cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robotic Adrenal Surgery

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become standard of care for benign adrenal disease and is increasingly considered for malignant disease. Though used primarily for intracorporeal suturing, robotic techniques have been applied to laparoscopic adrenalectomy to improve dexterity and visualization during dissection. In particular, these techniques may facilitate identification of small and often numerous adrenal vessels and visualization and dissection of the short right adrenal vein. While robotic adrenalectomy has not proven superior to laparoscopy by objective data, it may be a reasonable option for selected patients, particularly at high volume robotic centers, and assist practitioners without substantial laparoscopic experience. This chapter reviews indications for minimally invasive adrenalectomy, discusses techniques for both right and left robotic adrenalectomy, and reviews literature pertaining to the procedure and comparison with the laparoscopic approach.
Comparison of content of FDA letters not approving applications for new drugs and associated public announcements from sponsors: cross sectional study

Objectives To describe the content of non-public complete response letters issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when they do not approve marketing applications from sponsors (drug companies) and to compare them with the content any subsequent press releases issued by those sponsors Design Cross sectional study. Data sources All applications for which FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research initially issued complete response letters (n=61) from 11 August 2008 to 27 June 2013. Complete response letters and press releases were divided into discrete statements related to seven domains and 64 subdomains and assessed to determine whether they matched. Results 48% (29) of complete response letters cited deficiencies in both the safety and efficacy domains, and only 13% cited neither safety nor efficacy deficiencies. No press release was issued for 18% (11) of complete response letters, and 21% (13) of press releases did not match any statements from the letters. Press release statements matched 93 of the 687 statements (14%), including 16% (30/191) of efficacy and 15% (22/150) of safety statements. Of 32 complete response letters that called for a new clinical trial for safety or efficacy, 59% (19) had matching press release statements. Seven complete response letters reported higher mortality rates in treated participants; only one associated press release mentioned this fact. Conclusions FDA generally issued complete response letters to sponsors for multiple substantive reasons, most commonly related to safety and/or efficacy deficiencies. In many cases, press releases were not issued in response to those letters and, when they were, omitted most of the statements in the complete response letters. Press releases are incomplete substitutes for the detailed information contained in complete response letters.
Rapid microbial detection and enumeration using gel microdroplets and colorimetric or fluorescence indicator systems.

A new micromethod employing gel microdroplets (GMDs) and optical measurements can be used for rapid detection and enumeration of viable microorganisms (J. C. Weaver, G. B. Williams, A. M. Klibanov, and A. L. Demain, Bio/Technology 6:1084-1089, 1988) and has several potential applications in clinical microbiology. This method involves entrapping microorganisms in GMDs (10 to 100 microns in diameter) which are surrounded by a hydrophobic (low dielectric) fluid, subsequently distinguishing occupied and unoccupied GMDs with colorimetric or fluorescence indicators, counting both occupied and unoccupied GMDs, and applying Poisson statistical analysis. Acid-producing microorganisms were used to compare colorimetric and fluorescence pH indicator systems. Fluorescence systems were generally superior, particularly for detection before microbial growth occurred. Although colorimetric detection was reasonably fast for fast-growing microorganisms, significantly longer times were needed for slow-growing microorganisms. We investigated the dependence of the detection time on microbial division time, GMD size, and buffering capacity of the medium within GMDs. It was found possible to use a single preparation of GMDs, containing a range of GMD sizes, to simultaneously provide a viable enumeration of growing and nongrowing (e.g., stressed) cells. This was possible because small GMDs responded rapidly to both growing and nongrowing cells, while large GMDs, although slower, responded much more rapidly to growing cells than to nongrowing cells. Separate analysis of small and large GMDs in the same preparation yielded two enumerations, one of nongrowing cells and the other of growing cells. GMDs can also be used with conventional light microscopy to detect and enumerate fast-growing acid-producing bacteria much more quickly than conventional plating methods.
The ART of social networking: how SART member clinics are connecting with patients online

