cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 15532: Altered Ubiquitination and Stability of Protein Inhibitor of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Paraventricular Nucleus of Chronic Heart Failure Rats: Role of Angiotensin II

Introduction and Hypothesis: Expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is decreased in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of rats with chronic heart failure (CHF), however the underlying molecular mechanism/s remain unclear. Recently, we demonstrated, Angiotensin II (Ang II) mediated increase in PIN: protein inhibitor of nNOS (0.76±0.10 Sham vs 1.12±0.09* CHF) which is known to down-regulate nNOS through disruption of active dimers (~60% decrease in dimer/monomer ratio) in the PVN of rats with CHF. Functionally impeded monomeric enzyme is degraded by ubiquitin proteasome system. Interestingly, PIN transcript levels remain unchanged in the PVN in CHF (1.00±0.23 Sham vs. 1.1±0.28 CHF). This observation prompted us to elucidate the molecular mechanism for the accumulation of PIN post-transcriptionally in the PVN in CHF Methods and Results: We used coronary artery ligation model of CHF in rats (6-8 weeks past ligation) and neuronal NG108-15 hybrid cell line. PIN translation was inhibited using cyclohexamide (CHX) for 0-4h after 20h of pretreatment with Ang II in NG108 cells. CHX mediated decrease in PIN expression was ameliorated with Ang II (0.19±0.04 vs 0.41±0.06* 4h). Proteasome inhibitor lactacystin (LC) treatment dramatically elevates PIN level suggesting the involvement of proteasome system in PIN regulation. Immunoprecipitation with ubiquitin antibody showed decrease PIN-Ub conjugates in Ang II-treated cells (1.04 ± 0.05 LC vs. 0.62 ± 0.07* LC AngII). In vitro ubiquitination assay in cells transfected with pCMV-(HA-Ub)8 vector revealed reduction of HA-Ub-PIN conjugates after Ang II treatment (9.2 ± 2.2 LC vs. 4.5 ± 0.6* LC Ang II). Furthermore, there was decreased accumulation of PIN-Ub conjugates in the PVN of CHF rats compared to Sham as revealed by immunohistochemistry. Conclusions: Taken together, our studies revealed that PIN is targeted for rapid degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and Ang II delays the rate of degradation resulting in accumulation of PIN. We conclude that post-translational accumulation of PIN, mediated by Ang II, leads to a decrease in the dimeric active form of nNOS as well as protein levels of nNOS, which may lead to reduced nitric oxide resulting in over-activation of sympathetic drive during CHF.
Designing Undergraduate Research Experiences for Nontraditional Student Learning At Sea

The environmental science curriculum at the University of Washington, Tacoma (UWT) is based on an experiential learning model that enhances undergraduate education by involving students in ongoing research projects that extend beyond the classroom into the broader scientific community. Nontraditional student learning is especially enriched by access to unique hands-on field experiences that foster a sense of scientific ownership. During the summers of 2001 and 2002, undergraduate students from UWT participated in two very different marine research courses designed by environmental science faculty. By comparing these two course designs, we have identified two primary issues of importance when setting up a field research program at sea. First, learning outcomes are dependent on the platform chosen for the research cruise, and thus the vessel to be used must be considered when designing a curricular model. Second, planning and implementation considerations need to be addressed regardless of the platform chos...
Hand-held computers can be better smart cards

Smart cards are convenient and secure. They protect sensitive information (e.g., private keys) from malicious applications. However, they do not protect the owner from abuse of the smart card: An application could for example cause a smart card to digitally sign any message, at any time, without the knowledge of the owner. In this paper we suggest that small, hand-held computers can be used instead of smart cards. They can communicate with the user directly and therefore do not exhibit the above mentioned problem. We have implemented smart card functionality for a 3COM PalmPilot. Our implementation is a PKCS#11 module that plugs into Netscape Communicator and takes about 5 seconds to sign an email message. Generalizing from this experience, we argue that applications that are split between a PC and a hand-held device can be more secure. While such an application remains fast and convenient to use, it gains additional security assurances from the fact that part of it runs on a trusted device.
GC-cooperative C++

A garbage collector for C++ should maintain the spirit of the language as much as possible and yet provide mechanisms for reliable development and debugging of programs utilizing garbage collection. This paper proposes a design of such a system, including a minimal set of language changes, and compile-time and runtime environment enhancements. The design provides support for many different kinds of garbage collection strategies (copying, mark and sweep, generational, ...), does not impose extensive overhead on runtime objects that do not use garbage collection, and imposes as few restrictions on programming style as possible.
A disposable microsensor for continuous monitoring of free chlorine in water

We designed, fabricated and tested a low cost, disposable, flow-through sensor to determine the amount of free chlorine in water. The whole sensor cell combining electrodes and a fluidic channel is micromachined on a chemically-inert transparent cyclic olefin copolymer substrate. The advantages are (a) disposability from low cost (b) wide operation range from three-electrode design (c) easy electrical and fluidic interconnection from a chip format, compared to previous works. The sensor showed a good response and linearity in the chlorine concentration ranging from 1.5 to 8 ppm, which applies to common chlorination process.
Concurrent HPV infection in oral and genital mucosa

