cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct evidence for separate binding sites for L-Glu and amino acid feedback inhibitors on unadenylylated glutamine synthetase from E. coli.

Abstract Glutamine synthetase from E. coli is modulated by adenylylation of a tyrosine residue on each subunit of the dodecamer, as well as by feedback inhibition. With the stopped-flow fluorometric method, the binding constants for L-Glu, L-Ala, D-Val, and Gly to E1.0—Mg, E ∗∗ , in the absence or presence of ATP or ADP, and NH3 were evaluated at pH 7.0, 15°. Strong synergistic effects between the amino acids and the nucleotide were observed. The fluorescence amplitude observed due to either simultaneous or sequential addition of 2 different amino acids to E or E·ATP indicate that L-Glu can bind to the enzyme simultaneously with L-Ala, Gly and D-Val; L-Ala can coexist with D-Val, Gly or D-Ala. NMR method also shows that L-Glu and L-Ala can bind simultaneously. Therefore, within our experimental conditions, the unadenylylated enzyme possesses allosteric site(s) for the amino acid inhibitors.
High-resolution rainbow holographic process

A technique of high-resolution one-step rainbow holography utilizing a cylindrical lens is presented. Experimental demonstrations for various holographic conditions are provided. With the experimental results, we see that the technique utilizing a cylindrical lens offers a higher hologram-image resolution, less speckle noise, and lower color-blur effect than the conventional one-step technique. The technique is particularly suitable for the application of a 2-D object transparency.
Optimal control for the dam problem

Consider the variational inequality for the rectangular dam problem and assume that fluid can be withdrawn from the bottom at a rate proportional tok(x). Denote byp(x, y) the pressure of the fluid in the dam corresponding to a particular choice ofk. Consideringk(x) as a control variable varying in a class {0⩽k(x)⩽N, ∫k(x)dx⩽M}, we introduce the functionalJ(k)=∫∫g(y)p(x, y) whereg(y) is a given positive and monotone nondecreasing function. We characterize the controlsk 0 which minimizeJ(k).
A second-order nonlinear difference equation: Oscillation and asymptotic behavior

Abstract Discrete analogues are investigated for well-known results on oscillation, growth, and asymptotic behavior of solutions of y″ + q(t) yγ = 0, for q(t) ⩾ 0 and for q(t) ⩽ 0. The analogue of Atkinson's oscillation criterion is shown to be true for Δ2yn − 1 + qn ynγ = 0, but the analogue for Atkinson's nonoscillation criterion is shown to be false.
GaAs Schottky-barrier avalanche diodes

Abstract Efficient microwave power generation in a mesa type GaAs Schottky-barrier avalanche diode is reported. An output power of 600 mW (c.w.) at 8.2 GHz with an efficiency over 10 per cent was obtained when the diodes were mounted with the metal-semiconductor interface adjacent to the heat sink. The diodes were fabricated using nickel on n -type epitaxial GaAs substrate. It is observed that for the same doping profile, the diodes performed similarly to (zinc) diffused abrupt p + - n junction avalanche diodes, and the initial result indicates that GaAs Schottky-barrier avalanche diodes are comparable to ordinary p - n junction avalanche diodes in their microwave performance.
Arginine restores cholinergic relaxation of hypercholesterolemic rabbit thoracic aorta.

BACKGROUND Reduced synthesis of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) may explain impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation in hypercholesterolemia. Accordingly, we designed studies to determine if endothelium-dependent relaxation in hypercholesterolemic rabbits may be restored by supplying L-arginine, the precursor of EDRF. METHODS AND RESULTS Normal or hypercholesterolemic rabbits received intravenous L-arginine (10 mg/kg/min) or vehicle for 70 minutes. Subsequently, animals were killed, thoracic aortas were harvested, and vascular rings were studied in vitro. Rings were contracted by norepinephrine and relaxed by acetylcholine chloride or sodium nitroprusside. Vasorelaxation was quantified by determining the maximal response (expressed as percent relaxation of the contraction) and the ED50 (dose of drug inducing 50% relaxation; expressed as -log M). In vessels from hypercholesterolemic animals receiving vehicle, there was a fivefold rightward shift in sensitivity to acetylcholine compared with normal animals (p = 0.05, n = 5 in each group). In vessels from hypercholesterolemic animals, L-arginine augmented the maximal response to acetylcholine (83 +/- 16% versus 60 +/- 15%, p = 0.04 versus vehicle) and increased the sensitivity to acetylcholine (ED50 value: 6.7 +/- 0.2 versus 6.2 +/- 0.2, p less than 0.05 versus vehicle). Arginine did not affect maximal and EC50 responses to acetylcholine in vessels from normal animals. Arginine did not potentiate endothelium-independent responses in either group. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the endothelium-dependent relaxation is normalized in hypercholesterolemic rabbit thoracic aorta by in vivo exposure to L-arginine, the precursor for EDRF.
Polyploidization and Cell Fusion Contribute to Wound Healing in the Adult Drosophila Epithelium

