cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The ACTH-releasing activity of extracts of the posterior lobe of the pituitary in vivo.

AGREAT deal of evidence indicates that the release of pituitary adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) resulting from stress is under neural control. In particular, it appears likely that the hypothalamus constitutes a major pathway for excitation of ACTH release (1). This conclusion has been supported by experiments in which portions of the hypothalamus have either been stimulated or destroyed, resulting in an increase or decrease of ACTH release, respectively (2–7). The precise pathway by which the hypothalamus triggers ACTH release has been the subject of active investigation. A direct secreto-motor innervation of the adenohypophysis appears to be unlikely since the adenohypophysis is possessed of only a scanty innervation at best (8), and section of any direct neural pathway from the hypothalamus fails to block ACTH secretion (9, 10). This leaves a neuro-humoral pathway as the most likely mechanism for nervous control.
Identification of a Novel Keratinocyte Retinyl Ester Hydrolase as a Transacylase and Lipase

Retinoic acid influences epidermal morphology and function through its ability to control transcription. Because the circulation presents the epidermis with micromolar amounts of retinol that can be converted to retinoic acid, regulating retinol access is imperative. In keratinocytes the majority of retinol is sequestered as long chain fatty acid esters. Although much has been learned about the major esterifying enzyme, little is known about the hydrolase that accesses retinol from its storage depot. Murine carboxylesterases and hormone sensitive lipase have been shown to have this activity. We found that their in vitro sensitivity to bis-p-nitrophenyl phosphate (BNPP), however, was not shared by the epidermal hydrolase activity. We therefore produced and screened two keratinocyte cDNA expression libraries and identified a previously sequenced gene (GS2) as a keratinocyte retinyl ester (RE) hydrolase insensitive to BNPP. The enzyme also catalyzes fattyacyl CoA-dependent and -independent retinol esterification. The hydrolysis reaction is greater at neutral pH, whereas the esterification reaction is greater at acidic pH. These activities are consistent with the increased RE content that accompanies epidermal maturation. In addition, this enzyme utilizes triolein as substrate and generates diacylglyceride and free fatty acid.
Using Focused Plenoptic Cameras for Rich Image Capture

This approach uses a focused plenoptic camera to capture the plenoptic function's rich "non 3D" structure. It employs two techniques. The first simultaneously captures multiple exposures (or other aspects) based on a microlens array having an interleaved set of different filters. The second places multiple filters at the main lens aperture.
Two-tier path based shared mesh restoration

We analyze the restoration capacity and time of a two-tier shared mesh restoration scheme. We discuss two different optimization strategies for the two-tier restoration scheme and resulting restoration capacity savings and performance improvements.
Targeting the endothelin receptor in prostate cancer bone metastasis: Back to the mouse?

Commentary to:Bone-specific growth inhibition of prostate cancer metastasis by AtrasentanJustin M. Drake, Joshua R. Danke and Michael Henry
Event prediction in a hybrid camera network

Given a hybrid camera layout—one containing, for example, static and active cameras—and people moving around following established traffic patterns, our goal is to predict a subset of cameras, respective camera parameter settings, and future time windows that will most likely lead to success the vision tasks, such as, face recognition when a camera observes an event of interest. We propose an adaptive probabilistic model that accrues temporal camera correlations over time as the cameras report observed events. No extrinsic, intrinsic, or color calibration of cameras is required. We efficiently obtain the camera parameter predictions using a modified Sequential Monte Carlo method. We demonstrate the performance of the model in an example face detection scenario in both simulated and real environment experiments, using several active cameras.
Chemical osmosis, reverse chemical osmosis, and the origin of subsurface brines

Abstract Calculations using recently-tabulated values of density and osmotic coefficient for NaCl-H2O indicate that overpressuring is more than adequate to overcome chemical osmosis and drive reverse chemical osmosis in sedimentary sequences. The best-demonstrated overpressuring mechanism is the rapid deposition of fine-grained sediments. The dehydration of gypsum contributes to overpressuring for brief time intervals at shallow depths, whereas water evolved during the protracted conversion of smectite to illite is probably a subordinate, but continuing contributor to overpressuring at greater depth. Occurrences of overpressuring in sedimentary sections older than Cretaceous indicate that post-depositional mechanisms such as tectonic compression and aquathermal pressuring must also operate. The latter may be of major importance in geothermal areas with adequate low-permeability seals, and a nontrivial contributor in areas of normal geothermal gradient because of shales that sharply decrease normal fluid flow. The strongest arguments for the importance to present-day brine compositions of membrane concentration of sea-water solutes are 1. (1) the correlation of δD values of water molecules of pore fluid with those of local meteoric water, 2. (2) the need for major sources of Mg2+ and Cl− in apparently evaporite-free basins. Even where dissolution of halite is a major contributor of solute, reverse chemical osmosis still operates to leak relatively dilute water. Of the associated diagenetic chemical reactions, that of Mg2+ with limestone to form dolomite is particularly effective in generating concentrated Cl− brines rich in Ca2+. It decreases the concentration of Mg2+, increases that of Ca2+, and decreases those of both SO42− and CO32− by precipitating CaCO3 and CaSO4 because of the Ca2+ common-ion effect.
Nonclassical Antimetabolites XXVII: Simulation of 5′-Phosphoribosyl Binding VII. Analogs of 6-Mercapto-9H-purine-9-ylpentanol Phosphate and Their Evaluation as Inhibitors of Succinoadenylate Kinosynthetase

