cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sugar uptake and translocation in the castor bean seedling I. Characteristics of transfer in intact and excised seedlings.

Changes in the dry weights of various parts of the castor bean seedling showed that the rates of transfer of material through the cotyledons to the embryonic axis exceeded 2 mg/hour after 5 to 6 days of germination. The sugar present in the endosperm was predominantly, and in the cotyledon almost exclusively, sucrose. Anatomical features were described which contribute to the efficiency of the cotyledons as organs of absorption and transmittal of sucrose to the embryonic axis, where hexoses are much more prevalent. The ability of the cotyledons to absorb sucrose survived removal of the endosperm from the seedling. A series of experiments is described in which the cotyledons of such excised seedlings were immersed in sucrose- 14 C and measurements made of uptake and of translocation to various parts of the seedling. Increasing rates of absorption were observed as the sucrose concentration was raised to 0.5 m and these rates were maintained for several hours. Removal of the embryonic axis (hypocotyl plus roots) drastically altered both the response to sucrose concentration and the time course of absorption by the cotyledons. More than 80% of the sugar normally entering the cotyledons from the endosperm is transmitted to the embryonic axis and this extensive turnover was seen also in pulse/chase experiments with excised seedlings. The cotyledons of excised seedlings absorbed sucrose against high apparent concentration gradients. The absorption was stimulated by phosphate and had a pH optimum at about pH 6.4. It was inhibited by arsenate, azide and 2,4-dinitrophenol.
Prognostic Gene Signature Identification Using Causal Structure Learning: Applications in Kidney Cancer

Identification of molecular-based signatures is one of the critical steps toward finding therapeutic targets in cancer. In this paper, we propose methods to discover prognostic gene signatures under a causal structure learning framework across the whole genome. The causal structures are represented by directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), wherein we construct gene-specific network modules that constitute a gene and its corresponding regulators. The modules are then subsequently used to correlate with survival times, thus, allowing for a network-oriented approach to gene selection to adjust for potential confounders, as opposed to univariate (gene-by-gene) approaches. Our methods are motivated by and applied to a clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) study from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) where we find several prognostic genes associated with cancer progression – some of which are novel while others confirm existing findings.
STI capacity building: a knowledge‐centric strategic process

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to define a knowledge‐centric model of the technological innovation process which can serve as a baseline for the development of enhanced enterprise performance capabilities.Design/methodology/approach – This purpose is achieved through the integration of basic knowledge derived from a critical review of contemporary RD government and NGO professionals responsible for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) capacity building; and students of technological innovation in both graduate and continuing education programs will find this knowledge‐centric portrayal of technological innovation helpful in modeling the current performance capabilities of a competit...
Observations and predictions of summertime winds on the Skagit tidal flats, Washington

Abstract Wind speeds and directions measured in June, July, and August, 2009 at 5 locations separated by up to about 5 km on the Skagit tidal flats (near La Conner, WA) are compared with predictions of a triple-nested Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model with 1.3-km resolution. The model predicts the observed diurnal fluctuations of the wind speeds (bias −1 , root-mean-square error (rmse) −1 , correlation coefficient r 2 ≈0.9) and directions (bias r 2 >0.5). The observed and predicted minimum and maximum wind speeds occur in early morning and late afternoon, respectively. Wind speeds and directions are decorrelated over distances shorter than the length scale of the tidal flats (about 10 km). Observed and predicted wind directions are predominantly W and NW on the north flats, and S and SW on the south flats. The spatial and seasonal variability of the winds are investigated using model simulations.
Defect-induced whispering-gallery-mode resonances in optical micro-disk resonators

We predict and confirm experimentally that, contrary to accepted models, interaction between whispering-gallery-modes of microdisks and small particles yields a double-peak response with both peaks red-shifted from initial single-disk resonance. Proposed theoretical description gives excellent quantitative agreement with experiment.
Improved compression performance using singular value decomposition (SVD)-based filters for still images

It is well known that random noise on images significantly affects the efficiency of compression algorithms. Traditional spectral filtering techniques are effective in many cases but may require some prior knowledge of the noise and image characteristics. Furthermore, the processing requirements of spectral filters strongly depend on their noise rejection properties. In this paper we present a block-based, non-linear, filtering technique based on the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). Traditional applications of SVD to image processing rely on heuristics to estimate the noise power and are usually applied to the entire image. The proposed scheme employs a complexity-theoretical criterion for noise estimation which exploits the well known property that random noise is hard to compare. By combining SVD with a lossless compression algorithm, in our case lossless JPEG, we can estimate the noise power and derive accurate SVD thresholds for noise removal. Simulation results on grayscale images contaminated by additive noise show that the technique can effectively filter noisy images and improve compression performance with no prior knowledge of either the image or the noise characteristics. Furthermore, the technique does not cause any blurring, unlike linear filtering techniques or median filtering.
Structure and magnetic properties of quenched (Mn/sub x/Al/sub 1-x/)/sub 3/O/sub 4/ spinels and Hausmannites

