cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An improved method of reconstitution of adipocyte glucose transport activity.

Abstract The glucose transport activity of rat epididymal fat cells was reconstituted into egg lecithin liposomes with a high degree of reproducibility. The activity was solubilized with 20 m m sodium cholate in Buffer B (10 m m Tris-HCl, pH 7.5). After elimination of small molecules by gel filtration, the transport activity was incorporated into egg lecithin liposomes (Sigma, Type IX-E, homogeneously dispersed into Buffer B) by sonication (5 s), freezing (−70°C), thawing, and a second sonication (5 s). The sonication was done in a 16.8-mm polystyrene test tube (Sarstedt, 55-468) placed in a cup horn (from Heat Systems Ultrasonics) connected to a Branson's sonicator (W-185) at setting No. 3 (70 W of output). The optimum sample size was 80 μl, and the optimum clearance between the test tube and the sonicator horn was 2–3 mm. The concentration of egg lecithin at the reconstitution step was 25 mg/ml, and that of the microsomal protein was approximately 0.3–0.5 mg/ml. The glucose transport activity of reconstituted liposomes was assayed by incubating the latter with a mixture of d -[ 3 H]glucose and l -[ 14 C]glucose. The incubation was terminated by the addition of HgCl 2 , and the reaction mixture was filtered with a Millipore filter (GSWP). The difference in the rates of uptake of d -glucose and l -glucose was regarded as representing the carrier-mediated glucose transport activity. The results of the assay indicated that the glucose transport activity could be reconstituted in a highly reproducible manner. The reconstituted activity was proportional, within a limit of experimental error, to the amount of protein used for reconstitution and was almost completely blocked by cytochalasin B, phloretin, or HgCl 2 . However, a small amount of d -glucose was found to bind with the egg lecithin preparation.
Antimyosin uptake and myofibrillarlysis in dilated cardiomyopathy

Background Although antimyosin scintigraphy detects myocyte necrosis associated with myocarditis, it has also been reported to yield positive results in a large number of patients with clinical dilated cardiomyopathy without histologic evidence of myocarditis. The question to be resolved is whether this discordance represents false-positive results of antimyosin scans or whether antimyosin scintigraphy more accurately identifies the presence of myocyte necrosis than does endomyocardial biopsy testing.
Single-molecule detection: focusing on the objective.

Placing colloidal spheres in the immediate proximity of fluorescent molecules makes it possible to achieve single-molecule imaging at high temperatures with a low-cost system.
Radiographic diagnosis: pericardioperitoneal diaphragmatic hernia and cholelithiasis in a dog.

The dog had a history of abdominal pain and vomiting of five days duration. An umbilical hernia had been surgically repaired years earlier. The dog was depressed, lethargic, and had painful palpations of the cranial abdomen. Body temperature (39"C), heart rate (1 10 bpm) and respiratory rate (44 breathdmin.) were normal. Heart sounds were clearly audible on the right side and muffled on the left side. There was a neutrophilia with a left shift (1 5,690 segmented neutrophils/Fl (69%) and 9,100 bands/pl (4%)). Abnormalities on the serum chemistry profile included elevated values for liver enzymes (alkaline phosphatase: 562 I U L (1-90 IUL), aspartate transferase: I90 I U L (10-62 IU/L), alanine transferase: 99 IU/L (1-94 IU/L), hypoalbuminemia of 2.4 g/dl (3.2-4.7 g/dl) and elevated creatinine kinase: 2862 I U L (51-529 IUL)). Radiographs of the thorax and abdomen were obtained (Figs. 1-4).
Passive tension in cardiac muscle: contribution of collagen, titin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments.

The passive tension-sarcomere length relation of rat cardiac muscle was investigated by studying passive (or not activated) single myocytes and trabeculae. The contribution of collagen, titin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments to tension and stiffness was investigated by measuring (1) the effects of KCl/KI extraction on both trabeculae and single myocytes, (2) the effect of trypsin digestion on single myocytes, and (3) the effect of colchicine on single myocytes. It was found that over the working range of sarcomeres in the heart (lengths approximately 1.9–2.2 microns), collagen and titin are the most important contributors to passive tension with titin dominating at the shorter end of the working range and collagen at longer lengths. Microtubules made a modest contribution to passive tension in some cells, but on average their contribution was not significant. Finally, intermediate filaments contributed about 10% to passive tension of trabeculae at sarcomere lengths from approximately 1.9 to 2.1 microns, and their contribution dropped to only a few percent at longer lengths. At physiological sarcomere lengths of the heart, cardiac titin developed much higher tensions (> 20-fold) than did skeletal muscle titin at comparable lengths. This might be related to the finding that cardiac titin has a molecular mass of 2.5 MDa, 0.3–0.5 MDa smaller than titin of mammalian skeletal muscle, which is predicted to result in a much shorter extensible titin segment in the I-band of cardiac muscle. Passive stress plotted versus the strain of the extensible titin segment showed that the stress-strain relationships are similar in cardiac and skeletal muscle. The difference in passive stress between cardiac and skeletal muscle at the sarcomere level predominantly resulted from much higher strains of the I-segment of cardiac titin at a given sarcomere length. By expressing a smaller titin isoform, without changing the properties of the molecule itself, cardiac muscle is able to develop significant levels of passive tension at physiological sarcomere lengths.
The relation between processing difficulty and cued recall in children and adults