Objective To study and describe the use of social networking websites among Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) member clinics. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting University-based practice. Patient(s) Not applicable. Intervention(s) Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure(s) Prevalence of social networking websites among SART member clinics and evaluation of content, volume, and location (i.e., mandated state, region) using multivariate regression analysis. Result(s) A total of 384 SART-registered clinics and 1,382 social networking posts were evaluated. Of the clinics, 96% had a website and 30% linked to a social networking website. The majority of clinics (89%) with social networking websites were affiliated with nonacademic centers. Social networking posts mostly provided information (31%) and/or advertising (28%), and the remaining offered support (19%) or were irrelevant (17%) to the target audience. Only 5% of posts involved patients requesting information. Clinic volume correlated with the presence of a clinic website and a social networking website. Conclusion(s) Almost all SART member clinics have a website. Nearly one-third of these clinics host a social networking website such as Facebook, Twitter, and/or a blog. Large-volume clinics commonly host social networking websites. These sites provide new ways to communicate with patients, but clinics should maintain policies on the incorporation of social networks into practice.
A computational semantics approach to aphasic sentence comprehension

Background: Patients with brain damage often exhibit difficulty understanding sentences, with certain grammatical constructions posing more of a problem than others. Differences between sentences that are “hard” or “easy” to process have been characterised in terms of modern syntactic theory, leading to a number of insightful proposals regarding the nature of sentence comprehension problems in aphasia. However, little attention has been devoted to the semantic aspects of aphasic sentence comprehension. Aims: The primary aim of this research is to validate the use of a computational semantic approach for modelling aphasic sentence comprehension. Methods & Procedures: The model presented here is an extension of natural language processing software designed by Blackburn and Bos (2006). The original program parses a natural language expression by means of a simple definite clause grammar, assigning a semantic representation to each node in the parse tree. The final result of a successful parse is a sentence f...
Rate Constants for the Gas-Phase Reactions of NO3 Radicals and O3 with C6−C14 1-Alkenes and 2-Methyl-1-alkenes at 296 ± 2 K

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of NO3 radicals and O3 with a series of C6−C14 1-alkenes and 2-methyl-1-alkenes have been measured at 296 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air using relative rate methods. For the NO3 radical reactions, the rate constants obtained (in units of 10−14 cm3 molecule−1 s−1) were: 1-hexene, 2.00 ± 0.16; 1-octene, 2.35 ± 0.15; 1-decene, 2.55 ± 0.16; 1-dodecene, 2.79 ± 0.36; 1-tetradecene, 2.87 ± 0.21; 2-methyl-1-pentene, 43.8 ± 2.3; 2-methyl-1-hexene, 52.4 ± 2.5; 2-methyl-1-octene, 57.8 ± 2.6; 2-methyl-1-nonene, 60.8 ± 2.9; 2-methyl-1-undecene, 60.8 ± 3.3; 2-methyl-1-tridecene, 60.3 ± 3.4; and cycloheptene, 49.4 ± 2.0. For the O3 reactions, the rate constants obtained (in units of 10−17 cm3 molecule−1 s−1) were: 1-hexene, 0.898 ± 0.054; 1-heptene, 1.05 ± 0.07; 1-octene, 1.01 ± 0.04; 1-decene, 1.11 ± 0.05; 1-dodecene, 1.38 ± 0.14; 1-tridecene, 1.92 ± 0.12; 1-tetradecene, 2.44 ± 0.24; 2-methyl-1-pentene, 1.26 ± 0.13; 2-methyl-1-heptene, 1.35 ± 0.05; 2-methyl-1-octene, 1....
Delineation of a DNA Recognition Element for the Vitamin D3 Receptor by Binding Site Selection

Abstract The vitamin D3 receptor is a ligand-inducible transcriptional regulatory protein. The receptor modulates the transcription of target genes by binding directly to specific DNA sites, termed vitamin D response elements; these sites vary considerably in their homologies to each other. In order to approach the question of what sequences can constitute high affinity recognition elements for the vitamin D3 receptor, we have selected for such sites in vitro by mixing overexpressed and purified vitamin D3 receptor DNA binding domain with an oligonucleotide duplex pool containing a completely randomized central region flanked by primer-annealing sites. Following multiple rounds of immunopreciptation and amplification by PCR to enrich for high affinity sites, individual clones were sequenced and found to contain nearly identical hexameric sequences, yielding a consensus 5′-AGGGGG-3′. This sequence is similar to some known vitamin D3 receptor binding sites, such as osteocalcin, but quite divergent from others. This suggests that the vitamin D3 receptor may be able to selectively recognize at least two classes of sequence elements.
High power pulsed lasers

