cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RAPDs identify varietal misclassification and regional divergence in cranberry [ Vaccinium macrocarpon (Ait.) Pursh]

The majority of cultivated cranberry varieties were selected from native populations in the 1800s and early 1900s from sites in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. Since their initial selections 100–150 years ago, varietal identities have become increasingly confused; primarily the result of there being a paucity of qualitative markers to effectively distinguish among varieties. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technology has the potential for allowing a more definitive classification of varieties and was used in this study to characterize 22 cranberry varieties. Twenty-two decamer primers amplified 162 scorable DNA fragments, of which 66 (41%) were polymorphic. On the basis of these 66 silver-stained RAPDs (ssRAPDs), 17 unique profiles were identified rather than the expected 22. Fourteen varieties had unique ssRAPD profiles, while the remaining 8 were represented by 3 ssRAPD profiles. Permuational analyses of the data suggest that the observed ssRAPD profile duplications are examples of varietal misclassification. Further analyses identified 2 ssRAPD markers that were found only in Eastern varieties (from Mass. and N. J.) and not in Wisconsin varieties. With varieties differing on average by 22 bands, ssRAPDs are shown to be effective in varietal identification and the assessment of genetic diversity in cranberry.
COMBINATORIAL AUCTIONS MATHEMATICAL FORMULATIONS AND OPEN ISSUES

The widespread use of the Internet fostered the establishment of hundreds of sites that support on-line auctions of products and services, some of which also support combinatorial auctions. Finding the optimal combination of winning bids in combinatorial auctions is a difficult task. This paper presents the combinatorial auction problem, classifies combinatorial auctions by the different procedures used during the bidding process, presents some of the applications of combinatorial auctions, and develops mathematical models of combinatorial auctions. The mathematical models are used to identify some of the problem properties and prove that winner determination in combinatorial auctions has the same level of difficulty as solving the allocation problem facing an auctioneer. The paper concludes with the discussion on some of the complexities involved in combinatorial auctions.
Investigation of the Expression of Bin1, a Putative Suppressor, in Human Hepatoma Cells

Recent data suggest that Bin1, a novel C-MYC interacting protein, is a suppressor gene whose loss of expression is a frequent aberration associated with several malignancies. The mechanism responsible for loss of BIN1 expression is not understood. The purpose of this study is to investigate DNA profile of the BIN1 gene in human hepatoma Hep G2 cells, previously documented with lack of BIN1 expression. Chromosome and molecular analyses of Hep G2 cells were initiated to exclude the possibility of genetic alterations as a factor affecting BIN1 gene expression in these cells. We used Hep G2 cell line and its hepatitis B virus (HBV) transfected variants--Hep G2T14.1 and Hep G2215 cell lines. The cytogenetic localization of BIN1 was identified in the 2q14 region. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with the chromosome 2 whole chromosome painting probe (WCP) demonstrated three or four intact copies of chromosome 2 in all three hepatoma cell lines studied. FISH analyses with the BIN1-specific probe of the Hep G2, Hep G2T14.1, and Hep G2215 metaphase chromosomes document no rearrangement of the BIN1 gene on any of the multiple copies of chromosome 2. FISH with the specific HBV probe did not identify the HBV integration site in Hep G2T14.1 and Hep G2215 cells within the BIN1 locus. Southern blot analyses revealed no genetic rearrangements in the BIN1 gene in any of the cell lines studied. Our RNA analyses (northern blot and RT-PCR) document lack of BIN1 message in Hep G2 cells in contrast to the presence of BIN1 in Hep G2T14.1 and Hep G2215 cells. No difference was identified in other transcripts analyzed, including c-myc. Analyses of BIN1 expression of Hep G2 cells at different passages were initiated and document low levels of BIN1 transcript in Hep G2 cells of passage 85 and is not due to genetic loss, or rearrangement within the BIN1 DNA sequence. Loss of the BIN1 transcript is not a characteristic of HCCs analyzed.
The Hemolysis Test of the Gyro C1E3 Pump in Pulsatile Mode

: While a centrifugal pump is generally used for nonpulsatile blood flow, it can also produce a pulsatile flow by alternating the impeller rotational speed (rpm) periodically. However, there is concern that this centrifugal pump pulsatile mode may induce added hemolysis as a result of the repeated acceleration and deceleration of rpm. Thus, a hemolysis study of the pulsatile modes of the Gyro C1E3 centrifugal pump (Gyro-P) was conducted. The results were then compared with the nonpulsatile mode of the same Gyro pump (Gyro-N) and the nonpulsatile BioMedicus BP-80 (Bio-N) pump. Three different conditions were simulated: left ventricular assist device (LVAD), cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS). The beating rate of the Gyro-P was set at 40 bpm, with repetition of 2 different impeller speeds (the lower rpm being 70% of the higher speed). The 2 impeller speeds were set to obtain the same average flow as that of the nonpulsatile mode. The hemolysis results of the Gyro-P were comparable to or better than those of the Bio-N, and no excessive hemolysis was observed, compared to the Gyro-N. In conclusion, the Gyro-P had an excellent hemolytic characteristic and generated no excessive hemolysis in most clinical usage conditions. With the concern of hemolysis eliminated, this pulsatile mode may have various possible advantages.
Very high isotope incorporation in the C‐1 position of glucose by exchange with deuterium or tritium gas

