cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of dietary protein level and form on production characteristics and ammonia excretion of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus

Abstract The red drum traditionally has been an important commercial and recreational fish species in the Gulf of Mexico; therefore, its aquacultural production for food and for stock enhancement continues to develop. This laboratory has addressed refinements in protein and amino acid nutrition of this species in an effort to increase the efficiency of production while limiting nitrogenous wastes. In the present experiment, control diets at 35% and 45% crude protein (CP) contained only intact protein provided by a 50/50 mixture of red drum muscle and wheat gluten. Two experimental diets at each CP level contained the mixture (60% of CP) and crystalline amino acids (40% of CP) to provide lysine at the same level when expressed as a percent of crude protein. All diets contained 11% lipid by dry weight and an estimated 3.6 kcal digestible energy/g. The culture system consisted of 110-l aquaria in a recirculating mode containing brackish (7‰) water at 27±°C. Twenty acclimated juvenile red drum initially averaging 3.4 g/fish were stocked in each aquarium. Diets were fed to fish in triplicate tanks at a fixed rate approaching apparent satiation twice daily for 6 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, fish were weighed and three were euthanized for body composition analysis. Fish remaining in each tank were used to determine total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) excretion at 4-h postprandial. Diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids supported similar weight gain (94–98%) as that obtained by fish fed control diets with intact protein; however, fish fed the 45% CP diets had significantly greater weight gain than those fed the 35% CP diets. Fish fed the diets with 45% CP excreted significantly more ammonia than those fed 35% CP diets. The crystalline amino acid diets at each CP level also resulted in elevated ammonia excretion compared to intact protein diets. Thus, crystalline amino acid diets did not appear to be utilized as efficiently based on ammonia excretion, but reduced efficiency was not evident in weight gain or other production characteristics.
Repertoire of mouse ectodysplasin-A (EDA-A) isoforms.

Abstract Mutations in ectodysplasin-A (EDA) cause loss of hair, sweat glands, and teeth in man and mouse. Isoform EDA-A1 protein shows partial rescue of the affected Tabby mouse phenotypes, suggesting that other isoforms may be required for full function. We describe genomic structure for five EDA isoforms, EDA-A1′, A5, A5′, A6, and A6′, in addition to the previously known EDA-A1, A2, A3, and A4. The novel isoforms together account for ∼12% of total EDA transcripts. The most different, EDA-A6 and A6′, which lack the critical domain for interaction with NF-κB-activating receptors, were nevertheless confirmed to be present in mouse and human skin tissue. Other isoforms, EDA-A5 and A5′, for example, activated NF-κB through receptors EDAR and XEDAR. These properties make new isoforms candidates for modulators of EDA function.
Effect of Intravenous Zanamivir on Cardiac Repolarization

Study Objective To assess the effect of a therapeutic and supratherapeutic intravenous dose of the neuraminidase inhibitor zanamivir on QT and rate-corrected QT intervals. Design Randomized, placebo-controlled, single-dose, four-period, balanced crossover study. Setting Clinical research unit. Subjects Forty healthy adults were randomized to receive intravenous zanamivir at two dose levels, oral moxifloxacin, and placebo; 38 subjects completed all four study treatments. Intervention Subjects were randomized to receive a single intravenous dose of zanamivir 600 mg (therapeutic dose) with oral moxifloxacin placebo, a single intravenous dose of zanamivir 1200 mg (supratherapeutic dose) with oral moxifloxacin placebo, oral moxifloxacin 400 mg (positive control) with intravenous zanamivir placebo, or intravenous zanamivir placebo with oral moxifloxacin placebo. Subjects crossed over to all other treatments, with each treatment separated by a 7-day washout period. Measurements and Main Results Zanamivir pharmacokinetics were dose proportional; the pharmacokinetic exposure from zanamivir 1200 mg was 2 times higher than that from 600 mg, the maximum dose under clinical evaluation. For both 600-mg and 1200-mg doses of intravenous zanamivir, the upper limit of the 90% confidence interval (CI) for the placebo-adjusted mean change from baseline of the QT interval corrected for heart rate using Fridericia's formula (ΔΔQTcF) was less than 10 msec at all time points. The sensitivity of the study to detect modest increases in QT interval was established with the positive control, moxifloxacin. The maximum ΔΔQTcF value for zanamivir 1200 mg was 1.73 msec (90% CI –0.40 to 3.87 msec), which was observed within 30 minutes after dosing, and 11.21 msec (90% CI 8.81–13.60) for moxifloxacin, observed at 4 hours after dosing. No relationship was observed between zanamivir serum concentration and ΔΔQTcF. Zanamivir was generally well tolerated, with very few adverse events; none were serious or severe. Conclusion Intravenous zanamivir does not affect cardiac repolarization. Accordingly, treatment with intravenous zanamivir does not require additional cardiac monitoring beyond the standard of care.
Predicting HLA-Specific Drug Hypersensitivity with Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Adverse drug reactions are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality with estimated annual in-patient costs of over $100 billion in the US alone. A growing number of the most sever adverse reactions, termed idiosyncratic hypersensitivities, are observed to be immune system mediated with genetic associations to specific patient human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. However, the underlying mechanisms of such genetic associations are still unclear. Improved knowledge of these mechanisms is highly desirable for prognosis and prevention as well as the optimal utilization of drug therapies. Recently, we combined in silico and in vitro approach to demonstrate that the antiviral drug abacavir can bind inside the antigen binding cleft of HLA B∗57:01 and alter its specificity for self-peptides presented to T cells. This finding, which has been independently reproduced, supports a new drug induced "altered peptide repertoire model" for HLA-drug associated hypersensitivities and explains the specificity of abacavir for HLA B∗57:01 over other alleles. Here we describe the combined application of structural modeling, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to further examine the generality of this model to additional drugs with known HLA-drug associated hypersensitivities. The predictive power of our in silico approach was evaluated with a benchmark containing mixed drug hypersensitivity associated and unassociated HLA alleles. The critical energetic features of HLA-drug binding were further investigated via molecular dynamics simulations. For abacavir, the antiepileptic drug carbamazepine, and the antihyperuricemic drug allopurinol these simulations identified the variant specific residue-wise determinants of HLA-drug interactions. Our studies represent a first step toward the development of preclinical screening processes that aims to highlight drugs with a high risk of causing drug hypersensitivity.
Surface Tension and Viscosity of Quasicrystal-Forming Ti-Zr-Ni Alloys