Summary Background Reestablishing epithelial integrity and biosynthetic capacity is critically important following tissue damage. The adult Drosophila abdominal epithelium provides an attractive new system to address how postmitotic diploid cells contribute to repair. Results Puncture wounds to the adult Drosophila epidermis close initially by forming a melanized scab. We found that epithelial cells near the wound site fuse to form a giant syncytium, which sends lamellae under the scab to re-epithelialize the damaged site. Other large cells arise more peripherally by initiating endocycles and becoming polyploid, or by cell fusion. Rac GTPase activity is needed for syncytium formation, while the Hippo signaling effector Yorkie modulates both polyploidization and cell fusion. Large cell formation is functionally important because when both polyploidization and fusion are blocked, wounds do not re-epithelialize. Conclusions Our observations indicate that cell mass lost upon wounding can be replaced by polyploidization instead of mitotic proliferation. We propose that large cells generated by polyploidization or cell fusion are essential because they are better able than diploid cells to mechanically stabilize wounds, especially those containing permanent acellular structures, such as scar tissue.
Down-shifting of high frequency components in non-linear interferometry

Abstract Theoretical and experimental results are presented that demonstrate a scheme by which one can significantly decrease the modulation frequencies that obtain in interferometric versions of non-linear spectroscopies. This “down-shifting” scheme, by reducing dramatically the number of data points needed to characterize a given spectral region at a given resolution, renders feasible high resolution molecular spectroscopic studies that would otherwise be impractical due to data collection time constraints.
Zebrafish cadherin-11 participates in retinal differentiation and retinotectal axon projection during visual system development.

Background: Cadherins orchestrate tissue morphogenesis by controlling cell adhesion, migration and differentiation. Various cadherin family members are expressed in the retina and other neural tissues during embryogenesis, regulating development of these tissues. Cadherin-11 (Cdh11) is expressed in mesenchymal, bone, epithelial, neural and other tissues, and this cadherin was shown to control cell migration and differentiation in neural crest, tumor and bone cells. Our previous studies characterized Cdh11 expression and function in zebrafish. Results: Here, we report effects of Cdh11 loss-of-function on visual system development using morpholino oligonucleotide knockdown methods. Cdh11 is expressed in the retina and lens during retinal differentiation. Cdh11 loss-of-function produced defects in retinal differentiation and lens development. Cdh11 loss-of-function also reduced retinotectal axon projection and organization, consistent with known Cdh11 function in cell migration. Conclusion: Cdh11 expression in the developing visual system and Cdh11 loss-of-function phenotype illustrates the critical role for differential cadherin activity in visual system differentiation and organization. Developmental Dynamics 241:442–454, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A study of ion binding in the hemolymph of Periplaneta americana.

Abstract 1. 1. The concentrations of the major inorganic ions in the hemolymph of Periplaneta americana were determined as follows (in mM): Na+, 132; K+, 8.7; Mg2+, 4.7; Ca2+, 3.7; Cl−, 107; PO3−4, 1.04. 2. 2. By the method of ultrafiltration, significant binding to macromolecules in hemolymph was demonstrated for the following ions: Na+, 22.0%; Mg2+, 25.5%; Ca2+, 16.2%; C1−, 10.3%; PO3−4, 26.9%. 3. 3. K+ was not bound significantly to macromolecules in hemolymph.
Characteristics and purification of an oxygen insensitive azoreductase from Caulobacter subvibrioides strain C7-D

An azo dye-degrading bacterium, Caulobacter subvibrioides strain C7-D, semi-constitutively produces an azoreductase that reduced the azo bond of the dyes Acid Orange (AO) 6, AO7, AO8, AO12, Acid Red (AR) 88, AR151, and Methyl Red (MR). This activity was oxygen insensitive. Of the dyes tested, AO7 was the best inducer and the most rapidly reduced substrate suggesting that dye AO7 most closely mimics the natural physiological substrate for this enzyme. The K m for AO7 was 1 μM. Purification of the azoreductase from C. subvibrioides strain C7-D was achieved through dye-ligand affinity chromatography using the dye Orange-A covalently coupled to an agarose support. The azoreductase is approximately 30 kDa and enzyme studies indicate a single azoreductase. The optimal activity, pH, cofactor usage, substrate specificity, molecular weight and K m characteristics of the enzyme set it apart from other known oxygen-insensitive azoreductases.
The α promoter regulator-ovalbumin chimeric gene resident in human cells is regulated like the authentic α 4 gene after infection with herpes simplex virus 1 mutants in α 4 gene

Abstract Human TK − 143 cells were converted to TK + phenotype with a plasmid containing the native herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), thymidine kinase, a β gene, and a chimeric ovalbumin gene consisting of the coding sequences of the ovalbumin gene linked to the promoter-regulatory region of the HSV-1 α 4 gene. Comparison of the synthesis of ovalbumin and the α 4 gene product in the converted cells infected with ts mutants in α 4 gene and incubated at the permissive (33°C) and nonpermissive (39°C) temperatures revealed the following. (i) The synthesis of both ovalbumin and α 4 gene product was transiently induced at the permissive temperature but continued at elevated levels for many hours at the nonpermissive temperature. (ii) The synthesis of both ovalbumin and α 4 gene products resumed when the infected cells were shifted from permissive to nonpermissive temperature after the shut-off of α protein synthesis. (iii) Although both the β-TK and α 4-ovalbumin chimeric genes were covalently linked on the same plasmid, each was regulated independently. We conclude that α gene regulation is determined solely by (a) the inducer and (b) the induction sequence contained in the promoter-regulatory region and not by the location or the higher order structure of the immediate environment of the gene.
Electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry of multimeric metalloproteins

