cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differentiating anti-lamina lucida and anti-sublamina densa anti-BMZ antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence on 1.0 M sodium chloride-separated skin.

Sixty-one bullous disease sera containing IgG anti-BMZ antibodies were examined by indirect immunofluorescence on intact skin and skin separated through the lamina lucida by incubation in 1.0 M NaCl. All sera produced an indistinguishable pattern of linear immunofluorescence on intact skin at dilutions of 1:10 or higher. On separated skin, antibodies bound to either the epidermal (epidermal pattern), dermal (dermal pattern), or epidermal and dermal (combined pattern) sides of the separation. The binding patterns were consistent on separated skin from several donors and titers of antibasement membrane zone antibodies on separated skin were comparable to those on intact skin. Sera from 3 patients with herpes gestationis (HG), 36 patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP), and 1 patient with clinical and histologic features of epidermolysis bullosa aequisita (EBA) showed an epidermal pattern. Sera from 9 patients with BP showed a combined pattern and sera from 6 patients with EBA and 6 patients with clinical and histologic features of BP showed a dermal pattern. Indirect immunoelectron microscopy of selected sera showed antibodies producing the epidermal and combined patterns were anti-lamina lucida antibodies and those producing the dermal pattern were anti-sublamina densa antibodies. These results show indirect immunofluorescence on separated skin is a dependable method for differentiating bullous disease anti-lamina lucida and anti-sublamina densa antibodies and that differentiating between the antibodies is essential for accurate diagnosis in some patients. The results also suggest BP anti-lamina lucida antibodies may have more than one antigenic specificity.
Quantitative gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of Cephalotaxus alkaloids.

Summary Plants of the genus Cephalotaxus contain many alkaloids, some of which have demonstrated antitumor activity. Analysis of crude alkaloid mixtures by gas chromatography provides quantitation of the active principles and other, non-active, alkaloids. Mass spectrometry is used to identify known alkaloids in extracts and to confirm the presence of previously unknown ones. Such data provide a means for predicting the biological activity of new plant accessions.
The man-machine interface

Abstract The basic objective of this article is to define a composite measure of human capabilities that could also be used to measure the “skill” requirements of various manufacturing tasks. In the course of our research, however, we have come to the conclusion that most human workers (at least in the “semiskilled” categories) are not employed for their manual skills, or dexterity, but for a different purpose. Although our basic objective remains unchanged, our research focus has shifted to the emerging competition between human workers as machine process controllers in certain highly engineered environments, and the use of sensor-based, computerized systems for the same purpose.
Two new species of Botryllophilus (Copepoda: Cyclopoida: Ascidicolidae) living in compound ascidians from Madagascar

Abstract Two new species of the genus Botryllophilus Hesse, 1864 are described on the basis of females living in compound ascidians collected in Madagascar. These copepods (Botryllophilinae) are readily distinguished from each other by body form. The copepods and ascidian hosts are as follows: 1) Botryllophilus spinulosus (metasome not inflated dorsally, with urosome shorter than prosome), in an undescribed, new species of Synoicum; 2) B. distinctus (metasome inflated dorsally, with urosome about equal to prosome), in Eudistoma sp. The two new copepods belong to subgroup 2 of female morphotype A (urosome 5-segmented) of the genus. Six Botryllophilus species (four known, two new) of subgroup 2 are compared to each other relative to their leg armature formulas of pattern II. The two new copepods belong to the Humes collection from Madagascar (1963, 1964).
Impact of carcass scalding and chilling on muscle proteins and meat quality of broiler breast fillets

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effects of broiler carcass scalding and chilling methods on meat quality and muscle proteins. During processing, carcasses were hard (60 °C, 1.5 min) or soft (52.8 °C, 3 min) scalded, and either immersion chilled (IC: 0.5 °C, 40 min) or air chilled (AC: 0.5 °C, 120 min). Breast fillets were deboned at 4 h postmortem and used for measuring meat quality and muscle protein characteristics. Scalding by chilling treatment interaction effects on meat quality were not observed. Air chilled carcasses had greater pH 24 , and reduced drip loss and shear force compared to IC carcasses. Cook yield, color ( L * a * b *), and moisture content were not different between chilling treatments. Scalding treatments did not influence quality traits. Sarcoplasmic protein solubility was not influenced by chilling treatment, but was greater in hard versus soft scalded carcasses. Myofibrillar protein solubility was greater in fillets from soft scalded IC carcasses. Alterations in the electrophoretic profiles of the myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins due to treatments indicated minor changes in protein degradation and solubility. Data suggest that while only chilling method influenced meat quality, both scalding and chilling methods influenced protein solubility and degradation in breast fillets deboned 4 h postmortem.
Plasmid Content of Some Oral Microorganisms Isolated from Subgingival Plaque

