cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of dissociating cytosolic calcium and metabolic rate on intracellular PO2 kinetics in single frog myocytes

The purpose of this investigation was to utilize 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM; an inhibitor of contractile activation) to dissociate cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]c) from the putative respiratory regulators that arise from muscle contraction-induced ATP utilization in order to determine the relative contribution of [Ca2+]c on intracellular PO2 (PiO2) kinetics during the transition from rest to contractions in single skeletal myocytes isolated from Xenopus laevis lumbrical muscle. Myocytes were subjected to electrically induced isometric tetanic contractions (0.25 Hz; 2-min bouts) while peak tension and either [Ca2+]c (n= 7; ratiometric fluorescence microscopy) or PiO2 (n= 7; phosphorescence microscopy) was measured continuously. Cells were studied under both control and 3 mm BDM conditions in randomized order. Initial (control, 100 ± 0%; BDM, 72.6 ± 4.6%), midpoint (control, 86.7 ± 1.8%; BDM, 61.6 ± 4.1%) and end (control, 85.0 ± 2.8%; BDM, 57.5 ± 5.0%) peak tensions (normalized to initial control values) were significantly reduced (P 0.05) between control and BDM trials. Thus, the peak tension-to-peak [Ca2+]c ratio was reduced with BDM compared with control. The absolute fall in PiO2 with contractions, which is proportional to the rise in , was significantly reduced with BDM (13.2 ± 1.3 mmHg) compared with control (22.0 ± 2.0 mmHg). However, PiO2 onset kinetics (i.e. mean response time (MRT)) was not altered between BDM (66.8 ± 8.0 s) and control (64.9 ± 6.3 s) trials. Therefore, the initial rate of change (defined as the fall in PiO2/MRT) was significantly slower in BDM fibres compared with control. These data demonstrate in these isolated single skeletal muscle fibres that unchanged peak [Ca2+]c in the face of reduced metabolic feedback from the contractile sites evoked with BDM did not alter PiO2 onset kinetics in isolated single frog myocytes, suggesting that metabolic signals arising from the contractile sites play a more substantial role than [Ca2+]c in the signalling pathway to oxidative phosphorylation during the transition from rest to repeated tetanic contractions.
Integrating Jesuit Core Values and Service Learning for Successful Marketing Classes at Regis University

The first section of this article identifies four Jesuit values and describes their meaning relevant to a teaching environment. Next the article defines and describes service learning from the faculty member and Regis University perspective. The next section describes how each of these Jesuit values is integrated in a meaningful and relevant way into a marketing course using a service learning project as the vehicle to demonstrate their meaning. The author uses examples from her Advertising and Promotion and Consumer Behavior marketing classes to illustrate these concepts. The author teaches accelerated classes for non-traditional students. This means the classes are held once a week for four hours for either five or eight weeks. The students are comprised of adults with families and careers. These examples are from classes taught in the classroom, but she has also adapted them to online classes as well.
Slosh wave excitation due to cryogenic liquid reorientation in space-based propulsion system

The objective of the cryogenic fluid management of the spacecraft propulsion system is to develop the technology necessary for acquistion or positioning of liquid and vapor within a tank in reduced gravity to enable liquid outflow or vapor venting. In this study slosh wave excitation induced by the resettling flow field activated by 1.0 Hz medium frequency impulsive reverse gravity acceleration during the course of liquid fluid reorientation with the initiation of geyser for liquid filled levels of 30, 50, and 80% have been studied. Characteristics of slosh waves with various frequencies excited are discussed.
Cumulative Effects of Mainstreaming on the Achievement of Deaf Adolescents

A longitudinal study of 451 deaf adolescents in 15 local school districts across the United States addressed the cumulative impact of mainstream placement on achievement and grade point average (GPA). Initial between-group differences accounted for a greater proportion of the variance in actual achievement but less so for GPA. Advantages accrued to the more mainstreamed students; however, this may be as much related to overall course selection during high school as to the degree of mainstreaming of the student. Students who attended more classes and attended more academically demanding classes did have higher achievement levels across placement categories. The apparent cumulative effect of mainstream placement may be as much a product of different patterns of educational programming as of the advantage of a specific placement. Race as an expression of a constellation of variables was the largest factor in achievement differences but did not affect cumulative GPA.
Examples of the role of analytical chemistry in environmental risk management research

Analytical chemistry is an important tier of environmental protection and has been traditionally linked to compliance and/or exposure monitoring activities for environmental contaminants. The adoption of the risk management paradigm has led to special challenges for analytical chemistry applied to environmental risk analysis. Namely, methods developed for regulated contaminants may not be appropriate and/or applicable to risk management scenarios. This paper contains examples of analytical chemistry applied to risk management challenges broken down by the analytical approach and analyte for some selected work in our laboratory. Specific techniques discussed include stable association complex electrospray mass spectrometry (cESI-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), split-flow thin cell (SPLITT) fractionation and matrix-assisted laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS). Specific analytes include haloacetic acids (HAA9), perchlorate, bromate, triazine degradation products, metal-contaminated colloids and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts.
A convex optimization approach to robust fundamental matrix estimation

