cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Redox modulation of global phosphatase activity and protein phosphorylation in intact skeletal muscle.

Skeletal muscles produce transient reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to intense stimulation, disuse atrophy, heat stress, hypoxia, osmotic stress, stretch and cell receptor activation. The physiological significance is not well understood. Protein phosphatases (PPases) are known to be highly sensitive to oxidants and could contribute to many different signalling responses in muscle. We tested whether broad categories of PPases are inhibited by levels of acute oxidant exposure that do not result in loss of contractile function or gross oxidative stress. We also tested if this exposure results in elevated levels of global protein phosphorylation. Rat diaphragm muscles were treated with either 2,3-dimethoxy-1-naphthoquinone (DMNQ; 1, 10, 100 μm; a mitochondrial O2•−/H2O2 generator) or exogenous H2O2 (5, 50, 500 μm) for 30 min. Supernatants were assayed for serine/threonine PPase (Ser/Thr-PPase) or protein tyrosine PPase (PTP) activities. With the exception of 500 μm H2O2, no other oxidant exposures significantly elevated protein carbonyl formation, nor did they alter the magnitude of twitch force. DMNQ significantly decreased all categories of PPase activity at 10 and 100 μm and reduced PTP at 1 μm. Similar reductions in Ser/Thr-PPase activity were seen in response to 50 and 500 μm H2O2 and PTP at 500 μm H2O2. ROS treatments resulted a dose-dependent increase in the phosphorylation states of many proteins. The data are consistent with the concept that PPases, within intact skeletal muscles, are highly sensitive to acute changes in ROS activity and that localized ROS play a critical role in lowering the barriers for effective phosphorylation events to occur in muscle cells, thus increasing the probability for cell signalling responses to proceed.
Preparation of self-setting cement-based micro-and macroporous granules of carbonated apatitic calcium phosphate

A method of preparing spherical, micro- and macroporous (50 to 550 μm pores), carbonated apatitic calcium phosphate granules (2 to 4 mm in size) has been developed by using the NaCl porogen technique. A calcium phosphate self-setting cement powder (comprising a specially designed cement powder mixture of α-Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 , CaHPO 4 , CaCO 3 and precipitated Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 ) was mixed with 65 wt% NaCI crystals ranging in size from 1 mm down to 400 μm, followed by kneading with a dilute Na 2 HPO 4 initiator solution and then sieving the setting paste to the desired sizes. Embedded NaCI crystals were leached out from the formed granules by soaking in deionized water at room temperature. The calcium phosphate granules comprised macro- and micropores substantially communicating with one another throughout the body with a porosity of 45-50% or more. Produced granules were only composed of carbonated, calcium-deficient, poorly-crystallized, apatitic calcium phosphate as the mineral phase, which is quite similar to that of human bones. Granules are used (marketed in Europe under the trade name of "Calcibon® Granules") as a substitute or a repair material for bone, carrier material for drug delivery and controlled release system. These granules have been the first calcium phosphate granules directly produced from a self-setting calcium phosphate orthopedic cement powder at room temperature, and they are also suitable for augmentation with autologous bone graft, bone marrow aspirate, blood or platelet-rich plasma.
EOSDIS petabyte archives: tenth anniversary

One of the world's largest scientific data systems, NASA's Earth observing system data and information system (EOSDIS) has stored over three petabytes of earth science data in a geographically distributed mass storage system. Design for this system began in the early 1990s and included a presentation of the design of the mass storage system at this conference in 1995. Many changes have occurred in the ten years since that presentation, much of it performed while the system was operational. In its first operational year (2000), the EOSDIS system had increased NASA's collection of earth science data holdings eight-fold. Today, EOSDIS collects over 7,000 gigabytes of data per week, almost 60 times more than the hubble space telescope. This load represents major challenges for ingest into the mass storage system, as well as for timely and balanced data distribution out of the mass storage system. This paper discusses the evolution of the EOSDIS archives focusing primarily on the mass storage system component of the archive. We present the lessons that were learned over the years and some directions that we are taking for the future.
The Effect of Subjective Mortality Risk on Life Cycle Consumption and Labor Supply

This paper analyzes the impact of subjective mortality risk on consumption and labor choice in a life cycle model. Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), I estimate the intertemporal elasticity of substitution (IES) and the Frisch labor elasticity. Instead of identifying the IES using the effective interest rate as done in previous studies, I use self reported subjective probabilities of survival. Estimating the IES using the log-linearized Euler equation, I find evidence that households intertemporally substitute consumption. The estimates of the IES are statistically significant and consistent with what is predicted by theory. This result differs from other studies that find that the IES is not significantly different from zero. This paper also contributes to the literature on labor choice by analyzing the impact of survival beliefs on intertemporal labor supply. In the absence of mortality risk, individuals at the end of their working years are less responsive to expected changes in wage, with an estimated Frisch elasticity below other estimates for younger workers. After including subjective mortality risk, the effect of wage is of the same magnitude, and there exists evidence of intertemporal substitution of labor hours due to changes in subjective survival. Finally, results obtained in this paper indicate that the use of subjective survival beliefs is more appropriate than objective measures, which result in biased parameter estimates and the rejection of the life cycle model.
Fluency Differences by Text Genre in Proficient and Struggling Secondary Students

