cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acquired Posterior Lentiglobus

Purpose/Methods An infant examined by three ophthalmologists was found to have unilateral posterior lentiglobus, which subsequently developed bilaterally by 15 weeks of age. Results/Conclusions The onset of posterior lentiglobus may be congenital or acquired. Infants with unilateral cataracts whose family history indicates early-onset lens opacities require careful and frequent examinations of the fellow eye.
Purification of protein A, an outer membrane component missing in Escherichia coli K-12 ompA mutants

Outer membrane materials prepared from an Escherichia coli ompA (tolG) strain do not contain one of the major outer membrane proteins found in ompA+ strains. This protein has been purified in high yield from detergent-solubilized cell envelope material prepared from an ompA+ strain by preparative electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate. The purified protein is homogeneous in three electrophoretic systems, contains 2 mol of reducing sugar/mol of peptide and has alanine as the N-terminal amino acid. The amino acid composition is nearly identical to outer membrane protein II or B purified by others from incompletely solubilized cell envelope material. Thus, the fraction of outer membrane protein II or B that is difficult to solubilize is identical with the more readily solubilized fraction.
Validation of NARCCAP temperature data for some forest sites in the southeast United States

Validation of North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) climate simulations is conducted for selected US Forest Service sites in the southeastern United States. Results focus on qualitative and quantitative comparisons of seasonal and monthly temperature data from NARCCAP simulations to the surface air temperature data sets developed at the University of Delaware. The Regional Climate Model, RCM3, driven by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Global Climate Model underestimates average surface temperature for some areas of the southeast United States by about 4 °C for the daily average during the winter of the selected period. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Temporal response of microdensitometers

Microdensitometers have both spatial and temporal finite responses which may lead to degradation in images being analyzed. These responses may be quantitated in terms of spatial and temporal modulation transfer functions (MTFs). The temporal response of microdensitometers is studied here. Specifically, the technique of differentiating temporal step-function responses to determine the temporal MTF is presented. Experimental results illustrating the theory are described using a Baird Atomic microdensitometer.
Consequence etiology and biological teleology in Aristotle and Darwin

Aristotle's biological teleology is rooted in an epigenetic account of reproduction. As such, it is best interpreted by consequence etiology. I support this claim by citing the capacity of consequence etiology's key distinctions to explain Aristotle's opposition to Empedocles. There are implications for the relation between ancient and modern biology. The analysis reveals that in an important respect Darwin's account of adaptation is closer to Aristotle's than to Empedocles's. They both rely on consequence etiological considerations to evade attributing the purposiveness of organisms to chance. Two implications follow: (l) Darwinian explanations of adaptation are as teleological as Aristotle's, albeit differently; and (2) these differences show how deeply resistant Aristotle's version of biological teleology is to descent from a common ancestor.
Structural alterations of the inner mitochondrial membrane in ischemic liver cell injury

Mitoplasts were prepared from 3-h ischemic livers in an attempt to define the structural alterations in the inner membrane that may account for the functional deficiencies of ischemic mitochondria. Mitoplasts from both control and ischemic livers had similar specific activities of cytochrome oxidase and succinate-cytochrome c reductase. With both preparations, the specific activity of rotenone-insensitive NADH-cytochrome c reductase was 10-fold lower than in the mitochondria from which they were prepared. Ischemic mitoplasts had no respiratory control with ADP, and had a slightly reduced phospholipid to protein ratio and an increased cholesterol to protein ratio. As a result, the cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratio was increased from the control of 0.04 to 0.08. There were also differences in the content of individual phospholipid species. Phosphatidylcholine increased by 15%, while cardiolipin decreased by 60%. There were increases in sphingomyelin and in the lysophospholipids of phosphatidylcholine, ethanolamine, and cardiolipin. Pretreatment with chlorpromazine did not prevent these changes. Linoleic acid was decreased by 35% in ischemic phospholipids, and the content of free fatty acids was increased 4-fold. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy of mitoplasts spin labeled with either 5- or 12-doxyl stearic acid revealed an increased molecular order (decreased fluidity) of ischemic inner mitochondrial membranes consistent with the increased cholesterol to phospholipid ratio. The data indicate activation of a phospholipase A in ischemic mitochondria with the resulting accumulation of products of lipid hydrolysis. This conclusion further emphasizes the close similarity between the structural and functional consequences of ischemia in the intact animal and the effect on isolated mitochondria of the activation of the endogenous phospholipase A. In both cases the major functional alterations are attributable to changes in the permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane induced by the accumulation of lysophospholipids.
The effect of gonadectomy and estradiol on sensitivity to oxidative stress

