cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dietary manipulations affecting growth and nitrogenous waste production of red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus I. Effects of dietary protein and energy levels.

Although considerable progress has been made in determining nutritional requirements for maximum growth of red drum, it is important to consider that dietary manipulations also may influence other responses that are of aquacultural importance such as nitrogenous waste production. Therefore, an 8-week feeding trial was conducted with juvenile red drum (7.7 g/fish initial weight) in recirculating 110-l aquaria, to determine the effects of dietary protein and energy manipulations on growth, body composition and aspects of nitrogenous waste production of these fish. A total of eight dietary treatments, with six of the treatments constructed in a 3 × 2 factorial array, were evaluated. Factorial treatments had either 35, 40 or 45% crude protein (CP) with medium or high digestible energy levels ranging from 35.2 to 46.4 kJ/g protein at each protein level based on previous studies with this species. These diets were fed to fish at a rate approaching apparent satiation. Two additional treatments consisted of feeding fish the two 40% CP diets at precisely half the rate of fish fed to a pparent satiation. Weight gain of fish significantly (P < 0.05) increased in response to increases in dietary protein, and within a protein level, was reduced by high dietary energy. Feeding at a reduced rate resulted in poorer weight gain, except for fish fed the diet containing higher energy. For all treatments, fat deposition was increased in the peritoneal cavity and liver by high dietary energy. However, muscle lipid was not impacted by the dietary treatments. Plasma ammonia and urea levels, as well as hepatic glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase were not affected by dietary energy or feed rate manipulations. However, ammonia production and activity of the ammoniagenic enzyme glutaminase were reduced in fish fed the higher dietary energy levels. This study suggests that high dietary energy is able to reduce ammonia production of juvenile red drum but also results in fish with higher fat deposition and lower growth rates.
Surface modifications and cell-materials interactions with anodized Ti.

The objective of this study was to investigate in vitro cell–materials interactions using human osteoblast cells on anodized titanium. Titanium is a bioinert material and therefore becomes encapsulated after implantation into the living body by a fibrous tissue that isolates it from the surrounding tissues. In this work, a bioactive TiO2 layer was grown on commercially pure titanium substrate by an anodization process using different electrolyte solutions, namely H3PO4, HF and H2SO4. These electrolytes produced bioactive TiO2 films with a nonporous structure showing three distinctive surface morphologies. Human osteoblast cell growth behavior was studied with as-received and anodized surfaces using an osteoprecursor cell line (OPC 1) for 3, 5 and 11 days. When anodized surfaces were compared for cell–materials interaction, it was noticed that each of the surfaces has different surface properties, which led to variations in cell–materials interactions. Colonization of the cells was noticed with a distinctive cell-to-cell attachment in the HF anodized surface. Good cellular adherence with extracellular matrix extensions in between the cells was noticed for samples anodized with H3PO4 electrolyte. The TiO2 layer grown in H2SO4 electrolyte did not show significant cell growth on the surface, and some cell death was also noticed. Cell adhesions and differentiation were more pronounced with vinculin protein and alkaline phosphatase, respectively, on anodized surfaces. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium assays also showed an increase in living cell density and proliferation with anodized surfaces. It was clear that rough surface morphology, high surface energy and low values of contact angles were important factors for better cell materials interaction. A mineralization study was done in simulated body fluid with ion concentrations nearly identical to those of human blood plasma to further understand biomimetic apatite deposition behavior. Similar to cell–materials interaction, variations in mineral deposition behavior were also noticed for films grown with different electrolytes.
Growth suppressive cytokines and the AKT/mTOR pathway

The mTOR signaling pathway plays a very important role in the transmission of signals for initiation of mRNA translation and protein expression in mammalian cells. mTOR activates various downstream effectors to promote initiation of cap-dependent mRNA translation and mediate pro-mitogenic and pro-survival signals. Recent evidence has implicated effectors of this signaling cascade in mRNA translation for interferon stimulated genes (ISGs). In addition, it was recently shown that AKT/mTOR-mediated signals play important roles in the generation of IFN-dependent antiviral and growth inhibitory responses, suggesting that mTOR and its effectors can mediate diverse biological responses, depending on the cellular context and the triggering stimuli. In this review, the regulatory effects of various growth suppressive cytokines on the mTOR pathway are summarized and the emerging new functions of mTOR are discussed.
Spectral distortion in sampling rate conversion by zero-order polynomial interpolation

For such applications as digital beamforming in sonar and sampling rate conversion in digital audio systems, there is interest in fast, approximate interpolation techniques. Computationally, the simplest of these is to approximate the desired time series sample by the available sample which is nearest in time. This procedure is variously known as sample-and-hold interpolation, zero-order polynomial interpolation, or selective subsampling. The effect of this approximation on signal-to-noise ratio has already been addressed in the literature. This correspondence extends those previous analyses by deriving the spectral characteristics of the noise generated. It is shown that, because the timing errors involved in zero-order polynomial interpolation are not random, the effect on the input spectrum is not simply to broaden it by the transfer of power from narrowband signal components to broadband noise, from narrowband signals to narrowband noise or distortion components. >
The effect of riboflavin deficiency on the growth of the mandibular condyle of mice.