6-Mercaptopurines substituted on the 9-position with 5′-carbamoyloxypentyl (IX), 5′-thionocarbamoyloxypentyl (X), valeramide (XI), valeryl-DL-aspartic acid (XIII), 5′-thioureidopentyl (XXIV), and 5′-dichloroacetamidopentyl (XXV) groups were synthesized as possible analogs of 6-mercapto-9H-purine-9-ylpentyl phosphate (IV). These six compounds along with the previously synthesized 5′-hydroxypentyl (V), 4′-carboxybutyl (VIII), p -carboxybenzyl (XXVI), and 2′-carboxyethyl (XXVII) groups substituted on the 9-position of 6-mercaptopurine, were compared to the pentanol phosphate (IV) as inhibitors of succinoadenylate kinosynthetase. The order of effectiveness was IV = XXVI = IX > XIII = VIII > XXIV = V > × = XXV = XI. Based on these results, it is proposed that the 5′-carbamoyloxy group of XXVI can simulate phosphate binding by its two oxygen functions binding to the enzyme in place of the oxygens of the two ionizable hydroxyl groups of the phosphate of IV. It is also proposed that the carbamoyloxy group does not bind to the enzyme as well as phosphate, but that the 5′-carbamoyloxypentyl group complexes to the enzyme in the ground-state staggered conformation and the pentanol phosphate complexes in a less-favored skew-like conformation.
Power semiconductor ratings under transient and intermittent loads

Methods for rating semiconductor power rectifiers and controlled rectifiers under steady-state conditions are well established and accepted. These techniques assume uniform temperature across the entire semiconductor junction area and limit this temperature under different load and ambient conditions to a predetermined level consistent with good performance and high reliability.1,2Supplementary methods for determining junction temperature under transient and intermittent loads are necessary for such applications as motor-starting and lamp-dimming controls,3 and for calculations involving other types of overload duty on semiconductor equipment. This paper discusses methods of handling these intermittent duty types of applications. Examples illustrate suggested techniques for determining the peak junction temperature under various kinds of intermittent loading.
Rituals in Committed Romantic Relationships: The Creation and Validation of an Instrument

Rituals are widely studied in interpersonal communication research, but no instrument for assessing the preceived use of rituals among couples in committed romantic relationships exists. The purpose of this investigation was to create and validate such a measure (Rituals in Committed Romantic Relationships; RCRR). Five-hundred-sixty individuals in committed romantic relationships responded to a 50-item questionnaire that measured 5 sets of rituals pertaining to daily routines and tasks, idiosyncratic behavior, everyday talk, intimacy, and couple-time. In addition, they completed measures of perceived relational quality and perceived relational intimacy. Multiple analyses supported a 5-factor model consisting of 30 of the original 50 items. Perceived use of rituals was predictive of alterations in both perceived relational quality and perceived relational intimacy.
Potential Carbon Sequestration by Afforestation of Pasture in the South-Central United States

Climate models indicate that increasing atmospheric concentrations of CO2 and other greenhouse gases could alter climate globally. The Climate Change Action Plan commits the USA to reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 106 x 10 6 Mg C yr -1 by the year 2000. One suggestion for reducing net emissions is to convert marginal grass pastures to pine (Pinus spp.) plantations in the South-Central USA. We used the Erosion/Productivity Impact Calculator (EPIC) model to estimate the amount of atmospheric C that could be sequestered by this suggested change in land use. Carbon flow dynamics at each of 100 randomly selected sites were simulated for 50 yr under two assumptions: (i) continuous pasture for 50 yr or (ii) pine plantations harvested every 25 yr. Carbon sequestered by conversion to pine plantations was calculated as the net change in off-site storage (i.e., in long-lived products and landfills), plus the change in soil organic C, plus (for the first harvest period) stand establishment. Average C-sequestration (±SE) was 40 ± 2 and 18 ± 2 Mg C ha -1 for the first and second 25-yr harvest periods, respectively. In contrast, sequestration would have been 8.3 ± 0.6 Mg C ha -1 as soil organic C if the sites had been left in continuous pasture for 50 yr, or 3 Mg C ha -1 after correcting for release of C during manufacture of N-fertilizer. Extrapolated to the region, conversion of 3.6 x 10 6 ha of marginal grass pasture to pine plantations could sequester 5.6 x 10 6 C yr -1 for the first 25 yr and 1.1 x 10 6 Mg for the second 25 yr. If all types of marginal agricultural land in the region (4.6 x 10 6 ha) were converted to forestry, the corresponding sequestration rates would be 7.4 x 10 6 and 1.4 x 10 6 Mg C yr -1 . In contrast, maintaining the land in continuous pasture would sequester 0.3 x 10 6 Mg C yr -1 .
Industry clockspeed's impact on business innovation success factors