Pulsed high power lasers can deliver sufficient energy on inertial fusion time scales (0.1–10 ns) to heat and compress DT fuel to fusion reaction conditions. Several laser systems have been examined for application to the fusion problem. Examples are Nd∶glass, CO2, KrF, and I2, etc. A great deal of developmental effort has been applied to the Nd∶glass laser and the CO2 gas laser systems. These systems now deliver >104 kJ and >20×1012 W to inertial fusion targets. The Nova Nd∶glass laser is being constructed to provide >200 kJ and >200×1012 W of 1 Μm radiation for fusion experimentation in the mid-1980s. For inertial fusion target gain, >100 times the laser input, it is expected that the laser must deliver ∼3–5 MJ of energy on the 10–20 ns time scale. This paper reviews the developments in laser technology and outlines approaches to construction of a 3–5 MJ driver.
New approach to robust observer design

This paper shows that based on the recent development of observer design solution, an observer pole selection method can be formulated to minimize the observer gain to the system input. It is proved that this method is a deterministic approach to the recovery of the loop transfer function and robustness of direct state feedback systems.
GENERA OF NORTH AMERICAN FABACEAE VII. ASTRAGALUS AND RELATED GENERA (CONTINUED)

Annual or perennial herbs. The leaves are alternate, odd-pinnate, with several or many leaflets. The flowers are perfect, in axillary racemes. The calyx-tube is campanulate, the teeth subulate. The corolla is purple or white, rarely ochroleucous. The banner is broadly obovate, subsessile. The wings are clawed, the blade obliquely oblanceolate or lunate, with a reflexed auricle, free. The keel-petals are adnate, clawed, the blades broadly lunate, in two American species produced into a small beak. The stamens are diadelphous (9 and I), the sheath is straight, the free upper part of the filaments curved upwards. The ovary is many-ovuled, the style curved, the stigma minute, terminal. The pod is elongate, sessile, linear or oblong, or rarely lance-oblong in outline, usually somewhat compressed, rarely terete, coriaceous, or rarely membranous, not inflated, completely (or in one species incompletely) 2-celled, the septum meeting the upper suture. The seeds are obliquely reniform. ILLUSTRATION: Plate XVI U. Hamosa Nuttalliana (DC.) Rydb., X 2/3; I. calyx; 2. banner; 3. wing; 4. keel-petal; 5. stamens; 6. pistil, X 2; 7. pod; 8. pod in longitudinal section, the septum partly removed to show the seeds, X I; 9. pod in cross-section; IO. seed, X 2. SYNONYM: Hamaria Fourr, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon, II. i6: 364. i868. Fourreau changed the name to Hamaria, a noun meaning a bearer or user of hooks, as hamosa is an adjective, meaning full of or abundant in hooks. Medicus, who established the genus on Astragalus hamosus L., used the feminine adjective form of the specific name as generic name. He also used several other specific adjectives in a similar way for his genera. The worst of these is perhaps Contortuplicata, another genus of this group. In the type species, Astragalus hamosus, the pod is much elongate, semiwoody or firmly leathery, completely 2-celled, and strongly curved. The main difference between Hamosa and Astragalus, in a restricted sense, is the elongate, spreading, or reflexed pod of the former. Only in a few of the species (in none of the American ones), the pod is as much curved as in the type; in many of them the pod is straight. In the North American species the texture of the valves is less thick and less firm, in some submembranous. In one species, Hamosa imperfecta, the septum does not meet the upper suture, but in every other respect the structure of the pod and the habit of the plant agrees perfectly with the other species of the section LEPTOCARPAE. In two species, H. nothoxys and H. acutirostris,
Solution concentration influences voluntary consumption of nicotine under multiple bottle conditions.

