cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The helium ion-induced fission of enriched isotopes of mercury and tungsten at moderate bombarding energies

This represents the final experimental results of a series of investigations over the past 12 years concerning the charged particle induced fission of isotopes below polonium on the periodic chart. Again, as before, the bombarding particles were 41 and 65 MeV helium and the targets in this case were enriched isotopes of mercury and tungsten. The total fission cross sections (σf) for the mercury isotopes 198, 199, 200, 201, 202 and 204 at the bombarding energy of 41 MeV were 265, 315, 365, 164, 85.7 and 73.1 microbarns (μb) respectively. A single determination of the fission cross sections at 65 MeV for198Hg and199Hg were 37,800 and 25,200 μb respectively. These results as well as the widths at half maximum (W1/2) of the fission fragment mass distribution curve were consistent with the previous trends and were approx. 20 a.m.u.±1 a.m.u. The values of the ρf of the 41 MeV helium ion-induced fission of isotopes 182, 183, 184 and 186 of tungsten were estimated to be 0.56, 0.90, 0.47 and 0.27 μb respectively.
Observations of the effects of temperature and crystallographic orientation on surface segregation in an Fe-Si-Sn-C alloy

Auger electron spectroscopy was used to study segregation of Group IVB solutes to the surfaces of individual grains of a poly crystalline Fe-3.1 pct Si-0.06 pct Sn-0.004 pct C alloy heated in UHV. As the temperature was increased C, Si, and finally Sn segregate in that order, consistent with their diffusivities in Fe, each succeeding element expelling the preceding from the surface. The interactions between C and Si and between Si and Sn appear to be strongly repulsive, while the interaction between C and Sn appears weak; this is discussed in terms of a size effect. The segregation behavior of each element depends on the crystallographic orientation of the surface; C and Sn seem to follow similar patterns, while Si behaves somewhat differently.
Absence of luminal intrinsic factor after gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity.

Abnormally low serum cobalamin levels (<180 pg/ml) have been observed in 154 of 429 patients (36%) at an average of 22 months (range 3–64 months) after gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity. Twenty-four patients underwent a Schilling test and retrograde endoscopy of the bypassed gastric segment to determine the presence of intrinsic factor (IF) in gastric aspirates and in mucosal biopsies at 22±4 months after surgery. Five patients had a normal cobalamin level (405±44 pg/ml), and gastric juice intrinsic factor was present in three of them (11±7 ng/ml). Nineteen patients had a low cobalamin level (113±8 pg/ml), and gastric juice IF was found in only two subjects of this group (10 ng/ml each). Basal gastric juice IF concentration of healthy control subjects was 24±5 ng/ml. Schilling test results were normal in all five patients of the first group and in only nine patients of the group with cobalamin deficiency after surgery. To assess whether IF was present within the parietal cells of subjects with absent luminal IF, we studied gastric biopsy material of 14 patients using a well-characterized indirect immunoperoxidase method. IF was identified in fundic mucosal biopsy specimens of all 14 patients with absent gastric juice IF. We conclude that cobalamin deficiency occurs in a significant number of patients after gastric bypass and is associated with absence of gastric juice IF. We propose that this abnormality might be caused by inadequate secretion of IF from the bypassed stomach.
Dietary complementation by wild birds: Considerations for field studies

Free-living birds must satisfy fluctuating nutrient requirements in diverse and varying environments. Ingesting nutritionally complementary foods may be the most effective means by which wild birds match nutrient ingestion and nutrient needs. Dietary complementation may occur fortuitously when foods chosen in response to non-nutritive factors (e.g. competition, predation risk, food colour), or on the basis of energy density, also fulfill specific nutrient needs (passive dietary complementation). In some environments, especially during productive phases (e.g. reproduction), free-living birds may rely on nutrient appetites to ensure their choice of foods satisfies their nutrient needs (active dietary complementation). Meeting nutrient needs through dietary complementation can be facilitated, complicated, or impeded by any of several environmental or organism determinants of food choice. Nutrient appetites, exogenous food stores, and endogenous nutrient stores are three organismal determinants that are probably the most important in facilitating dietary complementation.
The Proportion of NUC Pre-56 Titles Represented in the RLIN and OCLC Databases Compared: A Follow-up to the Beall/Kafadar Study

This article replicates a previous study that investigated the proportion of bibliographic records from the National Union Catalog Pre-1956 Imprints in the OCLC WorldCat database and expands it to search a similar-sized sample of records in the RLIN database as well. The author seeks to determine the impact that the merger of the RLIN and OCLC databases will have on the ability to locate catalog records for older materials, and whether there are still significant numbers of library materials for which there are no online bibliographic records. Entries for non-Roman language materials were not included in the study.
A method for in silico identification of SNAIL/SLUG DNA binding potentials to the E-box sequence using molecular dynamics and evolutionary conserved amino acids

