cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complementation and characterization of the nested Rz and Rz1 reading frames in the genome of bacteriophage lambda.

Transposon insertions in the Rz gene of bacteriophage λ block lysis if the medium contains divalent cations at concentrations greater than 5 mM, but otherwise cause no change in phenotype. The Rz protein is thought to have an endopeptidase activity, previously reported in λ lysates, which might be involved in cleavage of oligopeptide crosslinks between glycosidic strands in the peptidoglycan and the Lpp lipoproteins of the outer bacterial membrane. Recently, a small lipoprotein has been reported as the product of a short reading frame, designated Rz1, in the +1 register within Rz. This protein has been detected in membranes of induced λ lysogens. To determine whether Rz1 has a function in the λ vegetative cycle, amber nonsense alleles of Rz and Rz1 have been constructed by site-directed mutagenesis and used for complementation and suppression analysis. Both Rzam and Rz1am alleles have phenotypes identical to those of the original Rz insertion alleles, and complement and are fully suppressed in a supE host, indicating that the two genes are independent, trans-acting genes encoding proteins required for lysis in the presence of cations. Moreover, supF suppresses Rzam but not the Rz1am mutation, and the defective Rz1am product in the supF host shows a partially dominant character and significantly retards lysis even in the absence of additional cations in the medium. Rz and Rz1 represent a unique example of two genes located in different reading frames in the same nucleotide sequence, which encode different proteins that are both required in the same physiological pathway.
Controlling the alcohol-impaired driver in Scandinavia and the United States: Simple deterrence and beyond

Three papers on simple deterrence of alcohol-impaired driving (Ross, 1982; Votey, 1984; and Phillips, Ray, and Votey, 1984) were reviewed within a broad framework of control variables including: legal, technical, psychological, moral, and cultural influences. In applying this framework to a comparison of Norway and Sweden versus the United States, it was apparent that Scandinavian drivers are subjected to a considerably greater range and intensity of control influences than American drivers. It was recommended that a causal analysis of simple deterrence should be supplemented by a contextual analysis of general prevention for a fuller appreciation of the complex, interactive network of influences upon alcohol-impaired driving.
Age-dependent intestinal hydrolysis of valproate glucuronide in rat.

1. Age-dependent differences in the intestinal hydrolysis of the glucuronide conjugate of valproic acid were evaluated in the Fischer-344 rat at 14 and 40 days, and 24 months of age.2. Hydrolysis occurred more quickly when incubations were conducted under anaerobic as compared with aerobic conditions.3. The rate of hydrolysis of valproate glucuronide was most rapid in the contents of the large intestine (caecum and colon); no difference in rate was noted between age groups during incubations with large intestinal contents.4. Hydrolysis in the tissues of the large and small intestines, and the contents of the small intestine, was more rapid in the 14-day-old rat than in the older age groups. Differences in the rates and sites of hydrolysis in the 14-day-old animal may be due to regional differences in the number and types of microorganisms or mammalian β-glucuronidase present in the gastrointestinal tract.5. Differences in intestinal hydrolysis of valproate glucuronide may account in part for age-related c...
Correlates of mammography in a national analysis compared to results in quintile- and regionally-defined samples.

Background. National-level data are often used to identify groups of women at greater risk of not obtaining mammography, who might then receive targeted interventions. An important question, however, is how well results of national-level analyses match results from smaller samples of the same dataset. This study investigated the consistency of results about correlates of mammography from a single national-level analysis versus the results from analyses within each of five quintiles of mammography rates and nine Census subdivisions.
Graphs which, with their complements, have certain clique covering numbers

Two common invariants of a graph G are its node clique cover number, @q"0(G), and its edge clique cover number, @q"1(G). We present in this work a characterization of those graphs for which they and their complements, [email protected]?, have @q"0(G)[email protected]"1(G) and @q"0([email protected]?)[email protected]"1([email protected]?). Graphs satis ying these conditions are shown to constitute a subset of those graphs which we term C-graphs.
Is there a difference in range of motion, neck pain, and outcomes in patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament versus those with cervical spondylosis, treated with plated laminoplasty?

Object There are little data on the effects of plated, or plate-only, open-door laminoplasty on cervical range of motion (ROM), neck pain, and clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare ROM after a plated laminoplasty in patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) versus those with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and to correlate ROM with postoperative neck pain and neurological outcomes. Methods The authors retrospectively compared patients with a diagnosis of cervical stenosis due to either OPLL or CSM who had been treated with plated laminoplasty in the period from 2007 to 2012 at the University of California, San Francisco. Clinical outcomes were measured using the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scale and neck visual analog scale (VAS). Radiographic outcomes included assessment of changes in the C2–7 Cobb angle at flexion and extension, ROM at C2–7, and ROM of proximal and distal segments adjacent to the plated lamina. Results Sixty pat...
Nonlinear Optical Imaging and Raman Microspectrometry of the Cell Nucleus throughout the Cell Cycle

