cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Narrowing of the upper abdominal inferior vena cava in patients with elevated intraabdominal pressure.

Background: Previous investigators have suggested that narrowing of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) occurs in patients with increased intraabdominal pressure (IAP).
An efficient method for computer-aided dosage form design

It is desirable to have slow-release dosage form to be taken once daily, or at most twice daily, as compared to three or four times in a single day. However, the existing computer-aided dosage form design method requires a large amount of computer time when applied to nonlinear disposition drugs. This large commitment of computer time makes it inconvenient to study the feasibility for prolonged-release products containing such drugs. Instead of evaluating all possible combinations of the amount of dose and release rates that produce acceptable steady-state plasma concentrations, only the contour of the dose-release rate domain needs to be determined. An image boundary tracking method has been used to determine such contours. When combined with several modifications of the numerical solution process, the acceptable dose and release rate constants can be determined efficiently. When this modified boundary tracking method was applied to phenytoin, which exhibits nonlinear disposition, the required computer time was reduced to about 5% of the previous method, making the dosage form feasibility assessment practical.
The effect of diapause on neutral lipids in the pitcher-plant mosquito Wyeomyia smithii as determined by HPTLC-densitometry

Diapause in insects typically results in metabolic adjustments that may include the levels of feeding and activity, metabolic rate, and the accumulation and utilization of reserves. The objective of this study was to characterize and quantify the various neutral lipid classes in the pitcher-plant mosquito (Wyeomyia smithii) that are associated with photoperiod-induced diapause. We used high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) with 10 cm × 20 cm silica gel plates, petroleum ether-diethyl ether-glacial acetic acid 80:20:1 as the mobile phase, and 5% ethanolic phosphomolybdic acid solution as detection reagent to determine the percentage of replicate larvae samples (consisting of 16–31 larvae) that contained free sterols (FS), free fatty acids (FFA), triacylglycerols (TG), methyl esters (ME), and steryl esters (SE). Irrespective of the growth treatment (shortdays or long-days), the greatest concentrations of neutral lipids in all samples examined were TG. The effects of day length were such that du...
On generalized Moore geometries, II

Abstract Explicit formula are given for the minimal polynomial and the multiplicities of the eigenvalues of a generalized Moore geometry. These are used to show that the diameter can have only one of a finite number of possible values, the largest of which is 161.
Functional Response Models to Estimate Feeding Rates of Wading Birds

Abstract. Forager (predator) abundance may mediate feeding rates in wading birds. Yet, when modeled, feeding rates are typically derived from the purely prey-dependent Holling Type II (HoII) functional response model. Estimates of feeding rates are necessary to evaluate wading bird foraging strategies and their role in food webs; thus, models that incorporate predator dependence warrant consideration. Here, data collected in a mangrove swamp in Puerto Rico in 1994 were reanalyzed, reporting feeding rates for mixed-species flocks after comparing fits of the HoII model, as used in the original work, to the Beddington-DeAngelis (BD) and Crowley-Martin (CM) predator-dependent models. Model CM received most support (AIC c wi = 0.44), but models BD and HoII were plausible alternatives (ΔAIC c ≤ 2). Results suggested that feeding rates were constrained by predator abundance. Reductions in rates were attributed to interference, which was consistent with the independently observed increase in aggression as flock s...
An investigation of the role played by the superior colliculus and ventromedial thalamus in self-injurious behavior produced by intranigral microinjection of muscimol

Bilateral injection of muscimol (30 or 60 ng) into the substantia nigra (pars reticulata) of rats produced a variety of stereotyped acts, self-injurious behavior (SIB), and antinociception. Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the superior colliculus strongly suppressed SIB without reducing the antinociceptive effects of intranigral muscimol. Electrolytic lesions of the ventromedial thalamus had no effect on behavioral responses to intranigral muscimol. These studies suggest that the SIB produced by intranigral muscimol is mediated by neuronal pathways that terminate in or pass through the superior colliculus. The ventromedial thalamus does not appear to play a role in mediating behavioral responses to intranigral muscimol.
The Influence of Land Use on Lake Nutrients Varies with Watershed Transport Capacity

Nutrient loading to lakes depends on both the availability of nutrients in a watershed and their potential for movement to a lake. Many studies have demonstrated that variation in watershed land use can translate to differences in lake water quality by affecting nutrient availability. There have been few attempts, however, to understand how loading to surface waters is affected by land use when there are differences in watershed transport capacity. We compared the relationship between land use/cover and lake nutrients in lakes draining watersheds that exhibited high and low transport capacity using a 5 year (2001–2005) dataset describing the chemistry of 101 lakes and reservoirs in a region of intensive agriculture. We measured watershed transport capacity by compositing the hydrologic, geologic, and topographic variables correlated with interannual variability in lake total nitrogen (TN) or phosphorus (TP) because the hydrologic permeability of watersheds amplifies downstream responses to rainfall events. Factors describing watershed transport capacity differed for TN and TP, consistent with differences in nutrient mobility and biogeochemistry. Partial least squares regression revealed that watershed transport capacity influenced the nature of the association between land use/cover and lake chemistry. In watersheds with low transport capacity, in-lake processes and near-shore land use/cover tended to be more influential, whereas, in watersheds with high transport capacity, land use/cover across the entire watershed was important for explaining lake chemistry. Thus, although land use is a key driver of nutrient loading to lakes, the extent to which it influences water quality can vary with watershed transport capacity.
DBR-free optically pumped semiconductor disk lasers