Reading fluency has been found to be an essential component of proficient reading and is a significant part of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS, 2010; NRP, 2000). Previous research has found that students may often differ in their ability to fluently read narrative and informational text. In this study we examine differences in fluent reading by text-genre in a sample of 108 ninth-grade readers. We also investigate these same differences based on whether a student is a proficient or struggling reader. Results for the total sample of readers show that oral reading fluency is more languid when students read informational texts. Additionally, large differences are found when readers are blocked as either proficient or struggling. Instructional implications are discussed.
The investigational use of tPA for stroke

Stroke therapy trials have historically allowed for late patient entry (ie, within 24 to 48 hours from stroke onset) despite evidence suggesting the importance of early intervention. Experimental studies of cerebral infarction suggest treatment may be most effective when begun within three hours and may be only marginally effective when begun after 12 hours. Lysis of an acute intra-arterial thrombus in the setting of thrombolytic therapy is also time dependent. We describe an ongoing dose-escalation study of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) as ultra-early therapy for cerebral infarction. The protocol requires that hemorrhage be ruled out by computed tomography scan of the brain prior to tPA infusion, and the infusion must begin within 90 minutes of symptom onset. The two primary goals of the study are to assess safety and potential efficacy. Preliminary results from the study and the future of ultra-early stroke intervention are discussed.
Polyacrylamide gel patterns of parotid saliva proteins in Caucasoids and Amerindians

Parotid saliva protein samples collected from 69 Caucasoid and 71 Amerindian (Crow Indian Reservation, Montana) donors were subjected to polyacrylamide gel slab electrophoresis, pH 9.0. Coomassie Blue staining revealed a total of 36 distinguishable protein bands at equivalent positions on the gels from samples of both the Caucasoids and Amerindians. Marked variability of parotid protein patterns among both Caucasoids and Amerindians was evident. Seven bands were present in a significantly greater (p < 0.05 −p < 0.005) proportion of Caucasoid samples, while one band was present in a significantly greater (p < 0.005) proportion of Amerindian patterns. The average number of protein bands detected in the Amerindian patterns was significantly fewer (p < 0.005) than that of Caucasoids. “Proline-rich” proteins were detected on additional gels of samples from both Caucasoids and Amerindians. Distinct variability among individuals from both groups was evident also in the occurrence of “proline-rich” parotid proteins. Reactions (bands) indicating “proline-rich” proteins were observed at 10 positions on gels from Caucasoid samples. Significantly fewer (p < 0.005) “proline-rich” areas were detected on gels from Amerindian than Caucasoid saliva. Four of the “proline-rich” bands were present in a significantly greater (p < 0.05 −p < 0.005) proportion of Caucasoid than Amerindian patterns. It is concluded that there are not consistent specific differences in parotid saliva protein composition between Caucasians and Amerindians. However, the proportion of subjects in which certain protein bands occur, following separation of the protein by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, differs between the two populations.
The minimal number of antigen‐major histocompatibility complex class II complexes required for activation of naive and primed T cells

Although previous studies have shown that 50-200 antigen-major histocompatibility complex complexes (Ag-MHC) are sufficient to stimulate significant secretion of interleukin (IL)-2 from MHC class II-restricted T cell hybridomas, there have been no studies of this nature on more physiologically relevant T cell populations. In this study we have analyzed the ligand requirements for stimulation of responses from naive and previously primed T cells derived from T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic animals whose TCR is specific for the pigeon cytochrome c (PCC) 88-104 peptide presented by I-Ek. Primed T cells were as sensitive as the previously reported T cell hybridomas, requiring about 100 Ag-MHC complexes to synthesize readily detectable quantities of IL-2, whereas naive T cells required 15 times more ligand to produce equivalent quantities of IL-2. Similarly, primed T cells required about 40 Ag-MHC complexes to produce a significant proliferative response, whereas naive T cells required about 400 complexes. In contrast to these results, naive and primed T cells showed similar ligand requirements when early events in the T cell activation pathway were analyzed; i.e. TCR down-modulation, CD69 and CD25 expression, and blast transformation. A further analysis of IL-2 and IL-2R expression indicated: 1) The first synthesis of IL-2 was detected at the same ligand concentration in both primed and naive T cells, but primed T cells made much more IL-2 as the ligand concentrations increased; 2) primed T cells expressed about fivefold more IL-2 receptor (R) than naive T cells, despite the fact that the antigen dose-response curves with respect to the percentage of cells expressing IL-2R were identical. These results suggest that naive and primed T cells have the same threshold with respect to the number of Ag-MHC complexes required to initiate T cell activation, but that due to the inefficient expression of IL-2 and IL-2R, engagement of more complexes is needed to enable naive T cells to synthesize the necessary amounts of these two molecules to allow T cells to go through a complete cycle of replication.
Race and downward mobility from privileged occupations: African American/White dynamics across the early work-career