The sexual dimorphism of life span and caloric restriction effects in numerous species suggest that estradiol (E2) is protective against oxidative damage. The only direct test of E2's protective effect in mice against in vivo oxidative stress to date may have been confounded by E2's direct chemical action as an antioxidant because it was administered at very high dosages. Therefore, we have identified a low yet physiologically effective dose of E2. We then administered this dose using subcutaneous time-release pellets to ovariectomized mice. Two weeks after E2 pellet implantation, sham-operated, ovariectomized, and ovariectomized E2-supplemented female mice were injected with a lethal dose of paraquat and their survival was followed. It was observed that ovariectomy exacerbates paraquat-induced mortality and is rescued by E2 supplementation. An equivalent experiment was performed on sham-operated, orchidectomized, and E2-supplemented orchidectomized male mice. The survival of male mice was improved by orchidectomy, and E2 gave no further benefit. We interpret the results to mean that E2 is protective against oxidative stress through its regulatory role and that testosterone diminishes protection against oxidative stress.
Escape from X inactivation in human and mouse

Abstract Genes that escape X inactivation have been recently found in human and in mouse. Although many of these genes have homologues on the Y chromosome that may compensate for expression from both X alleles in females, some have no Y homologues, and this presumably results in dosage differences between the sexes. Comparisons between human and mouse have revealed that the X-inactivation status of some genes differs significantly between the two species, suggesting continuous evolutionary changes in the sex chromosomes. Questions about the mechanisms of ‘escape' are relevant to the understanding of gene regulation by X inactivation.
Rough endoplasmic reticulum to junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum trafficking of calsequestrin in adult cardiomyocytes

Cardiac calsequestrin (CSQ) is synthesized on rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but concentrates within the junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) lumen where it becomes part of the Ca(2+)-release protein complex. To investigate CSQ trafficking through biosynthetic/secretory compartments of adult cardiomyocytes, CSQ-DsRed was overexpressed in cultured cells and examined using confocal fluorescence microscopy. By 48h of adenovirus treatment, CSQ-DsRed fluorescence had specifically accumulated in perinuclear cisternae, where it co-localized with markers of rough ER. From rough ER, CSQ-DsRed appeared to traffic directly to junctional SR along a transverse (Z-line) pathway along which sec 23-positive (ER-exit) sites were enriched. In contrast to DsRed direct fluorescence that presumably reflected DsRed tetramer formation, both anti-DsRed and anti-CSQ immunofluorescence did not detect the perinuclear CSQ-DsRed protein, but labeled only junctional SR puncta. These putative CSQ-DsRed monomers, but not the fluorescent tetramers, were observed to traffic anterogradely over the course of a 48h overexpression from rough ER towards the cell periphery. We propose a new model of CSQ and junctional SR protein traffic in the adult cardiomyocyte, wherein CSQ traffics from perinuclear cisternae, along contiguous ER/SR lumens in cardiomyocytes as a mobile monomer, but is retained in junctional SR as a polymer.
Nontuberculous mycobacterial disease in North America

Introduction Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in the environment and exist as important causes of pulmonary infections in human. Pulmonary involvement is the most common disease manifestation of NTM and the incidence of NTM is growing in the North America. Susceptibility to NTM infection is incompletely understood and, therefore preventative tools are not well defined. Treatment of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection is difficult and entails multiple antibiotics and an extended treatment course. Also, there is a considerable variation in treatment management that should be considered before initiating treatment. Material and methods A literature search was conducted using search keywords “nontuberculous mycobacteria,” “MAC,” “ M. abscessus ,” “epidemiology,” “treatment,” “North America,” “mortality,” “cystic fibrosis,” “transplantation,” “prevention,” and “diagnosis” from studies that have been published between the years 2009 and 2014. PubMed, Cinahl, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched. A total of 382 articles were reviewed from which 65 papers met our selection criteria. Titles of interest were further reviewed by all authors. Reference lists of relevant studies were hand-searched in order to identify other potentially relevant articles. Studies included in this review met the following criteria: (i) study populations included patients with NTM; (ii) articles were full reports, case reports or reviews; (iii) articles were in English and published from the US based institutes; (iv) articles were published in peer-reviewed journals. Results Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality, often in the form of progressive lung disease. Few reports are accessible on NTM disease prevalence in the United States; however based on the recent data the incidence and mortality rates of pulmonary NTM have been reported to be rising in North America. We highlight the new findings in the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of mycobacterial infections. We debate new advances regarding NTM infection in cystic fibrosis patients and solid organ transplant recipients. Finally, we introduce a new epidemiologic model for NTM disease based on virulence–exposure–host factors. Conclusion It is critical that NTM is recognized as an important public health issue with potentially significant consequences for affected patients. Finally, the applicability of the virulence–exposure–host model in NTM disease should be investigated.
Defragged Binary I Ching Genetic Code Chromosomes Compared to Nirenberg's and Transformed into Rotating 2D Circles and Squares and into a 3D 100% Symmetrical Tetrahedron Coupled to a Functional One to Discern Start From Non-Start Methionines through a Stella Octangula.

