cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multidimensional contact moduli of elastically anisotropic solids

Effective moduli of elastically anisotropic solids under normal and tangential contacts are derived using the Stroh formalism and the two-dimensional Fourier transform. Each Fourier component corresponds to a plane field in the plane spanned by the surface normal and a wavevector, the solution of which only involves an algebraic eigenvalue problem. Exact solutions are obtained for indenters described by parabolae of revolution, which are found to be a good approximation for arbitrary axisymmetric indenters.
A study of nucleotide sequence homology between strains of tobacco mosaic virus

Abstract Nucleotide sequence similarities between the genomes of strains of tobacco mosaic virus have been assessed by a competition-hybridization test. It was found that strains fall into several groups with nucleotide sequences being indistinguishable within a group and without similarity between groups. The strains fall into the same groups whether these are based on capsid protein properties or on nucleotide sequence homology. The two groups represented by strains U1 and dahlemense have capsid proteins which are the most alike of any of the intergroup comparisons, having differences in only 29 or 18% of the 158 sequential amino acid positions and, yet, their nucleic acids show no homology in the competition-hybridization test. Rabbit and mouse globins differ to about the same extent as U1 and dahlemense capsid protein, but in this case, considerable homology has been detected between their genes (Gummerson, R. S., and Williamson, R., Nature (London) 297, 265–267, 1974). Possible reasons for the difference in the two systems are discussed.
On the Heat Convection Equations with Dissipation Term in Regions with Moving Boundaries

We consider an initial value problem for a system of equations describing the motion and the heat convection in a viscous and incompressible fluid which occupies a smooth region Ω t ⊂ R 3 depending on time. In the equation for the distribution of temperature in the fluid we take into account not only the convective term but also the term responsible for the dissipation of energy. We prove local in time existence and uniqueness of solutions of the considered problem, and global in time existence for sufficiently small data.
Erratum to: Mechanisms by which HIV envelope minimizes immunogenicity

The online version of the original article can be found under doi:10.1007/s12026-010-8178-6. H. Jiang C. G. Hester M. M. Frank (&) Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA e-mail: frank007@mc.duke.edu L. Liao M. M. Frank Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA D. C. Montefiori M. M. Frank Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA D. C. Montefiori Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
Novel insights into the function of β-cell M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors: therapeutic implications

Impaired function of pancreatic β-cells is one of the hallmarks of type 2 diabetes. β-cell function is regulated by the activity of many hormones and neurotransmitters, which bind to specific cell surface receptors. The M 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) belongs to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors and, following ligand dependent activation, selectively activates G proteins of the G q/11 family. Recent studies with M3R mutant mice strongly suggest that β-cell M3Rs play a central role in promoting insulin release and maintaining correct glucose homeostasis. In this review, we highlight recent studies indicating that β-cell M3Rs and components of downstream signaling pathways might represent promising new targets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
DETERMINATION OF PARAMETERS OF A FUNCTIONAL RELATION BY FACTOR ANALYSIS

Consideration is given to determination of parameters of a functional relation between two variables by the means of factor analysis techniques. If the function can be separated into a sum of products of functions of the individual parameters and corresponding functions of the independent variable, particular values of the functions of the parameters and of the functions of the independent variables might be found by factor analysis. Otherwise approximate solutions may be determined. These solutions may represent important results from experimental investigations.
A LOW COMPLEXITY SPECK-BASED CODEC FOR MULTISPECTRAL FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPIC IMAGES

The distortion scalable wavelet based coder SPECK is widely referred to in literature as achieving excellent coding performance with very low computational complexity compared to other state-of-the-art encoders. In this paper, we propose a 3D extension to SPECK designed for lossless coding of lowSNR fluorescence microscopic multispectral images by joining and encoding together different wavelet subbands. The idea is based on an observation that in comparison to other image types, fluorescence images have a larger proportion of energy concentrated in the lowest frequency subbands, whereas the energy inside higher frequency subbands constitute a considerably small portion. Also, subbands at the same level of wavelet-transformed image are found to be highly correlated. Consequently, encoding higher subbands by grouping them together in a single block results in a considerable bit saving. In order to maximize the block size of coefficients that can be encoded together, a new set type is introduced. The proposed technique applied to test multispectral microscopic images demonstrates a significant bit savings.
Responses of the melanophores of the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator, to drugs affecting noradrenergic neurotransmission: Further evidence for norepinephrine as a neurotransmitter triggering release of melanin-dispersing hormone

Abstract 1. The effects on the melanophores of the fiddler crab, U ca pugilator , prazosin which blocks α 1 -adrenoceptors, yohimbine which is an α 2 -adrenoceptor blocker, phentolamine which blocks both types of α-adrenoceptors and nisoxetine which inhibits norepinephrine uptake were determined. 2. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that norepinephrine is the neurotransmitter which triggers release of melanin-dispersing hormone in U. pugilator .
Theories and Models of Technological Change: Semantics and Substance

