cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunogold localization of the cell-wall-matrix polysaccharides rhamnogalacturonan I and xyloglucan during cell expansion and cytokinesis inTrifolium pratense L.; implication for secretory pathways

We have localized two cell-wall-matrix polysaccharides, the main pectic polysaccharide, rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I), and the hemicellulose, xyloglucan (XG), in root-tip and leaf tissues of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) using immunoelectron microscopy. Our micrographs show that in both leaf and root tissues RG-I is restricted to the middle lamella, with 80–90% of the label associated with the expanded regions of the middle lamella at the corner junctions between cells. Xyloglucan, however, is nearly exclusively located in the cellulose-microfibril-containing region of the cell wall. Thus, these cell-wall-matrix polysaccharides are present in distinct and complementary regions of the cell wall. Our results further show that during cell expansion both RG-I and XG are present within Golgi cisternae and vesicles, thus confirming that the Golgi apparatus is the main site of synthesis of the non-cellulosic cell-wall polysaccharides. No label is seen over the endoplasmic reticulum, indicating that synthesis of these complex polysaccharides is restricted to the Golgi. The distribution of RG-I and XG in root-tip cells undergoing cell division was also examined, and it was found that while XG is present in the Golgi stacks and cell plate during cytokinesis, RG-I is virtually absent from the forming cell plate.
The Band Spectrum of CS

The emission spectrum of CS has been photographed under high dispersion (0.28A per mm) permitting a considerable extension of the data of the main $A^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}x^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ system (${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}=38,912.15$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$), and revealing a new system $C^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}B^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}({\ensuremath{\nu}}_{0}(0, 0)\ensuremath{\cong}39,905.1 {\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1})$. The anomalies of bands with extra heads or displaced origins (noted by Jevons) have been examined in detail and found to be due to rotational perturbations more widespread and striking than any previously reported.
Carnitines and male infertility

L-Carnitine (LC) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) are highly concentrated in the epididymis and play a crucial role in sperm metabolism and maturation. They are related to sperm motility and have antioxidant properties. The objective of this review is to summarize the multiple roles played by LC and ALC in male reproduction, and to highlight their limitations as well as their benefits in the treatment of male infertility. A variety of studies support the conclusion that LC and/or ALC at total daily amounts of at least 3 g per day can significantly improve both sperm concentration and total sperm counts among men with astheno- or oligoasthenozoospermia. Although many clinical trials have demonstrated the beneficial effects of LC and ALC in selected cases of male infertility, the majority of these studies suffer from a lack of placebo-controlled, double blind design, making it difficult to reach a definite conclusion. Additional, well-designed studies are necessary to further validate the use of carnitines in the treatment of patients with male infertility, specifically in men with poor semen quality.
Male Position Relative to Foam Nests Influences Female Mate Choice in the Tungara Frog, Physalaemus pustulosus

Vocalizations are critical advertisement signals used during anuran courtship. In most species, acoustic signals have primacy, but visual cues also have been shown to play an important role in anuran mate attraction. Male Tungara Frogs, Physalaemus pustulosus, produce advertisement calls, and males that are successful in attracting a mate build conspicuous white foam nests in which fertilized eggs are deposited. Foam nests persist for several days and on subsequent nights, male frogs are often observed calling adjacent to these foam nests. We tested the hypothesis that females approach the vocalization of a male adjacent to a foam nest preferentially. We conducted choice tests allowing females to choose between two speakers broadcasting a male vocalization—one speaker adjacent to a foam nest and the other speaker lacking a foam nest. Females expressed a significant preference for a speaker with a foam nest when the nest was visible. These results indicate that males may increase their probability of attracting a mate when calling adjacent to a foam nest relative to males located farther from a foam nest.
Cryogenic liquids, nanoparticles, and microencapsulation.

The biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) is used to group pharmaceutical actives depending upon the solubility and permeability characteristics of the drug. BCS class II compounds are poorly soluble but highly permeable, exhibiting bioavailability that is limited by dissolution. The dissolution rate of BCS class II drug substances may be accelerated by enhancing the wetting of the bulk powder and by reducing the primary particle size of the drug to increase the surface area. These goals may be achieved by nucleating drug particles from solution in the presence of stabilizing excipients. In the spray freezing into liquid (SFL) process, a drug containing solution is atomized and frozen rapidly to engineer porous amorphous drug/excipient particles with high surface areas and dissolution rates. Aqueous suspensions of nanostructured particles may be produced from organic solutions by evaporative precipitation into aqueous solution (EPAS). The suspensions may be dried by lyophilization. The particle size and morphology may be controlled by the type and level of stabilizers. In vivo studies have shown increased bioavailability of a wide variety of drugs particles formed by SFL or EPAS. For both processes, increased serum levels of danazol (DAN) were observed in mice relative to bulk DAN and the commercial product, Danocrine®. Orally dosed itraconazole (ITZ) compositions, formed by SFL, produce higher serum levels of the drug compared to the commercial product, Sporanox® oral solution. Additionally, nebulized SFL processed ITZ particles suspended in normal saline have been dosed via the pulmonary route and led to extended survival times for mice inoculated with Aspergillis flavus. SFL and EPAS processes produce amorphous drug particles with increased wetting and dissolution rates, which will subsequently supersaturate biological fluids in vivo, resulting in increased drug bioavailability and efficacy.
Vitamin K status in the elderly.