This paper considers the problem of estimating the fundamental matrix from corrupted point correspondences. A general nonconvex framework is proposed that explicitly takes into account the rank-2 constraint on the fundamental matrix and the presence of noise and outliers. The main result of the paper shows that this non-convex problem can be solved by solving a sequence of convex semi-definite programs, obtained by exploiting a combination of polynomial optimization tools and rank minimization techniques. Further, the algorithm can be easily extended to handle the case where only some of the correspondences are labeled, and, to exploit co-ocurrence information, if available. Consistent experiments show that the proposed method works well, even in scenarios characterized by a very high percentage of outliers.
Phase II study of pemetrexed in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors

Purpose In some reports, 5-fluorouracil has been associated with modest activity in patients with neuroendocrine tumors. Pemetrexed is a multitargeted antifolate with activity in tumor types not significantly responsive to other antifolates. We evaluated the efficacy of pemetrexed in a phase II study of patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors.
Effects of aminophylline on the threshold for initiating ventricular fibrillation during respiratory failure.

Abstract Cardiac arrhythmias have frequently been reported in association with respiratory failure. The possible additive role of pharmacologic agents in precipitating cardiac disturbances in patients with respiratory failure has only recently been emphasized. The effects of aminophylline on the ventricular fibrillation threshold during normal acid-base conditions and during respiratory failure were studied in anesthetized open chest dogs. The ventricular fibrillation threshold was measured by passing a gated train of 12 constant current pulses through the ventricular myocardium during the vulnerable period of the cardiac cycle. During the infusion of aminophylline, the ventricular fibrillation threshold was reduced by 30 to 40 percent of the control when pH and partial pressures of oxygen (PO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were kept within normal limits. When respiratory failure was produced by hypoventilation (pH 7.05 to 7.25; PCO2 70 to 100 mm Hg; PO2 20 to 40 mm Hg), infusion of aminophylline resulted in an even greater decrease in ventricular fibrillation threshold to 60 percent of the control level. These experiments suggest that although many factors may contribute to the increased incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in respiratory failure, pharmacologic agents, particularly aminophylline, may play a significant role.
Improved update/query algorithms for the interval valuation problem

Abstract Let I be the set of intervals with endpoints in the integers 1, 2, …, n. Associated with each element in I is a value from a commutative semigroup S. Two operations are to be implemented: update of the value associated with an interval, and query of the sum of the values associated with the intervals which include an integer. If the values are from a commutative group (i.e., inverses exist), then there is a data structure which enables both update and query algorithms of time complexity O(log n). For the semigroup problem, the use of range trees enables both uptade and query algorithms of time complexity O(log 2 n). Data structures are presented for the semigroup problem with (update, query) algorithms of complexities (log n, log 2 n) and (log n log log n, log n).
Evaluation of cultivar-testing locations in sugarcane.

Selection of test locations, representative of conditions and practices of an area can be a challenging process in a breeding program. Data from two groups of sugarcane (trispecies hybrids of Saccharum sp.) cultivar experiments in Florida were analyzed to determine if relative cultivar response at any two of six current locations was sufficiently similar so that at least one location could be replaced by a location with a different environment. The parameter analyzed was metric tons per ha of sugar (THS). To determine similarity between location pairs for all cultivars within each group of cultivars, an unbiased stability-variance parameter (\(\hat \sigma _{ i}^2\)) developed by Shukla was used. After \(\hat \sigma _{ i}^2\)identified similar location pairs, single degree of freedom interactions were calculated for important cultivars to determine which of the location pairs identified by \(\hat \sigma _{ i}^2\)contained the two most similar locations. Use of the above procedure can assist in making optimum location assignments in a breeding program.
Coating of "O" platelets with A and B group substances.

Summary This study confirms the finding of a number of previous investigators that platelets show group specificity characteristics in common with red cells. Additional evidence suggests that group substance may be adsorbed to the platelet surface rather than intrinsic in the platelet. Platelet group A substance can be inactivated by a specific enzyme without apparent damage to the platelet. No increase in titratable group substance could be demonstrated after platelet lysis. Group O platelets, after incubation with soluble group A and/or B substance acquired typing characteristics similar to group A and/or B platelets. Resume Ce travail confirme les decouvertes de nombreux chercheurs suivant lesquelles les plaquettes, au meme titre que les erythrocytes, possedent les caracteristiques specifiques de groupe. De plus, il semblerait evident que les substances de groupe soient plutet absorbees a la surface des plaquettes que faisant partie integrante du stroma plaquettaire. La substance de groupe A des plaquettes peut etre inactivee par un enzyme specifique, sans toutefois que la plaquette soit alteree de maniere visible. Apres la lyse plaquettaire, on ne peut pas demontrer d'augmentation du taux des substances de groupes. Apres incubation avec des substances de groupe A ou B, les plaquettes O acquierent les caracteristiques des plaquettes des groupes A, B ou AB, respectivement. Zusammenfassung Die vorliegenden Untersuchungen bestatigen den Befund zahlreicher Autoren, das die Blutplattchen gruppenspezifische Substanzen enthalten, die in den Erythrozyten ebenfalls vorkommen. Die vorliegenden Befunde deuten darauf hin, das diese Gruppensubstanzen an der Plattchenoberflache adsorbiert sind und keine eigentlichen Zellbestandteile darstellen. Es gelingt, die A-Blutgruppensubstanz der Plattchen enzymatisch zu inaktivieren. ohne das die Plattchen nennenswert geschadigt werden. Nach Lysierung der Plattchen fand sich uberdies keine Zunahme der titrierbaren Gruppensubstanz. Plattchen von Individuen der Blutgruppe O zeigten nach Behandlung mit geloster A- bzw. B-Substanz die Eigenschaften von A- bzw. B-Plattchen.
Electrooxidation of ethanol on a Pt electrode in acid solutions: In situ ATR-SEIRAS study

