cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Efficacy and Toxicity of Bevacizumab in Combination With Gemcitabine in Patients With Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Abstract Background To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of bevacizumab in combination with gemcitabine in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Patients and Methods A retrospective analysis identified patients with recurrent ovarian cancer who received combination bevacizumab and gemcitabine. The patients received bevacizumab (15 mg/m2) every 3 weeks, plus gemcitabine (750–1000 mg/m2) on days 1 and 8 until disease progression or undue toxicity. Toxicity was assessed by using National Cancer Institute CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version. 3.0. Response rates were determined by serial cancer antigen 125 levels and by radiologic evaluation. Results Twenty-nine patients were treated with combination therapy. The median age was 51 years (range, 38–70 years); 59% had primary platinum-resistant disease. The median number of previous chemotherapy regimens was 2 (range, 1–5). Five patients experienced grade 3/4 nausea and vomiting. Four patients had grade 3/4 neutropenia. One patient had grade 3/4 proteinuria, and no patients had grade 3/4 hypertension. Eight patients had the bevacizumab infusion delayed due to proteinuria. Six patients had the gemcitabine infusion delayed or reduced due to grade 3/4 toxicity. One patient developed a colovesical fistula. Three patients developed a colon obstruction. Two patients (7%) had a complete response, and 9 patients (31%) had a partial response for an overall response rate of 38%. The median duration of response was 9.6 months (range, 1–49 months). Four patients (14%) had stable disease, and 14 patients (48%) had progressive disease. Conclusion Combination treatment with bevacizumab and gemcitabine has activity in recurrent ovarian cancer and is well tolerated. Prospective trials are needed to further characterize the role of this regimen in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer.
Spatiotemporal Cooperation in Heterogeneous Cellular Networks

This paper studies downlink communication in a heterogeneous cellular network where a set of geographically separated base stations (BSs) cooperates in transmitting data to a common receiver. If a decoding error occurs, data is cooperatively retransmitted by a possibly different set of BSs, such that the receiver can benefit from spatiotemporal BS cooperation. Specific cooperation techniques studied in this paper include joint transmission, base station silencing, and the Alamouti space-time code. Using tools from stochastic geometry, the coverage probability at the typical user is characterized as an integral function of the network parameters and the sets of cooperating BSs. The expressions derived reveal the existence of two qualitatively different operating regimes. In the high-coverage regime, the typical user is diversity-limited, so cooperation techniques exploiting spatiotemporal diversity are highly effective in increasing coverage. It is shown that retransmissions always yield time diversity, while channel state information at the transmitters is required to harvest spatial diversity via joint transmission. In the low-coverage regime, on the other hand, the typical user is interference-limited, so cooperation techniques such as joint transmission and base station silencing are effective in increasing coverage as they suppress part of the interference power.
STUDIES ON ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATASE OF RELATIVELY PURE MITOCHONDRIA AND OTHER CYTOPLASMIC CONSTITUENTS OF RAT BRAIN.

Abstract The ordinary mitochondrial preparation obtained from rat brain by differential centrifugation was subfractioned with a technique of gradient centrifugation in a medium of sucrose-Ficoll. Since ATPase activities of the various subfractions differ markedly in their response to certain agents and physical change, there would appear to be at least two distinct varieties of the enzyme in the ordinary mitochondrial preparation. One is present in the mitochondrion itself, and the other appeared to be bound to membranous components of the cells. The present findings with pure mitochondrial preparations would not vitiate the previous conclusion that the ATPase of mitochondria from brain differs in important respects from those of other tissues.
Implementation of video compression for multimedia applications

Various video compression techniques are introduced. The basic idea of Discrete Cosine Transform and Motion Estimation compression is outlined, and a detailed example of the decoding of an H.261 video bitstream is demonstrated. More advanced techniques for DCT/ME compression as used in MPEG-2 and H.263 are described. A discussion of video encoders and decoders highlights the fact that `standard- compliant' video systems can yield vastly different results depending on implementation techniques, such as the algorithms used, the use of accelerating hardware.
Managerial aspirations of high school seniors: A comparison of males and females

Abstract Empirical research in the past has indicated that young people are generally not oriented toward managerial careers and that females are less so than are males. However, the greater career orientation of today's students, recent changes in societal values, persistent attempts by women to obtain equality, and federal legislation expressly forbidding discrimination may have changed this situation by the late 1970s. A survey of 2112 high school seniors in the state of Alabama was conducted to investigate these issues. Results indicate that few high school seniors aspire to management careers and that sex continues to be a major discriminator. The “male managerial model” continues to be reinforced by the values and attitudes of society as reflected in its young people.
Digital design of a surgical simulator for interventional MR imaging (case study)

