cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EGF and TGF‐α in wound healing and repair

Wound healing is a localized process which involves inflammation, wound cell migration and mitosis, neovascularization, and regeneration of the extracellular matrix. Recent data suggest the actions of wound cells may be regulated by local production of peptide growth factors which influence wound cells through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Two peptide growth factors which may play important roles in normal wound healing in tissues such as skin, cornea, and gastrointestinal tract are the structurally related peptides epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha). EGF/TGF-alpha receptors are expressed by many types of cells including skin keratinocytes, fibroblasts, vascular endothelial cells, and epithelial cells of the GI tract. In addition, EGF or TGF-alpha are synthesized by several cells involved in wound healing including platelets, keratinocytes, and activated macrophages. Healing of a variety of wounds in animals and patients was enhanced by treatment with EGF or TGF-alpha. Epidermal regeneration of partial thickness burns on pigs or dermatome wounds on patients was accelerated with topical application of EGF or TGF-alpha, and EGF treatment accelerated healing of gastroduodenal ulcers. EGF also increased tensile strength of skin incisions in rats and corneal incisions in rabbits, cats, and primates. Additional research is needed to better define the roles of EGF, TGF-alpha and their receptor in normal wound healing, to determine if alterations have occurred in the EGF/TGF-alpha system in chronic wounds, and optimize vehicles for effective delivery of peptide growth factors to wounds.
Ribonuclease-sensitive infectious units from tomato bushy stunt virus.

Abstract It was found that mixing tomato bushy stunt virus with sodium dodecyl sulfate at pH 4.1 at room temperature and subsequent removal of protein with water-saturated phenol resulted in infectious preparations whose properties, in the few tests made, resembled those of ribonucleic acid (RNA). The infectivities of such preparations, which were about 0.1% that of intact virus containing an equivalent amount of RNA, were abolished by pancreatic ribonuclease under conditions which only slightly reduced the infectivity of whole virus. The preparations appeared to contain, in addition to RNA, about 1–2% proteinaceous material.
Reactions between Manganese Dioxide and Aqueous Sulfide

Abstract Rates of reaction of aqueous sulfide with excess suspended manganese dioxide showed a first-order dependence with respect to sulfide concentration under oxygen-free and oxygen-present conditions. In both cases, calculated rate constants showed a similar dependence on pH, and polysulfides were shown to be significant intermediates.
R&D intensity and productivity of exporting SMEs: empirical evidence from China

Skepticism in the R&D-productivity linkage among SMEs has arisen due to the belief that, by leveraging R&D capabilities through outsourcing and innovation alliances, an SME can achieve desirable innovation and business competitiveness without conducting in-house R&D activities of its own. Exporting SMEs have relatively limited internal resources but are exposed to more opportunities for R&D outsourcing and alliances across the world, so in-house R&D may appear even less appealing to them. But is in-house R&D truly no longer useful, particularly for exporting SMEs? Synthesising findings of extant studies on the effects of innovation and firm size on business productivity, this paper formulates an R&D-firm size-productivity research model for exporting SMEs. General linear model analysis on cross-sectional data of 186 exporting SMEs in China demonstrates that R&D intensity and firm size are positively and significantly associated with labour productivity. The findings of the study provide an additional piece of empirical evidence that to maintain technical leadership and business competitiveness, exporting SMEs need to strengthen their in-house R&D.
Limbus-based vs fornix-based conjunctival flap in combined glaucoma and cataract surgery with adjunctive mitomycin C

Purpose To determine the efficacy and safety of limbus-based vs fornix-based conjunctival flaps in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma undergoing trabeculectomy combined with phaco-emulsification and intraocular lens implantation with adjunctive subconjunctival mitomycin C. Methods In a prospective study, 69 eyes of 69 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, visually symptomatic cataracts, and no previous incisional ocular surgery were randomly assigned to limbus-based and fornix-based conjunctival flap groups. All patients received trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens implantation with 1-minute (0.5 mg/ ml) application of subconjunctival mitomycin C. Results The mean intraocular pressures were significantly ( P P P > .05) differences in postoperative mean intra-ocular pressure, mean number of medications, and visual acuity between the two groups at any time interval. Hypotony with wound leak was significantly ( P = .019) higher in the limbus-based group. Other postoperative complications were not significantly ( P > .05) different between the two groups. Conclusions There was no notable difference in glaucoma control or visual outcome between limbus-based and fornix-based conjunctival flaps in primary trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification and lens implantation with adjunctive subconjunctival mitomycin C. The fornix-based flap was as safe as, if not safer than, the limbus-based flap in the glaucoma triple procedure with adjunctive subconjunctival mitomycin C.
Co-Opting the Unfolded Protein Response to Elicit Olfactory Receptor Feedback

Olfactory receptor (OR) expression requires the transcriptional activation of 1 out of 1,000s of OR alleles and a feedback signal that preserves this transcriptional choice. The mechanism by which olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) detect ORs to signal to the nucleus remains elusive. Here, we show that OR proteins generate this feedback by activating the unfolded protein response (UPR). OR expression induces Perk-mediated phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eif2α causing selective translation of activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5). ATF5 induces the transcription of adenylyl cyclase 3 (Adcy3), which relieves the UPR. Our data provide a role for the UPR in defining neuronal identity and cell fate commitment and support a two-step model for the feedback signal: (1) OR protein, as a stress stimulus, alters the translational landscape of the OSN and induces Adcy3 expression; (2), Adcy3 relieves that stress, restores global translation, and makes OR choice permanent.
Risk-Taking: A Motivational Basis for Sex Differences

