cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HGF Mediates the Anti-inflammatory Effects of PRP on Injured Tendons

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) containing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and other growth factors are widely used in orthopaedic/sports medicine to repair injured tendons. While PRP treatment is reported to decrease pain in patients with tendon injury, the mechanism of this effect is not clear. Tendon pain is often associated with tendon inflammation, and HGF is known to protect tissues from inflammatory damages. Therefore, we hypothesized that HGF in PRP causes the anti-inflammatory effects. To test this hypothesis, we performed in vitro experiments on rabbit tendon cells and in vivo experiments on a mouse Achilles tendon injury model. We found that addition of PRP or HGF decreased gene expression of COX-1, COX-2, and mPGES-1, induced by the treatment of tendon cells in vitro with IL-1β. Further, the treatment of tendon cell cultures with HGF antibodies reduced the suppressive effects of PRP or HGF on IL-1β-induced COX-1, COX-2, and mPGES-1 gene expressions. Treatment with PRP or HGF almost completely blocked the cellular production of PGE2 and the expression of COX proteins. Finally, injection of PRP or HGF into wounded mouse Achilles tendons in vivo decreased PGE2 production in the tendinous tissues. Injection of platelet-poor plasma (PPP) however, did not reduce PGE2 levels in the wounded tendons, but the injection of HGF antibody inhibited the effects of PRP and HGF. Further, injection of PRP or HGF also decreased COX-1 and COX-2 proteins. These results indicate that PRP exerts anti-inflammatory effects on injured tendons through HGF. This study provides basic scientific evidence to support the use of PRP to treat injured tendons because PRP can reduce inflammation and thereby reduce the associated pain caused by high levels of PGE2.
Inhibition of biliary endoprostheses occlusion by ampicillin-sulbactam in an in vitro model

An important first step in stent occlusion is the formation of a bacterial biofilm. This is followed by deposition of granules similar to that found in brown pigment stones. Previous in vitro models for studying occlusion have used synthetic biles without bilirubin or pooled human bile, which is limited in supply. Our aim was to develop a new in vitro model of stent occlusion with porcine gallbladder bile and then, with the model, assess whether ampicillin-sulbactam can prevent biofilm formation and thus occlusion. Sterile porcine gallbladder bile was contaminated with Escherichia coli then divided into eight reservoirs, four of which then received ampicillin-sulbactam. The bile was then circulated through 10F polyethylene stents. Bile was changed weekly for 8 weeks. In the stents that were untreated, biofilm and sludge were seen in all four, whereas the four ampicillin-sulbactam-treated stents had no biofilm when viewed by electron microscopy. Furthermore, the levels of calcium, cholesterol, and bilirubin in the reservoirs decreased significantly in the untreated bile as compared with the treated bile (p < 0.05). In this in vitro model, the losses of calcium, cholesterol, and bilirubin are likely caused by deposition of granules into the biofilm matrix. Ampicillin-sulbactam can prevent biofilm formation if used continuously.
Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and Brownian rotational diffusion

A theroy relating rotational Brownian motion to the time autocorrelation function of the intensity of radiation from a fluorescent system composed of spherical rotors is presented. The calculation shows three relaxation times, two associated with the rotational diffusion, and the third associated with the natural decay of the fluorescence. The correlation function contains terms that relax independently of the fluorescence decay time, thus arbitrarily extending the time range over which rotational diffusion can be studied by fluorescence.
Space of Smooth 1-Knots in a 4-Manifold: Is Its Algebraic Topology Sensitive to Smooth Structures?

We discuss a possibility to get an invariant of a smooth structure on a closed simply connected 4-manifold from homotopy invariants of the space of loops smoothly embedded into the manifold.
Long-Term Bilayer Encapsulation Performance of Atomic Layer Deposited Al $_{\bf 2}$ O $_{\bf 3}$ and Parylene C for Biomedical Implantable Devices

We present an encapsulation scheme that combines atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al2O3 and Parylene C for the encapsulation of implantable devices. The encapsulation performances of combining alumina and Parylene C was compared to individual layers of Parylene C or alumina and the bilayer coating had superior encapsulation properties. The alumina-Parylene coated interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) soaked in PBS for up to nine months at temperatures from 37 to 80 °C for accelerated lifetime testing. For 52-nm alumina and 6-μm Parylene C, leakage current was ~20 pA at 5 VDC, and the impedance was about 3.5 MΩ at 1 kHz with a phase near -87° from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for samples soaked at 67 °C for equivalent lifetime of 72 months at 37 °C. The change of impedance during the whole soaking period (up to 70 months of equivalent soaking time at 37 °C) over 1 to 10 6 Hz was within 5%. The stability of impedance indicated almost no degradation of the encapsulation. Bias voltage effect was studied by continuously applying 5 VDC, and it reduced the lifetime of Parylene coating by ~75% while it showed no measurable effect on the bilayer coating. Lifetime of encapsulation of IDEs with topography generated by attaching a coil and surface mount device (SMD) capacitor was about half of that of planer IDEs. The stable long-term insulation impedance, low leakage current, and better lifetime under bias voltage and topography made this double-layer encapsulation very promising for chronic implantable devices.
Liver Transplantation in an Adult With Adenomatosis and Congenital Absence of the Portal Vein: A Case Report

