cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiac structure and function in vitamin B-12-deprived rats.

The effect of prolonged vitamin B-12 deprivation in rats on the histological structure of heart and on cardiac linoleic acid oxidation has been investigated. Offspring from pregnant females fed vitamin B-12-deficient diets were fed the deprivation diet for up to 16 months, and the development of B-12 deficiency was monitored by determination of urinary methylmalonic acid levels. These levels averaged 4.2 mg/day by 9 months of B-12-deprivation diet, and 142 mg/day after 16 months. The hearts of these animals were characterized by extensive fibrosis, and electron microscopy revealed cardiac mitochondria that were grossly enlarged and distorted. The metabolic defect of B-12 deprivation in heart muscle was determined in isolated hearts during recirculating perfusion of labeled propionic acid. Both the uptake and oxidation of propionic acid were markedly reduced in hearts from B-12-deprived rats (16 months) compared with controls, and the site of the metabolic block, i.e., accumulation of labeled methylmalonate, was established. Vitamin B-12 deprivation did not affect the extraction of recirculating labeled linoleic acid by perfused hearts, in contrast to the effect on propionic extraction. Furthermore, the oxidation of the extracted fatty acid was markedly increased over controls. Analysis of the circulating media after 45-minute perfusions showed no accumulation of labeled methylmalonate but did contain significantly less succinate than perfusion media from control hearts. The results are discussed with respect to cardiac structure and to the oxidative pathway(s) for polyunsaturated fatty acids.
The State of Kidney Transplantation in the United States

Although transplantation is the preferred treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients compared to dialysis, the limited number of organ donors limits this treatment option for many patients. Various approaches to increase the number of donors are currently being investigated. While the quality of life and patient survival are far from optimal for ESRD patients, improvements have been seen recently in both dialysis and transplantation outcomes. Prevention of ESRD is preferred to either treatment option.
WCDMA and CDMA2000 compared

This paper compares the 2 most widely accepted 3rd generation cellular telephony standards: wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and CDMA2000.
Major Leagues Sports Marketing in North America and Its Emergence Internationally

ABSTRACT Sport marketing is a relatively young professional and academic field. Young in that it only recently has received the attention befitting an aspect of the overall marketing field that holds the number of opportunities to create significant relationships between consumers and corporations. Of the four major leagues of sport in North America, the ones that place an emphasis on marketing themselves well are easily separated from those that have not. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has experienced 12 years of growth in large part due to the presence of gifted marketers in high ranking positions (Lefton, 1996). The National Hockey League (NHL) began its own growth spurt after naming a former NBA executive as its commissioner (Cohen, 1994). These two leagues have taken similar routes, and are both arriving at success. That's more than can be said for their brethren, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League (NFL). These two leagues have found their own paths to lackluster ...
New Directions in Networks and Systems Approaches to Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a broad definition for diseases of the heart and blood vessels with high mortality and morbidity worldwide. Atherosclerosis and hypertension are the most common causes of CVD, and multiple factors confer the susceptibility. Some of the predisposing factors are modifiable such as diet, smoking, and exercise, whereas others, including age, sex, and genetic composition are non-modifiable. Interactions between the different factors also contribute to the outcome. Development of cardiovascular disease starts in childhood and gradually involves multiple organs, tissues, and cell types with different functions. The molecular mechanisms underlying CVD are estimated to involve hundreds of genes. To better address the highly complex architecture and multiple properties leading to CVD, networks and systems approaches combining information at genomic, transcriptomics, methylomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and phenome level are being developed, with the ultimate goal to elucidate the cascade of dynamic changes leading to CVD in humans. This review will discuss co-expression networks and systems approaches from cardiovascular genetics point of view.
Mechanistic insights relevant to protein secretion in yeast

During the past year, a powerful combination of genetic and biochemical approaches has yielded fascinating information with respect to the question of how proteins cross membranes and subsequently traffic between intracellular compartments of the yeast secretory pathway. Fundamental advances have been made in two specific areas. These include experiments that have provided new perspectives with respect to the nature of the soluble machinery involved in facilitating protein traffic from the cytoplasm to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, and work that has provided a biochemical description of what may in effect represent a membranous ligand-gated channel that is required for protein translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen.
Assessment of appropriateness of indications for CT enterography in younger patients.