No current explanation about the bases for human action adequately accounts for the persistence of differences between the public achievement of women and men. An argument is presented here that underlying many of these differences are variations in the responses of males and females to situations perceived as risky. It is postulated that in such situations males are more likely to see a challenge that calls forth participation while females tend to respond as to a threat in ways that encourage avoidance of the risk. Application of this idea provides coherence to many disparate and sometimes anomalous findings and suggests lines of investigation that may prove to be fruitful.
Some mapping properties of p-summing adjoint operators

Abstract Let X and Y be Banach spaces and u be a continuous linear operator from X to Y. We prove that if u * , the adjoint operator of u, is p-summing for some p ⩾ 1 , then for any q ⩾ 2 , u takes (almost) unconditionally summable sequences in X into members of l q ⊗ ˆ Y , the projective tensor product of l q and Y.
The Utilization of Retention Strategies at Church-Related Colleges: A Longitudinal Study

Implementing effective student retention strategies is important for all institutions of higher education. This is especially true for smaller, private colleges as resources for higher education ar...
Effect of azaserine on the incorporation of 14C-labeled purines and pyrimidines into the acid-soluble and nucleic acid fractions of Trypanosoma equiperdum

Abstract Azaserine decreased the incorporation of 14C-labeled adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine, uracil, and orotic acid into the nucleic acid fraction and increased the incorporation of these compounds into the acid-soluble fraction of Trypanosoma equiperdum incubated in vitro. The amino acids l -glutamine, l -tryptophan, l -leucine, and l -tyrosine partially prevented the inhibition produced by azaserine on the incorporation of ade- nine-14C into the nucleic acid fraction. Azaserine did not interfere with the incorporation of adenine-14C into the acid-soluble adenine- and guanine-containing compounds but did inhibit the incorporation of uracil-14C into acid-soluble cytosine-containing nucleotides and the UMP and CMP components of RNA. These results suggest that in T. equiperdum azaserine inhibits the conversion of UMP to CMP, and as a result of this inhibition there is a secondary inhibition of the biosynthesis of RNA. The extremely limited ability of T. equiperdum to anabolize tritiated cytosine or cytidine suggests that this protozoan species depends primarily upon the de novo pathway for the biosynthesis of CMP and indicates a possible site for exploitation with the appropriate antimetabolites.
MyoD Functions as a Transcriptional Repressor in Proliferating Myoblasts

The myogenic basic helix-loop-helix (myo-bHLH) proteins are a family of transcriptional regulators expressed in myoblasts and differentiated skeletal muscle. Ectopic expression of myo-bHLH regulators transdetermines some fibroblast cell lines into myoblasts, which exit the cell cycle and differentiate into skeletal muscle when cultured in low mitogen medium. While members of the myo-bHLH family have been shown to function as transcriptional activators in differentiating muscle, the molecular basis of their function in proliferating myoblasts has not been elucidated. In this report, we present evidence that MyoD functions as a transcriptional repressor in myoblasts. We show that transcription from a cyclin B1 promoter construct is repressed in proliferating myoblasts and that repression is mediated by a pair of MyoD binding sites. We also show that transcription from the cyclin B1 promoter is repressed in proliferating C3H10T1/2 cells by ectopic expression of MyoD. These results demonstrate that MyoD can repress transcription of specific genes in proliferating cells, a novel function that may be important to maintenance of the myogenic phenotype and to cell cycle regulation in myoblasts.
Improved volume rendering for the visualization of living cells examined with confocal microscopy

This research applies recent advances in 3D isosurface reconstruction to images of test spheres and plant cells growing in suspension culture. Isosurfaces that represent object boundaries are constructed with a Marching Cubes algorithm applied to simple data sets, i.e., fluorescent test beads, and complex data sets, i.e., fluorescent plant cells, acquired with a Zeiss Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (LSM). The marching cubes algorithm treats each pixel or voxel of the image as a separate entity when performing computations. To test the spatial accuracy of the reconstruction, control data representing the volume of a 25 micrometer test shaper was obtained with the LSM. This volume was then judged on the basis of uniformity and smoothness. Using polygon decimation and smoothing algorithms available through the visualization toolkit, 'voxellated' test spheres and cells were smoothed using several different smoothing algorithms after unessential polygons were eliminated. With these improvements, the shape of subcellular organelles could be modeled at various levels of accuracy. However, in order to accurately reconstruct these complex structures of interest to us, the subcellular organelles of the endosomal system or the endoplasmic reticulum of plant cells, measurements of the accuracy of connectedness of structures need to be developed.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Dipyridamole technetium-99m sestamibi myocardial tomography in patients evaluated for elective vascular surgery: Prognostic value for perioperative and late cardiac events

