cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The development and cross-validation of methods based on radioimmunoassay and LC/MS-MS for the quantification of the class III antiarrhythmic agent, MK-0499, in human plasma and urine.

Abstract An analytical method based on radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been developed for the determination of the antiarrhythmie agent, MK-0499, in plasma and urine. Owing to the potency of the drug, the specificity of this assay in human plasma could not be adequately determined using conventional RIA procedures. A highly specific procedure, based on LC/MS-MS, was developed to cross-validate the RIA. The lower quantifiable limits of the RIA and LC/MS-MS-based methods were 0.05 and 0.013 ng ml −1 , respectively. Cross-validation data, compared using paired student's t -test regression analysis, showed excellent correlation between methods. The mass spectrometric assay was also used to simultaneously measure plasma concentrations of unlabeled and 14 C-labeled MK-0499 following administration of the drug at high specific activity to volunteers.
Genetics of Diego Blood Groups in Guatemalan Indians: Use of Antiserums to Diego a and Diego b Antigens

Red blood cells of 255 inhabitants of San Antonio Palopo, an Indian community on the eastern shore of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, have been typed with antiserum.. to Diego a (Di(a)) and the newly discovered antiserum to Di(b). Individuals with erythrocyte antigenic types Di(a+ b-, Di(a+ b+), and Di(a-b+) have been found, but the type Di(a-b-) has not been encountered. Population frequencies of antigenic types and family studies support the hypothesis that the erythrocyte antigens, Die and Dib, are controlled by two codominant alleles at a single autosomal locus.
Child Justice in Canada and the Four Ps: Protection, Prosecution, Prevention, and Participation

This article provides an analysis of the flaws in the Canadian legal system with respect to child rights, in the light of the three Ps set forth by former Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler (2004–2006): Protection, Prosecution, and Prevention. Contrary to the general trend of research on “youth” crime which focuses on the visible criminal activities of children and for which they are readily ascribed the status of “young offenders,” I examine whether the legal system is just as swift in giving child victims adequate Protection and Prosecution against their assailants. Six specific child victimization contexts have been identified, which are all characterized by invisibility: in the home, in care, in school and public spaces as well as by corporations and the criminal justice system. I explore why these victimizations are invisible and what legal protection is offered to affected children. Finally, I analyse the extent to which a fourth P, that of Participation, can strengthen the three Ps of Protection, Prosecution and Prevention in fighting crimes committed against children.
Immune response to laparoscopic bowel injury

Background and Purpose: Laparoscopic bowel injuries are rare but potentially fatal if recognition is delayed. Unlike the situation after open surgery, patients with unrecognized bowel injury after ...
EEG Biofeedback and relaxation training in the control of epileptic seizures

Abstract Research utilizing sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) biofeedback with epileptics suggests that it is useful in decreasing seizures. Subjects were 6 young adults with a diagnosis of epilepsy of at least two years who had been unable to control their seizures with different regimens of anticonvulsant medications. Subjects ranged from severely mentally handicapped to above average functioning. Seizure type, frequency, and duration were recorded by subjects and caretakers. Measures of operant learning were percent time in SMR. The experiment utilized a single subject multiple baseline design which consisted of 6 phases: baseline one, relaxation training; baseline two, biofeedback training one; baseline three, biofeedback treatment two and follow-up. The results of this study are in agreement with other studies using SMR biofeedback. All subjects were able to significantly increase percent time in SMR. Five out of the 6 subjects demonstrated decreases in seizure frequency during the treatment phase. Two of the 6 subjects benefited from relaxation training. Four subjects demonstrated significant negative correlations between percent SMR and seizure rates. Consistent with other studies utilizing multiple baseline designs, a majority of the subjects did not follow the design of the study.
Twist viscosity of side-chain liquid-crystalline polysiloxanes in a nematic solvent

Electric-field-dependent dynamic light scattering (EFDLS) was used to determine the twist elastic constant and twist viscosity of miscible nematic solutions of side-chain liquid crystal polysiloxan...
Body Dysmorphic Disorder among Diverse Racial/Ethnic and Sexual Orientation Groups: Prevalence Estimates and Associated Factors

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a psychological disorder characterized by excessive appearance concerns. This cross-sectional study assessed an undergraduate sample of 1,041 participants from a southeastern American university to estimate an overall prevalence of BDD; investigate differences by gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation; and also examine the contributions of other related constructs including appearance comparison, obligatory exercise, body image disturbance, and self-esteem. Results indicated an overall prevalence of 4.9%. Women endorsed more symptoms of BDD than men, among women Caucasians and Latinas endorsed more symptoms than African Americans, and sexual minorities endorsed more symptoms than heterosexuals. Overall, BDD symptomatology was negatively correlated with body satisfaction and self-esteem and positively correlated with appearance comparison and obligatory exercise.
Degradation of poly-phosphoinositides in brain subcellular membranes in response to decapitation insult.