Abstract In the context of the minority vulnerability thesis, this study assesses whether there are racial differences in the prevalence, determinants, and timing of downward mobility from managerial/executive and professional/technical occupational categories during the critical early career years. Findings from a panel study of income dynamics sample of men support theory: African Americans, compared to Whites, have a greater incidence of downward movement, face a route to downward movement that is less strongly predicted by traditional stratification-based causal factors, and experience mobility quickly. Analyses also reveal that racial gaps in downward mobility along lines enunciated by theory are greater in the private sector than the public sector. Implications of the findings for understanding evolving patterns of racial inequality in privileged occupations are discussed.
Balancing two-sided assembly lines: a case study

We describe the design and use of a computer program to balance two-sided assembly lines. The program embodies a balancing algorithm that emphasizes speed over accuracy for the interactive, rapid refinement of solutions. We argue that this is a more useful approach to balancing real assembly lines than the typical optimality-seeking techniques. We also discuss some theoretical properties of two-sided lines; and we include the data for a real assembly line, which to our knowledge is the first to appear in the open literature in over 30 years
Pulsatile Wall Shear Stress Gradient and Aortoseptal Angle: Implications for Subaortic Stenosis † 147

A better understanding of the etiology of discrete subaortic stenosis (SAS) would be useful in identifying patients at risk and in surgical decision making since the onset, progression, and recurrence of SAS are difficult to predict. Previous studies have shown that congenital defects and morphologic abnormalities associated with SAS (such as steepened aortoseptal angle [AoSA]) cause significant, localized elevations in peak wall shear stress and the wall shear stress gradient (WSSG). High WSSG has been associated with cellular changes in the endothelium. Since the magnitude of wall shear stress varies thoughout the cardiac cycle, we addressed the hypothesis that these morphologic abnormalities have similar effects on the time-averaged shear stress and WSSG. Methods: A finite element model of the left ventricular outflow tract was implemented on the Cray C90 at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center for typical pulsatile flow conditions. AoSA was varied between 120 and 150 degrees, maximum aortic velocities from 0.5 to 1 m/s, and aortic diameter from 1 to 1.5 cm. Shear stress and WSSG were directly calculated from the velocity field at discrete points in time. The time-averaged wall shear stress and WSSG at the location of the peak was determined. Results: At an aortic velocity of 1 m/s, the peak and time-averaged shear stress increased with steeper AoSA by 52% and 49.5% respectively. WSSG was more sensitive to changes in AoSA with the peak WSSG increasing by 217%, compared to the time-averaged WSSG which increased by 225%. Conclusions: Geometric variables had similar effects on both the peak and mean shear stress and WSSG. Although the progression and recurrence of SAS may be dependent on time-varying exposure to shear stress, this exposure may be quantified using either a peak or a mean value.
The culture‐conscious Brazilian Indian: Representing and reworking Indianness in Kayabi political discourse

In this article, I examine a Brazilian indigenous people's self-conscious use of the ideas of “culture” and “Indian ethnicity.” Whereas analysts usually discuss indigenous use of these concepts in the context of high-profile national or transnational intercultural events, I look at how retrospective accounts of participation in such events are woven into local political discourse. I focus on how two Amazonian leaders represent their participation in past events of cultural display as a means of mounting very different arguments about their eligibility for positions of authority in their community. I argue that local frames of reference, for example, those relating to the culturally appropriate conduct of politics, must be considered in assessing the significance and meaning of cultural performances, even when the staging of indigenous culture is performed principally for a nonlocal audience.
ON THE AGGREGATION OF ICE CRYSTALS TO FORM SNOW

Abstract Manipulation of spheres of ice and observations of ice crystals colliding with a fixed crystal under conditions of controlled temperature and vapor pressure have been employed to determine the limiting conditions for the aggregation of ice crystals to form snow flakes. It is shown that the amount of aggregation is strongly dependent upon environmental vapor pressure and temperature. At ice saturation, no aggregation occurs at temperatures below −25C and aggregation increases and becomes a maximum as 0C is approached. At vapor pressure less-than-ice saturation no aggregation occurs at temperatures below −4C and aggregation increases rapidly as 0C is approached. Under conditions of supersaturation with respect to ice, aggregation occurs at all temperatures. These results are best explained by the existence of a liquid film on the surface of ice at temperatures below 0C where the thickness of the film is a function of temperature and vapor presuure.
Radioautographic and Electron-Microscopic Evidence of Rapid Uptake of Antigen by Lymphocytes

Iodine-125-labeled ferritin molecules were detected by radioautography in the sinuses of the rat popliteal lymph node shortly after injection into the foot pad; they appeared to be taken up by macrophages and phagocytic reticular cells. Electron microscopic examination of the same tissue also revealed ferritin molecules within small lymphocytes as early as 5 minutes after injection. The antigen appeared to be taken up by the process of pinocytosis and was distributed throughout the cytoplasm and nucleus. While the number of ferritin molecules observed in the lymphocyte was much less than that taken into the inacrophage, the observation is significant in understanding the role lymphocytes play during the early phase of antibody response.
Standard molar entropies, standard entropies of formation, and standard transformed entropies of formation in the thermodynamics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions

Abstract The standard transformed Gibbs energy of reaction provides the criterion for spontaneous change and equilibrium for an enzyme-catalyzed reaction at specified temperature, pressure, and pH. The standard transformed enthalpy of reaction yields the heat of reaction. The standard transformed entropy of reaction has received less attention, but it provides almost all of the pH dependence of the apparent equilibrium constant. When the standard Gibbs energies of formation Δ f G j ∘ ( 298 . 15 K , I = 0 ) and standard enthalpies of formation Δ f H j ∘ ( 298 . 15 K , I = 0 ) of the species of a reactant are known, the standard entropies of formation Δ f S j ∘ ( 298 . 15 K , I = 0 ) can be calculated. With the database BasicBiochemData2 and recent extensions, this can be done for about fifty reactants. However, standard molar entropies S m ∘ ( 298 . 15 K , I = 0 ) of species are of more interest because it may be possible to interpret their values and use them to estimate S m ∘ values for species for which Δ f H j ∘ are unknown. These estimates of S m ∘ of species for which Δ f G j ∘ values are known make it possible to obtain Δ f H j ∘ of species that can be used to calculate effects of temperature on standard transformed Gibbs energies of reactants and apparent equilibrium constants of enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
Changes in serum immunoreactive inhibin-α during photoperiod-induced testicular regression and recrudescence in the golden hamster

Serum immunoreactive inhibin-alpha (irI alpha), FSH, LH, and testosterone (T) were measured in male golden hamsters during short-day-induced testicular regression and during testicular recrudescence following the transfer from short to long days. Serum FSH levels were maximally suppressed within 2 wk of transfer to short days. In contrast to FSH, irI alpha levels were not fully reduced until after 6 wk of exposure to short days, closely paralleling the timing of testicular regression. LH and T levels were also reduced within two 2k, with maximal suppression observed between 6 and 8 wk. Conversely, when males with regressed testes were transferred to long days, serum FSH rose to peak (25 ng/ml) levels by 3 wk and then declined to usual long-day levels. In contrast, serum irI alpha levels rose gradually, reaching adult long-day levels following 10 wk of exposure. Serum LH and T levels rose to peak levels between 5 and 8 wk before declining to adult levels. FSH, LH, and irI alpha levels were also measured after castration in male hamsters maintained on long or short days. Twenty-four hours after castration, levels of irI alpha were reduced in long-day males to levels comparable to those observed in castrated short-day males. Serum irI alpha levels respond slowly to abrupt changes in FSH levels after transfer to either long or short days, suggesting that testicular irI alpha secretion may not be directly and immediately influenced by circulating FSH levels in the hamster.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The structure of lignins in pulps

Several important parameters pertaining to the recovery, separation, quantitative identification, and yield correction of permanganate oxidation products from lignins were critically evaluated. The “routine recovery” procedure was amended by a series of “exceptional recovery” operations which permitted retrieval of a maximum of 157 mg of degradation products from 100 mg lignin. The “exceptional fractions” contained more low molecular weight compounds than the routinely isolated fraction, calling for the employment of molecular weight distribution data of degradation product mixtures in combination with data by gas chromatography for interpretation in terms of structural features. Approximately 1/5 to 1/3 of the degradation products had molecular weights in excess of dimeric fragments. Separation and quantitative identification by gas chromatography was reproducible within 1.5 and 3.5%, respectively. Adjustment of experimental yields for yield losses encountered during degradation and separation was best accomplished by the use of a correction factor for the degradation of aromatic ring substituents as advocated by Larsson and Miksche, along with molecular weight distribution data. This method, however, slightly overestimates degradation products with more than one carboxy group per aromatic ring in favor of those with fewer than one.
Development theory and the politics of location: An example from north eastern brazil

This contribution contrasts the ways that two distinct intellectual traditions conceptualise the role of global forces in local environments. It briefly traces the history of both ‘grassroots’ or populist development and a ‘politics of location‘ and examines their application to a single ‘development’ context: the introduction of large-scale irrigation to drought-stricken regions of north-eastern Brazil. The two approaches produce radically different accounts of development processes in the newly irrigated regions. While grassroots approaches emphasise the incursion of new global forces into local communities, approaches derived from a politics of location emphasise existing local inequalities and the ways they are altered by new investments and forms of production. The study argues that populist approaches to development ignore the ways that global forces have long shaped daily life in most parts of the world, and that they rely on a static and impoverished notion of local culture. It advocates a politics of location that analyses local practices and meanings in terms of their relation to power.
Architectures for ATM switching systems

Eight specific architectures for asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switching systems are compared: the Knockout, Sunshine, Lee's, Tandem Banyan, Shuffleout, and three variations on buffered Benes networks. The differences between switching systems, based on architectural choices rather than details of implementation are discussed. Several broad categories of systems based on high-level architecture choices are considered. Within each category one or more alternatives are reviewed, and an equation for the chip count for each alternative is developed. The equations are used to make plots of chip count for each network over a range of parametric values. >
Influenza immunization coverage of residents and employees of long-term care facilities in New York State, 2000-2010.

