cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TEMPLATE REQUIREMENT IN THE PRIMARY ANTIBODY RESPONSE.

IN most considerations of the role of the antigen in antibody formation the assumption is made that a template is either formed or activated. A template, by definition, is a system whereby many replicas are produced. The need for a template is based largely on the secondary response in which large quantities of antibodies are produced in response to small quantities of antigen over a long period of time. This, indeed, does appear to require a template. I wish to question whether the information available indicates that primary antibody formation requires a template.
Self-selection, slipping, salvaging, slacking, and stoning: the impacts of negative feedback at eBay

Analysis of usage history for a large panel of eBay sellers suggests that both seller and buyer behavior change in response to changes in a seller's feedback profile. Sellers are more likely to stop listing items right after receiving a negative feedback. Sellers who continue listing do not seem to improve their performance in order to salvage their reputations. Instead, sellers get more negative feedback after receiving a negative feedback. One reason is that observed negative feedback appears to be symptomatic of a temporary decline in the seller's quality, which is also reflected in other transactions around the same time. Receipt of negative feedback might also cause a decline in seller quality, but we find only weak evidence of that. Empirical evidence does support a second hypothesis, that buyers appear to be more willing to give negative feedback to sellers who have recently received other negative feedback.
CpG island methylator phenotype and its association with malignancy in sporadic duodenal adenomas

CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) has been found in multiple precancerous and cancerous lesions, including colorectal adenomas, colorectal cancers, and duodenal adenocarcinomas. There are no reports in the literature of a relationship between CIMP status and clinicopathologic features of sporadic duodenal adenomas. This study sought to elucidate the role of methylation in duodenal adenomas and correlate it with KRAS and BRAF mutations. CIMP+ (with more than 2 markers methylated) was seen in 33.3% of duodenal adenomas; 61% of these CIMP+ adenomas were CIMP-high (with more than 3 markers methylated). Furthermore, CIMP+ status significantly correlated with older age of patients, larger size and villous type of tumor, coexistent dysplasia and periampullary location. MLH1 methylation was seen in 11.1% of duodenal adenomas and was significantly associated with CIMP+ tumors, while p16 methylation was an infrequent event. KRAS mutations were frequent and seen in 26.3% of adenomas; however, no BRAF mutations ...
The Impact of Gender on Types of Verbal Interactions in Corporate Training Sessions.

This study describes verbal interactions in 13 selected training sessions across the United States using the INTERSECT instrument. More than two-thirds of the interactions were found to be acceptance, the mere acknowledgment of a response by the instructor, with remediation accounting for about 21%, and praise, 11%. Criticism occurred only 4 times, or 18%. Male trainers provided more acceptance responses than female trainers at a statistically significant level. There were no differences in verbal classroom interactions based on gender equity during instruction.
Measurement of the solubility of ammonia and nitrogen in gallium at atmospheric pressure

Abstract Ammonia and nitrogen solubilities in gallium melt have been measured under atmospheric pressure in the 303–673 K temperature range. The saturation solubilities of NH 3 and N 2 in Ga are of the order of 10 −4 mole fraction and they decrease with temperature under standard conditions. Ga–NH 3 solutions enable the direct synthesis of GaN crystallites with high luminescence efficiency, as well as the growth of n- and p-type doped crystals.
Locomotor activity of atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar L.) in various light conditions and in weak magnetic fields

Abstract Locomotor activity studies in the laboratory under artificial light cycles co-ordinated with times of sunrise and sunset demonstrated that ten of sixteen Atlantic salmon parr were nocturnal, with an approximately twenty-four hour periodicity. The remaining six fish exhibited diurnal activity patterns or activity mainly after times of light change. Two fish immediately shifted their activity patterns to co-ordinate with a 6-hr shifted light cycle. Six fish retained no activity patterns in constant light, and only two of eleven fish had weak activity patterns in constant darkness. Results suggest that Atlantic salmon parr are dependent on a light-dark cycle for timing their activity rhythms. Three of twelve salmon in an imposed magnetic field four times the strength of the horizontal vector of the ambient field, increased their activity level and changed activity patterns in the increased field. The remaining fish showed no distinct change in locomotor activity.
An isotopic assay of cyclic 3′,5′-nucleotide phosphodiesterase with aluminum oxide columns

Abstract A method is described for separating purine bases and nucleosides from cyclic 3′,5′-nucleotides on aluminum oxide columns. Purine bases and nucleosides were found to pass through columns equilibrated with ammonium acetate buffer at pH 4.0 while the cyclic nucleotides were retarded enough to permit separation. Optimal conditions and factors affecting separation are described. The method was shown to be applicable in the isotopic assay of cyclic 3′,5′-nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity over a broad range of substrate concentrations. The advantages of this method and its possible use in a simultaneous cyclase-phosphodiesterase assay are described.
Sex differences in effects of excitotoxic spinal injury on below-level pain sensitivity.