Abstract The changes in the mandibular condyle of mice maintained on a riboflavin-deficient diet for varying periods of time were described. The growth cartilage of the condyle became markedly narrower than normal. These changes were reversible, and with the refeeding of adequate diets the condylar cartilage assumed its normal width.
An integrative plasmid and multiple-sized plasmids of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola have extensive homology

Plasmids isolated from five strains of the bean pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola were characterized by restriction endonuclease and filter hybridization analyses. BamHI and EcoRI restriction patterns revealed that total plasmid DNA from each strain had a high level of sequence homology with pMC7105, a 148 kbp integrative plasmid found in a sixth strain. Only six BamHI fragments from the eight plasmids in these strains failed to hybridize with pMC7105 probe. Four of these fragments, three from pPP6520 and one from pPP6525 of strain PP652, hybridized strongly to plasmid DNA from a closely-related pathovar, P. syringae pv. glycinea. BamHI fragment 8, which is involved in the integration of pMC7105 into the host chromosome, contains a repeat sequence that was present on all the plasmids except pPP6120 (6.8 kbp), pPP6310 (40 kbp) and pPP6520 (45 kbp). Every plasmid but pPP6520 had fragments that showed weak hybridization to the small plasmid, pPP6120. This homology suggests that a second repetitive sequence is common to these plasmids. The large plasmids (148 to 151 kbp) were essentially identical to pMC7105. The intermediate plasmids (122 to 128 kbp) appeared to be derived mainly from pMC7105 or a related plasmid, whereas the smaller plasmids (6.8 to 45 kbp) appear to have been derived in part from sequences not present in pMC7105.
Job satisfaction among academic administrators

This study was designed to determine the facet-specific or dimensional job satisfaction of academic administrators at selected institutions. A survey composed of demographic items and a standardized job satisfaction instrument, the revised Job Descriptive Index (JDI), was mailed to a stratified random sample of presidents, academic vice-presidents, and deans at four-year colleges and universities. There was an overall response rate of 76 percent. The Carnegie classification of the respondents' employing institutions had no effect on their JDI scale scores. However, the level of the respondents' administrative position did have a significant effect on the mean scores of three JDI scales. When the median JDI scores for each administrative position were compared to a norm group, it was found that chief academic officers and deans are relatively dissatisfied with the nature of their work. It is recommended that future research activities investigate the root causes of the dissatisfaction. It is also recommended that the JDI continue to be administered to this population on a continuing basis to document changes and trends in the job satisfaction of academic administrators over time.
Shuffled complex evolution approach for effective and efficient global minimization

The degree of difficulty in solving a global optimization problem is in general dependent on the dimensionality of the problem and certain characteristics of the objective function. This paper discusses five of these characteristics and presents a strategy for function optimization called the shuffled complex evolution (SCE) method, which promises to be robust, effective, and efficient for a broad class of problems. The SCE method is based on a synthesis of four concepts that have proved successful for global optimization: (a) combination of probabilistic and deterministic approaches; (b) clustering; (c) systematic evolution of a complex of points spanning the space, in the direction of global improvement; and (d) competitive evolution. Two algorithms based on the SCE method are presented. These algorithms are tested by running 100 randomly initiated trials on eight test problems of differing difficulty. The performance of the two algorithms is compared to that of the controlled random search CRS2 method presented by Price (1983, 1987) and to a multistart algorithm based on the simplex method presented by Nelder and Mead (1965).
New inflation in supersymmetric theories

Abstract A new inflationary universe scenario is considered based upon phase transitions in supersymmetric unified models where the Higgs potential is of the Witten-O'Raifeartaigh type.
Pre-Late-Wisconsin glacial history, coastal Ahklun Mountains, southwestern Alaska – new amino acid, thermoluminescence, and 40Ar/39Ar results

Abstract New stratigraphic and geochronologic data from the Togiak Bay area of southwestern Alaska indicate that glaciers advanced from the southern Ahklun Mountains at least three and as many as six times prior to the late Wisconsin. The oldest glaciations are represented by glacial–marine sediment in coastal exposures on Hagemeister Island. The extent of amino acid (isoleucine) epimerization in fossil molluscs indicates that at least one, and possibly four, older middle Pleistocene glacial intervals are represented, with age estimates spanning ∼500–280 ka and averaging ∼400±100 ka. The youngest glacial-marine drift on Hagemeister Island may correlate with the eruption of the Togiak tuya. A new 40 Ar/ 39 Ar age on basalt that overlies pillow lava indicates that the volcano erupted through glacial ice at least 300 m thick 263±22 ka. The youngest drift in the region overlies the Old Crow tephra (140±10 ka) and a 70±10 ka basaltic lava flow dated by thermoluminescence analysis of underlying baked sediment. The drift delimits flat piedmont lobes that spread out onto the continental shelf and terminated >100 km from their source areas during the early Wisconsin (sensu lato) . The glacial-geologic evidence suggests that major expansions of glaciers were out of phase with global ice volume.
Properties and structure of lanthanum phosphate glasses

