cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring fragmentation of cellulose by Thermomonospora fusca cellulase

An analytical and experimental framework is presented and used to assess the fragmentation of cellulosic particles by concentrated crude cellulase from the thermophilic soil bacterium Thermomonospora fusca. Avicel PH 102 which passed through a 150 mesh sieve and collected on a 200 mesh sieve was the substrate used in a series of hydrolysis experiments that were conducted at cellulase concentrations of 0.00, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.50 mg ml−1. All experiments were conducted with a substrate concentration of 5%. During each experiment, samples were removed for determination of reducing sugars, protein, and particle size distribution. Reducing sugar production followed the classical nonlinear pattern with both time and enzyme concentration. An extent of binding of 78% was observed in all experiments except the one using an initial enzyme concentration of 0.50 mg ml−1, where the extent of binding was 66%. Analysis of the particle counting results showed rapid increases in the number of particles. Analysis of the volume fraction distributions revealed that a bimodal distribution was created as a result of particle fragmentation. The values of apparent mean volume decreased nearly linearly with time. The rate of change in the apparent mean particle volume with time increased linearly with increasing concentration of bound cellulase. Efforts to estimate true mean particle volume were hampered by the large variance in the measurement of apparent total volume. The results showed that fragmentation of cellulose can be qualitatively determined with a particle counter and that analysis of fragmentation can provide additional insights into the mechanisms of enzymatic hydrolysis.
Multinational Corporations and the U.S. Economic Crisis: A Theoretical and Empircal Analysis

This paper is a dialectical analysis of U.S. capital's response to the long term decline in the rate of profit. United States capital has become more global in the second half of the twentieth century. The expansion of multi-national corporations in this search for higher profits has undermined the accumulation of capital at home and deepened the U.S. economic crisis.
Devices and methods for administering carbon dioxide-enriched air in experimental and clinical settings

Although researchers successfully have used carbon dioxide-enriched air in experimental and clinical preparations, its functional properties may differ across laboratories due to procedural differences. Additionally, current procedures may be too simplistic for more complex experimental designs. To address these issues, we present three devices for administering carbon dioxide-enriched air. Although these devices differ concerning variables such as mode of operation, ease and cost of implementation, and complexity of experimental designs that may be undertaken, a reasonable level of standardization may be achieved because the inhalations experienced by participants are functionally equivalent across devices. We discuss advantages and disadvantages of these devices regarding experimental panic provocation and aversive conditioning preparations.
Time-resolved luminescence resonance energy transfer imaging of protein–protein interactions in living cells

Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) with fluorescent proteins permits high spatial resolution imaging of protein-protein interactions in living cells. However, substantial non-FRET fluorescence background can obscure small FRET signals, making many potential interactions unobservable by conventional FRET techniques. Here we demonstrate time-resolved microscopy of luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) for live-cell imaging of protein-protein interactions. A luminescent terbium complex, TMP-Lumi4, was introduced into cultured cells using two methods: (i) osmotic lysis of pinocytic vesicles; and (ii) reversible membrane permeabilization with streptolysin O. Upon intracellular delivery, the complex was observed to bind specifically and stably to transgenically expressed Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (eDHFR) fusion proteins. LRET between the eDHFR-bound terbium complex and green fluorescent protein (GFP) was detected as long-lifetime, sensitized GFP emission. Background signals from cellular autofluorescence and directly excited GFP fluorescence were effectively eliminated by imposing a time delay (10 micros) between excitation and detection. Background elimination made it possible to detect interactions between the first PDZ domain of ZO-1 (fused to eDHFR) and the C-terminal YV motif of claudin-1 (fused to GFP) in single microscope images at subsecond time scales. We observed a highly significant (P<10(-6)), six-fold difference between the mean, donor-normalized LRET signal from cells expressing interacting fusion proteins and from control cells expressing noninteracting mutants. The results show that time-resolved LRET microscopy with a selectively targeted, luminescent terbium protein label affords improved speed and sensitivity over conventional FRET methods for a variety of live-cell imaging and screening applications.
A method for complex geometries in finite-difference solutions of Maxwell's equations

Numerous techniques have been developed to extend the basic FDTD method todomains whose boundaries do not lie on mesh surfaces. Usually these methods are not simple to apply and may involve mesh generation, nonstandard differencing, and other difficulties. For the time periodic problem, this paper describes an alternative approach which uses only uniform mesh differencing. Restricting to time periodic problems avoids some well-known stability issues which occur with most discretizations of the fully time dependent problem. The boundary conditions are imposed by an interpolation scheme. The method is described and applied to some two-dimensional problems for which exact solutions are known.
Stressor controllability during pregnancy influences pituitary-adrenal hormone concentrations and analgesic responsiveness in offspring.