Recent X-ray scattering measurements show that icosahedral short-range order in Ti–Zr–Ni alloys is responsible for a change in phase selection from the stable C14 Laves phase to the quasicrystalline icosahedral phase, and that icosahedral short-range order increases at deeper undercoolings. This change in short-range order should be reflected in changes in the thermophysical properties of the melt. The surface tension and viscosity of quasicrystal-forming Ti–Zr–Ni alloys were measured over a range of temperature, including both stable and undercooled liquids, by an electrostatic levitation (ESL) technique. ESL is a containerless technique which allows processing of samples without contact, greatly reducing contamination and increasing access to the metastable undercooled liquid. The measured viscosity is typical of glass-forming alloys of similar composition to the quasicrystal-forming alloys studied here; however, the surface tension shows an anomaly at deep undercoolings.
Double pass amplification of laser radiation at 131 Å

Abstract We report an explicit demonstration of double pass amplification of soft X-ray laser radiation at 131 A, the shortest wavelength demonstration to date. Using efficient ( R =60%), narrowband ( λ Δλ =13 ), normal incidence, multilayer mirrors, double pass amplification was achieved on the 131 A and 132.7 A laser lines of neon-like molybdenum. The laser output was time resolved, exhibiting two distinct temporal components clearly identifiable as the single pass and double pass amplified emission.
Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous: The Role of Spiritual Orientation and AA Member Affiliation

Empirical findings characterizing long-term, committed Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) members are limited, particularly among younger members. The authors studied a sample of 266 highly committed attendees (mean age, 27 years) at an annual conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (YPAA), whose first encounter with AA was 6 years previously. Most (72%) had abused drugs and alcohol, and 36% had never received substance abuse treatment. They now reported a mean duration of abstinence of 44 months and had attended an average of 233 AA meetings in the previous year; 66% had served as AA sponsors, and 92% reported experiencing an AA "spiritual awakening," itself associated with a decreased likelihood of alcohol craving. Scores on AA beliefs, affiliation to other members, and the experience of spiritual awakening were associated with lower depression scores. These findings are discussed to clarify the nature of long-term AA membership.
The duplex traveling-wave klystron

By combining the properties of the klystron and the distributed amplifier, the duplex traveling-wave klystron allows wide-band amplification of high-level microwave power with an efficiency approaching that of an ordinary klystron. The construction and operation of an experimental model are described briefly.
Impact of herbivore-induced plant volatiles on parasitoid foraging success: a spatial simulation of the Cotesia rubecula, Pieris rapae, and Brassica oleracea system.

Many parasitoids are known to use herbivore-induced plant volatiles as cues to locate hosts. However, data are lacking on how much of an advantage a parasitoid can gain from following these plant cues and which factors can limit the value of these cues to the parasitoid. In this study, we simulate the Cotesia rubecula–Pieris rapae–Brassica oleracea system, and ask how many more hosts can a parasitoid attack in a single day of foraging by following plant signals versus randomly foraging. We vary herbivore density, plant response time, parasitoid flight distance, and available host stages to see under which conditions parasitoids benefit from herbivore-induced plant cues. In most of the parameter combinations studied, parasitoids that responded to cues attacked more hosts than those that foraged randomly. Parasitoids following plant cues attacked up to ten times more hosts when they were able to successfully attack herbivores older than first instar; however, if parasitoids were limited to first instar hosts, those following plant cues were at a disadvantage when plants took longer than a day to respond to herbivory. At low herbivore densities, only parasitoids with a larger foraging radius could take advantage of plant cues. Although preference for herbivore-induced volatiles was not always beneficial for a parasitoid, under the most likely natural conditions, the model predicts that C. rubecula gains fitness from following plant cues.
Effect of cycloheximide on mouse sex accessory fructose.

