionizing the way in which we can diagnose and screen whole populations for inborn errors of metabolism. These advances are also necessitating a reevaluation of the spectrum of metabolic disorders included in newborn screening program. The initial concept for inclusion into a screening program was based upon a number of factors, including the use of one test on one sample for a single disease. Early assay capabilities limited the number of tests that a screening center could perform on the filter paper blood spot sample collected shortly after birth. As technology and assay sensitivity improved, more tests could be performed on a dried blood spot sample, expanding the laboratory’s ability to screen for more than one disorder in the newborn period. In the last decade, the evolution of tandem mass spectrometry has improved our diagnostic capabilities further. We can now readily detect multiple diseases on a single sample, using a single analytical procedure. This review will highlight historical aspects of newborn screening for inborn errors of metabolism, describe state-of-the-art screening practices and focus upon possible future trends for this important area of laboratory testing.
Covalent bond orders for non-bonded atoms: The case for carbon–carbon interactions

Abstract The Cioslowski–Mixon (CM) covalent bond order and the atoms-in-molecules (AIM) delocalization index can be used to study bonding characteristics between atoms not bonded in the conventional chemical sense. In particular, the bond orders between atoms (AIM basins) with one intervening atom evolve in a predictable manner and are related to the bond orders of conventionally bonded species. The CM approach shows that it is the tails of the incompletely localized orbitals that provide for such interactions. Single, multiple, and resonant bond effects are seen which are physically meaningful and useful as an additional characterization of molecular bonding. The important case of carbon–carbon interactions is studied here.
Synthesis of a peralkynylated pyrazino[2,3-g]quinoxaline.

The synthesis of a hexaethynyl[2,3-g]pyrazinoquinoxaline and its crystal structure are reported. Starting from tetraaminobenzoquinone, condensation to bis(triisopropylsilyl)hexadiyne-2,3-dione affords 2,3,7,8-tetrakis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pyrazino[2,3-g]quinoxaline-5,10-dione. Reaction with TIPS-CC-Li followed by reduction with hypophosphite in the presence of KI furnished the title molecule in a yield of 62%. Pd catalysis is not involved in any of these steps.
cis-3,3-Dimethyl-3,3a,4,5,6,6a-hexa­hydro-1H-cyclo­penta­[c]furan-1,6-dione

The bicyclic mol­ecule of the title compound, C9H12O3, contains two five-membered rings with different functional groups, viz. a ketone and an ester. Both rings assume an envelope conformation. The mean planes of these functional groups form a dihedral angle of 60.7 (1)°. The crystal structure exhibits weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions, which link the mol­ecules into zigzag chains extended in the [010] direction. The unit cell contains a racemic mixture of enanti­omers.
A comparison of H2, CH4 and C3H8 fuel leakage in residential settings

Abstract One of the boundary conditions for modeling gas cloud motion from a residential gas leak is the leakage rate at the source of the cloud. The literature presents estimates of the leakage rate of hydrogen relative to methane or propane based on diffusion, laminar flow and turbulent flow. These three methods yield significantly different values for the relative leakage rate of hydrogen. An experimental study was therefore conducted to measure the relative leakage rate of hydrogen compared with methane or propane for various leaks. The results from the experimental study were used as input to a computer model to predict combustible gas cloud size and motion in residential kitchens.
Acute health reference values: overview, perspective, and current forecast of needs.

A number of organizations have developed acute inhalation health reference values, each with (1) a specific purpose, (2) populations to protect, (3) exposure scenarios (accidental releases, workplace, routine excursions of ambient levels), and (4) severity of adverse health effects considered in their development. The first section of this article reviews the existing values from different organizations and describes their purposes and method of development. The second part of the article provides a comparative review of how the values were derived, the critical endpoints considered for each value, the populations being protected by each value, and the potential for use outside of their intended purpose (e.g., Homeland Security, regulatory analysis, etc.). Additionally, an analysis of the acute inhalation reference values that was developed in support of the Office of Air and Radiation's residual risk assessment for hazardous air pollutants is presented and reviewed. The third and final part of the articl...
Haptic recreation of elbow spasticity