Abstract Repeated escapable shock, yoked-inescapable shock, or no-shock treatments were administered to female rats before parturition to investigate the effects of stressor controllability on offspring pituitary-adrenal hormone concentrations and stress-induced analgesic reactions. Female rats exposed to escapable shock treatments received tail-shock in boxes containing a wheel that allowed shocks to be terminated after rotation. Rats in the yoked-inescapable shock group received an identical amount and pattern of tail-shock. However, shock was terminated only after wheel rotation by the rat undergoing escapable shock treatments. Female rats in the no-shock group were simply placed in wheel-turn boxes. Fourteen-day-old offspring were exposed for 10-min to either a separation-stress or shock-induced stress test. The former test consisted of separating and isolating the pup from the mother and siblings, whereas the latter involved the administration of five brief, 1.0 sec, low intensity, 0.5 mA, foot-shocks. Immediately after exposure to foot-shocks, pups were given a tail-flick test to assess their analgesic response. Plasma was obtained from pups immediately after separation and tail-flick tests and ACTH and corticosterone concentrations were assayed by radioimmunoassay. Results indicated that prenatal inescapable shock treatments resulted in offspring with significantly higher plasma ACTH and corticosterone concentrations than offspring exposed to prenatal escapable shock or no-shock treatments. Offspring of females exposed to inescapable shock also exhibited greater increases from basal concentrations in ACTH and corticosterone after stress. Furthermore, prenatal escapable and inescapable shock treatments significantly altered shock-induced analgesic thresholds. That is, only offspring from rats treated with no-shock exhibited a stress-induced analgesic response after exposure to foot-shock. Taken together, these data indicate that during pregnancy the degree of behavioral control exerted over shock significantly alters offspring pituitary-adrenal release of stress-related hormones. In addition, prenatal exposure to shock treatments, whether escapable or inescapable, influences the development of systems associated with stress-induced analgesia.
LAYOUT AND TESTS OF SILICON PAD DETECTORS FOR THE PHOBOS EXPERIMENT AT RHIC

Abstract The PHOBOS experiment at RHIC, which is currently under construction, is designed to measure the particle multiplicity and to reconstruct low-momentum tracks in heavy ion Au–Au collisions. Both tasks are accomplished with silicon pad detectors. The silicon pad detectors are single-side devices with up to 1540 pads per detector. A special double-metal readout scheme for pad detectors provides a cost-effective method to connect detectors with different pad geometries to identical standard VLSI electronics. Different pad geometries have been designed and tested to optimise the pulse height and position measurement. Results of tests on the signal response and detector parameters for different pad configurations are be presented.
Heteroantisera against a blast cell antigen.

Abstract Heteroantisera were raised in rabbits against a cultured human T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia cell line CEM that was precoated with antilymphocyte serum. After one absorption with chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, the antisera reacted mainly with blast cells but not normal resting lymphocytes. However, normal peripheral blood monocytes were also positive. The anti-CEM antisera reacted with leukemic blast cells, lymphoblastoid cell lines, PHA blast cells, and monocytes by complement-dependent cytotoxicity. The undiluted antisera did not react with nondividing cells, such as peripheral blood lymphocytes and chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, whereas the titer against blast cells and monocytes ranged from 1:32 to 1:128. Absorption experiments indicated that a common blast antigen(s) was shared by the various blast cells and monocytes tested. The blast antigen(s) was present as early as 6 hr following phytohemagglutinin (PHA) treatment. After 6 hr of PHA treatment blast cells could be distinguished from normal lymphocytes by their size differences as measured on the Coulter counter model ZB. These blast cells were removed by treatment with antiblast serum and complement. Treatment of 22-hr PHA blasts with the antiblast serum preinvented the increased [ 3 H] thymidine incorporation seen on the third day of PHA treatment.
Anisotropic etching of WSi films on GaAs

Anisotropic etching of tungsten silicide submicrometre features has been achieved with both electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) and reactive ion etch (RIE) systems using fluorine based plasmas. The processes are suitable for WSi Schottky gates for high-speed, high-power GaAs transistors. WSi gate sidewall profiles, etch rates, and selectivity to photoresist are evaluated as a function of DC bias.
War, peace, and fertility in Angola.