Purpose of review Poor vitamin K nutrition has recently been linked to several chronic diseases associated with abnormal calcification, which affect many elderly. To understand the impact of vitamin K nutrition on healthy aging it is necessary to assess both the determinants and the adequacy of vitamin K nutritional status of the elderly. Recent findings Overall, elderly persons consume more vitamin K than young adults. However, a subgroup of the elderly population does not meet the current recommended dietary intakes for this nutrient. The first meta-analysis evaluating the data on the role of vitamin K and bone health concluded that increased intakes of vitamin K are warranted to reduce bone loss and fracture risk among the elderly. Recent studies suggest that nondietary determinants of vitamin K status need to be factored into any discussion on the adequacy of nutritional status of the elderly. One promising area of research is the interrelationship between estrogen and vitamin K. Summary Evidence is emerging to support recommendations to increase intakes of vitamin K among the elderly to reduce bone loss and fracture risk. Much more research is required, however, to identify nondietary determinants of vitamin K status, and their impact on the elderly.
Two Steroidogenic Pathways Present in the Chicken Ovary: Theca Layer Prefers Δ5 Pathway and Granulosa Layer Prefers Δ4 Pathway

It has been suggested that there is a shift in steroidogenic pathways of the theca layer from delta 5 to delta 4 during follicular maturation in the chicken ovary. However, the preferred steroid metabolic pathway in the theca and granulosa layers of small and preovulatory follicles has not been identified. Therefore, the goal of our study was to identify the preferred steroidogenic pathways used by these follicles. Previously, we found that small follicles that had not entered the follicular hierarchy did not use cholesterol but did use pregnenolone (P5) to produce testosterone and estradiol. For this reason, P5 was used as the substrate for steroid production in the present study. The theca layer of small follicles (2-4 mm in diameter), and the theca and granulosa layers of the fifth largest (F5), third largest (F3), and largest (F1) preovulatory follicles were isolated from the chicken ovary 22 hr before ovulation. The granulosa layer of small follicles was excluded from the study because it is steroidogenically incompetent. Tissues were incubated with [3H]-P5 for 1 hr at 37 degrees C. Production of steroid metabolites was determined on the basis of comparison with known steroid standards using two-dimensional thin layer chromatography (2D-TLC). Conversion of [3H]-P5 to [3H]-DHEA was greater than that of [3H]-P4 in the theca layer of small and preovulatory follicles. Even though the amount of [3H]-P4 was less than that of [3H]-DHEA, theca cells from F3 and F1 follicles did produce [3H]-P4. In contrast to the theca layer, conversion of [3H]-P4 was greater than that of [3H]-DHEA in the granulosa layer of preovulatory follicles. Conversion of [3H]-P5 to [3H]-DHEA by the granulosa layer gradually decreased as the follicle matured and approached ovulation. We conclude that both delta 5 and delta 4 pathways are functional in theca and granulosa cells. However, in contrast to earlier speculation, the theca layer preferentially metabolizes steroids via the delta 5 pathway regardless of the maturational stage of the follicle, whereas the granulosa layer of preovulatory follicles preferentially metabolizes steroids via the delta 4 pathway.
Noise-free high-efficiency photon-number-resolving detectors

High-efficiency optical detectors that can determine the number of photons in a pulse of monochromatic light have applications in a variety of physics studies, including post-selection-based entanglement protocols for linear optics quantum computing and experiments that simultaneously close the detection and communication loopholes of Bell's inequalities. Here we report on our demonstration of fiber-coupled, noise-free, photon-number-resolving transition-edge sensors with 88% efficiency at 1550 nm. The efficiency of these sensors could be made even higher at any wavelength in the visible and near-infrared spectrum without resulting in a higher dark-count rate or degraded photon-number resolution.
Matrix effects on the determination of manganese in geological materials by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry under different flame conditions.

Abstract Suppression caused by five of the seven matrix elements studied (Si, Al, Fe, Ca and Mg) was observed in the atomic-absorption determination of manganese in geological materials, when synthetic solutions and the recommended oxidizing air—acetylene flame were used. The magnitude of the suppression effects depends on (1) the kind and concentration of the interfering elements, (2) the type of acid medium, and (3) the concentration of manganese to be determined. All interferences noted are removed or alleviated by using a reducing nitrous oxide—acetylene flame. The atomic-absorption method using this flame can be applied to the determination of total and extractable manganese in a wide range of geological materials without interferences. Analyses of six U.S. Geological Survey rock standards for manganese gave results in agreement with the reported values.
Management of Melanocytic Lesions in the Primary Care Setting

As the incidence of melanoma continues to increase, the role of primary care physicians in managing suspect melanocytic lesions will become increasingly important. The management of suspect melanocytic lesions in the primary care setting can be challenging, and a missed diagnosis of melanoma can have devastating consequences. This review focuses on practical aspects of the evaluation of melanocytic lesions, including patient history, physical examination findings, and the natural history of nevi and melanoma. It also discusses melanocytic lesions that warrant special attention and outlines information that should be provided on the pathology requisition form. Finally, it addresses the potential difficulties in interpreting pathology reports and reviews the implications of pathology results for patient counseling, education, and follow-up.
Responses of moss protonemata to red and far-red polarized light: evidence for disc-shaped phytochrome photoreceptors.