Abstract The developmental relation between processing difficulty and cued recall was examined in five experiments. Processing difficulty was manipulated in Experiment 1 by asking related (“How many are related?”), category (“How many are vehicles?”), general (“How many move?”), and analytic (“How many usually carry freight?”) orienting questions about four-word stimuli in which the words were categorically related (Bus-Airplane-Car-Train) or unrelated. The measures of difficulty were the accuracy and speed of question answer. Cued recall for the targets (train) was assessed for one-word (Bus) or two-word (Bus-Airplane) cues, which were varied to determine if difficulty affected constructability or discriminability in retrieval. Similarly, the cues were category names in Experiment 2, and retrieval orienting questions were provided in Experiment 3, also as ways of distinguishing between constructability and discriminability. No orienting questions were asked in Experiment 4, and a divided attention task was employed in Experiment 5, to gain direct evidence about the effects of processing difficulty. The results showed that recall varied with processing difficulty for both children and college students in some situations, primarily due to enhanced cue discriminability. However, the relation between processing difficulty and developmental increases in recall seemed to be mediated by constructability problems and resource-limited and data-limited aspects of the task situation.
A high-resolution electron microscopy study of exsolution lamellae in enstatite

Abstract The interfaces between narrow augite exsolution lamellae and enstatite matrix are examined in detail by transmission electron microscopy using weak-beam and direct lattice imaging techniques. Direct observation of matrix planes with a (100) interplanar spacing (18–3 A) and the (200) lamella planes (4–6 A) at the interface between the two phases reveals steps or ledges usually one atomic plane high every few hundred Angstroms; growth of a lamella apparently involves the motion of ledges parallel to the interface. Terminating (200) lattice fringes, indicating the presence of a dislocation, are observed at each ledge. The dislocations, which are parallel to [010], also have an [001] component that stabilizes the structure by reducing the strain energy of the interface.
The possibility of standardless furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy

Abstract The original papers of Walsh and L'vov anticipated that atomic absorption spectroscopy would be capable of absolute, or standardless analyses. This paper shows that the modern graphite furnace technique provides standardless analyses in varied and complex matrices within about 10–20% accuracy. Some of the conditions that control the remaining variability are the atomization temperature and spectroscopic variables such as spectral slit width and lamp current. Nevertheless, characteristic mass data collected from nominally similar conditions in different laboratories for many elements show a spread of about ±15%, in spite of all the variables. A group of materials was analysed for several elements using only characteristic mass data for calibration and the results were compared with previous analyses of these materials. The results supported the 10–20% accuracy of this approach
Law of evolution to equilibrium in nonlinear thermodynamics

Abstract It is shown that the Hamiltonian structure and the ergodicity of micro-equations yield some special “quasi-Hamiltonian” structure of macro-equations, describing an evolution of a system to thermodynamic equilibrium.
Gallium (III) triflate catalyzed dehydration of aldoximes

Gallium triflate catalyzed dehydration of aldoximes to nitriles is described in good to excellent yields. Good catalytic and dehydrating capabilities of gallium triflate are demonstrated through this dehydration reaction.
Security analysis of selectively encrypted MPEG-2 streams

Selective encryption exploits the relationship between encryption and compression to reduce encryption requirements, saving in complexity and facilitating new system functionality. Selective encryption of MPEG video streams has been proposed in a number of variations, yet has seen little application to date. Here we focus on high encryption savings, targeting 10% of the bit stream or less encrypted, moderate security in the sense that the content is degraded to the point that purchase would be preferred over consuming free content, no impact on compression efficiency, and a cryptanalytic approach to validating security. We find that adequate security is plausible if the compressor is cooperative or at least neutral with respect to the selective encryption system, but implausible if the compressor is operated antagonistically. The unusually low encryption targeted makes application of this solution appealing.
Fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis as an estimator of microbial biomass on coniferous needle surfaces

Estimating microbial standing crops and microbial production in natural habitats has been difficult for microbial ecologists. The present paper describes a simple spectrophotometric assay based on the hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate which estimates well the standing crops of microbial cells on coniferous needles and twigs. A technique is also presented for correlating optical density readings with actual dry weights of microbial cells epiphytic on needles, and thus for standardizing the assay. The assay shows promise of broad applicability to other microbial habitats.
Operational Wave Guidance at the U.S. National Weather Service during Tropical/Post–Tropical Storm Sandy, October 2012*

