cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detecting and characterizing N-acyl-homoserine lactone signal molecules by thin-layer chromatography

Many Gram-negative bacteria regulate gene expression in response to their population size by sensing the level of acyl-homoserine lactone signal molecules which they produce and liberate to the environment. We have developed an assay for these signals that couples separation by thin-layer chromatography with detection using Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring lacZ fused to a gene that is regulated by autoinduction. With the exception of N-butanoyl-l-homoserine lactone, the reporter detected acyl-homoserine lactones with 3-oxo-, 3-hydroxy-, and 3-unsubstituted side chains of all lengths tested. The intensity of the response was proportional to the amount of the signal molecule chromatographed. Each of the 3-oxo- and the 3-unsubstituted derivatives migrated with a unique mobility. Using the assay, we showed that some bacteria produce as many as five detectable signal molecules. Structures could be assigned tentatively on the basis of mobility and spot shape. The dominant species produced by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci chromatographed with the properties of N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone, a structure that was confirmed by mass spectrometry. An isolate of Pseudomonas fluorescens produced five detectable species, three of which had novel chromatographic properties. These were identified as the 3-hydroxy- forms of N-hexanoyl-, N-octanoyl-, and N-decanoyl-l-homoserine lactone. The assay can be used to screen cultures of bacteria for acyl-homoserine lactones, for quantifying the amounts of these molecules produced, and as an analytical and preparative aid in determining the structures of these signal molecules.
Chronic hypoxia decreases arterial and venous compliance in isolated perfused rat lungs: an effect that is reversed by exogenous L-arginine

Chronic hypoxia (CH)-induced pulmonary hypertension is characterized by vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling, leading to right ventricular dysfunction. Given the role of arterial compliance (Ca...
An approach for comparing U.S. and Japanese effective corporate income tax rates

Abstract Given the impact of taxes on the cost of doing business in a particular country, it is important to develop a measure that compares effective tax rates. The unavailability of tax data with respect to both domestic and foreign firms severely limits research in this area. The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology which can be used to compare effective corporate income tax rates imposed by the United States and Japan on similar types of firms.
Advantages of nonionic contrast agents in adult urography

Abstract Nonionic radiographic contrast agents have a reported advantage of decreased contrast osmolality. Before clinical significance can be attributed to this lower osmolality, an observed difference must be documented. In a randomized double-blind study with 55 patients, Iohexol, a new nonionic contrast agent, is compared with Renografin 60 for use in adult urography. Hemodynamic parameters, serum and urine chemistries, including osmolality, were recorded before and after contrast injection. Radiographic quality and adverse reactions were recorded. This study focused on the change in urine osmolality (Δ Osm) from pre- and post-injection urine specimens. The group receiving nonionic contrast agents had an average Δ Osm of 65 mOsm/L while those receiving the ionic agent had an average A Osm of 120 mOsm/L. This significant difference in urine osmolality is discussed with respect to the observed advantage in radiographic quality and the lower incidence of adverse reactions noted in the group receiving nonionic contrast material.
Integral of the error squared as a performance index for automatic control systems

IN 1943, Hall proposed the integral-of-squared-error (ISE) criterion as an indirect measure of the speed of response (to a step input) of servomechanism systems.1 This index of performance was proposed as an analytical function of the servomechanism parameters which would be minimized by adjustment of the system parameters, the relationship between the parameters and the ISE being less complex than that between the parameters and the speed of response itself. As a result of Hall's work the ISE was tabulated as a function of system constants for systems whose error function is of tenth order or less.2,3
Magnetostratigraphy of the Red Sandstone Creek section ‐ Vail, Colorado

Samples for paleomagnetic study were collected from the area of Red Sandstone Creek (Lat. 39.73°N, Long. 253.6) near Vail, Colorado, in hopes of locating the stratigraphic base of the Kiaman Reversed Interval to within a few meters. Previous workers had sampled the same upper Pennsylvanian and Permian Minturn and Maroon Formations in this section and had placed the base of the Kiaman at 91m to 213m above the Minturn Formation. The interval from 276m below to 420m above the Maroon/Minturn contact was sampled in the present study at one meter intervals where possible. Of the 171 samples collected, only 2 had near normal components. The 2 were not consecutive and the normal components were removed easily by thermal cleaning or were shown to be a viscous overprint of the present field. The previous workers were apparently misled by a lack of magnetic cleaning of their samples. The conclusion of this study is that the base of the Kiaman must be stratigraphically lower in this section. The pole position from the sampled section is Lat. 42.6°N, Long. 115.4°E, A95=2.75 for N=145 samples.
Interruption of the spinolaminar line at C6 and C7: a normal variant