Glasses were prepared from the system xLa 2 O 3 (DOT)(1-x)P 2 O 5 , where 0.00 2 O 3 . Raman spectra indicate that the phosphate network evolves from a cross- linked ultraphosphate to chain-like metaphosphate with increasing x. The property and spectral trends are interpreted with respect to the La-coordination environment, which appears to change from isolated La-polyhedra to a La-O-La subnetwork when x >= 0.15.
Ritual rights and bones of contention: more on monastic funerals and relics in the Mūlasarvāstivāda-vinaya

La question du traitement funeraire des cadavres des moines bouddhistes indiens n'a pas recu la meme attention que dans d'autres pays. Au regard des sources textuelles qui abordent le probleme des funerailles, la presentation du rituel indien est parfaitement inadequate. Dans cet article, l'A. s'attache au rituel d'un ordre indien: le Mūlasarvāstivāda
Micromachined microscanners for optical scanning

We present the design and fabrication of surface- micromachined electrostatic-comb driven microscanners that have high angular precision over a large scan angle. When used as resonant scanners, these mirrors have fast scan rates with very low operating power. We use polysilicon microhinges, which allow the micromirrors to be lifted out of the plane of the substrate after processing is completed, to create high-aspect-ratio optical surfaces with dimensions in the hundreds of micrometers s while taking advantage of the planar surface-micromachining processing technology. Microscanners that are capable of high-speed scanning over large scan angles with high precision have been fabricated. Application of these actuated micromirrors in laser barcode scanning and optical-fiber switches have been demonstrated. These single-mirror scanners can be combined to form more complicated microscanners such as a two-mirror, two-axis raster scanner that have a wide range of applications in areas such as medicine, displays, printing, data storage, and communications.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The interaction between capillary waves and a current and wave decay

Results of experiments on capillary-wave decay and energy transfer to mean currents are presented. The conditions investigated were those of a progressive wave train propagating on still water, on a constant current and on a spatially varying current. The waves were generated by either a mechanical or a pneumatic wave maker and the wave maker usually excited cross-wave motion. Thus the study also provides data on cross-wave generation and growth under these conditions. In particular these results indicate that the cross-waves obtain energy from a constant current as well as a spatially varying current. The progressive-wave energy was separated from that in the cross-waves by spatial averaging. When this is done the wave-current interaction and wave decay can be described by a first-order theory which includes viscous dissipation.
The role of discrete emotions in health outcomes: A critical review

Abstract Global aspects of emotion have been central to psychosocial theories of health and health behavior for several decades. A growing body of research has documented key roles for several broad affective constructs – notably anxiety, depression, and anger/hostility – in areas ranging from basic physiological processes, health behaviors, and symptom reporting, to screening and detection behaviors and decision making. Despite this growth, however, the emotions-health literature remains scattered. Mechanisms are poorly understood and several key emotions – embarrassment, disgust, guilt and hope – have scarcely been examined. In presenting the advantages of a discrete emotions perspective, the current report reviews and critiques data describing the relations between discrete emotions and health. It presents a developmental-functionalist framework within which to more systematically consider the links between emotions and health. It is suggested that discrete emotions perspectives provide guidance for understanding the physiological, motivational, and cognitive pathways linking emotions and health and thus their impact on health outcomes.
Biokinetics of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor treating whey permeate

Abstract A laboratory study was performed to determine the kinetic model and to evaluate kinetic coefficients of continuous upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors treating whey permeate. Eight hydraulic retention times (5·-0·4 day) were investigated at fixed influent substrate concentration (10·4 ± 0·2 g COD/litre). The maximum substrate utilization rate, k, and half saturation coefficient, K L , were determined to be 0·941 kg COD rmvd /kg VSS/day and 0·773 kg COD/kg VSS/day. The yield coefficient, Y, and sludge decay rate coefficient, K d , were also determined to be 0·153 kg VSS/kg COD and 0·022/day, respectively.
Vectorcardiographic diagnosis of diaphragmatic myocardial infarction