Using data from a nationally representative survey conducted in 1996, some two years after the end of a major outbreak of war, we examine the impact of war on the timing of recent births and war-related differences in reproductive preferences in Angola. We find evidence of a wartime drop and a postwar rebound in fertility, but these trends vary greatly, depending on the type and degree of exposure to war and on women’s socioeconomic characteristics. At the same time, variations by parity are nonsignificant. In fertility preferences, the relative antinatalism of Angola’s most modernized urban area stands out, but outside this area, differences between areas that were more and less affected by war are also noticeable. We offer interpretations of our findings and outline their implications for Angola’s demographic future and demographic trends in similar settings.
On the effect of using ratios in the analysis of variance

Abstract In experimental designs used by a number of disciplines, raw data are transformed into ratios and statistical analyses are performed on the ratio data. Although the designs themselves may be appropriate, the mathematical properties induced by ratio transformations can produce a loss of sensitivity in statistical tests. Since there are times when such designs must be used, it would be desirable to characterize the circumstances under which the statistical analysis of ratio data is or is not appropriate. To provide such information, a computer simulation approach was used to generate bivariate normal observations X and Y which were analysed using: (1) an analysis of variance ignoring the covariate; (2) an analysis of covariance; (3) an analysis of variance on the ratio Y/X. Comparisons were made between the three models by accumulating the number of rejections (1−β) on critical F-values for each model. Results taken from over a million analyses are discussed for a wide range of specific treatment effects and known correlations between the independent variable X and the dependent variable Y.
Iron−Ceria Aerogels Doped with Palladium as Water−Gas Shift Catalysts for the Production of Hydrogen

Mixed 4.5% iron oxide−95.5% cerium oxide aerogels doped with 1% and 2% palladium (Pd) by weight have been synthesized, and their activities for the catalysis of water−gas shift (WGS) reaction have been determined. The aerogels were synthesized using propylene oxide as the proton scavenger for the initiation of hydrolysis and polycondensation of a homogeneous alcoholic solution of cerium(III) chloride heptahydrate and iron(III) chloride hexahydrate precursor. Palladium was doped onto some of these materials by gas-phase incorporation (GPI) using (η3-allyl)(η5-cyclopentadienyl)palladium as the volatile Pd precursor. Water−gas shift catalytic activities were evaluated in a six-channel fixed-bed reactor at atmospheric pressure and reaction temperatures ranging from 150 to 350 °C. Both 1% and 2% Pd-doped 4.5% iron oxide−95.5% cerium oxide aerogels showed WGS activities that increased significantly from 150 to 350 °C. The activities of 1% Pd-doped 4.5% iron oxide−95.5% cerium oxide aerogels were also compared w...
POLYADENYLATION OF RNA IN IMMATURE OOCYTES AND EARLY CLEAVAGE OF URECHIS CAUPO

Abstract The poly(A) content of RNA extracted from four stages of immature oocytes, mature oocytes, and cleavage embryos through the eight-cell stage was determined by hybridization with [3H]-poly(U). During oogenesis the poly(A) content per cell gradually increases from 0.007 pg of poly(A)/cell in the 10- to 39-μm oocytes to 0.20 pg of poly(A)/cell in the 125-μm mature oocytes. After fertilization there is an additional increase to approximately 1.1 pg of poly(A)/embryo at the two-cell stage which is followed by a slight decline between the two- and eight-cell stages. Most of the increase in poly(A) after fertilization occurs in a 45-min interval coincident with the appearance of the polar bodies. The size distribution of the poly(A) in RNA from the different stages of development was determined based on the length of RNase-resistant poly(U) obtained from poly(U)-poly(A) hybrids. The size distribution of the poly(A) sequences is constant through each stage of development which indicates that the increase in the poly(A) content of the cells is the result of polyadenylation of new RNA sequences.
Hybrid synthesis for almost asymptotic regulation of linear impulsive systems with average dwell time

This paper deals with the hybrid output regulation problem for a class of linear impulsive systems with average dwell time. The hybrid regulator is constructed as a linear impulsive system that undergoes synchronous impulses with the controlled plant, and the hybrid synthesis conditions are formulated in terms of two matrix equations plus a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). With the proposed hybrid synthesis scheme, both continuous-time and discrete-time dynamics of the hybrid regulator can be jointly synthesized by solving a convex optimization problem of minimizing the weighted ℒ 2 gain from the perturbation signal to the error output. A numerical example is used to demonstrate the proposed approach.
Immature CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes form a multifocal immunological synapse with sustained tyrosine phosphorylation.

Abstract The immunological synapse formed during mature T cell activation consists of a central cluster of TCR and MHC molecules surrounded by a ring of LFA-1 and ICAM-1. We examined synapse formation in thymocytes undergoing activation in a lipid bilayer system by following the movement of fluorescent MHC and ICAM-1 molecules. Immature CD4 + CD8 + thymocytes formed a decentralized synapse with multiple foci of MHC accumulation corresponding to areas of exclusion of ICAM-1. The MHC clusters and ICAM-1 holes were mobile and transient and correlated with active and sustained signaling, as shown by staining with antibodies against phosphotyrosine and activated Lck. Our findings show that signaling in immature thymocytes can result from a novel, multifocal pattern of receptor accumulation.
Winning and Giving: Football Results and Alumni Giving at Selective Private Colleges and Universities