Manganese aluminate spinels and Hausmannites, namely (Mn/sub x/Al/sub 1-x/)/sub 3/O/sub 4/, with compositions varying between x=0.33 and x=1.00 have been synthesized by sintering of MnO and Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ mixtures. Lattice parameters of these spinels and Hausmannites increase linearly with increasing Mn content and depend on neither sintering temperature nor cooling rate. Magnetic hysteresis loops at 5 K show non-saturating features up to 5 T. Ferrimagnetic Curie temperatures of spinels and Hausmannites both increase monotonically with increasing Mn content.
Clashing Values: A Longitudinal, Exploratory Study of Student Beliefs about General Education, Vocationalism, and Transfer of Learning

One challenge with general education is the often-clashing goal of vocationalism,or educating for the purpose a specific careers or professions. Through a series of longitudinal interviews spanning a group of 14 students’ second and fourth semesters at a public, regional research university, the author examines the intersection of beliefs and values about general education, transfer of learning, and vocationalism, and how these beliefs and values change over time. Findings reveal that for many students, vocationalism creates a single-minded focus on students’ career preparation and major coursework and invites disregard for the value of general education courses that do not appear to immediately relate to students’ future careers. This devaluing is particularly clear in students’ first year; as students enter their sophomore years, they grow to value learning in general. The article concludes with suggestions for university-level and course-specific curricular change to better address vocationalism, value, and the need to transfer learning within general education courses.
Acid protease activity during development and aging of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis

Abstract 1. 1. An acid protease whose activity, based on several biochemical parameters, was determined to be cathepsin D-like in the pH range of 3.2–3.6 was maximal during the actively feeding phases of the life cycle of the nematode. Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and during the times of maximum morphogenesis and development. 2. 2. Activity increased significantly when L 3 filariform larvae were cultured in vitro on media containing proteins or peptides, but no activity increase occurred with free amino acids alone.
Comparison of the efficacy of inhaled fluticasone propionate, 880 μg/day, with flunisolide, 1500 μg/day, in moderate-to-severe persistent asthma

Background Inhaled corticosteroids have become the mainstay of asthma therapy. Few studies however, have compared inhaled steroids in children. We compared the efficacy of inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP), 880 μg/day (2 puffs of 220 μg/puff, BID) with inhaled flunisolide (FLU), 1500 μg/day (3 puffs of 250 μg/puff, BID). Methods Thirty children with moderate to severe asthma, mean age 12.7 years (range 10 to 17 years), mean duration of asthma 8.4 years, initially received flunisolide 1500 μg/day for 1 year, and then were switched to fluticasone propionate 880 μg/day and followed for an additional year. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were monitored and analyzed before and after the switch for the duration of study. Mean percent predicted for age values for FVC, FEV 1 , FEF 25-75% , and FEFR were compared at 1 month, 2 to 6-month intervals, and 7 to 12-month intervals and during the same season of the year. Pulmonary function tests within 3 weeks of an exacerbation were not included in the study. The number of asthma exacerbations, emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and number of school days lost were also compared. Results There was significant improvement in mean asthma exacerbations/patient/year (1.7 ± 1.66 SD) versus (4 ± 2.6) ( P P = .004); mean hospital admissions for asthma/patient/year (0.2 ± 0.61) versus (1.13 ± 1.45) ( P P Also, the mean percent values predicted for age in all time-periods (at 1 month, 2 to 6 months, and 7 to 12 months) revealed significant improvement in FEV 1 and FEF 25-75% ( P 1 was observed in all seasons while patients were receiving fluticasone propionate (FP) compared with flunisolide (FLU) ( P 25-75% was observed only in spring and summer season. Conclusion Fluticasone propionate 880 μg/day improved lung function and quality of life in adolescents with moderate-to-severe asthma when compared with flunisolide 1500 μg/day.
The mechanics of individuality in nature

Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that there is a set of basically similar phenomena or characteristics of physics, biology, and sociology. Six of these are identified. Five of them are usually associated with quantum mechanics. They are the existence of eigenstates, transform domains, bosons and fermions, particles and antiparticles, and complementarity. The sixth, namely alternation of generation, is usually associated with biology. The hypothesis leads to some new points of view and interpretations in biology, sociology, and physics.
A note on cancellation axioms for comparative probability

We prove that the generalized cancellation axiom for incomplete comparative probability relations introduced by Rios Insua (Theory Decis 33:83–100, 1992) and Alon and Lehrer (J Econ Theory 151:476–492, 2014) is stronger than the standard cancellation axiom for complete comparative probability relations introduced by Scott (J Math Psychol 1:233–247, 1964), relative to their other axioms for comparative probability in both the finite and infinite cases. This result has been suggested but not proved in the previous literature.
An examination of the relationships among myosin heavy chain isoform content, isometric strength, and mechanomyographic median frequency