Objective: To describe a normal variant of the lower cervical spine manifested as interruption of the spinolaminar line. Although disruption of this line is a useful sign of significant cervical spine injury, it is important to note that this finding may represent a normal variation. Conclusion: Interruption of the spinolaminar line at C6 and C7 does not necessarily represent cervical spine dislocation and/or fracture and may be a normal anatomic variant. Knowledge of this fact may prevent false diagnosis and avoid unnecessary investigation. We propose that an alteration in facet joint orientation at C6 and C7 may represent the etiology of this normal variant.
Rapid quantitative and qualitative confirmatory method for the determination of monofluoroacetic acid in foods by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Abstract A rapid quantitative method and a qualitative confirmatory method for the determination of monofluoroacetic acid (MFA) in complex food matrices are presented. The quantitative method utilizes a water extraction, solid phase extraction clean-up and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) for determination of MFA. This method showed a high degree of specificity, detecting MFA in all of the spiked samples, while none of the unfortified samples tested positive for MFA. Spike recoveries were high in all matrices analyzed, varying from 85 to 110%, and comparable at low (2 mg/L) and high (20 mg/L) spiking levels. Repeatability tests at the low spiking levels yielded RSDs of less than 5% for all matrices analyzed. The qualitative confirmatory method developed is conceptually different from the quantitative method, ensuring that both methods would not be subject to the same interferences. The method uses the formation of the hydrazide of MFA through derivatization with 2-nitrophenylhydrazine. This derivatization is well established for the determination of carboxylic acids, but this is the first application to the determination of MFA. The derivatization yield was matrix dependent, however the limit of detection (LOD) (0.8 μg/L) was sufficient to confirm the presence of MFA in all spiked matrices. Repeatability tests at the low spiking levels yielded RSDs of approximately 7% for all matrices analyzed.
Overview of the IGF-I System

• The IGF system is the major mediator of both intra-uterine and postnatal growth. • The IGF-I receptor appears to mediate the growth-promoting effects of both IGF-I and IGF-II. • The role of IGF binding proteins in mediating the growth-promoting actions of the IGFs is complex and remains incompletely understood.
A sharp bound for the degree of proper monomial mappings between balls

The authors prove that a proper monomial holomorphic mapping from the two-ball to the N-ball has degree at most 2N-3, and that this result is sharp. The authors first show that certain group-invariant polynomials (related to Lucas polynomials) achieve the bound. To establish the bound the authors introduce a graph-theoretic approach that requires determining the number of sinks in a directed graph associated with the quotient polynomial. The proof also relies on a result of the first author that expresses all proper polynomial holomorphic mappings between balls in terms of tensor products.
An Historical Account of Water Quality Changes in Candlewood Lake, Connecticut, Over a Sixty Year Period Using Paleolimnology and Ten Years of Monitoring Data

ABSTRACT A paleolimnological study was used in conjunction with ten years of monitoring data to assess the timing and magnitude of historical water quality changes in Candlewood Lake, a large pumped-storage reservoir in western Connecticut, USA. The paleolimnological aspect of the study supported much of the current literature on both reservoir development and die effects of land-use alterations of watersheds on waterbodies. Water quality trends gleaned from the monitoring database confirmed recent conditions inferred from fossil assemblages. Monitoring data also provided evidence supporting an improvement in trophic conditions beginning around 1988, but a continued increase in dissolved salt levels. The paleolimnological study and die long-term monitoring effort complemented each other in that the former provided quantitative insight beyond die temporal scope of monitoring, while die resolution of die latter enabled managers to assess effective strategies.
Solid-phase synthesis of O-palmitoylated peptides

Solid-phase synthesis of an O-palmitoylated peptide has been achieved by either palmitoylation of the resin-bound peptide or synthesis of palmitoylated Fmoc-Thr and subsequent solid-phase incorporation. The desired peptides containing palmitoylated Thr were isolated by reversed-phase C18 HPLC. An O → N acyl shift was encountered when palmitoylated Fmoc-Thr was utilized.
Selective induction of DNA repair pathways in human B cells activated by CD4+ T cells.

Greater than 75% of all hematologic malignancies derive from germinal center (GC) or post-GC B cells, suggesting that the GC reaction predisposes B cells to tumorigenesis. Because GC B cells acquire expression of the highly mutagenic enzyme activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), GC B cells may require additional DNA repair capacity. The goal of this study was to investigate whether normal human B cells acquire enhanced expression of DNA repair factors upon AID induction. We first demonstrated that several DNA mismatch repair, homologous recombination, base excision repair, and ATR signaling genes were overexpressed in GC B cells relative to naive and memory B cells, reflecting activation of a process we have termed somatic hyperrepair (SHR). Using an in vitro system, we next characterized activation signals required to induce AID expression and SHR. Although AID expression was induced by a variety of polyclonal activators, SHR induction strictly required signals provided by contact with activated CD4+ T cells, and B cells activated in this manner displayed reduced levels of DNA damage-induced apoptosis. We further show the induction of SHR is independent of AID expression, as GC B cells from AID -/- mice retained heightened expression of SHR proteins. In consideration of the critical role that CD4+ T cells play in inducing the SHR process, our data suggest a novel role for CD4+ T cells in the tumor suppression of GC/post-GC B cells.
Eosinophilia in Premature Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Study of the Incidence, Significance, and Responsible Mechanism