AbstractWaves generated during Hurricane Sandy (October 2012) contributed significantly to life and property losses along the eastern U.S. seaboard. Extreme waves generated by Sandy propagated inland riding high water levels, causing direct destruction of property and infrastructure. High waves also contributed to the observed record-breaking storm surges. Operational wave-model guidance provided by the U.S. National Weather Service, via numerical model predictions made at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), gave decision makers accurate information that helped mitigate the severity of this historical event. The present study provides a comprehensive performance assessment of operational models used by NCEP during Hurricane Sandy, and makes a brief review of reports issued by government agencies, private industry, and universities, indicating the importance of the interplay of waves and surges during the hurricane. Performance of wave models is assessed through validation made rel...
Use of Tn4560 to generate nikkomycin non-producing mutants of Streptomyces tendae

Transposon Tn4560 was used to generate three nikkomycin non-producing mutants in Streptomyces tendae ATCC 31160 Southern hybridization confirmed that Tn4560 was present in 10–12-kb BamHI fragments of the chromosomes of the mutants. Biologically active nikkomycins were not detected in culture broths of the mutants as determined by bioassays and HPLC. Differences in the HPLC profiles of culture broths suggest that Tn4560 inserted into different genes in the mutants.
The role of working memory capacity in autobiographical retrieval: Individual differences in strategic search

Remembering previous experiences from one's personal past is a principal component of psychological well-being, personality, sense of self, decision making, and planning for the future. In the current study the ability to search for autobiographical information in memory was examined by having college students recall their Facebook friends. Individual differences in working memory capacity manifested itself in the search of autobiographical memory by way of the total number of friends remembered, the number of clusters of friends, size of clusters, and the speed with which participants could output their friends' names. Although working memory capacity was related to the ability to search autobiographical memory, participants did not differ in the manner in which they approached the search and used contextual cues to help query their memories. These results corroborate recent theorising, which suggests that working memory is a necessary component of self-generating contextual cues to strategically search ...
Cytotoxic T lymphocyte recognition of transfected cells expressing a cloned retroviral gene

The lysis of murine sarcoma virus–murine leukaemia virus (MSV–MuLV)-induced tumour cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) appears to require that an antigen specified by MSV–MuLV, or induced by the infection, be presented in association with class I major histocompatibility complex antigens1,2. The viral proteins of the tumorigenic MuLV seem to be a part of the antigens recognized by these dually restricted anti-MuLV CTL, but the precise nature of the putative viral antigen(s) recognized by CTL is unknown. Studies using recombinant viruses have suggested that a product of the viral envelope gene (env gene), perhaps the glycoprotein gp70, is the viral antigen recognized by CTL3. Attempts to use purified gp70 or anti-gp70 antibodies to block CTL recognition of retrovirus-induced tumour cells, however, have yielded contradictory results4–6. To examine more closely the role of gp70 in the CTL response to MuLV infections, we have constructed murine cell lines which express only the env gene of the Moloney murine leukaemia virus (M-MuLV). We show here that BALB/c-3T3 cells expressing the M-MuLV envelope gene products on their cell surface are susceptible to lysis by M-MuLV-specific CTL.
New integral equations for the transition operators of many-body systems

A new set of coupled integral equations for the transition operators of a nonrelativistic quantum-mechanical $n$- body system is presented. These equations are a generalization to the many-body system of a special case of a set suggested for the three-body problem by Kouri, Baer, and Levin. The Kouri-Baer-Levin formalism effectively couples together the Lippmann-Schwinger integral equations for the transition operators for all open channels thus simultaneously imposing all asymptotic boundary conditions. The effect of our specialization of these equations is to make the kernel of the integral equations connected so that the resulting equations appear to be a suitable basis for many-body calculations.
Genetic variation for dorsal-ventral patterning of the Drosophila melanogaster eggshell.

Patterning of the insect eggshell is an excellent system for exploring the molecular basis of phenotypic variation. In Drosophila melanogaster, two dorsal–anterior respiratory appendages are produced in response to signaling through the Epidermal growth factor receptor (Egfr). Previous work implicates Egfr pathway function in both intraspecific variation for dorsal appendage spacing (DAS) on the eggshell, as well as interspecific differences in dorsal appendage number and location. To test the hypothesis that genetic variation in Egfr contributes to variation in eggshell patterning, we have made use of naturally occurring intraspecific variation for DAS as a model quantitative trait. We found that there is substantial segregating genetic variation for DAS in D. melanogaster, and have tested for associations with 289 common polymorphisms in the Egfr locus. A marginal association was seen with two polymorphic sites in Egfr; however, we failed to replicate these findings in a second population, or in a modified quantitative complementation test designed to specifically test the effects of the putative polymorphisms. Therefore, we conclude that the polymorphisms we have identified in Egfr do not contribute to variation in DAS, and further work is required to understand the genetic architecture of this trait
Foaming of aqueous piperazine and monoethanolamine for CO2 capture

