cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of arginine vasopressin on peripheral cardiac parasympathetic nerve function in the rat.

In rats, arginine vasopressin augments bradycardia associated with baroreflex activation. We investigated whether modulation of peripheral cardiac parasympathetic nerve function by AVP may play a role in this effect. To accomplish this we utilized an in vivo model with which we previously demonstrated both adrenergic and peptidergic modulation of cardiac parasympathetic nerve function. Urethane-anesthetized rats (250-350 g) were prepared with arterial and venous catheters and ECG leads. The cervical vagi were sectioned, and propranolol (1 mg/kg, i.v.) was administered to eliminate reflex changes in heart rate. To investigate potential preganglionic modulation by AVP, the right vagus nerve was electrically stimulated (0.5 mA; 0.5 msec; 1-10 Hz). To observe postganglionic effects through nicotinic activation, carbachol (a mixed nicotinic and muscarinic agonist) was injected (0.5 to 4.0 micrograms/kg, i.v.). To observe direct cholinergic effects at the SA node, methacholine (a pure muscarinic agonist) was injected (0.5 to 4.0 micrograms/kg). All three trials were performed before (control) and during AVP infusion (20 micrograms.kg.min). No consistent, significant differences in vagal-, carbachol- or methacholine-induced bradycardia were observed between control and AVP groups. Since endogenous plasma levels of AVP in the control situation may have saturated any vasopressinergic effect prior to AVP infusion, the experiments were repeated in Brattleboro rats, genetically deficient in AVP. Again, no consistent differences in heart rate responses to parasympathetic activation were noted between control and AVP-infused groups. These results suggest that in rats, vasopressinergic augmentation of baroreflex-induced bradycardia is not mediated by an effect on the peripheral cardiac parasympathetic innervation. However, it remains to be investigated whether AVP-mediated sympathetic withdrawal disinhibits cardiac parasympathetic nerve function.
Role of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor in the hyperlocomotive and hyperthermic effects of (+)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine.

Rationale Contradictory evidence exists regarding the role of the 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) in hyperactivity and hyperthermia elicited by the substituted amphetamine (+)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine.
Supercritical fluid conversion of graphene oxides

Abstract In the preparation of graphene sheets for various studies and applications, the indirect route through the reduction of graphene oxides (GOs) has been widely pursued. Exfoliated GOs are shown to be mostly single-layer sheets in aqueous solution, and they are also demonstrated for conversion to recover some of the properties intrinsic to graphene. Beyond the commonly used thermal annealing and chemical reduction methods, several environmentally friendly conversion strategies have been explored in the literature. Reported here is a method of annealing GOs in supercritical fluids (SCFs, including carbon dioxide and ethanol) at relatively lower temperatures (up to only 300 °C) for their conversion to reduced GOs (rGOs). The characteristic properties of SCFs include low densities (thus low viscosity/high diffusivity) and diminished surface tension, which have found successful applications in extraction and the cleaning of fragile electronic devices, and also found to enable lower-temperature crystallization of amorphous nanomaterials in a fluid-assisted calcination process. In this study the same principles for lower-temperature calcination in SCFs were applied to the conversion of GOs. The rGOs thus obtained were characterized, with their electrical and thermal conductive properties evaluated and correlated with the different processing conditions. The benefits and shortcomings of the SCF processing method are discussed.
Rapid scan Fourier transform NMR spectroscopy

Abstract The theoretical basis for the use of cross correlation to extract an undistorted spectrum from a rapid scan response (as first suggested by Dadok) is examined in detail. It is shown that the desired information can be obtained either by cross correlating the rapid scan responses of the unknown and a reference consisting of only a single sharp NMR line or alternatively by applying to the Fourier transformed response an appropriate analytical function. Practical considerations in the use of rapid scan FT-NMR are explored, and illustrative examples are given. The method compares favorably with pulse FT methods in sensitivity and, in some instances, has distinct advantages over the pulse technique.
NON-A, NON-B POST-TRANSFUSION HEPATITIS

Abstract To clarify the role of hepatitis-A virus (H.A.V.) in the aetiology of post-transfusion hepatitis unrelated to hepatitis-B virus, we have tested and titred pre-transfusion and convalescent serum samples from 32 patients for antibody to hepatitis-A antigen (anti-HA) by quantitative immune adherence haemagglutination. 12 patients had no detectable anti-HA in either pre-transfusion or late convalescent serum; the other 20 had anti-HA in pretransfusion serum and no significant change in titre during convalescence. This study excludes. H.A.V. as the agent responsible for these cases of post-transfusion hepatitis and supports the existence of "non-A, non-B" hepatitis virus(es).
A mass spectrometric study of substituted furfuryl compounds