We describe influenza immunization coverage trends from the New York State (NYS) Department of Health long-term care facility (LTCF) reports. Overall median immunization coverage levels for NYS LTCF residents and employees were 84.0% (range: 81.6%-86.0%) and 37.7% (range: 32.7%-50.0%), respectively. LTCF resident immunization coverage levels in NYS have neared the Healthy People 2020 target of 90% but have not achieved high LTCF employee coverage, suggesting a need for more regulatory interventions.
Nonparametric regression on random fields with random design using wavelet method

We consider non-linear wavelet-based estimators of spatial regression functions with (known) random design on strictly stationary random fields, which are indexed by the integer lattice points in the \(N\)-dimensional Euclidean space and are assumed to satisfy some mixing conditions. We investigate their asymptotic rates of convergence based on thresholding of empirical wavelet coefficients and show that these estimators achieve nearly optimal convergence rates within a logarithmic term over a large range of Besov function classes \(B^{s}_{p,q}\). Therefore, wavelet estimators still achieve nearly optimal convergence rates for random fields and provide explicitly the extraordinary local adaptability.
Effects of surface roughness on the van der Waals force between macroscopic bodies. II. Two rough surfaces

We extend the method used in an earlier paper by the present authors to calculate here the effect of surface roughness on the van der Waals force between two different, semi-infinite dielectric media, separated by a region of vacuum of nominal thickness $l$, when both surfaces of the two media are rough. The result obtained has the form $f(l)=\ensuremath{-}\frac{{c}_{3}}{{(\frac{l}{a})}^{3}}\ensuremath{-}(\frac{{\ensuremath{\delta}}^{2}}{{a}^{2}})[\frac{{c}_{4}}{{(\frac{l}{a})}^{4}}+\frac{{c}_{5}}{{(\frac{l}{a})}^{5}}+\ensuremath{\cdots}]+O(\frac{{\ensuremath{\delta}}^{4}}{{a}^{4}})$ in the limit $\frac{l}{a}$ is large. Here $a$ is the transverse correlation length, the mean distance between consecutive peaks and valleys on the rough surface, while $\ensuremath{\delta}$ is the root-mean-square departure of the surface from flatness. For simplicity, $a$ and $\ensuremath{\delta}$ are assumed to be the same for both surfaces. The terms in the series multiplying the factor ($\frac{{\ensuremath{\delta}}^{2}}{{a}^{2}}$) have been calculated through terms of $O({(\frac{l}{a})}^{\ensuremath{-}7})$ for three different assumptions about the correlation between the roughness profile functions on the two surfaces. In addition, in the Appendix we show that a simple effective medium model of surface roughness, that has previously been shown to reproduce accurately the effects of surface roughness on the image potential and on the surface-plasmon dispersion curve, also yields the leading term in the roughness-induced contribution to the van der Waals force for large ($\frac{l}{a}$) with semiquantitative accuracy.
An Investigation on Erodibility and Geotechnical Characteristics of Fine Grained Fluvial Soils from Lower Michigan

Scour and erosion potential of a soil are closely related to each other. Similarities or differences between them have not been defined fully and the terms are often used interchangeably or in association with one another. Erodibility is a property of soil that describes erosion potential. Therefore, a proper understanding of erodibility should help predict scour more accurately. In the past, researchers have looked into erosion of soils with the ultimate objective of understanding the erodibility with respect to the standard geotechnical properties. Most research has shown the difficulties associated with correlating erodibility to any one or more soil properties. The research described in this paper is mainly focused on the relationship between erodibility and dry unit weight of soil with varying fractions of fines. Soils tested using laboratory Jet Erosion Test (JET) indicated that the logarithm of erodibility makes a linear inverse relationship with the dry unit weight. In situ JETs confirmed the range of erodibilities established by the laboratory JETs. The best correlations between erodibility and dry unit weight appeared within a single category of soil as classified by the Unified Soil Classification System. In addition, it was also determined that the logarithm of erodibility is inversely related to the angle of internal friction of the fluvial soils tested during this investigation.
Influence of melatonin, constant light, or blinding on reproductive system of gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

Male and female gerbils were implanted s.c. with a pellet containing 2 mg melatonin/23 mg beeswax every 2 weeks for a total of 3 implants. A significant depression of ovarian and uterine weight was noted in female gerbils receiving melatonin implants. In the melatonin-treated male gerbils, growth of the accessory organs was significantly inhibited although testis size was not depressed.
A multiechelon inventory model with fixed replenishment intervals

