cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stratified propelled wakes

This paper presents experimental results on the wake of a propelled bluff body towed at a constant horizontal speed in a linearly stratified fluid. Three regimes of the wake have been found, depending on the angle of attack and on the ratio of drag force to propeller thrust. Most of the experiments were obtained in a first regime where a strong momentum flux is created in the wake, which can be oriented backward or forward depending on the ratio of drag force to thrust of the propeller. The velocity amplitude, wake width and Strouhal number of the wake can be predicted by defining a momentum thickness based on the drag coefficient of the bluff body and the thrust of the propeller. A second regime is obtained for a narrow band of towing velocities, with a relative width of 4%, in which the momentum flux is found to vanish. The wake is characterized by the velocity fluctuations; the scaling exponents of the velocity, vorticity and width of the wake are measured. A third regime is obtained for wakes with a small angle of attack, with a null momentum flux. The mean profile of the wake is found to be asymmetric and its amplitude and wake width are measured. Finally, the relevance of these results to the case of a real self-propelled bluff body is discussed. The presence of weak internal waves or of weak fluctuations of background velocity would lead to a wake in the regime with momentum flux, and would allow prediction of the amplitude, width and Strouhal number of the wake.
Community-Based Participatory Research, Ethics, and Institutional Review Boards: Untying a Gordian Knot:

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) poses ethical challenges that are distinct from biomedical research. These arise from the epistemological differences between traditional biomedical re...
A note on the conductivity determination for the one-dimensional, half-filled band Hubbard model

Abstract A search of the literature and a simple calculation shows that the decoupling as proposed by Hubbard and utilized by Ken Kubo for obtaining the conductivity of the Hubbard model is in error to the extent that it leads to a spurious d.c. conductivity.
The Housing Ladder, the Housing Life-cycle and the Housing Life-course: Upward and Downward Movement among Repeat Home-buyers in a US Metropolitan Housing Market

This research models US home-owners' decisions to move up or down in price. The models are based on three common conceptualisations: the housing ladder, the housing life-cycle and the housing life-...
Hindered rotation and exchange in trimethylsilylanilides

Abstract A series of trimethylsilylanilides were prepared and characterized as amide—imidate mixtures. Low temperature NMR spectra reveal both hindered rotation and exchange processes for the formanilides and benzanilides and exchange for the acetanilides. Isomer ratios and free energies of activation are reported and used to postulate a mechanism for the exchange process.
Sex differences in androgen-regulated cytochrome P450 aromatase mRNA in the rat brain.

The conversion of testosterone to estradiol by cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450AROM) in the medial preoptic area is required for full expression of male sexual behavior in rats. Preoptic P450AROM activity is stimulated by androgens through an androgen-receptor mediated mechanism that regulates P450AROM gene expression. The mechanism of enzyme induction appears to be sexually dimorphic in several species leading to greater testosterone-stimulated P450AROM activity in males than in females. The present study was designed to determine whether the sex difference in androgen-regulated P450AROM activity is manifested at the levels of mRNA expression. We compared the concentrations of P450AROM mRNA and enzyme activity between five different treatment groups: intact males, castrated males (CX), ovariectomized females (OVX), CX males treated with dihydrotestosterone (CX+DHT), and OVX females treated with DHT (OVX+DHT). We found that unstimulated levels of P450AROM mRNA and enzyme activity in both the preoptic area and medial basal hypothalamus were similar in the CX and OVX groups. However, when treated with equivalent doses of DHT, the levels of P450AROM mRNA and enzyme activity in both brain regions were significantly higher in males than in females (i.e., CX+DHT group >OVX+DHT group). These results demonstrate that sex differences in the regulation of P450AROM in brain are exerted pretranslationally by androgen and suggest that gender differences in androgen responsiveness play an important role in regulating gene expression in the adult rat brain.
DECREASED LINEAR GROWTH ASSOCIATED WITH INTESTINAL BLADDER AUGMENTATION IN CHILDREN WITH BLADDER EXSTROPHY

Purpose: We determine if enterocystoplasty results in delayed linear growth using a case controlled study to observe the effects of intestinal bladder augmentation on growth in patients with bladder exstrophy.Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients who had undergone bladder augmentation for incontinence due to classic bladder exstrophy were selected from our patient database and matched for gender, age and type of exstrophy with 50 patients who had nonaugmented bladder exstrophy. Patients were then contacted and asked to permit the pediatricians to release growth charts. Once consent was obtained the charts were requested from the pediatricians, and evaluable data, defined as at least 1 height before and after augmentation, were obtained for 17 of 50 (34%) augmented and 15 of 50 (30%) nonaugmented cases.Results: Mean age at surgery was 7.7 years. Delayed growth as defined by a postoperative decrease in percentile height occurred in 14 of 17 (82%) augmented cases (mean loss 15.6 percentile points). D...
The danger of underfunded pensions: What to do about it

Nearly two-thirds of corporate pension plan assets were invested in the stock market when stocks plunged recently. That caused the average S&P 500 company pension plan—which was 128 percent funded—to be only 81 percent funded by the end of 2003. Surprisingly, many executives underestimate the dangers. The authors discuss the magnitude of the problem and offer a sensible action plan. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Apnea Caused by Mesial Temporal Lobe Mass Lesions in Infants: Report of 3 Cases:

Apnea as an isolated manifestation of seizures is well described in neonates but is only occasionally observed in infants. This article reports 3 infants presenting with apneic events as the main manifestation of seizure, documented by video electroencephalogram, all with mesial temporal lobe lesions. The 3 infants, after normal pregnancy and delivery at term, showed the first apnea at the age of 4 to 10 months. Although the interictal electroencephalogram result was often normal, ictal video electroencephalogram in all infants showed focal rhythmic discharges with or without generalization. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an inferior mesial temporal lobe mass lesion in all infants. All patients underwent lesion removal, and they are seizure free with normal psychomotor development.
Distributed Cognition in Shared Information Spaces

This study examined higher order perception, cognition, and individual-cultural differences as a basis for the rapid use of knowledge in complex problems requiring distributed team members. Previous research suggests that when complex problem-solving teams acquire perceptually anchored knowledge and engage in perceptual contrasts and comparisons, team members may spontaneously access knowledge given similarly situated problems. Our premise is that perceptual anchors may provide the basis for formulating shared mental models, which can be used to assess situations and resolve differences in individual, unique knowledge. However, distributed cognition settings may diminish the development of these models despite the advantages of perceptual anchors. Because distributed cognition often incurs through shared information spaces, this study utilized chatrooms to enact a distributed environment. Initial analyses partially support previous research (McNeese, 2000) that has examined the role of cognitive processes...
Design, implementation, and evaluation of optimizations in a JavaTM Just-In-Time compiler

The Java language incurs a runtime overhead for exception checks and object accesses, which are executed without an interior pointer in order to ensure safety. It also requires type inclusion test, dynamic class loading, and dynamic method calls in order to ensure flexibility. A ‘Just-In-Time’ (JIT) compiler generates native code from Java byte code at runtime. It must improve the runtime performance without compromising the safety and flexibility of the Java language. We designed and implemented effective optimizations for a JIT compiler, such as exception check elimination, common subexpression elimination, simple type inclusion test, method inlining, and devirtualization of dynamic method call. We evaluate the performance benefits of these optimizations based on various statistics collected using SPECjvm98, its candidates, and two JavaSoft applications with byte code sizes ranging from 23 000 to 280 000 bytes. Each optimization contributes to an improvement in the performance of the programs. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Requirements specification for Ada software under DoD-STD-2167A

Abstract The design of Ada software is best initiated from a set of specifications that complements Ada software engineering. Under DoD-STD-2167A the specification writer may inadvertently impede Ada design methods through the over-specification of program structure before the problem domain is totally understood in the context of Ada implementation. This paper identifies some of the potential pitfalls in expressing requirements under the DoD-STD-2167A, Software Requirements Specification format and gives recommendations on how to write compliant requirements that facilitates Ada design.
CO-induced structural rearrangement of the C cluster in Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans CO dehydrogenase-evidence from Ni K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy

We have examined the C cluster in type II CO dehydrogenase (CODH) from Carboxydothermus hydrogenformans using Ni K-edge X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The enzyme was studied under three conditions: "as-isolated" and after treatment with CO or Ti(III). The shape of the Ni K-edge changes slightly between the different conditions, but no significant edge shift is seen, suggesting that the C cluster contains Ni(II) in both forms. The Ni EXAFS of as-isolated CODH can be simulated with 4 Ni-S interactions at 2.20 A with a large spread in distances. A light atom (C, N, O) is not required to fit the spectrum. After CO treatment, significant changes are observed in the EXAFS. A new feature appears at approximately 2.7 A; this component is consistent with a Ni-Fe interaction. The average Ni-S distance also expands to approximately 2.25 A. The changes between the two forms suggest that the active site (C cluster) undergoes structural rearrangement after CO treatment, and the observed changes help reconcile the two different crystal structures. The implications of the structural change for the enzyme activation and mechanism are discussed.
Wheel/rail damage and its relationship to track curvature

The wear that shapes wheel and rail profiles has a profound effect on curving performance and dynamic stability of bogies. Reducing the spread between worn and unworn profiles, and in particular reducing the concavity of worn wheels, can significantly improve curving and ride quality of bogies, decrease wheel/rail damage and increase wheel and rail lifespan.
Contractile and coronary vascular effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide in neonatal pig hearts