Abstract Background: Three binary representations of the genetic code according to the ancient I Ching of Fu-Xi will be presented, depending on their defragging capabilities by pairing based on three biochemical
From research to reward: challenges in technology transfer

Over a five-year period, the Applied Science & Technology Group of IBM's Hursley Laboratory in England turned itself from a fully-funded research organisation into an entirely self-funded technology transfer group. Practical experience and insight was gained into the questions of: what the obstacles are that need to be overcome in successful technology transfer; how to find a match between the technology and the customer; and how best to manage risks and expectations. To be successful, a technology transfer group needs to be correctly positioned within its sponsoring organisation, to use management processes that provide flexibility and control, and to develop a sophisticated engagement model for working with its customers.
Phonon conduction in elastically anisotropic cubic crystals

Striking differences in the boundary-scattered phonon conductivity and effective phonon mean free path are predicted along the principal axes of cubic crystals. The results are shown to be the result of phonon focusing arising from elastic anisotropy. Normalized curves of boundary-scattered effective phonon mean free path and phonon conductivity have been calculated for samples of square cross section as a function of the elastic anisotropy, $A=\frac{2{C}_{44}}{({C}_{11}\ensuremath{-}{C}_{12})}$, and the elastic ratio, $\frac{{C}_{12}}{{C}_{11}}$. Normalized curves of phonon specific heat and effective velocity have been calculated as a function of the same variables. The effective phonon mean free path has also been calculated as a function of the sample side-face---thermal-length ratio, $\frac{D}{L}$. Anisotropies of more than 50% are possible for different rod axes. Silicon and calcium fluoride, materials in which this anisotropy was first reported, are shown to be very favorable materials to demonstrate this anisotropy. For silicon and calcium fluoride samples of rectangular cross section the thermal conduction is shown to depend upon the crystallogrphic orientation and width ratio of the side faces for samples with the same $〈110〉$ rod axis. Results are expressed in a convenient form for predicting the phonon conductivity of elastically anisotropic crystals, given the linear dimensions, the density, and the elastic constants.
Pregnancy outcome after placement of 'rescue' Shirodkar cerclage.

Mid-trimester painless cervical dilation is associated with high rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality. ‘Rescue’ cerclage is one option in managing these patients. We evaluated pregnancy outcomes of women in whom we placed Shirodkar cerclage. We analyzed the pregnancy outcome of a retrospective cohort of women carrying singleton pregnancies who experienced late mid-trimester cervical dilation in whom we placed Shirodkar cerclage. Exclusion criteria were uterine contractions, bleeding, premature rupture of membranes and chorioamnionitis. Primary outcomes were gestational age at delivery, maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes and surgical complications. Between January 2003 and December 2005, 68 patients met our inclusion criteria. The average maternal age was 26.4±8.3 years and the mean gestational age at the time of surgery was 19.6±3.2 weeks. Seven women opted for expectant management and 5 more were followed up by their referring physicians; the 12 of them were used as a comparison group. Fifty-six women underwent placement of Shirodkar cerclage. We were unable to place a cerclage in three women (5.1%) and all three delivered before 23 weeks. Of the 56 women who had cerclage, 14 (23.7%) delivered at term, 20 (33.9%) delivered between 34 and 36.9 weeks, 13 (22%) between 30 and 33.9 weeks, 6 (10.2%) between 24 and 29.9 weeks and 3 (5.1%) before 24 weeks. Median time from diagnosis to delivery was longer in the cerclage group (9.1 weeks) than in the comparison group (3.3 weeks P<0.01). When pregnancies are complicated by late mid-trimester cervical dilation, placement of Shirodkar cerclage in appropriately selected patients has the potential to be a beneficial therapeutic option.
Context in medical education: the informal ethics curriculum

As some formal bioethics instruction has become the norm in American medical schools, a trend has emerged toward increased attention to context in both bioethics education and bioethical decision-making. A focus on classical dilemmas and a textbook knowledge of principles is yielding its previous dominance to permit a more detailed examination of ethical behaviour in actual practice in medicine. After documenting and analysing this emerging trend in bioethics education and its parallel in bioethics theory and research, we turn to the context of medical education itself to look beyond formal bioethics instruction to the 'informal curriculum' that is so central to the moral development of medical students and residents. A qualitative research strategy is being used to study the informal curriculum through analysing tape-recorded informal conversations students and residents have with their friends and colleagues at work about issues bearing on their professional development. Data presented are documenting 'the unwritten code' for medical students on a surgical clerkship and the senior residents' informal ways of producing a 'practical ethics of conduct' that shapes understanding of what is good, skilful, and right on that surgical service. How conceptions of appropriate conduct are conveyed, rewarded and sanctioned also reveals how professional demeanour is taught, permitting discussion about what should be retained and what changed. The context in which ethical issues arise enhances understanding of ethical practice in medicine.
Mechanisms of erythropoiesis inhibition by malarial pigment and malaria-induced proinflammatory mediators in an in vitro model