The mass spectra of six furfuryl compounds — namely, furfuryl alcohol, 5-furfuryl-furfuryl alcohol, difurfuryl ether, difurylmethane, 2,5-difurfurylfuran, and 4-furfuryl-2-pentenoic acid-γ-lactone — have been studied. Their fragmentation mechanisms are discussed in detail with particular emphasis on the modes that lead to the formation of aromatic fragments. The majority of the fragment ions are formed by elimination of CO and C2H2 from even-electron precursor ions and HCO from odd-electron precursor ions. Molecules containing two furan rings linked by a methylene group give mass spectra that exhibit large abundances of aromatic fragment ions.
Prenatal behavior of the C57BL/6J mouse: A promising model for human fetal movement during early to mid-gestation

The study of fetal neurobehavioral development in genetically altered mice promises a significant advance in our understanding of the prenatal origins of developmental disabilities in humans. Despite their importance, little is known about fetal neurobehavioral development in mice. In this study, we observed prenatal behavioral patterns of the C57BL/6J mouse, a common background strain for genetically-altered mice, and report their similarity to those observed in the early-to-mid gestation human fetus. Fetal offspring from pregnant C57BL/6J dams were observed on the day before birth (E18 of a 19-day gestation). Scoring and analysis of fetal movement included Prechtl’s Method for Qualitative Assessment, Interlimb Movement Synchrony, a measure of the temporal relationship between movements of limb pairs, and Behavioral State, quantified through detailed analysis of high and low amplitude limb movements. With the exception of fetal breathing movements, all categories and patterns of behavior typically reported in the early-to-mid gestation human fetus were observed in the C57BL/6J mouse fetus. Our results suggest that behavioral analysis of fetal C57BL/6J mice may yield important new insights into early to mid-gestation human behavioral development.
On weak consistency in linear models with equi-correlated random errors

A new estimator in linear models with equi-correlated random errors is postulated. Consistency properties of the proposed estimator and the ordinary least squares estimator are studied. It is shown that the new estimator has smaller variance than the usual least squares estimator under some mild conditions. In addition, it is observed that the new estimator
Introducing a New Computer-based Test for the Clinical Evaluation of Color Discrimination

Purpose To evaluate the Portal color sort test (PCST), a new computer-based test of color vision, by comparing it with a series of clinical tests of color vision in normal and color deficient subjects. Design Prospective clinical laboratory study. Methods Fifty-nine subjects with normal trichromatic vision or with congenital color vision defects underwent a series of color vision tests that included the 15-plate Ishihara test, the D-15 Farnsworth-Munsell test (D-15), the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue test (FM 100-Hue), and the PCST under rigorous standardized conditions, as recommended by the respective manufacturers. The PCST generates a numerical discrimination score comparable to the FM 100-Hue. Results To test validity, discrimination scores generated by the PCST were compared with scores on the FM 100-Hue. The Spearman rank correlation between discrimination scores on the FM 100-Hue and the PCST was 0.8 ( P P P P Conclusions This study suggests that the PCST, a test of color vision deficiency, can be used effectively and reliably as a tool for screening (comparable to the Ishihara plates and the D-15) and grading (comparable to the FM 100-Hue) color discrimination ability.
Lysozyme-induced t-suppressor cells and antibodies have a predominant idiotype.

The existence of shared idiotypic determinants on the surfaces of T and B cells is now firmly established, suggesting that on both these cell types immunoglobulin variable regions are expressed which presumably function as antigen receptors. In most systems this has been inferred through the use of anti-idiotypic antibody instead of antigen to induce either helper or suppressor T cells1,2. Recent evidence demonstrates that antigen-specific suppressor or helper factors can also bear idiotypic determinants3,4. It is possible that these factors represent released receptors or portions of receptors. We show here the direct elimination of an antigen-induced T-suppressor population by an anti-idiotypic serum and complement. These suppressor T cells as well as the idiotypic population used to generate the antiserum are each specific for the same limited portion of the multi-determinant antigen, lysozyme. Apparently, these suppressor cells are restricted in specificity as well as share idiotypy with antibodies of the same specificity.
Concanavalin A induced alterations in 125I-labeled prolactin binding.

Summary 125 I-labeled ovine prolactin binding to receptors in the liver of female rats is markedly inhibited by Concanavalin A (Con A). Lens culinaris agglutinin and succinyl-Con A inhibit binding to a much lesser extent and wheat germ agglutinin and phytohemagglutinin-P are without affect. Con A inhibition is dose related and saturable; however, 30% of prolactin receptors are unaffected by Con A. α-Methylmannoside or α-methylglucoside, both potent inhibitors of Con A binding, reverse the inhibition. Con A also inhibits prolactin binding in other normal target tissues and in neoplastic rat mammary tissue. In contrast, 125 I-labeled Con A binding to rat liver is unaltered by prolactin. These results suggest that Con A binding sites may not be identical to the prolactin receptor and that prolactin receptors may exist in two domains on the cell surface — one of which is in close proximity to Con A binding sites and another which is more distant.
Surrogate measures of insulin resistance: does one size fit all?