Abstract Although it has been well demonstrated that decapitation insult results in a rapid breakdown of the poly-phosphoinositides in brain, the subcellular site(s) for this event has not been examined in detail. Using rats that were injected intracerebrally with 32 Pi to label the brain membrane phosphoinositides, decapitation treatment (0.5, 1.5 and 3.5 min) resulted in a decrease in labeled phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphates and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphates in almost all subcellular fractions except myelin. However, the fractions exhibiting the most changes were synaptic vesicles, synaptic plasma membranes and the non-synaptic plasma membranes. The rapid response of poly-phosphoinositides in synaptic vesicles towards decapitation insult demonstrated a role of these phospholipids in vesicular membrane function. Besides the decrease in labeled phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphates which is attributed mainly to the action of phospholipase C, decapitation insult also elicited a near parallel decrease in labeled phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphates, and this was accompanied by a concomitant increase in labeled phosphatidylinositol which was observed mainly in the synaptic vesicles and synaptic plasma membrane fractions. This latter event suggests that besides degradation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphates by phospholipase C, some phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphates may have been degraded through the phosphomonoesterase pathway.
A General Theory (and Some Evidence) of Expectation Traps in Monetary Policy

I show that multiple equilibria are a general property of economies under full monetary policy discretion. Three simple conditions are sufficient to rule out, generically, a unique equilibrium in a static economy. The key departure from Barro and Gordon (1983) is to consider bounded welfare costs of inflation. I also show that in a two Markov equilibrium economy the inflation response to certain perturbations is, generically, qualitatively different in each equilibrium. Finally, I discuss some evidence on inflation dynamics that supports the hypothesis that U.S. monetary policy was caught in an expectation trap during the high inflation episode of the 1970s.
Equilibrium binding of amphotericin B and its methyl ester and borate complex to sterols

Abstract Scatchard analysis of the binding of amphotericin B to sterols in egg phosphatidylcholine/sterol vesicles revealed that amphotericin B was bound to ergosterol by approximately one order of magnitude more tightly than to cholesterol. Amphotericin B methyl ester formed a tighter complex with each of the sterols investigated than did amphotericin B, but the difference in the apparent binding constants toward ergosterol and cholesterol was not as large as with amphotericin B. Amphotericin B borate formed weaker complexes with vesicle-bound sterols than amphotericin B and amphotericin B methyl ester.
Why is social impact assessment the orphan of the assessment process

Social impact assessment (SIA) has not been widely adopted as a component of the assessment process for project or policy appraisal. This paper focuses on four issues: how we are labeling research on social impacts; what historical events led to the separation of SIA from the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process; whether the Guidelines and Principles for Social Impact Assessment helped focus the research and practice of SIA; and whether there is evidence that we are accumulating a body of knowledge labeled social impact assessment. To become institutionalized EIA-SIA must be a statutory requirement, otherwise agencies and consulting firms that do EIA will not include social impacts. The requirement must extend to international bilateral aid, donor and lending agencies.
High performance liquid chromatography of Bacillus circulans peptidoglutaminase for laboratory and industrial uses

Abstract Gel permeation and anion-exchange chromatography were used to develop methodology for large-scale production of peptidoglutaminase (PGase) from Bacillus circulans cell extract. Sample load, flow-rate and elution profiles were optimized to obtain a highly active DNA-free PGase preparation in high yield. PGase was fractionated into I and II and purified up to 1430-fold for enzymatic determination of glutamine, molecular cloning and protein deamidation research. PGases were also separated directly from B. circulans extract (20–30 mg) in one peak with an 8-fold purification on a 43-ml anion-exchange column at 2 cm/min in 35–40 min. More than 65% of the cell extract proteins were eluted after the PGase peak and contained all the nucleic acids. This method appears to meet the requirements of purity, yield, speed and other economic aspects for successful production of PGase for potential modification of food proteins in industrial reactors.
Challenges in securing the interface between the cloud and pervasive systems

Cloud computing presents an opportunity for pervasive systems to leverage computational and storage resources to accomplish tasks that would not normally be possible on such resource-constrained devices. Cloud computing can enable hardware designers to build lighter systems that last longer and are more mobile. Despite the advantages cloud computing offers to the designers of pervasive systems, there are some limitations of leveraging cloud computing that must be addressed. We take the position that cloud-based pervasive system must be secured holistically and discuss ways this might be accomplished. In this paper, we discuss a pervasive system utilizing cloud computing resources and issues that must be addressed in such a system. In this system, the user's mobile device cannot always have network access to leverage resources from the cloud, so it must make intelligent decisions about what data should be stored locally and what processes should be run locally. As a result of these decisions, the user becomes vulnerable to attacks while interfacing with the pervasive system.
Picosecond ultrasonic study of phonon reflection from solid-liquid interfaces