Optically pumped semiconductor disk lasers (SDLs) provide high beam quality with high average-power power at designer wavelengths. However, material choices are limited by the need for a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), usually monolithically integrated with the active region. We demonstrate DBR-free SDL active regions, which have been lifted off and bonded to various transparent substrates. For an InGaAs multi-quantum well sample bonded to a diamond window heat spreader, we achieved CW lasing with an output power of 2 W at 1150 nm with good beam quality.
Serum proteins and their conjugates in mice.

L'electrophorese sur papier permet un fractionnement des proteines et des lipides du sang chez les souris. La distribution des diverses fractions est intermediaire entre celle du rat et celle de l'homme. Il existe des differences entre diverses souches de souris, ainsi qu'entre souris obeses et non obeses. Les methodes employees ici, quoique faisant ressortir les anomalises accompagnant l'obesite, ne permettent pas de differencier entre les divers types d'obesites.
Traumatic basilar aneurysm after endoscopic third ventriculostomy: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: This case illustrates that although endoscopic third ventriculostomy for patients with aqueductal stenosis is successful and minimally invasive, it can have severe, life-threatening complications. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 3-year-old girl presented with hydrocephalus and aqueductal stenosis. She underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy with laser fenestration of the third ventricular floor. During the procedure, she developed a severe intraventricular hemorrhage that required prolonged external ventricular drainage and ultimately ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Despite having a negative angiogram after the procedure, she presented 1 month later with a subarachnoid hemorrhage and a traumatic basilar tip aneurysm. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent a right subtemporal approach with clip ligation of the aneurysm and subsequently had a good recovery. CONCLUSION: Hemorrhagic complications after endoscopic third ventriculostomy are rare. The formation of a traumatic basilar tip aneurysm after this procedure has not been reported in the literature. Laser fenestration of the third ventricular floor may increase the risk of this event.
Cation and Cardiac Glycoside Binding Sites of the Na,K-ATPase

From the structural data obtained by systematically altering residues of the Na,K-ATPase, we are beginning to understand portions of how this active cation transporter couples hydrolysis of ATP with the vectorial movement of cations against their ionic gradients. In addition, the inhibitory action of cardiac glycosides and their interaction sites on the protein has focused our attentions on a catalytic core of the protein involving the H5-H6 transmembrane segment. In future investigations, both the ATP and the Na+ sites of the Na,K-ATPase must be uncovered to refine the structural picture of this complex transporter.
On the Probability of Coincidental Meteoritic Falls

By means of Poisson probabilities, the number of coincidental meteoritic falls in the United States is shown to be unreasonably large when the probabilities are based upon the density of total falls. Either some of the coincidental falls are not distinct falls or such factors as increased searching in the vicinity of known falls may account for the excess.
The unauthorized city: Late colonial Lusaka and postcolonial geography

This paper uses a case study of Lusaka, Zambia, to interrogate several aspects of the literature on postcolonial geography. I deploy two concepts from African postcolonial studies – the idea of exclusionary democracy and the concept of the domestication of difference – and assess the continuity in their applicability to Lusaka. More specifically, I examine the contention that both the political and the planning dynamics of the last years of colonialism are foundational to state–society relationships in contemporary Lusaka. Distinguishing two spheres for in-depth discussion – urban government and housing policy – I concentrate on the final years of colonialism, moving through to the contemporary setting, to examine if the roots still show for the processes creating exclusionary democracy and domesticating difference. I also examine the ambivalent and incomplete character of those processes. I close with an assessment of the broader meaning inherent in understanding Lusaka in postcolonial terms.
Acute Depigmentation of Fertile Brown Eggs in a Commercial Layer Operation

Rapid depigmentation of brown eggs is an infrequent but startling event in the commercial egg industry that can result in significant economic losses. Loss of shell pigment in brown-shelled eggs is caused by various factors. In many cases, the exact cause of flock-wide pigment loss remains undetermined. A rapid decline in shell pigmentation was observed in 2 flocks of Hyline brown layers. The lack of evidence of an infectious disease process suggested a feed or management problem. On the basis of a small-scale, "in-house" feeding trial, the feed was identified as the cause of depigmentation. Feed analysis by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide, a major component of nicarbazin (NCZ). There was no evidence of increased mortality, and only a slight but transient drop in the egg production was observed. Depigmentation effects were rapidly reversed after replacing the feed with NCZ-free feed.
Tilings of rectangles with T-tetrominoes