We present the design of a simulator for a prototype interventional magnetic resonance imaging scanner. This MRI scanner is integrated with an operating theater, enabling new techniques in minimally invasive surgery. The simulator is designed with a threefold purpose: (1) to provide a rehearsal apparatus for practicing and modifying conventional procedures for use in the magnetic environment, (2) to serve as a visualization workstation for procedure planning and previewing as well as a post-operative review, and (3) to form the foundation of a laboratory workbench for the development of new surgical tools and procedures for minimally invasive surgery. The simulator incorporates preoperative data, either MRI or CT exams, as well as data from commercial surgical planning systems. Dynamic control of the simulation and interactive display of preoperative data in lieu of intra-operative data is handled via an opto-electronic tracking system. The resulting system is contributing insights into how best to perform visualization for this new surgical environment.
Evidence Against Competition between Trout and Nongame Fishes in Stampede Reservoir, California

Abstract Food habits of exotic brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdnerii) and of two native nongame fishes, tni chub (Gila bicoior) and Tahoe sucker (Catostomus tahoensis) were investigated in a California subalpine reservoir. Competition for food resources between trout and native fishes is often cited as the cause for decreased salmonid angling success. The data indicated a minimal dietary overlap between the primarily limnetic-feeding trout and the benthic-feeding sucker, even when food resource levels decline in early fall. Although both trout and tui chub are limnetic feeders, they appear to partition resources sufficiently to avoid competition. Trout are highly specialized feeders on Daphnia and dipteran pupae (displaying significantly greater selectivity than nongame fishes) until reaching a piscivorous size (>300 mm). Once trout change over to a piscivorous diet, they not only display minimal food overlap with nongame fishes, but also feed heavily on small tui chubs and sucker...
Stabilization of Cortical Actin Induces Internalization of Transient Receptor Potential 3 (Trp3)-associated Caveolar Ca2+ Signaling Complex and Loss of Ca2+ Influx without Disruption of Trp3-Inositol Trisphosphate Receptor Association

Ca2+ influx via plasma membrane Trp3 channels is proposed to be regulated by a reversible interaction with inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) in the endoplasmic reticulum. Condensation of the cortical actin layer has been suggested to physically disrupt this interaction and inhibit Trp3-mediated Ca2+ influx. This study examines the effect of cytoskeletal reorganization on the localization and function of Trp3 and key Ca2+ signaling proteins. Calyculin-A treatment resulted in formation of condensed actin layer at the plasma membrane; internalization of Trp3, Gαq/11, phospholipase Cβ, and caveolin-1; and attenuation of 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol- and ATP-stimulated Sr2+ influx. Importantly, Trp3 and IP3R-3 remained co-localized inside the cell and were co-immunoprecipitated. Jasplakinolide also induced internalization of Trp3 and caveolin-1. Pretreatment of cells with cytochalasin D or staurosporine did not affect Trp3 but prevented calyculin-A-induced effects. Based on these data, we suggest that Trp3 is assembled in a caveolar Ca2+signaling complex with IP3R, SERCA, Gαq/11, phospholipase Cβ, caveolin-1, and ezrin. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that conditions which stabilize cortical actin induce loss of Trp3 activity due to internalization of the Trp3-signaling complex, not disruption of IP3R-Trp3 interaction. This suggests that localization of the Trp3-associated signaling complex, rather than Trp3-IP3R coupling, depends on the status of the actin cytoskeleton.
In vivo modifications of the maize mitochondrial small heat stress protein, HSP22.

A maize (Zea mays L.) small heat shock protein (HSP), HSP22, was previously shown to accumulate to high levels in mitochondria during heat stress. Here we have purified native HSP22 and resolved the protein into three peaks using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. Mass spectrometry (MS) of the first two peaks revealed the presence of two HSP22 forms in each peak which differed in mass by 80 daltons (Da), indicative of a monophosphorylation. Phosphorylation of HSP22 by [γ-32P]ATP was also observed in mitochondria labeledin vitro, but not when purified native HSP22 was similarly used, demonstrating that HSP22 does not autophosphorylate, implicating a kinase involvement in vivo. Collisionally induced dissociation tandem MS (CID MS/MS) identified Ser59 as the phosphorylated residue. We have also observed forms of HSP22 that result from alternative intron splicing. The two HSP22 proteins in the first peak were ∼57 Da larger than the two HSP22 proteins in the second peak. MS analysis revealed that the +57-Da forms have an additional Gly residue directly N-terminal of the expected Asp84, which had been converted to an Asn residue. These results are the first demonstrations of phosphorylation and alternative intron splicing of a plant small HSP.
Alterations in intracellular potassium concentration by HIV-1 and SIV Nef

Background HIV-1 mediated perturbation of the plasma membrane can produce an alteration in the transmembrane gradients of cations and other small molecules leading to cell death. Several HIV-1 proteins have been shown to perturb membrane permeability and ion transport. Xenopus laevis oocytes have few functional endogenous ion channels, and have proven useful as a system to examine direct effects of exogenously added proteins on ion transport.
Aesthetically-driven layout engine

