cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship between phosphorylation and cytochrome P450 destruction

In our previous report we showed cytochrome b5 to be a competitive inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) for interaction with cytochrome P450 (P450). While P450 was phosphorylated, cytochrome b5 was not. The phosphorylation of P450 resulted in an inhibition of its catalytic activity. In this report we attempt to determine the relationship between phosphorylation of P450 from phenobarbital-induced rat and its destruction. The results indicate there is a considerable alteration of P450 IIB1 when it is put into the phosphorylation medium. This includes destruction, i.e., loss of the hemoprotein nature (Soret peak), as well as denaturation, conversion of a proportion of the P450 to P420. The extent of phosphorylation correlated best with the amount of destroyed hemoprotein, and not with the formation of P420. There did not appear to be phosphorylation-dependent formation of apo-P450. Further, prior conversion of the P450 to P420 using sodium deoxycholate showed the same extent of phosphorylation as before the conversion. Thus, intact P450 is not required for phosphorylation nor is phosphorylation a prerequisite for hemoprotein destruction. P450 CAM (CIA1), which has the PKA substrate recognition sequence internalized, likewise undergoes conversion to P420 but this denaturation does not result in phosphorylation. Destruction of CIA1 with 6 M urea, however, did permit phosphorylation by PKA. P450 IIB1 destruction was greatly diminished by cytochrome b5. This stabilization resulted in a decreased degree of phosphorylation as well as an increase in negative ellipticity in circular dichroism, indicative of an increase in the proportion of alpha-helical content in the P450. Suggestions are made that this structural modification caused by cytochrome b5 stabilizes the P450 against denaturation as well as against destruction and phosphorylation. Further, when the P450 IIB1 was kept stable as P450 in the absence of cytochrome b5 and without loss of hemoprotein during the incubation period, using phosphate-glycerol buffer containing 0.4% Emulgen 911, the phosphorylation of the P450 was greatly diminished, with only minor effects on the protein kinase reaction itself. These results suggest that the protein kinase reaction itself. These results suggest that the protein kinase substrate recognition sequence is not readily accessible to PKA in mammalian P450 IIB1 but requires a destabilization of the protein for phosphorylation to take place.
Hydrogenolysis of neopentane and n-pentane over a Rhγ-Al2O3 catalyst

A detailed study was made of the hydrogenolysis of two pentane isomers on a well-characterized Rhγ-Al2O3 catalyst. The neopentane cracking takes place sequentially by succesively breaking off methane molecules. Turnover numbers, rate constants, and activation energies were determined for all the four consecutive steps. The n-pentane hydrogenolysis simultaneously follows a major path to propane and ethane and a minor one to n-butane and methane. The kinetic parameters were determined for both paths. The reaction orders for both hydrogenolysis reactions were 1.0 for the hydrocarbon and −1.5 for hydrogen. The course of the catalytic reactions is in agreement with the presence of surface intermediates which make three bonds to two adjoining surface sites. The predominant formation of propane and ethane from n-pentane on well-dispersed, supported Rh is associated with the predominant formation of one such intermediate.
A cooperative CDMA-based multi-channel MAC protocol for mobile ad hoc networks

In this paper, we present CCM-MAC, a cooperative CDMA-based multi-channel medium access control (MAC) protocol for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) in which each node has one half-duplex transceiver. The protocol mitigates the multi-channel hidden and exposed terminal problems by using information about channel usage gleaned from overhearing (cooperating) neighbours. By accounting for the multiple access interference, CCM-MAC also addresses the near-far problem of CDMA in MANETs enabling concurrent transmissions on each channel. We provide an analysis of the maximum throughput of CCM-MAC and validate it through simulation in Matlab. We also compare the throughput it achieves to IEEE 802.11, a multi-channel MAC protocol, and a CDMA-based MAC protocol.
Quinine as a fluorescence lifetime standard: Conditions for effectively homogeneous decay

Detailed resolution of the complex fluorescence decay of quinine by phase and modulation methods reveals spectral conditions under which single-exponential decay is exhibited to a good approximation. Under these conditions, chloride-quenched quinine solutions are also shown to be essentially single-exponential, and could serve as useful lifetime reference standards.
Bio-based Polyurethane-clay Nanocomposite Foams: Systheses and Properties

Starting from a bio-based polyol through modification of soybean oil, BIOHTM X-210, two series of bio-based polyurethanes-clay nanocomposite foams have been prepared. The effects of organically-modified clay types and loadings on foam morphology, cell structure, and the mechanical and thermal properties of these bio-based polyurethanes-clay nanocomposite foams have been studied with optical microscopy, compression test, thermal conductivity, DMA and TGA characterization. Density of nanocomposite foams decreases with the increase of clay loadings, while reduced 10% compressive stress and yield stress keep constant up to 2.5% clay loading in polyol. The friability of rigid polyurethane-clay nanocomposite foams is high than that of foam without clay, and the friability for nanofoams from Cloisite® 10A is higher than that from 30B at the same clay loadings. The incorporation of clay nanoplatelets decreases the cell size in nanocomposite foams, meanwhile increases the cell density; which would be helpful in terms of improving thermal insulation properties. All the nanocomposite foams were characterized by increased closed cell content compared with the control foam from X-210 without clay, suggesting the potential to improve thermal insulation of rigid polyurethane foams by utilizing organically modified clay. Incorporation of clay into rigid polyurethane foams results in the increase in glass transition temperature: the Tg increased from 186 to 197 to 204°C when 30B concentration in X-210 increased from 0 to 0.5 to 2.5%, respectively. Even though the thermal conductivity of nanocomposite foams from 30B is lower than or equal to that of rigid polyurethane control foam from X-210, thermal conductivity of nanocomposite foams from 10A is higher than that of control at all 10A concentrations. The reason for this abnormal phenomenon is not clear at this moment; investigation on this is on progress.
Formula for the steady-state gain of a recursive estimator