We have studied the reflection of longitudinal-acoustic phonons with frequencies between 100 and 300 GHz from solid-liquid interfaces using a picosecond ultrasonic technique. Acoustic phonons were generated by absorption of a picosecond light pulse in a metal film. After propagating through a dielectric layer, the phonons were reflected at the solid-liquid interface. We have measured the reflection coefficient at a series of interfaces between dielectric solids and organic liquids for temperatures from 265 to 300 K. The reflection of 205 GHz phonons was also measured between aluminum and liquid argon and nitrogen. The experimental results were compared with the predictions of the classical acoustic-mismatch model.
Pebbling and Graham's conjecture

Abstract Given a distribution of m pebbles on the vertices of a graph G, we allow pebbling moves consisting of taking 2 pebbles off one vertex and placing one of them on an adjacent vertex. We define f ( G ) to be the least m which guarantees the existence of a sequence of pebbling moves that places a pebble on an arbitrary vertex. It is conjectured that f ( G × H )⩽ f ( G ) f ( H ). In this paper, this is verified in the case where G has Chung's 2-pebbling property and H is a complete multi-partite graph, an infinite class of Lemke graphs is found, and new conjectures are raised.
Time-optimal reorientation maneuvers for a combat aircraft

Results are presented from a study of time-optimal attitude reorientation maneuvering for an aircraft with thrust-vectoring capability. A detailed mathematical model for attitude motions of the aircraft is developed. First-order necessary conditions for optimality are applied and a family of extremal solutions obtained for two classes of reorientation maneuvers of practical interest. The thrust-vectoring power is varied parametrically, and thus an estimate of the reduction in maneuvering time due to the thrust-vectoring enhancement of the aircraft is obtained. ARIOUS analyses have shown that emerging trends in missile and radar technologies will have a profound effect on design requirements for air-superiority vehicles. It appears that, in close-in combat, vehicles with the ability to operate at extreme angles of attack will have a decided advantage.1'4 Designing such supermaneuverable aircraft is a complex and challenging task, and future design efforts may well lead to radically new concepts. At present, however, the preferred approach is to provide a form of thrust vectoring in which propulsive power is used to generate control moments.5'6 At high angles of attack a, especially in the post-stall region, the effectiveness of the aerodynamic control surfaces decreases rapidly with increase in a.. Thus, thrust-vectoring generated (propulsive) moments must be used to maintain control of the aircraft at high a. At low a the propulsive moments can supplement the aerodynamic control surfaces and thus increase the "agility" of the aircraft. In addition, thrust vectoring can be used for control of the aircraft in case of mechanical failure or malfunction of the aerodynamic control surfaces. Several research programs that focus on utilizing thrust-vectoring control are currently under way. Among these is the F/A-18 based High Angle-of-attack Research Vehicle (HARV) program.7 The flight mechanics issues can be divided into two areas: 1) analysis of changes in the velocity vector and 2) analysis of changes in the body attitude. This paper presents some results obtained in a study that focused on understanding the nature of aircraft minimum-time fuselage-reorientation maneuvering. In the study, data for the HARV were used. Accordingly, the numerical results correspond to this aircraft. However, the discussion and methodology in analyzing the results presented in the next sections are quite general. A mathematical model of the aircraft and the interacting environment (the aerodynamic forces and moments) is derived in Sec. II. The basic ideas and assumptions in the development of the mathematical model are discussed in detail. In Sec. Ill a class of optimal control problems of interest is formulated and a set of necessary conditions for optimality derived by using the Minimum Principle.8'10 This set of necessary conditions is cast into a numerical multipoint boundary-value problem (MPBVP). Subsequently, a homotopy method and the related procedure for solving the MPBVPs (and thus generat
A method of selecting grid size to account for Hertz deformation in finite element analysis of spur gears

A method of selecting grid size for the finite element analysis of gear tooth deflection is presented. The method is based on a finite element study of two cylinders in line contact, where the criterion for establishing element size was that there be agreement with the classical Hertzian solution for deflection. The results are applied to calculate deflection for the gear specimen used in the NASA spur gear test rig. Comparisons are made between the present results and the results of two other methods of calculation. The results have application in design of gear tooth profile modifications to reduce noise and dynamic loads.
Buckling analysis of orthogonally stiffened waffle cylinders

The energy expressions are formulated for the orthogonally stiffened waffle cylinder. The principle of minimum potential energy is employed to formulate the buckling equations for a simply supported waffle cylinder under both uniform and bending stresses. A variety of application examples are demonstrated. For the case of uniform compression, an optimum analysis of the buckling strength of waffle cylinder with constant weight is performed. The effect of the parameters such as the thickness of the shell, the ratio between the stiffener depth to the stiffener width, and the width-ratio between the stringers to the rings are studied. Suggestions for choosing such parameters for design are given. For the case of bending load, it is found that considerable buckling strength can be gained with wall stiffening without increasing the total weight. It is also found that for the present example the maximum buckling bending stress is 1.075 times of the uniform buckling stress. Nomenclature a = spacing between the stiffeners d = depth of the stiffeners E = modulus of elasticity h =
Letters to the Editor A Multi-Aperture Collimation Technique