Purpose – The literature prescribing important determinants of innovation success is grouped into four main areas encompassing strategic leadership, competitive intelligence, management of technology, and specific characteristics of the company's innovation process. Further, industry clockspeed has been considered to be a possible moderator for these determinants of innovation success. While these major areas of study may indeed be important to enhance company innovation and competitiveness, the existing literature on each area is not being shared by researchers in the other areas. That has led until now to the study of models relatively narrow in scope and primarily focused on the particular research area. This study aims to test these constructs as a set of determinants of innovation success and the possible moderating effect of industry clockspeed.Design/methodology/approach – A field test using a mailed questionnaire to collect a relatively large sample has been used to test the proposed model. To eli...
Control of defect concentrations within a semiconductor through adsorption.

The technologically useful properties of a crystalline solid depend upon the concentration of defects it contains. Here we show that defect concentrations as deep as $0.5\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ within a semiconductor can be profoundly influenced by gas adsorption. Self-diffusion rates within silicon show that nitrogen atoms adsorbed at less than 1% of a monolayer lead to defect concentrations that vary controllably over several orders of magnitude. The results show that previous measurements of diffusion and defect thermodynamics in semiconductors may have suffered from neglect of adsorption effects.
Beyond the Skinner Box: The Design and Management of Organization-Wide Performance Systems

A discussion of the need for organizational behavior management practitioners to shift their application paradigm from a dyadic perspective to a systems perspective is presented. Such a shift would improve the identification of performance improvement opportunities, reduce the effects of unintended contingency interactions, and help ensure sustainable improvement efforts. Nine performance system tools are described that assist the analyst in the design of a performance system and its long-term management and maintenance. A manufacturing case study describing the application of these tools is provided.
Critical carotid stenoses: Morphologic and chemical similarity between symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques

Abstract To identify microanatomic and chemical features that may mark the transition from asymptomatic to symptomatic atherosclerotic carotid lesions, we evaluated 62 carotid artery bifurcation plaques including 45 high-grade stenoses removed at endarterectomy and 17 nonstenotic plaques recovered at autopsy. Morphologic features were evaluated on multiple-interval histologic sections and were graded for the presence of hemorrhage, ulceration, thrombosis, lumen surface irregularity, and calcification. Plaque hemorrhage, recent and remote, was found in most of the specimens, and did not discriminate between symptomatic and asymptomatic stenotic plaques. High-grade carotid stenotic plaques were associated with a significantly higher incidence of ulceration (53%), thrombosis (49%), and lumen irregularity (78%) when compared to nonstenotic asymptomatic plaques (6%, 0%, and 17%, respectively; p
Differences in Stroke Between White, Hispanic, and Native American Patients The Barrow Neurological Institute Stroke Database

Background and Purpose—Identification of specific features of stroke in minority populations should lead to more effectively focused treatment and prevention. Methods—We examined 1290 white (WHI), 242 Hispanic (HIS), 83 Native American (NA), and 101 other stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients hospitalized at the Barrow Neurological Institute from 1990 through 1996. Results—Chi-square analysis detected significant (P<.05) differences as follows: (1) Stroke types— lacunes more prevalent in NA than WHI and HIS (30% versus 16% and 15%); cardioembolic more prevalent in WHI than HIS (16% versus 9%, NA 14%); hemorrhages more prevalent in HIS than WHI and NA (48% versus 37% and 27%); (2) Risk factors— hypertension more prevalent in HIS than WHI (72% versus 66%; NA 71%); diabetes more prevalent in NA than HIS and WHI (62% versus 36% and 17%); cigarette smoking more prevalent in WHI than HIS and NA (61% versus 46% and 41%); cardiac disease more prevalent in WHI than HIS (34% versus 24%; NA 27%); heavi...
Supramolecular Cyclophane Chemistry

This account illustrates the rich supramolecular chemistry of cyclophanes with preorganized apolar cavity binding sites. These artificial receptors, which are constructed via relatively short synthetic routes, form structurally well defined inclusion complexes with a diversity of organic substrates. Among the molecules that form stable liquid phase complexes are flat arenes, paracyclophanes, steroids, and nucleosides. Dispersion and aromatic-aromatic interactions in addition to solvophobic forces provide the major driving forces for the binding of neutral solutes. Comprehensive studies have provided unique insight on the individual molecular level into solvent effects on tight apolar complexation. For enantioselective binding in liquid phase, 1,1’-binaphthyl units and unnatural alkaloids are incorporated as chiral spacers into optically active cyclophanes. The functionalization of the receptors with coenzyme derivatives yields efficient supramolecular catalysts. Porphyrin-cyclophanes show cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase activity and epoxidize reactive aromatic hydrocarbons in protic solvents. In a synthetically useful process, aromatic methyl esters are prepared efficiently and selectively over aliphatic methyl esters by electrochemical oxidation of aldehydes mediated by biscoenzyme - flavin and thiazolium-cyclophane - catalysis at an extraordinarily low potential in methanol.
The Strategic Use of a Wholesale-Price Contract in a Decentralized Assembly System