Abstract Effects of excitotoxic injury to the thoracic gray matter on sensitivity to below-level nociceptive stimulation were evaluated for female and male Long–Evans rats. Operant escape and lick/guard (L/G) reflex responses to thermal stimulation were evaluated before and for 13–15 weeks after: 1) injections of quisqualic acid (QUIS) into the thoracic gray matter (T8–9), 2) laminectomy and spinal exposure and penetration without injection (sham) or 3) no surgical procedure (control). L/G responding to heat stimulation (44 °C) was unaffected for females and males following thoracic QUIS injections. Similarly, male escape performance was not significantly altered for 44 °C or 10 °C stimulation after QUIS injections or sham surgery. However, escape testing following QUIS and sham injections revealed increased heat sensitivity (44 °C) and decreased cold sensitivity (10 °C) for females. This selective effect is indicative of altered sympathetic activation by the thoracic injections. The effect of sham surgery suggests that female rats are vulnerable to ischemic injury during exposure and manipulation of the spinal cord. Escape from nociceptive heat and cold sensitivity of control males and females was unchanged over 13–15 weeks of testing.
Rapid Kupffer cell death after intravenous injection of adenovirus vectors

When adenovirus vectors are injected intravenously, they are quickly taken up by Kupffer cells in the liver. We report that this causes rapid necrosis of Kupffer cells in mice at doses of 1011 particles/kg or higher. By 10 min after intravenous vector injection, Kupffer cells were permeable to propidium iodide and trypan blue. This coincided with a sharp rise in serum lactate dehydrogenase. Ultrastructural examination showed degeneration of Kupffer cells, including complete disappearance of chromatin by 1 h. After an initial intravenous injection of vector, dead Kupffer cells were unable to take up a second dose of vector, and hepatic transgene expression from the second dose was augmented. Death of Kupffer cells did not affect serum levels of IL-6 or IL-12. There was no immediate change in the number of Kupffer cells in the liver, but a significant decline was found by 4 h after injection of vector. Interestingly, substantial numbers of vector-containing Kupffer cells were found in pulmonary capillaries, indicating that they had been swept out of the liver. Together these results show that an intravenous injection of adenovirus vector causes synchronous and surprisingly rapid Kupffer cell death.
Relative vulnerability of six freshwater gastropods to the leech Nephelopsis obscura (Verrill)

SUMMARY. 1. The vulnerability of six species of freshwater snails to the leech Nephelopsis obscura was determined in laboratory predation experiments. 2. Nephelopsis was unable to prey on prosobranch snails with an operculum, but did consume certain pulmonate species though predation rates were low, ranging from one to two snails per leech per night at 20°C. Apparently, Nephelopsis does not actively select prey, but merely consumes those species most easily handled. 3. Among pulmonates, leeches captured species in the following order: Physa gyrina (Say), Helisoma anceps (Menke). Lymnaea emarginata (Say) and Helisoma trivolvis (Say). Susceptibihty of size classes varied among snail species. 4. Neither environmental structure, such as cobble or macrophytes, nor gastropod escape behaviors, such as clamping to substrates or vertical migration away from bottom-feeding leeches, lowered capture rates by Nephelopsis. 5. In 2 years sampling, only one of seven lakes, however, had appreciable abundances of Nephelopsis. It is therefore suggested that the rarity, low feeding rates, and lack of strong gastropod preference limit the effect of Nephelopsis on field gastropod distributions.
Multiple plasmapause undulations observed by the IMAGE satellite on 20 March 2001

We report global plasmasphere imaging observations from 20 March 2001 that show four main undulatory ripples propagating along the duskside plasmapause at an average westward azimuthal speed of 5 km/s. The aurora during this event showed some degree of temporal and spatial (both MLT and L-shell) correlation with the undulations, but this correlation was not nearly as strong as for a previous undulation event on 17 April 2001. Auroral intensifications preceded or coincided with the inception of all plasmapause indentations and undulations. However, there were several auroral enhancements at various latitudes that do not appear to have strong UT or MLT correlation with plasmapause motions. Auroral signatures that mapped closest to the L and MLT of the plasmapause were associated with the strongest, most long-lived plasmapause undulations, implying that magnetotail disturbances at lower L were more effective at distorting the plasmapause. Solar-wind-driven convection was strong, but relatively steady during the plasmapause undulations, and does not appear to have been directly responsible for them. This strong convection was apparently modulated by disturbances in the magnetotail that produced both the auroral signatures and the transient plasmapause distortions.
Inter-ethnic social interactions in 16th century La Florida: sourcing pottery using siliceous microfossils

Abstract A case study is presented to test the notion that minority pottery types from 16th century contexts at the Fountain of Youth (FOY) site in St. Augustine reflect population movements from the north that preceded major political reorganizations in the region. Petrographic methods are employed to trace the manufacturing origins of early historic period aboriginal pottery in northeast Florida. Fragments of siliceous microfossils, including sponge spicules, opal phytoliths, and, most notably, diatoms, were identified in the matrix of some early historic period aboriginal pottery from FOY, as well as in some clay samples from the coastal region of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Diatom taxa are identified and their spatial distribution is assessed. The distribution of microfossils supports the nonlocal manufacturing origins of some samples from St. Augustine and conform to expectations about the historic movement of certain aboriginal groups to the settlement.
Effects of tolerance induction on the actions of interferon-γ on porcine cardiac allografts

