cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxygen transport and cardiovascular responses in skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) exposed to acute hypoxia.

Responses to acute hypoxia were measured in skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) (≈1–3 kg body weight). Fish were prevented from making swimming movements by a spinal injection of lidocaine and were placed in front of a seawater delivery pipe to provide ram ventilation of the gills. Fish could set their own ventilation volumes by adjusting mouth gape. Heart rate, dorsal and ventral aortic blood pressures, and cardiac output were continuously monitored during normoxia (inhalant water (PO 2>150 mmHg) and three levels of hypoxia (inhalant water PO 2≈130, 90, and 50 mmHg). Water and blood samples were taken for oxygen measurements in fluids afferent and efferent to the gills. From these data, various measures of the effectiveness of oxygen transfer, and branchial and systemic vascular resistance were calculated. Despite high ventilation volumes (4–71·min-1·kg-1), tunas extract approximately 50% of the oxygen from the inhalant water, in part because high cardiac outputs (115–132 ml·min-1·kg-1) result in ventilation/perfusion conductance ratios (0.75–1.1) close to the theoretically ideal value of 1.0. Therefore, tunas have oxygen transfer factors (ml O2·min-1·mmHg-1·kg-1) that are 10–50 times greater than those of other fishes. The efficiency of oxygen transfer from water in tunas (≈65%) matches that measured in teleosts with ventilation volumes and order of magnitude lower. The high oxygen transfer factors of tunas are made possible, in part, by a large gill surface area; however, this appears to carry a considerable osmoregulatory cost as the metabolic rate of gills may account for up 70% of the total metabolism in spinally blocked (i.e., non-swimming) fish. During hypoxia, skipjack and yellowfin tunas show a decrease in heart rate and increase in ventilation volume, as do other teleosts. However, in tunas hypoxic bradycardia is not accompanied by equivalent increases, in stroke volume, and cardiac output falls as HR decreases. In both tuna species, oxygen consumption eventually must be maintained by drawing on substantial venous oxygen reserves. This occurs at a higher inhalant water PO2 (between 130 and 90 mmHg) in skipjack tuna than in yellowfin tuna (between 90 and 50 mmHg). The need to draw on venous oxygen reserves would make it difficult to meet the oxygen demand of increasing swimming speed, which is a common response to hypoxia in both species. Because yellowfin tuna can maintain oxygen consumption at a seawater oxygen tension of 90 mmHg without drawing on venous oxygen reserves, they could probably survive for extended periods at this level of hypoxia.
Management of endoscopically removed malignant colon polyps

The medical records of 87 patients with 89 malignant colorectal polyps removed endoscopically between 1971 and 1983 were reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-five polyps contained carcinoma-in-situ. Four polyps had "pseudo-invasion" by displaced mucosal glands. Thirty polyps contained invasive carcinoma. No patients with carcinoma-in-situ or "pseudo-invasion" had either local residual disease or metastatic disease at the time of colectomy or which was detected during subsequent follow-up. Four patients (14%) with invasive cancer would have been inadequately treated by polypectomy alone, since one had residual disease at the polypectomy site, one had nodal metastases, one had liver metastases at the time of colectomy, and one subsequently developed liver metastases. Three histologic criteria correctly predicted all four cases where residual or recurrent disease was present: involvement of the polypectomy resection margin, lymphatic invasion within the polyp, and poorly differentiated histology. Polyp size, histology (villous adenoma, adenomatous polyp, or villo-adenomatous polyp), or anatomic location did not identify those patients who warranted further therapy. We conclude that polypectomy alone is adequate treatment for polyps containing carcinoma-in-situ. Polypectomy alone is also adequate treatment for most polyps containing invasive carcinoma. However, patients with lymphatic involvement within the polyp, poorly differentiated cancer, or resection margin involvement should probably undergo colectomy.
Rearrangement of N-hydroxy β-lactams

Abstract A number of 4-carboalkoxy-N-hydroxy-2-azetidinones were converted to various derivatives which were shown to undergo novel rearrangements to substituted acryalamides. Under similar conditions 3,3-dimethyl-4-carboisopropoxy-N-hydroxy-2-azetidinone rearranged to a pyrimidine derivative.
Solace and immortality: bereaved parents' continuing bond with their children

Abstract How do bereaved parents find solace in the face of irreparable loss? The essay grows out of a 10-year ethnographic study of a chapter of the Compassionate Friends, a self-help group. A recurring pattern is that long-term solace is intertwined with parents' continuing interaction with the inner representation of their dead child. The essay examines the nature of solace, reviews literature on inner representations of the dead, examines ways parents find solace connected with interaction with the inner representation, explores the shared inner representation as a significant element in social support, discusses solace in terms of the psychosocial meaning of immortality, and draws implications for clinicians.
Estimation of wind power availability and capacity credit for multiple wind farms

