cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The molecular chaperone hsp40 regulates the activity of P58IPK, the cellular inhibitor of PKR

The interferon-induced double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase, PKR, likely contributes to both the antiviral and the antiproliferative effects of interferon. We previously found that influenza virus avoids the translational inhibitory effects of activated PKR by activating a cellular inhibitory protein, termed P58IPK, based on its Mr of 58,000. P58IPK is a member of the tetratricopeptide family of proteins and possesses significant homology to the conserved J region of the DnaJ family of heat shock proteins. We earlier hypothesized that P58IPK was kept in an inactive state with its own inhibitor (termed I-P58IPK) in uninfected cells. We therefore attempted the purification and characterization of I-P58IPK. The following data suggest that we have identified the molecular chaperone, hsp40, as I-P58IPK. (i) The MonoP-purified I-P58IPK protein reacted with hsp40 antibody. (ii) This preparation demonstrated high specific activity in an in vitro functional assay containing only purified recombinant and native components. (iii) Purified, recombinant hsp40 protein inhibited P58IPK in an identical in vitro assay. (iv) Finally, we demonstrate that hsp40 directly complexes with P58IPK, in vitro, suggesting the inhibition occurs through a direct interaction. Our data, taken together, provide evidence for a novel intersection between the heat shock and interferon pathways, and suggest that influenza virus regulates PKR activity through the recruitment of a cellular stress pathway.
Measuring Connectedness of Input — Output Models: 2. Total Flow Concept

Several aspects of the notion of model connectedness are examined. Connectedness is defined as the property of the system elements (economic industries or ecological components) of being interdependent and is measured by the volume of total intermediate flow. The concept of total flow is reviewed and applied as a basis for calculation of a number of indexes, such as the average total flow coefficient and the average internal multiplier, both of which are sensitive to (1) number, (2) diversity, and (3) volume of input — output linkages and express approprialely the overall connectedness.
Size (and competition) among organizations: modeling scale‐based selection among automobile producers in four major countries, 1885–1981

Based on previous empirical research, size is perhaps the most powerful explanatory organizational covariate in strategic analysis. We suggest that theoretical arguments about size be examined carefully to specify models with explicit comparison sets and with mechanisms linking size and underlying processes to outcomes. We illustrate the approach here by advancing arguments about scale competition within an organizational population. In this effort, we feature a theoretical model of scale-based selection, which posits that a firm's chances of survival decrease with its aggregate distance from larger competitors on a transformed size gradient. The model assumes that the appropriate comparison set consists of all contemporaneous similar organizations competing on the basis of scale and operating in a localized geographic setting. We argue that aggregate distance of a focal firm from larger other firms (a specific form of relative position in the size distribution) reflects the extent to which it can capitalize on potential competitive advantages of scale emanating from economic, political, and social processes. Analyzing the mortality rates of large organizations across the entire histories of automobile industries in four major countries provides support for the theory. We discuss the general implications of our findings for strategic and organizational analysis.
Sequence of human DNA polymerase β mRNA obtained through cDNA cloning

A cDNA library from polyA+ RNA of a human teratocarcinoma cell line in phage lambda gt11 was screened with a fragment of the rat beta-polymerase cDNA, lambda pol beta-10, as probe. Five positive phage were identified and plaque purified. The cDNA of one positive clone selected for detailed study was 1257 bp. This insert was sequenced and found to contain the coding region for beta-polymerase, as well as 163 bp and 137 bp from the 5' and 3' untranslated regions, respectively. The primary structure of human beta-polymerase (318 amino acids, Mr = 36, 133) deduced from the cDNA was similar to rat beta-polymerase (95% matched residues). The greatest difference between the sequences of the human and rat cDNAs was in the 3' untranslated regions (64% matched base residues). These results provide necessary sequence information for study of the human beta-polymerase gene.
Bioartificial Liver Treatment in Rats with Fulminant Hepatic Failure: Effect on DNA-Binding Activity of Liver-Enriched and Growth-Associated Transcription Factors

Abstract Background. We earlier described a model of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in the rat where partial hepatectomy is combined with induction of right liver lobe necrosis. In FHF rats, lack of regeneration of the residual liver was associated with delayed expression of HGF and HGF receptor c-met and elevated blood HGF and TGF-β1 levels. We then found that intrasplenic hepatocyte transplantation prolonged survival in FHF rats and triggered hepatocyte proliferation in the native liver. The latter effect was associated with accelerated expression of HGF and c-met mRNA in the liver and lowering of blood HGF and TGF-β1 levels. In the present study we show that in FHF rats, treatment with a bioartificial liver (BAL) had similar effects. Materials and methods. FHF was induced in inbred Lewis rats and after 4 h, Group 1 rats were subjected to a 4-h whole blood perfusion through the BAL loaded with 3 × 108 microcarrier-attached syngeneic hepatocytes, whereas Group 2 control rats were treated with the BAL containing microcarriers only. Results. Compared to sham-BAL-treated rats, the test rats lived longer (28 ± 5 vs 17 ± 2 h; P = 0.0005), had better coagulation parameters, maintained higher body core temperature, and showed decreased plasma TGF-β1 levels. In addition, their liver remnants were HGF positive and showed increased DNA binding of transcription factors engaged in the modulation of hepatocyte proliferation (e.g., STAT3) and liver-specific gene expression (e.g., HNF1, HNF4, C/EBP). Conclusions. This study demonstrates that hepatocyte-based extracorporeal support not only can provide metabolic support by increasing the available functional liver mass but also is capable of modifying humoral and molecular mechanisms which are responsible for proliferation and organ-specific functions of residual hepatocytes.
Non-intrusive polarization dependent loss monitoring in fiber-optic transmission systems