Abstract Five multimeric metalloprotein species are examined by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Isotopically resolved mass spectra are obtained for noncovalent complexes with masses ranging from 25 to 86 kDa. Samples must be rigorously desalted, as these large molecules offer more sites for proton-sodium exchange, and the heterogeneity of multiply sodiated species causes a decrease in the duration of the beat signal in the acquired transient, and thus a decrease in signal to noise. Desalting methods reported by others for multimeric proteins, for example buffer exchange with citrate, cause loss of the metal center in the proteins studied here. Extensive dialysis was found to be necessary in order to observe isotopically resolved mass spectra. With these methods, multimeric complexes are observed for iron–sulfur proteins as well as heme proteins.
Pulsed wire magnetic field measurements on a 4.3 m long wiggler

Abstract The magnetic field of the Stanford-TRW free electron laser wiggler has been measured in situ using a 20 μs 1.8 A current pulse in a stretched wire and measuring the displacement of the travelling acoustic wave generated. Both the technique and our results are discussed. The 120 period wiggler in its present configuration has rms errors of 1.2% in the half-period field integral and 50 mrad in phase. The measurements have been used to set steering coils to cancel steering errors; residual steering errors are about 0.25 mrad for 65 MeV operation.
Measurement of blood flow to osseous tissue in dogs using the radiolabelled microsphere method

1. The purpose of this study was to examine bone blood flow in various intra- and extra-oral sites. 2. The radiolabelled microsphere method was utilized to assess osseous blood flow in the following regions of 10 dogs: rib, long bone, and anterior and posterior regions of the maxilla and mandible. 3. Samples of cancellous and cortical bone were also obtained from each of these regions with the exception of the maxilla and the anterior mandible. 4. Mean blood flow ranged from 3.71 +/- 0.81 (SE) ml min.-1 100 g-1 in the mandibular posterior cortical bone to 22.7 +/- 4.66 ml min-1 100 g-1 in the cancellous rib samples. 5. Blood flow to the cancellous tissue of the rib was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than the other tissues with the exception of maxillary posterior bone and cortical rib. 6. Results from this study indicate that blood flow to the maxillary posterior bone is relatively high, but blood flow in other intraoral osseous sites is significantly less than that of cancellous rib bone.
Women's Wages: Cohort Differences in Returns to Education and Training Over Time*

Objective. This article examines the effects of education and work-related training on wage-growth trajectories for two cohorts of women as they aged from their early 20s and 30s into their early 30 s and 40 s. I test whether occupational training compensates for an earlier lack of education, thereby decreasing earnings inequality over time within cohorts. Because the broader economic context may influence the relationship between wages, education, and training, I test the assumption that the experiences of a given cohort may be generalized to others. Methods. Following NLS Young Women between 1977 and 1987 and NLSY79 Women between 1988 and 1998, growth-curve analyses test whether returns to investments in human capital vary over time, across and within cohorts. Results. Women who did not update their skills over time experienced stagnation or declines in real wages, leading to growing wage inequality within education levels. However, women without a high school degree who engaged in on-the-job training experienced the greatest returns to training, thus reducing the initial education-based wage gap. Conclusion. Education and training in adulthood can deflect the accumulation of disadvantage, but can also solidify an already uneven distribution of resources across social strata.
Lack of Utility of Bronchial Brush Biopsy in Patients Infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

While bronchoalveolar lavage has been shown to be more sensitive than brush biopsy (BB) for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in AIDS patients, some have reported that BB occasionally is positive in spite of a negative BAL. Many bronchoscopists, therefore, continue to perform routine BB when doing bronchoscopy on AIDS patients. We performed a retrospective study of all fiberoptic bronchoscopies done on human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients over a one-year period at our institution to determine if the use of BB added to the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy over that of BAL alone. Of 84 bronchoscopies in which BB was performed in addition to BAL, BB yielded no diagnoses that were not obtained by BAL. Brush biopsy added approximately $400 to the cost of bronchoscopy. We conclude that BB should not be routinely done when performing bronchoscopy on HIV-infected patients.
A mathematics for medicine: The Network Effect.