Abstract It is well known that interferon-γ (IFN-γ) not only plays a critical role in antigen-dependent but also in antigen-independent tissue injury; however, it is not clear how tolerance induction affects the actions of IFN-γ in the transplant setting. To address this question, we compared the effects of IFN-γ on porcine recipients of near-syngeneic, rejecting, and tolerant heart transplants. IFN-γ was infused continuously into the left anterior descending artery of hearts transplanted into 3 groups of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) inbred miniature swine, each treated with a 12-day course of cyclosporine A (CyA). Group 1 recipients received a MHC class I disparate heart, group 2 recipients received a near-syngeneic heart, and group 3 recipients were cotransplanted with a MHC class I disparate heart and kidney, which uniformly induces tolerance to both grafts. An additional group of animals was not transplanted but received intracoronary IFN-γ infusion into their native hearts. IFN-γ perfusion not only accelerated the acute rejection of MHC class I disparate hearts (mean survival time = 19 ± 7.21 vs 38 ± 8.19 days, P = .025), but caused near-syngeneic heart transplants, which otherwise survive indefinitely, to reject within 35 days (n = 3). In contrast, IFN-γ perfusion had no demonstrable effects on interstitial rejection, the development of vascular lesions, or graft survival in tolerant heart plus kidney allograft recipients (n = 4) or in autologous hearts (n = 2). These results suggest that tolerance induction mitigates the damaging effects of IFN-γ itself and that the beneficial effects of tolerance induction on acute and chronic rejection may extend to antigen-independent factors like ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Experimental study on active gear mesh vibration control

An internal active vibration control system is developed and verified experimentally to suppress gearbox housing vibrations due to gear transmission error excitation. The approach is based on an active shaft transverse vibration control concept. The system contains a piezoelectric stack actuator for applying control forces to the shaft via a rolling element bearing. A modified filtered-x LMS control algorithm with frequency estimation is developed to generate the appropriate control signals. The experimental results show 5-20 dB reduction in the housing vibration at the first two gear mesh harmonics over a wide gear rotation speed range. However, under certain narrow conditions, vibration amplifications at other locations are observed in the experiments, which might be attributed to the system un-modeled dynamics. In spite of this limitation, the approach developed is fairly promising. Studies are being performed to improve the overall performance of the prototype active control system.
Baseline NT-proBNP correlates with change in 6-minute walk distance in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension in the pivotal inhaled treprostinil study TRIUMPH-1.

Background N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a biomarker of disease severity in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In this study we aimed to determine whether baseline NT-proBNP levels correlate with improvement in 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) in the pivotal randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of the addition of inhaled treprostinil to oral therapy for PAH. Methods A post hoc analysis of data from the TRIUMPH-1 study was performed in patients who had assessments of NT-proBNP levels and baseline and Week 12 6MWD. Least-squares mean analysis was used to compare patients in the highest quartile of baseline NT-proBNP with those in lower quartiles with regard to change from baseline in 6MWD, stratified by treatment. Results The NT-proBNP within-treatment median changes from baseline to Week 12 were +44 and −72 pg/ml, and the median changes in 6MWD from baseline to Week 12 were +5 and +40 m for the placebo ( n = 94) and inhaled treprostinil ( n = 84) groups, respectively. Baseline NT-proBNP levels demonstrated a strong interaction with treatment in predicting change from baseline for 6MWD ( p Conclusions Greater improvement in 6MWD in actively treated patients with high levels of NT-proBNP enhances understanding of the robustness of clinical response to inhaled treprostinil in more advanced disease.
The “Death” of Disciplines: Development of a Team-Taught Course to Provide an Interdisciplinary Perspective for First-Year Students

Although interdisciplinary efforts in teaching and research are promoted as a possible antidote to increasing disciplinary separatism in colleges and universities, evaluations of interdisciplinary efforts in the classroom, particularly those spanning the traditional science-humanities divide, are not frequently documented. This article describes the development, execution, and assessment of a unique effort in interdisciplinary teaching in which four doctoral candidates from widely varying home disciplines collaborated to create and teach a “truly interdisciplinary” course for first-year students centered on the pervasiveness of humankind's quest for immortality. Assessment of the course indicates several desirable student outcomes, including the development of a more mature world view and appreciation for different epistemologies, which recommend the continuation of this and similar interdisciplinary efforts. While students at times found the enormous number of disciplines potentially related to the centr...
Morphine suppresses the ovarian steroid hormone-dependent lordosis response of female guinea pigs: Reversal by naloxone but not clonidine

