cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for Balancing Selection at Hla

HLA data from the A and B loci for 22 populations were compared with the neutrality expectations from Ewens' sampling theory. In 25 of 44 cases, there was significantly less homozygosity than expected. Although a number of factors can affect homozygosity in this manner, upon close examination only symmetrical balancing selection appears to be consistent with these data.
Improving thin-bed resolution: Application of a sparse-layer inversion on 3D seismic observations from the In Salah carbon dioxide storage project

AbstractThe In Salah carbon dioxide storage project in Algeria has injected more than 3 million tons of carbon dioxide into a thin water-filled tight-sand formation. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar range change data revealed a double-lobe pattern of surface uplift, which has been interpreted as the existence of a subvertical fracture, or damage, zone. The reflection seismic data found a subtle linear push-down feature located along the depression between the two lobes thought to be due to the injection of carbon dioxide. Understanding of the CO2 distribution within the injection interval and migration within the fracture zone requires a precise subsurface layer model from the injection interval to above the top of the fracture zone. To improve the resolution of the existing seismic model, we applied a sparse-layer seismic inversion, with basis pursuit decomposition on the 3D seismic data between 1.0 and 1.5 s. The inversion results, including reflection coefficients and band-limited impedance cub...
Isolation of undifferentiated and early differentiating type a spermatogonia from Pou5f1-GFP reporter mice

Limited understanding of the mechanisms underlying self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells hampers our ability to develop new therapeutic and contraceptive approaches. Mouse models of spermatogonial stem cell development are key to developing new insights into the biology of both the normal and diseased testis. Advances in transgenic reporter mice have enabled the isolation, molecular characterization, and functional analysis of mouse Type A spermatogonia subpopulations from the normal testis, including populations enriched for spermatogonial stem cells. Application of these reporters both to the normal testis and to gene-deficient and over-expression models will promote a better understanding of the earliest steps of spermatogenesis, and the role of spermatogonial stem cells in germ cell tumor.
Distributed learning and mutual adaptation

If distributed cognition is to become a general analytic frame, it needs to handle more aspects of cognition than just highly efficient problem solving. It should also handle learning. We identify four classes of distributed learning: induction, repurposing, symbiotic tuning, and mutual adaptation. The four classes of distributed learning fit into a two-dimensional space defined by the stability and adaptability of individuals and their environments. In all four classes of learning, people and their environments are highly interdependent during initial learning. At the same time, we present evidence indicating that certain types of interdependence in early learning, most notably mutual adaptation, can help prepare people to be less dependent on their immediate environment and more adaptive when they confront new environments. We also describe and test examples of learning technologies that implement mutual adaptation.
Parallel VLSI computation of all shortest paths in a graph

We present a new parallel algorithm to solve the all-pairs shortest path problem in a given graph which is considerably faster than the most recently published algorithm [7] for the same problem. Next we propose a suitable VLSI systolic architecture to map our algorithm and evaluate the performance of the proposed architecture in terms of execution time and interprocessor communication time. We show that our implementation has O(log2n) execution time (compare-exchange time) and O(n log n) communication time compared to O(n log n) and O(n2) in [7].
Evidence for a site-specific endonuclease in yeast mitochondria which recognizes the sequence 5'GCCGGC.

Abstract We have discovered a mitochondrial, site-specific DNase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with properties like that of a Type II restriction endonuclease. The enzyme, termed SceIII, cleaves the palindromic sequence, 5′GCCGGC, to give 3′ ends recessed by 4 bases. SceIII is the first restriction-like endonuclease to be described in yeast mitochondria.
High heat flux removal measurements in a single-side heated monoblock flow channel with a helical wire insert

In order to accommodate high thermal loading of single side heated (SSH) high energy density magnetic or alternate fusion plasma-facing components, robust thermal management and high heat flux removal (HHFR) approaches are essential to prevent thermal instability, thermal run-away or a thermal spiral towards component failure. This paper presents results from 2-D steady-state heat flux measurements for a high-strength copper SSH monoblock (heat sink) coolant flow channel with a helical wire insert and internal thermally developing laminar and turbulent water (coolant) flow. In addition to producing local boiling curves, 2-D and 3-D comparisons were made between flow channels with and without a helical wire insert. Further, 2-D (axial and circumferential) inside flow channel wall heat fluxes were measured up to about 4.0 MW/m2. For the same inside flow channel temperature, the helical wire insert enhanced the incident heat flux by up to 100% when compared with the flow channel without the insert.
Relation between adiabatic and pseudoadiabatic compressibility in ultrasonic velocimetry

Abstract A fundamental problem in measurements of the adiabatic compressibility of macromolecules in aqueous solution using sound velocity is the unknown heat exchange between the interior of the molecule and the bulk solvent. Usually only a pseudoadiabatic compressibility is measured, which is between isothermal and adiabatic compressibility. The measured compressibility might even be close to the isothermal compressibility, depending on the experimental conditions. In this paper, a model is proposed that enables the deviation of experimental conditions from the requirement of adiabatic measurements to be estimated. This model treats the macromolecule as a heat conductive sphere. Analytical solutions for the temporal and local heat diffusion are obtained. Proteins less than 100 kDa in molecular weight at a sound frequency of less than 10 MHz are found to be essentially in thermal equilibrium with the bulk solvent. In this case, for the aqueous protein solution at temperatures ≤ 25°C and less than 2% protein concentration, the theory predicts that the sound velocity measurement of the interior of protein is close to isothermal conditions.
What Clinicians Need to Know about Bilingual Development