We prove that any two tilings of a rectangular region by T-tetrominoes are connected by moves involving only 2 and 4 tiles. We also show that the number of such tilings is an evaluation of the Tutte polynomial. The results are extended to a more general class of regions.
Quantifying Social Influence in an Online Cultural Market

We revisit experimental data from an online cultural market in which 14,000 users interact to download songs, and develop a simple model that can explain seemingly complex outcomes. Our results suggest that individual behavior is characterized by a two-step process–the decision to sample and the decision to download a song. Contrary to conventional wisdom, social influence is material to the first step only. The model also identifies the role of placement in mediating social signals, and suggests that in this market with anonymous feedback cues, social influence serves an informational rather than normative role.
Bragg scattering and wave-power extraction by an array of small buoys

Future designs of systems for power extraction from ocean waves will likely involve a periodic array of absorbing units. We report an asymptotic theory of scattering and radiation by a linear array of heaving buoys in a channel and attached to power-takeoff devices. The spacing between buoys is assumed to be comparable to the incident wavelength and sea depth but much greater than the buoy size. The effects of extraction rate on the buoy motion, transmission and reflection coefficients for a range of frequencies in and outside the band gap are studied. It is found that strong reflection for frequencies inside the band gap of Bragg resonance reduces the extraction efficiency significantly. For comparison an alternate theory for the efficiency away from the band gap is derived by using Froude-Krylov approximation. The predictions confirms and complements the asymptotic theory.
Assessing Happiness: How Economic Factors Measure Up

The perception of economics as a dismal science for killjoys is challenged with the development of happiness economics. The economics of happiness refers to the study of subjective well being compared to income, unemployment, and other economic factors. In addition, the field expands the notions of happiness and welfare past basic measures of utility simultaneously posing serious policy implications. For example, if an economic policy is not contributing to the happiness of its constituents then what is its purpose? Furthermore, are policy makers catering to the needs of individuals or larger entities like corporations? The development of the economics of happiness is important when addressing the true well-being of people relative to the economy. This study will assess the relationship between happiness and economic factors. The project will have a microeconomic framework and focus on individual well being. Specifically, it questions if one’s standard of living has a meaningful impact on their happiness level given the scarcity of time. The study will also explore the possible non-pecuniary factors that are important in relation to happiness. It is expected that nonpecuniary factors will have significant effect on happiness levels along with economic factors. This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol21/iss1/11
Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α Kinase and Phosphatase Activity during Postischemic Brain Reperfusion

Abstract When ischemic brain is reperfused, there is in vulnerable neurons immediate inhibition of protein synthesis associated with a large increase in phosphorylation of the α-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 [eIF2α, phosphorylated form eIF2α(P)]. We examined eIF2α kinase and eIF2α(P) phosphatase activity in brain homogenate postmitochondrial supernatants obtained from rats after 3 to 30 min of global brain ischemia (cardiac arrest), after 5 min of ischemia and 5 min of reperfusion (5R), and after 10 min of ischemia and 90 min reperfusion (90R). Because it has been suggested that PKR might be specifically responsible for producing eIF2α(P) during reperfusion, we also examined in brain homogenates from wild-type and PKR0/0C57BL/6J × 129/SV mice the effect of 5 min of ischemia and 5 min of reperfusion on eIF2α(P). Cytosolic brain eIF2α(P) in the 5R and 90R rats was 18- and 23-fold that of nonischemic controls without any change in the rate of eIF2α(P) dephosphorylation. There was no change in eIF2α kinase activity between 3 and 30 min of ischemia but an 85% decrease in the 5R group; the 90R group was similar to controls. In wild-type and PKR0/0mice total eIF2α was identical, and there was an identical 16-fold increase in eIF2α(P) at 5 min of reperfusion. Our observations contradict hypotheses that PKR activation, loss of eIF2α(P) phosphatase activity, or any general increase in eIF2α kinase activity are responsible for reperfusion-induced phosphorylation of eIF2α, and we suggest that the mechanism may involve regulation of the availability of eIF2α to a kinase.
Core Affect and the Psychological Construction of Emotion

At the heart of emotion, mood, and any other emotionally charged event are states experienced as simply feeling good or bad, energized or enervated. These states--called core affect--influence reflexes, perception, cognition, and behavior and are influenced by many causes internal and external, but people have no direct access to these causal connections. Core affect can therefore be experienced as free-floating (mood) or can be attributed to some cause (and thereby begin an emotional episode). These basic processes spawn a broad framework that includes perception of the core-affect-altering properties of stimuli, motives, empathy, emotional meta-experience, and affect versus emotion regulation; it accounts for prototypical emotional episodes, such as fear and anger, as core affect attributed to something plus various nonemotional processes.
LDPC codes for compression of multi-terminal sources with hidden Markov correlation