Eighty-five strains of bacterial species selected from the predominant cultivable dental plaque flora of patients with different periodontal pathologies were examined for their plasmid content. Microorganisms studied included: Actinomyces viscosus, A. odontolyticus, Bacteroides asaccharolyticus (B. gingivalis), B. melaninogenicus subspecies intermedius, and subspecies melaninogenicus, Capnocytophaga ochracea (B. ochraceus), and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Three B. melaninogenicus isolates showed plasmids of approximately 2.7-2.9 Mdalton (mega-dalton) molecular size. Restriction, enzyme digests of the plasmids demonstrated dissimilar patterns when electrophoresed on agarose gels. In other microorganisms, including the Actinomyces species, plasmids were not observed.
Functional studies of pluripotential hemopoietic stem cells in mouse brain

The report of pluripotential hemopoietic stem cells (PHSC) in the murine brain, as detected in the colony-forming unit (CFUs) assay (Bartlett 1982), prompted us to investigate the functional significance of these cells. Although we confirmed that the transfer of brain cells into irradiated hosts produced CFUs, they did not reconstitute erythropoietic or immune functions. Failure to reconstitute immune function was corroborated by FACS analysis. To test whether the injection of brain cells stimulates self-reconstitution, the effect of host irradiation on CFUs production was studied. CFUs frequencies resulting from the transfer of brain or irradiated brain cells were similar and significantly higher in 800 R vs. 1200 R recipients at 10 days. Our experiments do not support the existence of PHSC in the brain, and suggest that colony formation after brain cell transfer may be the result of an adjuvant effect.
Acute and conditioned hyperalgesic responses to illness

It has been argued that pain functions to facilitate recovery from injury and/or illness by stimulating recuperative behaviors. If this is the case, then hyperalgesia might be expected to be part of the constellation of adaptations that occur during sickness. The present series of studies tested two agents that induce illness (lithium chloride and bacterial cell-wall endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide)) to determine their acute effects on pain responsivity in rats. Both agents produced hyperalgesia as measured by the tail-flick and formalin tests. This enhanced responsivity appears to be specific to pain since (a) no enhanced response was observed to a non-painful stimulus (6 g von Frey hairs), and (b) the effect could not be accounted for by changes in tail skin temperature. In addition, a conditioned taste aversion paradigm was used to examine the possibility that illness-induced hyperalgesia could be conditioned to a novel taste (saccharine). This procedure was successful in producing a conditioned hyperalgesia which was comparable in magnitude and duration to acute illness induced pain facilitation. Taken together, this series of studies suggests that such pain facilitation might have adaptive functions similar to those ascribed to other illness-induced behaviors.
Rethinking the Relationship between Religion and Political Tolerance in the US

While there has been numerous empirical works on political tolerance in the United States, many of these studies have not: addressed the role of religion, used adequate measures of religion, incorporated advances in the measurement of political tolerance, and/or included all the psychological and political predictors of political tolerance. Correcting these deficiencies, I present and test a religious model of political tolerance utilizing structural equation modeling. I find that the negative relationship typically demonstrated between both religious commitment and doctrinal orthodoxy to political tolerance does not manifest and that religion is insignificant vis-a-vis political and psychological determinants of political tolerance.
Oscillating ion streamline model of Jupiter's neutral sodium nebula

Abstract Recent observations of neutral sodium D line emissions within 10 jovian radii (R J ) of Jupiter have led to the proposal of a new mechanism for the production of fast neutral sodium. The mechanism involves corotating, sodium-bearing molecular ions from Io's exosphere which undergo dissociation and/or dissociative recombination, resulting in fast neutral sodium atoms on escape trajectories from Jupiter. Fast neutral sodium atoms ejected near Io are also required to explain observations of the 1000 R J -wide neutral sodium nebula surrounding Jupiter. A new Monte Carlo model explicitly computes particle trajectories resulting from molecular ion velocities at the time of dissociation or dissociative recombination. Initial simulations compare favorably with the general morphology of the nebula. Model estimates of nebula parameters are given.
Management of Refractory Ascites and Hepatorenal Syndrome

One of the most common manifestations of the development of portal hypertension in the patient with cirrhosis is the appearance of ascites. Once ascites develops, the prognosis worsens and the patient becomes susceptible to complications such as bacterial peritonitis, hepatic hydrothorax, hyponatremia, and complications of diuretic therapy. As the liver disease progresses, the ascites becomes more difficult to treat and many patients develop renal failure. Most patients can be managed by diuretics which, when used correctly, will control the ascites. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis can be treated effectively, but portends a worse prognosis. Once the ascites becomes refractory to diuretics, liver transplantation is the best option, although use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts will control the ascites in many patients. Lastly, the development of hepatorenal syndrome indicates the patient’s liver disease is advanced, and transplantation again is the best option. However, use of vasoconstrictors may improve renal function in some patients, helping in their management while they await a liver transplant.
Creating default codes and assigning nutrient values for non-specific dietary supplements

