cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transient GABA immunoreactivity in cranial nerves of the chick embryo

The distribution and time course of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunoreactivity was investigated in the cranium of the chick embryo from 2 to 16 days of incubation (E2–16). A fraction of nerve fibers transiently stains GABA-positive in all cranial motor nerves and in the vestibular nerve. Cranial motor nerves stain GABA-positive from E4 to E11, including neuromuscular junctions at E8–11; labeled fibers are most frequent in the motor trigeminal root (E6–9.5). Substantial GABA staining is present from E4 to E10 in a subpopulation (1–2%) of vestibular ganglion cells. Their peripheral processes are labeled in the vestibular endorgan, predominantly in the posterior crista. Some GABA-positive fibers are present in the olfactory nerve (after E5) and in the optic nerve (after E9.5); their immunoreactivity persists throughout the period investigated. Transient GABA immunoreactivity follows “pioneer” fiber outgrowth and coincides with the formation of early synaptic contacts. GABA-containing neurons may change their neuronal phenotype (loss of GABA expression) or they may be eliminated by embryological cell death. Periods of cell death were determined in cranial ganglia and motor nuclei by aggregations of pycnotic cells in the same embryonic material. The periods of embryonic cell death partly coincide with transient GABA immunoreactivity. The function(s) of transient GABA expression is unknown. Some lines of evidence suggest that GABA has neurotrophic functions in developing cranial nerves or their target tissue. In the developing neuromuscular junction, GABA may be involved in the regulation of acetylcholine receptors.
Education's Inequity: Opposition to Black Higher Education in Antebellum Connecticut

In the late 1820s, African Americans’ access to primary and religious instruction expanded significantly throughout the urban Northeast, yet barriers to their higher education remained firm. Segregated in public “African” schools, blacks were also barred from most private academies. Collegiate education similarly remained out of reach. In response, an alliance of black and white abolitionists launched a campaign to build a separate “African” college in 1831. Two ministers, one black, Peter Williams from New York, the other white, Simeon Jocelyn from New Haven, led the endeavor. After much consideration, they selected New Haven, Connecticut to house the new institution, believing that in “no place in the Union” is the “situation [of blacks] more comfortable, or the prejudices of a community weaker against them.” On September 5, 1831, Williams and Jocelyn announced their intentions. Their timing could not have been worse.
Development of retinopetal projections in the cichlid fish, Herotilapia multispinosa.

This paper reports a study of the development of cells that project to the retina from the telencephalic nucleus olfactoretinalis and the diencephalon. Stell et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:940-944,'84) have shown that the FMRFamide-immunoreactive (FMRFamide-ir) cells in the nucleus olfactoretinalis project to the retina. Therefore, we used immunocytochemistry to study the development of these cells in the nucleus olfactoretinalis. Twenty hours after fry hatched, FMRFamide-ir cells were unambiguously seen in the nucleus olfactoretinalis. At this time the axons of these cells could be traced into the optic nerve. A few hours later the axons were visible in the retina and soon attained their adult position in the inner plexiform layer near the amacrine cells. In older fry, tracers were used to fill retinopetal cells in both the nucleus olfactoretinalis and the diencephalon. Counts of these cells demonstrated that over one-third of the adult number of retinopetal cells in the nucleus olfactoretinalis are present and have axons in the retina when the fry is 9 days old, and the percentage grows to one-half by the time the fry is 1 month old. Development of the retinopetal cells in the diencephalon lags behind that of the cells in the nucleus olfactoretinalis. However, about one-third of the adult number extend their axons into the optic nerve by 1 month of age. These results support our suggestion that the retinopetal cells have axons in the old part of the optic nerve because these cells were born and extended axons early in the life of the fish.
Mechanisms of Disease: role of purinergic signaling in the pathophysiology of bladder dysfunction

Although the 'purinergic nerve hypothesis' proposed by Burnstock in the early 1970s was met with considerable skepticism, it is now accepted that certain neurons use a purine nucleotide or nucleoside such as ATP or adenosine as a neurotransmitter. Likewise, early studies indicated that the human bladder is devoid of purinergic nerves mediating contraction; however, later studies demonstrated that purinergic nerve-mediated bladder contraction is increased in pathologic conditions such as interstitial cystitis. Cloning and sequencing studies have revealed four subtypes of adenosine receptors and eight subtypes of P2Y receptors, all of which are G-protein-coupled receptors. There are no reports of the cellular location of these receptors in the human bladder. P2X receptors are ligand-gated ion channels, and seven subunits have been cloned and sequenced. Immunohistochemical studies have determined that P2X(1,2,4) subunits are on detrusor-muscle cells, P2X(1-3,5) subunits are on bladder nerves and P2X(2,3,5) subunits are on bladder urothelial cells. Development of purinergic antagonist drugs with selectivity for P2X(1) receptors on detrusor muscle cells might be useful for treatment of detrusor overactivity. Antagonists with selectivity for P2X(3) receptors on bladder sensory nerves might be clinically beneficial for treatment of urinary urgency, and perhaps chronic pelvic pain.
A Primer of Real Functions