Abstract The opiate agonist morphine caused a dose- and time-dependent suppression of lordosis responding in ovariectomized guinea pigs treated with estradiol-17β and progesterone. The suppression of lordosis by morphine appears to be mediated by opiate receptors since the opiate antagonist naloxone blocked its effects both in terms of the percentage of animals showing lordosis and the duration of individual responses. Naloxone, when given alone, did not affect lordosis responding in estradiol-17β + progesterone-primed animals and did not induce lordosis in animals primed with estradiol-17β alone. Thus, endogenous opioids might not tonically inhibit lordosis under the physiological conditions examined. The α-noradrenergic agonist clonidine did not reverse the effects of morphine on lordosis. Thus, the inhibitory effects of morphine on this behavior might be independent of its presynaptic effects on norepinephrine release in brain.
The Importance of Leadership in Shaping Business Values

Few doubt that leaders play a role, either as founders or promoters of values in organizations. So the more important question is not “Whose values?” but “What values?” Just because a leader has values doesn’t mean that they are good ones. Furthermore, the question is not so much about what a leader values, but what a leader actually does to demonstrate his or her values. This paper is about how leaders translate values into action and actions into enduring organizational values. I first examine how we have come to think about the values of business leaders and success. I also reflect on what theories of leadership say about how leaders influence followers. Then I argue that the language of having values is often inadequate for understanding individual and organizational ethics. Lastly, I look at the leadership of P. Roy Vagelos of Merck & Company to illustrate the how the values of founders and current leaders shape the values of their own organizations, and can shape the values of the industries in which they operate.
A 128K EPROM using encryption of pseudorandom numbers to enable read access

A 128K EPROM with a pseudorandom number generator and encryption circuits has been produced to provide a barrier to software piracy and to prevent unauthorized access to computers. The EPROM, known as the Keyed-Access EPROM, is capable of locking its array so that unauthorized users cannot read its contents. An authentication handshake is used to ensure that only authorized legitimate users can open and read the information that is stored in the memory. This unlocking process uses an on-chip pseudorandom number generator, encryption circuitry, and a 64-bit secret key. The security provided by this novel integrated circuit is shown to be effective. The circuit design of the pseudorandom number generator and the encryption circuitry is explained in detail. Several examples of applications are given.
Steroid-eluting epicardial pacing leads in pediatric patients: encouraging early results.

Abstract Objectives. This study evaluated the pacing and sensing characteristics of a new porous-tipped steroid-eluting epicardial lead in a group of pediatric patients. Background. Pacing in children may be complicated by small patient size, patient growth and the prevalence of structural congenital heart disease in children requiring pacing. Epicardial pacing has been associated with a high incidence of problems with sensing and capture, prompting the use of transvenous endocardial pacing when possible. In some children, epicardial pacing may still be desirable because of small patient size, potential for caval obstruction, previous cardiac surgery limiting transvenous access to the heart, or the need to repair congenital heart disease at the time of pacemaker insertion. Methods. Twelve patients aged 3 weeks to 18 years underwent placement of 23 epicardial pacing leads (8 atrial, 15 ventricular). Pulse width thresholds, sensing thresholds and lead impedance were measured weekly for 6 weeks, then at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after pacemaker implantation. The median duration of follow-up was 12 months. Results. Ventricular pulse width thresholds did not change over time, whereas atrial pulse width thresholds improved significantly. At 6 months, the mean pulse width threshold at 2.5 V for the atrial and ventricular leads was 0.10 ± 0.03 and 0.19 ± 0.09 ms, respectively. The thresholds were slightly lower at 12 and 18 months. At the most recent follow-up, all atrial leads sensed appropriately at 2.5 mV and all ventricular leads at 5 mV. Conclusions. These encouraging early results suggest that steroid-eluting epicardial pacing leads may be an attractive option for children needing epicardial pacing. Their excellent pacing and sensing characteristics may allow reliable dual-chamber pacing in infants who are too small for transvenous pacing.
Loudness and the binaural masking level difference

The large threshold difference found between a low-frequency antiphasic signal, Sπ, and in-phase signal, SO, in the presence of a homophasic noise masker (NO) is referred to as the binaural masking level difference (BMLD). The magnitude of the BMLD diminishes when the antiphasic signal is increased to suprathreshold levels. The decrease in effectiveness of a 180° phase-shifted signal, at suprathreshold levels, produces a concomitant decrease in perceived loudness of the signal. This decrease in effectiveness at the higher signal levels was examined in a loudness-matching paradigm. A change in neural processing was hypothesized to account for the variation in loudness, detectability, discrimination, and identification when the signal level approached 20 dB SL.
Synthesis and Performance of I comer-free Secondary Alkane Sulfonate Surfactants

ABSTRACT Isomer-free secondary alkane sulfonates' were synthesized from a series of pure secondary alcohols. The C-S bond was formed by thioesterification of the alcohol. A subsequent mild oxidation followed by neutralization generated the monoisomeric sodium sulfonates in good yield. These surfactants were prepared as alternatives to alkane sulfates, which do not have: the requisite thermal stability for many high temperature studies and applications.
The Sufficiently Embedded Librarian: Defining and Establishing Productive Librarian-Faculty Partnerships in Academic Libraries