Abstract Cycloheximide (daily × 5) has been demonstrated to inhibit prostate gland fructose levels. Its antagonistic actions were particularly marked in castrate mice, but they were also present in normal mice and in castrate mice receiving simultaneous injections of testosterone. The mechanism of fructose inhibitions was probably mediated directly upon the prostate gland itself and not indirectly via the pituitary gland. The reduction of this accessory gland constituent by cycloheximide does not appear to be due to any inherent estrogenic activity. This compound may be interfering with enzymes important for the synthesis of this hexose.
A new approach to in silico SNP detection and some new SNPs in the Bacillus anthracis genome

Bacillus anthracis is one of the most monomorphic pathogens known. Identification of polymorphisms in its genome is essential for taxonomic classification, for determination of recent evolutionary changes, and for evaluation of pathogenic potency. In this work three strains of the Bacillus anthracis genome are compared and previously unpublished single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are revealed. Moreover, it is shown that, despite the highly monomorphic nature of Bacillus anthracis, the SNPs are (1) abundant in the genome and (2) distributed relatively uniformly across the sequence. The findings support the proposition that SNPs, together with indels and variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs), can be used effectively not only for the differentiation of perfect strain data, but also for the comparison of moderately incomplete, noisy and, in some cases, unknown Bacillus anthracis strains. In the case when the data is of still lower quality, a new DNA sequence fingerprinting approach based on recently introduced markers, based on combinatorial-analytic concepts and called cyclic difference sets, can be used.
A re-evaluation of the combination and adjustment of forecasts

The forecasting literature suggests that forecasts based on different information sets may be combined to produce predictions with greater accuracy than that of the individual forecasts. In addition, it has been suggested that correction for bias and regression components of forecast errors can also improve the accuracy of a forecast by the mean squared error criterion. In this paper two forecasts (univariate time-series and survey forecasts) using vastly different information sets and methodologies are evaluated and compared, and their performance singly, in combination and corrected for bias and regression components of forecast errors is examined. It is found that combined or adjusted forecasts do not necessarily perform better than individual uncorrected forecasts in out-of-sample evaluations.
The Globular Cluster Systems of the Early-Type Galaxies NGC 3379, NGC 4406, and NGC 4594 and Implications for Galaxy Formation

We have investigated the global properties of the globular cluster (GC) systems of three early-type galaxies: the Virgo Cluster elliptical NGC 4406, the field elliptical NGC 3379, and the field S0 galaxy NGC 4594. These galaxies were observed as part of a wide-field CCD survey of the GC populations of a large sample of normal galaxies beyond the Local Group. Images obtained with the Mosaic detector on the Kitt Peak 4 m telescope provide radial coverage to at least 24', or ~70–100 kpc. We use BVR photometry and image classification to select GC candidates and thereby reduce contamination from non-GCs, as well as Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 data to help quantify the contamination that remains. The GC systems of all three galaxies have color distributions with at least two peaks and show modest negative color gradients. The proportions of blue GCs range from 60% to 70% of the total populations. The GC specific frequency (SN) of NGC 4406 is 3.5 ± 0.5, ~20% lower than past estimates and nearly identical to SN for the other Virgo Cluster elliptical included in our survey, NGC 4472. SN for NGC 3379 and NGC 4594 are 1.2 ± 0.3 and 2.1 ± 0.3, respectively; these are similar to past values, but the errors have been reduced by a factor of 2–3. We compare our results for the early-type sample (including NGC 4472) to models for the formation of massive galaxies and their GC systems. Of the scenarios we consider, a hierarchical merging picture, in which metal-poor GCs form at high redshift in protogalactic building blocks and metal-rich GC populations are built up over time during subsequent gas-rich mergers, appears most consistent with the data.
Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on skin-sparing mastectomy and breast reconstruction modalities in 409 patients