This is a revised, updated and significantly augmented edition of a classic Carus Monograph (a bestseller for over 25 years) on the theory of functions of a real variable. Earlier editions of this classic Carus Monograph covered sets, metric spaces, continuous functions, and differentiable functions. The fourth edition adds sections on measurable sets and functions, the Lebesgue and Stieltjes integrals, and applications. The book retains the informal chatty style of the previous editions, remaining accessible to readers with some mathematical sophistication and a background in calculus. The book is thus suitable either for self-study or for supplemental reading in a course on advanced calculus or real analysis. Not intended as a systematic treatise, this book has more the character of a sequence of lectures on a variety of interesting topics connected with real functions. Many of these topics are not commonly encountered in undergraduate textbooks: for example, the existence of continuous everywhere-oscillating functions (via the Baire category theorem); the universal chord theorem; two functions having equal derivatives, yet not differing by a constant; and application of Stieltjes integration to the speed of convergence of infinite series.
Chronic Cerebral Hypoxia Promotes Arteriogenic Remodeling Events that can be Identified by Reduced Endoglin (CD105) Expression and a Switch in β1 Integrins

Chronic cerebral hypoxia leads to a strong vascular remodeling response, though little is known about which part of the vascular tree is modified, or whether this response includes formation of new arterial vessels. In this study, we examined this process in detail, analyzing how hypoxia (8% O2 for 14 days) alters the size distribution of vessels, number of arteries/arterioles, and expression pattern of endoglin (CD105), a marker of angiogenic endothelial cells in tumors. We found that cerebral hypoxia promoted the biggest increase in the number of medium to large size vessels, and this correlated with increased numbers of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive arterial vessels. Surprisingly, hypoxia induced a marked reduction in CD105 expression on brain endothelial cells (BECs) within remodeling arterial vessels, and these BECs also displayed an angiogenic switch in β1 integrins (from α6 to α5), previously described for developmental angiogenesis. In vitro, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 also promoted this switch of BEC β1 integrins. Together, these results show that cerebral hypoxia promotes arteriogenesis, and identify reduced CD105 expression as a novel marker of arteriogenesis. Furthermore, our data suggest a mechanistic model whereby BECs in remodeling arterial vessels downregulate CD105 expression, which alters TGF-β1 signaling, to promote a switch in β1 integrins and arteriogenic remodeling.
Fontanel size and epiphyseal ossification in neonatal twins discordant by weight

Size of the anterior fontanel and ossification of the epiphyseal centers at the knee were measured in 13 "discordant" twin pairs. There was a highly significant (p smaller than 0.01) negative correlation between fontanel size and epiphyseal ossification. Severe intrauterine growth retardation (demonstrated by the lighter twin) may result in retardation of membranous as well as enchondral ossification.
Universal limit of spiral wave propagation in excitable media

We demonstrate that for a large class of excitable media the minimum excitability required for spiral wave propagation follows the universal scaling law ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}}_{\mathrm{min}}$=const\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\varepsilon}}}^{1/3}$, where \ensuremath{\varepsilon} is the usual small parameter associated with the abruptness of excitation. The prefactor of the scaling law is obtained by solving the free-boundary problem of wave propagation. The quantitative validity of the free-boundary formulation is tested for the first time by direct comparison with the results of numerical simulation of a specific two-variable model of excitable kinetics.
The Eysenck Personality Inventory and Self-Ratings of Extraversion

Summary The dimension of “extraversion”, as measured by the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) is examined in terms of its construct validity and the compatibility of its label with the popular use of the term “extraversion”; 242 naive 5s rated themselves for (1) how extraverted they felt they really were. (2) how extraverted they felt they appeared to others, and (3) the ideal amount of extraversion one should have; they then took the EPI. Ratings 1 and 2 correlated .46 and .48 with EPI extraversion scores, significant at the .001 level. This is seen as contributing to the construct validity, as well as justifying the labeling of the EPI dimension. An attempt to relate the EPI lie score to discrepancies between self and ideal ratings was unsuccessful.
Employee exposure to airborne fiber and total particulate matter in two mineral wool facilities