Protonemata of Physcomitrium were grown in a liquid medium of sucrose and mineral nutrients. Under these conditions, the filaments respond phototropically most readily to red and far-red irradiation by “growing out” on the apical flank nearest the light source. This response has been examined as a function of the angle of polarization for red (662 nm) and far-red (732 nm) light given singly and simulataneously. Results indicate that both red and far-red light, striking the growing cell surface perpendicularly, are absorbed independently of their angle of polarization. However, radiation striking the flank tangentially is absorbed if the plane of polarization (vibrational plane of the electric vector) is parallel to the cell surface but not if it is vertical to the cell surface. It is concluded that the active photoreceptors are dichroic and coin- or disc-shaped. Synergistic interaction between red and far-red irradiation supports the hypothesis that the photoreceptor is phytochrome and that the light growth response is proportional to the total quanta absorbed by the pigment and/or the consequent cycling of the phytochrome between the Pr and the Pjr states. No evidence was found for a difference in receptor orientation between the red and far-red absorbing states.
Investigation of the Rho-Bootstrap and the Determinantal Approximation

The $\ensuremath{\rho}$ bootstrap is considered critically by comparing the results of a $\ensuremath{\delta}$-function and a Breit-Wigner exchange. It is found that the self-consistent solution that exists for the $\ensuremath{\delta}$-function case is not reproduced by the Breit-Wigner input. The reason for this is traced to an abnormally large repulsive long-range contribution in the $\ensuremath{\delta}$-function case that is absent in the Breit-Wigner exchange. It is concluded that the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ bootstrap is in serious trouble.
One size doesn't fit all: Motivating a multigenerational staff.

any nurse managers report thatkeeping staff professionally engagedand motivated is one of their biggestchallenges. If your work environ-ment is like most in healthcare today,you may have up to four differentgenerations that you manage. Yet the questionabout how to best motivate staff is a compli-cated one. Members of different generationsoften have different motivators, which developfrom attitudes and beliefs that are shaped bytheir experiences.
Studies of the plasma proteins in pregnancy using starch gel zone electrophoresis.

Abstract Serum proteins in 126 serum samples from 100 pregnant women were analyzed by starch gel zone electrophoresis. An elevation of the slow α2-globulin (α2-macroglobulin) was noted in 59% of the samples, an increase of β-globulin (transfenin) in 29%, and an increase of fast α2-globulin and decrease of albumin and γ-globulin in approximately 12%. Samples from only 3 patients showed the unusual finding known as the “pregnancy band” migrating in front of the slow α2 fraction. Changes of the pattern during the course of pregnancy have been discussed.
Isolation and autoxidation characteristics of ferrolegoglobin.

Ferrolegoglobin can be reproducibly isolated from legume root nodules by extraction in 3 M ammonium sulfate solution at pH 9 in a nonoxidizing atmosphere. Hydrogen gas stabilizes ferrolegoglobin allowing more than 1 year's storage at temperatures below −10 °C. without conversion to ferrilegoglobin. The rate of autoxidation of ferrolegoglobin decreases with decreasing oxygen partial pressure, decreasing ionic strength, and decreasing temperature. It increases with decreasing pH. On the basis of ferrolegoglobin autoxidation and electrophoretic data, the heme group of native ferrolegoglobin is not located in an exposed position on the surface of the globin. The molecule undergoes irreversible rearrangement during autoxidation in air, subsequently resulting in exposure of the heme group.
Diagnosing implosion performance at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) by means of neutron spectrometry

The neutron spectrum from a cryogenically layered deuterium?tritium (dt) implosion at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) provides essential information about the implosion performance. From the measured primary-neutron spectrum (13?15?MeV), yield (Yn) and hot-spot ion temperature (Ti) are determined. From the scattered neutron yield (10?12?MeV) relative to Yn, the down-scatter ratio, and the fuel areal density (?R) are determined. These implosion parameters have been diagnosed to an unprecedented accuracy with a suite of neutron-time-of-flight spectrometers and a magnetic recoil spectrometer implemented in various locations around the NIF target chamber. This provides good implosion coverage and excellent measurement complementarity required for reliable measurements of Yn, Ti and ?R, in addition to ?R asymmetries. The data indicate that the implosion performance, characterized by the experimental ignition threshold factor, has improved almost two orders of magnitude since the first shot taken in September 2010. ?R values greater than 1?g?cm?2 are readily achieved. Three-dimensional semi-analytical modelling and numerical simulations of the neutron-spectrometry data, as well as other data for the hot spot and main fuel, indicate that a maximum hot-spot pressure of ?150?Gbar has been obtained, which is almost a factor of two from the conditions required for ignition according to simulations. Observed Yn are also 3?10 times lower than predicted. The conjecture is that the observed pressure and Yn deficits are partly explained by substantial low-mode ?R asymmetries, which may cause inefficient conversion of shell kinetic energy to hot-spot thermal energy at stagnation.
The EENET: A broadband local area network