How does an academic librarian become embedded in a department or college that is reluctant to accept reference, research or instruction services from the library? In such cases, the would-be embedded librarian may have to settle for “partial” embedding, offering some services where possible and tactfully abstaining from offering others that were not well-received. Definitions of successful embedding will depend on the level of service accepted, and the librarian may become, if not fully embedded, sufficiently embedded. This article recounts the experience of a would-be embedded librarian at Saint Cloud State University's James W. Miller Library and her attempts to embed herself in the G. R. Herberger College of Business (HCOB).
Compatibility of potential containment materials with molten lithium hydride at 800°C

Abstract A series of compatibility experiments has been performed for several stainless steels, carbon steels, and a nickel-base alloy in molten lithium hydride at 800°C for comparison with previous experiments on type 304L stainless steel. The results indicate that the mechanism of corrosion is the same for each of 304L, 304, 316L, and 309 stainless steel and that very similar corrosion in molten LiH is expected for each stainless alloy. Deviation from parabolic kinetics at extended exposure time for each stainless alloy is attributed in part to weight gains associated with lithium penetration. Stabilized (Nb and Ti) low carbon (
Steady-state current-voltage relationship of the Na/K pump in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

Whole-cell currents were recorded in guinea pig ventricular myocytes at approximately 36 degrees C before, during, and after exposure to maximally effective concentrations of strophanthidin, a cardiotonic steroid and specific inhibitor of the Na/K pump. Wide-tipped pipettes, in combination with a device for exchanging the solution inside the pipette, afforded reasonable control of the ionic composition of the intracellular solution and of the membrane potential. Internal and external solutions were designed to minimize channel currents and Na/Ca exchange current while sustaining vigorous forward Na/K transport, monitored as strophanthidin-sensitive current. 100-ms voltage pulses from the -40 mV holding potential were used to determine steady-state levels of membrane current between -140 and +60 mV. Control experiments demonstrated that if the Na/K pump cycle were first arrested, e.g., by withdrawal of external K, or of both internal and external Na, then neither strophanthidin nor its vehicle, dimethylsulfoxide, had any discernible effect on steady-state membrane current. Further controls showed that, with the Na/K pump inhibited by strophanthidin, membrane current was insensitive to changes of external [K] between 5.4 and 0 mM and was little altered by changing the pipette [Na] from 0 to 50 mM. Strophanthidin-sensitive current therefore closely approximated Na/K pump current, and was virtually free of contamination by current components altered by the changes in extracellular [K] and intracellular [Na] expected to accompany pump inhibition. The steady-state Na/K pump current-voltage (I-V) relationship, with the pump strongly activated by 5.4 mM external K and 50 mM internal Na (and 10 mM ATP), was sigmoid in shape with a steep positive slope between about 0 and -100 mV, a less steep slope at more negative potentials, and an extremely shallow slope at positive potentials; no region of negative slope was found. That shape of I-V relationship can be generated by a two-state cycle with one pair of voltage-sensitive rate constants and one pair of voltage-insensitive rate constants: such a two-state scheme is a valid steady-state representation of a multi-state cycle that includes only a single voltage-sensitive step.
Multilevel logic minimization using K-map XOR patterns

Entered variable XOR patterns are used in compressed Karnaugh maps to achieve gate-level minimum functions not possible with standard SOP and POS forms. Procedures are given for minimum cover extraction and verification. The design of a simple ALU illustrates multilevel-multiple output optimization. >
Performance Analysis of a Multi-Item Production-Inventory System Under Alternative Policies

This paper explores the performance of a multi-item production-inventory system. We compare two alternative policies, representing different modes of collecting and utilizing information. We derive a closed-form measure of performance for one of them, the familiar first-come-first-served FCFS policy, and propose a comparable approximation for the other, the longest-queue LQ policy. These results are illustrated and tested through simulations. In this way we address several basic managerial issues: What is the value of centralized information in complex systems? How does the breadth of the product line affect performance?
Very thin POP and SIP packaging approaches to achieve functionality integration prior to TSV implementation

Discrete function integration is achieved at the package level with a variety of packaging solutions, mainly package on package. In this paper we review mainstream package on package technology offerings and compare them against improved versions of these packages where advances in materials properties and processing techniques are leveraged to meet increasingly tighter overall package thickness requirements while maintaining or improving the reliability, yield and cost effectiveness metrics set by the existing technologies. Different avenues to achieve very thin POP and system-in-a-package constructions are explored in detail, showing the implications in terms of material properties, new or improved processing steps and design trade-offs. Similarly, we show examples where these new techniques have been used successfully to achieve the stricter thickness targets and to prove that these technologies are ready to be applied and leveraged immediately for functionality integration without requiring extended development times or completely new processing methodologies.
Different half-lives of insulin-like growth factor I mRNAs that differ in length of 3' untranslated sequence.