Basic research on bilingual development suggests several conclusions that can inform clinical practice with children from bilingual environments. They include the following: (1) Dual language input does not confuse children. (2) It is not necessary for the two languages to be kept separate in children's experience to avoid confusion. (3) Learning two languages takes longer than learning one; on average, bilingual children lag behind monolingual children in single language comparisons. (4) A dominant language is not equivalent to an only language. (5) A measure of total vocabulary provides the best indicator of young bilingual children's language learning capacity. (6) Bilingual children can have different strengths in each language. (7) The quantity and quality of bilingual children's input in each language influence their rates of development in each language. (8) Immigrant parents should not be discouraged from speaking their native language to their children. (9) Bilingual environments vary enormously in the support they provide for each language, with the result that bilingual children vary enormously in their dual language skills. Empirical findings in support of each conclusion are presented.
Experimenting in Democracy Promotion: International Observers and the 2004 Presidential Elections in Indonesia

Randomized field experiments have gained attention within the social sciences and the field of democracy promotion as an influential tool for causal inference and a potentially powerful method of impact evaluation. With an eye toward facilitating field experimentation in democracy promotion, I present the first field-experimental study of international election monitoring, which should be of interest to both practitioners and academics. I discuss field experiments as a promising method for evaluating the effects of democracy assistance programs. Applied to the 2004 presidential elections in Indonesia, the random assignment of international election observers reveals that even though the election was widely regarded as democratic, the presence of observers had a measurable effect on votes cast for the incumbent candidate, indicating that such democracy assistance can influence election quality even in the absence of blatant election-day fraud.
Interface effects in hybrid gold/vanadium dioxide nanostructures

Gold/vanadium dioxide nanoparticles (NPs) were produced with the intention of creating a hybrid NP retaining the characteristic semiconductor-metal phase transition of VO 2 and the plasmonic properties of gold. The fabrication procedure for arrays of the hybrid structure is presented with optical characterization and analysis of the plasmonic structure. The high-temperature anneal required to insure the stoichiometry of the VO 2 leads to dewetting of the Au from the underlying VO 2 layer, and to dramatic reshaping of the gold NP. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy verifies the retention of the VO2 crystalline structure and phase transition; white light extinction measurements exhibit the polarization sensitive plasmonic resonance peaks that characterize the electronic signature of the phase transition. Together these techniques show that the composite system experiences no significant intermingling between the two materials during processing. Furthermore, the controllable nature of the extent of dewetting, via aspect ratio of the pre-annealed particle, suggests that the hybrid system will give insight into interface interactions between the optical and structural properties of the constituents. A second method is suggested to circumvent the annealing effect. The conclusions of our investigation suggest applications as both a thermally or optically tunable plasmonic structure.
Shallow implants into GaAs

Scaling of lateral device dimensions into the submicron range also requires the reduction of the vertical dimensions. Shallow ion implantation is necessary for channel formation of submicron MESFET's. Partial-ion-channeling tails were found for energies below 60 keV, and resulted in a significantly broader profile than predicted by LSS theory. Diffusion effects are investigated by comparing SIMS profiles from as-implanted, rapid thermal and furnace-annealed samples. Comparison of the CV and SIMS profiles gives information on the annealing behavior, and allows the definition of a differential activation efficiency. Our investigations showed that for vertical scaling, a simple reduction of implant energy is not enough. We found several procedures which yield shallower profiles.
Formal Drinfeld modules

Abstract The formal group of an elliptic curve at a finite prime of the field of definition has proven to be a useful tool in studying the elliptic curve. Moreover, these formal groups are interesting in themselves. In this paper we define and study formal Drinfeld modules in a general setting. We also define the formal Drinfeld module associated to a Drinfeld module at a finite prime. The results are applied to the uniform boundedness conjecture for Drinfeld modules.
Bilirubin diglucuronide formation by rat liver microsomes: Demonstration by affinity and thin layer chromatography of bile pigment tetrapyrroles

The conjugates formed in vitro by bilirubin UDP-glucuronyl transferase were studied by examining reaction products as intact tetrapyrroles, rather than as dipyrrolic azoderivatives. Bile pigments were extracted from conventional microsomal enzyme reaction mixtures by affinity chromatography over albumin-agarose, eluted with 50% ethanol, and separated by a silica gel thin layer chromatographic system. In the presence of UDPGA, native and activated microsomal preparations all formed both bilirubin mono- and diglucuronides from unconjugated bilirubin, and bilirubin diglucuronide from bilirubin monoglucuronide. No significant non-enzymatic conversion of mono- to diglucuronide occurred without UDPGA, or in the presence of denatured enzyme. Hence, bilirubin diglucuronide is a major product of bilirubin-UDP-glucuronyl transferase.
Beyond Christianity: The Status of Women and Rape Myths

