cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Staging accuracy of ampullary tumors by endoscopic ultrasound: meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background and Aim Accurate preoperative staging of ampullary neoplasms is of paramount importance in predicting prognosis and determining the most appropriate therapeutic approach. The aim of the present review was to evaluate the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in predicting depth of ampullary tumor invasion (T-stage) and regional lymph node status (N-stage) by carrying out a meta-analysis of all relevant studies. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Medline and Scopus databases for all studies published between January 1980 and December 2012. Only EUS studies involving ≥10 patients with ampullary neoplasms, confirmed by surgical histopathology, with data available for construction of a 2 × 2 table were included. Results Meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 422 patients using the Mantel–Haenszel method was performed. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of EUS to diagnose T1-stage tumor were 77% (95% CI: 69–83) and 78% (95% CI: 72–84), respectively. Pooled sensitivity for T4 tumors was 84% (95% CI: 73–92) and specificity was 74% (95% CI: 63–83). Combined sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio for diagnosing nodal status were 0.70 (95% CI: 0.62–0.77), 0.74 (95% CI: 0.67–0.0.80), 2.49 (95% CI: 1.91–3.24), 0.46 (95% CI: 0.36–0.59) and 6.53 (95% CI: 3.81–11.19), respectively. Conclusion Based on our pooled estimates, EUS had a moderate strength of agreement with histopathology in preoperative staging of ampullary neoplasms in predicting tumor invasion and lymph node involvement. Additional refinement in EUS technologies and diagnostic criteria may be required to enhance staging accuracy.
In vitro effect of tobacco exposure

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 4459 Comparative protein profiling of cigarettes in human bronchial epithelial cells Potentially reduced-exposure tobacco products which employ new technologies and may differ in the composition of their smoke chemistry from previous traditional cigarettes are entering the market place. Data comparing the biological effects of smoke from different types of cigarettes or the same cigarette under different smoking conditions is limited. This study compares the protein expression profile of ten cigarette smoke condensates in primary human bronchial epithelial cells. Cells were treated for 18 h with five sub-toxic doses of each cigarette smoke type and a vehicle control. For comparative protein profiling 50 μg of total protein was subjected to 2D-gel electrophoresis with isoelectric focusing from pH 3–10 and molecular weight separation on a 10–20% tris/glycine SDS gel. Gels were stained with Sypro ruby red and imaged using PDQuest software. Comparisons within the dose range of the same smoke type as well as between smoke types were made. Differences due to the smoke type and/or dose were evident. To identify differentially expressed proteins 100 μg of total protein was separated by 2D gel and stained with BioSafe Coomassie. Spots were excised from the gel, destained, reduced and alkylated before in gel tryptic digestion. Tryptic peptides were analyzed by MALDI-TOF-TOF (matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-time of flight). One protein in particular identified to be highly induced with cigarette smoke exposure was heat shock protein 27. Standardized in vitro testing potentially allows for an assessment of the cellular response produced by cigarettes that differ in blend, design, and smoke chemistry. Protein expression profiles of primary human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to these cigarette smoke condensates are dose and smoke type dependent. This work was supported by Contract # GS-24F-0006N from the Centers for Disease Control and NIEHS Grant # P30 ES-012072.
Classification of segmentable images using the PDD function

Due to the need to search large databases of images, image classifiers have been developed to sort images not only by subject matter, but also into several more general classes such as photographs, text, and images. These sorting methods suggest that there are inherent and identifiable characteristics unique to photographs or text. A more fundamental problem to solve is whether there are features which combine these separate classes into the greater class of segmentable images:images which have been generated as a means of communicating visual data. A new type of classifier is proposed; one which separates segmentable images from the greater set of possible pixel combinations.
Do Wages Compensate for Risk of Unemployment? Parametric and Semiparametric Evidence from Seasonal Jobs

Due to unique institutional and technological factors, seasonal agricultural jobs are characterized by much higher risk of unemployment than similar permanent jobs. I estimate compensating differentials for risk of unemployment and compare those with unemployment insurance benefits provided by the government. I use two sets of estimators. First, I calculate parametric estimates with Heckman correction. Second, I compute three versions of a distribution-free semiparametric estimator which is robust to misspecification of the residual distribution. The main finding of the paper is that there exists a positive compensating differential of 15.5% of the average wage. This corresponds to an implicit replacement rate significantly larger than the typical unemployment benefit.
Electrical conductivity of the lower‐mantle ferropericlase across the electronic spin transition

[1] Electrical conductivity of the lower-mantle ferropericlase-(Mg0.75,Fe0.25)O has been studied using designer diamond anvils to pressures over one megabar and temperatures up to 500 K. The electrical conductivity of (Mg0.75,Fe0.25)O gradually rises by an order of magnitude up to 50 GPa but decreases by a factor of approximately three between 50 to 70 GPa. This decrease in the electrical conductivity is attributed to the isosymmetric high-spin to low-spin transition of iron in ferropericlase. That is, the electronic spin transition of iron results in a decrease in the mobility and/or density of the charge transfer carriers in the low-spin ferropericlase. The activation energy of the low-spin ferropericlase is 0.27 eV at 101 GPa, consistent with the small polaron conduction (electronic hopping, charge transfer). Our results indicate that low-spin ferropericlase exhibits lower electrical conductivity than high-spin ferropericlase, which needs to be considered in future geomagnetic models for the lower mantle.
Thymidine kinase activity during regeneration in the planarian Dugesia dorotocephala