Like many historians of technology, I experience a certain amount of culture shock when I read articles such as those collected in this issue of Science, Technology, & Human Values. Analysis of technology in the hands of the European social scientists gathered here proceeds in a very different style from what I am accustomed to. It is more theoretical and abstract. It employs special vocabularies. It asks different questions. And, as Wiebe Bijker has said, it eschews the "continuous time dimension" so "beloved" of historians.1 The vocabulary alone is enough to disconcert the most resolute student. Every article introduces words and terms that are new to me. In Johan Schot's article I find "hard, structured selection environment," "technological nexus," "boundary-spanning roles," "strategic niche management" from Arie Rip, and "script, or scenario" from Madeleine Akrich. Knut S0rensen and Nora Levold limit themselves to "meso level" and "decomposability," but Iskender Gokalp indulges in "social communication spaces," "borderland situations," "ensemble effect," "intersection area," "technostructures," and "bracketing." Speaking for this genre of scholarship as a whole, Bijker goes so far as to assert, as a positive good, that "the old vocabulary ... has been demolished,"2 leaving the reader to wonder about a common ground for discourse. But there is common ground here, in spite of the novel language. Behind the differences of style and terminology, one also detects certain ideas and concepts that sound familiar. Second thought reveals that many of the terms introduced in these essays have long been familiar in the historical literature under different rubrics. Some parallels will make the point. Schot's technological nexus turns out, as he freely admits, to be similar to Susan Douglas's "translator,"3 and Douglas had the term from Hugh G. J. Aitken.4 Interestingly enough, Schot's term is also similar to Aitken's "technological gate-
The restriction of a Borel equivalence relation to a sparse set

We consider sparseness, smoothness and the Glimm-Effros Dichotomy for the restriction of a Borel equivalence relation on a Polish space to definable subsets of that space.
Acoustic resonance in plate heat exchangers

Abstract A `whistling' sound, which develops under transient conditions in some automobile air conditioning systems equipped with plate type evaporators, was identified as acoustic resonance. The `whistle' was reproduced in the laboratory under steady-state conditions. Testing of these heat exchangers was done first with R134a and then with nitrogen. Nitrogen testing proved to be much faster and easier and provided results comparable to the results obtained using R134a. The evidence presented in this work suggests that the acoustic resonance in this type of heat exchanger is similar in nature to the acoustic resonance problems reported for tube array in duct type heat exchangers. This is to the authors' knowledge the first time that acoustic resonance problems have been reported in the literature for plate heat exchangers.
Effect of chronic dissection on early and late outcomes after descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.

Objective Although chronic aortic dissection (CD) has traditionally been considered a predictor of perioperative morbidity and mortality after descending thoracic/thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair (thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm [TAA]), recent reports have rejected this assertion. Still, few contemporary studies document late outcomes after TAA for CD, which is the goal of this study. Methods From August 1987 to December 2005, 480 patients underwent TAA; 73 (15%) CD and 407 (85%) degenerative aneurysms (DA). Operative management consisted of a clamp-and-sew technique with adjuncts in 53 (78%) CD and 355 (93%) DA patients ( P P = .007). Study end points included perioperative SCI/mortality, freedom from reintervention, and long-term survival. Results CD patients were younger (mean age 64.5 years CD vs 72.5 years DA, P P P = .001). Eleven (15%) CD patients had Marfan's syndrome (vs 0% DA, P P P P = .52), nor was there a difference in flaccid paralysis, which occurred in five (7%) CD and 22 (5%) DA patients ( P = .92). At 5 years, 70% of CD patients were free from reintervention versus 74% of DA ( P = .36). The actuarial survival was 53% and 32% at 5 and 10 years for CD versus 47% and 17% for DA ( P = .07). Conclusions Despite increased operative complexity, CD does not appear to increase perioperative SCI or mortality after TAA when compared with DA. Long-term freedom from aneurysm-related reintervention is similar for both groups as is survival, despite patients with CD being of younger age at presentation.
On the relationship between clear-sky planetary and surface albedos

Abstract Based on simulations, a simple linear relationship is derived between planetary albedo and the surface albedo for the case of clear skies. This relationship enables one to estimate the planetary albedo, given only the surface albedo, and vice versa. The standard error of estimate is 0.028. The estimation of planetary albedo from surface albedo is checked by comparing zonally averaged clear-sky planetary albedos estimated from zonally averaged surface albedos, to satellite determinations of zonally averaged minimum albedos for monthly mean conditions. The minimum albedos are assumed to be representative of the clear-sky planetary albedos. The results show root-mean square differences of 0.05 between the estimated clear-sky planetary albedos and them albedos. More accurate relationships can be obtained if one uses an additional parameter-the solar zenith angle. In this case, the standard errors of estimate are reduced to 0.017 for a zenith angle of 0°,0/018 for a zenith angle of 60° and 0.021 for a...
Cell biology: Skin care by keratins

Keratin proteins perform several functions in skin cells, including those of providing mechanical support and protection against injury. But it seems they also have a more active part to play in healing wounds.
Purification of CdTe from, tellurium-rich solutions