Fundamental understanding of cellular processes at molecular level is of considerable importance in cell biology as well as in biomedical disciplines for early diagnosis of infection and cancer diseases, and for developing new molecular medicine-based therapies. Modern biophotonics offers exclusive capabilities to obtain information on molecular composition, organization, and dynamics in a cell by utilizing a combination of optical spectroscopy and optical imaging. We introduce here a combination of Raman microspectrometry, together with coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) nonlinear optical microscopy, to study macromolecular organization of the nucleus throughout the cell cycle. Site-specific concentrations of proteins, DNA, RNA, and lipids were determined in nucleoli, nucleoplasmic transcription sites, nuclear speckles, constitutive heterochromatin domains, mitotic chromosomes, and extrachromosomal regions of mitotic cells by quantitative confocal Raman microspectrometry. A surprising finding, obtained in our study, is that the local concentration of proteins does not increase during DNA compaction. We also demonstrate that postmitotic DNA decondensation is a gradual process, continuing for several hours. The quantitative Raman spectroscopic analysis was corroborated with CARS/TPEF multimodal imaging to visualize the distribution of protein, DNA, RNA, and lipid macromolecules throughout the cell cycle.
Stabilization of a servomechanism subject to large amplitude oscillation

The saturation of an amplifier is found to cause large amplitude oscillations in a conditionally stable servomechanism. The employment of a suitable nonlinear element in the stabilizing network may prevent such oscillations. For a particular system containing a saturable amplifier, frequency response analyses are used to find the magnitude and frequency of the oscillation and to determine the design of a nonlinear filter which will prevent large amplitude oscillation. Laplace transformation theory is employed to justify the use of a frequency response analysis, and to prove that the combination of a saturable amplifier and an unstable inner loop will cause oscillations in both conditionally and unconditionally stable systems. Results obtained from an analogue computer are compared with the results of the frequency response analyses.
Risk-taking by juvenile vervet monkeys

Because of their greater vulnerability to mortality, juveniles might be expected to be more conservative than adults in response to novel and potentially threatening situations. Results from research on vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) in the field and in captivity suggest that the opposite is true. Juveniles in the field were more likely to approach a human observer, and in captivity they had shorter latencies to enter a new area, approach a novel food container, and come within a meter of a strange adult male when compared to younger and older animals. In all four test conditions, risk-taking was an inverted U-shaped function of age. Latency to approach in unfamiliar and potentially dangerous situations declined from birth to two years of age, then increased with age to adulthood.
Intermolecular C–H functionalization versus cyclopropanation of electron rich 1,1-disubstituted and trisubstituted alkenes

Abstract Rhodium(II)-catalyzed reactions of aryldiazoacetates with electron rich 1,1-disubstituted and trisubstituted alkenes were systematically studied. The regio-, diastereo- and enantioselectivity of the chemistry was profoundly influenced by the nature of the substrates and the catalyst. Conditions were developed for either selective cyclopropanation or C–H insertion. Both reactions can be achieved with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity (for C–H insertion: >90% de, up to 96% ee, for cyclopropanation: >94% de, up to 95% ee). For the 1,1-disubstituted vinyl ethers, cyclopropanation occurs with variable diastereoselectivity but in optimized systems the cyclopropane is formed in >94% de and up to 98% ee.
The reductive alkylation of meldrum's acid

Abstract Meldrum's acid can be reductively alkylated with borane⋯dimethylamine complex and aldehydes or ketones; borane⋯trimethylamine was used with cyclohexanone.
Comparing Obligatory to Nonobligatory Runners

This study compares "obligatory" runners (runners who continue to run despite clear physical injury or contraindications) to nonobligatory runners. Both groups scored within the normal range on most psychological test indices. The two groups had more similarities than differences. The obligatory runners did present more significant elevations of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory scales than did the nonobligatory runners. Based on their responses to the semistructured interview, the obligatory runners were significantly more concerned and rigid about weight control than the nonobligatory runners and the obligatory runners were more likely to prefer being alone. Obligatory runners were more preoccupied with their bodies and reported more positive changes in self-concept and a greater sense of control over their lives since they had begun to run. Female runners reported more satisfaction with and more positive effects from running than did male runners. Strenuous exertion is known to increase prolactin in male and female runners. Clinical research studies suggest that an increase in prolactin is associated with an obsessive preoccupation with diet and/or exercise.
Significance of subtidal sediments to heterotrophically-mediated oxygen and nutrient dynamics in a temperate estuary