A method for non-intrusively monitoring the polarization dependent loss (PDL) of an installed fiber-optic transmission system is proposed using live dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM)-based traffic as the probing signal. The method extracts the statistical parameters of system PDL from the measured partial PDL data. Field measurements of PDL were performed on long-haul DWDM systems deployed in Sprint’s network and the results validated our theoretical model.
Structure determined charge transport in single DNA molecule break junctions

Experimental study of the charge transport properties associated with structural variations due to a change in the ionic environment will provide essential physical information in determining the nature of DNA molecules. This work reports an experimental study of the change in electronic transport properties induced by the conformational transition of a poly d(GC)4 DNA. By gradually increasing the concentration of MgCl2 in the buffer solution from 0 M to 4 M, the conductance of the single DNA molecule decreased by two orders of magnitude. Circular dichroism (CD) measurements confirmed that a B to Z conformational transition caused the reduction in conductance. Using a stretch-hold mode scanning probe microscopy break junction (SPMBJ) technique, this B–Z transition process was monitored and a transition trend line was successfully achieved from conductance measurements alone. The transition midpoint occurred at a MgCl2 concentration of 0.93 M for this DNA sequence. This method provides a general tool to study transitions of molecular properties associated with conductance differences.
Resolution and Peak Capacity in Equilibrium-Gradient Methods of Separation

Abstract A theoretical analysis is made of the relative resolving power of equilibrium-gradient separation methods, such as isoelectric focusing and density-gradient sedimentation, and the corresponding kinetic methods, such as electrophoresis and kinetic centrifugatipn. Both general and specific equations are derived for resolution and peak capacity. It is concluded that peak capacity, the most general index of over-all resolving power, is of comparable magnitude for these two different approaches. Two new equilibrium-gradient methods of separation are proposed, these employing dielectrical and thermal diffusion forces, respectively.
Loss of H and Cl from the molecular ions of chlorotoluene isomers using electron impact mass spectrometry

Abstract The formation of the fragment ions [C 7 H 6 Cl] + (MH ) + and [C 7 H 7 ] + (M Cl ) + from isomers of chlorotoluene has been investigated using electron impact appearance energy (AE) measurements, and kinetic energy release (KER) measurements, together with thermodynamic considerations. The geometries and heats of formation for the possible structures of the [C 7 H 6 Cl] + and [C 7 H 7 ] + (tolyl) fragment ions were calculated by the MNDO procedure. The results indicate that at the detected thresholds [C 7 H 6 Cl] + ions are formed from chlorotoluenes with the chlorobenzyl structure, whereas [C 7 H 7 ] + ions are formed with the benzyl structure. Kinetic energies released on fragmentation of reactive [C 7 H 6 Cl] + and [C 7 H 7 ] + ions were used as a probe for the structure of the ions.
High speed digital imaging of cavitating vortices

Researchers at the Cavitation and Multiphase Flow Laboratory of the University of Michigan worked in conjunction with Princeton Scientific Instruments (PSI) engineers to employ a new digital imaging system in the study of partial attached cavitation. The new high speed solid state system, the Princeton Scientific Ultra Fast Framing Camera (UFFC), was designed for cavitation studies where framing rates of 105–106 frames/s are required to image the detailed mechanisms of cavitating flows. The UFFC, which uses a PSI patented Charge Coupled Device (CCD) array image sensor, was designed to capture 30 frames at a maximum framing rate of 1 million frames/second. In these experiments, a maximum framing rate of 125000 frames per second (8 μs/frame) was used to examine cavitating vortices in the closure region of a partial attached cavity. The vortical structures in the closure region of the attached cavity were imaged, and the evolution and collapse of these flow structures were examined. Relationships between the cavitating vortices size, strength, and collapse time were observed.
Far-infrared absorptivity of UPt 3