Congenital absence of the portal vein (CAPV) is a rare congenital anomaly in which the superior mesenteric veins (SMV) and splenic veins converge and bypass the liver, effectively draining directly into the systemic venous circulation via the inferior vena cava (IVC), or alternatively the renal or iliac vein, creating a native portosystemic shunt. Portosystemic shunting results in clinical manifestations of hepatic encephalopathy as well as a predisposition to focal nodular hyperplasia and tumors, including adenomas, hepatoblastoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), by the disruption of enterohepatic blood flow. Historically, CAPV has been thought to be a rare condition found mainly at autopsy, however, in recent years due to advances in radiological techniques, CAPV detection has increased. Herein we describe a patient with known CAPV who initially underwent hepatic resection for HCC. During surveillance, additional masses were discovered and were identified as recurrent HCC. Unfortunately, this patient was not a candidate for further resection or locoregional therapy. We demonstrate that transplantation is a challenging but technically viable option for treatment of HCC complicating adenomatosis-associated CAPV.
Likelihood ratio tests for goodness-of-fit of a nonlinear regression model

We propose likelihood and restricted likelihood ratio tests for goodness-of-fit of nonlinear regression. The first-order Taylor approximation around the MLE of the regression parameters is used to approximate the null hypothesis and the alternative is modeled nonparametrically using penalized splines. The exact finite sample distribution of the test statistics is obtained for the linear model approximation and can be easily simulated. We recommend using the restricted likelihood instead of the likelihood ratio test because restricted maximum-likelihood estimates are not as severely biased as the maximum-likelihood estimates in the penalized splines framework.
Interactions of stopping negative pions with deuterium

The reaction π−+d → 2n+ϒ for zero-energy pions has been studied in a deuterium bubble chamber by observing the electron pairs produced by the internal conversion of the photons. The energy partition and mass distributions of the pairs are in agreement with the theory of Kroll and Wada. The energy spectrum was compared with the calculations of Joseph to find the effect of the neutron-neutron interaction. Satisfactory agreement is obtained if the singlet scattering lengthas is less than — 10 fermi. The branching ratio σ(π−+d → 2n)/σ(π−+d → 2n+ϒ) was found to be 2.89±0.09. The pion photoproduction cross-section was calculated from this to be (0.110±0.022)η mb, in contrast to the directly measured value of (0.197±0.014)η mb. The reaction π−+d → 2n+π0 was not seen; the fraction of captures which go through this channel is less than 0.07%.
Converging evidence for the interaction of semantic and sublexical phonological information in accessing lexical representations for spoken output

Abstract Detailed studies of naming, reading, and comprehension by three braindamaged patients are reported. The three subjects had different patterns of performance across lexical tasks, which are best explicated by proposing, for each case, separate loci of damage to one or more components of the lexical system. Nevertheless, all three patients showed better oral reading than would be expected on the basis of either their demonstrated abilities in lexical-semantic processing or their demonstrated abilities in sublexical orthography-to-phonology conversion. The disproportionately intact oral reading in each of these subjects can be explained either by proposing a nonsemantic “direct route” of reading and/or by proposing that at least partial semantic information interacts with at least partial sublexical phonological information to access lexico-phonological representations for output in the task of oral reading. Evidence favouring the latter hypothesis was provided by studies of the subjects' performanc...
Claims and beliefs about code clones: do we agree as a community?: a survey

Research on code clones and their impact on software development has been increasing in recent years. There are a number of potentially competing claims among members of the community. There is currently not enough empirical evidence to provide concrete information about these claims. This paper presents the results of a survey of members of the code clone community. The goal of the survey was to determine the level of agreement of community members regarding some key topics. While the results showed a good bit of agreement, there was no universal consensus on all topics. Survey respondents were not in complete agreement about the definitions of Type III and Type IV clones. The survey respondents were more uncertain about how developers behave when working with clones. From the survey it is clear that there are areas where more empirical research is needed to better understand how to effectively work with clones.
E1A is the component of the MHC class I enhancer complex that mediates HDAC chromatin repression in adenovirus-12 tumorigenic cells

In adenovirus-12 tumorigenic cells, the viral E1A-12 protein mediates transcriptional down-regulation of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes by targeting the class I enhancer. Here, we demonstrate by a combination of antisense and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis that E1A-12 is a physical component of the class I enhancer repression complex, known to comprise COUP-TFII and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1). Significantly, E1A antisense was shown to co-eliminate E1A-12 as well as HDAC1 and HDAC8, but not HDAC3, from the enhancer repression complex. Consistent with elimination of HDAC1 and HDAC8, E1A antisense also resulted in a dramatic increase in histone acetylation, a hallmark of transcriptionally active chromatin. Importantly, MHC class I antigen expression was restored on the surface of E1A antisense-transfected cells. These results demonstrate that E1A-12 is associated with the MHC class I complex and apparently mediates class I transcriptional down-regulation by enacting chromatin repression through HDAC1 and HDAC8.
Thermal and photochemical pathways of H2S on GaAs(100)