Binding of transcription factors to DNA is a dynamic process allowing for spatial- and sequence-specificity. Many methods for determination of DNA–protein structures do not allow for identification of dynamics of the search process, but provide only a single snapshot of the most stable binding. In order to better understand the dynamics of DNA binding as a protein encounters its cognate site, we have created a computer-based DNA scanning array macro that sequentially inserts a high affinity DNA consensus binding site at all possible locations in a predicted protein–DNA interface. We show, using short molecular dynamic simulations at each location in the interface, that energy minimized states and decreased movement of evolutionary conserved amino acids can be readily observed and used to predict the consensus binding site. The macro was applied to SNAIL class C2H2 zinc finger family proteins. The analysis suggests that (1) SNAIL binds to the E-box in multiple states during its encounter with its cognate site; (2) several different amino acids contribute to the E-box binding in each state; (3) the linear array of zinc fingers contributes differentially to overall folding and base-pair recognition; and (4) each finger may be specialized for stability and sequence specificity. Moreover, the macromolecular movement observed using this dynamic approach may allow the NH2-terminal finger to bind without sequence specificity yet result in higher binding energy. This macro and overall approach could be applicable to many evolutionary conserved transcription factor families and should help to better elucidate the varied mechanisms used for DNA sequence-specific binding.
Comparison of methanol-based fuel processors for PEM fuel cell systems

Abstract The deployment of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells requires efficient conversion of fuels to hydrogen in distributed facilities. Methanol is often considered as a fuel source because it is stored as a liquid and can be reformed to hydrogen at relatively mild conditions. We have compared steam reforming (SR), autothermal reforming (ATR), and ATR membrane reactor based fuel processors using a commercial CuO/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 catalyst. In our approach, we first optimize the flowsheet and identify reaction conditions that maximize overall system efficiency. Reaction kinetics and heat transfer are then incorporated into the process efficiency analysis as well as volume requirements for each fuel processor. We show that the SR and ATR fuel processors coupled with a PEM fuel cell achieve about 50% overall efficiency (LHV basis), with roughly equal fuel processor volumes of about 29 and 22 liters for 50 kW net power generation, respectively. The ATR fuel processor requires distributed air injection in order to avoid overheating the copper catalyst and the formation of excessive CO. The ATR membrane reactor combines the same features with hydrogen removal in the reforming section of the reactor. The main benefit of the ATR membrane reactor is a reduction of the fuel processor volume to 13 liters, at the expense of a more complex steam system and a small reduction in overall efficiency.
EXPRESSING GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE IN CHILDREN

We have reviewed the studies that provide the current standards of reference for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in normal children from 14 days to 12 years of postnatal age. These standards currently are presented as ml/min per 1.73 m2, i.e., adjusted to average adult body surface area. Children from birth to 1 year of age have adjusted values below the adult range, making comparisons of observed to reference values difficult. Currently, there is no accepted way of obtaining reference values that vary smoothly with age. An analysis of the absolute GFR values in normal children taken from published studies led to an equation that estimates average GFR in relation to weight and term-adjusted age from-2 months (7 months gestational age) to 12 years in children at least 14 days post delivery. When these data are transformed to percentage of normal (% nl) for age and weight (i.e., percentage of the estimated average), it is possible to describe approximate apparent lower limits of normal GFR as is now done for adults and older children. For children with loss of renal mass, GFR expressed as % nl for age and weight provides a convenient standardization which has several useful applications. First, results expressed as % nl for children of different ages, particularly under 1 year of age, can be combined with those of older children for summary purposes. Second, the course of GFR measured serially in children is more appropriately described using this method for expressing GFR. Reporting GFR in absolute values is also useful, particularly in patients whose body mass is significantly distorted or whose absolute GFR is low.
Identification of N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-4-azobiphenyl by 32P-postlabeling analyses of DNA in human uroepithelial cells exposed to proximate metabolites of the environmental carcinogen 4-aminobiphenyl

DNA adducts formed in human uroepithelial cells (HUC) following exposure to N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl (N-OH-ABP), the proximate metabolite of the human bladder carcinogen 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP), were analyzed by the 32P-postlabeling method. Two adducts detected by 32P-postlabeling were previously identified as the 3′,5′-bisphospho derivatives of N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-4-aminobiphenyl (dG-C8-ABP) and N-(deoxyadenosin-8-yl)-4-aminobiphenyl (dA-C8-ABP) (Frederickson S et al. [1992] Carcinogenesis 13: 955–961; Hatcher and Swaminathan [1995b] Carcinogenesis 16: 295–301). In contrast to the dG-C8-ABP adduct, which was 3′-dephosphorylated by nuclease P1, dA-C8-ABP was resistant to nuclease P1, thus providing an enrichment step before postlabeling. Autoradiography of the two-dimensional thin-layer chromatogram of the postlabeled products obtained following nuclease P1 digestion revealed several minor adducts, one of which has been identified in the present study. Postlabeling analyses following nuclease P1 digestion of the products obtained from the reaction of N-acetoxy-4-aminobiphenyl with deoxyguanosine-3′-monophosphate (dGp) demonstrated the presence of this minor adduct. The 3′-monophosphate derivative of the adduct was subsequently chromatographically purified and subjected to spectroscopic analyses. Based on proton NMR and mass spectroscopic analyses of the synthetic product, the chemical structure of the adduct has been identified as N-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-4-azobiphenyl (dG-NN-ABP). 32P-Postlabeling analysis of the nuclease P1–enriched DNA hydrolysate of HUCs treated with N-OH-ABP or N-hydroxy-4-acetylaminobiphenyl (N-OH-AABP) showed the presence of the dG-NN-ABP adduct. It was also detected in calf thymus DNA incubated with HUC cytosol and N-OH-ABP in the presence of acetyl-CoA, or incubated with HUC microsomes and N-OH-AABP. These results demonstrate that in the target cells for ABP carcinogenesis in vivo, N-OH-ABP and N-OH-AABP are bioactivated by acyltransferases to reactive arylnitrenium ions that covalently interact at the N2 position of deoxyguanosine in DNA. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 39:314–322, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cellular ADP-ribosylation of elongation factor 2.