Capturing dietary supplement intake is difficult when the participant provides insufficient detail. The purpose of this project was to assign default nutrient values to incompletely reported dietary supplements. From 1999 to 2001, all participants in the Hawaii-Los Angeles Multiethnic Cohort were sent a questionnaire requesting information on use of multivitamins or multivitamins with minerals. In Hawaii, 70,058 supplements were reported by 44,662 respondents. If the supplement reported could not be matched to a specific supplement on the market, one of 529 defaults was assigned. The defaults were designed to capture as much detail as possible about the reported supplements. Nutrient values were assigned to each default after data entry was completed. We determined all multivitamins and multivitamins with minerals that were used and the frequency of each. Using this information, each default was linked to appropriate supplement(s) and nutrient values were calculated using a weighted average, determined by the frequency of each linked supplement. When the supplement reported cannot be matched to a supplement on the market, the use of default nutrient values provides a better estimate of nutrient intake than assuming no supplement was consumed.
Relationship of the reduction-oxidation state to protein degradation in skeletal and atrial muscle.

Abstract Changes in proteolysis were correlated with the cell reduction-oxidation state in rat diaphragm and atrium. Protein degradation was measured in the presence of cycloheximide as the linear release of tyrosine into the medium. Intracellular ratios of lactate/pyruvate, total NADH NAD , and malate/pyruvate were used as indicators of the muscle reduction-oxidation state. Incubation of diaphragms with leucine (0.5–2.0 m m ) or its transamination product, sodium α-ketoisocaproate (0.5 m m ), resulted in a lower rate of proteolysis and a higher ratio of lactate/pyruvate and NADH NAD . These effects of leucine could be abolished by inhibiting its transamination with l -cycloserine. Unlike leucine, neither isoleucine nor valine alone produced any change in these parameters. Incubation of diaphragms with glucose (20 m m ) or atria with sodium lactate (2 m m ) produced a diminution of tyrosine release from the muscles and a rise in the ratio of total NADH NAD . Similarly, in incubated diaphragms of fasted rats, the anabolic effects of insulin, epinephrine and isoproterenol on protein degradation were associated with a higher malate/pyruvate ratio. In catabolic states, such as fasting, cortisol treatment of fasted, adrenalectomized rats or traumatization, enhanced muscle proteolysis was observed. Fresh-frozen diaphragms from these rats had both lower lactate/pyruvate and malate/pyruvate ratios than did muscles from control animals. These data show that diminution of proteolysis in diaphragm is accompanied by an increase of the NAD(P)H NAD(P) ratios. In contrast to these findings, chymostatin and leupeptin, which inhibit directly muscle proteinases, caused a decrease of the lactate/pyruvate and malate/pyruvate ratios. These results suggest that protein degradation in diaphragm and atrium is linked to the cellular redox state.
Maternal smoking cessation and relapse prevention during health care visits.

Abstract Background: Although effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy could be alleviated if women quit early in pregnancy, most do not. Relapse rates among quitters are high. Objective: To test the effects of a low-intensity, smoking-cessation/relapse-prevention intervention delivered by clinic staff and providers and based on stages-of-change constructs of the transtheoretical model and brief motivational interviewing techniques. Methods: A quasi-experimental prospective cohort design employed in obstetric, in-patient, and pediatric care delivery settings of a large health maintenance organization in Portland, Oregon. Subjects were pregnant smokers registered for their first prenatal visit. Primary outcome measures were sustained (self-reported) quit rates during pregnancy and smoking abstinence between 6 and 12 months after delivery. Results: Regression analyses found statistically significant improvement for intervention women in sustained pregnancy quit rates (OR=2.7, CI=1.2–5.7) and on smoking abstinence between 6 and 12 months after delivery (OR=2.4, CI=1.1–5.3). Conclusions: While these outcomes are based on self-report only, they emerged despite variable delivery of the intervention across clinics and represent clinically meaningful improvements in rates of nonsmoking. The intervention supports women who want to quit smoking during pregnancy and improves the likelihood of their remaining nonsmokers for the long term.
Reaction of gossypol with free epsilon-amino groups of lysine in proteins.

Abstract The number of ϵ-amino groups of lysine in proteins which are free to react with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene is reduced when the proteins are exposed to reaction with gossypol. The reduction in reactive ϵ-amino groups of lysine is increased when the pH of the reaction mixture is increased. A procedure for estimation of the ϵ-amino groups is described.
Aging of tuberoinfundibular (A-12) dopamine neurons in the C57B1/6N male mouse

Abstract C57B1/6N male mice at 4, 12, 20, and 28 months of age were processed for formaldehyde-induced fluorescence, and tuberoinfundibular dopamine (A-12) neurons were examined for qualitative, age-related changes. A-12 perikarya were weakly fluorescent at all ages studied. In mice of 4 and 12 months of age, A-12 terminals formed a brightly fluorescent band that filled the external zone of the median eminence. The zone of A-12 terminal fluorescence within the median eminence was less extensive and reduced in fluorescence intensity in 20-month old mice; in 28-month old mice, only a thin rim of fluorescence remained at the ventral edge of the median eminence. The drop in fluorescence intensity of A-12 terminals within the median eminence of the aged C57B1/6N male mouse paralleled the decrease in A-12 terminal fluorescence previously reported for the Fischer 344 male rat [26]; however, mouse A-12 perikarya did not exhibit the dramatic increase in fluorescence intensity seen in the rat. The possibility that the divergent aging patterns exhibited in A-12 neurons of these two species might be related to differential resilience of their reproductive axes is discussed.
Low Energy Electron Diffraction Studies of Organic Monolayers on Metal Surfaces