Objective. Our central question is how changes in an institution's football success affect giving behavior. Also, we consider whether former varsity athletes are more or less sensitive in their giving behavior than other alumni to the competitive success of their school and whether such effects differ by type of institution. Methods. Using micro data from 15 academically selective private colleges and universities, the analysis presents fixed-effects estimates of how football winning percentages affect giving behavior. Results. General giving rates are unaffected by won-lost records at the high-profile Division IA schools and at the Ivy League schools. Increases in winning percentages yield modest positive increases in giving rates, particularly among former atheletes, at the lower-profile Division III liberal arts colleges. Conclusions. While there is a modest positive effect at Division III colleges, our results do not support the notion that winning and giving go hand-in-hand at the selective private universities that play big-time football.
Mysterious diel cycles of mercury emission from soils held in the dark at constant temperature

It is well known that mercury (Hg) emission from soils is largely controlled by solar radiation and soil temperature, exhibiting diel cycles that closely follow diel variations of solar radiation. To study soil Hg emission processes, we conducted experiments by measuring soil Hg emission fluxes under controlled conditions in the laboratory with a dynamic flux chamber using outside ambient air as flushing air. Unexpectedly, we observed consistent, recurring diel cycles of Hg emissions from dry soils held at constant temperature in the dark in our laboratory. The peaks of the emissions also seemed subject to some seasonal variation and to respond to local weather conditions with lower flux peaks in wintertime and on cloudy or rainy days. Finally, much lower soil Hg emission fluxes were observed in the presence of Hg-free zero air than in the presence of outside ambient air. It is hypothesized that some unidentified air-borne substance(s) in the ambient air might be responsible for the observed diel cycles of soil Hg emission. Further elaborate mechanistic investigations are clearly needed to test the initial working hypotheses and uncover the cause for this interesting, mysterious phenomenon. The present work and recent finding of enhancement of Hg emissions from soilmore » and mineral particles by O3 seem to point to a research need to probe the possible role of near-ground atmospheric chemistry in Hg air/soil exchange.« less
Use of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE)/gas chromatography–electron capture detection (GC–ECD) for the determination of biodegradation intermediates of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in soils

Abstract A rapid, sensitive, and reproducible method was developed for quantitative determination of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and its biodegradation intermediates, hexahydro-1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazine (MNX), hexahydro-1,3-dinitroso-5-nitro-1,3,5-triazine (DNX), and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazine (TNX) in soils. RDX, MNX, DNX, or TNX was extracted from soil by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), followed by cleanup using florisil. Instrumental analysis was performed using gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC–ECD), which was highly sensitive to the parent explosive and its metabolites. The method detection limits (MDLs) were 0.243, 0.095, 0.138, and 0.057 ng/g for RDX, MNX, DNX, and TNX, respectively. The method gave high recovery (98–102%), good precision (0.22–5.14%), and reproducibility, and proved to be suitable for real world sample analysis.
Incidence of needlestick injuries in hospital personnel: Implications for prevention

A retrospective review of needlestick injuries was conducted for the period January 1979 through May 1981 at a major university teaching hospital. The objective of this review was to determine the needlestick injury rate among employees according to department, occupation, activity, shift, and full- or part-time status. Two hundred eighty-six incidents of needlestick injuries were recorded. Almost 90% of injuries occurred in nursing, housekeeping, and clinical laboratory personnel. Direct handling of needles primarily involved nursing and laboratory personnel. Housekeeping personnel were injured primarily as "innocent victims" hauling trash. Significantly elevated incidence rates were observed in part-time and night-shift personnel. Incidence rates in registered nurses significantly exceeded rates in licensed practical nurses. On the basis of these findings, it is suggested that prevention of such incidents should be focused on such high-risk groups.
From Cyclooxygenase Activities to Alzheimer's Disease Neuropathology: Experimental Approaches and Therapeutic Interventions

Several prospective and retrospective epidemiological studies have demonstrated a protective effect for antiinflammatory drugs in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, despite this evidence therapeutic studies investigating nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 inhibitors and steroids, do not support this hypothesis. This discrepancy may be due to the fact that the bulk of epidemiological evidence has examined the likely incidence of AD prior to the onset of clinical symptoms of disease. In contrast, in therapeutic studies NSAIDs are administered to patients with illnesses severe enough to exceed the clinical detection threshold, suggesting that NSAID therapy administered following the onset of AD may not be optimally effective. Thus, patients at high risk for AD, e.g., those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), may be more suitable for study in clinical trials of NSAIDs. Indeed, recent evidence suggests that different indices of classical inflammatory cascades have distinct associations with different phases of the clinical progression of AD. In this review, I discuss the potential role of inflammation in the clinical progression of AD and how this evidence relates to preventive use of antiinflammatory drugs for AD treatment. I then examine the importance of evidence for the potential role of inflammation in amyloidosis in the AD brain and experimental models. I consider the implications of inflammation in AD and recent evidence potentially supporting a negative role of inflammation in vaccination therapy trials. In conclusion, I examine cutting-edge clinical studies investigating NSAID therapy for AD. Drug Dev. Res. 56:438-445, 2002. c 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Providing Technology Leadership for Restructured Schools.

