cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
1986 Redux: New genera of anoles (Squamata: Dactyloidae) are unwarranted.

The year 1986 gave us Madonna's True Blue , Geraldo Rivera opening Al Capone's vaults, and a new taxonomy of anoles (Guyer and Savage, 1986). Each of these greatly anticipated events began with considerable promise but ended up adding nothing of depth to the culture of the time. Madonna's best work was behind her, Capone's vaults were a letdown, and the proposed anole taxonomy was unsupported and poorly executed (Cannatella and de Queiroz, 1989; Williams, 1989), but was mostly done in by the paucity of data available at the time. In the ensuing years, Madonna showed some staying power and Geraldo reinvented himself, but the erection of a handful of nonmonophyletic genera was not enough to achieve the apparent goal of preserving Savage's (1973) genus Norops as a valid name for anole lizards with transverse processes on their posterior caudal vertebrae (Etheridge, 1959). The genera Dactyloa , Ctenonotus , et al. lived on in Savage's (2002) excellent Costa Rica guide but were mostly ignored by those not working in Costa Rica.
Turkish greenhouse industry: past, present, and future

Abstract This paper examines the current status of the Turkish greenhouse industry and highlights issues important for its competitiveness. The greenhouse industry is the fastest‐growing segment of agriculture in Turkey, mainly because of favourable climatic conditions. However, in recent years the greenhouse industry has been forced to adopt an increasingly competitive place in the market. The competitive market environment for greenhouse produce does not necessarily provide growers with any assurances about sales volume, a sufficient price, or favourable financial outcome. Currently, greenhouse operators in Turkey face problems such as declining crop prices, price fluctuations based on over‐supply, poor market systems and sales uncertainty, and lack of grower cooperatives. These problems have resulted in income uncertainty and market risks for greenhouse operators. In addition, strong dependency on imported inputs and excessive use of chemicals are other weaknesses of the Turkish greenhouse industry.
An application of goal programming to the desegregration busing problem

Abstract This paper develops a goal programming model for obtaining solutions to the desegregation busing problem. The model is compared with the linear programming approach and is applied to 31 schools serving over 14,000 students. Solutions result in potential cost savings of over one-half million dollars.
Intestinal Epithelial Apoptosis Initiates Gross Bowel Necrosis in an Experimental Rat Model of Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis

The histopathology of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is characterized by destruction of the mucosal layer in initial stages and by transmural necrosis of the intestinal wall in advanced stages of the disease. To test the hypothesis that enhanced epithelial apoptosis is an initial event underlying the gross histologic changes, we analyzed epithelial apoptosis and tissue morphology in an animal model of NEC and evaluated the effect of caspase inhibition on the incidence of experimental NEC in this model. Apoptosis was analyzed with terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-FITC nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining in intestinal sections and by measuring caspase 3 activity from intestinal lysates of neonatal rats subjected to formula feeding and cold/asphyxia stress (FFCAS) and from mother-fed (MF) controls. Morphologic evaluation was based on hematoxylin and eosin staining of intestinal sections. FFCAS resulted in histologic changes consistent with NEC, which were absent from MF animals. FFCAS was also associated with a significantly increased rate of nuclear DNA fragmentation in the small intestinal epithelium compared with MF. Elevated tissue caspase 3 activity confirmed the presence of apoptosis in samples with increased DNA fragmentation. Analysis of the coincidence of morphologic damage and apoptosis in corresponding tissue sections indicated that apoptosis precedes gross morphologic changes in this model. Furthermore, supplementation of formula with 8 boc-aspartyl(OMe)-fluoromethylketone, a pan-caspase inhibitor, significantly reduced the incidences of apoptosis and experimental NEC. These findings indicate that in neonatal rats FFCAS induces epithelial apoptosis that serves as an underlying cause for subsequent gross tissue necrosis.
Giving Green a Second Thought: Modeling the Value Retention of Green Products in the Secondary Market

Demand for green products continues to grow. This research examines green products’ retention of value and whether new green brands differ from green brand extensions in their ability to retain value amidst technological innovations. Modeling of data from the used car market between 2004 and 2011 shows that hybrid (i.e., green) vehicles lose value faster than their non-hybrid counterparts. However, pure green brands (such as the Prius), whose ability to express greenness is more salient, lose value at a slower rate than green brand extensions. Compared with brand extensions, pure green brands are also less vulnerable to the threat of obsolescence from technological innovations (introduction of fully electric vehicles). Implications for the management and marketing of green product offerings to extract maximum value for firms and consumers are discussed and suggestions for future research are proposed.
The contribution of atmospheric rivers to precipitation in Europe and the United States

Summary Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are narrow corridors within the warm conveyor belt of extratropical cyclones in which the majority of the poleward water vapour transport occurs. These filamentary synoptic features are responsible for extreme precipitation and flooding in Europe and the central and western United States, and also play an essential role for water resources in these areas. Using gridded precipitation products across Europe and the continental United States and the ERA-Interim reanalysis, we investigate the fraction of precipitation from 1979 to 2012 that is related to ARs in these regions. The results are region- and month-dependent, with the largest contribution generally occurring during the winter season and being on the order of 30–50%. This is particularly true for Western Europe, the U.S. West Coast, and the central and northeastern United States. Our results suggest that ARs are important agents for water supply in Europe and the United States. We have also examined whether there have been changes over time in the fractional contribution of ARs to seasonal rainfall using zero-inflated beta regression. We find that there has been a decrease in the average AR-contribution over the Mediterranean region and over the central United States.
The vectorcardiogram in incomplete left bundle branch block.