We propose the use of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes for compression of memory correlated binary sources. The correlation model between the sources is defined by a hidden Markov model. The resulting performance is close to the theoretical Slepian-Wolf (1973) limit. No information about the sources statistics is required in the encoding process.
This Fist Called My Heart: Public Pedagogy in the Belly of the Beast

utopia, a utopia grounded in the present, always operating “from the tension between the denunciation of a present becoming more and more intolerable, and the ‘annunciation,’ announcement, of a future to be created, built—politically, esthetically, and ethically—by us women and men”. Utopias are always in motion, they are never pre-given, they never exist as blueprints which would only ensure the “mechanical repetition of the present” but rather they exist within the movement of history itself, as opportunity and not as determinism. They are never guaranteed. Revolutionary critical pedagogy operates from an understanding that the basis of education is political and that spaces need to be created where students can imagine a different world outside of capitalism’s law of value (ie social form of labor), where alternatives to capitalism and capitalist institutions can be discussed and debated, and where dialogue can occur about why so many revolutions in past history turned into their opposite. We are constantly reminded of Che’s storied admonition that you can’t build a socialist society without at the same time creating a new human being. Echoing the question raised by Marx in his Theses to Feuerbach (“who will educate the educators”?), Che wrote in a speech in 1960: The first recipe for educating the people is to bring them into the revolution. Never assume that by educating the people they will learn, by education alone, with a despotic government on their backs, how to conquer their rights. Teach them, first and foremost, to conquer their rights and when they are represented in government they will effortlessly learn whatever is taught to them and much more. Those of us who work in the field of education must subject the social relations of everyday life to a different social logic—transforming them in terms of criteria that are not already steeped in the logic of commodification. Students can—and should—become resolute and intransigent adversaries of the values that lie at the heart of commodity capitalism. This implies building a new social culture, control of work by the associated producers and also the very transformation of the nature of work itself. We need to transform the social relations of production, including those extra-territorial economic powers that exceed the control of nation states. And we don’t need a social state as much as a socialist one. We need to do more than to counter the damage wreaked by capitalism; we need to create a society outside of capital’s value form. This brings us back to the BAA. Organizations like the BAA want to bring about a New American Century in tandem with the goals of the Bush administration. They are fearful of the pedagogies employed in classrooms because they fear the power of critique and of dissent. Like a virus they would like to infiltrate those remaining C © 2008 The Author Journal compilation C © 2008 Editorial Board of Antipode.
Objectively measured sleep quality and functional impairment in family caregivers of older adults with memory disorders

Poor sleep quality has been linked to functional impair-ment in several populations [1-4] but this association hasnot been investigated widely in family caregivers of olderadults with memory disorders. We investigated the associ-ation between objectively measured sleep and functionalstatus in a sample of family caregivers.
The role of social structural factors in treatment of mental health disorder

BackgroundMental disorder implies a biopsychosocial condition, so adequate mental health treatment involves not just medical and pharmacological care but also psychotherapy or counseling.AimsThe present study determined how social structural factors might explain accessing of primary care providers and specialty care providers in response to mental disorder, hypothesizing that the two broad types of care differ as to the likelihood of offering minimally adequate treatment.MethodWe analyzed data from the cross-sectional study called “2000–2001 Healthcare for Communities”, employing five imputed data sets to handle missing data and defining minimally adequate treatment of mental disorder as “at least four counseling sessions at any provider and prescribed medication”.ResultsWhile mental disorder can be treated in primary care or specialty facilities, our results show that minimally adequate treatment (as defined) is most likely to be obtained via specialty care.ConclusionFor individuals with mental disorder...
Acclimation of photosynthesis in relation to Rubisco and non‐structural carbohydrate contents and in situ carboxylase activity in Scirpus olneyi grown at elevated CO2 in the field