A novel Aesthetically-Driven Layout (ADL) engine for automatic production of highly customized, non-flow documents is proposed. In a non-flow document, where each page is composed of separable images and text blocks, aesthetic considerations may take precedence over the sequencing of the content. Such layout methods are most suitable for the construction of personalized catalogues, advertising flyers and sales and marketing material, all of which rely heavily on their aesthetics in order to successfully reach their intended audience. The non-flow algorithm described here permits the dynamic creation of page layouts around pre-existing static page content. Pages pre-populated with static content may include reserved areas which are filled at run-time. The remainder of a page, which is neither convex, nor simply-connected, is automatically filled with customer-relevant content by following the professional manual design strategy of multiple levels of layout resolution. The page designers preference, style and aesthetic rules are taken into account at every stage with the highest scoring layout being selected.
Lethal effect of near-ultraviolet irradiation on mammalian cells in culture.

Experiments are described to study the effect of black light'' (near- ultraviolet) on mammalian cells in tissue culture. The cells used were mouse 3T6, Chinese hamster V79 clone, and human D98/AH/sub 2/, and the light sources were General Electric F15T8 BLB integral filter black light tubes with emission in the 290 to 420 nm range, peaking at 365nm. The culture disk lids excluded irradiation below 300 nm. Exposure intensity was 4 mu W/mm/sup 2/ at the cell surface. The cells were killed by the irradiation, both reproductively, as evidenced by clone-forming ability, and physiologically, as evidenced by staining with trypan blue. The killing effect was, however, density dependent, human and mouse cells being killed when up to 10/sup 5/ cells were plated per 60 mm tissue culture disk, and hamster cells at densities up to 10/sup 4/ cells per disk. When 10/sup 6/ cells were plated no decrease in viability was observed. Differences in the effects, at the molecular level, of far-ultraviolet (<300nm) and near-ultraviolet (300 to 420 nm) radiation on biological systems are described; these are quite different. Far-ultraviolet leads to lethality by directly altering the DNA through dimer formation, while near-ultraviolet, at the dosage used in the experimentsmore » described, does not produce dimers in bacterial systems. It is conceivable that toxic photoproducts are produced in the culture medium which, when taken up by the cells, leads to lethality, and the finding that the cell killing effect is density dependent could be due to the fact that when more cells were present the amount of photoproducts absorbed by each cell was correspondingly less. The possible mutagenic and carcinogenic action of the radiation also needs to be carefully examined. (UK)« less
Automated modularization of GUI test cases

Test cases that drive an application under test via its graphical user interface (GUI) consist of sequences of steps that perform actions on, or verify the state of, the application user interface. Such tests can be hard to maintain, especially if they are not properly modularized -- that is, common steps occur in many test cases, which can make test maintenance cumbersome and expensive. Performing modularization manually can take up considerable human effort. To address this, we present an automated approach for modularizing GUI test cases. Our approach consists of multiple phases. In the first phase, it analyzes individual test cases to partition test steps into candidate subroutines, based on how user-interface elements are accessed in the steps. This phase can analyze the test cases only or also leverage execution traces of the tests, which involves a cost-accuracy tradeoff. In the second phase, the technique compares candidate subroutines across test cases, and refines them to compute the final set of subroutines. In the last phase, it creates callable subroutines, with parameterized data and control flow, and refactors the original tests to call the subroutines with context-specific data and control parameters. Our empirical results, collected using open-source applications, illustrate the effectiveness of the approach.
Cell lineage analysis of maize bundle sheath and mesophyll cells

Maize leaves are divided into repeated longitudinal units consisting of vascular tissue, bundle sheath (BS), and mesophyll (M) cells. We have carried out a cell lineage analysis of these cell types using six spontaneous striping mutants of maize. We show that certain cell division patterns are preferentially utilized, but not required, to form the characteristic arrangement of cell types. Our data suggest that early in development a central cell layer is formed, most frequently by periclinal divisions in the adaxial subepidermal layer of the leaf primordium. Lateral and intermediate veins are initiated in this central layer, most often by divisions which contribute daughter cells to both the procambium and the ground meristem. These divisions generate "half vein" units which comprise half of the bundle sheath cells around a vein and a single adjacent M cell. We show that intermediate veins are multiclonal both in this transverse direction and along their lengths. BS cells are more closely related to M cells in the middle layer of the leaf than to those in the upper and lower subepidermal layers. An examination of sector boundaries has shown that photosynthetic differentiation in M cells is affected by the phenotype of neighboring BS cells.
Heterogeneity of Normal Human Diploid Fibroblasts: Isolation and Characterization of One Phenotype