Screening for human papillomavirus (HPV) types was performed by a PCR-based assay on 29 women (mean age 34.0 years, range 21-48 years). HPV-DNA was demonstrated in 16 women (55.2%), with a detection rate of 37.9% in the oral cavity and 34.5% in the genital tract. HPV-16 was the most prevalent genotype (53.8%), followed by HPV-6, which was present in 34.6% of the positive samples. Other types were more rarely detected. Five subjects showed concurrent genital tract and oral cavity infections but HPV type-specific concordance was detected in only 3 patients. Multiple HPV infections were found in 9 of the 26 positive samples, where HPV-6 appeared frequently associated with the other types. These data confirm the occurrence of mixed HPV infections and the wide diffusion of different types of HPV in the genital mucosa and in the oral cavity; they also stress the need to utilize diagnostic methods with a wide typing capacity.
Wave-field splitting, invariant imbedding, and phase space methods in direct and inverse scattering

Wave field splitting, invariant imbedding, and phase space methods reformulate the Helmholtz wave propagation problem in terms of an operator scattering matrix characteristic of the modeled environment. The subsequent equations for the reflection and transmission operators are first-order in range, nonlinear (Riccati-like), and, in general, nonlocal. The reflection and transmission operator equations provide the framework for constructing inverse algorithms based on, in principle, exact solution methods.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Three Generations of Selection for Growth Rate in Fall-Spawning Rainbow Trout

Abstract A selection program to improve the growth rate of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) was begun in 1967 with random samples of fall-spawning fish from the Manchester and Wytheville National Fish Hatcheries. All matings were made as one male to one female, and selection was based on family mean fish weight of the progeny at 147 days post-fertilization. The selected families in each year class were mated in all combinations at 2 years of age (age II) and 3 years of age (age III). Selection was applied only to the age II progeny. A control group was established in 1971 from the base population and carried through the remaining portion of the study. All families were reared under standardized rearing conditions. During the three cycles of selection studied, mean 147-day weight of progeny from age II parents increased from 2.02 g in the first generation to 5.28 g in the fourth generation, a gain of 161%. Of the 3.26-g total gain during the study, net genetic gain in weight from selection was 0.98 g or 30....
Invariant body kinematics. II: reaching and neurogeometry

Abstract Invariant methods for formulating and analyzing the mechanics of the skeleto-muscular system with geometric algebra are further developed and applied to reaching kinematics. This work is set in the context of a neurogeometry research program to develop a coherent mathematical theory of neural sensory-motor control systems.
Laboratory investigations of the dewatering of residues formed after refining effluent at the Veliko-Anadolsk firebrick factory

The process of filtering the residues formed in purifying the effluent depends on the composition of the residues and the method of treatment. The highest productivity levels of the drum vacuum-filters are obtained by treating the suspensions together with aluminum sulfate and polyacrylamide; optimum values are also obtained for the outputs of beltvacuum filters for these residues. The residues after dewatering by vacuum filtration may be used repeatedly in the production process.
HMGN Proteins Act in Opposition to ATP-dependent Chromatin Remodeling Factors to Restrict Nucleosome Mobility

The high-mobility group N (HMGN) proteins are abundant nonhistone chromosomal proteins that bind specifically to nucleosomes at two high-affinity sites. Here we report that purified recombinant human HMGN1 (HMG14) and HMGN2 (HMG17) potently repress ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling by four different molecular motor proteins. In contrast, mutant HMGN proteins with double Ser-to-Glu mutations in their nucleosome-binding domains are unable to inhibit chromatin remodeling. The HMGN-mediated repression of chromatin remodeling is reversible and dynamic. With the ACF chromatin remodeling factor, HMGN2 does not directly inhibit the ATPase activity but rather appears to reduce the affinity of the factor to chromatin. These findings suggest that HMGN proteins serve as a counterbalance to the action of the many ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling activities in the nucleus.
Academic and Personal Development Through Group Work: An Exploratory Study

This exploratory study linked academic and personal development within a group counseling intervention. A pre-test post-test research design compared social skills, learning behaviors, and achievement with a convenience sample and control group of students from three elementary schools. For the treatment group, grade point average in Language Arts was significantly higher than for the control group. However, none of the other variables was statistically significant. Implications for school counselors and future research are explored.
Generalization of hysteresis modeling to anisotropic and textured materials

A generalized model has recently been developed to incorporate the effects of anisotropy and texture into the description of hysteresis. It is shown that these two effects can be incorporated into the model simply through changes in the anhysteretic magnetization. In this paper, the new model is used to fit several sets of experimental hysteresis loops. The generalized model has been used to describe the magnetization curves of soft and especially hard magnetic materials. The latter normally exhibit high anisotropy and are often highly textured, which previously had made them difficult to model accurately within the confines of the restricted isotropic model. The results show significant improvement of the generalized model over the previous isotropic model.
Specific Proteins of the Organ of Corti