Background: The small potential risk of radiation-induced cancer is increased in younger patients undergoing serial imaging with computed tomography enterography (CTE). We sought to determine the appropriateness of CTEs based on clinical indication in patients ≤35 years old, and the potential impact of evolution of practice to alternative magnetic resonance enterography (MRE). Methods: Over a 7-year period, the medical records of all patients ≤35 years old undergoing CTE were reviewed to determine the clinical indications for each CTE exam. An interdisciplinary consensus panel evaluated the appropriateness of all CTE exams based on American College of Radiology appropriateness criteria and peer-reviewed literature, classifying indications into “appropriate” or “inappropriate.” For repeat CTEs, an “alternative MRE suggested” pathway was created. Criteria for evolution of practice to “alternative MRE” were suspicion of obstruction and evaluation of disease activity/therapeutic response in the absence of new symptoms. Results: In all, 2022 patients ≤35 years old underwent 2295 CTEs. Ninety-nine percent (2008/2022) of first-time CTE exams were “appropriate” by the defined criteria. A total of 197 patients (9.7%) underwent multiple exams, with 73% of these patients having Crohn's disease. Repeat exams occurred in 9% (18/197) with obstructive symptoms and evaluation of disease activity/therapeutic response in the absence of new symptoms in 41% (80/197). Conclusions: A multidisciplinary expert panel concluded that the vast majority of young patients underwent clinically appropriate first-time CTE exams. However, a shift in clinical practice to MRE appears warranted for approximately half of young patients undergoing repeat CTE examinations. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2009
Perceived self-care agency: a LISREL factor analysis of Bickel and Hanson's questionnaire

The psychometric properties of Bickel and Hanson's Perceived Self-Care Agency Questionnaire (PSCAQ) (Hanson, 1981) were examined using a LISREL confirmatory factor analysis approach. Questionnaires were distributed to a convenience sample of 575 noninstitutionalized adults in northwestern Ohio; 462 questionnaires (80%) were returned. Findings indicated that the factor structure of the PSCAQ is significantly different from that described by Bickel (1982) and does not appear to conform to the expected self-care power component structure. These findings call into question the construct validity of the PSCAQ as a measure of self-care agency in non-institutionalized adults. It should be used only with extreme caution, if at all, for testing the self-care deficit theory.
Reproducibility of Antibiogram of Bovine Mammary Gland Staphylococci under Conditions of Repeated Subculturing

The reproducibility of antibiogram profiles of 10 staphylococcal isolates of bovine mammary gland origin was tested under conditions of repeated subculturing. Prototype (original or index) antibiogram profiles were determined by subculturing these isolates from stock cultures stored at -70 degrees C. The isolates were then subcultured four times on blood agar and antibiogram profiles determined at each subculture on Mueller-Hinton agar. The antibiogram profiles of each isolate at each subculture were compared with the prototype profiles of that isolate. At repeat antibiogram determinations, deviations of < or = 5 mm in the individual zones of inhibition of penicillin, ampicillin and streptomycin from the prototype antibiogram profiles, resulted in a shift of only three isolates from the resistant to intermediate and one isolate from intermediate to resistant status of antibiotic susceptibility classification. It is suggested that in the interpretation of antibiogram, susceptibility classification (resistant, intermediate, or susceptible) variations accruing from a few millimetres differences in the diameter of the zones of inhibition should probably be disregarded.
Size matters: the effects of forest fragmentation and resource availability on the endemic Sumba Hornbill Aceros everetti

We examined the influence of forest fragmentation and resource availability on the abundance and distribution of Sumba Hornbill Aceros everetti, a large, canopy-dwelling bird endemic to Sumba Island, Indonesia. Hornbill numbers were estimated monthly from August 1998 to September 1999. Estimates were made in three large (≥1,000 ha) and three small (<1,000 ha) forest fragments, using a standard line transect method. Phenological patterns of canopy trees were assessed in 10 × 50 m plots. Our data indicated that forest patch size may be a better predictor of Sumba Hornbill abundance and distribution than overall resource availability. Hornbills occurred at higher densities in large forests (6/km2) than small forests (2.4/km2). Small forests produced more fruit/ha per month but lacked a number of important hornbill food species. Monthly fruit availability in large and small forest fragments had no significant effect on fluctuations in hornbill density. However, hornbill densities were significantly higher in forests with high densities of strangling figs, after controlling for patch size, and in larger forests hornbill densities correlated with the abundance of ripe figs. We hypothesize that small patches still have conservation value if they are within hornbill ranging distance, and speculate that Sumba's forests are in a dynamic phase before the full impact of fragmentation has been expressed.
A neurobiology of learning beyond the declarative non-declarative distinction

In neuroscience and psychology it has become common to distinguish between declarative and non-declarative forms of learning (e.g., Squire and Zola, 1996). The perspective (Squire, 2004, p. 173) that declarative learning “refers to the capacity for conscious recollection about facts and events and is the kind of memory that is impaired in amnesia and dependent on structures in the medial temporal lobe” developed when it was observed that patients with hippocampal damage were able to learn and improve on “procedural” tasks, such as hand-eye coordination, without being able to remember the specific learning episodes (e.g., Scoville and Milner, 1957; Squire, 1992). Such evidence led researchers (e.g., Moscovitch, 1995) to suggest that there are two separate learning systems: one involved in declarative, conscious, learning situated in the Medial Temporal Lobe (MTL) comprising the hippocampus, and another involved in non-declarative, implicit, skill/habit learning involving the basal ganglia. An interpretation of the roles of the hippocampus and the basal ganglia in learning independent from the declarative/non-declarative dichotomy may allow understanding the role of neural structures critical in learning without relying on phenomenological categories—difficult to examine from a scientific perspective—such as awareness and consciousness. The very nature of what consciousness is in fact still hotly debated (e.g., Morin, 2006) and grounding an entire taxonomy of learning and memory on consciousness-based criteria might complicate, instead of simplifying, scientific interpretations, and progress. An alternative perspective to the declarative—non-declarative distinction (e.g., Packard and McGaugh, 1992; McDonald and White, 1993) emphasizes the role of the hippocampus in learning stimulus-stimulus relations, and of the dorsal striatum in acquiring stimulus-response relations. Such perspective is consistent with a recent review (Henke, 2010) suggesting that neurobiological models of learning based on consciousness might not be adequate to describe the available experimental evidence.
How old is the Hawaiian biota? Geology and phylogeny suggest recent divergence