Dipyridamole thallium-201 myocardial imaging can provide information regarding risk of perioperative cardiac events in patients being considered for vascular surgery. The value for this purpose of myocardial imaging with technetium-99m sestamibi (MIBI), a radiotracer with biokinetic and imaging properties different from thallium-201, has not been established. To this end the prognostic value of dipyridamole MIBI tomography for perioperative and late cardiac events was evaluated in 229 consecutive patients being considered for elective vascular surgery. Vascular surgery was done ≤3 months after testing in 197 of these patients. Perioperative cardiac events (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or ischemic pulmonary edema) occurred in 9 (5%) patients. The rate of such events was 3% in patients with normal MIBI results, 5% in those with abnormal results, and 6% in patients with a reversible MIBI defect (both p = NS). When patients with abnormal MIBI results who had preoperative cardiac interventions (coronary revascularization or an increase in antiischemic medical therapy) were compared with those who did not, no significant differences in the occurrence of perioperative cardiac events were found between these two groups either. A group of 172 medically treated patients who survived vascular surgery and did not have a nonfatal perioperative cardiac event was then monitored (mean 21 ± 14 months) for the occurrence of a serious late cardiac event (nonfatal myocardial infarction or cardiac death). Event-free survival (Mantel-Cox) was significantly less in patients with abnormal studies compared with those with normal scan results. Late cardiac events occurred in 26 (15%) patients, with those having an abnormal MIBI result showing a significantly greater event rate than those with normal results (26% vs 4%, p < 0.0001). The rate of late cardiac events was 33% in patients with a reversible MIBI defect (p < 0.001) and 23% in those with a fixed defect (p < 0.03). Independent Cox multivariable predictors of increased risk of late cardiac events were a history of diabetes mellitus (relative risk [RR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 1.0 to 4.9), an abnormal MIBI study (RR 3.7, 95% Cl 1.2 to 11.4), and a reversible MIBI defect (RR 2.7, 95% Cl 1.2 to 6.1). We conclude that, although its ability to assess increased perioperative cardiac risk remains uncertain, dipyridamole MIBI tomography does provide important prognostic information regarding the risk of serious late cardiac events in patients having vascular surgery. The presence of an abnormal MIBI result, specifically one demonstrating a reversible perfusion defect, is associated with significantly increased risk.
Effects of adiposity on physical activity in childhood: Iowa Bone Development Study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine whether adiposity level is associated with subsequent physical activity (PA) level in childhood. Methods: Study participants were 326 children participating in the Iowa Bone Development Study. PA and fat mass were measured using accelerometers and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at approximately 5, 8, and 11 yr. Data for relevant variables such as parents' education and PA levels and family income were also collected. Gender-specific generalized linear models were fit to examine the association between percentage body fat (%BF) at age 8 and intensity-weighted moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (IW-MVPA) at age 11. Results: After adjusting for IW-MVPA at age 8, the interval between the age 8 and 11 examinations, residualized change scores of %BF and IW-MVPA from age 5 to 8, and mother's education level, %BF at age 8 was negatively associated with IW-MVPA at age 11 among boys (P < 0.05). After adjusting for IW-MVPA at age 8, physical maturity, and family income, %BF at age 8 was negatively associated with IW-MVPA at age 11 among girls (P < 0.05). Categorical data analysis also showed that the odds ratio (OR) of being in the lowest quartile relative to the highest quartile of IW-MVPA at age 11 for boys and girls with high %BF at age 8 were approximately four times higher than the OR for those with low %BF at age 8 (OR = 4.38, 95% CI = 1.05-18.24 for boys; OR = 4.48, 95% CI = 1.35-14.85 for girls). Conclusions: This study suggests that adiposity level may be a determinant of PA behavior. Specific intervention strategies for overweight children may be needed to promote PA
Radiosynthesis of the fluorinated sucrose analogue, 1′-[18F]fluoro-1′-deoxysucrose

Fluorinated and deoxysucrose analogues have been proven useful in probing the substrate specificity and roles of sucrose processing enzymes and transporters in plants. To synthesize an 18F-labeled fluorodeoxysucrose analogue suitable for in vivo studies, an acyl-protected, disaccharide-based radiofluorination precursor (sucrose 1′-O-trifluoromethanesulfonyl-2,3,4,6,3′,4′,6′-hepta-O-acetate; 2) was prepared by regioselective mono-deacetylation of sucrose octaacetate using a commercial esterase enzyme followed by conversion of the resultant sucrose heptaacetate to the corresponding triflate. Reaction of this triflate precursor with [18F]fluoride followed by base hydrolysis to remove the acetate groups and HPLC purification gave 1′-[18F]fluoro-1′-deoxysucrose (4) in an overall synthesis time of 80 min and with a median decay corrected yield of 26% (n = 4). This study demonstrates the use of an enzymatic approach to aid the synthesis of a regiospecific radiofluorination precursor starting from the readily available fully acetylated sugar, thus avoiding the need for a complex classical carbohydrate protection strategy to individually protect each hydroxyl group in the molecule. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The success of an immunization information system in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Within days after Hurricane Katrina in September 2005, the Houston-Harris County Immunization Registry was connected to the Louisiana Immunization Network for Kids Statewide. This linkage provided immediate access to the immunization records of children who were forced to evacuate the New Orleans, Louisiana, area. One year later, >18900 immunization records have been found, representing an estimated cost savings of more than $1.6 million for vaccine alone and $3.04 million for vaccine plus administration fees. This experience demonstrated the vital and previously unrecognized functionality of immunization information systems in a public health emergency. Here we describe the Houston-Harris County Immunization Registry9s experience after Hurricane Katrina in terms of maximizing the use of immunization information systems and the implications of this experience for patients, providers, and public health for future disaster-preparedness planning.
Central limit theorems in D[0, 1]