Abstract The electrooxidation of ethanol was investigated on a Pt thin film electrode in a HClO4 solution using surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) with the attenuated total reflection (ATR) technique. The spectra indicate that during this reaction acetate and CO adsorbates are formed. The intensity of symmetric OCO stretching band of adsorbed acetate correlates well with voltammetry in the potential range between −0.1 and 0.85 V. The C O stretching band for adsorbed acetaldehyde and/or acetyl also was observed; these compounds are the reaction intermediates whose oxidation generates COad and acetic acid. We also explored the oxidation behavior of adsorbed residues. The oxidation of acetaldehyde was studied for comparison.
Ruling families and dominant classes in modern European history

Over the last decade and a half, scholars have returned to the study of the emergence of the capitalist order, a classic theme of history and sociology, but rumination over the classics has not exactly produced consensus. For instance, Immanuel Wallerstein argues that capitalism became dominant in a European-centered "world system" during the 16th century. According to him, the French Revolution marked "the final bourgeoisification of the upper class," and the struggle between the so-called aristocrats and the bourgeoisie was only part of an "acute intra-'elite' struggle (or, if you will, an intrabourgeois struggle)" (1989:100). In support of his position, he argues that noble life-styles were not incompatible with capitalist profit making, and that aristocratic titles and bourgeois calculation had been long combined in Western European society (1989:42). In contrast, Arno Mayer believes that the old European aristocracy was predominant up to World War I. He scolds a "singularly impressionable and flaccid" bourgeoisie for accepting noble titles, sending their children to
Confidence intervals for thermodynamic constants

Abstract Phase equilibrium experiments using the same reactants and run at different temperatures and pressures give rise to linear constraints on thermodynamic variables, such as entropies, enthalpies, and volume changes of reaction. Linear programming has been applied to this problem to determine maxima and minima for these parameters separately. Since these temperatures and pressures are measured or set with uncertainty, their nominal values as reported by the experimenter need not define the same feasible region as that defined by their true values. Clearly, then, the ranges resulting from the linear programming procedure will not represent the reasonable ranges of parameter values. This paper explores the problem of inference on these parameters when a normal error distribution is postulated for temperature and pressure. Current methodologies and their relation to the field of statistical inference are discussed. Two algorithms for generating bounds on the entropies and enthalpies are presented. The first uses a normal approximation to the location of feasible region vertices and makes allowances for variations in the constraints contributing to this vertex to construct confidence intervals for the extrema in random linear programs in order to generate bounds holding for one parameter at a time. The second generates bounds holding simultaneously for all parameters. A comparison of these confidence intervals with those generated by conventional methods demonstrates that estimates of thermodynamic variables have far less variability than commonly believed.
Nonrepresentative fish and ocean migration assumptions confound inferences in Rechisky et al.

Close examination of the methods, assumptions, and results of Rechisky et al. (1) indicate that their results are confounded by nonrepresentative tagging, rearing, and release factors, and that critical assumptions are inconsistent with available data. Thus, the authors’ conclusions regarding hydrosystem-related delayed mortality are overreaching and unsupportable.
Anti-DNA Ig peptides promote Treg cell activity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Objective Treg cells oppose autoreactive responses in several autoimmune diseases, and their frequency is reduced in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In murine lupus models, treatment with anti-DNA Ig–based peptides can expand the number of Treg cells in vivo. This study was undertaken to test the possibility that functional human Treg cells can be induced by exposure to anti-DNA Ig–based peptides. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 36 lupus patients and 32 healthy individuals matched for ethnicity, sex, and age. Short-term culture experiments in the presence of several independent stimuli including anti-DNA Ig peptides were followed by flow cytometric analysis for identification of CD4+,CD25high T cells, cell sorting for in vitro suppression assays, and analysis of correlations between the expression of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) and serologic and clinical characteristics of the SLE patients. Results The number of in vitro CD4+,CD25high T cells increased after culture with anti-DNA Ig peptides in the SLE patients, but not in the controls. The expanded CD4+,CD25high T cells required FoxP3 for cell contact–mediated suppression of proliferation and interferon-γ production in target CD4+,CD25− T cells. The induction of FoxP3 in SLE Treg cells occurred only in seropositive patients, and was correlated with anti-DNA and IgG serum titers. Conclusion These results suggest a new modality to reverse the functional deficit of Treg cells in SLE patients with positive autoimmune serology, and identify a new strategy to enhance immunoregulatory T cell activity in human SLE.
Effects of the myosin ATPase inhibitor 2,3-butanedione monoxime on amyloplast kinetics and gravitropism of Arabidopsis hypocotyls