This study quantifies long-term landscape changes in the Hawaiian archipelago relating to dispersal, speciation and extinction. Accounting for volcano growth, subsidence and erosion, we modelled the elevations of islands at time intervals of 0.5 Myr for the last 32 Myr; we also assessed the variation in the spacing of volcanoes during this period. The size, spacing and total number of volcanic islands have varied greatly over time, with the current landscape of large, closely spaced islands preceded by a period with smaller, more distantly spaced islands. Considering associated changes in rates of dispersal and speciation, much of the present species pool is probably the result of recent colonization from outside the archipelago and divergence within contemporary islands, with limited dispersal from older islands. This view is in accordance with abundant phylogenetic studies of Hawaiian organisms that estimate the timing of colonization and divergence within the archipelago. Twelve out of 15 multi-species lineages have diverged within the lifetime of the current high islands (last 5 Myr). Three of these, and an additional seven (mostly single-species) lineages, have colonized the archipelago within this period. The timing of colonization of other lineages remains uncertain.
Dorsal cerebral collaterals of stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY)

Earlier studies established that stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) invariably infarct after middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Normotensive rats are usually protected from infarction after the occlusion. Objectives of this study were to characterize the anastomosing collaterals that may determine the different outcomes to MCA occlusion in SHRSP and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Young (5-10 week) and old (40-69 week) rats of each sex were anesthetized, then administered papaverine to produce maximal vasodilatation of the cerebrovascular bed. Under control conditions latex was injected into the arterial tree to measure the internal diameter of branches of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), the MCA, and the ACA-MCA anastomosing collaterals. Large diameter ACA and MCA rami in old, but not young, SHRSP were significantly smaller in diameter than the respective ACA and MCA branches in old WKY. The number of ACA-MCA anastomoses was the same for SHRSP and WKY. Mean internal diameter of the ACA-MCA anastomoses was significantly (p less than 0.0001) smaller in SHRSP than WKY in both age groups. There were significant negative correlations between age and 1) the internal diameter of the ACA-MCA anastomoses in WKY but not SHRSP, and 2) the largest diameter ACA and MCA rami in SHRSP but not WKY. The findings suggest that vascular resistance of fully relaxed collaterals is greater in SHRSP than WKY, thereby compromising the dorsal collateral circulation before large diameter vessel changes occur that accompany the established form of hypertension.
Laparoscopy training in gynecologic oncology fellowship programs.

Abstract Objective To assess the adequacy of laparoscopic surgical training as perceived by gynecologic oncology fellows-in-training and to compare current opinions to those on a 2003 survey. Study design Fellows were surveyed via mail or an internet website. Results Seventy-eight (64%) of 121 fellows responded. One-hundred percent now state that laparoscopy is important or very important in gynecologic oncology practice compared to 86% in 2003. Ninety-five percent reported that much or maximum emphasis should be placed on laparoscopic training compared to 70% previously. Currently, 69% believe that their fellowship training in laparoscopy is very good or good compared to only 25% who felt this way 4 years ago. Importantly, fellows now believe they are getting better laparoscopic training in fellowship than they did in residency. Seventy-eight percent stated that their perceived laparoscopic skills were good or very good. Upon completion of fellowship, 94% plan to perform ≥6 cases per month laparoscopically. Conclusions Respondents believe that laparoscopic training should be emphasized in fellowship training and perceive their laparoscopic training to be significantly improved compared to 2003. They also envision a key role for laparoscopy in their future practice.
Hemispheric involvement in shadowing vs. interpretation: A time-sharing study of simultaneous interpreters with matched bilingual and monolingual controls

A time-sharing study used shadowing and interpretation/paraphrasing tasks to evaluate lateralization in professional interpreters individually matched to bilingual and monolingual controls. A two-step multivariate general linear model procedure was used to determine lateralized effects and extent of disruption produced by the tasks. Results revealed the monolingual group to be left lateralized for both tasks, but the two bilingual groups were lateralized in the LH only for shadowing. The monolingual group was significantly different from the bilingual groups in the pattern of hand asymmetry for interpretation/paraphrasing. The findings replicate outcomes of prior repeated measures analysis of variance procedures on percentage of change scores. However, new information is added by the more refined analysis. The findings are also discussed in terms of previous laterality studies using similar tasks and subject samples.
The Change in Surface Properties of Magnetic Recording Media Under Pulsed Laser Application

