bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cancer Mortality in U.S. Counties with Petroleum Industries
Authors: Blot William J. , Brinton Louise A. , Fraumeni Joseph F. , Stone B. J.
Published: October 2006

A survey of cancer mortality from 1950 to 1969 was conducted in U.S. counties where the petroleum industry is most heavily concentrated. Male residents of these counties experienced significantly higher rates for cancers of the lung, the nasal cavity and sinuses, and the skin (including malignant melanoma) compared to male residents of counties with similar demographic characteristics. Further study is needed to determine whether these patterns result from exposure to chemical carcinogens, including polycyclic hydrocarbons, involved in the manufacturing of petroleum.
Saltatory Motility of Uninserted Trichocysts and Mitochondria in
Paramecium tetraurelia
Authors: Aufderheide Karl J.
Published: October 2006

In the subcortical regions of the ciliate
Paramecium tetraurelia
, mitochondria and uninserted trichocysts each display saltatory motility with individual characteristics, making them distinguishable from each other and from cellular cyclosis. The saltatory motion of trichocysts is implicated as the means of transporting new trichocysts from the cytoplasm to their ultimate locations in the cellular cortex. Saltatory motion may also be a factor in the intracellular distribution of mitochondria.
Visualization of Polymercurimethane-Labeled fd Bacteriophage in the Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope
Authors: Lipka James J. , Lippard Stephen J. , Wall Joseph S.
Published: October 2006

Each of the 2700 coat proteins of fd bacteriophage was labeled with tetrakis(acetoxymercuri)methane (TAMM) or aquoglycylmethionineplatinum(II). The TAMM-labeled specimens reveal striking bright spots in the scanning transmission electron microscope which arise from clustering. Measurements of mass show increases consistent with the addition of four mercury atoms or one platinum atom, respectively, to each coat protein.
Spiroplasmavirus citri
3: Propagation, Purification, Proteins, and Nucleic Acid
Authors: Cole Roger M. , Mitchell William O. , Garon Claude F.
Published: October 2006

SVC3 is a short-tailed polyhedral virus particle morphologically detectable in many spiroplasmas. It was isolated from two different spiroplasmas (Spiroplasma citri and the suckling mouse cataract agent) by infecting lawns and broth culture of another strain of
Spiroplasmavirus citri
. Virions from either donor strain had a buoyant density of 1.26 grams per cubic centimeter (metrizamide) or 1.45 grams per cubic centimeter (cesium chloride), and contained five proteins and linear double-stranded DNA with a molecular weight of 14 × 10
6
. Other spiroplasmaviruses have not been propagated, and the molecular weights of double-stranded DNA from other mycoplasma (
Acholeplasma
) viruses are unknown.
Constancy and Uniqueness in a Large Population of Small Interneurons
Authors: Goodman Corey
Published: October 2006

The anatomy of 61 of the smallest interneurons in the brain of the locust shows the same tendency toward uniqueness, constancy of neuropil arborizations, and frequency of occurrence of supernumerary cells as does that of 17 large interneurons; the size and number of neurons thus have no obligatory relation to the concept of the unique identifiable neuron.
Environmental Stimulation Reduces Learning Deficits in Experimental Cretinism
Authors: Davenport John W. , Gonzalez Louis M. , Carey John C. , Bishop Steven B. , Hagquist William W.
Published: October 2006

Behavioral deficits in adult rats exposed perinatally to thiouracil were substantially reduced or eliminated by a 5-week period of "superenriched" postweaning rearing conditions before testing. This treatment resulted in remediation of hypothyroid rats' deficits in maze learning, maze retention, and resistance to extinction of bar-pressing; the facilitative effect persisted for more than 4 months. These behavioral results were consistent with neurohistological findings from studies of early thyroid deficiency and postweaning environmental stimulation in rats.
Electric Signals and Schooling Behavior in a Weakly Electric Fish,
Marcusenius cyprinoides
L. (Mormyriformes)
Authors: Moller Peter
Published: October 2006

Field recordings of electric organ discharges and catches of
Marcusenius cyprinoides
showed that these electric fish form groups and move about in schools. The role of electric organ discharges in group cohesion was investigated by comparing interactions in groups of intact and operated, electrically silent fish. The absence of electric organ discharges reduced locomotor activity and resulted in the disappearance of two behaviors: parallel lineup and single file swimming. Electric signals are considered part of a schooling mechanism that aids the fish in maintaining group cohesion in their turbid environment and during migration at night.
Monoamine Changes in the Brain of Cats During Slow-Wave Sleep
Authors: Kovačević Ružica , Radulovački Miodrag
Published: October 2006

We have found that the metabolism of 5-hydroxytryptamine increases in the hippocampus and that the metabolism of dopamine decreases in the striatum and thalamus during slow-wave sleep, and we suggest that these changes are related to this stage of sleep. We have also found that the concentration of dopamine increases in the hippocampus during slow-wave sleep, and suggest that this may be related to the subsequent appearance of paradoxical sleep. These data raise new questions on the hippocampal role in the sleep-wakefulness cycle.
Transplanted Neural Tissue Develops Connections with Host Rat Brain
Authors: Lund Raymond D. , Hauschka Stephen D.
Published: October 2006