A formula for the direct computation of the steady-state gain of a recursive estimator is derived. The estimator is presented as a general 3-D recursive filter for noise smoothing of 3-D wide-sense Markov fields. The 1-D and 2-D estimators are special cases of the general filter presented. The filter with its steady-state gain computed from the derived formula is very useful because of its computational efficiency.
Organometallic Isocyanocyclopentadienides: A Combined Synthetic, Spectroscopic, Structural, Electrochemical, and Theoretical Investigation

This article reports on the chemistry of two organometallic isocyanocyclopentadienides, which represent an emerging new class of aromatic isocyanides incorporating nonbenzenoid π-systems. Interaction of aminoferrocene with a mixture of phenyl formate/phenol followed by subsequent dehydration of the resulting ferrocenylformamide with POCl3 produced air and thermally stable isocyanoferrocene (CNFc, Fc = ferrocenyl) in a high yield. Treating lithiocymantrene, LiCm (Cm = (η5-C5H4)Mn(CO)3), with tosyl azide afforded thermally sensitive cymantrenyl azide. Without isolation, CmN3 was reduced by NaBH4 to form aminocymantrene, which was converted into air stable but thermally and light sensitive isocyanocymantrene, CNCm. Combining 6 equiv of CNR (R = Fc, Cm) with bis(naphthalene)chromium(0) afforded Cr(CNR)6. Successive one-electron oxidations of Cr(CNR)6 with Ag+ produced the corresponding paramagnetic [Cr(CNR)6]+ and [Cr(CNR)6]2+. The compounds [Cr(CNR)6]0,1+,2+ (R = Fc, Cm) are remarkable due to the incorporati...
Fallibilism, Underdetermination, and Skepticism

Fallibilism about knowledge and justification is a widely held view in epistemology. In this paper. I will try to arrive at a proper formulation of fallibilism. Fallibilists often hold that Cartesian skepticism is a view that deserves to be taken seriously and dealt with somehow. I argue that it turns out that a canonical form of skeptical argument depends upon the denial of fallibilism. I conclude by considering a response on behalf of the skeptic.
Studies in organometallic rearrangements V. Substituent effects on the fluxional rearragements and isomerization of indenyl silanes and stannanes

Abstract The fluxional (metallotropic) rearrangements and isomerization (prototropic) reactions of a series of methyl substituted indenyl derivatives of silicon and tin have been examined. Methyl substitution at C(4) and C(7) on the six-membered ring was found to lower the activation energies for both processes whereas methyl substitution at C(2) on the five membered ring raises the activation energies, compared with the unsubstituted derivatives. The variation in free energies of activation based on substituent position occurs in a manner parallel to that predicated from consideration of the π-electron densities in the indenyl group.
Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability to Lactic Acid in the Newborn Dog: Lactate as a Cerebral Metabolic Fuel

The arteriovenous difference (A-V) method was utilized to assess the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to lactic acid in paralyzed and artificially ventilated newborn dogs. A femoral artery and the sagittal sinus were cannulated to sample arterial and cerebral venous blood simultaneously for measurements of glucose and lactate during normoglycemia, normoglycemia and hyperlactatemia insulin-induced hypoglycemia, or hypoglycemia and hyperlactatemia. During normoglycemia, arterial lactate concentrations remained less than 2 mmoles/liter for up to 2 h; mean A-V lactate was essentially zero. Arterial lactate increased up to 8 mmoles/liter during intravenous infusion of neutralized 10 mM L-lactic acid. During hyperlactatemia, the A-V lactate was directly proportional to the arterial concentration of the metabolite, a finding which is consistent with transport into brain either by simple diffusion or via a carrier with saturability greater than 8 simple diffusion or via a carrier with saturability greater than 8 mmoles/liter. During hypoglycemia (mean arterial glucose=27 mg/dl), A-V glucose was reduced by 71% with a significant increase in A-V lactate at an arterial lactate level of 1.3 mmoles/liter. Hyperlactatemia combined with hypoglycemia resulted in A-V lactate which was 2-3 fold greater than during normoglycemia at similar arterial lactate concentrations. Brain/blood lactate ratios declined by 83% during hypoglycemia compared with normoglycemic ratios, indicating that, once in brain, lactic acid was actively consumed for oxidative processes. These experimental observations may have clinical relevance in newborn human infants when concentrations of lactate in blood often approach or even exceed those of glucose.
Primogeniture, Equal Sharing, and the U.S. Distribution of Wealth

