cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen penetration rates of iron. Effect of halide ions, hydrogen sulfide and hexynol

The effect of the halides (Cl−, Br− and I−) on the rates of the hydrogen evolution reaction (h. E. R.) and hydrogen penetration (h. P.) of iron in H2SO4 is determined. The H. E. R. and H. P. of Fe in these same electrolytes with the addition of H2S are also studied. The inhibition of corrosion and h. p. in the H2S environment by hexynol are compared. With halide addition her., icorr and h. p. decreased in the following order, Cl−> Br−> I−. H2S catalyzed both the h. e. r. and h. p. The catalytic activity does not appear dependent on the H2S concentration for the H. E. R. but does for H. P. The fraction of hydrogen generated which is absorbed by Fe is greater during corrosion when a new surface is formed continuously than during cathodic polarization. The addition of the acetylenic alcohol, hexynol, in H2SO4 containing H2S and halides inhibited the h. e. r. corrosion and h. p. Geschwindigkeit der Wasserstoffaufnahme von Eisen: Einflus von Halidionen, Schwefelwasserstoff und Hexynol Bestimmt wird der Einflus von Chlor-, Brom- und Iodionen auf die Geschwindigkeit der Wasserstoffentwicklung an und die Wasserstoffpenetration in Eisen in Schwefelsaure (auch mit Schwefelwasserstoffzusatz). Die Ergebnisse werden verglichen mit denen, die durch Hexynol als Inhibitor erhalten wurden. Bei Zusatz von Halidionen nehmen die Wasserstoffentwicklung sowie die Wasserstoffpenetration und auch der Korrosionsstrom in der Reihenfolge Cl−> Br−> I− ab. Schwefelwasserstoff katalysiert sowohl die Wasserstoffentwicklung als auch die Wasserstoffpenetration; dabei scheint die katalytische Wirksamkeit im Falle der Penetration von der Schwefelwasserstoffkonzentration abhangig zu sein, im Falle der Wasserstoffentwicklung hingegen nicht. Der Anteil des entstehenden Wasserstoffs, der vom Eisen aufgenommen wird, ist groser, wenn standig neue Eisenoberflache entsteht als bei kathodischer Polarisation. Der Zusatz des Acetylenalkohols Hexynol inhibiert sowohl die Wasserstoffentwicklung als auch die Wasserstoffpenetration in der Schwefelsaure mit Schwefelwasserstoff- und Halidzusatzen.
Evaluation of smectic biphenylcarboxylate ester liquid-crystalline polysiloxane stationary phases for capillary column gas chromatography

Mesomorphic biphenylcarboxylate esters were coupled via flexible aliphatic hydrocarbon spacers to a polysiloxane backbone. The influence of spacer length, percent mesomorphic substitution, and crosslinking of the stationary phase on liquid-crystalline transition temperatures and on chromatographic performance was investigated. Unique selectivity and good efficiency over a wide temperature range for gum and cross-linked liquid-crystalline phases were demonstrated by the separation of various isomeric polycyclic aromatic compounds.
On the relevance of locus equations for production and perception of stop consonants

We examined the possible relevance of locus equations to human production and perception of stop consonants. The orderly output constraint (OOC) of Sussman, Fruchter, and Cable (1995) claims that humans have evolved to produce speech such that F2 at consonant release and F2 at vowel midpoint are linearly related for consonants so that developing perceptual systems can form representations in an F2ons-by-F2vowel space. The theory claims that this relationship described by locus equations can distinguish consonants, and that the linearity of locus equations is captured in neural representations and is thus perceptually relevant. We investigated these claims by testing how closely locus equations reflect the production and perception of stop consonants. In Experiment 1, we induced speakers to change their locus equation slope and intercept parameters systematically, but found that consonants remained distinctive in slope-by-intercept space. In Experiment 2, we presented stop-consonant syllables with their bursts removed to listeners, and compared their classification error matrices with the predictions of a model using locus equation prototypes and with those of an exemplar-based model that uses F2ons and F2vowel, but not locus equations. Both models failed to account for a large proportion of the variance in listeners' responses; the locus equation model was no better in its predictions than the exemplar model. These findings are discussed in the context of the OOC.
Transient regulatory T-cells: a state attained by all activated human T-cells.

Abstract CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) form an important arm of the immune system responsible for suppressing untoward immune responses. Tregs can be thymically derived or peripherally induced, even from CD4+CD25−FOXP3− T-cells. FOXP3 expression and in vitro suppressive activity are considered unique hallmarks of this dedicated and stable lineage of regulatory cells. Here we show that virtually all human CD4+CD25−FOXP3− T-cells and CD8+CD25−FOXP3− T-cells attain a transient FOXP3+CD25+ state during activation. In this state of activation, these cells possess the classic phenotype of Tregs, in that they express similar markers and inhibit in vitro proliferation of autologous CD4+CD25− T-cells. This state is characterized by suppressed IFN-γ production and robust TNF-α and IL-10 production. Interestingly, the great majority of the activated cells eventually downregulate FOXP3 expression, with a concomitant drop in suppressive ability. Our results show that, in humans, FOXP3 expression and Treg functionality are not exclusive features of a stable or unique lineage of T-cells but may also be a transient state attained by almost all T-cells. These results warrant caution in interpreting human studies using FOXP3 and suppressive activity as readouts and suggest that attempts to induce “Tregs” may paradoxically result in induction of effector T-cells, unless stability is confirmed.
Perioperative nonopioid agents for pain control in spinal surgery