The absorptivity of the heavy-fermion compound ${\mathrm{UPt}}_{3}$ is measured from 2 to 1000 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ (0.25--124 meV) at temperatures between 1.2 K and room temperature. Above 50 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ (6.2 meV) the absorptivity is relatively temperature independent, while below that frequency the absorptivity is very temperature dependent, in accord with the dc resistivity. By performing a Kramers-Kronig transformation of the data, augmented with recently published results at higher frequencies, the complex conductivity is obtained. The low-temperature conductivity may be characterized by free carriers which undergo frequency-dependent scattering and have a concomitant frequency-dependent mass enhancement, \ensuremath{\lambda}(\ensuremath{\omega}), with \ensuremath{\lambda}(0)=65. The data indicate a bare free-carrier plasma frequency of 2.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{4}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ (2.6 eV). Combining these results with the measured specific heat for ${\mathrm{UPt}}_{3}$ gives for the low-frequency effective mass ${m}^{\mathrm{*}}$=240m, and for the optical band mass ${m}_{b}$=3.7m. The carrier density is close to one electron per formula unit. The far-infrared absorptivity measurement indicates that the scattering rate begins to rise with an ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}$ dependence, while the measured dc resistivity has a ${T}^{2}$ dependence at temperatures below 2 K. To account for the far-infrared data, the carrier scattering rate \ensuremath{\Gamma}(\ensuremath{\omega},T) can be written as \ensuremath{\Gamma}(\ensuremath{\omega},T)\ensuremath{\sim}${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}$+(p\ensuremath{\pi}T${)}^{2}$, with an experimental upper limit of p=1. This is not consistent with electron-electron scattering, for which p=2.
Social and Collaborative Information Seeking: State of the Union

Increasingly, people are utilizing collaboration and sharing technologies to address needs in their work and personal lives. Information plays a key role in today's world, and many problems require us to use social and collaborative ties to search for and locate information. Examples range from corporate teams doing business intelligence gathering to a couple planning their vacation to a diabetes patient looking for information and support regarding treatment options. This emerging area of scholarly inquiry that involves incorporating social and/or collaborative dimensions to information seeking/retrieval processes has attracted researchers, developers, and students from a wide variety of domains, providing a rich multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary ground in which many new ideas have flourished and problems have come forth. In this keynote I will review some of these recent efforts, including my own, covering key theories, models, and tools. Going beyond individual search models, I will talk about how we ought to consider both social and collaborative dimensions under a larger umbrella that focus on communicative processes and social interactions to investigate and support social and collaborative dimensions of information seeking, retrieval, and use. The central thesis of my talk is that social and collaborative information seeking (SCIS) addresses some of the limitations of other information seeking methods by integrating individual, community-based, socially oriented, and small-group focused information retrieval and usage activities. I will draw on examples and applications from different domains to highlight when and how SCIS could lead to improvements, enlightenments, and failures. The talk will also provide an overview of the current state of research methods and evaluation techniques for SCIS.
Asbestos Contamination of Parenteral Drugs

Chrysotile asbestos has been found in approximately one third of the samples from two sets of 17 widely used parenteral drugs.
Establishment and genomic characterization of mouse xenografts of human primary prostate tumors

Serum prostate-specific antigen screening has led to earlier detection and surgical treatment of prostate cancer, favoring an increasing incidence-to-mortality ratio. However, about one third of tumors that are diagnosed when still confined to the prostate can relapse within 10 years from the first treatment. The challenge is therefore to identify prognostic markers of aggressive versus indolent tumors. Although several preclinical models of advanced prostate tumors are available, a model that recapitulates the genetic and growth behavior of primary tumors is still lacking. Here, we report a complete histopathological and genomic characterization of xenografts derived from primary localized low- and high-grade human prostate tumors that were implanted under the renal capsule of immunodeficient mice. We obtained a tumor take of 56% and show that these xenografts maintained the histological as well as most genomic features of the parental tumors. Serum prostate-specific antigen levels were measurable only in tumor xenograft-bearing mice, but not in those implanted with either normal prostate tissue or in tumors that likely regressed. Finally, we show that a high proliferation rate, but not the pathological stage or the Gleason grade of the original tumor, was a fundamental prerequisite for tumor take in mice. This mouse xenograft model represents a useful preclinical model of primary prostate tumors for their biological characterization, biomarker discovery, and drug testing.
Linear and Nonlinear Viscoelasticity of Entangled Multiarm (Pom-Pom) Polymer Liquids

Stress relaxation dynamics of entangled long-chain branched (LCB) polymers are investigated in small-amplitude oscillatory shear and following nonlinear step shear using model A3AA3 multiarm (pom-pom) polymer liquids. A well-characterized multiarm 1,4-polybutadiene melt and its entangled solutions/blends with an unentangled linear 1,4-polybutadiene are the main focus of this study. Relaxation dynamics of multiarm polymers in oscillatory shear are found to be qualitatively similar to predictions of a recent theory for H-shaped polymers based on the tube model. On time scales longer than the relaxation time of the A arms, however, we find that relaxation dynamics of the multiarm polymer backbone A are more complex than predicted by this theory. Specifically, the backbone dynamics appear to be dominated by diffusive motion of the branch point in its original (undilated tube). This finding is inconsistent with expectations from theories based on the dynamic dilution ansatz. Stress relaxation dynamics of entan...
Pastoral counseling with alcoholics and their families