The actin cytoskeleton is a crucial component in plant gravitropism, and studies confirm that alterations to actin filaments (F-actin) can have dramatic effects on gravitropic curvature in roots and shoots. Many models for gravisensing in higher plants suggest that the key to gravity perception and signal transduction lies in intimate interactions between F-actin and amyloplasts. In this study, we investigated gravitropism in hypocotyls by analyzing the effect of myosin inhibition on gravitropic curvature in order to clarify the role of the actomyosin system in shoot gravitropism. To study amyloplast movement in endodermal cells (i.e., gravity-perceiving statocytes) of living seedlings, we repositioned a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) so that its rotatable stage was oriented vertically. Seedlings containing green fluorescent protein-labeled endodermal amyloplasts were incubated with the ATPase inhibitor 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) and then mounted on the stage so that the hypocotyls were vertical. Using CLSM, we imaged the endodermal amyloplasts, while the hypocotyls were oriented vertically and also after they were reoriented by 90°. Our results show that BDM reduces gravitropic curvature in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, BDM increases amyloplast movement in hypocotyls of vertical seedlings, but reduces amyloplast movement in hypocotyls of reoriented seedlings, suggesting that myosin may participate in the intracellular transport of amyloplasts in statocytes. These results can be explained in the context of amyloplasts as both noise indicators and gravity susceptors, with BDM producing less coherent amyloplast movement that results in an increased signal-to-noise ratio, which may account for at least part of the observed reduction in gravitopic curvature.
The efficacy of tables versus graphs in disrupting dark networks: An experimental study

Abstract An agent tasked with disrupting a dark (covert and illegal) network must first be presented with information about the organization's structure. This paper uses a behavioral experiment to test in a stylized dark network disruption setting whether an agent makes a better disruption choice when the information is displayed in a table or a graph format. We find that subjects make decisions more quickly when presented with graphs, but that subjects perform weakly better with tables. An important lesson is that the display should explicitly distinguish non-existent links from potential links of unknown status.
New Cardioprotective Agent K201 Is Natriuretic and Glomerular Filtration Rate Enhancing

Background— K201 (JTV519) is a newly developed 1,4-benzothiazepine drug with antiarrhythmic and cardioprotective properties. It functions via stabilization of the ryanodine receptor–calcium release channel in the heart (RyR2). This receptor has been identified in the kidney, and in vitro studies suggest a role in the control of renal hemodynamics. To date, the in vivo function of this receptor is undefined. We hypothesized that this new drug, which is being developed for the treatment of heart failure for its myocardial actions, also possesses renal hemodynamic enhancing and excretory properties. We also used immunohistochemistry to identify RyR2 in the normal canine kidney. Methods and Results— We investigated the renal actions of K201 during intrarenal infusion in normal anesthetized dogs. K201 was infused after baseline measurements at 2 doses (0.1 and 0.5 mg · kg−1 · min−1). Immunohistochemistry was used to identify RyR2 presence in the kidney not exposed to K201. K201 was potently natriuretic and diu...
Raman scattering from single solution droplets

The Raman spectra of electrodynamically suspended ammonium sulfate and sodium nitrate solution droplets are reported for the first time. (AIP)
New approach to flavor symmetry and an extended naturalness principle

A class of nonsupersymmetric extensions of the standard model is proposed in which there is a multiplicity of light scalar doublets in a multiplet of a nonabelian family group with the standard model Higgs doublet. Anthropic tuning makes the latter light, and consequently the other scalar doublets remain light because of the family symmetry. The family symmetry greatly constrains the pattern of flavor-changing neutral-current interactions (FCNC) and p decay operators coming from scalar-exchange. Such models show that useful constraints on model-building can come from an extended naturalness principle when the electroweak scale is anthropically tuned.
Biodegradable microspheres as a vaccine delivery system

The utility of biodegradable and biocompatible microspheres as a vaccine delivery system for the induction of systemic and disseminated mucosal antibody responses was investigated. Intraperitoneal (ip) injection into mice of 1-10 microns microspheres, constructed of the copolymer poly(DL-lactide-coglycolide) (DL-PLG) which contained approximately 1% by weight a formalinized toxoid vaccine of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), dramatically potentiated the circulating IgG anti-toxin antibody response as compared to the free toxoid. The initiation of vaccine release was delayed in larger microspheres, and a mixture of 1-10 and 20-50 microns microspheres stimulated both a primary and an anamnestic secondary anti-toxin response following a single injection. However, neither free nor microencapsulated SEB toxoid induced a detectable mucosal IgA anti-toxin response following systemic injection. In contrast, three peroral immunizations with toxoid-microspheres stimulated circulating IgM, IgG and IgA anti-toxin antibodies and a concurrent mucosal IgA response in saliva, gut washings and lung washings. Systemic immunization with microencapsulated toxoid primed for the induction of disseminated mucosal IgA responses by subsequent oral or intratracheal (it) boosting in microspheres, while soluble toxoid was ineffective at boosting. These results indicate that biodegradable and biocompatible microspheres represent an adjuvant system with potentially widespread application in the induction of both circulating and mucosal immunity.
Solution mechanisms of H2O in depolymerized peralkaline melts