Objective The purpose was to investigate the influence of the 38-amino-acid neuropeptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP38), on contractile function and coronary vascular tone in neonatal hearts. Methods Isolated, paced (150 bpm), isovolumically-beating, piglet hearts ( n = 19) underwent retrograde aortic perfusion at constant coronary flow (≈2.5 ml/min/gwet) with an erythrocyte-enriched (Hct 15-0%) solution (37 °C). Agonists were injected into the aortic root of hearts, and the changes in + dP/dtmax and − dP/dtmax (reflecting contractility), and coronary perfusion pressure (reflecting vascular tone) were determined. Responses to PAPCAP38 were compared to isoproterenol, and to the truncated peptide PACAP6–38. Results PACAP38 (0.1 and 0.5 nmol) increased + dP/dtmax from 1387.4 ± 134.6 to 1619.0 ± 118.7, and from 1296.2 ± 93.4 to 1872.2 ± 111.4 mmHg/s ( P < 0.05); changed −dP/dtmax from −1087.6 ± 107.5 to −1206.6 ± 93.6, and from −1025.0 ± 46.8 to −1375.4 ± 80.9 mmHg/s ( P < 0.05) and decreased coronary perfusion pressure from 61.8 ± 2.5 to 51.0 ± 3.8, and from 62.5 ± 1.0 to 45.3 ± 3.3 mmHg ( P < 0.05), respectively. In comparison, isoproterenol (0.1 nmol) increased +dP/dtmax from 1313.6 ± 62.8 to 1679.0 ± 74.4 ( P < 0.05), and −dP/dtmax from −1026.4 ± 54.1 to −1222.6 ± 57.4 mmHg/s ( P < 0.05). PACAP6–38 reduced PACAP38's coronary vasodilatory, but not its contractile, effect. When compared to our previous studies of the the 27-amino-acid neuropeptide PACAP27, PACAP38 had less potent contractile, but similar vasodilatory effects. Conclusions PACAP38 enhanced contractility and produced coronary vasodilation in piglet hearts, which may make PACAP38 a promising cardiotonic agent for the treatment of neonates with heart failure.
The Distribution and Toxicological Effects of Inhaled Methyl Bromide in the Rat

Sixty-day-old male CD rats were exposed by nose only to 14C-methyl bromide (55 ppm) for 3 min. The data indicated that the liver, lung, and kidney were the major organs of 14C distribution immediately after exposure. Up to 32 hr after exposure, the major routes of excretion were pulmonary (14CO2) and renal, with approximately 43% and 21% of the total inhaled radiolabel being eliminated, respectively. In separate experiments, 60-day-old CD male rats were exposed by whole body inhalation for 6 hr/day for 5 and 10 days to 30 ppm methyl bromide or filtered air. Glutathione (GSH) S-transferase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) activities were increased in the lung. A decrease in GSH-reductase and GSH-S-transferase activities were found in the liver. Serum chemistries indicated a decrease in Cholinesterase, BUN, uric acid, and cholesterol, and leucine aminopeptidase exhibited an increase in activity. These data indicate that methyl bromide is quickly distributed to all tissues after inhalation and...
GENERA OF NORTH AMERICAN FABACEAE III. TRIBE PSORALEAE

Both Bentham and Hooker, and Taubert, admit that these characters do not absolutely distinguish the genera of this subtribe from all other genera of Fabaceae, for I-seeded indehiscent pods are found elsewhere in the family and glandular-dotted plants are also found, as Glycyrrhiza. They have, however, overlooked the fact that several of the species by them included in Psoralea have dehiscent pods. This is the case with all those segregated by me as the genus Pediomelum. I also suspect that in the genus Hoita, judging from the texture and structure, the pod also is tardily dehiscent. If so it is valvate, not circumscissile as in Pediomelum. Though there remains not a single character that absolutely distinguishes the genera of this tribe from all others in the family, the group is rather natural and in my opinion it should be regarded as a tribe rather than a subtribe of Galegeae. It shows, for instance, just as much affinity to Hedysareae or Trifolieae, in which tribes I-seeded indehiscent pods are found. In Cullen (a segregate from Psoralea), the leaflets are toothed and the pod much like that found in the latter tribe, while in Asphalthium the pod is practically a loment of 2 internodes, the lower closely investing the seed and the upper (the beak) empty and breaking off. The tribe shows many variations, and the genera show more abnormalities than in any other tribe as far as I know. The tribe includes herbs, shrubs, and trees, usually with gland-dotted foliage. In some cases the gland-dots are confined to the calyx or fruit alone. In one case, Or-
Including Surface Kinetic Effects in Simple Models of Ice Vapor Diffusion

AbstractA model for kinetically limited vapor growth and aspect ratio evolution of atmospheric single ice crystals is presented. The method is based on the adaptive habit model of J. Chen and D. Lamb but is modified to include the deposition coefficients through a theory that accounts for axis-dependent growth. Deposition coefficients are predicted for each axis direction based on laboratory-determined critical supersaturations and therefore extends the adaptive habit approach and the capacitance model to low ice supersaturations. The new model is used to simulate changes in single-crystal primary habit in comparison to a hexagonal growth model. Results show that the new model captures the first-order features of axis-dependent, kinetically limited growth. The model reproduces not only the strong reductions in growth as supersaturations decrease but is also able to reproduce the near cessation of minor axis growth as saturations decline. While the new model reproduces the qualitative features of kinetical...
Physician incentives for academic productivity. An analysis of orthopaedic department compensation strategies