The Edwards et al. (2011) paper is an important review of several rape myths that are prevalent in American culture. When discussing religion, Edwards et al. (2011) present a rather thorough review of the presence of such rape myths in Christianity but lack a discussion of rape myths in other religions. Given the profound influence of religion on culture, notably the treatment of women, it is important to go beyond Christianity in a discussion of rape myths. Although there is much attention given to the treatment of women in Islam, the current paper will address religions that often receive less attention as well. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review the treatment of women and the use of rape myths in non-Western religions.
Anti-CD36 autoantibodies in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and other thrombotic disorders: identification of an 85 kD form of CD36 as a target antigen

The presence of anti-CD36 antibodies in plasma of patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia without/with thrombosis (HIT/HITT) has been examined by immunoblots, and a monoclonal antibody capture assay, the platelet-associated IgG characterization assay (PAICA). Results with PAICA showed that 73% (8/11) of patients with TTP were positive, and 71% (10/14) by immunoblots. With ITP, 20% (6/30) were positive by PAICA and 19% (3/16) by immunoblots; HIT, 30% (3/10) were positive by PAICA and 60% (6/10) by immunoblot; HITT, 50% (2/4) by PAICA and 100% (4/4) by immunoblot. Purification of CD36 by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) from Triton X-100 extracts of normal platelet membranes resulted in the isolation of two different forms: the classic 88 kD form, and a second, lighter 85 kD form. Our data indicated that the patients' plasma autoantibodies reacted strongly with the 85 kD form. Conventional monoclonal and polyclonal antisera produced to the 88 kD form reacted strongly with the 88 kD form but weakly with the 85 kD form. These results confirm the possible importance of anti-CD36 antibodies in the pathophysiology of TTP and other thrombocytopenias and demonstrate the presence of a previously unrecognized target antigen for these antibodies.
Follicular development in prepubertal heifers

Ovarian follicular waves, characterized by the emergence, persistence, and regression or ovulation of a large follicle, occur in both cyclic and pregnant cattle. The purpose of this study was to characterize follicular activity and, in particular, the turnover of the large follicles in prepubertal heifers. The ovaries of six Santa Gertrudis heifers were monitored by ultrasound every other day for 28 days. The numbers of small (5 mm or less), medium (6–10 mm), and large (greater than 10 mm) follicles present at each session were determined, and the growth and regression of the largest follicle present on either ovary was characterized. Heifers were bled biweekly for 40 weeks to determine progesterone (P4) concentrations. The prepubertal status of animals during the 28 day period of ultrasonic monitoring was confirmed by the absence of detectable luteal tissue, by ultrasonic evaluation and by P4 concentrations of less than 1 ng ml−1. Heifers exhibited 3.3 ± 0.5 (χ ± SEM) different largest follicles during the 28 day period with turnover occurring every 7.2 ± 0.9 days. The maximum diameter of the largest follicles (n = 20) was 11.2 ± 0.4 mm. There were 4.5 ± 0.3 small, 2.1 ± 0.2 medium, and 0.6 ± 0.1 large follicles present per heifer per session (P < 0.05). This study confirms that antral follicles of all sizes are present on the ovaries of prepubertal heifers, and is the first to demonstrate that large follicles grown and regress in a wave-like pattern during this physiological state.
Humic acid effects on uptake of hexachlorobenzene and hexachlorobiphenyl by sheepshead minnows in static sediment/water systems

The effect of humic acid on accumulation of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and hexachlorobiphenyl (HCBP) by sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus) from two separate experiments is presented. In the first experiment, static sediment/water exposure chambers were used to determine the effect of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), in the form of terrestrial humic acid (HA), on partitioning of HCB among sediment, water, and sheepshead minnows. Sediments from three geographically different locations were used to test the effect of added HA (0, 3, and 30 mg/L) on accumulation in fish of sediment-bound HCB. Total organic carbon levels in sediment and water and residues of HCB (14C-labeled and unlabeled) in sediment, water, and whole-body tissue were measured. Fish/sediment ratios or accumulation relative to sediment (ARS) indicated that addition of HA did not reduce accumulation of sediment-bound toxicants. ARS ranged from 7.5 ± 4 without added HA to 9.3 ± 4 with 30 mg/L added HA, but were not statistically different. In a second experiment using HCBP with 0 and 30 mg/L HA and sediment from one location, HCBP concentration in water averaged 0.29 μg/L in non-HA tanks, and 0.91 μg/L in the HA tanks, but both ARS ratios averaged 5.4. In conclusion, we believe that these tests indicate that HA does not significantly alter bioavailability of toxicants that are in equilibrium with sediment and water.
Growth and survival of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum[L.] Rich.) planted across a flooding gradient in a Louisiana bottomland forest