Insulin resistance and a relative deficiency in insulin secretion are the major pathophysiological features of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes. Although the euglycaemic–hyperinsulinaemic clamp and the hyperglycaemic clamp are the ‘gold standards’, respectively, for measuring these metabolic defects, there has been an active search during the past few decades for simpler and less expensive surrogate measures of insulin resistance that can be applied more globally in epidemiological studies or large clinical trials. These surrogate markers primarily rely on plasma insulin and glucose levels measured either in the fasting state or after an oral glucose challenge. Although many of these surrogate measures correlate well with the clamp (with r values frequently as high as 0.60–0.70) within racially and ethnically homogeneous populations, it is not clear how well they can be used to compare insulin action across different groups. In this issue of Diabetologia, Ahuja et al (DOI: 10.1007/s00125-014-3414-6) have used these methods to compare insulin resistance in a white population in the USA with a Japanese population in Japan. The relative merits and drawbacks of applying these techniques in different populations are discussed.
Method for efficient computation of stress intensity factors from weight functions by singular point elimination

Abstract Mode I stress intensity factor KI can be computed by integration of a function representing a stress profile (e.g., variation of stress with depth), modified by an appropriate weight function. Usually, numerical integration is required. However, widely used weight functions cause the end (s) of integration intervals to be singular points, complicating numerical integration. Approaches for computing KI that deal with singularities by approximating stress profiles by a linear function near a singular point, or transforming a weight function to a form that enables Gauss–Chebyshev integration, are reviewed. As an alternative to those approaches, this study presents a different method for numerical integration involving weight functions. First, a general, variable transformation method to eliminate singularities is introduced. Elimination of singular point enables elementary integration approaches such as Simpson’s rule, as well more involved methods, such as adaptive-Lobatto integration, to be applied. Benchmark tests using a variety of numerical integration formulas show the singular point elimination method to provide accurate, robust and computationally efficient integrations.
Exponential Integrability and Application to Stochastic Quantization

We study the exponential integrability problem for I n (f n ), i.e., E exp{I n (f n )} < ∞, where I n (f n ) is a multiple Ito-Wiener integral on some Gaussian space arising from the constructive quantum field theory and from stochastic quantization. We also study a class of singular infinite-dimensional stochastic differential equations whose drift coefficients are measurable and unbounded. Using a condition due to Kazamaki, we prove the existence of a weak solution assuming some integrability conditions on the drift coefficient. Then we apply the exponential integrability theorem and the existence theorem to study infinite-dimensional stochastic differential equations of stochastic quantization.
Separation of antibody-bound and unbound peptide hormones labelled with iodine-131 by talcum powder and precipitated silica.

Separation of Antibody-Bound and Unbound Peptide Hormones Labelled with Iodine-131 by Talcum Powder and Precipitated Silica
Enhanced biological activity of dimeric gonadotropin releasing hormone.

The biological activities of a series of dimeric analogs of des-Gly10-[D-Lys6]GnRH-NHEt cross-linked at Lys6 by malonic acid and elongated by Gly, i.e., HO-Glyn-CO-CH2-CO-Glyn-OH (n = 0, 1, 2), were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. All three dimeric analogs displayed increased activity in receptor binding and in LH release assays than the original monomer, and dimer Ib (n = 1) showed the highest potency in vitro. This compound also showed the highest activity in the in vivo postcoital assay, in which GnRH agonist potency is measured by inhibition of pregnancy. These results indicate that GnRH receptor activation is substantially enhanced by dimerization of the agonist ligand.
Wari's imperial influence on local Nasca diet: The stable isotope evidence

Abstract The highland Wari Empire established a presence within the Nasca region of south coastal Peru during the Middle Horizon period. To clarify the nature of this interaction, we analyzed stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of human bone collagen from individuals living in the Southern Nasca Region (SNR) before (1–750 AD) and during (750–1000 AD) imperial influence. The stable isotope data do not indicate that the Wari Empire transformed maize agricultural labor in the Las Trancas Valley of the SNR. In fact, during both time periods, Nasca people had access to a wide range of food items. During the imperial period, however, dietary breadth increased, with greater inter-individual differences in meat consumption and C3 foods. During a time of probable population increase, some high status individuals consumed more meat and maize than others. Other individuals consumed less meat and more C3 foods such as beans, potatoes, huarango, or quinoa, which may reflect less meat availability for some individuals within the population. There is, however, no average difference in diet between the sexes, which is consistent with a similar consumption of maize. This suggests that maize consumed in the form of beer (chicha), in contrast to ethnographic reports of feasting, was not differentially distributed between males and females. Apparently, the Wari interest in the Las Trancas Valley of the SNR was focused on resources other than maize.
Nozzle-Exit Boundary-Layer Effects on a Controlled Supersonic Jet

The effect of nozzle-exit boundary-layer thickness on the evolution of a round Mach 1.3, Reynolds number 1×106 jet is examined without and with control. For the latter, the flapping mode is considered at the preferred column mode frequency (Strouhal number=0.3). The boundary-layer thickness is varied from a very small value to 25% of the diameter. For the no-control cases, the distance between the nozzle lip and the initial appearance of breakdown is proportional to the boundary-layer thickness, which is consistent with theory and previous results by other researchers at Mach 0.9. However, the subsequent growth toward the centerline is faster for the thicker boundary layers. With flapping mode control, increasing the thickness of the boundary layer has different effects on the flapping and nonflapping planes. The rapid spreading of the jet observed on the flapping plane with thin boundary layers is greatly diminished as the nozzle-exit layer is thickened. Conversely, the rate of spreading on the nonflappi...
Improvements in the method developed for performing isoelectric focusing in uncoated capillaries