Vectorcardiograms of 31 patients with arteriographic evidence of complete occlusion of the right coronary artery were analyzed in order to evaluate and attempt to improve the vectorcardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of an old diaphragmatic myocardial infarction. The electrocardiogram showed no evidence of a diaphragmatic infarction in 48 percent of these patients. This was advantageous, since the intent of the study was to develop vectorcardiographic criteria that exceeded the capability of the electrocardiogram. The criteria that appeared optimal were: (1) an instantaneous 0.02 second QRS vector equal or superior to 315° (−45°) in the sagittal plane, or (2) ratio of voltages of 0 to left x-intercept to maximal QRS vector greater than 0.22 in the frontal plane. These criteria identified a diaphragmatic infarction in 77 percent of patients (24 of 31) with complete occlusion of the right coronary artery. There were no false positive findings in 40 normal subjects. A group of criteria previously defined by others, based upon rotation, contour of initial forces, duration of superior forces relative to the contour, magnitude of 0 to left x-intercept, and maximal QRS vector, was equally sensitive. Other previously defined criteria were less sensitive. The criteria developed in this study, when tested in 22 patients with prominent Q waves indicative of an old diaphragmatic infarction, properly diagnosed the infarction in all 22 patients. All previous criteria also successfully detected infarction in these patients. However, the new criteria identified a greater number of patients without electrocardiographic evidence of diaphragmatic infarction than were identified with previously defined vectorcardiographic criteria unless the latter were complex.
Chemotherapy: Standardizing the care of invasive bladder cancer

For many patients with invasive bladder cancer, regional or systemic metastases are present at the time of presentation. Owing to the risk of micrometastatic disease, preoperative neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy before radical cystectomy or radiation has been assessed and shown to provide a survival advantage.
Growth and process optimization of CdTe and CdZnTe polycrystalline films for high efficiency solar cells

Abstract Polycrystalline CdTe solar cells with efficiencies of approximately 10% were achieved by metal organic chemical vapor deposition growth of CdTe on glass/SnO 2 /CdS substrates. An in situ pre-heat treatment of the CdS substrate at 450 °C in an H 2 ambient was found to be essential for high performance devices because it removes oxygen-related defects on the CdS surface. This heat treatment also results in a cadmium-deficient CdS surface which may, in part, limit the CdTe cell efficiency to 10% owing to cadmium vacancy related interface defects. The CdCl 2 treatment used in CdTe cell processing was found to promote grain growth, reduce series resistance and interface state density, and change to dominant current transport mechanism from thermally assisted tunneling and recombination via interface states to recombination in the depletion region. These beneficial effects resulted in an increase in the CdTe/CdS cell efficiency from around 2% to approximately 9%. In addition to the CdTe cells, polycrystalline 1.7 eV CdZnTe films were grown by molecular beam epitaxy for tandem cell applications. CdZnTe/CdS cells processed using the standard CdTe cell fabrication procedure resulted in 4.4% efficiency, high series resistance, and a band gap shift to 1.55 eV. Formation of ZnO at and near the CdZnTe surface was found to be the source of high contact resistance. A saturated dichromate etch instead of the Br 2 :CH 3 OH etch prior to contact deposition was found to solve the contact resistance problem. The CdCl 2 treatment was identified to be the cause of the observed band gap shift owing to the preferred formation of ZnCl 2 . A model for the band gap shift along with a possible solution using an overpressure of ZnCl 2 in the annealing ambient is proposed. Development of a sintering aid which promotes grain growth and preserves the optimum 1.7 eV band gap is shown to be the key successful wide gap CdZnTe cells.
Application of the Integrative Harmony Paradigm and Model

Medically-fragile children at home with technologic equipment to support their vital organs place extraordinary demands on the parent caregiver. An ethnographic study was conducted following 12 Pacific Island families in their homes who cared for their medically-fragile child from hospital discharge over a period of two and a half years. Results showed the ‘strengths’ parents needed and the ‘stressors’ encountered in caring for their child. Based on the ‘strengths’ and ‘stressors,’ the Integrative Harmony Model was introduced as a new nursing model to bring a sense of harmony/balance into the lives of these parents challenged by extreme conditions.This article explains the Integrative Harmony Model and demonstrates its application with a Pacific Island mother and her medically-fragile child. This new and unique nursing model views individuals from an inclusive, nondualistic world view. In this model, strengths and stressors are not opposed but are melded together in such a way that a sense of harmony is a...
Axis I psychiatric diagnoses in adolescents and young adults with 22q11 deletion syndrome.

Abstract Background 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) associates with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and other psychiatric disorders, but co-occurrence of diagnoses are not well described. Methods We evaluated the co-occurrence of SSDs, ASDs and other axis I psychiatric diagnoses in 31 adolescents and adults with 22q11DS, assessing ASDs using either stringent Collaborative Program for Excellence in Autism (ASD-CPEA) criteria, or less stringent DSM-IV criteria alone (ASD-DSM-IV). Results Ten (32%) individuals met criteria for an SSD, five (16%) for ASD-CPEA, and five others (16%) for ASD-DSM-IV. Of those with ASD-CPEA, one (20%) met SSD criteria. Of those with ASD-DSM-IV, four (80%) met SSD criteria. Depressive disorders (8 individuals; 26%) and anxiety disorders (7; 23%) sometimes co-occurred with SSDs and ASDs. SSDs, ASDs, and anxiety occurred predominantly among males and depression predominantly among females. Conclusions Individuals with 22q11DS can manifest SSDs in the presence or absence of ASDs and other axis I diagnoses. The results suggest that standard clinical care should include childhood screening for ASDs, and later periodic screening for all axis I diagnoses.
Values of Psychology and Nonpsychology Majors