A cellular ADP-ribosyltransferase activity has been found in a variety of animals and tissues. The enzyme transfers ADP-ribose from NAD to elongation factor 2, inactivating the factor and thus inhibiting in vitro protein synthesis. Although, the mechanism of action of the cellular enzyme appears similar to diphtheria toxin and Pseudomonas exotoxin A, it differs from the toxins in that only a fraction of the EF-2 pool is modified. The endogenously ADP-ribosylated EF-2 has been detected by a variety of methods including two-dimensional electrophoresis and immunoprecipitation with elongation factor 2 antibody. The nature of the cellular ADP-ribosyltransferase and its physiological significance are unknown. (Mol Cell Biochem 138: 131–133, 1994)
Discontinuous Galerkin method for hyperbolic equations involving $$\delta $$-singularities: negative-order norm error estimates and applications

In this paper, we develop and analyze discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods to solve hyperbolic equations involving $$\delta $$ -singularities. Negative-order norm error estimates for the accuracy of DG approximations to $$\delta $$ -singularities are investigated. We first consider linear hyperbolic conservation laws in one space dimension with singular initial data. We prove that, by using piecewise $$k$$ th degree polynomials, at time $$t$$ , the error in the $$H^{-(k+2)}$$ norm over the whole domain is $$(k+1/2)$$ th order, and the error in the $$H^{-(k+1)}(\mathbb R \backslash \mathcal R _t)$$ norm is $$(2k+1)$$ th order, where $$\mathcal R _t$$ is the pollution region due to the initial singularity with the width of order $$\mathcal O (h^{1/2} \log (1/h))$$ and $$h$$ is the maximum cell length. As an application of the negative-order norm error estimates, we convolve the numerical solution with a suitable kernel which is a linear combination of B-splines, to obtain $$L^2$$ error estimate of $$(2k+1)$$ th order for the post-processed solution. Moreover, we also obtain high order superconvergence error estimates for linear hyperbolic conservation laws with singular source terms by applying Duhamel's principle. Numerical examples including an acoustic equation and the nonlinear rendez-vous algorithms are given to demonstrate the good performance of DG methods for solving hyperbolic equations involving $$\delta $$ -singularities.
Juvenile pancreatic atrophy in Greyhounds: 12 cases (1995-2000).

Background: This study describes compound failure of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas in Greyhounds, a condition that has not been reported in the veterinary literature. Objective: To describe the clinical and pathologic findings in 12 Greyhounds with juvenile pancreatic atrophy. Animals: Ten Greyhounds presented for necropsy examination and 2 sibling Greyhounds presented for clinical evaluation before necropsy, all with a history of small-bowel diarrhea. Procedures: Retrospective study of laboratory and pathologic findings in 12 Greyhounds, including serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity assays, oral glucose tolerance testing, and serum anti-insulin antibody concentrations. Results: Gross pancreatic atrophy was found in all 12 dogs. Histopathologic lesions were found in both the endocrine and exocrine pancreas and included acinar cell apoptosis, zymogen granule loss, cytoplasmic clearing or vacuolar change, lobular atrophy, islet loss, and lymphocytic or lymphoplasmacytic pancreatitis. Antemortem test results on the 2 Greyhound puppies indicated concurrent exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Compound failure of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas is rarely reported in dogs and neither disease is well recognized in the Greyhound. This condition is of potential economic importance to the Greyhound racing industry.
Lower Silurian animal communities — three case histories

A temporal succession of three marine animal communities of early Silurian age is described from the Midland Valley of Scotland. These formed part of an offshore onshore series of communities developed on the platform of a prograding delta under regressive tectonic conditions. All three communities were trophically structured in the same way as their modern analogues. In the earliest (isorthid-Glassia) community filterers and collectors were dominant; the absence of swallowers is attributable to the nature of the substrate. Soft-bodied swallowers, revealed only by their network of fine burrows, dominated the succeeding (Skenidioides-Dicaelosia) community. Filterers, which so dominated the hard-bodied fauna, were of only secondary importance: they lived clustered together in small aggregations, the sediments around which were reworked by the swallowers. A major fall of volcanic ash followed by an increase in the variability of the physical environment resulted in the abrupt replacement of this community by the Eoplectodonta-Visbyella community. Filterers were again dominant, with collectors subordinate; swallowers were comparatively rare.
Working at a Joint-Use Library