AbstractEducation Service Center—Region 20, San Antonio, Texas Abstract School leaders of tomorrow will face the challenge of combining human resources with emerging technologies to reshape our schools. Leaders in professional education and technology were invited to envision the role of technology in restructuring schools and to suggest experiences designed to prepare supervisors and administrators for technology leadership. Responses describing future schools, school leadership, and the involvement of technology in shaping learning experiences, roles and responsibilities of teachers, curriculum, organizational leadership and structure, and governance and funding of schools are discussed.
Speech production impairments following left and right hemisphere stroke.

A speech production impairment can occur following damage to either the left or right hemisphere. The nature of the impairment, however, differs depending on which hemisphere is damaged and within the left hemisphere, whether the damage is to the anterior or posterior language areas. This paper reviews the recent literature on the types of speech production impairments that follow damage to the left and right cerebral hemispheres. Damage to the left hemisphere anterior language area causes primarily a phonetic impairment, i.e. a deficit in executing the articulatory maneuvers of sound production with a preserved ability to select the correct sound. Damage to the left hemisphere posterior language area causes primarily a phonological impairment, i.e. a deficit in the correct selection of a sound with an intact ability to implement the articulatory maneuvers for that incorrect sound. Damage to the right hemisphere can cause a speech production problem to the prosodic aspects of language. These differences have direct implications for the theraputic remediation of these speech production impairments.
Time lag characterization of two continuous glucose monitoring systems

Abstract Aim To evaluate the system time lag associated with subcutaneous interstitial glucose (IG) sensing and venous blood glucose (BG) of two continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, the SEVEN® (DexCom™, San Diego, CA) and the Navigator® (Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, CA), in adults with type 1 diabetes. Methods Fourteen subjects wore both CGM systems concurrently during the 15-day study. Reference YSI (Yellow Springs, OH) and CGM data from the in-clinic sessions, conducted on day 5, 10 and 15 of the study were evaluated. The system time lag of CGM system was estimated using various regression method related statistical estimators. Results The estimated time lags based on different statistical measures are similar within each CGM system. The time lag based on correlation coefficient criteria is estimated as 4.5 ± 5 min (median ± IQR) for the SEVEN®, and 15 ± 7 min for the Navigator®. The ranges of these estimators of two CGM systems were different (2–6 min for SEVEN® and 14–15 min for Navigator®). Conclusions The study findings suggest that commonly accessible statistics, such as correlation statistics, offer estimates that are comparable to complicated approaches. Different time lags were observed with two CGM systems.
Digital reconstruction and 4D presentation through time

Virtual time travel transforming the existing remains of a heritage site to its original condition has value for education and cultural understanding. However, digitally reconstructing objects which no longer exist is a challenge. Interaction and navigation within virtual 4D worlds (adding time to 3D worlds) is also problematic due to imprecise understanding of the time dimension. In this project we developed an approach to 3D modeling of sites that have undergone changes over the years. The method creates independent models from different types of data, such as frescoes, paintings, drawings, old photos, historic documents, and digitized remains. The models are assembled and integrated for a 4D interactive presentation. Several research issues have been addressed: (1) Modeling from frescoes and drawings with incorrect perspective, (2) modeling from paintings and old photos including fine geometric details from shading (3) coloring models from old photos and drawings to match existing elements, (4) creation of models by seamless and accurate integration of data obtained from independent sources, and (5) the creation of intuitive interactive presentations that link the models with other multimedia components and information related to the history of the site. We will describe contributions to these issues, including our own advanced model viewer [Dem ], and apply them to modeling heritage sites such as Venice which appeared in paintings by Canaletto, Bernardo Bellotto, and Francesco Guardi, and many 19th century photos. Canalettos paintings have been used to measure the subsidence of Venice [Camuffo and Sturaro 2003].
Characterization of neonatal rat morphine tolerance and dependence

The administration of morphine and fentanyl by continuous intravenous infusion has been shown to produce analgesic tolerance and physical dependence in human neonates. In animals, daily repeated morphine bolus injections is a common method of inducing neonatal rat tolerance and dependence. Yet this method differs from the intravenous route reported to affect human neonates. Alzet osmotic minipumps were implanted in postnatal day 14 rats to provide a continuous morphine infusion more closely mimicking the clinical picture. Rats remained naive or were infused with saline or morphine (0.7 mg/kg/h) for 72 h. Morphine's antinociceptive potency was similar between naive and saline-infused animals, while morphine-infused animals were tolerant. Gender did not contribute to the degree of tolerance observed. Naloxone precipitated withdrawal in the morphine pump-implanted rats was similar to that reported by others. Thus, minipumps provide a useful model for assessing the tolerance and dependence liability of different opioids.
Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Reduces Renal Injury in Rodent Models of Types 1 and 2 Diabetes Mellitus