Abstract Twenty-one cases with electrocardiographic findings of incomplete left bundle branch block unaccompanied by findings suggestive of anteroseptal infarction were studied vectorcardiographically. The vectorcardiographic findings correlated closely with the electrocardiographic abnormalities in these cases in that the QRSsE loop was invariably written to the left and usually anteriorly and inferiorly, and there was often conduction delay in the initial deflection of the loop or, on occasions, in other portions of the loop. These findings would be the vectorcardiographic counterpart of the slurred initial upstroke of the R wave in leads i , aVL and V 6 of the electrocardiogram. The characteristic figure of eight configuration and posterior rotation of the QRSsE loop in the horizontal projection were also of diagnostic value in the recognition of the pattern of incomplete left bundle branch block.
Quantum transport and phonon emission of nonequilibrium hot electrons.

On montre qu'un courant d'electrons se propageant par effet tunnel est capable de se transmettre a travers des structures de barrieres de potentiel, meme apres avoir subit des collisions inelastiques. Cette interpretation amene a la conclusion que la transmission coherente est une propriete d'interference a 1 particule et que l'approche habituelle de type Fabry-Perot de l'effet tunnel coherent peut dans ce cas s'averer impropre
Giant induced voltages in the quantized Hall regime

We report studies on inductive coupling to the two-dimensional system in GaAsAlxGa1−xAs heterostructures in the quantized Hall regime (QHR). It is shown that this coupling can result in radial charge transport, inducing large radial voltages. We show that this effect provides an easy way to measure the value of ϱxx throughout a quantized Hall plateau, and the effect of capacitance between contacts is discussed. The frequency, capacitance and modulation dependences are presented and compared with the predictions of a quantum Hall effect transport model.
Nocardia and Aspergillus Pulmonary Infection in a Patient on Long-Term Steroid Treatment: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract Pulmonary infections caused by Aspergillus and Nocardia are commonly seen in immunocompromised patients, and accurate and timely diagnosis is important for proper therapeutic management to ensure favorable patient outcomes. Concomitant Aspergillus and Nocardia pulmonary infections are rare but have been reported in immunosuppressed patients who had organ transplants, chronic graft-versus-host disease, or chronic granulomatous disease. This article describes a very rare case of Aspergillus and Nocardia co-infection in a patient on long-term steroid therapy and reviews the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics associated with both opportunistic pathogens.
Reconfigurable computers: an empirical analysis (abstract only)

Reconfigurable Computers are parallel systems that are designed around multiple general-purpose processors and multiple field programmable gate array (FPGA) chips. These systems can leverage the synergism between conventional processors and FPGAs to provide low-level hardware functionality at the same level of programmability as general-purpose computers. In this work we conduct an experimental study using one of the state-of-the-art reconfigurable computers and a representative set of applications to assess the field, uncover the challenges, propose solutions, and conceive a realistic evolution path. We consider issues of concern including performance/cost. We also consider productivity in the sense of development, compiling, running, and system reliability. It will be shown that for some applications, the performance/cost can be orders of magnitude better than conventional computers. It will be also shown that programming such machines may still require some hardware knowledge, similar to hardware knowledge computer programmers must acquire to write scalable programs.
Evaluation methodology and metrics employed to assess the TRANSTAC two-way, speech-to-speech translation systems

One of the most difficult challenges that military personnel face when operating in foreign countries is clear and successful communication with the local population. To address this issue, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is funding academic institutions and industrial organizations through the Spoken Language Communication and Translation System for Tactical Use (TRANSTAC) program to develop practical machine translation systems. The goal of the TRANSTAC program is to demonstrate capabilities to rapidly develop and field free-form, two-way, speech-to-speech translation systems that enable speakers of different languages to communicate with one another in real-world tactical situations without an interpreter. Evaluations of these technologies are a significant part of the program and DARPA has asked the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to lead this effort. This article presents the experimental design of the TRANSTAC evaluations and the metrics, both quantitative and qualitative, that were used to comprehensively assess the systems' performance.
LIVER TRANSPLANTATION FOR HEMOCHROMATOSIS, WILSON'S DISEASE, AND OTHER METABOLIC DISORDERS

