cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Manganese uptake and release by cultured human hepatocarcinoma (Hep-G2) cells

The liver is the primary organ involved in manganese (Mn) homeostasis. The human hepato-carcinoma cell line, Hep-G2, shows many liver specific functions. Consequently, Hep-G2 cells were investigated as a possible model of hepatic metabolism of Mn. Initial experiments showed that the concentration of Mn in the diet, or culture medium, similarly affected the retention of Mn by isolated rat hepatocytes and Hep-G2 cells. Manganese uptake by Hep-G2 cells suggested that uptake was followed by release from the cell. Uptake was saturable and half-maximal at 2.0 μmol Mn/L, and was inhibited by iodoacetate, vanadate, cold, and bepridil. The cations Fe2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ decreased Mn uptake. Uptake was dependent on Calcium (Ca) concentration in a manner that resembled saturation kinetics. Cells that were pulsed with54Mn and then placed into nonradioactive medium quickly released a large portion of their internalized Mn. Release of internalized Mn could be inhibited by low temperature, nocodozole, quinacrine and sodium azide. These data show that Hep-G2 cells are a potentially good model of hepatic Mn metabolism. Mn is taken up by a facilitated process that may be related to Ca uptake. Release apparently is an active, controlled process, that may involve microtubules and lysosomes.
Studies on tongue carcinogenesis in rats using DMBA with and without cyanoacrylate adhesive

Abstract The production of epidermoid carcinoma for use as a model system of carcinogenesis was attempted utilizing various means available for producing intraoral malignancies. The lateral border of the tongue in Wistar rats received applications of DMBA covered with cyanoacrylate, cyanoacrylate only, DMBA in oil, and implants of DMBA. After 6 months of applications, there were no epidermoid carcinomas in any group. Fibrosarcomas developed in animals with DMBA implants. All other groups were essentially normal grossly and histologically. After chronic application of the cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive alone the lingual mucosa was normal.
Pressure-temperature-composition relationships for heated drawsalt systems

Abstract A molten nitrate salt mixture consisting of 60% NaNO3 and 40% KNO3 by weight is an attractive candidate for a heat transfer and thermal energy storage fluid in large-power solar systems. The relationships between pressure, temperature and composition (nitrate to nitrite ratio) have been determined for this salt mixture under two system configurations: constant volume (sealed containment) and constant pressure (open containment). For the first, families of pressure-temperature and composition-temperature curves were generated for initial salt volume fractions of 0.1 to 0.7. For the constant pressure system, composition-temperature curves were generated for oxygen pressures of 1, 0.2, 0.01 and 0.001 atm.
Women Students in Our Institutions: A Response to the U.N. Decade for Women (1976–1985]

A recent issue of the Decade For Women Post Date (International Women's Tribune Center, 1985b) shows a picture of a woman carrying a sign on her head which reads, "If it's not appropriate for women, it's not appropriate." The message carried in these words from the third international women's conference held during the United Nations Decade for Women (1976-1985) rings as true for our field of endeavor as it did for those attending the workshop on appropriate technology at the University of Nairobi, where the stinging words first echoed. If our programs, institutions, and classes are not appropriate for the women we serve, then they are not appropriate. The United Nations World Conference to Review and Appraise the Decade for Women was held in Nairobi from July 15 to July 25, 1985. Over 157 governments and 2,020 official delegates were represented at the World Conference, with an additional 14,000 persons attending the concurrent Forum '85, the nongovernmental organization counterpart to the official World Conference. Including press and rural women from different parts of Kenya, the unofficial estimate of participants in this international meeting of women rises to 20,000 persons (International Women's Tribune Center, 1985a). The purpose of the World Conference was to review women's gains and losses during the past decade, a decade officially designated by the United Nations as the Decade for Women, and to propose new strategies for the years 1985-2000. One of the major preparatory documents for the conference was Forward Looking
Direct Chemical Evidence for Charge Transfer between Photoexcited 2-Aminopurine and Guanine in Duplex DNA

Photoexcited 2-aminopurine (Ap*) is extensively exploited as a fluorescent base analogue in the study of DNA structure and dynamics. Quenching of Ap* in DNA is often attributed to stacking interactions between Ap* and DNA bases, despite compelling evidence indicating that charge transfer (CT) between Ap* and DNA bases contributes to quenching. Here we present direct chemical evidence that Ap* undergoes CT with guanine residues in duplex DNA, generating oxidative damage at a distance. Irradiation of Ap in DNA containing the modified guanine, cyclopropylguanosine (^(CP)G), initiates hole transfer from Ap* followed by rapid ring opening of the ^(CP)G radical cation. Ring opening accelerates hole trapping to a much shorter time regime than for guanine radicals in DNA; consequently, trapping effectively competes with back electron transfer (BET) leading to permanent CT chemistry. Significantly, BET remains competitive, even with this much faster trapping reaction, consistent with measured kinetics of DNA-mediated CT. The distance dependence of BET is sharper than that of forward CT, leading to an inverted dependence of product yield on distance; at short distances product yield is inhibited by BET, while at longer distances trapping dominates, leading to permanent products. The distance dependence of product yield is distinct from forward CT, or charge injection. As with photoinduced charge transfer in other chemical and biological systems, rapid kinetics for charge injection into DNA need not be associated with a high yield of DNA damage products.
Invariance of insidedness in projective transformations of the Maxwell triangle