The experimental conditions which control the exchange from deuterium or tritium gas into the C-1 proton position of glucose in aqueous solution have been studied in detail, with a view to determining the factors which maximize exchange into glucose, but minimize exchange into the solvent water. The favoured conditions for producing glucose with close to 100% isotope labelling in the C-1 position, and with negligible formation of labelled byproducts, were a reaction time of 6 to 8 hours, a temperature of 60°C, and a pH of 7 or higher. Pd/BaSO 4 was the preferred catalyst and slow pre-addition of the deuterium or tritium gas to the catalyst bed was essential to maximize the subsequent isotope exchange into the substrate.
On the Concave Grating Spectrograph, Especially at Large Angles of Incidence: Addendum

A graph is given from which the optimum width of a concave grating may be found for any practical case.
Acoustic recordings from antiquity

Pioneering experiments establishing the principles of recalling ancient sounds from antiquity are reported.
Why Do Firms in Developing Countries Have Low Productivity

The productivity of firms in developing countries appears to be extremely low. Table 1 reports GDP per capita and average firm-level sales per employee in manufacturing—commonly known as labor revenue productivity—across a sample of countries from a new international firm database (ORBIS). While there are some data comparability issues, the broad message seems clear: developing-country firms have lower levels of labor productivity. Prior work, such as that summarized in James Tybout (2000) and World Bank (2004), has highlighted a set of issues around infrastructure, informality, regulations, trade policies, and human capital that reduce the productivity of firms in developing countries. In this short article we want to focus instead on three other areas which recent research has emphasized: management practices, financial constraints, and the delegation of decision making. To summarize: we find evidence that firms in developing countries are often badly managed, which substantially reduces their productivity. This appears particularly important in larger firms (100+ employees), which are operationally complex so that effective coordination and motivation require formalized management practices. We also find that financial constraints are a binding factor for growth, notably in smaller firms. In larger firms, which often appear to have already overcome financing constraints, another growth constraint arises in the inability of firms to successfully decentralize decision making. In developing countries owners tend to make almost all major management Why Do Firms in Developing Countries Have Low Productivity?
CHILDREN EXPOSED TO METHADONE IN-UTERO: COGNITIVE ABILITY IN THE PRESCHOOL YEARS

The outcome of infants born to drug dependent women maintained on methadone during pregnancy has been an area of special concern. The consequences of such exposure for the neonate and young infant have been widely investigated. However, there have been few studies to determine if preschool children exposed to methadone in-utero have impaired cognitive functioning. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cognitive function of preschool children born to women maintained on methadone during pregnancy. Forty-five children (27 methadone exposed children (M) and 18 non-drug exposed comparison(C) children) were evaluated with the McCarthy Scale of Children's Abilities when the children were between 3-1/2 and 4-1/2 years of age. All children were participants in a longitudinal study examining developmental outcome from birth through 5 years of age. The mean daily maternal methadone dose during pregnancy was 38.42 mg. and 92% of the children required pharmacotherapy for neonatal abstinence. Student t-tests revealed no difference between groups on the McCarthy General Cognitive Index(GCI) or any of the 6 subscales. Mean scores were: GCI(M) 106.51, (C) 106.05; Verbal(M) 53.44, (C) 54.33; Perceptual(M) 55.51 (C) 53; Quantitative(M) 51.33 (C) 53.38; Memory(M) 49.51, (C) 52.27; and Motor(M) 52.29, (C) 50.44. These results indicate that the general cognitive ability of children in the pre-school years who have been exposed to methadone in-utero is not impaired.
Survival analysis using a scale change random effects model

Abstract Frailty models are effective in broadening the class of survival models and inducing dependence in multivariate survival distributions. In proportional hazards, the random effect multiplies the hazard function. The scale-change model incorporates unobserved heterogeneity through a random effect that enters the baseline hazard function to change the time scale. We interpret this random effect as frailty, or other unobserved risks that create heterogeneity in the population. This model produces a wide range of shapes for univariate survival and hazard functions. We extend this model to multivariate survival data by assuming that members of a group share a common random effect. This structure induces association among the survival times in a group and provides alternative association structures to the proportional hazards frailty model. We present parametric and semiparametric estimation techniques and illustrate these methods with an example.
The effect of maleic anhydride modified polypropylene on the mechanical properties of feather fiber, kraft pulp, polypropylene composites