Liver transplantation provides an effective means for replacing a failing liver, in addition to correcting the underlying abnormality in many metabolic disorders. Results of liver transplantation for metabolic diseases have been generally encouraging, with the exception of hereditary hemochromatosis, in which infectious and cardiac complications appear to increase post-transplant mortality. Better pretransplant diagnosis of hemochromatosis, utilizing the recently identified putative gene, may help reduce post-transplant complications. In metabolic diseases, improved understanding of the underlying genetic and molecular defects will lead to advances in medical therapy and perhaps a decreased need for liver transplantation. NTBC therapy for hereditary tyrosinemia and purified glucocerebroside therapy for Gaucher disease are two such examples. The prospects of gene therapy are being actively pursued for many metabolic diseases, such as CF, hemophilia, and familial hypercholesterolemia. Until such investigation leads directly to clinical practice, however, liver transplantation remains an effective option for therapy for a wide range of metabolic diseases.
Stateful DDoS attacks and targeted filtering

The goal of a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack is to completely tie up certain resources so that legitimate users are not able to access a service. It has long been an open security problem of the Internet. In this paper, we identify a class of stateful DDoS attacks that defeat the existing cookie-based solutions. To counter these attacks, we propose a new defense mechanism, called targeted filtering, which establishes filters at a firewall and automatically converges the filters to the flooding sources while leaving the rest of the Internet unblocked. We prove the correctness of the proposed defense mechanism, evaluate its efficiency by analysis and simulations, and establish its worst-case performance bounds in response to stateful DDoS attacks. We have also implemented a Linux-based prototype with experimental results that demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted filtering.
Catalysis: Fluorination made easier

By putting the pieces of a chemical puzzle into the right order, a thorny problem in catalysis has been solved. This opens the door to syntheses of molecules that contain the useful trifluoromethyl group.
A New Continuum Regression Method for Quantitative Analysis of Raman Spectrum

Quantitative analysis of Raman spectrum using Surface Enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoparticles has shown the potential and promising trend of development in vivo molecular imaging. Because of the high dimension of Raman spectra and limited number of samples, latent variable regression methods, e.g. principal component regression (PCR), reduced-rank regression (RRR) and partial least squares (PLS), are commonly used. According to different criteria, these methods tend to seek different latent variables of the spectra data. For PCR and RRR, the latent variables tend to best represent the Raman spectra and best predict the concentrations. PLS balances the two criteria with an equal weight. We design a new continuum regression (NCR) method that uses a weight parameter ? to control the portion of each criterion in the objective function, and embraces RRR (? = 0), PLS2 (? = 1) and PCR (? = ?) as its special cases. The experimental results show that its performance is better than the other two continuum regression methods.
Development and characterization of magnetorheological elastomers

A new class of materials termed magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) are developed that respond to externally imposed magnetic fields. Magnetic particles are embedded in viscoelastic solids or liquid elastomeric precursors. This kind of composite demonstrates a unique combination of good magnetic controllability and elastic properties. Polybutadiene (hydrocarbon based) based polyurethane MREs are developed because of their thermooxidative, hydrolytic, and chemical resistance. The structure–property relationships of polyurethane–MREs are investigated using several characterization techniques. Morphological features such as interdomains of soft and hard segments are identified with tapping-mode atomic force microscopy. The thermal and mechanical behavior is evaluated with dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and stress–strain tests. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Immunology update: hepatitis B virus immunization today.

The concept of adult immunization is difficult for many of the general population and of the physician population alike to perceive as important. In reality, the immunization of pediatric-age patients is largely an accepted fact and ongoing process but adultscanfindmanyreasonstoneglectthemselves. Many physicians are aware that hepatitisB virus (HBV) poses a significant health risk to patients who become infected with this virus. The incidence of HBV infection in the United States is rising despite the availability of effective strategies. Current estimates of the incidence of HBV infection suggest approximately 300 000 new cases annuallyoranincreaseof37%inthelast20years. In the US, adolescents and adults account for the majority of new cases. Over 95% of otherwise healthy adults and older children who acquire HBV recover from the infection and suffer no long-lasting effects. In contrast, children infected undertheageof1yearhavea90%chanceofdeveloping chronic infection and those under 5 years have a 40‐ 50% chance. Children who become infected with HBV are at a disproportionate risk for the development of major complications including chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis and liver failure, fulminant hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV vaccine is truly the first cancer vaccine. During the late 1970s, hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) was administered to neonates within the first 2 days of life. This strategy prevented neonatal acquisition of the virus and the administration of HBV vaccine given in combination with HBIG not only prevented infection in infancy but conveyed lasting protection in over 95% of treated infants. The current strategy developed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) includes recommendations for universal screening of all pregnant women early in pregnancy and repeated screening of women who are at high risk of HBV infection, i.e. intravenous drug users and those with intercurrent sexually transmitted diseases or clinically evident hepatitis. It is strongly recommended that the first dose of HBV vaccine should be given in the hospital prior to discharge.DatafromTable1indicatethat initial protection is present with just one dose. The recommended hepatitis B vaccine schedule is seen in Table 2. A number of hospitals and health plans have backed away from initiation of HBV vaccination in the newborn nursery. This is a tragic turn of events in the effort to immunize all persons. Each physician must examine his/her own hospital’ s
A computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) based H5N1 VLP vaccine elicits broadly reactive antibodies in mice and ferrets.