The mammalian organ of Corti has achieved a degree of perfection unequaled in other hair cell systems. Although cellular metabolism requires the coordinated action of thousands of proteins, the physical processes underlying auditory transduction in the OC are undoubtedly mediated by a much smaller subset of these. OCP1, OCP2, and CBP-15-identified by 2D-PAGE-are apparently members of this elite class. OCP1 and OCP2 are restricted to the supporting cells of the organ of Corti and adjacent epithelia. Their distribution closely parallels the boundaries of the epithelial gap junction system, implying a role in cochlear potassium and pH homeostasis. CBP-15 was recently shown to be identical to oncomodulin, the mammalian beta-parvalbumin, heretofore documented only in the placenta and neoplasms. Expression of this small calcium-binding protein in the OC is restricted to the outer hair cells, where it may function as a calcium-dependent regulatory protein.
A laboratory study of the biodegradation of an alcohol ethoxylate surfactant by native soil microbes

Abstract Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the biodegradation of a nonionic alcohol ethoxylate surfactant by native microbes from a contaminated site. Three sets of experiments consisting of 13 microcosms were carried out to evaluate the rate of biodegradation and the effect of nutrients and supplementary oxygen on the degradation process. The results from these active microcosms were compared with those for controlled microcosms in which a biocide was added to inhibit biological activities. In the presence of ground water and sterilized soil, surfactant solutions with initial concentrations of 1000, 650, 250, and 180 mgl−1 were reduced to less than 5 mgl−1 in 36 days, 20 days, 17 days, and 17 days, respectively. The biodegradation rate in microcosms with added nutrients was more than twice the rate in the reactor without nutrients. The results from experiments in which various nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients were added showed that a ratio of 10 carbon:2 nitrogen:1 phosphorus was the optimum for the biodegradation of surfactant under the microcosm conditions. The addition of 5 mgl−1 of oxygen in the form of hydrogen peroxide increased the degradation rate of surfactant by 30%. The study showed that microbes indigenous to the soil and ground water at a contaminated site rapidly degrade the low levels of the surfactant that may remain at the site after soil washing, and that the degradation rate can be increased by the addition of nutrients and oxygen.
Fickian Behavior and Concentration-Dependence of the Diffusion of Dextran in Agarose

Various studies have attempted to quantify the effects of loading on nutrient transport in cartilage and other soft tissues. The application of a dynamic mechanical stimulus has been shown to significantly enhance the mechanical properties of chondrocyte-seeded agarose [1]. While the mechanism for this enhancement is still not completely understood, dynamic loading has been shown theoretically [2] as well as experimentally [3] to increase the uptake of large molecules. Since dextran is available in a wide range of molecular weights and can be conjugated with fluorphores, it has become a popular model system for studying solute transport in statically loaded and free swelling gels and tissues [4, 5]. To better characterize this model system, this study uses fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to investigate the Fickian behavior of linear dextran macromolecules as well as the dependence of its diffusivity on concentration.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
WHY REGIONS? WHY NOW? WHO CARES?

ABSTRACT:This article examines the emergence of the region as a platform for achieving economic competitiveness and social equity. We use a combination of empirical exercises to examine the timing and degree of actor interest, including convergence regressions and coefficients of variation analysis to see if regional economic and social performance is more heterogeneous, and logistical analysis to determine what metropolitan-level factors can explain the rise of regionalist interest by business organizations and/or social justice organizations. We find that performance is, in fact, generally more heterogeneous, that different actors are motivated by different factors, and that interest by business groups seems to trigger a “reactive regionalism” by equity proponents (but not the other way around).
Superfluid helium on solid hydrogen

Abstract Using third sound, we have found that helium atoms can form a superfluid in direct contact with the crystalline surface of solid hydrogen. An anomalous phase marked by a second line of transitions similar to the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition has also been discovered for thin superfluid films on the H2 substrate for T
A Compact Statistical Model of the Song Syntax in Bengalese Finch

Songs of many songbird species consist of variable sequences of a finite number of syllables. A common approach for characterizing the syntax of these complex syllable sequences is to use transition probabilities between the syllables. This is equivalent to the Markov model, in which each syllable is associated with one state, and the transition probabilities between the states do not depend on the state transition history. Here we analyze the song syntax in Bengalese finch. We show that the Markov model fails to capture the statistical properties of the syllable sequences. Instead, a state transition model that accurately describes the statistics of the syllable sequences includes adaptation of the self-transition probabilities when states are revisited consecutively, and allows associations of more than one state to a given syllable. Such a model does not increase the model complexity significantly. Mathematically, the model is a partially observable Markov model with adaptation (POMMA). The success of the POMMA supports the branching chain network model of how syntax is controlled within the premotor song nucleus HVC, but also suggests that adaptation and many-to-one mapping from the syllable-encoding chain networks in HVC to syllables should be included in the network model.
Cholesterol ozonation products as biomarkers for ozone exposure in rats.