Superior collicular fragments transplanted from fetal to newborn rat brains develop complex internal organization and receive visual afferents from the host providing they lie sufficiently close to the host visual pathways. This system allows investigation in vivo of special affinities between cells of the mammalian central nervous system.
Potential New Artificial Sweetener from Study of Structure-Taste Relationships
Authors: Acton E. M. , Stone H.
Published: October 2006

4-(Methoxymethyl)-1,4-cyclohexadiene-1-carboxaldehydesyn-oxime is a new sweetening agent developed by systematic synthesis and taste evaluation of 80 new oximes analogous to the little-used oxime sweetener, perillartine.
Malignant Neoplasms of Genetic Origin in
Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Gateff Elisabeth
Published: October 2006

Malignant neoplasms that develop in 12 recessive-lethal, larval mutants of
Drosophila melanogaster
are discussed. These mutations affect the adult optic neuroblasts and ganglion-mother cells in the larval brain, the imaginal discs, and the hematopoietic organs. The malignant neoplasms exhibit fast, autonomous growth, loss of the capacity for differentiation, increased mobility and invasiveness, lethality in situ and after transplantation, and histological, fine structural, and karyotypic abnormalities. Intermediate neoplasms are also found. These combine both benign and malignant qualities. They grow in a noninvasive, compact fashion, typical of benign tumors, yet they also exhibit malignant qualities such as fast, autonomous, and lethal growth, loss of differentiation capacity, changes in cellular morphology, and lethal growth after transplantation into wild-type hosts. Thus
Drosophila
and vertebrate neoplasms show striking similarities.
Light-Stimulated Morphogenesis in the Fruiting Myxobacterium
Stigmatella aurantiaca
Authors: Qualls Gail T. , Stephens Karen , White David
Published: October 2006

When the fruiting myxobacterium
Stigmatella aurantiaca
, a gliding prokaryote, is starved on an agar surface, the cells form multicellular aggregates resulting from morphogenetic movements. In the presence of incandescent light, each aggregate develops into a structurally complex fruiting body, possessing a stalk and several sporangia. In contrast, this pattern of development is not seen when cultures are incubated in the dark. The cells form irregular interconnecting aggregates, which rarely develop into fruits. However, aggregates formed in the light will develop into fruits even if placed in the dark, suggesting that the light produced a relatively stable alteration in the phenotype of the cells.
An Animal Behavior Model for Studying the Actions of LSD and Related Hallucinogens
Authors: Jacobs Barry L. , Trulson Michael E. , Stern Warren C.
Published: October 2006

Cats injected with LSD (d-lysergic acid diethylamide) exhibit a group of behaviors that appear to be specific to hallucinogenic drugs. Two of these behaviors, limb flick and abortive grooming, have an extremely low frequency of occurrence in normal cats, but often dominate the behavior of LSD-treated cats. The frequency of occurrence of this group of behaviors is related to the dose of LSD. The behavioral changes are long-lasting following a single injection of LSD, and exhibit tolerance following the repeated administration of LSD. They are not elicited by a variety of control drugs, but are elicited by other indole nucleus hallucinogens. Because the behavioral effects are specific, reliable, easy to score, and quantifiable, they represent an animal model that can be used in studies of the effects of LSD and related hallucinogens.
Karyotypic Analysis and Evidence of Tetraploidy in the North American Paddlefish,
Polyodon spathula
Authors: Dingerkus Guido , Howell W. Mike
Published: October 2006

A modal chromosome number of 120 was obtained for the ancient fish,
Polyodon spathula
(Pisces: Chondrostei). The karyotype consists of 48 macrochromosomes and 72 microchromosomes. The microchromosomes are like those found in certain other primitive fishes as well as in reptiles and birds. The possibility that Polyodon is a species of tetraploid origin is strongly suggested by the fact that the 120 chromosomes are easily arranged into 30 groups of four homologs each. Evolutionary comparisons are made with other primitive fish groups.
Handedness in a Chinese Population: Biological, Social, and Pathological Factors
Authors: Teng Evelyn Lee , Lee Pen-Hua , Yang Kuo-shu , Chang Potter C.
Published: October 2006

A questionnaire survey of 4143 Chinese was conducted. Social pressure for right-handed writing and eating was effective on these two target skills but showed little indirect influence on hand use in other activities. Neither primiparous birth nor birth to older mothers affected handedness. Twinning, however, seemed to be associated with both decreased right-handedness and lower intelligence.
MAJORITY-VOTE MODEL ON (3, 4, 6, 4) AND (34, 6) ARCHIMEDEAN LATTICES
Authors: LIMA F. W. S. , MALARZ K.
Published: October 2006

On Archimedean lattices, the Ising model exhibits spontaneous ordering. Two examples of these lattices of the majority-vote model with noise are considered and studied through extensive Monte Carlo simulations. The order/disorder phase transition is observed in this system. The calculated values of the critical noise parameter are qc= 0.091(2) and qc= 0.134(3) for (3, 4, 6, 4) and (34, 6) Archimedean lattices, respectively. The critical exponents β/ν, γ/ν and 1/ν for this model are 0.103 (6), 1.596 (54), 0.872 (85) for (3, 4, 6, 4) and 0.114 (3), 1.632 (35), 0.98 (10) for (34, 6) Archimedean lattices. These results differs from the usual Ising model results and the majority-vote model on so-far studied regular lattices or complex networks. The effective dimensionalities of the system [Deff(3, 4, 6, 4) = 1.802(55) and Deff(34, 6) = 1.860(34)] for these networks are reasonably close to the embedding dimension two.
Rac is a dominant regulator of cadherin-directed actin assembly that is activated by adhesive ligation independently of Tiam1
Authors: Kraemer Astrid , Goodwin Marita , Verma Suzie , Yap Alpha S. , Ali Radiya G.
Published: October 2006