The theory of medicine and its compliment systems biology are intended to explain the workings of the large number of mutually interdependent complex physiologic networks in the human body, and to apply that understanding to maintaining the functions for which nature designed them. Therefore, when what had originally been made as a simplifying assumption or a working hypothesis becomes foundational to understanding the operation of physiologic networks, it is in the best interests of science to replace or at least update that assumption. The replacement process requires, among other things, an evaluation of how the new hypothesis affects modern day understanding of medical science. This paper identifies linear dynamics and Normal statistics as being such arcane assumptions and explores some implications of their retirement. Specifically, we explore replacing Normal with fractal statistics, and examine how the latter are related to nonlinear dynamics and chaos theory. The observed ubiquity of inverse power laws in physiology entails the need for a new calculus, one that describes the dynamics of fractional phenomena and captures the fractal properties of the statistics of physiological time series. We identify these properties as a necessary consequence of the complexity resulting from the network dynamics, and refer to them collectively as The Network Effect.
The Return of ‘The Subliminal’:

Across forty blocks of trials, words were alternately imaged and apperceived on trials 1–6 and subliminally perceived on trial 7. Thereafter, one word from trial 1–7 was paired with a distractor, and forty-five subjects selected either the word “perceived” during trials 1–7 or the word “experienced (imaged or perceived)” during trials 1–7. The probability of recognizing subliminal words as “perceived” was chance; the probability of recognizing subliminal words as “experienced” was above chance. This result is consistent with Fechner's definition of “the subliminal” as conscious sensation below the limen for apperception or self-consciousness that one is perceiving.
Naltrexone and combined behavioral intervention effects on trajectories of drinking in the COMBINE study.

Objective COMBINE is the largest study of pharmacotherapy for alcoholism in the United States to date, designed to answer questions about the benefits of combining behavioral and pharmacological interventions. Trajectory-based analyses of daily drinking data allowed identification of distinct drinking trajectories in smaller studies and demonstrated significant naltrexone effects even when primary analyses on summary drinking measures were unsuccessful. The objective of this study was to replicate and refine trajectory estimation and to assess effects of naltrexone, acamprosate and therapy on the probabilities of following particular trajectories in COMBINE. It was hypothesized that different treatments may affect different trajectories of drinking.
Development and Application of an in Vivo Plant Peroxisome Import System

The purposes of this study are to develop an in vivo cell system that is suitable for the immunofluorescent detection of transiently expressed proteins targeted to plant peroxisomes and to determine whether a C-terminal serine-lysine-leucine (SKL) tripeptide, a consensus-targeting signal for mammalian peroxisomes, also targets proteins to plant peroxisomes. Protoplasts from mesophyll cells and from suspension-cultured cells initially were examined for their potential as an in vivo import system. Several were found suitable, but based on a combination of criteria, suspension-cultured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Bright Yellow 2) cells (TBY-2) were chosen. The tobacco cell extracts had catalase activity, and two polypeptides of approximately 55 and 57 kD specifically were detected on immunoblots with anti-cottonseed catalase immunoglobulins G as the probe. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy with these immunoglobulins G revealed a punctate labeling pattern indicative of endogenous catalase localization within putative TBY-2 peroxisomes. The cells did not have to be completely converted to protoplasts for optimal microscopy; treatment with 0.1% (w/v) pectolyase for 2 h was sufficient. Microprojectile bombardment proved superior for transient transformation of the TBY-2 cells with plasmids encoding beta-glucuronidase, or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), or CAT with an added C-terminal tripeptide (CAT-SKL). C-terminal SKL is a consensus, type 1, peroxisome targeting signal. Double indirect immunofluorescent labeling showed that CAT-SKL co-localized with endogenous catalase. Non-punctate, diffuse localization of CAT without SKL provided direct evidence that the C-terminal SKL tripeptide was necessary and sufficient for targeting of CAT to plant peroxisomes. These data demonstrate the effectiveness of this peroxisome targeting signal for plant cells.
Activation of factor X and thrombin zymogens in 25% sodium citrate solution

Abstract No significant amounts of thrombin formed when purified prothrombin, prethrombin 1, or prethrombin 2 were separately dissolved in 25% sodium citrate solution even if purified thrombin was also added. Purified Factor X remained inactive but converted to Factor Xa when seeded with Factor Xa or thrombin. Autocatalysis occurs with Factor X. Mixtures of Factor X and prothrombin, Factor X and prethrombin 1, or Factor X and prethrombin 2, rapidly generated thrombin and β-Factor Xa. In the latter two combinations the process was accelerated by purified prothrombin fragment 2. Thrombin zymogens serve as substrates for Factor X and Factor X serves as a substrate for thrombin zymogens. This has been called reciprocal proenzyme activation. The zymogen is not as active with respect to itself as with respect to the other proenzyme. The old observation (Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 72: 677–680 (1949)) is interpreted on the basis of reciprocal proenzyme activation, instead of autocatalysis of prothrombin.
Tissue plasminogen activator and plasmin independently decrease human neutrophil activation.