Thymidine kinase (TdR kinase) activity has been measured at various stages of regeneration in the planarian Dugesia dorotocephala. It is argued that TdR kinase activity is a valid, indirect measurement of cell proliferation in this organism. The earliest measured responses to wounding and the initiation of regeneration show maximal TdR kinase activities in non-blastema regions. Later phases of regeneration show a shift of maxima to the blastemata with the general relations: prospective head blastemata have higher activity than prospective tail balstemata and posterior blastemata lag behind more anterior blastemata of the same developmental fate. It is concluded that the earliest proliferative response to wounding is in non-blastema regions with secondary waves of proliferation in the blastemata proceding differentiation. The data are consistent both with models invoking long-range cell migration and with models of local origin of the blastemata. Hydroxyurea treatment increases the level of TdR kinase activity and at low concentrations causes a modest acceleration in the rate of regeneration. Hydroxyurea treatment also produces bipolar (hetermorphic) regenerants from posteriorly-derived sections. The possible role of cell number is invoked in relation to bipolar forms and as a regulator of normal differentiation.
Phylogenetic analysis of the maternal genome of tetraploid StStYY Elymus (Triticeae: Poaceae) species and the monogenomic Triticeae based on rps16 sequence data

Although there have been several studies on the maternal genome donor of StStYY Elymus species, due to either the lack of inclusion of all the Triticeae diploid species or limited number of StY species used in the previous studies, it is necessary to investigate the origin of the maternal genome of the StStYY Elymus species with comprehensive samples of Triticeae diploid species. In this study we analyzed 18 tetraploid StStYY Elymus species along with 27 diploid Triticeae species using chloroplast gene encoding ribosomal protein S16 (rps16) in an attempt to identify the maternal genome donor of StStYY Elymus species. The rps16 data indicates that Pseudoroegneria is the maternal genome donor of StStYY Elymus species. A close relationship of the chloroplast of Thinopyrum and Dasypyrum with the St genome is found which leaves the possibility that Thinopyrum and Dasypyrum may have contributed to the chloroplast genome in StStYY species. We also analyzed the cpDNA phylogeny for the monogenomic genera. Psathyrostachys juncea is at the base of the Triticeae tree, while the rest of the Triticeae species forms a well supported clade with a 91% bootstrap value. Triticum monococcum, Secale cereale, Heteranthelium piliferum and all the Aegilops species form a clade. A very similar chloroplast genome between Agropyron and Eremopyrum is detected. Our rps16 data supports the placement of Henrardia within the Triticeae in a Henrardia + Eremopyrum clade.
Head-mounted displays for virtual reality

Head mounted displays (HMD) provide one means of displaying virtual environments. This paper assesses the state of HMD technology, with respect to the Virtual Reality (VR) goal of creating an environment which matches user's experience with the real world. We find that current HMDs fall short in important characteristics, such as resolution, field of view, and physical attributes. A system designer, familiar with these limitations, should be able to provide a suitable immersive virtual environment with the inclusion of appropriate graphics rendering techniques and virtual environment input/output devices.
Venous delay, a major source of error in isotopic cardiac output determination☆

Abstract The high correlation reported for cardiac output determinations by 99m Tc-HSA has not held for other unselected series. To investigate possible causes, cardiac output was determined simultaneously by two indicators: 99m Tc-HSA and indocyanine green both injected by rapid flush technique, the 99m Tc via antecubital vein and the dye (DD) via superior vena cava. Precordial counting rates were obtained by scintillation camera and dilution curves were derived by computer program from selected areas in right (RV) and left ventricles (LV). Thirty consecutive studies showed significant (p 99m Tc and DD output but a determination index of only 66 per cent. Varying degrees of persistence of counting rate were noted in the subclavian region in the absence of demonstrable venous obstruction. In seven studies (Group I) there was no isotope hang-up in the subclavian region; in 17 (Group II), counts in the subclavian region persisted only through RV visualization, and in six studies (Group III) counts persisted even when radioactivity was at its peak concentration over LV. Correlation coefficients ( 99m Tc output with DD output) varied inversely with delay; r was 0.90 for Group I and Group II, and 0.64 for Group III (determination indices 81 per cent, 81 per cent, and 41 per cent, respectively). Results suggest that unexpected delay in arrival of radioactive bolus into the heart results in erratic distortion of cardiac output values. Unless monitored, delay often remains unsuspected; in a consecutive series of 63 99m Tc studies severe delay occurred in 16 per cent. The reason for the delay is not clear. It did not seem related to the speed of circulation, to the presence of venous obstruction, or to anatomical variations. It could not be related to the speed of injection or to the physical characteristics of the injectate.
THE EFFECT OF MULTIPLE SΔ PERIODS ON RESPONDING ON A FIXED-INTERVAL SCHEDULE: IV. EFFECT OF CONTINUOUS SΔ WITH ONLY SHORT SD PROBES1