The structures of monolayers of organic molecules adsorbed at metal single crystal surfaces are conveniently studied using Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED). Analysis of LEED intensity data determined the structures formed on adsorption of acetylene on Pt(1 1 1). Structures within monolayers can be reliably inferred from LEED data without extensive analysis of the diffracted beam intensities if supplementary information, i.e. spectroscopic data, is available. Structures obtained in this way are discussed and several general features of the adsorption of organic molecules are presented. Weakly adsorbed molecules form close-packed monolayers. Strongly adsorbed molecules adsorb in specific sites on the metal surface. The nature of the adsorption can be determined from observation of the monolayer registry with the metal lattice. The structure and bonding of organic molecules at metal surfaces depends strongly on temperature.
A Good Start: A Progressive, Transactional Approach to Diversity in Pre-service Teacher Education

AbstractResearchers of teacher education programs have lamented the fact that these programs do little to prepare teachers to work with culturally and linguistically diverse children. In this paper we problematize the traditional transmission teacher education approaches to diversity with respect to preparing teachers to teach reading and language arts to culturally and linguistically diverse children. Further, we use Banks' developmental stages of ethnic identity to discuss the potential impact (or lack of impact) of such traditional transmission teacher education on pre-service teachers. Our research then examines the potential impact of a progressive, transactional reading and language arts methods block of courses at an urban professional development school on pre-service teachers' understanding of teaching culturally and linguistically diverse children. Finally, we situate our findings within Banks' developmental stages of ethnic identity.
CO2 foaming of polymer nanocomposite blends

Nanoparticles are suitable to nucleate small foam cells and simultaneously reinforce the thin foam cell walls. In this paper, it is found that the foam morphology and the physical properties are greatly influenced by the dispersion of nanoclay, the clay surface modification, and the nanocomposite blend morphology. The addition of nanoclay to polystyrene (PS) strongly affects the nucleation of foam bubbles, especially after exfoliation and proper surface modification. CO2 appears to nucleate on the solid clay surface with a CO2-affinitive surface modifier. PS/(PMMA/MHABS) nanocomposite blends composed of polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate)/nanoclay exfoliated nanocomposite show an unexpected trend that bubble nucleation inversely correlates with domain size, where the bigger PMMA/MHABS domains are significant in nucleating more bubbles. The total influence volume, formed by the CO2 diffusion from the PMMA/MHABS phase to the PS phase where CO2 concentration decreases from a high value in the former to a low value in the latter, is related to the domain size and determines the nucleation efficiency in the PS phase. The physical properties of PS nanocomposites exhibit unique behaviour in the presence of CO2.
Ketamine blocks a taste-mediated conditioned motor response in perinatal rats.

Abstract Brain N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors have been implicated as important mediators of both learning and neuronal development. The current study investigated how ketamine HCl (a well-known NMDA-receptor blocking drug) would influence taste-mediated conditioned motor responses in perinatal rats. Dams pregnant with E19 rat fetuses were injected with 0, 50, or 100 mg/kg ketamine HCl (IP). One-half hour later, a reversible spinal block was performed on the dam, and fetuses received an oral injection of 10 μl 0.3% Saccharin (SAC) or water while in utero. After the oral injection, fetuses received either saline or LiCl (81 mg/kg, IP). The uterus was replaced and, 2 days later (E21), rats received oral lavage with SAC. Rats in other litters were born via a normal vaginal delivery and were exposed to SAC on postnatal day 3 (P3). Observations of motor responses were recorded immediately after the oral lavage of SAC. If SAC had been paired with LiCl in utero, both E21 and P3 pups exhibited a conditioned suppression of orofacial movements (compared to controls). Both doses of ketamine significantly attenuated this taste-mediated conditioned motor response. These data reinforce the current conception of the fetus and neonate as sophisticated sensors and responders to the uterine and extrauterine environment. Further, our findings indicate a role for NMDA receptors in the formation of a conditioned motor response in fetal rats.
Software engineering for knowledge-based systems software

Various software design principles useful for knowledge-based systems software (KBSS) are discussed. In particular, the applicability of abstraction, information hiding, modularity, localization, uniformity, completeness, confirmability, reusability, and extensibility in KBSS programming paradigms is examined. Conclusions are drawn on the limitations and/or the appropriateness of the KBSS programming paradigms with respect to facilitating the software design principles. >
Rash induction by intracellular products of group A streptococci.