Purpose Commonly used nonopioid analgesic agents that are incorporated into multimodal perioperative pain management protocols in spinal surgery are reviewed. Summary Spinal procedures constitute perhaps some of most painful surgical interventions, as they often encompass extensive muscle dissection, tissue retraction, and surgical implants, as well as prolonged operative duration. Perioperative nonopioid analgesics frequently used in multimodal protocols include gabapentin, pregabalin, acetaminophen, dexamethasone, ketamine, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). There is evidence to suggest that gabapentin is safe and effective in reducing opioid consumption and pain scores at optimal doses of 600–900 mg orally administered preoperatively. Pregabalin 150–300 mg orally perioperatively has been shown to reduce both pain and narcotic consumption. Most reports concur that a single 1-g i.v. perioperative dose is safe in adults and that this dose has been shown to reduce pain and attenuate narcotic requirements. Dexamethasone’s influence on postoperative pain has primarily been investigated for minor spinal procedures, with limited evidence for spinal fusions. Ketamine added to a patient-controlled analgesia regimen appears to be efficacious for 24 hours postoperatively when implemented for microdiskectomy and laminectomy procedures at doses of 1 mg/mL in a 1:1 mixture with morphine. For patients undergoing laminectomy or diskectomy, NSAIDs appear to be safe and effective in reducing pain scores and decreasing opioid consumption. Conclusion Preemptive analgesic therapy combining nonopioid agents with opioids may reduce narcotic consumption and improve patient satisfaction after spinal surgery. Such therapy should be considered for patients undergoing various spinal procedures in which postoperative pain control has been historically difficult to achieve.
A 17-Year Record of Environmental Tracers in Spring Discharge, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA: Use of Climatic Data and Environmental Conditions to Interpret Discharge, Dissolved Solutes, and Tracer Concentrations

A 17-year record (1995–2012) of a suite of environmental tracer concentrations in discharge from 34 springs located along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park (SNP), Virginia, USA, reveals patterns and trends that can be related to climatic and environmental conditions. These data include a 12-year time series of monthly sampling at five springs, with measurements of temperature, specific conductance, pH, and discharge recorded at 30-min intervals. The monthly measurements include age tracers (CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-13, SF6, and SF5CF3), dissolved gases (N2, O2, Ar, CO2, and CH4), stable isotopes of water, and major and trace inorganic constituents. The chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) concentrations (in pptv) in spring discharge closely follow the concurrent monthly measurements of their atmospheric mixing ratios measured at the Air Monitoring Station at Big Meadows, SNP, indicating waters 0–3 years in age. A 2-year (2001–2003) record of unsaturated zone air displayed seasonal deviations from North American Air of ±10 % for CFC-11 and CFC-113, with excess CFC-11 and CFC-113 in peak summer and depletion in peak winter. The pattern in unsaturated zone soil CFCs is a function of gas solubility in soil water and seasonal unsaturated zone temperatures. Using the increase in the SF6 atmospheric mixing ratio, the apparent (piston flow) SF6 age of the water varied seasonally between about 0 (modern) in January and up to 3 years in July–August. The SF6 concentration and concentrations of dissolved solutes (SiO2, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, Cl−, and HCO3−) in spring discharge demonstrate a fraction of recent recharge following large precipitation events. The output of solutes in the discharge of springs minus the input from atmospheric deposition per hectare of watershed area (mol ha−1 a−1) were approximately twofold greater in watersheds draining the regolith of Catoctin metabasalts than that of granitic gneisses and granitoid crystalline rocks. The stable isotopic composition of water in spring discharge broadly correlates with the Oceanic Nino Index. Below normal precipitation and enriched stable isotopic composition were observed during El Nino years.
Dengue Viruses Are Enhanced by Distinct Populations of Serotype Cross-Reactive Antibodies in Human Immune Sera

Dengue viruses (DENV) are mosquito-borne flaviviruses of global importance. DENV exist as four serotypes, DENV1-DENV4. Following a primary infection, individuals produce DENV-specific antibodies that bind only to the serotype of infection and other antibodies that cross-react with two or more serotypes. People exposed to a secondary DENV infection with another serotype are at greater risk of developing more severe forms of dengue disease. The increased risk of severe dengue in people experiencing repeat DENV infections appear to be due, at least in part, to the ability of pre-existing serotype cross-reactive antibodies to form virus-antibody complexes that can productively infect Fcγ receptor-bearing target cells. While the theory of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is supported by several human and small animal model studies, the specific viral antigens and epitopes recognized by enhancing human antibodies after natural infections have not been fully defined. We used antibody-depletion techniques to remove DENV-specific antibody sub-populations from primary DENV-immune human sera. The effects of removing specific antibody populations on ADE were tested both in vitro using K562 cells and in vivo using the AG129 mouse model. Removal of serotype cross-reactive antibodies ablated enhancement of heterotypic virus infection in vitro and antibody-enhanced mortality in vivo. Further depletion studies using recombinant viral antigens showed that although the removal of DENV E-specific antibodies using recombinant E (rE) protein resulted in a partial reduction in DENV enhancement, there was a significant residual enhancement remaining. Competition ADE studies using prM-specific Fab fragments in human immune sera showed that both rE-specific and prM-specific antibodies in primary DENV-immune sera significantly contribute to enhancement of heterotypic DENV infection in vitro. Identification of the targets of DENV-enhancing antibodies should contribute to the development of safe, non-enhancing vaccines against dengue.
Computational treatment of the microsolvation of neutral and zwitterionic forms of alanine