We investigated the value system of psychology and nonpsychology majors using a revised version of the Allport, Vernon, and Lindzey Study of Values. This abridged version of the test was administered to a heterogeneous sample of 125 undergraduates enrolled in a wide variety of psychology courses as well as 96 additional students enrolled in psychology sophomore and junior level psychological service courses. When students were more closely sampled for classes and rank, nonpsychology majors reported being more political than psychology majors on this instrument. However, limitations of sampling may have curtailed more robust differences. The importance of research on values for the teaching of undergraduate psychology is discussed.
Cadmium and mercury accumulation in rat hepatocytes: Interactions with other metal ions

The uptake of essential metals, such as calcium, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn), occurs through processes that include energy-independent carrier mechanisms as well as ion channels. Since cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) inhibit the uptake of these metals, this study examined whether the essential metals in turn affect Cd and Hg accumulation. The uptake of 3 microM Cd was inhibited by Cu, Fe, Zn, and Hg, with 100 microM Zn having the greatest effect. Kinetic analysis indicated that these metals inhibited Cd accumulation in a competitive manner. In comparison, neither the essential metals nor Cd had any significant effect on Hg accumulation. At 4 degrees C the accumulation of Cd was reduced to 20% of that at 37 degrees C, while Hg uptake remained unaffected. The efflux of Cd from the hepatocytes was biphasic, energy-independent, and not affected by Zn, Cu, or Fe. Thus the essential metals decreased Cd accumulation by inhibiting its uptake. On the other hand, Hg decreased Cd accumulation by both inhibiting its uptake and enhancing its efflux. As determined by the organic SH blockers, nearly two-thirds of the Cd entered the hepatocytes through processes involving the SH ligands. The uptake of Hg, however, was not affected by the SH blockers. Furthermore, the fraction of membrane-bound Hg at 3 microM concentration was 2.5 times greater than Cd, indicating that Hg is associated with additional binding sites not utilized by Cd. These results suggest that in hepatocytes Cd uptake occurs mainly through the SH-containing transport processes associated with the uptake of Zn and, to a smaller extent, Cu and Fe. Hg can inhibit Cd uptake by binding to these sites; however, its own uptake occurs via other processes that remain to be elucidated.
Robotic-assisted single-incision right colectomy: early experience

Background Application of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) is increasing across surgical disciplines. In addition to the possibility of decreased postoperative pain, LESS offers better cosmesis with virtually ‘scarless’ surgeries, while avoiding the increased costs and complexity of natural orifice surgery. Instrument conflict minimization often requires the crossing of articulating instruments, which we believe can be more intuitively facilitated using the daVinci-S® robotic system. We describe our early experience with three robotic single-incision right hemicolectomies. Methods Three robotic single-incision right hemicolectomies were performed using the daVinci-S robotic system, utilizing a single 4 cm incision through or around the umbilicus. The procedure was performed using three robotic arms, a 12 mm camera and two 8 mm robotic ports. A medial to lateral approach was used and an extracorporeal resection and anastomosis was performed after undocking the robot. Results There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Average operative time was 152 min. The first case was converted to non-robotic single-incision right hemicolectomy during mobilization of the ascending colon, due to uncontrollable air leakage around the ports. The second and third cases were successfully completed without air loss by purse-stringing sutures around each individual port and the use of the SILS™ port, respectively. Conclusions Robotic-assisted single-incision right hemicolectomy can be successfully and safely performed using the daVinci-S robotic system. Several techniques may be employed to prevent the loss of pneumoperitoneum. We believe right hemicolectomy lends itself to single-site surgery because specimen extraction requires a 4 cm incision and may confer patient benefit, with decreased postoperative pain and improved cosmesis. By crossing the robotic instruments and reassigning control of the arms, the robot represents a means to help perform these procedures safely by allowing them to be performed in a more intuitive fashion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trans‐ionospheric pulse pairs (TIPPs): Their occurrence rates and diurnal variation

Trans-Ionospheric Pulse Pairs (TIPPs) have been detected by the Blackbeard instrument aboard the ALEXIS spacecraft in the VHF band between 28 and 166 MHz with dispersion indicating a subionospheric source. Using a database that runs from 2 November 1993 to 19 November 1996, the rate and diurnal variation of TIPP detection are calculated for central Africa, Indonesia, and North America. The rate of TIPP detection by Blackbeard in the frequency band from 28–95 MHz is 0.02 and 0.04 TIPPs per second for central Africa and Indonesia respectively. For North America the data were acquired in a narrow band from 28–37.9 MHz and the TIPP detection rate is 0.007 events per second. The diurnal variation of TIPPs resembles the diurnal variation of CG lightning during daylight hours. However the TIPP production remains strong through midnight and into the morning hours, whereas CG flash production tends to decrease more sharply after peaking around 4 PM local time. Thus the diurnal variation suggests that TIPPs are not produced in CG flashes, a conclusion consistent with their correlation with intracloud pulses.
Regulation of cell-matrix adhesion by OLA1, the Obg-like ATPase 1