The purpose of the present study was to determine if the combination of isometric knee extension strength and mechanomyographic (MMG) median frequency (MDF) could be used to estimate the percent (%) myosin heavy chain (MHC) Type II isoform content of the vastus lateralis. Five resistance-trained (mean +/- SD age = 23.2 +/- 3.7 years) and 5 aerobically trained (mean +/- SD age = 32.6 +/- 5.2 years) men volunteered to perform a 6-second isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the dominant knee extensors at a joint angle of 90 degrees between the thigh and leg. During the isometric MVC, the surface MMG signal was detected from the vastus lateralis, and the MDF was calculated with the discrete Fourier transform. Following the isometric MVC and MMG measurements, muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis and analyzed for % MHC Type II isoform content. The results showed that neither isometric knee extension strength nor MMG MDF alone was significantly correlated with the % MHC Type II isoform content. The combination of isometric knee extension strength and MMG MDF, however, explained a significant proportion (i.e., 59.8%) of the variance in % MHC Type II isoform content, with a multiple correlation of R = 0.773 and a standard error of the estimate (SEE) of 15.4%. These findings indicated that a simple, time-efficient, and noninvasive test that simultaneously measures isometric strength and MMG MDF could be useful for estimating the % MHC Type II isoform content in well-trained men.
Memory subsystem technology and design for the z990 eServer

This paper discusses the technology and design of the first double data rate (DDR) memory subsystem for the IBM zSeries® eServer™. The main storage subsystem accommodates the frequency mismatch between the memory controller and industry-standard synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM), protects data through error-correction code and SDRAM sparing, and increases overall memory subsystem bandwidth. Each memory card consists of the first synchronous memory interface (SMI) application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is optimized specifically for DDR applications, the SMI-enhanced (SMI-E). The SMI-E controller data interface communicates with the high-speed memory controller on the multichip module through special phase alignment and elastic buffering circuitry that determines the optimal sampling point to reliably receive data from the controller. The SMI-E memory data interface is connected to registered DDR dual inline memory modules running up to 250 Mb/s using 256-Mb and 512-Mb SDRAM technology, thereby allowing memory card densities between 4 GB and 32 GB per card. Because of the increased DDR memory interface bit rates, special attention was paid to the design of the SMI-E substrate and base card to minimize noise. The memory, when used in a fully populated system, has four times more storage capacity than the previous z900 generation.
A multimedia database system for thermal ablation therapy of brain tumors

A prototype multimedia medical database is described for supporting thermal ablation therapy of brain tumors. Its design is motivated by the major need to manage and access multimedia information on the progress and reaction of tumors to various therapy protocols. The database links images to patient data in a way that permits the user to view and query medical information using alphanumeric, temporal, and feature-based predicates. Visualization programs permit the user to view or annotate the query results in various ways. These results support the wide variety of data types and presentation methods required by neuroradiologists to manage thermal ablation therapy data. The database satisfactorily meets the requirements defined by thermal ablation therapy. A similar approach is being undertaken for supporting different therapies of other types of tumors, thus showing the generality of our approach.
A VORTEX METHOD FOR FLOWS WITH SLIGHT DENSITY VARIATIONS

Abstract We present a grid-free numerical method for solving two-dimensional, inviscid, incompressible flow problems with small density variations. The method, an extension of the vortex method, is based on a discretization of the equations written in the vorticity-stream formulation. The method is tested on an exact solution and is found to be both stable and accurate. An application to the motion of a two-dimensional line thermal is also presented.
Finite Volume Solution of a 1-D Hyperbolic Conduction Equation

A one-dimensional hyperbolic conduction equation written in primitive variables is solved by a numerical method based on a finite volume formulation. Accuracy of the proposed formulation is verified by exact solutions for homogeneous medium and then applied to composite materials with different conductivity, specific heat, and heat flux lagging constant. Results show quite distinct wave penetration through and reflection at interfaces of dissimilar materials even though the wave speed in the second medium remains identical in all cases. Effect of non-uniform cross-sectional area on wave propagation is also examined. The formulation is straightforward and can be easily extended to multidimensional problems for heterogeneous media with temperature-dependent properties since no special treatments are needed at the interfaces.
Primary benign intramural ventricular tumors in children: Pre- and postoperative electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and angiocardiographic evaluation

The clinical, ECG, echocardiographic, and angiographic data, as well as the operative findings and postoperative courses of three children with intramural ventricular tumors are presented. In all three children, the specific diagnosis of intramural tumor was unsuspected. The ECGs showed a superior axis in all patients. M-mode echocardiography missed the mass in one patient and was nonspecific in the other two; however, two-dimensional echo (2DE) was able to accurately delineate the tumors preoperatively in all three. Angiographic findings were nonspecific, only demonstrating the presence of space-occupying lesions. All three patients underwent surgery and the tumors were removed successfully. This investigation emphasizes the clinical picture that led to the diagnostic evaluations, and demonstrates the usefulness of 2DE in accurately diagnosing the intramural ventricular tumors. In addition, the sequential ECGs and 2DEs after removal of the tumors are delineated as well as showing the resolution of the tumor craters by 2DE examinations.
Anemia in rats infested with Bartonella muris and injected with pteroylglutamic acid.