To determine whether mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation plays a role in diabetic renal injury and whether this role differs in types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus, we examined the effect of a MR antagonist on renal injury in rodent models of type 1 (streptozotocin-treated rat) and type 2 (db/db mouse) diabetes. We studied three groups of 8-wk-old, uninephrectomized Wistar rats for 4 wk: diabetic streptozotocin- (55 mg/kg) treated rats (n = 11), diabetic streptozotocin-treated rats receiving the MR antagonist eplerenone (n = 15), and nondiabetic rats (n = 9). In addition, we studied three groups of 8-wk-old mice for 16 wk: diabetic db/db mice (n = 10), diabetic db/db mice treated with eplerenone (n = 8), and nondiabetic, db/+ littermates (n = 11). Diabetic rats and mice developed albuminuria and histopathological evidence of renal injury, including glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial expansion, and tubulointerstitial injury as well as increased renal cortical levels of MR protein, MR mRNA, TGFbeta mRNA, and osteopontin mRNA. All of these changes were significantly reduced by treatment with eplerenone except for the elevated MR levels. The beneficial effects of eplerenone were not attributable to changes in blood pressure or glycemia. In summary, MR expression was increased in kidneys of diabetic rodents, and MR antagonists effectively reduced diabetic renal injury irrespective of the species or specific cause of the diabetes. Thus, these data suggest that MR activation is a critical factor in the early pathogenesis of renal disease in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Erythrocyte autooxidation in sickle cell anemia

Abstract The single-gene disorder, sickle cell anemia affects hundreds of thousands of children in Africa, India, the Middle East and the Mediterranean region. Occurence is also high amongst immigrant populations in America and northern Europe. While molecular biologists have recently shown that the anemia can be partially corrected by switching on fetal hemoglobin, Robert Hebbel argues a case for therapy based on drugs designed to counter the pathophysiology of the disease, rather than the genetics. The sickle RBC membrane has many abnormalities, including excessive amounts of hemichromes. These denatured ferric hemoglobins may facilitate the excessive autooxidation observed in sickle RBC, which generates superoxide and hydroxy free radicals. These highly reactive species may then be responsible for a cascade of interrelated events characterized by dysfunction of the cytoskeleton, lipid bilayer and mechanisms for cation homeostasis. Should such speculation prove valid, it would be rational to aim therapy at the prevention of hemichrome formation or superoxide generation. As in all complex diseases, development of safe and effective therapeutics is dependent on understanding of true pathophysiology.
THEORY OF GENERALIZABILITY: A LIBERALIZATION OF RELIABILITY THEORY†

“Reliability theory” is reinterpreted as a theory regarding the adequac with which one can generalize from one observation to a universe of observations. If the observation is randomly sampled from the universe—whether or not the universe consists of equivalent observations—the intraclass correlation provides an approximate lower bound to the expected value of the desired coefficient of generalizability.
Statistical model-based video segmentation and its application to very low bit-rate video coding

This paper presents a statistical model-based video segmentation algorithm for typical videophone and videoconference applications. This algorithm makes use of online information to build and track statistical models for both the background and foreground on the fly. The segmentation algorithm is then rendered as a MAP problem. A hierarchical system structure is designed and spatial and temporal filters are used to improve the segmentation quality. The algorithm is implemented on a PC and runs in real time. In addition, two possible applications are discussed: generating video objects for the upcoming MPEG-4 standard and introducing subjective factors into the rate control of DCT-based coding algorithms. We focus on the second application by proposing a rate-distortion (R-D)-based optimal rate control algorithm for H.263. In this rate control algorithm, which we refer to as region-based rate control algorithm, previous segmentation results are used as subjective knowledge. A distortion model is created to integrate both subjective and objective factors and an R-D criterion is used to obtain the optimal bit allocation. With the proposed algorithm, an H.263 compatible encoder is implemented and it produces better perceptual quality in our experiments than standard H.263.
Sets associated with the farthest point problem

LetS be a convex compact set in a normed linear spaceX. For each cardinal numbern, defineSn = {x eX:x has exactlyn farthest points inS} andTn = ∪k≥nSk. It is shown that ifX =E thenT3 is countable andT2 is contractible to a point. Properties of associated level curves are given.
Multiple Attenuation In VSP Multiple Imaging And Primary Imaging