The pastor is often in contact with the alcoholic and his or her family. Providing help to alcoholics and their families is a spiritual, humanistic, and therapeutic challenge. Recent developments have favored a family systems orientation to working with alcoholic families. This orientation acknowledges the family as contributor to maintaining alcoholic behavior and includes the family in treatment. Specific family systems concepts are discussed and how they relate to the dysfunctional unit which houses an alcoholic. Implications for pastors and specific role definitions are explored. Krebs' therapeutic model is expanded to: 1) evaluate, 2) support, 3) refer, and 4) support, as appropriate for the pastor working with alcoholics and their families.
High-pressure x-ray and Raman studies of rubidium and cesium graphite intercalation compounds

Systematic pressure-dependence studies have been performed on $M{\mathrm{C}}_{8}$ and $M{\mathrm{C}}_{12n}$ ($M=\mathrm{R}\mathrm{b},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{s}$ and $n=2, 3, 4$) graphite intercalation compounds. Pressure-induced staging phase transitions similar to that which had been previously reported for K${\mathrm{C}}_{24}$ by Clarke et al. were found in these high-stage graphite intercalation compounds ($n\ensuremath{\ge}2$). The $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{q}\ensuremath{\perp}c$ x-ray experiments revealed the formation of a 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2 superlattice under hydrostatic pressure from the disordered intercalant layers at ambient conditions. The Raman spectra from $\mathrm{Rb}{\mathrm{C}}_{12n}$ ($n=2, 3, 4$) gave clear evidence for the pressure-induced staging transition by showing a change in the Raman intensities of the bounding (1605 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$) and interior (1582 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$) ${E}_{2g}$-like phonon peaks with pressure. In addition, the compressibilities ${k}_{d}$ of Cs${\mathrm{C}}_{8}$ and Rb${\mathrm{C}}_{8}$ were measured as (1.56\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05) and (2.42\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.12)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/dyn, respectively. The compressibility results indicate that the interlayer-coupling strength varies drastically among alkali-graphite intercalation compounds. The pressure-dependent Raman spectra of Rb${\mathrm{C}}_{8}$ showed an appreciable change in the Fano resonance shape at \ensuremath{\sim} 580 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ with pressure. The mode-Gr\"uneisen constant ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{0\ensuremath{\perp}}$ of pristine graphite for the for the interlayer mode ${E}_{2g}$ was found to be 1.66\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.13. The rates of Raman frequency shifts with respect to pressure, $\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}}{\ensuremath{\partial}P}$, were measured to be (0.70\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.12), (0.51\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.09), (0.44\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05), (0.54\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.08) ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ ${\mathrm{kbar}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for the bounding modes of Cs${\mathrm{C}}_{24}$ and $\mathrm{Rb}{\mathrm{C}}_{12n}$ ($n=2, 3, 4$), and (0.78\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.08), (0.32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.12) ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ ${\mathrm{kbar}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for the interior modes of $\mathrm{Rb}{\mathrm{C}}_{12n}$ ($n=3, 4$), respectively.
Indications for meniscus repair.

One of the earliest descriptions of the menisci was recorded by Bland-Sutton in 1897. At that time, the menisci were thought to be vestigial tissue and were depicted s “the functionless remnants of intra-articular leg muscles.” Further advances in our understanding of the menisci have demonstrated that the menisci provide mechanical support and secondary stabilization, localized pressure distribution and load sharing, and lubrication and proprioception to the knee joint. When the menisci are injured, treatment is centered on both symptomatic relief (eg, pain and mechanical symptoms) as well as prevention of future sequelae (eg, osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration). Many variables are considered in developing an operative treatment strategy after conservative management has failed. Patient-centered factors such as age, activity level, and physical fitness are important, as are characteristics of the meniscal tear itself such as size, location, and chronicity. This review describes the function, anatomy, and biology of the menisci, discusses common mechanisms of injury and diagnostic strategies for localizing meniscal symptomatology, and highlights variables that are associated with improved prognosis for meniscal repair. Surgical indications for both meniscal tissue excision and salvage will be discussed, and an in-depth review of meniscal repair options will be presented.
V7 Laparoscopic ileo‐caecectomy for terminal ileal Crohn's disease with intracorporeal anastomosis

Introduction: Laparoscopic management of patients with Crohn's disease produces better outcome than open approach in selected group of patients. Resections are commonly performed with laparoscopic assisted division of mesentery followed by extracorporeal anastomosis. We wish to present a short video showing a 20-year-old lady with terminal ileal Crohn's disease who underwent laparoscopic ileocaecectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis. Surgery: We discussed three parts of the operation – Part I: mobilisation of bowels; Part II: resection and preparing for anastomosis; Part III: intracorporeal anastomosis. Discussion: Laparoscopic ileocaecectomy should not alter the indications for surgery. However some patients may prefer this approach to more conventional open surgery or medical therapy. It needs not be difficult to perform laparoscopically.
Continuous‐wave supersonic jet diode laser spectroscopy and dynamics of Ar–DCl: Rovibrational analysis of ν1 and ν1+ν12 and the effect of Coriolis coupling in the spectrum of ν1+2ν02