Increasing global competition provides the opportunity for companies to pursue cost reduction. Therefore, a decentralized assembly channel structure has been widely adopted by many manufacturing firms. The author studies an assembling system where one party needs to pay the wholesale price to order one component from the other party and assembles the final product. They assume that there is enough capacity for the two parties to provide the components and assemble the final product. Based on each party pursuing its own maximized profit, the author develops a model and analyzes different mechanisms of deciding the wholesale price of the component. The authorâ€™s objective is to optimize the whole supply chain for improving the customer service level. Results are derived for the author to recommend the optimal mechanism.
Discriminative stimulus properties of S(−)- and R(+)-cathinone, (+)-cathine and several structural modifications

Abstract Rats trained to discriminate between the stimulus properties of 0.6 mg/kg of racemic cathinone and its vehicle, in a two-lever operant task for food reinforcement, were administered doses of S(−)-cathinone, (+)-cathine and several structurally-related derivatives, in order to study structure-activity relationships. The optical isomers of cathinone and (+)-cathine produced patterns of responding similar to that observed with the training drug; S(−)-cathinone (ED50=0.22 mg/kg) was the more active of the two isomers, while R(+)-cathinone (ED50=0.27 mg/kg) was more active than (+)-cathine (ED50=1.61 mg/kg). In contrast, removal of the α-methyl group of cathinone, or substitution at the 4-position of racemic cathinone by a hydroxyl, methoxyl or chloro group, essentially abolished activity at dose levels comparable to the training dose of cathinone.
Animal-borne video reveals seasonal activity patterns of green sea turtles and the importance of accounting for capture stress in short-term biologging

Abstract Animal-borne biologgers or biotelemetry systems are commonly used to study the movements and behavior of large aquatic taxa. However, the effects of the tag deployment procedure and tag presence on animal behavior remain poorly studied. Using affordable, custom-made animal-borne video recorders, we analyzed the seasonal activity patterns of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) on a foraging ground and assessed the effects of deployment stress on turtle behavior by comparing turtle activities in ‘standard’ deployments (in which recording began immediately upon release, although we discarded the first 30 min of footage) with delayed-start deployments (in which recording began the following day). Turtles were more active during the warm season, spending more time swimming and surfacing, and less time resting than in the cold season. Turtles were also more likely to feed during the warm season, with all but one of the 99 observed feeding events occurring in the warm season. Turtle behavior also varied markedly between standard and delayed-start deployments. Standard deployments were dominated by swimming behavior presumably related to movement away from the capture site or exploring new habitat once a perceived safe distance away. In delayed-start deployments turtles spent less time swimming, more time resting and were more likely to feed (85 of 99 feeding events were recorded in delayed-start deployments) and engage in social interactions. The behaviors that replaced ‘excess’ swimming in standard deployments were season-specific. For example, in the cold season in standard deployments turtles spent a median 80% of their time swimming and 14% resting, while in delayed-start deployments these figures were effectively reversed. In the warm season, ‘excess’ swimming in standard deployments was replaced by feeding and other active behaviors in delayed-start deployments. These results provide a cautionary tale for the interpretation of short-term video data, demonstrating that, while ‘normal’ behaviors may be observed shortly after release, activity budgets can still be far from typical. Delayed-start functions or data exclusions guided by experimental research are therefore valuable to short-term biologging or biotelemetry studies. Potential effects on animal behavior from diverse animal-borne instruments, deployed for various purposes and lengths of time, warrant continued experimental attention.
The influence of increasing chlorine content on the accumulation and metabolism of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by Paul's Scarlet Rose cells.

Four radiolabled congeners of biphenyls with increasing chlorine content (biphenyl; 1-monochlorobiphenyl; 2,2′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl; and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl) were provided to suspension cultures of rose (Rosa sp. cv. Paul's Scarlet) for 4 days. Both the kinetics of 14C exchange between the cells and medium, and the metabolism of the parent compounds depended on the chlorine content of the congeners. Analysis of both the cells and their medium showed that of the recovered radioactivity 88%, 86%, and 3% of the biphenyl, 1-PCB, and 2,2′,4,4′-PCB were metabolized respectively to polar and insoluble residue products. The 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-PCB did not appear to be metabolized.
Serotonin 2C Receptors: Suicide, Serotonin, and Runaway RNA Editing

Transcripts of the gene encoding the serotonin 2C receptor are modified by RNA editing, a posttranscriptional process that converts adenosines to inosines. This editing changes up to three genomically encoded amino acids located in the second intracellular loop of the G-protein-coupled receptor. Compared with nonedited receptors, extensively edited receptor isoforms activate G protein less efficiently. Studies on mice revealed that 5-HT2C pre-mRNA editing is regulated in a serotonin-dependent manner, and postmortem studies on brain tissues of patients with schizophrenia and major depression found distinct site- specific alterations of this editing in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region expressing a large number of differently edited 5-HT2C mRNA isoforms. At present, the most complex alterations in 5-HT2C pre-mRNA editing were found in brains of depressed suicide victims. In these brains, 5-HT2C receptor isoforms with reduced function are expressed at significantly increased levels, suggesting that the r...
Spatial content-based scene similarity assessment

