cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protistan community structure: molecular approaches for answering ecological questions

Protists are essential to the function of most aquatic food webs. Photosynthetic protists ranging in size from a few micrometers to more than 1 mm produce much of the organic material available in these ecosystems, particularly in pelagic ecosystems. In addition, protistan predators ranging up to more than 1 cm in size are major consumers of bacterial, cyanobacterial and protistan populations (Sherr & Sherr, 1994).
The Hewitt Creek Watershed Group: A study of mechanisms that led to the adoption of farm management practices to improve water quality

As the world population grows, the need for food, fiber, and fuel will increase. Farmers are in a unique position to provide these resources and to serve as the stewards of the fresh water on the planet. However, currently farmers in the United States do not uniformly understand the role their practices have on water quality and therefore are not taking action to address the impacts their practices have had, and continue to have, on surface water and groundwater. Hewitt Creek Watershed farmers in northeast Iowa have demonstrated that it is possible for farmers to come together to address water and soil quality issues and while remaining profitable. Through the use of two feedback mechanisms, identity change and the use of performance-based management tools, they came to understand the environmental impacts of their farm practices on the surface and groundwater in their watershed. The practices they use now allow them to remain profitable and protect the soil and water on their land. In the process, many of these farmers have changed their attitudes and beliefs about their role in the quality of the water that leaves their farms and flows into the Mississippi River Watershed.
Testing Vpin on Big Data Response to Reflecting on the Vpin Dispute

Testing VPIN on Big Data -- Response to “Reflecting on the VPIN Dispute” Kesheng Wu, E. Wes Bethel, Ming Gu, David Leinweber, and Oliver Ruebel Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory One Cyclotron Road Berkeley, CA 94720 DISCLAIMER This document was prepared as an account of work sponsored by the United States Government. While this document is believed to contain correct information, neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor the Regents of the University of California, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by its trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or the Regents of the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof or the Regents of the University of California.
IMPACTS OF THE 1996 FARM BILL INCLUDING AD HOC ADDITIONS

Whether the next farm bill is a slightly modified extension of the 1996 Farm Bill or is significantly different from the current bill will hinge on how the 1996 Farm Bill is perceived to have performed. With no supply management provisions in the 1996 Farm Bill, the crop markets have not shown a capacity to self-correct by reducing the quantity supplied and increasing the quantity demanded in response to relatively large declines in crop prices.
Commentary: Current Status of the Field and Future Directions:

Instruction is the most important variable in special education, but it is often overlooked. Special instruction is what makes special education work, yet it is often neglected. We need to know mor...
Characterization of the metalloactivation domain of an arsenite/antimonite resistance pump.

Summary The ArsAB extrusion pump encoded by the ars operon of Escherichia coli plasmid R773 confers resistance to the toxic trivalent metalloids arsenite [As(III)] and antimonite [Sb(III)]. The ArsA ATPase, the catalytic subunit of the pump, has two homologous halves, A1 and A2. At the interface of these two halves are two nucleotide-binding domains and a metalloid-binding domain. Cys-113 and Cys-422 have been shown to form a high-affinity metalloid binding site. The crystal structure of ArsA shows two other bound metalloid atoms, one liganded to Cys-172 and His-453, and the other liganded to His-148 and Ser-420. The contribution of those putative metalloid sites was examined. There was little effect of mutagenesis of residues His-148 and Ser-420 on metalloid binding. However, a C172A ArsA mutant and C172A/H453A double mutant exhibited significantly decreased affinity for Sb(III). These results suggest first that there is only a single high-affinity metalloid binding site in ArsA, and second that Cys-172 controls the affinity of this site for metalloid and hence the efficiency of metalloactivation of the ArsAB efflux pump.
346 UNRESPONSIVENESS TO GONADOTROPIN RELEASING HORMONE (GnRH) IN GIRLS WITH UNSUSTAINED ISOSEXUAL PRECOCITY

Exaggerated or normal LH responses were reported for girls with idiopathic precocious puberty and precocious thelarche. We studied 10 girls ages 29/12-76/12 with rapid breast development. During the 9 mos. to 4 yrs. of follow-up 5 girls had progressive pubertal development (group A); breast development in the other 5 (group B) either resolved or fluctuated. Two girls in group B presented with light menstrual bleeding. Clinical course could not be predicted by the initial physical exam, serum E2 or 24h urinary estrogen excretion. The greatest E2 value (222 pg/ml) was in a 53/12 yr. girl in group B. Subsequent E2 values decreased over 8 mos. to 26 pg/ml. A GnRH test (2.5μg/kg iv) was done during initial evaluation of all girls. Basal serum LH values for group A (6.6±1.6,M±SE) and B (4.1±0.6) were not significantly different; basal serum FSH values for A(10.0±2.9) were significantly greater than B(2.5±0.6). In A the GnRH response in 4 girls fell within or above the normal adult range and in one girl was normal for bone age. Three girls in B had no LH or FSH responses and 2 had low prepubertal responses. All 3 girls who failed to respond to GnRH had intermittent leukorrhea and breast enlargement and one had normal appearing ovaries on laparoscopy. One girl in B with a low prepubertal GnRH response had bilateral ovarian cysts. These observations suggest: 1) the GnRH test may be useful in predicting the clinical course of girls with isosexual precocity, and 2) autonomous ovarian estrogen production could cause isosexual precocity in some patients.
TNFalpha impairs glucose stimulated insulin release in human islets by iCOX-independent mechanisms