Sediment-water exchanges of ammonium (NH4 +), nitrate + nitrite (NOx −), filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP, primarily ortho-phosphate), and oxygen (O2) under aphotic (heterotrophic) conditions were determined at 2–5 stations in the Neuse River Estuary, from 1987 to 1989. Shallow (1 m), sandy stations were sampled along the salinity gradient. Fluxes from deep (>2 m) sites were compared to the shallow sites in two salinity zones. Grain size became finer and organic content increased with depth in the oligohaline zone but not in the mesohaline zone. Net release of NH4 + and FRP occurred at all sites. Fluxes varied from slight uptake to releases of 200–500 μmol m−2 h−1 (NH4 +) and 150–900 μmol m−2 h−1 (FRP). Net NOx − exchange was near zero, but were ±100 μmol m−2 h−1 over the year. Release of NH4 + and FRP from the shallow sandy stations decreased with distance down the estuary, but O2 uptake did not change. The deeper oligohaline site had twofold higher rates of NH4 + and FRP release and O2 uptake than the shallow site, but no differences occurred between depths in the mesohaline zone. Temperature and organic content were important controls for all fluxes, but water column NOx − concentration was also important in regulating NOx − exchanges. Ratios of oxygen consumption to NH4 + release were near the predicted ratio (Redfield model) at oligohaline sites but increased down estuary at mesohaline sites. This may be due to greater nitrification rates promoted by autotrophy in the sediments.
Transmission Effects on Temporal Structure in the Advertisement Calls of Two Toads, Bufo woodhousii and Bufo valliceps

We measured degradation of temporal structure in the advertisement calls of two species of toads (Bufo woodhousii and B. valliceps) as a function of transmission distance. Degradation, measured as the ratio of the amplitudes of pulse and interpulse interval, increased with distance and was significantly greater in B. valliceps than in B. woodhousii. These results are compared to previous reports of neural thresholds for units in the torus semicircularis that are responsive to the interaction of depth and rate of amplitude modulation in B. woodhousii and B. americanus. We suggest that the degradation of temporal structure that we measured has behavioral and neurophysiological consequences for communication.
Transport of rare earth element-tagged soil particles in response to thunderstorm runoff.

The downslope transport of rare earth element-tagged soil particles remobilized during a spring thunderstorm was studied on both a natural prairie and an agricultural field in southwestern Iowa (U.S.A.). A technique was developed for tagging natural soils with the rare earth elements Eu, Tb, and Ho to approximately 1,000 ppm via coprecipitation with MnO2. Tagged material was replaced in target locations; surficial soil samples were collected following precipitation and runoff; and rare earth element concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Diffusion and exponential models were applied to the concentration-distance data to determine particle transport distances. The results indicate that the concentration-distance data are well described by the diffusion model, butthe exponential model does not simulate the rapid drop-off in concentrations near the tagged source. Using the diffusion model, calculated particle transport distances at all hillside locations and at both the cultivated and natural prairie sites were short, ranging from 3 to 73 cm during this single runoff event. This study successfully demonstrates a new tool for studying soil erosion.
Automotive tribology overview of current advances and challenges for the future

This keynote address will provide a comprehensive overview of various lubrication aspects of a typical powertrain system including the engine, transmission, driveline, and other components, as well as the integration of these lubrication and surface engineering concepts into a unified automotive powertrain system. In addition, this presentation will focus on the current status and future trends in automotive lubricants including discussion of current and anticipated future requirements of automotive engine oils. This presentation will also review the current standard ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) test methods for engine lubricants and other compilations of automotive standards. In addition to engine oil test development, industrial researchers are developing light-weight materials such as non-ferrous materials (Al, Mg) for engine and drivetrain materials to replace the current heavy-weight cast iron blocks. Recent industrial developments include high strength and high density of composite materials, high volume liquid molding and hydroforming technology, structural adhesive boding, and the ability to mold large structural components. Industrial researchers have also developed processing improvements for forming more complex stamped aluminum parts or panels, more robust stamping, and improved casting techniques. In this paper, our insights and perspectives on future trends in light-weight tribological material and nonotribology will also be reviewed.
Transforming growth factor beta stimulates phosphoinositol metabolism and translocation of protein kinase C in cultured astrocytes.

Abstract Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a regulatory peptide found in many normal and neoplastic tissues, including brain, with a diverse range of cellular effects. The transmembrane biochemical signals by which TGF-β exerts these effects and the second messenger systems that may amplify them are unknown. We investigated the effects of TGF-β upon membrane phosphoinositol metabolism and protein kinase C activity in cultured astrocytes. We found that exposure of astrocyte enriched cultures to TGF-β resulted in the stimulation of phosphoinositol lipid turnover to inositol phosphates and in the apparent redistribution of protein kinase C from cytosol to membrane.
How many notions of necessity