Abstract The cause of foaming in aqueous amines used for CO 2 absorption was investigated in this study. The effect on foaming of amine concentration and various additives, including electrolytes, liquid hydrocarbon, and degradation products, was measured by a standard method. Both aqueous piperazine (PZ) with 0.3 mole CO 2 /mole alkalinity ( α ) and 7 m monoethanolamine (MEA, α = 0.4)) were studied. Formaldehyde at 270 mM substantially increases foaming in PZ. PZ foamed after 163 h of oxidative degradation, but this effect was greatly mitigated with an oxidation inhibitor. Silicone antifoam of 1 ppm reduced the foaminess by 20 times. The tendency of 8 m PZ to foam was increased by 40% with the addition of iron (II) up to a concentration of 1.5 mM, but dissolved iron had no significant effect on 7 m MEA. The tendency to foam and foam stability of 8 m PZ solutions was only slightly affected by 1 mM iron (III), 0.1% heptane in water, 5 mM of copper sulfate, or 100 mM of an oxidation inhibitor.
Ratios of odd-parity crystal-field parameters for erbium ethylsulfate

Abstract Numerical values of ratios between parameters describing the odd-parity part of the crystal field in erbium ethylsulfate are obtained from an analysis of the intensities of certain optical absorption lines of this salt in a transverse magnetic field.
A microscopic method for determining bone crystal solubility.

Anin vitro system was used to induce growth and dissolution of bone crystals by manipulating the composition of their fluid environment. The induced changes could be detected with the polarizing microscope because of the extrinsic birefringence of the bone tissue. Supporting observations were made with the electron microscope and by determining45Ca uptake. The bone crystals were found to be heterogeneous with regard to their solubility. When induced crystal changes were minimal by polarization microscopy the overall solubility product of the bone mineral expressed asp [Ca]+p[P] was 6.51±0.07 (S.D.). This result corroborated the findings of other investigators who determined bone powder solubility by conventional methods. Solubility of the crystals in thein vitro system varied inversely with hydroxyl ion and fluoride ion concentration, but directly with citrate ion concentration.
Lattice thermal conductivity of antimony down to 0.4°K

Abstract Predominance of phonon-electron normal scattering is confirmed with the expected T 2 behavior below 1.4°K. The consideration of an effective Debye temperature Θ ∗ = 11° K is discussed.
Leukocyte involvement in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury

Leukocytes have been postulated to contribute to cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury. The present study implies that leukocytes have a deleterious effect in the brain following ischemia. We compared the alteration of cortical electrical activity following transient, incomplete cerebral ischemia in control and leukopenic rats by monitoring somatosensory evoked potentials and electroencephalographic activity. There was complete cessation of electroencephalographic activity, and the cortical peak of the evoked potential was abolished during ischemia in the control animals. However, when the animals were rendered leukopenic, there was maintenance of electroencephalographic activity with reduced amplitude and preservation of the cortical peak of the evoked response during the ischemic period. This indicates that when the animals are made leukopenic, even under ischemic conditions, the neurophysiologic functioning is still maintained to a certain extent.
ISSUES IN THE PREDICTION OF ADULT CRIMINALITY

A report of research on a large, city‐wide US sample of black and white youths using official police records of juvenile delinquency status to predict adult criminality as revealed by FBI records of an adult arrest. Eight predictive criteria and six operationalised definitions of delinquency were related to three types of adult arrest record. Certain predictive criteria were found to be “best” for certain adult outcomes while others were “best” for different outcomes.
The preparation of 66Ni

Millicurie amounts of 55-hr 66Ni were produced by utilizing a flux of 2·45 × 1015 n/cm2/sec for the successive capture of neutrons by 64Ni. Yields of 39 mc, 55 mc, and 66 mc of 66Ni were obtained from 50 mg targets of 98·56 per cent isotopically enriched 64Ni for 48-, 72-, and 96-hr irradiations, respectively. The 66Ni was isolated as a purified product by precipitating the 110mAg contamination, electroplating the 66Ni away from 24Na, and by removing 58Co and 60Co by anion exchange chromatography. The cross-section for the 64Ni(n, γ)65Ni reaction has been remeasured in the ORR Reactor and the BSR Reactor by Lyon and Emery, and Lyon's original value of 1·5 b was confirmed. Based on the present work, the cross section for the 65Ni(n, γ)66Ni reaction is estimated to be 60–70 b.
Stress development in plasma-deposited silicon dioxide thin-films due to hydrogen evolution

Abstract The kinetics of stress change in plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited (PECVD) silicon dioxide dielectric films, during annealing, is studied. When silicon dioxide is deposited in excess nitrous oxide, a fraction of the oxide is in the form SiO3/2OH, instead of SiO2, which on annealing condenses to SiO2 and H2O. The condensed water subsequently diffuses out of the film inducing a stress change (increase in tension or decrease in compression) in the film. A theoretical model relating the hydrogen (or water) concentration to the stress change is developed. Secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis revealed a relatively flat hydrogen concentration profile along the thickness of the film, indicating that the stress change is not diffusion limited. The model thus accounts for first order kinetics for bond breaking accompanied by fast diffusion with a fraction of the atoms or molecules undergoing a trap and release process. From the theoretical fit for the experimental data, activation energy of 1.1 eV for bond breaking is obtained. The model allows predicting the time dependent stress evolution in the PECVD film subjected to a prescribed temperature history.
Is the Pope a Catholic