Background: Changes in the health-care industry have led to increasing demand for physician-driven clinical volume. This environment has altered the traditional balance among teaching, research, and service responsibilities for faculty in residency training programs. As economic pressures mount and budgets shrink, academic departments are exploring ways of paying faculty that would help to maintain the global mission of the organization. The purpose of this study was to examine the compensation strategy for faculty in academic orthopaedic surgery departments in the United States with a focus on compensation methods for academic productivity. Methods: Thirty-one academic orthopaedic surgery residency training programs were recruited for the study. Two methods of data collection were used: (1) a survey was mailed electronically to the program chairpersons or the finance directors, and (2) eight program leaders were interviewed to obtain more in-depth information regarding compensation for academic productivity in their organizations. Results: All thirty-one programs responded to the survey. To compensate faculty for clinical productivity, twenty-two programs used a salary and bonus system, two used salary alone, and the remainder used combined methods. Nineteen departments had a compensation system that included academic productivity, and twelve did not. Of those that compensated for academic work, seven used the chair's decision, six used a point system, one used academic rank alone, and the remainder used a combination of methods. The point systems varied in breadth, focus, and amount of detail. Conclusions: Most, but not all, departments accounted for academic productivity in their compensation system. Most programs used the chair's discretion to determine academic bonuses, but several departments had developed point systems. There are common themes with regard to this issue, including the importance of the academic mission, the need for clinical revenues, the value of flexibility and transparency, and the importance of culture and leadership.
Temperature dependence of the 1.06-µm stimulated emission cross section of neodymium in YAG and in GSGG

A linear temperature dependence between -70 °C and +70 °C is reported for the peak stimulated emission cross section of Nd3+ ions in both yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) and gadolinium scandium gallium garnet (GSGG).
Genome mining in Streptomyces avermitilis: Cloning and characterization of SAV_76, the synthase for a new sesquiterpene, avermitilol

The terpene synthase encoded by the sav76 gene of Streptomyces avermtilis was expressed in Escherichia coli as an N-terminal-His(6)-tag protein, using a codon-optimized synthetic gene. Incubation of the recombinant protein, SAV_76, with farnesyl diphosphate (1, FPP) in the presence of Mg(2+) gave a new sesquiterpene alcohol avermitilol (2), whose structure and stereochemistry were determined by a combination of (1)H, (13)C, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY NMR, along with minor amounts of germacrene A (3), germacrene B (4), and viridiflorol (5). The absolute configuration of 2 was assigned by (1)H NMR analysis of the corresponding (R)- and (S)-Mosher esters. The steady state kinetic parameters were k(cat) 0.040 +/- 0.001 s(-1) and K(m) 1.06 +/- 0.11 microM. Individual incubations of recombinant avermitilol synthase with [1,1-(2)H(2)]FPP (1a), (1S)-[1-(2)H]-FPP (1b), and (1R)-[1-(2)H]-FPP (1c) and NMR analysis of the resulting avermitilols supported a cyclization mechanism involving the loss of H-1(re) to generate the intermediate bicyclogermacrene (7), which then undergoes proton-initiated anti-Markovnikov cyclization and capture of water to generate 2. A copy of the sav76 gene was reintroduced into S. avermitilis SUKA17, a large deletion mutant from which the genes for the major endogenous secondary metabolites had been removed, and expressed under control of the native S. avermitilis promoter rpsJp (sav4925). The resultant transformants generated avermitilol (2) as well as the derived ketone, avermitilone (8), along with small amounts of 3, 4, and 5. The biochemical function of all four terpene synthases found in the S. avermtilis genome have now been determined.
Quantum chaos in quantum wells

Abstract We develop a quantitative semiclassical theory for the resonant tunneling through a quantum well in a tilted magnetic field. We show, that in the leading semiclassical approximation the tunneling current depends only on periodic orbits within the quantum well. Further corrections (due to e.g. the “ghost” effect) can be expressed in terms of closed, but non-periodic orbits, started at the “injection point”. The results of the semiclassical theory are shown to be in good agreement with both the experimental data and numerical calculations.
Fracture control in the transition-temperature region of structural steels

Abstract This paper describes the applicability of current research on the crack-tip opening displacement (CTOD) methodology to engineering approaches to fracture control in steel structures in the transition-temperature region. review of the four (not three) broad areas of fracture response that structural steels exhibit throughout their transition-temperature region is presented and the standard fracture toughness test methods applicable to each region are described. These four regions are the lower-shelf (linear-elastic K Ic type behavior), lower-transition (elastic-plastic behavior with no stable crack growth prior to brittle fracture), upper-transition (stable ductile tearing followed by brittle fracture),and upper-shelf (full fibrous ductile tearing). Correlations and relations between Charpy V-Notch impact energy results, K ID , K Ic , J-integral and CTOD test results are described. The importance of loading rate in understanding fracture control is demonstrated using the Standard Oil Development (SOD) wide plate test results of the early 1950s. Finally, actual CTOD test values, in combination with nonlinear finite element analyses, are used to predict the burst pressures of notched pressure vessels. The burst pressures computed agree to within 7% of experimental burst pressures in all five vessels analyzed.
Simplified model for droplet combustion in a slow convective flow