Pandemic outbreaks of influenza are caused by the emergence of a pathogenic and transmissible virus to which the human population is immunologically naive. Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) of the H5N1 subtype are of particular concern because of the high mortality rate (60% case fatality rate) and novel subtype. In order to develop a vaccine that elicits broadly reactive antibody responses against emerging H5N1 isolates, we utilized a novel antigen design technique termed computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA). The COBRA HA sequence was based upon HA amino acid sequences from clade 2 H5N1 human infections and the expressed protein retained the ability to bind the receptor, as well as mediate particle fusion. Non-infectious recombinant VLP vaccines using the COBRA HA were purified from a mammalian expression system. Mice and ferrets vaccinated with COBRA HA H5N1 VLPs had protective levels of HAI antibodies to a representative isolates from each subclade of clade 2. Furthermore, VLP vaccinated animals were completely protected from a lethal challenge of the clade 2.2 H5N1 virus A/Whooper Swan/Mongolia/244/2005. This is the first report describing the use of COBRA-based antigen design. The COBRA HA H5N1 VLP vaccine elicited broadly reactive antibodies and is an effective influenza vaccine against HPAI virus.
PGD2 effects on rodent behavior and EEG patterns in cats.

Abstract Prostaglandin (PG) D2 was studied to determine the pharmacological effects of this PG on the central nervous system. PGD2 (0.45–4.05 mg/kg) decreased spontaneous locomotor activity in rats by as much as 66% of control, however, the neuromuscular coordination of mice, treated at the same doses of PGD2, was not impaired. PGD2 (0.05–4.05 mg/kg) also increased pentobarbital sleeping time in mice from 42% to 238% of control, in a dose-related manner. PGD2 did not prevent convulsions induced in response to electroshock or pentylenetetrazol. Cats monitored for EEG responses to PGD2 infusion displayed variable sensitivity to different doses (16–3000 μg) of drug, however, the characteristics response to PGD2 was the conversion from a uniform low voltage, fast wave pattern to high voltage, show waves. Cats administered PGD2 were sedated and sometimes catatonic, and displayed brief periods of hypotension, bradycardia, diarrhea, analgesia and hyperthermia at higher doses of the drug. Thus, PGD2 possesses sedative properties in rodents and cats and may have a role in the central nervous system.
Gene expression of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes following exercise: modulation by age.

Abstract Both age and exercise training are associated with tissue specific alterations in the catecholaminergic system. We examined the effect of short-term exercise training on tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine β-hydroxylase gene expression in adrenals and specific brain regions with aging. In addition, we examined activator protein-1 and cyclic AMP response element transcription factor binding activity in the adrenal medulla. Male, six- and 24-month-old F-344 rats were exercised by treadmill running for five consecutive days. One group was killed immediately and a second group was killed 2 h after the last training session. Exercise significantly elevated tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA equally in adrenals of both young and old rats. Training had no effect on dopamine β-hydroxylase messenger RNA in adrenals of young, but levels were elevated in old rats. Binding activities of both activator protein-1 and cyclic AMP response element binding protein were diminished with age in the adrenal medulla. Exercise training had no significant effect on the binding activity of cyclic AMP response element binding protein in either young or old animals, whereas activator protein-1 binding activity increased equally in young and old animals. Exercise training revealed divergent changes in tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA in brain catecholaminergic neurons. In the locus coeruleus and the ventral tegmental areas, training elevated tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA levels only in young rats. In the substantia nigra, there was no change in young, but a 45% increase in tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA in old rats. In the ventral tegmental area, training increased tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression 80% in young but not in old rats. These results indicate that short-term exercise training increases tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA levels in young animals in the adrenals, the locus coeruleus and the ventral tegmental area. The responses for exercise training of aged animals differed from the young in brain noradrenergic and dopaminergic nuclei, especially in the substantia nigra, and to some extent in the locus coeruleus and the ventral tegmental area.
Cubic spline interpolation of continuous functions

Abstract Let [0, 1] be partitioned into subintervals h 1 ,…, h n . Let P n be an associated cubic spline interpolation operator defined on the space C [0, 1]. Let h 0 = h n and m n = max { h i h j : ¦i − j¦ = 1} . Examples are given for which m n is uniformly bounded as n tends to infinity while ∥ P n ∥ is unbounded. The periodic cubic spline interpolation operator is shown to have uniformly bounded norm if m n ⩽ 2.439 for all n .
Extraction, identification and quantitation of carotenoids in discolored channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fillets