Abstract Capillary isoelectric focusing run times were reduced from 30 to 5 minutes through reversing the polarity and shortening the separation distance. Complete resolution was only obtained by increasing the concentration of tetramethylethylenediamine in the sample solution. Problems previously seen with acidic proteins were shown to be due to anodic drift in the ampholyte gradient, and were minimized by increasing the concentration of phosphoric acid in the anode buffer. The inability of the method to tolerate protein samples with salt is also discussed.
Inter- and intra-observer variability in radiologists' assessment of mass similarity on mammograms

The purpose of this study was to compare the performances of two recently-developed image retrieval methods for mammographic masses, and to investigate the inter- and intra-observer variability in radiologists' assessment of mass similarity. Method 1 retrieved masses that are similar to a query mass from a reference library based on radiologists' margin and shape descriptions and the mass size. Method 2 used computer-extracted features. Two MQSA radiologists participated in an observer study in which they rated the similarity between 100 query masses and the retrieved lesions based on margins, shape, and size. For each query mass, three masses retrieved using Method 1 and three masses retrieved using Method 2 were displayed in random order using a graphical user interface. A nine-point similarity rating scale was used, with a rating of 1 indicating lowest similarity. Each radiologist repeated the readings twice, separated by more than three months, so that intra-observer variability could be studied. Averaged over the two radiologists, two readings, and all masses, the mean similarity ratings were 5.59 and 5.57 for Methods 1 and 2, respectively. The difference between the two methods did not reach significance (p>0.20) for either radiologist. The intra-observer variability was significantly lower than the inter-observer variability, which may indicate that each radiologist may have their image similarity criteria, and the criteria may vary from radiologist to radiologist. The understanding of the trends in radiologists' assessment of mass similarity may guide the development of decision support systems that make use of mass similarity to aid radiologists in mammographic interpretation.
The genomic organization of guide RNA genes in kinetoplastid protozoa: several conundrums and their solutions

The guide RNA (gRNA) paradigm states that the uridine (U) insertion/deletion type of RNA editing is mediated by short 3' uridylylated gRNAs that are complementary to specific blocks of mature edited sequence. These gRNAs contain the edited sequence information in the form of guiding purine residues that can base pair with the inserted U's and do not base pair with encoded U's that are to be deleted. The minicircle gRNA genes in trypanosomatids are localized at specific sites within the variable region, with the number and the precise localization of genes also being species-specific. The total number of minicircle sequence classes and thereby minicircle-encoded gRNAs varies greatly between species and even between different strains of the same species, with the greatest number being in the trypanosome species. Several conundrums which appeared to raise problems for the gRNA paradigm arose during comparative analysis of minicircle gRNA gene organization. The solution of these conundrums has led to a better understanding of the function and evolution of this RNA modification phenomenon.
On the ▽·F variable Eddington factor-flux limited diffusion description

Abstract Two aspects of a recently reported variable Eddington factor-flux limited diffusion description of radiative transfer are considered. These are: (1) the boundary conditions which arise from a boundary layer analysis are cast into a simple and usable form; (2) it is shown that this theory, with the imposition of one additional assumption, reduces to an earlier theory due to Levermore.
Hyperbolic curvature on rlemann surfaces

Let X and Y be hyperbolic Riemann surfaces and f: X→ Y a conformal mapping of X into Y. Suppose γ is a smooth path on X a∊γ and k x (a, γ)(k γ( f( a)fеγ)) denotes the hyperbolic curvature of γ(fеγ) at a (f (a)). We investigate the comparison of k x (a,γ) and k y:( f(a),γ); this is a continuation of the work of Flinn and Osgood who considered the case in which X and yare simply connected. We prove the monotonicity property that k y( f (a),f,y)≤ k x:(a,γ) provided that k x(a,γ)≤2 and the induced homomorphism f∗. φ( X,a) →φ(y f(a)) of the fundamental groups is injective. When X is simply connected, this condition on f ∗ is automatically satisfied. Also, if X and Y are simply connected, we show that the monotonicity property actually holds for k x(a,γ)≤1 whenever f( X) is a hyperbolicallv 1-convex subset of Y.
Fine structural study of the microgametogenesis of Eimeria auburnensis.