Abstract Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNFα and IFNγ impair glucose stimulated insulin release (GSIR) and induce apoptosis of human islets in vitro. Previous work has suggested that the inducible cyclooxygenase (iCOX)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) pathway mediates inhibition of insulin secretion by IL-1β. We tested the hypothesis that iCOX mediates TNFα-induced injury in human islets. Human islets isolated from cadaveric donors were treated with recombinant human TNFα (1000 U/ml) alone or with a cytokine mixture (CM) containing TNFα, IL-1β (50 U/ml) and IFNγ (750 U/ml) +/− iNOS inhibitor L-NMMA (1 mM), iCOX inhibitor NS-398 (0.01 mM) or caspase inhibitor z-VAD (0.1 mM). At 40 hours, nitrite and PGE2 released to the medium were determined. Islets were subjected to either glucose challenge or RNA extraction. RNase protection assay was used to determine cytokine-regulated gene expression for iCOX and iNOS. At 72 hours, islets were dissociated and flow cytometry used to determine rates of apoptosis. Control islets demonstrated a 15.2 ± 0.5 fold insulin secretion index (ISI, insulin released in high glucose vs. that in low glucose containing solutions). TNFα and CM treated islets demonstrated impaired ISI ( 6.2 ± 0 and 4.1 ± 0.5, respectively). Control islets in culture for 72 hours demonstrated an apoptosis rate of 6.2 ± 0.2%. TNFα induced the rate to 8.0 ± 0.3%, CM treatment 11.1 ± 0.5%. TNFα stimulated iCOX but not iNOS gene expression, while CM stimulated the expression of both genes. PGE2 produced by control islets was 4.4 ± 0.1 pg/ml. TNFα stimulated PGE2 production to 25.2 ± 0.3 pg/ml and CM 100 ± 1.1 pg/ml. Control and TNFα-treated islets had a nitrite production level of 1.6 ± 0.1 μM, CM 3.1 ± 0.2 μM. Co-treatment with NS-398 completely blocked cytokine-induced PGE2 production by the islets. Co-treatment with L-NMMA completely blocked CM-induced nitrite production. z-VAD protected the islets from cytokine-induced apoptosis. NS-398, L-NMMA, and z-VAD all failed, however, to protect the islets from TNFα- or CM-impaired GSIS. Proinflammatory cytokines inhibit islet insulin secretion in response to glucose challenge. iCOX- and iNOS-independent mechanisms are involved in the process.
Refractory ventricular tachycardia secondary to cardiac sarcoid: Electrophysiologic characteristics, mapping, and ablation

Background Cardiac sarcoidosis is a recognized cause of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and sudden death that has not been well studied. Objectives The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of a consecutive series of eight patients with recurrent monomorphic VT due to cardiac sarcoidosis and to define the electrophysiologic characteristics of the VT and its electrophysiologic substrate. Methods/results Of 98 patents with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and VT referred for ablation over a 7-year period, sarcoid was the etiology in 8%. Mean age was 42 ± 8 years, and all but one patient had a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (mean 34% ± 15%). VT was the initial manifestation of sarcoid disease in 5 of 8 cases based on retrospective analysis. All patients had not responded to therapy with multiple antiarrhythmic drugs (mean 2.5 ± 1). Cardiac biopsy initially was negative in 3 of 7 patients, and in 2 patients the diagnosis was not made until posttransplant examination of the heart. Two patients (25%) had a previous presumptive diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. Electrophysiologic study revealed evidence of scar-related reentry with multiple monomorphic VTs induced (4 ± 2 VTs per patient) with both right bundle branch block and left bundle branch block QRS configurations. Areas of low-voltage scar were present in the right ventricle in all 8 of 8 patients, in the left ventricle in 5 (63%) of 8 patients, and in the epicardium in 2 patients undergoing epicardial mapping. Ablation abolished one or more VTs in 6 (75%) of 8 patients, but other VTs remained inducible in all but one patient. Postablation, some form of sustained VT recurred in 6 of 8 patients within 6 months. However, at longer follow-up (range 6 months to 7 years), 4 of 8 patients currently are free of VT with antiarrhythmic drugs and immunosuppression. Cardiac transplantation eventually was required in 5 of 8 patients because of either recurrent VT (n = 4) or heart failure (n = 1). Conclusion Sarcoid is an important diagnostic consideration in scar-related VT. Sarcoid can be misdiagnosed as idiopathic or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Arrhythmia control can be difficult, although ablation can be helpful in some patients.
Design and development of a long-travel positioning actuator and tandem constant force actuator safety system for the Hobby Eberly telescope wide field upgrade