SummaryHemoglobin and red cell estimations have been done on the blood of rats made anemic by splenectomy and Bartonella muris infestation. Animals injected with pteroylglutamic acid show hemoglobin and red cells at higher levels than those of the untreated controls. Curves made from this data show the treated animals much less anemic than the controls for a period of 35 days or longer.
Outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk for accelerated atherosclerosis. It is unknown, however, whether rheumatoid arthritis also increases in-hospital mortality after a myocardial infarction or influences the therapy patients receive. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of 1,112,676 patients with myocardial infarction in the 2003-2005 Nationwide Inpatient Sample was performed. RESULTS: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis were 39% more likely to receive medical therapy (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-1.49) than interventional therapy. By using logistic regression, we adjusted for confounding variables to determine the effect of rheumatoid arthritis on the selection of therapy and found that rheumatoid arthritis itself was associated with a 38% increased likelihood of undergoing thrombolysis (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.10-1.71) and a 27% increased likelihood of undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.17-1.39). For the primary outcome measure, we determined that patients with rheumatoid arthritis overall had a 24% better in-hospital mortality compared with other patients with a myocardial infarction (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.68-0.86), which was 34% better after adjusting for confounding variables (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.59-0.74). This better in-hospital mortality was seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing medical therapy (adjusted OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.59-0.75) and percutaneous coronary intervention (adjusted OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.32-0.70), but not in patients undergoing thrombolysis or coronary artery bypass grafting. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with myocardial infarction, rheumatoid arthritis was associated with an increased use of thrombolysis and percutaneous coronary intervention. Moreover, patients with rheumatoid arthritis had an in-hospital survival advantage, particularly those undergoing medical therapy and percutaneous coronary intervention.
Astrocytes go awry in Huntington's disease.

It is widely believed that Huntington's disease is driven exclusively by neuronal dysfunction. Work now challenges this view, showing that mutant huntingtin in astrocytes leads to dysregulation of extracellular K+.
Regular unipotent elements

Abstract We construct a map from the set of regular unipotent classes of a finite reductive group to the corresponding set in a Levi subgroup. A theorem of Digne, Lehrer and Michel on Lusztig restriction of characteristic functions of such classes gives in particular another (not explicit) construction of such a map. We conjecture that these two maps coincide.
Rat olfactory neurons express a 200 kDa neurofilament

Neurofilament expression in peripheral olfactory neurons of adult rats was investigated by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies specific for each of the 3 neurofilament proteins. Immunoblotting analysis of olfactory epithelium extracts demonstrated the presence of only the 200 kDa (NFH) polypeptide; the 68 kDa (NFL) and 160 kDa (NFM) neurofilaments were not detected. Similarly, no immunoreactivity was observed in tissue sections using the NFL and NFM antibodies. In contrast, when sections were probed with the antibody to NFH, immunoreactivity was localized primarily in the dendritic knobs and near the cell bodies of the receptor cells.
3. The Voyager and the Voyage

Chapter 3 presents the biography of Dodge Morgan from childhood through the end of his remarkable voyage. Derived from biographical and autobiographical sources, his life narrative is presented chronologically as basic data for our case study. The importance of his male role models, his early love of sailing, and his later adventures on boats, in Alaska, and in the business world are illustrated. We describe the context of his voyage and his intense, thorough voyage preparations, both external and internal. We also delineate his successful circumnavigation in detail.
Taking another look with fluorescence microscopy: image processing techniques in Langmuir monolayers for the twenty-first century.

Abstract Fluorescence microscopy has become a powerful and standard complementary technique in the study of amphiphilic films at the air–water interface. For nearly three decades the coupling of traditional thermodynamic measurements with direct visualization has provided a better understanding of self-assembled Langmuir monolayers and their application in the study of the physical properties of membranes and interfaces. As an introduction we provide a brief overview of this established technique and demonstrate its continued utility in the recent observation of novel phase behavior in monolayers of 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OH) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC). We then focus our review on new analysis techniques which take advantage of the ability to store, process, and analyze large sets of images. We pay particular attention to efforts measuring the line tension between coexisting two dimensional fluid phases in the Langmuir monolayer. Using non-perturbative methods, we can measure fundamental mechanical properties of these two dimensional systems. Finally, we highlight the use of Model Convolution Microscopy as a new tool to provide insight on the experimental limits in these studies.
High-frequency detection of deletions and variable rearrangements at the ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) locus by oligonucleotide array CGH

