cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TLR5 or NLRC4 is necessary and sufficient for promotion of humoral immunity by flagellin

The fact that some TLR-based vaccine adjuvants maintain function in TLR-deficient hosts highlights that their mechanism of function remains incompletely understood. Thus, we examined the ability of flagellin to induce cytokines and elicit/promote murine antibody responses upon deletion of the flagellin receptors TLR5 and/or NLRC4 (also referred to as IPAF) using a prime/boost regimen. In TLR5-KO mice, flagellin failed to induce NF-κB-regulated cytokines such as keratinocyte-derived chemokine (CXCL1) but induced WT levels of the inflammasome cytokine IL-18 (IL-1F4). Conversely, in NLRC4-KO mice, flagellin induced keratinocyte-derived chemokine, but not IL-18, whereas TLR5/NLRC4-DKO lacked induction of all cytokines measured. Flagellin/ovalbumin treatment resulted in high-antibody titers to both flagellin and ovalbumin in WT, TLR5-KO and DKO mice but did not elicit antibodies to either in TLR5/NLRC4-DKO mice. Thus, flagellin's ability to elicit/promote humoral immunity requires a germ-line-encoded receptor capable of recognizing this molecule. Such promotion of adaptive immunity can be effectively driven by either TLR5-mediated activation of NF-κB or NLRC4-mediated activation of the inflammasome.
Flooding Influences on Growth and Development of Bush Bean Under Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract Crop production in humid climates is often limited by severe thunderstorms that may leave soil flooded or waterlogged for several days. In 2001, a greenhouse study was initiated to determine the tolerance of bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to flooding of various durations and at different growth stages. Plants were subjected to eleven flooding treatments lasting from one to eleven days. Flood treatments were initiated when plants reached either early vegetative growth stage (second true leaf open), early reproductive stage (first flower open on the main stem) or late reproductive stage (green seeds fills 1/2 of the pod cavity). In Study 1 flooding during the early vegetative growth stage for one, two and five days resulted in both the number of pods produced and pod fresh weight being statistically similar to that of the non-flooded control. The remaining flood treatments resulted in pod fresh weights 73% or less than the control weight. The number of surviving plants had more influence on the...
Effects of Incentive and Frustrative Cues on Acquisition of an Alleyway-Running Response in Rats

The motivational properties of Longstreth's (1970) definitions of incentive and frustrative cues were tested using 32 rats in a two phase straight alleyway experiment. During pretraining, incentive cue Ss were presented a visual cue prior to reinforcement; frustrative cue Ss experienced the visual cue simultaneously with reinforcement. Ss encountered the same cue in mid-alley during 40 CRF training trials. Significant inhibition developed as frustrative cue Ss passed through the cue and postcue segments. Significant incentive effects occurred midway through training only in the postcue segment. Differential resistance to extinction was not found. The results did not support all of Longstreth's assumed functions. The motivational effects were interpreted using Spence's and Amsel's instrumental learning paradigms.
Admissibility of the axial gauge in QED2

Abstract The question recently raised by Tyburski as to whether the axial gauge can be used in two-dimensional quantum electrodynamics is examined. It is shown that even if the arguments leading to A1≠0 are accepted, the consequences is no more than the existence of an uncoupled massless field in the theory. Thus QED2 calculations based on the axial gauge do not require reconsideration.
Lymphatic leukemia and retrieval of defective Friend virus in athymic nude rats.

AbstractWe have investigated the ability of Friend virus (FV) and the associated lymphatic leukemia virus (LLV) to replicate in athymic rats. We have also explored the ability of the LLV to act as helper in the retrieval of the defective FV genome from a virus-free, FV-induced tumor of BALB/c mice xenografted to this host. Athymic rats were found to be resistant to Friend disease. However, they did develop lymphatic leukemia when inoculated with FV. Following inoculation of LLV into newborn athymic rats, viremia was detected as early as 20 days and was followed by death from lymphatic leukemia approximately 100 days later. Athymic rats inoculated with LLV when newborn were later xenografted with cells from the virus-free, FV-induced tumor grown in vitro. Cell-free extracts of the tumors that developed induced typical Friend disease in newborn mice. Because the rat apparently lacks target cells for FV replication, the entire output of virus must have originated in the tumor itself, a situation in marked co...
Adaptive contact elements for three-dimensional explicit transient analysis

Abstract A finite element method was developed for treating the mechanics of contact between deformable bodies. The method uses a family of adaptive interface elements, which were based on the penalty method, to handle the changing contact configurations that can occur between discretized contacting bodies. The nodal connectivity of these interface elements was allowed to change during the computations in order to accommodate finite sliding. The insertion of these elements in the interface satisfies the stress equilibrium condition during contact. Explicit forms for the nodal internal forces are presented. The methodology has been coded and several sample problems are presented.
NOAA predicts busy hurricane season