Classic cadherins function as adhesion-activated cell signaling receptors. On adhesive ligation, cadherins induce signaling cascades leading to actin cytoskeletal reorganization that is imperative for cadherin function. In particular, cadherin ligation activates actin assembly by the actin-related protein (Arp)2/3 complex, a process that critically affects the ability of cells to form and extend cadherin-based contacts. However, the signaling pathway(s) that activate Arp2/3 downstream of cadherin adhesion remain poorly understood. In this report we focused on the Rho family GTPases Rac and Cdc42, which can signal to Arp2/3. We found that homophilic engagement of E-cadherin simultaneously activates both Rac1 and Cdc42. However, by comparing the impact of dominant-negative Rac1 and Cdc42 mutants, we show that Rac1 is the dominant regulator of cadherin-directed actin assembly and homophilic contact formation. To pursue upstream elements of the Rac1 signaling pathway, we focused on the potential contribution of Tiam1 to cadherin-activated Rac signaling. We found that Tiam1 or the closely-related Tiam2/STEF1 was recruited to cell-cell contacts in an E-cadherin-dependent fashion. Moreover, a dominant-negative Tiam1 mutant perturbed cell spreading on cadherin-coated substrata. However, disruption of Tiam1 activity with dominant-negative mutants or RNA interference did not affect the ability of E-cadherin ligation to activate Rac1. We conclude that Rac1 critically influences cadherin-directed actin assembly as part of a signaling pathway independent of Tiam1.
Altered frequency-dependent inactivation and steady-state inactivation of polyglutamine-expanded α1A in SCA6
Authors: Chen Haiyan , Piedras-Rentería Erika S.
Published: October 2006

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is a neurodegenerative disease of the cerebellum and inferior olives characterized by a late-onset cerebellar ataxia and selective loss of Purkinje neurons ( 15 , 16 ). SCA6 arises from an expansion of the polyglutamine tract located in exon 47 of the α1A (P/Q-type calcium channel) gene from a nonpathogenic size of 4 to 18 glutamines (CAG4–18) to CAG19–33 in SCA6. The molecular basis of SCA6 is poorly understood. To date, the biophysical properties studied in heterologous systems support both a gain and a loss of channel function in SCA6. We studied the behavior of the human α1A isoform, previously found to elicit a gain of function in disease ( 41 ), focusing on properties in which the COOH terminus of the channel is critical for function: we analyzed the current properties in the presence of β4- and β2a-subunits (both known to interact with the α1A COOH terminus), current kinetics of activation and inactivation, calcium-dependent inactivation and facilitation, voltage-dependent inactivation, frequency dependence, and steady-state activation and inactivation properties. We found that SCA6 channels have decreased activity-dependent inactivation and a depolarizing shift (+6 mV) in steady-state inactivation properties consistent with a gain of function.
Spatial Representation of Neural Responses to Natural and Altered Conspecific Vocalizations in Cat Auditory Cortex
Authors: Gourévitch Boris , Eggermont Jos J.
Published: October 2006

This study shows the neural representation of cat vocalizations, natural and altered with respect to carrier and envelope, as well as time-reversed, in four different areas of the auditory cortex. Multiunit activity recorded in primary auditory cortex (AI) of anesthetized cats mainly occurred at onsets (<200-ms latency) and at subsequent major peaks of the vocalization envelope and was significantly inhibited during the stationary course of the stimuli. The first 200 ms of processing appears crucial for discrimination of a vocalization in AI. The dorsal and ventral parts of AI appear to have different roles in coding vocalizations. The dorsal part potentially discriminated carrier-altered meows, whereas the ventral part showed differences primarily in its response to natural and time-reversed meows. In the posterior auditory field, the different temporal response types of neurons, as determined by their poststimulus time histograms, showed discrimination for carrier alterations in the meow. Sustained firing neurons in the posterior ectosylvian gyrus (EP) could discriminate, among others, by neural synchrony, temporal envelope alterations of the meow, and time reversion thereof. These findings suggest an important role of EP in the detection of information conveyed by the alterations of vocalizations. Discrimination of the neural responses to different alterations of vocalizations could be based on either firing rate, type of temporal response, or neural synchrony, suggesting that all these are likely simultaneously used in processing of natural and altered conspecific vocalizations.
Seasonal Variation in Blood Pressure of Patients on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Cheng Li-Tao , Jiang Hong-Ying , Tang Li-Jun , Wang Tao
Published: October 2006