The effects of laser heating on surface properties of magnetic recording media were systematically investigated through novel experiments and analytical simulations. When controlled laser pulses were applied onto the surface of a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) media, the measured values of surface roughness, surface free energy, and surface adhesive force were significantly increased with the number of the applied laser pulses. The heat transfer modeling and simulation was performed to evaluate the change in surface temperature of PMR media by the pulsed laser. The resulting temperature was not high enough to affect the carbon film and the underlying magnetic materials, but it could change the properties of the molecularly thin lubricant film on the media surface. Based on the thermal stability of the perfluoropolyether lubricant, it was found that the change of surface properties in experiments could be attributed to the thermal degradation of the lubricant through desorption process.
Structural constraints and the publications dilemma: A review and some proposals

There is a critical shortage of publication space available to sociologists, compared to scholars in other fields. This results in invidious publication comparisons to other professionals and damage to the careers of younger sociologists. Further, it results in a loss to the field itself in terms of a lesser likelihood of publication of replications, challenges, and controversial or unorthodox works. Several proposals are made for increasing the publication potential of sociologists.
Methodological optimization of applying neuroactive agents for the study of locomotor-like activity in the mudpuppies (Necturus maculatus).

Abstract We compared the effects of mode of delivery of neuroactive agents and the effects of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a vehicle for dissolving neuroactive agents, on locomotor-like activity in vitro. By superfusion, d -glutamate (0.3–0.9 mM) produced robust walking-like activity at superfusion rates 10–25 ml/min. In contrast, bolus application of the same or higher doses of glutamate (0.1–1.5 mM) failed to induce any rhythmic activity. Superfusion with AP-5, a NMDA receptor antagonist, produced dose-dependent inhibition of the ongoing walking-like activity induced by d -glutamate and completely blocked the activity at 20 μM. In contrast, bolus application of AP-5 did not block the walking-like activity at concentrations up to 120 μM. Similarly, superfusion of AP-5 inhibited the initiation of walking-like activity and completely blocked the initiation at 20 μM, while bolus application of AP-5 failed to do so at concentrations up to 120 μM. Superfusion of strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist, blocked the walking-like activity at concentrations of 3–5 μM, while its bolus application altered NMDA-induced, but not glutamate-induced, walking-like activity to a synchronized pattern. DMSO significantly affected the walking-like activity in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations ranging 1–10% (v/v). These results demonstrate that the way by which the neuroactive agents are applied is a significant factor that determines the outcome of experiments on the neural control of locomotion. Also, the dose-dependent effects of DMSO on the activity of neural networks for locomotion should be taken into account in data interpretation.
Accuracy and Speed Feedback: Global and Local Effects on Strategy Use

Background/Study Context: Skill acquisition often involves a shift from an effortful algorithm-based strategy to more fluent memory-based performance. Older adults’ slower strategy transitions can be ascribed to both slowed learning and metacognitive factors. Experimenters often provide feedback on response accuracy; this emphasis may either inadvertently reinforce older adults’ conservatism or might highlight that retrieval is generally quite accurate. Response time (RT) feedback can lead to more rapid shift to retrieval (Hertzog, Touron, & Hines, 2007, Psychology and Aging, 22, 607–624).Methods: This study parametrically varied trial-by-trial feedback to examine whether strategy shifts in the noun-pair task in younger (M = 19) and older (M = 67) adults were influenced by type of performance feedback: none, trial accuracy, trial RT, or both accuracy and RT.Results: Older adults who received accuracy feedback retrieved more often, particularly on difficult rearranged trials, and participants who receive s...
Recovery of HeLa cell population growth after treatment with 5,6-dichloro-1-β-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB)

Dose-response curves for the inhibition of heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) synthesis in HeLa cells by 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB; 5-100 microM; 30 min) are biphasic and indicate the existence of two subpopulations of hnRNA molecules, one highly sensitive and the other completely resistant, as previously reported for molecules greater than 1,000 nucleotides long (Tamm et al., 1976; Sehgal et al., 1976a). In the short-term experiments, the drug-sensitive synthesis of hnRNA was inhibited 50% at a DRB concentration of approximately 7 microM, and 70% at 20 microM, whereas drug-resistant synthesis, which comprises approximately 20% of total, continued at DRB concentrations as high as 100 microM. After 24 hr of DRB treatment in medium containing 5% fetal calf serum, the increase in cell number in the exponentially growing population was inhibited by only 42% at 20 microM DRB, and the formation of colonies of greater than or equal to ten cells was not decreased. DRB at 40 microM concentration decreased population growth by 76% and colony formation by 63%. Treatment with 60 microM DRB was sufficient to prevent a net increase in cell number and to reduce colony formation by 78%. After termination of treatment, the time required for the surviving population to begin rapid proliferation was directly related to the concentration of DRB used to treat cells and to the duration of treatment. After 24-hr treatment with 40 microM DRB, cultures recovered within 1 day, whereas after 60 microM DRB, 3-4 days were required. After 40-hr treatment with 60 microM DRB, 5-6 days were required for recovery, and after 80 microM DRB, 9-11 days. During the "dormant" period the cell number ranged from 15 to 60% of the initial number and was fairly stable for given conditions. After the "dormant" period, recovery was rapid. The population growth rate in cultures undergoing treatment with DRB is directly related to serum concentration; however, the recovery rate during the post-treatment period is unaffected by serum concentration.
Pix Plus and Mepiquat Chloride Effects on Physiology, Growth,and Yield of Field-Grown Cotton