Bequest patterns to children are important in intergenerational models of the distribution of income and wealth. Economies that feature primogeniture will have a greater degree of inequality than those featuring equal division. This paper presents evidence on estate division among children by sex, birth order, family size, estate size, and asset composition. The results presented here are preference-generated not tax-induced due to the tax characteristics within the sampling region. It is shown that equal sharing among children is the rule, a result that casts doubt upon the "altruist" model of inheritance as advanced by Becker and Tomes.
Effectiveness of the bidirectional Glenn shunt procedure for volume unloading in the single ventricle patient

Abstract The decisions for timing and type of surgical intervention in patients with a single ventricle who have significant risk factors for poor Fontan outcome are a continuing challenge. Often, these patients may be deferred further surgical intervention for a prolonged period of time because of their risk factors. The bidirectional Glenn shunt has been shown to be a very useful staging procedure for such patients.1 It offers the benefit of providing flow to the pulmonary arteries without adding additional volume burden to the ventricle. In this study we retrospectively analyzed both the volume and mass changes that occur perioperatively when patients with single ventricle physiology undergo a bidirectional Glenn shunt procedure, as well as the effects of age, preoperative oxygen saturation, preoperative hemoglobin, atrioventricular valve regurgitation, and mild systemic outflow obstruction upon these changes.
Closing the larval loop: linking larval ecology to the population dynamics of marine benthic invertebrates

Abstract The majority of marine benthic invertebrates exhibit a complex life cycle that includes separate planktonic larval, and bottom-dwelling juvenile and adult phases. To understand and predict changes in the spatial and temporal distributions, abundances, population growth rate, and population structure of a species with such a complex life cycle, it is necessary to understand the relative importance of the physical, chemical and biological properties and processes that affect individuals within both the planktonic and benthic phases. To accomplish this goal, it is necessary to study both phases within a common, quantitative framework defined in terms of some common currency. This can be done efficiently through construction and evaluation of a population dynamics model that describes the complete life cycle. Two forms that such a model might assume are reviewed: a stage-based, population matrix model, and a model that specifies discrete stages of the population, on the bottom and in the water column, in terms of simultaneous differential equations that may be solved in both space and time. Terms to be incorporated in each type of model can be formulated to describe the critical properties and processes that can affect populations within each stage of the life cycle. For both types of model it is shown how this might be accomplished using an idealized balanomorph barnacle as an example species. The critical properties and processes that affect the planktonic and benthic phases are reviewed. For larvae, these include benthic adult fecundity and fertilization success, growth and larval stage duration, mortality, larval behavior, dispersal by currents and turbulence, and larval settlement. It is possible to predict or estimate empirically all of the key terms that should be built into the larval and benthic components of the model. Thus, the challenge of formulating and evaluating a full life cycle model is achievable. Development and evaluation of such a model will be challenging because of the diverse processes which must be considered, and because of the disparities in the spatial and temporal scales appropriate to the benthic and planktonic larval phases. In evaluating model predictions it is critical that sampling schemes be matched to the spatial and temporal scales of model resolution.
Atherectomy of the subclavian artery for patients with symptomatic coronary-subclavian steal syndrome

Abstract Objectives. This study addresses the efficacy of directional atherectomy in the subclavian artery for the relief of angina in patients with the coronary-subclavian steal syndrome. In addition, we review the histologic findings from the atherectomy specimens. Background. The coronary-subclavian steal syndrome may occur after internal mammary-coronary artery bypass grafting. It is due to a stenosis in the subclavian artery proximal to the origin of the internal mammary artery and causes frank ischemia to the area supplied by the graft. Currently, surgery is the corrective procedure of choice. Methods. In three patients with severe subclavian artery stenoses and unstable angina, directional atherectomy was performed using a peripheral atherectomy catheter through a percutaneous femoral approach. The patients ranged from 43 to 71 years of age and had undergone internal mammary-coronary artery bypass grafting 3 to 10 years previously. Each patient had severe peripheral vascular and cerebrovascular disease. Results. All three patients had immediate symptomatic relief after the atherectomy, and postprocedure exercise testing demonstrated improved cardiac function. Two patients remain asymptomatic at 7 and 8 months, respectively; the third patient developed unstable angina 9 months later because of severe restenosis that was again successfully treated with atherectomy. Histologic examination of the specimens revealed atherosclerotic plaque, occasionally with adventitia. The specimen from the repeat atherectomy snowed severe intimal hyperplasia. Conclusions. Directional atherectomy appears to be a safe and effective treatment for coronary-subclavian steal syndrome. This procedure may be the treatment of choice for patients in whom a vascular bypass operation is not feasible.
Palladium–Tin Alloyed Catalysts for the Ethanol Oxidation Reaction in an Alkaline Medium