Abstract Two facilities, one producing rock wool by retort melting with subsequent fiber formation by spinning (Plant A), and the other utilizing slag, glass scrap, and fly ash in a reverbatory furnace to form a melt which is spun (Plant B), were surveyed for dust exposures of employees. A variety of products was manufactured in each plant. The surveys were performed by dividing each facility into “dust zones” on the basis of the processing operations, ventilation methods, or employee jobs. Representative men in each job title associated with each “dust zone” wore personal dust sampling filters and air pumps for an entire work shift. A total of 63 samples was collected in Plant A and 72 in Plant B. Samples of dust on filters were analyzed to determine weight of total dust in the air, expressed as milligrams per cubic meter, and fiber concentrations, expressed as fibers per cubic centimeter in two diameter ranges, greater than 1 μm and less than 1 μm. Phase contrast and electron microscopic methods were utilized for the latter two analyses, respectively. Fiber length and diameter distributions were also determined. Electron microscopic analyses followed ashing of samples; each fiber observed was subjected to an intense beam to determine crystalline or amorphous structure by the presence or absence of a diffraction pattern. The ranges of Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSPM) concentrations in Plants A and B were 0.53–23.64 and 0.045–6.88 mg/m 3 , respectively. In Plant A, Tile Finishing and Warehouse were the dustiest zones; in Plant B, Maintenance and Main Plant zones were the dustiest. Average fiber concentrations (>1 μm diameter) determined by phase contrast microscopy ranged from 0.20–1.4 fibers/cm 3 in Plant A and from 0.011–0.43 fibers/cm 3 in Plant B. The average concentrations of fibers less than 1 μm diameter, as determined by electron microscopy, ranged from 0.0056 to 0.16 fibers/cm 3 in Plant A and from 0.0059 to 0.089 fibers/cm 3 in Plant B. The percentage of respirable fibers, those less than 3 μm diameter, as determined by phase contrast microscopy, was approximately 75% of all airborne fibers in both plants. Estimates of fiber weight suggest that fibers contribute from 0.11 to 4.3% of TSPM for samples collected in Plant A, and from 0.8 to 57.8% of TSPM for samples collected in Plant B. Thus, fibers, defined to be particles with at least a 3:1 aspect ratio, represent a small fraction of airborne particles to which employees in these plants are exposed. In both facilities the weight concentration of total airborne dust, expressed as milligrams per cubic meter, was a poor indicator of airborne fiber concentration, expressed as fibers per cubic centimeter and determined by either phase contrast microscopy (fibers > 1 μm diameter) or electron microscopy (fibers
Phylogenetic relationships of the durians (Bombacaceae-Durioneae or /Malvaceae/Helicteroideae/Durioneae) based on chloroplast and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences

The circumscription and phylogenetic position of the tribe Durioneae (Bombacaceae or /Malvaceae/Helicteroideae) was investigated by supplementing a previously publishedndhF data set. The present analysis supports a narrow conception of Durioneae (excludingCamptostemon andPapuodendron) and confirms a close relationship withHelicteres, Reevesia, Ungeria, andTriplochiton (all of traditional Sterculiaceae). Phylogenetic relationships within Durioneae were inferred from a combined analysis ofndhF and ITS sequences. These data suggest thatNeesia is sister to a clade comprising all other five genera of core Durioneae, and thatCoelostegia +Kostermansia form a clade that is sister toCullenia +Boschia +Durio. Various morphological features support these relationships. However, characters usually considered diagnostic for the entirety of Durioneae, such as a densely lepidote lower leaf surface and uni- or polylocular anthers, appear to be apomorphic within this clade. Likewise, spiny fruits and large arils covering the seeds are not plesiomorphic for Durioneae, in contradiction to Corner's classic Durian Theory. The phylogeny suggests that bat- and bird-pollination evolved from beetle-pollination and that this transition was coincident with extensive androecial modification. Similarities due to convergent evolution of floral traits in relation to pollination by birds and mammals probably account for the erroneous, traditional placement of Durioneae in Bombacaceae.
Evaluation of an extract of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) in Candida albicans-infected complement-deficient mice

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Ginseng is a widely consumed aromatic herb that is purported to have health benefits. Several studies report a beneficial impact of ginseng or its derivatives on Candida albicans infection in mice and suggest that its immune-modulatory properties contribute to this effect. However, these studies generally administered ginseng to experimental animals by injection, whereas people typically ingest ginseng. Furthermore, although disseminated candiasis is typically a disease of immune-impaired hosts, previous studies have generally used immune competent host species in the assessments. Materials and methods We evaluated the efficacy of an ingested extract of ginseng against Candida albicans infection in DBA/2J mice, which are highly susceptible to Candida albicans infection. A ginseng extract was added to the drinking water for two days before and for the remainder of the study after intravenous inoculation of mice with Candida albicans . Mice were evaluated for morbidity, mortality, Candida albicans titers, and concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Results Ingestion of the ginseng extract did not significantly affect overall morbidity or mortality. However, ingestion of the extract was associated with significantly lower renal titers of Candida albicans and with significantly lower concentrations of some inflammatory cytokines in kidney and/or serum. Conclusions Assessment of morbidity, mortality, inflammatory markers, and renal titers after spontaneous ingestion of ginseng by susceptible hosts represents a comprehensive approach to characterizations of therapeutic efficacy against infectious agents. Our findings extend previous reports of the efficacy of ginseng against Candida albicans by demonstrating significant reductions in infectious load and some markers of inflammation in susceptible mice. Our data therefore support further assessment of the immune-modulatory properties of this widely consumed herb and its components.
Multiaxial Cyclic Ratcheting in Coiled Tubing—Part II: Experimental Program and Model Evaluation