Abstract Female Sprague Dawley rats were given a choice between two concentrations of nicotine solution (5 µg/ml and 8 µg/ml) and water in a 5-bottle arrangement for 25 days. Rats developed clear bottle discrimination, drinking more of the 5 µg/ml nicotine solution than water or the higher concentration nicotine solution. Further, intake patterns were sensitive to exposure. Differences in consumption of the three solutions (5 µg/ml vs. 8 µg/ml vs. water) were minimal during initial exposure days but became clear and stable with chronic exposure. Control rats given 5 bottles of water drank equally from all bottles and showed no development of preference for bottle position. Results suggest that both environmental availability and post-ingestional effects of nicotine contribute to the voluntarily oral consumption of nicotine solutions by rats. The influence of these two factors, however, is modulated by exposure. Availability appears to drive consumption initially, but the impact of concentration exerts more control over consumption with continued exposure. These data support the utility of oral methods of nicotine self-administration in the laboratory rat and suggest the need for further investigations into the biological impact of nicotine consumed orally.
Evaluation of CM5 Charges for Condensed-Phase Modeling

The recently developed Charge Model 5 (CM5) is tested for its utility in condensed-phase simulations. The CM5 approach, which derives partial atomic charges from Hirshfeld population analyses, provides excellent results for gas-phase dipole moments and is applicable to all elements of the periodic table. Herein, the adequacy of scaled CM5 charges for use in modeling aqueous solutions has been evaluated by computing free energies of hydration (ΔGhyd) for 42 neutral organic molecules via Monte Carlo statistical mechanics. An optimal scaling factor for the CM5 charges was determined to be 1.27, resulting in a mean unsigned error (MUE) of 1.1 kcal/mol for the free energies of hydration. Testing for an additional 20 molecules gave an MUE of 1.3 kcal/mol. The high precision of the results is confirmed by free energy calculations using both sequential perturbations and complete molecular annihilation. Performance for specific functional groups is discussed; sulfur-containing molecules yield the largest errors. I...
Isolation and Characterization of Dendrimers with Precise Numbers of Functional Groups

Substantial attention has been devoted to nanoparticles conjugated with functional ligands. Application of these materials has included building blocks for nano-scale structures,[1] materials for sensing and detection,[2] platforms for targeted delivery,[3] imaging and diagnostic systems,[4] and probes of biological structure.[5] One of the challenging features of these systems is the heterogeneous distribution of ligands per particle. For the vast majority of systems reported, these distributions are not characterized nor are they incorporated in design parameters. The implications of this heterogeneity are two-fold: First, mixtures containing many ligand/particle ratios make studies that investigate composition–activity relationships complex; second, production of materials with a consistent distribution of ligand/particle ratios is problematic because of inconsistencies in the nanoparticle preparations and reaction kinetics. New methods that exhibit precise control over the number of ligands per particle have the potential for dramatically improved functional efficacy, batch reproducibility, and an enhanced ability to probe the relationship between activity and the number of ligands conjugated to a particle.
4-Vinylcyclohexene diepoxide reduces fertility in female Siberian hamsters when treated during their reproductively active and quiescent states

The industrial compound 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) destroys ovarian follicles and reduces fertility in rodents, but to date VCD has not been tested in species that experience seasonal anestrus. To determine if VCD destroys follicles when administered during reproductive quiescence, Siberian hamsters were treated with VCD (240mg/kg i.p. daily for 10 days) during short days, and outcomes were compared with reproductively active females that were maintained and treated in long days. Primordial follicle numbers were significantly reduced by VCD under both day lengths, and reproductive quiescence in short days did not appear to render the ovaries less susceptible to VCD-induced follicle depletion. Independent of day length and reproductive state, VCD-treated hamsters weaned substantially fewer offspring than controls. These results suggest that time of year may not be an important consideration for optimizing use of VCD in the field when the target pest species is a seasonally breeding rodent.
Fault diagnosis for airplane engines using Bayesian networks and distributed particle swarm optimization