The whole-part relationship is generally considered transitive, but there are some apparent exceptions. Componential sortals create some apparent problems. Homo sapiens, the Pope, and his heart are all individuals. A human being, such as the Pope, is an organism-level component of Homo sapiens. The Pope’s heart is an organ-level component of both Homo sapiens and the Pope. Although the Pope is a part, and not an instance, of the Roman Catholic Church, it seems odd to say that his heart is a part of that church. This is largely because the Pope’s heart does not have a place in the ecclesiastical government. However, it does contribute to the functioning of the organization. One popular alternative to the view that Homo sapiens is an individual is the notion that it is a natural kind. This has been done by redefining ‘natural kind’ in such a manner that not just the Roman Catholic Church, but the Pope and every other human being is a natural kind as well.
Treatment Options for the Child with Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is extremely common in pediatric populations. Its symptoms can interfere markedly with everyday life; moreover, untreated allergic rhinitis can predispose patients toward more serious respiratory diseases. Therapy focuses both on reducing the causes (avoidance, immunotherapy) and on controlling manifest symptoms (pharmacotherapy). Antihistamines, decongestants, anticholinergic agents, mast cell stabilizers, and intranasal corticosteroids constitute the pharmacotherapy arsenal. Of these, the intranasal corticosteroids most effectively control the major symptoms; many studies have found that their efficacy in persistent allergic rhinitis is greater than that of decongestants, antihistamines, and cromolyn sodium. Moreover, unlike systemic corticosteroids, they are generally free from adverse side effects. Thus, with appropriate attention to education and formulations most tolerable to children, they should be a wise choice for many pediatric patients.
Immediate versus delayed IUD insertion after uterine aspiration.

Background Intrauterine devices (IUDs) provide highly effective, reversible, long-term contraception that is appropriate for many women after first-trimester uterine aspiration. However, the effects of immediate versus delayed IUD insertion after uterine aspiration on rates of complications and IUD use are uncertain. Methods We performed a randomized noninferiority trial involving women undergoing uterine aspiration for induced or spontaneous abortion at 5 to 12 weeks of gestation who desired an IUD. Subjects were randomly assigned (in a 5:6 ratio) to IUD insertion immediately after the procedure or 2 to 6 weeks afterward (delayed insertion). The primary outcome was the rate of IUD expulsion 6 months after IUD insertion; an expulsion rate 8 percentage points higher in the immediate-insertion group was defined as inferior. Results Among 575 women who underwent randomization, an IUD was inserted in 100% (258 of 258) of the women in the immediate-insertion group and in 71.3% (226 of 317) of those in the dela...
Global Distribution of Methane Hydrate in Ocean Sediment

In this paper, we present an equilibrium thermodynamic model to accurately predict the maximum depth of hydrate stability in the seafloor, including the effects of water salinity, hydrate confinement in pores, and the distribution of pore sizes in natural sediments. This model uses sediment type, geothermal gradient, and seafloor depth as input to predict the thickness of the hydrate zone. Using this hydrate model and a mass-transfer description for hydrate formation, we have also developed a predictive method for the occurrence of methane hydrates in the ocean. Based on this information, a prediction for the distribution of methane hydrate in ocean sediment is presented on a 1° latitude by 1° longitude (1° × 1°) global grid. From this detailed prediction, we estimate that there is a total volume of 1.2 × 1017 m3 of methane gas (expanded to atmospheric conditions), or, equivalently, 74 400 Gt of CH4 in ocean hydrates, which is 3 orders of magnitude larger than worldwide conventional natural gas reserves. ...
Comparative Effectiveness Research in Oncology

Although randomized controlled trials represent the gold standard for comparative effective research (CER), a number of additional methods are available when randomized controlled trials are lacking or inconclusive because of the limitations of such trials. In addition to more relevant, efficient, and generalizable trials, there is a need for additional approaches utilizing rigorous methodology while fully recognizing their inherent limitations. CER is an important construct for defining and summarizing evidence on effectiveness and safety and comparing the value of competing strategies so that patients, providers, and policymakers can be offered appropriate recommendations for optimal patient care. Nevertheless, methodological as well as political and social challenges for CER remain. CER requires constant and sophisticated methodological oversight of study design and analysis similar to that required for randomized trials to reduce the potential for bias. At the same time, if appropriately conducted, CER offers an opportunity to identify the most effective and safe approach to patient care. Despite rising and unsustainable increases in health care costs, an even greater challenge to the implementation of CER arises from the social and political environment questioning the very motives and goals of CER. Oncologists and oncology professional societies are uniquely positioned to provide informed clinical and methodological expertise to steer the appropriate application of CER toward critical discussions related to health care costs, cost-effectiveness, and the comparative value of the available options for appropriate care of patients with cancer.
The accumulation of radioactive caesium from food by the plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and the brown trout (Salmo trutta)