Abstract Cholesterol, 1 , which is present in both the lung lining fluid and cell membranes of lung tissue, reacts with ozone in aqueous systems to give 3β-hydroxy-5-oxo-5,6-6-secocholestan-6-al ( 2 ) as the major product. Reaction of 2 with 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH) in aqueous solutions, liposomes or lung extracts affords the anti and syn DNPH derivatives of 2 ( 3b and 3c ) and of the rearrangement product 3,5-dihydroxy-B-norcholestane-6-carboxaldehyde ( 3a ). These derivatives also are detected in lung tissue extracts from rats exposed to 1.3 ppm ozone for 12 hr.
Predicting protein contact maps by bagging decision trees

Substantial progress has been made in the prediction of protein structure. Despite these achievements, the computational complexity of protein folding remains a challenge. Instead, many methods aim to predict a protein contact map from sequence. We introduce an ensemble method for protein contact map prediction based on bagging multiple decision trees. The amino acid alphabet is clustered to improve generality. A random sampling method is used to address the large class imbalance in contact maps. Our results show that our technique performs favorably against existing methods.
On Evidence: a Reply to McGrew

In Particles and Waves (1991, pp. 117-47), I discuss a 19th century debate between John Stuart Mill (1837) and William Whewell (1847) over the verification of scientific hypotheses. Whewell, I claim, defends a version of the method of hypothesis (or hypothetico-deductive method), which allows a hypothesis to be confirmed by establishing the truth of its consequences.1 Mill attacks Whewell's methodology by arguing that hypotheses cannot be shown even to be probable in this way, since competing hypotheses are possible that entail the same true consequences. My book presents probabilistic considerations to support Mill against Whewell. In his article 'Two cheers for Bayes's Theorem' (1995), Tim McGrew attacks one of my arguments in defence of Mill. This argument, McGrew asserts, is valid but unsound because it contains a faulty premiss. The argument McGrew focuses on shows the falsity of the following claim:
The magnetostatic and electrostatic fields generated by light in free space: delta function description

Abstract In general, the Maxwell equations can be solved with electric and magnetic fields which are sums of oscillatory and static components, the latter being directed in the propagation axis of the electromagnetic plane wave. The electrostatic and magnetostatic fields are described classically in terms of travelling delta functions, which in quantum field theory becomes a description of the magnetostatic and electrostatic fields generated by a photon travelling at the speed of light in free space. The interaction of these fields with matter is investigated and the basic equations of electrodynamics derived in terms of the travelling delta function formalism of the classical field.
A low-lying excited electronic state of the AlO molecule and the ground-state dissociation energy

Abstract Emission bands near 2500 and 2800 A, from a microwave discharge through gaseous AlCl3 and O2, have been found to have a common lower 2Πi state. Rotational analysis of the 0-0 band of the 2800 A system, and also the vibrational analysis, show that the system originates from the 2Σ+ state at 40 300 cm−1 and terminates in the previously unrecognized 2Πi state at 5300 cm−1. In the 2500 A system the upper state is found to be a 2Δi state from the rotational analysis. The constants obtained for the new states are (cm−1): T 00 B 0 ω e ω e χ e 2 Δ i 45 260 0.4935 A 2 Π i 5282 0.5353 728.5 4.15 Establishment of the low-lying Π-state allows a reinterpretation of a continuum observed by Tyte, which gives an upper limit to the ground-state dissociation energy of 5.2 eV. This, in turn, suggests that the B2Σ+ state (at 2.5 eV) dissociates into ions (Al+ + 0−) 4.5 eV above the lowest free-atom energy.
Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of a bovine α-lactalbumin cDNA

A cDNA clone for the bovine milk protein, α-lactalbumin (αLA), has been identified using a rat cDNA probe. The bovine cDNA clone is 703 nucleotides (nt) long, contains 8 nt of 5'-untranslated sequence and 269 nt of 3'-untranslated sequence. When compared with previously reported sequences, the bovine αLA mRNA sequence has 74% similarity with rat αLA mRNA, 79% similarity with human mRNA and 74% similarity with guinea pig mRNA.
A psychofunctionalist argument against nonconceptualism

In this paper I present a psychofunctionalist argument for conceptualism, the thesis that conscious visual experience is a conceptual state rather than a nonconceptual state. The argument draws on the holistic character of functionalist accounts of mind, together with the “Two Visual Systems Hypothesis” notably defended by Melvyn Goodale and David Milner.
Optical Transfer of the Three-Dimensional Object*†

A transfer theory is developed that determines the image space, and three-dimensional image spectrum, of a 3–D object. For both incoherent and coherent illumination, the image is found to obey convolution, transfer, and sampling theorems that resemble the familiar results of ordinary 2-D theory. A 3-D transfer function is related to the pupil function of the image-forming optical system. One result of the theory is that with incoherent illumination, the object image space contains no more than 1/(λ3f/no.4) degrees of freedom/unit volume, where λ is the wavelength of light. The transfer theory is based on the existence of volumes of stationarity, termed “isotomes;” into which the object must be partitioned. Isotomicity is shown to be approximated, over sufficiently small volumes, in the diffraction-limited case.
A new and rapid method for the isolation of enzymically prepared labeled l-α-glycerophosphate