The thermal and photo-induced dissociation of H2S on the Ga-rich GaAs(100) surface has been studied by synchrotron radiation soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (SXPS), in conjunction with thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). H2S adsorbs in both molecular and dissociative forms at a surface temperature of 90 K, with a saturation coverage of 0.57 ML. The molecularly adsorbed H2S is unstable and desorbs/dissociates below 200 K; above 200 K, only SH and atomic S species are left on the surface. The dissociation of surface SH species is accompanied by the recombinative desorption of H2S and H2. This process is completed by ∼450 K, above which temperature surface sulfur atoms in two different chemical environments are observed. These sulfur atoms are attributed to GaS monomer and dimer surface species, respectively. The former is converted to the latter upon annealing at 700–750 K. The annealed and dimerized solGaAs(100)S surface shows a (2 × 1) LEED pattern in a broad sulfur coverage region. Both surface H2S and SH species dissociate readily upon UV laser or white light synchrotron radiation. At 193 nm, the initial photodissociation cross-sections for adsorbed H2S and SH species were estimated to be 6 × 10−18 and 6 × 10−19 cm2, respectively. As a result of photodissociation, the amount of sulfur deposition can be significantly increased. At sulfur coverages above 0.5 ML, annealing at 750 K results in two distinctively different sulfur states, which are attributed to surface and subsurface S, respectively.
A MAXIMUM-LIKELIHOOD APPROACH TO SINGLE-PARTICLE IMAGE REFINEMENT

The alignment of single-particle images fails at low signal-to-noise ratios and small particle sizes, because noise produces false peaks in the cross-correlation function used for alignment. A maximum-likelihood approach to the two-dimensional alignment problem is described which allows the underlying structure to be estimated from large data sets of very noisy images. Instead of finding the optimum alignment for each image, the algorithm forms a weighted sum over all possible in-plane rotations and translations of the image. The weighting factors, which are the probabilities of the image transformations, are computed as the exponential of a cross-correlation function. Simulated data sets were constructed and processed by the algorithm. The results demonstrate a greatly reduced sensitivity to the choice of a starting reference, and the ability to recover structures from large data sets having very low signal-to-noise ratios.
Schistosoma mansoni: purification and characterization of a membrane-associated leucine aminopeptidase.

Abstract Membrane-associated leucine aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.1, LAP) has been purified to homogeneity from Schistosoma mansoni egg homogenates by a combination of ultracentrifugation, chromatofocusing, and molecular sieve chromatography. A 260-fold increase in specific activity was observed after purification. This is a metalloenzyme, containing carbohydrate moieties. Optimal enzyme activity was found at neutral pH. Enzyme activity was measured using l -leucine-7-amino-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin l -Leu-AFC); in addition, schistosome egg LAP hydrolyzed a variety of other aminopeptidase substrates. Hydrolysis of l -Leu-AFC was inhibited by a number of aminopeptidase inhibitors, including 1,10-phenanthroline, bestatin, and amastatin.
Improving on near-surface field evaluation in the boundary-element method

Abstract A method for removing the numerical instability of the conventional Green's formula in the vicinity of the boundary surface is proposed. The approach uses a pair of Green's formulae written both inside and outside the volume of interest, even when used for solving a single-phase problem. It is shown that cancellation between the pair yields an alternative, singularity-free integral representation that is amenable to numerical calculation. The derivation of the formula is given explicitly and is accompanied by several numerical test results for validation.
Vitamin E protection against in vivo lipid peroxidation initiated in rats by methyl ethyl ketone peroxide as monitored by pentane.

Vitamin E, selenium, vitamin C, and methionine were administered to rats in various combinations by diet and ip injections (12 treatment groups) in order to rank the individual and combined protective ability of the biological antioxidants at minimum daily requirement levels and at pharmacological levels against lipid peroxidation initiated by 50 mg methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP)/kg body wt. In vivo lipid peroxidation was monitored throughout a 3-hr period by measuring pentane expired in the breath. Rats fed 30 IU dl-α-tocopherol acetate/kg diet significantly (p < 0.001) decreased pentane production at 20 min by 88% compared to rats fed a vitamin E- and selenium-deficient diet. Rats given five ip injections of 180 IU dl-α-tocopherol acetate/kg body wt further reduced expired pentane by 83% (p < 0.001) beyond the protection afforded by dietary vitamin E. Neither additive nor synergistic protection was found when other antioxidants were given in combination with vitamin E. Vitamin E was the primary protective antioxidant. Pentane expired by individual rats from the various treatment groups strongly correlated (r = 0.92, p < 0.001) with the plasma vitamin E status. Plasma vitamin E above the level of 0.5 mg total tocopherol/g total lipid prevented substantial increases in pentane production and blood hemolysis brought on by MEKP. A pharmacological dose of 175 mg vitamin C/kg body wt given on 3 consecutive days to vitamin E- and selenium-deficient rats potentiated MEKP toxicity. The vitamin C pretreatment caused a doubling of pentane levels and mortality within 3 hr.
Abstract P4-07-10: MicroRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic adjuvants for the prognosis and treatment of drug-resistant breast cancers