One of the commonest complications of Plasmodium falciparum malaria is the development of severe malarial anemia (SMA), which is, at least in part, due to malaria-induced suppression of erythropoiesis. Factors associated with suppression of erythropoiesis and development of SMA include accumulation of malarial pigment (hemozoin, PfHz) in bone marrow and altered production of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and nitric oxide (NO). However, studies investigating the specific mechanisms responsible for inhibition of red blood cell development have been hampered by difficulties in obtaining bone marrow aspirates from infants and young children, and the lack of reliable models for examining erythroid development. As such, an in vitro model of erythropoiesis was developed using CD34+ stem cells derived from peripheral blood to examine the effects of PfHz, PfHz-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-conditioned media (CM-PfHz), TNF-α, and NO on erythroid cell development. PfHz only slightly suppressed erythroid cell proliferation and maturation marked by decreased expression of glycophorin A (GPA). On the other hand, CM-PfHz, TNF-α, and NO significantly inhibited erythroid cell proliferation. Furthermore, decreased proliferation in cells treated with CM-PfHz and NO was accompanied by increased apoptosis of erythropoietin-stimulated CD34+ cells. In addition, NO significantly inhibited erythroid cell maturation, whereas TNF-α did not appear to be detrimental to maturation. Collectively, our results demonstrate that PfHz suppresses erythropoiesis by acting both directly on erythroid cells, and indirectly via inflammatory mediators produced from PfHz-stimulated PBMC, including TNF-α and NO.
Whipscars and Tattoos: The Last of the Mohicans, Moby-Dick, and the Maori. By Geoffrey Sanbom

Whipscars and Tattoos: The Last of the Mohicans, Moby-Dick, and the Maori. By Geoffrey Sanbom. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. xv+184 pp., illus., map, endnotes, index. ISBN 978-0-19-975169-...
Sleep and Psychological Characteristics of Children on a Psychiatric Inpatient Unit

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the association of objective measures of sleep-wake patterns and psychological status and abuse history of children hospitalized in a psychiatric inpatient unit. Method Thirty-nine inpatient children participated In the study. They were monitored for one to three consecutive nights with miniature wrist activity monitors for objective assessment of sleep-wake patterns. In addition, a thorough psychiatric and psychosocial assessment was completed with each child and the parents. Results Children's self-ratings of depression, hopelessness, and low self-esteem were significantly correlated with objective sleep measures indicating poorer sleep quality. No significant correlations between intelligence scores and sleep measures were found. Nonabused and sexually abused children had better sleep quality than physically abused children. Conclusions Sleep quality during hospitalization is strongly associated with self experiences of depression, hopelessness, and low self-esteem in children with severe behavior disorders. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychatry , 1995, 34, 6:813–819.
An improved method for predicting the effects of flight on jet mixing noise

An improvement to the NASA method (1976) for predicting the effects of flight on jet mixing noise has been developed. The earlier method has been shown to agree reasonably well with experimental flight data for jet velocities up to about 520 m/s (∼1700 ft/s). The poorer agreement at high jet velocities appeared to be due primarily to the manner in which supersonic convection effects were formulated. The purely empirical supersonic convection formulation of the earlier method has now been replaced by one based on theoretical considerations. Other improvements of an empirical nature have been included based on model‐jet/free‐jet simulated flight tests. This report presents the new prediction method and comparisons with experimental data obtained from the Bertin Aerotrain with a J85 engine, the DC‐10 airplane with JT9D engines, and the DC‐9 airplane with refanned JT8D engines. It is shown that the new method agrees better with the data base than either the earlier NASA method or a recently proposed SAE method.
Shopping enjoyment and store shopping modes: The moderating influence of chronic time pressure

The objectives of this study were to investigate: (a) whether shopping enjoyment has a differential influence on two key store shopping modes (browsing vs. bargain hunting); (b) whether the level of chronic time pressure moderates the influence of shopping enjoyment on each shopping mode; and (c) whether each of the shopping modes has a differential influence on hedonic shopping value. Data were collected from a sample of US store shoppers (n=1009). Results revealed that the influence of shopping enjoyment was much stronger on the browsing mode than on the bargain hunting mode. In turn, the browsing mode exerted a stronger influence on hedonic shopping value. Also, this study confirmed that the level of chronic time pressure significantly moderated the influence of shopping enjoyment on the browsing mode. Implications for brick-and-mortar retailers were discussed with suggestions for future research.
Holographic Atomic Images from Surface and Bulk W(110) Photoelectron Diffraction Data