One-year-old baldcypress (Taxodium distichum [L.] Rich.) seedlings were planted across a flooding gradient in a Louisiana bottomland forest in March and September 1985. One half of the seedlings were protected with a chickenwire fence. Survival and height growth were monitored from 1985 through 1987. First year survival was high in all areas for both plantings, except for the unprotected March-planted seedlings, which were destroyed by animals. After three growing seasons, survival of March-planted seedlings in the flooded and intermittently flooded plots was still over 70%. Natural mortality of March-planted seedlings in the unflooded plot was high, with only 40% of the seedlings surviving to the end of the study. Survival of the September-planted seedlings was also best in the flooded and intermittently flooded plots and least in the unflooded plot. Height growth, like survival, was best for seedlings in the flooded and intermittently flooded plots. It seems that baldcypress seedlings can be planted in a swamp and grow well if animal damage is controlled.
Cross-cultural consumer socialization: An exploratory study of socialization influences across three ethnic groups

According to the recent 2000 U.S. Census, the ethnic population in America reached almost 80 million people. However, there is limited research to show how ethnic consumers seek market information and how susceptible they are to different types of personal and media influences. An attempt is made in this study to present a cross-cultural comparison of ethnic consumer socialization influences. The results of the study indicate that Asian American, Hispanic, and African American young adults significantly differ in their susceptibility to different socialization influences.
Non-weight bearing-induced muscle weakness: the role of myosin quantity and quality in MHC type II fibers

We tested the hypothesis that non-weight bearing-induced muscle weakness (i.e., specific force) results from decreases in myosin protein quantity (i.e., myosin content per half-sarcomere and the ratio of myosin to actin) and quality (i.e., force per half-sarcomere and population of myosin heads in the strong-binding state during muscle contraction) in single myosin heavy chain (MHC) type II fibers. Fisher-344 rats were assigned to weight-bearing control (Con) or non-weight bearing (NWB). The NWB rats were hindlimb unloaded for 2 wk. Diameter, force, and MHC content were determined in permeabilized single fibers from the semimembranosus muscle. MHC isoform and the ratio of MHC to actin in each fiber were determined by gel electrophoresis and silver staining techniques. The structural distribution of myosin from spin-labeled fiber bundles during maximal isometric contraction was evaluated using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Specific force (peak force per cross-sectional area) in MHC type IIB and IIXB fibers from NWB was significantly reduced by 38% and 18%, respectively. MHC content per half-sarcomere was significantly reduced by 21%. Two weeks of hindlimb unloading resulted in a reduced force per half-sarcomere of 52% and fraction of myosin strong-binding during contraction of 34%. The results suggest that reduced myosin and actin content (quantity) and myosin quality concomitantly contribute to non-weight bearing-related muscle weakness.
Scavenging of thorium isotopes by colloids in seawater of the Gulf of Mexico

A suite of surface-water samples from the Gulf of Mexico was analyzed to ascertain the extent of association of Th isotopes (232Th, 234Th) with colloids and the role of colloidal material in scavenging Th from the water column. These are the first measurements of naturally occurring colloidal Th. The fraction of 232Th, 234Th associated with colloids (i.e., 10,000 Dalton < colloids < 0.4 μm) ranged from 10 to 78% of the Th passing 0.4 μm Nucleopore cartridge filters. Colloid mass concentrations were much larger than the corresponding 0.4 μm filter-retained particle concentrations. The conditional partitioning constants for 234Th with colloids, Kc, and filter-retained particles, Kf, are comparable in magnitude. Thorium scavenging rate constants decreased in value with increasing distance from the coast (0.164 to 0.007 d−1), and this is attributed to the decreasing particulate-matter concentration from coastal to deeper Gulf waters. In addition, there exists a highly significant, positive correlation between values of the Th scavenging rate constant and the fraction of 0.4 μm filter-passing Th associated with colloids. An average residence time of 6 days, with a range of 4–26 days, was calculated for the characteristic time scale of colloid transfer through the particle size spectrum, including sedimentation. The large fraction of 234Th which was found to be associated with colloids suggests that Th isotopes can be used as in-situ “coagulometers,” tracing the aggregation of colloidal material with, or into, large aggregates of filter-retained sizes.
Measuring Lateral And Vertical Electromagnetic Velocity In the Vadose Zone Using GPR Reflection Tomography

Accurate estimation of electromagnetic (EM) velocity is critical in ground penetrating radar investigations. Not only does the velocity enable accurate time to depth image transforms, but the velocity is a direct measure of subsurface electrical properties that may be used to improve our understanding of the subsurface. When coupled with a suitable mixing equation, the velocity can be used to estimate dielectric permittivity which in turn may lead to estimates of pore fluid content (Greaves et al., 1996; Huisman et al., 2003; Topp et al., 1980). By acquiring continuous CMP profiles, it is possible to measure laterally and vertically continuous GPR velocity profiles (Greaves et al., 1996). With this method the well established acquisition geometries of seismic exploration are used to acquire several traces, with varying source-receiver separations, at each point within a survey. Additionally these data have a number of advantages over conventional fixed offset GPR data including improved suppression of coherent and random noise (Liberty and Pelton, 1994; Pipan et al., 1999; Pipan et al., 2003).
Many-body atomic potentials in Thomas-Fermi theory