Integrating wind power increases the load variation and the reserve requirements for contingencies due to its intermittent nature. Conventional generation can obtain capacity credit because they can produce “firm” power during the peak load demand time when utilities are especially concerned about the wind power availability. As wind power is intermittent it is normally given zero or small capacity credit. In this paper, the wind availability and capacity credit for multiple wind farms distributed in Wyoming are analyzed based on actual wind data. Considering multiple wind farms as part of one big wind farm distributed over a large area can decrease the wind power variation and increase the capacity credits. As the method used here to calculate capacity credit is the same one used by electric utilities, the potential for awarding more capacity credit to multiple wind farms is very good.
Enhanced agglomerate growth in the free molecule range

Abstract Aerosols generated at high temperatures tend to form irregular agglomerates which can be characterized by a power law exponent, similar to a fractal dimension. The coagulation dynamics of these particles can be described using self-preserving size distribution theory. The value of the power law exponent has a large effect on agglomerate growth and particle size distribution in the free molecule regime.
The transport of glycolic acid by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Evidence for a transport system for glycolate in Chlamydomonas was obtained, [14C]Glycolate was taken up rapidly reaching an equilibrium in less than 2 % at 4°C. Glycolate uptake was stimulated by valinomycin and high KCl or high KCl alone and inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide. This uptake was not dependent on temperature or pH in contrast to uptake of benzoate by diffusion which decreased by orders of magnitude with increasing external pH. Based on these data, a transporter for glycolate is proposed.
Overview of α-Blocker Therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is rapidly changing. Established surgical procedures are being replaced by minimally invasive modalities such as electrovaporization and transurethral needle ablation. Improved understanding of pathophysiology and developments in molecular biology has provided drugs for alleviating the symptoms of prostatic enlargement. Currently, medical therapy is the first-line treatment modality in the management of BPH. There are two types of medical treatment available: α-adrenoceptor-blockers and 5-α-reductase inhibitors. Alpha-blockers relieve the dynamic component of obstruction whereas 5-α-reductase inhibitors relieve the mechanical component of obstruction. At present, α-blockers are used most frequently. However, they do have significant cardiovascular side effects. More uroselective α-blockers have recently become available and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular side effects. This review summarizes relevant literature on the use of α-blockers in the treatment of BPH.
The enumeration of rooted trees by total height

The height (as in [3] and [4]) of a point in a rooted tree is the length of the path (that is, the number of lines in the path) from it to the root; the total height of a rooted tree is the sum of the heights of its points. The latter arises naturally in studies of random neural networks made by one of us (N.J.A.S.), where the enumeration of greatest interest is that of trees with all points distinctly labeled.
Masculinity Ideology and Forgiveness of Racial Discrimination among African American Men: Direct and Interactive Relationships

Forgiveness research has focused almost exclusively on interpersonal transgressions committed in close relationships. Consequently, less is known about factors informing forgiveness of non-intimate actors. The current study addresses these gaps by investigating correlates of forgiveness over racial discrimination among African American men (N = 171). Specifically, we explore relationships between the endorsement of traditional masculine ideology (e.g., restrictive emotionality), overall forgiveness, forgiveness with positive affect, and forgiveness with the absence of negative affect. Links between personality, religiosity, social support, discrimination experiences, and these forms of forgiveness also are examined. Restrictive emotionality emerged as a barrier to forgiveness of discrimination. However, the relationship between restrictive emotionality and forgiveness was moderated by age, socioeconomic status, personality, and religious coping disposition.
Determinants of Angola's Parallel Market Real Exchange Rate

The paper estimates Angola's equilibrium parallel market real exchange rate during the 1992-98 period. Using standard integration/co-integration techniques, the results fail to support the purchasing power parity hypothesis and indicate that two exogenous variables - the price of oil and the foreign interest rate - are able to explain most of the variation in the real exchange rate during the last seven years. These results contrast with the tenet that the parallel market exchange rate in Angola is solely influenced by monetary developments.
Letter to the Editor: Is “Essential” Hypertension Essential?

To the Editor: The term “essential” hypertension, although deeply embedded in the literature and common use, has long been obsolete. Norman Kaplan has included the following paragraph in at least the past 3 editions of Clinical Hypertension .1 “… As much as 95% of all hypertension is of unknown cause. In the absence of a …
An acceptance system decision rule with data envelopment analysis

This paper further discusses the suggestion proposed by Troutt et al. [1] that data envelopment analysis (DEA) can be used to develop an acceptance boundary. It is shown that the linear programming model with an arbitrary objective function developed by Troutt et al. [1] can, in fact, be directly obtained from their assumptions. We develop a DEA-type linear programming model to determine not only whether a new case is accepted, but also the location of the new case with respect to the samples proviously classified. A numerical example is provided.
Transmission electron microscopy of rapidly quenched iron-aluminum sputter-deposited films