This paper develops a new model for studying multiechelon inventory systems with stochastic demand. For the model we assume that each site in the system orders at preset times according to an order-up-to policy, that delivery times are deterministic, and that the demand processes are stochastic with independent increments. We introduce a new scheme for allocating stock in short supply, which we call virtual allocation and which permits significant tractability. We exercise the model on a set of test problems for two-echelon systems to get insight into the structure of good policies. The primary findings are that both the central warehouse upper echelon and the retail sites lower echelon should hold safety stock, but that most of the safety stock should be at the retail sites. Consequently, the central warehouse will stock out with high probability. Furthermore, we show that the virtual allocation rule is near optimal for the set of test problems.
Some acoustical properties of St Paul's Cathedral, London

Abstract The interior of St Paul's Cathedral has a volume of 152 000 m3 including the large dome. The average value of the reverberation time is 11 s at 500 Hz when the cathedral is empty and reduces to 7·8 s at the same frequency when the cathedral is full. These measurements have been confirmed by several methods, including the method of integrated impulses. For frequencies above 1250 Hz the reverberation time decreases, because of air absorption and the special effect of the dome. With a steady random noise source the energy density was not constant in the nave: at 1000 Hz the sound level fell away at an approximate rate of 3 dB per doubling of distance. The assumption of a Sabine space can be made to some extent, and based on this assumption it is possible to estimate the reverberation time when the cathedral is full from the results when empty. Speech intelligibility is poor and articulation tests showed that in the middle of the nave only 20–30% of words are understood.
Holiday reading: A la carte medicine.

The daughter of one of my patients was describing her mother’s code status, “She is do-not-resuscitate and do-not-incubate, but it’s ok to place central lines and ok to give pressors, but no femoral lines because we have had problems with those in the past — only the neck or under the
Conservation of the segment 4 gene sequence and of a leucine zipper motif in VP4 among five US bluetongue viruses.

Abstract Full-length cDNA copies of the segment 4 (M1) genes of US Bluetongue viruses serotypeo-2, -10, -11, -13, and -17 were selectively amplified using genomic double-stranded RNA segments from purified BTV virions as templates and a modified polymerase chain reaction (Clamp-R). They were then cloned into pUC 19 plasmids and both strands of several clones were sequenced. The length of all five segment 4 genes is 1981 nucleotides, which is 30 nucleotides shorter than that of the BTV serotype- 10 reported by Y. Yu, A. Fakusho, and P. Roy (Nucleic Acids Res. 15, 7206 (1987)). The 5′-and 3′-noncoding regions of all five segment 4 genes are identical among all serotypes. The plus sense strand of the BTV segment 4 gene, which encodes the VP4 protein, possesses a single long open reading frame with an initiation codon (ATG) at nucleotides 9-1l and a stop codon (TAA) at nucleotides 1941-1943. This open reading frame encodes for a protein of 644 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular weight of about 75 kDa and a pl of +7 to +7.9. A potential leucine zipper motif was detected near the carboxyl terminus of the deduced VP4 amino acid sequence. The phylogenetic analysis using the sequences of these five cognate segment 4 genes is consistent with the results of our previous phylogenetic studies of cognate genome segments 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. Serotype-10, -11, -13, and -17 are closely related and serotype-2 is the most distantly related among the five US BTV serotypes.
Transformational and Transactional Leadership in Virtual and Physical Environments

Transformational and transactional leadership in both physical (i.e., face-to-face) and virtual settings were examined in a laboratory experiment. Leadership style (transformational or transactiona...
FEM of Coupled Chemo-Electro-Mechanical Behavior of Human Intervertebral Disc

This paper describes a fully coupled finite element simulation of the chemo-electro-mechanical effect of the swelling characteristic of a human intervertebral disc. The swelling behavior of human intervertebral disc is strongly influenced by various environmental stimuli such as concentration of the mobile ions, fixed charges on fibrous material, and pH of the surrounding bio-fluid. The swelling behavior can be described by three physical partial differential equations. These equations are-Nernst-Plank for chemical species transport, Poisson’s for the balanced fixed charges inside the vertebral disc, and mechanical field for balanced osmotic pressure and resulting expansion of the disc. The converged solution of the 2D finite element simulation was achieved by full coupling among these equations in moving mesh domain. The effects of several important physical conditions, such as concentration of mobile ions, pH change in surrounding bio-fluid, electrical charge balance, and the expansion/shrinkage of vertebral disc are simulated. The simulation results are discussed in detail.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Dietary Uptake from Historically Contaminated Sediments as a Source of PCBs to Migratory Fish and Invertebrates in an Urban Estuary

Migratory fish and invertebrate samples were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to study bioaccumulation in an urbanized estuary in the northeastern USA. Fish were also analyzed for 13C, 15N, and 34S ratios. Results from several approaches (stable isotopes, total PCB concentrations, congener ratios, and bioaccumulation factors, BAFs) suggested that the fish and invertebrates fell into two distinct dietary groups: the more planktonic butterfish and squid versus a benthic group composed of lobsters, scups, and crabs. Both benthic and pelagic fish obtained the majority of their PCB body burdens from the sediments. Lobsters seemed to have an additional uptake from sediment particles, as observed by an increase in highly chlorinated congeners’ bioaccumulation. BAFs were calculated relative to passive sampling-derived dissolved concentrations of PCBs. BAFs exceeded Kow values, implying that PCBs were accumulated beyond equilibrium partitioning with the water column. This was supported by comparison o...
Studies on the nature of the linkage between the terminal protein and the adenovirus DNA