In this paper, we present a study of a series of carbon-supported Pd–Sn binary alloyed catalysts prepared through a modified Polyol method as anode electrocatalysts for direct ethanol fuel cell reactions in an alkaline medium. Transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy equipped with electron energy loss spectroscopy were used to characterize the Pd–Sn/C catalysts, where homogeneous Pd–Sn alloys were determined to be present with the surface Sn being partially oxidized. Among various Pd–Sn catalysts, Pd86Sn14/C catalysts showed much enhanced current densities in cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperometric measurements, compared to commercial Pd/C (Johnson Matthey). The overall rate law of ethanol oxidation reaction for both Pd86Sn14/C and commercial Pd/C were also determined, which clearly showed that Pd86Sn14/C was more favorable in high ethanol concentration ...
Shadow Pricing in Economics

Economists are widely viewed by the general public as being committed to markets as a way of allocating resources and consequently to the use of market prices as a reflection of social value. This view has given economists a bad reputation in some circles; indeed, there is a cynical definition of an economist as someone who "knows the price of everything and the value of nothing." Whereas economists probably do as a group have more faith in markets than others, it certainly is not true that we equate price with value. We recognize many goods and services for which there are no markets (such as clean air, wildlife habitat, and fishing stocks) as having value. Furthermore, for some market-traded goods, we recognize that price is not a good measure of value due to the presence of externalities; for example, with electricity produced from the burning of coal that generates air pollution the price of electricity does not reflect the social cost imposed through pollution. However, even when market price is inadequate, we find it useful to work with a "price-like" concept in dealing with allocation problems. This is partly because good decision making requires a means of measuring the value of market and nonmarket goods in commensurate units. For example, in deciding whether or not to allow an additional coal-fired plant, we need to measure the cost of pollution in units comparable to the market value of energy. We refer to the cost per unit of pollution as a "shadow price." The determination of shadow prices is an inexact science on which there is an extensive literature. Because many of the ways of determining these values are discussed elsewhere in this volume, I will confine my remarks to a few generalities and one important example. In a democratic society, values used in public decision making should reflect values held by individual citizens. For many market-traded goods, we can argue that market prices are the right measures because individuals trade off at the mar-
Gonadal status influences developmental patterns of serum prolactin in female rhesus monkeys housed outdoors.

Although estradiol (E2) is thought to facilitate PRL secretion under certain conditions in female primates, the role of E2 or other ovarian products in the control of PRL secretion during puberty is unknown. The present study examined the influence of gonadal status on serum PRL levels in prepubertal monkeys housed in an outdoor environment. Basal levels of PRL were examined in three groups of spring-born females that were studied from 12 to 28 months of age (May 1982 to September 1983): gonadally intact (INT; n = 8), ovariectomized (OVX; n = 5), and ovariectomized and treated chronically with E2 (E2OVX; n = 5). All groups exhibited a significant annual rhythm in PRL levels with peaks (10-20 ng/ml) at 14 and 26 months (June to July) and a nadir (2 ng/ml) at 19 months (November to December). Basal PRL levels were significantly higher from 12 to 15 months (May to August) in E2OVX subjects, with OVX having significantly greater concentrations than INT females. Group differences were not evident during the pe...
Forthcoming Issue on Game Theory and Political Economy

Game theory offers a rigorous set of concepts, relationships, and models that invite myriad applications to problems of political economy. Indeed, game theory can serve as a fundamental modeling technique that can bridge microfoundations of political and economic exchanges, with developmental processes and macro implications related to growth and distribution. Applications can range from localized interactions within workplaces, firms, political organizations, and community groups; to intermediate-level market, industry, community, or inter-organizational transactions; to encompassing national, regional, population, or global interactions. At any of these levels, game models can illustrate strategic responses of economic or political actors (individuals or organizations) to specifiable conditions concerning any or all of the following: prevailing social context—notably informal institutions (such as social norms) and formal institutions (such as mutually understood laws and regulations); available information (complete or not; accessible or strategically manipulated); agents’ motivations (material and/or social); and even levels of rationality—substantive (full cognition) or bounded (limited cognition). Applicable models may operate on the basis of given institutional context and preference orientations or may explore associated developmental processes, including adaptive social learning. Of particular interest are representations of one or more of the myriad social dilemmas (or collective-action problems) that inhabit political economy, associated exercises or distributions of power, and/or representations of potential resolutions to such dilemmas—perhaps with policy implications. Accordingly, this forthcoming issue of Economies seeks game-theoretic models based on classical, evolutionary, behavioral, or epistemic game theory that can be applied to one or more problems in political economy. [...]
Analysis of pressure and pressure derivative without type-curve matching, 5. Horizontal well tests in naturally fractured reservoirs