Stands of Scirpus olneyi, a native saltmarsh sedge with C 3 photosynthesis, had been exposed to normal ambient and elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentrations (C a ) in their native habitat since 1987. The objective of this investigation was to characterize the acclimation of photosynthesis of Scirpus olneyi stems, the photosynthesizing organs of this species, to long-term elevated C a treatment in relation to the concentrations of Rubisco and non-structural carbohydrates. Measurements were made on intact stems in the field under existing natural conditions and in the laboratory under controlled conditions on stems excised in the field early in the morning. Plants grown at elevated C a had a significantly higher (30-59%) net CO 2 assimilation rate (A) than those grown at ambient C a when measurements were performed on excised stems at the respective growth C a . However, when measurements were made at normal ambient C a , A was smaller (45-53%) in plants grown at elevated C a than in those grown at ambient C a . The reductions in A at normal ambient C a , carboxylation efficiency and in situ carboxylase activity were caused by a decreased Rubisco concentration (30-58%) in plants grown at elevated C a ; these plants also contained less soluble protein (39-52%). The Rubisco content was 43 to 58% of soluble protein, and this relationship was not significantly altered by the growth CO 2 concentrations. The Rubisco activation state increased slightly, but the in situ carboxylase activity decreased substantially in plants grown at elevated C a . When measurements were made on intact stems in the field, the elevated C a treatment caused a greater stimulation of A (100%) and a smaller reduction in carboxylation efficiency (which was not statistically significant) than when measurements were made on excised stems in the laboratory. The possible reasons for this are discussed. Plants grown at elevated C a contained more non-structural carbohydrates (25-53%) than those grown at ambient C a . Plants grown at elevated C a appear to have sufficient sink capacity to utilize the additional carbohydrates formed during photosynthesis. Overall, our results are in agreement with the hypothesis that elevated C a leads to an increased carbohydrate concentration and the ensuing acclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus in C 3 plants results in a reduction in the protein complement, especially Rubisco, which reduces the photosynthetic capacity in plants grown at elevated C a , relative to plants grown at normal ambient C a . Nevertheless, when compared at their respective growth C a , Scirpus olneyi plants grown at elevated C a in their native habitat maintained a substantially higher rate of photosynthesis than those grown at normal ambient C a even after 8 years of growth at elevated C a .
Dealing with Commodity Price Uncertainty

Market liberalization has increased the appeal of commodity derivative instruments (such as futures, options, swaps, and commodity-linked notes) as a means of managing price uncertainty. In many emerging countries both government and the private sector are increasingly using these instruments. Liberalization in commodity markets has brought profound changes in the way price risks are allocated and managed in commodity subsectors. Price risks are increasingly allocated to private traders and farmers rather than absorbed by the government. The success of market reform depends on the ability of the emerging private sector to make full use of the available range of modern commodity marketing, price risk management (such as futures, options, swaps, commodity bonds, and so on), and financing instruments. Because farmers do not generally have direct access to these instruments, intermediaries must be developed. Larger private traders and banks are in the best position to become these intermediaries. Preconditions needed for accessing modern commodity marketing, price risk management, and financing instruments are: Creating an appropriate legal, regulatory, and institutional framework. Reducing government intervention that crowds out private sector involvement. Providing training and raising awareness. Improving creditworthiness and reducing performance risk. The use of commodity derivative instruments to hedge commodity price risk is not new among developing countries. The private sector in many Asian and Latin American countries, for example, have been using commodity futures and options for some time. More recently, commodity derivative instruments are being used increasingly in several African countries and many economies in transition. And several developing and transition economies have sought to establish commodity derivative exchanges. This paper - a product of the Commodity Policy and Analysis Unit, International Economics Department - is part of a larger effort in the department to investigate alternative price risk management and finance systems under market liberalization.
A novel measure for pectus excavatum: the correction index.

Abstract Objective The Haller Index (HI), the standard metric for the severity of pectus excavatum, is dependent on width and does not assess the depth of the defect. Therefore, we performed a diagnostic analysis to assess the ability of HI to separate patients with pectus excavatum from healthy controls compared to a novel index. Methods After institutional review board approval, computed tomography scans were evaluated from patients who have undergone pectus excavatum repair and controls. The correction index (CI) used the minimum distance between posterior sternum and anterior spine and the maximum distance between anterior spine most anterior portion of the chest. The difference between the two is divided by the latter (×100) to give the percentage of chest depth the defect represents. Results There were 220 controls and 252 patients with pectus. Mean HI was 2.35, and the mean CI was 0.92 for the controls. The mean HI was 4.06, and the mean CI was 31.75 in the patients with pectus. In the patients with pectus, HI demonstrated a 47.8% overlap with the controls, while there was no overlap for CI. Conclusions The Haller index demonstrates 48% overlap between normal patients and those with pectus excavatum. However, the proposed correction index perfectly separates the normal and diseased populations.
Path planning for robotic manipulators with redundant degrees of freedom

The problem of path planning for robotic manipulators with redundant and nonredundant degrees of freedom is addressed. It is assumed that the motors for each joint are capable of achieving the commanded velocity within limits. Thus, the dynamic model is simplified and the main complexity is that of the kinematic relationships. Of primary interest is the problem of moving the end effector from point A to point B in an efficient manner, possibly in the presence of obstacles. A suboptimal solution is proposed and discussed. Examples are presented in order to compare the performance of the redundant and the nonredundant manipulators. >
Biphasic thyrotropin suppression in euthyroid and hypothyroid rats