An experimental program was conducted to evaluate the plasticity model proposed in a separate paper (Part 1). Constant pressure, cyclic bend-straighten tests were performed to identify material parameters required by the analytical model. Block pressure, bend-straighten tests were conducted to evaluate the proposed model. Experiments were performed on full-size coiled steel tubing samples using a specialized test machine. Two commonly used coiled tubing materials and four specimen sizes were subjected to load histories consisting of bending-straightening cycles with varying levels of internal pressure. It was observed that cyclic ratcheting rates can be reversed without reversing the mean stress, i.e., diametral growth of coiled tubing can be followed by diametral shrinkage even when the internal pressure is kept positive, depending on the loading history. This material behavior is explained in the context of the new theory. The correlation between the predictions and the test data is very good.
Clonotypic polymerase chain reaction confirms minimal residual disease in CLL nodular PR: Results from a sequential treatment CLL protocol

Patient-tumor-specific oligonucleotides were generated for the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in a highly specific and sensitive clonotypic polymerase chain reaction (cPCR). The clone-specific region of highest diversity, CDR-III, was PCR amplified and sequenced. Nested CDR-III clonotypic primers were used in a semi-nested cPCR with a sensitivity of at least 1 in 10(5) cells. Patients with protocol-eligible Rai intermediate or high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) received induction with fludarabine 25 mg/m(2) per day for 5 days every 4 weeks for 6 cycles, followed by consolidative high-dose cyclophosphamide (1.5, 2.25, or 3g/m(2)). cPCR was performed on peripheral blood and bone marrow mononuclear cells. All 5 patients achieving a clinical partial remission (PR) studied by cPCR were positive. Five patients achieved nodular PR (nPR) (residual nodules or suspicious lymphocytic infiltrates in a bone marrow biopsy as the sole suggestion of residual disease). Five of 5 patients with nPR were cPCR positive. In contrast, flow cytometry for CD5-CD19 dual staining and kappa--lambda clonal excess detected MRD in only 3 of the same 5 nPR patients, all of whom were cPCR positive, and immunohistochemistry detected MRD in only 1 of 4 assessable patients. Three of 7 CR patients evaluable by cPCR had MRD. Only 1 CR patient had MRD by flow cytometry; that patient was also cPCR positive. These data support the conclusions that nodular PR in CLL represents MRD and that clonotypic PCR detects MRD in CLL more frequently than flow cytometry or immunohistochemistry. (Blood. 2001;97:1929-1936)
Tribology Without Friction: Limited Travel Solid State Design Elements

Many mechanical systems have components performing limited displacements relative to other components. Examples: meshing motions between teeth of power transmission gears; compensation motions in universal joints and Oldham couplings; wedge mechanisms of clamping devices including friction-based shaft-to-sleeve connections. Typical features of such connections are: high contact force magnitudes; high stiffness in one direction and low resistance to motion in the perpendicular direction(s); high motion sensitivity (ability to perform very small motions under small motive forces while subjected to high contact loads in a perpendicular direction); maintaining no-backlash connection in case of reversal of contact forces requiring the connection to be preloaded; low friction losses; small size and low cost of the connection; high durability combined with low maintenance requirements.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Lecture Size and Students' Ratings of Instructional Effectiveness.

Recently McKeachie (5, p. 2 7 ) analyzed research dealing with the importance of class size upon educational goals and concluded that large classes are simply not as effective as small classes for retention of knowledge, critical thinking, and attitude change. Further, McKeachie (5 , p. 24) observed that class site and teaching method are almost inextricably intertwined; as the size of the class increases, the number of demands or needs of members also increases. This observation supports Brubacher's position (1, p. 8 7 ) that philetic teaching, i.e., mutual affection between instructor and students, can only occur when students have sufficient personal access to faculty members. T o achieve cognitive and affective goals in "large" classes, Ebel (2 , p. 4 2 ) advises teachers to think in terms of discourse and conversation rather than formal lecturing, and Stanton (7, p. 4 1 ) emphas~zes the importance of developing two-way communication in lectures through small group discussion. An ernp~r~ca l question emerges: What is the effect of lecture size upon students' ratings of instructional effectiveness? Marsh, et al. ( 4 ) investigated the influence of class size on students' ratings and instructors' self-ratings and reported that size of lecture groups was most strongly correlated with Quality of Group Interaction.' Meredith ( 6 ) compared "small" lecture classes (fewer than 50 students) with "large" lecture classes (50 or more students) and reported large mean differences for marker variables related to a Group Intimacy factor. The purpose of the study was: ( a ) to confirm the Marsh, et al. ( 4 ) class-size effect o n students' ratings and (b) to compare "seminar"-size lecture classes ( 2 5 students or fewer) with "moderately small" lecture classes (26-50 students). The Faculty-Course Evaluation Scale, Form J-18, which has 39 5-point rating scales, was administered to 8659 students enrolled in 338 lecture courses at the University of Hawaii2 Since class enrollment was positively skewed (Range 2 to 332; Ma = 18 students), size information was transformed to Log10 values. Pearson I. was computed between Loglu Size and the mean scale ratings ( N = 338) .' Nineteen correlations were significant ( p = .01). The four highest rs were with marker items for Meredith's Group Intimacy factor ( 6 ) : perceived size of the class ( r = .82), members of the class know each other well ( r = -.50), the instructor encouraged discussions among students
The logarithm in biology 1. Mechanisms generating the log-normal distribution exactly