Abstract Scene comparison and matching is a fundamental operation in geoinformatics. However, existing solutions are rather inadequate to support scene similarity assessment when comparing datasets collected from diverse sources especially ones that are available in diverse modalities (e.g. comparing image to vector datasets), or represent different time instances and thus differ partially in their content. In this paper we introduce a two-stage scene similarity assessment and matching framework that makes use of spatial scene content to compare and match two scenes as they may be captured in two different datasets (e.g. an aerial image and a map). At first stage our approach makes use of a matching algorithm based on the comparison of attributed graphs, where linear feature networks (e.g. road networks) are transformed into graphs and network properties are expressed through graph-embedded invariant attributes. By matching these graphs we can assess the similarity between two scenes. At the second stage, we proceed with an invariant scene comparison metric that incorporates additional scene content in the form of object configurations present within individual road network loops (e.g. building arrangements within city squares). By combining diverse but co-located pieces of information (e.g. roads and buildings) in an integrated process, our algorithm supports scene comparison and matching even when comparing heterogeneous datasets. In this paper we present key theoretical concepts and provide experimental results to demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach.
Monoclonal antibody Cat-301 identifies Y-cells in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat.

In mammalian visual pathways, information is carried in parallel channels from the retina through the visual thalamus to visual cortex. The cat's visual pathway comprises at least three major channels that begin with the X, Y, and W ganglion cells in the retina. In the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus, neurons in the X, Y, and W channels receive input from their retinal counterparts and can be discriminated from one another on the basis of their anatomical and physiological properties. The search for molecular properties that might correlate with anatomically or physiologically defined classes of neuron has been a major area of research in recent years. Monoclonal antibody Cat-301 recognizes a neuronal surface-associated proteoglycan in many areas of the mammalian central nervous system. In the cat LGN Cat-301 immunoreactivity is restricted to a subset of neurons. We show here that the distribution, size, morphology, and cortical projection pattern of Cat-301-positive LGN neurons match those previously described for Y-cells. Taken together with our previous studies of the development of immunoreactivity and the sensitivity of Cat-301 staining to visual deprivation, these studies suggest that Cat-301 specifically recognizes Y-cells in the cat-LGN. These results indicate that neurons within a physiologically and anatomically denned cell class share a molecular property. They further suggest that differences in molecular traits may reflect, and possibly subserve, differences in anatomical and physiological characteristics.
Photoproduction of jets at DESY HERA in next-to-leading order QCD

A new next-to-leading order Monte Carlo program for the calculation of jet cross sections in photoproduction is described. The contributions from both resolved and direct components are included to O({alpha}{alpha}{sub s}{sup 2}). Properties of the predictions for various inclusive jet and dijet observables are discussed and comparisons with DESY HERA data are presented. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Free flap reconstruction in 1999 and 2009: Changing case characteristics and outcomes†‡

Objectives/Hypothesis: To compare free flap reconstructive cases from 1999 and 2009 with respect to patient characteristics, surgical characteristics, outcomes, and complications; and to discuss the evolution in free flap reconstruction at a single institution during this time period. Study Design: Retrospective cohort comparison. Methods: Free flap reconstruction cases from 1999 and 2009 were collected into two cohorts. Retrospective chart review was performed to extract patient characteristics, surgical characteristics, and outcomes. Cohorts were compared with respect to extracted data with statistical significance set at P < .05. Results: There were 39 free flap reconstructions performed in 1999 and 81 performed in 2009. Patients in the 2009 cohort had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists scores and incidence of cardiovascular disease (P = .009 and .0045, respectively). Median operative time decreased from 12 hours in 1999 to 9 hours in 2009 (P < .0001). Median length of stay decreased from 14 to 9 days (P = .0006). The rate of perioperative return to the operating room to manage complications decreased from 30% to 17% (P = .103). There were five unsalvaged flap failures in 1999 (12.8%) compared to two failures in 2009 (2.5%) (P = .036). Conclusions: Patients undergoing free flap reconstruction are increasingly older and have more medical comorbidities. Despite these challenges, increased efficiency and teamwork stemming from accumulated institutional experience have led to decreased operative times, length of stay, and complication rates and increased overall success rates.
Why do plants have phosphoinositides

Phosphoinositides are inositol-containing phospholipids whose hydrolysis is a key step in the rapid responses of animal cells to extracellular signals. Whether they play similar roles in plant cells has not been established, and some have suggested alternative roles as direct modulators of specific proteins. Nonetheless, evidence is accumulating that phosphoinositide hydrolysis mediates transduction of some signal in plants. The evidence is strongest for a role in triggering the shedding of flagella by the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under acid stress. Rapid kinetic analysis indicates that phosphoinositide hydrolysis occures within half a second and could trigger the rapid loss of flagella. Plant responses to pathogens and osmotic stress, as well as the regulation of turgor changes which underlie stomatal opening and closing and the movement of leaves and flower parts, may also be mediated by phosphoinositide hydrolysis. The evidence thus indicates that at least one reason plants have phosphoinositides is to mediate transduction of environmental signals.
Tidal wave diffraction by channels and bays