The Wide Field Upgrade presents a five-fold increase in mass for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope's* tracker system. The design of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope places the Prime Focus Instrument Package (PFIP) at a thirty-five degree angle from horizontal. The PFIP and its associated hardware have historically been positioned along this uphill axis (referred to as the telescope's Y-axis) by a single screw-type actuator. Several factors, including increased payload mass and design for minimal light obscuration, have led to the design of a new and novel configuration for the Y-axis screw-drive as part of the tracker system upgrade. Typical screw-drive designs in this load and travel class (approximately 50 kilonewtons traveling a distance of 4 meters) utilize a stationary screw with the payload translating with the moving nut component. The new configuration employs a stationary nut and translating roller screw affixed to the moving payload, resulting in a unique drive system design. Additionally, a second cable-actuated servo drive (adapted from a system currently in use on the Southern African Large Telescope) will operate in tandem with the screw-drive in order to significantly improve telescope safety through the presence of redundant load-bearing systems. Details of the mechanical design, analysis, and topology of each servo drive system are presented in this paper, along with discussion of the issues such a configuration presents in the areas of controls, operational and failure modes, and positioning accuracy. Findings and results from investigations of alternative telescope safety systems, including deformable crash barriers, are also included.
SU‐FF‐T‐647: RapidArc Versus DMLC IMRT: Planning Comparison Utilizing AAPM TG119 Guidelines

Purpose: To compare treatment plans produced by RapidArc® and dMLC IMRT techniques for test cases proposed in AAPM TG119 report. Materials and Methods: AAPM‐TG119 proposes a set of mock clinical cases for testing the accuracy of IMRT planning and delivery system. For these mock cases, we generated two treatment plans, the first plan using 7–9 static IMRT fields and a second plan utilizing 1 or 2 arc RapidArc® technique. Dose optimization and calculations were performed using 6 MV photons and Eclipse® treatment planning system (Varian Medical Systems). Dose prescription and planning objectives were set according to the TG119 goals. Plans were scored based on TG119 planning objectives. Treatment plans were compared using‐ Conformity Index (CI) for reference isodose, Homogeneity Index (D5‐D95), dose gradient (mean radius difference between V50 and V100 of total volume), Normal Tissue Integral‐dose (NTID) and total MU. Results: RapidArc® dose distributions were comparable to dMLC IMRT plans. Our planning results matched published TG119 planning results. For treatment plans studied, conformity indices were ranged from 1.05 – 1.10 (IMRT) and 1.04 – 1.09 (RapidArc®) respectively. Homogeneity indices ranged from 4.6 – 11.0% (IMRT) and 4.6 – 10.5% (RapidArc®) respectively. For IMRT plans, the dose gradient measure and NTID ranges were 1.5 – 2.5 cm and 8.6 – 17.7 respectively. In case of RapidArc® plans, the gradient measure and NTID ranges were 1.4–2.5cm and 8.5–16.8 respectively. The ratio of total Monitor Units necessary for dMLC IMRT to that of RapidArc® was in the range 1.1–2.0 Conclusion: RapidArc® treatment plans were similar to dose distributions achieved by 7‐ or 9‐ field dynamic‐IMRT plans. The advantage of RapidArc® technique lies in the decreased number of total monitor units necessary which can further lead to reduction in patient “beam‐on” time and out of field scatter doses.
Ventricular fibrillation: How do we put the genie back in the bottle?

I am deeply grateful and honored to receive the 2006 Distinguished Scientist Award from the Heart Rhythm Society. Many outstanding individuals have received this award since it was established in 1982, and it is humbling to realize that my small feet are walking in the footsteps of these giants. I would be remiss if I did not thank the numerous colleagues, fellows, and students who performed most of the work leading to the papers of which I am a coauthor.
The Physiological Impact of Body Armor Cooling Devices in Hot Environments: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Background: Heat-related illness is a primary threat to unit readiness, and individual body armor (IBA) cooling devices represent one potential solution. Purpose: To quantify research findings of active and passive cooling devices designed to reduce physiological strain while wearing IBA during strenuous tasks using a systematic review approach. Methods: Literature searches were performed in multiple databases using the key words “physiological,” “body armor,” “military,” “cooling,” and “thermal.” Two independent reviewers appraised methodological quality using a modified Downs and Black Quality Index. Physiological outcomes were tabulated and effect sizes were calculated when appropriate. Results: The search yielded 733 citations, with nine articles fitting our inclusion criteria: six articles with active and three articles with passive cooling devices. Results reveal a moderate level of methodological quality. On average, all six active IBA cooling device studies compared to controls (IBA only)...
Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) Process Incorporating Gravitational Effects: A Closed-form Solution

Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) is ideal for the manufacture of large-scale composite structures. However, gravitational effects on flow behavior can be significant in increasingly tall structures. In this study, an analytical solution incorporating the gravitational effects is developed to predict the flow and pressure distributions of uniform thickness preforms under vacuum infusion conditions. Injection scenarios of preforms of various lengths and inclination angles ranging from horizontal to vertical are studied. Nondimensional process parameters in terms of the resin fill time, mold angle, permeability, radius and length of injection tubes, and preform cross-sectional area for horizontal, downward, and upward injection scenarios are considered. The analytical results show good agreement with the experimental data collected in horizontal and vertical infusions. The parametric study provides insight into the design and optimization of the VARTM process for infusion of tall composite stru...
The E3 Ubiquitin Ligase UBE3C Enhances Proteasome Processivity by Ubiquitinating Partially Proteolyzed Substrates