Rat liver insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) mRNAs encoding the same IGF-I and precursor exist as two predominant size classes of 7.5-7.0 and 1.2-0.9 kilobases (kb). The different sized mRNAs, differ only in length of 3' untranslated sequence (3'UT) and appear to derive from the use of alternate polyadenylation sites. Since the long 3'UT of the 7.5-7.0 kb IGF-I mRNAs contain sequences implicated in mRNA destabilization, we compared decay of the 7.5-7.0 and 1.2-0.9 kb mRNAs, during in vitro incubation in a reticulocyte lysate cell-free translation system. The 7.5-7.0 kb mRNAs decayed to 30% of the initial abundance after 10 min in reticulocyte lysate and were undetectable after 60 min. In contrast, 80% of the 1.2-0.9 kb mRNAs remained after 60 min in reticulocyte lysate. The rapid decay of the large IGF-I mRNAs during incubation in reticulocyte lysate demonstrates that analysis of mRNA translation in cell-free systems must take into account the rate of mRNA decay. Induction and decay of the two rat liver IGF-I mRNAs was also analyzed in vivo in hypophysectomized rats given a single i.p. injection of human growth hormone (GH). While GH induced parallel increases in abundance of the two mRNAs, their decay rates differed. The time taken for decay to 50% maximum abundance was 4 h for the 7.5-7.0 kb mRNAs and 14 h for the 1.2-0.9 kb mRNAs. Differential in vitro and in vivo half-lives of liver IGF-I mRNAs that encode the same protein, derive from the same gene, and differ only in length of 3'UT indicates novel post-transcriptional mechanisms for control of liver IGF-I synthesis. Such mechanisms may have major significance in non-hepatic tissues such as brain where the 7.5-7.0 kb IGF-I mRNAs predominate. These findings with IGF-I mRNAs have general implications for products of other genes with multiple polyadenylation sites.
Low-noise computer-controlled current source for quantum coherence experiments

We describe a dual current source designed to provide static flux biases for a superconducting qubit and for the Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) which measures the qubit state. The source combines digitally programmable potentiometers with a stabilized voltage source. Each channel has a maximum output of ±1 mA, and can be adjusted with an accuracy of about ±1 nA. Both current supplies are fully computer controlled and designed not to inject digital noise into the quantum bit and SQUID during manipulation and measurement of the flux. For a 275 μA setting, the measured noise current is 2.6 parts per million (ppm) rms, in a bandwidth of 0.0017–10 Hz, from which we estimate dephasing times of hundreds of nanoseconds in the particular case of our own qubit design. By resetting the current every 10 min, we are able to reduce the drift to no more than 5 ppm at a current of 750 μA over a period of 3 days. The current source has been implemented without thermal regulation inside a radiofrequenc...
Kinetics and mechanism of the comproportionation of hypothiocyanous acid and thiocyanate to give thiocyanogen in acidic aqueous solution.

The kinetics of comproportionation of hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN) and thiocyanate (SCN-) to give thiocyanogen ((SCIN) 2 ) in acidic aqueous solutions have been determined by double-mixing stopped-flow UV spectroscopy. Hypothiocyanite (OSCN - ) was generated at pH 13 by oxidation of excess SCN - with hypobromite (OBr - ), followed by a pH jump to acidic conditions ([H + ] = 0.20-0.46 M). The observed pseudo-first-order rate constants exhibit first-order dependencies on [H + ] and [SCN-] with overall third-order kinetics. The corresponding kinetics of hydrolysis of (SCN) 2 have also been examined. Under conditions of high (and constant) [H + ] and [SCN-], the kinetics exhibit second-order behavior with respect to [(SCN) 2 ] and complex inverse dependences on [H + ] and [SCN-]. Under conditions of low [H + ] and [SCN - ], the kinetics exhibit first-order behavior with respect to [(SCN) 2 ] and independence with respect to [H + ] and [SCN-]. We attribute this behavior to a shift in the rate-limiting step from disproportionation of HOSCN (second-order dependency on [(SCN) 2 ]) to rate-limiting hydrolysis (first-order dependency on [(SCN) 2 ]). Thus, we have determined the following equilibrium constant by the kinetic method: (SCN) 2 + H 2 O ? HOSCN + SCN- + H + ; K hyd = [HOSCN][SCN-][H + ]/[(SCN)2] = k hyd /k comp = 19.8(±0.7) s -1 / 5.14(±0.07) × 10 3 M -2 s -1 = 3.9 x 10 -3 M2.
A family of NP-complete data aggregation problems

We consider a family of general aggregation problems and prove each of its members to be NP-complete in the strong sense. These problems require that we partition a set of objects into “aggregates”. The goal is to minimize the expected cost of satisfying an anticipated collection of requests for subsets of the objects, where the cost of satisfying a request includes both the number and the sizes of the aggregates which must be retrieved. The aggregation problems are viewed as very basic versions of important database optimization problems, including: the partitioning of data items into record types, the clustering of records into physical blocks of storage, and the partitioning of a database into granules to support locking. The NP-completeness results demonstrate that such optimization problems are intractable, even when simplified to the extreme. The fact that the problems are NP-complete in the strong sense also rules out pseudopolynomial time solutions, unless P = NP.
Esmolol and ventilatory function in cardiac patients with COPD.