Abstract Ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency is an X-linked inborn error of metabolism characterized by impaired synthesis of citrulline from carbamylphosphate and ornithine. Previously reported data suggest that only approximately 80% of OTC deficiency (OTCD) patients have a mutation identified by OTC gene sequencing. To elucidate the molecular etiology in patients with clinical signs of OTCD and negative OTC sequencing, we subjected their DNA to array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) using a custom-designed targeted 44k oligonucleotide array. Whenever possible, parental DNA was analyzed to determine the inheritance or to rule out copy number variants in the OTC locus. DNA samples from a total of 70 OTCD patients were analyzed. Forty-three patients (43/70 or 61.5%) were found to have disease-causing point mutations in the OTC gene. The remaining 27 patients (27/70 or 38.5%) showed normal sequencing results or failure to amplify all or part of the OTC gene. Among those patients, eleven (11/70 or 15.7%) were found to have deletions ranging from 4.5kb to 10.6Mb, all involving the OTC gene. Sixteen OTCD patients (16/70 or 22.8%) had normal sequencing and oligoarray results. Analysis of the deletions did not reveal shared breakpoints, suggesting that non-homologous end joining or a replication-based mechanism might be responsible for the formation of the observed rearrangements. In summary, we demonstrate that approximately half of the patients with negative OTC sequencing may have OTC gene deletions readily identifiable by the targeted oligonucleotide-based aCGH. Thus, the test should be considered in OTC sequencing-negative patients with classic symptoms of the disease.
The Inter-American Convention on the Law Applicable to International Contracts: some highlights and comparisons

The Fifth Inter-American Specialized Conference on Private International Law (CIDIP-V) of the Organization of American States (OAS)' met from March 14-18, 1994 in Mexico City. Chaired by the eminent Mexican jurist Lic. Jose Luis Siqueiros, whom the member state delegations elected by acclamation, its agenda included conventions on contract choice of law and on the civil and penal aspects of the traffic in minors. Professors Gonzalo Parra-Aranguren of Venezuela and Didier Opertti of Uruguay served as chairmen of the Conference's two working committees, which were designated as Committee I and Committee II. Committee I dealt with the InterAmerican Convention on the Law Applicable to International Contracts,2 which is the subject of this Article. The idea of codifying contract choice of law was first discussed in Montevideo during the 1979 CIDIP-II, and the topic was included in the agenda of the 1989 CIDIP-IV, which was likewise held in Montevideo.3 At that conference the Mexican delegation submitted a draft prepared by Lic. Leonel Pereznieto, which had the support of the Uruguayan delegation but met with some resistance. In consequence, CIDIP-IV merely adopted a set of principles for future discussion ("bases propuestas por la Conferencia para el estudio futuro del
Pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine: wicked problems, ragged edges and ethical precipices.

In the age of genomic medicine we can often now do the genetic testing that will permit more accurate personal tailoring of medications to obtain the best therapeutic results. This is certainly a medically and morally desirable result. However, in other areas of medicine pharmacogenomics is generating consequences that are much less ethically benign and much less amenable to a satisfactory ethical resolution. More specifically, we will often find ourselves left with ‘wicked problems,’ ‘ragged edges,’ and well-disguised ethical precipices. This will be especially true with regard to these extraordinarily expensive cancer drugs that generally yield only extra weeks or extra months of life. Our key ethical question is this: Does every individual faced with cancer have a just claim to receive treatment with one of more of these targeted cancer therapies at social expense? If any of these drugs literally made the difference between an unlimited life expectancy (a cure) and a premature death, that would be a powerful moral consideration in favor of saying that such individuals had a strong just claim to that drug. However, what we are beginning to discover is that different individuals with different genotypes respond more or less positively to these targeted drugs with some in a cohort gaining a couple extra years of life while others gain only extra weeks or months. Should only the strongest responders have a just claim to these drugs at social expense when there is no bright line that separates strong responders from modest responders from marginal responders? This is the key ethical issue we address. We argue that no ethical theory yields a satisfactory answer to this question, that we need instead fair and respectful processes of rational democratic deliberation.
Characterization of an intracellular ATP assay for evaluating the viability of live attenuated mycobacterial vaccine preparations

The viability of BCG vaccine has traditionally been monitored using a colony-forming unit (CFU) assay. Despite its widespread use, results from the CFU assay can be highly variable because of the characteristic clumping of mycobacteria, their requirement for complex growth media, and the three week incubation period needed to cultivate slow-growing mycobacteria. In this study, we evaluated whether an ATP luminescence assay (which measures intracellular ATP content) could be used to rapidly estimate the viability of lyophilized and/or frozen preparations of six different BCG vaccine preparations - Danish, Tokyo, Russia, Brazil, Tice, and Pasteur - and two live attenuated mycobacterial vaccine candidates - a ΔlysAΔpanCD M. tuberculosis strain and a ΔmmaA4 BCG vaccine mutant. For every vaccine tested, a significant correlation was observed between intracellular ATP concentrations and the number of viable attenuated bacilli. However, the extractable intracellular ATP levels detected per cell among the different live vaccines varied suggesting that validated ATP luminescence assays with specific appropriate standards must be developed for each individual live attenuated vaccine preparation. Overall, these data indicate that the ATP luminescence assay is a rapid, sensitive, and reliable alternative method for quantifying the viability of varying live attenuated mycobacterial vaccine preparations.
EUKARYOTIC PRECURSOR PROTEINS ARE PROCESSED BY ESCHERICHIA COLI OUTER MEMBRANE PROTEIN OMPP