The microgametogenesis of Eimeria auburnensis from experimentally infected calves killed 16 to 18 days after inoculation was investigated with the electron microscope. Early microgametocytes had nuclei with compact nucleoli and relatively few electron-dense masses. In this stage, deep invaginations from the surface evidently served for the intake of nutrients from the parasitophorous vacuole. In older stages, the nuclei had no compact nucleoli and had more elctrondense material. An intranuclear fiber apparatus was present in some nuclei, apparently in an early stage of division. Nuclear division appeared in electron micrographs to occur by a kind of fission, in which the intranuclear fiber apparatus may participate. Numerous fissures appeared in the interior of the microgametocyte and the nuclei were arranged in irregular rows in association with these. Centrioles, either single or double, were observed between the nuclei and the membrane lining the fissures. Such nuclei often had an intranuclear fiber apparatus; one of the osmiophilic poles of this apparatus protruded outward from the nucleus in the vicinity of the centriole. Directly over this pole, electron-dense material, probably representing the anlage of the perforatorium, occurred immediately beneath the surface membrane of the fissure. As many as 9 closely arranged micropores were observed in this membrane in some specimens. In the nearly mature microgamete, the basal bodies of the flagella lay at the anterior end; the mitochondrion, with numerous, regularly arranged tubules began slightly posterior to this. The strongly osmiophilic, condensed nucleus was a little farther posterior; this remained connected by a narrow stalk with the uncondensed portion of the nucleus in the residual cytoplasm until the microgametes were almost completely mature. Usually, 2 flagella were present. Rarely, 3 flagella were observed, and evidence of a rudimentary middle flagellum was found in a number of specimens.
Paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic phase boundaries of FeF2 from ultrasonic measurements

Abstract The paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic phase boundaries of FeF 2 , determined from ultrasonic measurements in fields up to 200 kG, are well described by T N − T = AH 2 where T N =78.35±0.03°K, A = (9.9 ± 0.3) × 10 −11 ° K G 2 for H  [001] , and A = (2.0 ± 0.2) × 10 −11 ° K G 2 for H  [110] .
Preperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia at open radical prostatectomy

Purpose Patients undergoing prostatectomy for cancer are at risk for onset/worsening of inguinal hernia (IH). Preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (IHR) concurrent with radical prostatectomy (RP) should be considered. Dissection of the preperitoneal space at RP provides an ideal opportunity for the repair of inguinal hernia. We describe our efforts with patients undergoing RP and IHR to determine whether this approach is safe.
Protein carboxylmethyltransferase activity in intact, differentiated neuroblastoma cells: quantitation by S-[3H]adenosylmethionine prelabeling.

: Protein carboxylmethyltransferase has been proposed to play a role in the regulation of neuroblastoma differentiation (Kloog et al., 1983). When we investigated this hypothesis further, different results for methyl ester formation were obtained when measured in acid-precipitated proteins and in proteins separated by acidic polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, following the incubation of intact neuroblastoma cells with [3H]methionine. These unexpected findings led to the development of a modified assay using S-[3H]-adenosylmethionine as the radiolabeled precursor for quan-titating carboxyl methylation in intact cells. Data obtained from either acid-precipitated proteins or those separated on an electrophoresis gel following S-[3H]adenosylmethionine incubation directly correlated with data obtained from proteins separated by electrophoresis following [3H]methionine incubation. Using each of the three methods, an approxi-mately twofold increase in the carboxyl methylation of cellular proteins was detected in neuroblastoma cells differentiated by reducing the serum concentration from 10 to 0.5%, but not in those cells differentiated with either 5 mMhexa-methylene bisacetamide or 2% dimethyl sulfoxide. The finding that all detectable methyl acceptor proteins are increasingly methylated following 0.5% serum treatment and that this modification is substoichiometric suggests that protein carboxyl methylation is not an essential component of the differentiation process in neuroblastoma cells.
Heat transfer and two-phase flow during convective boiling in a partially-heated cross-ribbed channel

Abstract Measured local heat transfer data and visual observations of the two-phase flow behavior are reported for convective boiling of saturated liquids in a cross-ribbed channel similar to geometries used in formed-plate compact heat exchangers. Experiments in this study were conducted using a special test section which permitted direct visual observation of the boiling process while simultaneously measuring the local heat transfer coefficient at several locations along the channel. One wall of the channel was heated while the opposite and lateral walls were adiabatic. Measured local heat transfer coefficients on the heated portion of the channel wall were obtained for convective boiling of methanol and n-butanol at atmospheric pressure with the channel oriented vertically and in horizontal positions with top heating, side heating and bottom heating of the channel. Vertical flows were observed to be in the churn or annular flow regimes over most of the channel length whereas the horizontal flows were either in the wavy or annular flow regime over most of the channel. Visual observations also indicated that virtually no nucleate boiling was present when the flow was in one of these three regimes. For the same coolant and flow conditions, at moderate to high qualities, the measured convective boiling heat transfer coefficients for the vertical and horizontal orientations were usually found to differ by only a small amount. However, for some orientations, partial dryout of the heated wall of the channel was sometimes observed to reduce the heat transfer coefficient. A method of correlating the heat transfer data for annular film-flow boiling in cross-ribbed channel geometries is also described.
Mycological studies in the Savannah area--1950.