Summary The termini of human adenovirus types 7 and 2 DNA extracted from the virions using pronase and protease K are covalently linked to peptides that contain tyrosine residue(s). The peptide attached to each terminus can be labeled with [125I] in vitro . The linkage between the peptide moiety and the terminal nucleotide is sensitive to snake venom phosphodiesterase, Aspergillus nuclease S1 and micrococcal nuclease. The available data suggest that the peptide is linked to the terminal nucleotide of these DNA molecules through a phosphodiester bond.
Theory of LTR for non-minimum phase systems, recoverable target loops, and recovery in a subspace Part 1. Analysis

A complete analysis of loop transfer recovery problem using full order observer based controllers for general not necessarily left invertible and not necessarily minimum phase systems is considered. The analysis here, while showing that neither exact nor asymptotic loop transfer recovery is in general possible, focuses on three fundamental issues. The first issue is concerned with what can and what canot be achieved for a given system and for an arbitrarily specified target loop transfer function, while the second issue is concerned with the development of necessary and/or sufficient conditions a target loop has to satisfy so that it can be either exactly or asymptotically be recovered for a given system. The third issue deals with the development of method(s)to test whether recovery is possible in a given subspace of the control space or not, i.e. to test whether projections of target and achievable sensitivity and complimentary sensitivity functions onto a given subspace match each other or not. Such an...
A flavorful top-coloron model

In this paper we introduce a simple renormalizable model of an extended color gauge sector in which the third-generation quarks couple differently than the lighter quarks. In addition to a set of heavy color-octet vector bosons (colorons), the model also contains a set of heavy weak vector quarks. Mixing between the third generation of quarks and the first two is naturally small and occurs only through the (suppressed) mixing of all three generations with the heavy vector quarks. We discuss the constraints on this model arising from limits on flavor-changing neutral currents and from collider searches for the colorons and vector quarks, and discuss the prospects for discovery at the LHC.
Interaction of Rifampin and Warfarin

A 72-year-old man who had been taking rifampin daily for several months was concurrently administered warfarin daily for ten weeks. During this period, the prothrombin time (PT) rose remarkably little as the dosage of warfarin was increased. With difficulty, satisfactory anticoagulation was achieved by giving warfarin 20 mg daily. On discontinuation of rifampin therapy, the PT increased significantly, and subsequent stabilization of the PT within therapeutic range required treatment with warfarin 7.5 mg daily.
715. Targeted Delivery of Antisense Oligonucleotide and siRNA into Lung Cancer Cells

Selective gene inhibition by antisense oligonucleotide (AS-ODN) or siRNA therapeutics promises the treatment of diseases that can not be cured by conventional drugs. However, antisense therapy is hindered due to poor stability in physiological fluids and limited intracellular uptake of AS-ODN and siRNA. To address these problems, a ligand targeted and sterically stabilized nanoparticle formulation is developed in our lab. Human lung cancer cells over-express the sigma receptor on their surface, thus can be targeted with a specific ligand such as anisamide. AS-ODN or siRNA against human survivin was mixed with a carrier DNA, calf thymus DNA, before complexed with protamine, a highly positively charged peptide. The resulting particles were coated with cationic liposomes consisting of DOTAP and cholesterol (1:1, molar ratio) to obtain stable LPD (liposome-protamine-DNA) nanoparticles. Ligand targeting and steric stabilization were then introduced by incubating preformed LPD nanoparticles with DSPE-PEG-anisamide, a PEGylated ligand lipid developed earlier in our lab, by the post insertion method. Non-targeted nanoparticles coated with DSPE-PEG were also prepared as a control. Antisense activities of nanoparticles were determined by survivin mRNA down-regulation, survivin protein down-regulation, ability to trigger apoptosis in tumor cells, tumor cell growth inhibition, and chemosensitization of the treated tumor cells to anticancer drugs. We found that tumor cell delivery and antisense activity of PEGylated nanoparticles were sequence dependent and rely on the presence of the anisamide ligand and could be competed by excess free ligand. Preliminary in vivo data showed that PEGylated LPD deliver siRNA predominantly into tumors after i.v. injection. Our encouraging results suggest that the ligand targeted and sterically stabilized nanoparticles can provide a selective delivery of AS-ODN and siRNA into lung cancer cells and perform antisense therapeutics. This research was supported by Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan.
Function groups associated with constraint submanifolds

Let M be a submanifold of a manifold Q which has a generalized symplectic form ω. The submanifold M of Q is locally Hamiltonian if its vector fields are locally generated as a C∞ω- module by Hamiltonian vector fields of Q. If M is a first class submanifold, i.e., M is defined by first class constraints, then it is shown that M is locally Hamiltonian. It follows that if M is first class then M is a leaf of the singular foliation associated with the function group of all first class functions.
Melanic Plodia interpunctella: A Useful Tool for the Sterile-Male Technique