Abstract Tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasmin both decrease platelet aggregation, which may contribute to thrombolysis and tissue salvage. Since neutrophils may contribute to reperfusion injury, we examined the effects of t-PA and plasmin on human neutrophil function. t-PA (1 to 100μg/ml) decreased f-MLP-induced chemotaxis and ionophore A23187-induced superoxide and LTB 4 release in isolated neutrophils, and these effects were not blocked by the plasmin-inhibitor e-aminocaproic acid (e-ACA). On the other hand, plasmin (0.05 to 0.5 units/ml) also decreased these neutrophil functions but its effects were blocked in the presence of e-ACA. Thus, while both t-PA and plasmin decrease neutrophil functions, effects of t-PA are independent of plasmin generation. Cumulative effects of t-PA and plasmin on neutrophil functions may relate to the overall efficacy of t-PA in thrombotic disorders.
The role of leadership self-efficacy and stereotype activation on cardiovascular, behavioral and self-report responses in the leadership domain

Abstract This research examines female leaders' responses to the gender–leader stereotype and the role of leadership self-efficacy in these responses. Using the biopsychosocial model of threat and challenge, this laboratory experiment examined women's cardiovascular, behavioral (i.e., performance), and self-report responses to the negative female leader stereotype as a function of leadership efficacy. Female participants, selected on leadership efficacy scores, served as leaders of ostensible three-person groups within an immersive virtual environment. Half were explicitly primed with the negative stereotype. As predicted, women with high, as opposed to low, percepts of leadership self-efficacy exhibited cardiovascular patterns of threat when performing the leadership task, and they performed better in the explicit stereotype activation condition compared to those not explicitly primed. Additionally, this threat was consistent with positive reactance responses on behavioral and self-report measures. Low efficacy leaders were not threatened, but they did show stereotype priming effects by assimilating to the negative stereotype on the self-report and behavioral measures. This research provides greater insight into stereotype reactance effects and highlights the role of self-efficacy in moderating stereotype threat and stereotype priming effects.
Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction studies on the structures of polyurethane films and their effects on adhesion to Al substrates

Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction was carried out to analyze the structure of polyurethane films as a function of X-ray penetration depth by varying the angle of incidence. Coherence lengths, interplanar spacings, and crystallinities were obtained for non-aged and aged films of OH numbers of 120, 375, and 600 bonded to an aluminum substrate. Aging led to the improvement of bulk crystallinity of all the samples, particularly in the case of the aged PU-375 film, for which a dramatic increase of the bond strength was observed. The crystallinity of non-aged samples varied from the air/polymer surface down to the polymer/aluminum interface. Invariance of coherence length from air surface to interface was observed for PU-120 and PU-375 samples, implying that substrate-induced ordering has little effect on the average crystallite size. As the X-ray penetration increases near the polymer/Al interface, interplanar spacing of (021) reflection in all the films approach the value found for a bulk polyurethane-urea by Ishihara et al. The bond strength of the polyurethane film to the aluminum was exponentially proportional to the crystallinity including the crystalline interphase formed near the substrate. It is also found that the polymer film containing more (100) planes provided higher bond strength.
Studies of the blue-green fluorescence from iodine molecules excited by A 193 nm ArF laser

Abstract The fluorescence behavior of a molecular iodine band at 510 nm is presented. This band is excited when iodine molecules absorb the 193 nm radiation of an ArF laser in the presence of buffer gases. A comparison is made between this band and the well known 342 nm band of I 2 .
Disambiguation and spelling correction for a neural network based character recognition system

Various approaches have been proposed over the years for using contextual and linguistic information to improve the recognition rates of existing OCR systems. However, there is an intermediate level of information that is currently underutilized for this task: confidence measures derived from the recognition system. This paper describes a high-performance recognition system that utilizes identification of field type coupled with field-level disambiguation and a spell-correction algorithm to significantly improve raw recognition outputs. This paper details the implementation of a high-accuracy machine-print character recognition system based on backpropagation neural networks. The system makes use of neural net confidences at every stage to make decisions and improve overall performance. It employs disambiguation rules and a robust spell-correction algorithm to enhance recognition. These processing techniques have led to substantial improvements of recognition rates in large scale tests on images of postal addresses.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
HIV-1 Virology: Simply MArvelous nuclear transport

HIV-1 MA protein is a viral membrane protein, but it is also involved in nuclear import of the preinitiation complex; the latter requires transfer of some MA molecules to the maturing core particle during virus assembly.
Effects of Topical Location, Branding Techniques and Changes in Hue on Recognition of Cold Brands in Centrarchid and Salmonid Fish

Abstract Cold branding with liquid nitrogen as a coolant appears to have an excellent potential for producing a durable recognizable mark on fish. The most frequent complaint voiced against cold branding has been a high variability in the quality and subsequent recognition of the mark. Four aspects of cold branding were tested and found to be effective in reducing variability in the quality of the brands. These are: use of branding tips with open simple designs and thin clean lines, application of the brand to selected locations on the fishes for a controlled period of time, and utilization of the ability of fishes to change hues during subsequent examinations for marks.
We know why coffee cools

Abstract Much is made of the mysterious directionality of thermodynamic time and its contrast to the near temporal symmetry of the underlying dynamical laws of Nature. I point out that if you are reasonably modest with respect to the “why” of this paper's title, the answer is known and is not particularly complicated. The basic reason is that the universe is expanding (as first emphasized in this context by T. Gold) and as a result, at about 380 000 years of age, underwent a transition (because of expansion-induced cooling) from being dominated by short-range forces to being dominated by long-range forces. The most likely states under one regime (homogeneous) became extremely unlikely under the successor regime. Proceeding from that unlikely state many billions of years ago continues to fuel the negentropy flow that maintains our thermodynamic arrow.
The Absent Presence of Race in Educational Reform