Intrinsic and acquired resistance to antineoplastic agents continues to be a major clinical impediment to successful treatment of cancer in general, and breast cancer in particular. For example, about 40% of ER-positive metastatic breast tumors fail to respond to tamoxifen therapy, and of those that initially respond many will eventually develop resistance. Similarly, taxanes used as a first-line chemotherapy agent will have a response rate of 50%, which comes down to 20–30% in second- or third-line chemotherapy; nearly half of the treated subjects do not respond to it and suffer side effects. These facts underscore the importance of understanding the mechanism of resistance, which is crucial for the optimal systemic therapy of breast cancer. Unfortunately, in spite of extensive inquiry in this field, little is known about the key molecules/signaling pathways that regulate this phenomenon. Recently, we have discovered that small non-coding RNAs, i.e. microRNA (miRNAs), may play a critical role in mediating drug resistance in breast cancers. We have identified miRNAs that are differentially expressed between drug-resistant and sensitive breast cancer cells. Specifically, we have combined a high-throughput screening platform with a library of chemically synthesized inhibitors for all known human miRNAs and identified specific miRNA that selectively sensitize/de-sensitize drug-resistant breast cancer cells to either tamoxifen or trastuzumab (herceptin), drugs that are commonly used as a first line treatment for ER-positive and Her2-positive breast cancers, respectively. We identified 10 and 12 miRNA inhibitors that sensitized resistant cells to tamoxifen and trastuzumab, respectively. Interestingly, expression of cognate miRNA/s that sensitize resistant tumors to drug-induced cell death in our screen was found to be lower in relapsed (drug-resistant) metastatic breast cancer patients compared to normal matched control. In addition to tumor tissues, the levels of sensitizer miRNA/s in the blood sera of relapsed metastatic breast cancer patients was found to be dramatically lower than that of normal healthy individual. These findings are significant as it suggests that miRNAs can be efficiently detected in blood serum and therefore, can be used as a potential biomarker for predicting treatment outcomes. In addition, miRNAs may provide novel therapeutic tools for the treatment of drug-resistant breast cancers. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-07-10.
Production and Characterization of Metal-Encapsulated Fullerenes

We report here the arc-production and spectroscopic characterization of fullerene-encapsulated metal atoms and metal-atom clusters. In particular, both solution and solid-state electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of LaC82, YC82, ScC82, and Sc3C82 have been obtained. Additional species containing rare-earth atoms and clusters have been produced. The results suggest, for example, that the three scandium atoms in Sc3C82 form a molecule In the shape of an equilateral triangle — as was previously suggested for Sc3 molecules isolated in a cryogenic rare-gas matrix. The spectra of the MC82 species (M=La, Y, Sc) exhibit small hyperfine couplings and g-values close to 2, suggesting that they can be described as a +3 metal cations within — 3 fullerene radical anion cages. Sc2C2n species — the most abundant metallofullerenes in the scandium-fullerene mass spectrum — are EPR-silent, even though Sc2 is EPR-active in a rare-gas matrix at 4.2K. A broader implication of this work is that production of macroscopic quantities of metal-containing fullerenes may make possible the fabrication of exotic new structures with regular arrays of metal atoms or clusters isolated in fullerene molecules, resulting in new types of host/guest nanostructured materials.
File management with hierarchical folders and tags

Hierarchical folders have been widely used for managing digital files. Previous research has revealed problems with them. Users frequently have to turn to desktop search to re-find files, even if they thought they had saved them in a memorable place. Tagging may have the potential to improve information navigation and organization. This research in progress aims at exploring the possibility of incorporating tagging into the hierarchical folder structure for file management, especially for the process of file organization and file re-finding. This work will provide design implications for future file management tools.
Experimental gastrointestinal allergy enhances pulmonary responses to specific and unrelated allergens

Background Gastrointestinal allergy often precedes or coexists with respiratory allergy. Objective We hypothesized that established experimental gastrointestinal allergy would prime for the development of allergic respiratory responses. Methods BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) in the presence of aluminum potassium sulfate and then subjected to intragastric saline or OVA challenges. After the development of allergen-induced gastrointestinal allergy, mice were intranasally exposed to either saline, OVA, or a neoaeroallergen house dust mite (HDM) extract. Airway inflammation (eg, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cellularity, cytokine levels, and OVA-specific antibody levels) and airway responsiveness to methacholine exposure were assessed after intranasal allergen exposure. Results A single intranasal exposure to OVA induced significantly more airway inflammation in intragastric OVA-challenged mice compared with that seen in intragastric saline-treated mice. Kinetic analysis revealed that the observed amplification of lung inflammation was sustained for up to 12 days after the last intragastric OVA challenge after resolution of blood eosinophilia. When mice with gastrointestinal allergy were repeatedly challenged with HDM in the respiratory tract, they experienced enhanced airway inflammation, including bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophilia and increased IL-13 levels. Conclusion Taken together, our results demonstrate that OVA-induced gastrointestinal allergy enhances not only allergic airway responses to OVA but also to HDM, an unrelated aeroallergen. Clinical implications Experimental gastrointestinal allergy primes for responses to allergens in the respiratory tract, enhancing antigen-specific antibody and T H 2 cytokine production, airway inflammation, and airway hyperresponsiveness.
Pronounced asymmetry in the crystallization behavior during constant heating and cooling of a bulk metallic glass-forming liquid