A pair of identical multi-aperture templates is described that enable beam collimation to be rapidly evaluated at discrete points over the beam aperture. The technique is independent of the accuracy of other optical components and is inexpensive to implement. A method for fabricating the two templates is indicated, and an application to rapid evaluation of a lens used as a collimator is described.
Mammalian microsomal cytochrome P450 monooxygenase : structural adaptations for membrane binding and functional diversity

Abstract Microsomal cytochrome P450s participate in xenobiotic detoxification, procarcinogen activation, and steroid hormone synthesis. The first structure of a mammalian microsomal P450 suggests that the association of P450s with the endoplasmic reticulum involves a hydrophobic surface of the protein formed by noncontiguous portions of the polypeptide chain. This interaction places the entrance of the putative substrate access channel in or near the membrane and orients the face of the protein proximal to the heme cofactor perpendicular to the plane of the membrane for interaction with the P450 reductase. This structure offers a template for modeling other mammalian P450s and should aid drug discovery and the prediction of drug–drug interactions.
Failure of aspirin to prevent incorporation of indium-111 labelled platelets into cardiac thrombi in man.

Abstract The in vitro and in vivo behaviour of platelets was studied in eleven patients with left ventricular aneurysms and mural thrombi. Five patients were on aspirin 300-2400 mg/day; the remaining six patients were controls. In vitro function was tested by the aggregation response of platelets to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen. In vivo function was assessed by the incorporation of indium-111-labelled platelets into cardiac thrombi as measured by scintigraphy. Platelets from patients on aspirin, whether tested before or after labelling, aggregated less with collagen than did those of control (18 vs 52%; p vs 49%; p
Anchoring a vaccinia virus promoter in the nucleus prevents itstrans-activation by viral infection

The vaccinia virus 7.5 kDa constitutive promoter, when fused to a reporter gene and recombined into the genome of L cells, is not activatable upon subsequent infection with vaccinia virus. However, the same promoter is actively transcribed during transient cytoplasmic transfection procedures or within the context of the viral genome. This suggests that the intact vaccinia transcriptional machinery either does not enter the nucleus or, if it does, is unable to interact with cellular chromatin.
Engineering an Extended Gain Bandwidth Hybrid Raman—Optical Parametric Amplifier for Next Generation CWDM PON

We describe a model and present simulation results for the optimization of an extended amplification bandwidth hybrid Raman-Optical Parametric amplifier (HROPA) in Tandem configuration. In this configuration, the Raman and Parametric processes are separated and each one takes place in a separate span of fiber, allowing for optimization of amplification gain (e.g., > 20 dB), gain bandwidth (e.g., 170 nm) and gain ripple (e.g., <; 4 dB). We also focus on the potential signal degradation performance due to the generation of idlers within the operational bandwidth. To overcome this limitation, we propose and model a modified HROPA design, which allows for the management and the suppression of idlers in the amplifier. The idler suppression is achieved through partitioning the channels in two sub-bands and using a wavelength-division multiplexed DEMUM/MUX pair to limit/suppress the idlers, as well as crosstalk terms generated in the amplifier. Our study shows that with proper selection of pump wavelength and power and engineering the HROPA with correct filter transfer function, we can achieve error free performance even in the case when significant misalignment of the transmitter wavelength from the center of the coarse WDM channel band exists.
MMPI-2: reliability with college students.

This study examined the temporal stability and internal consistency of the MMPI-2 in a sample of 128 college students. Mean score comparisons revealed significant differences across a number of scales, but in each case mean differences were slight and viewed as clinically insignificant. Moderate to high stability coefficients were obtained, from .60 to .90 (median of .74). Alpha coefficients ranged from .39 to .91 (median of .62). Analysis of individual difference scores revealed that for each scale approximately 20% of the sample had discrepancy scores that reached or exceeded 10 T-score points (i.e., one standard deviation). Findings are discussed relative to the reliability of the MMPI-2 in clinical assessment.
Protection Against Sarin-Induced Seizures in Rats by Direct Brain Microinjection of Scopolamine, Midazolam or MK-801

Control of seizure activity is critical to survival and neuroprotection following nerve agent exposure. Extensive research has shown that three classes of drugs, muscarinic antagonists, benzodiazepines, and N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonists, are capable of moderating these seizures. This study began to map the neural areas in rat brain that respond to these three drug classes resulting in anticonvulsant effects. Drugs of each class (scopolamine, midazolam, MK-801) were evaluated for their ability to prevent sarin-induced seizures when injected into specific brain areas (lateral ventricle, anterior piriform cortex, basolateral amygdala, area tempestas). Animals were pretreated by microinjection with saline or a dose of drug from one of the three classes 30 min prior to receiving 150 μg/kg sarin, subcutaneously, followed by 2.0 mg/kg atropine methylnitrate, intramuscularly. Animals were then returned to their cages, where electroencephalographic activity was monitored for seizures. Anticonvulsant effective doses (ED50) were determined using an up–down dosing procedure over successive animals. Scopolamine provided anticonvulsant effects in each area tested, while midazolam was effective in each area except the lateral ventricle. MK-801 was only effective at preventing seizures when injected into the basolateral amygdala or area tempestas. The results show a unique neuroanatomical and pharmacological specificity for control of nerve agent-induced seizures.
Micro-Particles as Probes for Laboratory Plasmas