The St. Lucie West Library, also known as the FAU Treasure Coast Campus Library, is a joint-use library facility, with Florida Atlantic University partnering with Indian River Community College and the St. Lucie County (FL) Library System. This article will discuss the circulation, course reserves, interlibrary loan, and collection management services of the three partners, as well as the training of new employees in this joint-use venture and the methods of managing the St. Lucie West Library. A list of suggestions for improving present and future joint-use libraries is included.
Exclusion processes with avalanches.

In an exclusion process with avalanches, when a particle hops to a neighboring empty site which is adjacent to an island the particle on the other end of the island immediately hops, and if it joins another island this triggers another hop. There are no restrictions on the length of the islands and the duration of the avalanche. This process is well defined in the low-density region $\ensuremath{\rho}l\frac{1}{2}$. We describe the nature of steady states (on a ring) and determine all correlation functions. For the asymmetric version of the process, we compute the steady state current, and we describe shock and rarefaction waves which arise in the evolution of the step-function initial profile. For the symmetric version, we determine the diffusion coefficient and examine the evolution of a tagged particle.
Highlighting: a mechanism relevant for word learning

What we attend to at any moment determines what we learn at that moment, and this also depends on our past learning. This focused conceptual paper concentrates on a single well-documented attention mechanism—highlighting. This phenomenon—well studied in nonlinguistic but not in linguistic contexts—should be highly relevant to language learning because it is a process that (1) specifically protects past learning from being disrupted by new (and potentially spurious) associations in the learning environment, and (2) strongly constrains new learning to new information. Within the language-learning context, highlighting may disambiguate ambiguous references and may be related to processes of lexical competition that are known to be critical to on-line sentence comprehension. The main sections of the paper will address (1) the highlighting phenomenon in the literature; (2) its relevancy to language learning; (3) the highlighting effect in children; (4) developmental studies concerning the effect in different contexts; and (5) a developmental mechanism for highlighting in language learning.
The comparative structure, properties, and ionic conductivity of LiI + Li2S + GeS2 glasses doped with Ga2S3 and La2S3

Abstract The well known and characterized fast ion conducting (FIC) LiI + Li 2 S + GeS 2 glass-forming system has been further optimized for higher ionic conductivity and improved thermal and chemical stability required for next generation solid electrolyte applications by doping with Ga 2 S 3 and La 2 S 3 . These trivalent dopants are expected to eliminate terminal and non-bridging sulfur (NBS) anions thereby increasing the network connectivity while at the same time increasing the Li + ion conductivity by creating lower basicity [(Ga or La)S 4/2 ] − anion sites. Consistent with the finding that the glass-forming range for the Ga 2 S 3 doped compositions is larger than that for the La 2 S 3 compositions, the addition of Ga 2 S 3 is found to eliminate NBS units to create bridging sulfur (BS) units that not only gives an improvement to the thermal stability, but also maintains and in some cases increases the ionic conductivity. The compositions with the highest Ga 2 S 3 content showed the highest T g s of ∼325 °C. The addition of La 2 S 3 to the base glasses, by comparison, is found to create NBS by forming high coordination octahedral LaS 6 3− sites, but yet still improved the chemical stability of the glass in dry air and retained its high ionic conductivity and thermal stability. Significantly, at comparable concentrations of Li 2 S and Ga 2 S 3 or La 2 S 3 , the La 2 S 3 -doped glasses showed the higher conductivities. The addition of the LiI to the glass compositions not only improved the glass-forming ability of the compositions, but also increased the ionic conductivity glasses. LiI concentrations from 0 to 40 mol% improved the conductivities of the Ga 2 S 3 glasses from ∼10 −5 to ∼10 −3 (Ω cm) −1 and of the La 2 S 3 glasses from ∼10 −4 to ∼10 −3 (Ω cm) −1 at room temperature. A maximum conductivity of ∼10 −3 (Ω cm) −1 at room temperature was observed for all of the glasses and this value is comparable to some of the best Li ion conductors in a sulfide glass system. Yet these new compositions are markedly more thermally and chemically stable than most Li + ion conducting sulfide glasses. LiI additions decreased the T g s and T c s of the glasses, but increased the stability towards crystallization ( T c − T g ).
Simple calculations of fluid flow across jointed cataclastic deformation bands