Abstract Yellow discoloration of channel catfish fillets is a major quality concern to the catfish industry. This discoloration is thought to be caused mainly by dietary carotenoids, which are deposited as yellow regions within the fillet. In the present work, yellowish fillets were extracted and quantitatively analyzed for their carotenoid contents using an improved extraction procedure. The pigments found in discolored fillets were lutein, zeaxanthin, alloxanthin, and diatoxanthin. The identification of carotenoids was confirmed based on their accurate mass measurement, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) retention time, and UV–vis spectrum. The carotenoid content in catfish fillets ranged from 58 ng/g for slightly yellow fillets to approximately 215 ng/g for the enhanced yellow fillets. Alloxanthin was identified as a principle carotenoid in channel catfish for the first time.
The role of organic nitrates in the treatment of heart failure

Nitrates have been widely used in the treatment of patients with chronic congestive heart failure. Although the use of these drugs has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, multiple studies have shown their favorable effects. Organic nitrates have been shown to have a beneficial effect on ischemia, hemodynamic profile, magnitude of a mitral regurgitation, endothelial function, and cardiac remodeling. These drugs, when used in combination with hydralazine, have improved exercise capacity and survival. Recent studies have shown that the use of nitrates in patients already treated with standard heart failure therapy, including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, resulted in hemodynamic improvement, marked enhancement of exercise tolerance, reduction of left ventricular size, and augmentation of systolic function. These data suggest a role for organic nitrates as an adjunctive therapy to ACE inhibitors in patients with chronic heart failure and for nitrates in combination with hydralazine as an alternative treatment in patients who are intolerant to ACE inhibitors.
A special latin square for the use of each subject “as his own control”

When the purpose of the experiment is to compare treatments, the Sequences × Positions Latin Square has been employed to control unwanted effects attributable to individuals, position, and sequence. This particular Latin Square has been subjected to criticism on the grounds there is confounding due to structure, random variables, and subject interactions. Special Latin Square, a subclass of the Sequences × Positions Latin Square, is basically ap ×p factorial design in blocks of sizep. The two factors are treatments (T) and positions (P). Sequence is one component of theTP interaction, and square uniqueness is the sum of the remaining components. This completely replicated factorial design has no structural or random variable confounding; if subject interactions are present, square uniqueness may be used as the error term and the bias in the test of treatments will be conservative.
Interspawning interval of wild female three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus in Alaska

female G. aculeatus. These estimates were consistent with the range (2·5 to 5 days) of previous estimates among individual females from laboratory observations of spawning G. aculeatus ,a s well as anecdotal accounts of spawning intervals reported from wild populations in Canada (5–10 days). The interspawning interval of females increased during the course of the spawning season in Alaska, showing that the majority of female spawning activity occurred during the earliest portion of the approximate 6-week reproductive season. The increased interspawning interval appears to be related to a previously reported decrease in body condition in reproductive females during the breeding season. Thus, female G. aculeatus may be unable to sustain the initial rate of reproduction as energy stores that support the rapid growth of vitellogenic oocytes are depleted. © 2009 The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles
Fetal-like erythropoiesis during recovery from transient erythroblastopenia of childhood (TEC)

Summary: Fetal-like erythropoiesis frequently accompanies marrow stress conditions such as Diamond-Blackfan syndrome and aplastic anemia. In contrast, patients with transient erythroblastopenia of childhood have erythrocytes which lack fetal characteristics at the time of diagnosis. This report describes nine children with transient erythroblastopenia of childhood in whom transient, fetal-like erythropoiesis was observed during the period of recovery. These patients initially presented with anemia, reticulocytopenia, erythrocytes of normal size for age, low levels of fetal hemoglobin, and i-antigen. During the recovery period, however, erythrocytes manifested one or more fetal characteristics. These included an increased fetal hemoglobin (in three of five patients), the presence of i-antigen (in four of six patients), and macrocytosis (in seven of nine patients). These fetal characteristics persisted more than 2 wk after the reticulocyte count returned to normal. Within one year from diagnosis, red blood cells contained no fetal characteristics. Speculation: The observations reported here suggest that "fetal-like" red blood cell characteristics may represent a normal response pattern during recovery from marrow hypoplasia. If this hypothesis is correct, similar fetal erythrocyte characteristics should be presentin red blood cells of patients recovering from marrow hypoplasia of various etiologies (e.g., hypoplastic crises complicating hemolytic anemias). The great variability in degree and duration o "fetal characteristics" may reflect differences in the regulation of the proliferating erythroid compartment during recovery among individual patients. Although the significance of "fetal-like erythropoiesis" during recovery remains to be defined, it may provideclues to the regulation of hemoglobin synthesis.
Activity of substantia nigra units across the sleep-waking cycle in freely moving cats

Abstract The activity of dopamine-containing substantia nigra units was recorded by means of movable 32 or 62 μm diameter insulated nichrome wires in freely moving cats. Nigral units displayed a slow, somewhat irregular activity during quiet waking ( X = 4.6 spikes per sec), and showed no significant change in activity during sleep. While nigral unit activity was somewhat higher during active waking, there was no relationship between unit discharge and phasic movement.
Synthesis, uptake mechanism characterization and biological evaluation of 18F labeled fluoroalkyl phenylalanine analogs as potential PET imaging agents