Cultures of human diploid fibroblasts contain cells that respond to exposure to the first component of complement (C1) by initiating DNA synthesis and growth. The plasma membranes of these cells have specific binding sites for the C1q subcomponent of C1. A fluorescence-activated cell sorter was used to isolate a subset of cells with a high affinity for C1q, and the growth and synthesis activities of these high-affinity cells were studied after numerous replications in vitro. These cells synthesize DNA and grow faster than the parent cultures and low-affinity cells, and they produce two to three times as much protein. About 40 percent of their total protein synthesis activity is directed to collagen production, unusually high proportions of collagen types III and V being produced. These properties and the high affinity of the cells for C1q are retained for at least six cell transfers. This phenotype has the properties expected of fibroblasts in healing wounds and inflamed tissues.
Reactions at the fold surface of polyvinylidene chloride crystals

Abstract The rate of dehydrohalogenation of polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) with pyridine was followed by conductometric titration. Kinetic and infrared data of the reaction products indicated that dehydrohalogenation of the polymer proceeded in a step-wise manner. Kinetic data were found to support the calculated percentage of chlorine evolved of a model system, calculations being made from the thicknesses of lamellae observed on electronmicrographs. The thicknesses obtained were in good agreement with those from X-ray small angle data, which also indicated that the crystal fold surface was the site of reaction. D.T.A. results could be explained in terms of block copolymer system, which the reaction site suggested. D.S.C. data indicated changes in crystalline order which were explicable in terms of reactions at the fold. The overall picture of a step-wise dehydrohalogenation at the fold surface may be generated from consideration of the energetic and steric requirements for attack at a proposed fold model. Of the several models available to describe the “amorphous” portion of single crystals it is felt that the regular fold structure in a fold surface is most compatible with the data.
Transfer of a large gene regulatory apparatus to a new developmental address in echinoid evolution

Of the five echinoderm classes, only the modern sea urchins (euechinoids) generate a precociously specified embryonic micromere lineage that ingresses before gastrulation and then secretes the biomineral embryonic skeleton. The gene regulatory network (GRN) underlying the specification and differentiation of this lineage is now known. Many of the same differentiation genes as are used in the biomineralization of the embryo skeleton are also used to make the similar biomineral of the spines and test plates of the adult body. Here, we determine the components of the regulatory state upstream of these differentiation genes that are shared between embryonic and adult skeletogenesis. An abrupt “break point” in the micromere GRN is thus revealed, on one side of which most of the regulatory genes are used in both, and on the other side of which the regulatory apparatus is entirely micromere-specific. This reveals the specific linkages of the micromere GRN forged in the evolutionary process by which the skeletogenic gene batteries were caused to be activated in the embryonic micromere lineage. We also show, by comparison with adult skeletogenesis in the sea star, a distant echinoderm outgroup, that the regulatory apparatus responsible for driving the skeletogenic differentiation gene batteries is an ancient pleisiomorphic aspect of the echinoderm-specific regulatory heritage.
Stroke assessment: morphometric infarct size versus neurologic deficit

We presently examine the relation between histologic infarct size and neurologic deficit as endpoints and seek to clarify their sensitivity in defining stroke outcome. Neurologic deficits of 76 cats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion were assessed daily and correlated with the corresponding infarct sizes determined morphometrically after 2 weeks' survival. A five-item neurologic deficit score included the time elapsed until hemiparesis, and forced circling resolved (if ever), presence of impaired placing reactions and time elapsed until able to stand and being alert. We then evaluated the two endpoints' statistical powers to detect group differences using two sets of comparison groups. The neurologic deficit score correlated well with infarct size (r = 0.76, p < 0.001) and each of the individual deficit score components named above, in turn, correlated with decreasing power with infarct size. Even so, the number of study subjects required to achieve the same level of statistical significance in assessing group differences was two-fold greater when using the neurologic deficit than the infarct size data: Group sizes of eight and five animals were sufficient for significant infarct size differences while the groups needed be expanded to 15 and 10 animals to similarly achieve significant neurologic score differences. Thus, infarct size emerges as a more sensitive measure of stroke outcome than does the assessment of neurologic deficits.
Presentation of the Harrell L. Strimple Award of the Paleontological Society to Antonio De Angeli

It is my distinct honor to present Antonio De Angeli as the 2013 Harrell L. Strimple Award recipient. Certainly, no amateur paleontologist could be better qualified for the award. Antonio is an amazing scholar with a vast knowledge of fossil crabs, an expert artist and illustrator, a concerned conservator of the Italian fossil heritage, and a generous contributor to the research efforts of others. All this while remaining a modest, self-effacing individual. Antonio's professional life began as an apprentice goldsmith at the age of 14. From the age of 25 until he retired, he worked at Camponola Spa, crafting accessories for racing bicycles. I am not certain how it relates to bike racing, but Antonio encouraged me to purchase a Camponola corkscrew, a most wonderful device. His professional career was quite apart from his life-long interest in natural history. I first came to know of Antonio's work when Carrie Schweitzer and I were considering people to contact as regional experts who might support our work in assembling the revision of the decapods for the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Quite frankly, his research productivity and the extremely high quality of his work led us to the conclusion that he was a professional paleontologist. Antonio immediately expressed interest in being involved and, with the collaboration of his colleagues in Montecchio Maggiore, Italy, …
Informational factors influencing patient's childbirth preferences after prior cesarean.