This paper presents a fault diagnosis system for airplane engines using Bayesian networks (BN) and distributed particle swarm optimization (PSO). The PSO is inherently parallel, works for large domains and does not trap into local maxima. We implemented the algorithm on a computer cluster with 48 processors using message passing interface (MPI) in Linux. Our implementation has the advantages of being general, robust, and scalable. Unlike existing BN-based fault diagnosis methods, neither expert knowledge nor node ordering is necessary prior to the Bayesian Network discovery. The raw datasets obtained from airplane engines during actual flights are preprocessed using equal frequency binning histogram and used to generate Bayesian networks fault diagnosis for the engines. We studied the performance of the distributed PSO algorithm and generated a BN that can detect faults in the test data successfully.
Linear discriminant function analysis of acoustic emission signals for cutting tool monitoring

Abstract A principal setback to automation of the machining process is the inability to completely monitor the condition of the cutting tool in real time. Whereas several of the techniques developed to date are useful in specific applications, no universally applicable sensor is yet available. Acoustic emission is one of the most promising techniques to be recently developed for on-line cutting tool monitoring. However, signal analysis is still an area that requires further investigation to enhance the potential of acoustic emission. For this purpose, frequency-based pattern recognition concepts using linear discriminant functions have been used in analysing acoustic emission signals generated during machining to distinguish between different signal sources, specifically chip formation, tool fracture, and chip noise. Five features were used for classification in the frequency range of 100 kHz to 1 MHz, with each feature consisting of a 20 kHz bandwidth, and were selected using the class mean scatter criterion. The coefficients of the discriminant functions were obtained by training the system using signals generated by each of the sources of interest. An AISI 1018 steel was machined using a titanium carbide-coated cutting tool. Cutting speeds ranged from 200 to 800 ft/min (1 to 4 m/sec) with feed rats of 0·0005 to 0·0075 in/rev (0·0133 mm/rev to 0·191 mm/rev) and depth of cut 0·17 in (4·32 mm). The results show a successful classification rate of 90% for tool breakage, while those for chip formation and chip noise were 97 and 86% respectively.
Low-cost flexible printed circuit technology based microelectrode array for extracellular stimulation of the invertebrate locomotory system

Abstract The biobotic control of invertebrates through functional electrical stimulation of neural and neuromuscular tissue is under active exploration. Implantable microelectrodes are often designed to be used in chronic long term applications in vertebrates and subjected to strict endurance and resolution requirements. However, these constraints can be relaxed in invertebrate-related applications to allow low cost production for high-volume markets. In this study, we propose flexible printed circuit board (flex-PCB) based electrodes for implantable neuromuscular stimulation, address related shortcomings, and suggest modifications in the fabrication process. We were able to obtain a charge storage capacity of 3.18 mC/cm2 and 1 kHz impedance of 52 kΩ with gold electroplated 100 μm × 100 μm electrode sites on the flex-PCB electrodes. The electrodeposition of iridium oxide and electrochemical polymerization of PEDOT with dopant PSS on microelectrodes enhanced the charge storage capacity to 38.9 and 124.3 mC/cm2 where the 1 kHz impedance magnitude was 16 kΩ and 3 kΩ, respectively. This improvement in electrochemical performance was also corroborated by current pulsed voltage excursion studies. The long term dip test in saline solution supports the potential of flex-PCB electrodes for neural electrostimulation of insects, while revealing potential instability in PEDOT-PSS coatings with continuous high current density pulsing.
RNA Structural Requirements for RNA Binding, Replication, and Packaging in the Yeast Double-Stranded RNA Virus

Several sites of interaction with viral proteins have been mapped in the plus strand of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae double-stranded RNA virus, ScV. These include a site necessary and sufficient for viral particle binding to plus strands (VBS) and a site necessary and sufficient for interference with replication of viral plus strands (INS). We show that the INS and VBS are identical and that they are necessary and sufficient for packaging. One of the viral RNAs has two adjacent VBS, which have additive INS activity. The second VBS has similar affinity for viral particles as the first but its complex with particles exhibits faster dissociation. Binding to the two sites in the viral RNA is independent but equivalent. This may mean two recognition sites per particle. This is what would be expected for two molecules of the protein thought to be responsible for sequence specific recognition, the cap-pol fusion polypeptide, per particle. Comparison of the secondary structures of several binding sites, as determined by site-directed mutagenesis and by ribonuclease mapping of single- and double-stranded regions, reveals a requirement for a specific loop sequence and two stem regions, in which there is no sequence specificity. Contrary to what was described in previous work, a bulge loop, but not a "bulged" A residue is necessary for binding of the second VBS. A minimal region of 30 bases is enough to cause both packaging and replication.
A two-echelon inventory allocation and distribution center location analysis