The aim of this paper1 is to develop a haptic device capable of presenting standardized recreation of elbow spasticity. Using the haptic device, clinicians will be able to repeatedly practice the assessment of spasticity without requiring patient involvement, and these practice opportunities will help improve accuracy and reliability of the assessment itself. Haptic elbow spasticity simulator (HESS) was designed and prototyped according to mechanical requirements to recreate the feel of elbow spasticity. Based on the data collected from subjects with elbow spasticity, a mathematical model representing elbow spasticity is proposed. As an attempt to differentiate the feel of each score in Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), parameters of the model were obtained respectively for three different MAS scores 1, 1+, and 2. The implemented haptic recreation was evaluated by experienced clinicians who were asked to give MAS scores by manipulating the haptic device. The clinicians who participated in the study were blinded to each other's scores and to the given models. They distinguished the three models and the MAS scores given to the recreated models matched 100% with the original MAS scores from the patients.
Surface Microphysical Observations within East Coast Winter Storms on Long Island, New York

AbstractSurface observations of ice habit and degree of riming were measured for 12 cyclone events over 3 winter seasons at Stony Brook, New York, on the northeast coast of the United States. A total of 205.6 cm of snow accumulated during these storms, with an average degree of riming of 1.25 (out of 5) and snow-to-liquid ratio ranging from 3:1 to 17:1. There were consistent spatial patterns of habit and riming intensity relative to the cyclone structure. Cold-type habits (side planes and bullets) commonly occurred within the outer comma head to the north and northeast of the cyclone center. In the middle of the comma head, moderately rimed dendrites, plates, and needles were observed. Close to the cyclone center, heavy riming was observed with needles and graupel. The western quadrant of the comma head had primarily plates and dendrites with little to no riming. Periods of light riming and high snow–liquid ratios (≥13:1) are dominated by cold-type habits, dendrites, and plates and have similar vertical m...
Enhanced transport of fluoride anion effected using protonated sapphyrin as a carrier

Sapphyrin, a pentapyrrole expanded porphyrin, acts as an efficient carrier for the transport of fluoride anion in a model three-phase H2O–CH2Cl2–H2O bulk liquid membrane system.
Application of the Electrodynamic Field Theory in Biology, Psychiatry, Medicine, and Hypnosis

(1959). Application of the Electrodynamic Field Theory in Biology, Psychiatry, Medicine, and Hypnosis. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis: Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 135-150.
The role of TALL-1 and APRIL in immune regulation

Abstract Members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily play important roles in cell proliferation and death during immune regulation. Most members are synthesized as type II transmembrane proteins; the carboxy terminal extracellular domain can be cleaved from the cell membrane to form soluble active cytokines that bind to appropriate members of the TNF receptor family. Here, we describe the biological significance of recently discovered members of the TNF superfamily (TALL-1 and APRIL) and their receptors (TACI and BCMA) in the pathophysiology of human diseases.
Spatial and Temporal Temperature Distributions in Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

Long-term spatial and temporal variations in temperatures have been investigated in covers, wastes, and liners at four municipal solid waste landfills located in different climatic regions: Alaska, British Columbia, Michigan, and New Mexico. Temperatures were measured in wastes with a broad range of ages from newly placed to old (up to 40 years). The characteristic shape of waste temperature versus depth relationships consisted of a convex temperature profile with maximum temperatures observed at central locations within the middle third fraction of the depth of the waste mass. Lower temperatures were observed above and below this central zone, with seasonal fluctuations occurring near the surface and steady and elevated values (above mean annual earth temperature) near the base of the landfills. Heat gain and long-term temperatures were directly affected by placement temperatures. Sustained concave temperature profiles were observed for winter waste placement. The highest heat gain and resulting high tem...
Sensitivity of thorotrast-treated monkeys to staphylococcal enterotoxin.