Abstract The EENET is a local area computer network designed explicitly for real-time applications. The formal specifications of the EENET are presented with the analysis of a simulation model for the protocols used.
Glyphosate and fungicide effects on Cercospora leaf spot in four glyphosate-resistant sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) varieties

Abstract The potential for improved management of Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by Cercospora beticola , using the herbicide glyphosate in glyphosate-resistant sugar beet varieties was investigated. Controlled field experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 to determine if glyphosate and glyphosate–fungicide combinations improved the management of CLS in four commercial varieties of glyphosate-resistant sugar beet. Variety and fungicide main effects were significant for CLS development. However, regardless of the herbicide program, glyphosate or a conventional herbicide program, CLS development was not affected. Therefore, results from of this research indicate that glyphosate and glyphosate–fungicide combinations do not significantly contribute to CLS management.
Formation and preservation of open‐framework gravel strata in unidirectional flows

Open-framework gravel (OFG) in river deposits is important because of its exceptionally high permeability, resulting from the lack of sediment in the pore spaces between the gravel grains. Fluvial OFG occurs as planar strata and cross strata of varying scale, and is interbedded with sand and sandy gravel. The origin of OFG has been related to: (1) proportion of sand available relative to gravel; (2) separation of sand from gravel during a specific flow stage and sediment transport rate (either high, falling or low); (3) separation of sand from gravel in bedforms superimposed on the backs of larger bedforms; (4) flow separation in the lee of dunes or unit bars. Laboratory flume experiments were undertaken to test and develop these theories for the origin of OFG. Bed sediment size distribution (sandy gravel with a mean diameter of 1·5 mm) was kept constant, but flow depth, flow velocity and aggradation rate were varied. Bedforms produced under these flow conditions were bedload sheets, dunes and unit bars. The fundamental cause of OFG is the sorting of sand from gravel associated with flow separation at the crest of bedforms, and further segregation of grain sizes during avalanching on the steep lee side. Sand in transport near the bed is deposited in the trough of the bedform, whereas bed-load gravel avalanches down the leeside and overruns the sand in the trough. The effectiveness of this sorting mechanism increases as the height of the bedform increases. Infiltration of sand into the gravel framework is of minor importance in these experiments, and occurs mainly in bedform troughs. The geometry and proportion of OFG in fluvial deposits are influenced by variation in height of bedforms as they migrate, superposition of small bedforms on the backs of larger bedforms, aggradation rate, and changes in sediment supply. If the height of a bedform increases as it migrates downstream, so does the amount of OFG. Changes in the character of OFG on the lee-side of unit bars depend on grain-size sorting in the superimposed bedforms (dunes and bedload sheets). Thick deposits of cross-stratified OFG require high bedforms (dunes, unit bars) and large amounts of aggradation. These conditions might be expected to occur during high falling stages in the deeper parts of river channels adjacent to compound-bar tails and downstream of confluence scours. Increase in the amount of sand supplied relative to gravel reduces the development of OFG. Such increases in sand supply may be related to falling flow stage and/or upstream erosion of sandy deposits.
Radiative K Capture

Accompanying $K$ capture, as in $\ensuremath{\beta}$-activity, there is a weak continuous high energy gamma-ray spectrum. The major contribution to the effect is from magnetic radiative capture of a $K$ electron. For an allowed transition using Fermi or Gamow-Teller coupling, the number of gamma-quanta per $K$ electron captured is $(\frac{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{12\ensuremath{\pi}}){(\frac{W}{m{c}^{2}})}^{2}$, where $W$ is the available energy. For other couplings and forbidden transitions, the effect is of the same order of magnitude.
Telecytopathology for immediate evaluation of fine-needle aspiration specimens.