Abstract The log-normal distribution is employed in many branches of biology, but the mechanisms generating this distribution are not widely appreciated. Mechanisms are considered which generate the log-normal from an underlying normal distribution under a variety of biological circumstances that serve to introduce the logarithm function. Mechanisms are also presented which generate the log-normal distribution directly from processes in which the random fluctuations enter in the expression for the final state of the system in multiplicative ways.
PET imaging of heat-inducible suicide gene expression in mice bearing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma xenografts

The ability to achieve tumor selective expression of therapeutic genes is an area that needs improvement for cancer gene therapy to be successful. One approach to address this is through the use of promoters that can be controlled by external means, such as hyperthermia. In this regard, we constructed a replication-deficient adenovirus that consists of a mutated herpes simplex virus 1 thymidine kinase (mTK) fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of the full-length human heat shock (HS) 70b promoter. The virus (AdHSmTK-EGFP) was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo in oral squamous cell carcinoma SCC-9 cells for expression of both mTK and EGFP. The in vitro expression of mTK-EGFP was validated using both (3)H-penciclovir and fluorescence-activated cell sorting assays. These studies show that specific expression could be achieved by heating the cells at 41 degrees C for 1 h, whereas little expression was observed using high doses of virus without hyperthermia. The vector was also evaluated in vivo by direct intratumoral injection into mice bearing SCC-9 xenografts. These studies demonstrated tumor expression of mTK-EGFP after ultrasound heating of the tumors by radioactive biodistribution assays, histology and microPET imaging. These in vivo results, which demonstrate HS-inducible transgene expression using PET imaging, provide a means for noninvasive monitoring of heat-induced gene therapy in local tumors, such as oral squamous cell carcinomas.
The contribution of brown vegetation to vegetation dynamics

Indices of vegetation dynamics that include both green vegetation (GV) and non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV), that is, brown vegetation, were applied to MODIS surface reflectance data from 2000 to 2006 for the southwestern United States. These indices reveal that the cover of NPV, a measure of vegetation brownness and a component of ecosystems worldwide, is highly variable in both space and time in the study region. In the more mesic regions of the study area, the timing of peaks in NPV appears to result from simple senescence of GV at the end of the growing season. In these regions, the amplitude of GV cyclicity dominates the total vegetation signal. In contrast, in arid and semiarid regions, the amplitude of cyclicity of NPV dominates the total vegetation signal, showing the vegetation of these regions to be unexpectedly dynamic. Shrublands of southwestern United States exhibit temporal behavior in which the annual peak in NPV cover precedes the annual peak in GV cover by a few months. Several explanations for this behavior are offered. This study shows the importance of vegetation indices that include NPV, or vegetation brownness, in understanding terrestrial ecosystem dynamics, as well as the response to change for these ecosystems.
Responsible innovation and patent assertion entities

The concept of “responsible innovation” extends the traditional definitions of “innovation” to consider the ethical, social, and environmental context within which the traditional innovation operates. From this definition, one can surmise that the controversial issue of “non-practicing entity” (NPE) behavior is deeply embedded in the ethical and legal context of the innovation process, and critically so in the technology commercialization phase. This article conceptually bifurcates NPE and “patent assertion entity” (PAE) behavior in relation to responsible innovation; reviews the economic impact (litigation costs) of PAEs on the US economy; identifies market-based solutions to mitigate the impact of PAE litigation, that is, new options for review of prior art and insurance coverage against PAE lawsuits; and discusses the public policy benefits accruing to PAEs' embracing responsible innovation behavior, while arguing against a “loser pays” provision in legislation addressing egregious behavior of PAEs bei...
CHALLENGES IN PARALLEL GRAPH PROCESSING

Graph algorithms are becoming increasingly important for solving many problems in scientific computing, data mining and other domains. As these problems grow in scale, parallel computing resources are required to meet their computational and memory requirements. Unfortunately, the algorithms, software, and hardware that have worked well for developing mainstream parallel scientific applications are not necessarily effective for large-scale graph problems. In this paper we present the inter-relationships between graph problems, software, and parallel hardware in the current state of the art and discuss how those issues present inherent challenges in solving large-scale graph problems. The range of these challenges suggests a research agenda for the development of scalable high-performance software for graph problems.
Nucleoside diphosphatase from pig liver: purification and some properties.

Abstract A procedure is described for purification of nucleoside diphosphatase from pig liver microsomes which avoids exposure of the enzyme to potentially denaturing conditions. The purest fractions obtained have specific activities of approximately 100 units/mg and appear to contain approximately 35% NDPase on a protein basis. Pig liver nucleoside diphosphatase resembles the enzyme obtained from other mammalian tissues in its substrate specificity and in its interaction with MgATP2− as an allosteric modifier. However the molecular weight of the pig liver enzyme appears higher than that reported for other nucleoside diphosphatases, and activation by MgATP2− is attributable to an increase in the maximal rate of nucleoside diphosphate hydrolysis rather than to a decrease in Km. These differences in properties seem to be due to a species difference since similar properties were found with pig liver enzyme prepared by a different extraction procedure. The kinetic parameters which describe the reaction catalyzed by pig liver nucleoside diphosphatase are insensitive to changes in [H+]over the range pH 6.5–8.6. The intracellular location of nucleoside diphosphatase is microsomal in both pig and chicken liver.
A stochastic model for test-retest correlations