Monkeys pretreated with stabilized colloidal thorium dioxide (Thorotrast) are more sensitive to the emetic action of intragastrically administered staphylococcal enterotoxin. The amounts required to elicit vomiting in 50% of the animals tested was reduced to about onetwentieth of that required for untreated monkeys when Thorotrast was given 18 hours before the enterotoxin challenge. The degree of sensitization was the same for both of the 2 different antigenic types of enterotoxin tested. Fresh blood was observed in the vomitus when the interval between Thorotrast and enterotoxin was reduced to 4 hours. (auth)
A mixed bag: how work and retirement influence older adults' ICT use

Many societies are aging, while Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) use is increasingly being required by governments and workplaces. However, little is known about ICT use by older adults. This research-in-progress paper outlines a case study methodology which seeks to examine the domestication of ICTs by older adults in their everyday lives. Preliminary results suggest that work is an important context that influences ICT introduction, use, and meanings.
Delivery systems for immunomodulatory proteins and peptides.

Polypeptide and protein immunomodulators are subject to absorption, biodistribution, metabolism and degradation at sites and rates which may not permit effective interactions with components of the immune system. Drug carrier technology can overcome some of these obstacles. Because of the lipid and particulate nature of liposomes, increased delivery of immunomodulators to lymphatics, lymph nodes, lymphatic organs and concentrations of macrophages is possible when an immunomodulator is associated with a liposome. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) liposomes have been shown to have less toxicity and increased immunotherapeutic effects in a number of model systems and are currently in human clinical trials. Local routes such as aerosol delivery to the lung are particularly well suited to use with liposomes containing immunomodulators. Polypeptides can also enhance the interaction of an immunomodulator with the immune system via increased immunostimulation; this can provide a means to enhance oral delivery and to achieve depot effects. Polysaccharide microspheres have been shown to be effective biodegradable carriers of immunomodulators. Finally, genetically engineered bacteria, viruses and mammalian cells may function as delivery systems for immunomodulatory peptides and proteins. Attenuated Salmonella strains can deliver immunomodulators to the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, liver and spleen. In mouse experiments using tumour cells producing granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), irradiated tumour preparations produced GM-CSF and were capable of eliciting effective cell-mediated immune responses, including destruction and elimination of tumour as well as resistance to tumour challenge (i.e. memory response). A wide variety of immunomodulators have been tested using this strategy; IL-2 and GM-CSF are among the most potent inducers of both cell-mediated effector and memory responses. In summary, use of delivery systems can significantly enhance the immunomodulatory potential of polypeptides and proteins.
Partitioning the C. elegans genome by nucleosome modification, occupancy, and positioning

We have characterized two post-translational histone modifications in Caenorhabditis elegans on a genomic scale. Micrococcal nuclease digestion and immunoprecipitation were used to obtain distinct populations of single nucleosome cores, which were analyzed using massively parallel DNA sequencing to obtain positional and coverage maps. Two methylated histone H3 populations were chosen for comparison: H3K4 histone methylation (associated with active chromosomal regions) and H3K9 histone methylation (associated with inactivity). From analysis of the sequence data, we found nucleosome cores with these modifications to be enriched in two distinct partitions of the genome; H3K4 methylation was particularly prevalent in promoter regions of widely expressed genes, while H3K9 methylation was enriched on specific chromosomal arms. For each of the six chromosomes, the highest level of H3K9 methylation corresponds to the pairing center responsible for chromosome alignment during meiosis. Enrichment of H3K9 methylation at pairing centers appears to be an early mark in meiotic chromosome sorting, occurring in the absence of components required for proper pairing of homologous chromosomes. H3K9 methylation shows an intricate pattern within the chromosome arms with a particular anticorrelation to regions that display a strong ~10.5 bp periodicity of AA/TT dinucleotides that is known to associate with germline transcription. By contrast to the global features observed with H3K9 methylation, H3K4 methylation profiles were most striking in their local characteristics around promoters, providing a unique promoter-central landmark for 3,903 C. elegans genes and allowing a precise analysis of nucleosome positioning in the context of transcriptional initiation.
Large cardinals and iteration trees of height ω