Abstract Sputter-deposited FeAl alloys were studied with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and selected area electron diffraction (SAD). The alloys were deposited with thicknesses of approximately 50 nm onto carbon coated TEM grids. All samples were deposited by planar magnetron sputtering onto substrates held at liquid nitrogen temperature. The compositions studied were Fe70Al30, Fe50Al50, Fe10Al90 and Fe5Al95. The Fe70Al30 composition was polycrystalline bcc with a lattice constant of 0.291 nm and the Fe5Al95 composition was polycrystalline fcc with a lattice constant of 0.41 nm. The Fe50Al50 composition contained approximately 2 vol.% bcc crystallites in an amorphous matrix. Both the Fe30Al70 and Fe10Al90 samples were amorphous to TEM and SAD. The amorphous alloys and the amorphous regions of the Fe50Al50 alloys display an “island-channel” structure which is detectable with TEM. The data indicate the presence of only three phases in this metastable system; polycrystalline bcc, amorphous, and polycrystalline fcc.
A comparative investigation of isozyme fractions separated from plant tissues

Abstract The successful separation by disc electrophoresis of soluble proteins and isozymes of acid phosphatase (E.C. 3.1.3.2), esterase (E.C. 3.1.1.2), malate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.37) and peroxidase (E.C. 1.11.1.7) from a variety of plant sources is described. Comparison of these fractions from leaf, petiole, stem, seed, pod, root and tuber tissues is made. The study includes separations from eleven diverse genera of green plants. Although many differences were found in isozyme patterns between the genera, and between the tissues of a plant, some isozymes are of common occurrence.
Adrenocortical activity and avoidance learning as a function of time after fear conditioning

Abstract Shuttlebox avoidance learning in rats is a U-shaped function of time after fear conditioning. The descending limb of the function was found to be correlated with a corresponding decrease in plasma concentration of corticosterone, and it is suggested that the ascending limb of the function may be associated with an increasing sensitivity of the adrenocortical system over time. Unsignalled shock does not produce the U-shaped function but does produce changes in steroid concentration similar to those initiated by fear conditioning.
Global leadership success through emotional and cultural intelligences

Abstract Culturally attuned and emotionally sensitive global leaders need to be developed: leaders who can respond to the particular foreign environments of different countries and different interpersonal work situations. Two emerging constructs are especially relevant to the development of successful global leaders: cultural and emotional intelligences. When considered under the traditional view of intelligence as measured by IQ, cultural, and emotional intelligences provide a framework for better understanding cross-cultural leadership and help clarify possible adaptations that need to be implemented in leadership development programs of multinational firms. This article posits that emotional intelligence (EQ), analytical intelligence (IQ), and leadership behaviors are moderated by cultural intelligence (CQ) in the formation of global leadership success.
Welfare Reform and Nutrition Education: Alternative Strategies to Address the Challenges of the Future

Abstract Legislative actions related to welfare reform may affect the future of nutrition education. Three important elements of welfare reform proposals are work requirements, federal spending limits, and delegation of program responsibility to the states. These elements could affect nutrition educators through changes in the funding and organizational structure of client services, a decline in economic conditions for some low-income households, and greater difficulties in reaching some high-risk clients. This article reviews such issues and suggests alternative strategies for nutritionists to use in addressing the challenges of the future.
Incidence of inguinal hernias following radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Abstract Objectives During the last decade, the number of patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) has substantially increased. Over this same time period, we have noted that a significant number of these patients have developed postoperative inguinal hernias. We sought to identify the incidence of postoperative inguinal hernias after RRP and compared this with the stated 5% incidence in the general adult male population. Methods Ninety-two consecutive RRPs performed by three surgeons (U.S., N.L.C., S.W.D.) were retrospectively reviewed. The operative reports for each patient who subsequently underwent inguinal herniorrhaphy were analyzed to determine whether the hernias were direct or indirect. Results The overall incidence of postoperative inguinal hernias was 12% (11 of 92). All hernias were found within approximately 6 months of the prostatectomy. Ninety-one percent (10 of 11) of these hernias were indirect, and only 9% (1 of 1.1) were direct. Conclusions We believe this to be the first report in the English literature describing postoperative inguinal hernias following retropubic prostatectomy. A significantly higher incidence (12%) of inguinal hernias was noted in the postprostatectomy population compared with the general adult male population (5%). This finding suggests that inguinal hernias can be a consequence of RRP. Urologists should be cognizant of this possibility in order to screen all patients carefully prior to surgery for subtle weakness in the inguinal canal, as well as to inform patients properly of the possibility of developing an inguinal hernia after surgery.
Modeling of the leachables impact on the engineering of parenteral product container systems