The crystallization behavior of the supercooled bulk metallic glass-forming Zr41Ti14Cu12Ni10Be23 liquid was studied with different heating and cooling rates. A rate of about 1 K/s is sufficient to suppress crystallization of the melt upon cooling from the equilibrium liquid. Upon heating, in contrast, a rate of about 200 K/s is necessary to avoid crystallization. The difference between the critical heating and cooling rate is discussed with respect to diffusion-limited growth taking classical nucleation into account. The calculated asymmetry of the critical heating and cooling rate can be explained by the fact that nuclei formed during cooling and heating are exposed to different growth rates.
Vasopressin gene related products are markers of human breast cancer.

Immunohistochemical analysis for products of vasopressin and oxytocin gene expression was performed on acetone-fixed tissues from 19 breast cancers representing a variety of tumor sub-types. Studies employed the avidin-biotin complex (ABC) immunohistochemical procedure and utilized rabbit polyclonal antibodies to arginine vasopressin (VP), provasopressin (ProVP), vasopressin-associated human glycopeptide (VAG), oxytocin (OT), oxytocin-associated human neurophysin (OT-HNP), and a mouse monoclonal antibody to vasopressin-associated human neurophysin (VP-HNP). Western Blot analysis was performed on protein extracts of fresh-frozen tissues from 12 additional breast tumors. While VP gene related proteins were not detected in normal breast tissue, immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of VP, Pro VP, and VAG in all neoplastic cells for all of the tumor tissues examined. Vasopressin-associated human neurophysin was evident in only one of 19 acetone-fixed tumor preparations. However, Western blot analysis for all 12 fresh-frozen tumor samples showed the presence of two proteins, 42,000 and 20,000 daltons, that were immunoreactive with antibodies to VP, VP-HNP, and VAG. Oxytocin and OT-HNP, by immunohistochemistry, were found to be common to cells of normal breast tissues. For tumors, positive staining for OT was observed in 8 of 18 tumors, while OT-HNP was not detected in any of the tumors examined. These findings indicate that VP gene expression is a selective feature of all breast cancers, and that products of this expression might therefore be useful as markers for early detection of this disease and as possible targets for immunotherapy.
Nature-inspired ultra-wideband array synthesis techniques

An overview of current high performance, nature-inspired ultra-wideband antenna array design techniques is given. The polyfractal, raised-power series (RPS), compact direct, and aperiodic tiling methods are discussed, which utilize nature-inspired optimization strategies such as the genetic algorithm or the recently developed covariance matrix adaptation evolutionary strategy. These methods have yielded array layouts which offer operating frequency bandwidths of up to 30∶1 and beyond with no grating lobes and very low peak sidelobe levels.
Tenotomy procedure alleviates the "slow to see" phenomenon in infantile nystagmus syndrome: model prediction and patient data.

Abstract Our purpose was to perform a systematic study of the post-four-muscle-tenotomy procedure changes in target acquisition time by comparing predictions from the behavioral ocular motor system (OMS) model and data from infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) patients. We studied five INS patients who underwent only tenotomy at the enthesis and reattachment at the original insertion of each (previously unoperated) horizontal rectus muscle for their INS treatment. We measured their pre- and post-tenotomy target acquisition changes using data from infrared reflection and high-speed digital video. Three key aspects were calculated and analyzed: the saccadic latency (Ls), the time to target acquisition after the target jump (Lt) and the normalized stimulus time within the cycle. Analyses were performed in MATLAB environment (The MathWorks, Natick, MA) using OMLAB software (OMtools, available from http://www.omlab.org ). Model simulations were performed in MATLAB Simulink environment. The model simulation suggested an Lt reduction due to an overall foveation-quality improvement. Consistent with that prediction, improvement in Lt, ranging from ∼200 ms to ∼500 ms (average ∼ 280 ms), was documented in all five patients post-tenotomy. The Lt improvement was not a result of a reduced Ls. INS patients acquired step-target stimuli faster post-tenotomy. This target acquisition improvement may be due to the elevated foveation quality resulting in less inherent variation in the input to the OMS. A refined behavioral OMS model, with “fast” and “slow” motor neuron pathways and a more physiological plant, successfully predicted this improved visual behavior and again demonstrated its utility in guiding ocular motor research.
Environmentally regulated abiotic release of volatile pheromones from the sugar-based oral secretions of caribflies

Abstract We report an abiotic mechanism for the emission of volatile insect pheromones that is controlled by environmentally induced change in the physicochemical properties of the sugar-based release matrix. Male Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) (caribflies) mark mating sites on leaf surfaces by depositing oral secretions that contain sugar, as well as, γ-hydroxy acid and γ-lactone forms of the diastereomeric aggregation pheromones, epianastrephin and anastrephin. The γ-hydroxy acids extend emission over many days via aqueous equilibrium with the thermodynamically less preferred, but more volatile, γ-lactones (∼100:1). A kinetic model, which supports a γ-lactone diffusion-limited rate, was generated and tested by measuring the effect of temperature and humidity under fixed and ambient atmospheric inputs, respectively. Results show that pheromone release from the markings occurs with a periodicity that parallels relative humidity and complements the daily pattern of the caribflies’ reproductive and aggregative ...
A quantitative method for the measurement of cellular guanosine triphosphate pool specific activities.