Sterile-male releases show considerable promise of controlling the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) (Ashrafi et al. 1972 a, b). However, in some sterile-insect-release programs it is desirable to exclude females and to release only irradiated males. For example, the dose of irradiation required to sterilize P. interpunctella is different for the 2 sexes (Cogburn et al. 1966), and females are rendered sterile by doses that produce only partial sterility in males. Then if the object of a control program is to induce self-perpetuating partial sterility in a population, as proposed by Ashrafi et al. (l972b), release of sterile females would be disadvantageous. A quick reliable method of sexing large numbers of P. interpunctella was therefore needed before field tests of the sterile-male-release method were practicable. Such a method was developed by using a genetic marker that I described (Brower 1972). (Adult Lepidoptera can be sexed by examination of the genitalia for the presence of claspers in the male, but this method is laborious if large numbers are involved, and it requires more handling of the adult than is desirable.)
Moisture Distribution in a Mature Soft Wheat Grain by Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract Moisture-tempering is typically performed prior to first break in wheat milling operations to enhance separation of bran, germ, and endosperm. To improve the milling performance and to increase yield, a better knowledge of moisture distribution and migration in individual wheat grains during tempering is essential. The research described herein was conducted to demonstrate the non-destructive measurement of the three-dimensional (3D) distribution of moisture in a single wheat grain. A 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique was adapted for the probing of single wheat grains at storage moistures (c.12% wet basis). The technique is demonstrated in this report on one grain. A 3D projection reconstruction (3DPR) technique was used to acquire high resolution proton density images. The spatial resolution of the images was 94×94×94 μm3. The 3D proton density images were related to the 3D moisture distribution in the wheat grain. At 12% moisture content, the moisture distribution in the starchy endosperm of the wheat was not uniform. The variation of the moisture distribution was from 7·3% to 16·4% wb.
Mechanistic aspects of the substrate ionization step in aminium salt catalyzed cyclopropanation

The cyclopropanations of a series of m- and p-substituted trans-β-methylstyrenes (3) by ethyl diazoacetate (4), catalyzed by tris(4-bromophenyl)aminium hexachloroantimonate (1 ·+) and also by tris(2,4-dibromphenyl) aminium hexachloroantimonate (2 ·+) have been studied by competition kinetics. For the reactions catalyzed by the milder aminium salt (1 ·+), the Hammett-Brown ρ values and the fact that the absolute rates are independent of the concentration of 4 establish that ionization to 3 ·+ is not reversible, but rate-determining. The dependence of the magnitude of ρ upon the absolute concentration of 3 indicates the operation of competing chain and catalytic mechanisms, i.e. the ionization of 3 by both product cation radicals and by the catalyst. The extremely low ρ value observed in the reactions catalyzed by 2 ·+ indicates the exclusive operation of a relatively unselective chain mechanism. These mechanistic assignments are further supported by the observation of the formation of the same products under electrochemical conditions, in the absence of a chemical catalyst, in closely comparable diastereoisomer ratios and with ρ values which correspond nicely with the ρ values observed for equipotential aminium salt catalysts.
Gallium nitrate: effects on cartilage during limb regeneration in the axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum.

Gallium nitrate, a drug shown to have efficacy in Paget's disease of bone, hypercalcemia of malignancy, and a variety of experimental autoimmune diseases, also inhibits the growth of some types of cancer. We examined dose and timing of administration of gallium nitrate on limb regeneration in the Mexican axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum. Administered by intraperitoneal injection, gallium nitrate inhibited limb regeneration in a dose-dependent manner. Gallium nitrate initially suppressed epithelial wound healing and subsequently distorted both anterior-posterior and proximo-distal chondrogenic patterns. Gallium nitrate given at three days after amputation severely inhibited regeneration at high doses (6.25 mg/axolotl) and altered the normal patterning of the regenerates at low doses (3.75 mg/axolotl). Administration of 6.25 mg of gallium nitrate at four or 14 days prior to amputation also inhibited regeneration. In amputated limbs of gallium-treated axolotls, the chondrocytes were lost from inside the radius/ulna. Limbs that regenerated after gallium treatment was terminated showed blastema formation preferentially over the ulna. New cartilage of the regenerate often attached to the sides of the existing radius/ulna proximally into the stump and less so to the distal cut ends. J. Exp. Zool. 293:384–394, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Detection and measurement of cis unsaturation in fatty acids.

Abstract The absorbance of fatty acids at 2.15 μ has been related to the unsaturation of the samples and found to be a measure of the cis unsaturation. Moles cis per kg. = 0.76 (k × 104) −0.96. Absorbance of several fatty acids containing other types of unsaturation indicates they absorb negligibly at this wavelength. A comparison between the direct measure of cis unsaturation and its measurement by iodine value minus trans unsaturation (infrared) has been made on several commercial hydrogenated food preparations and on soybean oil at several stages of hydrogenation.