In general, projective transformations of a plane vary shape, spacing [ D. L. MacAdam , J. Opt. Soc. Am.32, 2– 6 ( 1942)] and angles of plane figures which are uniquely defined in the affine sense corresponding to general usage. Projective transformations may also transform points inside a figure into points outside the transformation of the figure, if one considers the original and transformed figure in the affine sense. If all interior points of a figure are transformed to interior points of the transformed figure, then the transformation is said to be invariant with respect to insidedness of that figure.The purpose of this paper is to derive the condition under which the projective transformations of the Maxwell triangle are invariant with regard to insidedness. The meaning of this condition is illustrated by an example violating this condition, namely, a transformation of the CIE (x,y) diagram such that the confusion lines of the protanope and tritanope are respectively parallel to either coordinate axis.
An animal model for screening topical and systemic drugs for potential use in the treatment of psoriasis.

A new hairless mouse model using ultraviolet light to stimulate increased epidermal cell turnover and hyperplasia and thus simulate psoriasis has been designed so that drugs may be tested both topically and systemically for possible therapeutic value in this disease. Two methods of determining drug antimitotic activity have been used, the mitotic index and the extract ion of epidermal DNA and the determination of the radioactivity of the sample. Results show that 2% 5-fluorouracil in propylene glycol and 2% nitrogen mustard in water topically and cyclophosphamide systemically, which are drugs known to be effective in psoriasis, significantly reduce the mitotic index. DNA synthesis is similarly decreased by the latter two drugs. The effect of the topical agents is shown to be local and not systemic. Cylophosphamide. which is ineffective topically in psoriasis, is ineffective in the model.
Immunity to Toxoplasma gondii

Recent advances in our understanding of the immunological mechanisms involved during infection with Toxoplasma gondii include evidence for the role of different subsets of lymphocytes and cytokines in acute infection as well as in reactivation of chronic infection. The mechanisms of presentation of T. gondii antigen have been clarified recently, and animal models of toxoplasmosis that mimic disease observed in AIDS patients developed.
Helmholtz-resonator measurements of the superfluid density of liquid He 4 in submicrometer-diameter channels

The dependence of the effective relative superfluid density $\frac{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{sp}}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}$ upon temperature $T$ has been measured in 0.10, 0.08, 0.05, and 0.03-\ensuremath{\mu}m-diameter cylindrical pores in 5.0-\ensuremath{\mu}m-thick polycarbonate films (Nuclepore) using a superfluid Helmholtz resonator. We observe that $\frac{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{sp}}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}$ lies below the bulk relative superfluid density $\frac{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{sb}}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}$, and that near ${T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$, $\frac{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{sp}}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}$ for a given pore size is represented well by the relationship $\frac{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{sp}}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}=C{(t\ensuremath{-}{t}_{01})}^{\ensuremath{\zeta}}$, where $t\ensuremath{\equiv}\frac{({T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}\ensuremath{-}T)}{{T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}}$, $C\ensuremath{\simeq}2.46\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07$, $\ensuremath{\zeta}=0.675\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.020$, and ${t}_{01}$ is an effective pore-size-dependent reduced onset temperature equal to (0.26, 0.60, 0.89, and 2.84) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ for the four pore sizes, respectively. At the same time we find that over a broad range of temperature, including the region near ${T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$, $\frac{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{sp}}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}$ for a given pore size can be represented well by the relationship $\frac{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{sp}}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}=D[\frac{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{sb}}(t)}{\ensuremath{\rho}}\ensuremath{-}\frac{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{sb}}({t}_{02})}{\ensuremath{\rho}}]$, where $D$ is a constant and ${t}_{02}$ is an alternative effective reduced onset temperature. However, this form, which is linear in $\frac{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{sb}}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}$, has an asymptotic behavior different from that above as $\frac{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{sp}}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ and yields for each pore size a value for ${t}_{02}$ which is more than a factor 2 smaller than the value for ${t}_{01}$ above.
Melanostatin conformations in solution.