Abstract This study examines the impact, from a leachables perspective, of charging a solution contact component of a polymeric solution container. By charging such a container component, one provides a new source of leachable solutes. The distribution of these leachables within a three phase system (the original container, the new component and the solution) will determine the impact of the container change. Extraction of a material, coupled with chromatographic and/or spectroscopic analysis of the resultant extracts, provides the material's leachable profile. The total organic carbon (TOC) content of the extracts is introduced as a species non-specific measure of the total extractable burden. Leaching models are developed for the container and its changed component by correlating these material's interaction constants with solvent/solvent partition coefficients of model solutes. The solvent-solvent partition coefficients of the members of the leachable profile, as well as the partition coefficients of the composite TOC, are determined. The leaching models are coupled with the leachable's partition coefficients to allow for a prediction of leachable accumulation in a specific product design. These predictions reconcile well with actual experimental observations.
Analysis of polyamines and acetyl derivatives by a single automated amino acid analyzer technique.

Abstract In a single, rapid and precise analysis, monoacetylputrescine, N 8 -acetylspermidine, N 1 acetylspermidine, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine can be separated using a five-buffer system on an automatic amino acid analyzer. This method allows, for the first time, the separation of all the known acetyl derivatives of putrescine and spermidine as well as the parent compounds in urine and tissues with a single automated procedure. The method has been applied to the analysis of biological samples from normal volunteers, cancer patients and a rat liver supernatant. Mass spectral confirmation was obtained for each compound.
Methodology and repeatability of a standardised treadmill exercise test for clinical evaluation of fitness in horses

Summary This paper describes the methodology necessary to perform a clinical exercise test and the expected variability in an individual horse's exercise test measurements based on comparing the results of two repetitions of the test with six horses. The exercise test measurements were obtained with an open flow respiratory gas analysis system, fast time response lactate analyser and an on-board heart rate monitor during an incremental inclined treadmill exercise test. With the exception of peak venous lactate concentration (LACpeak), the results indicate that the mean variability in peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) peak carbon dioxide production (VCO2peak), peak respiratory exchange ratio (Rpeak), peak heart rate (HRpeak), peak packed cell volume (PCVpeak), peak total plasma protein (TPPpeak) and the maximum number of steps completed during the exercise test (STEPmax) was less than 5 per cent. Variation in the regression analysis of VO2, VCO2 and HR versus velocity was also less than 5 per cent. Slightly higher variation was recorded for LAC and R. Mean variation in the regression analysis of PCV and TPP versus velocity was more than 16 per cent. Mean variation for all of the post exercise test measurements was less than 10 per cent at 1, 5 and 15 mins post exercise. Therefore, the results obtained during a single exercise test are a reliable assessment of a horse's metabolic capability.
Alternative polyadenylation signals in the 3′ non-coding region of a voltage-gated potassium channel gene are major determinants of mRNA isoform expression

We investigated the role of the 3' non-coding region of a mouse voltage-gated potassium channel mRNA (mKv1.4 mRNA) in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. In contrast to an earlier report from studies carried out in Xenopus oocytes, we found that 3' non-coding region sequences of mKv1.4 mRNAs did not significantly affect expression of a heterologous reporter RNA in vitro or in mammalian cells/cell lines. Instead, our data revealed a possible role for alternative polyadenylation mediated by distinct determinants approximately 0.2 kb and approximately 1.2 kb downstream of the Kv1.4 coding region. The use of the downstream polyadenylation signal correlated with the synthesis of a larger Kv1.4 mRNA isoform that was more abundantly expressed than the smaller mRNA species, whose expression was regulated by the upstream polyadenylation signal. Our results suggest that the relative strengths of the polyadenylation signals are major determinants of overall Kv1.4 mRNA abundance in cells.
Shape feature variation for recognition

Geometric features of an object in an image vary with the view angle of the camera or with the orientation of the object. The variation in measured features is often expressed using probability density functions. The probabilistic bases of this approach arise from assumptions concerning the unconstrained pose of the object and the consequent that the two orientation angles are random variables with a known joint density. In this paper we concentrate on recognizing the faces of polyhedral surfaces. We start by quantifying the minimal features in a face that are scale invariant and rotation invariant (about the optical axis). Two features we found to be analytically tractable were the normalized area between two edges and the normalized innerproduct of two edge vectors. We refer to the features as quadrature line ratios. The joint density of these measured features in orthographic images has been derived. The variation of these features in images are analyzed and plotted. Likelihood functions based on this density have been developed and used in distinguishing and recognizing faces of polyhedra. Experiments with real and simulated data have been conducted to verify the efficacy of the proposed schemes and the results show that the method is promising.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Resilience in Adult Children of Divorce: A Multiple Case Study