Abstract In this paper we continue the line of work initiated in “Building iteration trees”. It is shown that the existence of a certain kind of iteration tree of height ω is equivalent to the existence of a cardinal δ that is Woodin with respect to functions in the next admissible.
Mussel facilitation of barnacle survival in a sheltered bay habitat

In New England, the blue mussel Mytilus edulis (Linnaeus) often lives infaunally on cobble beaches in sheltered bays. We examined the lifestyle of infaunal mussels in sheltered bays and their relationship with the acorn barnacle Semibalanus balanoides (Linnaeus) living on cobbles. Results of transplant experiments with M. edulis suggest that heat stress associated with hard substrata restricts high intertidal mussels to infaunal habitats in sheltered bays. At high tidal heights, infaunal mussels are buffered from thermal stress and have higher survivorship and growth rates than epifaunal mussels on hard surfaces. Infaunal mussels bind cobbles together with byssal threads and reduce disturbance mortality to barnacles living on cobbles. Disturbance, however, was not a major source (<10%) of barnacle mortality in the population studied. In contrast, infaunal mussel binding of cobbles and sediment was found to buffer cobbles from temperature extremes, insulating barnacles on cobbles from thermal stresses and substantially decreasing barnacle mortality on cobbles. Our work shows that the relationship between M. edulis and S. balanoides varies across habitats. Under benign thermal conditions at low intertidal heights and on wave-splashed shores, mussels outcompete barnacles for space on hard substrata. In contrast, at high tidal heights oo thermally stressful cobble beaches, infaunal mussels may buffer-barnacles from thermal stress and increase barnacle survivorship. Our results support a growing body of literature which suggests that intra- andinterspecific facilitation mechanisms may commonly be important in physically stressful environments.
Time-of-flight mass spectrometry: an increasing role in the life sciences.

Although available commercially since the mid-1950s, there has been a renewed and increasing interest in time-of-flight mass spectrometers during the last decade or more. Improvements have been made in mass resolution; and high-speed data acquisition systems have been developed which enable the recording of all ions in each time-of-flight cycle. Most importantly, these instruments have been coupled with several new ionization techniques, which are capable of desorbing the relatively large and intractable biopolymers whose structures are of interest to molecular biologists, biochemists and biophysicists. Primarily these are techniques which employ pulsed lasers, fission fragments and pulsed ion beams, for which a ‘non-scanning’ and/or high-transmission analyzer provides considerable analytical advantage. In this report we review some basic principles of the time-of-flight mass analyzer, highlighting efforts to improve dynamic focusing for instruments forming ions in the gas phase and static focusing for desorption instruments, and the progression from time-slice to time-array detection. We also review some of the accomplishments of instruments employing the time-of-flight analyzer, including: molecular weight determinations for peptides and small proteins; the analysis of tryptic digests, crude extracts and whole cells; the structural analysis of glycolipids, phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides; and the determination of covalent and metal-linked peptide dimers. We conclude with some recent developments in combining the time-of-flight analyzer with liquid chromatography using the continuous flow probe technique.
Surface energy transfer by low energy polyatomic ion collisions

Abstract Experiments and classical dynamics simulations are performed to determine the energy transferred when C4H4S+, Si(CD3)3+, and Fe(C5H5)2+ collide with clean Au(111), hexanethiolate/Au(111) and various organic multilayer surfaces. For these various ion-surface pairs, the energy transferred to the surface Esurf can be described by a linear function of the incident energy E over the range E = 10–70 eV. For the hexanethiolate and organic multilayer surfaces, the slope of this line varies from 0.65 to 0.94 and indicates an efficient transfer of energy to the surface. For the clean Au(111) surface, Esurf is much smaller with slopes of 0.15 and 0.43. Classical dynamics simulations quantitatively duplicate the Esurf behavior for Si(CD3)3+ scattering off hexanethiolate and find that Esurf varies roughly with Ecos0.8(θi), where θi is the incident ion angle.
Structural genes adjacent to interspersed repetitive DNA sequences.