The conformations of melanostatin have been studied experimentally using CD spectroscopy and via calculations. In aqueous solution and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) there is no evidence that monomers of the tripeptide exist in an ordered (β-bend) structure. In water and TFE solutions (3–6 × 10−4M) the neutral molecules aggregate very slowly, taking about 3 days to attain equilibrium at room temperature. At equivalent concentrations in TFE, although not in water, the cationic molecules also slowly aggregate, although to a lesser extent. Calculations using rotational isomeric state theory give the most probable unperturbed end-to-end distance of the molecule at 9.3 ± 0.1 A and indicate that a vast majority of the molecules exist in some extended conformation, end-to-end distance ≥6 A. Only 0.4% of the molecules are calculated to have O…H separations compatible with a β-bend structure. An intramolecular hydrogen bond must have an energy at least 2 kcal/mol lower than that of an intermolecular hydrogen bond to solvent if a β-bend is to be experimentally observable.
Don't look stupid: avoiding pitfalls when recommending research papers

If recommenders are to help people be more productive, they need to support a wide variety of real-world information seeking tasks, such as those found when seeking research papers in a digital library. There are many potential pitfalls, including not knowing what tasks to support, generating recommendations for the wrong task, or even failing to generate any meaningful recommendations whatsoever. We posit that different recommender algorithms are better suited to certain information seeking tasks. In this work, we perform a detailed user study with over 130 users to understand these differences between recommender algorithms through an online survey of paper recommendations from the ACM Digital Library. We found that pitfalls are hard to avoid. Two of our algorithms generated 'atypical' recommendations recommendations that were unrelated to their input baskets. Users reacted accordingly, providing strong negative results for these algorithms. Results from our 'typical' algorithms show some qualitative differences, but since users were exposed to two algorithms, the results may be biased. We present a wide variety of results, teasing out differences between algorithms. Finally, we succinctly summarize our most striking results as "Don't Look Stupid" in front of users.
Hysteresis of gating underlines sensitization of TRPV3 channels.

Vanilloid receptors of the transient receptor potential family have functions in thermal sensation and nociception. Among them, transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV)3 displays a unique property by which the repeated stimulation causes successive increases in its activity. The property has been known as sensitization and is observed in both native cells and cells heterologously expressing TRPV3. Transient increases in intracellular calcium levels have been implicated to play a key role in this process by mediating interaction of calmodulin with the channel. In support of the mechanism, BAPTA, a fast calcium chelator, accelerates the sensitization, whereas the slow chelator EGTA is ineffectual. Here, we show that the sensitization of TRPV3 also occurred independently of Ca2+. It was observed in both inside-out and outside-out membrane patches. BAPTA, but not EGTA, has a direct potentiation effect on channel activation. Analogues of BAPTA lacking Ca2+-buffering capability were similarly effective. The stimulation-induced sensitization and the potentiation by BAPTA are distinguishable in reversibility. We conclude that the sensitization of TRPV3 is intrinsic to the channel itself and occurs as a result of hysteresis of channel gating. BAPTA accelerates the sensitization process by potentiating the gating of the channel.
Immunity to Parasitic Worms

Helminth infection provides a unique challenge to the host immune system. Not only are helminths complex multicellular organisms, but they have intricate life cycles with multiple developmental stages, several of which may coexist in the infected host. Keywords: helminth; immunity; IgE; eosinophil; mast cell
Ecological niche modeling of potential west nile virus vector mosquito species in Iowa

Ecological niche modeling (ENM) algorithms, Maximum Entropy Species Distribution Modeling (Maxent) and Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Prediction (GARP), were used to develop models in Iowa for three species of mosquito — two significant, extant West Nile virus (WNV) vectors (Culex pipiens L and Culex tarsalis Coquillett (Diptera: Culicidae)), and the nuisance mosquito, Aedes vexans Meigen (Diptera: Culicidae), a potential WNV bridge vector. Occurrence data for the three mosquito species from a state-wide arbovirus surveillance program were used in combination with climatic and landscape layers. Maxent successfully created more appropriate niche models with greater accuracy than GARP. The three Maxent species' models were combined and the average values were statistically compared to human WNV incidence at the census block group level. The results showed that the Maxent-modeled species' niches averaged together were a useful indicator of WNV human incidence in the state of Iowa. This simple method for creating probability distribution maps proved useful for understanding WNV dynamics and could be applied to the study of other vector-borne diseases.
Sliding Mode Pulse Width Modulation

This paper presents sliding mode pulse width modulation (SMPWM) control methodologies for a current- controlled inverter. Discussion begins with circuit analysis, proper references, and design of sliding surfaces. Based on this formulation, two novel approaches adopt sliding mode concept are proposed to make the system tracking selected references. Three-phase currents and the neutral point voltage are controlled simultaneously. Optimization of different operational criteria is offered by SMPWM via the control of neutral point voltage. Simulations are carried out to confirm the effectiveness of proposed control algorithms.
Understanding public stigma toward substance dependence

This study examined the mechanisms of stigma toward individuals diagnosed with substance-related disorders. The applicability of a mental health model of stigma extended to substance dependence was tested. Undergraduates completed a modified version of stigma questionnaires previously used to measure mental health stigma models. Questionnaires captured familiarity, perceived dangerousness, fear, and desired social distance toward individuals dependent to alcohol, marijuana, and heroin. Path analysis assessed the direct and indirect effects within this theoretical model for each substance. For marijuana and heroin, path models suggested that familiarity indirectly predicted desired social distance through perceived dangerousness and fear. For alcohol, familiarity did not indirectly or directly predict desired social distance. Implications for applying mental health models to substance disorder stigma are discussed.
MEASUREMENT OF TRUCK LOAD ON BRIDGES IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN, AREA