Scientists at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center estimate that there is a 75% chance that the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season will be more active than average, with 13–17 named storms, 7–10 hurricanes, and 3–5 hurricanes reaching Category 3 or higher. An average hurricane season has 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. According to Gerry Bell, NOAA's lead seasonal hurricane forecaster, the 2007 season could be in the higher range of predicted activity if a La Nina forms, or even higher if the La Nina is particularly strong. Last year, NOAA also predicted an above-normal Atlantic season; the actual season, however, was quiet, to which NOAA scientists credit an unexpected El Nino that developed rapidly and created an environment hostile to storm formation and strengthening.
A 4-Year Curriculum on Substance Use Disorders for Psychiatry Residents

The authors describe an addiction psychiatry curriculum integrated in a general psychiatry training program to demonstrate comprehensive and practical approaches to educating general psychiatric residents on the recognition and treatment of substance use disorders. The Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Hospital adult psychiatric residency training program provides training in addiction psychiatry in multiple treatment settings during the 4 years of residency. Addiction specialists, nonspecialty psychiatrists, and residents and fellows provide training. Adult psychiatric residencies can provide comprehensive addiction psychiatry training that spans multiple treatment settings and postgraduate years by training general staff psychiatrists, senior residents, and fellows to assist core addiction faculty in providing addiction psychiatry education. Substance use disorders are common among patients presenting to general psychiatry treatment settings, and thus it is important that all psychiatric residents be well trained in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of outpatients with these problems.
A Selective Assembly Method to Reduce the Impact of Blade Flow Variability on Turbine Life

A selective assembly method is proposed that decreases the impact of blade passage manufacturing variability on the life of a row of cooled turbine blades. The method classifies turbine blades into groups based on the effective flow areas of the blade passages, then a row of blades is assembled exclusively from blades of a single group. A simplified classification is considered in which blades are divided into low-flow, nominal-flow, and high-flow groups. For rows assembled from the low-flow class, the blade plenum pressure will tend to rise and the individual blade flows will be closer to the design intent than for a single low-flow blade in a randomly-assembled row. Since the blade metal temperature is strongly dependent on the blade flow, selective assembly can lower the metal temperature of the lowest-flowing blades and increase the life of a turbine row beyond what is possible from a randomly-assembled row. Furthermore, the life of a nominal-flow or high-flow row will be significantly increased (relative to a randomly-assembled row) since the life-limiting low-flow blades would not be included in these higher-flowing rows. The impact of selective assembly is estimated using a model of the first turbine rotor of an existing high-bypass turbofan. The oxidation lives of the nominal-flow and high-flow blade rows are estimated to increase approximately 50% and 100% compared to randomly-assembled rows, while the life of the low-flow rows are the same as the randomly-assembled rows. Alternatively, selective assembly can be used to increase turbine inlet temperature while maintaining the maximum blade metal temperatures at random-assembly levels. For the nominal-flow and high-flow classes, turbine inlet temperature increases are estimated to be equivalent to the turbine inlet temperature increases observed over several years of gas turbine technology development.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Nucleostemin stabilizes ARF by inhibiting the ubiquitin ligase ULF

Upregulated expression of nucleolar GTPase nucleostemin (NS) has been associated with increased cellular proliferation potential and tumor malignancy during cancer development. Recent reports attribute the growth regulatory effects of NS protein to its role in facilitating ribosome production. However, the oncogenic potential of NS remains unclear, as imbalanced levels of NS have been reported to exert growth inhibitory effect by modulating p53 tumor-suppressor activity. It also remains in questions if aberrant NS levels might have a p53-independent role in regulation of cell proliferation and growth. In this study, we performed affinity purification and mass spectrometry analysis to explore protein-protein interactions influencing NS growth regulatory properties independently of p53 tumor suppressor. We identified the alternative reading frame (ARF) protein as a key protein associating with NS and further verified the interaction through in vitro and in vivo assays. We demonstrated that NS is able to regulate cell cycle progression by regulating the stability of the ARF tumor suppressor. Furthermore, overexpression of NS suppressed ARF polyubiquitination by its E3 ligase Ubiquitin Ligase for ARF and elongated its half-life, whereas knockdown of NS led to the decrease of ARF levels. Also, we found that NS can enhance NPM stabilization of ARF. Thus, we propose that in the absence of p53, ARF can be stabilized by NS and nucleophosmin to serve as an alternative tumor-suppressor surveillance, preventing potential cellular transformation resulting from the growth-inducing effects of NS overexpression.
Opposing classes of prp8 alleles modulate the transition between the catalytic steps of pre-mRNA splicing

The spliceosome is thought to undergo a conformational change between the two catalytic steps of precursor messenger RNA splicing, although the specific events in this transition are poorly understood. We previously proposed a two-state model of splicing in which the conformations required for the first and second steps are in competition. Here, we identify and characterize a class of prp8 mutants that suppress first-step splicing defects and oppose the action of the previously described prp8 suppressors of second-step defects; these opposing effects parallel those of ribosomal 'ram' and 'restrictive' mutants, which alter fidelity of transfer RNA decoding. On the basis of genetic interactions, we propose that prp8-mediated substrate repositioning during the transition occurs between catalytic-center opening and closure mediated by the U6 small nuclear RNA and the DExH/D ATPase gene prp16. Modulation of these events alters splice-site selection and splicing fidelity.
The response of sub-sector REIT returns to shocks in fundamental state variables