Eosinophilia in Premature Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Study of the Incidence, Significance, and Responsible Mechanism
On global hypoellipticity of degenerate elliptic operators

We consider a class of degenerate elliptic operators on a torus and prove that global hypoellipticity is equivalent to an algebraic condition involving Liouville vectors and simultaneous approximability. For another class of operators we show that the zero order term may influence global hypoellipticity.
Increasing the hydrophobicity and electrospray response of glycans through derivatization with novel cationic hydrazides

Novel tags are used to increase the hydrophobicity of glycans and impart a permanent charge yielding as great as a ∼5-fold increase in electrospray response from both a standard and complex mixture.
Partnering and traditional relationships in business marketing: An introduction to the special issue

Abstract Many theoretical and empirical articles about channel relationships have been published in the literature. However, Weitz and Jap (1995) highlight the lack of systematic research on the specific activities that comprise a partnering relationship in the business market. This Special Issue represents the programmatic work of many scholars who have addressed this question using a case study approach. In this introduction, background information about the project is provided along with specification of the research domain. The outcome of the issue is the development of a grounded theory (Strauss and Corbin, 1994) of partnership structure as defined by the activities of successful partnering firms in contrast to traditional/typical interfirm relationships.
Digital Program Control for Iterative Differential Analyzers

This report identifies the timing pulses and sequential digital logic needed for practical control of iterative- differential-analyzer programs and proposes a syste matic notation. Against this background, the design of a very flexible and convenient digital control unit developed for the University of Arizona's new ASTRAC II, an all-solid-state machine employing both "fast" ±10-volt amplifiers capable of iteration rates up to 1 Kc and "slow" ±100-volt amplifiers. A variety of "packaged" iteration routines is pro duced with a minimum of digital-logic patching. Digital-clock circuits can, in particular, control sta tistical evaluation of thousands of Monte-Carlo-type random-process simulations with automatic param eter changes, and will also control displays or analog- digital linkages.
Illusory contours, projective transformations and kinetic shape perception.

Abstract The motion-induced contour is an illusory contour seen in the image of an object undergoing the figural transformations associated with rotation in depth. The efficacy of several sources of depth information, including binocular disparity, perspective and additional image transformations associated with three-dimensional motion, was tested in six experiments. A stationary image of an object served as the baseline condition. In each experiment, the results indicated that only in those conditions, in which the image underwent the figural transformations associated with rotation in depth, was contour perceptibility superior to the stationary condition. The motion-induced contour appears to be a result of the visual mechanisms involved in kinetic shape perception. These results support Coren's (1972) notion of the association between illusory contours and depth processing.
Fast residual stress determination of welded joints using reversible holographic interferometric (RHI) film

A mathematical algorithm is proposed for fast determination of residual stress in blind hold drilling method. Computer simulation of this algorithm has been made. Comparing of theoretical interference pattern with experimental interferogram is presented.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Equal Opportunity in Teacher Education Programs for the Learning Disabled

College administrators and teacher edu cation faculties currently are confronted with the task of determining how best to respond to the demand for more rigor ous academic standards, while at the same time attempting to modify pro gram requirements to provide an equal opportunity for the learning disabled and other handicapped students. The purpose of this paper is to identify the characteristics of the learning disabled, to examine the underlying legal issues presently affecting teacher education, and to propose equitable guidelines and procedures for ensuring quality preser vice training for the learning disabled.
Approaches and analysis for on-focal-plane analog-to-digital conversion

This paper presents approaches for on-focal-plane analog-to-digital conversion (ADC). Common approaches and architectures for ADC and their utility for on-focal-plane integration are discussed. Candidate approaches are analyzed with respect to required amplifier gain, bandwidth, capacitance matching, noise and offsets as a function of ADC resolution. A column-parallel ADC architecture appears to be an effective compromise of chip area, power, circuit speed and ADC resolution. The discussion is valid for both infrared focal-plane arrays and visible image sensors.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Need for control data in studies of self-esteem and persuasibility.