Abstract B3LYP/6-31++G** and MP2/6-31++G**//B3LYP/6-31++G** calculations are reported for the structures of neutral alanine–(H2O)n and zwitterionic alanine–(H2O)n clusters where n = 2–10. Optimized geometries and energies were obtained. In general, with an increasing number of water molecules, the hydrated zwitterionic form becomes more thermodynamically stable. In the presence of six or seven water molecules, the energetics indicate that the two forms may coexist. Eight water molecules are sufficient to computationally guarantee the reported experimental observation of zwitterionic dominance in solution.
Symbiotic properties of amino acid auxotrophs of Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Abstract Twenty-three amino acid auxotrophs of Bradyrhizobium japonicum were isolated by either nitrous acid or transposon Tn5-induced mutagenesis. Eleven tryptophan-dependent, 7 histidine-dependent, 2 leucine-dependent, 1 proline-dependent, 1 isoleucine-deficient partial auxtroph. and one double auxotroph that requires both tryptophan and histidine were examined for nodulation and nitrogen fixation phenotypes. The 2 leucine-dependent auxotrophs and the isoleucine partial auxotroph were Nod + and Fix + . Three of the II tryptophan-dependent auxotrophs formed nodules as auxotrophs albeit without fixing nitrogen. The other Trp − , the Pro − and the His − mutants formed only abortive nodules. Nodules obtained with these strains as inocula contained only prototrophic revertants. The doubly auxotrophic strain TA5H5 did not form any nodule-like structures.
Hydrogen: another gas with therapeutic potential

Cardinal and colleagues describe the use of molecular hydrogen, the most abundant molecule in the universe, as a treatment for chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) in a rat model of kidney transplantation. They demonstrate that the addition of hydrogen to the drinking water results in a decrease in the severity of CAN and increased graft survival, and they provide evidence that the mechanism of action could be due to a reduction in reactive oxygen species.
Ten years lost at sea: response to Manel and Holderegger.

Manel and Holderegger [1] (hereafter MH) present a review of the methodological and conceptual advances that have occurred in the field of landscape genetics during the 10 years since the publication of Manel et al.’s [2] seminal review. MH proceed to discuss the future of the discipline, focusing on potential applications in terms of adaptation to global change and the conservation of natural resources. MH dedicate a section of their review to the progress made in the subfield of ‘seascape genetics’ [3].
Heavy and light beer: A carbon isotope approach to detect C4 carbon in beers of different origins, styles, and prices

The carbon isotope ratios (δ 13 C) of 160 beers from around the world ranged from -27.3 to -14.9‰, primarily due to variation in the percentage of C 3 or C 4 plant carbon in the final product. Thirty-one percent of beers had a carbon signature of C 3 plants (barley, rice, etc.), whereas the remaining 69% contained some C 3 -C 4 mixture (mean of mixtures, 39 ± 11% C 4 carbon). Use of C 4 carbon (corn, cane sugar, etc.) was not confined to beers from any particular region (Pacific Rim, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, Canada, and the United States). However, the δ 13 C of European beers indicated mostly C 3 plant carbon. In contrast, U.S. and Canadian beers contained either only C 3 or C 3 -C 4 mixtures; Brazilian, Mexican, and Pacific Rim beers were mostly C 3 -C 4 mixtures. Among different lagers, U.S.-style lagers generally contained more C 4 carbon than did imported pilsners. Among different ales, those brewed by large high-production breweries contained significant proportions of C 4 carbon, while C 4 carbon was not detected in microbrewery or home-brew ales. Furthermore, inexpensive beers generally contained more C 4 carbon than expensive beers.
MOCVD Growth and Characterization of (BaxSr1−x)Ti1+yO3+z Thin Films for High Frequency Devices

We have investigated the structural and electrical characteristics of (BaxSr1−x)Ti1+yO3+z (BST) thin films. The BST thin films were deposited at 650°C on platinized silicon with good thickness and composition uniformity using a large area, vertical liquid-delivery metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) system. The (Ba+Sr)/Ti ratio of the BST films was varied from 0.96 to 1.05 at a fixed Ba/Sr ratio of 70/30, as determined using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). Patterned Pt top electrodes were deposited onto the BST films at 350°C through a shadow mask using electron beam evaporation. Annealing the entire capacitor structure in air at 700°C after deposition of top electrodes resulted in a substantial reduction of the dielectric loss. Useful dielectric tunability as high as 2.3:1 was measured.
Non‐progressive congenital ataxia with or without cerebellar hypoplasia: a review of 34 subjects