A new specific endopeptidase that cleaves eukaryotic precursor proteins has been found in Escherichia coli K but not in E. coli B strains. After purification, protein sequencing and Western blotting, the endopeptidase was shown to be identical with E. coli outer membrane protein OmpP [Kaufmann, A., Stierhof, Y.-D. & Henning, U. (1994) J. Bacteriol.176, 359–367]. Further characterization of enzymatic properties of the new peptidase was performed. Comparison of the cleavage specificities of the newly found endopeptidase and that of rat mitochondrial processing peptidase (MPP) showed that patterns of proteolytic cleavage on the investigated precursor proteins by both enzymes are similar. By using three mitochondrial precursor proteins, the specificity assigned to OmpP previously, a cleavage position between two basic amino-acid residues, was extended to a three amino-acid recognition sequence. Positions +1 to +3 of this extended recognition site consist of an amino-acid residue with a small aliphatic side chain such as alanine or serine, a large hydrophobic residue such as leucine or valine followed by an arginine residue. Additionally, structural motifs of the substrate seem to be required for OmpP cleavage.
Lack of agonism in an insular Caribbean termite, Nasutitermes acajutlae

The theory of kin selection predicts that social animals should be able to discriminate between kin and nonkin as well as among various levels of relatedness (Hamilton, 1964). Among eusocial insects, kin recognition is important in maintaining colony integrity (Fletcher and Michener, 1987). In addition, it can allow individuals to discriminate levels of relatedness among nestmates. The ability to recognize kin has been found in a variety of social insects, including bees, ants, wasps, and termites (e.g., Fletcher and Michener, 1987; Clement and Bagneres, 1998). Laboratory assays of agonism in small arenas are frequently used as an indicator of kin-recognition among social insects (Vander Meer et al., 1998) including many species of higher (Family Termitidae) and lower (all other termite families) termites (reviewed by Thorne and Haverty, 1991; Shelton and Grace, 1996; Clement and Bagneres, 1998). Most termites examined show pronounced aggression, including chasing, insertion of mandibles, and biting by soldiers and workers (Thorne, 1982; Binder, 1988; Su and Haverty, 1991; Thorne and Haverty, 1991; Shelton and Grace, 1996; Clement and Bagneres, 1998). Agonism can result in immediate death or removal of appendages such as antennae and legs (Clement, 1986). Levels of agonism can vary
847 THYROID DYSFUNCTION IN DOWN SYNDROME

We investigated the thyroid function of 151 children with Down syndrome. Compared with a control group of 89 siblings nearest in age to their brother or sister with Down syndrome the mean TSH value was significantly higher in children with Down syndrome than in the non-Down syndrome children (8.49 μU/ml vs. 3.55 μU/ml). However, the mean T4, levels in both groups were nearly the same (8.36 μg/dl and 8.60 μg/dl). In the Down syndrome group there was a trend for TSH values to increase and for T4 values to decrease with advancing age. Of the 151 patients with Down syndrome, 10 had both significantly elevated TSH levels ( > 9.5 μU/ml) and significantly decreased T4 levels ( 9.5 μU/ml), 7 had markedly increased T4 levels (> 12.0 μg/dl), and 3 had significantly decreased T4 levels (< 5.5 μg/dl). The intellectual functioning of children with both abnormal TSH and T4 levels was significantly lower (mean IQ 41.7) than that of Down syndrome children with only increased TSH values (mean IQ 53.8) and that of Down syndrome children with normal thyroid function (mean IQ 55.3). This study provides evidence that there is an increased prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in children with Down syndrome. Therefore, children with Down syndrome should have thyroid function studies performed at regular intervals and prompt treatment should be instituted if thyroid dysfunction has been identified.
Experimental implications of heavy, isosinglet quarks and leptons.

A study is presented of low-energy family-mixing processes which would be induced by a heavy, isosinglet, negatively charged lepton or a heavy, isosinglet quark with charge (2/3) or -(1/3). With certain assumptions on the values of the mixing parameters, it is found that such isosinglets with masses in the 10--100-GeV range could exist without generating effects that would violate present low-energy experimental bounds.
Neuropeptide Y antibody attenuates 2-deoxy-D-glucose induced feeding in rats.