Using monthly data from 1994:01 to 2005:03, the results from vector autoregressive models and generalized impulse response analysis indicate that unexpected shocks in industrial production, inflation, term structure, default risk, and the federal funds rate have virtually no statistically significant impact on sub-sector REIT returns.
Maternal Intake of N-nitroso Compounds from Cured Meat and the Risk of Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Review

Experimental investigations conducted over the last several decades suggest that transplacental exposure of offspring to certain N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) results in the development of brain tumors in laboratory animals. Dietary cured meats are a recognized source of such exposures in humans, which raises the possibility that maternal consumption of cured meat products during pregnancy could increase the risk of childhood brain tumors. This hypothesis was first suggested by an observational study conducted by Preston-Martin et al. in 1982 supporting such a role in human disease. Since that time, additional epidemiological analyses have been performed addressing this hypothesis although results are inconsistent across studies. Due to the possible impact of bias and confounding in the available observational studies, the relatively weak effect seen in some observational analyses is of questionable validity. Nonetheless, since the association of transplacental NOC exposure and brain tumor risk is biologically plausible, the suspected association cannot be unequivocally dismissed. This paper reviews the current epidemiological evidence dealing with the maternal cured meat intake/childhood brain tumor association and suggests further avenues for research.
Evaluating the role of biomarkers for cardiovascular risk prediction: focus on CRP, BNP and urinary microalbumin

Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, making cardiovascular prevention an important public health goal. The use of cardiac biomarkers represents a potential, noninvasive method to identify asymptomatic individuals who are most likely to develop cardiovascular disease. Several known biomarkers predict cardiovascular risk above and beyond conventional risk factors. Nonetheless, available evidence suggests that current biomarkers do not have sufficient sensitivity or specificity to justify widespread use for cardiovascular risk prediction. New developments in molecular biology and genetics may allow the identification of additional biomarkers, likely acting via different pathways, to achieve this goal.
Bovine Pituitary Cells Exhibit a Unique Form of Somatotrope Secretory Heterogeneity

Use of reverse hemolytic plaque assays revealed that, as in the rat, bovine somatotropes are functionally heterogeneous with respect to regulated GH release. Uniquely, this heterogeneity is manifested by the appearance of a distinct subpopulation of GH cells that release hormone only in the presence of the hypothalamic secretagogues GRF and/or TRH. Although these cells did not release GH in the absence of stimulatory agents, immunocytochemical detection of GH demonstrated these cells were capable of hormone storage. The relative abundance of silent somatotropes varied according to the hypothalamic secretagogue applied to the culture (GRF and/ or TRH) and the physiologic state of the tissue donor. In cell cultures obtained from castrated males, 4.2 ± 1.2%, 3.0 ± 0.7%, and 6.8 ± 1.2% (mean ± SEM; n = 14) of all pituitary cells were induced to release detectable amounts of GH by GRF, TRH, and GRF/TRH, respectively. When pituitary cells obtained from gonad-intact males (n = 4) and females (n = 4) were tested,...
Central pit and dome craters: Exposing the interiors of Ganymede and Callisto

Central pit craters on Ganymede and Callisto are an unusual crater class, perhaps related to the unusual properties of water ice. The domes and pits form rapidly, on the time scale of the impact itself, rather than by long-term, post-impact intrusion or extrusion. The bright domes in pit craters are most simply explained as the uplift and exposure of relatively ice-rich material from depths of approximately 3.5 to 5 km during impact. The unusual pit morphology on icy satellites may be the result of impact into crust that is mechanically much weaker at shallow depth than on rocky bodies such as the moon. Because crater morphology is strongly dependent on ice-rock composition, the similarity of pit and dome dimensions on Ganymede and Callisto indicates that the structure and rheology of the crusts of these bodies are very similar, and have been for several billion years. Pit crater morphology indicates that the crusts of both satellites are probably ice-rich and differentiated.
Cerenkov Ring Imaging Detector Development for SLD

Progress in the development of a time projection style photoelectron detector is reported. The development is intended to demonstrate the principles and determine specifications for a practical design of the large CRID device recently described in the SLD design report, wherein a large detector for the Stanford Linear Collider is described. The drift detector utilizes the technique of photo-ionization of Cerenkov light in tetrakis-dimethylamino-ethylene (TMAE) vapor at (1700-2200 A), and drifting the photoelectrons ten's of centimeters to a proportional chamber picket fence, where the drift time provides one coordinate and the wire number the other coordinate. Results are reported on the drifting of photoelectrons from the Cerenkov light and a light pulser over distances of 10 to 60 centimeters.
A natural language intelligent tutoring system for training pathologists: implementation and evaluation