Summary.-Of 9 smdies involving self-esteem and persuasibility following exposure to a mass communicacion, none made proper use of control data. This failure leaves unresolved the validity of interpretations which are reasonably alternative to that which supports the research hypothesis. Four of the studies are discussed in detail in order to exemplify the range of interprerations which may be considered alternative to those which, according to the authors, support their research hypotheses. The need for control data in this research area is discussed in the more general context of the purpose of conuol data. This article argues for the use of control data in personality-persuasibility studies. However, in order to simplify the argument, emphasis is given to (a) self-esteem, the most common personality dimension in this research area: and (b) opinion change following exposure to a mass communication, the most common indicant of persuasibility. As self-esteem increases, opinion change following exposure to a mass communication increases (Gollob & Dittes, 1965 ) , decreases (Janis & Field, 1959), increases then decreases (Cox & Bauer, 1964), or decreases then increases (Silverman, 1964). Similar results have been obtained by Dabbs (1964), Janis ( 1955), Leventhal and Perloe ( 1962), Nisbett and Gordon (1967), and Silverman, Ford, and Morganti (1966) ."These nine experimental studies3 are similar in one important regard: not one made proper use of control data. These are not selected studies; with one exception (Levonian, 1968) I am aware of no other study involving self-esteem and opinion change following exposure to a mass communication. The results of a study are usually susceptible to interpretations alternative to rhat which supports the research hypothesis-the hypothesis of interest. In this article data bearing more directly on alternative hypotheses will be referred to as control data, while data bearing more directly on the research hypothesis will be referred to as experimental data. In general, control data are obtained for the purpose of supporting indirectly the research hypothesis by failing to support alternative hypotheses. The research hypothesis is strengthened to the extent that conuol data fail to support alternative hypotheses. 'See, for instance, the review in McGuire ( 1966). 'Another study by Janis ( 1954) is not included because persuasibility induced by exposure to mass communications was confounded with persuasibility induced by another treacrnent referred to as active participation (Hovland, Janis, & Kelley, 1953, Ch. 7) or role playing (Janis & King, 1954), and it is shown elsewhere (Janis & Mann, 1965) that exposure alone achieves effects which are dilfetenr from exposure plus role playing. In a personal communication Howard Leventhal suggests that three additional smdies (Dabbs & Leventhal, 1966; Leventhal & Trembly, 1968; Sears, 1967) might be considered relevant. These, unlike the cited ones, do not contain the word "self-esteem" in their tides or in their published abstracts. 'Referred to hereafter as "the nine srudies."
Some General Results Concerning the Critical Exponents of Percolation Processes

In this paper we will give some results concerning the critical exponents of percolation processes which are valid for “any” model. These results show that in several respects the behavior which occurs for percolation on the binary tree provides bounds on one side for what happens in general. These results and their proofs are closely related to their analogues for the Ising model.
Inverses of Perron complements of inverse M-matrices

The concept of the Perron complement of a nonnegative and irreducible matrix was introduced by Meyer in 1989 and it was used by him to construct an algorithm for computing the stationary distribution vector for Markov chains. Here we consider properties of the Perron complement of an n×n matrix K which is an inverse of an irreducible M-matrix. We first show that the Perron complements of K are inverses of M-matrices and that the inverses of associated principal submatrices of K are sandwiched between the inverses of the Perron complements of K and the inverses of the corresponding Schur complements of K. We then investigate the directed graph of the inverse of the Perron complements of such matrices K.
Minority Status, Ideology, or Opportunity: Explaining the Greater Retirement of House Republicans

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives tend to retire at a higher rate than Democrats—a fact with potentially important electoral and policy ramifications—but research on the possible explanations for this partisan disparity has been scarce. I test various explanatory hypotheses using multilevel statistical analyses and find that Republicans are more likely to retire—not because they have been the predominant minority party, had more political opportunities, or had different private-sector experiences, but because they harbor more conservative ideologies than their Democratic colleagues.
An informative subtlety of itemperature-jump or coulostatic responses for surface-attached species

Abstract Theoretical relationships are developed to describe the open-circuit responses associated with the indirect laser-induced temperature-jump (ILIT) method, a method for measuring fast electron-transfer rate constants of surface-attached redox species. The analysis is also applicable to data obtained using the coulostatic charge-injection method. The unique relationship between k m , the relaxation rate constant for the ILIT (or coulostatic) response, and E i , the potential at which the system is initially poised, exhibits a surprising sensitivity to the values of k 0 , E i 0 ′ (the standard rate constant and formal potential for the redox couple), α (the transfer coefficient in the Butler–Volmer equation) and γ (a dimensionless parameter which is directly proportional to the total surface concentration of the redox moiety). ILIT data for several examples of surface-attached ferrocene moieties confirm the theoretically predicted k m vs E i behavior. Values of E i 0 ′ and γ extracted from the ILIT data agree well with the values obtained from cyclic voltammetric data thereby confirming that the ILIT and cyclic voltammogram (CV) experiments are sampling the same ferrocene population.
Seasonal variations and age-related changes in human sperm count, motility, motion parameters, morphology, and white blood cell concentration