Although Gabor originally proposed using electrons in holography to form atomic-resolution images, it is only very recently that photoelectron diffraction data have been discussed as a practical method for achieving this. Such data enable recording both the amplitudes and phases of the scattered waves (relative to a direct reference wave), thus in principle permitting the holographic reconstruction of atomic positions. Photoelectron holography thus holds much promise of at least providing approximate starting structures that can be refined by more conventional comparisons of multiple-scattering calculations with experiment via R-factors. Criteria for optimizing the taking of such data and their holographic photoelectron diffraction patterns have been measured for surface and bulk core-level-shifted W 4f{sub 7/2} photoemission from W(110) on ALS beamline 7.0, yielding a data set of unprecedented size and quality. These data have been compared to multiple scattering theory, and used as a test case, since the W(110) surface is known not to exhibit significant relaxation in its interlayer spacings relative to the bulk. The authors have analyzed these experimental and theoretical results holographically in order to demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of photoelectron holography as a structural probe.
Temporomandibular Joint Symptoms and Ankylosing Spondylitis

Four of 26 patients with ankylosing spondylitis were found to have severe temporomandibular joint complaints. These patients were treated with acrylic interocclusal splints and the symptoms were alleviated in three of the patients. The symptoms may be produced by the postural effects of the ankylosing spondylitis and not the disease itself.
New Light on the Cadiz Expedition of 1596

Using an account which had previously been unrecognized among the Yelverton MSS, in the British Library, this article adds new detail to our understanding of the Cadiz expedition of 1596. Written from aboard the earl of Essex’s flagship, Due Repulse, the new account of the voyage provides a counterpoint to the well-known narrative written by Dr. Marbeck from aboard the lord admiral’s ship, Ark Royal. This article also describes an apparent reconnaissance map of Cadiz and considers some of the intelligence-gathering which paved the way for Anglo-Dutch forces to attack the city.
HYDROGEN MOLECULE UNDER CONFINEMENT : EXACT RESULTS

The properties of a hydrogen molecule under spatial confinement are studied by diffusion quantum Monte Carlo simulations. The ground-state energy and the bond length of the molecule are evaluated under an equilibrium spheroidal-box condition. Since the calculations of the ground-state properties for this specific system are exact from the diffusion quantum Monte Carlo simulations, the results obtained here can also serve as a criterion to any approximate or variational method applied to highly correlated electronic systems. The possibility of further work to calculate the vibrational frequency and other pressure-dependent physical quantities is discussed.
Ex vivo phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy on eye bank corneas and corneal metabolic health.

•Background: Since a potential exists for untoward effects on the cornea from the high magnetic fields and radio-frequency energies, and the further manipulation required for phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS), we determined the effects of this technology on tissues using paired human corneas (n=4) meeting criteria acceptable for transplantation. • Methods: Slit-lamp biomicroscopy, pachometry, specular microscopy, and redux fluorophotometry were performed on all corneas. One cornea of each pair was examined (<30 min) by31P-MRS. Following31P-MRS, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, pachometry, and redox fluorophotometry were again performed. • Results: Data tabulated included the31P energy modulus (1.37±0.28), the ATP/Pi (2.92±0.59) and SP/Pi (0.76±0.04) ratios, and the intracorneal pH (7.24 ±0.09). • Conclusion: Since there were no significant differences in slitlamp biomicroscopy, endothelial density and morphometry, cell counts, and pachometric and redox fluorophotometric measurements between corneas of each pair before and after31P-MRS. analysis, it was concluded that there was no detectable metabolic damage secondary to such analysis. This study suggests that MRS analysis of human eye-bank tissues does not damage the cornea metabolically and may provide • practical evaluation of the health of the cornea at the biochemical level.
Trade study for wide area chemical imaging sensors

A systems analysis framework for assessing performance of long wave infra-red (LWIR) hyperspectral chemical imaging sensors (HCIS) is presented. The trade space study includes assessment of HCIS detection sensitivity and deployment impact on meeting specified mission requirements.
USE OF DISEASE MODELS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF THERAPEUTIC AGENTS

A key part of the regulatory review of new therapeutic agents depends on a clear demonstration of their efficacy. There can be difficulties when the evaluations of efficacy depend only on in vitro studies, such as minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), and clinical field trials. The MIC data often correlate poorly with in vivo results, and field trials can suffer from the unpredictability of disease outbreaks and from differences in the severity of outbreaks at different sites. This paper discusses the use of experimentally induced diseases as a means of bridging the gap between the in vitro data and the results of field trials.
Cholecystokinin octapeptide depolarizes guinea pig inferior mesenteric ganglion cells and facilitates nicotinic transmission

Abstract Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) applied either by superfusion (0.1–10 μM) or by pressure ejection elicited a slow depolarization in a portion of inferior mesenteric ganglion cells studied in vitro. The depolarization which persisted in a low Ca 2+ /high Mg 2+ solution, or solution containing cholinergic antagonists, was often associated with a small to moderate increase in neuronal input resistance, and the response was reduced by conditioning hyperpolarization. Nicotinic excitatory postsynaptic potentials were consistently augmented during the course of CCK-8-induced depolarization. Our results, together with findings of the presence of CCK-immunoreactive fibers in the prevertebral ganglia, suggest that the peptide may serve to facilitate nicotinic transmission.
Documenting natural wear on antlers: A first step in identifying use-wear on purported antler tools