Many-body atomic potentials, ∈, are functions of the nuclear coordinates, and are defined by differences of ground state energies, E, e.g., ∈(1, 2) ≡ E(1, 2) — E(1) — E(2). We prove that in Thomas-Fermi theory the n-body potential always has the sign (−1) n for all coordinates. We also prove that the remainder in the expansion of the total energy E in terms of the ∈’s, when truncated at the n-body terms, has the sign (−1)n+1.
Novel method to examine the formation of unstable 2:1 and 3:1 complexes of catecholamines and iron(III)☆

Abstract The formation of the 2:1 and 3:1 complexes of the catecholamines, epinephrine and norephinephrine, as well as the less easily oxidized catechol, and iron(III) was studied in a physiological pH range in air-saturated buffers at 25°C starting with iron(II). No spectrophotometrically observable complexes are formed in deoxygenated solutions. In addition, there is no spectral evidence for oxidation of the catecholamines during the measurements reported. For every different condition desired, fresh buffer was used along with fresh aliquots of iron and catechol(amines) from acidified stock solutions. Although this is not a traditional method, it works well for these catecholamine systems, and allows characterization of stoichiometry, equilibria, and kinetics of these relatively unstable iron(III) complexes starting with iron(II). This methodology was used to determine the equilibrium constant for the 2:1 to 3:1 conversion (as Fe(CAT) 2 − + CAT 2− ↔ Fe(CAT) 3 3− ) which occurs for the catecholamines from pH 6.5 to 8.5 and for catechol from 7 to 9. Kinetics studies indicated that the formation of the 2:1 complexes is first order in both iron (II) and catechol(amine) and has a pH dependence of 1/[H + ] 2 . These data are interpreted in terms of a mechanism involving the formation of a 1:1 iron(II)-catechol(amine) dianion complex followed by the rate-determining step of oxidation by dioxygen to give the iron(III) complex. This step is assumed to be followed by the rapid addition of a second (and presumably third) catechol(amine) to give the 2:1 complex (and 3:1 complex). The formation of the 3:1 complexes was too fast to follow by the conventional techniques used in this work.
Herp is dually regulated by both the endoplasmic reticulum stress-specific branch of the unfolded protein response and a branch that is shared with other cellular stress pathways.

The mammalian unfolded protein response (UPR) includes two major branches: one(s) specific to ER stress (Ire1/XBP-1 and ATF6-dependent), and one(s) shared by other cellular stresses (PERK/eIF-2α phosphorylation-dependent). Here, we demonstrate that the ER-localized protein Herp represents a second target, in addition to CHOP, that is dually regulated by both the shared and the ER stress-specific branches during UPR activation. For the first time, we are able to assess the contribution of each branch of the UPR in the induction of these targets. We demonstrate that activation of the shared branch of the UPR alone was sufficient to induce Herp and CHOP. ATF4 was not required during ER stress when both branches were used but did contribute significantly to their induction. Conversely, stresses that activated only the shared branch of the UPR were completely dependent on ATF4 for CHOP and Herp induction. Thus, the shared and the ER stress-specific branches of the UPR diverge to regulate two groups of targets, one that is ATF6 and Ire1/XBP-1-dependent, which includes BiP and XBP-1, and another that is eIF-2α kinase-dependent, which includes ATF4 and GADD34. The two branches also converge to maximally up-regulate targets like Herp and CHOP. Finally, our studies reveal that a PERK-dependent target other than ATF4 is contributing to the cross-talk between the two branches of the UPR that has previously been demonstrated.
Beyond guns and butter: managing dual-use technologies

Abstract This paper notes an international convergence towards explicit dual-use policies among a wide variety of technological systems. It explains that convergence as a response to three trends: market globalization; the increasing international division of labor; and the fact that developments in civilian technologies are leading military applications in many industrial areas. Yet, most commonly used models of technological diffusion do not provide policymakers with tools or language adequate to address the complex problems posed by dual-use technologies. The most important dual-use investments are those that increase industrial capacity to absorb or share technologies from other industrial sectors. A capacity for this ‘creative technology absorption’ has as much to do with social and cultural aspects of industrial structures and the organization of work as it does with technical artifacts. Policy debate should shift away from a focus on specif technology programs towards a focus on making the structures and culture of the civil and military technology systems more similar.
Glucocorticoid uncoupling of antiogensin II-dependent phospholipase C activation in rat vascular smooth muscle cells