Abstract This study shows that: 1.1. The fungi, which are now recognized as causative agents of allergic symptoms, are found in the Savannah area throughout the entire year. 2.2. The number fluctuates from season to season, showing the greatest concentration from April through November. 3.3. Fluctuation apparently is controlled by other factors in addition to climatic conditions.
Design of three-dimensional photonic crystals for large-area membrane stacking

We designed and analyzed “Mesh-Stack” three-dimensional photonic crystals of 14% bandgap fully compatible with fabrication methods based on alignment and stacking large-area single-crystal membranes containing engineered defects. A single-mode waveguide and misalignment effects are presented.
Localization of the Antimitotic Peptide and Depsipeptide Binding Site on β-Tubulin†

Several naturally occurring peptides and depsipeptides which include the cryptophycins, dolastatin 10, hemiasterlin, and phomopsin A have been found to be potent antimitotic agents, causing cell death at picomolar or low nanomolar concentrations. These compounds inhibit microtubule growth, modulate the dynamics of microtubules, and induce the self-association of tubulin dimers into single-walled rings and spirals. These peptides exhibit mutual competitive inhibition in binding to beta-tubulin, while noncompetitively inhibiting the binding of vinblastine and vincristine to beta-tubulin. Despite the abundance of biochemical information, the details of their molecular interactions with tubulin are not known. In this study, using a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and molecular docking studies, a common binding site for cryptophycin 1, cryptophycin 52, dolastatin 10, hemiasterlin, and phomopsin A on beta-tubulin has been identified. Application of these same methods to alpha-tubulin indicated no interaction between alpha-tubulin and any of the peptides. On the basis of the docking results, a model for the mechanism of microtubule disruption and formation of aberrant nonmicrotubule structures is proposed. Both the active site and mechanism of microtubule depolymerization predictions are in good agreement with experimental findings.
AUSTRALICOLA PECTINATUS N. GEN. AND N. SP. (CESTODA: PSEUDOPHYLLIDEA) FROM THE DEEP-SEA FISH BERYX SPLENDENS FROM TASMANIA

Australicola pectinatus n. gen., n. sp. (Pseudophyllidea: Triaenophoridae) is proposed to accommodate a new cestode from a deep-sea fish, the splendid alfonsino, Beryx splendens Lowe, 1834 (Beryciformes: Berycidae), from the Pacific coast of Tasmania. The new genus is placed in the Triaenophoridae, because it possesses a ventral uterine pore, marginal genital pore, and follicular vitellarium. Australicola is characterized by possessing a massive strobila with very short and wide, markedly craspedote proglottids; vitelline follicles forming a transverse equatorial band; a very deep and narrow genital atrium; a wide, convoluted vaginal canal; and unoperculate eggs. Australicola most closely resembles Eubothrium Nybelin, 1922 and Probothriocephalus Campbell, 1979 in having an unarmed scolex, an unarmed cirrus, the vagina anterior to the cirrus-sac, and cortical vitellaria. It differs from these 2 genera, in addition to the characteristics listed above, in possessing a dendritic rather than an entire ovary. Australicola pectinatus n. sp. is the third cestode described from B. splendens.
Recognition of plants using a stochastic L-system model

Recognition of natural shapes like leaves, plants, and trees, has proven to be a challenging problem in computer vision. The members of a class of natural objects are not identical to each other. They are similar, have similar features, but are not exactly the same. Most existing techniques have not succeeded in effectively recognizing these objects. One of the main reasons is that the mod- els used to represent them are inadequate themselves. In this re- search we use a fractal model, which has been very effective in modeling natural shapes, to represent and then guide the recogni- tion of a class of natural objects, namely plants. Variation in plants is accommodated by using the stochastic L-systems. A learning sys- tem is then used to generate a decision tree that can be used for classification. Results show that the approach is successful for a large class of synthetic plants and provides the basis for further research into recognition of natural plants. © 2002 SPIE and IS&T.
Selection and Lineage Specification in the Thymus: Commitment 4-Stalled

How CD4+CD8+ thymocytes commit to CD4 helper versus CD8 cytotoxic lineages is a central unresolved question in developmental immunology. In this issue, Sarafova et al. (2005) show that engineering CD4 for shutoff immediately after positive selection misdirects cells to the cytotoxic lineage. The result highlights the distinction between positive selection and lineage commitment and provides new impetus for reexamining lineage models.
Operational optimization and demand response of hybrid renewable energy systems

Abstract This paper presents a methodology to systematically formulate a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES), which consists of solar, wind and diesel generator as a backup resource as well as battery storage, from the preliminary design stage to the optimal operation. Detailed modeling of each system component is introduced as the basis for the simulation study. System sizing considering energy flows is conducted to obtain the optimal combination of photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind turbines. Energy management strategies from both the demand-side and generation-side are developed to realize the objectives of meeting the electricity demand while minimizing the overall operating and environmental costs. Day-ahead and real-time weather forecasting, demand response and model updating are also integrated into the proposed methodology using a receding horizon optimization strategy. The method is demonstrated through an application to a single-family residential home.
The synthesis and characterization of the molecular sieve SAPO-16 as well as other SAPO and CoAPO phases using bis(cyclopentadienyl) cobalt(III) hydroxide as a structure directing agent