SummaryIntradermal injection of crude sonic extracts and fractions obtained by starch electrophoresis of group A streptococci produced a spreading erythema in a variable percentage of rabbits. Recurrence of the lesion developed in about 10% of rabbits after abatement of primary lesion. The variability in rabbit response made it difficult to characterize the active principle and to determine the underlying mechanism of the reaction.
Ground-State Energy of the SPIN-1/2 Two-Dimensional Antiferromagnetic Heisenberg Model

The ground-state energy of the spin-1/2 two-dimensional antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model is obtained by a real space renormalization group method. A relative larger cluster (5×5) is used to improve the accuracy and a boundary theory is applied to extrapolate to the result which is in good agreement with the finite-size calculation and in fairly good agreement with the other available numerical estimates. How to further improve the calculation is discussed.
Transmission of Single and Multiple Viral Variants in Primary HIV-1 Subtype C Infection

To address whether sequences of viral gag and env quasispecies collected during the early post-acute period can be utilized to determine multiplicity of transmitted HIV's, recently developed approaches for analysis of viral evolution in acute HIV-1 infection [1], [2] were applied. Specifically, phylogenetic reconstruction, inter- and intra-patient distribution of maximum and mean genetic distances, analysis of Poisson fitness, shape of highlighter plots, recombination analysis, and estimation of time to the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) were utilized for resolving multiplicity of HIV-1 transmission in a set of viral quasispecies collected within 50 days post-seroconversion (p/s) in 25 HIV-infected individuals with estimated time of seroconversion. The decision on multiplicity of HIV infection was made based on the model's fit with, or failure to explain, the observed extent of viral sequence heterogeneity. The initial analysis was based on phylogeny, inter-patient distribution of maximum and mean distances, and Poisson fitness, and was able to resolve multiplicity of HIV transmission in 20 of 25 (80%) cases. Additional analysis involved distribution of individual viral distances, highlighter plots, recombination analysis, and estimation of tMRCA, and resolved 4 of the 5 remaining cases. Overall, transmission of a single viral variant was identified in 16 of 25 (64%) cases, and transmission of multiple variants was evident in 8 of 25 (32%) cases. In one case multiplicity of HIV-1 transmission could not be determined. In primary HIV-1 subtype C infection, samples collected within 50 days p/s and analyzed by a single-genome amplification/sequencing technique can provide reliable identification of transmission multiplicity in 24 of 25 (96%) cases. Observed transmission frequency of a single viral variant and multiple viral variants were within the ranges of 64% to 68%, and 32% to 36%, respectively.
Role of DNA methylation in renal cell carcinoma

Alterations in DNA methylation are seen in cancers and have also been examined in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Numerous tumor suppressor genes have been reported to be partially or completely silenced due to hypermethylation of their promoters in single-locus studies, and the use of hypomethylating agents has been shown to restore the expression of many of these genes in vitro. In particular, members of the Wnt and TGF-beta pathways, pro-apoptotic genes such as APAF-1 and negative cell-cycle regulators such as KILLIN have been shown to be epigenetically silenced in numerous studies in ccRCC. Recently, TCGA analysis of a large cohort of ccRCC samples demonstrated that aberrant hypermethylation correlated with the stage and grade in kidney cancer. Our genome-wide studies also revealed aberrant widespread hypermethylation that affected regulatory regions of the kidney genome in ccRCC. We also observed that aberrant enhancer hypermethylation was predictive of adverse prognosis in ccRCC. Recent discovery of mutations affecting epigenetic regulators reinforces the importance of these changes in the pathophysiology of ccRCC and points to the potential of epigenetic modulators in the treatment of this malignancy.
A survey of the geophysical properties of chlorinated DNAPLs

Abstract Dense Non Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs) are a family of fluids often encountered as industrial contaminants. Some of the most problematic DNAPLs are chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE). While many DNAPLs have been extensively studied from a hydrology perspective, documentation of DNAPL properties relevant to geophysical detection is far from complete. We present a short survey of acoustic velocity, density, and dielectric constant measurements for an important subset of commonly encountered dense chlorinated contaminants. Viscosity and surface tension data are included to allow exploration of contaminant signatures within the context of poroelastic or contact theory models. Where available, the temperature dependence of solvent properties are also provided. Densities for the listed DNAPLs range from 1253 to 1622 kg/m3 at 20 °C. All are effectively non-polar with dielectric constants between 2.2 and 10.9 and have relatively low compressional wave velocities ranging from 938 to 1217 m/s. We conclude with documentation of a small collection of recent experiments investigating the properties of soils partially saturated with similar fluids. Current laboratory evidence demonstrates that DNAPLs can produce changes in geophysically measurable properties. We hope that this survey will facilitate further studies of the feasibility and effectiveness of geophysical techniques for detection of DNAPLs in the subsurface.
The Ketogenic Diet

This paper represents the opinion of the Central Nervous System Practice and Research Network (PRN) of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. It does not necessarily represent an official ACCP commentary, guideline, or statement of policy or position.
Influence of residual forest patches on post-fire bird diversity patterns in jack pine-dominated ecosystems of northern Lower Michigan