Glucocorticoid uncoupling of angiotensin II-dependent phospholipase C activation in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Vascular tone is maintained by both angiotensin II (Ang II) and glucocorticoids, but the effect of glucocorticoids on Ang II function in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is unclear. To determine the direct influence of glucocorticoids on VSMC Ang II receptor function, the effects of dexamethasone on Ang II receptor binding, Ang Il-induced phospholipase C (PLC) activation, and Ang II-dependent cell growth were studied in cultured rat VSMC. Dexamethasone caused concentration- and time-dependent increases in Ang II binding which were prevented by glucocorticoid receptor inhibition with RU 38486. Dexamethasone-induced enhancement of Ang II binding resulted from increased AT 1 receptors, as indicated by Northern blot analysis and competitive binding assays. Despite causing increased Ang II receptor number, dexamethasone preincubation prevented Ang II-induced PLC activation, as indicated by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate degradation and inositol trisphosphate formation. When PLC activity was directly measured in VSMC soluble and membrane fractions, Ang II receptor activation caused decreased soluble and increased membrane PLC activity, consistent with the interpretation that Ang II caused cytosol-to-membrane PLC translocation. The effect of Ang II on PLC translocation was prevented by dexamethasone preincubation. Finally, prolonged incubation with dexamethasone and Ang II had additive effects on VSMC hypertrophy. In conclusion, glucocorticoids directly altered Ang II function in VSMC by causing increased Ang II receptor number, Ang II receptor/PLC uncoupling, and enhanced Ang II-dependent hypertrophy.
Conjugated bile acid uptake by Xenopus laevis oocytes induced by microinjection with ileal Poly A+ mRNA.

Summary Apical membranes of ileal enterocytes contain the major Na+/bile acid cotransporter activity in mammals. Microinjection of guinea pig ileal mucosal Poly A+ mRNA (25 ng) into Xenopus oocytes resulted in 22,23-3H-cholyltaurine uptake at day 3 after injection (453 fmol/oocyte-hr), while control viral mRNA (25 ng) gave an uptake rate of 133 fmol/ oocyte-hr. The transport rate increased in direct relationship to the concentration of injected mRNA, cholyltaurine, or Na+ in the incubation media. Uptake of cholyltaurine using rabbit ileal mucosal Poly A+ mRNA was 3891 fmole/oocyte-hr compared to rabbit jejunal-mucosa Poly A+ mRNA (control) injections inducing 728 fmol/oocyte-hr. Such expression of the ileal Na+/bile acid cotransporter may facilitate cloning of this key mammalian gene.
The perception of alternated speech

Abstract When speech is rapidly alternated between the two ears, intelligibility declines as rates approach 3–5 switching cycles/sec and then paradoxically returns to a good level beyond that point. The present study examines previous explanations of the phenomenon by comparing intelligibility of alternated speech with that for presentation of an interrupted message to a single ear. Results favor one of two possible explanations, and a theoretical model to account for the effect is proposed.
Development and application of a validation framework for traffic simulation models

Discusses the concept of validation and proposes a multi-stage validation framework for traffic simulation models. The framework consists of conceptual validation and operational validation. The operational validation involves two levels of statistical tests: a two-sample t-test and a 2D two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The validation experience employing the proposed framework demonstrates the fact that while a model can be valid for one level of detail, it can be invalid for another. The validation results also illustrate that the proposed multi-stage validation procedure can account for the complexity of the validation task and its conclusions.
PREPARATION OF HUMATE IRON AND OTHER HUMATE METALS

It has been shown that humate iron is a highly active stimulator of bacterial growth and an excellent source of iron for the general nutrition of plants, and that it is often more convenient to employ than other forms of iron now available, such as the sulphate, citrate, or tartrate (1, 2, 3, 6). It is, moreover, not precipitated in physiologically alkaline solutions nor by high concentrations of phosphate. Our previous studies in this connection were not concerned with efficient methods of preparation of humate iron, since most of the work involved microcultures of bacteria and hence relatively small requirements of material. In view of the considerable interest in this form of iron, and other humate metals, which appears to have developed among plant physiologists, the conditions essential to obtaining the large amounts needed in the case of higher green plants have been worked out and are reported herewith.
Inhibition of cardiac sarcolemmal Na+/H+ antiporter by opioids.

In our routine screening of chemicals that would inhibit cardiac sarcolemmal Na+/H+ antiporter, we discovered that some of the opioids produced inhibition of cardiac sarcolemmal Na+/H+ antiporter in micromolar concentrations. Using U-50,488H, a selective kappa-opioid agonist, we characterized the nature of interaction between opioids and the Na+/H+ antiporter. The inhibitory effect of U-50,488H on Na+/H+ antiporter was immediate and reversible, and was not mediated through the interaction with the opioid receptors but due to the direct interaction of U-50,488H with the Na+/H+ antiporter. The kinetic data show that in the presence of U-50,488H the Km for Na+ was increased from 2.5 +/- 0.2 to 5.0 +/- 0.3 mM, while the Vmax (52.0 +/- 5.0 nmol.mg-1.min-1) remained the same. These results suggest that U-50,488H and Na+ compete for the same site on the antiporter. When testing the effect of U-50,488H on other transport systems of cardiac sarcolemma, we found that U-50,488H also inhibited Na+/Ca2+ antiporter and Na+/K+ pump but at much higher concentrations suggesting that U-50,488H shows some degree of selectivity for cardiac sarcolemmal Na+/H+ antiporter. When we compared the inhibitory potency of U-50,488H with amiloride and its analog, namely 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride, we found that U-50,488H (IC50 = 100 +/- 15 microM) was threefold more potent than amiloride (IC50 = 300 +/- 20 microM) but it was three-fold less potent than the amiloride analog (IC50 = 30 +/- 10 microM) in inhibiting cardiac sarcolemmal Na+/H+ antiporter. These results show that although U-50,488H is more potent than amiloride, the inhibitory characteristics of U-50,488H on cardiac sarcolemmal Na+/H+ antiporter are similar to amiloride.
Aortopexy for Innominate Artery Tracheal Compression in Children