The observation that repetitive and single copy sequences are interspersed in animal DNAs has suggested that repetitive sequences are adjacent to single copy structural gene sequences. To test this concept, single copy DNA sequences contiguous to interspersed repetitive sequences were prepared from sea urchin DNA by hydroxyapatite fractionation (repeat-contiguous DNA fraction). These single copy sequences included about one third of the total nonrepetitive sequence in the genome as determined by the amounts recovered during the hydroxyapatite fractionation and by reassociation kinetics. 3H-labeled mRNA from sea urchin gastrula was prepared by puromycin release from polysomes and used in DNA-driven hybridization reactions. The kinetics of mRNA hybridization reactions with excess whole DNA were carefully measured, and the rate of hybridization was found to be 3–5 times slower than the corresponding single copy DNA driver reassociation rate. The mRNA hybridized with excess repeat-contiguous DNA with similar kinetics relative to the driver DNA. At completion 80% of that mRNA hybridizable with whole DNA (approximately 65%) had reacted with the repeat-contiguous DNA fraction (50%). This result shows that 80–100% of the mRNA molecules present in sea urchin embryos are transcribed from single copy DNA sequences adjacent to interspersed repetitive sequences in the genome.
Sacrificial Synthesis of Hydroxy-Functionalized ROMP Polymers: An Efficiency Study

We present here a ^1H NMR spectroscopy study of the kinetics of the ROMP macroinitiation of poly(exo-N-phenyl-2,3-norbornene dicarboximide) with various dioxepine derivatives and Grubbs first generation ruthenium initiators. We have recently demonstrated that this so-called “sacrificial block copolymer” approach yields hydroxy-functionalized ROMP polymers with high end-group functionality. This study shows that the substituents on the dioxepine are important for functionalization efficiency, in the order phenyl > isopropyl > methyl. Addition of triphenylphosphine to the ruthenium carbene initiator resulted in lower k_i/k_p (rate of initiation/rate of propagation) values for the macroinitiation than in the absence of triphenylphosphine. We demonstrate that the value of k_i/k_p for macroinitiations can be estimated for new sacrificial monomers by analyzing one or two functionalization reactions. This provides an easy tool for the rapid screening and evaluation of new sacrificial monomers.
Conformational change of pepsin induced by its substrate N-acetyl-l-phenylalanyl-l-3,5-diiodotyrosine

Abstract Specific contributions of tyrosyl and of tryptophanyl residues can be distinguished in the near-ultraviolet circular dichroism spectrum of porcine pepsin. Upon addition of the dipeptide substrate, N -acetylphenylalanyl- l -3,5-diiodotyrosine, at pH values below 4.0, a change in the circular dichroic spectrum results, suggesting that in the presence of substrate the asymmetric environment of certain aromatic amino acid residues of the enzyme is altered. The changes observed are discussed in relation to the enzymatic function of pepsin.
Agreement between Initial Classification and Subsequent Reclassification of Fractures of the Distal Radius in a Prospective Cohort Study

We tested the hypothesis that the original surgeon-investigator classification of a fracture of the distal radius in a prospective cohort study would have moderate agreement with the final classification by the team performing final analysis of the data. The initial post-injury radiographs of 621 patients with distal radius fractures from a multicenter international prospective cohort study were classified according to the Comprehensive Classification of Fractures, first by the treating surgeon-investigator and then by a research team analyzing the data. Correspondence between original and revised classification was evaluated using the Kappa statistic at the type, group and subgroup levels. The agreement between initial and revised classifications decreased from Type (moderate; Κtype = 0.60), to Group (moderate; Κgroup = 0.41), to Subgroup (fair; Κsubgroup = 0.33) classifications (all p < 0.05). There was only moderate agreement in the classification of fractures of the distal radius between surgeon-investigators and final evaluators in a prospective multicenter cohort study. Such variations might influence interpretation and comparability of the data. The lack of a reference standard for classification complicates efforts to lessen variability and improve consensus.
532: Insulin growth factor expression in preeclampsia and SGA