Abstract Pressure transient analysis of horizontal wells penetrating naturally fractured reservoirs is a complicated and arduous task. That is, results from type-curve matching frequently suffer from nonuniqueness. Specialized plots (semilog or square root) are accurate but require individual plots for each identifiable flow regime. Subsequently, a new approach, known as direct synthesis , is proposed to overcome these problems. This method couples the characteristic points and lines from a log-log plot of pressure and pressure derivative data with the exact, analytical solution, resulting in simple equations to solve for the desired reservoir parameters. Two key naturally fractured parameters, storage coefficient (ω) and interporosity flow parameter (λ) are sought from the technique. Parametric analysis in dimensionless space illustrates the behavior of ω and λ and provides the basis for newly developed expressions relating these parameters to field data. Investigations show the timing of the transition period with respect to horizontal well flow regimes to be critical in the determination of the naturally fractured parameters. Several alternatives are illustrated along with the associated procedures for analysis. As a result of this work, direct synthesis simplifies evaluation of pressure tests in horizontal wells penetrating naturally fractured reservoirs, eliminates the trial-and-error approach of type-curve matching and has the advantages of being easily verifiable and applicable to incomplete pressure data. Examples are given to demonstrate the technique and accuracy.
The influence of sea water composition on the apparent constants of the carbonate system

Abstract The sea water model of Garrels and Thompson (1962) has been applied to estimate variations in the apparent constants of the carbonate system in sea water. Analyses show that for open ocean water, corrections are negligible (less than 1%);, whereas in interstitial water of marine sediments K 2 ′ and K sp ′ variations may reach ±10%. Experimental procedures used by some investigators to determine the solubility of CaCO 3 in sea water, may have resulted in erroneous values, due to deviation of tested solutions from the average composition of sea water. Values for solubility product of CaCO 3 in sea water of 19% Cl at 25°C given by MacIntyre (1965), are too high by at least 6%, as determined by the present analysis.
SU-E-T-407: Dosimetric Influence of Setup Errors On RapidArc-Based SRS for Simultaneous Irradiation of Multiple Intracranial Targets

Purpose: To evaluate the dosimetric influence of setup errors on RapidArc‐based SRS for simultaneous irradiation of multiple intracranial targets. Methods: Eight patients previously treated with RapidArc™ technique for multiple intracranial lesions were included in this study. A RapidArc plan was designed to irradiate multiple targets simultaneously with one isocenter and 4 non‐coplanar arcs. 1 mm margin was added to generate PTVs from GTVs. BrainLAB Novalis system was used to position the targets with 6D corrections and monitor patient position during treatment. CBCT was acquired for verification before irradiation. Velocity AI was used for image registration and dose mapping for CBCT, planning CT, contours and dose matrix. The DVHs of targets and critical structures and dose distributions were compared with the planned results and dosimetric influence from setup errors was analyzed. Results: We found that the translational errors were less than 1 mm in the three directions and rotational errors were less than 0.6 degree for all the patients. The overall PTV coverage decreases of ∼10 percent on average while the overall GTV coverage slightly influenced. Although prescribed dosed still covered most of GTVs, there were still some targets with a GTV coverage drop greater than 5 percent even with a 1 mm margin. Most of influenced targets were small targets and relatively far from isocenter. Our study also showed that the dosimetric influence on critical structures was negligible. Conclusions: Although RapidArc technique can generate good plans for effectively treating multiple intracranial lesions simultaneously using stereotactic radiosurgery, this technique is more susceptible to the setup errors, especially rotational errors. 0.5 degree rotational error may Result in non‐ignorable drop in target coverage. Our study show that a 1 mm margin for PTV and 6D positioning are necessary for a successful treatment with this technique.
Uptake of human pharmaceuticals and personal care products by cabbage (Brassica campestris) from fortified and biosolids-amended soils

Human pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are routinely found in biosolids from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Once land applied, the PPCPs in biosolids are potentially available for plant uptake and bioaccumulation. This study used a greenhouse model to investigate uptake of PPCPs commonly detected in biosolids by the agricultural plant Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris). Two series of greenhouse experiments were conducted as part of this project. In the first set of experiments, four pharmaceuticals were added to an organic matter-rich soil in environmentally relevant concentrations based on typical biosolids application rates, resulting in final soil concentrations of 2.6 ng g(-1) carbamazepine, 3.1 ng g(-1) sulfamethoxazole, 5.4 ng g(-1) salbutamol, and 0.5 ng g(-1) trimethoprim. In the second set of experiments, the cabbage was grown in soil amended with an agronomic rate of biosolids from a local WWTP. The ambient concentration of PPCPs in the biosolids resulted in final soil concentrations of 93.1 ng g(-1) carbamazepine, 67.4 ng g(-1) sulfamethoxazole, 30.3 ng g(-1) salbutamol, 433.7 ng g(-1) triclosan, and 24.7 ng g(-1) trimethoprim. After growing to maturity, the aerials of the plants were separated from roots and the two tissue types were analyzed separately. All four human pharmaceuticals were detected in both tissues in the cabbage grown in the soil fortified with the four pharmaceuticals with median concentrations of 255.4 ng g(-1) aerials and 272.9 ng g(-1) roots carbamazepine; 222.8 ng g(-1) aerials and 260.3 ng g(-1) roots sulfamethoxazole; 108.3 ng g(-1) aerials and 140.6 ng g(-1) roots salbutamol; and 20.6 ng g(-1) aerials and 53.7 ng g(-1) roots trimethoprim. Although all study compounds were present in the biosolids-amended planting soil, only carbamazepine (317.6 ng g(-1) aerials and 416.2 ng g(-1) roots), salbutamol (21.2 ng g(-1) aerials and 187.6 ng g(-1) roots), and triclosan (22.9 ng g(-1) aerials and 1220.1 ng g(-1) roots) were detected in the aerials of the cabbage. In addition to the study compounds detected in the aerials, sulfamethoxazole was detected in the roots of one of the plants in the biosolid-amended soil. In comparison to many previous studies that have utilized PPCP concentration that exceed environmentally relevant concentrations, plants in this study were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of the PPCPs, yet resulted in uptake concentrations similar to or greater than those reported in comparable studies. We suggest that rhizosphere conditions, particularly the presence of dissolved organic matter in the planting matrix, might be one of the critical factors determining mobilization and bioavailability of xenobiotic compounds such as PPCPs.
Adaptation and colonization history affect the evolution of clines in two introduced species