Cadmium telluride was grown from tellurium-rich solutions from 600 ‡C to 900 ‡C. Significant purification occurred during growth. Impurities were intentionally-incorporated into the starting materials and the segregation coefficients were measured. Values at 880 ‡C were Hg - 0.3, Zn - 4, S - 4, Se - 2, O ≈0.02, In - 0.06, Al ≈ 0.1, B <1, Tl <0.01, Co - 0.03, Au - 0.1, Ag - 0. 009, Li - 0. 3, Na ≈0.01, K ≈0. 01, Cl ≈0.005, I <0. 5, Pb < 0.005, C ≈0. 5, N ≈0.4, Bi < 0.001, Mg - 1.5, Pt < 0.01, Cr < 1.
Coupled-channel analysis of the 4.71 MeV d52 analogue resonance in the 90Zr(p, po)90Zr reaction

Abstract The ground state d 5 2 isobaric analogue resonance for the 90 Zr(p, p 0 ) 90 Zr reaction has been studied. Analysis of the data was carried out by means of a direct coupled-channels solution of the Lane equations. The effect of compound elastic scattering is shown to be important.
On Being Jewish at a Jesuit University: Reflections on Organizational Cultures

This article provides reflections on the intersection of religion, identity, occupation, and organizational culture as it occurred in my professional life.
NKCC2A and NFAT5 regulate renal TNF production induced by hypertonic NaCl intake.

Pathways that contribute to TNF production by the kidney are not well defined. Mice given 1% NaCl in the drinking water for 3 days exhibited a 2.5-fold increase in urinary, but not plasma, TNF leve...
PyNSol: objects as scaffolding

The author presents a design for a software framework in which object-orientation is used intensively during the construction of an executable but where there is no runtime presence of objects at all. Indeed, they can't be present because the final executable will be compiled and linked from Fortran 77 source. This counterintuitive strategy emerges from the problem domain and its constraints; it is presented here both for its intrinsic interest and for the new light it sheds on how object-orientation can be useful in scientific programming. The hypothesis presented here isn't that object-oriented programming is generally inappropriate - rather, the author proposes that the effective use of object techniques is a consequence of good design, not a precondition for it. PyNSol, the Pythonic Numeric Solver is an application development environment for finite difference and finite volume numerical methods. PyNSol is targeted to support researchers in the environmental sciences, but it could also be useful in other settings. PyNSol is discussed here primarily as an example of an alternative approach to scientific computing.
Wingless signaling induces widespread chromatin remodeling of target loci.

How signaling cascades influence gene regulation at the level of chromatin modification is not well understood. We studied this process using the Wingless/Wnt pathway in Drosophila. When cells sense Wingless ligand, Armadillo (the fly β-catenin) becomes stabilized and translocates to the nucleus, where it binds to the sequence-specific DNA binding protein TCF to activate transcription of target genes. Here, we show that Wingless signaling induces TCF and Armadillo recruitment to a select subset of TCF binding site clusters that act as Wingless response elements. Despite this localized TCF/Armadillo recruitment, histones are acetylated over a wide region (up to 30 kb) surrounding the Wingless response elements in response to pathway activation. This widespread histone acetylation occurs independently of transcription. In contrast to Wingless targets, other active genes not regulated by the pathway display sharp acetylation peaks centered on their core promoters. Widespread acetylation of Wingless targets is dependent upon CBP, a histone acetyltransferase known to bind to Armadillo and is correlated with activation of target gene expression. These data suggest that pathway activation induces localized recruitment of TCF/Armadillo/CBP to Wingless response elements, leading to widespread histone acetylation of target loci prior to transcriptional activation.
Passive current transfer in wildtype and genetically modified Drosophila motoneuron dendrites

As dendritic branching order increases, integration of elec-trical signals is increasingly influenced by dendritic geom-etry regardless of active membrane properties [1]. Studiesbased on current-transfer measures suggest that changesin input resistance can contribute to optimize transfer ofpostsynaptic currents [2]. Optimization occurs when thevoltage attenuation factor and input conductance are lin-early related independently of input location. Multi-com-partment passive models from detailed dendriticbranching structures of the Drosophila motoneuron,MN5, were constructed to start characterizing the relation-ship between dendritic geometry, signal propagation andspiking output in neurons. MN5 has a monopolar struc-ture, with a main neurite giving rise to the axon and dif-ferent highly branched dendritic subtrees. Current transferwas characterized as a function of axial resistance for dif-ferent morphological phenotypes as induced by differentgenetic manipulations. Experimental estimations of axialresistance in MN5 and in other neurons [3] cover a widerange of values (ca. 45–400 Ohms/cm). Our results fromwild type dendritic trees show a linear relationshipbetween input conductance and attenuation factor foraxial resistances in the lower range. However, optimiza-tion is lost when axial resistance is large (see Figure 1), butstill within physiological ranges. Nevertheless, when eachsubtree is considered in isolation, the optimization prin-ciple holds for a wide range of axial resistances, suggestingthat the dendritic structure in MN5 supports independentcomputation in separate subtrees. Furthermore, differentdendritic geometries can be induced by genetic manipula-tions of K
The effect of polyphosphates and magnesium on the mechanical properties of extracted muscle fibers.