Solubility mechanisms of water in depolymerized silicate melts quenched from high temperature (1000°–1300°C) at high pressure (0.8–2.0 GPa) have been examined in peralkaline melts in the system Na2O-SiO2-H2O with Raman and NMR spectroscopy. The Na/Si ratio of the melts ranged from 0.25 to 1. Water contents were varied from ∼3 mol% and ∼40 mol% (based on O = 1). Solution of water results in melt depolymerization where the rate of depolymerization with water content, ∂(NBO/Si)/∂XH2O, decreases with increasing total water content. At low water contents, the influence of H2O on the melt structure resembles that of adding alkali oxide. In water-rich melts, alkali oxides are more efficient melt depolymerizers than water. In highly polymerized melts, Si-OH bonds are formed by water reacting with bridging oxygen in Q4-species to form Q3 and Q2 species. In less polymerized melts, Si-OH bonds are formed when bridging oxygen in Q3-species react with water to form Q2-species. In addition, the presence of Na-OH complexes is inferred. Their importance appears to increase with Na/Si. This apparent increase in importance of Na-OH complexes with increasing Na/Si (which causes increasing degree of depolymerization of the anhydrous silicate melt) suggests that water is a less efficient depolymerizer of silicate melts, the more depolymerized the melt. This conclusion is consistent with recently published 1H and 29Si MAS NMR and 1H-29Si cross polarization NMR data.
Uptake, activation, and esterification of fatty acids in the small intestine of suckling rat.

Uptake, Activation, and Esterification of Fatty Acids in the Small Intestine of the Suckling Rat
Partial protection against infectious bursal disease virus through DNA-mediated vaccination with the VP2 capsid protein and chicken IL-2 genes

Several DNA vaccination experiments were performed to determine the protective capability of a plasmid DNA molecule encoding the VP2 capsid protein gene of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) injected into chickens in the presence or absence of chicken interleukin 2 (IL-2) plasmid DNA. The results of these experiments indicate that partial protection against IBDV can be achieved by using the VP2 gene of IBDV as a DNA vaccine. Furthermore, the simultaneous injection of chicken IL-2 plasmid DNA significantly increased the protection after challenge with the virulent strain. It was also found that immunological tolerance may have been induced in one of the chicken experiments by vaccination with plasmid DNA.
Extra terrestrial abiogenic organization of organic matter: The hollow spheres of the Orgueil meteorite

Fragments of the Orgueil meteorite were macerated in mineral acids (HNO3-HF-HNO3) to dissolve the mineral matrix and separate the acid-resistant organic residues; a routine procedure in the extraction of pollen and spores from terrestrial sediments. Numerous spherical hollow objects were found, optically resembling the brown amorphous residual organic matrix of the meteorite. Their morphology, size-distribution, and chemical composition, revealed by electron microprobe with reference to carbon and phosphorus, are described, and evaluated in connection with criteria of biogenicity. The intrinsic criteria are satisfactorily met, but the extrinsic requirement of a sedimentary environment is not met. A review of the literature concerning the meteoritic environment suggests an explanation of these spheres based on the environment of their formation. It is proposed that they are organic coatings on olivine microchondrules, magnetite and glass globules, the mineral component of which has been dissolved by the acid maceration. They could have initially resulted from the polymerization of dispersed small organic molecules condensing on the surface of the microchrondrules. The latter were injected from a volcanic ‘nuee ardente’ into the dispersed cold primordial cosmic dust of hydrated silicates and organic molecules, around the meteorite parent-body. This presumably occurred before the cosmic dust accreted as the carbonaceous chondritic outer layer of the parent-body. Upsurging reducing hot gases from the ‘nuee ardente’ would polymerize part of the dispersed organic matter as the insoluble brown amorphous matrix, possibly the ‘sticking’ agent when the cosmic dust accreted. The spiraled form of several of the organic structures described here are suggestive of atmospheric heat microturbulences. Organic membranes and comet-form tails of spherical coatings suggest polymerization in the wake of injected microchondrules. These diverse organic structures would result in our view from the abiogenic thermal organization of organic matter in an extraterrestrial gas-solid system.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF EGCR-TYPE AGOT GRAPHITE.