Information on the long-term development of larger series of children with non-progressive congenital ataxia (NPCA) is scarce. We have updated a personal cohort of subjects previously diagnosed as having NPCA. Children with brain malformations, acquired neurological illness, or defined syndromes were excluded. From 58 subjects, 34 were available for review (including three pairs of siblings). All our subjects had delayed motor and speech development. Truncal ataxia persisted but became less significant. Two subjects developed spasticity and three a focal dystonia. Epilepsy was a feature in 10 of the subjects. Cognitive impairment was present in 22 of 34 subjects. MRI was normal in 15 of 27. There were no obvious correlations between degree of motor delay, severity of ataxia, cognitive impairment, and neuroimaging. Although genetically and clinically not a homogeneous entity, NPCA is a helpful diagnostic label. Major problems arise in the majority of subjects related to cognitive impairment and less to neurological symptoms. Early individual prognosis is not possible from early developmental milestones, neurological signs, or neuroimaging.
Young African American Men and the Diagnosis of Conduct Disorder: The Neo-colonization of Suffering

Existing research attributes the disproportionate number of young African American men diagnosed with conduct disorder to a variety of factors but does not adequately incorporate historical, social, or political analysis. Utilizing the perspectives of Michelle Alexander and Joy DeGruy this article considers how historical stereotypes of Black men influence this diagnostic pattern and examines how slavery and its legacy impact the clinical practice of psychological assessment today. The way in which a client’s behavior is defined leads to specific treatment, and thus it is necessary to investigate the psychological models used for assessment and diagnosis as well as explore alternative ways to understand behavioral “symptomology” among young African American men. The purpose of this project is to encourage clinicians to consider how they define the healing and suffering of their clients and to encourage the incorporation of social and historical analysis into their psychological assessment and diagnosis process.
Simple ‘Might’s, Indicative Possibilities and the Open Future

Analyse des phrases construites autour du seul verbe pouvoir (might) et non pas autour du groupe verbal aurait pu (might have) qui introduit une ambiguite dans l'expression de la possibilite epistemique du sujet. Examinant les phrases du type il est possible que p, l'A. etudie les problemes que rencontre la theorie epistemique generale concernant l'orientation vers le futur des affirmations, le contextualisme de la connaissance, les conjonctions desagreables a l'oreille (ear-bruising), la flexibilite de l'interpretation epistemique, les phrases du type il est certain que et l'application de la theorie epistemique generale au futur ouvert
Oncocytic carcinoid of lung: an ultrastructural analysis

A 52-year-old man with a typical carcinoid tumor of the lung in which the tumor cells displayed marked oncocytic metaplasia is presented. The clinicopathologic and ultrastructural differences with so-called oncocytic of the lung are discussed. The potential of Kulchitsky cell derivatives to undergo oncocytic metaplasma is documented ultrastructurally.
Central American volcanoes in 1932

A preliminary survey of the volcanological activity of the Republics of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua was made during the first three months of 1932. The object of this survey was to learn what types of activity prevailed and to determine if this area is of sufficient interest to warrant more intensive petrological, geological, and chemical studies. The conclusion was reached that such studies were distinctly worth while. Considerable work of a descriptive nature has already been done In this region by Dollfuss and Montserrat and, in later years, by Karl Sapper.
Sequence analysis of the 190-kDa antigen-encoding gene of Rickettsia conorii (Malish 7 strain)

The complete nucleotide (nt) sequence of the gene (rompA) encoding the 190-kDa immunodominant surface antigen (rOmpA) of Rickettsia conorii (Malish 7 strain) was determined. Sequence analysis revealed an ORF of 6063 nt encoding a deduced protein of 203,247 Da. Ten consecutive highly conserved repeat units, located at the 5' end of rompA, spanned 2.2 kb. Two types of repeats could be identified: type I of 225 bp, and type II of 216 bp. The order and number of repeats differed from those reported for R. conorii (Kenya tick typhus strain), R. akari (Kaplan strain) and R. rickettsii (R strain). Alignment of the R. conorii (Malish 7 strain) rompA gene with its R. rickettsii homolog revealed 95% nt sequence similarity. The conservation of rompA across several pathogenic spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsial species suggests that it may be a potential candidate for use as a subunit vaccine for SFG rickettsial diseases.
Self-consistent calculation of traversal time in a double-barrier resonant-tunneling structure in the presence of a transverse magnetic field.