To maintain protein homeostasis, cells must balance protein synthesis with protein degradation. Accumulation of misfolded or partially degraded proteins can lead to the formation of pathological protein aggregates. Here we report the use of destabilizing domains, proteins whose folding state can be reversibly tuned using a high affinity ligand, as model substrates to interrogate cellular protein quality control mechanisms in mammalian cells using a forward genetic screen. Upon knockdown of UBE3C, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, a reporter protein consisting of a destabilizing domain fused to GFP is degraded more slowly and incompletely by the proteasome. Partial proteolysis is also observed when UBE3C is present but cannot ubiquitinate substrates because its active site has been mutated, it is unable to bind to the proteasome, or the substrate lacks lysine residues. UBE3C knockdown also results in less substrate polyubiquitination. Finally, knockdown renders cells more susceptible to the Hsp90 inhibitor 17-AAG, suggesting that UBE3C protects against the harmful accumulation of protein fragments arising from incompletely degraded proteasome substrates.
Stereoselectivity in metabolism of ifosfamide by CYP3A4 and CYP2B6.

The aim was to identify the hepatic cytochromes P450 (CYPs) responsible for the enantioselective metabolism of ifosfamide (IFA). The 4-hydroxylation, N2- and N3-dechloroethylation of IFA enantiomers were monitored simultaneously in the same metabolic systems using GC/MS and pseudoracemate techniques. In human and rat liver microsomes, (R)-IFA was preferentially metabolized via 4-hydroxylation, whereas its antipode was biotransformed in favour of N-dechloroethylation. CYP3A4 was the major enzyme responsible for metabolism of IFA enantiomers in human liver. The study also revealed that CYP3A (human CYP3A4/5 and rat CYP3A1/2) and CYP2B (human CYP2B6 and rat CYP2B1/2) enantioselectively mediated the 4-hydroxylation, N2- and N3-dechloroethylation of IFA. CYP3A preferentially supported the formation of (R)-4-hydroxyIFA (HOIF), (R)-N2-dechloroethylIFA (N2D) and (R)-N3-dechloroethylIFA (N3D), whereas CYP2B preferentially mediated the generation of (S)-HOIF, (S)-N2D and (S)-N3D. The enantioselective metabolism of ...
Synthesis of macrocyclic terpenoids by intramolecular carbonyl coupling: flexibilene and humulene

Abstract Total syntheses of two macrocyclic sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, humulene ( 1 ) and flexibilene ( 2 ) are discussed in detail. Both were prepared in high overall yield by titanium-induced cyclization of the appropriate keto aldehyde precursors ( 4 and 9 , respectively), themselves obtained by coupling of the vinylic zirconium reagent 22 with pi-allylpalladiums 26 and 23 .
Synthesis and radioprotective effects of adamantyl substituted 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives

A series of 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid diesters substituted at the N-1 and/or C-4 positions of the dihydropyridine ring was synthesized. The in vitro cytotoxicity and in vitro and in vivo radioprotective efficacy of these agents were evaluated in Chinese hamster (V-79) cells and CD2F1 male mice, respectively. Compounds with at least one adamantyl substituent afforded better radioprotection than those without this substituent. Substitution of an aromatic ring at the C-4 position of the dihydropyridine ring did not enhance the radioprotectant action of the compounds.
Effect of midbrain raphe and lateral mesencephalic stimulation on spontaneous and evoked activity in the lateral geniculate of the cat.

Single shock stimulation of the midbrain raphe and lateral reticular formation altered the spontaneous and evoked activity of single cells in the dorsal lateral geniculate of the cat. The effect of stimulation was to produce a facilitation of 64 units with a latency of 15 msec or greater and an inhibition of 30 units with a latency of 7 to 10 msec. These two effects were jointly confirmed by computation of post-stimulus time histograms and by conditioning-test procedures employing stimulation of optic tract and midbrain.
Blood Pressure During Normal Daily Activities, Sleep, and Exercise: Comparison of Values in Normal and Hypertensive Subjects

Blood pressure (BP) readings were taken every 15 minutes using a noninvasive ambulatory BP recorder during 24 hours in 25 subjects with normal BP, 25 with borderline hypertension, and 25 with established essential hypertension. Readings were analyzed for four situations: (1) physician's office, (2) work, (3) at home, and (4) asleep. Treadmill exercise tests were also performed on a separate occasion with the Bruce protocol. The 24-hour recording in all three groups showed the highest BPs at work and the lowest during sleep. The situational BP changes were generally similar, but both hypertensive groups differed from normal subjects in that they showed consistently higher BPs in the physician's office than at home, whereas normal subjects showed little difference. During exercise, the hypertensive groups showed a similar rise of systolic pressure to that of normal subjects. Pressures recorded in the physician's office gave good predictions of the average 24-hour pressure in normal and established hypertensive subjects, but not in the borderline group; in such patients, 24-hour monitoring may be of particular value in establishing the need for treatment. ( JAMA 1982;247:992-996)
Experimental histoplasmosis in embryonated eggs. I. Influence of the route of inoculation and of hydrocortisone on mortality.