Composites made of feather fiber (Ff), kraft pulp fiber (Pf), polypropylene (PP), and maleic anhydride modified polypropylene (MaPP) were tested in tension and three-point bend tests. Composite panels were compression molded from multiple plies of nonwoven, fabric-like prepreg manufactured with wetlay papermaking equipment. Composites containing all four materials were manufactured with MaPP substitutions for PP of 0–10 wt % at 2 wt % increments. The best mechanical properties were observed with a substitution of 8 wt % MaPP. Composites containing either Pf or Ff were manufactured with MaPP substitutions for PP of 0, 4, and 8 wt %; mechanical properties improved with increases in MaPP content. The improvements in mechanical properties were attributed to fiber/matrix interface improvement by the addition of MaPP. Scanning electron microscopy revealed evidence of improved interfacial bonding on the tensile fracture surfaces. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3771–3783, 2004
Effects of caffeine and menthol on cognition and mood during simulated firefighting in the heat

This study examined the separate effects of caffeine and menthol on cognition and mood during simulated firefighting in the heat. Participants (N = 10) performed three trials in a counterbalanced order, either with 400 mg caffeine, menthol lozenges, or placebo. The simulated firefighting consisted of 2 bouts of 20-min treadmill exercise and one bout of 20-min stepping exercise in the heat with two brief 15-min rest periods between each exercise phase. Exercise induced significant dehydration (>3%) and elevated rectal temperature (>38.9 °C), for all three conditions. Neither caffeine nor menthol reduced perceived exertion compared to placebo (p > 0.05). Mood ratings (i.e., alertness, hedonic tone, tension) significantly deteriorated over time (p < 0.05), but there was no difference among the three conditions. Simple reaction time, short-term memory, and retrieval memory did not alter with treatments or repeated evaluations. Reaction accuracy from a math test remained unchanged throughout the experimental period; reaction time from the math test was significantly faster after exposure to the heat (p < 0.05). It is concluded that, exhaustive exercise in the heat severely impacted mood, but minimally impacted cognition. These treatments failed to show ergogenic benefits in a simulated firefighting paradigm in a hot environment.
State-of-the-art in two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array technology

Attention is given to means of sensing ultrasonic energy distributions over an area. Under the restraints appropriate to real‐time imaging of deep body organs,piezoelectric arrays offer the most promising method. Adaptation of integrated circuit techniques to array assembly permits very large arrays of small elements to be batch fabricated. Further, special semiconductor switching devices specifically designed for addressing the array have been produced and applied. These permit both the passage of weak received signals and the application of voltage and current levels sufficient for transmission without significant disturbance of the basic piezoelectric element properties. Emphasis is placed on the complete data acquisition, processing, and display flexibility that arises from an array capability. Operation becomes possible in any of the presently used A or time motion (TM), in real time B or C scan, or in novel scan patterns adapted to specific organs. Further development with acoustic and electronic focusing, taking advantage of the unique possibilities obtained with the bidirectional array structure, is discussed.
Response of Alfalfa Cultivars to Salinity during Germination and Post-Germination Growth

During post-germination growth, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars may exhibit a different salinity tolerance from that expressed during germination. To explore this possibility, 86 cultivars and experimental populations of alfalfa were exposed to nine levels of NaCl ranging from 0 to 342.2 mM during germination. Cultivars that exhibited the highest (14 cultivars) and the lowest (8 cultivars) NaCl tolerance from the germination study were exposed to 0, 88, and 132 mM after the completion of germination under 0 NaCl to determine post-germination NaCl tolerance (.)
Identifying value indicators and social capital in community health partnerships

Increasingly, public health practice is turning to the application of community collaborative models to improve population health status. Despite the growth of these activities, however, evaluations of the national demonstrations have indicated that community health partnerships fail to achieve measurable results and struggle to maintain integrity required for sustaining efforts. Whereas community partnerships are difficult to evaluate, traditional evaluation methods may not be addressing outcomes most relevant to ways partnerships work and may fail to provide information needed by different partners to make decisions about their continued involvement. This article presents the results of a qualitative case study designed to identify indicators of success for a specific community partnership and to test the feasibility of an evaluation tool more suitable for collaborative efforts. Using principles of social capital, the research demonstrates that through the discovery and communication of what is valued by participating collaborative members, evaluations can both address internal information needs for sustainability and produce assessments of effects on health outcomes. The “value” indicators generated by the evaluation tool are presented, as is a description of the process by which they were negotiated. Feedback from the pilot-test participants on the feasibility and value of the process is also presented. By discovering outcome measures that suit both participants and policy makers, community partnerships may move toward greater accountability and hence sustainability. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 33: 691–703, 2005.
Are we typical

Bayesian probability theory is used to analyze the oft-made assumption that humans are typical observers in the Universe. Some theoretical calculations make the selection fallacy that we are randomly chosen from a class of objects by some physical process, despite the absence of any evidence for such a process, or any observational evidence favoring our typicality. It is possible to favor theories in which we are typical by appropriately choosing their prior probabilities, but such assumptions should be made explicit to avoid confusion.
Novel application of pre-operative vertebral body embolization to reduce intraoperative blood loss during a three-column spinal osteotomy for non-oncologic spinal deformity