Abstract A Kelvin wave in a semi-infinite ocean with a narrow (compared with the wavelength) continental shelf is diffracted by a narrow gap that feeds any of a second semi-infinite ocean, a semi-infinite channel, a closed channel of finite length, a small bay, or a channel terminated by a bay. An equivalent electrical circuit is constructed, in which the incident-wave displacement in the gap appears as the input voltage and the flow into the gap appears as the input current. Approximations to the elements of this circuit are constructed from a quadratic functional that is derived from the integral equation implied by the boundary-value problem. The phase shift in the diffracted Kelvin wave is calculated, and numerical results are given for representative configurations. The general results are applicable to other tidal waves in the semi-infinite ocean, e.g., a Poincare wave. A model of San Francisco Bay, opening into the ocean through a short, narrow channel (the Golden Gate) and fed by rivers through a ...
Fibrinolysis versus fibrinogenolysis in man: Resistance of fibrinogen to breakdown by fibrinolytic activity induced by venous occlusion

Nachweis, dass nach Venenokklusion bei 10 gesunden Probanden erhohte Fibrinolyse, nicht aber Fibrinogenolyse auftrat.
Isospin mixing in 16O: A three-level model☆

Abstract A model is presented enabling the study of isospin mixing when three or more states are involved. Its application to three J = 2 − states in 16 O indicate that an isospin mixing matrix element of 150 ± 7 keV is compatible with experiment.
A multi-block lattice Boltzmann method for viscous fluid flows

Compared to the Navier–Stokes equation-based approach, the method of lattice Boltzmann Equation (LBE) offers an alternative treatment for fluid dynamics. The LBE method often employs uniform lattices to maintain a compact and efficient computational procedure, which makes it less efficient to perform flow simulations when there is a need for high resolution near the body and/or there is a far-field boundary. To resolve these difficulties, a multi-block method is developed. An accurate, conservative interface treatment between neighboring blocks is adopted, and demonstrated that it satisfies the continuity of mass, momentum, and stresses across the interface. Several test cases are employed to assess accuracy improvement with respect to grid refinement, the impact of the corner singularity, and the Reynolds number scaling. The present multi-block method can substantially improve the accuracy and computational efficiency of the LBE method for viscous flow computations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The inflammatory macrophage--concanavalin A interaction: a thin-section and scanning electron microscopy and laser Doppler electrophoretic investigation of surface events.

Cell surface events taking place during the adsorptive pinocytosis of concanavalin A (Con A) by the guinea-pig inflammatory macrophage have been studied by transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy and by electrophoretic light scattering (laser Doppler electrophoresis). SEM observations have demonstrated a Con A valence-dependent decrease of surface folds. The effect is specific for certain sugars since it is abolished in the presence of α-methyl- D -mannoside, a hapten sugar of Con A. The decrease in surface folds does not occur in the presence of succinylated Con A (S-Con A), a dimeric derivative, but could be regenerated when anti-Con A was added to S-Con A-treated cells, indicating that surface crosslinking is an important step. TEM studies of inflammatory macrophages have been performed with cationized ferritin (CF) and ferritin-conjugated Con A (FT-Con A). Observations with FT-Con A at low incubation times have revealed surface clusters of the ferritin label, a moderate amount of diffuse labeling, and apparently, heavily labeled vesicles at various stages of internalization. In both control and Con A-treated cells, the microdistribution of CF binding sites was diffuse, while their number densities at the plasmalemma were identical. This indicates that CF binding sites are not preferentially included in the internalized membrane, suggesting that the CF and Con A receptors migrate independently. Employing the technique of electrophoretic light scattering, we have shown that there is no alteration of the electrophoretic mobility distribution over a wide range of Con A concentrations (0.5 to 100 μ/ml) and times of incubation (10–120 min). This finding indicates that the net surface charge density is not altered by Con A treatment. In contrast, we have recently established that resident guinea pig macrophages undergo substantial Con A valence-dependent changes in their surface charge density. These results indicate that the mechanisms of Con A pinocytosis in these two cell types differ significantly. Apparently, the inflammatory macrophage does not partition charged surface groups into the Con A pinocytic vesicles, while the resident macrophage does.
Atherogenesis and the arginine hypothesis.