Abstract Mechanical properties of a coarse-grained nuclear graphite, designated EGCR-type AGOT, obtained from tests at room temperature, 1000, 2000 and 4500°F are given. The main emphasis of the paper is, however, on room temperature results; these include stress and lateral strain vs. longitudinal strain curves. Size effect and stress gradient influences upon the material behavior were studied, and two important conclusions reached. These are 1. (1) size effects, including volume and cross-sectional area, are small or nonexistent within the size range investigated, and 2. (2) the behavior is the same in flexural and in uniaxial tests. Numerous specimens of each type were tested at room temperature, and the data obtained are treated on a statistical basis to give mean curves for comparison purposes. In addition, the statistical approach used here provides results which can be taken as characteristic of a single piece of material tested in different ways. This is very important because these results provide a basis for the development of constitutive equations applicable to combined states of stress. The room-temperature data are examined in terms of elastic-plastic behavior, and it is shown that an equation derived by Jenkins gives good fits (within limits) to the stress-strain curves. Lateral-to-longitudinal strain ratio vs. longitudinal strain data, which are given here, are decomposed into elastic strain ratio, or Poisson ratio, and plastic strain ratio components. The Poisson ratios are essentially the same in tension and in compression. It is shown that the plastic strain ratios tend to remain constant with increased longitudinal strain in compression, while these ratios tend to decrease with longitudinal strain in tension.
Tissue Type-Specific Expression of the dsRNA-Binding Protein 76 and Genome-Wide Elucidation of Its Target mRNAs

Background RNA-binding proteins accompany all steps in the life of mRNAs and provide dynamic gene regulatory functions for rapid adjustment to changing extra- or intracellular conditions. The association of RNA-binding proteins with their targets is regulated through changing subcellular distribution, post-translational modification or association with other proteins. Methodology We demonstrate that the dsRNA binding protein 76 (DRBP76), synonymous with nuclear factor 90, displays inherently distinct tissue type-specific subcellular distribution in the normal human central nervous system and in malignant brain tumors of glial origin. Altered subcellular localization and isoform distribution in malignant glioma indicate that tumor-specific changes in DRBP76-related gene products and their regulatory functions may contribute to the formation and/or maintenance of these tumors. To identify endogenous mRNA targets of DRBP76, we performed RNA-immunoprecipitation and genome-wide microarray analyses in HEK293 cells, and identified specific classes of transcripts encoding critical functions in cellular metabolism. Significance Our data suggest that physiologic DRBP76 expression, isoform distribution and subcellular localization are profoundly altered upon malignant transformation. Thus, the functional role of DRBP76 in co- or post-transcriptional gene regulation may contribute to the neoplastic phenotype.
Determination of bromate at parts-per-trillion levels by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with negative chemical ionization

Abstract The ozonation of bromide-containing source waters produces bromate as a class 2B carcinogenic disinfection by-product. The present work describes the determination of bromate by gas chromatography–negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC–NCIMS) following a bromate reaction/extraction procedure. The method detection limit for bromate based on 3.14 σ n −1 of seven replicate injections was 22 ng/l (parts-per-trillion). The overall GC–NCIMS analysis time was less than 5 min. In chlorinated waters, an interference is observed. Therefore, the current application is for unchlorinated waters, such as those produced in ozone contactors within water treatment plants, prior to the addition of chlorine. The bromate levels determined in these ozone contactor waters agreed within experimental error to the levels determined by an ion chromatographic technique. These water samples were fortified and recoveries ranged between 96% and 114% with relative standard deviation between 4% and 14%.
The effect of inorganic orthophosphate on the rates of collagen formation and degradation in bone and cartilage in tissue culture.

ABSTRACT Using a tissue culture system, the effect of the concentration of inorganic orthophosphate [(Pi)] in the tissue culture medium on the synthesis and degradation of collagen in bone and cartilage was studied. A consistent observation was that the rate of synthesis of bone and cartilage collagen was markedly reduced when the [(Pi)] concentration of the tissue culture medium was lowered to 0.32 mm. In addition, less of the collagen that was synthesized was incorporated into the tissue. Increasing the [(Pi)] concentration beyond 1.30 mm (a concentration at which this effect was reversed) to concentrations as high as 3.23 mm of [(Pi)] did not significantly alter the rate of collagen synthesis in cartilage or bone. The [(Pi)] concentration in the tissue culture medium affected the rate at which the older structural collagen was degraded only when the rate of bone collagen resorption was elevated by increasing the O2 tension in the culture chamber and especially when, in addition to increasing the O2 ten...
THE PHOTODYNAMIC ACTION OF LIGHT ON HYDRA.