An important objective for using plant growth regulators in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is to balance vegetative and reproductive growth as well as to improve lint yield and fiber quality. Field studies were conducted at two locations (Clarkedale and Fayetteville) in Arkansas in 1997 and 1998 to determine physiologic and yield responses of cotton to foliar applications of mepiquat chloride [N,N-dimethyl-piperidinium chloride and inert ingredients] (MC) and Pix Plus [MC + Bacillus cereus]. Compared with the untreated control, application of Pix Plus and MC efficiently reduced plant height, improved leaf CO 2 -exchange rate, and increased leaf starch content. Neither Pix Plus nor MC affected photoassimilate translocation from leaves to 10- to 15-day-old bolls. Pix Plus and MC had very similar effects on plant growth and most physiologic parameters investigated in our studies. There was no difference in lint yield between Pix Plus and mepiquat chloride. However, Pix Plus increased the fraction of fruit dry matter in total dry matter.
Implications for Agricultural Policy

A DMINISTRATION actions and announcements that followed the 1973 Economic Report of the President make it quite clear that the rather calm statement on agricultural policy in the Economic Report and in the U. S. Budget were the first official signals of several major changes in the Nixon Administration's policy. One change is a shift from a farmer and agribusiness dominated policy for food and fiber to a consumer oriented food policy. The second major change involves a phaseout of certain types of direct government payments, reduction of governmental controls, expansion of output, and return of the farmer to the vicissitudes of the free market combined with a policy of expanding U. S. food and fiber exports to capture a larger part of the expanding world market. The third change is a shift further away from the Department of Agriculture as the locus of real power in decision-making for agricultural policy. These proposed changes have both economic and political implications.
Nucleotide Activation of the Ca-ATPase

We have used fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular modeling, and limited proteolysis to examine structural dynamics of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA). The Ca-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles from fast twitch muscle (SERCA1a isoform) was selectively labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), a probe that specifically reacts with Lys-515 in the nucleotide-binding site. Conformation-specific proteolysis demonstrated that FITC labeling does not induce closure of the cytoplasmic headpiece, thereby assigning FITC-SERCA as a nucleotide-free enzyme. We used enzyme reverse mode to synthesize FITC monophosphate (FMP) on SERCA, producing a phosphorylated pseudosubstrate tethered to the nucleotide-binding site of a Ca2+-free enzyme (E2 state to prevent FMP hydrolysis). Conformation-specific proteolysis demonstrated that FMP formation induces SERCA headpiece closure similar to ATP binding, presumably due to the high energy phosphoryl group on the fluorescent probe (ATP·E2 analog). Subnanosecond-resolved detection of fluorescence lifetime, anisotropy, and quenching was used to characterize FMP-SERCA (ATP·E2 state) versus FITC-SERCA in Ca2+-free, Ca2+-bound, and actively cycling phosphoenzyme states (E2, E1, and EP). Time-resolved spectroscopy revealed that FMP-SERCA exhibits increased probe dynamics but decreased probe accessibility compared with FITC-SERCA, indicating that ATP exhibits enhanced dynamics within a closed cytoplasmic headpiece. Molecular modeling was used to calculate the solvent-accessible surface area of FITC and FMP bound to SERCA crystal structures, revealing a positive correlation of solvent-accessible surface area with quenching but not anisotropy. Thus, headpiece closure is coupled to substrate binding but not active site dynamics. We propose that dynamics in the nucleotide-binding site of SERCA is important for Ca2+ binding (distal allostery) and phosphoenzyme formation (direct activation).
Single-cell, real-time measurements of extracellular oxygen and proton fluxes fromSpirogyra grevilleana

We have adapted the self-referencing microelectrode technique to allow sensitive and noninvasive measurement of oxygen fluxes around single cells. The self-referencing technique is based on the translational movement of a selective microelectrode through the gradient next to the cell wall or membrane. The electrode is moved at a known frequency and between known points. The differential electrode output values are converted into a directional measurement of flux by the Fick equation. By coupling the newly developed oxygen-selective self-referencing electrochemical microelectrode (SREM-O2) system with self-referencing ionselective proton measurements (SRIS-H+) we have characterized oxygen and proton fluxes from a single cell of the filamentous green algaSpirogyra gre illeana (Hass.). Oxygen showed a net efflux and protons showed a net influx when the cell was illuminated. These photosynthesis-dependent fluxes were found to be spatially associated with the chloroplasts and were sensitive to treatment with dichlorophenyldimethylurea. In the dark the directions of oxygen and proton fluxes were reversed. This oxygen influx was associated with mitochondrial respiration and was reduced by 78% when the cells was treated with 0.5 mM KCN. The residual cyanide-resistant respiration was inhibited by the application of 5 mM salicylhydroxamic acid, an inhibitor of the alternative oxidase. Similarly the cytochrome pathway was also inhibited by the presence of 20 μM NO, while the cyanide-resistant alternative oxidase was not. These results demonstrate the use of the newly developed SREM-O2 system to measure and characterize metabolic fluxes at a level of sensitivity that allows for subcellular resolution. These measurements, in conjunction with SERIS-H+ measurements, have led to new insights in our understanding of basic cellular physiology in plant cells.
“It’s still the same old story”: “Casablanca,” history, and the erotic