Introduction We developed and evaluated a Natural Language Interface (NLI) for an Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) in Diagnostic Pathology. The system teaches residents to examine pathologic slides and write accurate pathology reports while providing immediate feedback on errors they make in their slide review and diagnostic reports. Residents can ask for help at any point in the case, and will receive context-specific feedback. Research questions We evaluated (1) the performance of our natural language system, (2) the effect of the system on learning (3) the effect of feedback timing on learning gains and (4) the effect of ReportTutor on performance to self-assessment correlations. Methods The study uses a crossover 2 × 2 factorial design. We recruited 20 subjects from 4 academic programs. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions—two conditions for the immediate interface, and two for the delayed interface. An expert dermatopathologist created a reference standard and 2 board certified AP/CP pathology fellows manually coded the residents’ assessment reports. Subjects were given the opportunity to self grade their performance and we used a survey to determine student response to both interfaces. Results Our results show a highly significant improvement in report writing after one tutoring session with 4–fold increase in the learning gains with both interfaces but no effect of feedback timing on performance gains. Residents who used the immediate feedback interface first experienced a feature learning gain that is correlated with the number of cases they viewed. There was no correlation between performance and self-assessment in either condition.
Introducing flexibility in manualized treatments: Application of recommended strategies to the cognitive-behavioral treatment of bipolar disorder

Well-controlled treatment outcome studies have provided a wealth of evidence for the efficacy of specific manualized treatments for psychiatric disorders. In the face of these triumphs, there has been renewed attention to ways of modifying treatment manuals to better address the diverse needs of individuals. In this article we report on the application of recent recommendations for enhancing flexibility in manualized treatments. In particular, we discuss the use of phases and modules of treatment applied according to case-formulation worksheets to address the needs of patients with bipolar disorder. Case examples are used to illustrate the application of this modular treatment approach.
Flexible High-Resolution Film Recorder System

The paper describes a high-resolution film recorder (HRFR) system capable of meeting the requirements of all of the imaging sensors for the recording support of NASA missions. The technical requirements imposed by sensor constraints and end users of the film product are examined, along with the implementation techniques to satisfy these requirements. The recorder can produce annotated imagery with array sizes ranging from 1 to 400 million picture elements and a programmable radiometric transfer function provided by the recorder. The HRFR requirements were grouped into three categories: (1) front end (input) requirements defined by the input medium, (2) operational requirements based on the volume, throughput, and changeover time from one mode to another, and (3) film product requirements determined by the needs of the end product user.
Potential impact of Owens (dry) Lake dust on warm and cold cloud formation

[1] Owens lake bed is one of the largest sources of particulate matter in the western hemisphere. Because of the fine-grained nature of this dust, it is easily lofted above the atmospheric boundary layer, where it may affect cloud formation. Further, unlike many other soil types, it has a large fraction of soluble material (∼3–37% of the mass on an organic-matter-free basis), so it can impact both warm and cold clouds. In this study, we measure the hygroscopicity, cloud condensation nucleus (CCN) activity, and ice nucleating ability of Owens (dry) Lake dust. Our studies confirm that a fraction of the Owens (dry) Lake dust (35% by number for particle sizes ∼200 nm) is quite hygroscopic and has CCN activity comparable to that of sodium chloride (50 nm particles activate at 0.33% supersaturation). These hygroscopic dust particles can readily initiate droplet formation at modest supersaturations in the atmosphere and may significantly impact liquid clouds in the southwestern United States. The less hygroscopic fraction had only modest CCN activity. However, such particles may still activate as cloud droplets at atmospheric supersaturations and could potentially modify cloud properties if particles with diameters larger than ∼300 nm are present. The less hygroscopic fraction also was found to nucleate ice heterogeneously at relative humidities significantly lower than required for homogeneous freezing of aqueous particles at temperatures colder than −40°C. In convective systems, this dust may be lofted to the upper troposphere where it may impact convection strength and onset conditions for ice formation in cold clouds.
SU‐E‐J‐171: Variation of the Hounsfield Unit On CT Scanning Parameters and Reconstruction and Its Effect On Dose Calculations

Purpose: To assess the variation of Hounsfield units (HU) when using different CT scanning parameters. The effect of HU‐to‐electron density (ED) table on the accuracy of dose calculations was evaluated. Methods: A CIRS (model 62) phantom was used for all the tests. Various kVp, field‐of‐view(FOV), reconstruction algorithms with contribution of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction(ASiR™) (0‐80%) were applied during the scanning process(GE lightspeed CT simulator). HU for each insert was measured. A HU‐ED table was acquired for Philips PET/CT scanner as well. A phantom and clinical cases were selected for dosimetric comparisons using different HU‐ED tables. Results: No significant difference in HU for low electron density material was observed regardless the scanning parameters. The dependency of HU on tube voltage and FOV was observed for bone‐equivalent materials. HU for dense bone scanned with 80kVp was 39.4% higher than HU with 120kVp. HU with small FOV relative to large FOV was 11.9% higher for trabecular bone. The maximum deviation was observed for bone‐equivalent material when the bone algorithm, producing a 6.2% change in HU, or 80% of ASiR™ contribution, were applied; however, the difference in HU was still within the standard deviation. The difference in HU between two scanners was less than the SD observed on GE CT simulator, except for liver‐and bone‐equivalent materials. Using a HU‐ED table with the worse case scenario (80kVp, bone reconstruction with 80% ASiR™), it was shown that the deviation was within 1% for phantom studies and −7.4%−2.7% for clinical cases. The maximum of 5.9% deviation was observed when calculated with a table from the different scanner. Conclusion: The maximum deviation in HU was observed for bone‐equivalent materials when low kVp was applied. Use of a wrong HU‐ED table could introduce −7.4%−2.7% dosimetric error at certain regions of interest.
Searching for the Glass Slipper: A Case Study in Midlife Career Counseling