Let X be a stochastic process with sample paths in the usual Skorohod space D[0, 1]. For a sequence {Xn} of independent copies of X, let Sn=X1+⋯+Xn. Conditions which are either necessary or sufficient for the weak convergence of n−1/2(Sn−ESn) to a Gaussian process with sample paths in D[0, 1] are discussed. Stochastically continuous processe are considered separately from those with fixed discontinuities. A bridge between the two is made by a Decomposition central limit theorem.
Some Implications of an Expression for the Response of the Electron Liquid

The pair correlation function, the screening of a fixed impurity charge, the correlation energy, the cohesive energy of alkali metals, and the plasmon dispersion relation in the small-$k$ limit are calculated using an expression for the dielectric function derived in a previous paper. Results are compared with those obtained from other theories.
Silencing Historical Trauma: The Politics and Psychology of Memory and Voice

Considerable research has been published linking traumatic historical events, silence, and diverse psychological consequences. Silence about historical trauma is common among survivors, often creating impediments to healing and recovery and serving as a medium through which the intergenerational effects of catastrophic experiences are transmitted. Understanding the origins of this silence is important for psychologists concerned with the experience of those who have survived major assaults. This article proposes a multifaceted model of the silence accompanying historical trauma, drawing on some of the first oral histories conducted with Korean Americans about personal and family experiences during the Korean War. It examines (1) the enforcing of silence among Korean Americans by the state, community, and family, and by unresolved individual trauma; (2) memories hidden in that silence; and (3) public remembering expressed through the arts as a means of breaking silences and fostering healing. (The Commissi...
Naloxone-induced epileptogenesis has brain-site specificity in rats

Naloxone injected into the lateral septum caused intense electrocortical seizures which did not occur following callosal or periaqueductal gray (PAG) injections. Conversely, injections into periaqueductal gray caused a characteristic and pronounced backward circling with only moderate electrocortical changes. Intracerebral injection of naloxone had effects, including epileptogenesis, which appeared to be site-specific. These effects are in some ways similar to the effects of enkephalin and morphine.
Friction analysis for a nonrippled superconducting energy storage structure

Two-layer low aspect ratio solenoids mounted in surface trenches are described for superconductive magnetic energy storage utility applications. A new two-layer nonrippled SMES design, in addition to rippled designs, is under study. This design has 257 two-turn pancakes. Each structure piece consists of an extruded trough, with the NbTi-AL conductor lying on its outer edge, and a simple rectangular plank. Troughs and planks are 5 meters long and overlap one another. Problems related to friction forces between troughs and planks and between conductors and troughs are considered in this study. Friction forces during cooldown, normal operations of charge and discharge, and emergency energy dump are covered. These problems are modeled by two-dimensional plates with appropriate boundary conditions. Euler's equation is employed to derive the governing equations for the friction forces. Solutions snow that the structure will slip and lock when needed due to friction and other forces.
Accelerated, energy-conserving Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics via Fock matrix extrapolation

Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics calculations, especially those that exploit information retained from previous time steps in order to accelerate convergence of the electronic structure calculations, can suffer from systematic error in the energy gradient that manifests as a drift in the microcanonical energy. Here, we demonstrate that this is only the case when the self-consistent field (SCF) convergence criterion is set too low; using only a marginally tighter threshold (still two orders of magnitude lower than what is standard for geometry optimizations), the drift disappears completely, for a time scale of several picoseconds. Using a Fock matrix extrapolation technique, SCF convergence is achieved in as few as three iterations per time step, without sacrificing energy conservation. In test calculations for C2F4, (H2O)4−, (H2O)6, and [Fe(H2O)6]2+, we demonstrate energy-conserving Fock matrix extrapolation that reduces the number of SCF cycles by up to 70% and reduces the computer time per molecular dynamics step by 45–55%, relative to simulations performed without extrapolation.
A new storage organization for temporal data bases

A temporal data base needs to maintain large amounts of data, which causes long delays in accessing information. In this article, we design and develop an efficient storage structure for maintaining both current and historical data. Our strategy consists of two storage organizations, one for current versions and the other for history versions. The organization for current versions follows an efficient storage organization of a conventional nontemporal data base. However, for maintaining the history versions of each item in the data base, we use an extended version of a Fibonacci heap, referred to as a history version heap. The novelty of our approach resides in its ability to insert a new version for an item into the data base in O(1) amortized time and retrieve the oldest version of an item in O(1) amortized time. These bounds are irrespective of the number of existing versions for that item. In addition, we can access or delete any version of a given item in logarithmic amortized time. Because our approach treats the current store and history store differently, it uses different access methods for each store possible.
Morphological and Abstract Case