Pigeons were studied under FI 500 sec in which an SΔ was present throughout the interval except during the terminal 50-sec segment and one earlier 50-sec segment. Very little responding occurred during the presence of SΔ. The rate of responding in the earlier 50-sec SD segments was lower than in the terminal SD segment. There was a clear trend for the rate of responding in the earlier SD segment to be progressively higher the later it occurred in the course of the FI 500 sec. This trend was shown roughly to parallel the increasing rate of responding in a conventional FI 500 sec with no interruption by SΔ. Since the changing tendency to respond through the FI survives massive disruption by SΔ, it is concluded that the control of responding through the FI does not require continuous mediating behavior. It is suggested that it is the decaying retroactive influence of the reinforcer on responses that occurred longer and longer before the reinforcer occurred which produces the familiar scalloped pattern of responding under FI schedules.
Diphenylhydantoin: action of a common anticonvulsant on bursting pacemaker cells in Aplysia

A commonly used anticonvulsant, diphenylhydantoin (Dilantin), decreases the bursting pacemaker activity in certain cells of Aplysia. Dilantin decreases this bursting activity whether it is endogenous to the cell or induced by a convulsant agent. The sodium-dependent negative resistance characteristic which is essential for bursting behavior is reduced in the presence of Dilantin.
Are Young People in Correctional Institutions Different from Community Students Who Have Never Been Convicted?: Differences in Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviours

By comparing the prevalence of emotional and behaviour health problems among institutionalized juvenile offenders with that amongst a non-offending sample of ado lescents, this study indicates common characteristics of the perceived emotional and behavioural problems, and describes risk factors pertinent to persistent juvenile offending. Familial backgrounds, behavioural and emotional measures were collected through self-report surveys. Results showed that young people in secure units claimed significant high levels of emotional and behavioural problems and that those problems were associated with their disadvantaged familial socio-economic backgrounds and perceived parenting factors. Various policy implications are recommended to tackle problems amongst these disadvantaged young people in correctional institutions in Korea. In particular, for those working with young people in correctional institutions in the UK, the findings highlight the importance of culturally relevant programmes.
Effects of U-Turns on Capacities of Signalized Intersections

In Florida, the increased use of restrictive medians and directional median openings has generated many U-turns at signalized intersections. There is no widely accepted procedure for estimating the effects of U-turning vehicles on signalized intersection capacity. In the 2000 edition of the Highway Capacity Manual, U-turns are treated as left turns for estimation of saturation flow rates. However, the operational effects of U-turns and left turns are different. This study analyzed the effects of U-turning vehicles on the left-turn saturation flow rate. Data were collected at three signalized intersections in the Tampa Bay area in Florida. In total, the study team recorded the queue discharge times for 260 queues, including 571 U-turning vehicles and 1,441 left-turning vehicles. On the basis of the data collected in the field, a regression model was developed to estimate the relationship between the average queue discharge time for each turning vehicle and the various percentages of U-turning vehicles in the left-turn traffic stream. Adjustment factors for various percentages of U-turning vehicles were also developed by using the regression model. The adjustment factors developed in this study can be directly used to estimate the capacity reduction due to the presence of various percentages of U-turning vehicles at a signalized intersection.
Natural Convection in Horizontal Porous Layers: Effects of Darcy and Prandtl Numbers

Etude numerique basee sur l'extension de Brinkman Forchheimer de l'equation de Darcy. Etude des conditions de creation d'un flux convectif. Dependance du coefficient de transfert de chaleur, des lignes de courant et isotherme en regime stable en fonction de Ra, Pr et Da. On montre l'existence d'un regime asymptotique de convection
Meta-analysis methods for combining multiple expression profiles: comparisons, statistical characterization and an application guideline

As high-throughput genomic technologies become accurate and affordable, an increasing number of data sets have been accumulated in the public domain and genomic information integration and meta-analysis have become routine in biomedical research. In this paper, we focus on microarray meta-analysis, where multiple microarray studies with relevant biological hypotheses are combined in order to improve candidate marker detection. Many methods have been developed and applied in the literature, but their performance and properties have only been minimally investigated. There is currently no clear conclusion or guideline as to the proper choice of a meta-analysis method given an application; the decision essentially requires both statistical and biological considerations. We performed 12 microarray meta-analysis methods for combining multiple simulated expression profiles, and such methods can be categorized for different hypothesis setting purposes: (1) HS A : DE genes with non-zero effect sizes in all studies, (2) HS B : DE genes with non-zero effect sizes in one or more studies and (3) HS r : DE gene with non-zero effect in "majority" of studies. We then performed a comprehensive comparative analysis through six large-scale real applications using four quantitative statistical evaluation criteria: detection capability, biological association, stability and robustness. We elucidated hypothesis settings behind the methods and further apply multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) and an entropy measure to characterize the meta-analysis methods and data structure, respectively. The aggregated results from the simulation study categorized the 12 methods into three hypothesis settings (HS A , HS B , and HS r ). Evaluation in real data and results from MDS and entropy analyses provided an insightful and practical guideline to the choice of the most suitable method in a given application. All source files for simulation and real data are available on the author’s publication website.
Performance characteristics of a commercial antibody-capture enzyme immunoassay for detection of Toxoplasma-specific IgM antibodies.