Abstract There are two methods known for the purification of enzymically prepared l -α-glycerophosphate: the first is based on the precipitation of the glycerophosphate as the barium salt in ethanolic solution at low temperature (1), and the second is based on a column chromatographic separation with Dowex 1-Cl as the anion-exchange resin (2). The first method has the disadvantages of giving low yields and a less pure product, while the second procedure is a more time-consuming process. Described in this paper is a procedure for the rapid separation of enzymically prepared l -α-(1,3- 14 C) glycerophosphate (2- 3 H-glycerol has also been used in some experiments). It is based on the observation that mono-, di-, and triphosphates of organic molecules can be separated by a gradient clution using DEAE-cellulose as the anion-exchange resin (3). Essentially the same procedure as described in reference (3) was applied for the separation of the labeled l -α-glycerophosphate from unreacted (1,3- 14 C) glycerol, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), which was formed during the reaction, and unreacted adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The reaction conditions for the enzymic preparation of the glycerophosphate were similar to those described in earlier papers (2, 4). The yield was 57 μmoles (66%) with a specific activity of 1.15 μCi/μmole, where the percentage was figured from the amount of (1,3- 14 C) glycerol converted to the phosphorylated compound. The purity of the product was checked by paper chromatography and radioactivity measurements.
FLUCTUATION EFFECTS IN THE RESISTIVE TRANSITION OF THIN FILAMENTARY SUPERCONDUCTORS.

Abstract : A progress report on new and improved measurements of the resistive transitions in tin and tin-indium alloy whisker crystals shows results that can be fitted reasonably well from the onset at low temperature through the excess conductivity tail above the critical temperature by application of existing theories of intrinsic fluctuations. The breadth of the transitions seems to be quantitatively accounted for. The theory of Langer and Ambegaokar as modified by McCumber and Halperin is applicable at the lowest voltage portion of the onset of the transitions at least in pure tin crystals, and the Aslamazov-Larkin theory is applicable at the high temperature tail in alloy crystals. The current dependence of the voltage at T sub c and the entire transition shape for alloy whiskers fits a scheme of Masker, Marcelja, and Parks based on the time-dependent Ginsburg-Landau equations. (Author)
Incidence, natural history, and risk factors for biliary sludge and stones during pregnancy

Gallstones are strongly associated with higher parity in women. This study prospectively assessed the incidence, natural history, and risk factors for biliary sludge and stones during pregnancy and the postpartum in 3,254 women at an army medical center. Women with a prior cholecystectomy or with stones at their first study ultrasound were excluded. Gallbladder ultrasound and subject questionnaires were obtained in each trimester and at 4 to 6 weeks postpartum. Serum glucose, lipids, insulin, leptin, estradiol, and progesterone were measured at 26 to 28 weeks' gestation. A nested case-control study was done to examine the effects of serum leptin and insulin on incident gallbladder disease. At least two study ultrasounds were available for 3,254 women. Sludge or stones had been found on at least one study ultrasound in 5.1% by the second trimester, 7.9% by the third trimester, and 10.2% by 4 to 6 weeks postpartum. Regression of sludge and stones was common, such that overall 4.2% had new sludge or stones on the postpartum ultrasound. Twenty-eight women (0.8%) underwent cholecystectomy within the first year postpartum. Prepregnancy body mass index was a strong predictor of incident gallbladder disease (P < .001). Serum leptin was independently associated with gallbladder disease (odds ratio per 1 ng/dL increase, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.11), even after adjusting for body mass index. In conclusion, incident gallbladder sludge and stones are common in pregnancy and the postpartum, and cholecystectomy is frequently done within the first year postpartum. Prepregnancy obesity and serum leptin are strong risk factors for pregnancy-associated gallbladder disease.
Oxidative Alkaline Leaching of Americium from Simulated High‐Level Nuclear Waste Sludges

Abstract Oxidative alkaline leaching has been proposed to pretreat the high‐level nuclear waste sludges to remove some of the problematic (e.g., Cr) and/or nonradioactive (e.g., Na, Al) constituents before vitrification. It is critical to understand the behavior of actinides, americium and plutonium in particular, in oxidative alkaline leaching. We have studied the leaching behavior of americium from four different sludge simulants (BiPO4, BiPO4 modified, Redox, PUREX) using potassium permanganate and potassium persulfate in alkaline solutions. Up to 60% of americium sorbed onto the simulants is leached from the sludges by alkaline persulfate and permanganate. The percentage of americium leached increases with [NaOH] (between 1.0 and 5.0 M). The initial rate of americium leaching by potassium persulfate increases in the order BiPO4 sludge<Redox sludge<PUREX sludge. The data are most consistent with oxidation of Am3+ in the sludge to either AmO2 + or AmO2 2+ in solution. Though neither of these species is ...
New views of the bacterial chromosome.