To determine whether thyrotropin (TSH) suppression was characterized by a rapid and slow component in euthyroid rats, TSH concentrations were measured in concentrates of plasma pooled from groups of 8 euthyroid rats 24 h after injection of a single dose of triiodothyronine (T3). Plasma TSH decreased after T3 injection to values 3.2–5.9% of pre-T3-injection concentrations. The presence of TSH in plasma after single T3 injection and its absence (<0.25% of euthyroid values) after euthyroid rats were treated with T3, 2-4 μg/day for 43 days, indicate that, as in the hypothyroid rat, TSH suppression has both a rapid and slow component in the euthyroid rat. A small but statistically insignificant increase in TSH secretion occurred after injection of a high dose of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH; 1 μg/100 g BW) into T3-treated euthyroid or hypothyroid rats. This suggested that endogenous TRH did not play an important role in maintaining TSH secretion in the presence of high plasma T3 concentrations. The metab...
Association of Glyoxylate and Beta-Oxidation Enzymes with Peroxisomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Although peroxisomes are difficult to identify in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under ordinary growth conditions, they proliferate when cells are cultured on oleic acid. We used this finding to study the protein composition of these organelles in detail. Peroxisomes from oleic acid-grown cells were purified on a discontinuous sucrose gradient; they migrated to the 46 to 50% (wt/wt) sucrose interface. The peroxisomal fraction was identified morphologically and by the presence of all of the enzymes of the peroxisomal beta-oxidation pathway. These organelles also contained a significant but minor fraction of two enzymes of the glyoxylate pathway, malate synthase and malate dehydrogenase-2. The localization of malate synthase in peroxisomes was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. It is postulated that glyoxylate pathway enzymes are readily and preferentially released from peroxisomes upon cell lysis, accounting for their incomplete recovery from isolated organelles. Small uninduced peroxisomes from glycerol-grown cultures were detected on sucrose gradients by marker enzymes. Under these conditions, catalase, acyl-coenzyme A oxidase, and malate synthase cofractionated at equilibrium close to the mitochondrial peak, indicating smaller, less dense organelles than those from cells grown on oleic acid. Peroxisomal membranes from oleate cultures were purified by buoyant density centrifugation. Three abundant proteins of 24, 31, and 32 kilodaltons were observed.
The Impact of Missing Data in a Generalized Integer-Valued Autoregression Model for Count Data

The impact of the missing data mechanism on estimates of model parameters for continuous data has been extensively investigated in the literature. In comparison, minimal research has been carried out for the impact of missing count data. The focus of this article is to investigate the impact of missing data on a transition model, termed the generalized autoregressive model of order 1 for longitudinal count data. The model has several features, including modeling dependence and accounting for overdispersion in the data, that make it appealing for the clinical trial setting. Furthermore, the model can be viewed as a natural extension of the commonly used log-linear model. Following introduction of the model and discussion of its estimation we investigate the impact of different missing data mechanisms on estimates of the model parameters through a simulation experiment. The findings of the simulation experiment show that, as in the case of normally distributed data, estimates under the missing completely at...
A new approach to model reference adaptive control

A new approach to model reference adaptive control, based on a combination of direct and indirect control methods, is introduced in this paper. The controller structure is identical to that used in the direct method, but the algorithm used to update the controller parameters depends both on the output error as in direct control and on the plant parameter estimates as in indirect control. The global stability of the overall system is assured by the existence of a Lyapunov function. In the ideal case discussed here, the combined approach results in improved transient response with smaller amplitude of the control input as compared to the constituent methods.
Protein kinase-C stimulatory activity in human amnion cytosol

Cytosolic preparations from human amnions at term were tested for the presence of endogenous modulators of protein kinase-C (PKC) activity. Tissues were obtained from 14 patients undergoing cesarean section (CS) and 14 patients after spontaneous delivery (SL). PKC activity was significantly greater in cytosols from CS than SL amnion (1.65 +/- 0.04 vs 0.73 +/- 0.2 pmol/min, respectively; mean +/- SE; n = 14 CS; n = 14 SL; P < 0.05). When amnion cytosols were mixed with a control preparation of PKC (rat brain cytosol partially purified on diethylaminoethyl), PKC activity was significantly increased compared to the control value (control, 12.81 +/- 2.1; control + CS, 22.19 +/- 1.5; control + SL, 21.98 +/- 0.7 pmol/min). The stimulation of PKC was dose dependent. The PKC stimulatory factor in amnion cytosol was stable to heat treatment at 80-90 C for 2 min (control + heat-treated CS, 23.20 +/- 1.2; control + heat-treated SL, 24.49 +/- 1.0 pmol/min) and substituted for phosphatidylserine and diacylglycerol in ...
Do Men and Women Show Love Differently in Marriage