Summary form only given. To diagnose plasmas with least perturbation, while still achieving good spatial resolution, one of the most common and simple approaches is to use small physical probes, which still have a long dimension out to the wall for data transmission. An alternative, which is truly miniature in all three dimensions, is to use microparticles (~10-6 m). The concept of injecting microparticles for plasma diagnostics was first introduced to measure internal magnetic field topology in 500-eV-temperature plasmas [Wang and Wurden, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 74, 1887 (2003)]. Here we suggest that, combined with laser sheet-beam and fast cameras, use of microparticles can be extended to measure plasma flow and turbulence structures by carefully choosing geometry, size, materials, and physical properties of microparticles. Because the surface-to-volume ratio of a microparticle scales like ~1/r, where r is the characteristic dimension, surface conditions will play important role in data interpretation. In the mean time, microparticle charging, electron and ion fluxes, electric and magnetic fields can induce other effects, such as rocket effects. Furthermore, experimental data about microparticles in plasmas may be used as inputs for cosmic dust modeling. It is also interesting to study the effects of the plasma Debye length relative to the dust size. In summary, this talk will discuss the complexity of microparticle-plasma interactions, including both challenges and opportunities for microparticle applications to plasmas.
Venous air embolism during deep brain stimulation surgery in an awake child

To the Editor, Venous air embolism (VAE) has been reported as a rare occurrence during deep brain stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders. As might be expected, the incidence of VAE is much less with DBS than with other neurosurgical procedures. The occurrence of VAE in children undergoing DBS has not been described. General anesthesia and sedation have each been successfully utilized for DBS in children. That being said, there are advantages and disadvantages to using general anesthesia and sedation in children undergoing DBS from both an anesthesia and a neurosurgical perspective. We report a case of VAE in an awake and spontaneously breathing child undergoing DBS. A 9-yr-old, 31 kg child with primary dystonia presented to our institution for globus pallidus internus mapping and DBS. Prior to the start of DBS, the patient was sedated with propofol for stereotactic head-frame placement and magnetic resonance imaging to map for electrode placement. Following completion of the study, the patient was transferred awake to the operating room where standard monitors were placed (i.e., bispectral index processed electroencephalogram [BIS monitor] and supplemental oxygen administered via nasal cannula with an end-tidal carbon dioxide [ETCO2] sampling line). The patient was positioned supine on the operating table with a 30 head-up tilt. An infusion of dexmedetomidine was initiated. A 1 lg kg bolus iv was given over 10 min, followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.2–0.7 lg kg hr. The procedure was well underway and uneventful until burr hole drilling. Soon thereafter, the patient began to cough and complain of chest pain. These intraoperative signs and symptoms were accompanied by a decrease in SpO2 from 100 to 88% and a decrease in ETCO2 from 39 to 16 mmHg. At this point in time VAE was suspected. The patient was immediately placed in the Trendelenburg position; a facemask was applied, and the surgical field was flooded with saline. The patient remained without evidence of hemodynamic instability or deviations in the electrocardiogram. The decision was made to close the operative field, and within 10 min the patient returned to baseline. Afterwards, a computed tomography scan was performed and the patient remained in the hospital overnight for observation. No further sequelae were observed, and the patient returned a few weeks later for DBS without complications. Venous air embolism in an awake and spontaneously breathing child undergoing DBS has not been reported previously. This case underscores the importance of a high index of suspicion for VAE in the presence of coughing during DBS. A similar case of coughing with VAE was described in an adult patient undergoing DBS. In addition, since this child was awake and complained of chest pain, this finding availed us with useful information. Ultimately, the combination of our patient’s cough and complaint of chest pain as well as the information we derived from the monitors confirmed our diagnosis of VAE and led to successful treatment.
An evaluation of the clinical utility of the Draw‐A‐Person Test

Evaluated the reliability and validity of objective scoring procedures on the Draw-A-Person Test. Handler's (1967) scales and other ratings of overall quality were used. Ss were mentally retarded persons, hospitalized and non-hospitalized psychotics, and normals. Naive raters scored the protocols under blind conditions. Reliability estimates for both sets of scales ranged from .42 to .78. Positive evidence also is presented, which indicates that overall quality does relate to overall level of psychological adjustment. Group and scale differences are discussed.
The society of surgical oncology and the commission on cancer: Progress through synergism