Summary • Phenotypic and genetic clines have long been synonymous with adaptive evolution. However, other processes (for example, migration, range expansion, invasion) may generate clines in traits or loci across geographical and environmental gradients. It is therefore important to distinguish between clines that represent adaptive evolution and those that result from selectively neutral demographic or genetic processes. • We tested for the differentiation of phenotypic traits along environmental gradients using two species in the genus Silene, whilst statistically controlling for colonization history and founder effects. We sampled seed families from across the native and introduced ranges, genotyped individuals and estimated phenotypic differentiation in replicated common gardens. • The results suggest that post-glacial expansion of S. vulgaris and S. latifolia involved both neutral and adaptive genetic differentiation (clines) of life history traits along major axes of environmental variation in Europe and North America. Phenotypic clines generally persisted when tested against the neutral expectation, although some clines disappeared (and one cline emerged) when the effects of genetic ancestry were statistically removed. • Colonization history, estimated using genetic markers, is a useful null model for tests of adaptive trait divergence, especially during range expansion and invasion when selection and gene flow may not have reached equilibrium.
Acoustic plasma modes

For a two-component Fermion system the coupled Boltzmann equations are solved for the eigenvalues of the collective modes. Exchange and correlation are taken into account. We find three acoustic plasma modes, one of which is strongly Landau damped by both the light mass (m/sub 1/) and the heavy mass (m/sub 2/) particles. The two other modes are damped only the the m/sub 1/ system; their ''sound'' velocities depend on two parameters: m/sub 2//m/sub 1/ and r/sub s/ (the usual electron spacing parameter for system 1). In the high-density limit, r/sub s/ = 0, these two modes exist whenever m/sub 2//m/sub 1/>2.25. One of the two modes is the well-known Froehlich mode, and the other is a low-Q mode. Its sound velocity is approx.0.8v/sub F/1 (Fermi velocity of system 1). The effect of exchange and correlation are to substantially reduce the frequency of the Froehlich mode; the low-Q mode is practically unaffected. The Landau damping of the two modes depends strongly on m/sub 2//m/sub 1/ and r/sub s/.
Light propagation in a background field for time–space non-commutativity and axionic non-commutative QED

Abstract We study the low-energy effects of space–time non-commutativity on light propagation in a background electromagnetic field. Contrary to some of the previous claims, we find no polarization rotation for vanishing time–space commutator [ x ˆ i , x ˆ 0 ] = 0 , although dispersion relation is modified, allowing for propagation faster than the vacuum speed of light. For non-zero [ x ˆ i , x ˆ 0 ] , as allowed with a proper quantization, a naive rotation effect is found to be actually absent when physical fields are defined through Seiberg–Witten map. We also consider non-commutative QED weakly coupled to small mass particles such as axions. Non-commutativity is found to dominate the inverse oscillation length, compared to axion mass and QED effects, for mixing particle masses smaller than 10 −12 eV . Conventional constraints on axion coupling based on photon–axion transition rates are unmodified, however induced ellipticity is proportional to the non-commutativity squared length scale. This last effect is found to be too small to account for the ellipticity reported by the PVLAS experiment, yet unexplained by conventional QED or axion physics.
The Weitzenböck connection and time reparameterization in nonholonomic mechanics

We show that the torsion of the Weitzenbock connection is responsible for the fictitious pseudogyroscopic force experienced by a general mechanical system in a noncoordinate moving frame. In particular, we show that for the class of mechanical systems subjected to nonintegrable constraints known as non-abelian nonholonomic Chaplygin systems, the constraint reaction force directly depends on this torsion. For these Chaplygin systems, we show how this torsional force can in some cases be removed by an appropriate choice of frame depending on a multiplier f(q), linking these results to the process of Chaplygin Hamiltonization through time reparameterization. Lastly, we show that the cyclic symmetries of f in some cases lead to the existence of momentum conservation laws for the original nonholonomic system and illustrate the results through several examples.
52: Serum concentrations of TSH, T4 and T3 in fullterm, preterm and small-for-gestational age newborns