Attachment of cells to the extracellular matrix induces clustering of membrane receptor integrins which in turn triggers the formation of focal adhesions (FAs). The adaptor/scaffold proteins in FAs provide linkage to actin cytoskeleton, whereas focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and other FA-associated kinases and phosphatases transduce integrin-mediated signaling cascades, promoting actin polymerization and progression of cell spreading. In this study, we explored the role of OLA1, a newly identified member of Obg-like ATPases, in regulating cell adhesion processes. We showed that in multiple human cell lines RNAi-mediated downregulation of OLA1 significantly accelerated cell adhesion and spreading, and conversely overexpression of OLA1 by gene transfection resulted in delayed cell adhesion and spreading. We further found that OLA1-deficient cells had elevated levels of FAK protein and decreased Ser3 phosphorylation of cofilin, an actin-binding protein and key regulator of actin filament dynamics, while OLA1-overexpressing cells exhibited the opposite molecular alterations in FAK and cofilin. These findings suggest that OLA1 plays an important negative role in cell adhesion and spreading, in part through the regulation of FAK expression and cofilin phosphorylation, and manipulation of OLA1 may lead to significant changes in cell adhesion and the associated phenotypes.
2006 Special Issue: Modeling attention to salient proto-objects

Selective visual attention is believed to be responsible for serializing visual information for recognizing one object at a time in a complex scene. But how can we attend to objects before they are recognized? In coherence theory of visual cognition, so-called proto-objects form volatile units of visual information that can be accessed by selective attention and subsequently validated as actual objects. We propose a biologically plausible model of forming and attending to proto-objects in natural scenes. We demonstrate that the suggested model can enable a model of object recognition in cortex to expand from recognizing individual objects in isolation to sequentially recognizing all objects in a more complex scene.
Metaphor Aptness and Conventionality: A Processing Fluency Account

Conventionality and aptness are two dimensions of metaphorical sentences thought to play an important role in determining how quick and easy it is to process a metaphor. Conventionality reflects the familiarity of a metaphor whereas aptness reflects the degree to which a metaphor vehicle captures important features of a metaphor topic. In recent years it has become clear that operationalizing these two constructs is not as simple as asking naive raters for subjective judgments. It has been found that ratings of aptness and conventionality are highly correlated, which has led some researchers to pursue alternative methods for measuring the constructs. Here, in four experiments, we explore the underlying reasons for the high correlation in ratings of aptness and conventionality, and question the construct validity of various methods for measuring the two dimensions. We find that manipulating the processing fluency of a metaphorical sentence by means of familiarization to similar senses of the metaphor (“in ...
Modeling of Minority Carrier Current in Heavily Doped Regions of Bipolar Regions

Two new algorithms for calculation of minority carrier current injected into a heavily doped region are presented and compared with the algorithm proposed by Del Alamo [4]. The algorithms are based on numerical solution of a single differential equation derived from basic system of the semiconductor transport equations. This equation may have several different forms that are equivalent mathematically, but lead to numerical algorithms that differ significantly in their efficiency. A comparative study of the factors limiting the accuracy and efficiency of these algorithms shows that it is possible to achieve efficiency high enough for applications in statistical process/device simulators where hundreds or thousands of simulations per one program run have to be performed.
SU-GG-T-285: Combined Effect of Intrinsic Energy Dependence and Intrinsic Linearity on TLD-100 Response to Moderately Filtered 50 KVp X-Ray Spectra Relative to 60Co

Purpose: To determine the combined effect of intrinsic linearity and intrinsic energy dependence on the relative response of LiF:Mg,Ti thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD‐100) to moderately filtered 50 kVp x‐ray spectra versus 60Co at low and high doses. Method and Materials: Two sets of TLD‐100 chips were used to determine the relative response of TLD‐100 to an x‐ray beam versus 60Co at two doses. One set of TLDs was irradiated to doses of 0.1 Gy and 10 Gy in an x‐ray beam matched to the NIST M50 beam, while the other set was irradiated with 60Co to the same dose levels. The intrinsic linearity was found by taking the ratio of the average corrected TL per unit dose at 0.1 Gy and 10 Gy for each beam quality. In addition, the response of TLD‐100 to the M50 beam versus 60Co was found by taking the ratio of the average corrected TL for each beam quality at a particular dose. Results: The intrinsic linearity correction for TLD‐100 at a dose of 10 Gy was 0.729±0.012 for 60Co and 0.819±0.024 for the M50 x‐ray beam, which includes the overresponse of the photomultiplier tube. The response of TLD‐100 irradiated with the M50 x‐ray beam relative to 60Co is 1.122±0.027 at 0.1 Gy and 0.999±0.021 at 10 Gy. Conclusion: TLD‐100 exhibits greater supralinearity at 10 Gy when exposed to 60Co versus the low‐energy x‐rays. This indicates that intrinsic linearity is dependent on both dose and beam quality. In addition, there is a discrepancy of more than 10% in the response of TLD‐100 to M50 versus 60Co from 0.1 Gy to 10 Gy, due to the combination of intrinsic energy dependence and intrinsic linearity. This work concludes that both of these effects must be properly accounted for in dose measurements using TLD‐100, especially for high doses.
Cellular and oscillatory self-induced methane migration