The patterns of accumulation of caesium-137 from food by the tissues and organs of a marine teleost, the plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and a freshwater teleost, the brown trout (Salmo trutta) are described and compared. Estimates of the biological half-times and steady-state concentrations are derived and individual organ intakes calculated. Rate constants are similar to those obtained from the accumulation from water studies. Plaice gut and liver have an 11 % increase and trout gut a 6 % increase in their share of the [137Cs] intake arising from accumulation from food, compared with that arising from the accumulation from water. These increases were balanced by decreases in the muscle share of the intake. The overall absorption of [137Cs] from food was 42% for plaice and 67% for trout.
Activation of the alternate complement pathway by autologous red cell stroma

The present study demonstrates the ability of human autologous RBC stroma to activate the alternate complement pathway (C3-Activator system, properdin system), as evidenced by the generation of C3-Activator (C3A) from C3-Proactivator (C3PA) when RBC ghosts and sonicated ghosts are incubated with autologous serum. Intact RBC's, hemoglobin, and concentrated platelet stroma, on the other hand, are inactive in this regard. We postulate that this in vitro activity of RBC stroma may occur intravascularly when erythrocytes are damaged by immune or nonimmune mechanisms. The ensuing interaction of activated complement components with platelets leading to release of platelet factor three (PF-3) may constitute a mechanism for activation of the coagulation system during acute hemolytic episodes.
Statin use and ocular inflammatory disease risk

Background This study aims to evaluate the effect of oral statin medication use on the subsequent development of ocular inflammatory disease (OID). A retrospective nested case–control study was carried out on patient records from the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. All male patients with a new diagnosis of OID over a 5-year period were included. Ten control subjects (without OID) were age-matched to each OID case. Prescription files of all subjects were queried for statin use. Information on selected comorbid medical conditions was also obtained. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk of OID development in the context of statin use, controlling for comorbid conditions.
Arabic—Flavor of the Moment: Whence, Why, and How?

Policy can inform practice only if policy reflects and responds to the realities of schools as educational experiences unfold and change over time. We have witnessed firsthand over the past 12 years the myriad ways in which the diverse participants in the Chartiers Valley School District community have embraced their innovative program. The widespread implementation and careful monitoring of locally appropriate programs such as this one will ensure that a continuing group of school-aged youngsters is prepared to participate in the increasingly global knowledge economy of the 21st century.
A simulation model of population dynamics of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella

Abstract A simulation model has been developed that predicts numbers and phenology of a population of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), in an apple orchard. The model is a general insect population model based on the interative-cohort technique. It operates at two time scales: a fine time scale (1 h) for temperature-dependent physiological processes, and a coarse time scale (1 day) for population processes. The population is divided into a specifiable number of stages, and each stage is described by four process functions, which may be of any convenient mathematical form, and may differ among stages. Each stage is divided into cohorts of individuals born or emerged on the same day, and individuals within a cohort are considered probabilistically identical. The model simulates the processes of development, transition among stages, and mortality by using probability distributions representing these processes, and incorporates the effects of pesticides on mortality of the insect. Model output was evaluated by comparison with records of pheromone trap catches of codling moths in commercial apple orchards in North Carolina. The model predicts timing of the first spring flight well, depending on the initial age distribution used. Time between peaks of numbers of adults in the model is about 15 days longer than the observed period between flight peaks in orchards. Sensitivity analysis indicates that this discrepancy may be related to differences between measured ambient temperature and tree canopy temperature. The sensitivities of numbers of insects produced by the model, and timing of peaks in numbers present were determined for each of the parameters in the model. The parameters with greatest effect on the model output were those which control the locations of developmental rate functions and survival functions on the temperature scale. In the model, pesticides had a much larger effect on numbers of adults present than records of moths caught in pheromone traps indicate actually occurred, suggesting that moths caught in traps in commercial orchards where effective pesticides are applied may be largely immigrants.
The taxonomic status of Xyonysius major (Berg) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), an occasional pest of sunflower in Brazil

Specimens of a species of the orsilline genus Xyonysius have been collected on sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Londrina, Parana. The specimens appeared to be X. major (Berg), but this species has been synonymized with X. californicus (Stal). Here I show the two species should be considered distinct, at least until the concept "Xyonysius californicus" has been clarified. The sunflower lygaeid is X. major.
trithorax regulates multiple homeotic genes in the bithorax and Antennapedia complexes and exerts different tissue-specific, parasegment-specific and promoter-specific effects on each