This article explores the relationship between abstract Case and morphological case. I argue that abstract Case features are determined syntactically and realized in a postsyntactic morphological component. This morphological realization of abstract Case features is governed by the Elsewhere Condition (Anderson 1969, Kiparsky 1973, Halle and Marantz 1993, Halle 1997), resulting in an imperfect relationship between syntax and morphology, but one that is as faithful as possible given the morphological resources of the language. The data used in the argumentation come primarily from ergative languages. I identify a class of prima facie ergative-absolutive languages in which absolutive—that is, a case that groups together intransitive subjects and transitive objects—does not exist, either as an abstract Case or as a morphological case. Instead, the ''absolutive'' is the default morphological realization of abstract Case features, used when no realization of the specific Case feature is available. This morphological default is inserted for both nominative Case on the intransitive subject and accusative Case on the transitive object. The situation is thus entirely parallel to that
The interaction between KSHV RTA and cellular RBP-Jκ and their subsequent DNA binding are not sufficient for activation of RBP-Jκ

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) replication and transcription activator (RTA) is necessary and sufficient for the switch from KSHV latency to lytic replication. RTA activates promoters by several mechanisms. RTA can bind to sequences in viral promoters and activate transcription. In addition, RTA interacts with the cellular recombination signal sequence-binding protein-J kappa (RBP-Jκ), a transcriptional repressor, converts the repressor into an activator, and activates viral promoters via RBP-Jκ. Because RBP-Jκ is required for RTA to activate lytic replication, it is important to understand how RTA cooperates with RBP-Jκ protein to activate KSHV lytic replication program. Previously, we identified an RTA mutant, RTA-K152E, which has a defect in its direct DNA binding activity. In this report, the effect of the mutant RTA on KSHV activation via RBP-Jκ protein is examined. We demonstrate that RTA-K152E interacts with RBP-Jκ physically, and the mutant RTA and RBP-Jκ complex binds to target DNA properly in vivo and in vitro. However, the complex of RTA-K152E and RBP-Jκ does not activate transcription. Furthermore, the RTA mutant (RTA-K12E) inhibits cellular Notch-mediated RBP-Jκ activation. These data collectively suggest that the complex between KSHV RTA and cellular RBP-Jκ and the subsequent DNA binding by the complex are not sufficient for the activation of RBP-Jκ protein. Other factor(s), whether additional cofactor(s) in the complex, or the intrinsic conformation of RTA, are predicted to be required for the activation of RBP-Jκ protein by RTA.
Cold thoughts of death: the role of ICE proteases in neuronal cell death

Abstract While there has been extensive work describing the timing, location and probable signals responsible for regulating programmed cell death (PCD) in the nervous system, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms that mediate this process. Several investigators have demonstrated that PCD in general, and neuronal PCD in particular, can be inhibited by drugs that arrest RNA or protein synthesis. These data have been interpreted as suggesting that de novo gene expression is required for cells to commit suicide. The general picture emerging from a number of experimental systems is that a variety of proteins can mediate the coupling of extracellular signals to a resident cell-death program. In this model, some of the components required for death are more or less constitutively present in the cell and await lineage-specific signals for their activation. A recent flood of papers has presented convincing evidence that the resident program for apoptosis in numerous cell types works via a series of essential proteases belonging to the CED-3/ICE family. Trends Neurosci. (1996) 19, 555–562.
Evaluation of a crop water stress index for irrigation scheduling of bermudagrass

Abstract This study was conducted to assess crop water stress index (CWSI) of bermudagrass used widely on the recreational sites of the Mediterranean Region and to study the possibilities of utilization of infrared thermometry to schedule irrigation of bermudagrass. Four different irrigation treatments were examined: 100% (I1), 75% (I2), 50% (I3), and 25% (I4) of the evaporation measured in a Class A pan. In addition, a non-irrigated treatment was set up to determine CWSI values. The status of soil water content and pressure was monitored using a neutron probe and tensiometers. Meanwhile the canopy temperature of bermudagrass was measured with the infrared thermometry. The empirical method was used to compute the CWSI values. In this study, the visual quality of bermudagrass was monitored seasonally using a color scale. The best visual quality was obtained from I1 and I2 treatments. Average seasonal CWSI values were determined as 0.086, 0.102, 0.165, and 0.394 for I1, I2, I3, and I4 irrigation treatments, respectively, and 0.899 for non-irrigated plot. An empirical non-linear equation, Q ave = 1 + 6 [ 1 + ( 4.853 CWS I ave ) 2.27 ] − 0.559 , was deduced by fitting to measured data to find a relation between quality and average seasonal CWSI values. It was concluded that the CWSI could be used as a criterion for irrigation timing of bermudagrass. An acceptable color quality could be sustained seasonally if the CWSI value can be kept about 0.10.
Limp wrists, inflammatory punches: violence, masculinity, and queer sexuality in Shyam Selvadurai’s Funny Boy