Evans distinguishes between superficial necessity and deep necessity in his analysis of the contingent a priori. The distinction between these two notions of necessity is formalized by Davies and Humberstone through the addition of the operator Fixedly to Actuality Modal Logic (AML, S5A), where deep necessity is represented by the combination Fixedly Actually. Wehmeier’s Subjunctive Modal Logic (SML) provides an extension of the expressive capacity of ordinary modal predicate logic alternative to AML. I add Fixedly to SML and show that in the system SML with Fixedly the distinction between deep and superficial necessity disappears. I conclude that the existence of the distinction between deep and superficial necessity, as well as the existence of the contingent a priori, cannot be asserted independently of the choice of background logic.
Management of a traumatic hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm and arterioportal fistula with a combination of a stent graft and coil embolization using flow control with balloon remodeling

We describe a child who presented with a traumatic hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm and arterioportal fistula, which were subsequently managed with an endovascular stent graft and coil embolization using flow control with balloon remodeling. This case demonstrates a rarely seen condition in the pediatric population and a novel management strategy, which should be considered in the management of this complex injury.
A note on the Wiener-Khintchine theorem for autocorrelation

It is shown that for a random function of two or three dimensions and the case where statistical properties are isotropic in space, the Wiener-Khintchine theorem takes on the form of a Fourier-Bessel transform instead of a one-dimensional Fourier transform.
Utility of the Cognistat Judgment Subtest in Motorically Impaired Populations

The Cognistat is one the most frequently employed measures to briefly evaluate cognitive functioning. However, clinical experience indicates that the questions within the Judgment subtest may be bi...
A construction of repeated measurements designs with balance for residual effects

Abstract Families of Repeated Measurements Designs balanced for residual effects are constructed (whenever the divisibility conditions allow), under the assumption that the number of periods is less than the number of treatments and that each treatment precedes each other treatment once. These designs are then shown to be connected for both residual and direct treatment effects.
Temperature distributions during crystallization at constant velocity

Abstract The temperature distribution in a crystal-melt system solidifying with a planar interface is examined. The case of an infinite system, initially at a uniform temperature, solidifying at a constant (interface controlled) velocity is solved explicity. The limiting interface heating is found to be the latent heat divided by the specific heat, which can be quite large. Estimates of the effect of finite sample size are given. Interface attachment kinetics and heat flow control mechanisms are discussed. The results of the analysis are compared with experiments on three representative materials: sodium disilicate (an oxide glass-former), α-phenol o-cresol (an organic glass-former) and tin (a metal).
A simple skills device for research on learning and memory.

Summary.-The writers believe the DT to be bur one of a family of research tools to be developed in the slide-chart category. The 1/4 x 7 X 8%-in. silhouette permits easy stacking of GO DTs in a standard 2-suiter suitcase and E can perform some of his research outside of his own laboratory thereby finding more Ss and solving the "no show problem." The economy of the DT permits its use as a throw-away item, with quick replacement of damaged devices preferred in place of costly repairs. The simplicity of the DT, in addition to its economy, permits the user to construct one of his own based upon the description provided herein. Dial Trainers similar to the one described here will be made available at a nominal price to those who may wish to buy them. Otherwise, the reader may wish to adapt the one described here to fit his own need. Many traditional areas of learning such as feedback, transfer of training, and memory have made use of simple positioning tasks (Bilodeau & Bilodeau, 1961; Bilodeau, Sulzer, & Levy, 1962). Line drawing and lever displacing are common examples. The field, however, lacks a more versatile research tool which anyone can afford to employ. An on-the-shelf device is required which might be used for all sorts of unanticipated research problems in motor, verbal, and problem-solving research. The Dial Trainer (DT), reported here, not only is useful for general research purposes but is also suitable for the training of students in experimental methods. The DT is a simply constructed device which provides for (a) a manual movement to be performed, learned, or remembered; (b) variations of stimulus, response, and feedback; (c) measurement of response amplitude or error; and (d) administration to intact groups of Ss. Through instructions E commands and paces S's every move for data making and dara recording; one assistant E per IS Ss may be posted around the room to serve as a monitor. Correlation and variance measures of response when used in functional relationships require a large N, a requirement not easily met by administration of an experiment to individual Ss. We have used the DT successfully with 40 Ss at one time by requiring S to score and re-zero the dial himself. Front and rear views of the DT are presented in Fig. 1. The DT is a member of the slide-chart family and consists of a cardboard disk or dial (1) which can be rotated over a frame (2) by a pencil or finger. The extent of rotation is measured by a scale on the reverse side of the dial which displays a unit of feedback through a window (labeled A, B, C, or D) of the frame ro
Health Care Research on Migrant Farm Worker Children: Why Has It Not Had a Higher Priority?