A simple stochastic model is formulated in order to determine the optimal time between the first test and the second test when the test-retest method of assessing reliability is used. A forgetting process and a change in true score process are postulated. The optimal time between tests is derived by maximizing the probability that the respondent has not remembered the response on the first test and has not had a change in true score. The resulting test-retest correlation is then found to be a linear function of the true reliability of the test, where the slope of this function is the key probability of not remembering and having no change in true score. Some numerical examples and suggestions for using the results in empirical studies are given. Specific recommendations are presented for improved design and analysis of intentions data.
Singular nonlinear equations and explosive recurrent events

Abstract Events of relatively brief duration (involving for example accelerated or heated particles, excitation of fluctuations, radiation emission) that are related to the onset of different kinds of explosive instabilities can recur at regular intervals or randomly. An analytical model is introduced, to reproduce these events, consisting of a set of nonlinear differential equations which involve a characteristic singularity. It is this feature that models explosive or quasi-explosive events either for a “primary” factor (e.g. the population of heated or accelerated particles) or for the relevant plasma fluctuations that are excited when the primary factor exceeds an appropriate threshold value.
The case of the missing scales: a commentary on Cox

Abstract In this commentary, I argue that in his paper, ‘Spaces of Dependence, Spaces of Engagement and the Politics of Scale.’, Kevin Cox overestimates the ability of political agents to overcome a ‘politics of dependence’ through the social construction of a politics of engagement. By examining two ‘missing scales’ in U.S. politics—nationally administered policy, and regional governance—I attempt to show that either when the state constructs scale—or fails to construct it—political agents often find it difficult to overcome the consequences by constructing their own scales of engagement.
Transient Exposure to TGF-B3 Improves Mechanical Properties of MSC-Laden Constructs

Articular cartilage lines the surfaces of joints and functions to absorb shock and distribute load. To date, few strategies exist for restoring damaged articular surfaces; therefore, cartilage tissue engineering (TE) has emerged as a means to generate functional replacement tissues. To optimize growth and maturation of TE constructs, various methodologies have been employed, including 3D culture, coupled with mechanical stimulation [1] and growth factor supplementation [2]. Recently, studies have shown that temporal application of TGF-β3 enhances the compressive properties and GAG content of chondrocyte-laden hydrogels to near-native levels after the removal of this morphogen [3, 4]. However, as chondrocytes may prove impractical for clinical use, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been increasingly utilized in cartilage TE. While MSCs are able to undergo chondrogenesis and deposit cartilaginous extracellular matrix (ECM), they have not demonstrated functional parity with chondrocytes [5]. One recent study showed MSCs were able to maintain a chondrocytic phenotype after brief exposure of TGF-β3, though mechanical and biochemical properties were not assessed [6]. In this study, we evaluated these properties in chondrocyte- and MSC-laden hydrogels with transient exposure of TGF-β3 in a chemically defined medium. In addition, we explored the effects of varying seeding density in MSC-laden constructs on functional properties. We hypothesized that transient application of TGF-β3 would improve functional properties of MSC-laden constructs in a seeding density-dependent manner, and that these changes would be marked by differences in cartilaginous gene expression, particularly of enzymes involved in proteoglycan synthesis.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
MARINE FISH PROPAGATION WITH ATLANTIC CROAKER

Atlantic croaker (Micropogonundulatus) were collected by hook and line in the Lower Laguna Madre at Port Isabel, Texas. The fish were transported to the Olmito State Fish Hatchery at Brownsville, Texas in a 3,780 liter transport tank. At the hatchery each fish was weighed, cathetered for egg sample, and placed in a 3,780 liter plastic swimming pool. Female croaker were injected with 300 I.U. of chorionic gonadotrophin per 454 g of body weight. The hormone caused the croaker to gain 50 g of water weight, and eggs matured in 33 hours after injection at 22 to 25 C. At this time, eggs were stripped into a small bowl, and milt was added and spread with a feather. Saltwater was added to activate sperm and diatomaceous earth was used to coat eggs to prevent clumping. Fertilized eggs were placed in various incubating systems to determine the best system for croaker and related species. Hatching began at 20 hours after the eggs were placed in incubators when the temperature was held at 20 to 25 C. At hatching the larvae were approximately 1.5 mm in length, transparent, eyes unpigmented, and digestive system and mouth lacking.
Heparin resistance prior to cardiopulmonary bypass.