Abstract Natural behavior of the deer can leave various modifications on the antlers. Deer often rub their antlers against tree bark and bushes and use them intensively during male–male competition. All of these behaviors can leave marks on the antlers. Distinguishing these naturally-made marks from human-made marks is crucial in accurately identifying antler tools from archaeological sites. This study examined 347 white-tailed deer antlers to document the types and frequencies of the natural modifications. Scratches, polish, deformation, and fractures on the tip are the most frequently found modifications. Unless the modifications on the antlers from archaeological sites can be distinguished from these natural modifications, the nature of the purported antler tools remains questionable.
Switching predominance of organic versus inorganic carbon exports from an intermediate-size subarctic watershed

Hydrologic exports of dissolved inorganic and organic carbon (DIC and DOC) reflect permafrost conditions in arctic and subarctic river basins. DIC yields, in particular, increase with decreased permafrost extent. We investigated the influence of permafrost extent on DIC and DOC yield in a tributary of the Yukon River, where the upper watershed has continuous permafrost and the lower watershed has discontinuous permafrost. Our results indicate that DIC versus DOC predominance switches with interannual changes in water availability and flow routing in intermediate-size watersheds having mixed permafrost coverage. Large water yield and small concentrations from mountainous headwaters and small water yield and high concentrations from lowlands produced similar upstream and downstream carbon yields. However, DOC export exceeded DIC export during high flow 2011, whereas DIC predominated during low flow 2010. The majority of exported carbon was derived from near-surface organic sources when landscapes were wet or frozen and from mineralized subsurface sources when infiltration increased.
The beneficial effect of a calcium channel blocker, diltiazem, on the ischemic-reperfused heart

Abstract Diltiazem-HCl, ® a potent calcium channel blocker, was found to be effective in moderating the harmful effects of reperfusion on the severely ischemic myocardium. In isolated working rat heart preparations it was found that 120 min of global ischemia followed by 15 min of reperfusion resulted in a massive leakage of creatine phosphokinase into the coronary effluent, and in many cases, in fibrillation and/or contracture. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure increased sharply during reperfusion in these hearts. Reperfusion did not affect tissue ATP levels, but did increase creatine phosphate somewhat. When Diltiazem was added to the perfusate (final concentration 0.4 μ m ) 5 min prior to re-establishment of flow, the deleterious effects of reperfusion were greatly reduced. None of the hearts fibrillated on reperfusion, and none developed contracture. Left-ventricular end-diastolic pressure was increased only slightly in these hearts. The amount of creatine phosphokinase released into the coronary effluent during re-flow was only one-half that which was released by hearts reperfused in the absence of Diltiazem. In the Diltiazem-treated hearts reperfusion restored creatine phosphate to near-normal levels, although ATP levels were not increased. The beneficial effects of Diltiazem are probably related to its ability to reduce the rapid and massive mitochondrial calcium overloading which normally accompanies reperfusion of severely ischemic myocardium.
Advances in multichannel ellipsometric techniques for in-situ and real-time characterization of thin films

Recent advances in the design of multichannel ellipsometers based on rotating-element principles have significantly increased their power for applications involving in-situ, real-time analysis of thin films and surfaces. These advances include: (i) extensions in the upper spectral limit beyond the typical value of 4.5 eV, and (ii) increases in the number of extracted parameters beyond the usual two, namely the ellipsometric angles (ψ, Δ). An extended spectral range is enabled, for example, by use of a tandem light source configuration and a grating spectrograph having two stages of order-sorting filters mounted over the window of the linear array detector. With an upper spectral limit of 6.5 eV, such ellipsometers are particularly useful in growth analysis for wide band gap thin films. The larger parameter set is enabled by use of dual or single rotating compensators for polarization state modulation and/or analysis, replacing the traditional rotating polarizer. For the single rotating-compensator instrument in the PSCrA configuration, one can extract the Stokes vector of the reflected beam, and thus its degree of polarization. This in turn can provide information on sample thickness variations over the beam cross-section and can suppress the effects of multiply-scattered light so that non-uniform and macroscopically rough surfaces can be analyzed. For the dual rotating compensator in the PCr1SCr2A configuration, one can extract the entire Mueller matrix of the sample and thus the characteristics of anisotropic surfaces and thin films. Applications of these advances include studies of thickness evolution of the phase for boron nitride and silicon film growth, and the nature and origin of surface-induced optical anisotropy of (110) silicon.
Vibration-based monitoring to detect mass changes in satellites