Stand-replacing fires are part of the natural disturbance regime that maintain jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) forests of northern Lower Michigan. Currently, the occurrence and extent of wildfire is much reduced relative to the past and young jack pine plantations specifically managed for Kirtland’s warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii Baird) are a prominent feature on the landscape. Stringers, or patches of residual prefire forest, are a unique feature left behind after wildfires which are not often accounted for in plantation management. In this study, we examined the ecological value of stringers from an avian biodiversity perspective by comparing bird assemblages found within stringers to those in the surrounding forest (nonstringers). Our objective was to answer two research questions: (1) do stringers have unique bird communities relative to the surrounding vegetation (forest or plantation)?; and (2) how much of the variation in bird communities can be explained by differences in vegetation structure and composition between stringers and non-stringers? We conducted breeding and non-breeding season point counts and used abundance data to compare bird species found within stringers and non-stringers at seven sites grouped by time since disturbance. Species richness was significantly higher (P = 0.01) in the stringers when the non-stringers were 30–40 years old, with 32 species discovered in the stringers and 29 species in the non-stringers. During the breeding season, bird assemblages differed between stringers and nonstringers when the non-stringers were 40 years old. Non-breeding bird communities differed between stringers and non-stringers only when the non-stringer was a recently planted (<5 years old) plantation (T = � 2.15, A = 0.09, P = 0.02). Differences in bird assemblages appear to be driven by the vegetation structure of stringers and nonstringers where fires were recent, but increasing similarity in vegetation structure occurs with time since fire; over time the importance of stringers for avian biodiversity is reduced. Our results suggest that stringers are important for bird communities, especially in recently disturbed areas, and that these biological legacies should be considered where jack pine management attempts to emulate natural patterns and processes.
Turbulent heat transfer on the stationary disk in a rotor-stator system

A combined numerical and experimental study was performed to determine the turbulent heat transfer on a stationary disk, which is situated in a close distance from a rotating disk. The RNG k–e model and the steady-state liquid crystal technique were employed respectively in the numerical simulation and the experiment. In the range of the rotational Reynolds number from 1:42 � 10 5 to 3:33 � 10 5 , the heat transfer rate on the stator and the flow characteristics in the gap between the disks are presented. The results revealed that there exists an optimum rotor–stator distance for a given Reynolds number, at which the average heat transfer on the stator reaches maximum. When the Reynolds number increases, the maximum shifts towards smaller disk-distances. 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Influence of grapevine leafroll associated viruses (GLRaV-2 and -3) on the fruit composition of Oregon Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot noir: Free amino acids, sugars, and organic acids

Individual free amino acids, yeast assimilable amino acid (YAN) content, ammonia, organic acids, and simple sugars of berries from vines infected with GLRaV-2 or -3 were compared with paired vines free of these viruses. Samples were taken from two commercial vineyards during two growing seasons (2005 and 2006), with three different rootstock/scion combinations. Vines infected with GLRaV-2 did not differ significantly from their healthy counterparts in individual free amino acids, ammonia, or YAN content. Vines infected with GLRaV-3 were significantly lower in valine and methionine from Vitis riparia rootstock/‘Pinot noir’ clone 114 (VY2a) samples, and lower in glutamic acid from self-rooted/‘Pinot noir’ clone Pommard (VY2b) samples, compared to samples from their healthy counterparts. Samples from VY2b (self-rooted/‘Pinot noir’ clone Pommard) infected vines had significantly lower levels of malic acid and total organic acids compared to samples from their healthy counterparts. There were no significant differences between healthy and infected vines from all three rootstock/scion pairs in ammonia or free amino acids in samples taken during the weeks before ripening and at commercial harvest. This is the first study to report the influence of GLRaV-2 and -3 on ‘Pinot noir’ berries nitrogen (N) compounds significant to fermentation. Individual free amino acids may be inferior to phenolic compounds as indicators of GLRaV infection status. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Islam, Slavery and Jihad in West Africa

Modernist readings of Islam exist in different forms, from the Orientalist to the Islamist, but they agree in defining Islam by looking back to the founding period of the Prophet and his immediate successors. Muslim reformers undertook this step to cut out centuries of commentary and precedent that they blamed for the stagnation of the Muslim world, but their influence is now so pervasive that it distorts historical interpretations of Muslim thought by imposing modernist interpretations that erase past debates about contentious issues such as jihad and slavery. This article challenges the assumptions of this modernist consensus by exploring past debates about slavery and jihad in West Africa from 1600 to 1900, and exploring the diversity of positions defended by West African Muslims. For heuristic purposes, these are defined as those of the revolutionary, the jurist, and the mystic.
Steroids cause osteoporosis