A self-consistent calculation of the traversal time in a resonant tunneling device has been presented. The model is then used to study the effect of a transverse magnetic field on the traversal time. The calculation shows the presence of bistability in the traversal time. It is also observed that the traversal time becomes progressively longer in the presence of increasing magnetic field. A quantity called the effective traversal time has been defined which can be compared to an important time scale, namely, the carrier thermalization time, and may be experimentally measurable.
Silica Gel Surface: Molecular Dynamics of Surface Silanols

The molecular dynamics of the silanols of high surface-area silica gel was studied using solid-state deuterium NMR spectroscopy. Deuterated silica gel samples were prepared by replacement of the exchangable silanol protons upon exposure to liquid 2H2O and subsequent dehydration under vacuum at various temperatures that were selected to provide samples with varying populations of specific surface features, including (a) “isolated” silanols, that is, those that are not hydrogen-bonded (as demonstrated by the 1H NMR chemical shift), (b) hydrogen-bonded silanols with a wide range of hydrogen-bonding strengths (as shown by the broad 1H NMR peak), and (c) a hydrogen-bonded network of physisorbed water. On a highly dehydrated surface obtained by dehydration at 500 °C and containing only isolated silanols, analysis of the deuterium line shapes indicates that the “isolated” silanols exhibit a broad, inhomogeneous distribution of librational amplitudes of O−H entities about the internuclear Si−O vector, all in the ...
Staged flexor tendon reconstruction fingertip to palm

Thirty-five fingertip to palm staged flexor tendon reconstructions were performed between 1971 and 1998. Tendon injuries involved 5 avulsions and 30 lacerations, 9 of which had failed primary tenorrhaphies. Follow-up evaluation averaged 30 months. Thirteen patients had total active motion (TAM) of > or =220 degrees (excellent), 11 patients had TAM of 200 degrees to 219 degrees (good), 7 patients had TAM of 180 degrees to 199 degrees (fair), and 4 patients had TAM of 1-year interval between injury and stage I, in those with a >6-month interval between stage I and stage II, and in those with a higher injury severity classification. Fingertip to palm staged flexor tendon reconstruction produced 69% good to excellent results. This technique allows the use of the injured digit profundus as the motor, preserves lumbrical function, and requires less tendon graft length (palmaris longus usually suffices).
Biological Properties of Trabecular Meshwork Cells

The molecular and physiological mechanisms that lead to the progression of glaucoma are poorly understood. Despite the fact that glaucoma afflicts millions of people worldwide, research on the disease is limited by the current animal models that do not translate well to human forms of the disease. However, recent advances in culturing and manipulating human trabecular meshwork cells may provide a means to elucidate some of the mechanisms that cause glaucoma. This review focuses on the properties of trabecular meshwork cells, from their characteristic expression profile in vivo to their responsiveness to biochemical and biophysical signals in vitro. Hopefully the study of cultured trabecular meshwork cells will provide a better understanding of glaucoma and lead to new, much needed therapies.
Cost of informal caregiving for patients with heart failure.

Background Heart failure is a serious health condition that requires a significant amount of informal care. However, informal caregiving costs associated with heart failure are largely unknown. Methods We used a study sample of noninstitutionalized US respondents aged ≥50 years from the 2010 HRS (n = 19,762). Heart failure cases were defined by using self-reported information. The weekly informal caregiving hours were derived by a sequence of survey questions assessing (1) whether respondents had any difficulties in activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living, (2) whether they had caregivers because of reported difficulties, (3) the relationship between the patient and the caregiver, (4) whether caregivers were paid, and (5) how many hours per week each informal caregiver provided help. We used a 2-part econometric model to estimate the informal caregiving hours associated with heart failure. The first part was a logit model to estimate the likelihood of using informal caregiving, and the second was a generalized linear model to estimate the amount of informal caregiving hours used among those who used informal caregiving. Replacement approach was used to estimate informal caregiving cost. Results The 943 (3.9%) respondents who self-reported as ever being diagnosed with heart failure used about 1.6 more hours of informal caregiving per week than those who did not have heart failure ( P Conclusion The cost of informal caregiving was substantial and should be included in estimating the economic burden of heart failure. The results should help public health decision makers in understanding the economic burden of heart failure and in setting public health priorities.
Quaternary outer fore‐arc deformation and uplift inboard of the Panama Triple Junction, Burica Peninsula

[1] The Panama Triple Junction (Cocos-Nazca-Caribbean) represents the point that abruptly separates the thick and rapidly subducting Cocos plate to the northwest from the thin and obliquely subducting Nazca plate to the southeast along the Central American convergent margin. New structural and geomorphic analyses on the Burica Peninsula, an outer fore-arc peninsula located only ∼100 km inboard the Panama Triple Junction, reveal that the peninsula is dominated primarily by contractional deformation along three listric thrust faults that root in the underlying plate boundary. The geometry and spatial distribution of these thrusts indicate that this deformation occurs primarily in response to the change in crustal thickness occurring as a result of eastern migration of the flank of the Cocos Ridge coeval with migration of the Panama Triple Junction at a rate of ∼55 mm/yr to the southeast. Mapping and detailed elevation surveys reveal eight marine terraces on the peninsula with a distribution of inner edge elevations indicating that uplift is spatially uniform from north to south along strike in this area. However, terraces along the northwest part of the peninsula are offset across major thrust faults. Age control provided by 14C, OSL and soil chronosequences indicate that the terraces within the easternmost portion of the peninsula range in age from Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 to Holocene, a result that indicates that this portion of the peninsula is younger than ∼60 ka. Time-averaged uplift rates calculated from marine terraces and other Quaternary marine deposits yield consistent uplift rates that range between 2.1 ± 0.1 and 7.7 ± 0.5 mm/yr for samples older than 1 ka and between 6.9 ± 1.0 and 19.3 ± 8.0 mm/yr for samples younger than 1 ka. We interpret this temporal distribution in uplift rates to suggest that the eight terraces preserved on the peninsula are produced coseismically wherein the anomalously high uplift rates calculated from the youngest samples (<1 ka) are not yet averaged over a complete seismic cycle. These observations, combined with (1) shortening estimates from balanced cross sections indicating that minimum shortening decreases from northwest to southeast and (2) the observation of growth strata within the youngest marine units, are consistent with a space-for-time model for triple junction migration. These results indicate that both triple junction migration and the change in bathymetry occurring at the triple junction boundary are far more dominant factors in outer fore-arc deformation than the change in rate and obliquity of subduction and basal tractions that also occur on either side of the triple junction.
MINSKY'S SMALL UNIVERSAL TURING MACHINE