Objective A recent National Institutes of Health conference on cesarean concluded that the literature is lacking with regard to patients’ childbirth preferences. The goal of this study was to examine how information patients received in pregnancy affects childbirth preferences and satisfaction. Study Design In this cross-sectional study, questionnaires were issued to English- or Spanish-speaking women with prior cesarean, delivering by either vaginal birth after cesarean or repeat cesarean, at a large U.S. university hospital postpartum unit. Questions evaluated the adequacy of and satisfaction with information provided in counseling with regard to mode of delivery. Results Eighty of 92 women approached completed the survey. The majority reported receiving no or too little information about forceps or vacuum delivery, future problems with urine or stool, fetal death, and injury. Conclusion Information that patients receive in pregnancy influences their childbirth preferences and satisfaction. Women wanted more information; particularly about urinary and fecal incontinence.
Frequency specific effects of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens

Abstract The action of dopamine was evaluated in the nucleus accumbens of acutely prepared rabbits. It was found that the effect of iontophoretically applied dopamine depended upon the frequency of stimulation of an afferent pathway; in this case the ipsilateral fimbria. Dopamine had a marked suppressive effect on field responses evoked by fimbria stimulation at 0.5 Hz, but not those responses evoked at 6.0 Hz. Dopamine was also effective in activating adenylate cyclase. Both the physiological and the biochemical effects of dopamine could be blocked by appropriate antagonists, suggesting that the phenomena observed were receptor mediated. It is suggested that dopamine serves to enhance information arriving from the hippocampal formation within the theta range by the suppression of competing non-theta activity.
Power/energy: Demand-side load management: The rising cost of peak-demand power means that utilities must encourage customers to manage power usage

As electricity cost increases, more and more utilities are extending their activities into once-forbidden territory: the customer's side of the meter. In order to increase efficiency and hold the line on costs, they are controlling, directly and indirectly, when and how the electric energy is used-shifting from a supply-side-only viewpoint to demand-side technologies. They are including the customer as a new utility corporate planning option. This control is called load management. It aims to even out or change the magnitude of hour-to-hour and season-to-season variations in electricity demands; it cuts off the peaks and fills in the valleys in demand-time curves. The procedure benefits utilities by allowing more uniform use of generating equipment and thus benefits users by helping to hold down rates. Implementation and effects of this type of load management are discussed.
Phage anti-immunocomplex assay for clomazone: two-site recognition increasing assay specificity and facilitating adaptation into an on-site format

The impact of the use of herbicides in agriculture can be minimized by compliance with good management practices that reduce the amount used and their release into the environment. Simple tests that provide real time on-site information about these chemicals are a major aid for these programs. In this work, we show that phage anti-immunocomplex assay (PHAIA), a method that uses phage-borne peptides to detect the formation of antibody-analyte immunocomplexes, is an advantageous technology to produce such field tests. A monoclonal antibody to the herbicide clomazone was raised and used in the development of conventional competitive and noncompetitive PHAIA immunoassays. The sensitivity attained with the PHAIA format was over 10 times higher than that of the competitive format. The cross-reactivity of the two methods was also compared using structurally related compounds, and we observed that the two-site binding of PHAIA "double-checks" the recognition of the analyte, thereby increasing the assay specificity. The positive readout of the noncompetitive PHAIA method allowed adaptation of the assay into a rapid and simple format where as little as 0.4 ng/mL clomazone (more than 10-fold lower than the proposed standard) in water samples from a rice field could be easily detected by simple visual inspection.
EFFECT OF THE PHOSPHODIESTERASE INHIBITOR DIPYRIDAMOLE ON INHALED NITRIC OXIDE (NO) IN NEWBORN LAMBS WITH PERSISTENT PULMONARY HYPERTENSION † 1972

EFFECT OF THE PHOSPHODIESTERASE INHIBITOR DIPYRIDAMOLE ON INHALED NITRIC OXIDE (NO) IN NEWBORN LAMBS WITH PERSISTENT PULMONARY HYPERTENSION † 1972
Functional Analysis of Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis Macularia) Song