Studies on quantitation of RNA synthesis in eucaryotic cells have frequently used adenosine as the radioactively labeled precursor, largely because of the convenience of the firefly luciferin-luciferase assay in measuring ATP pool specific activity (1,2). This could result in some difficulties if the addition of poly(A) to the 3′ OH end of RNA represents a significant portion of total incorporation, as is the case in sea-urchin embryos (3). In addition, in some cases, the ATP pool may be large enough to prevent the use of adenosine as an effective labeling agent. Hence, a simple and sensitive method for the determination of the specific activity of the other nucleic acid precursor pools would be of value. Although the crystalline luciferase is specific for ATP, extracts of firefly lanterns most commonly used for quantitating ATP (4–9) also exhibit activity with other ribonucleoside triphosphates, adenosine tetraphosphate, ADP, and the deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. This activity is due to the presence of contaminating enzymes such as nucleoside 5′-diphosphate kinase and adenylate kinase which catalyze the formation of ATP from these nucleotides and trace amounts of ADP, also present in the extracts (10–13). Recently, Manandhar and Van Dyke (14) have reported a procedure for quantitating picomole levels of GTP with a crude extract of firefly lanterns. In the present study, we have adapted their procedure to develop an assay for GTP pool specific activity in Xenopus laevis oocytes microinjected with [8-3H]GTP. Our assay may be extended to the analysis of any nucleoside triphosphate pool, provided that an adequate chromatography system is available for the separation of the extracted nucleotides.
Early childhood education programs in Kenya: challenges and solutions

Early childhood education in Kenya serves the critical purpose of preparing young children for primary education. Notwithstanding the associated benefits for society as a whole, the government of Kenya is involved minimally. Indeed, parents are responsible for planning, developing and managing different early childhood programs. Consequently, problems such as funding and lack of program consistency are common. Because early childhood programs are essential, the government should be involved actively in the development and implementation process.
Amine Bis(phenolate) Zirconium Complexes: Influence of Ligand Structure and Cocatalyst on Copolymerization Behavior

Five amine bis(phenolate)zirconium dibenzyl complexes, [ONDO]ZrBn2, were investigated in ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization. The copolymerization behavior is sensitive both to the symmetry and connectivity of the ligand framework and to the nature of the cocatalyst. The Cs-symmetric [ONDO]ZrBn2 complexes were more active and exhibited higher comonomer incorporations than the C2-symmetric [ONDO]ZrBn2 complexes. The nature of the cocatalyst was observed to have a significant effect on the amount of hexene incorporated into the copolymers. Activation of the Cs-symmetric [ONDO]ZrBn2 complexes with MMAO yielded copolymers with 10% higher hexene incorporation than that observed upon activation with [PhNMe2H][B(C6F5)4], [B(C6F5)3], or [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4].
The Protege's Role in Negative Mentoring Experiences.

Abstract Negative experiences were obtained from mentors to identify the role played by proteges in creating difficulties within mentoring relationships. Content analysis revealed a wide range of examples, many of which were consistent with theory and research on dysfunctional mentoring and interpersonal relationships. The findings also indicated that the how typical the negative experience was related positively to its perceived impact on the relationship. Further, as the perceived impact of the experience increased, relationship satisfaction decreased. The results are discussed in terms of future research, mentoring theory, and applied practice.
Photometric Evaluation of Luminous Materials for Naval Uses

Types of luminous materials being used by the Navy are given in brief outline with some mention of particular application to problems arising under dark or near-dark conditions. The program for improving low brightness photometry at the Naval Research Laboratory is explained with special attention given to physical photometry, utilizing photo-multiplier tubes.
Reflection of thermal Cs atoms grazing a polished glass surface.

We present an experimental study which shows that a large fraction (\ensuremath{\le} 50%) of thermal Cs atoms are nearly specularly reflected by polished glass surfaces at grazing incidence. This effect is interesting in the context of projects aimed at storing cold alkali-metal atoms in boxes.
Cultivation of teratocytes of the egg parasitoid telenomus heliothidis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

A method for in vitro cultivation of teratocytes from the egg parasitoidTelenomus heliothidis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is described. Parasitoid eggs, from which teratocytes were derived, were collected from 24-h-oldHeliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs previously parasitized byT. heliothidis females. Optimal culture conditions, including species and concentration of serum, were determined experimentally. Thirty percentManduca sexta hemolymph or 10% chicken serum in Hink’s TNH-FH medium were found to generate the most satisfactory number of teratocytes per parasitoid larva. Teratocytes cultivated in vitro showed similar development and morphology to those produced in vivo. However, cultured teratocytes lived approximately 10 times longer than teratocytes in natural hosts and were not dependent upon the presence of the parasitoid larva for normal development.
Phase I clinical trial of ethyl 6-deoxy-3,5-di-O-methyl 6-(3 methyl-3-nitrosoureido)-alpha-D-glucofuranoside (CGP 6809).