Marvin L. Minsky constructed a 4-symbol 7-state universal Turing machine in 1962. It was first announced in a postscript to [2] and is also described in [3, Sec. 14.8]. This paper contains everything that is needed for an understanding of his machine, including a complete description of its operation. Minsky's machine remains one of the minimal known universal Turing machines. That is, there is no known such machine which decreases one parameter without increasing the other. However, Rogozhin [6], [7] has constructed seven universal machines with the following parameters: His 4-symbol 7-state machine is somewhat different from Minsky's, but all of his machines use a construction similar to that used by Minsky. The following corrections should be noted: First machine, for q600Lq1 read q600Lq7; second machine, for q411Rq4 read q411Rq10; last machine, for q2b2bLq2 read . A generalized Turing machine with 4 symbols and 7 states, closely related to Minsky's, was constructed and used in [5].
A Framework for Calibrating and Benchmarking Computer Vision Algorithms in Surgical Robotics

The use of computer vision techniques in the medical field has been commonplace since the 1960’s when image analysis was used for chromosome pairing [1]. The used of these techniques in recent years has grown to encompass endoscopy, tool inventory recording, and surgical tool tracking in vivo. Given the potentially life altering stakes for these medical applications, a high degree of accuracy is required of any computer vision algorithm. One of the key elements in threedimensional algorithms is accurately converting image values (in pixel space) into real world Cartesian coordinates. This conversion requires an accurate and straightforward calibration routine in order to identify the correct transformation. Once the calibration is complete it is also important for the developers to know the accuracy. While there are existing calibration routines which follow a linear (pinhole) model [2,3], these methods do not work well for varied camera optics and do not handle image distortion well given the linear transformation matrix. Standard stereo correspondence methods were implemented by Dockter and Kowalewski [4] and were found insufficient in terms of speed and accuracy. Given the aforementioned needs, we present a method for calibration and benchmarking for stereo computer vision algorithms which utilizes basic printable objects and a standard machinists lathe and can accommodate more complex camera modeling. Both the calibration and benchmarking boards can be produced using 3D printing techniques and mounted on a machinists lathe thus making high accuracy calibration achievable using available means. This method is directly applicable to the high-distortion stereo optics common in surgical robotics.
Improved neurological function after Amantadine treatment in two patients with brain injury

This article presents two cases of functional recovery in patients with brain injury after treatment with Amantadine, a dopaminergic stimulant. Also presented is a review of current data available concerning dopaminergic therapy after traumatic brain injury.
Diffuse Interstitial Pneumonitis and Fibrosis in Sarcoidosis

Interstitial pneumonitis in sarcoidosis is rare. When present, it is confined to areas of active granuloma formation. We report finding widespread interstitial pneumonitis and fibrosis in a patient with sarcoidosis. Due to the focal sampling of pulmonary tissue by transbronchial biopsy, a finding of interstitial pneumonitis does not exclude a diagnosis of sarcoidosis.
Creating dances to transform inner states: A choreographic model in Dance/Movement Therapy

This article proposes a choreographic model for Dance/Movement Therapy as it relates to the transformation of psychological material through the medium of dance choreography and performance. The choreo-therapeutic model uses Dance/Movement Therapy and general psychotherapy techniques to support clients to work with their psychological material, externalise it into dance choreography, make meaning of and transform the material, and integrate it through performance. Creating and performing dances in the context of a therapeutic goal will likely facilitate clients to understand their relationship to themselves and others, gain insight into their own unique process of expression, learn their associations with being seen, and utilise the witness function of an audience (Caldwell, 1996; Levy, 1988; Pallaro, 2007). This writer proposes that the creative process of dance choreography and performance brings greater organisation and clarification to the experience of internal states.
A study of the volume-time course of the pulse wave of the finger tip.