Summary Imaging of downgoing first-order free-surface multiples (ghosts) with VSP data can provide a subsurface image with wider coverage, better vertical resolution, and higher-fold than conventional imaging of VSP primary reflections. A problem with VSP downgoing first-order multiple (ghost) imaging is the interference from downgoing high-order multiples, similar to the interference from multiples when CDP primaries are migrated. A solution to this problem is to attenuate the high-order multiples prior to imaging the first-order multiples (ghosts). A prediction and then subtraction strategy can be employed to attenuate the high-order multiples. A model-based prediction method is used to predict the high-order multiples, and then a multichannel matching filter is employed to subtract the modeled multiples. After these two steps a first-order multiple (ghost) imaging condition can be applied to the data, and the blurring due to high-order multiples will be diminished. In a similar way, in conventional VSP primary migration the upgoing multiples will interfere and generate artifacts on the migration images. The upgoing multiples can be attenuated using a method similar to the high-order multiple attenuation process. The prediction and subtraction strategy is tested on a field data set. Results show that high-order multiples can be attenuated and a cleaner low-order multiple migration image can be obtained.
Effect of tetrazolium salts on selected bacterial species.

SummaryThe influence of 5 tetrazolium compounds on growth of various bacterial species is reported. Gram negative organisms are more resistant to the inhibitory effects of these compounds than are the gram positive organisms. The ditetrazolium salts are more lethal to the bacteria than are the monotetrazolium salts.
Prediction of the Standard Atmosphere Profiles of Temperature, Pressure, and Density with Height for the Lower Atmosphere by Solution of the (S−S) Integral Equations of Transfer and Evaluation of the Potential for Profile Perturbation by Combustion Emissions

This analytical solution, believed to be original here, to the 1D formulation of the (1905−1906) integral (S−S) Equations of Transfer, governing radiation through the atmosphere, is developed for future evaluation of the potential impact of combustion emissions on climate change. The solution predicts, in agreement with the Standard Atmosphere experimental data, a linear decline of the fourth power of the temperature, T4, with pressure, P, and, at a first approximation, a linear decline of T with altitude, h, up to the tropopause at about 10 km (the lower atmosphere). From these two results, with transformation using the Equation of State, the variations of pressure, P, and density, ρ, with altitude, h, are also then obtained, with the predictions again, separately, in substantial agreement with the Standard Atmosphere data up to 30 km altitude (1% density). The analytical procedure adopts the standard assumptions commonly used for numerical solutions of steady state, one dimensionality, constant flux dir...
Microfabrication and test of pre-aligned fiber bundle couplers with integrated microlens array

This paper describes the design, microfabrication and testing of a pre-aligned array of fiber couplers with integrated out-of-plane microlenses using direct UV lithography of SU-8. The fiber bundle coupler includes a refractive microlens array and two fiberport collimator arrays. With the optical axis of the pixels parallel to the substrate, each pixel of the microlens array can be pre-aligned with the corresponding pixels of the fiberport collimator array as defined by the lithography mask design. This out-of-plane polymer microlens array was pre-aligned with the fiber collimator arrays with no additional adjustment and assembly required. This novel approach helps to dramatically reduce the running cost and improve the alignment quality and coupling efficiency.
Combustion Emissions from Refining Lower Quality Oil: What Is the Global Warming Potential?

The greenhouse gas emission intensity of refining lower quality petroleum was estimated from fuel combustion for energy used by operating plants to process crude oils of varying quality. Refinery crude feed, processing, yield, and fuel data from four regions accounting for 97% of U.S. refining capacity from 1999 to 2008 were compared among regions and years for effects on processing and energy consumption predicted by the processing characteristics of heavier, higher sulfur oils. Crude feed density and sulfur content could predict 94% of processing intensity, 90% of energy intensity, and 85% of carbon dioxide emission intensity differences among regions and years and drove a 39% increase in emissions across regions and years. Fuel combustion energy for processing increased by approximately 61 MJ/m3 crude feed for each 1 kg/m3 sulfur and 44 MJ/m3 for each 1 kg/m3 density of crude refined. Differences in products, capacity utilized, and fuels burned were not confounding factors. Fuel combustion increments o...
Behavioural persistence during an agonistic encounter differentiates winners from losers in green anole lizards

Agonistic encounters featuring ritualized displays precede the establishment of dominance relationships in many animals. We investigated the predictive value of the amount of display behaviour (number and duration of displays) vs. quickness to display (latency to express a display behaviour) in determining the outcome of aggressive interactions and establishment of dominant vs. subordinate status in male green anole lizards, Anolis carolinensis. Similar-sized males were paired and observed for ninety minutes as they established social status. We recorded the number, duration (where appropriate) and latencies to first expression for multiple behavioural display components (head bob A, B and C, dewlap displays, open mouth displays, pushups, lateral displays) and colour changes (eyespot presence and body colour changes). Males that eventually won and became the dominant male had significantly higher counts and durations with the exception of Bob C counts, pushup counts and open mouth duration. Future dominants also maintained a green body colour longer than future subordinates, which had brown shades more often and for longer durations. Latency to first express a display component was shorter in future dominants for head bobs A and C, dewlap and open mouth displays when all data were considered. However, all significant latency differences disappeared when data only from pairs in which both males displayed a behaviour were included in the analysis. Counts, durations, and latencies were highly correlated with each other within individuals. The results indicate that behavioural display patterns during an initial display contest predict the outcome of the interaction, with the amount of display behaviour being the best predictor of whether a male will win or lose the contest and hence become dominant or subordinate. These results are consistent with the idea that displays are honest signals of a male’s physiological capacity or stamina, and hence fighting and resource holding ability.
Electric Fields in Rotating, Magnetic, Relativistic Stars