BACKGROUND: On-site evaluation of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens by a pathologist is essential to obtain adequate samples and provide a preliminary diagnosis. Distance from the laboratory can make this difficult. The authors present their experience with on-site evaluation using telecytopathology. METHODS: Dynamic images of cytology smears were captured and processed with a Nikon digital camera system for microscopy and transmitted via Ethernet. A pathologist accessed the real-time images on a computer and interpreted them while communicating with on-site operators over the telephone. Sample adequacy and accuracy of preliminary diagnosis were compared with those obtained by regular on-site evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 429 telecytopathology cases and 363 conventional on-site cases were compared. Specimens were mainly from the pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and lymph nodes. Adequacy rate was 94.0% for telecytopathology and 97.7% for conventional cases. Preliminary diagnoses of unsatisfactory, adequate (defer), negative/benign, atypical, neoplasm, suspicious, and positive for malignancy were 6.3%, 13.5%, 14.9%, 17.9%, 7.2%, 8.6%, and 31.5% for telecytopathology and 3.9%, 30.6%, 21.5%, 9.6%, 5.0%, 5.2%, and 24.2% for conventional cases. Preliminary and final diagnoses were discrepant in 7 (1.8%) of 371 telecytopathology cases, and in 8 (3.1%) of 252 conventional cases. Difficulty was encountered in some cases in distinguishing pancreatic endocrine neoplasm from lymphoid proliferations, and low grade pancreatic tumors from chronic pancreatitis via telecytopathology. CONCLUSIONS: On-site evaluation of FNA specimens via telecytopathology assures sample adequacy and accurate preliminary diagnosis compared with the conventional method. It allows pathologists to use their time more efficiently and makes on-site evaluations at remote locations possible. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Efficient Operation of Air-Side Economizer Using Extremum Seeking Control

As the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems accounts for a major sector of energy consumption for commercial buildings, there has been a greater demand for improving the efficiency of such systems. The air-side economizers have been developed as a class of energy-saving HVAC devices that may increase the energy efficiency by taking advantage of outdoor air during cool or cold weather. However, many economizers do not operate in the expected manner and waste even more energy than before installation, mostly due to the unreliable sensors and actuators in practice. Better control strategy is needed for optimal and robust operation. In this paper, an extremum-seeking control (ESC) based self-optimizing strategy is proposed to minimize the energy consumption, with the feedback of chilled water supply command rather than the temperature and humidity measurements. The mechanical cooling load is minimized by seeking the optimal outdoor air damper opening in real time. Such scheme does not need temperature and humidity sensors, and depends much less on the knowledge of the economizer model. Simulation was performed on a MODELICA based transient model of a single-duct air-handling unit developed with DYMOLA and AIRCONDITIONING LIBRARY . The simulation results demonstrated the potential of using ESC to achieve the minimal mechanical cooling load in a self-optimizing manner. In addition, an antiwindup ESC scheme is proposed to handle the ESC windup issue due to actuator (damper) saturation. The simulation results validated the effectiveness of the proposed antiwindup ESC.
The intracortical excitability cycle following stimulation of the optic pathway of the cat.

Abstract Like many neurones of the central nervous system, those of the optic cortex of the cat exhibit a brief phase of facilitation, followed by a more prolonged phase of depression, as tested by a shock to the optic radiation following a conditioning shock. Recovery toward normal occurs gradually, and is complete in about 200 msec. The negative phase of the specific response returns only much later than the preceding portions of the response. This cortical depression is not complete, and varies in intensity in different preparations treated similarly. A weak first shock depresses the response to a second to some degree, and as the first shock is made stronger this effect is greater, in some cases to complete occlusion of the second response. The depression is accompanied by a surface-negative swing of the baseline. A more severe depression occurs in the dorsal nucleus of the lateral geniculate body, as previously described by Marshall. Its recovery of responsiveness is slower than is that of the cortex. Thus to optic nerve stimulation the cortical activity is affected by two conditions of depression operating serially. The depressive effect at the geniculate can be recognized in responses from the cortex in terms of the amplitude of the first spike representing responses of radiation axons. Two shocks, the second within the facilitatory period of the first, can break through the depression left by a previous response, when neither can do so alone. Similarly two such shocks may cause a larger single response than can any one stimulus. From these superimposed effects of facilitation and depression exhibited by arbitrary volley responses, certain speculations are offered as to the normal manner of cortical functioning.
Phencyclidine: effects of chronic administration in the female mouse on gestation, maternal behavior, and the neonates.

Phencyclidine (PCP) (5 mg/kg) was administered daily throughout gestation and pups were cross-fostered or fostered after birth. Prenatal weight gain, length of gestation, length of parturition, and the size and birth weight of the litters were not affected by PCP administration. No congenital malformations were evidence and the mother's health during chronic exposure remained normal. Physical development of the pups (indicated by neonatal weight gain, pinna opening, and eye opening), and neurological development (indicated by the maturity of four reflex actions) were normal for the PCP pups. Behaviorally, PCP pups were slightly more active in the open field at 60 days. Maternal behavior was not influenced by drug treatment, but was affected by the fostering procedures.
The Diagnosis and Understanding of Apraxia of Speech: Why Including Neurodegenerative Etiologies May Be Important

Purpose To discuss apraxia of speech (AOS) as it occurs in neurodegenerative disease (progressive AOS [PAOS]) and how its careful study may contribute to general concepts of AOS and help refine its...
Canine cryptorchism and subsequent testicular neoplasia: case-control study with epidemiologic update.