“Casablanca,” released to coincide with the Allied invasion of North Africa, seems particularly sensitive to its historical context. Indeed, the filmic “text” is all but universally read as the triumph of history over romance. This paper posits, however, that the respect for the demands of history, those seemingly promoted by the film—its apparent questioning, in the context of impending world historical disaster, of the continued relevance of the same old Hollywood stories—is functionally indistinguishable from its commitment to the sexual politics of those stories. The erotic trumps the historical, even as history serves as an alibi for erotic revenge. “Casablanca” is, as it turns out (and as the artists turn it out), the same old story—an exposition of female crime (infidelity) and punishment.
Superplasticity in an AlMgLiZr alloy at intermediate temperatures

Etude de l'influence de l'addition de lithium et de la reduction de la teneur en magnesium sur le comportement superplastique des alliages Al-Mg-Zr
Symmetries, the Zamolodchikov metric and duality in string theory

Abstract The general theory of symmetries in string theory is used to determine the Kahler potentials of untwisted moduli and matter scalars in Z N orbifolds. The relationship between the Zamolodchikov metric and the metric in the kinetic energy of the effective Lagrangian is discussed. Duality symmetries in the partition functions of closed strings compactified on torii are shown to be a direct consequence of the field theory duality of the associated 2-dimensional sigma models.
The Rhetorical Construction of Social Classes in the Reports of Stalin's Secret Police

Stalin's government received information about the political and economic situation in the countryside through the reports prepared by the security service VChK-OGPU-NKVD. This article reveals that...
Satisfaction with residence and with life: When homeless mentally ill persons are housed

Abstract The disconfirmation model is used to specify hypotheses about the effect of housing type and housing preferences, of clinical status, social characteristics and personality on satisfaction with housing and with life. These hypotheses are tested with data collected from homeless mentally ill shelter users who were randomly assigned to either group or individual housing. As hypothesized, subjects were more satisfied with their residential accommodations after moving into permanent housing and liked independent housing more than group living. Housing satisfaction did not vary as a consequence of the discrepancy between type of housing preferred and obtained. Life satisfaction was related to personality measures but was not affected by the move into housing or by the type of housing obtained. These findings highlight the limits of applicability of the disconfirmation model, the need to treat satisfaction as multidimensional, and the importance of personality in explaining more general aspects of satisfaction.
A mechanistic-based approach for assessing chemical hazards to parturition

Evaluations of environmental hazards to pregnancy often overlook the potential for chemicals to disrupt the final event, childbirth. There are relatively few epidemiologic studies on this topic and even fewer toxicologic investigations. Mechanistic-based approaches offset many of the difficulties that are anticipated with intact laboratory animals, such as interspecies variability in the initiating events, and may allow for rapid and relevant assessment of potential chemical hazards. In vitro systems based on knowledge of the cellular events that underlie parturition may, therefore, facilitate investigation of toxicologic aspects of parturition. Nonetheless, limitations of in vitro mechanistic-based approaches exist. Ultimately, the greatest understanding of risk to pregnancy from environmental chemicals is likely to result from the collaborative efforts of laboratory scientists and epidemiologists.
Spinor Equations for the Meson and Their Solution When No Field Is Present

The spinor equations equivalent to the Proca equations for the meson are found. They differ from those proposed by Dirac in three ways: (1) They contain two symmetric spinors ${A}_{1AB}$, ${A}_{2AB}$ and a spinor ${{B}^{{A}^{\ensuremath{'}}}}_{B}$, whereas the Dirac ones contain only one symmetric spinor and the spinor ${{B}^{{A}^{\ensuremath{'}}}}_{B}$. (2) They are invariant under spin transformations corresponding to both proper and improper Lorentz transformations whereas the Dirac ones are invariant under the former alone. (3) When a field is present they contain terms which cannot be obtained from the equations for free particles by replacing the operator ${p}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ by ${p}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{-}\frac{e{\ensuremath{\phi}}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}}{c}$ as was proposed by Dirac. In case there is no field present the equations can be solved by introducing two pairs of simple spinors (${\ensuremath{\psi}}^{A}$, ${\ensuremath{\phi}}^{A}$) and (${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{A}$, ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{A}$) each of which satisfies a Dirac equation for a free particle of spin one-half. It is proposed to interpet each pair of spinors as representing a free particle of mass ${m}_{1}$ and ${m}_{2}$, respectively. With this interpretation it follows that a free particle of mass $m$ and spin one satisfying the Proca equations is equivalent to a pair of particles of masses ${m}_{1}$ and ${m}_{2}$ satisfying the Dirac equations in the following sense: If the three particles of masses $m,{m}_{1}$ and ${m}_{2}$ are in states determined by the energy momentum vectors ${p}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}$, ${p}_{1\ensuremath{\nu}}$, and ${p}_{2\ensuremath{\nu}}$, respectively and if $m\ensuremath{\ne}0$, then ${p}_{1\ensuremath{\nu}}=\frac{{m}_{1}}{m{p}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}}$ and ${p}_{2\ensuremath{\nu}}=\frac{{m}_{2}}{m{p}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}}$, $m={m}_{1}+{m}_{2}$; and the spin of the Proca particle is the vector sum of the spins of the two Dirac particles.
Antecedents of an Acute Schizophrenic Break