Vibration-based structural health monitoring could be a useful form of determining the health and safety of space structures. A particular concern is the possibility of a foreign object that attaches itself to a satellite in orbit for adverse reasons. A frequency response analysis was used to determine the changes in mass and moment of inertia of the space structure based on a change in the natural frequencies of the structure or components of the structure. Feasibility studies were first conducted on a 7 in x 19 in aluminum plate with various boundary conditions. Effect of environmental conditions on the frequency response was determined. The baseline frequency response for the plate was then used as the basis for detection of the addition, and possibly the location, of added masses on the plate. The test results were compared to both analytical solutions and finite element models created in SAP2000. The testing was subsequently expanded to aluminum alloy satellite panels and a mock satellite with dummy payloads. Statistical analysis was conducted on variations of frequency due to added mass and thermal changes to determine the threshold of added mass that can be detected.
Diel Behavior and Seasonal Distribution of Walleye, Stizostedlon vitreum Mitchill, in Marion Reservoir, Based on Ultrasonic Telemetry

ABSTRACT Diel activity and seasonal distribution of four female and five male adult walleye implanted with ultrasonic tags were monitored in Marion Reservoir, Kansas, on 73 dates from March 28, 1987, to August 10, 1988. There were 299 separate contacts with the implanted walleye during 454 hours of tracking. On a seasonal basis, the number of contacts recorded was proportionate to the tracking effort expended per season. However, the difference between the number of contacts recorded per diel period and the number expected based on hours of tracking per period was significant (P < 0.001). More individuals were actively swimming when contacted during crepuscular and nocturnal hours than during the day. Behaviors exhibited by the implanted walleye were holding station, meandering swimming and cruise swimming. Three females and one male established separate home ranges, and each used the same home range during 1987 and 1988. The remaining individuals tended to be nomadic. Except during the spawning season, t...
Personal exposure monitoring wearing protocol compliance: An initial assessment of quantitative measurement

Personal exposure sampling provides the most accurate and representative assessment of exposure to a pollutant, but only if measures are implemented to minimize exposure misclassification and reduce confounders that may cause misinterpretation of the collected data. Poor compliance with personal sampler wearing protocols can create positive or negative biases in the reported exposure concentrations, depending on proximity of the participant or the personal sampler to the pollutant source when the monitor was not worn as instructed. This paper presents an initial quantitative examination of personal exposure monitor wearing protocol compliance during a longitudinal particulate matter personal exposure monitoring study of senior citizens of compromise health in North Carolina. Wearing compliance varied between participants because of gender or employment status, but not longitudinally or between cohorts. A minimum waking wearing compliance threshold, 0.4 for this study of senior citizens, is suggested to define when personal exposure measurements are representative of a participant's exposure. The ability to define a minimum threshold indicates data weighting techniques may be used to estimate a participant's exposure assuming perfect protocol compliance.
High-energy behavior of scattering amplitudes in Yang--Mills theories

It is shown that all the Regge poles discovered in explicit leading--logarithm calculations up to eighth order of perturbation theory for scattering amplitudes involving Yang-Mills mesons can be understood on the basis of Reggeization of the signatured Born helicity amplitudes. (AIP)
Butyrophenone influences on the opiate receptor.

Abstract Interaction of neuroleptic drugs with the opiate receptor was investigated by inhibition of the stereospecific binding of 3 H-naloxone. Benperidol and pimozide, with IC 50 's of 0.3–0.5 μM, were more potent than the classical opiates meperidine and propoxyphene. A systematic structure-activity relationship was evident with the basic opiate structure of a benzene and a piperidine ring preserved in active compounds. No correlation between neuroleptic activity and binding to the opiate receptor was demonstrated.
In-situ calibration of boiler instrumentation using analytic redundancy

This paper presents a broadly useful diagnostic methodology, which engineers and plant managers can use to detect system faults and find the in-situ operating characteristics of boilers when some metered data are either missing or obviously erroneous. The methodology is able to analyse conflicting measurements and utilize analytic redundancy (AR) to deduce the measurement or measurements that are substantially in error without shutting down the plant and recalibrating all instrumentation. The application of the AR technique in evaluating boiler performance is presented through a case study. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spin-out: the Chinese rings in the classroom

A new puzzle marketed under the name of Spin-Out is presented as a modernization of the Chinese Rings puzzle. An integration of the puzzle into the second programming course is then detailed as an aid in teaching recursive programming.
Anomalous origin of coronary artery from pulmonary artery masquerading as mitral insufficiency.