Aim: While skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) can be performed in patients with stage II-III breast cancer, the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on SSM rates and reconstructive modalities in these patients is not known. Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2009, 409 immediate breast reconstructions (IBRs) were performed in patients with Stage II-III breast cancer. Data were collected on preoperative, operative, and postoperative factors. Results: There was a statistically significant relationship between clinical stage of disease and the utilization of SSM or non-SSM ( P P vs . 3.1 cm, P P = 0.001, P Conclusion: We are increasingly considering NAC to be an important tool to potentially reduce the morbidity of mastectomy, including the need to resect breast skin, which can subsequently enhance reconstructive outcomes in patients with clinical stage II and III breast cancer. Specifically, our data suggest that NAC patients with stage II and III breast cancer and larger tumors can reliably and safely undergo SSM in nearly half of cases, thus improving reconstructive outcomes and patient well-being.
The Role of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Mechanisms in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease: Focus on Astrocytes

Neuroinflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Epidemiologic, animal, human, and therapeutic studies support the role of oxidative stress and inflammatory cascade in initiation and progression of PD. In Parkinson's disease pathophysiology, activated glia affects neuronal injury and death through production of neurotoxic factors like glutamate, S100B, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandins, and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. As disease progresses, inflammatory secretions engage neighboring cells, including astrocytes and endothelial cells, resulting in a vicious cycle of autocrine and paracrine amplification of inflammation leading to neurodegeneration. The exact mechanism of these inflammatory mediators in the disease progression is still poorly understood. In this review, we highlight and discuss the mechanisms of oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators by which they contribute to the disease progression. Particularly, we focus on the altered role of astroglial cells that presumably initiate and execute dopaminergic neurodegeneration in PD. In conclusion, we focus on the molecular mechanism of neurodegeneration, which contributes to the basic understanding of the role of neuroinflammation in PD pathophysiology.
Linear Growth and Bone Maturation Are Unaffected by 1 Year of Therapy With Inhaled Flunisolide Hydrofluoroalkane in Prepubescent Children With Mild Persistent Asthma: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

GW Bensch, LS Greos, S Gawchik, E Kpamegan, KB Newman. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2011;107(4):323–329 To determine the effect of flunisolide hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) on growth velocity and bone maturation in prepubescent children with mild persistent asthma. A total of 249 children (Tanner stage ≤1) aged 4 to 10 years, with mild intermittent asthma, were randomized to flunisolide hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) ( n = 122) or to placebo ( n = 127). At study completion, 218 met criteria for inclusion in efficacy analysis (at least 3 measurements of post-baseline height). This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, …
A note on input separability in multifamily housing

Separability of land from structures is implied in much of the economics of housing research. This research tests for the separation of labor and material inputs from land in the construction of multifamily housing using traditional and AGEM translog cost specifications. Although the calculated and generally inelastic land for labor and land for material elasticities of substitution are suggestive of separability, imposition of separability on the functional forms is rejected—though barely—at the 5% level. The results also indicate robustness of the traditional translog parameter estimates.
A comparative study of probability collectives based multi-agent systems and genetic algorithms

We compare Genetic Algorithms (GA's) with Probability Collectives (PC), a new framework for distributed optimization and control. In contrast to GA's, PC-based methods do not update populations of solutions. Instead they update an explicitly parameterized probability distribution p over the space of solutions. That updating of p arises as the optimization of a functional of p. The functional is chosen so that any p that optimizes it should be p peaked about good solutions. The PC approach has deep connections with both game theory and statistical physics. We review the PC approach using its motivation as the information theoretic formulation of bounded rationality for multi-agent systems (MAS). It is then compared with GA's on a diverse set of problems. To handle high dimensional surfaces, in the PC method investigated here p is restricted to a product distribution. Each distribution in that product is controlled by a separate agent. The test functions were selected for their difficulty using either traditional gradient descent or genetic algorithms. On those functions the PC-based approach significantly outperforms traditional GA's in both rate of descent, trapping in false minima, and long term optimization.
A novel artifact for testing large coordinate measuring machines

We present a high-accuracy artifact useful for the evaluation of large CMMs. This artifact can be physically probed by the CMM in contrast to conventional techniques that use such purely optical methods as laser interferometers. The system can be used over large distances; for example, over 4 meters, with an uncertainty of less than one part per million. The artifact is relatively inexpensive, robust for use in reasonable industrial environments, and significantly reduces testing time over traditional step gauge measurements.
DEADLINER: building a new niche search engine

We present DEADLINER, a search engine that catalogs conference and workshop announcements, and ultimately will monitor and extract a wide range of academic convocation material from the web. The system currently extracts speakers, locations, dates, paper submission (and other) deadlines, topics, program committees, abstracts, and aAEliations. A user or user agent can perform detailed searches on these elds. DEADLINER was constructed using a methodology for rapid implementation of specialized search engines. This methodology avoids complex hand-tuned text extraction solutions, or natural language processing, by Bayesian integration of simple extractors that exploit loose formatting and keyw ord con ventions. The Bayesian framework further produces a search engine where each user can control the false alarm rate on a eld in an intuitive yet rigorous fashion.
Germ line variants of human N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase show impaired DNA repair activity and facilitate 1,N6-ethenoadenine-induced mutations.