2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) has been shown to induce increased feeding responses in animals. Recent studies suggest the possible involvement of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in 2-DG-induced feeding. The present study examined the effect of immunoneutralization of endogenous NPY on 2-DG-induced feeding. NPY antibody injected into the paraventricular nucleus of the rats significantly attenuated 2-DG-induced feeding, suggesting that hypothalamic NPY may mediate, at least partly, the effect of 2-DG on food intake.
Developmental Change in the Relationship Between Alcohol and Drug Use Before Sex and Sexual Risk Behavior in Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are the only group in which rates of new HIV infections are increasing in the United States. Alcohol and drug use have been linked to HIV risk, but evidence suggests that these associations may change across development and by relationship type. Data were taken from an analytic sample of 114 YMSM enrolled in a longitudinal study of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth with 4 years of participant follow-up. For the sample as a whole, alcohol use before sex was not associated with sexual risk, but drug use before sex was positively associated with sexual risk. A positive association between alcohol use and sexual risk emerged across development, and this association was stronger in serious relationships relative to casual sex partners. The positive association between drug use before sex and sexual risk decreased across development and was stronger in serious relationships. We discuss the need for addressing substance use before sex in dyadic interventions with YMSM.
Model for the Heat Transmission in the Human Eye

Currently, most refractive surgery on the cornea is done by minimally invasive laser methods. Developing or improving new methods in laser medicine often is accompanied by theoretical modeling of the heat transmission in the human eye. The purpose of this study is to develop a mathematical model of the human eye based on the heat transfer equation. The intraocular temperature distribution is calculated using the finite volume method. The development of an accurate model of the human eye is difficult due to the lack of reliable biological data available on the constants and parameters that are used in the model. The different values for the parameters reported in the literature are employed in the model. The sensitivity of the temperature distribution to uncertainties in the parameters is investigated. The ambient temperature and blood flow rate lead to significant changes in the temperature in the anterior regions. In addition, remarkable effect is observed from the variation of the thermal conductivity of lens and blood temperature.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Shock Wave Induced Decomposition Chemistry of Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate Single Crystals: Time-Resolved Emission Spectroscopy

The decomposition mechanism in shocked pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) was examined using time-resolved emission spectroscopy. PETN single crystals were subjected to stepwise loading along [100] and [110] to peak stresses between 2 and 13 GPa. Due to concurrent changes in the optical transmission of PETN, emission spectra were analyzed using the absorption data acquired separately under the same loading conditions. Analyses of the corrected emission data revealed two bands in the spectra at ∼3.0 and ∼2.4 eV. Both bands were observed in every experiment regardless of stress or crystal orientation. However, their relative and absolute intensities, and temporal behavior revealed stress and orientation dependence. The emission was identified as chemiluminescence from the nitronium ion, NO2+, on the basis of its electronic structure and properties. NO2+ electronic structure was analyzed using ab initio calculations, which showed transition energies matching those of the emitting intermediate observed exper...
The neural substrates associated with inattentional blindness

Inattentional blindness is the failure to perceive salient stimuli presented at unattended locations. Whereas the behavioral manifestation of inattentional blindness has been investigated, the neural basis of this phenomenon has remained elusive. In the current study, event-related fMRI was used to identify the neural substrates associated with inattentional blindness. During central fixation, participants named colored digits presented at a peripheral location. On a subset of trials, an unexpected checkerboard circle (the critical stimulus) was presented at the same eccentricity along with the colored digits (a post-scan questionnaire assessed participants’ awareness of the critical stimulus). Neural activity during inattentional blindness was observed in the prefrontal cortex. Together with previous findings, these results call into question the widespread view that activity in the prefrontal cortex reflects conscious processing.
Bandwidth improvement in a tile based spatial power amplifier

In this paper, an enhanced bandwidth tile-based spatial power-combining array structure based on a perpendicularly-fed antenna is given. This structure has the advantage of a minimal interaction between the radiated fields and the active devices. Additionally, increased stability is provided, while delivering a robust and reliable design. Dielectrically filled miniature horn arrays were employed for both the receiving and transmitting radiating elements of this 5/spl times/5 amplifier array. A peak gain of 15.8 dB at 9.9 GHz and a 3 dB bandwidth of 13% were measured. Gain, bandwidth and power measurements are consistent with simulation predictions.
Visual field asymmetries in visual evoked responses

Behavioral responses to visual stimuli exhibit visual field asymmetries, but cortical folding and the close proximity of visual cortical areas make electrophysiological comparisons between different stimulus locations problematic. Retinotopy-constrained source estimation (RCSE) uses distributed dipole models simultaneously constrained by multiple stimulus locations to provide separation between individual visual areas that is not possible with conventional source estimation methods. Magnetoencephalography and RCSE were used to estimate time courses of activity in V1, V2, V3, and V3A. Responses to left and right hemifield stimuli were not significantly different. Peak latencies for peripheral stimuli were significantly shorter than those for perifoveal stimuli in V1, V2, and V3A, likely related to the greater proportion of magnocellular input to V1 in the periphery. Consistent with previous results, sensor magnitudes for lower field stimuli were about twice as large as for upper field, which is only partially explained by the proximity to sensors for lower field cortical sources in V1, V2, and V3. V3A exhibited both latency and amplitude differences for upper and lower field responses. There were no differences for V3, consistent with previous suggestions that dorsal and ventral V3 are two halves of a single visual area, rather than distinct areas V3 and VP.
Classical Fano Oscillator