In Western societies, women are considered more adept than men at expressing love in romantic relationships. Although scholars have argued that this view of love gives short shrift to men's ways of showing love (e.g., Cancian, 1986; Noller, 1996), the widely embraced premise that men and women "love differently" has rarely been examined empirically. Using data collected at four time points over 13 years of marriage, the authors examined whether love is associated with different behaviors for husbands and wives. Multilevel analyses revealed that, counter to theoretical expectations, both genders were equally likely to show love through affection. But whereas wives expressed love by enacting fewer negative or antagonistic behaviors, husbands showed love by initiating sex, sharing leisure activities, and doing household work together with their wives. Overall, the findings indicate that men and women show their love in more nuanced ways than cultural stereotypes suggest.
Phylogeny of Nuclear Small Subunit rRNA genes of Hemogregarines Amplified With Specific Primers

Hemogregarines, apicomplexan intracellular blood parasites, are cosmopolitan in distribution and infect a broad range of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Molecular phylogenetic studies have been hampered by lack of hemogregarine-specific polymerase chain reaction primers that would allow amplification of parasite, but not host, DNA. A novel method for separating parasite and host 18S rRNA genes has been developed, and new primers that are specific for hemogregarine rRNA genes have been designed. These primers were used to obtain sequences from 4 isolates of hemogregarines of lizards from California, the Caribbean island of Grenada, eastern Australia, and Israel. Combining these results with already published sequences, a preliminary phylogeny of hemogregarines and several other apicomplexan taxa has been created. The hemogregarines form a monophyletic group and appear to be more closely related to coccidia than to Plasmodium species. The difficulty of using 18S genes that have multiple copies in some apicomplexan parasites was explored for systematic studies.
Pharmacogenomic test that predicts response to β2-agonists in adults with asthma is cost effective

Background: Pharmacogenomic tests that predict which asthma patients are likely to respond to β2-agonists hold promise to improve care for asthma. Objective: To identify the clinical and economic circumstances under which a pharmacogenomic test that predicts response to β2-agonists might or might not be an appropriate, cost-effective option. Methods: We synthesized published data on clinical and economic outcomes in adults 18–35 to project 10-year costs, quality-adjusted life years and cost–effectiveness of pharmacogenomic testing for β2-agonist response. Results: Pharmacogenomic testing for β2-agonist response conferred a cost–effectiveness ratio of $13,700 per quality-adjusted life year gained compared with no testing. Conclusion: Pharmacogenomic testing for β2-agonist response in individuals with asthma is potentially cost effective and should be pursued by test developers.
Costuming the Folk Dance

(1950). Costuming the Folk Dance. Journal of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation: Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 72-117.
Computer Routines for Arraying Aggregate Data

In recent years, political and social scientists have greatly expanded their data-collecting activities and have devoted considerable attention to various problems of measuring political and social concepts embedded in theoretical structures. One type of data which has been used more and more is commonly termed aggregate data. In general, this refers to characteristics of various types of political and social units and groups. In the fields of comparative and international politics, such factors as the absolute or per capita amount of money spent by a country on defense and various summary measures of political events such as elections, votes per political party, riots, and assassinations, are examples of aggregate statistics. One work in this area was the first edition of the World Handbook of Social and Political Indicators (Russett et al., 1964). The increased
Survival and Emergence of Overwintered Pink Bollworm Moths (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Survival of pink bollworm moths, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), during the diapause period was reduced ca. 50% by irrigations during the winter and early spring. Fewer insects emerged from buried bolls than from bolls above or on the soil surface, and earlier burial of bolls resulted in greater mortality than later burial. The emergence patterns of the moths were affected by some of the treatments. Moths emerged earlier (as a percentage of total emergence) and at a faster rate from irrigated treatments than from nonirrigated treatments in 1981, but not in 1980. Moths from larvae in bolls emerged slower than moths from larvae that had cut out of bolls. The date on which 50% accumulated emergence had occurred was 11 May in 1980 and 25 April in 1981. However, the accumulated heat units (based on 12.8°C as the threshold for development) were 1,176 and 1,174 at the time of 50% emergence for 1980 and 1981, respectively. Thus, accumulated heat units may provide a more consistent indication of time of emergence than the calendar date.
Two- and Three-Dimensional Iced Airfoil Separation Bubble Measurements by Particle Image Velocimetry