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the experiences of resilience following parental divorce for university freshmen. Five participants were interviewed using a multiple case study methodology to examine how the three needs of Self-Determination theory contributed to resilience. Data were collected through demographic surveys, divorce artwork, resilience artwork, and interview transcriptions. The findings suggested that autonomy, competence, and relatedness contributed to resilience of adult children of divorce, and support the relevance of self-determination theory to describe resilience with these participants. Implications for counselors and recommendations for future research on resilience in children of divorce were provided.
Choledochoscopy and operative fluorocholangiography in the prevention of retained bile duct stones

Choledochoscopy has become a clinically accepted adjunct to choledochotomy as a result of recent advances in optics and instrumentation technology. Experience with this diagnostic modality during the past 18 years has led to the development of a compact, right-angled, rigid, rod-lens choledochoscope. Because of the excellent image quality and easy manipulation of this new instrument, choledochoscopy can be easily incorporated into routine surgical procedures on the biliary tract. Clinical results of choledochoscopy in a recent series of 120 consecutive choledochotomies are presented. The incidence of retained stones was reduced to 2%. Further advantages were: direct endoscopic removal of calculi, biopsy of biliary tumors, and immediate interpretation of questionable operative cholangiograms. Direct visual diagnosis of the problematic distal duct facilitated appropriate operative management without prolonging operating time. The procedure was carried out without increasing the complication rate beyond that of standard choledochotomy.
Atomic nucleus as a laboratory for symmetry tests

Dynamical symmetries played a major role in interpreting collective nuclear spectra. Recent studies show that the nuclear system presents a phase transitional behavior in its evolution from spherical to deformed shape and new symmetries describe the structure at the critical point.
On the closure of triangle-free graphs under substitution

On dit qu'un graphe G se construit a partir de deux graphes G 1 et G 2 par substitution,si,pour un sommet donne w de G 1 ,G apparait en supprimant w et en rendant,par la suite,les sommets de G 2 adjacents a tous les voisins de w dans G 1 .On presente ici une caracterisation par configurations interdites de la fermeture de graphes sans triangles sous substitution.
A case of psychogenic fugue: I understand, aber ich verstehe nichts.

Abstract Psychogenic fugue is a disorder of memory that occurs following emotional or psychological trauma and results in a loss of one’s personal past including personal identity. This paper reports a case of psychogenic fugue in which the individual lost access not only to his autobiographical memories but also to his native German language. A series of experiments compared his performance on a variety of memory and language tests to several groups of control participants including German–English bilinguals who performed the tasks normally or simulated amnesia for the German language. Neuropsychological, behavioral, electrophysiological and functional neuroimaging tests converged on the conclusion that this individual suffered an episode of psychogenic fugue, during which he lost explicit knowledge of his personal past and his native language. At the same time, he appeared to retain implicit knowledge of autobiographical facts and of the semantic or associative structure of the German language. The patient’s poor performance on tests of executive control and reduced activation of frontal compared to parietal brain regions during lexical decision were suggestive of reduced frontal function, consistent with models of psychogenic fugue proposed by Kopelman [The Handbook of Memory Disorders, 2nd ed., Wiley, Chichester, 2002, p. 451] and Markowitsch [Memory, Consciousness, and the Brain, Psychology Press, Philadelphia, 2000, p. 319].
Magnetization Dynamics Symmetry in Spin Torque Induced Magnetization Switching

Magnetization dynamics symmetry plays important roles in magnetization switching. Here we study magnetic field and spin torque induced magnetization switching. Spin moment transferring from polarized itinerant electrons to local magnetization provides a magnetization switching mechanism without using external magnetic field. Besides its importance in fundamental magnetization switching dynamics, spin torque magnetization switching has great application potential for future nanoscale magnetoelectronic devices. The paper explores magnetization dynamics symmetry effects on spin torque induced magnetization switching, and its interactions with random fluctuations. We will illustrate the consequences of magnetization dynamics symmetry on the critical switching current magnitude and the thermal stability energy of spin torque induced magnetization switching, which are the two most important design criteria for nanoscale spin torque magnetic devices. The concept of Logarithmic magnetization susceptibility is used to extract symmetry and damping information on spin torque induced nonlinear magnetization dynamic processes, and provides paths to control spin torque induced switching in a fluctuating environment.
Acid deposition regulation and the US coal industry

Abstract This paper concerns the debate over regulation of acid deposition in the USA. In essence, the debate has concerned striking an efficient balance among three conflicting goals: reducing acid-deposition effects, minimizing control costs and assuring a future for the high-sulphur coal industry. This paper focuses on the effects of acid rain regulation on the high-sulphur coal industry, using a model of the electric power and coal industries in the east and midwest. Our conclusion is that the two prominent regulatory proposals, forced scrubbing and an emission limit, are either inefficient or poorly balance the three policy goals. Furthermore, a limit of 1.2 pounds sulphur per million Btu of fuel seems to maximize deleterious effects on the high-sulphur coal industry. Tighter or weaker controls would be better for high-sulphur coal.
Theoretical studies of vibrational relaxation of iodine in low density liquid xenon