The percentage of chick embryos dying from Histoplasma capsulatum infection in embryonated eggs was influenced by the route of inoculation, the number of yeasts in the inoculum, and by the administration of hydrocortisone. Infections of the chorioallantois and of the amniotic sac were the least effective in killing the embryos. Inoculation of 33·7 × 106 yeasts into the yolk sac resulted in 51% mortality. Parenteral and intracerebral routes of inoculation resulted in relatively low mortality rates but reduced hatching rates to 50% and 10%, respectively. Administration of 0·1 mg. of hydrocortisone increased embryo mortality rates markedly, regardless of the route of inoculation.
Coseismic deformation during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and range-front thrusting along the southwestern margin of the Santa Clara Valley, California

Damage patterns caused by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake along the southwestern margin of the Santa Clara Valley, California, form three zones that coincide with mapped and inferred traces of range-front thrust faults northeast of the San Andreas fault. Damage in these zones was largely contractional, consistent with past displacement associated with these faults. The damage zones coincide with gravity and aeromagnetic anomalies; modeling of the anomalies defines a southwest-dipping thrust fault that places the Franciscan Complex over Cenozoic sedimentary rocks to minimum depths of 2 km. Diffuse Loma Prieta earthquake aftershocks encompass the downward projection of this modeled thrust to depths of 9 km. Our results indicate that in this region the potential for concentrated damage arising from either primary deformation along the thrust faults themselves or by sympathetic motion triggered by earthquakes on the San Andreas fault may be higher than previously recognized.
Transfemoral removal of a chronically implanted pacemaker lead: report of a case.

Abstract A transfemoral angiographic technique was used to temove a chronically implanted, infected pacemaker wire that could not be withdrawn by using direct traction. The case and a description of the technique are detailed, and the principles of nonsurgical extraction of chronically implanted pacemaker wires are discussed.
How epitaxial are Pd2SiSi interfaces

Abstract Pd2Si layers produced by evaporation or sputtering onto silicon substrates were examined by high resolution electron microscopy, microdiffraction, X-ray, energy loss and Auger spectroscopy. The SiPd2Si interfaces produced by evaporation were in all cases rougher and more polycrystalline than those produced by sputtering. X-ray microanalysis showed the predictable variation in palladium distribution across the interface but quantification did not produce the expected palladium-to-silicon ratios, primarily because of probe broadening and X-ray-induced fluorescence. Energy loss spectra showed plasmon energy shifts and changes in Si L edge shape due to bond formation with palladium. Auger data provided evidence for a small amount of oxygen at the SiPd2 interface. Electrical measurements of the ideality factor for Schottky barriers made from these materials produced higher values for the rougher evaporation-formed interfaces consistent with interface-roughness-induced scattering and carrier recombination.
Spontaneous bullae over laser resurfaced skin

We report 2 cases of facial bullae occurring subsequent to full-face carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing. Although the cause is unknown, both responded to potent topical corticosteroid treatment. Laser resurfacing is a relatively new procedure, and physicians should be aware of this complication.
Susceptibility of β-lactamase-producing enterococci to piperacillin with tazobactam☆☆☆

The in vitro activity of piperacillin with and without tazobactam was evaluated against different inocula of 12 clinical isolates of beta-lactamase-producing Enterococcus faecalis obtained from different geographic areas. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of piperacillin alone at approximately 10(3) colony-forming units (CFU)/spot ranged from 4 to 8 and from 4 to 8 micrograms/ml with piperacillin plus tazobactam. When approximately 10(7) CFU/spot was used, MICs increased to a range of 128-1024 micrograms/ml piperacillin. This inoculum effect was reversed by the addition of tazobactam to piperacillin at a fixed concentration of 1 microgram/ml or at a ratio of 8 : 1 (piperacillin relative to tazobactam) with an MIC90 of 16/2 micrograms/ml for the combination drug. In time-kill studies, four beta-lactamase-producing (Bla+) isolates were tested and demonstrated a decrease of > or = 2 log10 with 8 or 16 micrograms/ml of piperacillin in combination with 4 micrograms of tazobactam, but not with piperacillin alone. A non-beta-lactamase-producing isolate was equally inhibited by piperacillin alone and piperacillin plus tazobactam. Against a Bla+ isolate, the combination of piperacillin with tazobactam with streptomycin resulted in a synergistic effect relative to that of piperacillin with tazobactam; piperacillin plus streptomycin did not show synergism. Piperacillin in combination with tazobactam is active against enterococci that produce beta-lactamase and, in combination with an appropriate aminoglycoside, could be a viable choice for therapy of enterococci that do not have high-level resistance to all aminoglycosides.
Identification and distribution of prostaglandin E receptors on porcine luteal cells.