A phase I study of single i. v. doses of a new sugar containing nitrosourea 6-deoxy-3,5 di-O-methyl 6-(3 methyl-3-nitrosoureido)-alpha-D-glucofuranoside (CGP 6809, EDMN) has been carried out in 47 patients with advanced solid tumors. Nine dose levels between 200 and 4500 mg/m2 were examined. Nausea and vomiting were seen in most patients but were controlled with antiemetics. Myelosuppression was minimal. The dose-limiting toxicity was hepatotoxicity, occurring early (peak at days 2–4) and resolving rapidly. No cumulative toxicity was seen with an every 6 weeks schedule. Other toxicities were abdominal pain, diarrhea, arm pain, restlessness, and headache. Pharmacokinetic studies in 20 patients using an HPLC assay and in 5 patients using [14C]EDMN showed a short half-life, rapid plasma clearance, rapid metabolism, and minimal excretion of unchanged drug. There was one partial response in a patient with colon carcinoma. The recommended dose for phase II studies is 3750 mg/m2 every 6 weeks.
Validation of an instrument for evaluation of subcuticular suturing using a plastic tissue model.

Objective To collect evidence for the validity and reliability of an assessment tool for simulated subcuticular suturing. Study Design Three subjects were videotaped while closing a simulated incision in a plastic model. The 3 trials were viewed independently by 7 faculty examiners masked to subject identity. Global rating and task-specific scales were used to assess subject competence. The mean scores were compared among the 3 subjects and 7 evaluators using analysis of variance. Results Significant differences were found among the mean global rating scores for the 3 subjects but not among the evaluators. Similarly, significant differences were found between mean task-specific scale scores for the 3 subjects but not among the evaluators. Cronbach's alpha for global rating (0.89) and task-specific (0.93) scores suggested high internal consistency for each scale. Conclusions These findings provide evidence for the discriminant validity, internal consistency, and inter-rater reliability of both the global rating and task-specific scales of our assessment tool.
Angular momentum effects on the decay of compound nuclei

Abstract Data are presented on the energy distribution of emitted particles from the Rh103(α,α′), Rh103(α,p) and Mo92(α,p) reactions. Data from these and other experiments for particles expected to arise from compound nucleus formation and decay have been subjected to analysis via the compound-statistical model for nuclear reactions. The calculations take into account the angular momentum distribution of the compound and residual nuclei. The apparent variation of level density parameter with changing bombarding energy observed in the results of previous analyses of similar data continue to be observed in the present results.
Boundary conditions: Chiral jacobians and Wess-Zumino terms

It is shown that the jacobians associated with chiral rotations can be understood as arising from a change in the boundary conditions when fermionic theories are defined in a finite volume. In particular, a suitable choice of boundary conditions renders consistent an otherwise anomalous theory leading naturally to a Wess-Zumino term in the effective action.
Tree species distributions across five habitats in a Bornean rain forest

We examined the distribution of tree species across five habitats in 69 small plots within a single watershed of the Gunung Palung National Park, West Kalimantan, Indonesia (GPNP). The spatially complex distribution and close proxim- ity of habitats provided an opportunity to test habitat specificity of tree species across strong environmental gradients, in a situation where dispersal into 'inappropriate' habitat should not be a rare event. Habitat had a weak influence on commu- nity structure, although species diversity was lower in the alluvium and peat habitats. Association tests based on two randomization models (spatially independent and explicit) were used to examine habitat distribution of 55 'common' and 142 'frequent' taxa. The general patterns were similar in the two models but the interpretation of specific patterns de- pended greatly on assumptions about dispersal ability. A majority (67%) of the common species was significantly asso- ciated with a single habitat, while few were restricted to one habitat. A small proportion (16%) of the species appear to be habitat generalists. The peat habitat had the most profound effect on species distribution. Overall, a large amount of variation was found in the degree of habitat specificity, even within speciose groups. No obvious evolutionary or ecologi- cal correlates with degree of habitat specificity were found. These results suggest that a mixture of stochastic and deter- ministic processes determine species distribution even across strong environmental gradients.
Health effects associated with indoor swimming pools: A suspected toxic chloramine exposure

Summary Objectives A cohort and environmental study tested the hypothesis that suspected exposure to chloramines (by-products of chlorine for disinfection and ammonia from human sources) from a hotel's indoor swimming pool was associated with an outbreak among children who had attended a party at the pool. Study design Retrospective cohort study. Methods A case was defined as any hotel guest/visitor on 5–6 October 2002 who experienced three or more symptoms typical of chloramine exposure on either day after visiting the hotel. A cohort study and an environmental assessment were performed to determine the association between pool exposure and illness. Results Of 128 individuals interviewed, 32 met the case definition. Common symptoms among case patients were cough (84%), eye irritation (78%) and rash (34%). Illness was associated with entering the pool area [odds ratio (OR) 19.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3–172], but more strongly with swimming (OR 72.0; 95% CI 9.1–568). Pool chloramine levels on 6 October 2002 were ⩾0.7 ppm (optimal level=0 ppm; state maximum=0.5 ppm). The pool operator lacked formal training in pool maintenance. Conclusions High chloramine levels may have caused illness in individuals who were either in or near the pool. This outbreak underscores the need for regular pool maintenance, improved air quality, education and certification for all operators of public and semipublic pools, and education about healthy swimming practices.
Very high slip rates on continental extensional faults: new evidence from (U–Th)/He thermochronometry of the Buckskin Mountains, Arizona