Loading of extracted muscle fibers causes a small, sudden lengthening, followed by a slower, plastic extension, which is reversed only by active contraction. Polyphosphates in the presence of Mg strongly accelerate plastic extension, but elastic changes in length remain the same as during rigor. The modulus of elasticity on the average is about 6.2 x 107 dynes per cm.2 This value is about 40 times larger than that of rubber, if compared on a water-free basis. Extension of muscle, therefore, is almost entirely due to plastic deformation. Mg is essential for the softening action of adenosinetriphosphate (ATP) and can produce partial relaxation in the absence of a relaxation factor. After partial removal of bound Mg, ATP causes strong contraction, but only slight softening. The same condition is produced by very low concentrations of ATP in the presence of phosphocreatine. These observations show that during contraction passive mechanical properties may remain essentially like those during rigor. The constancy of elastic extensibility distinguishes contraction produced by ATP from contraction induced by non-specific agents in various fibrous structures and caused by an increase in configurational entropy.
Twisting of bundles of bacterial cellulose microfibrils

The majority of, but not all, bundles of bacterial cellulose microfibrils show a characteristic left-handed twist which has a pitch of about 1 μ. The remainder show no apparent coiling. The twist must reflect an internal strain in the component microfibrils which may be due to a slight progressive molecular asymmetry in the way in which glucose residues are incorporated into the microfibril.
Alcohol inhibits suckling-induced oxytocin release in the lactating rat.

Oxytocin release in response to suckling was examined in primiparous lactating rats following alcohol administration. Lactating rats, with litters adjusted to eight pups on day 2, were implanted with an atrial catheter between days 6 to 8 of lactation. Four days later, alcohol in doses 0.0, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg BW was infused, and blood alcohol levels achieved following infusion of initial doses were maintained for 4 h. On the day of alcohol infusion, pups were separated from the dams at 8:00 A.M. Following completion of alcohol infusion, a baseline blood sample was obtained, pups were returned to the dams, and additional samples were obtained 5, 10, 30, and 60 min after suckling started. Oxytocin levels in plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay. Suckling latencies and milk consumption during the 60 min of suckling were determined. Alcohol administration inhibited suckling-induced oxytocin release across all time points. Suckling latencies among groups were comparable. Milk consumption by pups during the 60 min of suckling was lower for the alcohol administered groups. The data from the present study demonstrate that acute alcohol administration to lactating rats inhibits suckling-induced oxytocin release resulting in reduction of milk secretion.
Towards a knowledge-based approach to architectural adaptation management

Self-adaptive software continually evaluates and modifies its own behavior to meet changing demands. One of the key issues in constructing such software is that of planning when and what kinds of adaptations are appropriate. In this paper, we present an architecture-centric knowledge-based approach for specifying and enacting architectural adaptation policies as the main driver for self-adaptive behavior. Our work applies explicitly represented knowledge-based policies for the definition and enactment of software adaptation at the architectural level. A key benefit of our approach is the decoupling of adaptation policy from system implementation as well as the independent and dynamic evolution of policies themselves. We elaborate our overall approach, present prototype tools and techniques for its support, and discuss future research directions.
Bidirectional Signaling Links the Abelson Kinases to the Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor

The c-Abl nonreceptor tyrosine kinase is activated by growth factor signals such as the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and functions downstream of the PDGF-beta receptor (PDGFR) to mediate biological processes such as membrane ruffling, mitogenesis, and chemotaxis. Here, we show that the related kinase Arg is activated downstream of PDGFRs in a manner dependent on Src family kinases and phospholipase C gamma1 (PLC-gamma1)-mediated phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) hydrolysis, as we showed previously for c-Abl. PIP2, a highly abundant phosphoinositide known to regulate cytoskeletal and membrane proteins, inhibits the tyrosine kinase activities of both Arg and c-Abl in vitro and in cells. We now demonstrate that c-Abl and Arg form inducible complexes with and are phosphorylated by the PDGFR tyrosine kinase in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, c-Abl and Arg, in turn, phosphorylate the PDGFR. We show that c-Abl and Arg exhibit nonredundant functions downstream of the activated PDGFR. Reintroduction of c-Abl into Arg-Abl double-null fibroblasts rescues the ability of PLC-gamma1 to increase PDGF-mediated chemotaxis, while reexpression of Arg fails to rescue the chemotaxis defect. These data show that, although both kinases are activated and form complexes with proteins in the PDGFR signaling pathway, only c-Abl functions downstream of PLC-gamma1 to mediate chemotaxis.
ESTIMATING MARKET POWER AND PRICING CONDUCT IN A PRODUCT-DIFFERENTIATED OLIGOPOLY: THE CASE OF THE DOMESTIC SPAGHETTI SAUCE INDUSTRY