Hydra were known to react to light as early as 1744 when Trembley first described their movement towards a light source. This migration of the animal was then further elucidated by Wilson in 1891, who found that Hydra viridis and fusca are maximally sensitive to blue light. Haug ( ' 3 3 ) found that Hydra will react to a light stimulus by contracting first and then orienting; and Rushforth, Burnett and Maynard ('63) studied the contraction response in Hydra pirardi, the large Belgian species. Feldman and Lenhoff ('60) studied phototaxis in the animal and suggested the presence of photoreceptors. The present work is an analysis of the influence of light intensity and wavelength on the contractility of Hydra pirardi employing in part the methods of study of Hecht ('20-'22) on the clam, Mya. It provides some evidence on the nature of light reception in Hydra and discusses the results in terms of known physiological functions.
A Stable ADC for Use with Ge(Li) Detectors

A new type of ADC is being developed to satisfy the requirements of the HEAO high spectral resolution gamma ray spectrometer. This 13 bit design utilizes a double successive approximation technique that overcomes the usual differential linearity problem. Stability of a few ppm/°C, differential linearity of 2% and integral linearity of 0.05% have been demonstrated.
Hypercholesterolemia induces up-regulation of KACh cardiac currents via a mechanism independent of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and Gβγ.

Hypercholesterolemia is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In the heart, activation of KACh mediates the vagal (parasympathetic) negative chronotropic effect on heart rate. Yet, the effect of cholesterol on KACh is unknown. Here we show that cholesterol plays a critical role in modulating KACh currents (IK,ACh) in atrial cardiomyocytes. Specifically, cholesterol enrichment of rabbit atrial cardiomyocytes led to enhanced channel activity while cholesterol depletion suppressed IK,ACh. Moreover, a high-cholesterol diet resulted in up to 3-fold increase in IK,ACh in rodents. In accordance, elevated currents were observed in Xenopus oocytes expressing the Kir3.1/Kir3.4 heteromer that underlies IK,ACh. Furthermore, our data suggest that cholesterol affects IK,ACh via a mechanism which is independent of both PI(4,5)P2 and Gβγ. Interestingly, the effect of cholesterol on IK,ACh is opposite to its effect on IK1 in atrial myocytes. The latter are suppressed by cholesterol enrichment and by high-cholesterol diet, and facilitated following cholesterol depletion. These findings establish that cholesterol plays a critical role in modulating IK,ACh in atrial cardiomyocytes via a mechanism independent of the channel's major modulators.
THE ROLE OF APPLICATIONS IN THE NEW CALCULUS

ABSTRACT How to bring calculus to life for students is one of the persistent pedagogical questions underlying the current retention problem in mathematics. We consider the judicious use of applications as one answer to this question.
Simulation study of InP-based PNP heterojunction bipolar transistors and incorporation of nonclassical effects

This paper describes a numerical approach to the modeling of PNP HBTs in the InP-based materials systems (InP/InGaAs and InAlAs/InGaAs). Initial device analysis was achieved in the drift-diffusion limit by self-consistent numerical solution of the Poisson, carrier continuity and conductor equations subject to the device's geometry and boundary conditions imposed by the device's biasing. Simulation results are compared with the available experimental results and good agreement is found. For the InP/InGaAs and InAlAs/InGaAs heterojunctions, the valence band discontinuities are larger than for the AlGaAs/GaAs system so grading of the emitter-base junction and tunneling effects are important. For completeness, nonclassical effects were also considered. For the emitter-base junctions, hole tunneling was considered, particularly at low forward bias. The inverse dependence of the hole tunneling on effective mass was found to lead to significantly more light hole than heavy hole tunneling in calculating the emitter injection current. In addition, since very narrow base regions (25-35 nm) can be employed while keeping the base spreading resistance low due to the electron's higher mobility, ballistic hole transport should also be considered.
Measurement of volt/meter vertical electric fields in the middle atmosphere

A test flight for a series of middle atmosphere electrodynamics rockets was launched from Wallops Island, Virginia, at 7:18 EST on July 31, 1980. The mother-daughter configuration contained a three axis symmetric double probe electric field instrument and a blunt probe on the daughter payload, and a Gerdien condenser and a single axis (vertical) asymmetric double probe electric field instrument on the mother payload. The payloads reached an apogee of 111 km, and data were gathered from all instruments on the downleg. A downward vertical electric field with a maximum amplitude of about 4 V/m was observed in a layer between about 57 and 67 km. The integrated potential across this layer was approximately 20 kV. Conductivity measurements indicated that free electrons were absent from the region of large electric fields; however, the decrease in conductivity was insufficient to maintain vertical current continuity through the layer. These results establish the existence of large mesospheric electric fields, supporting previous results from single axis measurements.
Anterior alimentary canal of the pear Psylla, Psylla pyricola foerster (Homoptera, Psyllidae).

Scanning and light microscopy investigations of the anterior alimentary canal of the pear psylla, Psylla pyricola Foerster (Homoptera: Psyllidae), revealed the morphology of the labium and stylets, as well as the presence of sensory structures and a valve in the precibarium. The labium consists of three telescoping segments with an internal labial groove, which surrounds and supports the stylet bundle. Also a part of the labial groove is the internal labial clamp. The stylet bundle is comprised of paired styliform mandibles and maxillae, which interlock to form the food and salivary canals. The stylet bundle proximal to the labium forms a large loop within a membranous crumena. When fully retracted the coiled stylets are under tension. Stylet extension generates increasing tension so that when retracted the stylets readily recoil within the crumena. Penetration of leaf tissues by the stylet bundle is dependent on the interaction between stylet muscles, opening and closing of the labial clamp, the barbed stylet tips, and the ventral position of the labium. Proximal to the crumena the paired stylets separate and diverge at the entrance of the precibarium, which is formed by the interlocking of the epi-and hypopharynges. There are 18 sensory structures in the precibarium, as well as a precibarial valve. These structures appear to be homologous to similar structures observed previously in aphids and leafhoppers. The morphology and the location of the precibarial sensilla suggest that, like the precibarial sensory organs of aphids and leafhoppers, they are gustatory and probably mediate acceptance or rejection of plant fluids, thus playing a major role in locating tissues for feeding.
Modeling oxidation of exhaust gases diluted by air under exhaust manifold conditions