Abstract Cataclastic deformation bands in porous sandstones present a potentially significant barrier or baffle to fluid flow because the bands form in complex networks of laterally extensive, tabular zones with permeability up to several orders of magnitude less than that of the sandstone host rock. Previous work suggests that in some geologic settings cataclastic deformation bands become systematically jointed in the subsurface. Calculations presented here demonstrate that under most realistic circumstances, volumetric flow rate across a jointed deformation band can equal or exceed discharge through an equivalent volume of host sandstone. Results indicate that jointed deformation bands are not significant barriers or baffles to fluid movement.
Dislocation and twin interactions with polytwin interfacesin L10-ordered FePd

Abstract The frequent polytwin (PT) interfaces present in L10-phases after appropriate heat treatments strongly influence the properties and behavior of this interesting class of intermetallics. The interactions of dislocation glide and twinning with the PT-interfaces has been studied through crystallographic and geometric analyses for {101}-conjugated PT-L10-phases. The most suitable boundary reactions for the shear transfer of hard dislocation glide and microtwinning across {101}-conjugated PT-interfaces in L10-phases have been determined. Defect-interface interactions in lightly deformed PT-FePd, which exhibits {101}-conjugated PT-interfaces, have been documented by experimental observations using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A model for the defect-interface interactions in PT-FePd, based on the most suitable boundary reactions identified through theoretical analyses, has been proposed and is consistent with the experimental TEM observations. This model enables a micro-mechanism based rationalization of the plastic flow behavior typical of polycrystalline PT-FePd. Defect-interface interactions in PT-L10-FePd and their role for the deformation behavior have been discussed.
Realism, functions, and the a priori: Ernst Cassirer's philosophy of science.

Abstract This paper presents the main ideas of Cassirer's general philosophy of science, focusing on the two aspects of his thought that—in addition to being the most central ideas in his philosophy of science—have received the most attention from contemporary philosophers of science: his theory of the a priori aspects of physical theory, and his relation to scientific realism.
Tandem tip fracture: a rare complication of intracavitary therapy of cervix cancer and how to avoid its occurrence

A case is described in which the distal tip of a tandem fractured off in a patient's uterus during an intracavitary application of a tandem and ovoids. Potential contributing factors are evaluated. Methods to prevent and detect structural defects in tandems before they become clinically manifest are discussed.
Kosovo and the Great Air Power Debate

The capitulation of Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic on June 9, 1999, after seventyeight days of bombing by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), is being portrayed by many as a watershed in the history of air power. For the ﬁrst time, the use of air strikes alone brought a foe to its knees-and at the cost of no NATO lives. The prophecies of Giulio Douhet and other air power visionaries appear realized.1 Lieut. Gen. Michael Short, who ran the bombing campaign, has argued that “NATO got every one of the terms it had stipulated in Rambouillet and beyond Rambouillet, and I credit this as a victory for air power.”2 This view is not conﬁned to the air force. Historian John Keegan conceded, “I didn’t want to change my beliefs, but there was too much evidence accumulating to stick to the article of faith. It now does look as if air power has prevailed in the Balkans, and that the time has come to redeﬁne how victory in war may be won.”3 Dissenters, of course, raise their voices. Noting the failure of air power to fulﬁll its promise in the past, they are skeptical of its eﬃcacy in Kosovo. Instead, they point to factors such as the threat of a ground invasion; the lack of Russian support for Serbia, or the resurgence of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) as key to Milosevic’s capitulation. Without these factors, dissenters argue, air strikes alone would not have forced Milosevic’s hand. They also point out that air power failed to prevent the very ethnic cleansing that prompted Western leaders to act in the ﬁrst place.4
Near-Infrared Analysis of Peanut Seed Skins for Catechins

Peanuts (Arachis hypogea) produce several phenolic compounds such as catechins that may be isolated as co-products from peanut seed testae or skins during peanut processing. Peanut skins are currently underutilized although they are a potential source of bioactive compounds for use in functional foods and animal feeds. The phenolic compounds in the skins can degrade during processing and lose bioactivity. Extracted peanut skins were analyzed by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to detect phenolic compounds. Spectra were collected from 10000 - 4000 cm﹣1 and evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA) to compare differences in peanut skins before and after alcohol extraction. PCA of derivative spectra showed clear separation into two groups. These results support the development of predictive models to measure catechins in blanched peanut skins.
A note on the delayed heat equation: Instability with respect to initial data

Abstract Working in the context of a simple, one-dimensional, initial-boundary value problem involving homogeneous Dirichlet boundary data, we show that the time delayed heat equation can exhibit a type of instability with respect to the initial condition (IC); specifically, we show that a slight (in the L 2 sense) change in the IC can change a well-posed problem to an ill-posed one. We also establish that a physically realistic solution is possible only if the IC is of a (very) specific form. The main implication of this study is that the single and dual phase lag models, which have been put forward as possible alternatives to Fourier’s law, are not valid constitutive relations for the thermal flux vector.
CCR2 receptor blockade alters blood monocyte subpopulations but does not affect atherosclerotic lesions in apoE(-/-) mice.