Spotted sandpipers, Actitis macularia, were presented with a series of experimental tape playbacks in a natural situation in order to ascertain functional components of their song. Visible responses of individuals were used as the criterion of a given tape's ability to elicit an aggressive or reproductive response. Tapes are listed in order of response eliciting strength: normal; 3 X interval, io-note; 4.00 kHz filtered; 3 X interval, 7-note; 3.15 kHz filtered tape; and backward. Lack of response to backward tape playbacks shows that figure integrity (proper temporal ordering of frequencies) is an essential feature for song recognition in spotted sandpipers. Songs with lengthened internote intervals or decreased numbers of notes elicited fewer responses than the normal tape; however, merely increasing internote intervals decreased responses very little. This indicates that number of notes and/or sequence length is important in stimulating aggressive motivation in spotted sandpipers. Response to both the 3.15 and 4.00 kHz filtered tapes indicates that lower frequencies are essential to elicit aggression. Responses indicative of low aggressive arousal were evoked by these tapes. There was somewhat higher response to the 4.00 kHz filtered tape to the 3.15 kHz filtered tape, probably due to emphasis on the higher frequencies in the former.
Accumulation of seleno‐amino acids in legume and grass plant species grown in selenium‐laden soils

Seleno-amino acid accumulation was studied for two legume and two grass species grown in Selenium (Se)-laden soils. An antagonistic relationship was found between the tissue Se-amino acid concentration and the corresponding sulfur-amino acid concentration. This relationship demonstrates a competitive interaction between Se and sulfate at the amino acid synthesis level. The nonsulfur-containing amino acids were not substantially affected by the increase of tissue Se concentration. Sour clover (Melilotus indica L.) was able to accumulate much greater tissue Se concentration than the other three species. Tissue methionine concentration of sour clover, rabbitfoot grass (Polypogon monspeliensis L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) was not significantly affected by the increase of tissue selenomethionine concentration, but a highly significant negative correlation was found in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). This discrepancy suggests that a less antagonistic effect on sulfur-amino acids under the increase of Se-amino acid analogues in the tissue might be able to minimize Se toxicity to the plant. Both Se-methylselenocysteine (nonprotein amino acid) and selenomethionine (protein amino acid) accumulated in the plants when grown in Se-laden soils. Possible effects of these Se-amino acids accumulated by plants on animal health should be tested before the plants are used for forage supplementation.
Characterization and separation of inorganic fine particles by capillary electrophoresis with an indifferent electrolyte system

Abstract The feasibility of using capillary electrophoresis to characterize and separate submicrometer- and micrometer-size metal oxide particles (e.g., TiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3) was investigated. The use of indifferent electrolyte solutions such as sodium nitrate solutions leads to an electrolyte system without specific surface adsorption of ions but with essentially only electrostatic interactions between electrolyte ions and the surface of metal oxide particles. This system permitted development of a two-site dissociation model that was then applied to a description of the electrophoretic mobility of metal oxide particles as a function of the pH of the indifferent electrolyte solution. The use of unbuffered solutions, along with the tendency of metal oxide particles to form aggregates, prohibits the accurate determination of the electrophoretic mobility. Therefore, only a general agreement between the predicted electrophoretic mobilities and the measured values was obtained using the model. Also, general agreement was achieved between the estimated isoelectric points for the metal oxides and the values reported in the literature. Furthermore, the optimum conditions for separating mixtures of metal oxide particles in indifferent electrolyte solutions were identified. Successful separations of different kinds of metal oxide particles and of metal oxide particles with different polymorphic forms were achieved.
Solid acid catalysis of tandem isomerization-lactonization of olefinic acids

Abstract The conversion of unsaturated acids to γ-lactones is catalyzed by the solid sulfonic acid catalysts Amberlyst-15 and Nafion SAC-13 in refluxing chlorobenzene. For 3- and 4-enoic acids, in which double bond migration is not required for γ-lactone formation, yields are 95–100%. For 5-, 6-, 9-, and 10-enoic acids, the lactone yield decreases from 95% to 25% as the distance between the olefin and carboxylic acid groups increases. Amberlyst-15 is the preferred catalyst in these reactions because of its lower cost and reusability.
ON direction-selective ganglion cells in the rabbit retina: Dendritic morphology and pattern of fasciculation

ON direction-selective (DS) ganglion cells were identified by electrophysiological recordings in DAPI labeled, isolated rabbit retinas. Their responses to a flashing spot were sustained. Their responses to moving stimuli were strong in the preferred direction and weak in the null direction. Injection of the recorded cells with Lucifer yellow revealed that the cells had a distinct dendritic morphology, consistent with that described previously (Buhl & Peichl, 1986; Amthor et al., 1989; Famiglietti, 1992a). When neighboring cells were injected, an extensive dendritic co-fasciculation was observed. The pattern of fasciculation restricts the possible synaptic connections of the ON DS cell.
Acoustic microwave generation in a periodic piezoelectric medium with drifting charges

A novel technique of generation of acoustic microwave is analyzed. The basic principle is similar to the distributed feedback concept used in lasers, where the oscillation feedback is provided by a periodic structure throughout the amplifying medium. A simplified model is analyzed in detail, and a number of configurations for oscillator device development are discussed.
Serologic survey of select infectious diseases in coyotes and raccoons in Nebraska.