Three column osteotomies (3CO) of the lumbar spine are powerful corrective procedures used in the treatment of kyphoscoliosis. Their efficacy comes at the cost of high reported complication rates, notably significant estimated blood loss (EBL). Previously reported techniques to reduce EBL have had modest efficacy. Here we describe a potential technique to decrease EBL during pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) of the lumbar spine by means of pre-operative vertebral body embolization - a technique traditionally used to reduce blood loss prior to spinal column tumor resection. We present a 62-year-old man with iatrogenic kyphoscoliosis who underwent staged deformity correction. Stage 1 involved thoracolumbar instrumentation followed by transarterial embolization of the L4 vertebral body through bilateral segmental arteries. A combination of polyvinyl alcohol particles and Gelfoam (Pfizer, New York, NY, USA) were used. Following embolization there was decreased angiographic blood flow to the small vessels of the L4 vertebral body, while the segmental arteries remained patent. Stage 2 consisted of an L4 PSO and fusion. The EBL during the PSO procedure was 1L, which compared favorably to that during previous PSO at this institution as well as to quantities reported in previous literature. There have been no short term (5 month follow-up) complications attributable to the vertebral body embolization or surgical procedure. Although further investigation into this technique is required to better characterize its safety and efficacy in reducing EBL during 3CO, we believe this patient illustrates the potential utility of pre-operative vertebral embolization in the setting of non-oncologic deformity correction surgery.
Chill out: cooling promotes aggressive behavior in the ant Formica xerophila

Studies of insect behavior often involve cooling individuals prior to performing experiments or making observations. For such studies, it is important to know how cooling might affect subsequent behavior. Here I investigate how anesthetization by cooling (relative to anesthetization by carbon dioxide or control individuals) affects the aggressive behaviors of two closely related ant species, Formica xerophila and F. integroides. These species regularly compete for resources, and individuals of both species regularly experience nighttime temperatures similar to those of cold-induced anesthetization. I show that cooling increases aggression (toward both interspecific competitors as well as nestmates) for F. xerophila, but has no effect on F. integroides behavior. Although previously cooled F. xerophila are more aggressive during both intraspecific and interspecific interactions, intraspecific fights are much shorter in length than interspecific fights. Furthermore, aggression by F. xerophila decreases as time since being cooled increases. These data suggest that cooling produces a short-term reduction in the ants’ discriminatory abilities, which leads to mistaken identities during encounters. The difference in species’ behaviors after cooling can be attributed to their differences in strategies when encountering potential competitors. Results here confirm that cold anesthesia can affect subsequent behavior, and needs to be tested in behavioral studies with insects.
A sequence related to the human gonadoliberin precursor near the N-termini of HIV and SIV gag polyproteins.

A highly conserved sequence near the N-terminus of all human (HIV) and simian (SIV) immunodeficiency virus gag polyproteins appears to be a precursor for a viral mimic of the amidated C-terminus of human gonadoliberin. The gag polyproteins are known to be myristylated; processing of the amidation site would yield myristy-lated 23-residue peptides whose C-terminal sequences mimic gonadoliberin and presumably behave as ligands for the gonadoliberin receptor. This paper describes the discovery of conserved gonadoliberin-precursor-related sequences in HIV and SIV gag polyproteins and in the p-17 core proteins derived from them. Arguments are presented that the conserved precursor structure requires post-translational processing to a peptide amide derivative which is a ligand for the gonadoliberin receptor. A model has been developed for entry of the viral genomic RNA into host cells through the gonadoliberin receptor and experiments are suggested to confirm or refute the model. This proposed mechanism for entry of HIV genomic RNA into host cells, if it proves to be substantially correct, suggests several new approaches to prevention and treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Reliability of gynecologic sonographic diagnosis, 1978-1984.

Abstract The indications for gynecologic ultrasonography, as well as the reliability of sonographic diagnoses in gynecologic patients, remain controversial. In an effort to evaluate the reliability of the gynecologic sonographic diagnoses rendered at this institution, we analyzed 900 patients available for follow-up. The referral diagnosis was confirmed in 331 patients (36.8%). In 531 patients (59%), sonography established the diagnosis. Thirty-eight (4.2%) of the diagnoses rendered did not reveal the actual status of the patient and were deemed to be “misleading”. Twenty-one of the misleading diagnoses involved the attempted diagnosis of pregnancy at less than 5 weeks' menstrual age. Sonography correctly identified 353 of 370 patients with normal pelvic anatomy. Specific clinical settings in which gynecologic sonography could be beneficial are presented.
Modulated structure formation in demixing paraffin blends.