An idealized model for droplet vaporization or combustion in the Burke–Schumann reaction-sheet approximation is analyzed in terms of a Peclet number based on the Stefan velocity, taken to be of order unity, for Lewis numbers of unity and for small values of a parameter ɛ, defined as the ratio of the convective velocity far from the droplet to the Stefan velocity at its surface. Asymptotic solutions for the velocity, pressure, and mixture-fraction fields are obtained through second order in ɛ. The results are employed to calculate the effects of convection on the burning rate and on the flame shape. The prediction that the burning-rate constant increases linearly with ɛ for small values of ɛ is shown to be consistent with available experimental data. It is demonstrated that reasonable values of diffusivities provide approximate agreement of predicted burning rates and flame shapes with results of measurements.
The first 85 million years of avian evolution

More than half of the evolutionary history of birds is played out in the Mesozoic. A recent burst of fossil discoveries has documented a tremendous diversity of early avians. Clarification of the Phylogenetic structure of this diversity has provided clues for a better understanding of the evolution of functional, developmental and physiological characteristics of modern birds. Yet their long Mesozoic history is only beginning to be deciphered.
The effect of cross-industry cooperation on performance in the airline industry.

Summary Airline services are one part of the inter-connected network of travel services. Brandenburger and Nalebuff (1995, 1996) suggested that firms may add value to their offerings by cooperating with other members of a firm's value net (competitors, substitutors, customers, and suppliers). In a 14-year longitudinal study, this paper explores the evolution of cooperative relationships between members of the U.S. domestic airline industry and other firms outside the U.S. domestic airline industry, with the goal of identifying performance effects associated with such cooperative alliances. Results of the pooled, cross-sectional time series regression indicate that cooperative alliances outside the U.S. airline industry contribute positively to performance when environments are rapidly changing and variable.
Binding of copper(I) by the Wilson disease protein and its copper chaperone.

Abstract The Wilson disease protein (WND) is a transport ATPase involved in copper delivery to the secretory pathway. Mutations in WND and its homolog, the Menkes protein, lead to genetic disorders of copper metabolism. The WND and Menkes proteins are distinguished from other P-type ATPases by the presence of six soluble N-terminal metal-binding domains containing a conserved CXXC metal-binding motif. The exact roles of these domains are not well established, but possible functions include exchanging copper with the metallochaperone Atox1 and mediating copper-responsive cellular relocalization. Although all six domains can bind copper, genetic and biochemical studies indicate that the domains are not functionally equivalent. One way the domains could be tuned to perform different functions is by having different affinities for Cu(I). We have used isothermal titration calorimetry to measure the association constant (Ka) and stoichiometry (n) values of Cu(I) binding to the WND metal-binding domains and to their metallochaperone Atox1. The association constants for both the chaperone and target domains are ∼105 to 106 m–1, suggesting that the handling of copper by Atox1 and copper transfer between Atox1 and WND are under kinetic rather than thermodynamic control. Although some differences in both n and Ka values are observed for variant proteins containing less than the full complement of six metal-binding domains, the data for domains 1–6 were best fitted with a single site model. Thus, the individual functions of the six WND metal-binding domains are not conferred by different Cu(I) affinities but instead by fold and electrostatic surface properties.
The ability of Neoaplectana carpocapsae (steinernematidae: Nematodea) to survive extended periods of desiccation

Abstract The gradual desiccation of the agriotos strain of Neoaplectana carpocapsae under laboratory conditions showed the ability of the infective-stage juveniles to survive relative humidities well below the permanent wilting point of plants. More than 90% of the nematodes were living after 12 days at a relative humidity of 79.5%. Even after 4 days exposure to a relative humidity of 48.4%, which corresponds to very dry soil, more than 80% of the nematodes survived. The results suggest that the application of neoaplectanid nematodes to soil is more practical than on exposed above-ground plant parts where they would be subject to rapid and lethal desiccation.
Regulation of amyloid precursor protein expression and secretion via activation of ERK1/2 by hepatocyte growth factor in HEK293 cells transfected with APP751

The increased intracellular levels and aberrant processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) are associated with beta-amyloid peptide (A beta) production, cerebrovascular amyloid deposition, and amyloid plaque formation. Here we report that APP level, soluble APP (sAPP) secretion, and A beta production in HEK293 cells transfected with either wild-type APP(751) or APP(751) carrying the Swedish mutation are all elevated by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). We investigated the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the HGF effect. Our data show that HGF stimulated extended activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2). Pretreatment of cells with inhibitors (UO126 or PD98059) for MEK, the upstream kinase of ERK1/2, abolished ERK1/2 activation evoked by HGF, and abrogated HGF-induced increases in APP levels and sAPP secretion. In addition, transient expression of active MEK1 activated ERK1/2 and increased intracellular APP levels and sAPP secretion. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activity, however, failed to block HGF-stimulated A beta production. Consistently, transient expression of active MEK1 did not increase A beta accumulation. Taken together, these results suggest that: (1) HGF regulates the intracellular levels of APP and the secretion of sAPP and A beta; (2) the modulation of APP levels and sAPP secretion induced by HGF is mediated via the MEK1/ERK1/2 signaling pathway; (3) HGF-stimulated A beta production is independent of ERK activity and, therefore, independent of HGF-evoked elevation of intracellular APP levels.
Cellular binding of anionic nanoparticles is inhibited by serum proteins independent of nanoparticle composition