Excellent treatment options exist. So why don't we all prevent or treat it? When doctors institute steroids for any illness and for any length of time, they take on a lifelong responsibility to that patient to both taper the drug as quickly as is possible and safe and prevent or treat the many well recognised steroid related side effects.1 This is particularly true when steroid treatment lasts for more than one month and certainly for many months or years. Rheumatologists have a particular accountability because of the 1% of the population who are receiving long term steroids, most have rheumatological disorders.2,3 Further, rheumatologists should have the best understanding of when the treatment course will be prolonged, the profound and negative physiological impact of steroids on bone, and the need to deal with this important issue in both men and women.4,5 A recent topic search for steroid-induced osteoporosis (SIO) yielded 79 000 articles since 1966 and 13 000 since l998, most of which focused on the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of SIO. Despite the saturation publication on this topic for years, doctors do …
A NEURO-FUZZY ARBITRAGE SEMULATOR FOR STOCK INVESTING

In this paper, the use of a neuro-fuzzy network model for the successful prediction of the price of a stock, given the fluctuations in the rest of the market that day, is presented. Based on the neural net’s prediction, the model then measures its success by simulating buying or selling that stock, based on whether the market’s price is determined over valued or under valued. The neural net itself is a modification of S.Y. Kung’s - a fuzzy based neural network. The neural model consistently averages over 20% A.P.R., and has been time tested over 6 years with several stocks.
H2AX Prevents DNA Breaks from Progressing to Chromosome Breaks and Translocations

Histone H2AX promotes DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) class switch recombination (CSR) in B-lymphocytes. CSR requires activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) and involves joining of DSB intermediates by end joining. We find that AID-dependent IgH locus chromosome breaks occur at high frequency in primary H2AX-deficient B cells activated for CSR and that a substantial proportion of these breaks participate in chromosomal translocations. Moreover, activated B cells deficient for ATM, 53BP1, or MDC1, which interact with H2AX during the DSB response, show similarly increased IgH locus breaks and translocations. Thus, our findings implicate a general role for these factors in promoting end joining and thereby preventing DSBs from progressing into chromosomal breaks and translocations. As cellular p53 status does not markedly influence the frequency of such events, our results also have implications for how p53 and the DSB response machinery cooperate to suppress generation of lymphomas with oncogenic translocations.
Heat transfer to water in turbulent flow in internally heated annuli

Nearly 900 values of local heat transfer coefficients were correlated for water flowing through long annuli 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 in. wide, electrically heated at their inner surfaces and containing three spacer ribs. Both cosine and uniform lengthwise heat-flux distributions were employed. All heat transfer coefficients were computed for positions corresponding to (L/De) ratios larger than 150. Several methods of correlation were attempted and compared, especially with respect to the method of evaluating physical properties. The proportionality of the Colburn j factor to the Prandtl and Reynolds numbers with their usual exponents was verified, and the dependence of j upon D2/D1 was analyzed. There was no significant effect of cosine heat-flux distribution on the heat transfer coefficients. Evaluating physical properties at the usual film temperature gave the best correlation. A simplified dimensional equation for water at moderate temperatures and pressures was also developed.
Ongoing viral replication is required for gammaherpesvirus 68-induced vascular damage.

results in severe inflammation of the large elastic arteries that is pathologically similar to the lesions observed in Takayasu’s arteritis, the nongranulomatous variant of temporal arteritis, and Kawasaki’s disease (K. E. Weck et al., Nat. Med. 3:1346‐1353, 1997). Here we define the mechanism of damage to the elastic arteries. We show that there is a persistent productive infection of the media of the large elastic vessels. In addition, we demonstrate that persistent virus replication is necessary for chronic arteritis, since antiviral therapy of mice with established disease resulted in increased survival, clearance of viral antigen from the media of the affected vessel, and dramatic amelioration of arteritic lesions. These data argue that ongoing virus replication, rather than autoimmunity, is the cause of gHV68-induced elastic arteritis.
Sequential analysis of binomial clinical trials

We examine results produced by a new likelihood stopping rule for terminating clinical trials, designed to choose the better of two competing dichotomous treatments, or to decide that they are equal. A method for adaptive assignment is also discussed, for the purpose of reducing the number of tests with the poorer treatment. A comparison of results with several alternative designs given in the literature shows that the proposed design either gives substantial improvement over them or equals their performance except in the case of competing treatments with high success probabilities. The procedures studied assume that response to treatment is immediate.
Next generation Intel® ATOM™ processor based ultra low power SoC for handheld applications

Lincroft, the next generation Intel® ATOM™ processor based SoC specifically designed for smartphones, is fabricated in 45nm Hi-K metal gate CMOS. The design contains 140 million transistors in a die size of 65 mm2. Thermal design power (TDP) consumption is measured at 1.25W at 90°C at a frequency of 1.20GHz. Low power IO interfaces such as LPDDR1/DDR2, cDMI to IOH and cDVO for display are deployed to meet unique handheld SoC needs while consuming ultra low power. Clock architecture and clock distribution is configured with special power reduction features. As part of the extensive low power methodology, the chip is divided into numerous power domains with on die distributed powergates to reduce both active and standby power. Measured data shows up to 50X reduction in standby power. Silicon data shows dramatically low power in sleep and deeper sleep standby power states.
Oral feeding of pomegranate fruit extract inhibits early biomarkers of UVB radiation-induced carcinogenesis in SKH-1 hairless mouse epidermis.