The 1998 Presidential Address highlights the history of The Society of Surgical Oncology and the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons, cites specific examples of progress through synergism, and discusses some of the many challenges facing surgical oncologists in the future. These include the necessity to synergize in clinical trials, to accelerate the diffusion of knowledge into the practicing community, and to redefine surgical oncology and its relation to general surgery and the American Board of Surgery.
Effect of Dietary and Environmental Factors on the pH of the Intestinal Tract

Abstract AN adequate understanding of the principles underlying calcium and phosphorus assimilation and fixation has not yet been reached, but the hypothesis is advanced that optimum assimilation of these elements depends upon a favorable pH of the material in the digestive system. Most of the research work in this field has been done with rats, and since there is good reason to believe that rodents and birds have somewhat different physiological processes, it seemed advisable to study the principle as involved in avian nutrition. Biological work done chiefly with rats as experimental animals suggests the possibility of changing the pH of the intestinal tract with feed and environmental factors. Zucker and Matzner (1923) reported that the pH of the contents of the digestive tract and the feces of rats on a rachitogenic ration was relatively high, but was materially reduced when cod liver oil was added to the diet. Irradiation of . . .
Chinese perceptions of western-branded denim jeans: A Shanghai case study

Purpose – To provide marketing and managerial insights to western companies selling denim jeans in China, specifically in Shanghai. Understanding consumers' perceptions of Western‐branded jeans in a cultural‐specific marketplace is the primary focus. Design/methodology/approach – Combined methods included observation of shoppers wearing jeans in two malls in Shanghai and an anonymous survey. A total of 219 surveys were analyzed and consumer‐perceived jeans attributes or related concepts were tabulated. Findings – About one third of the observed shoppers were wearing jeans, which signified a relatively high popularity of jeans as casual wear in Shanghai. The design and fashion of jeans were deemed highly critical but were superseded by comfort and fit. Shanghai consumers distinguished brand origins only between the West and the East instead of by specific countries. Dissatisfaction with price and fit were identified. Research limitations/implications – Questions were designed to screen out respondents who had not purchased and had no desire to purchase western denim jeans brands. Limiting the sample in this way offered some control for behavioral patterns, but conclusions are limited. Practical implications – Content analysis of an open‐ended question about consumers' perceptions of western‐branded jeans helped discern attributes of jeans that consumers deemed most important. Marketers of western jeans can develop effective marketing strategies in tune with consumer preferences. Originality/value – This paper researched consumers' perceptions of western denim jeans, a type of world dress, in a booming but foreign market in western eyes. The open‐ended question solicited consumers' free responses, which in turn helped pin‐point attributes of jeans that Chinese consumers value the most.
The photodegradation of parathion and chlormephos

Irradiation (∼350 nm) of oxygenated acetonitrile solutions of parathion containing sensitisers such as benzoin and α-dicarbonyl compounds leads to oxidative desulphurisation at phosphorus, producing paraoxon in reasonable yield. Other degradation reactions also occur, probably as a result of the presence of the 4-nitrophenyl group in parathion. Under similar irradiation conditions, chlormephos is desulphurised at both the thionate and thiolate moiety. The reactions are rationalised as occurring via peroxy radicals which are generated from the sensitisers. Reaction was not observed when dyes, e.g. rose bengal, were used as sensitisers, which accords with the view that thionates and thiolates are not reactive towards singlet oxygen.
2,1,3-Benzothiadiazole (BTD)-moiety-containing red emitter conjugated amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) copolymers for bioimaging

2,1,3-Benzothiadiazole (BTD)-containing red emitter was chemically conjugated onto amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(e-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PCL) copolymers to form two new fluorophore-conjugated block copolymers (P5 and P7). P5 is a cationic amino group-containing polymer, whereas P7 is a neutral polymer. The polymers formed micelles in aqueous solution with average diameters of 45 nm (P7) and 78 nm (P5), which were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cell internalization of the micelles using mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 was investigated. The micelles formed from P5 were endocytosed into the cell's cytoplasm through a non-specific endocytosis process, which was affected by temperature and calcium ions. Micelles formed from P7 could not be endocytosed. The dramatic difference of cell uptake between P5 and P7 indicated the cationic amino groups had a strong influence on the cell internalization to enhance the endocytosis pathway. 3-(4,5-Dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) viability assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the P5 micelle and no significant toxicity was observed. This study is the first report regarding the synthesis of BTD-conjugated block copolymers and the application of the biomacromolecules for bioimaging.
Brief Announcement: Distributed Single-Source Reachability

In the directed single-source reachability problem, input is a directed graph G=(V, E) and a source node s, and the objective is to identify nodes t for which there is a directed path in G from s to t. Recently Nanongkai[STOC'14] presented a distributed algorithm that solves this problem in O(D+√nD1/2) rounds, where D and n respectively denote the network diameter and the number of nodes. This note presents an algorithm that slightly improves the round complexity to O(D+√nD1/4), thus getting closer to the ~Ω(D+√n) lower bound of Das Sarma et al.[STOC'11]
Lithium chloride-induced anorexia, but not conditioned taste aversions, in rats with area postrema lesions