A total number of 103 fullterm (FT), 47 small-for-gestational age (SGA) and 35 preterm (PT) babies were studied from day 1–8 after birth. In FT a surge of TSH was invariably seen, followed by a decrease until normal adult levels were reached on day 2–4 after birth. Serum T4 and -T3, concentrations were higher than in adults, significantly correlated and decreased by 30 and 40% respectively from day 2 to 8 after delivery. In SGA the postnatal TSH hypersecretion was more variable. Serum T4 and -T3, concentrations were significantly correlated and lower than in FT. Serum T4 decreased insignificantly and serum T3 seemed to increase during the first week of life. In PT the postnatal TSH increase was highly variably. Serum T4 and -T3 were lower than in FT and did not change significantly during tne study period; serum T3 tended to increase. Birth weight as well as gestational age were correlated with the thyroid hormone concentrations. In babies with gestational age of more than 34–36 weeks normal serum T4 and T3 concentrations were often observed. It is concluded that the postnatal pituitary-thyroid hyperfunction may be subnormal in SGA and PT babies. If serum TSH concentration is not measured in screening for congenital hypothyroidism these babies may appear as false positives.
Steady-state superradiance with alkaline-earth-metal atoms

Alkaline-earth-metal-like atoms with ultranarrow transitions open the door to a new regime of cavity quantum electrodynamics. That regime is characterized by a critical photon number that is many orders of magnitude smaller than what can be achieved in conventional systems. We show that it is possible to achieve superradiance in steady state with such systems. We discuss the basic underlying mechanisms as well as the key experimental requirements.
Protein and electrolyte content of retroperitoneal suction drainage after radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy

Abstract Suction drainage of the retroperitoneal space after radical hysterectomy can be achieved with minimal protein and electrolyte losses. Losses sustained have been replaced and in no patient was there marked electrolyte or protein imbalance.
Limitations to soybean photosynthesis at elevated carbon dioxide in free-air enrichment and open top chamber systems.

Abstract It has been suggested that the stimulation of soybean photosynthesis by elevated CO2 was less in free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) systems than in open top chambers (OTC), which might explain smaller yield increases at elevated CO2 in FACE systems. However, this has not been tested using the same cultivars grown in the same location. I tested whether soybean photosynthesis at high light and elevated CO2 (ambient + 180 μmol mol−1) was limited by electron transport (J) in FACE systems but by ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylation capacity (VCmax) in OTC. FACE systems with daytime and continuous CO2 enrichment were also compared. The results indicated that in both cultivars examined, midday photosynthesis at high light was always limited by VCmax, both in the FACE and in the OTC systems. Daytime only CO2 enrichment did not affect photosynthetic parameters or limitations, but did result in significantly smaller yields in both cultivars than continuous elevation. Photosynthesis measured at low photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was not higher at elevated than at ambient CO2, because of an acclimation to elevated CO2 which was only evident at low measurement PPFDs.
Enhancing and suppressive effects of macrophages on T-lymphocyte stimulation in vitro.

Abstract The immunoregulatory effect of peritoneal and splenic macrophages on Con A-stimulated mouse splenic T lymphocytes was investigated in vitro using [125I]UdR incorporation as a measure of lymphocyte proliferation. [125I]UdR incorporation was enhanced by the addition of increasing numbers of splenic or low doses of peritoneal adherent cells to macrophagedepleted splenic lymphocytes. The addition of increasing numbers of peritoneal macrophages beyond 5–10%, however, proportionally suppressed T-cell proliferation. Activated splenic macrophages obtained from mice 6 days after infection with Listeria monocytogenes were suppressive, whereas macrophages obtained from immune donors 9–10 days after infection were not, so that a chronological association appeared to exist between macrophage activation and immunosuppression. The addition of 2-mercaptoethanol to the cell cultures increased [125I]UdR incorporation without affecting the stimulatory and suppressive effects of splenic and peritoneal macrophages, respectively. Heat-killed and freeze-thawed macrophages lost their capacity to enhance or inhibit lymphocyte transformation. Macrophages treated with mitomycin C to inhibit DNA synthesis retained their regulatory functions. These studies suggest differential regulatory roles for spleen versus peritoneal macrophages on T-lymphocyte responses to Con A stimulation in vitro.
Chemical and biological properties of the subunits of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin

Abstract The two subunits (α and β) of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin have been dissociated and partially characterized. Recombination of the biologically inactive subunits results in the restoration of both the follicle stimulating and leuteinizing activities of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin. In addition, the α subunit of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin can be combined with the β subunit of either ovine luteinizing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin, or follicle stimulating hormone with generation of the specific activity expected of the β subunit.
Calcium-dependent fusion of the plasma membrane fraction from human neutrophils with liposomes