The Keystone Symposium on Bacterial Chromosomes was held between 7 and 12 February 2004 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. The conference was organized by S. Gottesman, N. Kleckner and J. Roth. ![][1] From the study of bacteria we know a great deal about DNA replication, recombination and repair, transcription, translation and gene regulation, and cellular metabolism. However, despite powerful molecular genetics tools, our understanding of the organization and behaviour of bacterial chromosomes has lagged behind, simply because their dynamics have been difficult to observe directly. Bacteria lack a mitotic system, and an equivalent prokaryotic mechanism for the separation of duplicated chromosomes remains mysterious. Confounding the picture is the complexity of the bacterial cell cycle, which is unlike the orderly and interdependent progression of events in eukaryotes. The application of fluorescence microscopy techniques, flow cytometry and cell synchronization has revolutionized our understanding of chromosome dynamics and the cell cycle in bacteria. Much of this conference was devoted to how chromosomes are organized, faithfully replicated and segregated to daughter cells, a few highlights of which are presented here. Dominating the discussion were studies of two model organisms— Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli —that diverged from a common ancestor over two billion years ago and are very different beasts. Despite this, these organisms share a number of common features. Both are rod‐shaped cells, about the size of a yeast nucleus, that divide at midcell. Both initiate replication at a single origin ( oriC ) in a circular chromosome, and bidirectional forks converge near a terminus region ( ter ) that has special properties to ensure chromosome segregation to daughter cells. Although there is no true nucleus in bacterial cells, a region of condensed chromosomal DNA (called a ‘nucleoid’) divides and separates before cell fission. In slow‐growing cells, replication is temporally separated from cell division, similar to the … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Characterization of TES bolometers used in 2-dimensional Backshort-Under-Grid (BUG) arrays for far-infrared astronomy

Abstract We have produced a laboratory demonstration of our new Backshort-Under-Grid (BUG) bolometer array architecture in a monolithic, 2-dimensional, 8 × 8 format. The detector array is designed as a square grid of suspended, 1 μ m thick silicon bolometers with superconducting molybdium/gold bilayer TESs. These detectors use an additional layer of gold bars deposited on top of the bilayer, oriented transverse to the direction of the current flow, for the suppression of excess noise. This detector design has earlier been shown to provide near fundamental noise limited device performance. We present results from performance measurements of witness devices. In particular we demonstrate that the inband excess noise level of the TES detectors is less than 20% above the thermodynamic phonon noise limit and not significantly higher out of band at frequencies that cannot be attenuated by the Nyquist filter. Our 8 × 8 BUG arrays will be used in the near future for astronomical observations in several (sub-)millimeter instruments.
Lack of thyroid peroxidase activity as the cause of congenital goitrous hypothyroidism.

Studies have been performed on a 52-yr-old female who presented with a goiter, mental deficiency, normal hearing, a serum T4 = 1.0 μg per 100 ml, F T4 = 0.4 ng per 100 ml, total T3 40 ng per 100 ml, BEI = 1.6 μg per 100 ml, BII 0.4 μg per 100 ml and a serum TSH of 82 μU/ml. The sella turcica was enlarged. The thyroid of the patient had a normal concentration mechanism for iodide; the peak uptake of 131I occurred at 4 hr (17%) and declined to 6.0% in 24 hr. Thiocyanate discharged 68% of the accumulated iodide in 1 hr and 84% in 3 hr. A tissue specific lack of peroxidase activity was found as assessed by the complete failure of thyroid tissue, in vitro, to peroxidize guaiacol, iodinate bovine serum albumin or to oxidize thiocyanate. The addition of hydrogen peroxide (10−4m) or hematin (10−4m) failed to stimulate peroxidase activity. Catalase activity was not excessive. Thyroglobulin was present and could be iodinated in the presence of H2O2 and horseradish peroxidase. Salivary peroxidase activity was presen...
A BAC-based physical map of Brachypodium distachyon and its comparative analysis with rice and wheat

Background Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium) has been recognized as a new model species for comparative and functional genomics of cereal and bioenergy crops because it possesses many biological attributes desirable in a model, such as a small genome size, short stature, self-pollinating habit, and short generation cycle. To maximize the utility of Brachypodiu m as a model for basic and applied research it is necessary to develop genomic resources for it. A BAC-based physical map is one of them. A physical map will facilitate analysis of genome structure, comparative genomics, and assembly of the entire genome sequence.
Dynamic estimation of left-ventricular ejection fraction