Abstract It would not be possible to fully understand the history, current status, and the multiple effects of current educational policy in either the UK or the US without placing ‘race’ as a core element of one's analysis. Arguing that race is a social construction, this essay examines the ways race may function as an absent presence in discussions of markets and standards. It argues that critical analyses in education devote considerably more attention to the politics of ‘whiteness’ that underpins both new social identities and important aspects of educational policy. [1] An earlier draft of this essay was presented at the symposium on ‘Racism and reform in the United Kingdom: the market, selection, and inequality’, American Educational Research Association, San Diego, April, 1998.
The critical incident technique: A flexible method for the identification of salient product attributes

A number of techniques have been developed for product attribute research, such as depth interviewing or focused group interviewing of a small sample of respondents. One major limitation of such techniques is the long interview time per respondent. However, without prior knowledge of attributes it is difficult to specify the relevant question in advance and a shorter interview may miss uncovering important information. In view of such conflicting demands for less time and more information, a compromise solution can perhaps be found in making use of the ‘critical incident’ method of research investigation. This method seems to offer advantages, especially to the practising marketers. The present study is concerned with developing a conceptual approach to the development and use of the ‘critical incident’ approach to consumer behavior studies. It illustrates that through a semi-structured depth interview approach it would be possible to identify the nature and significance of key elements in the product attributes of importance to consumers. Additionally, the descriminant and predictive ability of such ‘critical elements’ has been investigated through an empirical example.
Infusion of five percent dextrose increases mortality and morbidity following six minutes of cardiac arrest in resuscitated dogs

UDDEN CARDIAC ARREST is a leading cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for approximately 384,000 deaths per year.’ The standardization of cardiac life support protocols, the establishment of rapid response emergency medical systems, and the education and certification of both medical and lay personnel have reduced the mortality associated with sudden cardiac arrest; however, mortality rates in most areas are still approximately 85%.2 Cardiac arrest protocols include the initial establishment of a venous access to facilitate drug administration. The patency of this access is maintained with a continuous infusion of fluids which routinely contain 5% dextrose. When an individual is found unconscious and no history is available, an ampule of 50% dextrose is frequently administered to correct for possible hypoglycemia. These uses of dextrose are generally considered either beneficial or at least innocuous. The treatment groups in this study were specifically designed to evaluate the use of dextrose in an experimental model mimicking the clinical setting of cardiac arrest.
Myelinated sensory and alpha motor axon regeneration in peripheral nerve neuromas

Histochemical staining for carbonic anhydrase and cholinesterase (CE) activities was used to analyze sensory and motor axon regeneration, respectively, during neuroma formation in transected and tube-encapsulated peripheral nerves. Median-ulnar and sciatic nerves in the rodent model permitted testing whether a 4 cm greater distance of the motor neuron soma from axotomy site or intrinsic differences between motor and sensory neurons influenced regeneration and neuroma formation 10, 30, and 90 days later. Ventral root radiculotomy confirmed that CE-stained axons were 97% alpha motor axons. Distance significantly delayed axon regeneration. When distance was negligible, sensory axons grew out sooner than motor axons, but motor axons regenerated to a greater quantity. These results indicate regeneration differences between axon subtypes and suggest more extensive branching of motor axons within the neuroma. Thus, both distance from injury site to soma and inherent motor and sensory differences should be considered in peripheral nerve repair strategies.
Ovarian plasminogen activator: Relationship to ovulation and hormonal regulation

Abstract A technique is described for detecting fibrinolytic activity of single cells in culture. This method was applied to the analysis of rat ovarian granulosa cells. Cells obtained from follicles shortly before ovulation show high levels of fibrinolytic activity. This activity is plasminogen-dependent, indicating that it is due to plasminogen activator. The appearance of this activity is correlated with ovulation by temporal and functional criteria, and can be demonstrated both in immature animals primed with hormones and in mature cycling animals. Granulosa cell cultures can be stimulated to release plasminogen activator by exposure in vitro either to luteinizing hormone or to dibutyryl cyclic AMP.
Alcohol Consumption, Alcohol Dependence, and All-Cause Mortality