Human N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase (hMPG) initiates base excision repair of a number of structurally diverse purine bases including 1,N6-ethenoadenine, hypoxanthine, and alkylation adducts in DNA. Genetic studies discovered at least eight validated non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) of the hMPG gene in human populations that result in specific single amino acid substitutions. In this study, we tested the functional consequences of these nsSNPs of hMPG. Our results showed that two specific arginine residues, Arg-141 and Arg-120, are important for the activity of hMPG as the germ line variants R120C and R141Q had reduced enzymatic activity in vitro as well as in mammalian cells. Expression of these two variants in mammalian cells lacking endogenous MPG also showed an increase in mutations and sensitivity to an alkylating agent compared with the WT hMPG. Real time binding experiments by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy suggested that these variants have substantial reduction in the equilibrium dissociation constant of binding (KD) of hMPG toward 1,N6-ethenoadenine-containing oligonucleotide (ϵA-DNA). Pre-steady-state kinetic studies showed that the substitutions at arginine residues affected the turnover of the enzyme significantly under multiple turnover condition. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy further showed that both variants had significantly decreased nonspecific (undamaged) DNA binding. Molecular modeling suggested that R141Q substitution may have resulted in a direct loss of the salt bridge between ϵA-DNA and hMPG, whereas R120C substitution redistributed, at a distance, the interactions among residues in the catalytic pocket. Together our results suggest that individuals carrying R120C and R141Q MPG variants may be at risk for genomic instability and associated diseases as a consequence.
Effect of ACTH-induced hypercortisolemia on the EEG in patients with stress-related epilepsy

Abstract Purpose We assess the effect of acute hypercortisolemia induced by ACTH stimulation on seizures and EEG interictal spike activity in patients with localization-related epilepsy (LRE) and stress-related seizures. Methods Seven patients (3 males, 4 females) with LRE and stress-related seizures were studied. All patients underwent ACTH stimulation with 0.25–0.75 mg Cosyntropin intravenously at 8 am . Serum cortisol and ACTH levels were monitored half- to one-hourly for 4 to 6 hours. Video/EEG monitoring was also performed. Results ACTH injection induced hypercortisolemia in all patients. Hypercortisolemia was not associated with seizures or interictal spike facilitation in any patient. Two patients experienced seizures on the day of ACTH injection, one 8 hours after and another 15 and 12 hours after the injection, during a period when their cortisol levels had returned to normal. Conclusion No reproducible interictal EEG changes occurred in any of the patients following ACTH injection.
On certain maximal functions and approach regions

If f E L’(iR”) and u(x, y) is the Poisson integral of J; a classical theorem of Fatou [2] asserts that u has nontangential limits almost everywhere on R”. Littlewood [5], and later Zygmund [9], showed that this conclusion is false if nontangential approach is replaced by approach along translates of a curve which approaches the boundary tangentially. In this paper we find a necessary and sufficient condition on an approach region for the associated maximal function to be appropriately bounded. It then turns out that there are many approach regions which are not contained in any nontangential region but for which the conclusions of Fatou’s theorem remain true. Suppose Q c IR:+ ’ has the property that whenever (xi, u,) E B and whenever [x -x, [ < y y, it follows that (x, v) E Q. Then the maximal function associated to such a set is bounded if and only if the cross-sectional measure at height y is bounded by a constant times y”. We also study regions where the cross-sectional area is larger than y”. We introduce a modified maximal function which is again bounded. This result leads to a simple proof of the boundedness of certain tangential maximal functions of Poisson integrals of potentials studied in 161. The plan of this paper is as follows: In Section 1, we motivate our main ideas by discussing two particular examples. The method of proof here is somewhat different from the proofs of the more general results. In Section 2, we obtain the necessary and sufficient conditions for Fatou’s theorem. In Section 3, we study more general approach regions, and the appropriately modified maximal functions. In Section 4, we show how this maximal function controls the tangential boundary behavior of Poisson integrals of potentials.
Beyond the Potential Energy Surface: Ab initio Corrections to the Born-Oppenheimer Approximation for H2O†

It is customary when computing ro−vibrational transitions in molecules to invoke the Born−Oppenheimer separation between nuclear and electronic motion. However, it is known from accurate calculations on H2+ and H2 that the first-order (diagonal adiabatic) and second-order (nonadiabatic) corrections are not negligible and are both important. In the present work, we have made an ab initio implementation of the Bunker and Moss formalism for the nonadiabatic correction and applied it to H2 and H2O. From comparison to accurate calculations for H2, we find that we can obtain good results for the nonadiabatic correction using CI singles to treat the electronically excited states if we scale the results, but we must go beyond the SCF approximation to obtain an accurate diagonal adiabatic correction. For H2O, we find that the first-order correction is more important than the second-order correction for bending energy levels, but the second-order correction is more important than the first-order correction for stre...
Modeling of Shear Heating in Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of Piston Skirts by Considering Different Viscosity Oils in Initial Engine Start Up