This paper develops a simultaneous-equations panel data econometric model to obtain point estimates of market power and pricing conduct in a representative product-differentiated, oligopolistic food market. The importance of this class of markets is recognized given its prevalence in the food and fiber system, especially for final consumer food products. The $1.3 billion domestic spaghetti sauce industry is featured. Although the results indicate firms exert limited market power, a portion of this power is derived from tacit price collusion. A higher degree of price collusion was found among brands within a market segment than between segments.
Genetic effects influencing salinity tolerance in six varieties of tilapia (Oreochromis) and their reciprocal crosses

Six tilapia varieties were used in two 6 × 6 diallel crosses. Salinity was increased in daily increments of 7 g L−1 in five replicate trials to estimate the salinity tolerances of 2205 F1 juveniles from parental varieties and their reciprocal crosses. Genetic effects potentially influencing salinity tolerance were estimated, including line effects, maternal effects, reciprocal and specific reciprocal effects, direct heterosis, specific combining abilities (SCAs) and general combining abilities (GCAs). The mean heterosis, , for salinity tolerance was 4.46 g L−1 (P<0.01). The average mean salinity tolerance (MST) of the parental varieties was 35.2 g L−1, and yet, MSTs above 36 g L−1 were found in 21 of 34 variety crosses produced. In some instances, maternal effects offset line effects, while in others, these influences were complementary. Ten variety combinations exhibited significant (P<0.05) or highly significant (P<0.01) direct heterosis, and SCAs were significant (P<0.05) or highly significant (P<0.01) in five combinations. Reciprocal and specific reciprocal effects also influenced the salinity tolerance in some variety combinations. Direct line effects generally reflected MST rankings. The variance of cross means was 30.1% due to variety GCAs (primarily additive effects) and 69.9% due to SCAs (primarily dominance effects).
DNA Translocation Governed by Interactions with Solid-State Nanopores

We investigate the voltage-driven translocation dynamics of individual DNA molecules through solid-state nanopores in the diameter range 2.7-5 nm. Our studies reveal an order of magnitude increase in the translocation times when the pore diameter is decreased from 5 to 2.7 nm, and steep temperature dependence, nearly threefold larger than would be expected if the dynamics were governed by viscous drag. As previously predicted for an interaction-dominated translocation process, we observe exponential voltage dependence on translocation times. Mean translocation times scale with DNA length by two power laws: for short DNA molecules, in the range 150-3500 bp, we find an exponent of 1.40, whereas for longer molecules, an exponent of 2.28 dominates. Surprisingly, we find a transition in the fraction of ion current blocked by DNA, from a length-independent regime for short DNA molecules to a regime where the longer the DNA, the more current is blocked. Temperature dependence studies reveal that for increasing DNA lengths, additional interactions are responsible for the slower DNA dynamics. Our results can be rationalized by considering DNA/pore interactions as the predominant factor determining DNA translocation dynamics in small pores. These interactions markedly slow down the translocation rate, enabling higher temporal resolution than observed with larger pores. These findings shed light on the transport properties of DNA in small pores, relevant for future nanopore applications, such as DNA sequencing and genotyping.
Pathophysiology of anemia

Inherent in any decision to treat a patient for anemia is an appreciation of the underlying cause of a decrease in the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. Equally important is an understanding of how this acute or chronic decrease in oxygen delivery affects individual patients. Anemia generally results from blood loss, decreased red blood cell (RBC) production, poor RBC maturation, or increased RBC destruction. This article reviews the pathophysiology of anemia, with specific emphasis on its physiologic consequences in the surgical patient, and provides a contemporary definition of anemia for use in that context. Taking a broader, more functional view of anemia paves the way for understanding and appreciating the newer techniques of RBC conservation and transfusion avoidance, as well as of pharmacologic methods available to counter this disorder.
Disparate rates, differing fates: tempo and mode of evolution changed from the Precambrian to the Phanerozoic

Over the past quarter century, detailed genus- and species-level similarities in cellular morphology between described taxa of Precambrian microfossils and extant cyanobacteria have been noted and regarded as biologically and taxonomically significant by numerous workers world-wide. Such similarities are particularly well documented for members of the Oscillatoriaceae and Chroococcaceae, the two most abundant and widespread Precambrian cyanobacterial families. For species of two additional families, the Entophysalidaceae and Pleurocapsaceae, species-level morphologic similarities are supported by in-depth fossil-modern comparisons of environment, taphonomy, development, and behavior. Morphologically and probably physiologically as well, such cyanobacterial "living fossils" have exhibited an extraordinarily slow (hypobradytelic) rate of evolutionary change, evidently a result of the broad ecologic tolerance characteristic of many members of the group and a striking example of G. G. Simpson's [Simpson, G.G. (1944) Tempo and Mode in Evolution (Columbia Univ. Press, New York)] "rule of the survival of the relatively unspecialized." In both tempo and mode of evolution, much of the Precambrian history of life--that dominated by microscopic cyanobacteria and related prokaryotes--appears to have differed markedly from the more recent Phanerozoic evolution megascopic, horotelic, adaptationally specialized eukaryotes.
Corrosion of stainless steel fibres