Small angle scattering (SANS and SAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry have been measured from C28:C36 normal paraffin mixtures of varying composition quenched from the melt. Satellite peaks are observed in the SAXS whose offset in Q, relative to Bragg diffraction peaks associated with the average structure, are composition dependent. The offset is close to the position of the most intense peak observed in SANS. Scattering from the quenched structures is consistent with a correlated displacement and substitutional disorder model yielding modulations that are incommensurate with the average lattice. DSC shows an additional endotherm in the mixtures that is not present in the pure components and is associated with this superstructure formation.
Renormalons and non-renormalizability☆

We show that all perturbative proofs of renormalizability for non-asymptotically free theories are incomplete and possibly incorrect. The role of renormalizations in field theory is elucidated. Asymptotically free theories are discussed.
An organically modified zirconate film as a corrosion-resistant treatment for aluminum 2024-T3

Current coating systems for aircraft corrosion protection are based on a traditional chromate surface treatment, primer, and topcoat. The Air Force is seeking environmentally benign corrosion-resistant surface treatments for aluminum-skinned aircraft as a replacement for environmentally hazardous surface treatments involving chromates. Performance of replacement treatments must be able to satisfy the durability needed for dramatically extended lifetimes, be compatible with present and future environmental requirements, and be easily integrated into current primer/topcoat paint systems. Organically modified zirconate sol–gel films were investigated as an environmentally compliant replacement for chromated surface treatments, which included functionalized components to tailor the chemistry at both the aluminum oxide substrate/surface treatment interface and the surface treatment/topcoat interface. Sol–gel films were applied to aluminum 2024-T3 alloy coupons, and the resulting film chemistry was investigated. FTIR was used to identify organic components in the film and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to investigate the interface chemistry. The result of the chemically modified sol–gel synthesis was a coating in which a concentration gradient was formed at the surface, which is discussed. The corrosion protection attributes of these films was also studied and the electrochemical evaluation of sol–gel films will be discussed, both as stand-alone coatings and as part of a full coating system. Organically modified sol–gels exhibited significantly better protection in terms of barrier properties in comparison to a typical chromate-based processes. The resulting data from evaluations of sol–gel produced coatings show promise towards the goal of producing a robust chemical interaction/bonding of such corrosion-resistant coatings on the surface of aluminum-skinned aircraft without the use of environmentally hazardous chromate agents.
Plant pest risk information system (PPRIS) for USDA‐APHIS: design of a functional prototype

The Plant Pest Risk Information System (PPRIS) is a computerized decision-support system for plant pest risk assessment in the USA, being developed for use by personnel of the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Plant Protection and Quarantine, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). PPRIS is being designed to retrieve information from such diverse sources as: EPPO PQ database, USDA-Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) Fungi on Plants and Plant Products database, bibliographic databases on compact disc media, on-line INTERNET databases and risk assessment documents. PPRIS will offer access to a wide variety of risk assessment processes. A PPRIS evaluation prototype was created in Visual Basic ver. 3.0 operating in a Windows 3.1 environment. EPPO-PQ and ARS-Fungi databases were imported and stored in ORACLE ver. 6.0. Query functionality of the prototype was tested by retrieving information from the two internal ORACLE databases. The PPRIS evaluation prototype provides interfaces to the CABPEST bibliographic compact disc and to communication software for on-line database searches. Three risk assessment processes were incorporated into the evaluation prototype: the decision sheet, generic risk assessment and enhanced hazard identification. The evaluation prototype also includes access to Wordperfect for Windows through the Windows Program Manager for storage and retrieval of risk assessment documents.
Role of Glycosylation in the Organic Anion Transporter OAT1

Organic anion transporters (OAT) play essential roles in the body disposition of clinically important anionic drugs, including antiviral drugs, antitumor drugs, antibiotics, antihypertensives, and anti-inflammatories. We reported previously (Kuze, K., Graves, P., Leahy, A., Wilson, P., Stuhlmann, H., and You, G. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 1519–1524) that tunicamycin, an inhibitor of asparagine-linked glycosylation, significantly inhibited organic anion transport in COS-7 cells expressing a mouse organic anion transporter (mOAT1), suggesting an important role of glycosylation in mOAT1 function. In the present study, we investigated the effect of disrupting putative glycosylation sites in mOAT1 as well as its human counterpart, hOAT1, by mutating asparagine to glutamine and assessing mutant transporters in HeLa cells. We showed that the putative glycosylation site Asp-39 in mOAT1 was not glycosylated but the corresponding site (Asp-39) in hOAT1 was glycosylated. Disrupting Asp-39 resulted in a complete loss of transport activity in both mOAT1 and hOAT1 without affecting their cell surface expression, suggesting that the loss of function is not because of deglycosylation of Asp-39 per se but rather is likely because of the change of this important amino acid critically involved in the substrate binding. Single replacement of asparagines at other sites had no effect on transport activity indicating that glycosylation at individual sites is not essential for OAT function. In contrast, a simultaneous replacement of all asparagines in both mOAT1 and hOAT1 impaired the trafficking of the transporters to the plasma membrane. In summary, we provided the evidence that 1) Asp-39 is crucially involved in substrate recognition of OAT1, 2) glycosylation at individual sites is not required for OAT1 function, and 3) glycosylation plays an important role in the targeting of OAT1 onto the plasma membrane. This study is the first molecular identification and characterization of glycosylation of OAT1 and may provide important insights into the structure-function relationships of the organic anion transporter family.
Resonance Raman probes of enzyme active sites