We investigate a method to obtain a dynamic estimate of left ventricular ejection fraction from a gated set of planar myocardial perfusion images. Ejection fraction is defined as the ratio of the fully contracted left-ventricular volume to the fully expended left-ventricular volume and is known as an effective gauge of cardiac function. This method is proposed as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to currently used radionuclide ventriculographic based techniques. To formulate this estimate of ejection fraction, we employ geometric reconstruction and recursive estimation techniques. The left ventricle is modelled as a dynamically evolving three- dimensional ellipsoid. The left-ventricular outline observed in the myocardial perfusion images are then modelled as two-dimensional ellipsoids, obtained as projections of the former three- dimensional ellipsoid. The ellipsoid that approximates the left ventricle is reconstructed using Rauch-Tung Striebel smoothing which combines the observed temporal set of projection images with an evolution model to produce the best estimate of the ellipsoid at any point in time given all the data. This investigation includes estimation of ejection fraction from both simulated and real data.
Propranolol blocks cocaine-induced cerebral vasodilation in newborn sheep.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that cocaine-induced cerebral vasodilation in newborn sheep is mediated via beta-adrenergic receptor activation. DESIGN The cerebral effects of a single intravenous injection of cocaine (4 mg/kg) given 30 mins after pretreatment with propranolol (1 mg/kg) were studied and compared with the results from a previous study using an identical cocaine protocol without propranolol pretreatment. SUBJECTS Seven chronically catheterized, unanesthetized newborn sheep (6 +/- 1 days old). MEASUREMENTS Cerebral blood flow using radiolabeled microspheres, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate, and cerebral arterial and venous oxygen content were measured at baseline, after administration of propranolol, and 0.5, 5, 15, and 60 mins after cocaine injection. Cerebrovascular resistance was calculated as the MAP divided by the cerebral blood flow. MAIN RESULTS Propranolol injection alone caused no systemic or cerebral physiologic changes other than an 11 +/- 2% (mean +/- SEM) decrease in heart rate, which was sustained after cocaine injection. In contrast to previous studies showing cerebral vasodilation (25% decrease in cerebrovascular resistance) and acute hypertension (57% increase in MAP) 30 secs after cocaine injection, there were no changes in cerebrovascular resistance after cocaine injection and after propranolol pretreatment and there was only a 23 +/- 7% increase in MAP 30 secs after injection, with a return to baseline by 15 mins. Cocaine and norepinephrine levels were similar to those previously reported in the newborn sheep after an injection of 4 mg/kg cocaine. CONCLUSION Propranolol blocks cocaine-induced cerebral vasodilation and blunts the acute hypertension in newborn sheep, suggesting that cocaine's cerebrovascular effects in the developing brain are mediated, at least in part, by beta-adrenergic receptor activation.
Is there increased WAIS pattern variability in Huntington's disease?

Abstract Josiassen and his colleagues (1982) concluded that persons at-risk for Huntington's Disease show greater variability on the WAIS and lowered subtest intercorrelations. Examination of the reported data and methodological considerations suggest that this conclusion is not warranted. New data are reported which are not consistent with the idea of attenuated WAIS subtest intercorrelations in at-risk subjects.
Perspectives on the Music Program: Opening Doors to the School Community

study. Music educators understand the importance of the arts in schools. Other members of the school community-teachers, administrators, and parents-may share this view yet be unaware of all that transpires in the music classroom once the door is shut. Music educators should consider how they can open their doors to help the community understand how music education contributes to broad educational goals. Developing effective strategies to do so necessitates understanding the views and perspectives of others. Perceptions about music education shape and are shaped by people's values. The values held by decision makers, at both the local and national levels, have a significant impact on music teaching and learning. For example, recent studies conducted by the Music for All Foundation1 and the Council for Basic Education2 noted declines in instructional time for music and other arts, as well as decreases in the number of music teachers as a result of budgetary and legislative factors. School principals throughout the United States reported that standardized tests, budgets, and the No Child Left Behind Act were all factors that hurt music programs.3 These are a few examples of the ways that the pervasive values in our society and in education can have a negative effect on music and arts programs. Most educators and administrators value music education;4 however, in the school curriculum, it sometimes takes a backseat to other subjects.5 The view that music is less important than some other subjects reflects the value placed on the arts in schools and society, where the emphasis is often on being pragmatic.6 However, if school communities can recognize music as something more significant than a pleasant diversion, it might retain or improve its status as a vital facet of school culture. The Housewright Declaration, as expressed in Vision 2020, states that "music educators must join with others in providing opportunities for meaningful music instruction for all people ... and identify barriers that impede the full actualization."7 Arts advocate Charles Fowler asserted that music education has the potential not only to preserve the values of a community but also to change them.8 Music educators are well situated at the grassroots level to shape community perceptions of music education. Some successful music teachers are already meeting these challenges, serving as agents of change for the betterment of students and the greater educational enterprise.9 Doing so requires extending our reach beyond the confines of the classroom. Music educators can reach out to the many constituencies that make up the cultural fabric of a school. Before doing so, they should understand the perceptions of music education held by the school community to determine effective ways to make the goals, objectives, and learning outcomes of the music education program more salient within the school.
Obtaining a solid model from optical serial sections

Abstract An approach for obtaining a three-dimensional solid display of microscopic-scale objects obtained via optical serial sectioning is presented. Serial sections are obtained by incrementing the focusing plane of a microscope through a specimen of interest, resulting in a sequence of two-dimensional images comprising a three-dimensional image of optical density. Unfortunately, the limited aperture of any practical microscope results in the loss of a biconic region of frequencies from the three-dimensional spectrum of optical density, and a low-pass distortion of the remaining frequencies. These degradations make the extraction of accurate three-dimensional structural or morphological information difficult. While the low-pass distortion can be improved by inverse filtering, the loss of frequencies is not reversible. However, within the resolution imposed by the finite aperture, a solid model can be obtained. By applying an edge detector to the sequence of inverse-filtered images, contours of high activity can be delineated. Generally these will be noisy and spread throughout the interior of the specimen; however, by applying appropriate mathematical morphological techniques and other region correction procedures the edges can be aggregated into a solid (volumetric) model suitable for display in a cuberille environment.
Observations on Octopus joubini: Some aspects of reproductive biology and growth