The objective of the study was to determine the actual truck loads on selected bridges in the Detroit, Michigan, area. Seven representative bridges were selected. The measurements were taken by using a weighin-motion system. For each measured truck, the record included vehicle speed, axle spacing, and axle loads. The variation in the accuracy of the gross vehicle weight (GVW) measurement was estimated to be ±5 percent and that of the axle weights was estimated to be ±20 percent for most types of trucks. Selected bridges were instrumented, and measurements were taken for 2 or 3 consecutive days. There was a considerable variation in traffic volumes and the weights of trucks, even within a given geographic area. The estimated average daily truck traffic varied from 500 to 1,500 in one direction. The maximum observed truck weights varied from 360 kN (81 kip) to 1100 kN (250 kip). The maximum observed axle weights varied from 90 kN (20 kip) to 225 kN (50 kip). The percentage of trucks exceeding the legal limi...
Left ventricular thrombus and subsequent thromboembolism in patients with severe systolic dysfunction.

Study objectives: To determine the frequency of left ventricular (LV) thrombi by echocardiography and to define the predictors of LV thrombus and subsequent thromboembolism. Design: Retrospective case-control design. Setting: Single tertiary care center. Patients: Twenty-eight patients with LV thrombus in a consecutive series of 144 patients with severe LV dysfunction and follow-up period for a mean of 27.6 months. Measurements and results: Thirty-five clinical and echocardiographic variables were evaluated. The mean age of patients with (n 5 28) vs patients without (n 5 116) LV thrombus was 50.3 6 11.0 years vs 54.2 6 11.1 years (p 5 0.09), with 22 patients (78.6%) and 78 patients (67.2%) being male (p 5 0.24), respectively. The mean ejection fraction (EF) for those with vs those without LV thrombus was 17.5 6 5.5 vs 20.0 6 6.9 (p 5 0.08), with 16 patients (57.1%) and 42 patients (36.2%) having an EF 60 mm) are independently associated with LV thrombi. A peripheral embolic event is related to poor long-term survival in this patient group. (CHEST 2000; 117:314 ‐320)
Pattern matching of age-at-death distributions in paleodemographic analysis.

Model age-at-death distributions are generated from fertility and mortality rates derived from two present-day, traditional human societies with widely differing cultural systems: the !Kung hunters-and-gatherers and Yanomamo horticulturalists. Visual examination of these models demonstrates that fertility has more of an effect than mortality on the overall configuration of the age-at-death distributions of stable populations. Comparisons with a late prehistoric Oneota skeletal sample from the American Midwest illustrate how reference age-at-death schedules can be used 1) to identify whether a given skeletal sample approximates an age-at-death distribution expected of an extant human population and 2) to provide a basis for developing further testable hypotheses about the demographic and cultural characteristics of past populations.
Management of external ear melanoma: the same or something different?

Abstract Background The external ear represents a site with high ultraviolet exposure and thin skin overlying cartilage. The aim of this study was to determine if ear melanomas have different characteristics than cutaneous melanomas in other anatomic sites. Methods The evaluation of patients treated at a tertiary care center. Results Sixty patients were treated for ear melanoma (87% male, mean age = 56.7, mean thickness = 1.65 mm). Seven of thirty-two patients (22%) who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy had positive nodes. Twenty (33%) patients had recurrence including 6 patients with negative sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) and 5 patients with positive SLNs. Three of 10 patients (30%) treated with Mohs surgery had local recurrence. Conclusions The overall local and systemic recurrences are similar to those previously reported. There is a higher recurrence rate than expected in patients with a negative SLN and a high local recurrence rate after Mohs surgery. Our data suggest that SLN evaluation may be less accurate in ear melanomas and that Mohs surgery may be associated with a relatively high local recurrence rate.
Discrepancies between catheter tip and tissue temperature in cooled-tip ablation: relevance to guiding left atrial ablation.

Background— It is not known whether catheter tip temperatures with a cooled-tip ablation can be reliably extrapolated to estimate actual tissue temperatures. The relationship between catheter tip temperatures, tissue temperatures, power, and microbubble formation is not known. Methods and Results— Nine dogs underwent 111 radiofrequency energy deliveries at the pulmonary vein ostia with a cooled-tip catheter. Catheter tip and tissue temperatures were markedly discrepant. Catheter tip temperature plateaus at 36°C to 39°C with increasing power, whereas tissue temperature increases to a mean of 75±3°C at 45 W (maximum temperature >100°C). Seventy-two energy deliveries were performed, titrating power to microbubble formation guided by intracardiac echocardiography. Type I and II microbubble formation occurred in 45 (63%) and 19 (26%) ablations, respectively. Type I microbubble emergence occurred at lower powers (21±8 versus 26±4 W; P=0.05), catheter tip temperatures (38±5°C versus 48±10°C; P=0.02), and tissue ...
Discretization schemes for fractional-order differentiators and integrators