Area postrema (AP) lesions were produced by vacuum aspiration in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Consistent with previous findings, when water-deprived rats were allowed to drink novel flavored fluids immediately before treatment with LiCl (3 mEq/kg, i.p.), sham-operated and non-operated control rats demonstrated a pronounced aversion to the fluids whereas rats with AP lesions did not decrease fluid consumption significantly. However, in a 30-min test period after overnight food deprivation, rats with AP lesions reduced food intake significantly and to an equivalent degree as control animals when pretreated with LiCl (3 mEq/kg, i.p. or i.v.). These and other results are consistent with the traditional view that AP mediates the sensation of nausea produced by LiCl treatment (hence the loss of conditioned taste aversions after AP lesions), but suggest that neither nausea nor AP is necessary for the marked disinclination to eat that is induced in rats by acute administration of LiCl.
Telomerase Activation and Rejuvenation of Telomere Length in Stimulated T Cells Derived from Serially Transplanted Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Telomeres shorten in hematopoietic cells, including hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), during aging and after transplantation, despite the presence of readily detectable levels of telomerase in these cells. In T cells, antigenic stimulation has been shown to result in a marked increase in the level of telomerase activity. We now show that stimulation of T cells derived from serially transplanted HSC results in a telomerase-dependent elongation of telomere length to a size similar to that observed in T cells isolated directly from young mice. Southern analysis of telomere length in resting and anti-CD3/CD28 stimulated donor-derived splenic T cells revealed an increase in telomere size by ∼7 kb for the population as a whole. Stimulation of donor-derived T cells from recipients of HSCs from telomerase-deficient mice did not result in regeneration of telomere length, demonstrating a dependence on telomerase. Furthermore, clonal anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation of donor-derived T cells followed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of telomeric signal intensity showed that telomeres had increased in size by ∼50% for all clonal expansions. Together, these results imply that one role for telomerase in T cells may be to renew or extend replicative potential via the rejuvenation of telomere length.
Fishing Mortality in North Carolina's Southern Flounder Fishery: Direct Estimates of Instantaneous Fishing Mortality from a Tag Return Experiment

Abstract Estimation of harvest rates is often a critical component of fishery stock assessment and management. These assessments are often based on catch-at-age data sets generated over many years, but estimates of instantaneous fishing mortality (F) can also be obtained from a shorter-term tag return study. We conducted a 2-year tag return experiment to generate direct estimates of F for southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma in a North Carolina estuary. The southern flounder supports lucrative commercial and recreational fisheries within the state and has experienced heavy fishing pressure for more than a decade. During 2005 and 2006, fish were captured and tagged with the assistance of commercial harvesters in the New River estuary. Tag returns were used to generate monthly estimates of F, which demonstrated a clear seasonal pattern that was consistent between years. Several important assumptions of the tag return model were accounted for through the use of double-tagged individuals, the distributi...
Why Orange Guaymas Basin Beggiatoa spp. Are Orange: Single-Filament-Genome-Enabled Identification of an Abundant Octaheme Cytochrome with Hydroxylamine Oxidase, Hydrazine Oxidase, and Nitrite Reductase Activities

Orange, white, and yellow vacuolated Beggiatoaceae filaments are visually dominant members of microbial mats found near sea floor hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, with orange filaments typically concentrated toward the mat centers. No marine vacuolate Beggiatoaceae are yet in pure culture, but evidence to date suggests they are nitrate-reducing, sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. The nearly complete genome sequence of a single orange Beggiatoa (“Candidatus Maribeggiatoa”) filament from a microbial mat sample collected in 2008 at a hydrothermal site in Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California, Mexico) was recently obtained. From this sequence, the gene encoding an abundant soluble orange-pigmented protein in Guaymas Basin mat samples (collected in 2009) was identified by microcapillary reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) nano-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (μLC–MS-MS) of a pigmented band excised from a denaturing polyacrylamide gel. The predicted protein sequence is related to a large group of octaheme cytochromes whose few characterized representatives are hydroxylamine or hydrazine oxidases. The protein was partially purified and shown by in vitro assays to have hydroxylamine oxidase, hydrazine oxidase, and nitrite reductase activities. From what is known of Beggiatoaceae physiology, nitrite reduction is the most likely in vivo role of the octaheme protein, but future experiments are required to confirm this tentative conclusion. Thus, while present-day genomic and proteomic techniques have allowed precise identification of an abundant mat protein, and its potential activities could be assayed, proof of its physiological role remains elusive in the absence of a pure culture that can be genetically manipulated.
Genetic background influences the NK recruitment and Th1 polarization in response to TLR agonists (VAC3P.955)