Objectives(1) Evaluate the presentation, diagnostic workup, and outcomes of contemporary surgical intervention for airway obstruction from innominate artery tracheal compression in children. (2) As...
RAPID ACQUISITION OF DISCRETE-TRIAL LEVER-PRESS AVOIDANCE: EFFECTS OF SIGNAL-SHOCK INTERVAL1

Acquisition of discrete-trial lever-press avoidance learning was studied in three experiments. Experiment I compared a new training procedure, which produces rates of lever-press avoidance learning comparable to those obtained in shuttle boxes, with a “conventional”, less efficient training procedure. A factorial design was used to compare continuous versus intermittent shock and a long-variable versus a short-fixed signal-shock interval. Learning was best in the groups trained with the long and variable interval and poorest in those trained with the short and fixed interval. Type of shock had no effect. Experiment II separated the effects of duration from those of variability of the signal-shock interval. Fixed and variable intervals of 10 and 60 sec were tested and duration was the only significant factor. Experiment III addressed the effect of the differential opportunity to avoid provided by long signal-shock intervals by varying this interval from 10 to 60 sec in 10-sec steps. Only the 10-sec group showed slow acquisition relative to the others. Analysis of avoidance response latencies showed that the distributions for all groups were positively skewed and that skewness increased with increasing duration of the signal-shock interval. At intervals longer than 20 sec, the animals made progressively less use of their increased opportunity to respond. The data do not support the opportunity-to-respond interpretation of the effects of duration of signal-shock interval and suggest that some type of inhibitory process may block lever-press avoidance learning at intervals as short as 10 sec. The significance of these findings for species-specific defense reaction and preparedness theories was emphasized.
Menstrual Cycle and Gonadal Steroid Effects on Symptomatic Hyperammonaemia of Urea-Cycle-Based and Idiopathic Aetiologies

We report two female patients, one with a known inborn error of ureagenesis and the other of unknown cause, in whom recurrent, transient episodes of severe hyperammonaemia increased in frequency and severity with sexual maturity and parturition. Both responded to ovarian steroids administered continuously to suppress ovulation and menstruation, and ultimately to simple hysterectomy. These studies suggest a new therapeutic approach to defective ureagenesis in female patients and a relationship between ammonia production or disposal and the menstrual cycle.
A new synthesis of theaspirone, an odiferous principle of tea

Abstract A new synthesis of theaspirone ( 10 ) is recorded. The key step involves coupling between the organolithium reagent 6 , derived from 4-bromo-2-butanol ( 4 ), and the monoketal of 4-ketoisophorone ( 3 ). Removal of protecting groups and ether cyclization then gave theaspirone 10 and its diastereoisomer 11 .
Perspectives on managing a library

Purpose – This paper seeks to argue that when managing strategically it is important for leaders to view situations from multiple perspectives.Design/methodology/approach – Discusses and gives examples to illustrate how one can consider situations from different vantage points.Findings – It is helpful for library directors to consider situations from the multiple perspectives, such as from structural, human resource, political, and cultural points of view.Practical implications – This provides concepts to be considered when a leader attempts to move forward a library's priorities.Originality/value – Hopefully, this article will motivate librarians to use different ways to think about how to better manage their libraries.
The pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity as it relates to surgical treatment

Our current surgical treatment for threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is based upon three concepts which emerged from morphologic and biochemical study of 250 pairs of whole eye donations obtained over a ten year period. 1) Spindle cells normally migrate and canalize to form inner retinal vessels, but when stressed, spindle cells secrete angiogenic factors. The clinical implication is that transretinal cryotherapy to the avascular retina is efficacious because it obliterates spindle cells. The number and timing of cryosessions are determined by the migration and kinetics of spindle cells. 2) Myofibroblasts originate from the shunt, are the major cellular component of extraretinal fibrovascular proliferation (EFP), and contract to produce retinal distortion and detachment. The clinical implication is that a second transretinal cryotherapy session should obliterate the shunt and the EFP, and should eliminate the source of retinal traction. 3) Anterior ocular growth occurs exponentially during the period when ROP develops and is treated. The clinical implication is that a prophylactic scleral buckle supports the fixed surface area of the developing retina while the choroid and sclera enlarge anteriorly. Retinal distortion produces misaligned photoreceptors, and retinal detachment results in rapid retinal death.
A study of pollutant emission characteristics of partially premixed turbulent jet flames