Preliminary results of generalized Langevin and isolated binary collision (IBC) calculations for vibrational relaxation of iodine in low density liquid xenon are presented. Simple generalized Langevin simulations, using equilibrium xenon as a model solvent, fail to reproduce molecular dynamics vibrational relaxation data. This is explained, at least in part, by noting that the iodine vibrational motion perturbs the local solvent, with this perturbation resulting in dissipation of energy. Simple isolated binary collision models qualitatively reproduce molecular dynamics relaxation behaviour. However, the collision rate determined by fitting isolated binary collision data to molecular dynamics data seems unreasonably high, which may indicate the importance of correlated collisions and many body interactions which are ignored in the IBC model.
Thermodynamic studies on synthetic lac operator core.

The nine base pairs long central region of the lac operator gene forms a stable double helix. A comparison of melting temperatures with other biologically useful oligonucleotides indicates the importance of specific base sequence. Binding constants measured with ethidium bromide (1.7 × 105 M−1), tyrosine (4.0 × 103 M−1), and glutamine (1.5 × 103 M−1), are interpreted in terms of the involvement of a relatively small number of amino acids in the lac operator-repressor interaction.
Feasibility of two‐phase anaerobic stabilization of industrial waste with simultaneous production of energy

Abstract Single‐stage high‐rate (or conventional) anaerobic digestion of soft‐drink bottling waste exhibited unbalanced acidogenic and methanogenic fermentations at HRT's below 10 days and loading rates above 2 kg VS m‐3 day‐1. By comparison, the two‐phase digestion process was operated at much higher loading rates and much lower HRT's to afford the same methane yield and COD reduction efficiency as those of the conventional process. The economic advantages of the two‐phase process were that for this waste the digester volume could be reduced by more than 67% and the net energy production increased by more than 73% compared with those of the conventional process.
Calcite twin widths and intensities as metamorphic indicators in natural low-temperature deformation of limestone

Abstract Twins in naturally deformed coarse-grained limestones of the northern Subalpine Chain (France) show a direct relationship of twin width and intensity (number of twins per mm) to the peak metamorphism under diagenetic and anchimetamorphic conditions. The transition from dominant thin twinning to dominant thick twinning occurs between a mean vitrinite reflectance (Ro) of 1.60 and 2.60, or temperatures of between 150 and 200°C. Below the transition temperature, increasing strain is apparently accommodated by adding new twins, and above the transition temperature, increasing strain is accommodated by twin widening. Similar transitions from thin to thick twinning with increasing metamorphism are also present in the Helvetic Alps, the Prealps, and the Central Appalachian Valley and Ridge Province. These data for naturally deformed limestones support the interpretation from experimental studies of a temperature effect on twin width and intensity and indicate that the twinning in the northern Subalpine Chain occurred at or near peak metamorphism.
Atrial natriuretic factor increases the magnitude of duodenal spontaneous phasic contractions.

Summary The present investigation was designed to determine if atrial natriuretic factor relaxes non-vascular smooth muscle. Rather than cause a relaxation, atrial natriuretic factor induced a two-to-four fold enhancement in the amplitude of the spontaneous phasic contractions of duodenal longitudinal muscle. Dose-response curves revealed that ANF enhanced these contractions over a concentration range of 10 picomoles to 100 nanomoles with the ED 50 at I nanomolar. The increased amplitude of contraction began within 30 seconds and was calcium-dependent. The increased force of contraction was associated with a three-fold increase in cyclic GMP levels and activation of particulate guanylate cyclase [E.C.4.5.1.2.]. Atrial natriuretic factor had its half-maximal [ED 50 ] activation of guanylate cyclase at its 1 nM concentration while maximal enhancement was at its 100 nM concentration in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Atrial natriuretic factor did not stimulate adenylate cyclase [E.C.4.6.1.1.]. Thus, atrial natriuretic factor increases the force of the spontaneous phasic contractions of the small intestine which are calcium-dependent and associated with activation of the guanylate cyclase-cyclic GMP system.
Expression of a CD3 epsilon transgene in CD3 epsilon(null) mice does not restore CD3 gamma and delta expression but efficiently rescues T cell development from a subpopulation of prothymocytes.