HORTON, KIM BOGGESS, KEVIN MOSS, JAMES BECK, STEVEN OFFENBCHER, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dental Ecology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, University of North Carolina at Chapel HIll, , North Carolina OBJECTIVE: To compare maternal/fetal IGF expression among preeclamptic, SGA, and normal pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: A nested case-control study was performed. Preeclampsia was defined by ACOG criteria. SGA was defined as birthweight 10thcentile. Maternal and fetal IGF-1 and IGFBP were measured using ELISA and levels compared using ANOVA. P .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: 74 mother-infant pairs met inclusion criteria and had complete data available (39 controls, 18 preeclampsia, 17 SGA). Maternal demographic data were similar among groups. Maternal IGF and IGFBP levels were similar among groups. Among SGA, fetal IGF levels were lower compared to controls (57.4 22.7 vs.82.5 35.9, p .01); fetal ratio of IGF/IGFBP was also lower (.06 0.03 vs. .09 .04, p 0.01). Among preeclampsia, fetal IGFBP were higher compared to controls (1439 413 vs. 1037 500, p .01); fetal ratio of IGF/IGFBP were lower (.06 .02 vs. .09 .04, p .005). CONCLUSION: Fetal IGF and IGFBP regulation appears to be disrupted in pregnancies characterized by vascular dysfunction and poor fetal growth. The biologic mechanisms of this association require further study. This represents a novel target for preventive and therapeutic measures.
Changes in fatty acid composition of milk from lactating dairy cows during transition to and from pasture

Abstract Five Holstein cows producing an average of 25.4 ± 6.4 kg/d and 347 ± 111 days in milk were used to study the changes in fatty acid composition in milk from lactating dairy cows during transition to and from pasture. The 45-d experiment was divided into 3 periods. During the first 2 d of the experiment (Period I), cows were fed a TMR diet containing 50% conserved forage and 50% grain. On day 3, cows were turned out to pasture and remained on all-pasture diet for 29 d (Period II). On day 32, cows were withdrawn from pasture and offered a TMR diet until day 45 (Period III). Milk yield was recorded daily, and milk fat content and fatty acid (FA) composition were determined daily for composite samples collected from a.m. and p.m. milkings. Data were analyzed using spline regression (H0 = zero slope) to determine whether there was any change in the concentration of a particular fatty acid after a specific time or whether it had stabilized. Cows produced an average of 25.2 ± 5.5, 13.7 ± 5.6, and 12.1 ± 4.8 kg/d of milk with 3.6, 4.2, and 3.6% fat during pre-pasture, pasture, and post-pasture diets, respectively. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content was 0.45% of total fat during pre-pasture, reached to a maximum of 2.53% on day 23 into pasture and plateaued thereafter for the period. Milk fat C18:1 t-11 content was 2.89% of total fat during pre-pasture, reached a maximum of 7.95% after day 22 in pasture, and plateaued afterwards. The C18:2 content declined gradually from pre-pasture to pasture diet with no further decrease observed after day 22, while C18:3 content increased until day 7 on pasture. The post-pasture CLA content in milk fat reached a value similar to pre-pasture within 4 days after the cows were withdrawn from pasture. No change in other fatty acids was observed after day 7 once the cows were switched to post-pasture diet. In the present study, it took 23 days to establish the highest level of CLA in milk fat after turning cows out to pasture, whereas only 4 days were needed to bring it back to the original level once the cows were withdrawn from pasture. Other milk fatty acids were stabilized around day 23 after turning cows out to pasture and by day 7 after being withdrawn from pasture and put back on a TMR diet inside the barn.
Bridging Processes in Metal-Reinforced Ceramics

In situ observations of fracture mechanisms and crack bridging effects in model copper-glass laminated composites are described and compared with measured resistance curves.