To obtain data about select zoonotic and other infectious diseases in free-ranging predators in five ecoregions in Nebraska, sera were collected from 67 coyotes (Canis la-trans) and 63 raccoons (Procyon lotor) from November 2002 through January 2003. For coyotes, antibodies were detected against canine distemper virus (CDV, 61%), Francisella tularensis (32%), Rickettsia rickettsi (13%), and flaviviruses (48%). None of the coyote sera had antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, Brucella canis, or six serovars of Leptospira interrogans. Because serologic cross-reactivity exists among flaviviruses, 14 sera from flavivirus-positive coyotes were also tested for St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLE) antibodies and two (14%) were positive, suggesting that up to 48% of coyotes tested had antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV). For raccoons, antibodies were detected against CDV (33%), F. tularensis (38%), and three serovars of L. interrogans (11%).
Use of blood cultures in the emergency department

While the use of blood cultures to detect septicemia is a time-honored and valuable laboratory technique, guidelines for obtaining such cultures are vague. Several controversies exist regarding the utilization of blood cultures in the ambulatory setting, including when and on whom cultures should be obtained, how many cultures should be obtained, and how much blood should be obtained with each venipuncture. The guidelines have become slightly more confusing with the recognition of an entity known as occult bacteremia. A number of studies that bear relevance to these issues are reviewed. The utility of obtaining blood cultures in the ambulatory setting is examined, and guidelines are offered for obtaining blood cultures in adult and pediatric populations. Areas in which further research may be appropriate also are noted.
Data input by question and answer

A data input scheme for a time-sharing computer is described in this paper. Instead of using format statements to determine the input, the computer asks the user for the required values one at a time. The computer converses with the user during the input process, checks for errors, provides standard data, and allows editing of values input.
Associations of Parental and Peer Characteristics with Adolescents’ Social Dominance Orientation

Studies with adults of social dominance orientation (SDO), a preference for inequality among social groups, have found correlations with various prejudices and support for discriminatory practices. This study explores the construct among adolescents at an age when they are beginning to recognize the social groups in their environment, particularly adolescent crowds. The relationship of SDO and perceptions of parents’ responsiveness and demandingness were also investigated. Subjects were in grades 9–12 (N = 516, 53% female, 96% White). Mother’s and father’s responsiveness significantly predicted adolescent’s SDO scores, with greater perceived responsiveness associated with lower SDO. To analyze the multiple crowd memberships of the 76% belonging to more than one crowd, two-step cluster analysis was used to identify patterns, resulting in 8 clusters of distinct, heterogeneous composition. SDO differed significantly among males in different clusters, but not females. The importance of membership was positively associated with SDO among high-status crowds and negatively associated with SDO among the academic and normal crowds. The findings have implications for prejudices that may be developing in adolescence and indicate a need for further research into the social context of SDO and its development.
Vein Loading: The Role of the Symplast in Intercellular Transport of Carbohydrate between the Mesophyll and Minor Veins of Tobacco Leaves

Enzymatically separated leaf tissues of Nicotiana tabacum L., exhibiting good metabolic integrity, were used to evaluate the kinetics of sugar accumulation over the concentration range of 10 to 100 mm. Mesophyll cells exhibited Km values of 16 and 30 mm for glucose and sucrose, respectively; minor veins showed a reverse relationship, with Km values of 58 and 16 mm for glucose and sucrose, respectively. This would suggest that sucrose is preferentially absorbed by the minor vein net. Analysis of Vmax data indicates a reduction in the ability of isolated minor veins to accumulate substrate, implicating a symplastic rather than apoplastic route for intercellular transport. Competition studies demonstrate a common carrier for sucrose and glucose in both tissue types and suggest the presence of a “transport compartment,” entry to which is regulated by a critical intracellular sucrose concentration.
Random Guessing, Correction for Guessing, and Reliability of Multiple-Choice Test Scores

Guessing on a multiple-choice test item may be categorized as random (among all choices) or informed (some wrong choices eliminated). An expression is derived which permits determination of reliability change when random guessing is curtailed and informed guessing retained. Application of the derived expression to hypothetical and real data shows that small improvements in reliability will occur in this case except under highly implausible circumstances. Discussion follows on use of correction-for-guessing instructions to curtail random guessing. Possible reasons are given for frequently observed decreases in reliability when correction-for-guessing instructions are applied.
Leading a Community of Learners: Learning to Be Moral by Engaging the Morality of Learning.