Observations were made on the brooding behavior of 10 laboratory reared female Octopus joubini, including egg laying, care of the eggs, feeding during brooding, and survival of the female from the onset of egg laying. Data concerning the numbers of eggs laid by each female and hatching (duration, frequency, correlation of duration to water temperature, etc.) are given. The newly hatched octopuses (whose ages were determined within 24 h) were fed Uca spp. to determine their growth rate from hatching to 4 months of age. In addition, some specimens were presented with a variety of foods that were easily accessible in the laboratory or field in an effort to find a food suitable for mass culture.
Recollection, not familiarity, decreases in healthy ageing: Converging evidence from four estimation methods

Although it is generally accepted that ageing is associated with recollection impairments, there is considerable disagreement surrounding how healthy ageing influences familiarity-based recognition. One factor that might contribute to the mixed findings regarding age differences in familiarity is the estimation method used to quantify the two mnemonic processes. Here, this issue is examined by having a group of older adults (N = 39) between 40 and 81 years of age complete remember/know (RK), receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) and process dissociation (PD) recognition tests. Estimates of recollection, but not familiarity, showed a significant negative correlation with chronological age. Inconsistent with previous findings, the estimation method did not moderate the relationship between age and estimates of recollection and familiarity. In a final analysis, recollection and familiarity were estimated as latent factors in a confirmatory factor analysis that modelled the covariance between measures of free recall and recognition, and the results converged with the results from the RK, PD and ROC tasks. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that episodic memory declines in older adults are primary driven by recollection deficits, and also suggest that the estimation method plays little to no role in age-related decreases in familiarity.
The Spectrum of the Large Magellanic Cloud Pulsar B0540–69*

A prism spectrum of PSR B0540-69, the 50 ms pulsar in the Large Magellanic Cloud, was obtained with the Faint Object Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope. This is only the second pulsar spectrum that has been observed in the optical. The 2500-5500 A spectrum shows a smooth continuum with several broad emission lines. The lines are emitted by the extended nebula surrounding B0540-69. Less than 30% of the total flux in the spectrum can be contributed by the synchrotron nebula surrounding the pulsar; the time-averaged emission from the pulsar must be the dominant source of the continuum. The observed spectral index, α, of the continuum, where flux density Sν = Kνα μJy, is -2.5 ± 0.2 between 2500 and 4500 A. Using E(B - V) = 0.20 ± 0.05 gives a de-extincted spectral index α0 = -1.6 ± 0.4. This intrinsic spectral index is significantly different from that of the Crab pulsar in the optical α0 = 0.11 ± 0.13. Unless E(B - V) ~ 0.5, the intrinsic spectral index of time-averaged pulsar radiation must vary as much from pulsar to pulsar in the high-frequency regime as it does in the radio.
Nucleotomy reduces the effects of cyclic compressive loading with unloaded recovery on human intervertebral discs.

Abstract The first objective of this study was to determine the effects of physiological cyclic loading followed by unloaded recovery on the mechanical response of human intervertebral discs. The second objective was to examine how nucleotomy alters the disc׳s mechanical response to cyclic loading. To complete these objectives, 15 human L5-S1 discs were tested while intact and subsequent to nucleotomy. The testing consisted of 10,000 cycles of physiological compressive loads followed by unloaded hydrated recovery. Cyclic loading increased compression modulus (3%) and strain (33%), decreased neutral zone modulus (52%), and increased neutral zone strain (31%). Degeneration was not correlated with the effect of cyclic loading in intact discs, but was correlated with cyclic loading effects after nucleotomy, with more degenerate samples experiencing greater increases in both compressive and neutral zone strain following cyclic loading. Partial removal of the nucleus pulposus decreased the compression and neutral zone modulus while increasing strain. These changes correspond to hypermobility, which will alter overall spinal mechanics and may impact low back pain via altered motion throughout the spinal column. Nucleotomy also reduced the effects of cyclic loading on mechanical properties, likely due to altered fluid flow, which may impact cellular mechanotransduction and transport of disc nutrients and waste. Degeneration was not correlated with the acute changes of nucleotomy. Results of this study provide an ideal protocol and control data for evaluating the effectiveness of a mechanically-based disc degeneration treatment, such as a nucleus replacement.
Patterns of Change in Retail Institutions in the United States with Special Attention to the Traditional Department Store

One of the more engrossing facets of marketing in the United States is the metamorphosis of retail institutional form. For well over 100 years, many historians and marketers have been fascinated by the successful entry of new types of retail organisations into the market and the gradual demise of the old. This interest has resulted in an extensive literature describing these changes and, in more recent years, a succession of theories to explain the process.