Abstract Antibody-capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of Toxoplasma-specific IgM has been shown to provide significantly higher specificity than the indirect IgM EIA. A new commerically available antibody-capture EIA (PLATELIA Toxo IgM EIA) converted 99 out of 100 false-positive Toxoplasma IgM determinations to true negative. Experiments using Toxoplasma IgM calibrators demonstrated the antibody-capture EIA is approximately eightfold more sensitive than a new automated microparticle EIA for Toxoplasma IgM antibodies (IMX Toxo IgM EIA), and approximately equal in sensitivity to the indirect immunofluorescence assay. Precision studies of the antibody capture EIA using low, medium, and high calibrators gave coefficients of variation ranging from 3.0%–4.5% for within-run and 5.2%–11.4% for run-to-run variation experiments. Interference from high levels of bilirubin, albumin, hemoglobin, and lipid was not detected. Sera from patients with inflammatory or infectious disorders were tested for interference in the antibody-capture EIA. False-positive Toxoplasma IgM results were not observed, but lowlevel negative interference was detcteable when patient sera was mixed with Toxoplasma -positive sera. Preparations of purified human IgM also produced negative interference in the antibody-capture EIA for Toxoplasma IgM.
Functional roles of brain AT1 and AT2 receptors in the central angiotensin II pressor response in conscious young spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Areas of adult rat brain that mediate the cardiovascular effects of central angiotensin II (ANG II) predominantly express AT1 ANG II receptors. In contrast, AT2 receptor expression in young rats is transiently increased, reaching a maximum during the first few weeks of life. This study was designed to determine the roles of brain AT1 and AT2 receptors in mediating the central pressor effects of ANG II in young (4-week-old) conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Mean arterial pressure responses to intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) ANG II (100 ng in 5 microliters) were determined 10 minutes after i.c.v. injection of either the AT1 receptor antagonist Losartan (1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 micrograms), the AT2 receptor ligand PD 123319 (3.5 x [10(-6), 10(-4), 10(-2), 10(0)] micrograms), or both. In control rats, i.c.v. Losartan prevented the pressor response to i.c.v. ANG II in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05), while i.c.v. PD 123319 alone was without effect. In other animals, pressor responses caused by i.c.v. ANG II-induced vasopressin secretion (VP-component) and sympathetic nervous system activation (SNS-component) were studied individually, with similar result; Losartan prevented the SNS-component, but reduced the VP-component by only 45%, indicating that both pressor components involve AT1 receptor activation. However, doses of Losartan were more effective when combined with 3.5 micrograms of PD 123319 than when given alone (P < 0.05); nearly eliminating the VP-component. These results suggest that i.c.v. ANG-II-induced pressor effects may involve activation of multiple receptor subtypes.
Need and effective demand for prosthodontic treatment

The unmet and met need for prosthodontic services in the United States have been estimated and projected to the year 2000. Based on need-for-treatment estimates within the U.S. population collected by oral examination in 1971 to 1974, some 214.7 million hours of unmet need were estimated. By the year 2000, the projected need is expected to increase to approximately 264.7 million hours (if edentulism is assumed to be zero) or to approximately 293.8 million hours (if prevalence of prosthodontic need is assumed to remain stable). A concomitant rise in effective demand is also expected from 44.7 million hours in 1976 to 1977 to approximately 62.2 million hours in the year 2000. Thus, despite an assumption of declining edentulism, the unmet need for prosthodontic services will remain high.
Death ante ora parentum in Virgil's Aeneid

Virgil's Aeneid includes a number of scenes in which children die in front of their parents. While the motif has a Homeric precedent, Virgil's invention of a formula ( ante ora parentum : "before the faces of one's parents") suggests a particular interest in the theme. An analysis of scenes where the formula recurs (such as Aeneas's shipwreck, the fall of Troy, and the lusus Troiae ) reveals a metapoetic resonance behind the motif, with the parent-child relationship acting as a metaphor for authorial influence and artistic creation. Thus the threat that Aeneas might die as Anchises looks on, for instance, evokes Virgil's own precarious position in relation to his "father," Homer. Aeneas's well-known transition into a father-figure as the poem progresses comes with the risk that he may become the parent who sees his own child die; Virgil exploits this transition, too, as a vehicle for self-reflection, concerned about the reception of his "child," the Aeneid, in the Augustan age.
The Drivers of Foreign Direct Investment into Research and Development: An Empirical Investigation