This article attempts to provide a foundational understanding of school learning as moral activity as well as intellectual activity. It first develops a distinction between general ethics and professional ethics, and provides an initial explanation of the moral good involved in learning. The moral good of learning is then connected to the fundamental moral agenda of learners, namely, to find, own and engage their true, authentic selves. The article takes up the distortion of the learning process in schools due to a misguided epistemology of knowledge inherited from the Enlightenment and suggests an epistemology more in tune with the sociology of knowledge and contemporary physics. This enables a clearer foundational connection of learning with authentic human development. There follows a description of what teaching for that kind of learning might look like. The article concludes with some implications for leadership of such learning.
Expansion and contraction: Shaping the porphyrin boundary via diradical reactivity

Abstract Porphyrins have remarkable utility in optical and materials applications due to their extensive π-network and the corresponding electronic properties associated with this delocalization. Recent strategies have focused on methods to modulate these properties by chemically extending the conjugation. Our approach to periphery modification has centered on the application of diradicals generated through unique diyne-ene and diazo-keto functionalization at the β,β′-position of the macrocycle. In the former case, Bergman cyclization of the enediyne motif generates a new aromatic ring via a 1,4-phenyl diradical intermediate. In the absence of bimolecular quenchers in very high concentrations, the diradical adds across the adjacent phenyl rings of the meso -positions to extend the aromaticity across three rings. In the second case, dione or diazo-keto functionalization and subsequent reaction with nucleophiles in the presence of Ag + generates acetals that lead to modified chemical properties and potentially, additional reactivity at the periphery. Diazoketochlorin photolysis on the other hand, leads to rapid N 2 extrusion and initial carbene formation. The carbene is short lived and cannot be trapped even at extremely low temperatures (2 K). The subsequent Wolff ring-contracted ketene, however, is detectable, demonstrating that the out-of-plane electronic configuration is initially generated and reacts to give the nucleophile-quenched species, as well as relaxing to form exocyclic ring addition and other radical-based products. In addition to generating unique infrared and electronic spectral properties, together these strategies offer unusual synthetic opportunities, to markedly modulate macrocycle electronic structure in a highly asymmetric manner to form truly distinct porphyrinoid constructs.
Biochemical and phylogenetic analyses of psychrophilic isolates belonging to the Arthrobacter subgroup and description of Arthrobacter psychrolactophilus, sp. nov.

During our work on psychrophilic microorganisms we obtained a large collection of new isolates. In order to identify six of these, we examined their growth properties, cell wall compositions, and their 16S rRNA gene sequences. The results showed that all of the isolates are gram-positive, aerobic, contain lysine in their cell walls, and belong to the high mol% G+C Arthrobacter subgroup. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA genes grouped five isolates obtained from a small geographical region into a monophyletic clade. Isolate B7 had a 16S rRNA sequence that was 94.3% similar to that of Arthrobacter polychromogenes and 94.4% similar to that of Arthrobacter oxydans. Primary characteristics that distinguish isolate B7 from the Arthrobacter type strain (Arthrobacter globiformis) and A. polychromogenes include lack of growth at 37°C, growth at 0–5°C, the ability to use lactose as a sole carbon source, and the absence of blue pigments. Because of these differences, isolate B7 was chosen as a type strain representing a new Arthrobacter species, Arthrobacter psychrolactophilus. The sixth isolate, LV7, differed from the other five because it did not have the rod/ coccus morphological cycle and was most closely related to Arthrobacter agilis.
File system interfaces for embedded software development

We present a scalable architectural approach which aims to simplify embedded software development by supporting key development tasks like debugging, tracing and monitoring. Our approach uses file system interfaces to represent various entities in the embedded system hierarchy that are merged and exported to clients using a messaging protocol. Unlike many JTAG based debug solutions, ours is compositional and supports heterogeneous, concurrent debugging.
Effects of High Carbohydrate or Protein Diets on Blood Pressure of Normotensive and Hypertensive Dogs

The effects of diets high in carbohydrate or protein were studied on four dogs when normotensive and later when hypertensive. The results suggest that under certain conditions a cardiovascular homeostatic relationship may exist between diet, VEM-VDM and the sympathicoadrenal system.
Extreme Aesthetic Surgery.

As professionals who work in the area of aesthetic surgery know, the popularity of aesthetic medical treatments has exploded over the past two decades. There are likely several reasons for this growth, ranging from advances in medical and surgical techniques to greater acceptance by the general public of the use of medical treatments to address body image dissatisfaction and enhance appearance to the consistent coverage of the field of aesthetic surgery by the mass media.1 Stories on the most recent advances in aesthetic procedures have always been popular topics for women's health and beauty magazines as well as daytime talk shows. The last decade, however, has seen aesthetic surgery as the focus of a number of “reality-based” television shows. Some of these shows have focused on the experiences of patients; others have focused on the lives and lifestyles of the physicians who perform aesthetic procedures. Unfortunately, the majority of these programs have focused on the extremes of aesthetic medicine. Many patients depicted on these shows present for a consultation requesting an extensive number of procedures of the face and/or body, which was the main premise of the shows Extreme Makeover and The Swan. Other programs have shown patients … Corresponding Author: Dr David B. Sarwer, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Suite 3026, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA E-mail: dsarwer{at}mail.med.upenn.edu