The ν1 fundamental and ν1+ν12 intermolecular combination bands of the van der Waals dimer Ar–DCl have been observed using a sensitive tunable diode laser continuous‐wave (cw) supersonic jet spectrometer. The experimental results are compared with frequency and intensity predictions based on variational calculations using the H6(3) potential of Hutson. A possible assignment of the ν1+2ν02 combination band is proposed on the basis of anomalous intensity predictions from these calculations. The calculations indicate that the R branch of the ν1+2ν02 combination band is much stronger than the P branch due to a strong Coriolis mixing of the ν1+2ν02 and ν1+ν12 states.
A single session desensitization without relaxation training

Abstract A single 2-hr desensitization session without previous relaxation training was applied to a small animal phobia. The entire hierarchy of 15 steps was completed during one session. Immediately following this the patient was able to stroke and fondle laboratory rats, in contrast to his original tendency to avoid them. Six months later he was still able to touch and stroke the animals with complete absence of apprehension and tension.
The Ideal Gas and Real Gas Heat Capacity of Sodium Atoms

The ideal gas heat capacity of sodium atoms in the vapor phase is calculated to high temperatures using statistical mechanics. Since there are, in principle, an infinite number of atomic energy levels, the partition function and the heat capacity will grow very large unless the summation over energy levels is constrained as temperature increases. At higher temperatures, the increasing size of the atoms, which is a consequence of the increased population of highly excited energy levels, is used as a mechanism for limiting the summation over energy levels. The “ $$ {IP-kT}$$ ” and “Bethe” procedures for cutting off the summation over energy levels will be discussed, and the results obtained using the two methods will be compared. In addition, although experimental information is available about lower atomic energy levels and some theoretical calculations are available for excited energy levels, information is lacking for most individual atomic states associated with highly excited energy levels. A “fill” procedure for approximating the energy of the unknown states will be discussed. Sodium vapor will also be considered to be a real gas that obeys the virial equation of state. The first non-ideal term in the power series expansion of the heat capacity in terms of virial coefficients involves the second virial coefficient, $$B(T)$$ . This depends on the interaction potential energy between two sodium atoms, i.e., the potential energy curves for the sodium dimer. Accurate interaction potential energies can be obtained from either experimental or theoretical information for the lowest ten electronic states of the sodium dimer. These are used to calculate $$B(T)$$ for each state, and the averaged value of $$B(T)$$ for all ten states is used to calculate the non-ideal contribution to the heat capacity of sodium atoms as a function of temperature.
Occult Fractures of Extremities

Recent advances in cross-sectional imaging, particularly in CT and MR imaging, have given these modalities a prominent role in the diagnosis of fractures of the extremities. This article describes the clinical application and imaging features of cross-sectional imaging (CT and MR imaging) in the evaluation of patients who have occult fractures of the extremities. Although CT or MR imaging is not typically required for evaluation of acute fractures, these modalities could be helpful in the evaluation of the occult osseous injuries in which radiographic findings are equivocal or inconclusive.
Mapping the regions of the complement inhibitor CD59 responsible for its species selective activity

CD59 is a widely distributed membrane-bound glycoprotein that inhibits the formation of the cytolytic membrane attack complex (MAC) of complement on host cells. CD59 from different species varies in its capacity to inhibit heterologous complement, and this species selective function of CD59 contributes to the phenomenon of homologous restriction. Here, we demonstrate that human CD59 is not an effective inhibitor of rat complement, although rat CD59 inhibits rat and human complement equally well. By constructing human-rat CD59 chimeric proteins, we have mapped the residues important in conferring human CD59 species selectivity to two regions; 40-47 and 47-66 in the primary structure. Analysis of a model of the molecular surface of human CD59 revealed that residues 40-66 mapped to a region in the three-dimensional structure that surrounds residues previously identified as important for CD59 function.
Vasopressin resistance of toad urinary bladder: in vivo and in vitro studies.

The present study was carried out to learn whether the vasotocin target cells in the toad urinary bladder are desensitized by the administration of large doses of hormone in vivo. Toads were injected three times over a 24-h interval with 0.05 mg 8-arginine-vasopressin while keeping them immersed in 0.9% saline. Bladders isolated from these toads and studied in vitro were found to be less sensitive to vasopressin, as measured by an increased ED50 value and a diminished maximum response capacity, than were bladders isolated from control animals. Desensitization was more profound when bladders were exposed in vitro for a period of 18-20 h to high concentrations of neurohypophyseal hormones. This resistance to vasopressin could be partly reversed by incubating bladders in amphibian culture medium. Bladders made totally unresponsive to vasotocin by a 20-h incubation in 10-7 M vasotocin were still capable of responding (up to 50% of controls) to dibutyryl cAMP and to theophylline. However, the permeability resp...
Bone pathology as it relates to some phases of oral surgery.