This paper examines the determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) in research and development laboratories by 32 multinational enterprises in the pharmaceutical and electronics industries. The paper applies a dichotomous set of motives for FDI. Results from an econometric analysis of 136 laboratory investments show that relative market size and relative strength of a country's science base determine whether FDI in research and development is carried out in order to exploit existing firm-specific advantages, or in order to build up new firm-specific advantages. This holds true in similar form for Japanese, European and U.S. firms and across the two industries.
A simple algorithm for computing minimum spanning trees in the Internet

Abstract A central problem in wide-area networks is to efficiently multicast a message to all members (hosts) of a target group. One of the most effective methods to multicast a message is to send the message along the edges of a spanning tree connecting all the members of the group. In this paper, we propose a new fully distributed algorithm to build a minimum spanning tree (MST) in a generic communication network. During the execution, the algorithm maintains a collection of disjoint trees spanning all the group members. Every tree, which initially consists of only one node, independently expands by joining the closest tree, until all of the nodes are connected in a single tree. The resulting communication topology is both robust (there are no singularities subject to failures) and scalable (every node stores a limited amount of local information that is independent of the size of the network).
Information warfare, American style

The development of the US National Information Infrastructure opens new avenues for information products and services. As these information products and services are developed and marketed, the producers of those products and services seek to protect their proprietary interest in the underlying information. A number of attempts, some successful, to extend legal protection to basic facts and other public domain information demonstrate that the public information space may be eroding. Recent information controversies can form the basis for establishing several predictors useful in determining when future information ownership controversies may develop and result in the loss of public information space. One set of predictors describes the information environment. A second set of predictors characterizes the marketplace environment. Identifying instances where negative elements of each set of predictors exist suggest a change in information rights or ownership most likely to result in the critical loss of access to public information space.
Characterization and Mechanism of Action of DrosophilaRibosomal Protein S3 DNA Glycosylase Activity for the Removal of Oxidatively Damaged DNA Bases

We recently demonstrated that Drosophila ribosomal protein S3 specifically cleaved duplex oligodeoxynucleotides at sites of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoGua), presumably due to S3 protein possessing an N-glycosylase activity that is associated with its known apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) lyase activity. Here we show, using DNA substrates prepared by γ-irradiation under N2O and analyzed by gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry, that S3 protein efficiently liberates 8-oxoGua as a free base from the damaged DNA substrate. Of the 15 additional modified bases present in the DNA substrate, the only other one acted on by S3 protein was 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyGua). Specificity constants measured for the removal of 8-oxoGua and FapyGua indicate that S3 protein has a similar preference for both of these modified purines. Having established that S3 protein contains an N-glycosylase activity, we next examined the repair of duplex oligonucleotides containing 8-oxoGua (8-oxoGua-37-mer) positioned opposite Cyt, Gua, Thy, or Ade. Significant cleavage of the 8-oxoGua-37-mer was only detected for an opposing Cyt. Moreover, we show that an imino covalent enzyme-substrate intermediate is formed between S3 protein and 8-oxoGua-37-mer, a result similar to other DNA repair enzymes that catalyze N-glycosylase/AP lyase-type reactions at sites of DNA damage.
A New Shear-Compression-Specimen for Determining Quasistatic and Dynamic Polymer Properties

A new design of the shear compression specimen (SCS) for investigating the viscoelastic shear response of polymers is presented. The specimen consists of a polymer gage section with two metal ends that remain essentially rigid during deformation. Two closed-form analytic models are developed to predict the average stress and strain in the gage section from the deformation-load histories. This new SCS design and its analytic models are thoroughly evaluated via laboratory measurements and numerical simulations. These simulations show that the deformations in the gage section are more uniform than in the original design, and the distribution of the average shear stress and strain are highly homogenous. The simulation results yield good agreement with those of closed-form analytic results and the experiments demonstrate that the new SCS geometry and its analytic models are as reliable as other commonly employed specimens. It can also generate higher strain rates under usual loading conditions because of its smaller specimen gage length. The need for care in specimen preparation is also discussed in detail as illuminated by the experimental and simulation results.
Synthesis of type V collagen by fibroblasts derived from normal, inflamed and hyperplastic human connective tissues.

Abstract Increased type V collagen content is a feature of many inflammatory and fibro-proliferative diseases. In order to understand the mechanism responsible for this increase we have studied type V collagen synthesis by fibroblasts obtained from normal, inflamed and phenytoin-hyperplastic human gingivae. Cultures were immunostained with antibodies to type V and I collagens to determine the proportion of cells producing type V collagen. In addition, cells were metabolically labeled with radioactive amino acids, and type V procollagen and collagen were fractionated and quantitated. Results showed that all the cells were stained by both anti-type V and type I antibodies. Anti-type V staining was observed outside the cells whereas anti-type I staining was localized intracellularly. The proportion of radioactive type V collagen in the individual cell strains ranged from 0–5.2% of the total collagens; however, differences among the three cell types were not statistically significant. No differences were observed in the procollagen [V] levels, which accounted for 6.5–15.1% of the total procollagens. We conclude that changes in fibroblast population may not be a significant factor contributing to increased type V collagen in inflammation and hyperplasia, and that the increase may be due to other factors such as modulation of synthesis activities by environmental ligands and resistance of type V collagen to degradation.
Effects of a whole-lake, experimental fertilization on lake trout in a small oligotrophic arctic lake