Les raisons possibles de resistance apparente a l'heparine sont la perfusion preoperatoire d'heparine, la presence d'un thrombus a l'interieur du ventricule gauche, une diminution de l'activite de l'antithrombine III
Graphite-teflon enzyme electrode

The fabrication and performance of graphite-Teflon-enzyme electrodes are described. The new bulk-modified composite enzyme electrodes couple the advantages of renewable (polishable) surfaces, mechanical rigidity, fast response, and favorable signal-to-noise characteristics. The new fabrication strategy is illustrated for the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase and glucose oxidase, in connection with measurements of peroxide species and glucose, respectively. The incorporation of a ferrocene mediator to yield a reagentless device is also illustrated. Flow injection measurements of hydrogen peroxide with the graphite-Teflon-peroxidase detector are carried out at 120 samples/hour, to yield a detection limit of 2.5 × 10−6 M and a relative standard deviation of 2%. Applicability to organic-phase biosensing is illustrated.
Human infection with Rift Valley fever virus and immunity twelve years after single attack.

Summary1. Accidental human laboratory infection with a strain of Rift Valley Fever virus which had undergone at least about 300 intracerebral passages in mice, indicated that no modification in its pathogenicity for man resulted from this mode of passage.2. The virus was recovered from the blood 10 hours after the first appearance of headache but titration revealed that the virus content was very low-only 666 LD50 per cc of serum. Four days after onset, no virus was detected in the blood, but neutralizing antibodies (index of 50) were already present and in the next 10 days increased to yield an index of at least 1,585,000.3. Neutralizing antibodies for Rift Valley Fever virus (index of 3,160) were found 12 years after a single attack in the serum of an individual who had no further exposure to the virus during the intervening years.
Quantitative Evaluation of 3D Mouse Behaviors and Motor Function in the Open-Field after Spinal Cord Injury Using Markerless Motion Tracking

Thousands of scientists strive to identify cellular mechanisms that could lead to breakthroughs in developing ameliorative treatments for debilitating neural and muscular conditions such as spinal cord injury (SCI). Most studies use rodent models to test hypotheses, and these are all limited by the methods available to evaluate animal motor function. This study’s goal was to develop a behavioral and locomotor assessment system in a murine model of SCI that enables quantitative kinematic measurements to be made automatically in the open-field by applying markerless motion tracking approaches. Three-dimensional movements of eight naive, five mild, five moderate, and four severe SCI mice were recorded using 10 cameras (100 Hz). Background subtraction was used in each video frame to identify the animal’s silhouette, and the 3D shape at each time was reconstructed using shape-from-silhouette. The reconstructed volume was divided into front and back halves using k-means clustering. The animal’s front Center of Volume (CoV) height and whole-body CoV speed were calculated and used to automatically classify animal behaviors including directed locomotion, exploratory locomotion, meandering, standing, and rearing. More detailed analyses of CoV height, speed, and lateral deviation during directed locomotion revealed behavioral differences and functional impairments in animals with mild, moderate, and severe SCI when compared with naive animals. Naive animals displayed the widest variety of behaviors including rearing and crossing the center of the open-field, the fastest speeds, and tallest rear CoV heights. SCI reduced the range of behaviors, and decreased speed (r = .70 p<.005) and rear CoV height (r = .65 p<.01) were significantly correlated with greater lesion size. This markerless tracking approach is a first step toward fundamentally changing how rodent movement studies are conducted. By providing scientists with sensitive, quantitative measurement methods, subjectivity and human error is reduced, potentially providing insights leading to breakthroughs in treating human disease.
Re-tracing the Haole female teacher–traveler in Hawaii

Within this article I draw on the use of stories and interpretative reading practices: my own personal story and the literature of Asian American writer, Lois Yamanaka, to explore the racialization of social groups in Hawaii within a critical postcolonial perspective. I ask how we might learn to ‘read back’ to the colonial story of Hawaii without surrendering to a reification of the very structures of racial oppression and supremacy that drove the Imperial project, and I would argue, still influences the racial and social injuries of contemporary American life in Hawaii. I set Yamanaka’s fictional account of various white teachers in Hawaii against my own startling experiences of being a haole or foreign female teacher in Hawaii over the last four years as a way to consider a more ethical framework for human relations within education.
Fabrication of epitaxial γ-Al2O3 and spinel NiAl2O4 films on SrTiO3 by Pulsed Laser Ablation

Spinel -Al2O3 and NiAl2O4 thin films were grown on (001) SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The high quality of epitaxial growth and cube-on-cube orientation of the films were confirmed by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The growth of NiAl2O4 thin films is related to the reaction between sequentially deposited -Al2O3 and NiO layers. These films were grown using a unique multi-target approach.
Latent physiological factors of complex human diseases revealed by independent component analysis of clinarrays.

Background Diagnosis and treatment of patients in the clinical setting is often driven by known symptomatic factors that distinguish one particular condition from another. Treatment based on noticeable symptoms, however, is limited to the types of clinical biomarkers collected, and is prone to overlooking dysfunctions in physiological factors not easily evident to medical practitioners. We used a vector-based representation of patient clinical biomarkers, or clinarrays, to search for latent physiological factors that underlie human diseases directly from clinical laboratory data. Knowledge of these factors could be used to improve assessment of disease severity and help to refine strategies for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.
Vertebrate and yeast calmodulin, despite significant sequence divergence, are functionally interchangeable