The trithorax (trx) gene is required for normal development of the body plan in Drosophila embryos and adults. Mutations in trx cause homeotic transformations throughout the body. Genetic studies suggest that trx encodes a positive regulatory factor required throughout development for normal expression of multiple homeotic genes of the bithorax and Antennapedia complexes (BX-C and ANT-C). To determine how trx influences homeotic gene expression, we examined the expression of the BX-C genes Ultrabithorax, abdominal-A, Abdominal-B and the ANT-C genes Antennapedia, Sex combs reduced and Deformed in trx embryos. We show that trx does indeed exert its effects by positively regulating homeotic gene expression and that its effects on expression of individual homeotic genes are complex: each of the BX-C and ANT-C genes examined exhibits different tissue-specific, parasegment-specific and promoter-specific reductions in their expression. This implies that each of these genes have different requirements for trx in different spatial contexts in order to achieve normal expression levels, presumably depending on the promoters involved and the other regulatory factors bound at each of their multiple tissue- and parasegment-specific cis-regulatory sites in different regions of the embryo. These results also imply that those components of homeotic gene expression patterns for which trx is dispensable, require other factors, possibly those encoded by other trithorax-like genes.
Investigating Factors Affecting Group Processes in Virtual Learning Environments

With the widespread popularity of distance learning, there is a need to investigate elements of online courses that continue to pose significant challenges for educators. One of the challenges rela...
Compact expressions for period jitter of global binary clock trees

Period jitter plays a critical role in global clock distribution, because it directly impacts the time available for logic operation between sequential elements in the presence of time-varying supply noise. For a given global clock tree topology, the accurate evaluation of period jitter is not only complicated to establish but also exceedingly compute intensive due to its dependency upon many different design parameters. In this paper, we propose a set of analytical expressions which predict period jitter of global clock tree in a fast and accurate manner. A recursive period jitter expression is formulated for global binary clock trees with 32nm rlc interconnects, and it is approximated to a summation based non-recursive expression. Both expressions predict period jitter in the presence of power supply noise with less than 2.93ps error and a speedup of over 100x compared to full-fledged HSPICE simulations The analytical prediction of the worst case period jitter was made possible by the formulation of the non-recursive expression. The worst case period jitter predictions for several different design assumptions closely match the exact worst case period jitter found based on the numerical searches of recursive expression.
Analysis of Urease Expression in Actinomyces naeslundii WVU45

The hydrolysis of urea by ureases of oral bacteria in dental plaque can cause a considerable increase in plaque pH, which can inhibit the development of dental caries. There is also indirect evidence that urea metabolism may promote the formation of calculus and that ammonia release from urea could exacerbate periodontal diseases. Actinomyces naeslundii, an early colonizer of the oral cavity and a numerically significant plaque constituent, demonstrates comparatively low levels of urease activity on isolation, so this organism has not been considered a major contributor to total oral urease activity. In this study it was observed that urease activity and urease-specific mRNA levels in A. naeslundii WVU45 can increase up to 50-fold during growth under nitrogen-limiting conditions. Using primer extension analysis, a putative, proximal, nitrogen-regulated promoter of the A. naeslundii urease gene cluster was identified. The functionality and nitrogen responsiveness of this promoter were confirmed using reporter gene fusions and 5' deletion analysis. The data indicated that regulation of urease expression by nitrogen availability in A. naeslundii may require a positive transcriptional activator. Plaque bacteria may experience nitrogen limitation when carbohydrates are present in excess. Therefore, based on the results of this study and in contrast to previous beliefs, strains of A. naeslundii may have the potential to be significant contributors to total plaque ureolysis, particularly during periods when there is an increased risk for caries development.
Tumor-promoting role of TGFβ1 signaling in ultraviolet B-induced skin carcinogenesis is associated with cutaneous inflammation and lymph node migration of dermal dendritic cells

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) is a pleiotropic cytokine in the skin that can function both as a tumor promoter and suppressor in chemically induced skin carcinogenesis, but the function in ultraviolet B (UVB) carcinogenesis is not well understood. Treatment of SKH1 hairless mice with the activin-like kinase 5 (ALK5) inhibitor SB431542 to block UVB-induced activation of cutaneous TGFβ1 signaling suppressed skin tumor formation but did not alter tumor size or tumor cell proliferation. Tumors that arose in SB-treated mice after 30 weeks had significantly reduced percentage of IFNγ(+) tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes compared with control mice. SB431542 blocked acute and chronic UVB-induced skin inflammation and T-cell activation in the skin-draining lymph node (SDLN) and skin but did not alter UVB-induced epidermal proliferation. We tested the effect of SB431542 on migration of skin dendritic cell (DC) populations because DCs are critical mediators of T-cell activation and cutaneous inflammation. SB431542 blocked (i) UVB-induced Smad2 phosphorylation in dermal DC (dDC) and (ii) SDLN and ear explant migration of CD103(+) CD207(+) and CD207(-) skin DC subsets but did not affect basal or UV-induced migration of Langerhans cells. Mice expressing a dominant-negative TGFβ type II receptor in CD11c(+) cells had reduced basal and UVB-induced SDLN migration of CD103(+) CD207(+) and CD207(-) DC subsets and a reduced percentage of CD86(high) dDC following UVB irradiation. Together, these suggest that TGFβ1 signaling has a tumor-promoting role in UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis and this is mediated in part through its role in UVB-induced migration of dDC and cutaneous inflammation.
On Detecting Camouflaging Worm