The presence of fully established elastohydrodynamic lubricating (EHL) film between piston skirt and cylinder liner during normal engine operation prevents adhesive wear, piston noise and slap. The absence of EHL in the initial engine start up fails to prevent the same. During normal engine operation, thermal loading due to combustion dominates piston skirts lubrication. However, in a few initial cold engine start up cycles, shear heating may be assumed to considerably affect the lubricant viscosity and other characteristics. This study undertakes a 2-D EHL modeling of piston lubrication by incorporating shear heating effects due to lubricant flow between skirts and liner surfaces. The EHL film profile is predicted by solving the 2-D Reynolds equation using inverse solution technique and the finite difference method in fully flooded lubrication conditions. The temperature distribution within oil film is given by using the 2-D transient thermal energy equation with heat generated by viscous heating. The numerical analysis is based on energy equation having adiabatic conduction and convective heat transfer with no source term effects. The study is extended to a number of engine lubricants having different viscosities to investigate the extent of adverse effects due to temperature rise on load carrying capacity of lubricants. Numerical simulations show that piston eccentricities, film thickness profiles, hydrodynamic and EHL pressures visibly change when using different viscosity grade engine lubricants. This study suggests that a lubricant of appropriate viscosity can be optimized keeping in view the vulnerability of piston skirts and cylinder liner to adhesive wear at the time of initial engine start up.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
A Superplasticity Theory based on Dynamic Grain Growth

The linear relation between dynamic grain growth rate and strain rate appears to be constant across all superplastic materials—regardless of whether the system examined is metallic or ceramic, and regardless of the stress exponent exhibited during deformation. The simplicity and universality of the dynamic grain growth law suggest it might be useful as a foundation for a theory for superplasticity. One attempt at such a theory is presented. It is argued that stress leads to the development of anisotropic grain shapes that then require recovery through directionally biased grain growth events. Once this mathematical relationship between stress and grain growth rate is developed, it is inserted into the existing dynamic grain growth - strain rate law to arrive at a phenomenological law for superplasticity.
Insolubilization of hydroxyproline-rich cell wall glycoprotein in aerated carrot root slices

The hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein of plant cell walls is secreted from the cytoplasm as a soluble monomer which slowly becomes insolubilized. A tyrosine derivative, isodityrosine, is formed in the cell wall during this insolubilization and could serve as a protein-protein crosslink. Glycoprotein insolubilization is inhibited by peroxidase inhibitors and free radical scavengers, the most effective of which is L-ascorbate. These data support a hypothesis that the hydroxyproline-rich cell wall glycoprotein forms a covalently crosslinked wall network under the control of an extracellular peroxidase/ascorbate oxidase system.
Is magnetic field due to an electric current a relativistic effect

Several authors have asserted that the magnetic field due to an electric current is a relativistic effect. This assertion is based on the fact that if one assumes that the interaction between electric charges is entirely due to the electric field, then the relativistic force transformation equations make it imperative that a second field - the magnetic field - is present when the charges are moving. However, as is shown in this paper, if one assumes that the interaction between moving electric charges is entirely due to the magnetic field, then the same relativistic force transformation equations make it imperative that a second field - this time the electric field - is also present. Therefore, since it is impossible to interpret both the electric and the magnetic field as relativistic effects, one must conclude that neither field is a relativistic effect. The true meaning of the calculations demonstrating the alleged relativistic nature of the magnetic field and of the calculations presented in this paper is, therefore, that the idea of a single force field, be it magnetic or electric, is incompatible with the relativity theory. Il'y a l'opinion que le champ magnetique du courant electrique est un effet relativiste. La base de cette opinion est que si on accept que l'interaction entre des charges electrique depend seulement du champ electrique, et si les charges sont en mouvement, les equations relativistes de transformation des forces demandent la presance d'un deuxieme champ - du champ magnetique. On demontre ici que si l'on presume que l'interaction entre des charges electriques dependent seulement d'un champ magnetique, les meme equations de transformation des forces relativistes rendent necessaire la presance d'un deuxieme champ, mais cette fois du champ electrique. Cela montre que ni l'un ni l'autre de ces champs est un effet relativiste puisqu'il est impossible d'interpreter les deux champs en meme temps comme des effets relativistes. La vrais signification des calculs qui semble indiquer la nature relativiste du champs magnetique, comme des calculs presantees ci-dessous, est que l'existence d'un seul champ, que ce sois electrique ou magnetique, n'est pas compatible avec la theorie de relativite.
A Study on Voltage Reference Buffers for Low Voltage Switched Capacitor Data Converters

Voltage reference buffers published in recent years for application to low-voltage switched-capacitor data converters are analyzed and compared in terms of power efficiency, settling behavior and power supply rejection. Design trade-offs are discussed. A novel switched-capacitor biased voltage reference buffer which is ideal for over- sampling ADCs is proposed and analyzed. This novel structure combines power efficiency, stability in settling, and high PSRR in low frequency.
Morphological alteration of temporal lobe gray matter in dyslexia: an MRI study.