Yeast strains relying solely on vertebrate (Xenopus laevis) calmodulin, expressed under control of a yeast (GAL1) promoter, grew at the same rate as yeast cells containing their endogenous calmodulin. Therefore, the ability to perform essential functions has been conserved between yeast and vertebrate calmodulins, suggesting that calmodulin performs the same (or overlapping) roles in yeast as it does in higher eukaryotes. Successful substitution of vertebrate for yeast calmodulin also suggests that the two proteins can adopt similar conformations in vivo, despite the large number of amino acid differences between them (60 out of 148 residues). Strains overproducing either vertebrate or yeast calmodulin about 100-fold and a strain producing a normal level of yeast calmodulin were essentially indistinguishable in many characteristics, including microtubule distribution, rate of secretion, response to mating pheromone, sporulation, and adaptation to nutrient limitation. Calmodulin overproduction did not confer elevated resistance to a phenothiazine drug, trifluoperazine, thought to be a calmodulin-specific inhibitor. These results have important implications for understanding the role of calmodulin in intracellular calcium signaling.
Wine in the Treatment of Long‐Term Geriatric Patients in Mental Institutions

: The therapeutic effects of wine were studied in 80 long-term psychogeriatric patients in two hospital wards each containing 20 men and 20 women. One ward was run on a Token Economy Program (TEP) and the other on a Free Enrichment Program (FEP). Under TEP, wine (limit, two servings of 1 1/2 ounces each) was purchasable with tokens earned by good behavior; under FEP, the wine was free regardless of behavior. The study lasted ten weeks, with a six-month follow-up. After the introduction of wine, there was a dramatic reduction in the use of chloral hydrate to induce sleep. There also was an increase in congenial interpersonal communication. The earning of wine tokens was a positive element in improving the behavior of some patients on the TEP ward, although it was a less effective behavioral reinforcement than cigarettes. Thus wine may play a significant role in treatment programs for the elderly. The subject needs further investigation.
Effects of Hypoxia and Transferrin on Toxicity and DNA Binding ofRuthenium Antitumor Agents in Hela Cells

Nuclear DNA binding and inhibition of growth of HeLa cells in culture were determined after 24 h incubation with the ruthenium anticancer agents cis-[Cl2(NH3)4Ru]Cl (CCR) and (ImH)trans-[(Im)2Cl4Ru] (ICR) as a function of [Ru], Po2, and added transferrin. Consistent with the “activation-by-reduction” hypothesis, cytotoxicity and DNA binding for both complexes increased under reduced oxygen conditions. Consistent with the “transferrin- transport” hypothesis, inhibition of cell growth also increased with added transferrin for both complexes. Despite their differences in charge, reduction potentials and substitution rates, both complexes behaved remarkably similarly indicating a common mechanism of action for both. Under atmospheric Conditions (Po2 = 159 torr), CCR inhibited HeLa cell growth with IC50 = 3.5 μM, while that for ICR was 2.0 μM. The binding of both complexes to DNA (RuDNA/PDNA) correlated with toxicity and was approximately linear in the concentration of the ruthenium complex in the culture medium, [Ru]. For both complexes, IC50 values decrease and DNA binding increases with decreasing log(Po2). In general, DNA binding at all oxygen pressures for both complexes is in the range of one Ru per 1000-2000 DNA base pairs at [Ru] = IC50.
Senate panels review NASA, NSF budgets

The Senate recently began its review of the fiscal year 1993 budget for NASA and the National Science Foundation. Although the forecast looks generally positive for both agencies, senators did express concerns about specific aspects of the budget requests. At a meeting of the Senate Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space on March 18, Albert Gore (D-Tenn.) raised a series of questions likely to follow NASA's budget deliberations over the coming months. The fact that Gore is a strong supporter of NASA makes these questions quite significant.
Deformation behavior of the cobalt-based superalloy Haynes 25: Experimental characterization and crystal plasticity modeling

Abstract The deformation behavior of a wrought, cobalt-based superalloy, Haynes 25, was studied using a combination of experimental techniques and crystal plasticity modeling. The microstructure was examined by transmission electron microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction to determine the deformation and hardening mechanisms contributing to the mechanical behavior of the alloy. A high density of stacking faults within the grains, consistent with planar glide, was found to be the predominant defect mechanism with no evidence of deformation twinning observed. A strain-rate and temperature-sensitive hardening law that includes effects of planar glide was developed for the material and implemented in a self-consistent homogenization scheme. The hardening of individual crystals is based on the evolution of dislocation densities per plane and includes the effects of strain rate and temperature through thermally activated recovery and dislocation interactions. The model is validated on a comprehensive set of compression tests performed at temperatures ranging from 298 to 673 K and strain rates ranging from 10 −3 to 2600 s −1 and found capable of reproducing the stress–strain response and texture for all tests with a unique set of single-crystal hardening parameters.
Integrating Sphere for Imperfectly Diffuse Samples

An integrating sphere for determining spectral reflectance and transmittance as a function of angle of incidence and wavelength in the 0.33- to 2.5-μ region is described. Geometrical arrangement of sample, entrance port, and detector as well as directional characteristics of detector and sphere wall coating permit absolute or relative measurements to be made for a sample with an arbitrary reflection-distribution function.