We tested whether increased phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations would affect a lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) population in a small oligotrophic lake with a benthically dominated food web. From 1990 to 1994, nitrogen and phosphorus were added to Lake N1 (4.4 ha) at the arctic Long-Term Ecological Research site in Alaska. We used mark/recapture methods to determine the lake trout population size, size structure, recruitment, and individual growth from 1987 to 1999. Data were also collected on water chemistry and food availability. Fertilization resulted in increased pelagic primary productivity, chlorophyll a, turbidity, snail density, and hypoxia in summer and winter. Lake trout density was not affected by the manipulation however growth and average size increased. Recruitment was high initially, but declined throughout the fertilization. These results suggest that lake trout were affected through increased food availability and changes to the physical characteristics of the lake. During fertilization, hypoxia near the sediments may have killed over-wintering embryos and decreased habitat availability. Although lake trout responded strongly to increased nutrients, loss of recruitment might jeopardize lake trout persistence if arctic lakes undergo eutrophication.
Microwave properties of superconducting Pb-In wires

Abstract The microwave properties of superconducting Pb-In wires have been studied as a function of a magnetic field and temperature at 9.2 GHz. Anomalies in the absorption were found both near the critical field and the critical temperature.
Procalcitonin and its utility as a diagnostic and prognostic assay in patients with renal dysfunction and immunosuppressive conditions.

1. Endo S, Aikawa N, Fujishima S, Sekine I, Kogawa K, Yamamoto Y, et al. Usefulness of procalcitonin serum level for the discrimination of severe sepsis from sepsis: a multicenter prospective study. J Infect Chemother 2008;14:244–9. 2. Hirakata Y, Yanagihara K, Kurihara S, Izumikawa K, Seki M, Miyazaki Y, Kohno S. Comparison of usefulness of plasma procalcitonin and C-reactive protein measurements for estimation of severity in adults with community-acquired pneumonia. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2008;61:170–4. 3. Amour J, Birenbaum A, Langeron O, Le Manach Y, Bertrand M, Coriat P, et al. Infl uence of renal dysfunction on the accuracy of procalcitonin for the diagnosis of postoperative infection after vascular surgery. Crit Care Med 2008;36:1147–54. 4. Dornbusch HJ, Strenger V, Sovinz P, Lackner H, Schwinger W, Kerbl R, et al. Non-infectious causes of elevated procalcitonin and C-reactive protein serum levels in pediatric patients with hematologic and oncologic disorders. Support Care Cancer 2008 Sep;16(9): 1035–40. 5. Ciaccio M, Fugardi G, Titone L, Romano A, Giordano S, Bivona G, et al. Procalcitonin levels in plasma in oncohaematologic patients with and without bacterial infections. Clin Chim Acta 2004;340: 149–52. 6. Stolzel F, Babatz J, Thiede C, Siegert G, Illmer T, Ehniger G, et al. Cyclic severe elevated procalcitonin serum levels in a patient with post polycythemic myelofi brosis carrying a V617F-JAK2 mutation. Ann Hematol 2008;87:1021–2. 7. Viallon A, Guyomarc’h S, Marjollet O, Berger C, Carricajo A, Robert F, et al. Can emergency physicians identify a high mortality subgroup of patients with sepsis: role of procalcitonin. Eur J Emerg Med 2008;15:26–33. Received: December 9, 2008 / Accepted: December 16, 2008
Density fluctuations in liquid rubidium. II. Molecular-dynamics calculations

Molecular-dynamics (MD) calculations on liquid rubidium at 46 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and 1.502 g ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ have been made using a suitable pair potential. Whereas for wave number $\ensuremath{\kappa}l1.2$ ${\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ propagating density fluctuations were obtained, only overdamped nonpropagating fluctuations are found for larger $\ensuremath{\kappa}$. For all $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ there is good agreement with recent neutron inelastic-scattering experiments. The mean-square acceleration given by MD is found to be much larger than the value derived from another neutron experiment extending over $\ensuremath{\kappa}=4 \mathrm{to} 8$ ${\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$; the reason for the discrepancy is analyzed to show that the neutron-scattering data cannot be interpreted in terms of the mean-square acceleration alone.
Effective numerical viscosity in spectral multidomain penalty method-based simulations of localized turbulence