For fractional-order differentiator s/sup r/ where r is a real number, its discretization is a key step in digital implementation. Two discretization methods are presented. The first scheme is a direct recursive discretization of the Tustin operator. The second one is a direct discretization method using the Al-Alaoui operator via continued fraction expansion (CFE). The approximate discretization is minimum phase and stable. Detailed discretization procedures and short MATLAB scripts are given. Examples are included for illustration.
Deterrence Now: Deterrence in the post-Cold War world

This chapter offers an overview of how the nature and functions of deterrence in international politics have begun to change, applying themes of preceding chapters to contemporary concerns. To more clearly identify what has changed and what has not, I briefly review deterrence during the Cold War, then try to characterize the international system today with deterrence in mind. Then the discussion moves to the heart of the subject. One theme is that deterrence is now of sharply diminished relevance in relations among developed countries, and of continuing or rising relevance in other places. The other recurring theme is that deterrence theory will be poorly applicable to the most likely contingencies not only due to difficulties with the theory, explored in chapter 2, but because central concepts can't be operationalized in a satisfactory way by policy makers in the situations they will confront. This applies to concepts of rationality, credibility, stability, unacceptable damage – nearly every facet of deterrence. As a result, a consistently effective deterrence strategy is impossible. It is not that deterrence can't or won't work if used, but trying to guide its use by an overall strategy will not work well. Deterrence in the Cold War era As indicated in chapter 1, deterrence during the Cold War existed simultaneously in three forms. The first was as an old, well-known tactic in managing a relationship, just a variant of using your elbows. Deterrence/compellance is as old as international politics, natural for confronting competitors in a dangerous environment.
An Overview of Depression

Depressed mood is a common part of normal as well as abnormal human experience. This ubiquity leads many to consider depressive illness as a benign, “functional” condition. As seen in t overview, such notions should be put to rest. We stress that depression is a disabling and potentially progressive condition, best conceptualized as an illness (or set of illnesses) affecting many aspects of brain function. Fortunately, depression is treatable, and there is clear evidence that early intervention and sustained treatment can ameliorate symptoms, reduce disability and vastly improve quality of life.
A low inductance linear transformer driver for exploding wire experiments

We present results from the first wire array experiments performed on a new 250 kA linear transformer driver (LTD) generator installed at UCSD. The LTD design represents a new approach in the field of exploding wire experiments. Importantly this driver creates the opportunity for repetition-rated experiments, which are unfeasible for traditional Marx driven systems. We will discuss the design of the high voltage power feed and experimental systems, as well as the performance of the generator in different load and charge voltage configurations. In addition, quantitative measurements of the plasma density evolution in cylindrical wire arrays will be shown, and compared to results from an 80 kA system in the same laboratory. A discussion of the scaling of these experiments relative to analytical theory will be given.
The Future of Standardization: Are We Destined to Repeat History?

The recent proliferation of information and communications technology standards and their accompanying ad hoc standards bodies could lead to a decentralization of standardization, which will affect privacy and security in the Internet of Things.
Perspectives on Seismic Risk Mitigation Decisions Under Uncertainty

This chapter provides a dialogue between the risk engineering and risk analysis communities, particularly as it pertains to communicating risks to decision-makers. Clearly, there is a conflict between the ability of engineers and risk analysts to perform necessary quantitative analyses, and the ability or willingness of decision-makers and construction professionals to use these analyses in practice. Society faces significant tradeoffs when allocating scarce resources to mitigating risks, and the information required to generate well-informed risk analyses is costly.
Coming full circle: an impressive case of Crohn's disease

A young man in his 20s with a 1 -year history of Crohn's disease, presented with severe abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, 20 pound weight loss and 5–6 persistent watery stools per day. Three months prior to his presentation, the patient had received treatment with Humira, however, due to the loss of his job and lack of finances, he had not received subsequent treatment. Laboratory values were significant for an elevated C-reactive protein of 25 mg/L (0–4.9 mg/L), and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 16 mm/h. An abdominal/pelvic contrast-enhanced MRI enterography revealed multiple enteroenteric fistulas and distention of …
Comparative Morphologic and Taxonomic Studies in the Genus Thraustochytrium

The genus Thraustochytrium consists of 10 species. Characters used to separate these taxa include: 1) zoospore and zoosporangial size; 2) nature of the rhizoids; 3) proliferation characteristics; 4) discharge methods; 5) pigmentation of thalli in mass; and 6) wall thickness of reproductive bodies. Although these taxa appear distinct when various aspects of the above characters are used, comparative morphological studies on a Thraustochytrium roseum-T. visurgense complex and a T. motivum-T. aureum complex point up the difficulty in using many of the characters which presumably separate the thraustochytriaceous taxa. The difficulty arises because the characters are susceptible to variation, the characters tend to overlap, and the characters of the isolates of this study, in conjunction with the characters of the already established taxa, form a character gradient or dine. More specifically, pigmentation, sporangial discharge characteristics, zoospore behavior, rhizoidal nature, and wall thickness, characters used to separate Thraustochytrium roseum and T. visurgense, are either highly variable or clinal so as to suggest that the two species are in fact but a single taxon, T. roseum. Also some of the characters used to distinguish T. aureum and T. motivum are so variable or clinal that their value is questionable.
Mammalian degradation of (-)-nicotine to 3-pyridylacetic acid and other compounds.