Abstract Introduction Amino acids based tracers represent a promising class of tumor metabolic imaging agents with successful clinical applications. Two new phenylalanine derivatives, p -(2-[ 18 F]fluoroethyl)-l-phenylalanine (FEP, [ 18 F] 2 ) and p -(3-[ 18 F]fluoropropyl)-l-phenylalanine (FPP, [ 18 F] 3 ) were synthesized and evaluated in comparison to clinically utilized O -(2-[ 18 F]fluoroethyl)-l-tyrosine (FET, [ 18 F] 1 ). Methods FEP ([ 18 F] 2 ) and FPP ([ 18 F] 3 ) were successfully synthesized by a rapid and efficient two-step nucleophilic fluorination of tosylate precursors and deprotection reaction. In vitro cell uptake studies were carried out in 9L glioma cells. In vivo studies, 9L tumor xenografts were implanted in Fisher 344 rats. Results FEP ([ 18 F] 2 ) and FPP ([ 18 F] 3 ) could be efficiently labeled within 90 min with good enantiomeric purity (>95%), good yield (11–37%) and high specific activity (21–69 GBq/μmol). Cell uptake studies showed FEP had higher uptake than FPP as well as reference ligand FET ([ 18 F] 1 ). Uptake mechanism studies suggested that FEP is a selective substrate for system L and prefers its subtype LAT1. In vivo biodistribution studies demonstrated FEP had specific accumulation in tumor cells and tumor to background ratio reached 1.45 at 60 min. Small animal positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies showed FEP was comparable to FET for imaging rats bearing 9L tumor model. FEP had high uptake in 9L tumor compared to surrounding tissue and was quickly excreted through urinary tract. Conclusion Biological evaluations indicate that FEP ([ 18 F] 2 ) is a potential useful tracer for tumor imaging with PET.
Effects of spatial gain variation in an index-guided semiconductor laser array

This paper is written with two goals in mind. The first goal involves the extension of semiclassical laser theory to include the effects of gain guiding. The second goal involves the application of the more general semiclassical laser theory developed in this paper to investigate the effects of spatially varying the excitation geometry on the intracavity field of an index-guided semiconductor laser array.
A laboratory study of the electromagnetic bias of rough surface scattering by water waves

The design, development, and use of a focused-beam radar to measure the electromagnetic bias introduced by the scattering of radar waves by a roughened water surface are discussed. The bias measurements were made over wide ranges of environmental conditions in a wavetank laboratory. Wave-elevation data were provided by standard laboratory capacitance probes. Backscattered radar power measurements coincident in time and space with the elevation data were produced by the radar. The two data sets are histogrammed to produce probability density functions for elevation and radar reflectivity, from which the electromagnetic bias is computed. The experimental results demonstrate that the electromagnetic bias is quite variable over the wide range of environmental conditions that can be produced in the laboratory. The data suggest that the bias is dependent upon the local wind field and on the amplitude and frequency of any background wave field that is present. >
Electrodeposition of refractory carbide coatings from fluoride melts

Experimental studies relevant to the electrodeposition of the carbides of vanadium, niobium, titanium, and zirconium are reported. These focus on choices of suitable metal precursors, their solubility and reducibility. The state of knowledge in the field is summarized.
The Trypanosoma cruzi neuraminidase contains sequences similar to bacterial neuraminidases, YWTD repeats of the low density lipoprotein receptor, and type III modules of fibronectin

Trypanosoma cruzi expresses a developmentally regulated neuraminidase (TCNA) implicated in parasite invasion of cells. We isolated full-length DNA clones encoding TCNA. Sequence analysis demonstrated an open reading frame coding for a polypeptide of 1,162 amino acids. In the N-terminus there is a cysteine-rich domain containing a stretch of 332 amino acids nearly 30% identical to the Clostridium perfringens neuraminidase, three repeat motifs highly conserved in bacterial and viral neuraminidases, and two segments with similarity to the YWTD repeats found in the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and in other vertebrate and invertebrate proteins. This domain is connected by a structure characteristic of type III modules of fibronectin to a long terminal repeat (LTR) consisting of 44 full length copies of twelve amino acids rich (75%) in serine, threonine, and proline. LTR is unusual in that it contains at least 117 potential phosphorylation sites. At the extreme C-terminus is a hydrophobic segment of 35 amino acids, which could mediate anchorage of TCNA to membranes via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol linkage. This is the first time a protozoan protein has been found to contain a YWTD repeat and a fibronectin type III module. The domain structure of TCNA suggests that the enzyme may have functions additional to its catalytic activity such as in protein-protein interaction, which could play a role in T. cruzi binding to host cells.
CHARACTERIZATION OF LEUKIN: AN ANTIBACTERIAL FACTOR FROM LEUCOCYTES ACTIVE AGAINST GRAM-POSITIVE PATHOGENS