This study examined whether pig luteal cells contain specific prostaglandin (PG) E receptors. Corpora lutea, from PG 600 R -induced cycling prepubertal gilts or naturally cycling gilts, were dissociated enzymatically, and large, small, and mixed cells were obtained by elutriation. Preliminary experiments demonstrated that optimal [ 3 H]PGE 2 binding to mixed cells was obtained after incubation at 22°C for 2 h in binding buffer containing 1% BSA at pH 7.38. In addition, [ 3 H]PGE 2 binding was displaced by prostaglandins in the order of PGE 2 PGE 1 > PGF 2α >> PGI 2 . The mixed, large, and small cells were assayed for specific PGE 2 binding by displacement analysis with [ 3 H]PGE 2 and varying concentrations of unlabeled PGE 2 . Each gilt was assigned to group A (n = 6) or group B (n = 3) on the basis of whether the serum progesterone concentrations in that pig had increased or decreased, respectively, from 2 days before ovary collection to the time of ovary collection. Luteal cells from PG 600 R -induced cycling prepubertal gilts and naturally cycling gilts had similar (p > 0.1) affinities and numbers of PGE receptors. In group A, the mixed cells contained a PGE binding site with a K d of 21.1 ± 1.1 nM and a concentration of 5.0 x 10 5 sites per large cell. Affinities of PGE receptors were similar (p > 0.1) regardless of cell types and functional status. PGE receptor concentrations were higher on large cells than on small cells (p < 0.05) and in group A than in group B (p = 0.006). These data demonstrated that PGE receptors primarily exist on porcine large luteal cells and that the concentration of PGE receptors appeared to be related to corpus luteum functional status.
Corkscrew Trachea: A Novel Type of Congenital Tracheal Stenosis

The classic definition of congenital tracheal stenosis includes the presence of complete tracheal rings with absence of the membranous portion of the trachea. The morphologic type, based on Cantrell's classification, dictates the surgical management. In this report, we describe the presentation and surgical management of a novel type of distal congenital tracheal stenosis referred to as "corkscrew" trachea.
CD40, but not CD40L, is required for the optimal priming of T cells and control of aerosol M. tuberculosis infection

CD40(-/-) mice succumbed to low-dose aerosol infection with M. tuberculosis due to deficient IL-12 production leading to impaired priming of IFN-gamma T cell responses. In contrast, CD40L(-/-) mice were resistant to M. tuberculosis. This asymmetry in outcome of infection between the two knockout strains is likely due to the existence of an alternative ligand for CD40. Both in vitro M. tuberculosis infection and recombinant M. tuberculosis Hsp70 elicited IL-12 production from WT dendritic cells. This response was absent in both CD40(-/-) dendritic cells and CD40(-/-) mice, suggesting that M. tuberculosis Hsp70 serves as an alternative ligand for CD40 in vivo.
Direct demonstration of fluid secretion by glomerular renal tubules in a marine teleost

The evidence for fluid secretion by the kidneys of teleosts is indirect1–4. By using in vitro microperfusion of renal tubules5, we have observed fluid secretion in the proximal tubule of the winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus. Unlike the isosmotic fluid transfer across most vertebrate proximal tubules, the secreted fluid in this teleost could be hyperosmotic to the bathing medium. More importantly, fluid secretion was not dependent on the transport of Mg, S or organic ions4–6, but appeared to be driven by NaCl, the major solute in the secreted fluid. This mechanism of NaCl-dependent fluid secretion has been previously undetected because renal clearances showed the overall net reabsorption of NaCl and water4,7.
The future of robot programming

This paper presents current trends in robot programming. The open problems with current robot programming systems are outlined and indications for solutions are given. Since computer controlled robots have been introduced, the methodology of robot programming has seen a great deal of development. Two completely different approaches to robot programming have been considered in the past. On the one hand within the Artificial Intelligence community a lot of research has been done to provide robots with autonomous reasoning capabilities. On the other hand, the need to control industrial robots has pushed the development of simple but effective methods for robot programming. To put it simply, Artificial Intelligence researchers have taken a top-down approach trying to solve the difficult problem of reasoning and have assumed that all the rest was easy. Others have taken a bottom-up approach first trying to control robots and only later trying to incorporate intelligence. The complexity of industrial automation tasks requires programming systems more sophisticated that those in use today. Artificial Intelligence is the best candidate to create the next generation of robot programming systems.
The influence of iron reduction on the reductive biotransformation of pentachloronitrobenzene

The effect of iron reduction on the microbial reductive transformation of pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB), an organochlorine fungicide, was investigated with a mixed, methanogenic culture enriched from a contaminated sediment. Fe(III)EDTA, Fe(III)citrate (completely bioavailable) and FeOOH (less bioavailable) were used as the iron source. PCNB was transformed to pentachloroaniline (PCA), but dechlorination of PCA and methanogenesis were not observed in cultures amended with Fe(III)EDTA until all of the added Fe(III) was reduced to Fe(II). Although PCA dechlorination did not take place, low rate methanogenesis was observed simultaneously with iron reduction in the culture amended with Fe(III)citrate. In contrast, both methanogenesis and PCA dechlorination took place at the same time with iron reduction in the same mixed, methanogenic culture amended with FeOOH, but at a lower rate compared to the Fe(III)-free control culture. Addition of anthraquinone 2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) to the culture amended with FeOOH resulted in a higher iron reduction rate, as compared to cultures devoid of AQDS, and a lower rate of both PCA dechlorination and methanogenesis. Therefore, the reductive dechlorination of PCA is adversely impacted under conditions favoring high iron reduction rates. The interaction of these potentially competing processes (i.e. iron reduction, methanogenesis, and dechlorination) can significantly influence the environmental fate of PCNB and its transformation products, especially in soil and sediments.
Naloxone inhibits intermale aggression in isolated mice