Pomegranate from the plant Punica granatum L. possesses strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, we have demonstrated that treatment of normal human epidermal keratinocytes with pomegranate fruit extract (PFE) inhibited UVB-mediated activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen activated protein kinases pathways. Here, we evaluated the effect of PFE on early biomarkers of photocarcinogenesis employing SKH-1 hairless mice. PFE was provided in drinking water (0.2%, wt/vol) to SKH-1 hairless mice for 14 days before a single UVB (180 mJ cm -2 ) irradiation. We found that oral feeding of PFE inhibited UVB-induced: (1) skin edema; (2) hyperplasia; (3) infiltration of leukocytes; (4) lipid peroxidation; (5) hydrogen peroxide generation; (6) ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity; and (7) ODC, cyclooxygenase-2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein expression. Oral feeding of PFE enhanced repair of UVB-mediated formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). Importantly, PFE treatment further enhanced UVB-mediated increase in tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin kinase inhibitor p21. Furthermore, oral feeding of PFE inhibited UVB-mediated: (1) nuclear translocation of NF-κB; (2) activation of IKKα; and (3) phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. Taken together, we provide evidence that oral feeding of PFE to mice affords substantial protection from the adverse effects of UVB radiation via modulation in early biomarkers of photocarcinogenesis and provide suggestion for its photochemopreventive potential.
A Method for Measurement of Glucose Enrichment in Serum Using Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry and Its Application for Measurement of Glucose Kinetics

Abstract An isotope dilution mass spectrometric method has been developed for kinetic studies of D-glucose in humans, using 6,6-dideuteroglucose as the internal standard. Glucose in plasma samples was purified by anion and cation exchange column chromatography after deproteinization and derivatized to α-D-glucofuranose cyclic 1,2:3, 5-bis (butylboronate)-6-acetate. The analysis was done by isothermic injection into a gas chromatograph electron impact quadrupole mass spectrometer monitoring selected ions. The dideuteroglucose enrichment that was used for this study was in the range of 0.4-2%. Coefficients of variation of isotope enrichment measured i n this range were less than 3% within-day and less than 5% between-day.
Does firm ownership structure matter? Evidence from sugar mills in India.

Abstract This paper examines the effect of firm ownership structure on firm behavior and the economic outcomes of upstream suppliers by comparing privately owned sugar mills to cooperatives and public mills in India. In this setting, government support for cooperative and public mills allows meaningful variation in ownership structure to be observed, while the “command area” zoning system – whereby mills are given monopsony power to operate within an assigned area – helps tackle the identification challenge. The borders of command areas allow for a geographic regression discontinuity design, where underlying soil, weather, and institutional characteristics are exactly the same but ownership structure changes across boundaries. Using satellite images overlaid on digital maps to measure sugarcane grown along the borders, as well as a survey to determine the effects of crop choices on farmer welfare, I find that private mills encourage sugarcane production. Greater cane cultivation is tied to better credit provided by private mills, and it results in higher income and consumption for farmers.
Influence of Jahn-Teller Ions on Spin-Lattice Relaxation in Ferrimagnets

Spin-lattice relaxation in ferrites can be enhanced by 3dn ions with t 2g orbital Jahn-Teller effect capabilities. When exchange-ordered, Mn3+, Fe2+, Co2+, Cu2+ can stabilize orbital doublets from the t 2g shell by spin-orbit interactions. This occurrence can also account for observed magnetoelastic effects.
Radiation for early-stage nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma: a double-edged sword?

With an incidence of approximately 1/1,000,000 cases per year, nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare CD20-positive lymphoma comprising approximately 5% of Hodgkin lympho...
Creating Arteriovenous Fistulas in Patients with Chronic Central Venous Obstruction

PurposeCentral venous obstruction Occlusion (CVO) has been considered a contraindication for creating a vascular access due to fear of developing a swollen extremity. However, many of these individ...
Hybrid deterministic-stochastic gradient Langevin dynamics for Bayesian learning

We propose a new algorithm to obtain Bayesian posterior distribution by a hybrid deterministic-stochastic gradient Langevin dynamics. To speed up convergence and reduce computational costs, it is common to use stochastic gradient method to approximate the full gradient by sampling a subset of the large dataset. Stochastic gradient methods make progress fast initially, however, they often become slow in the late stage as the iterations approach the desired solution. The conventional gradient methods converge better eventually however at the expense of evaluating the full gradient at each iteration. Our hybrid method has the advantages of both approaches for constructing the Bayesian posterior distribution. We prove that our algorithm converges based on the weak convergence methods, and illustrate numerically its effectiveness and improved accuracy.
The conditions governing secondary reinforcers

Three groups of rats were allowed to make 50 bar-press responses with a 1-sec delay of reinforcement. Following 25 of these responses, a 1-sec cue light was presented with the patterning varied between groups. The group which had the cue present from the beginning of training showed the greatest resistance to extinction.