The article by Weathers and her coinvestigators in this issue titled “Health Services Use by Children of Migratory Agricultural Workers: Exploring the Role of Need for Care”1 is only the fourth article published on the health care of migrant farm worker families in Pediatrics since 1948, excluding policy statements by the Committee on Community Health Services.2,3 During the past 54 years the only clinical or health services research on children of farm workers published in Pediatrics included 1 article in 1972 and another in 1974 on lead exposure and toxicity.4,5 A third article, published in 1962, did not report findings of a research study but called on medical schools and pediatricians to become more actively involved in the study of the health problems of migrant farm worker children.6 The small number of publications describing clinical and health services research related to migrant farm worker children in Pediatrics is consistent with the experience of other peer-reviewed journals and is a reflection of the very limited number of research studies that have been conducted in this high-risk vulnerable population. As referenced in the Weathers article, a 1998 Institute of Medicine report highlighted this concern by stating that there is “a glaring and significant gap in the scientific literature” for research on children of migrant farm workers, especially undocumented workers.7 In setting research priorities, funders usually consider the magnitude of the problem, the ability of the research to contribute to better health outcomes through improvements in care and/or better health policy, and a sense of fairness or social justice … Address correspondence to Steve Berman, MD, Children’s Hospital 1056 E 19th Ave, B032 Denver, CO 80218. E-mail: berman.stephen{at}tchden.org
Erbium:YAG Laser Resurfacing of the Hands, Arms, and Neck

Background.Resurfacing procedures to improve photodamage, rhytides, and scars have been developed and refined over the last century. Laser resurfacing is a relatively new procedure in the resurfacing spectrum. It has been appreciated that resurfacing of nonfacial skin by dermabrasion, chemical peels
A generalized Newton algorithm using higher-order derivatives

This paper presents a general optimization algorithm using first-order torth order derivatives to find the optimum of anr-continuously differentiable function of many variables. This algorithm collapses to the Newton-Raphson algorithm when only first- and second-order derivatives are used. The computation of the required higher-order derivatives are readily available through thetable algorithm. The generalized CES production function is used as an example.
Phosphorus Fractions in Human Heart Muscle

SummaryThe decrease in total myocardial phosphorus which accompanies heart failure is due to a decrease in the acid-soluble phosphorus compounds.
A versatile, pulsed anion source utilizing plasma-entrainment: characterization and applications.

A novel pulsed anion source has been developed, using plasma entrainment into a supersonic expansion. A pulsed discharge source perpendicular to the main gas expansion greatly reduces unwanted “heating” of the main expansion, a major setback in many pulsed anion sources in use today. The design principles and construction information are described and several examples demonstrate the range of applicability of this anion source. Large OH−(Ar)n clusters can be generated, with over 40 Ar solvating OH−. The solvation energy of OH−(Ar)n, where n = 1-3, 7, 12, and 18, is derived from photoelectron spectroscopy and shows that by n = 12-18, each Ar is bound by about 10 meV. In addition, cis– and trans– HOCO− are generated through rational anion synthesis (OH− + CO + M → HOCO− + M) and the photoelectron spectra compared with previous results. These results, along with several further proof-of-principle experiments on solvation and transient anion synthesis, demonstrate the ability of this source to efficiently produce cold anions. With modifications to two standard General Valve assemblies and very little maintenance, this anion source provides a versatile and straightforward addition to a wide array of experiments.
Neither Slave nor Free: The Freedman of African Descent in the Slave Societies of the New World

An important collection of 10 essays on the almost totally neglected subject of the freedman in North and South American slave societies... All of these essays furnish important insights into our understanding of racism and slave societies in the Americas." -- Choice
In situ ATR-IR study of prochiral 2-methyl-2-pentenoic acid adsorption on Al2O3 and Pd/Al2O3

Adsorption and desorption of trans-2-methyl-2-pentenoic acid (MPeA) in dichloromethane (CH(2)Cl(2)) were investigated by using in situ attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy. A liquid flow-through spectroscopic cell allowed for high quality spectra to be obtained from deposited thin films of Al(2)O(3) and 1 wt% Pd/γ-Al(2)O(3) on a ZnSe internal reflection element. The MPeA molecules adsorb on both Al(2)O(3) and Pd surfaces molecularly and dissociatively under the concentration range examined (2-16 mM). In the case of molecular adsorption, both monomer (ν(C=O) ~ 1720 cm(-1)) and dimer (ν(C=O) ~ 1685 cm(-1)) species are observed to adsorb, with the relative amount of monomer to dimer dependent on the surface and the liquid phase acid concentration. In the case of dissociative adsorption, the acid adsorbs predominantly in a bridged bidentate configuration, as adjudged by the ca. 150-220 cm(-1) separation between asymmetric and symmetric vibrational bands. All of these species are found to be strongly adsorbed on both Al(2)O(3) and 1 wt% Pd/γ-Al(2)O(3) surfaces, even under pure solvent flow after adsorption.
Writing in physics