Background: A seasonal variation in blood pressure (BP) has been observed in hemodialysis and renal transplant patients. However, this phenomenon in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, whose hemodynamics are different from hemodialysis patients, has not been reported before. In addition, the contribution of extracellular water (ECW) in the seasonal variation in BP is not clear. Methods: All stable CAPD patients (n = 122) dialyzed in a single center from January 1, 2003 to December 12, 2004 were studied. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), weight and ECW (by bioimpedance analysis) were measured in every patient. Climatic data were obtained from the Beijing Weather Bureau. These data were pooled together and grouped according to the calendar month. Results: In general, an apparent seasonal variation in BP was observed in CAPD patients. BP began to decrease from spring and reached the lowest level in summer, then increased from autumn and reached its peak in winter. The seasonal variation in BP in male patients was similar to that in female patients, but in comparison to non-diabetic patients there was no apparent seasonal variation in the BP of diabetic patients. SBP and DBP negatively correlated with the average atmospheric temperature (r = –0.768, p < 0.001 and r = –0.764, p < 0.001, respectively). BP also negatively correlated with rainfall and humidity, but this correlation disappeared when temperature was controlled in partial correlation analysis. Weight and ECW fluctuated throughout the year but showed no seasonal variation. Conclusion: On the whole there was an apparent seasonal variation in blood pressure in CAPD patients. As opposed to non-diabetic patients, there was no apparent seasonal variation in BP in diabetic patients. The seasonal variation in BP was influenced more by temperature than rainfall and humidity, and the change in ECW was not seasonal, suggesting that other mechanisms such as total peripheral resistance might play a more important role in this phenomenon.
The advantages of a rolling foot in human walking
Authors: Adamczyk Peter G. , Collins Steven H. , Kuo Arthur D.
Published: October 2006

The plantigrade human foot rolls over the ground during each walking step,roughly analogous to a wheel. The center of pressure progresses on the ground like a wheel of radius 0.3 L (leg length). We examined the effect of varying foot curvature on the mechanics and energetics of walking. We controlled curvature by attaching rigid arc shapes of various radii to the bottoms of rigid boots restricting ankle motion. We measured mechanical work performed on the center of mass (COM), and net metabolic rate, in human subjects (N=10) walking with seven arc radii from 0.02–0.40 m. Simple models of dynamic walking predict that redirection of COM velocity requires step-to-step transition work, decreasing quadratically with arc radius. Metabolic cost would be expected to change in proportion to mechanical work. We measured the average rate of negative work performed on the COM, and found that it followed the trend well (r2=0.95), with 2.37 times as much work for small radii as for large. Net metabolic rate(subtracting quiet standing) also decreased with increasing arc radius to a minimum at 0.3 L, with a slight increase thereafter. Maximum net metabolic rate was 6.25 W kg–1 (for small-radius arc feet),about 59% greater than the minimum rate of 3.93 W kg–1, which in turn was about 45% greater than the rate in normal walking. Metabolic rate was fit reasonably well (r2=0.86) by a quadratic curve,but exceeded that expected from COM work for extreme arc sizes. Other factors appear to increase metabolic cost for walking on very small and very large arc feet. These factors may include effort expended to stabilize the joints(especially the knee) or to maintain balance. Rolling feet with curvature 0.3 L appear energetically advantageous for plantigrade walking,partially due to decreased work for step-to-step transitions.
Interspecific variation in beeswax as a biological construction material
Authors: Buchwald Robert , Breed Michael D. , Greenberg Alan R. , Otis Gard
Published: October 2006

Beeswax is a multicomponent material used by bees in the genus Apis to house larvae and store honey and pollen. We characterized the mechanical properties of waxes from four honeybee species: Apis mellifera L., Apis andreniformis L., Apis dorsata L. and two subspecies of Apis cerana L. In order to isolate the material effects from the architectural properties of nest comb, we formed raw wax in to right, circular cylindrical samples, and compressed them in an electromechanical tensometer. From the resulting stress–strain curves,values for yield stress, yield strain, stress and strain at the proportional limit, stiffness, and resilience were obtained. Apis dorsata wax was stiffer and had a higher yield stress and stress at the proportional limit than all of the other waxes. The waxes of A. cerana and A. mellifera had intermediate strength and stiffness, and A. andreniformis wax was the least strong, stiff and resilient. All of the waxes had similar strain values at the proportional limit and yield point. The observed differences in wax mechanical properties correlate with the nesting ecology of these species. A. mellifera and A. cerana nest in cavities that protect the nest from environmental stresses, whereas the species with the strongest and stiffest wax, A. dorsata, constructs relatively heavy nests attached to branches of tall trees, exposing them to substantially greater mechanical forces. The wax of A. andreniformiswas the least strong, stiff and resilient, and their nests have low masses relative to other species in the genus and, although not built in cavities,are constructed on lower, often shielded branches that can absorb the forces of wind and rain.
Total facial nerve exploration: Transmastoid, extralabyrinthine, and subtemporal indications and results
Authors: May Mark
Published: October 2006

Increasingly, surgeons are using a middle fossa approach through a craniotomy to reach the labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve and geniculate ganglion in patients with intact hearing.

This paper describes a transmastoid operation that provided exposure of the labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve without performance of a craniotomy. In this procedure the geniculate ganglion and labyrinthine segments of the facial nerve were exposed, while cochleovestibular function was spared; recovery of the facial nerve in patients with Bell's palsy or herpes zoster oticus (even those patients with a dry eye) was favorably influenced.
Patient survival factors in paranasal sinus mucormycosis
Authors: Blitzer Andrew , Lawson William , Meyers Bert R. , Biller Hugh F.
Published: October 2006