Functional imaging studies of developmental dyslexia have reported reduced task-related neural activity in the temporal and inferior parietal cortices. To examine the possible contribution of subtle anatomic deviations to these reductions, volumes were measured for the major lobes of the brain, the subcortical nuclei, cerebellum, and lateral ventricles on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from 16 right-handed dyslexic men, ages 18 to 40, and 14 matched controls, most of whom had previously undergone PET imaging. A specific decrease in tissue volume was localized to the temporal lobes and was particularly prominent on the left (p < .01). An analysis of tissue composition revealed that this reduction was primarily attributable to decreased gray matter within the left temporal lobe (p < .002). Further segmentation of the temporal lobe showed that this reduction was not confined to the superior temporal gyrus, the primary location of primary auditory cortex. Reductions of temporal lobe gray matter may reflect a regional decrease in neuronal number or neuropil, which in turn may result in reading impairment.
SPORE WALL FORMATION IN THE MYXOMYCETE PHYSARELLA OBLONGA

A B S T R A C T The spore wall of the myxomycete, Physarella oblonga, requires only 1 hr to develop. The spore wall surface ornamentations, the warts, are secreted first, followed by an outer electrondense layer and an inner electron-lucent layer. A measurement analysis was conducted to determine if vesicles were involved in wall elaboration. By comparing spore plasmalemma length to the number of fused vesicles, a semi-quantitative analysis can be obtained. The determination reveals that very few vesicles are associated with wart and outer wall development. The greatest number of vesicles are associated with inner wall secretion. Plasmalemmasomes are most numerous during outer wall formation and Golgi bodies are observed only during inner wall elaboration. Other organelles do not seem directly involved in wall secretion. ULTRASTRUCTURAL INVESTIGATIONS of myxomy
Antitumor agents. 169. Dysoxylum cumingianum. V. Cumingianosides P and Q, new cytotoxic triterpene glucosides with an apotirucallane-type skeleton from Dysoxylum cumingianum

Detailed chemical studies on the cytotoxic fraction from the leaves of Dysoxylum cumingianum have resulted in the isolation of two new triterpene glucosides, cumingianosides P (18) and Q (19), with an apotirucallane-type skeleton. The structures of 18 and 19 were determined by spectral examinations, and by conversion of cumingianosides C (3) and A (1) into 18 and 19, respectively. The cytotoxicities of cumingianosides P and Q against over 50 human cancer cell lines were evaluated. Cumingianoside P exhibited significant (EC50 10 μM) against most of the remaining cancer cell lines.
Adducts of Thianthrene- and Phenoxathiin Cation Radical Salts with Symmetrical Alkynes. Structure and Formation of Cumulenes on Alumina Leading to α-Diketones, α-Hydroxyalkynes, and α-Acetamidoalkynes

Thianthrene cation radical tetrafluoroborate (Th•+BF4-) added to 2-butyne, 3-hexyne, 4-octyne, and 5-decyne in MeCN to form trans bisadducts R(Th+)CC(Th+)R, where R = Me, Et, Pr, Bu (7a−d). Phenoxathiin cation radical tetrafluoroborate (PO•+BF4-) added similarly to the last three alkynes to form adducts R(PO+)CC(PO+)R, 8b−d. Cyclic monoadducts were not found. The trans structures of 7 and 8 were deduced with X-ray crystallography (7c) and NMR spectroscopy. When solutions of adducts in CHCl3 and MeCN were deposited on activated alumina, elimination of thianthrene (Th) and phenoxathiin (PO) occurred almost quantitatively. Detailed studies with (7b−d) indicated that a cumulene (15) was formed by the elimination of Th and that 15 was subsequently converted into small amounts of other products. In CHCl3, these products were the respective alkyne, thianthrene 5-oxide, an α-diketone (11), an α-hydroxyalkyne (12), and hydrogen. The same products were formed in MeCN along with an α-acetamidoalkyne (13). The format...
FGFR activation in skeletal disorders: too much of a good thing

Abstract During the past two years, a growing number of mutations have been identified in three of the four members of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) family as causing autosomal dominant disorders of skeletal and cranial development. These mutations map to the extracellular domain, the transmembrane domain, or the tyrosine kinase domain of these receptors. Recent studies demonstrate that a common mechanism, constitutive activation of receptor signaling, underlies most, if not all, of these disorders. This suggests a normal role for FGFRs in the negative regulation of bone growth.
A complex potential-variational formulation for thermo-mechanical buckling analysis of flat laminates with an elliptic cutout