There seems to be a paucity of counseling reports written from the perspective of both counselor and client. This article is presented as a case study of the first author's experience as a career counseling client of the second author. It is intended to illuminate for students and practitioners some typical counseling practices and the theoretical foundations from which they spring, as well as how the client reacted to them.
Crystallization of seeded amorphous Co(Si1−x Gex)2 thin films

Abstract The crystallization of ternary amorphous alloy thin films of Co(Si 1−x Ge x ) 2 with x ∼- 0.1 upon annealing to 300°C has been studied by in-situ resistivity measurement, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive analysis. In the as-deposited state, the amorphous films are mixed with nanometer size crystals of Co(Si 1−x Ge x ) 2 , which lowers the crystallization temperature as compared to that of amorphous CoSi 2 alloys. A two-stage crystallization behavior of the ternary amorphous alloy has been observed.
Equivalence of Ca 2+ and Sr 2+ in transmitter release from K + -depolarised nerve terminals

Depolarisation–secretion coupling at presynaptic nerve terminals is thought to be mediated by the influx of calcium ions from the extracellular fluid through voltage-sensitive channels in the nerve terminal membrane1. In physiological conditions, the depolarisation is accomplished when the nerve action potential invades the nerve-ending. At the neuromuscular junction, the nerve impulse promotes the synchronous release of many quanta of the transmitter, acetylcholine, the response to which is recorded postsynaptically as the endplate potential (e.p.p.)2. Strontium can substitute for Ca2+ in the support of transmitter release evoked by nerve impulses3–5, although it is far less effective (on a molar basis) in the generation of the e.p.p. It has been suggested5 that Sr3+ may be less accessible from the extracellular fluid during the action potential, and might not achieve as high a concentration as Ca2+ in the nerve ending so that it would seem less effective. Alternatively, intra-terminal releasing sites may exhibit true selectivity for divalent cations. To help distinguish between these possibilities, I have made use of the long-established observation that when nerve terminals are depolarised by elevating the extracellular potassium ion concentration ([K+]0), there is a dramatic increase in the frequency of spontaneous miniature endplate potentials (m.e.p.ps)6–9. This is thought also to be a form of depolarisation-secretion coupling (that is, mediated by Ca2+ entry through voltage-gated channels), though of relatively long duration. I have compared the relative abilities of Ca2+ and Sr2+ in supporting the augmented m.e.p.p. frequency seen in high K+ Ringer's solutions and report here that they are qualitatively and quantitatively equivalent, in contrast to their differences in the nerve impulse-evoked e.p.p.
Pregnancy Research on Osteopathic Manipulation Optimizing Treatment Effects: the PROMOTE study.

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to reduce low back pain and improve functioning during the third trimester in pregnancy and to improve selected outcomes of labor and delivery. Study Design Pregnancy research on osteopathic manipulation optimizing treatment effects was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 400 women in their third trimester. Women were assigned randomly to usual care only (UCO), usual care plus OMT (OMT), or usual care plus placebo ultrasound treatment (PUT). The study included 7 treatments over 9 weeks. The OMT protocol included specific techniques that were administered by board-certified OMT specialists. Outcomes were assessed with the use of self-report measures for pain and back-related functioning and medical records for delivery outcomes. Results There were 136 women in the OMT group: 131 women in the PUT group and 133 women in the UCO group. Characteristics at baseline were similar across groups. Findings indicate significant treatment effects for pain and back-related functioning ( P Conclusion OMT was effective for mitigating pain and functional deterioration compared with UCO; however, OMT did not differ significantly from PUT. This may be attributed to PUT being a more active treatment than intended. There was no higher likelihood of conversion to high-risk status based on treatment group. Therefore, OMT is a safe, effective adjunctive modality to improve pain and functioning during the third trimester.
Use of infrared imaging for investigation of chicken embryo development

The focus of this study is two-fold: first, to investigate the feasibility of thermal imaging for characterizing the development of chicken embryos; and second, to compare the effects of photo periods of 11 hours of light followed by 11 hours of darkness (11-11) versus 24 hours of darkness (24 dark) during the incubation cycle on embryo development. Previous reported work has used invasive methods, such as ultrasound, tomography, and MRI to study chicken embryos with some success. However, very little work has been reported on use of thermography, which is a non-invasive method. Results suggest that use of a cooling-heating-cooling cycle can reveal the anatomy of chicken embryos. A statistical comparison of image data from the two photo periods found no difference in the average cooling rates. However, the 11-11 group of eggs did hatch earlier overall than 24-dark group. Of the hatched eggs, all the chickens from the 24-dark group appeared to be in normal physical condition. However, two of the chickens from the 11-11 group appeared to have leg weakness shortly after hatching. Of these, one fully recovered the next day and the second remains the same after two days of observation. In addition, the second chicken took about 48 hours to fully emerge from its shell.
Cluster ions from keV-energy ion and atom bombardment of frozen gases