In patients who have elevated levels of plasma ADMA, a relative deficiency of L-arginine has been found to contribute to the pathophysiology of athersclerosis, causing vasoconstriction, and accelerating atherogenesis. This finding—that there is a relative deficiency of L-arginine in atherosclerotic disease—is a breakthrough that will open new avenues of therapy.
MTORC1 functions as a transcriptional regulator of autophagy by preventing nuclear transport of TFEB

The mammalian target of rapamycin (MTOR) protein kinase complex is a key component of a pathway that regulates cell growth and proliferation in response to energy levels, hypoxia, nutrients and insulin. Inhibition of MTORC1 strongly induces autophagy by regulating the activity of the ULK protein kinase complex that is required for the formation of autophagosomes. However, the participation of MTORC1 in the expression of autophagy genes has not been characterized. Here we show that MTORC1 regulates nuclear localization and activity of the transcription factor EB (TFEB), a member of the bHLH leucine-zipper family of transcription factors that drives expression of autophagy and lysosomal genes. Under normal nutrient conditions, TFEB is phosphorylated in Ser211 in an MTORC1-dependent manner. This phosphorylation promotes association of TFEB with members of the YWHA (14-3-3) family of proteins and retention of the transcription factor in the cytosol. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of MTORC1 causes dissociation of the TFEB/YWHA complex and rapid transport of TFEB to the nucleus where it increases transcription of multiple genes implicated in autophagy and lysosomal function. Active TFEB also associates with late endosomal/lysosomal membranes through interaction with the LAMTOR/RRAG/MTORC1 complex. Our results unveil a novel role for MTORC1 in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis by regulating autophagy at the transcriptional level.
Sensitivity analysis and external adjustment for unmeasured confounders in epidemiologic database studies of therapeutics

Background Large health care utilization databases are frequently used to analyze unintended effects of prescription drugs and biologics. Confounders that require detailed information on clinical parameters, lifestyle, or over-the-counter medications are often not measured in such datasets, causing residual confounding bias. Objective This paper provides a systematic approach to sensitivity analyses to investigate the impact of residual confounding in pharmacoepidemiologic studies that use health care utilization databases. Methods Four basic approaches to sensitivity analysis were identified: (1) sensitivity analyses based on an array of informed assumptions; (2) analyses to identify the strength of residual confounding that would be necessary to explain an observed drug-outcome association; (3) external adjustment of a drug-outcome association given additional information on single binary confounders from survey data using algebraic solutions; (4) external adjustment considering the joint distribution of multiple confounders of any distribution from external sources of information using propensity score calibration. Conclusion Sensitivity analyses and external adjustments can improve our understanding of the effects of drugs and biologics in epidemiologic database studies. With the availability of easy-to-apply techniques, sensitivity analyses should be used more frequently, substituting qualitative discussions of residual confounding. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of copper-infiltrated carbonized wood monoliths for supercapacitor electrodes

Abstract Copper nanoparticle-loaded carbonized wood electrodes were synthesized and characterized for the use as supercapacitor electrodes. The electrodes were fabricated by soaking beech wood samples in Cu(NO 3 ) 2 solution followed by carbonization at 800 °C under a N 2 atmosphere. The copper nanoparticle content in the electrodes was controlled by varying the concentration of the Cu(NO 3 ) 2 solution from 0.5 to 2 M. Subsequent X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy measurements confirm that cubic copper was formed and the copper nanoparticles were anchored uniformly both on the surface as well as deep within the pores of the wood electrode. Cyclic voltammetry measurements showed that all of the electrodes had a typical pseudo-capacitive behavior, as indicated by the presence of redox reaction peaks. Charge–discharge testing also confirmed the pseudo-capacitive nature of the electrodes. The reversible oxidation of Cu into Cu 2 O and CuO was verified by performing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at different stages of the charge–discharge cycle. The Cu-loaded wood electrodes exhibited excellent cyclability and retaining 95% of their specific capacitance even after 2000 cycles. A maximum specific capacitance of 888 F/g was observed while discharging the 7 wt% Cu electrode at 200 mA/g in a 2 M KOH electrolyte solution. These results demonstrated the potential of the copper nanoparticle-loaded wood electrodes as cheap and high performance supercapacitor electrodes.
Topology optimization in micromechanical resonator design

A topology optimization problem in micromechanical resonator design is addressed in this paper. The design goal is to control the first several eigen- frequencies of a micromechanical resonator using topology optimization. The de- sign variable is the distribution of mass in a constrained domain which we model via (1) the Simple Isotropic Material with Penalization Model and (2) the Peak Func- tion Model. The overall optimization problem is solved using the Method of Moving Asymptotes and a Genetic Algorithm combined with a local gradient method. A nu- merical example is presented to highlight the features of the methods in more detail. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed.
Correlates and Consequences of Public Knowledge Concerning Ocean Fisheries Management

Abstract Because everyday citizens and nonexpert stakeholders are either directly or indirectly involved in ocean health restoration plans and engage in activities that may place fisheries at risk, it is important to understand the scope and depth of their policy-relevant knowledge. Using a mail survey of more than 3000 Pacific Northwest U.S. citizens, we investigated levels of coastal and ocean policy-relevant knowledge, information sources associated with higher levels of policy-relevant knowledge, and relationships between knowledge and support for Pacific fisheries restoration. We found that citizens knowledgeable about ocean conditions were most supportive of ocean and coastal protection; that somewhat malleable situational factors are important predictors of knowledge; and that some sources of information are more directly connected to knowledge than others. This study concludes that public knowledge is a critical component of support for ocean and coastal management and that there are effective mea...
The lactate dehydrogenase in preimplantation mouse embryos of quackenbush and swiss mice