Analysis of 170 cases of paranasal sinus mucormycosis collected from the literature and 9 cases of our own revealed a 50% mortality for this disease. When analyzed according to decade, survival has increased to 70% in the cases reported from 1970‐1979. There were no significant differences between the survivors and the fatalities when evaluated according to age, sex, laterality, or radiographic findings. There was a markedly poorer prognosis for those patients with hemiplegia, facial necrosis, and nasal deformity. The underlying disease was an important determinant of survival: 75% of patients with no systemic disease, 60% of diabetics, and 20% of patients with other disorders survived. Surgical debridement or radical resection and the use of amphotericin B significantly increased survival. Their combination further enhanced survival, especially in the diabetic.
Prognostic value of eustachian tube function in pediatric tympanoplasty
Authors: Manning Scott C. , Cantekin Erdem I. , Kenna Margaret A. , Bluestone Charles D.
Published: October 2006

Poor eustachian tube function and prevalence of infectious ear disease are thought to be the reasons for less successful outcome associated with tympanoplasty in children. Since both of these factors are related to age, identification of those patients who may benefit by delaying the surgery has been a concern to otolaryngologists. In an effort to investigate the role of eustachian tube function on the outcome, we tested the tubal function in 63 ears (56 children) undergoing tympanoplasty for central perforations. In 49 ears (78%), the graft took; of these, 33 had good middle‐ear function, 8 developed persistent or recurrent otitis media, and 8 had severe retraction or atelectasis. There was a significant association (p<0.01) between outcome and preoperative tubal function as determined by combining the active and passive function parameters. However, the prognostic value of tubal function testing was low; predictive values for success and lack of success being 68% and 56%, respectively. Other factors, such as graft placement (medial or lateral) contralateral ear status, and child's age, were not associated with outcome. Consistent with other studies, good eustachian tube function was shown to predict good outcome, but poor tubal function was not helpful in predicting poor outcome.
Cartilage‐perichondrial composite graft tympanoplasty in the treatment of posterior marginal and attic retraction pockets
Authors: Levinson Richard M.
Published: October 2006

The atelectatic retraction pocket (ARP) has been implicated in the development of chronic otitis media and cholesteatoma. The ARP's tendency for persistence or recurrence despite treatment is a significant otologic problem. The purpose of this study is to define and discuss this clinical entity and the use of cartilage‐perichondrium tympanoplasty as a safe and predictable method of treatment, reducing destructive complications while maintaining ear function. A retrospective analysis of 85 operated ears is presented.
Re-Viewing Homo Sovieticus: The representation of the male body in the films of Kira Muratova
Authors: Roberts Graham
Published: October 2006

One of the paradoxes of mainstream Soviet cinema was that it tended to make a spectacle of masculine physicality without (for the most part) drawing attention to it in any explicit sense. The male hero's body was mythologized in patriarchal structures that imposed themselves as neutral.
This paper examines the different ways in which the director Kira Muratova challenges this cultural paradigm, by explicitly foregrounding the male body, and destabilizing the male perspective. In this respect Muratova's films pose a challenge to the archetypal images of masculinity (and femininity)
prevalent not just in the Soviet Union, or in mainstream cinema, but in many other places besides.
Gender and science in Portugal
Authors: Amncio Lgia
Published: October 2006

The situation of women in science in Portugal stands out as a particular case in international comparisons. The argument of this article is that this case is not so particular after all. To pursue this argument, gender and science is approached in two ways. In the first part historical and social factors that may have contributed to the significant presence of women in science will be discussed. The second part focuses on scientific careers and institutions, especially universities, and aims at unveiling gender processes that have been evidenced by research on gender and science in other countries. Throughout the article, evidence will be presented that shows that despite some specificities pertaining to the rapid process of modernization experienced by Portugal during the last 30 years, science has been institutionalized as a gendered profession.
Real time variable bit rate video traffic prediction
Authors: Mao Guoqiang , Liu Huabing
Published: October 2006

Real time variable bit rate (VBR) video traffic prediction plays an important role in dynamic bandwidth allocation schemes by providing an accurate estimation of the instantaneous bandwidth requirement of VBR video traffic and it has been widely used in dynamic bandwidth allocation. A number of prediction algorithms were proposed in the literature and they can be broadly classified into two categories: time domain approaches and wavelet domain approaches. In this paper, we first present a survey of the existing algorithms in the literature. On the basis of the survey, new algorithms are proposed in the time domain and in the wavelet domain, respectively. Simulations using real VBR video traces are conducted which show that the proposed algorithms achieve better performance than those in the literature. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Electrochemistry of Vitamin B12 in Ionic Liquids and Its Use in the Electrocatalytic Reduction of Vicinal Dibromoalkanes
Authors: Lagunas M. Cristina , Silvester Debbie S. , Aldous Leigh , Compton Richard G.
Published: October 2006

We present the first electrochemical study in ionic liquid media of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), a biologically important molecule, and show its suitability as catalyst in the electroreduction of dibromoalkanes.
Accountability in Connecticut and recent efforts to strengthen higher education's connection to state workforce needs
Authors: Johnson Mary K.
Published: October 2006

Connecticut's higher education accountability focuses on using measures of employment readiness and success, including employer satisfaction surveys.
Brain hydrodynamics study by phase‐contrast magnetic resonance imaging and transcranial color doppler
Authors: Balédent Olivier , Fin Loïc , Khuoy Louis , Ambarki Khalid , Gauvin Anne‐Cécile , Gondry‐Jouet Catherine , Meyer Marc‐Etienne
Published: October 2006

Purpose

To evaluate the contributions of phase‐contrast magnetic resonance (PCMR) and transcranial color Doppler (TCCD) imaging in the investigation of cerebral hydrodynamics.