Background: This study examined the effects of alcohol consumption and DSM-IV alcohol dependence on the risk of mortality. Methods: Data from the 1988 National Health Interview Survey Alcohol Supplement were matched to the National Death Index for the years 1988 to 1995 (baseline n= 37,682 U.S. adults age ≥25 linked to 3,586 deaths). All mortality analyses were based on proportional hazards models that adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, income, labor force status, body mass index, smoking status, and poor health indicators at baseline. Results: When dependence was not considered and all past-year abstainers were used as the reference group, both light and moderate drinkers exhibited a reduced risk of mortality, with hazards ratios of 0.76 (0.68–0.84) and 0.84 (0.74–0.96). Heavy drinkers had about the same risk of dying as did past-year abstainers, and very heavy drinkers had an increased risk that was not significant (OR = 1.17, CI = 0.93–1.47). When lifetime abstainers were used as the reference category, the protective effect of moderate drinking fell short of significance, and there were nearly significant increased risks among former drinkers and very heavy drinkers. When dependence was considered, light and moderate drinkers without dependence had a reduced mortality risk regardless of reference group, and there was no significant effect among heavy or very heavy drinkers without dependence. Among dependent drinkers, there was no protective effect of light or moderate drinking, and very heavy drinkers had a significantly increased risk (OR = 1.56 relative to past-year abstainers and 1.65 relative to lifetime abstainers). Conclusions: Because alcohol dependence nullifies the protective effect of light and moderate drinking, it is important to understand its role as an independent risk factor for mortality. Differences between dependent and nondependent drinkers who drank comparable amounts suggest that this risk may result from longer and heavier drinking histories before baseline, more severe health problems at baseline, more heavy episodic drinking, and, possibly, differences in beverage preference.
A comprehensive mouse IBD database for the efficient localization of quantitative trait loci

Traditional fine-mapping approaches in mouse genetics that go from a linkage region to a candidate gene are very costly and time consuming. Shared ancestry regions, along with the combination of genetics and genomics approaches, provide a powerful tool to shorten the time and effort required to identify a causative gene. In this article we present a novel methodology that predicts IBD (identical by descent) regions between pairs of inbred strains using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) maps. We have validated this approach by comparing the IBD regions, estimated using different algorithms, to the results derived using the sequence information in the strains present in the Celera Mouse Database. We showed that based on the current publicly available SNP genotypes, large IBD regions (>1 Mb) can be identified successfully. By assembling a list of 21,514 SNPs in 61 common inbred strains, we inferred IBD regions between all pairs of strains and confirmed, for the first time, that existing quantitative trait genes (QTG) and susceptibility genes all lie outside of IBD regions. We also illustrated how knowledge of IBD structures can be applied to strain selection for future crosses. We have made our results available for data mining and download through a public website ( http://www.mouseibd. florida.scripps.edu ).
Applications of color machine vision in the agricultural and food industries

Color is an important factor in Agricultural and the Food Industry. Agricultural or prepared food products are often grade by producers and consumers using color parameters. Color is used to estimate maturity, sort produce for defects, but also perform genetic screenings or make an aesthetic judgement. The task of sorting produce following a color scale is very complex, requires special illumination and training. Also, this task cannot be performed for long durations without fatigue and loss of accuracy. This paper describes a machine vision system designed to perform color classification in real-time. Applications for sorting a variety of agricultural products are included: e.g. seeds, meat, baked goods, plant and wood.FIrst the theory of color classification of agricultural and biological materials is introduced. Then, some tools for classifier development are presented. Finally, the implementation of the algorithm on real-time image processing hardware and example applications for industry is described. This paper also presented an image analysis algorithm and a prototype machine vision system which was developed for industry. This system will automatically locate the surface of some plants using digital camera and predict information such as size, potential value and type of this plant. The algorithm developed will be feasible for real-time identification in an industrial environment.
Trace elements in volcanogenic manganese oxides and iron oxides; the San Francisco manganese deposit, Jalisco, Mexico

The San Francisco manganese deposit, located in western central Mexico in a Tertiary, continental-volcanic province, is composed of Mn oxides and Fe oxides. The small geographic extent of the tuffs which enclose the oxides, and their sorting, rounding of constituents, and distinct stratification, point to deposition in a small lacustrine basin. The stratigraphic conformity of the oxides with the tuffs and their purity and zoning pattern suggest precipitation as a chemical sediment from volcanic solutions, at a time of decreased volcaniclastic contributions. As the mineralizing solutions entered the depositional basin, the two oxides precipitated separately, Fe oxides closer to the source and Mn oxides farther from it, in response to a gradual increase in pH and Eh of the solutions through mixing with alkaline, oxygenated waters in the depositional basin.Spectrographic analyses for minor and trace elements reveal that both the Mn oxides and the Fe oxides in the San Francisco deposit are strongly enriched in As, Ba, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sr, and V compared to crustal averages. Except for V, the concentrations of these elements are higher in the Mn oxides than in the Fe oxides by factors ranging from 3 to 140. Thus, the Mn oxides reflect the composition of the mineralizing solutions much more strongly than the Fe oxides. Mineralogy and solubility calculations suggest that the minor elements were removed from solution by adsorption rather than by precipitation in response to saturation. Since both oxides when freshly precipitated adsorb minor elements strongly, the distinct partition is interpreted as a result of diagenetic recrystallization processes. During recrystallization, Ba, Sr, and Pb adsorbed on precipitating hydrous Mn oxides form manganates of the cryptomelane-hollandite group, and Cu can substitute for Mn in the lattice of mixed valence Mn oxides. These elements would be desorbed from recrystallizing Fe oxides because of their inability to form minerals with trivalent Fe or to substitute for Fe in the lattice of its oxides. Depending on the geochemical characteristics of the depositional basin, they would form sulfates or carbonates in situ, be built into spatially associated Mn oxides, or reprecipitate in genetically related sulfidic sediments. The less distinctly partitioned minor elements As, Mo, and V can be accommodated in both Mn and Fe oxides, by formation of arsenates, molybdates, and vanadates or by substitution for either Mn or Fe in their oxides.High concentrations of the minor elements which characterize the San Francisco deposit have been reported from other Mn and Fe oxide deposits of volcanic association. The presence or unusual concentration of these elements in Mn and Fe oxides, or in genetically related sulfates, carbonates, or sulfides, is supporting evidence for volcanic contributions to their formation.
Retinal pigment epithelial acid lipase activity and lipoprotein receptors: effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acids.