In response to vaccines, DCs do not act in isolation but potentiate their efficiency by interacting with NK cells. The recognition of PAMPs by TLRs triggers DC maturation which is essential for their migration and T-cell priming. Maturing DCs release IL-12 which regulates the function of NK cells and drives the Th1 cells differentiation. In turn, NK cells which are activated by IL-12 and PAMPs through their own TLRs, provide IFN-γ necessary for enhancing stable IL-12 production by DCs and maintaining Th1 cell polarization. Studies using Balb/c strain showed that TLR agonist R848 induces NK cell recruitment into lymph nodes and augments Th1 polarization through unknown mechanisms. In this study we tested whether the genetic background will influence the NK cell recruitment and subsequent Th1 polarization in response to vaccine formulated with a panel of TLR agonists and alhydrogel. We found that immunization with OVA protein mixed with TLR agonist R848 among adjuvants tested, increased up to 3-fold recruitment of IFN-γ producing CD27+CD11b+ NK cell expressing CXCR3 and CD62L in lymph nodes and spleen of Balb/c but to a much lesser extent in B6 mice. Interestingly, however, the increased in NK cell recruitment had limited impact on Th1 polarization in Balb/c as compared to Th1-prone B6 mice. These data suggest that for optimal Th1 polarization, adjuvant or adjuvant combination should be selected based on their ability to both recruit and maximize DC-NK bidirectional signaling.
Angiographic localization of spinal cord blood supply and its relationship to postoperative paraplegia.

Forty-seven patients underwent selective catherization of middle and lower thoracic intercostal and upper lumbar arteries to define the origin of the artery of Adamkiewicz. One patient had significant atheroembolism, and a second had transient lower extremity paresthesias. No other complications occurred. The origin was found in 26 (55%), and 21 patients underwent thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair with this knowledge. When the critical lumbar or intercostal artery could be included as part of a long proximal or distal anastomosis, all 12 patients could be included as part of a long proximal or distal anastomosis, all 12 patients survived, and one was paralyzed. However, if the aneurysm repair mandated a midgraft anastomosis to intercostal arteries critical to spinal cord perfusion, seven of nine patients either died or were paralyzed (p < 0.05). In the group of 19 patients operated on in whom spinal cord blood supply was not identified three patients had a technically unsuccessful operation; two died, and one was paralyzed. Twelve of 16 patients who had an adequate, but unsuccessful attempt at localization were treated by intercostal “neglect” and survived. Late paresis developed in two patients, but they are walking now. One of the patients who died had multiple systems failure and awakened paraplegic. She had a patent, enlarged, thoracic radicular artery at T-5 which probably supplied to spinal cord and which was missed angiographically. Paralysis was associated with aneurysm extent (group 2 and III B, dissections vs group 1 & 3, p < 0.05). Selective intercostal angiography requires further refinement, but it is safe and offers the promise of understanding the mechanisms and risks of spinal cord complications after repair of extensive thoracoabdominal aneurysms. (J VASC SURG 1991;13:23-35.)
The ins and outs of aquaporin-2 trafficking.

This review outlines recent advances related to the molecular mechanisms and pathways of aquaporin-2 (AQP2) water channel trafficking. AQP2 is a fascinating protein, whose sorting signals can be in...
Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn.

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn (SFNN) usually occurs during the first few weeks of life. 1 It is characterized by necrosis of the subcutaneous fat with needle-shaped crystal formations within the fat cells. This process initiates a localized inflammatory process with foreign body giant cell formation. 2 Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is represented clinically by multiple subcutaneous, indurated, erythematous plaques and nodules. The lesions are painless and are not warm to palpation. 1,3 Common locations for these lesions include the buttocks, back, arms, thighs, and shoulders. 4 Although the etiology of this condition is unknown, many theories concerning its cause have been postulated. Associations of SFNN with cold exposure, obstetrical trauma, asphyxia, idiopathic hypercalcemia, hyperprostaglandinemia, and pancreatitis have all been suggested. 1,3-5 The following case offers support for neonatal asphyxia and trauma as possible etiologic factors in SFNN. Report of a Case A 43-week gestational-aged black male
Visual metadiscourse: Designing the considerate text

Visual metadiscourse can provide design criteria for authors when considering the needs and expectations of readers. The linguistic concept of metadiscourse is expanded from the textual realm to the visual realm, where authors have many necessary design considerations as they attempt to help readers navigate through and understand documents. These considerations, both textual and visual, also help construct the ethos of authors, as design features reveal awareness of visual literacy and of the communication context. Visual metadiscourse complements textual metadiscourse in emphasizing the necessity of rhetoric in technical communication.
A method for simultaneous detection of multiple mRNAs using digoxigenin and radioisotopic cRNA probes

We present a simple, reliable method for simultaneous detection of two distinct mRNAs within the same tissue sample by double in situ hybridization histochemistry. Sections are hybridized with a cocktail of radiolabeled and digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probes. The digoxigenin-labeled probe is detected with an alkaline phosphatase (AP)-dependent chromogen reaction and then the radiolabeled probe is detected by conventional autoradiography. The sensitivities of the two detection methods are comparable and demonstrate the feasibility of using double in situ hybridization histochemistry to investigate the co-localization and co-regulation of mRNAs that are expressed at relatively low levels.