Materials and Methods

A total of 13 healthy subjects were studied. Blood velocity measurements were performed with TCCD and gated PCMR imaging in major intracranial and extracranial arteries stages. Peak systolic velocity and end‐diastolic velocity were extracted to establish correlations between TCCD and PCMR imaging. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and intracranial volume change (IVC) during the cardiac cycle were calculated, taking into account cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oscillations.

Results

Despite an underestimation of velocities with PCMR imaging, significant correlations were observed for velocity measurements between the two modalities in extracranial vessels, but were poorly correlated in intracranial vessels. PCMR data processing gave a mean CBF of 690 ± 90 mL/minute.

Conclusion

PCMR imaging provides complementary information to TCCD to assess various intracranial parameters such as instantaneous velocities, blood and CSF flow distributions, volume variation, or pressure regulation mechanisms during cardiac cycles. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hazards and hazard mitigation techniques for natural gas and hydrogen fueling operations
Authors: Rivkin, P.E. Carl
Published: October 2006

The 2006 edition of NFPA 52 Vehicular Fuel Systems Code addresses natural gas and hydrogen storage and refueling safety. Specifically, this document addresses the issues of:

Gas and liquefied gas storage

Vehicle‐dispensing operations

Gas piping

System siting

System maintenance

This article describes the hazards associated with the operations listed and how the code sets requirements to mitigate these hazards. This document, which was initially issued in 1984, is the first edition of NFPA 52 that addresses hydrogen systems. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2007
Study on hydrogen uptake of functionalized carbon nanotubes
Authors: Bachmatiuk A. , Borowiak‐Palen E. , Jedrzejewski R. , Rümmeli M. H. , Gemming T. , Pichler T. , Kalenczuk R. J.
Published: October 2006

Hydrogen uptake in carbon materials, in particular in carbon nanotubes, is a highly active and important research area due to the current need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. We have begun detailed studies on the hydrogen storage capacity for various carbon nanotube based materials, namely, B‐doped SWCNT and bamboo‐CNT. The actual hydrogen content was measured via a volumetric method at room temperature and elevated pressure. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
MammoSite brachytherapy: evolution and current status
Authors: Rabinovitch R. , Schwer A.
Published: October 2006

Brachytherapy treatment consists of the insertion of radioactive sources into tissue to deliver radiotherapy directly to the tumor. Early treatment utilizing this method required intra-operative placement of 15–20 catheters by the radiation oncologist, a highly specialized procedure which limited its widespread use despite encouraging results from the first clinical trial and the benefits to the patient of receiving radiation treatment to only 2 cm of tissue beyond the borders of the lumpectomy cavity and the ability to complete the radiotherapy component of breast conserving treatment in 4–5 days, instead of the usual 4–6 weeks. The MammoSite® Radiation Therapy System allows either a radiation oncologist or a surgeon to implant a much simplified brachytherapy device, thus increasing the number of patients who can receive this treatment. The device, which received FDA approval in May 2002, works by creating a cavity inside the lumpectomy site via a balloon. A high dose-rate brachytherapy source is inserted into this cavity, evenly irradiating the tissue at highest risk of containing residual cancer cells. Data collected since its approval show that MammoSite offers tumor control equal to traditional radiotherapy with fewer side effects of radiation exposure to nearby tissues. However, the invasive nature and high cost of this treatment mean that MammoSite should not be seen as the sole future direction of radiotherapy treatment delivery methods.
The effects of collision energy, vibrational mode, and vibrational angular momentum on energy transfer and dissociation in NO2+–rare gas collisions: An experimental and trajectory study
Authors: Liu Jianbo , Uselman Brady W. , Boyle Jason M. , Anderson Scott L.
Published: October 2006

A combined experimental and trajectory study of vibrationally state-selected NO2+ collisions with Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe is presented. Ne, Ar, and Kr are similar in that only dissociation to the excited singlet oxygen channel is observed; however, the appearance energies vary by ∼4eV between the three rare gases, and the variation is nonmonotonic in rare gas mass. Xe behaves quite differently, allowing efficient access to the ground triplet state dissociation channel. For all four rare gases there are strong effects of NO2+ vibrational excitation that extend over the entire collision energy range, implying that vibration influences the efficiency of collision to internal energy conversion. Bending excitation is more efficient than stretching; however, bending angular momentum partially counters the enhancement. Direct dynamics trajectories for NO2++Kr reproduce both the collision energy and vibrational state effects observed experimentally and reveal that intracomplex charge transfer is critical for the efficient energy transfer needed to drive dissociation. The strong vibrational effects can be rationalized in terms of bending, and to a lesser extent, stretching distortion enhancing transition to the Kr+–NO2 charge state.
The WD Repeat-containing Protein IFTA-1 Is Required for Retrograde Intraflagellar Transport
Authors: Blacque Oliver E. , Li Chunmei , Inglis Peter N. , Esmail Muneer A. , Ou Guangshuo , Mah Allan K. , Baillie David L. , Scholey Jonathan M. , Leroux Michel R.
Published: October 2006