The TCR-associated CD3 complex consists of four subunits, i.e. CD3 gamma, delta, epsilon and zeta, which are expressed very early in T cell development prior to the expression of the TCR and the pre-TCR alpha chain. It is unclear whether the expression of each CD3 protein is independent of, or is influenced by, other CD3 subunits. To study whether CD3 epsilon regulates expression of CD3 gamma and delta genes, we generated a strain of CD3 epsilon-deficient mice termed CD3 epsilon(delta P/delta P) (epsilon(delta P)), in which the promoter of CD3E was disrupted, and subsequently reconstituted these mice with a CD3 epsilon transgene. In the epsilon(delta P) mice, T cell development is arrested at the double-negative stage and targeting the CD3 epsilon gene caused severe inhibition of CD3 gamma and delta gene expression. Introduction of the CD3 epsilon transgene did not restore CD3 gamma and delta expression. However, a very small fraction of prothymocytes that expressed CD3 gamma and delta was rescued upon reconstitution of the CD3 epsilon transgene. Remarkably, this rescue led to a very efficient differentiation and maturation of thymocytes, resulting in a significant T cell population in the periphery. These results demonstrate that CD3 epsilon does not regulate expression of CD3 gamma and delta genes, and underscore the capacity of each prothymocyte to give rise to a large number of mature peripheral T cells.
Optimal gait and form for animal locomotion

We present a fully automatic method for generating gaits and morphologies for legged animal locomotion. Given a specific animal's shape we can determine an efficient gait with which it can move. Similarly, we can also adapt the animal's morphology to be optimal for a specific locomotion task. We show that determining such gaits is possible without the need to specify a good initial motion, and without manually restricting the allowed gaits of each animal. Our approach is based on a hybrid optimization method which combines an efficient derivative-aware spacetime constraints optimization with a derivative-free approach able to find non-local solutions in high-dimensional discontinuous spaces. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach by synthesizing dynamic locomotions of bipeds, a quadruped, and an imaginary five-legged creature.
Genetic factors in the etiology and pathogenesis of autoimmunity.

Family and population studies indicate that several different genes can increase susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Established genetic risk factors include genes encoding histocompatibility molecules, complement proteins, immunoglobulins, peptide transporter proteins, and genes controlling the production of sex hormones. Each factor may independently enhance the immunogenicity of autoantigens, either by increasing their processing and presentation by B lymphocytes and macrophages or by increasing the chance for recognition by autoreactive T and B lymphocytes. Genetic factors may also influence immune responses to infectious agents that can trigger autoimmunity. Because of the somatic generation of immune diversity, genetically identical individuals have different immune systems. The ability of genetic diagnosis to predict autoimmune disease in outbred populations cannot easily exceed the disease concordance rates in monozygotic twins, which usually are less than 50%. However, genetic diagnosis can ta...
Forward and inverse problems in elasticity imaging of soft tissues

In elasticity imaging, a surface deformation is applied to an object using small pistons, and the resulting induced strains in the interior of the object are measured using ultrasonic imaging. Two important problems are considered: (1) the forward problem of determining the strains induced by a known deformation of an object with known elasticity; and (2) the inverse problem of reconstructing elasticity from measured strains and the equations of equilibrium. The method of finite differences is used to solve the forward problem for a given piston configuration; some nontrivial issues arise in determining boundary conditions. The finite difference equations are then rearranged into a linear system of equations which formulates the inverse problem; this system can be solved for the unknown elasticities. This formulation of the inverse problem is completely consistent with the forward problem; this is useful for iterative methods in which the deformation is adaptively changed. A comparison between simulated and actual measured results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed procedure. >
Nonlinear optimisation tool for the full-bridge zero-voltage-switched DC-DC convertor

The fundamental equations characterising the full-bridge zero-voltage-switched DC-DC convertor are utilised in a nonlinear design-optimisation routine. The design is subject to realistic constraints along with an objective function of minimal total and/or maximum efficiency. The routine is used to study the effects of switching frequency, leakage inductance and load range for zero-voltage switching on the efficiency and size. Maximum efficiency is shown to occur when zero-voltage switching is maintained in the immediate vicinity of full-load operation. Experimental measurements confirm computed predictions.
Growth and patterning of aligned carbon nanotubes for applications to cold cathodes and vacuum electronics

Summary form only given. The extremely large aspect ratio and sharp tips of carbon nanotubes made them among the most promising nanostructures for low-voltage and low-field cold cathode applications. The physically and chemically stable, highly thermally and electrically conductive carbon nanotubes allow very high density of electron current to be emitted without damages to the carbon nanotubes. By properly designing and growing carbon nanotubes and integrating them with 2-D and/or 3-D structures, high performance cold cathodes can be fabricated and applied to various vacuum electronics and vacuum power transferring applications. Well aligned carbon nanotubes have been grown using thermal chemical vapour deposition techniques and patterned into micro-structures by means of photolithographic techniques that are commonly used for silicon integrated circuit fabrication. Electron field emission at an average applied electric field of one volt per micrometer has been achieved. High current density cold cathodes fabricated on micro-patterned substrates as well as 3-D structures were investigated. In this presentation, the growth process, properties of carbon nanotubes, and their applications as cold cathodes for vacuum electronics is discussed.
No Easy Roads to Employee Involvement