The numerical dissipation operating in a specific spectral multidomain method model developed for the simulation of incompressible high Reynolds number turbulence in doubly periodic domains is investigated. The method employs Fourier discretization in the horizontal directions and the discretization in the vertical direction is based on a Legendre collocation scheme local to each subdomain. Both spatial discretizations are characterized by either no or near-negligible artificial dissipation. In high Reynolds number simulations, which are inherently under-resolved, stability of the numerical scheme is ensured through spectral filtering in all three directions and the implementation of a penalty scheme in the vertical direction. The dissipative effects of these stabilizers are quantified in terms of the numerical viscosity, using a generalization of the method previously employed to analyze numerical codes for the simulation of homogeneous, isotropic turbulence in triply periodic domains. Data from simulations of the turbulent wake of a towed sphere are examined at two different Reynolds numbers varying by a factor of twenty. The effects of the stabilizers are found to be significant, i.e. comparable, and sometimes larger, than the effects of the physical (molecular) viscosity. Away from subdomain interfaces, the stabilizers have an expected dissipative character extending over a range of scales determined by timestep and the degree of under-resolution, i.e. Reynolds number. At the interfaces, the stabilizers tend to exhibit a strong anti-dissipative character. Such behavior is attributed to the inherently discontinuous formulation of the penalty scheme, which suppresses catastrophic Gibbs oscillations by enforcing C"0 and C"1 continuity only weakly at the interfaces.
Cat Island platform, Bahamas: an incipiently drowned Holocene carbonate shelf

Analyses of high resolution, seismic reflection profiles and surface sediment samples indicate that the Cat Island shelf is presently in an incipiently drowned state. This small carbonate bank is characterized by a thin (<4 m), coarse-grained, relict sediment cover, along with limited reef development, and a relatively deep (20–30 m) margin indicating that it has been unable to ‘keep-up’ with Holocene sea-level rise. Early flooding at relatively high rates of sea-level rise (4 m kyr-1, 5–8 × 103 yr BP) in conjunction with small bank size and relatively low elevation, led to a reduced rate of carbonate accumulation and incipient drowning. The shelf edge currently lies beneath the zone of maximum carbonate production and exposes the interior shelf to open marine conditions which may result in permanent drowning if it is unable to ‘catch-up’ with continued sea-level rise. Sediment facies patterns are largely oriented perpendicular or oblique to the shelf edge and appear to be controlled by shelf circulation patterns focused by bank-margin reentrants. In comparison with most of the northern Bahamas, the Cat Island shelf was flooded earlier and at relatively higher rates of Holocene sea-level rise which led to selective drowning, implying that carbonate platforms need not drown synchronously over widespread areas as commonly thought. The potential rock record of this incipient drowning event would be a thin, open-marine sand sheet of highly degraded cryptocrystalline and aggregate grains associated with poorly developed reefs.
The solution behavior of the bovine myelin basic protein in the presence of anionic ligands binding behavior with the red component of trypan blue and sodium dodecyl sulfate

Abstract The interaction of the azo dye (2,3′-dimethyldiphenyl-7-azo-8-amino-l-napthol 3,6-disulfonic acid (TBR) and sodium dodecyl sulfate with the bovine myelin basic protein has been studied using absorbance, circular dichroism and 220 MHz PMR spectroscopy. Additional analyses of the binding reaction were carried out using light scattering, ultracentrifugal and electrophoretic techniques. A procedure for preparing pure TBR was developed. A modified structure for this synthesized TBR has been suggested. The mechanism of TBR binding to the myelin basic protein was found to be metachromatic. In addition, the interaction of TBR with the basic protein which gives rise to aggregation of the dye bound species was found to be analogous to the model proposed by Schwarz, G. and Seelig-Loffler, A. (1975) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 379,125–138) to explain the binding of acridine orange with poly(α- l -glutamic acid). PMR spectral analyses suggested that arginine residues provide the majority of primary sites of attachment on the basic protein for TBR. The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate binding with the bovine myelin basic protein was found to induce a minimal change in the conformation of the protein. The induction of only about 20% α helial structure could be demonstrated and the binding was reversed by raising the solution temperature to 73°C. The difference in the observed behavior of basic protein arising from TBR binding as opposed to the binding of sodium dodecyl sulfate is viewed as resulting from two different binding mechanisms. The binding behavior of TBR is primarily a consequence of charge-charge interaction while the binding effects of sodium dodecyl sulfate are a consequence of hydrophobic interaction. The sodium dodecyl sulfate binding acts as a shield which limits charge-charge interaction in the basic protein molecule thus preventing aggregate formation while TBR imposes no such restraints.
Secondary electron emission from thin carbon films

Abstract For the purpose of investigating how secondary electrons are produced in carbon, the correlation between energy-loss events and secondary electrons was studied experimentally by using the coincidence method. If a secondary electron is detected in coincidence with an electron transmitted through a thin film which has lost an amount of energy E , then the process causing this energy loss results in the production of secondary electrons. We established the existence of these coincidences and have taken inelastic and coincidence spectra for films of different thickness. We found that in carbon secondary electrons are predominantly produced as a result of energy losses of about 20 eV, with an efficiency of about 5%. The escape depth of secondary electrons was also estimated to be approximately 30 A.
The ATP and Mg2+ dependence of Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransport reflects a requirement for protein phosphorylation: studies using calyculin A.

Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransport activity has previously been shown to depend on both intracellular ATP and Mg2+, but the mechanisms remain unknown. Cotransport in avian erythrocytes can be stimulated by a variety of agents including cAMP and permeant serine/ threonine phosphatase inhibitors and is inhibited by prior depletion of either ATP with antimycin A, or Mg2+ by incubation in A23187 plus EDTA. However, when cells were first stimulated with cAMP rather than calyculin A then subjected to either depletion strategy, a differential effect was found. The phosphatase-inhibitor-treated cells were resistant to subsequent ATP or Mg2+ depletion while cAMP-treated cells were sensitive to both treatments. Parallel examination of protein phosphorylation confirmed that ATP or Mg2+ depletion leads to dephosphorylation of membrane proteins in cAMP-treated but not in calyculin-A-treated cells. These results suggest that, for cotransport, ATP and Mg2+ are required primarily to maintain the system in a phosphorylated state rather than as direct modulators. The relative effectiveness of okadaic acid (EC50 ≈ 630 nM) and calyculin A (EC50 ≈ 8 nM) in stimulating the cotransporter indicate that a type-1 protein phosphatase is probably responsible for dephosphorylating the system. Cells stimulated by hypertonicity were also resistant to ATP or Mg2+ depletion suggesting that the mechanism of shrinkage-induced cotransport stimulation might also involve protein phosphatase modulation.
Radiological features of vascular compression of the duodenum occurring as a complication of the treatment of scoliosis (the cast syndrome)

The application of a body cast or the surgical correction of scoliosis is occasionally associated with acute obstructive vascular compression of the duodenum. The clinical and radiological manifestations observed in 10 such patients are described. All cases manifested abdominal distension and vomiting, while epigastric pain was present in 50%. Plain radiographs of the abdomen demonstrated duodenal distension with little gas in the remainder of the bowel in three cases. Barium studies in nine patients demonstrated an intact mucosal pattern and a duodenum dilated proximal to the site where the superior mesenteric vessels crossed it. All cases recovered with non-operative treatment which included nasogastric suction, intravenous fluids, change in position, particularly nursing in the prone position, and, occasionally, cast removal. The obstruction may sometimes persist or recur and then duodenojejunal side-to-side anastomosis is the surgical procedure of choice. The term "cast syndrome" is a misnomer as vascular compression of the duodenum may also occur in patients who are undergoing treatment for scoliosis without the use of a body cast.
Genetic reassortment among viruses causing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

In order to determine the frequency and characteristics of reassortment among viruses causing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), mixed infections were initiated in tissue culture by using two closely related strains of Sin Nombre virus, CC107 (from eastern California) and NMR11 (from New Mexico), which share the same species of rodent host in nature, the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). Potential reassortant virus plaques were screened by multiplex RT-PCR, using primers specific for individual genome segments of each strain. Reassortant viruses involving the M and S segments and, to a lesser extent, the L segment were detected in 8.5% of 294 progeny plaques tested. In addition, approximately 30% of the progeny virus plaques appeared to contain S or M segments originating from both parental virus strains, i.e., they were diploid. Most of these diploid virus genotypes were not stable, becoming either reassortant or parental virus strains upon plaque-to-plaque virus passage. In contrast to the results above, only one virus reassortant and four diploids were observed among 163 progeny virus plaques from mixed infections between Sin Nombre virus NMR11 and the genetically more distant Black Creek Canal virus, an HPS-causing virus from Florida, which has the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) as its natural host.
Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) acts as a BMP and Wnt inhibitor during early embryogenesis.

Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) belongs to an unusual subgroup of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily of signaling ligands as it lacks a key cysteine residue in the mature region required for proper intermolecular dimerization. Naturally occurring BMP15 mutation leads to early ovarian failure in humans, and BMP15 has been shown to activate the Smad1/5/8 pathway in that context. Despite its important role in germ cell specification, the embryological function of BMP15 remains unknown. Surprisingly, we find that during early Xenopus embryogenesis BMP15 acts solely as an inhibitor of the Smad1/5/8 pathway and the Wnt pathway. BMP15 gain-of-function leads to embryos with secondary ectopic heads and to direct neural induction in intact explants. BMP15 inhibits BMP4-mediated epidermal induction in dissociated explants. BMP15 strongly inhibits BRE response induced by BMP4 and blocks phosphorylation and activation of Smad1/5/8 MH2-domain. Mechanistically, BMP15 protein specifically interacts with BMP4 protein, suggesting inhibition upstream of receptor binding. Loss-of-function experiments using morpholinos or a naturally occurring human BMP15 dominant-negative mutant (BMP15-Y235C) leads to embryos lacking head. BMP15-Y235C also eliminates the inhibitory activity of BMP15 on BRE (BMP-responsive element). Finally, we show that BMP15 inhibits the canonical branch of the Wnt pathway, upstream of β-catenin. We, thus, demonstrate that BMP15 is necessary and sufficient for the specification of dorso-anterior structures and highlight novel mechanisms of BMP15 function that strongly suggest a reinterpretation of its function in ovaries specially for ovarian failure.