Generally, of all the properties, corrosion resistance can be a prime consideration in determining whether a given alloy or metal is adequate for a proposed use. With the increasing ability to fabricate many alloys and metals into fibre material of extremely small diameter, a better knowledge of their chemical properties as related to their unique size becomes more essential since many of the potential applications involve exposure to corrosive environments. This article reviews the corrosion resistance of Brunsmet MF‐A1 stainless steel fibres produced by the Brunswick Corp., Chicago, Illinois.
Adjuvant radiation therapy is associated with improved survival for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast

Background The role of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the breast remains unclear. Materials and Methods We queried the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database for patients with breast ACC resected between 1988 and 2005, and divided patients based on the receipt of RT. Univariate and multivariate survival comparisons were made for overall and disease-specific survival. Results Three hundred seventy six patients met criteria for inclusion. Demographics and staging were similar between groups. Univariate analysis revealed an absolute overall and cause-specific survival benefit of 21% and 7% at 10 years (P = 0.005 and P = 0.12 respectively). In the multivariate analysis, RT was a significant predictor of overall and cause-specific survival with hazard ratios of 0.44 (95% Confidence interval (CI) = 0.22–0.88) and 0.1 (95% CI: 0.01–0.88), respectively. Conclusions RT after local surgical therapy for ACC of the breast improved both cause-specific and overall survival. Use of RT in this rare tumor should be considered in patients otherwise eligible for RT. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:342–347. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Neovascularization: An “innocent bystander” in recurrent varicose veins

Objective Varicose vein recurrence after surgery occurs in up to 60% of patients. A variety of technical factors have been implicated, but biological factors such as neovascularization have more recently been proposed. The objective of this study was to characterize the relative contribution of technical and biological factors to recurrence in a large prospective series of recurrent varicose veins. Methods Duplex and operative findings were recorded prospectively in a consecutive series of 500 limbs undergoing surgery for recurrent varicose veins between 1995 and 2005 in a university teaching hospital. Only limbs with previous saphenofemoral junction surgery were included. All limbs had preoperative duplex mapping by an accredited vascular technician who assessed the status of the great saphenous vein (GSV) in the thigh and groin, sought sonographic evidence of neovascularization, and reported on the presence of reflux in the short saphenous vein and perforator sites (typical and atypical). All operations were performed with an attending vascular surgeon as the lead operator. Results Primary GSV surgery was incomplete in 83.2% of limbs. A completely intact GSV system was present in 17.4% of limbs. An incompetent thigh saphenous vein was present in 44.2% of limbs, 37.6% had GSV stump incompetence with one or more intact tributaries, and 16% had both a residual thigh GSV and an incompetent stump with intact tributaries. Non-GSV sites of reflux were identified in 25% of limbs. Neovascularization was identified on duplex scanning in 41 (8.2%) limbs. However, in 27 of these, surgical exploration revealed a residual GSV stump with 1 or more significant tributaries. Each of the remaining 14 (2.8%) limbs had a residual incompetent thigh GSV. Conclusions Despite reports to the contrary, neovascularization occurs in a relatively small proportion of patients with recurrent varicose veins. All recurrent varicose veins associated with duplex-diagnosed neovascularization are also associated with persistent reflux in the GSV stump tributaries, thigh GSV, or both. Recurrence after primary varicose vein surgery is associated with inadequate primary surgery or progression of disease, and neovascularization alone is not a cause of recurrent varicose veins.
Influence of Dietary Levels of Magnesium on Growth, Tissue Mineral Content, and Resistance of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Challenged with Edwardsiella ictaluri