Abstract An adolescent boy with the presenting problem of gross mitral insufficiency was found to have the basic abnormality of a left coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery. From the physiologic and pathologic data collected, no conclusion could be reached in regard to the direction of blood flow in the anomalous vessel. Gross and extensive myocardial fibrosis was present. The mitral incompetence appeared to be related primarily to the enlargement of the left ventricle and the mitral annulus.
The Rise of the Corporation in a Craft Industry: Conflict and Conformity in Institutional Logics

This study tests a theory of how a craft- and profession-based industry adopted multidivisional organization, examining higher education publishing from 1958 through 1990. I combined interviews and...
Uniform representations of structured patterns and an algorithm for the induction of contingency-response rules*

Many events (patterns) may be described by structural (conjunctive relational) representations, and general computational behavior may be represented in terms of a set of grammatical rules (productions, transformations) relating two such event representations as contingency and response components. Uniform representations and graphs of structural descriptions and rules are introduced. An abstraction of a set of uniform representations corresponds to a common subgraph of the corresponding uniform graphs. Every rule F = [(∀x1 ,…, xn) C(x1 ,…, xn) ⇒ R(x1 ,…, xn)] which can be induced from a training set I = {(Ci , Ri): i= 1,…, N} of contingency—response (input—output) pairs is identified with a common subgraph of the uniform graphs of the causal inferences Ci ⇒ Ri. A general learning problem is formulated for which three cases are distinguishable on the basis of if and how substitutions from input to output patterns are to be made. Category (unary) and n-ary predicate learning in this framework are discussed. Examples of rule learning applications are drawn from the domains of transformational grammar. The properties (both desirable and undesirable) of the proposed approach and the differences between it and previous approaches are also considered.
Friction and convection studies of R-134a in microchannels within the transition and turbulent flow regimes

Fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of single-phase flows in microchannels for refrigerant R-134a were experimentally investigated. Experiments were conducted using rectangular channels micromilled in aluminum with hydraulic diameters ranging from approximately 112 to 210 w m and aspect ratios that varied from 1.0 to 1.5. Using overall temperature, flow rate, and pressure drop measurements, friction factors and convective heat transfer coefficients were experimentally determined for steady flow conditions. Effects of Reynolds number, relative roughness, and channel aspect ratio are examined in predicting friction factor and Nusselt number for the experiments. Experiment results indicated that transition from laminar to turbulent flow occurred between a Reynolds number of 2,000 and 4,000. Friction factor results were consistently lower than values predicted by macroscale correlations but exhibited the same trends with Reynolds numbers of macroscale correlations. Nusselt number results also exhibit...
3,6-nonadien-1-ol from Citrullus vulgaris and Cucumis melo.

Abstract cis , cis -3,6-Nonadien-1-ol isolated from watermelon and previously from muskmelon by vacuum steam distillation-extraction, was identified by int
Physiological changes in primate somatosensory thalamus induced by deafferentation are dependent on the spinal funiculi that are sectioned and time following injury

The importance of spike bursts in thalamo-cortical processing of sensory information has received an increasing amount of interest over the past several years. Previously it has been reported that short high-frequency spike trains (3-8 action potentials occurring at 67-167 Hz), or spike bursts, are increased in both human and non-human primate thalamus following deafferentation. Here we examine the effects of lesion of the ventral spinal quadrant alone versus combined lesion of the ventral and dorsal spinal quadrants on the evoked and spontaneous spike trains in thalamic neurons. A total of 1175 neurons were sampled from 13 animals, three intact, six with ventral quadrant lesions (three with prolonged survival and three with short-term survival after spinal lesion) and four with combined ventral and dorsal quadrant lesions. Detailed analysis was conducted on 256 of these neurons, which revealed that thalamic neurons of animals with ventral quadrant lesions had elevated burst and non-burst spike rates while neurons from animals with combined ventral-dorsal lesions showed two types of change. Neurons in the forelimb areas showed increased bursts without a change in non-burst activity, while neurons in lateral VPL without receptive fields showed very low non-burst activity, but high burst spike rates. The magnitude of the effects produced by ventral-lateral spinal lesions was more pronounced in the short-term survival animals than in the long-term survival animals. These results show that the effects of deafferentation on the physiological properties of thalamic neurons are dependent on the afferent tract or tracts that are lesioned and the time after lesion.
Comments on "Determining optimal fuel mix for environmental dispatch"

Recently Schweizer proposed a method to address the optimal fuel mixing problem in the context of environmental dispatch. This note reviews some of the assumptions, and proposes possible improvements.
Effects of Experience on the Brain: The Role of Neuroscience in Early Development and Education

Research Findings: Research on the effect of experience on the structure and function of the brain across the lifespan pertains directly to the concerns of professionals involved with children's early development and education. This paper briefly reviews (a) the role of experience in shaping the developing brain, (b) individual adaptation to the environment through learning and memory, and (c) the effects of stress on the developing and adult brain. Controversies about applications of this knowledge to recommendations for parents and teachers regarding the care and education of young children are described followed by current neuroscience research and scholarship in early education. Practice or Policy: Neuroscience perspectives and methods are currently contributing to research on children's early environments and experiences. Thus, it is vital that early development and education professionals become knowledgeable about them.
Preservation of monkey testicular tissue with human albumin.

SummaryMinced immature rhesus testicular tissue remained viable for a period of 8 weeks when refrigerated at 5°C in Hanks' basic salt solution containing 2.5% salt-poor human albumin. Some observations on the use of human albumin as a constituent of tissue culture media have been recorded.