The separation bubble on a NACA 0012 airfoil with two- and three-dimensional, simulated, leading-edge, glaze-ice accretions was investigated using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Chordwise PIV measurements, or those along the separation bubble cross-section, were obtained at a Reynolds number of 0.9x10 6 , Mach number of 0.20, and between 0-deg and 5-deg angle-of-attack. Surface oil-flow visualization indicated increasing separation bubble length with airfoil angle-of-attack. Shorter separation bubble length at constant angle-of-attack and spanwise flow inside the separation bubble were also observed behind the three-dimensional ice simulation. Time-averaged PIV results revealed a primary recirculation with clockwise rotation defined by a shear layer and a smaller, secondary recirculation with counter-clockwise rotation directly downstream of the point of separation, both consistent with backward-facing-step-type flowfields. Mean and RMS velocity component contours highlighted these features and surface-normal profiles were extracted and compared to identify similarities and dierences between the ice accretion flowfields which might explain the varying separation bubble lengths and spanwise instability observed in the flow visualization.
Abstract 1272: Role of c-Myc, Oct1 and KLF4 in cell metabolism: Involvement of pluripotency factors in metabolic remodeling during tumorigenesis

Embryonic stem cells have the ability to give rise to different cell types and also the self reniewal capacity. Those features are essentially controlled by pluripotency factors which maintain cells into an undifferentiated state. Cancer cells are distinguished from normal cells by a dedifferentiation process in which the expression of pluripotency factors can be increased. c-Myc, Oct4 and KLF4 are pluripotency transcription factors. Oct-1, homologue of Oct-4, have been recently revealed to be pro-tumorigenic and his expression, such as c-Myc, is increased in various cancers. In this study, we investigated the role of this transcription factors into the cell metabolism. The role of the oncogene MYC on tumor cell metabolism has been largely studied. In cancer cells, c-Myc induces the expression of genes involved in glycolysis and glutaminolysis. However, the entire metabolic changes induced by c-Myc have not yet been elucidated. Furthermore, little is known about the role of Oct-1 and KLF4 in cancer metabolism. We have used the metabolic footprinting approach in order to characterize the Oct-1, c-Myc and KLF4 deficient cells and to identify the induced consecutive metabolic remodeling. Because of the variability of mutations observed in cancer cells, we investigated the effects induced by Oct-1, KLF4 and c-Myc deficiencies in mouse and rat embryonic fibroblasts by using UPLC (Ultra performance liquid chromatography). The uptake and release of metabolites was quantified by providing different substrates (glutamine or fatty acid). The glucose consumption and the lactate production which defined as the Warburg effect was measured. The mitochondrial function was investigated by oxygen consumption rate measurement. We found that the metabolites produced by Oct-1, KLF4 and c-Myc deficient cells seems to present a signature which can explain there over-expression in tumors. Our results suggest that embryonic stem cells related pluripotency transcription factors are implicated into the metabolic remodeling of cancer cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1272. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1272
A History of the Vietnamese: The Nguyen dynasty

Between north and south The country that appeared at the beginning of the nineteenth century stretching from the southern border of China to the eastern border of Cambodia had never existed before. The name Vietnam can be found in some earlier Vietnamese texts, and the Qing court used this name when recognizing the new country as a vassal kingdom, but it was not commonly used until the twentieth century. The Qing continued to routinely refer to this place as An Nam, a name that dated from the Tang dynasty and that later became the French name for the central part of the country. In 1802, Vietnamese envoys to the Qing court were instructed to propose Nam Viet as the name of their new country. The message sent with the envoys cited the ancient kingdom of Nam Viet founded by Zhao To in Guangdong and Guangxi at the beginning of the Han dynasty as an auspicious precedent because it had pacified and civilized all the southern territories. Furthermore, the message gave the name a new contemporary meaning as representing the unification of all the Vietnamese lands: “Now, the South (Nam) has been swept of rebels and the whole realm of Viet has been restored to normalcy.” The Qing court, however, objected to the name Nam Viet for the very same reason proposed in its favor by the Vietnamese. In imperial historiography, contrary to Vietnamese historical tradition, Zhao To’s kingdom was an inauspicious rather than an auspicious precedent because it had rebelled against the Han dynasty. Arguments about the name shuttled between Hue and Beijing for nearly a year before the Qing court finally turned the name to Viet Nam, thereby avoiding the unpropitious connotation of insubordination and separatism in the name Nam Viet. The name Vietnam eventually entered popular usage with the spread of alphabetic literacy and nationalist ideas in the 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s.
On the Mechanism of Germinal Center Formation

The purpose of this communication is to present evidence for a new model of germinal center formation. Extensive investigations have been conducted in our laboratory at Minnesota concerning syngenic skin graft rejection, so-called heterogenization or antigenic alteration of normal tissue in mice with Gross passage A virus-induced lymphoma (l,2,3). Concurrently, light microscopic examinations of germinal center fomation during leukemogenesis were undertaken. As early as 12 hours following intraperitoneal transfer of Grass passage A (GPA) lymphoma (ascites form) in the (c3H/Bi × DBA/2)F1 hybrid mice, germinal centers were observed in the mesenteric nodes of these injected animals, whereas, they were absent in the untreated animals. We also observed geminal center formation in the spleen of the injected animals. However, they were not as prominent as those found in the mesenteric nodes.