Abstract Methane genesis from kerogen maturation can induce kilometer-scale flow in a porous medium due to the fluid mass density dependence on methane concentration. The decrease in density with increasing methane content in solution may destabilize a water column, and initiate convective overturns. Conditions favoring these buoyancy-driven flows include a narrow thermal-depth window for methanogenesis and a large initial organic matter content. The self-organizing aspects of methanogenesis-induced flow are explored via the numerical simulation of reaction-transport equations. Cellular convection is demonstrated, and under certain conditions, the flow velocities are found to oscillate in time. For systems with initially random kerogen distribution the convection cells organize into one of a discrete set of well ordered convection cell patterns despite the initial disorder. Simulations initialized with heterogeneous porosity and permeability show that varying sizes and patterns of convection flows may develop which reflect the interplay between the inherent tendency toward self-organization and the nonuniformities in hydraulic properties.
Preservation of splenic tissue prevents postsplenectomy pulmonary sepsis following bacterial challenge

Abstract Previous studies utilizing an intravenous method of bacterial challenge have failed to demonstrate a protective effect of reimplanted splenic tissue. This method of intravenous bacterial challenge bypasses the lungs, the usual portal of entry in postsplenectomy sepsis. In this study a method of bacterial challenge via the lung was used to investigate the ability of splenic tissue to protect against postsplenectomy sepsis. For this purpose 203 rats were divided into four groups: total splenectomy, hemisplenectomy, sham-operated controls, and nonoperated controls. Two weeks postoperatively all rats were challenged with either 1 × 105 or 5 × 106Streptococcus pneumoniae delivered via transtracheal injection. Mortality rates were observed for 2 weeks. At the lower dose of bacteria, no difference in mortality was observed among all treatment groups. Similarly there was no difference in 14-day mortality at the larger bacterial dose. At the higher challenge dose, however, there was a significant difference in early mortality (Days 1–9) between the total splenectomy group (100% mortality) and the other three groups (control 38%, sham control 25%, hemisplenectomy 25%). There was no difference in mortality between the hemisplenectomy group and the two control groups. Unlike the intravenous method of challenge, transtracheal challenge does not bypass the pulmonary host-defense system, thus allowing interaction of splenic-derived tuftsin and antibody with pulmonary-derived neutrophils and macrophages, and provides a more suitable model for the study of postsplenectomy spesis. Splenectomy was shown to result in a higher early mortality due to pulmonary sepsis, whereas preservation of at least half the spleen reduced the early mortality due to pulmonary sepsis.
Effects on offspring behavior of mothers' early chronic drug experience.

This study provided some preliminary evidence that a deficit in the learning ability of undrugged albino rat offspring was produced by chronic drug experience early in the life of the parent animal. Offspring randomly retained from successful breedings of chronic drug females were tested on both avoidance conditioning and in a competitive avoidance situation. Experiment I demonstrated that offspring were inferior learners in comparison to the chronic drug animals. Experiment II demonstrated that offspring of prochlorperazine and trifluoperazine animals showed impairment in both learning ability and performance on competition testing while chlorpromazine offspring did not. However, the chlorpromazine females experienced difficulties in reproduction. These results were particularly unusual because the offspring never received drug administrations, because of the length of time elapsing between parental drug experience and offspring testing, and because the females were not on drugs during pregnancy.
The Effect of LSD-25 on the Chromosomes of Children Exposed in Utero

Extract: This paper reports the cytogenetic investigation of nine children exposed to LSD-25 in utero, four children of other LSD users not exposed in utero, the mothers of these children, and six additional adults taking the drug. In comparison with matched controls, significantly elevated frequencies of chromosomal damage were observed in all the individuals exposed. The frequencies of aberrations, however, were markedly reduced in those children not exposed in utero. Eight structural rearrangements were observed, six dicentric chromosomes and two quadriradial formations, among those individuals exposed to the drug, but none was observed in the controls. In spite of obvious chromosomal aberrations, all of the individuals in this study were apparently healthy and showed no obvious birth defects. Speculation: The significance of chromosomal damage produced in utero by pharmacologic agents and observed in the circulating lymphocytes of exposed infants and children remains controversial. Analogies have been drawn which suggest possible consequences of these lesions. The present study documents chromosomal damage in somatic cells of patients lacking any physical abnormality and reemphasizes the necessity for defining the extent to which chromosomal imbalance can be tolerated without phenotypic deviation. One can only speculate on possible biological events were such agents to affect the chromosomes of spermatagonial cells and thus yield defective gamates. Were this to eventuate, drugs with chromosome-breaking potential could act as powerful mutagens and have effects persisting into subsequent generations.
Spectroscopic and Kinetic Characterization of the Recombinant Cytochrome c Reductase Fragment of Nitrate Reductase IDENTIFICATION OF THE RATE-LIMITING CATALYTIC STEP