Summary1. The pattern of urinary excretion of C14 in the dog following intravenous administration of (-)-nicotine-C14 has been examined chromatographically by improved procedures. 2. The fractionated urine showed C14 activity corresponding chromatographically to the known metabolites: cotinine, γ- (3-pyridyl)-γ-methylaminobutyric acid, desmethylcotinine-hydroxycotinine, and γ-(3-pyridyl)-β-oxo-N-methylbutyramide. 3. Among many unidentified radioactive components, the urine contained material corresponding chromatographically to 3-pyridyl-acetic acid. 4. Following oral administration of (-)-cotinine to the dog. 3-pyridylacetic: acid was isolated from urine and characterized by analysis, melting point, mixed melting point and as its picric acid salt. 5. A precursor of 3-pyridylacetic acid is on formal grounds γ-(3-pyridyl)-β-oxobutyric acid, derivable from the known metabolite γ-(3-pyridyl)-β-oxo-N-methylbutyramide.
The Interest Rate Regulation and the Estimation of Implicit Interest Rate:Evaluating the Impact of Interest Rate Marketization on Interest Spread

The deposit interest rate ceiling forces Chinese commercial banks to compete for funds with higher actual interest rate than the official deposit interest rate.Based on the panel data of 63 commercial banks in 2002—2011from Bankscope,we estimate the implicit interest rate for commercial banks in China,allowing for heterogeneity in coefficients and spatial correlation across banks.Our estimation shows that the mean implicit interest rate is 1.21%—1.25%,about 82.88%—85.62% of the explicit interest rate.It will be underestimated as 0.53% if the spatial correlation is ignored.Our estimation implies that given the current incentive scheme and efficiency of financial institutions,implicit interest will decrease by 0.44 percentage point when official deposit interest rate increases by 1percentage point.This paper provides empirical support for deposit interest rate liberalization.
Fractures of the Shaft of the Femur in Children: Treatment and Results

Summary and Conclusion The treatment and results of 95 fractures in 93 children with fractures of the femoral shaft have been presented and the method of skeletal traction used most frequently at The Children's Hospital Medical Center in Boston has been described. The angular and linear deformities are reported for this series both after the reduction was complete and at the time of last evaluation, one to 12 years later. Residual angulation was not sufficient to influence function in any of these patients, although two did have bowing that was apparent to the examiner on close palpation of the femur. No serious complications were recorded and the desired linear relationship of the fragments was easily obtained. The only sequel of note was the relative lengthening of the fractured extremity secondary to its more rapid growth. If the initial alignment of the fracture fragments is less than 20 degrees when the femur is firm, there should be no clinical deformity after remodeling has taken place. The fracture fragments may be allowed to over-ride in children between two years and ten years of age but not in excess of 1.0 to 1.5 cm. In children under two years and in those approaching adolescence, stimulation of growth is not likely to occur and over-riding should not be allowed.
Mobile commerce - the challenges

Only yesterday we were being bombarded with concerns about the new millennium, focusing on Y2K and possibilities of major technological disasters. Now the new millennium is here and one if not the defining feature of this new millennium is the Internet in particular Internet based e-commerce. One after another more and more e-“somethings” are constantly appearing. The newest sensation though, is not an e-“something” rather the mobile Internet, m-commerce or the mobile version of e-commerce. What then is m-commerce and what can mobile commerce do? Concisely, m-commerce has the potential to deliver anything the Internet can offer plus it gives the added advantage of mobility as well as being extremely user friendly.
Gas Evacuation from Partially Saturated Woven Fiber Laminates

Gas evacuation from a partially saturated composite prepregs—a woven fabric reinforcement with a laminated liquid resin film—was characterized using the pulse-decay method. Dimensionless analysis was used to show how the initial pressure, boundary conditions (vacuum pressure at $$x=0$$ and with or without a reservoir volume at $$x=L$$ ), and Klinkenberg parameter effect the predicted decay of gas pressure. By comparing the experimental data to a set of dimensionless master curves, the intrinsic permeability, Klinkenberg parameter, and porosity were determined. Resin saturation was inferred by monitoring the area of resin saturating the initially dry side of the fabric. By mapping the gas flow parameters to the observed area fraction of resin, a complete and repeatable characterization method is demonstrated.
A stochastic differential game for quadratic-linear diffusion processes