Aggression and thermal pain thresholds were measured in separate groups of isolated male mice following 0.2–5.0 mg/kg SC injections of the opiate antagonist naloxone. The drug inhibited aggressive behaviors dose-dependently, but had no effect on pain. These results suggest that endogenous opioid systems may be activated during repeated intermale aggressive encounters.
Latino Youth, Gangs, and Community Activism: A Case of Advocacy Anthropology

An important social problem in the United States is the involvement of youth in gangs. This issue has come to dominate social discourse in "Breverton," a city in the Pacific Northwest. Although Breverton has experienced isolated incidents of gang violence, the discussion of gangs has recently taken on an exaggerated local prominence.
Electron microscopic visualization of autophagosomes induced by infection of human papillomavirus pseudovirions

Autophagy is a bulk degradation process for subcellular proteins and organelles to manage cell starvation. Autophagy is associated with the formation of autophagosomes and further functions as a defense mechanism against infection by various pathogens. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection induces an autophagy response, such as up-regulation of marker proteins for autophagy, in host keratinocytes. However, direct microscopic evidence for autophagy induction by HPV infection is still lacking. Here, I report an electron microscopic analysis of autophagosomes elicited by the entry of HPV pseudovirions (PsVs). HeLa cells showed enhanced infectivity for PsVs of HPV type 16 (16PsVs) when treated with an autophagy inhibitor, suggesting the involvement of autophagy in HPV infection. In HeLa cells inoculated with 16PsVs, transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of cup-shaped, double-membrane vesicles (phagophores) and double-membrane-bound vesicles, which are typical structures of autophagosomes. These double-membrane vesicles displayed a large lumen volume and incorporated 10–50 16PsVs particles in the lumen. These results demonstrate that autophagy is indeed induced during the HPV16 entry process and imply that autophagosomes are generated from the plasma membrane by HPV infection.
Reconstructing a 3-D depth map from one or more images

Abstract Several algorithms are suggested for recovering depth and orientation maps of a surface from its image intensities. They combine the advantages of stereo vision and shape-from-shading (SFS) methods. These algorithms generate accurate, unambiguous and dense surface depth and orientation maps. Most of the existing SFS algorithms cannot be directly extended to combine stereo images because the recovery of surface depth and that of orientation are separated in these formulations. We first present an SFS algorithm that couples the generation of depth and orientation maps. This formulation also ensures that the reconstructed surface depth and its orientation are consistent. The SFS algorithm for a single image is then extended to utilize stereo images. The correspondence over stereo images is established simultaneously with the generation of surface depth and orientation. An alternative approach is also suggested for combining stereo and SFS techniques. This approach can be used to combine needle maps which are directly available from other sources such as photometric stereo. Finally we present an algorithm to combine sparse depth measurements with an orientation map to reconstruct a surface. The same algorithm can be combined with the above algorithms for solving the SFS problem with sparse depth measurements. Thus various information sources can be used to accurately reconstruct a surface.
Transducin Activation by the Bovine Opsin Apoprotein

The interaction of the bovine opsin apoprotein with transducin in rod outer segment membranes was investigated using a guanyl nucleotide exchange assay. In exhaustive binding experiments, opsin activates transducin, with half-maximal exchange activity occurring at 0.8 mol of opsin/mol of transducin. The opsin activity was light-insensitive, hydroxylamine-resistant, unaffected by stoichiometric concentrations of retinaloxime, and more heat-labile than rhodopsin. The t1/2 of transducin activation in the presence of excess opsin was 8.5 min, compared with 0.7 min for metarhodopsin(II). The second-order rate constants were determined to be 0.012 pmol of guanosine 5′-(γ-thio)triphosphate (GTPγS) bound per min/nM opsin and 0.35 pmol of GTPγS bound per min/nM metarhodopsin(II). Opsin was able to activate more than one transducin, although there appeared to be a turnover-dependent inactivation of the apoprotein. Opsin showed a broad pH range (5.8-7.4) for optimal activity, with no activity in buffers of pH >9, whereas metarhodopsin(II) exhibited activity at pH >9. Regulation of opsin activity by stoichiometric amounts of retinal was observed, with inhibition by 11-cis-retinal and stimulation by all-trans-retinal. A model for opsin activity is proposed.
Just Joking Around? Employee Humor Expression As An Ingratiatory Behavior

Previous research on ingratiation in organizations has identified various categories of ingratiatory behaviors. However, these studies have failed to mention or investigate the ingratiatory power of humor. I integrate past research on ingratiation with research on humor in organizations to propose humor as a type of ingratiatory behavior in the workplace. I describe how humor affects targets, including determinants of humor's effectiveness as an ingratiation strategy, and various outcomes of humor as an ingratiation tactic.
Which Domains of Spirituality are Associated with Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Advanced Illness