Abstract Resonance Raman spectroscopy produces simple, interpretable, vibrational spectra of small chromophoric probes at or near the active center of enzymes. The miniscule chromophore can be introduced by site-specific covalent labelling of amino acid side chains with organic reagents. The spectra of the labels are sensitive to their protein environment and can be assigned accurately to the motions of a few specific atoms of the probe through examination of its analogs. The spectrum of the probe itself reflects conformational changes of the protein even though the protein itself is not observed directly. Thus, the technique can provide detailed structural information for proteins, both in solution and crystals, and clarify the chemical origin of structure-function relationships.
Otoconial morphology of the developing chick

We examined with scanning electron microscopy the otolithic organs of chick embryos aged 6 to 21 days. Otoconial forms not previously reported in adult birds or mammals were found. On the basis of the size and prevalence of various types of otoconia at different embryonic stages we organized the otoconial forms into a possible growth sequence starting with an early “double-fluted” or skeletal form and terminating with the normal mature form found in adults.
Temperature-sensitive mammalian cell line blocked in mitosis.

SEVERAL temperature-sensitive mammalian cell mutants in culture have been isolated1–10, including three defective in protein syntheses6, cytokinesis5 and the processing of ribosomal RNA10, respectively. I have now isolated a hamster cell mutant in which mitosis is blocked in metaphase.
A Steady-State Transfer Function Analysis of Portions of the Circulatory System Using Indicator Dilution Techniques

A digital computer program has been developed whereby the distribution of dye-particle transit times across circulatory pathways can be found from recordings of upstream and downstream indicator-dilution curves. This distribution or transfer function is computed from Fourier-series representations of the upstream and downstream indicator curves and makes possible, for the first time, the calculation of transit-time distributions independent of the effects of recirculating dye. Since a discontinuity is introduced into the tails of the upstream and downstream curves at the end of sampling, the method requires an iterative approach in the termination of the upstream and downstream curves. The accuracy of the calculated distribution pattern is determined by comparison of the recorded downstream curve with the results of the convolution of the recorded upstream curve and computed transfer function. Effects of noise, bandwidth and sampling rate have been investigated through the use of analog computer models of the circulatory pathways. These studies show that the transfer-function description is limited by the bandwidth of the upstream (input) curve. Noise, or variations in magnitude and phase angle of input- and output-curve frequencies, tends to introduce oscillations into the time-domain representation of the transfer function as does the use of too few frequencies. This means that in biological systems the upstream sampling site must be relatively close to the dye injection site if the input and output sampling sites are close together. Circulatory transfer functions have been obtained from dogs across their lower extremity, renal and systemic circulations before, during and following moderate exercise (walking on treadmill at two miles per hour for four minutes).
Fluctuations and thermodynamics of the charge-density wave phase transition of K0.3MoO3

Abstract We present results of transport and thermodynamic measurements of the charge-density wave system K 0.3 MoO 3 near the Peierls transition. Resistivity measurements demonstrate that fluctuations intrinsic to the material persist over a broad temperature interval, and a comparison to similar experiments performed on (TaSe 4 ) 2 I shows that the details are material-dependent. Fluctuations also play an important role in the specific heat C p and spin susceptibility Ξ, for which C p ∼ d( Ξ T)/dT is observed in the intrinsic regime.
Isoconversional kinetics of glass aging.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been applied to study the enthalpy relaxation in maltitol glass at 39−42 °C. Isoconversional kinetic analysis of the data has revealed that the effective activation energy of the process increases significantly upon the conversion from the glassy to supercooled liquid state. For the early stages of aging, the activation energy is found to be ∼117 kJ mol−1, which is considerably smaller than the activation energy of the α-relaxation (413 kJ mol−1). The latter value is reached at the later stages of aging. The temperature dependence of the initial aging rates estimated at 10−30 °C yields activation energies in the range 60−80 kJ mol−1. The obtained results suggest that the effective activation energy for the early stages of aging tends to approach the value characteristic of the β-relaxation.
Tiam1 and Rac1 Are Required for Platelet-activating Factor-induced Endothelial Junctional Disassembly and Increase in Vascular Permeability

It is known that platelet-activating factor (PAF) induces severe endothelial barrier leakiness, but the signaling mechanisms remain unclear. Here, using a wide range of biochemical and morphological approaches applied in both mouse models and cultured endothelial cells, we addressed the mechanisms of PAF-induced disruption of interendothelial junctions (IEJs) and of increased endothelial permeability. The formation of interendothelial gaps filled with filopodia and lamellipodia is the cellular event responsible for the disruption of endothelial barrier. We observed that PAF ligation of its receptor induced the activation of the Rho GTPase Rac1. Following PAF exposure, both Rac1 and its guanine nucleotide exchange factor Tiam1 were found associated with a membrane fraction from which they co-immunoprecipitated with PAF receptor. In the same time frame with Tiam1-Rac1 translocation, the junctional proteins ZO-1 and VE-cadherin were relocated from the IEJs, and formation of numerous interendothelial gaps was recorded. Notably, the response was independent of myosin light chain phosphorylation and thus distinct from other mediators, such as histamine and thrombin. The changes in actin status are driven by the PAF-induced localized actin polymerization as a consequence of Rac1 translocation and activation. Tiam1 was required for the activation of Rac1, actin polymerization, relocation of junctional associated proteins, and disruption of IEJs. Thus, PAF-induced IEJ disruption and increased endothelial permeability requires the activation of a Tiam1-Rac1 signaling module, suggesting a novel therapeutic target against increased vascular permeability associated with inflammatory diseases.
Microwave imaging for features on metallic surface with synthetic aperture radar