In this paper we study a stochastic differential game between two insurers whose surplus processes are modelled by quadratic-linear diffusion processes. We consider an exit probability game. One insurer controls its risk process to minimize the probability that the surplus difference reaches a low level (indicating a disadvantaged surplus position of the insurer) before reaching a high level, while the other insurer aims to maximize the probability. We solve the game by finding the value function and the Nash equilibrium strategy in explicit forms.
Treatment Modalities of Post-prostatectomy Incontinence: A Historical Perspective as Well as Current Therapy Options

Post-prostatectomy incontinence can be a significant complication of surgical treatment for prostate cancer, greatly affecting patient quality of life and social interaction. It is a complication, however, that can improve over time and has various treatment modalities available depending on its extent and bother to the patient. For the urologist, it is important to know exactly what options exist and their level of efficacy in order to appropriately council patients. The treatment options vary based on their levels of invasiveness, reported success, and potential complications. Some of the options are also better suited to specific degrees of incontinence. As a result, this enables the physician to set realistic expectations for their patients and offer the best care possible.
Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans: Legal Requirements and Professional Recommendations:

Functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs) are critical components in the education of students with, or at risk for, emotional disturbance (ED). The purpose of this article is to compare the legal requirements with the professional requirements for FBAs and BIPs. The comparison is first according to the procedural dimension (e.g., the when and how questions) and then on the substantive dimension (the what question). The results reveal a dramatic difference between the legal requirements under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act and the professional recommendations for best practice. Our recommendation for both scholars and practitioners is not to fuse or confuse these two levels: one representing the mandatory minimum and the other representing the professional desideratum. Rather, due differentiation provides a proper framework for proposed additions to federal and state laws, strategic opportunities for advocacy in the litigation process, and ample latitud...
Existential Anxiety, Personality Type, and Therapy Preference in Young Adults:

The current study examines the relationship between existential anxiety (EA), personality traits, and therapy preference in a sample of young adults. EA is thought to be universal human experience,...
Analysis of Cognitive Abilities for Mentally Retarded Children on the WISC-R

This study investigated the cognitive abilities of 238 retarded children and youth on the WISC-R. The sample consisted of 238 children (135 boys and 103 girls) ranging in ages from 5 yr., 7 mo. to 16 yr., 7 mo., with a mean age of 10 yr., 9 mo. The variation in subtest scores was analyzed by running an analysis of variance for correlated data for the sample’s subtest scores. Individual differences between subtest means were analyzed by Newman-Keuls test for simple effects. Students’ t and Fisher’s F ratios were used to analyze the subtest scale scores of males and females. On the WISC-R Verbal Scale, the boys scored slightly higher than the girls on each of the subtests. The girls excelled on the Coding. Greatest variation in subtest scores occurred in the Object Assembly, while the lowest variation occurred in Picture Arrangement. Evidence from the present study of mentally retarded children’s performance on the WISC-R indicated that the relative strength and/or weakness of this sample is not restricted to either the Verbal or Performance area. Differences among the WISC-R subtests for retarded subjects seem to be as great within the Verbal-Performance areas as they are between them.
Disc-slot antenna with dielectric loading and thick metal ground for wrist-wron devices

A study of the GPS and BT/WLAN radiation performance from a disc-slot antenna with dielectric loading and thick ground plate is presented. The antenna radiation efficiencies on a phantom wrist-block show 2-dB and 1.4-dB improvement at GPS and BT/WLAN bands, compared to the antenna efficiency in free-space. This efficiency improvement reveals that this type of slot-disc antenna is a good fit for the wrist-worn devices which operate GPS and BT/WLAN applications.
Mechanisms and Mitochondrial Redox Signaling in Photobiomodulation

Photobiomodulation (PBM) involves the use of red or near-infrared light at low power densities to produce a beneficial effect on cells or tissues. PBM therapy is used to reduce pain, inflammation, edema, and to regenerate damaged tissues such as wounds, bones, and tendons. The primary site of light absorption in mammalian cells has been identified as the mitochondria and, more specifically, cytochrome c oxidase (CCO). It is hypothesized that inhibitory nitric oxide can be dissociated from CCO, thus restoring electron transport and increasing mitochondrial membrane potential. Another mechanism involves activation of light or heat-gated ion channels. This review will cover the redox signaling that occurs in PBM and examine the difference between healthy and stressed cells, where PBM can have apparently opposite effects. PBM has a marked effect on stem cells, and this is proposed to operate via mitochondrial redox signaling. PBM can act as a preconditioning regimen and can interact with exercise on muscles.
Hspb7 is a cardioprotective chaperone facilitating sarcomeric proteostasis

Abstract Small heat shock proteins are chaperones with variable mechanisms of action. The function of cardiac family member Hspb7 is unknown, despite being identified through GWAS as a potential cardiomyopathy risk gene. We discovered that zebrafish hspb7 mutants display mild focal cardiac fibrosis and sarcomeric abnormalities. Significant mortality was observed in adult hspb7 mutants subjected to exercise stress, demonstrating a genetic and environmental interaction that determines disease outcome. We identified large sarcomeric proteins FilaminC and Titin as Hspb7 binding partners in cardiac cells. Damaged FilaminC undergoes autophagic processing to maintain sarcomeric homeostasis. Loss of Hspb7 in zebrafish or human cardiomyocytes stimulated autophagic pathways and expression of the sister gene encoding Hspb5. Inhibiting autophagy caused FilaminC aggregation in HSPB7 mutant human cardiomyocytes and developmental cardiomyopathy in hspb7 mutant zebrafish embryos. These studies highlight the importance of damage-processing networks in cardiomyocytes, and a previously unrecognized role in this context for Hspb7.
Sexual Abuse of Children: Implications for Practice:

Descriptive data on sexually abused children confirm that most children are abused by members or acquaintances of their own families. Social work services for victims should include efforts to prot...
Pneumothorax/Pneumomediastinum/Pneumoperitoneum: A Very Rare Complication of ERCP

We present a 26-year-old Indian female who presented to the hospital with symptoms of right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Workup was suggestive of cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis. Patient underwent urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy and had successful removal of a stone along with stent placement. Patient developed post-operative back pain and chest pain. Workup revealed retroperitoneal air, pneumoperitoneum, pneumomediastinum and right sided pneumothorax; gastrointestinal series (UGI) gastrograffin study was negative for any leak. Patient underwent chest tube placement which resolved the pneumothorax. Pt improved with non-operative management and did not require any surgical intervention for retroperitoneal duodenal perforation. This is a very rare complication of ERCP described in literature in some case reports and needs to always be considered as missing such complications can have significant morbidity/mortality. J Med Cases. 2018;9(6):187-189 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc3070w
A Wake Up Call

Although I am going to argue that we need not accept the conclusion expressed in Philip Goff’s title, I am grateful for the opportunity to comment on his paper. For I believe he has raised an important challenge that property dualism, and some other views, must face up to.
Genetics, Microbial (general)

Microbial genetics is concerned with the nature and relatedness of the hereditary material (genomes) of microorganisms, how they evolve, and how genetic information is expressed. This article is a brief overview of the history and framework of understanding the relatedness of microbial genomes and genetic elements, and the evolution in genomes due to mutation and various known modes of recombination and gene transfer between microbial cells. The topics of taxonomy (speciation) and its implications for evolution are also discussed.
Analysis of hepadnavirus gene expression, biology, and pathogenesis in the transgenic mouse.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes acute and chronic hepatocellular injury and hepatocellular carcinoma (reviewed in Chisari et al. 1989b). During acute infection the virus replicates episomally within infected cells. In chronic infection the virus may also integrate into the host cell genome. In HBV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma, integrated viral DNA sequences are virtually always present, and the viral and flanking cellular sequences may be rearranged (see chapter by C. E. Rogler, this volume). Many aspects of the biology of HBV infection and the mechanisms whereby it causes liver cell injury and malignant transformation are not well understood, in large part because of the absence of appropriate tissue culture and animal models to study stages of this process. With the recent advent of transgenic mouse technology and the ability to introduce parts or the entirety of the HBV genome into the mouse germline, many of these questions are now approachable.
Color Vision Theory

Color vision is the ability to distinguish and identify lights and objects on the basis of their spectral properties. This entry presents several topics that underlie current theories of human color vision. These are trichromacy, opponency, adaptation, and color constancy. To understand the key ideas, it is useful to consider how information about color is transformed as it flows from the stimulus through the initial stages of the human visual system. At each image location, the color stimulus is specified by its spectral power distribution: the amount of power it contains at each wavelength. The classic color matching experiment shows that the normal human visual system is trichromatic: only three dimensions of spectral variation are coded by the visual system. The biological basis of normal trichromacy is that the retina contains three classes of cone photopigment. After the initial encoding of light by the cones, further processing occurs. Two aspects of this processing are particularly important. First, signals from three classes of cones are recombined to form a luminance and two color opponent channels. Second, there is adaptive signal regulation that keeps neural signals within their operating range and stabilizes the appearance of objects across changes of illumination (color constancy).
Ultralow Defect Density at Sub-0.5 nm HfO2/SiGe Interfaces via Selective Oxygen Scavenging.

The superior carrier mobility of SiGe alloys make them a highly desirable channel material in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) transistors. Passivation of the SiGe surface and the associated minimization of interface defects between SiGe channels and high-k dielectrics continues to be a challenge for fabrication of high-performance SiGe CMOS. A primary source of interface defects is interfacial GeOx. This interfacial oxide can be decomposed using an oxygen-scavenging reactive gate metal, which nearly eliminates the interfacial oxides, thereby decreasing the amount of GeOx at the interface; the remaining ultrathin interlayer is consistent with a SiOx-rich interface. Density functional theory simulations demonstrate that a sub-0.5 nm thick SiOx-rich surface layer can produce an electrically passivated HfO2/SiGe interface. To form this SiOx-rich interlayer, metal gate stack designs including Al/HfO2/SiGe and Pd/Ti/TiN/nanolaminate (NL)/SiGe (NL: HfO2–Al2O3) were investigated. As compared to the...