A method has been described for the preparation of a potent antibacterial factor from rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Upon characterization, the factor was found to possess many properties in common with basic proteins. The amino acid analysis revealed that it contained a relatively large amount of arginine (17 per cent) and small amounts of the other two basic amino acids. It has therefore been identified as a protamine or protamine derivative. The leucocyte factor was very active against all Gram-positive pathogens tested but exhibited little or no action against Gram-negative species. A possible explanation of this phenomenon has been discussed. The factor was very heat-stable at acid and neutral pH and its staphylococcidal activity was blocked by glutamyl polypeptide, hyaluronic acid, and desoxyribonudeic acid. Because of the apparent similarity of the product studied here to other poorly defined leucocyte factors which had been termed leukins in the early literature, it is suggested that the name leukin be retained for it. The possible significance of this leukin in natural immunity has been discussed.
The clamp loader assembles the β clamp onto either a 3' or 5' primer terminus: The underlying basis favoring 3' loading

Clamp loaders assemble sliding clamps onto 3′ primed sites for DNA polymerases. Clamp loaders are thought to be specific for a 3′ primed site, and unable to bind a 5′ site. We demonstrate here that the Escherichia coli γ complex clamp loader can load the β clamp onto a 5′ primed site, although with at least 20-fold reduced efficiency relative to loading at a 3′ primed site. Preferential clamp loading at a 3′ site does not appear to be due to DNA binding, as the clamp loader forms an avid complex with β at a 5′ site. Preferential loading at a 3′ versus a 5′ site occurs at the ATP hydrolysis step, needed to close the ring around DNA. We also address DNA structural features that are recognized for preferential loading at a 3′ site. Although the single-stranded template strand extends in opposite directions from 3′ and 5′ primed sites, thus making it a favorite candidate for distinguishing between 3′ and 5′ sites, the single-strand polarity at a primed template junction does not determine 3′ site selection for clamp loading. Instead, we find that clamp loader recognition of a 3′ site lies in the duplex portion of the primed site, not the single-strand portion. We present evidence that the β clamp facilitates its own loading specificity for a 3′ primed site. Implications to eukaryotic clamp loader complexes are proposed.
Principles and Applications of Imaging Radar, Manual of Remote Sensing, 3rd Edition, Volume 2

Aerial photographs and digital images from orbiting optical scanners are a daily source of information for the general public through newspapers, television, magazines, and posters. Such images are just as prevalent in scientific journal literature. In the last 6 months, more than half of the weekly issues of Eos published an image acquired by a remote digital sensor. As a result, most geoscientists are familiar with the characteristics and even the acronyms of the current satellites and their optical sensors, common detector filters, and image presentation. In many cases, this familiarity has bred contempt. This is so because the limitations of optical sensors (imaging in the visible and infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum) can be quite formidable. Images of the surface cannot be acquired through clouds, and image quality is impaired with low-light conditions (such as at polar regions), atmospheric scattering and absorption, and variations in sun/sensor/surface geometry.
Evidence that Coded-Wire-Tagging Procedures Can Enhance Transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum in Chinook Salmon

Abstract Binary coded wire tags (CWTs) are used extensively for identification and management of anadromous salmonid populations. A study of bacterial kidney disease (BKD) in two brood year groups of hatchery-reared spring chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha provided strong evidence that horizontal transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causative agent of BKD, might be enhanced by CWT-marking procedures. About 4 months after CWTs were implanted in the snouts of juvenile fish, 14–16 different tissues were sampled from each of 60 fish per brood year group for histological analysis. Of the fish that were positive for R. salmoninarum by histological examination, 41% (7 of 17) of the 1988 brood year fish and 24% (10 of 42) of the 1989 brood year fish had BKD lesions confined to the head near the site of tag implantation. These lesions often resulted in the destruction of tissues of one or both olfactory organs. No focal snout infections were observed in fish that had not been marked with CWTs. Fur...
Freight transportation costs and the thickening of the US–Mexico border

Border regulatory requirements and administrative practices changed subsequent to the September 11, 2001 (9/11), terrorist attacks in the United States. Research in this study examines the manners in which transportation cost data for merchandise imports from Mexico behaved before and after 2001. Evidence is obtained that confirms results earlier tabulated for imports from Canada. Empirical results further indicate that, beyond freight cost changes, growth in the value of imports from Mexico was disrupted by events associated with the aftermath of 9/11.
Initiation of Decay of Bacillus subtilis rpsO mRNA by Endoribonuclease RNase Y