Abstract 1. 1. Aside from neoplasms and infections, bone lesions fall into three categories: osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and osteitis fibrosa. 2. 2. Osteomalacia is a disease due to faulty calcification of the matrix. 3. 3. Osteoporsis is a condition due to the failure of the osteoblasts to lay down matrix. 4. 4. The factors that enter into the formation of the bone matrix are: stresses and strains and steroid hormones, both of which act directly upon the osteoblasts, and protein deficiency. 5. 5. Osteitis fibrosa is not a disease entity but a histologic sign of the withdrawal of calcium salts from the bone. 6. 6. The three diseases of bone with the histologic sign of osteitis fibrosa that most often attack the jaws are: (a) Paget's disease, (b) fibrous dysplasia, and (c) hyperparathyroidism.
Computer-vision based crack detection and analysis

Cracks on a bridge deck should be ideally detected at an early stage in order to prevent further damage. To ensure safety, it is necessary to inspect the quality of concrete decks at regular intervals. Conventional methods usually include manual inspection of concrete surfaces to determine defects. Though very effective, these methods are time-inefficient. This paper presents the use of computer-vision techniques in detection and analysis of cracks on a bridge deck. High quality images of concrete surfaces are captured and subsequently analyzed to build an automated crack classification system. After feature extraction using the training set images, statistical inference algorithms are employed to identify cracks. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed crack observation and classification system.
Laser acceleration and injection of particles in optically shaped gas targets

Blast waves ignited in a supersonic flow are capable of producing density profiles useful for laser acceleration of electrons and ions. By using a ≈0.1 joule nanosecond laser as an igniter, and controlling the angle of incidence and timing of the ultra-intense femtosecond drive pulse, one can produce a variety of gas density profiles. A profile with an abrupt up-ramp followed by a gradual down-ramp leads experimentally to stable generation of 40 MeV electrons from a 10 TW drive pulse. A profile with a narrow high density region, and a steep density ramp on one side, is useful for magnetic vortex acceleration of ions. Simulations predict that such a profile can be generated from a laser ignited blast wave, and that 35 MeV protons are produced when a 100 TW pulse is focused into the shock front.
Origins of life and early evolution of the biosphere: A home page on the World Wide Web

A home page for research on the origin and early evolution of life on the Earth has been established on the World Wide Web . This effort is supported by Kluwer Academic Publishers, publisher of the journal Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere, with active participation by the editor, James Ferris, Department of Chemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy NY. The home page so far has three components. The first is a listing of current and future papers published in recent volumes of the journal, the second is a forum on a discussion question of interest to readers of the journal and home page, and the third is a series of links to related sites. Clicking on such a link (referred to as "hot buttons") immediately transfers the reader to other home pages, for instance, those for JPL, NASA, and Kluwer Academic Publishers. As anyone knows who has looked at web sites for Science, the Journal of Biological Chemistry and the AAAS, much more is possible. This includes job opportunities, abstracts, online discussions and even full length publications with figures. We invite participants at ISSOL '96 to contact the author and suggest what they might find useful on the home page.
Nrf2 as a target for cancer chemoprevention

Chemical insults, whether of endogenous or exogenous origins, play major roles in the etiopathogenesis of many cancers. As such, strategies to blunt their formation and limit their damage to biomolecules are a central aspect of chemoprevention. Cellular defenses against such insults are regulated in part by the transcription factor Nrf2. Nrf2, in turn, regulates gene expression through interactions with the ARE (antioxidant-response-element) found in the promoter regions of many cytoprotective genes. Under basal conditions, Nrf2 is tethered in the cytoplasm to an actin binding protein Keap1. Pharmacological and food-derived agents such as dithiolethiones and isothiocyanates trigger the release of Nrf2 from Keap1, allowing it to translocate into the nucleus and stimulate gene transcription. Studies using nrf2-deficient mice have revealed that Nrf2 regulates basal and inducible expression of multiple categories of genes, including xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, molecular chaperones/stress response proteins, as well as proteasome subunits, that collectively reflect the complex and important role Nrf2 plays in the cellular defense against carcinogens. Nrf2 knockout mice are greatly predisposed to chemical-induced DNA damage and exhibit higher susceptibility towards cancer development in several models of chemical carcinogenesis. Nrf2 also mediates protection against oxidative stress and influences inflammatory processes, both of which contribute to carcinogenesis. Observations that nrf2-deficient mice are refractory to the protective actions of some chemopreventive agents highlight the importance of the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway as a molecular target for prevention.
Ultrasonic relaxation of interstitial aluminum in irradiated silicon

An ultrasonic relaxation arising from a nonequilibrium charge state of interstitial aluminum is observed in aluminum-doped silicon irradiated with electrons at 10 K. This relaxation is present in the C' shear mode while the sample is exposed to white light, electron irradiation, or \ensuremath{\gamma} rays. The thermally activated reorientation rate of the defect is 7.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{10}$ exp[(-5.1 meV)/kT] ${\mathrm{sec}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. Based on the mode dependence of the relaxation, a defect model is suggested which follows naturally from the known structure of lower charge states of interstitial aluminum. This model has the defect electrically neutral, with the aluminum atom on the site which is tetrahedral in the perfect lattice and with the surrounding silicon atoms displaced into a tetragonal configuration.
Electrophysiologic Effects of Acute Myocardial Ischemia A Mechanistic Investigation of Action Potential Conduction and Conduction Failure