In this essay, I read Shyam Selvadurai’s Funny Boy as a ‘counter-bildungsroman’ narrative that braids together Radha Aunty’s transgressions of femininity with Arjie’s queer awakening amidst the heteropatriarchal violence of the 1983 anti-Tamil pogrom in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I situate this twinned discourse against the backdrop of domestic and institutional spaces that articulate exclusive identity formations and heteronormative ideals. I argue that Arjie’s engagement in a gender-bending game of ‘Bride-Bride’ in the beginning of the novel and his intentional mangling of a British poem at the end re-appropriates, or ‘queers’, the hegemonic, institutional spaces of home and school. Despite his youth and the trauma of civil war that functions as a metaphor for the inner turmoil of erotic awakening, Arjie’s sexual transgressions within the heteropatriarchal spaces of home and school challenge the masculine nationalism that drove the pogrom. As such, this essay meaningfully departs from previous studies of this ...
Biological Evaluation of Thrombus Imaging Agents Utilizing Water Soluble Phosphines and Tricine as Coligands When Used To Label a Hydrazinonicotinamide-Modified Cyclic Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Antagonist with 99mTc

A hydrazinonicotinamide-functionalized cyclic glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) receptor antagonist [cyclo(D-Val-NMeArg-Gly-Asp-Mamb(5-(6-(6-hydrazinonicotin amido)hexanamide))) (HYNICtide)] was labeled with 99mTc using tricine and a water soluble phosphine [trisodium triphenylphosphine-3,3',3"-trisulfonate (TPPTS); disodium triphenylphosphine-3,3'-disulfonate (TPPDS); or sodium triphenylphosphine-3-monosulfonate (TPPMS)] as coligands. Three complexes, [99mTc(HYNICtide)(L)(tricine)] (1, L = TPPTS; 2, L = TPPDS; 3, L = TPPMS), were evaluated in the canine arteriovenous shunt (AV shunt) model and canine deep vein thrombosis imaging (DVT) model. All three agents were adequately incorporated into the arterial and venous portions of the growing thrombus (7.8-9.9 and 0.2-3.7% ID/g, respectively) in the canine AV shunt model. In the canine DVT model all three complexes had thrombus uptake that far exceeded the negative control, [99mTc]albumin. The findings indicate similar incorporation into a venous thrombus (% ID/g = 2.86 +/- 0.4, 3.4 +/- 0.9, and 3.38 +/- 1.1 for complexes 1, 2, and 3, respectively) and similar blood clearance with a t1/2 of approximately 90 min. Gamma camera scintigraphy allowed visualization of deep vein thrombosis in as little as 15 min with the thrombus/muscle ratios being 3.8 +/- 0.8, 2.8 +/- 0.4, and 3.0 +/- 0.8 for complexes 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The visualization of the thrombus improved over time, and the thrombus/muscle ratios were 9.7 +/- 1.9, 13.8 +/- 3.6, and 9.4 +/- 2 for complexes 1, 2, and 3, respectively, at 120 min postinjection. The administration of complexes 1-3 did not alter platelet function, hemodynamics, or the coagulation cascade. Furthermore, complexes 1-3 did not significantly differ in their uptake into the growing thrombus, blood clearance, and target to background ratios. Therefore, all three complexes have the capability to detect rapidly growing venous and arterial thrombi.
General controllability and general stabilities of linear systems

Abstract The concept of linear u-controllability of input-output linear systems is introduced: the relation between the concepts of linear ∧-controllability and u-controllability of input-output systems, and the general stability and general uniform stability of linear systems are studied; a few equivalent descriptions for the stability of a linear system and the uniform stability of a linear system are given; many open questions are posed.
Inhibition of human embryonic palatal mesenchymal cell cycle by secalonic acid D: a probable mechanism of its cleft palate induction.

Structured Abstract Authors – Dhulipala VC, Welshons WV, Reddy CS Objective – To assess the mechanism(s) of cleft palate induction by secalonic acid D (SAD) in human embryonic palatal mesenchymal (HEPM) cells and compare them with those evaluated in the murine embryonic palate. Design – Effect of SAD on HEPM cell proliferation was studied by obtaining dose response curves for cell numbers, uptake of 3H-thymidine and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Effects of SAD on cell cycle were assessed by flowcytometry. Cell-labeling with 3H-glucosamine and immunoblot analysis were conducted to study SAD effects on the synthesis of glycosaminogycans (GAG) and the expression of fibronectin and tenascin, respectively. Results – SAD induced a concentration-dependent decrease in HEPM cell number and 3H-thymidine uptake beginning at 0.1 μg of SAD/ml. Expression of PCNA and progression of cell cycle from G1 to S phase were inhibited following SAD exposure. Cell viability was significantly reduced only at7.5 μg/ml of SAD or higher indicating that the reduction in cell numbers by SAD at lower concentrations is likely due to reduced proliferation and at higher concentrations due to both reduced proliferation and cell death. Synthesis of extra cellular matrix components (GAGs, fibronectin or tenascin) by HEPM cells, however, was not inhibited by SAD. Conclusion – The results of these studies confirmed those of our previous studies with mice and the MEPM cells that SAD may induce cleft palate by reducing numbers of palatal mesenchymal cells by inhibition of their proliferation thereby leading to a reduction in the size of the developing palate shelves.
Effects of Stimulus Frequency and Intensity on the Middle Components of the Averaged Auditory Electroencephalic Response