Electric fields in rotating magnetic relativistic neutron stars, analyzing static fields in corotating frame and pulsar emission
A local space-time discontinuous finite element method

We present a locally enriched space–time finite element method for solving hyperbolic problems with discontinuities. The space–time formulation is coupled to a standard semidiscrete finite element method. The discontinuities are captured by a space–time version of the extended finite element method, which treats arbitrary moving discontinuities. Since the discontinuities are local, the enriched space–time method is only needed around the discontinuities, which provides significant computational savings. The coupling is implemented through a weak enforcement of the continuity of the flux between the space–time and semidiscrete domains in a manner similar to discontinuous Galerkin methods. The method is illustrated through one-dimensional problems. It displays remarkable accuracy in capturing moving discontinuities, both in their amplitude and speed.
Optimal order quantities and prices with storage space and inventory investment limitations

Abstract This study deals with a modified multi-item Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) model where profit-maximizing prices and order quantities are determined. Unit purchase cost is assumed to be a continuous decreasing function of the order quantity. It is also assumed that demand is inversely related to the price. We consider two types of resource—(i) storage space and (ii) inventory investment budget. The problem is formulated as a difficult nonconvex programming problem. We propose a solution method, based on Lagrangean duality and Geometric programming, which guarantees global optimality of solutions. Computational experience of the solution method indicates that computing requirements are reasonable and grow almost linearly with the problem size. Managerial implications are also provided through a sensitivity analysis.
Characteristics of the Perception of Different Severity Measures of Citrus Canker and the Relationships Between the Various Symptom Types.

Bock, C. H., Parker, P. E., Cook, A. Z., and Gottwald, T. R. 2008. Characteristics of the perception of different severity measures of citrus canker and the relationships between the various symptom types. Plant Dis. 92:927-939. Citrus canker is a disease of citrus and is caused by the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri. Ways of managing the disease are being sought, and accurate, precise, reproducible disease assessment is needed for monitoring epidemics. The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of visual assessment of citrus canker symptoms compared with actual disease measured using image analysis (IA). Images of 210 citrus leaves with a range of incidence and severity of citrus canker were assessed by three plant pathologists (VR1-3) and by IA. The number of lesions (L), % area necrotic (%AN), and % area necrotic+chlorotic (%ANC) were assessed. The best relationships were found between %AN and %ANC (r2 = 0.41 to 0.87), and the worst between L and %AN (r 2 = 0.27 to 0.66). Bland-Altman plots showed various sources of rater error in assessments, including under- and over-estimation, proportional error, and heterogeneity of variation dependent on actual disease magnitude. There was a tendency to overestimate area diseased, but not lesion counts, and this tendency was pronounced at lower disease severity, with a leaf having more lesions tending to be assessed as having greater area infected compared with a leaf with fewer lesions but equal actual area infected. The rater estimations of disease were less accurate or precise with increasing actual disease severity as indicated by the fit of a normal probability density function—the incidence of extreme values increases with increasing actual disease. For example, for %ANC the kurtosis of the distribution ranged from 17.92 to 1.18, 0.51, and 0.22 in actual disease category ranges of 0 to 10, 11 to 20, 21 to 30, and 31 to 40% area infected, respectively. The log variance of the estimates plotted against log actual disease for all three raters over two assessment occasions gave a linear relationship for L, %AN, and %ANC (r 2 = 0.74, 0.65, and 0.74, respectively). Training should improve the accuracy, precision, and reproducibility of raters, and knowledge of the characteristics of disease assessment should help develop and target the training more appropriately and address specific causes and sources of error.
Connectivities Ri of Fréchet Spaces in Variational Topology

Abstract A global study of geodesics, joining points A1 [unk] A2 on a Riemannian manifold Nn, is oriented by the answers given to two questions. How does the concept of a nondegenerate geodesic enter, and what topological invariants best condition the geodesics joining A1 to A2? We answer the first question by defining and exploiting nondegenerate point pairs A1 [unk] A2 on Nn. The connectivities Ri of Mn used in ordinary critical point theory should be replaced by the connectivities Ri of the pathwise components of the Frechet metric space [unk]A1A2 defined in this paper. These components are homeomorphic. Their connectivities Ri condition the geodesics joining A1 to A2 on Nn in a way to be disclosed. Detailed proofs are found in the references listed, or will be presented later.