PURPOSE: To show that fish oil-derived omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, delivered to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) by circulating low-density lipoproteins (LDL), enhance already considerable RPE lysosomal acid lipase activity, providing for more efficient hydrolysis of intralysosomal RPE lipids, an effect that may help prevent development of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: Colorimetric biochemical and histochemical techniques were used to demonstrate RPE acid lipase in situ, in vitro, and after challenge with phagocytic stimuli. Receptor-mediated RPE uptake of fluorescently labeled native, aceto-acetylated, and oxidized LDL was studied in vitro and in vivo. LDL effects on RPE lysosomal enzymes were assessed. Lysosomal enzyme activity was compared in RPE cells from monkeys fed diets rich in fish oil to those from control animals and in cultured RPE cells exposed to sera from these monkeys. RESULTS: RPE acid lipase activity was substantial and comparable to that of mononuclear phagocytes. Acid lipase activity increased significantly following phagocytic challenge with photoreceptor outer segment (POS) membranes. Receptor-mediated RPE uptake of labeled lipoproteins was determined in vitro. Distinctive uptake of labeled lipoproteins occurred in RPE cells and mononuclear phagocytes in vivo. Native LDL enhanced RPE lysosomal enzyme activity. RPE lysosomal enzymes increased significantly in RPE cells from monkeys fed fish oil-rich diets and in cultured RPE cells exposed to their sera. CONCLUSIONS: RPE cells contain substantial acid lipase for efficient metabolism of lipids imbibed by POS phagocytosis and LDL uptake. Diets rich in fish oil-derived omega-3 fatty acids, by enhancing acid lipase, may reduce RPE lipofuscin accumulation, RPE oxidative damage, and the development of ARMD.
Diffusion With Time-Varying Diffusivity, With Application to Moisture-Sorption in Composites

This paper concerns the diffusion equation when the diffusion co efficient varies with time. It has been agreed that the sorption of moisture in composites is described by the diffusion equation and that the diffusion coefficient is highly sensitive to temperature. When the temperature varies with time, as during a "thermal spike", the diffusion coefficient becomes time dependent.It is shown in this paper that the above time-variation can be treated simply and efficiently with the aid of a simple transformation. This trans formation permits the utilization of all the available solutions, that were based on a time-independent diffusion coefficient, upon a simple and easy adjustment in the time-scale.
InGaN/Si heterojunction tandem solar cells

Tandem solar cells using InxGa1-xN heterojunctions with silicon as the active junction were fabricated using gas-source molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and by a novel deposition method incorporating an energetic nitrogen atom source. N-type InGaN layers were grown on p-Si(111) to evaluate predicted low-resistance tunnel junction properties. Ohmic behavior was observed, showing that these junctions can be used to connect the two pn subcells of an InGaN/Si tandem without the requirement of the heavily doped layers used in current multijunction cells. Undoped and Mg-doped films were grown by MBE on n-Si(111) using a AlN buffer layer. Depletion is observed on the Si side of the junction and efficiencies approaching 5% were measured for this “hybrid” cell design. Conditions for achieving depletion on the p-InGaN and producing a “single-junction” tandem cell are discussed.
Bio/Abiotic Interface Constructed from Nanoscale DNA Dendrimer and Conducting Polymer for Ultrasensitive Biomolecular Diagnosis

For sensors detecting immobilized biomarkers, the interface between the surface and the fluid medium plays an important role in determining the levels of signal and noise in the electrochemical detection process. When protein is directly immobilized on the metal electrode, denaturation of the protein by surface-protein interaction results in low activity and low signal level. A conducting polymer-based interface can prevent the protein conformation change and alleviate this problem. A DNA dendrimer is introduced into the interfacial film on the sensor surface to further improve the sensor performance. DNA dendrimer is a nanoscale dendrite constructed of short DNA sequences, which can be easily incorporated into the abiotic conducting polymer matrix and is biocompatible with most biological species. In this work, DNA dendrimer and polypyrrole (DDPpy) form the bio/abiotic interface on electrochemical sensors. Detection of two salivary protein markers (IL-8 and IL-1beta) and one mRNA salivary marker (IL-8) is used to demonstrate the efficiency of the DDPpy sensor. A limit of detection (LOD) of protein of 100-200 fg mL(-1) is achieved, which is three orders of magnitude better than that without the DNA dendrimer interface. An LOD of 10 aM is established for IL-8 mRNA. The typical sample volume used in the detection is 4 microL, thus the LOD reaches only 25 target molecules (40 yoctomole).