Abstract Objective: To determine the presence of any seasonal variations and age-related changes in sperm parameters in andrology patients and fertile donors. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: University medical center andrology laboratory. Patient(s): The database of 2,065 semen analyses was retrospectively reviewed for the period of March 1, 1996, to October 31, 1998. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measures(s): The sperm count, motility, motile count, progressive straightline velocity, and percentage of rapid sperm were determined with the Hamilton-Thorne IVOS analyzer with standard setup parameters. Result(s): There were no significant seasonal differences in the patient's volume, sperm count, motility, motile count, whereas the percentage of rapid sperm and progressive straightline velocity were significantly lower in the spring. Correlation analysis of patient semen parameters versus age implied that as age increases there is a tendency for these semen parameters to decrease, whereas percent tail defects showed a significant positive correlation with age. Conclusion(s): Age-adjusted analyses of seasonal variations in andrology patient semen parameters showed significant seasonal variation in the percentage rapid motile sperm and straightline velocity, as well as the percent tail defects, percent immature sperm, and the percent tapered sperm. Such seasonal variations might prove to be clinically relevant and important when designing experimental protocols.
The dracula dilemma: tourism, identity and the state in Romania

The dracula dilemma: tourism, identity and the state in Romania, by Duncan Light, Surrey, Ashgate Publishing, 2012, 208 pp., US$89.96 (hardback), ISBN 978-1-40944-021-5 Recently, the game show ‘Whe...
TGF-β3, but Not TGF-β1, Protects Keratinocytes against 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced Cell Deathin Vitro and in Vivo

Abstract We have examined the role that individual TGF-β isoforms, and in particular TGF-β3, play in control of epidermal homeostasis. Mice with a knockout mutation of the TGF-β3 gene die a few hours after birth. A full-thickness skin grafting approach was used to investigate the postnatal development and homeostatic control of the skin of these mice. Grafted skin of mice with a disruption of the TGF-β3 gene developed similarly to grafts of wild type and TGF-β1 knockout animals. However, a strikingly different response was observed after acute treatment with the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). When exposed to TPA, the grafted skin of wild type and TGF-β1 knockout mice underwent a hyperplastic response similar to that of normal mouse skin. In marked contrast, TPA treatment of TGF-β3 knockout grafts induced widespread areas of keratinocyte cell death. Analysis of cultured keratinocytes treated with purified TGF-β isoforms revealed that TGF-β3 plays a direct and specific function in protecting keratinocytes against TPA-induced cell death. The protective function of TGF-β3 on TPA-induced cell death was not because of general suppression of the signaling pathways triggered by this agent, as ERK1/2 activation occurred to a similar if not greater extent in TGF-β3-treatedversus control keratinocytes. Instead, TGF-β3 treatment led to a significant reduction in TPA-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase activity, which was associated and possibly explained by specific counteracting effects of TGF-β3 on TPA-induced disruption of keratinocyte focal adhesions.
The Mechanism of Deposition of Titanium Coatings from Fused Salt Baths

The mechanism of the titanizing process, as described previously, consists mainly in the direct collision of Ti particles dispersed in a molten salt bath (, , or both together) with the surface of the metallic or ceramic object submerged. The Ti particles stick to the surface, and, if the temperature is high enough (e.g., for Fe above 910°C) a part of the Ti deposited diffuses into the substrate forming a diffusion layer. Its thickness conforms to Rhines' diffusion equation.By the titanizing method described not only can Fe, low carbon steel, Co, Ni, and noble metals be coated, but so can ceramic materials such as porcelain and alundum.Coatings on Fe can also be produced in fused salts ( or ) containing lower Ti chlorides in larger amounts but no metallic Ti. In this case the coating is produced by an exchange mechanism, e.g., (coating on excess Fe), or by Ti formed in the disproportionation reaction.The collision mechanism and the exchange mechanism may go on simultaneously with more active metals. However, not more than 4.0% of the total Ti coating is produced by the latter mechanism. The lower Ti chlorides in the fused salt baths are formed by the reaction ; the Na evaporates partially at the working temperature of above 900°C.
School Leaders and Their Sensemaking About Race and Demographic Change

Background: School leaders must make sense of the messages they receive from multiple, overlapping contexts of their school environments. Equally important, they must shape meaning of school issues and events with and for other school members.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which school leaders defined and made sense of issues of race and demographic change in their schools.Data Collection: Interviews, documents, and archival data from a larger study provided information on the programs, policies, and practices that schools modified in response to their growing African American population. For the current study, the author specifically examined the words and actions of school leaders to determine how they defined and made sense of the demographic changes taking place. The author also used other information to establish the contexts around these leaders that might help explain their sensemaking.Findings: Generally, school leaders'sensemaking seemed related to the local context ...
Acute renal artery occlusion: When is revascularization justified?