A retrospective study of 2,912 cryptorchid dogs identified 14 breeds with significantly high risk. Among six distinct closely interrelated breed groups (e.g., toy, miniature, and standard poodles), the risk in the smaller breed was always greater than that in the larger relative, suggesting that genetically influenced maldescent could be, in part, related to physical size or the rate of growth of the involved structures. Testicular tumors were diagnosed in 5.7% of the cryptorchid dogs; half had only Sertoli cell tumors, one-third had only seminomas. The relative risk for Sertoli cell tumor or seminoma was not directly related to a familial risk for cryptorchism. Using the health experience of a control population composed of male dogs with anal sac disease (N = 4,184), there is an estimated relative risk of 9.2 in cryptorchid dogs to develop a testis tumor (95% confidence interval, 5.9-14.3) and 4.2 in dogs with inguinal hernia (95% confidence interval, 1.8-9.5). Considering that the anatomical development of the genital tract, testis descent, and tunic relationships in dog are very similar to that in man, and that the associations of cryptorchism and inguinal hernia with testis neoplasms are also similar, the dog should be an excellent model system to further investigate the causes of human cryptorchism.
Antipredator behaviour of hatchling snakes: effects of incubation temperature and simulated predators☆

Abstract All animals that are exposed to predators must distinguish dangerous from nondangerous threats and respond correctly. In reptiles, emerging hatchlings are vulnerable to a wide range of predators, particularly if they emerge during daylight. In these experiments I tested the response of pine snake, Pituophis melanoleucus , hatchlings incubated at 22–23, 27–28, or 32–33°C to visual and vibratory stimuli to examine antipredator behaviour. Emerging hatchlings were exposed to one of five conditions: (1) hawk model, (2) white head model with no facial features, (3) white head model with black eyes, (4) a person, or (5) a vibration without a visual stimulus. I tested the null hypotheses of no differences in response as a function of predator type or incubation temperature. Emergence behaviour when undisturbed was affected by incubating temperature, and antipredatory behaviour was affected by both predator type and incubation temperature. Pine snake hatchlings responded more protectively (withdrawal into tunnels) than defensively (striking), responded with less intensity to a vibration compared with visual predator stimuli, and required longer to respond to a head model without eyes than to all other predator types. Given the relatively small size of hatchlings, it is adaptive for them to withdraw into the nest rather than attack a predator. Hatchlings from eggs that were incubated at medium temperatures required less time to emerge from their underground nests when undisturbed, and had stronger protective responses than snakes incubated at other temperatures. These results suggest that hatchlings incubated at medium temperatures are generally less vulnerable to predators than hatchlings incubated at higher or lower temperatures.
Investigation of real-time remote palpation imaging

We are investigating a novel ultrasonic method for remote palpation, which provides images of local variations in tissue stiffness. Acoustic radiation force is applied to small volumes of tissue, and the resulting displacement patterns are imaged using ultrasonic correlation based techniques. Tissue displacements are inversely proportional to tissue stiffness, thus a stiffer region of tissue exhibits smaller displacements than a more compliant region. This method also provides information about tissue recovery after force cessation. We will present in vivo experimental results demonstrating the feasability of this method. Using intensities ranging from 120 to 300 W/cm2, peak displacements of up to 50 microns were observed after 1.4 milliseconds of force application. The tissue moved to its peak displacement within 3 milliseconds of force application, and the time constants for tissue recovery varied with tissue type. Tissue displacements appeared to be correlated with tissue structure in matched B-mode images. To our knowledge, these results represent the first in vivo soft tissue images generated using radiation force. These findings support the feasibility of Remote Palpation imaging. We will discuss the technical, safety, and clinical challenges of implementing a real-time Remote Palpation imaging system on a commercial diagnostic scanner.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Direct Interaction of the C-Terminal Domain of α-Catenin and F-Actin is Necessary for Stabilized Cell-Cell Adhesion

Alpha-catenin functions to anchor adherens junctions to the filamentous actin (F-actin) cytoskeleton, through direct and indirect binding mechanisms. When truncated at amino acid 865, alpha-catenin exhibited a markedly reduced F-actin binding affinity compared to wild-type. Expression of the truncated mutant in the α-catenin deficient colon carcinoma cell line, Clone A, could not restore an adhesive phenotype when compared. Furthermore, the truncated α-catenin fusion protein failed to concentrate at sites of cell-cell contact, to promote morphological changes associated with epithelial monolayers, and to stimulate resistance to shearing forces in a hanging drop aggregation assay. Subsequent attempts to isolate single residues governing the direct F-actin interaction, using neutralizing charge or reverse charge mutations of basic residues within a homology modeled alpha-catenin C-terminal 5-helix bundle, had no effect on F-actin cosedimentation. We conclude that direct attachment of alpha-catenin to F-acti...
Before the Repository: Defining the Preservation Threats to Research Data in the Lab