Abstract Objective The CCR2 receptor plays a crucial role in monocyte recruitment and has been implicated as a contributing factor to atherosclerosis. CCR2 receptor deletion leads to significant inhibition of lesion development. Our objective was to determine if CCR2 receptor blockade with a small molecule would have a beneficial effect of decreasing established lesions. Methods and results We demonstrated that CCR2 blockade had no significant effect on advanced lesions or the progression of fatty streaks. CCR2 blockade in mice resulted in elevations in plasma CCL2 levels and a significant reduction in the plasma Ly-6C hi subpopulations of monocytes expressing the CCR2 receptor. Neither CCL2 elevation nor margination of the Ly-6C hi population was observed in CCR2 −/− mice. Conclusions CCR2 receptor blockade with a small molecule antagonist at dose levels showing efficacy in several inflammatory models did not show a beneficial effect in murine models of atherosclerosis. Elevations in CCL2 and margination of Ly-6C hi cells demonstrate that the role of CCR2 in controlling monocyte levels goes beyond the control of monocyte emigration.
Enterocola brementi Illg & Dudley (Copepoda: Cyclopoida: Ascidicolidae) living in the compound ascidian Aplidium pallidum (Verrill), compared with E. mammiferus Chatton & Harant living in A. asperum Drashe

Abstract Enterocola brementi Illg & Dudley, 1980 (Enterocolinae) is redescribed, based on females living in the type ascidian host Aplidium pallidum (Verrill) collected at Roscoff. These are compared with the female of E. mammiferus Chatton & Harant, 1922, found in A. asperum Drasche at Banyuls-sur-Mer. The comparison leads to the conclusion that the two are conspecific.
Soil Calcium and Forest Birds: Indirect Links Between Nutrient Availability and Community Composition

Calcium is an important nutrient that can be limiting in many forest ecosystems, where acid deposition and other natural and anthropogenic activities have resulted in significant soil calcium depletion. Calcium’s critical role in physiological and structural processes and its limited mobility and storage in many organisms, make it a potential driver of ecosystem structure and function, but little is known about how changes in soil calcium affect community composition, especially in terrestrial vertebrates. The aim of this study was to establish relationships between the abundances of forest songbird species and soil calcium and to elucidate linking mechanisms by establishing simultaneous relationships with trophic and habitat variables. We measured soil calcium and pH, calcium-rich invertebrate abundances, vegetation, and songbird abundances at 14 interior forest sites across central Pennsylvania representing a range of soil calcium levels. Bird community composition varied with soil calcium and pH, with 10 bird species having the highest abundances in forests with high calcium soils, and five species having the highest abundances with low calcium soils. Bird species associated with low-calcium soils were associated with high densities of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), an acid-loving shrub, whereas bird species associated with high-calcium soils were associated with high densities of saplings and high basal area of acid-sensitive tree species. Homogenization of soil conditions through land-use patterns and soil calcium depletion pose the risk of reducing the beta diversity of bird species across forest areas because community composition varied with soil calcium.
Reduction of intussusception: defining a better index of successful non-operative treatment

The reported non-operative reduction rate for intussusception is usually the proportion of attempted non-operative (radiological) reductions that succeed, which we term the "selective reduction rate." This value shows wide variation that may result from selection bias that is difficult to quantify because data regarding primary operative treatment are frequently lacking. The proportion of patients with late clinical presentation or pathological lead points can also distort the apparent efficacy of non-operative treatment. We found no definitions of outcome measures in the literature or practice guidelines to inform analysis. Based on analysis of our own audit data we derived a "composite reduction rate" from first principles that can account for variations in radiological and surgical treatment thresholds that might bias other measures of successful non-operative treatment. This index is the proportion of intussusceptions not requiring resection that are successfully reduced non-operatively. We propose that the composite reduction rate be used as a key component of standardised multidisciplinary outcome reporting for intussusception rather than the selective reduction rate. The reduced bias and confounding would allow fairer comparisons and lead to better outcome standards.
Differences in the cognitive demands of word order, plural, and subject-verb agreement constructions

The syntactic devices of subject-verb-object word order, regular plurals, and subject-verb agreement differ in age of acquisition and susceptibility to error within language-disordered populations. In the present article, the performance of adults on a grammaticality judgment task is used to explore whether such differences are related to working memory (both in terms of an externally imposed load and individual differences in capacity) and phonological ability. The results show that word order, the earliest acquired and most resilient device, is not affected by load, memory span, or phonological ability. Plurals are affected marginally by load and significantly by phonological ability. Agreement, the last acquired and least resilient device, is affected by load, memory span, and phonological ability. Thus, consistent with a processing-based explanation, later acquired and less resilient devices have higher working memory and phonological demands.
Effect of flow maldistribution on hollow fiber dialysis — experimental studies

Abstract Counter-current hollow fiber dialyzers were studied. Performance of loosely packed hollow fiber dialyzers deviated from the prediction based on ideal flow distribution while well packed dialyzers did not deviate. The flow maldistributions were characterized by tracer analysis. The behavior of dialyzers was simulated with a model based on bypass now.
The biological utilization of various fat-soluble esters of pyridoxine by rats.