Acute renal artery occlusion is an infrequently encountered entity, with a paucity of literature on which to form clinical decisions. During a 20-year period 35 patients were treated for acute renal artery occlusion as a result of embolism (13 patients), thrombosis of a stenosed vessel (16 patients), or trauma (six patients). Patients were treated operatively in 16 cases and nonoperatively in 19 cases. In patients with embolic occlusion, embolectomy was successful in the relief of hypertension but was ineffective in the restoration of renal function. In patients with thrombotic occlusion, thrombectomy and aortorenal bypass were successful in both the reduction of blood pressure and the retrieval of renal function. In this group, salvage was dependent on the presence of a reconstituted distal renal artery, irrespective of the operative delay. In patients with traumatic renal artery occlusion, return of renal function did not occur, despite reperfusion as early as 6 hours after injury. These data suggest that the period in which function of embolized or traumatized kidneys may be preserved has usually passed by the time the diagnosis of renal artery occlusion has been made. By contrast, operative therapy of thrombotic occlusion frequently results in return of renal function, irrespective of the delay in treatment.
Functional innervation of spinal cord tissue by fetal neocortical grafts in oculo: an electrophysiological study

The ability of fetal neocortex transplants, to functionally innervate maturated cervical spinal cord grafts in oculo, was investigated in rats. We found that a neocortex co-graft will grow and develop in contact with a spinal cord graft, and will generate a functional input to maturated spinal cord tissue which can be activated by electrical stimulation of the neocortex graft. Our data suggest that orthodromic stimulation of this pathway causes short latency, transient excitations of spinal graft neurons. These appear to be mediated by an excitatory amino acid receptor since the response was noncompetitively antagonized by kynurenic acid. Kynurenic acid also noncompetitively antagonized the excitatory effects of glutamate superfused over single spinal cord grafts. The mechanism of the excitation probably does not involve an NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor since APV (2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate) did not alter the spinal graft neuronal responses to neocortical co-graft stimulation. These data suggest that fetal neocortex can functionally innervate maturated cervical spinal cord in the in oculo graft preparation. The in oculo spinal cord graft model may thus provide a unique test system for studies of the influence of drugs and other manipulations that might alter cortico-spinal pathway development as well as influence reestablishment of neuronal pathways after spinal cord injury.
Contact Angles of Liquid Drops on Super Hydrophobic Surfaces: Understanding the Role of Flattening of Drops by Gravity

Measurement of contact angles on super hydrophobic surfaces by conventional methods can produce ambiguous results. Experimental difficulties in constructing tangent lines, gravitational distortion or erroneous assumptions regarding the extent of spreading can lead to underestimation of contact angles. Three models were used to estimate drop shape and perceived contact angles on completely nonwetting super hydrophobic surfaces. One of the models employed the classic numerical solutions from Bashforth and Adams. Additionally, two approximate models were derived as part of this work. All three showed significant distortion of microliter-sized drops and similar trends in perceived contact angles. Liquid drops of several microliters are traditionally used in sessile contact angle measurements. Drops of this size are expected to and indeed undergo significant flattening on super hydrophobic surfaces, even if the wetting interactions are minimal. The distortion is more pronounced if the liquid has a lesser surface tension or greater density. For surfaces that are completely nonwetting, underestimation of contact angles can be tens of degrees. Our modeling efforts suggest that accurate contact angle measurements on super hydrophobic surfaces would require very small sessile drops, on the order of hundreds of picoliters.
Malignant melanoma arising in a seborrheic keratosis

We report a case of malignant melanoma associated with seborrheic keratosis. This has been reported rarely in the literature, with disagreement regarding whether it is coincidental or whether malignant transformation occurs. Because seborrheic keratoses are common and association with malignant melanoma is very rare, we conclude that the association is coincidental. However, because of the association of other malignancies, a biopsy of any suspect or changing seborrheic keratosis is essential.
Strain resultants in certain finite elements.

T and axisymmetric finite element structures are commonly composed of quadrilateral elements. A widely used scheme is to divide each quadrilateral into four constant-strain triangles and "reduce out" the internal node, this process being accomplished automatically." When displacements of the four nodes of an element have been found, strains in the element are calculated by the following steps: 1) the stiffness matrix of each triangle is again formed; axisymmetric elements require numerical integration or use of complicated expressions/ 2) displacements of the internal node are calculated, 3) strains in each element are calculated, the average of the four being the desired result. The present Note shows that these lengthy calculations can be replaced by a much shorter analysis. Table 1 Strains in sample elements of Fig. 1; first entry, average of four subelements; second entry, least squares
Isotopic labeling of the heme cofactor in cytochrome P450 and other heme proteins.