The assembly and maintenance of cilia require intraflagellar transport (IFT), a microtubule-dependent bidirectional motility of multisubunit protein complexes along ciliary axonemes. Defects in IFT and the functions of motile or sensory cilia are associated with numerous human ailments, including polycystic kidney disease and Bardet–Biedl syndrome. Here, we identify a novel Caenorhabditis elegans IFT gene, IFT-associated gene 1 (ifta-1), which encodes a WD repeat-containing protein with strong homology to a mammalian protein of unknown function. Both the C. elegans and human IFTA-1 proteins localize to the base of cilia, and in C. elegans, IFTA-1 can be observed to undergo IFT. IFTA-1 is required for the function and assembly of cilia, because a C. elegans ifta-1 mutant displays chemosensory abnormalities and shortened cilia with prominent ciliary accumulations of core IFT machinery components that are indicative of retrograde transport defects. Analyses of C. elegans IFTA-1 localization/motility along bbs mutant cilia, where anterograde IFT assemblies are destabilized, and in a che-11 IFT gene mutant, demonstrate that IFTA-1 is closely associated with the IFT particle A subcomplex, which is implicated in retrograde IFT. Together, our data indicate that IFTA-1 is a novel IFT protein that is required for retrograde transport along ciliary axonemes.
Expression of transmembrane carbonic anhydrases IX and XII in ovarian tumours
Authors: Hynninen P , Vaskivuo L , Saarnio J , Haapasalo H , Kivelä J , Pastoreková S , Pastorek J , Waheed A , Sly W S , Puistola U , Parkkila S
Published: October 2006

Aims Carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes IX and XII have been suggested to play a role in oncogenic processes. The aim of the present study was to investigate CA IX and XII expression in patients with ovarian tumours.

Methods and results A series of ovarian tumours was immunostained for CA IX and XII and the results were correlated with histopathological and clinical parameters. Most cases of borderline mucinous cystadenomas, mucinous cystadenocarcinomas and serous cystadenocarcinomas were moderately or strongly positive for CA IX. In malignant tumours, the staining was most prominent in hypoxic regions. Expression of CA XII was detected in all tumour categories, although the mean staining intensity was weaker than for CA IX in all groups except for clear cell carcinomas.

Conclusions The wide expression of CA IX and XII in ovarian tumours suggests that these isozymes could represent potential targets in ovarian cancer therapy. The expression pattern of CA IX suggests that it could also serve as a useful histopathological marker protein for hypoxia in malignant ovarian tumours.
The Relevance of Target Accounting Quality to the Long‐Term Success of Cross‐Border Mergers
Authors: Black Ervin L. , Carnes Thomas A. , Jandik Tomas , Henderson B. Charlene
Published: October 2006

Abstract:  We investigate a sample of cross‐border mergers involving US firms that acquired foreign targets between 1985 and 1995. Our general interest is in the long‐term success of the acquisitions, measured by the post‐merger abnormal returns to the US acquirers. Our primary focus is the relationship between the quality of the foreign target's accounting disclosures and the acquisition's long‐term success. Employing a procedure recommended by Lyon et al. (1999), we find that US acquirers in cross‐border mergers experience significantly negative long‐term abnormal returns post‐merger. These returns also are significantly more negative than those realized by a matched sample of US acquirers that acquired US targets. To investigate the potential association between the US acquirers' post‐acquisition returns and target firms' accounting disclosures, we classify the merger transactions by target firm home country. We define variables to reflect the quality of accounting disclosures and control for other important country‐specific features. The results reveal that post‐merger abnormal returns are less negative for acquirers of targets based in countries where accounting data is less value relevant. This may be due to a higher cost of capital for target firms in these countries, resulting in a built‐in discount in the pricing of targets. An examination of the premiums paid in a subset of 79 cross‐border mergers reveals evidence consistent with this contention: premiums are lower for target firms based in countries where accounting data is less value relevant. These results suggest that shareholders of targets from such countries pay a price for their country's institutional framework that makes accounting information less value relevant.
TURNOVER OF RIBOSOMAL RNA IN THE RAT BRAIN *
Authors: Dawson D. M.
Published: October 2006

Ribosomal RNA from rat brain has been partially purified by sodium dodecyl‐sulphate treatment of microsomes, and density gradient centrifugation.

The apparent half‐life of ribosomal RNA after labelling with a pyrimidine precursor was 6 days. Classes of ribosomal RNA with longer half‐lives could not be excluded.

There was evidence for re‐utilization of the labelled precursors.
STUDIES OF WATER SOLUBLE LIPOPROTEINS IN RAT BRAIN*
Authors: Herschkowitz N. , Mckhann† G. M. , Shooter E. M.
Published: October 2006

—The occurrencc of water soluble lipoprotein in the 105,000 g supernatant of rat brain homogenate has been demonstrated.

The lipoproteins of brain differed from those of the serum with respect to lipid composition, density and reaction to serum lipoprotein antibodies.

Acrylamide gel electrophoresis resolved the brain supernatant into four zones which stained with lipid dye. It was possible to demonstrate that these zones also contained protein by double staining of the gel for lipid and protein. Two of the zones differed in their mobility from serum lipoprotein.