Abstract A brief survey is given of the mass spectra obtained from frozen gases by bombardment with keV-energy ions and atoms. The internal chemical constitution of the observed secondary cluster ions, which bears no simple relation to the molecular structure of the solid, has been established by observations of collision-induced dissociation, laser-induced dissociation and metastable decay. It has been correlated with the chemical composition of the residual bombarded solid, deduced from spectroscopic observations. These results, as well as preliminary results on sputtering yields for impact of 1–4 keV rare gas ions on solid argon, are compatible with the previously proposed mechanistic model for the formation of the cluster ions based on the flow of supercritical gas from the elastic collision spike region.
Field performance of an FRP slab bridge

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite decks are new to bridge applications and hence not much literature exists on their in-service performance. The in-service performance, and impact and dynamic characteristics of the first fiber reinforced polymer composite bridge superstructure built in New York State in late 1998 are documented in this paper. Test data indicate that the superstructure and the shear-key are structurally performing well. The average impact factor was about 0.3. Observed low strains and deflections, compared to those predicted at the design stages, show room for optimization of the deck design to make these more cost-effective in the future. Higher modal damping values were observed and reflect the vibration absorbing capacity of FRPs. Several delaminations were found during visual inspections and the wearing surface was replaced once. For future applicability of FRPs for bridge deck applications, these issues affecting the long-term durability should be resolved.
Are entering obstetrics/gynecology residents more similar to the entering primary care or surgery resident workforce?

Objective We compared demographic characteristics of first-year residents entering obstetrics/gynecology with those entering primary care and surgery. Study Design We analyzed first-year residents from the 1997-2004 National Graduate Medical Education Census. Multivariable logistic regression models identified independent associations between obstetrics/gynecology residency (compared with primary care and surgery) and demographic predictor variables. Results More than 90% of studied programs completed the National Graduate Medical Education Census for 146,174 first-year residents. Graduates of US allopathic medical schools, women, African Americans, and entering residents in 2003 and 2004 were more likely to enter obstetrics/gynecology than primary care; Asians were less likely to enter obstetrics/gynecology than primary care. Women, African Americans, and Hispanics were more likely to enter obstetrics/gynecology than surgery; trainees who were Asian, “other” race/ethnicity, and entered residency from 1999-2004 were less likely to enter obstetrics/gynecology than surgery. Conclusion Demographic characteristics of incoming obstetrics/gynecology-residents differed significantly from both primary care and surgery residents. Obstetrics/gynecology should be a unique category in physician workforce studies.
Phosphorus (V) porphyrin diaxially substituted with Leu-enkephalin

Synthesis of the first phosphorus (V) porphyrin-peptide conjugate was successfully accomplished. A biologically active peptide, leucine enkephalin, was constructed on the phosphorus atom of the 5,10,15,20-meso-tetraphenylporphinato dichlorophosphorus (V) chloride. The method involved solution phase peptide synthesis. The first C-terminal amino acid in the sequence of the peptide was axially attached to the porphyrin through a linker, 3-aminopropanol, and the remainder of leucine enkephalin was synthesized by subsequent additions of amino acids. Leucine enkephalin-P(V) porphyrin conjugate represents a new group of compounds, and its synthesis broadens potential applications of P(V) porphyrine, e.g. in photodynamic therapy.
Early alkalic plutonism in the calc-alkalic batholithic belt of California

Four alkali-rich plutons exposed in southern and eastern California are chemically distinct from the quartz-rich, calcalkalic batholithic rocks that typify the region. These predominantly monzonitic plutons are older (175 to 230 m.y.) and located farther east than the majority of typical batholithic rocks, but there is spatial and temporal overlap. Most of the monzonites contain minor quartz, but one unit is feldspathoidal. Na 2 O, K 2 O, and Sr are abundant, and SiO 2 is low relative to the calcalkalic rocks. Total REE is high, and patterns have steep negative slopes. The chemical data suggest an upper mantle source—perhaps eclogitic—for the monzonitic magmas. These plutons, together with other early Mesozoic alkali-rich intrusions in California, Washington, and British Columbia, may represent a previously unrecognized phase of alkali-rich magmatism associated with the early stages of continental margin orogeny.
Pharmacology of N-desmethylclozapine ☆

Currently available treatments for schizophrenia have limited efficacy and are generally poorly tolerated. However, among these antipsychotic agents, clozapine stands apart in having generally superior motoric tolerability and efficacy. One intriguing possibility, based on clinical correlations, receptor activity profiles and studies with animal models predictive of antipsychotic or cognitive action is that the activity of N-desmethylclozapine (NDMC), a major metabolite of clozapine, may, at least in part, underlie the unique efficacy of clozapine. In this review we compare the pharmacological properties of NDMC to those of clozapine and consider how they may contribute to the overall clinical properties of clozapine. We also consider whether NDMC, in its own right, might be a superior antipsychotic drug.
A Garnet Based Optical Isolator for 0.8 µm Wavelength