In the fall of 2012, the Physics program at the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), in an effort to improve scientific writing and understanding of physics, added three major writing assignments to the Physics I curriculum. These writing assignments are focused on making students familiar with scientific and technical reading and writing. Scientific and technical reading and writing skills are not addressed elsewhere in the core curriculum. The assignments are meant to create a link between the writing classes and the upper major Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) classes. Students learn to read and summarize technical journal articles and to conduct a final project culminating in a paper and presentation.
Superposition Fringes in the Internally Reflected Light from a Fabry-Perot Etalon

A system of very sharp dark fringes is observed in the spectra formed by both of the first-order reflections occurring within the quartz plates of a Fabry-Perot etalon. In the second-order reflections, two intersecting systems of fringes appear, the fringe separation in one being half of that in the other. The first-order fringes are complementary to the fringes observed many years ago by Perot and Fabry in the light passing through two nonparallel etalons of equal thickness. They arise by passage of the light through the etalon and subsequent reflection from it in the reverse direction. The two systems of fringes in the second-order reflections arise from one passage through the etalon, followed or preceded by two successive reflections from it.
Current and future trends for biofilm reactors for fermentation processes

AbstractBiofilms in the environment can both cause detrimental and beneficial effects. However, their use in bioreactors provides many advantages including lesser tendencies to develop membrane fouling and lower required capital costs, their higher biomass density and operation stability, contribution to resistance of microorganisms, etc. Biofilm formation occurs naturally by the attachment of microbial cells to the support without use of any chemicals agent in biofilm reactors. Biofilm reactors have been studied and commercially used for waste water treatment and bench and pilot-scale production of value-added products in the past decades. It is important to understand the fundamentals of biofilm formation, physical and chemical properties of a biofilm matrix to run the biofilm reactor at optimum conditions. This review includes the principles of biofilm formation; properties of a biofilm matrix and their roles in the biofilm formation; factors that improve the biofilm formation, such as support material...
Pharmacological characterization of canine melancortin-4 receptor and its natural variant V213F

Abstract Dogs have become one of the most important companion animals in modern society. However, it is estimated that 20% to 40% of owned dogs are obese, suggesting that obesity has become one of the most important canine health problem. In addition, obesity in dogs also leads to type II diabetes. Because the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) has been shown to be essential in maintaining energy homeostasis in several different species, including rodents and humans, we initiated studies toward elucidating the roles of MC4R in obesity pathogenesis in dogs. Canine MC4R has been cloned, and a missense variant V213F was identified. We designed primers and successfully cloned canine MC4R and generated the variant V213F by site-directed mutagenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacological properties of canine MC4R and its natural variant V213F. We measured ligand binding and signaling properties with the use of both natural and synthetic ligands. Human MC4R was also included in the experiments for comparison. Both wild-type canine MC4R and its natural variant V213F functioned normally in terms of binding and signaling. Of the ligands we used, [Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone is the most potent ligand. We conclude that the cloned canine MC4R is a functional receptor, and the natural variant V213F does not have any functional defect and therefore is not likely to cause obesity in dogs.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FRUCTOSE/GLUCOSE RATIO IN SCREENING POTATO BREEDING LINES WITH PROCESSING POTENTIAL'

Low sugar accumulation during low temperature holding is a most sought after characteristic in a potato cultivar utilized for processing. Although this property is largely inherited, the lack of a reliable biochemical test capable of screening large numbers of new breeding lines with low sugar accumulating ability has hampered present selection procedures of plant breeders. This study examined the concentration of individual sugar components and the ratios of sugar components from 80 to 110 day-old plants of three commercial potato cultivars, White Rose, Russet Burbank and Norchip, each with different inherent capacity to accumulate sugars under low temperature holding. By determining the fructose and glucose concentration of potatoes from 110-day old plants and calculating the fructose/ glucose ratio, it was possible at harvest to separate cultivars that accumulate high concentrations of sugars during cold storage from those that accumulate low concentration of sugars
VISCOSITY AND PICKUP OF A FISH AND CHIP BATTER: DETERMINANTS OF VARIATION

Relationship between viscosity and pickup (percent coating weight) of a fish and chip batter was examined with respect to the following parameters: (1) protein content of wheat flour used, (2) batter temperature, and (3) batter holding time. Results obtained indicated that a statistically significant (P 0.001) correlation existed between viscosity and: (1) wheat flour protein content (r= 0.96), (2) percent pickup (r= 0.90), and (3) batter temperature (r=−0.62). Results also indicated that protein content of the wheat flour ingredient and batter temperature may be used as indicators of batter viscosity and, subsequently, percent pickup in the operation of battering portion-controlled codfish fillets.
Congruences on orthodox semigroups II

A semigroup S is called regular if a ∈ aSa for every element a in S. The elementary properties of regular semigroups may be found in A. H. Clifford and G. B. Preston [1]. A semigroup S is called orthodox if S is regular and if the idempotents of S form a subsemigroup of S.
The Secondary School Principal and Teachers' Quality of work Life