It is demonstrated that the difference in spatial spectra for coherent and incoherent scattering SAR (synthetic aperture radar) data can be used as a mechanism to separate the specular reflection and coherent edge diffraction from the signals due to surface scatterers. A spatial-spectral filter is thus designed to make use of this property and applied to process synthetic as well as measured SAR data. A one-dimensional surface image is constructed from the filtered SAR data with a standard matched filter. >
Upper limb phocomelia associated with increased nuchal translucency in a monochorionic twin pregnancy.

We report a case of upper limb phocomelia in a monochorionic, diamniotic twin pregnancy associated with increased nuchal translucency at 12 weeks' gestation. No other major structural defects were identified on ultrasound examination at 16 weeks' gestation or on postmortem examination at approximately 18 weeks' gestation. The differential diagnoses were reviewed and included thrombocytopenia-absent radius (TAR) syndrome and Robert syndrome. Chromosomal analysis of amniocytes revealed normal female karyotypes and no evidence of premature centromere separation. This is one of an increasing number of skeletal conditions that have been reported in association with increased nuchal translucency in chromosomally normal fetuses. The pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying this association are unclear.
THE MIXED LYMPHOCYTE REACTION: AN IN VITRO TEST FOR TOLERANCE*,

Tolerance, as defined by an inability to produce runt disease and the failure to elicit a normal lymphocyte transfer reaction, was induced in Lewis and Brown Norway rats by the neonatal injection of bone marrow from the opposite strain. When thymus, thoracic duct lymph, or lymph node cells from such tolerant Lewis and Brown Norway rats were cultured together, or were individually cultured with similar cells from an F1 hybrid of these strains, transformation was suppressed to the levels observed in nonmixed control cultures. In contrast, mixtures of cells involving nontolerant donors demonstrated significant transformation as measured by per cent enlarged cells and thymidine-3H uptake. The specificity of the tolerance was confirmed by the presence of transformed cells in mixtures involving cells from a tolerant donor and an unrelated or a partially related third strain of rats. From these results, it is suggested that the mixed lymphocyte reaction may be used as a simple test for tolerance and that it most likely represents an in vitro immune response.
Statistical power analysis of a 2-year field study and design of experiments to evaluate non-target effects of genetically modified Bacillius thuringiensis corn

A 2-year field study was conducted in 2000 and 2001 at a farm in Monmouth, Illinois to evaluate the effect of MON 863, a transgenic corn event that expresses the Cry3Bb1 protein for control of corn rootworms, on diverse groups of arthropod populations in a corn ecosystem. 2. The field study employed a split-plot design with MON 863 and conventional corn as the main plots and several insecticide treatments as subplots; each main plot was replicated four times (i.e. n = 4 block replications for each corn variety). A large number of arthropod taxa were trapped, taxonomically characterised, and counted in all plots. A mixed linear repeated-measures model was used for analysis of each taxon collected to determine if there was an effect of MON 863 or insecticide regime on that taxonomic group. 3. This report describes the results of a power analysis to determine the ability of the study design to detect an effect of MON 863 corn on the abundance of different groups of arthropods. A 50% difference in average taxon abundance between MON 863 and conventional corn plots was the criterion used in assessing the power. 4. A statistical power analysis of the taxonomic group comparisons made in the 2-year field study (with independent assignment of treatments each year) showed that only about 28% (22 of 56) of the statistical comparisons made with single years of data achieved ≥80% power to detect a 50% difference in population density. When data from both years of the study were analysed jointly, this level of power was obtained for 86% (24 of 28) the comparisons made. 5. Graphical examination of the mean abundance and coefficient of variation (CV) for different taxa indicated that high abundance (> 5 trap captures per plot per sampling period) and low CV ( 80%). Taxa with extremely low abundance (mean trap captures 100%), and statistical comparisons for those taxa had lower power (< 80%). 6. The relevance of these findings for designing field studies on the effects of genetically modified crops on non-target arthropods with desired levels of power is discussed.
Efficacy and safety of radioimmuno-therapy with yttrium 90 ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin)

Abstract Objectives To detail recent developments pertaining to the efficacy and safety of radioimmunotherapy with yttrium 90 ( 90 Y) ibritumomab tiuxetan for patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Data sources Published clinical trials of 90 Y ibritumomab tiuxetan and secondary literature on radioimmunotherapy and NHL. Conclusion Yttrium 90 ibritumomab tiuxetan is safe and effective in the indicated population. It has a good safety profile and is generally well tolerated. It is not associated with the adverse events from conventional chemotherapy and external beam radiation therapy. Implications for nursing practice Nursing professionals who are aware of the efficacy and safety data associated with 90 Y ibritumomab tiuxetan can optimize efficacy and educate patients and their caregivers about the regimen.
Defensive chemicals of two species of Trachypachus Motschulski.