Middle components (la6tency 8–50 msec) of the averaged auditory electroencephalic response (AAER), evoked by brief duration tone bursts, were recorded from 11 normal-hearing subjects. Latency and a...
THE MECHANISM OF THE T3 RESPONSE TO PARTURITION

We reported in the human newborn that the TSH and T3 increases in serum might be due to extrauterine cooling. To study this we have used the newborn sheep. Five groups were studied. Skin and rectal temps, were monitored, and FFA, T4, and T3 measured in serum. Group I: (n = 8; mean gest. age: 143 d; mean birth wt. 3.1 kg) delivered into air, 20-22° C., cord cut immediately. Group II: (n = 9; 143 d; 4.3 kg) delivered into 39° water (60 min) and then room air with cord intact (60 min). Group III: (n = 4; 144 d; 3.7 kg) delivered into air; cord cutting delayed 60 min. Group IV: (n = 4; 142 d; 4 kg) same as group II; TRH given at 60 min. Group V: (n = 4; 142 d; 3.3 kg) same as group II; T3 given at 60 min. Newborn lambs in room air showed a marked increase in T3 and FFA. T4 increased more slowly. As long as the cord was intact T4, T3 and FFA were unchanged in spite of cooling; after cord cutting T3 and FFA increased. Shivering did not prevent body cooling. TRH caused a delayed (4hr.) increase in T4 and T3. T3 augmented the FFA response and produced a more rapid increase in body temp. We conclude: 1) cord cutting is the primary stimulus increasing T3 and FFA in the newborn; 2) 60 min. FFA and T3 levels correlate with minimum rectal temp.; 3) T3 potentiates the FFA response; 4) the rapid increase in T3 does not seem to be due to TRH, and may be due to increased T4-T3 conversion.
On bluff body flame stabilization

Several aspects of bluff body flame stabilization are discussed in terms of a theory which focuses attention on the initial mixing region between cool combustible and hot combustion products. Some experiments by Broman and Zukoski on flame stabilization in a “deflected jet” are correlated in terms of the theory. The “characteristic time” of Zukoski and Marble is shown to arise as a special case of the theory. The extinction of the propagating flame as the initial event in the blowoff process is discussed qualitatively in terms of the theory. Finally, the results of experiments reported in the literature on injection of gas into the recirculation zone are rationalized in terms of the theory.
Calcium-blocker withdrawal phenomenon: Increase in affinity of alpha2 adrenoceptors for agonist as a potential mechanism

Abstract Precipitation of myocardial ischemia after withdrawal of calcium channel blocking drugs has been observed in some patients, but the mechanism of this phenomenon is not known. Among 15 patients with coronary artery disease who had been treated with nisoldipine, onset of severe unstable angina was observed in 2 and evolution of acute myocardial infarction in 1 patient after abrupt withdrawal of nisoldipine therapy. To determine a mechanism of myocardial ischemia after cessation of nisoldipine therapy, the status of α 2 adrenoceptors and platelet sensitivity to epinephrine was examined in 5 patients. After 6 weeks of therapy, there were no changes in the number of α 2 adrenoceptors (199 ± 45 vs 188 ± 35 fmol/mg protein, mean ± standard error of the mean) or affinity for antagonist (dissociation constant 5.78 ± 0.99 vs 4.70 ± 0.87 n M ), but there was a significant (p α 2 adrenoceptors for agonist epinephrine. In vitro platelet sensitivity to epinephrine, but not ADP, also increased markedly. It is postulated that an increase in α 2 -adrenoceptor affinity for agonist may relate to platelet hyperactivity, which may result in severe myocardial ischemia upon withdrawal of calcium blocking drugs in some patients.
Surgical menopause and nonvertebral fracture risk among older US women.

Objective To determine whether older postmenopausal women with a history of bilateral oophorectomy prior to natural menopause (surgical menopause) have a higher risk of nonvertebral, postmenopausal fracture than women with natural menopause.
Tectonic Evolution of the Bering Shelf‐Chukchi Sea‐Arctic Margin and Adjacent Landmasses, Special Paper 360

Tectonic study of continental orogens involves distilling knowledge about lithospheric processes from a relatively small number of geologically intricate, unique examples. Thus, we may anticipate that each example has something to teach us, and, conversely, that there is scientific value in advancing knowledge of every example. From this perspective, GSA Special Paper 360 represents a significant contribution. Tectonic Evolution of the Bering Shelf-Chukchi Sea-Arctic Margin and Adjacent Landmasses promises and delivers a great deal of new or newly compiled data pertinent to regional tectonics of the western Arctic. Owing to its geographic remoteness and severe climate, this area has heretofore been poorly known. Data presented range from seismic reflection profiles to metamorphic thermobarometry from isotopic geochronology to biostratigraphy from petrochemistry to paleomagnetism,from regional seismotectonics to geologic maps.
Effect of Emergency Department Crowding on Outcomes of Admitted Patients