Highly bismuth substituted garnet films with low optical absorption are required to achieve acceptable performance levels of 30 dB isolation in the 0.8 um wavelength region. A prototype optical isolator device was fabricated which has 2.7 dB insertion loss and 35dB isolation at 0.786 um. We have prepared bismuth substituted rare-earth iron garnet films (BRIG) with 0.8 Bi/formula in a configuration in which garnet antireflection (AR) layers were included to minimize loss and backreflections from the isolator. We have also prepared single layer, single sided films with 1.3, 1.9, 2.1 and 2.3 Bi/formula.
Asian ginseng enhances the anti-proliferative effect of 5-fluorouracil on human colorectal cancer: comparison between white and red ginseng.

Previous studies showed that Asian ginseng, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, may have anti-cancer properties. However, there is limited data exploring the use of Asian ginseng as an adjuvant to chemotherapy, and minimal mechanistic studies related to their possible synergistic activities. In this study, the content of 8 ginsenosides, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, Rg1 and Rg3, in the extracts of white ginseng (WG) and red ginseng (RG) were determined by HPLC. Using HCT-116 human colorectal cancer cells, we compared the efficacy of WG and RG. We evaluated the synergy between ginseng and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and explored the mechanism of their anti-proliferative effects. As single extract, WG or RG used at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/mL, inhibited HCT-116 cell proliferation in a concentration-related manner. WG at 0.2 mg/mL did not show obvious synergy with 5-FU co-treatment, while RG at 0.2 and 0.3 mg/mL significantly enhanced the anti-proliferative effects of 5-FU at concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 μM (P < 0.05). Using flow cytometric assay, RG 0.3 mg/mL did not affect cancer cell apoptotic induction activity. However, the RG induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, while 5-FU arrested the cell in the S phase. Different ginsenoside profiles are responsible for the observed differences in pharmacological effects. The effects of 8 ginsenosides on HCT-116 cells were assayed. Rd and Rg3 showed positive anti-proliferative effect. Our data suggested a potential for RG as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer, via a synergistic action.
Convexification of Generalized Network Flow problem with application to power systems

This paper is concerned with the minimum-cost flow problem over an arbitrary flow network. In this problem, each node is associated with some possibly unknown injection, each line has two unknown flows at its ends related to each other via a nonlinear function, and all injections and flows need to satisfy certain box constraints. This problem, named generalized network flow (GNF), is highly non-convex due to its nonlinear equality constraints. Under the practical assumption of monotonicity and convexity of the flow and cost functions, a convex relaxation is proposed, which always finds the optimal injections. This relaxation may fail to find optimal flows because the mapping from injections to flows might lead to an exponential number of solutions. However, once optimal injections are found in polynomial time, other techniques can be used to find a feasible set of flows corresponding to the injections. A primary application of this work is in optimization over power networks. Recent work on the optimal power flow (OPF) problem has shown that this non-convex problem can be solved efficiently using semidefinite programming (SDP) after two approximations: relaxing angle constraints (by adding virtual phase shifters) and relaxing power balance equations to inequality constraints. The results of this work prove two facts for the OPF problem: (i) the second approximation (on balance equations) is not needed in practice under a very mild angle assumption, and (ii) if the SDP relaxation fails to find a rank-one solution, the optimal injections (and not flows) may still be recovered from an undesirable high-rank solution.
Performance of Nonconcentrating Solar Photocatalytic Oxidation Reactors: Part I—Flat-Plate Configuration

A nonconcentrating flat-plate photoreactor has been fabricated and tested in an outdoor solar photocatalytic oxidation facility. It has been demonstrated that 4-chlorophenol (4CP) is successfully oxidized when operating under either sunny or cloudy atmospheric conditions. Tests have been conducted with the photocatalyst, titanium dioxide (TiO[sub 2]), either mixed into the 4CP solution to form a slurry or adhered to a fiberglass mesh in a fixed configuration. The reaction rate constant for the slurry mode is typically two to five times greater than that for the fixed catalyst mesh tested at similar ultraviolet (UV) insolation conditions. In addition, the reaction rate constant appears to vary linearly with the UV insolation, and it shows no dependence on liquid film thickness in the slurry mode, but appears to vary linearly with the inverse of film thickness in the fixed catalyst mode. All tests were performed in the laminar flow regime. Design recommendations for industrial development are presented.
A support-operator method for 3-D rupture dynamics