A multicellular ventricular fiber model was used to determine mechanisms of slowed conduction and conduction failure during acute ischemia. We simulated the three major pathophysiological component conditions of acute ischemia: elevated [K+]o, acidosis, and anoxia. Elevated [K+]o was the major determinant of conduction, causing supernormal conduction, depressed conduction, and conduction block as [K+]o was gradually increased from 4.5 to 14.4 mmol/L. Only elevated [K+]o caused conduction failure when varied within the range reported for acute ischemia. Before block, depressed upstrokes consisted of two distinct components: the first to the fast Na+ current (INa) and the second to the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa(L)). Even in highly depressed conduction, excitability was maintained by INa, with conduction block occurring at 95% INa inactivation. However, because ICa(L) supported the later phase of the depressed upstroke, ICa(L) enhanced conduction and delayed block by increasing the electrotonic source current. At [K+]o = 18 mmol/L, slow action potentials generated by ICa(L) were obtained with 10% ICa(L) augmentation. However, in the presence of acidosis and anoxia, significantly larger (120%) ICa(L) augmentation was required. The depressant effect was due mostly to anoxic activation of outward ATP-sensitive K+ current, which counteracts inward ICa(L) and, by lowering the action potential amplitude, decreases the electrotonic current available to depolarize downstream cells. The simulations highlight the interactive nature of electrophysiological ischemic changes during propagation and demonstrate that both membrane changes and load factors (by downstream fiber) must be considered.
The invention of the universal electronic computer: how the electronic computer revolution began

This is the story of the causal sequence of the three programmable digital electronic computers that launched the Electronic Computer Revolution: the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer); the EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Computer); and the Von Neumann, or IAS (Institute for Advanced Study), Computer. All were designed and built from 1943 to 1951. The chief designers were Presper Eckert, John Mauchly, John Von Neumann, Arthur Burks, and Herman Goldstine.The interacting roles of truth-functional and memory logic with digital electronics are explained, together with the relation of these electronic computers to the theoretical calculating systems of Kurt Godel and Alan Turing.
Stance perturbation-evoked potentials in old people with poor gait and balance.

Abstract Objective : Cerebral cortical potentials can be evoked by stance perturbation, and there is speculation that they represent the activation of supraspinal centers in preparation for the control and coordination of motor movements that maintain balance. We sought to determine if these potentials differed in old people at risk of falls. Methods : Cortical potentials were generated by the sudden forward translation of a weight-bearing platform in 8 healthy young subjects and in 33 old subjects stratified by their functional capacity. Dependent measures were compared with non-parametric tests of significance. Results : Perturbing the stance of young subjects produced a biphasic scalp potential centered at the vertex with an early positive peak at 60 ms and a larger, 45 μV, negative peak at 123 ms. In old subjects the response was delayed and the vertex-negative component was smaller and bifid. The interval between the two components of the negative peak was prolonged in a subgroup of old subjects with reduced mobility. Conclusions : Delays in sensory conduction may play a role in subsequent maladaptive motor responses to stance perturbation that can result in falls and injury in old people.
Influence of Ionomer Equivalent Weight on Kinetic and Transport Properties in PEFC MEAs

The ionomer/binder type and composition can influence both ionic and mass transport in a PEFC electrode. For an electrode to have minimum resistance to O2, proton and electron transport, the ionomer composition has to be optimized for its EW and volume fraction. An optimum ionomer composition in the electrode results in higher Pt utilization and hence better MEA performance. Ion and species transport characteristics of electrode layers containing PFSA ionomers with different EWs are examined in this study by analysis of MEA polarization data at different relative humidities. Steady state polarization curves were obtained with air and oxygen. The polarization data for MEAs was analyzed to determine the relative contributions of the different sources of polarization, namely activation losses, membrane resistance losses, ohmic losses in the electrode, and mass transport losses in the GDL and electrode.
The evolution of cranial form in mid-Pleistocene Homo

Interactions of the brain and cranium in archaic populations remain poorly understood. Hominin fossils from Middle Pleistocene localities in Africa and Europe have been allocated to one or more species distinct from Homo erectus , the Neanderthals and modern humans, based on the assumption that characters of the vault and face are developmentally independent. However, it is possible that increased frontal width, parietal lengthening, midvault expansion and occipital rounding all reflect encephalisation occurring within the H. erectus lineage. If specimens from Broken Hill and Elandsfontein (in southern Africa) and Sima de los Huesos and Petralona (in Europe) differ from H. erectus only in brain volume, then it will be difficult to distinguish and diagnose Homo rhodesiensis or Homo heidelbergensis adequately. In this study, correlation analysis showed that the brain fails to influence vault breadth within either H. erectus or the mid-Pleistocene sample. Instead, the (large) cranial base has a major effect on width. Variation in brain volume is not associated with frontal flattening. In H. erectus and in individuals such as Bodo and Petralona, the massive face seems to override the brain as a determinant of frontal curvature. Small H. erectus crania have rounded occipitals, whilst larger individuals show greater flexion. Later hominins do not follow this trend, and encephalisation cannot explain the occipital rounding that is present. Few of the vault characters considered diagnostic for the mid-Pleistocene fossils can be attributed to increasing brain volume. The situation is complex, as of course the brain must influence some traits indirectly. The cranial base is also an instrument of change. Discriminant analysis identified basicranial breadth as critical to distinguishing individuals such as Broken Hill, Sima de los Huesos and Petralona from H. erectus .
E.V. McCollum: doyen of nutrition science.