Study objective Emergency department (ED) crowding is a prevalent health delivery problem and may adversely affect the outcomes of patients requiring admission. We assess the association of ED crowding with subsequent outcomes in a general population of hospitalized patients. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients admitted in 2007 through the EDs of nonfederal, acute care hospitals in California. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay and costs. ED crowding was established by the proxy measure of ambulance diversion hours on the day of admission. To control for hospital-level confounders of ambulance diversion, we defined periods of high ED crowding as those days within the top quartile of diversion hours for a specific facility. Hierarchic regression models controlled for demographics, time variables, patient comorbidities, primary diagnosis, and hospital fixed effects. We used bootstrap sampling to estimate excess outcomes attributable to ED crowding. Results We studied 995,379 ED visits resulting in admission to 187 hospitals. Patients who were admitted on days with high ED crowding experienced 5% greater odds of inpatient death (95% confidence interval [CI] 2% to 8%), 0.8% longer hospital length of stay (95% CI 0.5% to 1%), and 1% increased costs per admission (95% CI 0.7% to 2%). Excess outcomes attributable to periods of high ED crowding included 300 inpatient deaths (95% CI 200 to 500 inpatient deaths), 6,200 hospital days (95% CI 2,800 to 8,900 hospital days), and $17 million (95% CI $11 to $23 million) in costs. Conclusion Periods of high ED crowding were associated with increased inpatient mortality and modest increases in length of stay and costs for admitted patients.
A globally convergent matrix-free algorithm for implicit time-marching schemes arising in finite element analysis in fluids

A solution procedure for solving nonlinear time-marching problems is presented. The nonsymmetric systems of equations arising from a Newton-type linearization of these time-marching problems are solved using an iterative strategy based on the generalized minimal residual (GMRES) algorithm. Matrix-free techniques leading to reduction in storage are presented. Incorporation of a linesearch algorithm in the Newton-GMRES scheme is discussed. An automatic time-increment control strategy is developed to increase the stability of the time-marching process. High-speed flow computations demonstrate the effectiveness of these algorithms.
The role of choice in enhancing tolerance to acute pain

The ability of choice of treatments to enhance tolerance to pain was investigated. Results showed that subjects who were given a choice of coping strategies tolerated the cold pressor for a longer period of time than those not given a choice. The mechanism by which choice exerts its influence, however, remains unknown. In contrast to our predictions, having a choice of treatments did not increase perceptions of treatment credibility or a sense of self-efficacy. Post hoc analyses revealed that subjects who were not given a choice, but who were nevertheless assigned to their preferred treatment, did not differ from subjects given a choice on tolerance time, but reported less pain and found the treatment more credible than subjects given a choice. The mechanisms by which choice influences treatment outcomes, including the nature and role of treatment preferences, require further investigation.
Apolipoprotein A-IV polymorphism, and its role in determining variation in lipoprotein-lipid, glucose and insulin levels in normal and non-insulin-dependent diabetic individuals

Abstract Apolipoprotein A-IV (apo A-IV) is a major component of several lipoprotein particles and may, therefore, play an important role in lipid metabolism. Genetic polymorphism of apo A-IV has been reported in humans and several other animal species. The presence of two common alleles, apo A-IV ∗ 1 and apo A-IV ∗ 2 has been documented in several human populations. In this investigation, we have determined apo A-IV polymorphism by isoelectric focusing- immunoblotting in 82 non-insulin-dependent diabetic and 204 control non-Hispanic Whites from the San Luis Valley, Colorado. We have also estimated the impact of apo A-IV polymorphism on eight quantitative traits: total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, HDL3 and HDL2-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose and fasting insulin. No statistically significant difference was seen in apo A-IV allele frequencies between the control and diabetics, and these frequencies were comparable with those reported for U.S. White and European populations. Among controls, the impact of the apo A-IV polymorphism was significant on LDL-cholesterol ( P = 0.04) in females and on fasting insulin levels ( P = 0.06) in males. In diabetics, the effect was significant on insulin ( P = 0.03) levels in males only. Furthermore, our data suggest that when making comparison of lipid profiles between the controls and diabetics the presence or absence of common apo A-IV phenotypes should be taken into account as these appear to effect these comparisons.
Intracellular freezing, viability, and composition of fat body cells from freeze-intolerant larvae of Sarcophaga crassipalpis.

Although it is often assumed that survival of freezing requires that ice formation must be restricted to extracellular compartments, fat body cells from freeze-tolerant larvae of the gall fly, Eurosta solidaginis (Diptera, Tephritidae) survive intracellular freezing. Furthermore, these cells are highly susceptible to inoculative freezing by external ice, undergo extensive lipid coalescence upon thawing, and survive freezing better when glycerol is added to the suspension medium. To determine whether these traits are required for intracellular freeze tolerance or whether they are incidental and possessed by fat body cells in general, we investigated the capacity of fat body cells from nondiapause-destined and diapause-destined (i.e., cold-hardy) larvae of the freeze-intolerant flesh fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis (Diptera, Sarcophagidae) to survive intracellular freezing. Fat body cells from both types of larvae were highly susceptible to inoculative freezing; all cells froze between –3.7 to –6.2°C. The highest rates for survival of intracellular freezing occurred at –5°C. The addition of glycerol to the media markedly increased survival rates. Upon thawing, the fat body cells showed little or no lipid coalescence. Fat body cells from E. solidaginis had a water content of only 35% compared to cells from S. crassipalpis larvae that had 52–55%; cells with less water may be less likely to be damaged by mechanical forces during intracellular freezing. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 48:199–205, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.