The recombinant NADH-cytochrome c reductase fragment of spinach NADH-nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.1), consisting of the contiguous heme-containing cytochrome b domain and flavin-containing NADH-cytochrome b reductase fragment, has been characterized spectroscopically and kinetically. Reductive titration with sodium dithionite indicates heme reduction takes place prior to flavin reduction, which correlates well with the reduction potentials for enzyme-bound heme (15 mV) and FAD (-280 mV). Reductive titration with NADH also indicates that the reduced enzyme forms a charge-transfer complex with NAD+. The circular dichroism spectrum of the oxidized fragment is primarily due to the flavin, whereas the ferrous heme dominates the circular dichroism spectrum of reduced enzyme. Three kinetic phases are observed in the course of the reaction of the enzyme with NADH, each with a distinct spectral signature. The fast phase represents flavin reduction, concomitant with the formation of a charge-transfer complex between reduced flavin and NAD+, and exhibits hyperbolic dependence on NADH concentration with a Kd of 3 microM and a limiting rate constant of 560 s-1. Electron transfer from reduced flavin to heme with a rate constant of 12 s-1 is the intermediate phase, which is rate-limited by breakdown of the charge-transfer complex between NAD+ and reduced flavin. The slow phase is dismutation of a pair of molecules of two-electron reduced enzyme (generated at the end of the second phase of the reaction) to give one molecule each of one- and three- electron reduced enzyme, with a second order rate constant of 2 x 10(6) M-1 s-1. In the presence of excess NADH, this dismutation reaction is followed by the rapid reaction of the one-electron reduced enzyme with a second equivalent of NADH to generate fully reduced enzyme. On the basis of this work, it appears that dissociation of NAD+ from the reduced flavin site rate limits electron transfer to the cytochrome and likely represents the overall rate-limiting step of catalysis.
A case study in hotel organizational alignment

Abstract In today's competitive marketplace service excellence may be the only competitive differentiation between businesses, especially those that are in the service industry. Senior executives often talk about their wonderful ‘Mission Statements’ that extol the virtues of providing world class service to their customers only to discredit those statements with their daily practices, policies and systems. The purpose of this paper is to explore the efficacy of a new survey instrument to identify the factors that need to be aligned with the service mission and the benefits of having those identified factors aligned with the mission/vision statement. The research literature has made it increasingly clear that successful organizations have found ways to ensure that their organizational missions are aligned both in terms of their fit with the external environment and in terms of their fit with all the factors internal to the organization. This paper describes an exploratory investigation of the use of a new alignment measure that can assess the extent to which an organization's internal factors are in alignment with its service mission. The results of a survey of 100 hotel managers indicate that this instrument holds great promise for measuring alignment and that the concept of alignment as measured is significantly related to desired outcomes.
A universal program for fully programmable pacemakers

Modern pacemakers can be programmed to change their operating parameters even after implantation. The trend is towards custom microprocessor-based all digital, and fully programmable devices. In view of the present and anticipated future complexity and diversity of the pacemakers, we have developed a versatile programming technique. The program code consists of (i) one byte of check-sum or pacemaker ID., (i) one or more bytes of op-code (mode of operation), (iii) one or more bytes of operand (data or parameters), and (iv) one byte for synchronization. We examine the full range of program parameters such as the width and the rate, and all modes of operation such as asynchronous and demand. Due to the flexibility of this programming technique it is suitable for all present and possible future generations of programmable pacemakers.
Atmospheric turbulence conditions leading to focused and folded sonic boom wave fronts.

The propagation and subsequent distortion of sonic booms with rippled wave fronts are investigated theoretically using a nonlinear time-domain finite-difference scheme. This work seeks to validate the rippled wave front approach as a method for explaining the significant effects of turbulence on sonic booms [A. S. Pierce and D. J. Maglieri, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 51, 702–721 (1971)]. A very simple description of turbulence is employed in which velocity perturbations within a shallow layer of the atmosphere form strings of vortices characterized by their size and speed. Passage of a steady-state plane shock front through such a vortex layer produces a periodically rippled wave front which, for the purposes of the present investigation, serves as the initial condition for a finite-difference propagation scheme. Results show that shock strength and ripple curvature determine whether ensuing propagation leads to wave front folding. High resolution images of the computed full wave field provide insights into the spiked and rounded features seen in sonic booms that have propagated through turbulence.
Large paralabral cyst in the axilla.

Joint Bone Spine - In Press.Proof corrected by the author Available online since jeudi 26 juillet 2012