Background Anxiety and depression are common in seriously ill patients and may be associated with spiritual concerns. Little research has examined how concerns in different domains of spirituality are related to anxiety and depression.
Localization of nerve growth factor bound to neurons growing nerve fibers in culture

The peptide hormone, nerve growth factor, is necessary for the normal growth and development of sensory and sympathetic neurons. In culture, this hormone is also need for the regeneration of fibers from sensory and sympathetic neurons. We have needed for the regeneration of fibers from sensory and sympathetic neurons. We have determine the distribution of the nerve growth factor receptors on cells cultured from embryonic dorsal root ganglia. The binding of the radiolabeled nerve growth factor is highly selective for neurons, though some saturable binding is present on non-neuronal cells, the density of binding is less than 10% of that on neurons. By incubating cultures with different concentrations of radiolabeled nerve growth factor, we were able to quantify the type I (high affinity) and type II (low affinity) sites on neuronal somata and along growing nerve fibers. We estimate that there are 5 times more type I sites on the nerve fibers than on the cell bodies. On the other hand, type II sites appear to be uniformly distributed on nerve fibers and cell bodies. The amount of radiolabeled nerve growth factor binding was directly correlated with the extent of nerve fiber growth. However, binding to growth cones was variable and was not obviously different from the main axis cylinder of the growing nerve fiber. Finally, the saturable binding found on non-neuronal cells appears to be the same as the type II sites on neuronal cells. Based upon our calculations, the apparent equilibrium dissociation constants for the two types of cells are the same (∼ 2 × 10−9 M).
RORSCHACH EXPERIENCE BALANCE, INTROVERSION, AND SEX

Three specific hypotheses concerning Rorschach experience balance of 81 psychiatric patients were tested: (1) Subjects showing M > sum C (introversives) would be higher on Si of the MMPI than subjects showing M sum C would be higher on Si of the MMPI than subjects showing M < sum C. (3) Males and females would show different experience balance types. In Study 1, 16 introversives were compared with 16 extratensives for their scores on Si and Sc, but the results showed no significant differences. Sex differences, also, were not significant. Study 2 replicated Study 1 with 21 introversives and 28 extratensives but indicated no significant differences on Si, Sc, or for sex. Since these negative findings corroborated other reported findings for the same variables, it was concluded that the meaning of Rorschach experience balance should be reconsidered since it is not synonymous with the concept of introversion-extraversion derived from objective personality mea...
Action of estrogen and progesterone on mammary nucleic acids and enzymes in rats.

Immature ovariectomized rats were injected daily for ten days with estradiol benzoate, progesterone, or vehicle, alone or in combination. Mammary glands were then removed for histological study and analyzed for per cent dry weight (DW), defatted dry weight (DDW), nitrogen (TN), nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and enzymatic activity. Succinoxidase and cytochrome oxidase were measured manometrically, and arginase was assayed by colorimetric estimation of the urea formed. Statistical evaluation revealed that neither estrogen nor progesterone given singly led to significant elevation in any of these mammary constituents com-pared to those of untreated control animals. Increments, however, were brought about by combined treatment, arginase showing the most striking rise. This increase was greater than the elevation in DNA concentration, indicating increased activity per cell. Augmentation of arginase activity, as well as of other constituents, was correlated with lobulo-alveolar development. It is proposed on the...
Learning Style Consistency across Cognitive and Motor Settings

23 athletes were asked to complete the Learning Styles Inventory first focusing on classroom learning, then on learning in their sport. Analysis indicated that learning styles shift across cognitive and motor settings. As a result, to ensure the validity of the results, giving respondents a particular focus when taking the inventory may be necessary. The development of an instrument designed strictly for motor skills might be helpful to assess successfully learners' profiles for motor skill acquisition.
Multilateral bargaining in the labor markets: Voluntary and involuntary unemployment

Abstract We present in this paper a model of multilateral bargaining in the labor markets. Employers bargain with various groups of workers, and workers bargain with various employers. In each potential firm workers and employers set a reservation salary and profit level, respectively. A worker or employer is willing to participate in a firm only if he can obtain at least his reservation level for that firm. The reservation levels in a particular firm are based on the opportunities of, i.e., the outcome of the bargaining between, workers and employers in other potential firms. Given the reservation wage levels, employers make salary offers to each worker in each potential firm. These offers are then used to determine new reservation levels. This concludes one bargaining round. A stable remuneration scheme is a bundle of profits and salaries that does not change from one bargaining round to the next. At a stable remuneration scheme it is possible to have both voluntary and involuntary unemployment, and firms with vacancies.
Spontaneous photo-onycholysis.

SUMMARY Three cases of onycholysis following, and apparently caused by, sun exposure are reported. No case was associated with drug ingestion or demonstrable metabolic abnormality. Cutaneous phototesting of all patients with an irradiation monochromator was within normal limits, although the action spectrum for the defect may lie in the ultraviolet-A (UV-A) region. This appears to be the first report of spontaneous photo-onycholysis.