This paper describes the results of a large survey designed to quantify the risks and threats to the preservation of the research data in the lab and to determine the mitigating actions of researchers. A total of 724 National Science Foundation awardees completed this survey. Identifying risks and threats to digital preservation has been a significant research stream. Much of this work has been within the context of a preservation technology infrastructure such as data archives for a digital repository. This study looks at the risks and threats to research data prior to its inclusion in a preservation technology infrastructure. The greatest threat to preservation is human error, followed by equipment malfunction, obsolete software, and data corruption. Lost and mislabeled media are not components in the threat taxonomies developed for repositories; however, they do represent an important threat to research data in the lab. Researchers have recognized the need to mitigate the risks inherent in maintaining digital data by implementing data management in their lab environments and have taken their responsibility as data managers seriously; however, they would still prefer to have professional data management support.
Indomethacin blocks central nociceptive effects of PGF2α

Intrathecal administration of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha and intradermal administration of PGE2 but not PGF2 alpha, in low doses, produce hyperalgesia as measured by the Randall-Selitto paw-withdrawal test. Indomethacin (2 mg/kg, i.p.) prevented intrathecal PGF2 alpha, but not PGE2-induced hyperalgesia. We propose that the central nociceptive effects of PGF2 alpha are mediated, indirectly, by effecting the cyclo-oxygenation of arachidonic acid in the central nervous system.
The cuticle genes of Drosophila: A developmentally regulated gene cluster

Abstract A 36 kilobase (kb) DNA segment of the Drosophila genome that contains several larval cuticle protein genes has been cloned and characterized. This segment maps at chromosomal locus 44D. It contains five genes, all of which are expressed at the same time of Drosophila development. Four of the genes are clustered within 7.9 kb of DNA and are abundantly expressed as poly(A) RNA in the epidermis of late third instar larvae but are not abundantly expressed in other developmental stages. A fifth gene lies 8 kb away from this cluster and is expressed at a much lower level in late third instar larval poly(A) RNA. Three of the four abundantly expressed genes have been shown to code for larval cuticle proteins; less decisive evidence indicates that the fourth gene also probably codes for a larval cuticle protein. Some of the genes are related in DNA sequence, and the proteins encoded in the cluster are related immunologically. Thus the cuticle genes encoded by the segment at 44D are members of a family of genes of common ancestry, which share the same pattern of developmental expression and reside in a small segment of the Drosophila genome.
Recent Actions Taken By the Symbols, Units, and Nomenclature (S.U.N.) Committee Of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (I.P.U.) in Reference to C.G.S. Magnetic Units

In reference to the C.G.S. magnetic units, a brief historical outline is presented of the actions taken by international electrical congresses from 1893 to 1904, and by international technical and scientific unions from 1904 to 1932. Emphasis is laid on the results of the S.U.N. Committee meeting of July, 1932, as the latest development. The present status of international agreement on C.G.S. magnetic units is unofficially presented, in the light of the historical background. Turning to future possible developments, certain questions are pending for consideration, by either or both committees, in order to clear up any outstanding differences of international opinion over magnetic units in the classical C.G.S. system. In order to convert the existing series of practical electromagnetic units (ohm, volt, ampere, coulomb, farad, joule, watt, henry and pramaxwell) into a complete system, international agreement must first be reached upon the two outstanding questions: (a) Subrationalising (4? NI or NI for mmf). (b) The unit of length to be adopted (meter or cm). Suggestions are offered along both these lines.
Experience with platinum-based and high-dose chemotherapy in patients with gestational trophoblastic disease: possible implications for future management.

Despite the similarities between the chemotherapeutic management of advanced gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) and ovarian germ cell tumors, important differences exist between the malignancies, particularly in the use of cisplatin. Three patients with persistent or recurrent GTD cared for at the Cleveland Clinic received a high-dose chemotherapy program (with stem cell support), one as management for etoposide-associated acute leukemia resulting from her “standard dose” treatment program. While the indications for use of a dose-intensive strategy, and the ultimate clinical course, differed in the three patients, collectively these cases raise relevant questions regarding optimal management of high risk and recurrent GTD. The experience represented in this report support the earlier use of cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the management of high-risk and recurrent GTD, and the possible administration of a high-dose chemotherapy program in the rare patient who recurs following “standard dose” platinum-based treatment.
Variations on a theme of Schwinger and Weyl

The theme of doing quantum mechanics on all Abelian groups goes back to Schwinger and Weyl. This theme was studied earlier from the point of view of approximating quantum systems in infinite-dimensional spaces by those associated to finite Abelian groups. This Letter links this theme to deformation quantization, and explores the set of noncommutative associative algebra structures on the Schwartz-Weil algebra of any locally compact separable Abelian group. If the group is a vector space of even dimension over a non-Archimedean local fieldK, there exists a family of noncommutative (Moyal) structures parametrized by the local field and containing membersarbitrarily close to the classical one, although the classical algebra is rigid in the sense of deformation theory. The-products are defined by Fourier integral operators. The problem of constructing sucharithmetic Moyal structures on the algebra of Schwartz-Bruhat functions on manifolds that are locally likeK 2n is raised.
The contractivity of the free Hamiltonian semigroup in the Lp space of entire functions