To assess the effects of acute cardioselective beta blockade on ventilatory function in patients with COPD and active cardiac disorders, 50 patients were studied during intravenous infusion of esmolol. All patients had an obstructive ventilatory component on baseline pulmonary function testing, and 58 percent had a significant bronchodilator response to inhaled albuterol. Esmolol infusion (8 to 24 mg/min) produced large decreases in heart rate (84 ± 2 to 69 ± 2 beats/min, p 1 . It is concluded that acute beta blockade with esmolol can be achieved in patients with COPD and cardiac disorders with little risk of bronchospasm.
Dorsotemporal retinal ganglion cell axons of goldfish are located in the dorsal rather than ventral optic tract

Cobaltous-lysine was injected into the eyes of goldfish after a slit was made in the temporal retina. Cobalt-filled optic fibers were found in the dorsal optic tract and tracing them to their destinations revealed that they terminated rostrally in the peripheral edges of both the dorsal and ventral aspects of the optic tectum. Hence, axons from ganglion cells in the dorsotemporal retina are in the dorsal optic brachium rather than in the ventral optic brachium as was previously assumed.
A performance predictor for UltraScan supercomputer calculations

A performance prediction model for the two-dimensional spectrum analysis algorithm of the UltraScan software was developed to aid in the prediction of calculation times on XSEDE supercomputer infrastructure. The efficiency profiles for various analysis types and analysis parameter combinations when used on Lonestar, Trestles and Stampede were determined by mining performance data from past analyses stored in the UltraScan LIMS database. The resulting model was validated against an analytical performance model. The model can be integrated into the existing UltraScan submission infrastructure to provide improved wall time estimates for the XSEDE supercomputer clusters to increase queuing efficiency.
Genetic data in population viability analysis: case studies with ambystomatid salamanders

Parameterization of population viability models is a complicated task for most types of animals, as knowledge of population demography, abundance and connectivity can be incomplete or unattainable. Here I illustrate several ways in which genetic data can be used to inform population viability analysis, via the parameterization of both initial abundance and dispersal matrices. As case studies, I use three ambysomatid salamander datasets to address the following question: how do population viability predictions change when dispersal estimates are based on genetic assignment test data versus a general dispersal–distance function? Model results showed that no local population was large enough to ensure long-term persistence in the absence of immigration, suggesting a metapopulation structure. Models parameterized with a dispersal–distance function resulted in much more optimistic predictions than those incorporating genetic data in the dispersal estimates. Under the dispersal–distance function scenario all local populations persisted; however, using genetic assignments to infer dispersal revealed local populations at risk of extinction. Viability estimates based on dispersal–distance functions should be interpreted with caution, especially in heterogeneous landscapes. In these situations I promote the idea of model parameterization using genetic assignment tests for a more accurate portrayal of real-world dispersal patterns.
Geometrically nonlinear analysis of multibody systems

Abstract A method for the dynamic analysis of geometrically nonlinear inertia-variant flexible systems is presented. Systems investigated consist of interconnected rigid and flexible components that undergo large rigid body rotations as well as nonlinear elastic deformations. The differential equations of motion are formulated using Lagrange's equation and nonlinear constraint equations describing mechanical joints in the system are adjoined to the system differential equations of motion using Lagrange's multipliers. A computer program that systematically constructs and numerically solves the system equations of motion is used to predict the effect of the geometric elastic nonlinearities on the dynamic response of flexible multibody systems. The automated formulation presented imposes no limitations on the size of the mechanical systems to be treated. Two examples, namely a slider crank and six-bar mechanisms, are presented to illustrate the effect of introducing geometric nonlinearities to the dynamics of flexible multibody systems.
The SO2 atmosphere and ionosphere of Io: Ion chemistry, atmospheric escape, and models corresponding to the Pioneer 10 radio occultation measurements

Some numerical models of the SO2 atmosphere and ionosphere of Io at the time of the Pioneer 10 fly-by are calculated. It is shown that the formation of the observed ionosphere in the downstream direction may have required the precipitation of electrons, and that solar EUV radiation alone cannot account for it. In a comparison with Pioneer 10 radio occultation measurements, an electron impact in the range 500-800 eV was found to agree with Pioneer 10 radio occultation data for a SO2 atmosphere with a surface density of 4 x 10 to the 10th per cu cm. The relatively narrow energy range and flux required for incident electrons suggests that a fraction of a torus plasma compresses the ionosphere. It is pointed out on the basis of the model calculations that a weak magnetic field may be associated with Io.
A repeated dose study of the toxicity of CR applied to the skin of mice