SUMMARY We present a numerical method to simulate spontaneous shear crack propagation within a heterogeneous, 3-D, viscoelastic medium. Wave motions are computed on a logically rectangular hexahedral mesh, using the generalized finite-difference method of Support Operators (SOM). This approach enables modelling of non-planar surfaces and non-planar fault ruptures. Our implementation, the Support Operator Rupture Dynamics (SORD) code, is highly scalable, enabling large-scale, multiprocessors calculations. The fault surface is modelled by coupled double nodes, where rupture occurs as dictated by the local stress conditions and a frictional failure law. The method successfully performs test problems developed for the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC)/U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) dynamic earthquake rupture code validation exercise, showing good agreement with semi-analytical boundary integral method results. We undertake further dynamic rupture tests to quantify numerical errors introduced by shear deformations to the hexahedral mesh. We generate a family of meshes distorted by simple shearing, in the along-strike direction, up to a maximum of 73 ◦ . For SCEC/USGS validation problem number 3, grid-induced errors increase with mesh shear angle, with the logarithm of error approximately proportional to angle over the range tested. At 73 ◦ , rms misfits are about 10 per cent for peak slip rate, and 0.5 per cent for both rupture time and total slip, indicating that the method (which, up to now, we have applied mainly to near-vertical strike-slip faulting) is also capable of handling geometries appropriate to low-angle surface-rupturing thrust earthquakes. Additionally, we demonstrate non-planar rupture effects, by modifying the test geometry to include, respectively, cylindrical curvature and sharp kinks.
On super Catalan polynomials

We present a $q$-analog of the super Catalan number $(2m)!(2n)!/2m!n!(m+n)!$, which also generalizes the $q$-Catalan numbers $c_n(\lambda)$, due to F\"urlinger and Hofbauer, for $\lambda=0$ and $\lambda=1$. We give a combinatorial interpretation for this analog when $m=2$.
Ice sheet margin detection using ERS-1 synthetic aperture radar

A portion of the Greenland ice sheet margin near the Jakobshavn area is mapped using an automatic, hierarchical approach applied to ERS-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Image tone and texture variability between the bare ice facies near the ice sheet margin and recently deglaciated rocks are used to map the ice sheet margin. This process involves integration of an anisotropic diffusion algorithm, local dynamic thresholding method, and edge following scheme.
A Eukaryotic Capsular Polysaccharide Is Synthesized Intracellularly and Secreted via Exocytosis

Cryptococcus neoformans, which causes fatal infection in immunocompromised individuals, has an elaborate polysaccharide capsule surrounding its cell wall. The cryptococcal capsule is the major virulence factor of this fungal organism, but its biosynthetic pathways are virtually unknown. Extracellular polysaccharides of eukaryotes may be made at the cell membrane or within the secretory pathway. To test these possibilities for cryptococcal capsule synthesis, we generated a secretion mutant in C. neoformans by mutating a Sec4/Rab8 GTPase homolog. At a restrictive temperature, the mutant displayed reduced growth and protein secretion, and accumulated approximately 100-nm vesicles in a polarized manner. These vesicles were not endocytic, as shown by their continued accumulation in the absence of polymerized actin, and could be labeled with anti-capsular antibodies as visualized by immunoelectron microscopy. These results indicate that glucuronoxylomannan, the major cryptococcal capsule polysaccharide, is trafficked within post-Golgi secretory vesicles. This strongly supports the conclusion that cryptococcal capsule is synthesized intracellularly and secreted via exocytosis.
Tibial fixation of anterior cruciate ligament allograft tendons: comparison of 1-, 2-, and 4-stranded constructs.

BackgroundIn sum, 1-, 2-, and 4-stranded allografts are used for soft tissue anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; however, the fixation properties of fixation devices are not well assessed.HypothesisThere are no differences in the biomechanical characteristics of 1 (Achilles)-, 2 (posterior tibialis)-, and 4 (semitendinosus)-stranded allograft tibial fixation.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.MethodsSixty-three fresh-frozen porcine tibiae were used to evaluate the fixation of 1-, 2-, and 4-stranded human tendon allografts (Achilles, posterior tibialis, and semitendinosus) with 3 fixation devices (Delta, Intrafix, and Calaxo screws). With use of a materials testing system, each graft was subjected to 500 cycles of loading (50-250 N, 0.75 mm/sec) to determine displacement and cyclic stiffness, followed by a monotonic failure test (20 mm/min) to determine maximum load and pullout stiffness.ResultsFor each graft type, there were no significant biomechanical differences between fixation devices. Ho...
Status of the cheetah in Tanzania in the mid 1990's

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of a field interview survey and a literature review of the status of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in Tanzania. The survey was conducted between September 1993 and May 1994. The presence of cheetahs was documented in 30 areas (seven national parks, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, six game reserves, 13 game controlled areas, and 3 open areas), where a minimum of 366 cheetahs was estimated based on the sightings collected. In each of the 30 areas, cheetah status was evaluated in terms of distribution, frequency of observation, relative abundance, perceived trends in total numbers, and, where possible, minimum density estimates. The densities estimated, ranging from 1 cheetah per 40 km2 to 1/925 km2, were lower than the average density in Africa. Estimators of abundance, frequency of observations, and trends tended to indicate a better cheetah status in the northern acacia savannas than in the southern miombo savannas. Family groups and large groups of adults where com...