Nanoparticles used in biological applications encounter a complex mixture of extracellular proteins. Adsorption of these proteins on the nanoparticle surface results in the formation of a “protein corona,” which can dominate the interaction of the nanoparticle with the cellular environment. The goal of this research was to determine how nanoparticle composition and surface modification affect the cellular binding of protein-nanoparticle complexes. We examined the cellular binding of a collection of commonly used anionic nanoparticles: quantum dots, colloidal gold nanoparticles, and low-density lipoprotein particles, in the presence and absence of extracellular proteins. These experiments have the advantage of comparing different nanoparticles under identical conditions. Using a combination of fluorescence and dark field microscopy, flow cytometry, and spectroscopy, we find that cellular binding of these anionic nanoparticles is inhibited by serum proteins independent of nanoparticle composition or surface modification. We expect these results will aid in the design of nanoparticles for in vivo applications.
Analysis of volatile compounds in exhaled breath condensate in patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension

Background An important challenge to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) diagnosis and treatment is early detection of occult pulmonary vascular pathology. Symptoms are frequently confused with other disease entities that lead to inappropriate interventions and allow for progression to advanced states of disease. There is a significant need to develop new markers for early disease detection and management of PAH.
1850 FLOW LIMITATION IN INFANTS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS DURING A PULMONARY EXACERBATION

We evaluated nine CF infants, mean age 18 months (5.5-28), during pulmonary exacerbation (PE) and again at follow-up (FU), mean 3.4 months (1-6) post PE. During sleep, we measured 1) respiratory rate (RR), 2) function residual capacity (FRC) by helium dilution, 3) mixing index (MI) and 4) size corrected flows at FRC (VmaxFRC/FRC). Clinical scores (CS), 0-25 (healthy), were based upon cough, cyanosis retractions, breath sounds, and clubbing. During PE, 5 infants required hospitalization (H) and 4 were outpatients (OP). The H group had significantly lower (P<.03) VmaxFRC/FRC (.19 vs .80). Five of 5 H and none of OP infants reached flow limitation during tidal breathing, but RR, FRC/kg, and MI between groups were not significantly different (NSD). Between PE and FU, paired t-test for combined H and O groups demonstrated increase in VmaxFRC/FRC, +.49 (P<.01), and decrease in FRC/kq. -3 (P<.04), but NSD in RR or MI. There was a significant linear regression between CS and VmaxFRC/FRC (r=.80). We conclude that pulmonary function changes during PE in CF infants can effectively be assessed from partial expiratory flow volume curves and that flow limitation during tidal breathing is associated with severe lung disease.
Spatiotemporal localization of injury potentials in DRG neurons during vincristine-induced axonal degeneration.

The distal to proximal degeneration of axons, or “dying back” is a common pattern of neuropathology in many diseases of the PNS and CNS. A long-standing debate has centered on whether this pattern of neurodegeneration is due to an insult to the cell body or to the axon itself, although it is likely that mechanisms are different for specific disease entities. We have addressed this question in a model system of vincristine-induced axonal degeneration. Here, we created a novel experimental apparatus combining a microfluidic divider with a multielectrode array substrate to allow for independent monitoring of injury-induced electrical activity from dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cell bodies and axons while isolating them into their own culture microenvironments. At specified doses, exposure of the cell body to vincristine caused neither morphological neurodegeneration nor persistent hyperexcitablility. In comparison, exposure of the distal axon to the same dose of vincristine first caused a decrease in the excitability of the axon and then axonal degeneration in a dying back pattern. Additionally, exposure of axons to vincristine caused an initial period of hyperexcitability in the cell bodies, suggesting that a signal is transmitted from the distal axon to the soma during the progression of vincristine-induced axonal degeneration. These data support the proposition that vincristine has a direct neurotoxic effect on the axon.
Mother–Child Conflict and Its Moderating Effects on Depression Outcomes in a Preventive Intervention for Adolescent Depression

This article reports on mother-child conflict as an outcome and moderator of Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Adolescent Skills Training (IPT-AST), a preventive intervention for depression. Forty-one adolescents (average age = 13.37, SD = 1.19) with elevated depression symptoms were randomized to receive IPT-AST or school counseling (SC). Adolescents in IPT-AST showed significantly greater reductions in mother-child conflict. Baseline mother-child conflict moderated the programs' effects on depression symptoms. Adolescents in IPT-AST who had high baseline conflict showed significantly greater decreases in depression symptoms than adolescents in SC who had high conflict. Among those adolescents with low baseline conflict, the difference between the two interventions was not significant.
Treatment of potato processing wastewaters by activated carbon adsorption process

A laboratory study was conducted to determine the effects of degrees of pretreatment, types of activated carbons, dosages of activated carbons on the organic removal rates of potato processing wastewaters using the activated carbon adsorption process. Primary treated effluents, and secondary treated effluents using activated sludge and powdered activated carbon activated sludge processes were used as adsorbate in this study. Two types of activated carbon used consisted of granular activated carbon, Nuchar WV-L, and powdered activated carbon, Nuchar S-C, in dosages varied from 0.25 to 4 g per 50 ml of wastewater. Results indicated that activated sludge treatment removed 86–96% of COD from primary settled wastewaters. Activated sludge followed by activated carbon adsorption treatment removed 97% COD from primary settled wastewater with an effluent COD of 24 mg/1. Powdered activated carbon was more effective than granular activated carbon in removing COD from activated sludge treated effluents.
Behavior and survival of American cockroaches exposed to different ultraviolet and whiite light regimens.