Analyses of pygidial gland contents of two species of a previously uninvestigated family of beetles (Trachypachidae) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed that their chemistry is similar to that reported from many members of the family Carabidae. Nevertheless, the composition ofDefensive gland fluids of the two species Trachypachus slevini and T. gibbsii differs sufficiently to distinguish between the two species solely on the basis of theirDefensive chemistry. The major components of T. slevini glandular fluid are methacrylic, tiglic, and octanoic (= caprylic) acids, together with the hydrocarbon (Z)-9-pentacosene. In contrast, the glandular contents of T. gibbsii contain a rather unique mixture of polar and nonpolar compounds, the principal constituents of which are methacrylic and ethacrylic acids (= 2-ethylacrylic acid), together with 2-phenylethanol, 2-phenylethyl methacrylate, 2-phenylethyl ethacrylate, and (Z)-9-pentacosene.
Graph based analysis of FPGA routing

The experimental results of FPGA (field programmable gate array) routing suggest that there are difficulties in mapping global routing to a predictable detailed routing for array type architectures. The authors develop a graph theoretical formulation of this mapping problem and show that it is NP-complete for both multi-pin net lists and two-pin net lists for the Xilinx-like routing model. They present two changes in the routing architecture such that each of them yields a predictable mapping of global routing to the optimal detailed routing. The results suggest a novel approach to array type FPGA routing. >
Distribution and Accumulation of Trichloroethylene and Trichloroacetic Acid in Hybrid Poplars

AbstractHybrid poplar trees are known to take up trichloroethylene (TCE) into above ground tissues, where it degrades into the metabolites trichloroacetic acid (TCAA), dichloroacetic acid, and trichloroethanol and where parent chlorinated solvents volatilize to the atmosphere. Based on this knowledge, numerous phytoremediation applications have been implemented for TCE and other chlorinated solvents. Sampling of plant tissues has proven effective for phytoforensic and phytoscreening applications in assessing sites and evaluating the efficacy of phytoremediation. However, little is known about the appropriate exposure times and sampling locations required to obtain an accurate assessment of TCE and metabolites. In this study, hybrid poplars were dosed under greenhouse conditions for times ranging from one hour to 29 weeks. No increasing accumulation of TCE occurred in the stems over the time periods; however, concentrations decreased with increasing stem height in all cases. The concentration of TCAA throu...
Exact Confidence Bounds for Comparing Two Regression Lines with a Control Regression Line on a Fixed Interval

The problem of finding exact simultaneous confidence bounds for comparing simple linear regression lines for two treatments with a simple linear regression line for the control over a fixed interval is considered. The assumption that errors are iid normal random is considered. It is assumed that the design matrices for the two treatments are equal and the design matrix for the control has the same number of copies of each distinct row of the design matrix for the treatments. The method is based on a pivotal quantity that can be expressed as a function of four t variables. The probability point depends on the size of an angle associated with the interval. We present probability points for various sample sizes and angles. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
High speed skid resistance and the effects of surface texture on the accident rate

THE CALIFORNIA STATE DIVISION OF BAY TOLL CROSSINGS HAS USED DENSE GRANDED EPOXY ASPHALT PAVEMENT FOR SURFACING TWO ORTHOTROPIC STEEL DECK BRIDGES AND OPEN GRANDED EPOXY ASPHALT PAVEMENT FOR RESTORING THE SKID RESISTANCE OF A DETERIORATED EPOXY COAL TAR CHIP SEAL PLACED ON A CONCRETE BRIDGE. IT HAS PROVED TO BE DURABLE, WITHSTANDING REPETITIVE FLEXURE, AND PROVIDING GOOD SKID RESISTANCE WHEN PLACED ON STEEL DECKS. IT ALSO HAS PROVED TO BE A DURABLE AND SKID RESISTANT PAVEMENT WHEN PLACED ON A CONCRETE DECK AS THIN AS 1/2 IN. TO LIMIT INDUCED DEAD LOAD STRESSES. THE THERMOSETTING EPOXY ASPHALT BINDER WILL NOT FLUSH TO THE SURFACE AND HOLDS THE AGGREGATE WITH A STRONG BOND THAT ALLOWS FULL EXPOSURE OF THE PARTICLE FACES. AGGREGATE THAT PROVIDES HIGH FATIGUE LIFE FOR ORTHOTROPIC STEEL DECKS WILL PROBABLY PRODUCE HIGH SKID RESISTANCE. SIXTEEN TEST SECTIONS OF PAVEMENT WERE PLACED IN LATE 1971 FOR SKID RESISTANCE EVALUATIONS. SIX OF THESE ARE DENSE GRANDED EPOXY ASPHALT PAVEMENTS. THE RESULTS TO DATE INDICATE GOOD DURABILITY AND GOOD SKID RESISTANCE. GRAPHS OF VARIATION OF SKID NUMBER WITH TIME ARE PRESENTED FOR TWELVE EPOXY ASPHALT PAVEMENTS. /ASTM/