A cell-free assay monitoring lipid mixing was used to investigate the role of Ca2+ in neutrophil membrane-liposome fusion. Micromolar concentrations of Ca2+ were found to directly stimulate fusion of inside-out neutrophil plasma membrane enriched fractions (from neutrophils subjected to nitrogen cavitation) with liposomes (phosphatidylethanolamine:phosphatidic acid, 4:1 molar ratio). In contrast, right-side-out plasma membranes and granule membranes did not fuse with liposomes in the presence of Ca2+. Similar results were obtained with two different lipid mixing assays. Fusion of the neutrophil plasma membrane-enriched fraction with liposomes was dependent upon the concentration of Ca2+, with threshold and 50% maximal rate of fusion occurring at 2 microM and 50 microM, respectively. Furthermore, the fusion was highly specific for Ca2+; other divalent cations such as Ba2+, Mg2+ and Sr2+ promoted fusion only at millimolar concentrations. Red blood cell (RBC) membranes were used in control studies. Ca2(+)-dependent fusion did not occur between right-side-out or inside-out RBC-vesicles and liposomes. However, if the RBC-vesicles were exposed to conditions which depleted spectrin (i.e., low salt), then Ca2(+)-dependent fusion was detected. Other quantitative differences between neutrophil and RBC membranes were found; fusion of liposomes with RBC membranes was most readily achieved with La3+ while neutrophil membrane-liposome fusion was most readily obtained with Ca2+. Furthermore, GTP gamma S was found to enhance Ca2(+)-dependent fusion between liposomes and neutrophil plasma membranes, but not RBC membranes. These studies show that plasma membranes (enriched fractions) from neutrophils are readily capable of fusing with artificial lipid membranes in the presence of micromolar concentrations of Ca2+.
Futures trading and fuel adjustment clauses

Despite many criticisms and potential problems, wide-spread and, in many cases, long-standing use of fuel adjustment clauses (FACs) continues. This paper proposes replacing use of the FAC mechanism with permission to allow the utility to hedge its fuel price risk(s) in the futures markets. By pursuing a hedging strategy, the utility can achieve higher welfare, while shifting price change risk to speculators in the futures market, provided certain conditions are met. By efficiently transferring risk to speculators, the utility can improve the welfare levels of ratepayers. Thus, the use of futures trading may provide a Pareto improvement over the use of an FAC.
DRUG INDUCED PERICARDIAL TAMPONADE

Pericardial disease can be challenging. Both the immediate presentation as well as the etiology of effusion itself can be a challenge. Certain drugs are responsible for the disease, but diagnoses of drug induced pericardial disease are not always made with certainty. We describe a case of
Cloning, Expression, Sequence Analysis, and Site-directed Mutagenesis of the Tn5306-encoded N5-(Carboxyethyl)ornithine Synthase from Lactococcus lactis K1

Abstract The gene (ceo) encoding N5-(carboxyethyl)ornithine synthase (EC 1.5.1.24) has been isolated from the sucrose-nisin transposon Tn5306 of Lactococcus lactis K1, sequenced, and expressed at high level in Escherichia coli. The cloned enzyme has allowed the synthesis of the novel Nω-carboxypropyl amino acids N5-(1-carboxypropyl)-L-ornithine and N6-(1-carboxypropyl)-L-lysine. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of N5-(1-carboxyethyl)-L-ornithine synthase (Mr = 35,323) to the functionally analogous octopine and nopaline synthases from crown gall tumors showed surprisingly little similarity. However, N5-(1-carboxyethyl)-L-ornithine synthase and yeast saccharopine dehydrogenase exhibit homology at their N and C termini, which suggests that these two proteins constitute a distinct branch of the amino acid dehydrogenase superfamily. A centrally located 9-amino acid segment (GSGNVAQGA) in N5-(1-carboxyethyl)-L-ornithine synthase is virtually identical with a sequence present in the βαβ-fold of the nucleotide binding domain of several microbial NADPH-dependent glutamate dehydrogenases. A much longer sequence of ∼80 residues has significant similarity to alanine dehydrogenase. Substitution of arginine 15 of N5-(1-carboxyethyl)-L-ornithine synthase by lysine resulted in loss of enzyme activity.
Technological relatedness, boundary-spanning combination of knowledge and the impact of innovation: Evidence of an inverted-U relationship

Abstract Our paper proposes that corporate technological relatedness, or the degree to which business units within a corporation utilize similar technological knowledge, has both positive and negative effects on corporate R&D activities. On the one hand, business units that employ similar technological knowledge have better absorptive capacity to source knowledge from each other. On the other hand, a higher level of technological relatedness means that each business unit possesses fewer opportunities to gain new knowledge not known to other units, thus promoting path dependence to each other. Using a patent data analysis of 201 firms in R&D-intensive industries, we examine the effects of corporate technological relatedness on within-firm knowledge flow, boundary-spanning combinations of prior knowledge, and innovation impacts.
Electrostatic Effects of the Ion Atmosphere on Nucleosome Core Particle Interactions

Nucleosome-nucleosome attraction is known to be a vital aspect of chromatin compaction. The attraction is primarily electrostatic and is affected by the addition of divalent (or higher valence) ions. The specific mechanisms of this compaction, however, have yet to be determined. In particular there has been recent debate about the role of the nucleosome tails in nucleosome-nucleosome attraction. using buffer equilibrium atomic emission spectroscopy, we have determined the ion composition of the nucleosome in both wildtype and tail-modified mutants under a variety of ionic conditions. These data, when compared to atomic-scale Poisson-Boltzmann equation predictions, will shed light on the electrostatic and tail effects that drive inter-nucleosome interactions in solution.
Peri-urbanism in Globalizing China: A Critique

(2006). Peri-urbanism in Globalizing China: A Critique. Eurasian Geography and Economics: Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 54-57.