Abstract A semigroup of operators T(t), t ⩾ 0, generated by the number operator in the complex wave representation is given by T(t)ƒ(z) = ƒ(e −t z) for any entire function on C n. The problem is to find all possible r, p ϵ [1, ∞) such that T(t):HLr(Cn,dgn)→(Cn,dgn) is contractive or bounded. It turns out that T(t):HLr(Cn,dgn)→(Cn,dgn) is contractive if and only if p ϵ [1, re2t], and is unbounded if and only if p > re2t. Furthermore all maximizers are identified; they are constant functions if p ϵ [1, re2t) and exponential functions if p = re2t, t > 0.
On the probability of matching DNA fingerprints

Forensic scientists commonly assume that DNA fingerprint patterns are infrequent in the general population and that genotypes are independent across loci. To test these assumptions, the number of matching DNA patterns in two large databases from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and from Lifecodes was determined. No deviation from independence across loci in either database was apparent. For the Lifecodes database, the probability of a three-locus match ranges from 1 in 6,233 in Caucasians to 1 in 119,889 in Blacks. When considering all trios of five loci in the FBI database, there was only a single match observed out of more than 7.6 million comparisons. If independence is assumed, the probability of a five-locus match ranged from 1.32 x 10(-12) in Southeast Hispanics to 5.59 x 10(-14) in Blacks, implying that the minimum number of possible patterns for each ethnic group is several orders of magnitude greater than their corresponding population sizes in the United States. The most common five-locus pattern can have a frequency no greater than about 10(-6). Hence, individual five-locus DNA profiles are extremely uncommon, if not unique.
Formation of a W(CO)5–furanosylidene complex from ribose without the use of protective groups

Abstract [W(CO)5(acetone)], formed by photolysis of W(CO)6, undergoes a spontaneous reaction at the C-1 position of d -ribose in d6-acetone in 24 h in quantitative yield to form water and the W(CO)5–furanosylidene complex, exhibiting a characteristic carbene 13C resonance at 427 ppm. The reaction proceeds without protection of any of the ribose hydroxyl groups, and occurs only at the C-1 position. The same reaction does not occur for fructose, d (+)-ribonic γ-lactone, or 2-deoxy- d -ribose. No reaction occurred with the pyranose sugars, d -glucose or d -galactose. A pathway via oxidative addition to CH of the open chain aldehyde form of ribose is proposed. Insertion of W(CO)5 into the CH bond, followed by rearrangement of the W(II)(CO)5–acyl hydride to a hydroxy carbene that recyclizes to the coordinated furanosylidene accounts for the reactivity of d -ribose and the absence of reactivity for the other sugars. Molecular mechanics calculations were carried out using spartan and mmff 94 programs for the free sugars d -ribose and d -glucose and their C-1-coordinated carbenes of W(CO)5. The carbene complexes are energetically uphill of the free sugars by 54.8 and 63.3 kcal mol−1 for ribose and glucose, respectively. Therefore, elimination of water is a key factor in the net driving force to form the coordinated carbene of d -ribose. The structures reveal a useful planarity at C-1 which places the filled p-orbital on the O atom alpha to the carbene in the proper perpendicular arrangement to maximize resonance with the carbene carbon. The theoretical structure for the d -glucose analogue adopts sufficient puckering of the chair arrangement of the glucose to cause a misalignment of the alpha O p-orbital, which would decrease the inherent stablity, consistent with the absence of forming such a species.
The influence of gender on the relationship between wildlife value orientations, beliefs, and the acceptability of lethal deer control in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

This study examines how wildlife value orientations, attitudes, and gender influence acceptance of lethal actions to control deer in Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. Data were collected from female and male residents (n=659) in a nine-county area, the primary service area of the park. Females and males demonstrated significant differences in their wildlife value orientations, attitudes toward lethal deer control, beliefs about the outcome of lethal deer control, and perceived personal impacts of lethal deer control. Gender also acted as a moderator of the relationship between values, beliefs and attitudes. Results indicate that a focus on understanding differences between males and females is essential to public participation in decision making concerning this and similar issues.
Polymer diffusion in semicrystalline polymers using secondary ion mass spectroscopy

The diffusion of deuterium-labeled atactic polystyrene (dPS) from the surface of a precrystallized polydisperse, isotactic polystyrene (iPS) matrix was measured using dynamic secondary ion mass spe...
Global capital, political institutions, and policy change in developed welfare states

This book argues that the post-1970 rise in international capital mobility has not contributed to the retrenchment of developed welfare states. Nor has globalization reduced the revenue-raising capacities of governments and undercut the political institutions that support the welfare state. Rather, institutional features of the polity and the welfare state determine the extent to which the economic and political pressures associated with globalization produce welfare state retrenchment. In systems characterized by electoral institutions, social corporatist interest representation and policy-making, centralized political authority, and social insurance-based program structures, pro-welfare state interests are favored. In nations characterized by majoritarian electoral institutions, pluralist interest representation and policy-making, decentralization of policy-making authority, and liberal program structure, the economic and political pressures attendant on globalization are translated into rollbacks of social protection. Globalization has had least impact on large welfare states of Northern Europe and most effect on small welfare states of Anglo nations.