Exhaust gases diluted by air can undergo oxidation reactions in the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine. A potential benefit of these reactions is additional heat release in the exhaust manifold which can result in early catalyst light-off during cold start. Since early catalyst light-off significantly reduces hydrocarbon emissions over the federal test procedure (FTP) cycle, the actual oxidation of hydrocarbons and CO in the exhaust manifold becomes a secondary benefit. Air injected into the exhaust manifold is used to oxidize fuel-rich exhaust gases. Oxidation can be initiated by the heat from the exhaust gases as they exit the cylinder. However, since thermal ignition is difficult to accomplish and is very serisitive to exhaust manifold conditions, this work identifies the conditions under which the temperature of the exhaust gases (i.e., thermal ignition) can initiate oxidation. The highest temperature exhaust gases enter the exhaust manifold just after exhaust valve opening and are the most likely to ignite the mixture. In addition to the exhaust gas temperature, there are other competing parameters including exhaust gas composition, gas velocity, and heat loss to the wall, which determine the probability of initiation of oxidation in the exhaust manifold. Here, we introduce a model of exhaust manifold oxidation which allows the isolation and identification of the separate parameters to establish the direction and magnitude of each effect.
The Corrosion Behavior of Tantalum and Niobium in Hydrobromic Acid Solutions

Abstract The corrosion behavior of tantalum and niobium in hydrobromic acid solutions free from or containing bromine has been studied. Using electrochemical and mass loss techniques, the corrosion behavior as a function of (1) temperature, (2) HBr concentration, (3) Br2 concentration, (4) electrode potential, and (5) exposure time has been examined. From the measured rest potentials and steady-state polarization curves, it can be said that both metals are passivated in HBr solutions ranging in concentration up to the azeotropic composition of 47 weight percent (wt%) and to temperatures as high as 124 C. The corrosion rate of tantalum determined by mass loss testing in a hydrogen-bubbled 47 wt% HBr solution at 124 C was less than 2 milligrams per dm2 and day (mdd), and that of niobium at 100 C was ∼20 mdd. The corrosion rates of both metals in hydrogen-bubbled HBr solutions tended to decrease with decreasing temperature and HBr concentration and with increasing exposure time and electrode potential. The p...
ATRACTOMORPHA PORCATA SP. NOV., A NEW MEMBER OF THE SPHAEROPLEACEAE (CHLOROPHYCEAE) FROM CALIFORNIA1

Atractomorpha porcata sp. nov. is described from culture isolates derived in 1981 from zygotes present in a 28 year old, dried soil sample collected from near Lemon-cove, Tulare County, California. Vegetative individuals are coenocytic, spindle-shaped unicells with long, thin-pointed apices. Asexual reproduction is by means of large, biflagellate zoospores or, frequently, by aplanospores. Sexual reproduction is usually monoecious, with a single spindle-shaped gametangial cell producing small, biflagellate male gametes at either end, and larger female gametes in the midportion. Female gametes are often biflagellate, but more commonly they lack flagella and are liberated by squeezing through slit-like openings in the gametangial wall. Sexual reproduction may thus be considered as either oogamous or anisogamous, depending on whether or not a particular female gamete has flagella; most often it is oogamous. Atractomorpha porcata is readily distinguished from A. echinata, the only other known member of the genus, by (1) its greater tendency toward oogamy (versus anisogamy), (2) its bisexual gametangia, (3) its frequent production of aplanospores in asexual reproduction, (4) its unusual primary membranes that frequently bear long, delicate bristles, and (5) its distinctive zygote wall ornamentation.
Quantification of In Vivo Deformation of Healthy Lumbar Intervertebral Discs in Flexion

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is hypothesized to be the precursor to non-specific low back pain, which is a widespread problem [1]. However, before disc degeneration can be understood, a better understanding of healthy discs must be gained. The disc is a short thick-walled cylinder with a gelatinous center, the nucleus pulposus, and a largely concentric, layered collagenous ring, the annulus fibrosus, Figure 1. The layers are referred to as lamella. The IVD is integral to the strength and flexibility of the spine. Whole disc mechanics have been widely studied, but degeneration occurs at the fiber level [2]. To understand the mechanics of degeneration, testing needs to be performed at a finer level where degenerative / injury effects occur. These effects such as tears occur in the annular lamella.Copyright © 2012 by ASME