Active worms pose major security threats to the Internet. In this paper, we investigate a new class of active worms, i.e., Camouflaging Worm (C-Worm in short). The C-Worm has the capability to intelligently manipulate its scan traffic volume over time, thereby camouflaging its propagation from existing worm detection systems. We analyze characteristics of the C-Worm and conduct a comprehensive comparison between its traffic and non-worm traffic. We observe that these two types of traffic are barely distinguishable in the time domain, however, their distinction is clear in the frequency domain, due to the recurring manipulative nature of the C-Worm. Motivated by our observations, we design a novel spectrum-based scheme to detect the C-Worm. Our scheme uses the Power Spectral Density (PSD) distribution of the scan traffic volume and its corresponding Spectral Flatness Measure (SFM) to distinguish the C-Worm traffic from non-worm traffic. We conduct extensive performance evaluations on our proposed detection scheme against the C-Worm. The performance data clearly demonstrates that our proposed scheme can effectively detect the C-Worm propagation.
Modelling the Multiplicity of Conductance Structures in Clusters of Silicon Quantum Dots

We have fabricated diode structures containing clusters of nanoscale silicon particles. The modelling of the observed multiple current steps from resonant tunnelling through the quantum states of these particles is presented. Whenever the applied voltage aligns the Fermi surface of the contact to a discrete state, conduction results. Since the clusters are connected in parallel, successive connections of parallel current paths can cause multiple current steps. These current steps can be drastically amplified by avalanche multiplication when the substrate is deeply depleted. The transport in this regime is quite nonlinear, and cannot be represented by a linear equivalent circuit. Apart from gaining a fundamental understanding of the measured I-V characteristics of our diodes, our results serve to promote new applications for quantum switches.
Dominant effects of RET receptor misexpression and ligand-independent RET signaling on ureteric bud development

During kidney development, factors from the metanephric mesenchyme induce the growth and repeated branching of the ureteric bud, which gives rise to the collecting duct system and also induces nephrogenesis. One signaling pathway known to be required for this process includes the receptor tyrosine kinase RET and co-receptor GFR(α)-1, which are expressed in the ureteric bud, and the secreted ligand GDNF produced in the mesenchyme. To examine the role of RET signaling in ureteric bud morphogenesis, we produced transgenic mice in which the pattern of RET expression was altered, or in which a ligand-independent form of RET kinase was expressed. The Hoxb7 promoter was used to express RET throughout the ureteric bud branches, in contrast to its normal expression only at the bud tips. This caused a variable inhibition of ureteric bud growth and branching reminiscent of, but less severe than, the RET knockout phenotype. Manipulation of the level of GDNF, in vitro or in vivo, suggested that this defect was due to insufficient rather than excessive RET signaling. We propose that RET receptors expressed ectopically on ureteric bud trunk cells sequester GDNF, reducing its availability to the normal target cells at the bud tips. When crossed to RET knockout mice, the Hoxb7/RET transgene, which encoded the RET9 isoform, supported normal kidney development in some RET−/− animals, indicating that the other major isoform, RET51, is not required in this organ. Expression of a Hoxb7/RET-PTC2 transgene, encoding a ligand-independent form of RET kinase, caused the development of abnormal nodules, outside the kidney or at its periphery, containing branched epithelial tubules apparently formed by deregulated growth of the ureteric bud. This suggests that RET signaling is not only necessary but is sufficient to induce ureteric bud growth, and that the orderly, centripetal growth of the bud tips is controlled by the spatially and temporally regulated expression of GDNF and RET.
Developmental Psychology, God and the Good

The emergence of the modern concept of development is closely linked with the awakening of a historical consciousness in western thought. Historiography shifted from the veneration of the sacred to the analysis of the secular, and human change came to be viewed as progressive and developmental. Salvationist dogma about the hereafter was replaced by visions of a utopia here on earth. Progressive development involves a natural ordering of values and offers an empirical route for ascertaining the nature of God and the good. This is an impetus for Piaget's genetic epistemology, and is an important, if unacknowledged, feature of developmental theory. It is also the source of troubling difficulties.
Noninvasive Methods for Estimating In Vivo Oxygenation

Clinical signs of hypoxia and hyperoxia are nonspecific and unreliable, yet both are potentially injurious. Noninvasive methods of oxygen assessment fill the gap between clinical observation and invasive tests, helping physicians deliver sufficient oxygen with minimum toxicity. Potential sites for oxygen measurement vary between the blood and the mitochondria; each method measures at a different site and detects different types of hypoxia and hyperoxia. Thus, values obtained by two different methods are not equivalent, giving each method unique strengths and weaknesses. We review two clinical methods (pulse oximetry and transcutaneous oximetry), as well as four experimental methods (near-infrared spectrophotometry, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, magnetic resonance saturation imaging, and time-of-flight absorbance spectrophotometry). The principles of each method and the clinical situations in which each succeeds or fails are discussed. A fundamental understanding of each method can help in deciding whic...