During an investigation into the antecedents of schizophrenia that studied 12 offspring of chronic schizophrenic mothers, and their 12 controls, from birth, one subject was hospitalized at 19 and diagnosed schizophrenic. The early onset of social-affective and cognitive dysfunction clearly indicates that such children (and their families) need much earlier intervention than is usually provided. The prospective data also suggest that DSMIII schizotypal symptoms may identify some pre-schizophrenics in early adolescence and childhood. A standardized measure of thought disorder (the TDI), based on the WISC and Rorschach, could provide an additional quantitative confirmation.
The spectrum of postoperative scleral necrosis

An otherwise healthy 62-year-old woman developed necrotizing scleritis 23 years following pterygium excision with adjunctive beta-radiation. Surgically induced necrotizing scleritis (SINS) was diagnosed, but the scleritis progressed despite anti-inflammatory therapy, and 10 weeks after presentation the patient developed a hypopyon and decreased vision. After cultures revealed no growth at 72 hours, immunosuppressive therapy was escalated, with a subsequent deterioration in the patient’s clinical course. Scedosporium superinfection was eventually cultured and found on histological examination of the enucleated globe. In reported cases, infectious scleral necrosis occurs most commonly following pterygium (71.4%) and scleral buckling (97.2%) surgery. Hypopyon is uncommon (10.0%) in patients with postoperative scleral necrosis, but when present is a strong predictor of infection (odds ratio, 21.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.9e157.5). Rates of underlying autoimmune disease are generally low (0.0e12.5%) except following cataract and lens procedures, where the occurence of SINS heralds systemic illness in 42.9% of cases.
Aberrant development of motor axons and neuromuscular synapses in erbB2-deficient mice

Receptor tyrosine kinase erbB2, which is activated by neuregulin, is expressed in Schwann and muscle cells in the developing neuromuscular junction (NMJ). In vitro studies have shown that neuregulin promotes the survival and migration of Schwann cells and stimulates acetylcholine receptor gene transcription in cultured muscle cells. These findings suggest an important role for erbB2 in the development of the NMJ. Here we examine erbB2-deficient mice to determine whether erbB2 is required for NMJ development in vivo. Our analysis shows that there are pre- and postsynaptic defects of developing NMJ in erbB2-deficient embryos. The presynaptic defects include defasciculation and degeneration of the motor nerves, and an absence of Schwann cells. The postsynaptic defect features an impairment of junctional folds at the neuromuscular synapse in the mutants. These results demonstrate that erbB2 is essential for in vivo development of the NMJ.
Pulsed Direct Current Electric Fields Enhance Osteogenesis in Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) constitute a promising source of cells for regenerative medicine applications. Previous studies of osteogenic potential in ASCs have focused on chemicals, growth factors, and mechanical stimuli. Citing the demonstrated role electric fields play in enhancing healing in bone fractures and defects, we investigated the ability of pulsed direct current electric fields to drive osteogenic differentiation in mouse ASCs. Employing 50 Hz direct current electric fields in concert with and without osteogenic factors, we demonstrated increased early osteoblast-specific markers. We were also able to establish that commonly reported artifacts of electric field stimulation are not the primary mediators of the observed effects. The electric fields caused marked changes in the cytoskeleton. We used atomic force microscopy-based force spectroscopy to record an increase in the cytoskeletal tension after treatment with electric fields. We abolished the increased cytoskeletal stresses with the rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor, Y27632, and did not see any decrease in osteogenic gene expression, suggesting that the pro-osteogenic effects of the electric fields are not transduced via cytoskeletal tension. Electric fields may show promise as candidate enhancers of osteogenesis of ASCs and may be incorporated into cell-based strategies for skeletal regeneration.
Benign liver cell adenomas in women using oral contraceptives