Abstract A semi-analytical method is developed for pre-buckling and buckling analyses of thin, symmetrically laminated composite panels with an elliptical cutout at an arbitrary location and orientation under general thermo-mechanical loading conditions. Both the pre-buckling and buckling analyses are based on the principle of stationary potential energy utilizing complex potential functions and complete polynomials. The complex potential functions capture the steep stress gradients and local deformations around the cutout, and the “complete” polynomials improve the global buckling response of the laminate. The complex potential functions in the pre-buckling state automatically satisfy the in-plane equilibrium equations, thus reducing the first variation of the total potential energy in terms of line integrals only. Because the complex potential functions for out-of-plane displacements are augmented by the “complete” polynomials, the area integral terms in the second variation of the total potential energy, referred to as the Treftz criterion, are retained in the buckling analysis. The kinematic boundary conditions are idealized by employing extensional and rotational springs (elastic restraints) with appropriate stiffness values. Based on the numerous validation problems, this analysis is proven credible for predicting the buckling load of rectangular and non-rectangular panels with a cutout.
Convergence of Newton's and Halley's methods in the complex plane

In this note the convergence behaviour of both Newton's and Halley's methods for a general quadratic function in the complex plane is investigated. It is concluded that both methods exhibit similar convergence behaviour in this case.
Correlation between immunologic function and clinical subpopulations of patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Abstract The present study was designed to determine whether there was a significant correlation between the clinical presentation of patients with AIDS or AIDS-related illnesses and the degree of their underlying immunologic abnormalities. In 17 patients who presented with opportunistic infections, the mean number of T4 lymphocytes was 34/mm 3 and the mean proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin 26,000 cpm; in 12 patients who presented with Kaposi's sarcoma alone, the mean number of T4 cells was 231/mm 3 and the mean proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin, 32,809 cpm; and in nine patients with the lymphadenopathy syndrome, the mean number of T4 cells was 703/mm 3 and the mean proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin, 49,317 cpm. These findings suggest that those patients who present with opportunistic infections as their initial clinical manifestation of AIDS may represent a subgroup with a more severe immunologic derangement prior to clinical diagnosis. Thus, In those who have a predisposition to Kaposi's sarcoma, this disease will often develop, prior to the development of T cell dysfunction, to the degree of that in those who present with opportunistic infections. This finding is of importance in attempts to understand the pathogenesis of this syndrome and in the design of therapeutic trials.
Family Business Management Activities, Styles and Characteristics: A Correlational Study

In the literature of family business, certain management activities, styles and characteristics have been most frequently examined. Yet no prior research focusing on the relationship between these family businesses variables has been found. This is a survey‐research correlation study of 149 family businesses. Of the twelve variables studied, twenty of the sixty‐six correlations were found to be significant. Major findings are the consistent use of professional management activities, styles and characteristics in family businesses, and that using non‐family members within top management does not significantly increase the professionalism of management of such businesses.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from Primary Blast vs. Blunt Forces: Post-Concussion Consequences and Functional Neuroimaging (P01.178)

Objective: This study investigated changes in functional health and well-being, cognition, and functional neuroimaging among Iraq/Afghanistan veterans who sustained pure blast-force mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), as compared to those who sustained pure blunt-force mTBI. The aim was to document post-concussion consequences and associated changes in cerebral metabolism from mTBI due to blast forces. Background Injuries from blast forces are a hallmark of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and may cause undetected neurological dysfunction from mTBI. The effects of primary blast overpressure on the brain have been difficult to clarify because of complications, such as secondary and tertiary blast effects and comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Design/Methods: Inclusion criteria included presence of pure blast or blunt injury, absence of PTSD, and between 6-36 months post-trauma. The Blast Group (n=12) and the Blunt Group (n=12) underwent assessments of well-being, cognition, and resting fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET). Results: There were no group differences on mTBI-related variables, the Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire (RPQ), or the SF36-V Health Survey. Both groups, however, did worse than published norms on the RPQ and SF36-V, and the Blast Group had additional worse SF36-V subscale scores on Bodily Pain and Social Functioning. Compared to the Blunt Group, the Blast Group had poorer scores on the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and greater PET hypometabolism in the right superior parietal region. Only the Blast Group had significant correlations of their RPQ, SF36-V Mental Composite Score, and PASAT scores with specific regional metabolic changes. Conclusions: Together these results suggest that pure blast force mTBI has post-concussion consequences. Blast mTBI may cause deficits in well-being, possibly from an altered bodily self-image, and in attentional control. These changes are associated with regional changes in cerebral metabolism, particularly hypometabolism in the right hemisphere. Supported by: Department of Veteran9s Affairs Grant. Disclosure: Dr. Mendez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Licht has nothing to disclose. Dr. Berenji has nothing to disclose. Dr. Peppers has nothing to disclose.