A recombinant bacterial expression system that generates 13C-labeled heme or 15N-labeled heme in functional cytochrome P450 enzymes and other heme-containing systems is reported here using a mutant strain of Escherichia coli (HU227) in which the HemA gene is inactive. By synthesizing several isotopomers of aminolevulinic acid with 13C or 15N at different locations, isotopes have been incorporated with high abundance into the heme cofactor of five different cytochrome P450 isoforms, along with one peroxidase. Confirmed both 13C- and 15N-incorporation; spectral and catalytic assays show the labeled enzymes produced in this system are functional.
Conditions for mechanical (deformation) twinning of electromagnetic window materials

Impact and thermal stresses can cause severe damage during use of single crystal electromagnetic window materials. In addition to cracks and plastic flow, deformation twinning can be activated at relatively low temperatures. However, because of the crystallographic nature of deformation twins, i.e., twins can only form on specific plans with a deformation shear in well defined crystallographic directions, proper choice of the crystalographic orientation can limit the amount of deformation twinning induced during use of a single crystal electromagnetic window or dome. The conditions to activate deformation twinning of several single crystal window materials are analyzed, and the implications on window design are discussed.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Planar ultrawideband antenna array for short-range wireless communications

In this article, novel 2-element and 4-element planar ultrawideband (UWB) antenna arrays with bidirectional radiation patterns based on identical UWB antenna elements for UWB communications applications have been proposed, simulated and experimentally investigated. Each array is constructed by means of feeding omni-directional printed UWB monopole antennas with a UWB power divider. The proposed 2-element antenna array yields an impedance bandwidth of 110% (3.1–10.6 GHz) covering the whole UWB frequency bandwidth while the impedance bandwidth is multi-band in case of the 4-element antenna array because of the increasing effect of mutual coupling among antenna elements. The calculated gain of the 2-element and 4-element array is quite stable with about 3 and 6 dB higher than that of the single element, respectively. Both measured and calculated E-plane radiation patterns of the array and the single element are almost the same while the H-plane radiation patterns of the array are distinctively bidirectional compared to the omni-directional pattern of the single element. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1061–1066, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25140
Government Programs to Promote Employment Among Persons with Disabilities in India

This paper reviews the institutional framework on disability and employment in India. Our primary aim is to examine the impact of an important piece of legislation namely the persons with disability (PWD) Act, and various government programs that are designed to promote employment among PWD. Our review suggests that while existing policies are the initial steps in the right direction, they are unlikely to have any substantial impact on the employment rates of PWDs and that policy changes are needed.
POBREZA Y DESIGUALDADES SOCIALES: UN DEBATE OBLIGATORIO EN SALUD ORAL

Resumen: Las reformas al sector salud de las ultimas decadas en Latinoamerica estan fomentando la privatizacion de los servicios siguiendo principios de corte liberal. A diferencia de un sistema de medicina social, en sistemas privados el acceso de las personas a los servicios depende de la capacidad adquisitiva y su enfasis es mas terapeutico que preventivo. El resultado es que personas con mas recursos tienen menos riesgo de enfermar y de que sus enfermedades se agraven. De otro lado, quienes viven en la pobreza no solamente son mas vulnerables a padecer enfermedades, sino que tienen menos acceso a los servicios de salud y, al no recibir tratamientos adecuados y oportunos, sus enfermedades se agravan. Esta situacion es peor aun en temas de salud oral, donde se requiere un debate con la bioetica como interlocutora para proponer sistemas de equidad. Palabras clave: salud oral, pobreza, desigualdad, bioetica. POVERTY AND INEQUALITIES: AN OBLIGATORY DENTAL HEALTH DEBATE
Fatal Attraction The Effects of Mortality Salience on Evaluations of Charismatic, Task-Oriented, and Relationship-Oriented Leaders

A study was conducted to assess the effects of mortality salience on evaluations of political candidates as a function of leadership style. On the basis of terror management theory and previous research, we hypothesized that people would show increased preference for a charismatic political candidate and decreased preference for a relationship-oriented political candidate in response to subtle reminders of death. Following a mortality-salience or control induction, 190 participants read campaign statements by charismatic, task-oriented, and relationship-oriented gubernatorial candidates; evaluated their preferences for each candidate; and voted for one of them. Results were in accord with predictions. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are considered.
The Variability of Human, BOLD Hemodynamic Responses

Cerebral hemodynamic responses to brief periods of neural activity are delayed and dispersed in time. The specific shape of these responses is of some importance to the design and analysis of blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments. Using fMRI scanning, we examine here the characteristics and variability of hemodynamic responses from the central sulcus in human subjects during an event-related, simple reaction time task. Specifically, we determine the contribution of subject, day, and scanning session (within a day) to variability in the shape of evoked hemodynamic response. We find that while there is significant and substantial variability in the shape of responses collected across subjects, responses collected during multiple scans within a single subject are less variable. The results are discussed in terms of the impact of response variability upon sensitivity and specificity of analyses of event-related fMRI designs.
Exclusion of AR-CHED from the chromosome 20 region containing the PPMD and AD-CHED loci

Congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) is a disorder of the corneal endothelium and has been recognized to segregate in families with both autosomal dominant (AD) and autosomal recessive (AR) modes of transmission. AD-CHED has been previously linked to the pericentric region of chromosome 20. Posterior polymorphous dystrophy (PPMD), a corneal endothelial disorder showing phenotypic overlap with CHED, has also been previously genetically mapped to this region. The genetic interval containing AD-CHED is within the larger genetic interval containing the PPMD locus. This study sought to determine whether AR-CHED segregating in a consanguineous Saudi Arabian pedigree is linked to the previously mapped and overlapping loci for AD-CHED and PPMD on the pericentric region of chromosome 20. Forty members of a consanguineous Saudi Arabian pedigree segregating AR-CHED were ascertained. Short tandem-repeat polymorphic markers from the 20 cM interval on chromosome 20 containing both the PPMD and AD-CHED loc...
Habitat use, growth, and mortality of post-settlement lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) on natural banks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Three low-relief banks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico were evaluated as nursery habitat of lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris). Trawl surveys were conducted in three habitat types (inshore mud, shell ridge, offshore mud) to quantify lane snapper distribution and abundance. Heald Bank and Sabine Bank were trawled in 2003 while Freeport Rocks was trawled in 2000 (Freeport A) and 2004 (Freeport B). Density of lane snapper varied among banks and years sampled: Sabine Bank (20.8 ± 2.8 ind ha −1 ), Heald Bank (1.1 ± 0.4 ind ha −1 ), Freeport A (12.7 ± 2.3 ind ha −1 ), and Freeport B (3.0 ± 1.0 ind ha −1 ). Habitatspecific differences in density were observed, although patterns were not consistent among banks. Otolith microstructure analysis indicated that post-settlement lane snapper ranged in age from 21 to 66 d, with hatch dates from 1 May to 31 August. Growth rates varied from 0.90 mm d−1 at Heald Bank to 1.27 mm d−1 at Sabine Bank, and habitat-specific differences in growth were negligible. Mortality of post-settlement lane snapper ranged from 15.2% d−1 at Sabine Bank to 9.2% d−1 at Freeport A. Our findings indicate that Heald Bank, Sabine Bank, and Freeport Rocks all serve as settlement habitat of lane snapper, which appear to be capable of successful settlement across a variety of habitats. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Malignant Giant Cell Tumor of Synovium (Malignant Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis)

Abstract Context.—Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a well-recognized entity that has the potential for extensive local destruction, even though it rarely metastasizes. Rare reports of malignant forms are recorded in the literature. We observed 2 patients in whom examples of PVNS followed an aggressive course with multiple recurrences, metastasis, or degeneration to an appearance resembling malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Objective.—We studied the occurrence and persistence of aneuploidy for chromosomes 5 and 7 in 2 patients with clinically aggressive PVNS. Design.—Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed for the detection of chromosomes 5 and 7 in the primary lesions, recurrences, and metastases in 2 examples of PVNS. Results.—Fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated small but significant numbers of cells with trisomies for chromosomes 7 and/or 5 in both the primary and recurrent lesions of both patients. Conclusions.—The presence of consistent chromosomal trisomies (5 and 7) in b...
System challenges for ubiquitous & pervasive computing

The terms Ubiquitous and Pervasive computing were first coined at the beginning of the 90's, by Xerox PARC and IBM respectively, and capture the realization that the computing focus was going to change from the PC to a more distributed, mobile and embedded form of computing. Furthermore, it was predicted by some researchers that the true value of embedded computing would come from the orchestration of the various computational components into a much richer and adaptable system than had previously been possible. Now some fifteen years later, we have made progress towards these aims. The Hardware platforms used to implement these systems encapsulate significant computation capability in a small form-factor, consume little power and have a small cost. However, the system software capabilities have not advanced at a pace that can take full advantage of this infrastructure. This paper will describe where software and hardware have combined to enable ubiquitous computing, where these systems have limitations and where the biggest challenges still remain.
Properties of the streptomycete temperate bacteriophage FP43.

FP43 is a temperate bacteriophage for Streptomyces griseofuscus that forms plaques on many Streptomyces species. FP43 virions contain 56 kb of double-strand DNA that is circularly permuted and terminally redundant, and contains 65% G + C. A physical map of the FP43 genome was constructed, and the origin for headful packaging (pac) was localized to an 8.8-kb region of the genome (hft) that mediates high-frequency transduction by FP43 of plasmid pRHB101. The phage attachment site (attP), a replication origin (rep), a region that inhibits plaque formation (pin), and a 3-kb deletion (rpt) that caused a 100-fold reduction in plasmid transduction were mapped. Images
Cone beam CT and orthodontic diagnosis – a personal view

There are two fundamental questions to be answered when considering the use of CBCT imaging and the generation of a cephalometric radiograph: (1) what are the indications for taking a cephalometric...