Summary Benign adenoma of the liver is rare. However, during the last 10 years, reports of hepatic cell adenomas have become more frequent. Most of these cases have been in young women who use oral contraceptives and 104 cases have been reported in the literature. This paper reports 5 additional cases recently found in Nebraska. Although these tumors are primarily benign, they can prove fatal. In 62 of the 104 reported cases, there was a 21% fatality rate and the onset of the disease in more than 40% of all cases was sudden, consisting of sharp, severe pain, with internal bleeding and shock. There is an urgent need for thorough epidemiological investigations to examine the possible cause-effect relationship between the occurrence of adenomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, hamartomas and the use of oral contraceptives.
Parallel sorting algorithm using multiway merge and its implementation on a multi-mesh network

Abstract In this paper, we present a parallel sorting algorithm using the technique of multi-way merge. This algorithm, when implemented on a t dimensional mesh having nt nodes (t>2), sorts nt elements in O((t2−3t+2) n) time, thus offering a better order of time complexity than the [((t2−t) n log n)/2+O(nt)]-time algorithm of P. F. Corbett and I. D. Scherson (1992, IEEE Trans. Parallel Distrib. Systems3, 626–632). Further, the proposed algorithm can also be implemented on a Multi-Mesh network (1999, D. Das, M. De, and B. P. Sinha, IEEE Trans. Comput.48, 536–551) to sort N elements in 54N1/4+o(N1/4) steps, which shows an improvement over 58N1/4+o(N1/4) steps needed by the algorithm in (1997, M. De, D. Das, M. Ghosh, and P. B. Sinha, IEEE Trans. Comput.46, 1132–1137).
Thermophilic biodegradation of BTEX by two consortia of anaerobic bacteria

Two thermophilic anaerobic bacterial consortia (ALK-1 and LLNL-1), capable of degrading the aromatic fuel hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and the xylenes (BTEX compounds), were developed at 60 °C from the produced water of ARCO'S Kuparuk oil field at Alaska and the subsurface water at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory gasoline-spill site, respectively. Both consortia were found to grow at 45–75 °C on BTEX compounds as their sole carbon and energy sources with 50 °C being the optimal temperature. With 3.5 mg total BTEX added to sealed 50-ml serum bottles, which contained 30 ml mineral salts medium and the consortium, benzene, toluene, ethylbenze, m-xylene, and an unresolved mixture of o- and p-xylenes were biodegraded by 22%, 38%, 42%, 40%, and 38%, respectively, by ALK-1 after 14 days of incubation at 50 °C. Somewhat lower, but significant, percentages of the BTEX compounds also were biodegraded at 60 °C and 70 °C. The extent of biodegradation of these BTEX compounds by LLNL-1 at each of these three temperatures was slightly less than that achieved by ALK-1. Use of [ring-14C]toluene in the BTEX mixture incubated at 50 °C verified that 41% and 31% of the biodegraded toluene was metabolized within 14 days to water-soluble products by ALK-1 and LLNL-1, respectively. A small fraction of it was mineralized to 14CO2. The use of [U-14C]benzene revealed that 2.6%–4.3% of the biodegraded benzene was metabolized at 50 °C to water-soluble products by the two consortia; however, no mineralization of the degraded [U-14C]benzene to 14CO2 was observed. The biodegradation of BTEX at all three temperatures by both consortia was tightly coupled to sulfate reduction as well as H2S generation. None was observed when sulfate was omitted from the serum bottles. This suggests that sulfate-reducing bacteria are most likely responsible for the observed thermophilic biodegradation of BTEX in both consortial cultures.
Preresectional Thoracoplasty in Unilateral Extensive Lung Resection in Pulmonary Tuberculosis

SUMMARY Thirty-four patients with preresectional thoracoplasty prior to extensive pulmonary resection for tuberculosis are presented. Most of them had far-advanced pulmonary tuberculosis with unilateral cavities. Postresectional complications occurred in 3 or 8.8 per cent of cases with no mortality. All were discharged with negative sputum or gastric cultures, except for one with bilateral disease, who returned to his native country and is doing well. Preresectional thoracoplasty in the chronically ill patients with an increased surgical risk is recommended prior to extensive resection. Specific indications are listed.
An efficient scan algorithm for block-based connected component labeling

In this paper, an improved block-based connected-component labeling algorithm that enhances labeling speed is proposed. By analyzing the neighboring operations in a block-based scan mask, the proposed algorithm successfully decreases the scan mask from the original 20 pixels to ten pixels. The simplifying neighborhood operations also produce the decision tables of the new scan mask for the block-based connected-component labeling algorithm. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm efficiently integrates the new block-based scan mask into the original scan through two procedures for different situations in order to enhance performance. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can acquire better performance than other connected-component labeling algorithms on various resolution images.
A qualitative study of interference with communicative participation across communication disorders in adults

Purpose To explore the similarities and differences in self-reported restrictions in communicative participation across different communication disorders in community-dwelling adults. Method Interv...
Human remains: Contemporary issues

Abstract “Do you know where your ancestors are?” This question, on a South Dakota pickup truck's bumper sticker, captures the essence of contemporary controversies over human remains. A day seldom goes by without the media informing us about people somewhere in this world who are offended, scandalized, or manipulated through the abuse of human remains.