Starting from the quantum-mechanical Fano-Anderson Hamiltonian, we derive classical equations of motion for coordinates associated with the discrete and continuum states. The frequency-dependent absorption spectrum associated with this classical system exhibits the same Fano line shape as the quantum-mechanical system when appropriate correspondences between classical and quantum variables are made. In the time domain, the response of this classical Fano oscillator depends upon the asymmetry parameter $q$ that appears in the expression for the Fano line shape. In particular, under the influence of impulsive driving of the system, the discrete oscillator's phase changes by $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}\ensuremath{\pi}/2$ as $q$ increases from zero (maximum asymmetry in the frequency domain) to $\ensuremath{\mp}\ensuremath{\infty}$ (minimum asymmetry). Previously published ultrafast-laser-pulse-driven coherent-phonon oscillations in degenerate $p$-type Si [K. Kato et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 48, 100205 (2009)] are discussed in light of these theoretical results.
HUMAN RIGHTS, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE, AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES AMONG SOUTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GROUPS*

AbstractDespite the efforts of international health agencies to reduce global health inequalities, indigenous populations around the world remain largely unaffected by such initiatives. This chapter reviews the biomedical literature indexed by the PubMed database published between 1963 and 2003 on South American indigenous populations, a total of 1864 studies that include 63,563 study participants. Some language family groupings are better represented than are others, and lowland groups are better represented than are highland groups. Very few studies focus on major health threats (e.g., tuberculosis, influenza), public health interventions, or mestizo-indigenous epidemiological comparisons. The prevalence rates of three frequently studied infections—parasitism, human T-cell lymphotropic viral infection (HTLV), and hepatitis—are extraordinarily high, but these facts have been overlooked by national and international health agencies. This review underscores the urgent need for interventions based on known ...
HLA Homozygosity and Shared HLA Haplotypes in the Development of Transfusion-Associated Graft-Versus-Host Disease

We review the pathogenesis, epidemiology and patient cases of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) in the context of host inability to eliminate viable donor T-lymphocytes. This review is based on the published English-language literature pertaining to TA-GVHD, including case reports with HLA data on transfusion recipients as well as blood donors. The role of shared histocompatibility antigens between the donor and the recipient in promoting TA-GVHD is discussed critically. Since TA-GVHD is usually a fatal disease for which effective therapy is lacking, prevention is of utmost importance and guidelines for gamma-irradiation of cellular blood products are presented.TA-GVHD has been described in immunodeficient as well as in immunocompetent hosts, and following blood product transfusions from related as well as from unrelated donors. This review includes analysis of patient data in each of these settings and probability estimates based on principles of population genetics. We emphasize...
Squeezing the Balloon: Analyzing the Unpredictable Effects of Cognitive Workload:

Cognitive workload effects behavior like squeezing a balloon. If you squeeze at one place, it pops out at another, and it is hard to predict where it's going to pop out. Understanding workload requires understanding the control of cognition at the 1/3 to 3s-time span during which cognitive, perceptual, and motor operations become bound together into interactive routines. Interactive routines constitute unit tasks (3 to 30 s), and unit tasks constitute subtasks (30s to 3min). To reduce cognitive workload and overload, the Functional Resource Hypothesis maintains that an optimal allocation of interactive routines to task performance would be based on the functional resource of time not modality. Some of the implications of this hypothesis are investigated in an empirical study that varied memory load as well as the demands on the eyes, visual attention, auditory cognition, and motor operations. A microanalysis of the data revealed tradeoffs between groups in their pattern of resource allocation that were co...
Limnological Effects of Organic Extracts of Litter in a Southwestern Impoundment

Watershed litter in semiarid southeastern Arizona is relatively unleached, and the accumulation of a year or more is occasionally delivered to lakes within the first few days of the summer rainy season. Pena Blanca Lake received at least 750 g/m2 of oak litter during the summer of 1959. About 329 kg Cal/m2 were dclivcrcd to the lake in oak litter extracts of which 26% were probably from carbohydrates, 54% from phenolic compounds, and 20% from unidentified compounds. Oak leaf extracts were experimentally effective as an energy source for microorganisms used as food by filter-feeding organisms (Xenopus Zaevis) and snails. Efficiency of the extract-microorganisms-Xenopus and snail food chain was 3.28%. Based on an estimated ecological efficiency of 0.56% for the food chain: litter cxtractmicroorganisms-zooplankton-young Micropterus sahoides, LMicropterus biomass production may have been increased 0.4 g/m2 by organic components in oak litter extracts contributed to Pena Blanca Lake in 1959. This increase represents 16.7% of the average annual fish harvest for 1959, 1960, and 1961.