Abstract The volume pulse waves of the index finger tip of normal man and subjects with selected diseases of the cardiovascular system were analyzed to study the time course of velocity and acceleration derived by successive differentiation of the pulse wave. These velocity and acceleration curves were described. The curve of the third derivative of the volume pulse wave was found to resemble remarkably the ballistocardiogram. Certain physiologic implications of these various curves were indicated.
Negative Affectivity, Effortful Control, and Attention to Threat-Relevant Stimuli

There is increasing recognition of temperamental influences on risk for psychopathology. Whereas the link between the broad temperament construct of negative affectivity (NA) and problems associated with anxiety and depression is now well-established, the mechanisms through which this link operate are not well understood. One possibility involves interactions between reactive and effortful components of temperament, as well as cognitive factors, like attentional biases to threat stimuli. This study tested a predicted relation between high levels of NA, low levels of effortful control (EC), and an attentional bias toward threat in children. A sample of 104 4th through 12th graders, selected from a larger screening sample because they reported high or low levels of trait NA and EC, completed a dot probe detection task. Results indicated that EC moderated the relation between NA and attentional bias; only children with low levels of EC and high levels of NA showed an attentional bias to threat stimuli. This pattern was not moderated by grade level or age.
Anticipating changes in variability of grassland production due to increases in interannual precipitation variability

Expected increases in interannual precipitation variability due to climate change will lead to increases in the variability of primary production, with potentially important consequences for natural resource management. Previous work has suggested that various biotic and abiotic processes might amplify or buffer variation in production in response to variation in precipitation. In particular, production to rain variability ratios (PRVR), the coefficient of variation of production divided by the coefficient of variation of precipitation, indicate that production is often relatively more variable than precipitation. We used 37 long-term data sets from grasslands across the globe to test how future increases in precipitation variability might alter the variability of aboveground net primary production (ANPP). We demonstrate that PRVR is not a useful metric: it is predicted by a site's precipitation-production relationship and a PRVR greater than 1 need not imply that increases in the variability of ANPP will...
Leukemia-associated Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor, a Dbl Family Protein Found Mutated in Leukemia, Causes Transformation by Activation of RhoA

Leukemia-associated Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (LARG) was originally identified as a fusion partner with mixed-lineage leukemia in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia. LARG possesses a tandem Dbl homology and pleckstrin homology domain structure and, consequently, may function as an activator of Rho GTPases. In this study, we demonstrate that LARG is a functional Dbl protein. Expression of LARG in cells caused activation of the serum response factor, a known downstream target of Rho-mediated signaling pathways. Transient overexpression of LARG did not activate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase or c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, suggesting LARG is not an activator of Ras, Rac, or Cdc42. We performed in vitro exchange assays where the isolated Dbl homology (DH) or DH/pleckstrin homology domains of LARG functioned as a strong activator of RhoA, but exhibited no activity toward Rac1 or Cdc42. We found that LARG could complex with RhoA, but not Rac or Cdc42, in vitro, and that expression of LARG caused an increase in the levels of the activated GTP-bound form of RhoA, but not Rac1 or Cdc42, in vivo. Thus, we conclude that LARG is a RhoA-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor. Finally, like activated RhoA, we determined that LARG cooperated with activated Raf-1 to transform NIH3T3 cells. These data demonstrate that LARG is the first functional Dbl protein mutated in cancer and indicate LARG-mediated activation of RhoA may play a role in the development of human leukemias.
High Selectivity from Configurational Match/Mismatch in Carbon−Hydrogen Insertion Reactions of Steroidal Diazoacetates Catalyzed by Chiral Dirhodium(II) Carboxamidates

Diazo decomposition of steroidal diazoacetates, where the point of attachment is the 3-position of the steroid A-ring, catalyzed by chiral dirhodium(II) carboxamidates results in products from carbon−hydrogen insertion in high yield and selectivities. Use of S-configured catalysts shows a distinctive preference for insertion into the 3-position to form β-lactone products. The R-configured catalysts direct insertion preferentially to the equatorial C−H bond at the 2-position. Substituents or functional groups at the 5/6-position prevent C−H insertion from taking place at the 4-position. Even in the best case with the 5/6-positions fully saturated, however, insertion into the 3-position remains competitive with insertion into the 4-position. Corresponding 3-substituted phenyldiazoacetates give only β-lactone products, and selectivity here is highest with chiral dirhodium(II) prolinate catalysts. A model is presented to explain these results. Overall, this methodology is versatile for functionalization of th...
Occurrence of hydroxamate siderophore iron chelators in soils

Although iron is abundant in soils (1–6%), it is often unavailable to plants because its solubility is dependent on pH and controlled by the low solubility of ferric oxides. Iron availability to plant roots may thus depend on organic chelators which Lindsay reports would maintain an adequate iron supply by diffusion and mass flow at concentrations as low as 10−8 M1,2. Hydroxamate siderophores (HS), microbially produced, ferric-specific, iron transport molecules with stability constants3 as high as 1032, may represent the chelators which maintain these soil iron concentrations. Such peptide derivatives were shown to control iron availability in aquatic ecosystems4, but little is known about their soil role beyond their function as microbial growth factors5,6. We report here the occurrence of HS in aqueous extracts of a variety of soils in concentrations (10−7 M–10−8 M after correction to 10% soil moisture) sufficient to affect plant nutrition1,2.
Comparison of two spectral-texture classification algorithms