Abstract We measured emission indices for NO x , CO, and HC for turbulent partially premixed flames formed by injecting rich methane/air mixtures through a central burner tube into a co-flow of air. The operating conditions included a broad range of burner tube equivalence ratios (Φ B ) including the limiting cases of diffusion and stoichiometric premixed flames. At sufficiently high levels of partial premixing, a double flame structure consisting of a rich premixed inner flame and an outer diffusion flame is established similar to that previously observed in laminar flames. EINO x values remain approximately constant for 5 ≤ Φ B ≤ ∞ and then decrease slightly with decreasing Φ B at 3.5 ≤ Φ B ≤ 5. For 3.5 ≤ Φ B ≤ 1.5, EINO x decreases further with decreasing Φ B to a minimum at around Φ B = 1.5, followed by a sharp increase as Φ B approaches unity. The reduction in EINO x at Φ B = 1.5 as compared with that for the diffusion flame is approximately 25% and as compared with that for the stoichiometric premixed flame is approximately 35%. In addition, we measured temperature distributions and found that temperatures increase continuously with increasing partial premixing. We also estimated global residence times (τ 0 ) from flame length measurements and average velocities. The observed changes in temperatures and residence times are not sufficient to explain the observed changes in EINO x .
PAD4-deficiency does not affect bacteremia in polymicrobial sepsis and ameliorates endotoxemic shock

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), consisting of nuclear DNA with histones and microbicidal proteins, are expelled from activated neutrophils during sepsis. NETs were shown to trap microbes, but they also fuel cardiovascular, thrombotic, and autoimmune disease. The role of NETs in sepsis, particularly the balance between their antimicrobial and cytotoxic actions, remains unclear. Neutrophils from peptidylarginine deiminase 4-(PAD4(-/-)) deficient mice, which lack the enzyme allowing for chromatin decondensation and NET formation, were evaluated. We found that neutrophil functions involved in bacterial killing, other than NETosis, remained intact. Therefore, we hypothesized that prevention of NET formation might not have devastating consequences in sepsis. To test this, we subjected the PAD4(-/-) mice to mild and severe polymicrobial sepsis produced by cecal ligation and puncture. Surprisingly, under septic conditions, PAD4(-/-) mice did not fare worse than wild-type mice and had comparable survival. In the presence of antibiotics, PAD4-deficiency resulted in slightly accelerated mortality but bacteremia was unaffected. PAD4(-/-) mice were partially protected from lipopolysaccharide-induced shock, suggesting that PAD4/NETs may contribute to the toxic inflammatory and procoagulant host response to endotoxin. We propose that preventing NET formation by PAD4 inhibition in inflammatory or thrombotic diseases is not likely to increase host vulnerability to bacterial infections.
A computer simulation study of the efficacy of uniform field pacing for the prevention of ventricular tachyarrhythmia

A quantitatively-reliable computer model of the human heart could be a very useful tool for the analysis and development of potential tachyarrhythmia therapies. In this article, we present a new discrete cellular automata (CA) model of the human ventricle that allows representation of important quantitative aspects of cardiac excitation waves. We use this model to analyze a hypothetical technique for preemptive antitachycardia pacing using spatially-uniform, low-energy shocks. Because of the computational efficiency and relative simplicity of the CA model, we can perform rapid simulations of a large number of pacing interventions on a statistical ensemble of two-dimensional ventricular substrates with topology and dimensions similar to the human ventricular epicardial surface. This allows us to obtain a good statistical profile of the intervention‘s efficacy and proarrhythmic potential. Our study results suggest that while spatially-uniform, low-energy preemptive pacing shocks are frequently successful at preventing tachyarrhythmia, they are often proarrhythmic. The simplicity of our CA model structure and the clear physiological interpretation of its parameters allows us to examine the mechanisms of arrhythmia prevention and spurious induction by the pacing shocks in terms of the generic properties of the waves. We believe such an approach can potentially be very useful for the preliminary analysis of a wide variety of antiarrhythmic interventions, both electrical and pharmacological.
Numerical Analysis of Free-Molecule Microresistojet Performance

The direct-simulation Monte Carlo method was used to study the flow in a free-molecule microresistojet (FMMR). The FMMR is a microelectromechanical-systems (MEMS) fabricated resistojet that operates by heating a propellant gas as it expands through a series of slots. The flow through a single heater slot of the FMMR was modeled in two dimensions for a range of chamber pressures from 50 to 200 Pa and heater chip temperatures from 300 to 573 K. Using this, the numerical performance of FMMR was computed. The resultant specific impulse was found to agree within 2% of experimental data for nitrogen propellant and within 4% for helium propellant. Then, a full three-dimensional model of the FMMR geometry was made for water vapor as propellant in two steps. First, the flow in the plenum was modeled. FMMR performance parameters were found to be 10% lower than those of the two-dimensional model. Second, the FMMR plume flow was calculated using a starting surface generated from the plenum simulation for two possible locations of the FMMR as a despin thruster on a nanosatellite. The thrust degradation caused by the resultant surface forces was examined, and the net moment of one configuration was found to be 60% higher than the other.
Design and Analysis of a Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic Micro-Combustor

This report focuses on the design and development of a Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC) micro combustor. Emphasis is placed on the efficacy of LTCC as a prototyping material for combustion systems. The designs presented are fueled by premixed hydrogen and air reactants operated at or near stoichiometric conditions. An analytic model is developed to determine thermal loads placed on the device during normal operating conditions. The testing methods used to investigate the performance of the devices are presented and include nonintrusive surface temperature measurements using an infrared imaging camera.