Preparative acrylamide gel electrophoresis isolated protein fractions in supematant which contained both lipid and protein and permitted preliminary identification of the lipoprotein bands amongst all the protein bands resolved by acrylamide gel electrophoresis.
URIDINE NUCLEOTIDES IN BRAIN*†
Authors: Wong Kim Ping , Sourkes T. L.
Published: October 2006

—Two uridine nucleotides, UDPG and UDPGA, have been measured in brain by a procedure whereby they are extracted from tissue with subsequent utilization, either directly with (UDPGA) or after dehydrogenation (UDPG), in a glucuronidation reaction with harmol or harmalol as cosubstrate. The concentrations of UDPG and UDPGA in brains of a few species of animals examined are, respectively, 11.5–23.3 μmoles/100 g and 0.7–2.5 μmoles/100 g tissue. The ratios of UDPGA to UDPG range from 4% to 11%. The role and importance of these uridine nucleotides in brain are discussed.
TRANSPORT OF SULPHATE, THIOSULPHATE AND IODIDE BY CHOROID PLEXUS IN VITRO1
Authors: Robinson R. J. , Cutler R. W. P. , Lorenzo A. V. , Barlow C. F.
Published: October 2006

—Isolated choroid plexuses of rabbits and cats were incubated in artificial cerebrospinal fluid medium containing [35S]sulphate, [35S]thiosulphate or [125I]iodide and combinations thereof. After 1 hr incubation the mean ratio of tissue concentration to medium concentration was 2·46 for [35S]sulphate, 2·39 for [35S]thiosulphate, and 270 for [125I]iodide. Uptake of all three anions was greatly reduced at 0° and by addition of dinitrophenol to the medium. Other inhibitors selectively reduced the uptake of particular anions; non‐radioactive sulphate and thiosulphate reduced both [35S]sulphate and [35S]‐thiosulphate uptake with much less effect on [125I]iodide uptake, while non‐radioactive iodide and thiocyanate greatly reduced [125]iodide uptake with little or no effect on [35S]sulphate or [35S]thiosulphate uptake. It was concluded:

(a) that sulphate and thiosulphate, like iodide, were accumulated by choroid plexus in vitro by active transport;

(b) that sulphate and thiosulphate share and compete for a transport mechanism which is separate from the iodide transport mechanism; and

(c) that the transport of sulphate out of cerebrospinal fluid demonstrated in vivo could occur at least in part in the choroid plexus.
CHANGES IN THE OSMIOPHILIA OF MYELIN AND LIPID CONTENT IN THE KITTEN OPTIC NERVE
Authors: Banik N. L. , Blunt M. J. , Davison A. N.
Published: October 2006

Abstract—

Myelin osmiophilia has been shown to develop significantly later than myelin staining by Luxol fast blue and Sudan black, in the developing kitten optic nerve. These histological changes are accompanied by alterations in the lipid composition of the optic nerve. Although myelination commences at about 10 days post partum in the nerve the appearance of cerebrosides is unexpectedly delayed. Changes in fatty acid chain length and lipid composition of optic nerve are consistent with the suggestion that ‘early’ myelin may be unchanged glial plasma membrane.
STUDIES ON SODIUM TRANSPORT IN RAT BRAIN NERVE‐ENDING PARTICLES
Authors: Ling C.‐M. , Abdel‐Latif A. A.
Published: October 2006

Abstract— (1) Nerve‐ending particles isolated from crude mitochondrial preparations from rat brain by discontinuous Ficoll density gradient ultracentrifugation were shown to possess a Mg2+ and energy‐dependent transport system for Na+.

(2) Ouabain or iodoacetate plus cyanide exerted an inhibitory effect on the outfiux but not the influx of Na+.

(3) When K+ was added to a medium containing particles loaded with Na+ (22Na), an immediate release of Na+ from these particles was observed; this suggests the existence of a Na+–K+ exchange transport system.

(4) The K+ effect was inhibited by 10‐4 M‐ouabain only at low (about 3·3 mm), but not at high (20 mm), K+ concentrations.

(5) The uptake and release of Na+ by the nerve‐ending particles were found to be temperature‐dependent.

(6) Only nerve‐ending particles with intact synaptosomal membranes were found to transport Na+ actively.
NUCLEOTIDE METABOLISM IN RAT BRAIN
Authors: Santos J. N. , Hempstead K. W. , Kopp L. E. , Miech R. P.
Published: October 2006

Abstract— The uptake, the conversion to nucleotides, and their incorporation into RNA for labelled glycine, aspartate, the free bases and nucleosides of purines and pyrimidines were investigated with cortical slices of rat cerebrum. At the end of a 1‐hr incubation time the slice‐to‐medium ratio of the radioactivities for labelled aspartate, glycine, adenine and adenosine were 34, 26, 20 and 5, respectively, while the slice‐to‐medium ratios for hypoxanthine, inosine, guanine, guanosine, xanthine, orotate, cytidine, cytosine, uridine, and uracil ranged from 1.3:1 to 2:1. Over 99 per cent of the total radioactivity taken up by the cortical slices was present in the TCA supernatant and 86, 82, 65, 50, 34, 23, 20 and 1.6 per cent of this radioactivity was in the form of nucleotides at the end of a 1‐hr incubation with labelled adenine, adenosine, hypoxanthine, inosine, uridine, orotate, cytidine, and glycine, respectively.

The incorporation of various radioactive precursors into RNA of cortical slices suggests that nucleotides originating from either de novo synthesis or preformed purine derivatives enter the same nucleotide pool utilized for RNA synthesis. The supernatant fraction from homogenized cerebrum was investigated for the presence of various anabolic and catabolic enzymes associated with nucleotide metabolism. These results were correlated with the data from the RNA incorporation studies, and a possible role for AMP: pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase (adenine phosphoribosyltransferase, I.U.B. 2.4.2.7) to achieve intercellular transfer of AMP is discussed.