Abstract New (U–Th)/He in apatite ages suggest rapid slip rates on the Tertiary Buckskin–Rawhide detachment fault, which crops out in the Buckskin and Rawhide Mountains of western Arizona. Single-crystal (U–Th)/He in apatite ages were determined for a suite of crystalline rock samples from the footwall to this detachment. The samples were collected from a transect parallel to the fault slip direction, and proximal to the fault zone; they show a linear decrease in age with distance, from ∼14 to ∼11 Ma over ∼15 km. The age versus distance relationship is interpreted to show a slip rate of 4.2 (+1.2/−0.8) mm/yr, continuing for a period of >3 Myr. This rate is more-or-less in agreement with, but more precise than, previously published slip rates from this and other large-offset extensional detachments. Such slip rates are alarmingly high, being roughly 5–10 times faster than rates commonly observed on active structures at the Earth’s surface. These rapid slip rates suggest that significant seismic hazard might be posed by some extensional structures, and they raise questions regarding the relationship between such rapidly slipping, large-offset structures and the slower, smaller offset faults that are more commonly observed at the Earth’s surface.
Doppler-Free Laser Polarization Spectroscopy Using a Demountable DC Cathode Discharge Cell as a Trace Concentration Atomizer

The use of a demountable hollow cathode discharge atomizer in Doppler-free polarization spectroscopy is described for hyperfine structure analysis at trace analyte concentrations/sizes using a continuous-wave ring dye laser. Using a low-pressure demountable plasma cell in laser polarization spectroscopy yields several advantages. In addition to cancellation of Doppler broadening, Lorentzian-broadening is minimized due to low-pressure atomization in the cathode discharge cell. This in turn increases spectral resolution enough to allow isotope ratio and hyperfine structure analysis. In addition, a demountable hollow cathode cell as atomizer offers convenient and efficient small-sample (10 ng) introduction in both liquid or solid form.
Some smart approaches to a tough problem.

The importance of having a large cadre of physicians trained in the care of older adults is, as they say, a “no-brainer.” Not only is the entire U.S. population aging, but the frailest, the oldest-...
Der Einfluß des Alters auf die Analsphinkterfunktion bei der Frau

Die Analsphinkterfunktion der Frau nimmt mit zunehmendem Alter ab; sowohl der innere als auch der ausere Analsphinkter sind betroffen. Da die Ausgangsdruckwerte bei Frauen niedriger sind als bei Mannern, Geburtsschaden am N. pudendus hinzukommen konnen und deren Folgen sich oft erst nach der Menopause manifestieren, betrifft die anale Inkontinenz besonders haufig alte Frauen. Als aussichtsreiche Therapie steht das Analbiofeedbacktraining zur Verfugung.
Purification and characterization of maltase and alpha-methyl glucosidase from yeast.

Abstract A method for the simultaneous purification of maltase and α-methyl glucosidase from a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae carrying the MA3 gene has been described. The two enzymes have been characterized with respect to substrate specificities, pH optima, molecular weights, heat inactivation and behavior on ion-exchange columns. The structural relationship of these two enzymes and the problem of their simultaneous induction have been discussed.
The Ecology of the Desert Iguana Dipsosaurus Dorsalis

The genus of iguanid lizards known as Dipsosaurus is a small group of mediumsized, rather robust forms found in southwestern North America. The genus is related to the genera Ctenosaura and Iguana. The resemblance is striking when the young of each of these genera are compared. Like others of this group, Dipsosaurus has a mid-dorsal longitudinal row of enlarged scales, but unlike the most closely related genera, the scales are not greatly produced into a crest in adult males. I have adopted the vernacular name desert iguana for Dipsosaurus dorsalis. The ecology of the lizards of the genus Dipsosaurus is very poorly known although it is one of the most common desert creatures in the southwestern United States and western Mexico. Smith (1946), in discussing the United States form, Dipsosaurus d. dorsalis, says: "Almost nothing is known of the breeding habits and life history of this species." Equally little is known of the Mexican forms. Opportunities to observe Dipsosaurus were afforded me during the spring and early summer months of 1947-50. Observations were made over most of the range of the genus, including Baja California, Sonora, California, Arizona and Nevada. The dorsal color pattern of Dipsosaurus is composed of a black or brown reticulum superimposed over a white or pinkish background, sometimes forming definite longitudinal lines, indefinite vertical bands, or rounded or irregular ocelli (Fig. 1). The ventral surface of the desert iguana is usually white or grey. During breeding season both males and females show longitudinal latero-ventral patches of pinkish grey, brownish red, or brownish orange. The coloration of these patches and of the dorsal markings is quite variable geographically, there being marked adaptation of dorsal coloration to soil color in some localities (e.g., Algodones Dunes, Imperial County, California). The lizards of the genus Dipsosaurus occupy lowland habitats at least as far