Executive Overview The article presents an examination of a study conducted by Sharon Parker, Toby Wall, and Paul Jackson on how employees develop into strategic actors. The researchers investigated whether simply training employees in new manufacturing techniques such as total quality management (TQM) or just-in-time (JIT) would enable organizations to meet their strategic goals, or whether additional individual and organizational change might also be required. The research examines the relationship between strategic orientation, role orientation, and job autonomy. They also examined the relationship between strategic orientation and role orientation in a second study at a facility that had implemented TQM and JIT initiatives and had trained employees in these techniques.
Oxidative Stress in COPD

Oxidative stress is now recognized as a major predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of COPD. Existing therapies for COPD are ineffective at halting disease progression, with bronchodilators being the mainstay of pharmacotherapy, providing symptomatic relief only. It is, therefore, important for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which oxidative stress drives disease pathogenesis to develop novel and more effective therapies. Antioxidant capacity in COPD is substantially reduced as a result of cigarette smoking and exacerbations, with oxidative stress persisting long after the cessation of cigarette smoking or exacerbation, due to the continued production of reactive oxygen species from endogenous sources. We discuss (1) how oxidative stress arises in the lung, (2) how it is neutralized, (3) what genetic factors may predispose to the development of COPD, and (4) how this impacts inflammation and autoimmunity in the development of emphysema and small airways disease. Finally, various strategies have been considered to neutralize the increased oxidative burden present in COPD. This review highlights why current antioxidant strategies have so far failed and what promising alternatives are on the horizon. Moreover, a number of studies have shown that there is no single "magic bullet" to combat oxidative stress, but instead a combination therapy, targeting oxidative stress in the various subcellular compartments, may prove to be more effective in COPD.
Multiple enchondromas associated with spindle-cell hemangioendotheliomas: An overlooked variant of Maffucci's syndrome

Maffucci's syndrome is classically defined as the association of multiple enchondromas and hemangiomas. Spindle-cell hemangioendothelioma (SCH), a recently described vascular tumor of purported low malignant potential, has both cavernous hemangioma and Kaposi-like features. We report six patients with Maffucci's syndrome in whom all vascular lesions were SCH. The enchondromas involved the small and long tubular bones of the extremities in all of these patients; flat bones were also involved in three patients. The SCH usually arose in the extremities, distal to the knees and elbows. Five of the six patients had multiple and separate nodules of SCH, and in four patients there was recurrent or persistent SCH within 6 months to 4 years after initial removal. One patient also had a vascular tumor in the spleen mainly with features of a low-grade angiosarcoma with separate SCH-like foci. None of the SCH have metastasized within a follow-up period averaging 20 years. Five patients are alive 14 to 31 years after presentation. One patient died from metastatic dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma. The patient with the low-grade splenic angiosarcoma is alive approximately 2 years after diagnosis. Reappraisal of the older literature suggests that some of the vascular tumors occurring in Maffucci's syndrome, previously diagnosed as hemangiomas, may in fact be SCH. The apparent association between Maffucci's syndrome and SCH, the presence of SCH in other congenital syndromes, and the young patient age and multicentric distribution of SCH unassociated with Maffucci's syndrome raise the possibility that SCH may be a manifestation of a congenital mesodermal disorder with a genetic background related to Maffucci's syndrome. Although the behavior of SCH appears to be one of a locally recurrent or persistent multicentric lesion that does not metastasize, the association of SCH-like foci in a low-grade angiosarcoma of the spleen raises the possibility that SCH may rarely be associated with a higher grade lesion. Therefore, SCH, at least in the setting of Maffucci's syndrome, should be carefully monitored.
Joint attention and social-emotional approach behavior in children with autism

Autism is a development disorder that is characterized by a significant disturbance of social development. Research strongly suggests that this disorder results from neurological anomalies or deficits. However, both the specific neural systems involved in autism, and the most pertinent behavioral functions of those systems remains unclear. One current topic of debate concerns the degree to which the social disturbance of autism may result from developmental anomalies in neurological systems that subserve cognitive, or affective processes. In this paper a model of the neurological, cognitive, and affective processes involved in the pathogenesis of autism will be described in the context of an attempt to understand dissociations in the early social-skill development of these children. Young children with autism are better able to use social-communication gestures to request objects or events than they are able to use similar gesture simply to initiate joint or socially shared attention relative to an object or event. An integration of recent research suggests that joint attention skill development differs from requesting skill development with regard to affective and cognitive processes that may be associated with frontal and midbrain neurological systems. In particular, this integration of the literature suggests the following: (a) there is a specific neurological subsystem that regulates and promotes what are called social-emotional approach behaviors; (b) the tendency to initiate joint attention bids is prototypical of a social-emotional approach behavior; and (c) attenuation of social-approach behaviors in children with autism leads to a specific impoverishment of social information processing opportunities. This impoverishment has a lifelong negative effect on the social cognitive development of these children.