rpsO mRNA, a small monocistronic mRNA that encodes ribosomal protein S15, was used to study aspects of mRNA decay initiation in Bacillus subtilis. Decay of rpsO mRNA in a panel of 3'-to-5' exoribonuclease mutants was analyzed using a 5'-proximal oligonucleotide probe and a series of oligonucleotide probes that were complementary to overlapping sequences starting at the 3' end. The results provided strong evidence that endonuclease cleavage in the body of the message, rather than degradation from the native 3' end, is the rate-determining step for mRNA decay. Subsequent to endonuclease cleavage, the upstream products were degraded by polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase), and the downstream products were degraded by the 5' exonuclease activity of RNase J1. The rpsO mRNA half-life was unchanged in a strain that had decreased RNase J1 activity and no RNase J2 activity, but it was 2.3-fold higher in a strain with decreased activity of RNase Y, a recently discovered RNase of B. subtilis encoded by the ymdA gene. Accumulation of full-length rpsO mRNA and its decay intermediates was analyzed using a construct in which the rpsO transcription unit was under control of a bacitracin-inducible promoter. The results were consistent with RNase Y-mediated initiation of decay. This is the first report of a specific mRNA whose stability is determined by RNase Y.
Fluid flow through carbonate platforms: constraints from 234U/238U and Cl− in Bahamas pore-waters

The geometry, timing, and rate of fluid-flow through carbonate margins and platforms is not well constrained. In this study, we use U concentrations and isotope ratios measured on small volumes of pore-water from Bahamas slope sediment, coupled with existing chlorinity data, to place constraints on the fluid-flow in this region and, by implication, other carbonate platforms. These data also allow an assessment of the behaviour of U isotopes in an unusually well constrained water‐rock system. We report pore-water U concentrations which are controlled by dissolution of high-U organic material at shallow depths in the sediment and by reduction of U to its insoluble 4C state at greater depths. The dominant process influencing pore-water ( 234 U= 238 U) is alpha recoil. In Holocene sediments, the increase of pore-water ( 234 U= 238 U) due to recoil provides an estimate of the horizontal flow rate of 11 cm=year, but with considerable uncertainty. At depths in the sediment where conditions are reducing, features in the U concentration and ( 234 U= 238 U) profiles are offset from one another which constrains the effective diffusivity for U in these sediments to be1‐2 10 8 cm 2 s 1 . At depths between the Holocene and these reducing sediments, pore-water ( 234 U= 238 U) values are unusually low due to a recent increase in the dissolution rate of grain surfaces. This suggests a strengthening of fluid flow, probably due to the flooding of the banks at the last deglaciation and the re-initiation of thermally-driven venting of fluid on the bank top and accompanying recharge on the slopes. Interpretation of existing chlorinity data, in the light of this change in flow rate, constrain the recent horizontal flow rate to be 10.6 (3.4) cm=year. Estimates of flow rate from ( 234 U= 238 U) and Cl are therefore in agreement and suggest flow rates close to those predicted by thermally-driven models of fluid flow. This agreement supports the idea that flow within the Bahamas Banks is mostly thermally driven and suggests that flow rates on the order of 10 cm =year are typical for carbonate platforms where such flow occurs. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The determinant of the sum of two matrices

Let A and B be n × n matrices over the real or complex field. Lower and upper bounds for | det ( A + B )| are given in terms of the singular values of A and B . Extension of our techniques to estimate | f ( A + B )| for other scalar-valued functions f on matrices is also considered.
Vertically aligned ZnO nanorod core-polypyrrole conducting polymer sheath and nanotube arrays for electrochemical supercapacitor energy storage

Nanocomposite electrodes having three-dimensional (3-D) nanoscale architecture comprising of vertically aligned ZnO nanorod array core-polypyrrole (PPy) conducting polymer sheath and the vertical PPy nanotube arrays have been investigated for supercapacitor energy storage. The electrodes in the ZnO nanorod core-PPy sheath structure are formed by preferential nucleation and deposition of PPy layer over hydrothermally synthesized vertical ZnO nanorod array by controlled pulsed current electropolymerization of pyrrole monomer under surfactant action. The vertical PPy nanotube arrays of different tube diameter are created by selective etching of the ZnO nanorod core in ammonia solution for different periods. Cyclic voltammetry studies show high areal-specific capacitance approximately 240 mF.cm-2 for open pore and approximately 180 mF.cm-2 for narrow 30-to-36-nm diameter PPy nanotube arrays attributed to intensive faradic processes arising from enhanced access of electrolyte ions through nanotube interior and exterior. Impedance spectroscopy studies show that capacitive response extends over larger frequency domain in electrodes with PPy nanotube structure. Simulation of Nyquist plots by electrical equivalent circuit modeling establishes that 3-D nanostructure is better represented by constant phase element which accounts for the inhomogeneous electrochemical redox processes. Charge-discharge studies at different current densities establish that kinetics of the redox process in PPy nanotube electrode is due to the limitation on electron transport rather than the diffusive process of electrolyte ions. The PPy nanotube electrodes show deep discharge capability with high coulomb efficiency and long-term charge-discharge cyclic studies show nondegrading performance of the specific areal capacitance tested for 5,000 cycles.