The lactate dehydrogenase (EC. 1.1.1.27) activity of the newly ovulated mouse ovum is extremely high, about ten times the activity found in skeletal muscle, which is the adult tissue with the highest activity [l] . It has been suggested that this high activity might be related to the unusual dependence of the ovum and early embryonic stages of development on pyruvate and lactate for energy sources [ 1,2] . Isozyme studies by Auerbach and Brinster demonstrated that the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was almost exclusively composed of B subunits and that the isozyme pattern changed to one with predominantly A subunits at the time of implantation [3]. Rapola and Koskimies confirmed the isozyme pattern and also demonstrated the predominance of B subunits in early cleavage stages using biochemical techniques [4]. Recently, Gibson and Masters reported that the Quackenbush strain of mice in Australia has an isozyme pattern containing predominantly A subunits [S ] . They suggest that the B subunits are adsorbed onto the surface of the ovum from the oviducal fluid after ovulation. This seems an unlikely explanation of the predominance of the B subunits in the Swiss strain since Brinster found that the level of LDH activity in the pre-ovulatory oocyte was the same as the activity of the early cleavage stage ova taken .from the oviduct [6]. Epstein et al. have recently confirmed this similarity in activities [7]. In Gibson and Masters’ studies the isozyme pattern and total activity of LDH varied considerably de-
Energy Management System Design with Dispersed Storage and Generation

To be utilized with maximum effectiveness, the new forms of generation based on renewable resources iLtust be managed as part of existing power systems. Howevert many of these generators are by their very nature dispersed or small, so that they will be connected to the distribution part of the power system. This poses new questions of control and protection, and the intermittent nature of some of the energy sources poses problems of scheduling and dispatch. This paper assumes that the general objectives of energy management will remain unchanged, and discusses the impact of dispersed storage and generation on some of the specific functions of power system control, and its hardware.
Transformation through a Mirror: Moses in 2 Cor. 3.18:

The odd juxtaposition of beholding God in a mirror and transformation in 2 Cor. 3.18 has incited many commentators to grasp for some parallel from Greek magic (R. Reitzenstein), catoptromantic ritual (H. Achelis), Dionysian mysteries (C. Wagner), Wisdom traditions (M. Thrall), Jewish hydromancy (J. Scott), ‘vision mysticism’ (A. DeConick), or Greco-Roman mythology (A. Weissenrieder). All of these proposals, it is contended, fail to note the key importance of Moses in 2 Cor. 3. Ancient Jewish exegetical traditions based on Num. 12.6-8 portray Moses seeing God through a mirror on Mt Sinai (Lev. Rabb. 1.14; Philo, Leg. All. 3.99-101). Although most commentators note an allusion to Moses in another famous Pauline reference to a mirror (1 Cor. 13.12), the allusion to the Mosaic mirror in 2 Cor. 3.18 has not been explored. Using the Mosaic mirror traditions, this article argues that Paul knew and used Mosaic mirror vision as the model for Christian catoptric seeing in 2 Cor. 3.18. The Mosaic model indicates tha...
RNA interference‐mediated depletion of N‐ethylmaleimide Sensitive Fusion Protein and Synaptosomal Associated Protein of 25 kDa results in the inhibition of blood feeding of the Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum

The signaling pathways in tick salivary glands that control “sialo-secretome” secretion at the tick-host interface remain elusive. The complex processes by which tick sialo-secretome is exocytosed from the salivary gland cells and manipulates host hemostatic responses are essential for successful prolonged blood feeding. Exocytosis of the sialo-secretome in the salivary glands requires a core of Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion attachment proteins (SNAPs) and their receptor proteins (SNAREs). SNAREs have been identified as the key components in regulating the secretion of the sialo-secretome in the salivary gland cells. In this study, we investigated the functional role of two Amblyomma maculatum SNARE complex proteins, AmNSF and AmSNAP-25, in the tick salivary glands during extended blood-feeding on the vertebrate host. The qRT-PCR analysis exhibited cyclic regulation of AmNSF transcript, increasing nearly four-fold around 48 hour post infestation in the salivary glands. Similarly, AmSNAP-25 transcript followed cyclic regulation, increasing three-fold around 72 hour post infestation in the midguts. Immunolocalization of AmNSF showed the presence of NSF in secretory granule containing cells of Acini II and Acini III in the unfed stage, with widespread localization in the partially fed glands. Knockdown of AmNSF and AmSNAP-25 transcript resulted in death, impaired feeding on the host, and lack of engorgement in both experimental groups at eleven days post infestation, 13 mg for dsRNA-AmNSF, 191 mg for dsRNA-AmSNAP-25, and 383 mg for control ticks. Depletion also led to important morphological changes in the collapse of the Golgi apparatus in the salivary gland cells. Our results imply a functional significance of AmNSF and AMSNAP-25 in the prolonged tick feeding, and survival on the host. Further characterization of the factors that regulate exocytosis will lead to novel approaches to prevent tick-borne diseases.
Sonication-Assisted Synthesis of β-Mercuric Sulphide Nanoparticles

The nanoscale semiconductor β-mercuric sulphide (HgS) has promising applications in electronic and optical fields. Continued development of synthesis methods is needed to expand approaches that pro...