Juvenile channel catfish were fed purified diets supplemented with magnesium (Mg) from Mg sulfate at levels of 0, 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1,000 mg/kg and 0, 200, 400, 600, and 800 mg/kg in two separate feeding studies. In study I, the effect of dietary levels of Mg on growth response, vertebral mineral content, and macrophage chemotaxis were evaluated. Study II had similar objectives except that whole body mineral content was measured, and resistance of channel catfish to Edwardsiella ictaluri challenge was also determined. Fish with an average weight of 10.89 g were stocked at a rate of 50 fish/110-L aquarium (study I). In study II, fish with an average weight of 4.14 g were stocked at rates of 40 fish/110-L aquarium. Prior to stocking, each batch of fish was acclimated to laboratory conditions and fed the basal diet for 2 wk. The concentration of Mg in rearing water was 1.8 mg/L. Each diet was fed to fish in quadruplicate and triplicate aquaria to apparent satiation for 10 wk for studies I and II, respectively. Fish fed the basal diet started to die as early as 3 d after the study began (17 d of feeding the diet without Mg supplementation). In both studies, weight gain, survival, and feed efficiency were lowest for fish fed the basal diet but increased with increasing dietary levels of Mg. However, the differences between the values of each of these parameters for fish fed diets containing supplemental Mg were not always significant. Magnesium-deficiency signs observed were anorexia, sluggishness, convulsions, deformed snout, vertebral curvature, muscle flaccidity, and high mortality. Vertebral and whole body ash concentrations were high, but Mg content was low for fish fed the basal and the 200-mg Mg diets. Bone Ca content did not differ among fish fed different diets (study I), but whole body Ca tended to increase for fish fed the basal diet, suggesting the possibility of calcification of soft tissues. Macrophage chemotaxis in the presence of exoantigen was highest for fish fed diets supplemented with Mg at 400 and 200 mgkg for studies I and II, respectively. When expressed in terms of chemotaxis index, however, maximum or near maximum value was observed at a dietary Mg level of 400 mg/kg. Thus, a dietary level of Mg of 400 mg/kg from Mg sulfate was required for optimum growth and survival, maintaining high tissue levels of Mg, prevention of muscle flaccidity and skeletal deformity, and stimulating macrophage chemotaxis. Dietary levels of Mg had no effect on the resistance of juvenile channel catfish to Edwarsiella. ictaluri challenge.
Long wavelength ion-acoustic waves in a magneto-plasma in a gravitational field

Ion acoustic wave propagation in collisionless gravity-supported plasma in static magnetic field calculated from linearized Vlasov equation
Think before you eat: photographic food diaries as intervention tools to change dietary decision making and attitudes

This paper examines the use of photographic and written food diaries as interventions to raise awareness of and change dietary habits. Weinstein's precaution adoption theory and Guagnano, Stern and Dietz's Attitude Behaviour Context theory provide the theoretical basis to explain why nutrition knowledge does not result in healthy eating behaviour and why an intervention may be necessary to change attitudes and behaviours. A pilot study using written and photographic food diaries was conducted with 43 participants. Qualitative analysis of participant interviews revealed that photographic food diaries can alter attitudes and behaviours associated with food choices, and they are more likely to do so than written diaries because they serve as an intervention at the point when decisions regarding what to eat are being made.
Durability of Secondary Sporidia of Floret Infecting Tilletia Species under Laboratory and Field Conditions: Implications for Epidemiology

Secondary sporidia resulting from germinating teliospores of some Tilletia species initiate local infection of wheat, rice and rye grass florets and cause the diseases rice smut, Karnal bunt, and rye grass bunt, respec- tively. Secondary sporidia are considered to be fragile and to require very high humidity to survive longer than a few hours. To examine this, secondary sporidia from potato dextrose agar or water agar cultures of T. horrida, T. indica, T. walkeri, and the seedling infecting species T. tritici were deposited via natural liberation onto lids of Petri dishes and were air dried and maintained at 10-20% RH at 20-22°C, and at 40-50% RH at 18°C. After various time periods lids were inverted over fresh PDA to determine viability. Dried sporidia regenerated after 30 days at 10-20% RH and 60 days at 40-50% RH. Commonly, 18 hours after lids containing dried sporidia were inverted over PDA, newly produced secondary sporidia were present on the agar that had produced hyphae capable of infecting plants. Sporidia initially dried rapidly at 10% RH or dried over 10 hours had no difference in viability. In experiments using T. horrida and T. indica in wheat and barley fields, secondary sporidia on Petri dish lids held up to 46-49 days 20-25 cm from the soil surface in the canopy rapidly regenerated as mentioned above, even after several diurnal periods that included temperatures above 38°C and relative humidity below 10%. It appears sporidia can survive for extensive dry periods in common field conditions and then rapidly regenerate and infect plants under humid rainy conditions associated with the diseases.
Settling Behavior of Waste Suspensions

Qualitative mechanism of settling slurry is set forth with consideration given to experimental equipment used; means by which data from such equipment has been analyzed quantitatively for two phases of settling including hindered or constant rate settling zone, and compression zone; discussion of Kynch theory, which does not depend for its application on restriction of settling regimes into zones.
Beach Erosion Studies

Items of information considered necessary in a comprehensive beach erosion study, the reasons for desiring each particular item, and some general observations on design of protective works are offe...
Reconceptualizing Preconception Torts

During the past fifty years, courts have struggled with the issue of whether to impose a duty in prenatal tort actions. Within the subject of prenatal torts is an extremely controversial topic: Should courts impose a duty in actions involving preconception torts? Some courts refuse to impose a duty upon a negligent actor to protect a later-conceived victim against a risk of future harm. Whether a negligent act injures someone immediately or causes an injury in the future to someone who has not yet been conceived is irrelevant. Instead of banning recovery or applying bright-line tests to limit recovery, courts should examine general policy concerns underlying all negligence actions to determine whether later-conceived plaintiffs should be allowed to recover. Lack of foreseeability and other traditional policy concerns used to limit recovery in other types of negligence actions are sufficient to ensure that defendants are not held liable beyond the risks that they foreseeably create.
Restriction in vivo