Dibenz (b,f)-1-4 oxazepine (CR) was applied to the skin of C3H and Porton-strain mice, daily for 12 weeks. After a further 80 weeks the animals were sacrificed and examined grossly and histologically. The results were compared with appropriate solvent and untreated controls. No abnormalities were found that could be ascribed to CR, but a high incidence of fatty infiltration of the liver in 1 strain of mice might have been due to the solvent in which CR was dissolved, namely acetone. There were marked differences in the incidence of several lesions in the 2 strains of mice, alveologenic carcinoma being much more common in the Porton mice. CR appeared to have little effect on the skin but both the test and solvent groups of male Porton mice shared an increased incidence of acanthosis.
Postural blood pressure changes and associated factors in long-term Type 1 diabetes: Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Abstract Purpose To describe the frequency of orthostatic hypotension and hypertension and associations with risk factors in a cohort of persons with long-term Type 1 diabetes ( n =440) participating in the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy. Methods Evaluations included detailed medical history, electrocardiography (ECG), and laboratory tests. Blood pressure (BP) was measured in supine and standing positions. Standing decrease in systolic (SBP) or diastolic (DBP) BP of at least 20 or 10 mmHg, respectively, was defined as orthostatic hypotension; increase of SBP from Results Prevalence of orthostatic hypotension and orthostatic hypertension was 16.1% and 15.2%, respectively. Some ECG measurements of cardiac autonomic dysfunction were significantly associated with orthostatic hypotension. Association between SBP and orthostatic hypotension and orthostatic hypertension were significant [odds ratio, 1.02 (95% confidence interval, or CI, 1.01–1.05) and 1.02 (95% CI, 1.01–1.04), per 1 mmHg, respectively] after adjusting for confounders. Interaction between SBP and age was observed. SBP was significantly associated with orthostatic hypotension and orthostatic hypertension in people ≤40 years old [1.35 (1.02–1.78) and 1.12 (1.05–1.18), respectively]. Conclusions Results showed that measurements derived from the ECG can help describe an individual at increased risk of having postural BP changes. Moreover, SBP was associated with postural BP changes among individuals who were
Characterization of E. coli manganese superoxide dismutase binding to RNA and DNA

Abstract Bacterial manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) has been shown to localize to the chromosomal portion of the cell and impart protection from ionizing radiation to DNA. The binding affinity of bacterial MnSOD to non-sequence specific double stranded oligomeric DNA has been quantitated previously by nitrocellulose filter binding and gel shift assays. In the current study we have examined the equilibrium binding of Escherichia coli MnSOD to poly(U), poly(A), poly(C), poly(dU) and double-stranded (ds) DNA. Equilibrium association constant, Kobs, was measured by monitoring intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence quenching. Based on the extent of quenching, Kobs was determined as a function of monovalent salt (MX) concentration and type, as well as temperature, from which ΔG°obs and ΔH°obs were determined. It was found that the polynucleotides bind to MnSOD in the following affinity hierarchy, poly(dU) > poly(U) > dsDNA > poly(A) > poly(C). The differences in the hierarchy were not large in magnitude as the poly(dU) bound with less than a 100-fold higher affinity than poly(C) at any given [MX]. For each polynucleotide, Kobs decreases only slightly with increasing [K+], surprising for a relatively non-specific nucleic acid protein. Thus, our finding that MnSOD can bind to RNA leads to the possibility that MnSOD may confer protection to RNA, as well. This is, as of yet, untested. Typically one would expect strong electrostatic interactions to dominate a non-specific binding event like that, but our results show an unexpectedly strong non-electrostatic contribution to the binding.
Nitric oxide adsorption on the Pt(110) surface

Abstract The adsorption of nitric oxide has been studied on the Pt(110) surface using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) over the temperature range 100 to 1100 K. The chemisorption of nitric oxide is predominantly molecular on the Pt(110) surface, however a small amount of dissociation occurs with heating. Above 170 K the vibrational spectrum of adsorbed nitric oxide is dominated by two nitric oxide stretching frequencies at 1610 and 1760 cm −1 . The data presented in this paper indicate that these frequencies correspond to adsorption in bridged and terminal sites, respectively. Similar vibrational modes observed previously for adsorbed nitric oxide on several transition metal surfaces [3,6–8] can also be rotationalized using a simple two-site model. The thermal desorption results for nitric oxide desorption from the Pt(110) surface indicate that the desorption activation energy is approximately 134 kJ mol (33 kcal mol ) with a preexponential factor of 10 16 /s.
Performance Testing of Commercial Containers for Collection and Storage of Fire Debris Evidence

Fire debris evidence may contain ignitable liquid residues valuable in the investigation of a potential arson scene. The ability to obtain evidence containers that are contaminant-free and vapor-tight is essential to the analysis and storage of fire debris evidence. Commercial containers such as metal "paint" cans, glass mason jars, and polymer bags are often employed as fire debris evidence containers. The purpose of this research was to determine which of these three types of containers provided the most vapor-tight seal for the prevention of ignitable liquid vapor loss and to assess the potential for cross-contamination. Leak rates for each type of container were measured under controlled conditions. Simple mixtures of hydrocarbons were utilized in these experiments. Leak rates were determined based on the amounts of hydrocarbon recovered from activated charcoal located outside the test container and within a secondary container. Quantitation of the hydrocarbons recovered from activated charcoal was calculated using external standard calibration curves following analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results demonstrated that glass jars had the fastest leak rate followed by metal paint cans and properly heat-sealed polymer bags with the slowest leak rate. Each container exhibited a different leak mechanism, which resulted in an observable effect on the composition of hydrocarbons lost from the container. Hydrocarbon transfer from one container to another is also demonstrated. This study presents results that reveal the most vapor-tight container to be a properly heat-sealed copolymer bag.