he year 1979 marks the centennial of the birth of Elmer Verner McCollum. He was born on a Kansas farm homesteaded by his father in 1863 and received his academic training in chemistry at the University of Kansas and at Yale University. As a member of the faculty of the College of Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin from 1907 to 1917, he gained widespread attention for his pathfinding discoveries in experimental nutrition. From 1917 until his retirement in 1944 he was Professor of Biochemistry in the School of Hygiene and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University where his continuing achievements in research, stimulating leadership in nutrition education, imaginative influence on the food industry and wisdom in the formulation of public policy regarding foods and nutrition gave him unusual distinction and international acclaim. At Kansas the faculty member most influencing young McCollum was Edward Bartow; at Yale it was Lafayette B. Mendel; and at Wisconsin it was clearly Stephen M. Babcock. At Johns Hopkins, Edwards A. Park was his most stimulating colleague and very close friend.
Comparisons among Health Behavior Surveys: Implications for the Design of Informatics Infrastructures That Support Comparative Effectiveness Research.

Introduction: To address the electronic health data fragmentation that is a methodological limitation of comparative effectiveness research (CER), the Washington Heights Inwood Informatics Infrastructure for Comparative Effectiveness Research (WICER) project is creating a patient-centered research data warehouse (RDW) by linking electronic clinical data (ECD) from New York Presbyterian Hospital’s clinical data warehouse with ECD from ambulatory care, long-term care, and home health settings and the WICER community health survey (CHS). The purposes of the research were to identify areas of overlap between the WICER CHS and two other surveys that include health behavior data (the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Survey and the New York City Community Health Survey (NYC CHS)) and to identify gaps in the current WICER RDW that have the potential to affect patient-centered CER. Methods: We compared items across the three surveys at the item and conceptual levels. We also compared WICER RDW (ECD and WICER CHS), BRFSS, and NYC CHS to the County Health Ranking framework. Results: We found that 22 percent of WICER items were exact matches with BRFSS and that there were no exact matches between WICER CHS and NYC CHS items not also contained in BRFSS. Conclusions: The results suggest that BRFSS and, to a lesser extent, NYC CHS have the potential to serve as population comparisons for WICER CHS for some health behavior– related data and thus may be particularly useful for considering the generalizability of CER study findings. Except for one measure related to health behavior (motor vehicle crash deaths), the WICER RDW’s comprehensive coverage supports the mortality, morbidity, and clinical care measures specified in the County Health Ranking framework but is deficient in terms of some socioeconomic factors and descriptions of the physical environment as captured in BRFSS. Linkage of these data in the WICER RDW through geocoding can potentially facilitate patient-centered CER that integrates important socioeconomic and physical environment influences on health outcomes. The research methods and findings may be relevant to others interested in either integrating health behavior data into RDWs to support patient-centered CER or conducting population-level comparisons.
Kinetic effects of temperature on rates of genetic divergence and speciation

Latitudinal gradients of biodiversity and macroevolutionary dynamics are prominent yet poorly understood. We derive a model that quantifies the role of kinetic energy in generating biodiversity. The model predicts that rates of genetic divergence and speciation are both governed by metabolic rate and therefore show the same exponential temperature dependence (activation energy of ≈0.65 eV; 1 eV = 1.602 × 10−19 J). Predictions are supported by global datasets from planktonic foraminifera for rates of DNA evolution and speciation spanning 30 million years. As predicted by the model, rates of speciation increase toward the tropics even after controlling for the greater ocean coverage at tropical latitudes. Our model and results indicate that individual metabolic rate is a primary determinant of evolutionary rates: ≈1013 J of energy flux per gram of tissue generates one substitution per nucleotide in the nuclear genome, and ≈1023 J of energy flux per population generates a new species of foraminifera.
Factors Affecting Adhesion on Concrete of Arc-Sprayed Zinc

Abstract Arc-sprayed zinc coatings are more frequently used as anode for the cathodic protection of reinforced concrete structures. However, as with any other conductive coating, zinc should be applied with the highest possible adhesion in order to serve as a durable anode. Factors affecting the adhesion of zinc on concrete are discussed here for the first time. Preheating the concrete surface prior to zinc application has been found to be particularly beneficial. The measured adhesion values have also been found to vary significantly with the pull out procedure.