Degradation products of restricted T4 DNA induced filamentation, mutagenesis, and to a lesser extent, synthesis of recA protein in wild type cells but not in recA, lexA or recBC mutants of Escherichia coli. We conclude that the structural damage to the DNA caused by restriction cleavage and exonuclease V degradation can induce SOS functions. Degradation of restricted nonglucosylated T4 DNA by exonuclease V delayed cell division and induced filament formation and mutagenesis in lexA+ but not in lexA- cells. Delay of cell division was also dependent upon recA and recBC funtions. Such degradation of DNA also dramatically increased mutagenesis in tif- Sfi- cells at 42°C. The synthesis of recA protein continued in the restricting host after infection by the nonglucosylated T4 phage, but enhanced synthesis is not induced to the extent seen in SOS induced tif- cells grown at 42°. We also found that restriction of nonglucosylated T4 was alleviated in UV irradiated cells. The UV induced alleviation of rgl and rKrestriction depended upon post irradiation protein synthesis and was not observed in recA, lexA or recBC mutants.
A Streamlined Technique for Preparation of Transverse Specimens for Transmission Electron Microscopy

A procedure for batch processing of up to four specimens for cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (X-TEM) has been developed. The technique is essentially an extension of the standard multi-slice composite full disc sample preparation method. However, disc cutting and dimple grinding steps have been eliminated. The trimming, gluing, stacking, and sectioning of the wafers from the original sample material to produce composite transverse sections are identical to those of the standard scheme. Grinding and polishing of the sections are carried out in a batch mode which, in turn, reduces the overall processing time per specimen. The prepared composite foils are mounted on metallic disc grids which provide structural support during ion thinning and microscopy.
Evaluation of acute flaccid paralysis cases surveillance system during 2003～2006 in Linyi city

Objective To evaluate the operating quality of Acute Flaccid Paralysis(AFP)case surveillance system since the plan about nation to maintain nonpolio condition has appraised in Linyi.Methods Analyze the date of AFP cases reported by AFP surveillance system of Linyi city by EpiData software.Results During 2003-2006,202 AFP cases were reported in Linyi City,no wild poliovirus was detected.These AFP cases were distributed in 12 countries.The age of AFP cases was mainly 0-5 years old,accounting for 83.2%,higher incidence in male than in female,the rate is 1.93:1.All AFP cases were discarded poliomyelitis cases by the diagnoses group of Shandong Province.The rate of Guillain-Barre Syndrome(GBS)in these cases was 19.9% Monitored and has appraised 3 cases of VAPP.The reported incidence of non-polio AFP cases of children under 15 years old has been over 1/100000 since 2003.Other indexes have been above 80%.Conclusion The AFP surveillance system of Linyi maintains high sensitivity has ability to discover all monitor case promptly.
Laying Angle Determination of Photovoltaic Array Based on Simulated Annealing Algorithm

The laying angle of battery board and solar radiation will affect the working efficiency of the photovoltaic battery in the laying of small building solar system. We used the laying angle of photovoltaic array as decision variable and the maximum value of the total radiation intensity of the inclined plane as the object function to build the nonlinear model. We solved the optimal laying angle based on the simulated annealing algorithm so that we can take advantage of the solar energy fully and make photovoltaic array more efficient. At the same time,the laying of photovoltaic module can save battery occupied area. The method solved the problem of complex nonlinear optimization simply and efficiently.
Effects of calcium entry blockade on left ventricular dynamics in exercising dogs

To study the previously undefined effects of calcium entry blockade on left ventricular (LV) function and coronary blood flow during dynamic exercise we gave intravenous equihypotensive infusions of nifedipine (10 +/- 4 SE micrograms X kg-1 X min-1), diltiazem (60 +/- 8 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1), and verapamil (52 +/- 7 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1) before and after intravenous propranolol (2 mg/kg) to chronically instrumented dogs at rest and while running on a treadmill at 4 and 10 km/h. Prior to beta-blockade, each agent significantly and equivalently (P = NS among drugs) reduced mean arterial pressure during exercise (-13% nifedipine, -8% diltiazem, -15% verapamil at 4 km/h, each P less than or equal to 0.01 vs. exercise alone) but did not significantly alter LV end-diastolic dimension (EDD), heart rate, or cardiac output compared with exercise alone. Only verapamil blunted the positive inotropic response to exercise (LV dP/dtmax decreased 20% at 4 km/h, P less than 0.01 vs. exercise alone). Coronary blood flow was significantly and equivalently increased at rest and during submaximal exercise with each calcium blocker, but this effect was largely offset by propranolol. During exercise after beta-blockade each agent produced significant additional reductions in mean arterial pressure and dP/dtmax at peak exercise but did not alter LVEDD or heart rate compared with results obtained with propranolol alone. Combined beta-blockade and verapamil uniquely diminished myocardial contractility to a greater extent at peak exercise than at rest (dP/dtmax 1,260 +/- 410 peak exercise vs. 1,775 +/- 431 mmHg/s rest, P less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)