Abstract It was demonstrated that in rats a longer retention of vitamin B6 could be maintained when pyridoxine trilinoleate was fed than when an equivalent amount of pyridoxine triacetate or pyridoxine hydrochloride was fed. Unchanged pyridoxine triacetate did not appear to be excreted in the urine even after the administration of a large dose of the triacetate. A commercial “steapsin” or “pancreatin” failed to hydrolyze pyridoxine trilinoleate at 37 °C. in a 2-hr. period.
Talin requires beta-integrin, but not vinculin, for its assembly into focal adhesion-like structures in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Abstract In cultured cells, the 230-kDa protein talin is found at discrete plasma membrane foci known as focal adhesions, sites that anchor the intracellular actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix. The regulated assembly of focal adhesions influences the direction of cell migrations or the reorientation of cell shapes. Biochemical studies of talin have shown that it binds to the proteins integrin, vinculin, and actin in vitro. To understand the function of talin in vivo and to correlate its in vitro and in vivo biochemical properties, various genetic approaches have been adopted. With the intention of using genetics in the study of talin, we identified a homologue to mouse talin in a genetic model system, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans talin is 39% identical and 59% similar to mouse talin. In wild-type adult C. elegans, talin colocalizes with integrin, vinculin, and alpha-actinin in the focal adhesion-like structures found in the body-wall muscle. By examining the organization of talin in two different C. elegans mutant strains that do not make either beta-integrin or vinculin, we were able to determine that talin does not require vinculin for its initial organization at the membrane, but that it depends critically on the presence of integrin for its initial assembly at membrane foci.
Use of a chloroplast rRNA gene to introduce basic molecular biology techniques

We report a set of experiments that has been used for 14 years in an upper division undergraduate molecular biology laboratory course to introduce basic molecular biology techniques including DNA isolation, gene subcloning, restriction mapping, plant genomic DNA isolation, Southern blot hybridization, and DNA sequence analysis. This set of experiments is very useful for students who have limited or no previous experience with these techniques. A single gene, the 23S rRNA gene from tobacco chloroplast DNA, is used throughout these experiments. This allows for integration of the techniques and illustrates to students a natural progression of experiments to use in analyzing a new gene. The entire sequence of laboratory exercises spans 10–12 laboratory periods of 2.5–3 h each.
The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac sodium attenuates IFN-α induced alterations to monoamine turnover in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus ☆

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) administration induces major depression in a significant number of patients undergoing treatment for viral illnesses and other chronic diseases. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to counteract a number of IFN-alpha-induced side effects, including pro-inflammatory cytokine activation and stress hormone release. To investigate this possibility further, we sought to determine the effect of the NSAID diclofenac sodium on monoamine turnover in brain induced by acute IFN-alpha exposure. Eleven male, Wistar rats (8 weeks old) were pretreated with diclofenac (20 mg/kg, s.c.) or saline, followed by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of IFN-alpha (1000 IU in 5 microl) or vehicle. The prefrontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus were isolated and samples were assayed for monoamines and major metabolites by high-pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The data show that acute IFN-alpha increased serotonin turnover in prefrontal cortex and increased dopamine turnover in hippocampus, while pre-treatment with diclofenac completely prevented these neurochemical responses. Importantly, these changes were recorded in two brain areas known to be important in depression and antidepressant action. These data offer support for a novel role of NSAIDs in modulating IFN-alpha-induced neurochemical alterations, and raise the possibility of the use of NSAIDs for the prevention of IFN-alpha-induced depression.
The synthesis of 9–10 Dibromo stearic acid glycidyl methacrylate and its use in vinyl ester resins

In this study, 9–10 dibromo stearic acid glycidyl methacrylate (Di-BrSAGMA) was synthesized from oleic acid and used as a replacement for styrene in vinyl ester (bisphenol A type VE (VE 828) and Novalac type VE (VE160)) to introduce fire retardance to these systems and to decrease the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions caused by styrene. When the Di-BrSAGMA was used as the comonomer, these resins exhibited too high viscosities, reduced modulus and glass transition temperature (Tg) values compared to those of the styrene based systems. Thus, the Di-BrSAGMA was used in the presence of styrene in these resins. The viscosities of the resins with various Di-BrSAGMA contents were determined and the modulus and the Tg values of the resulting polymers were measured via dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) to determine the ideal formulations for each resin system. Similar analysis was performed, with similar oleic acid glycidyl methacrylate (OAGMA) contents, to determine the effect of the introduction of the bromine groups onto the network. Reactive diluent blends of the fatty acid based monomers with styrene, at styrene contents as low as 15–20 wt % at 35–45 wt % total comonomer content, in VE formulations were shown to have processable viscosities for liquid molding processes, and modulus and Tg values that are comparable to those of the commercial VE-styrene systems. The effect of the replacement of styrene by the Di-BrSAGMA monomer on the thermal degradation behavior of the VE 828 and VE 160 networks was also explored by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Reporting bias when using real data sets to analyze classification performance