The author is Professor of Educational Administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In this article he draws upon case studies of the school principal and other senior administrators, in ...
International Issues Raised by the Exclusive Economic Zone

The proposed Convention on the Law of the Sea provides for 200-mile exclusive economic zones adjacent to a nation's coast. The United States is in favor of of the EEZ articles in the Convention but has refused to sign the proposed Convention, for other reasons. Instead, it has unilaterally proclaimed its own EEZ and based the right to establish such a zone on principles of customary international law. It is in the United States legal and political interest to secure an international legal consensus as to the existence of such EEZ's and as to the nature and scope of the rights of all states in such EEZ's. To do this, it should defer any unilateral attempts to implement the EEZ Proclamation, should work with other countries on practical solutions to any problems, and should use the LOS Treaty provisions, and the LOS Conference deliberations on the EEZ, as the base on which to establish a consensus.
A report of a family with an MSH2 mutation and prostate cancer

Background There have been conflicting reports regarding the possibility of an association between Lynch syndrome and prostate cancer. Some reports indicate that individuals with mismatch repair gene mutations may be at an increased risk of prostate cancer, while others show little to no evidence of an association. We are reporting a family with multiple cancers including colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, brain, skin and prostate.
NUCLEOCYTOPLASMIC TRANSPORT : DRIVING AND DIRECTING TRANSPORT

Nucleocytoplasmic transport involves assembly and movement across the nuclear envelope of cargo-receptor complexes that interact with the small GTPase Ran. The asymmetric distribution of Ran regulator proteins, RanGAP1 and RCC1, provides the driving force and directionality for nuclear transport.
Contemporary Etiologies, Risk Factors, and Outcomes after Pericardiectomy

Background The leading causes of constrictive pericarditis have changed over time leading to a commensurate change in the indications and complexity of surgical pericardiectomy. We evaluated our single-center experience to define the etiologies, risk factors, and outcomes of pericardiectomy in a modern cohort. Methods We retrospectively reviewed our institutional database for all patients who underwent total or partial pericardiectomy. Demographic, comorbid, operative, and outcome data were evaluated. Survival was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models examined risk factors for mortality. Results From 1995 to 2010, 98 adults underwent pericardiectomy for constrictive disease. The most common etiologies were idiopathic (n = 44), postoperative (n = 30), and post radiation (n = 17). Total pericardiectomy was performed in 94 cases, most commonly through a sternotomy (n = 93). Thirty-three cases were redo sternotomies, 34 underwent a concomitant procedure, and 34 required cardiopulmonary bypass. Overall in-hospital, 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival rates were 92.9%, 82.5%, 64.3%, and 49.2%, respectively. Survival differed sharply by etiology with idiopathic, postoperative, and post-radiation 5-year survivals of 79.8%, 55.9%, and 11.0%, respectively ( p p = 0.02) was predictive of 30-day mortality while post-radiation etiology (HR: 3.19, p = 0.02) and hypoalbuminemia (HR: 0.57, p = 0.03) were associated with increased 10-year mortality. Conclusions Although survival varies significantly by etiology, pericardiectomy continues to be a safe operation for constrictive pericarditis. Post-radiation pericarditis and hypoalbuminemia are significant risk factors for decreased long-term survival.
Noninvasive measurement of three-dimensional myocardial deformation with tagged magnetic resonance imaging during graded local ischemia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between three-dimensional (30) deformation patterns in the canine lefr ventricle and localized graded reductions in perfusion. Magnetic resanance (MR) tissue tagging in a clinical scanner was used to determine systolic 30 deformation throughout the left ventricle with 32-msec time resolution. Six dogs were studied at normal and reduced left anterior descending coronary arteryjow levels, for a total of 14 studies. Deformation was calculated by jtting a 30 displacement field to tag displacement data from three orthogonal sets of tags and taking spatial derivatives. A novel index of 30 radial mechanical function, calculated from the 30 strain tensor cornponents and the tissue incompressibility constraint, had a higher correlation (R = 0.94) with perfusion (colored microspheres) than any of the 30 kgrangian j5nite strain tensor components or wall thickening, As a function of the fraction of baseline perfusion, it was well jt by a linear relationship for subnormal perfusion with a slope of 0.46 I+- 0.05 and an intercept of -0.156 -t 0.026. Longitudinal strain was lost first with decreasing perfusion (48%), followed by circumferential (40%) andjnally radial function (35%). The strain method detected perfusion drops as small as 20%, and early paradoxical strain transients lasting 100 msec were seen only with ischemia. 30 strain changes can be noninvasively measured throughout the left ventricle with MR tissue tagging. MR imaging-derived strain indices, unique to 30 analysis, correlate most sensitively with regional perji4sion in the canine left ventricle.
Contour registration and corresponding point selection for dorsal fin recognition