Periplancta americana (L.) at different stages of development were exposed to 5 different light regimens for 24 h: UV vs. dark; “filtered” light (above 345nm) vs. dark; UV vs. “filtered” light white light vs. dark; and UV vs. white light. (of equal intensity). Early instars avoided UV more quickly than “filtered” or white light, given the opportunity to escape into darkness. However, when forced to choose between UV and “filtered” or white light, early instars showed delayed avoidance or no avoidance. The same general patter held for older instars except that avoidance responses occurred more quickly. When forced to choose between UV and white light of equal intensity, no avoidance occurred in any in star except the 5th. Mortality was greater than 90% in 1st to 5th-instar cockroaches regardless of the UV avoidance, though older instars required up to 1 month to reach 90% mortality, whereas in 1st and 2nd instars 100% mortality occurred within 4 days. Sixth and older instars exhibited very low mortality except in the UV vs. white light treatment where greater than 90% mortality occurred within 4 days.
Utilizing tumor hypoxia enhances oncolytic viral therapy in liver cancer

Abstract Introduction: Hypoxia is a common tumor condition which impedes cancer therapies and promotes metastases. The objective of this study was to determine whether hypoxia-driven production of ribonucleotide reductase (RR), a rate-limiting enzyme for viral replication, would enhance herpes simplex virus (HSV) oncolytic therapy in liver cancer. Methods: A hypoxia responsive promoter (HRP) was constructed from 10 repeats of the vascular endothelial growth factor gene’s hypoxia sensitive region and functionally tested in a luciferase assay. This promoter was cloned in front of an intact RR gene to create an HRP/RR vector. SK-Hep-1 human liver cancer cells were transfected with HRP/RR. These cells were incubated in normoxia (21% O 2 ) or hypoxia (1% O 2 ) and infected 24 hours later with G207, a mutant HSV with an inactivated RR gene. Lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assays were performed on days 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7. Results: HRP increased luciferase gene expression 25-fold compared to an SV40 promoter in hypoxia (p
Inclusion of charge correlations in calculations of the energetics and electronic structure for random substitutional alloys.

Currently, the coherent-potential approximation (CPA) implemented via the multiple-scattering theory of Korringa, Kohn, and Rostoker (KKR) gives the best first-principles description of the electronic structure for random substitutional alloys. However, the total energy has an important component of electrostatic energy missing, namely, that arising from the correlation of charges with varying atomic environments. We develop a ``charge-correlated'' CPA method (cc-CPA) which includes (some) local environmental charge correlations within the KKR-CPA method. We investigate the cc-CPA energetics for several alloys and show that the formation energies are in better agreement with experimental results. These calculations show that the excess charge on a species is almost completely screened by the first-neighbor shell. We then derive a simplified scheme to include the vast majority of the omitted electrostatic energy from charge correlations which requires only a species-dependent shift of the potentials within the original KKR-CPA method. We also discuss the ramifications on the electronic structure.
Recent quantitative studies of actin filament turnover during cell locomotion

Cell locomotion depends on polymerization and depolymerization of filamentous actin. Net polymerization at the cell front occurs fast enough to fill the extending lamellipod, and since total F-actin is essentially constant over time, depolymerization must equal polymerization. Indeed, the fastest moving cell types have the highest rates of depolymerization. Accounting for the high rate of depolymerization raises several problems. One is that net depolymerization requires the concentration of G-actin to be low (below the critical concentration), but rapid polymerization (occurring <1 μm away) requires the concentration of G-actin to be high (well above the critical concentration). This may be accomplished by spatial compartmentalization of factors that favor polymerization or depolymerization, and/or by proteins that bind G-actin and prevent spontaneous polymerization while allowing barbed-end elongation. A second problem is that depolymerization proceeds faster than would seem possible from studies of F-actin in vitro (as calculated from number and lenghts of filaments present and in vitro rate constants). Rapid depolymerization may be accomplished by filament cutters or by cytoplasmic components (as yet undiscovered) that increase the rate of depolymerization. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Excited states of mercury-induced double-acceptors in germanium

Abstract The excited states of the mercury-induced center with two bound holes are derived from observation of resonant infrared absorption of mercury doped germanium near 10°K. The optical ionization energy is indicated at 91.2 ± 0.2 milli-electron-volts. The energy separations between the excited states agree within experimental error with prior observations on zinc-induced centers in germanium.
Surface Lipid and Free Fatty Acids (FFA) Content of Head and Broken Rice Produced by Milling After Different Drying Treatments