The clathrate type molecular sieve SAPO-16 was prepared via a hydrothermal synthesis using bis(cyclopentadienyl)cobalt(III) hydroxide, Cp2CoOH, as a template and characterized by XRD, FT-IR, UV-Vis and SEM. Additionally, the preparation and characterization of possibly new isostructural SAPO-UTD-3 and CoAPO-UTD-3 materials is reported.
Examining how image restoration strategy impacts perceptions of corporate social responsibility, organization‐public relationships, and source credibility

Purpose – The paper aims to test Benoit's five image restoration strategies to examine how each strategy impacts perceptions of the organization‐public relationship (OPR) and corporate social responsibility (CSR). It also examines how the strategy used impacts the credibility of the source cited in the crisis response message.Design/methodology/approach – An experiment measures stakeholders' reactions to the different crisis messages and the messages' impact on perceptions of the OPR, CSR, and source credibility measures.Findings – Results indicate the reducing the offensiveness strategy led to higher perceptions of the OPR and CSR. The image restoration strategy employed does impact stakeholders' perceptions of the credibility of the source.Practical implications – The paper indicates organizations should try to bolster, minimize, transcend, and differentiate when preparing crisis messages during a product recall crisis. These types of messages protect the OPR and perceptions of CSR.Originality/value – I...
A VIRUS-INDUCED MAMMALIAN GROWTH WITH THE CHARACTERS OF A TUMOR (THE SHOPE RABBIT PAPILLOMA) : I. THE GROWTH ON IMPLANTATION WITHIN FAVORABLE HOSTS

Rabbit papillomas developing on the skin as the result of virus inoculation can be readily transferred to the inner organs of favorable hosts by implanting bits of the living tissue. The growths thus produced proliferate actively as a rule and frequently cause death. Often they are markedly invasive and destructive; and they tend to recur after excision. Bacterial infection may greatly enhance their malignancy. Accidental dissemination may occur during operation, and distribution to the peritoneal surface has been repeatedly noted. There may be no cellular reaction whatever about the invading epithelium of interior growths, but usually some new formation of connective tissue takes place, its amount varying inversely with the rate of epithelial proliferation. An immediate reason exists for the inflammatory changes and scarring found beneath long-established skin papillomas, in the trauma and secondary infection to which the projecting, necrotizing masses have been subjected. In animals dying of progressively enlarging interior growths the skin papilloma may long have been stationary in size. The growths appearing after the transfer of papillomatous tissue to the inner organs are due to the survival and multiplication of transplanted cells. However, the virus can be readily recovered from them, in the case of wild rabbits. No distinctive changes in the blood of the host have been found. The virus itself is highly specific for the epithelium of the skin, failing to act not only upon that of the other organs thus far tested but even upon embryonic skin. The papilloma frequently penetrates into the blood and lymph vessels, especially at the edge of implantation growths. The intravascular injection of fragments of it sometimes results in pulmonary nodules of characteristic morphology. These are due to survival and proliferation of the injected cells. Secondary nodules have been encountered at autopsy in a lymph gland and in the lungs, but under conditions more suggestive of operative dissemination of the growth than of true metastasis. Implantation growths of the papilloma in favorable hosts have the morphology of epidermoid tumors of greater or less malignancy. They behave as these do and elicit similar changes in the surrounding tissue. The attributes and potentialities of the papilloma will be further considered in Papers II and III.
Investigation of interfacial strength and its structure on the development of a new design of UHMWPE acetabular component.

Previous studies associated with the development of a new ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) acetabular component have shown high interfacial tensile strengths through chemical and mechanical bonds between virgin UHMWPE or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and PMMA/methylmethacrylate (MMA) monomer treated UHMWPE. Along with the interfacial strength, the mechanism of interfacial strength development has been investigated, correlating the interfacial strength to its structure, with the different molding temperatures or amount of PMMA in the treated UHMWPE. Of three different fracture patterns-adhesive, mixed, and cohesive-most fractures occurred in the mixed or cohesive mode, indicating either a strong interface or a weak bulk phase. Load-displacement plots from the interfacial tensile tests represented two distinct fracture patterns, suggesting the nature of interfacial structure. Comparison of theoretical and real interfacial strength showed a close match between the two strengths for the interface between PMMA and treated UHMWPE, but a large difference for the interface between UHMWPE and treated UHMWPE. This result hints that although the PMMA/treated UHMWPE interface develops its interfacial strength in a relatively simple mechanism of direct chemical bonds, the UHMWPE/treated-UHMWPE interface builds its strength in a complex way.
Aortic valve disease

Abstract Aortic valve disease encompasses aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, and congenital malformations. Aortic valve stenosis is a common problem among the elderly, and valve replacement is still the only treatment option for severe symptomatic disease. Advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of calcific aortic valve disease support the presence of an active disease process. Congenital bicuspid aortic valves account for half of all valve replacements and are associated with aortic dilatation. Echocardiography remains an important diagnostic tool in management of aortic valve disease and is recommended in all patients with suspected disease.
Muscular dystrophies involving the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex: an overview of current mouse models

The dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) is a multisubunit complex that connects the cytoskeleton of a muscle fiber to its surrounding extracellular matrix. Mutations in the DGC disrupt the complex and lead to muscular dystrophy. There are a few naturally occurring animal models of DGC-associated muscular dystrophy (e.g. the dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse, dystrophic golden retriever dog, HFMD cat and the delta-sarcoglycan-deficient BIO 14.6 cardiomyopathic hamster) that share common genetic protein abnormalities similar to those of the human disease. However, the naturally occurring animal models only partially resemble human disease. In addition, no naturally occurring mouse models associated with loss of other DGC components are available. This has encouraged the generation of genetically engineered mouse models for DGC-linked muscular dystrophy. Not only have analyses of these mice led to a significant improvement in our understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms for the development of muscular dystrophy, but they will also be immensely valuable tools for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for these incapacitating diseases.
Lightweight infrared sensing for relative navigation of quadrotors

A lightweight solution for estimating position and velocity relative to a known marker is presented. The marker consists of three infrared (IR) LEDs in a fixed pattern. Using an IR camera with a 100 Hz update rate, the range and bearing to the marker are calculated. This information is then fused with inertial sensor information to produce state estimates at 1 kHz using a sigma point Kalman filter. The computation takes place on a 14 gram custom autopilot, yielding a lightweight system for generating high-rate relative state information. The estimation scheme is compared to data recorded with a motion capture system.
Electromagnetic solitary waves in magnetized plasmas

\~ A Hamiltonian formulation, in terms of a non-canonical Poisson bracket, is presented for a nonlinear fluid system that includes reduced magnetohydro­ dynamics and the Hasegawa-Mirna equation as limiting cases. The single-helicity and axisymmetric versions possess three nonlinear Casimir invariants, from which a generalized potential can be constructed. Variation of the generalized potential yields a description of exact nonlinear stationary states. The new equilibria, allowing for plasma flow as well as partial electron adiabaticity, are distinct from those found in conventional magnetohydrodynamic theory. They differ from electrostatic stationary states in containing plasma current and magnetic field excitation. One class of steady-state solutions is shown to provide a simple electromagnetic generalization of drift-solitary waves.
Is the efficiency doctrine valid? An evaluation of US local exchange telecommunications company mergers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of the various mergers of the local exchange companies in the USA.Design/methodology/approach – The authors evaluate all of the mergers that took place between 1988 and 2001 on several measures of performance for the firms that have undergone the mergers.Findings – The analysis reveals that the impacts of mergers on the several measures of efficiency that have been evaluated have all been negative.Social implications – If the efficiency motive has been primary in influencing merger approvals, then the past mergers approved have led to inefficiencies, corresponding welfare losses for the American consumer, and the mergers of communication common carriers have not been in the public interest. On the other hand, given the inefficiency outcomes, views that the quiet life, hubris and a quest for possible market power have motivated the mergers cannot be discarded.Originality/value – The results have considerable salience across industry segments and...
AN INDIRECT BIM FOR STATIC ANALYSIS OF SPHERICAL SHELLS USING AUXILIARY BOUNDARIES

Boundary integral approaches, which are known for their mathematical sophistication and elegance as well as their ability to reduce the problem dimensions by one, suffer from drawbacks associated with their performance in the vicinity of the boundaries. Such behaviour is the result of the unavoidable, in most cases, discretization of the boundary on one hand, which consequently results in the reduction of the integral problem to an algebraic one, and of the tedious evaluation of singularities that are present in most kernels on the other. The sensitivity of solutions of shell problems using a special form of boundary integral method is studied. Such an approach hopes to achieve a better representation of the solution near the boundaries by utilizing fictitious surface lines to perform the kernel integrations. Lastly, the performance of the integral formulation is examined through some representative examples.
UNSTRUCTURED MULTIGRID METHOD FOR SHELLS

SUMMARY An accelerated multigrid method, which exploits shell element formulation to speed up the iterative process, is developed for inherently poor conditioned thin domain problems on unstructured grids. Its building blocks are: (i) intergrid transfer operators based on the shell element shape functions, (ii) heavy smoothing procedures in the form of Modified Incomplete Cholesky factorization, and (iii) various two- and threeparameter acceleration schemes. Both the flat shell triangular element and the assumed strain degenerated solid shell element are considered. Numerical results show a remarkable robustness for a wide spectrum of span/thickness ratios encountered in practical applications.
Factors Contributing to Optimal Human Functioning in People of Color in the United States

Many conceptualizations of optimal human functioning are based on Western European notions of healthy and unhealthy development and daily living. When applied to people of color in the United States, however, these conceptualizations may prove inapplicable because of their Western culture–bound nature. The authors explore the role that cultural values, beliefs, and practices play in definitions of optimal functioning and describe how overcoming adverse circumstances has resulted in the development of adaptive assets for people of color.