Boundary descriptors may be used effectively in various image based recognition problems. However, when images are acquired in uncontrolled conditions, changes in pose and illumination complicate the alignment process that must occur prior to comparison. The alignment is further complicated when the objects of interest are characterized by open contours and when distinct feature points are absent. We present an application that employs an iterative approach to the alignment of open contours and suggest a method for selecting corresponding points along a pair of contours for the purpose of determining similarity. We demonstrate the success of this approach in recognizing individual bottlenose dolphins from the profiles of their dorsal fins.
Dyson: an architecture for extensible wireless LANs

Dyson is a new software architecture for building customizable WLANs. While research in wireless networks has made great strides, these advancements have not seen the light of day in real WLAN deployments. One of the key reasons is that today's WLANs are not architected to embrace change. For example, system administrators cannot fine-tune the association policy for their particular environment: an administrator may know certain nodes in certain locations interfere with each other and cause a severe degradation in throughput, and hence, such associations must be avoided in the particular deployment. Dyson defines a set of APIs that allow clients and APs to send pertinent information such as radio channel conditions to a central controller. The central controller processes this information, to form a global view of the network. This global view, combined with historical information about spatial and temporal usage patterns, allows the central controller enact a rich set of policies to control the network's behavior. Dyson provides a Python-based scripting API that allows the central controller's policies to be extended for site-specific customizations and new optimizations that leverage historical knowledge. We have built a prototype implementation of Dyson, which currently runs on a 28-node testbed distributed across one floor of a typical academic building. Using this testbed, we examine various aspects of the architecture in detail, and demonstrate the ease of implementing a wide range of policies. Using Dyson, we demonstrate optimizing associations, handling VoIP clients, reserving airtime for specific users, and optimizing handoffs for mobile clients.
Ideological Realignment and Partisan Change in the American South, 1972–1996

The political transformation of the American South from one-party dominance to a competitive two-party system has attracted considerable attention from scholars and has generated competing explanations of the causes of this partisan change. This paper addresses one explanation—the ideological realignment of white conservatives. It extends the research of Black and Black (1987) and Carmines and Stanley (1990), both of whom examined ideological realignment into the 1990s. Findings suggest that the gradual ideological realignment of partisan identifications accelerated in the 1990s with white conservatives increasingly holding Republican partisan identifications. Moreover, ideological realignment was evident not only with respect to general political ideology but also with respect to specific issue preference. This ideological realignment has had a profound impact on southern party politics and electoral competition which explains the spectacular Republican gains found at the subpresidential level in the 1990s.
Dermatology for the facial plastic surgeon

Facial plastic surgeons work intimately with skin on a daily basis, whether it is on top, within, or under it. There are many dermatologic conditions that impact the safety and efficacy of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures such as skin infection, dermatitis, dyschromias, and topical agents that the patient might be using. This issue of Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America is devoted to topics that are relevant to facial plastic surgeons that should increase their knowledge of dermatology as it relates to their practice. Dr. Muccini addresses the mutually beneficial relationships that facial plastic surgeons and dermatologists enjoy, with the dermatologist referring patients for reconstructive and cosmetic surgery and the facial plastic surgeons referring patients for expert skin care. Such care might include Mohs micrographic surgery and the treatment of dermatologic conditions either before patients undergo cosmetic surgery or to help manage dermatologic complications after cosmetic surgery. Infectious and inflammatory skin diseases can complicate otherwise outstanding cosmetic surgery results. The ability to quickly identify common eruptions and treat them or refer patients for appropriate management can significantly enhance cosmetic outcomes and patient satisfaction. Contact dermatitis to topically applied medications, cosmetics, and cosmeceuticals is a significant problem that often goes undetected for an unnecessarily long period of time, delaying treatment and making the patient suffer needlessly. Through detailed history and skin testing, the dermatologist can precisely identify the offending agent and suggest alternative topicals. The first sign of an underlying systemic disease is often found on the skin. Correctly identifying the underlying condition and referring the patient for appropriate management might be a lifesaver. Patients with alopecia and pigmentary disorders are often seen by facial plastic surgeons. Nonsurgical alternatives for male pattern baldness and medical management of other types of alopecia might be helpful to consider before resorting to surgical intervention. The treatment of pigmentary disorders is challenging and often requires a combination of surgical and medical management for even modest improvement. There are hundreds—if not thousands—of prescription and over-the-counter products that claim to provide dermatologic benefits such as reversal of photodamage and wrinkles. Dr. Glaser cuts through the hype and presents an unbiased assessment of what works and has scientific support for its claims and what types of products might just be costly snake oil. Laser technology is developing at warp speed, with new lasers and light sources being introduced almost daily. The indications for laser treatment are expanding in lockstep with the technology. Dr. Kilmer provides an up-to-the-minute update of the latest and greatest laser and light source technology for cosmetic indications and the treatment of skin disease.