ABSTRACT The surface lipids and free fatty acids (FFA) content of head and broken rice samples generated through milling after various drying treatments were studied. Long grain cultivars Francis, Wells, and Cypress, and medium grain cultivar Bengal were dried under three air conditions (mild 25°C, 50% rh; moderate 45°C, 40% rh; and stressed 65°C, 20% rh) for two durations (10 and 30 min). Immediately after drying, the rough rice samples were placed in a conditioning chamber to continue drying slowly to ⋍12.5% moisture content (MC), which occurred within three to five days. After dehulling, a McGill No. 2 mill was used to mill the samples for 30 sec. The head rice yield (HRY) for all rice samples were within the range of 40–68%. Rice surface lipid was extracted with isopropanol (IPA) and the lipid and FFA content of the IPA extracts were determined. Broken rice kernels had significantly greater surface lipid and FFA content than head rice kernels. The surface FFA contents of broken kernels were within the...
Anaplastic lymphoma masquerading as sclerosing mesenteritis: a case report.

Introduction Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare fibroinflammatory disease of unknown pathogenesis and etiology. Although more commonly benign in its clinical course, sclerosing mesenteritis can mimic certain malignant disorders, such as lymphoma.
Nonlinearities of the human oculomotor system: time delays.

Abstract Measurements of the gain of the human eye movement control system in two-dimensional tracking tasks show that the system is non-linear in the sense that it is not possible to predict the response to one class of target motion by linear combination of the responses to other classes of stimuli. It is therefore not valid to represent the system by a linear transfer function and hence a minimum phase lag cannot be calculated. There is thus no theoretical datum with which to compare the actual phase lags of the visual axes in tracking tasks and hence no evidence for a predictor mechanism. The lags of the visual axes can be satisfactorily explained in terms of simple delays which depend on the class of target motion.
Morphometric analysis of skeletal muscle capillaries in early spontaneous hypertension

Abstract Capillary narrowing, elongation, and rarification have been described in various tissues in human and animal hypertension. The present study was undertaken to assess whether they are features of the skeletal muscle vascular bed during the developmental phase of the disease in spontaneously hypertensive rats. In neonatal (19 days old) and young adult (9–10 weeks old) rats of the hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive (WKY) strains, capillary diameter, length, and density were measured in spinotrapezius muscle by histological and intravital microscopic techniques. In neonates, capillary diameters (WKY = 3.98 ± 0.13; SHR = 4.26 ± 0.14 μm), lengths (WKY = 327 ± 9; SHR = 334 ± 6 μm), and densities (WKY = 1768 ± 106; SHR = 1779 ± 124 capillaries/mm 2 ) were not significantly different in WKY and SHR. In young adults, capillary diameters (WKY = 4.28 ± 0.09; SHR = 4.61 ± 0.09 μm), lengths (WKY = 430 ± 13; SHR = 443 ± 12 μm), and densities (WKY = 1263 ± 76; SHR = 1414 ± 37 capillaries/mm 2 ) were also not significantly changed in hypertension. Contrary to the findings of narrowing and decreased numbers of capillaries in human hypertensives, diameters and densities were slightly increased. The data suggest that those morphological changes at the capillary level do not occur in the developmental (period of rising arterial pressure) phase of spontaneous hypertension.
Race Lessons in Black and White: How White Adoptive Parents Socialize Black Adoptees in Predominately White Communities

This article examines the approaches, strategies, and perspectives that White adoptive parents use to teach their adopted Black children about coping with race-based discrimination and the development of a positive racial identity. Using qualitative methods and the theoretical construct of White racial framing, the authors identify and critically analyze themes in the parents' race lessons. The central aim of this article is to uncover how these race lessons position family members to either challenge or perpetuate historical, racial inequities and mistreatment faced by African Americans and other communities of color within US society.
Experimental Evidence of the Knowledge Gap: Message Arousal, Motivation, and Time Delay

This study experimentally tested the knowledge gap from an information processing perspective. Specifically, knowledge acquisition was investigated under conditions of medium and low news message arousal, with time delay. Results show the persistence of a knowledge gap, particularly for low arousing messages. In fact, at low levels of message arousal, the gap is larger than at medium levels of arousal. Some existing research suggests that message salience explains the knowledge gap. Findings from this study show that information processing aptitude may also be a significant factor. Measures of several dimensions of participant motivation to cognitively engage with news messages were added as covariates to statistical analyses. These were found not to affect the knowledge gap outcomes in this data set.
L1 Adaptive Control Augmentation System with Application to the X-29 Lateral/Directional Dynamics: A Multi-Input Multi-Output Approach

This paper presents an L(sub 1) adaptive control augmentation system design for multi-input multi-output nonlinear systems in the presence of unmatched uncertainties which may exhibit significant cross-coupling effects. A piecewise continuous adaptive law is adopted and extended for applicability to multi-input multi-output systems that explicitly compensates for dynamic cross-coupling. In addition, explicit use of high-fidelity actuator models are added to the L1 architecture to reduce uncertainties in the system. The L(sub 1) multi-input multi-output adaptive control architecture is applied to the X-29 lateral/directional dynamics and results are evaluated against a similar single-input single-output design approach.