Two classification algorithms that rely on both spectral and textural information are presented and compared. The first is a standard maximum-likelihood classification procedure with a texture "band" added to the spectral band set. The second is a pattern matching algorithm which integrates the spectral and spatial characteristics of the data in recognizing a user-specified training pattern. The pattern matching algorithm proved to be the most effective procedure of those compared. Classification results from both methods are compared with each other and with a purely spectral classification using a maximum-likelihood classifier. >
Regulation of the Subcellular Distribution of Key Cellular RNA-processing Factors During Permissive Human Cytomegalovirus Infection

Alternative splicing and polyadenylation of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) immediate-early (IE) pre-mRNAs are temporally regulated and rely on cellular RNA-processing factors. This study examined the location and abundance of essential RNA-processing factors, which affect alternative processing of UL37 IE pre-mRNAs, during HCMV infection. Serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (SRPK1) phosphorylates serine/arginine-rich proteins, necessary for pre-spliceosome commitment. It was found that HCMV infection progressively increased the abundance of cytoplasmic SRPK1, which is regulated by subcellular partitioning. The essential polyadenylation factor CstF-64 was similarly increased in abundance, albeit in the nucleus, proximal to and within viral replication compartments (VRCs). In contrast, the location of polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB), known to adversely affect splicing of HCMV major IE RNAs, was temporally regulated during infection. PTB co-localized with CstF-64 in the nucleus at IE times. By early times, PTB was detected in punctate cytoplasmic sites of some infected cells. At late times, PTB relocalized to the nucleus, where it was notably excluded from HCMV VRCs. Moreover, HCMV infection induced the formation of nucleolar stress structures, fibrillarin-containing caps, in close proximity to its VRCs. PTB exclusion from HCMV VRCs required HCMV DNA synthesis and/or late gene expression, whereas the regulation of SRPK1 subcellular distribution did not. Taken together, these results indicated that HCMV increasingly regulates the subcellular distribution and abundance of essential RNA-processing factors, thereby altering their ability to affect the processing of viral pre-mRNAs. These results further suggest that HCMV infection selectively induces sorting of nucleolar and nucleoplasmic components.
Developmental expression of 2489 gene clusters during pig embryogenesis: an expressed sequence tag project

Identification of mRNAs that are present at early stages of embryogenesis is critical for a better understanding of development. To this end, cDNA libraries were constructed from germinal vesicle-stage oocytes, in vivo-produced four-cell- and blastocyst-stage embryos, and from in vitro-produced four-cell- and blastocyst-stage embryos. Randomly picked clones (10 848) were sequenced from the 3' end and those of sufficient quality (8066, 74%) were clustered into groups of sequence similarity (>95% identity), resulting in 2489 clusters. The sequence of the longest representative expressed sequence tag (EST) of each cluster was compared with GenBank and TIGR. Scores below 200 were considered unique, and 1114 (44.8%) did not have a match in either database. Sequencing from the 5' end yielded 12 of 37 useful annotations, suggesting that one third of the 1114 might be identifiable, still leaving over 700 unique ESTs. Virtual Northerns compared between the stages identified numerous genes where expression appears to change from the germinal vesicle oocyte to the four-cell stage, from the four-cell to blastocyst stage, and between in vitro- and in vivo-derived four-cell- and blastocyst-stage embryos. This is the first large-scale sequencing project on early pig embryogenesis and has resulted in the discovery of a large number of genes as well as possible stage-specific expression. Because many of these ESTs appear to not be in the public databases, their addition will be useful for transcriptional profiling experiments conducted on early pig embryos.
Inflammasome activation in airway epithelial cells after multi-walled carbon nanotube exposure mediates a profibrotic response in lung fibroblasts

In vivo studies have demonstrated the ability of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to induce airway remodeling, a key feature of chronic respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the mechanism leading to remodeling is poorly understood. Particularly, there is limited insight about the role of airway epithelial injury in these changes. We investigated the mechanism of MWCNT-induced primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cell injury and its contribution in inducing a profibrotic response. Primary HBE cells were exposed to thoroughly characterized MWCNTs (1.5-24 μg/mL equivalent to 0.37-6.0 μg/cm2) and MRC-5 human lung fibroblasts were exposed to 1:4 diluted conditioned medium from these cells. Flow cytometry, ELISA, immunostainings/immunoblots and PCR analyses were employed to study cellular mechanisms. MWCNT induced NLRP3 inflammasome dependent pyroptosis in HBE cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Cell death and cytokine production were significantly reduced by antioxidants, siRNA to NLRP3, a caspase-1 inhibitor (z-WEHD-FMK) or a cathepsin B inhibitor (CA-074Me). Conditioned medium from MWCNT-treated HBE cells induced significant increase in mRNA expression of pro-fibrotic markers (TIMP-1, Tenascin-C, Procollagen 1, and Osteopontin) in human lung fibroblasts, without a concomitant change in expression of TGF-beta. Induction of pro-fibrotic markers was significantly reduced when IL-1β, IL-18 and IL-8 neutralizing antibodies were added to the conditioned medium or when conditioned medium from NLRP3 siRNA transfected HBE cells was used. Taken together these results demonstrate induction of a NLRP3 inflammasome dependent but TGF-beta independent pro-fibrotic response after MWCNT exposure.