Motivation: It is commonplace for authors to propose a new classification rule, either the operator construction part or feature selection, and demonstrate its performance on real data sets, which often come from high-dimensional studies, such as from gene-expression microarrays, with small samples. Owing to the variability in feature selection and error estimation, individual reported performances are highly imprecise. Hence, if only the best test results are reported, then these will be biased relative to the overall performance of the proposed procedure. Results: This article characterizes reporting bias with several statistics and computes these statistics in a large simulation study using both modeled and real data. The results appear as curves giving the different reporting biases as functions of the number of samples tested when reporting only the best or second best performance. It does this for two classification rules, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and 3-nearest-neighbor (3NN), and for filter and wrapper feature selection, t-test and sequential forward search. These were chosen on account of their well-studied properties and because they were amenable to the extremely large amount of processing required for the simulations. The results across all the experiments are consistent: there is generally large bias overriding what would be considered a significant performance differential, when reporting the best or second best performing data set. We conclude that there needs to be a database of data sets and that, for those studies depending on real data, results should be reported for all data sets in the database. Availability: Companion web site at http://gsp.tamu.edu/Publications/supplementary/yousefi09a/ Contact: edward@ece.tamu.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Transcriptional and Posttranscriptional Regulation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression by Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract—Diverse stimuli, including shear stress, cyclic strain, oxidized LDL, hyperglycemia, and cell growth, modulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. Although seemingly unrelated, these may all alter cellular redox state, suggesting that reactive oxygen intermediates might modulate eNOS expression. The present study was designed to test this hypothesis. Exposure of bovine aortic endothelial cells for 24 hours to paraquat, a superoxide (O2−·)–generating compound, did not affect eNOS mRNA levels. However, cotreatment with paraquat and either Cu2+/Zn2+ superoxide dismutase or the superoxide dismutase mimetic tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin chloride increased eNOS mRNA by 2.3- and 2.2-fold, respectively, implicating a role for H2O2. Direct addition of 100 and 150 μmol/L H2O2 caused increases in bovine aortic endothelial cell eNOS mRNA that were dependent on concentration (ie, 3.1- and 5.2-fold increases) and time, and elevated eNOS protein expression and enzyme activity, accordingly. ...
Adjacent segment disease after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: Incidence and clinical outcomes of patients requiring anterior versus posterior repeat cervical fusion.

Background : Adjacent segment disease (ASD) is a well-recognized long-term outcome in patients with degenerative disease of the spine. In this manuscript, we focus on the development in ASD in patients who have undergone a prior anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Methods : Patient data were collected via clinical notes and patient interviews. Patients were followed for an average of 92.4 ± 72.6 months after the index ACDF. Results : Of the 108 patients who underwent revision surgery due to symptomatic ASD, 77 patients underwent re-do ACDF, while 31 patients had posterior fusion surgery. Patients were more likely to be operated on posteriorly if they were older ( P = 0.0115), male ( P = 0.006), or had a higher number of cervical vertebral segments fused during the index ACDF ( P = 0.013). These patients were statistically also more likely to exhibit myelopathic symptoms ( P = 0.0053), and usually had worse neurologic function as assessed on the Nurick ( P = 0.0005) and ASIA scales ( P = 0.0020). Postoperatively, patients receiving anterior revision surgeries had higher rates of recurrent radiculopathy ( P = 0.0425) and higher recurrence of ASD compared with patients fused posteriorly ( P < 0.0001). Conclusions : Patients undergoing an anterior revision surgery for ASD after ACDF have higher rates of postoperative radiculopathy and redevelopment of ASD when compared with posteriorly approached patients. Patients receiving posterior revision surgery had higher intraoperative blood loss, hospitalizations, and postoperative complications such as wound infections and discharge to rehabilitation, but had a statistically lower chance of redevelopment of ASD requiring secondary revision surgery. This may be due to the fact that posterior revision surgeries involved more levels fused. This study provides one of the longest and most comprehensive follow-ups of this challenging patient population. Prospective studies comparing surgical approaches and techniques are needed to corroborate our findings.
Postrelease Performance of Acclimated and Directly Released Hatchery Summer Steelhead into Oregon Tributaries of the Snake River

Abstract In a study using 14 paired-release groups over 10 release years, we compared the performance of hatchery summer steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss that were acclimated as smolts (AC) for 16–57 d before release into ponds supplied with ambient stream water with that of fish trucked from the hatchery and directly released (DR) into Spring, Deer, and Little Sheep creeks in northeastern Oregon. After releasing the fish into streams, we monitored out-migration travel times and survival to Lower Granite Dam (LGD) on the Snake River using freeze brand marks or implanted passive integrated transponder tags in a subsample of each release group. Across all release groups, travel time was significantly slower for AC fish (34.7 d) than for DR fish (31.8 d), though there was no significant difference in survival probability to LGD. We used recoveries of coded wire tags to estimate smolt-to-adult survival (SAS) and a stray rate index (SRI) for the AC and DR strategies. Across all release groups, SAS was 33% higher ...