Abstract The optimization of locations for distribution centers is influenced by the demand for individual products. Lower demand products are often more effectively held in more centralized locations than higher demand products. This paper presents a model for optimizing the location of inventory for individual products in a multi-product two-echelon inventory system and the integration of those decisions into the location analysis for distribution centers. A realistic application of the analysis process is discussed.
Macaulay as a critic of parliamentary speaking

Macaulay combined historical‐normative and comparative approaches in his critical evaluations of British parliamentary speakers. His criticism, though lacking in subtlety and precision, was based upon wide knowledge and parliamentary experience, and constitutes an important body of criticism to the contemporary student.
SU-E-T-555: Weighted Four-Dimensional IMRT Planning for Dynamic MLC Tracking Using a Practical and Simple Framework.

Purpose: We present a simple, practical framework for truly 4D lungIMRT planning based on a weighted individual‐phase optimization paradigm. This strategy is specifically developed for use in real‐time tumor tracking delivery systems so as to utilize respiratory motion as an additional degree of freedom rather than a constraint. Methods: A 4D‐CT scan from a lungSBRT patient was loaded into the Eclipse treatment planning system. The target and normal structures were manually contoured on each of the ten phases. For each phase, the total dose prescription was scaled by the number of phases and a seven‐field plan was developed. An open‐source deformable image and dose registration engine (DIRART) was used to deform the dose map at each phase to a reference phase. DVH data from the individually optimized phase plans were input into an in‐house linear programming‐based optimizer implemented in MATLAB, in order to determine dose‐weighting factors for each phase. The objective function aimed to maintain PTV coverage while keeping normal structure dose as low as possible. This weighted‐4D plan (W‐4D) was compared to an ITV‐based plan and a 4D plan with equal dose‐weights to individual phases (E‐4D). Results: The W‐4D dose fractions were determined to be 0.33, 0.01, 0.65 and 0.02 at phase 0%, 30%, 40%, and 90%, respectively (and zero elsewhere). PTV coverage (V95) was close to identical for all three strategies. The W‐4D plan exhibited mean lung dose 18.8% and 8.5% lower and mean liver dose 23.3% and 5.7% lower than corresponding values from ITV‐based and E‐4D plans, respectively. Conclusions: By significantly improving normal structure sparing while maintaining PTV coverage, weighted 4D planning represents a more attractive solution than ITV‐based planning for (currently investigational) real‐time tumor tracking‐based delivery systems.
On Some Anomalies in Lame´’s Solutions for Elastic Solids With Holes

Elastic solids with holes under remote tension are reconsidered. When hole dimensions are shrunk so that holes disappear, anomalies occur in the classical elasticity solutions of Lame. By introducing cohesive laws on hole surfaces as they shrink, these anomalies may be removed.
Hierarchical Shape Description Via the Multiresolution Symmetric Axis Transform

A method is proposed that produces a shape description in the form of a hierarchy by scale of simple symmetric axis sequences. An axis segment that is a child of another has smaller scale and is seen as a branch of its parent. The scale value and parent-child relationship are induced by following the symmetric axis under successive reduction of resolution. The result, in two or three dimensions, is a figure?rather than boundary?oriented shape description that has natural segments and is insensitive to noise in the object description. The general approach of hierarchy production by following a feature through successive resolution reduction will be presented, as will methods of resolution reduction and computer implementation. Also, the relation of this figure-based shape description to those based on boundary curvature will be briefly discussed.
ON THE BEHAVIOR OF CONSECUTIVE ENZYMATIC REACTIONS IN CYCLICALLY OPERATED REACTORS

Abstract The dynamics of a process involving consecutive enzymatic reactions were investigated for a case in which the reactions are carried out in a cyclically operated reactor. Each cycle of the operation protocol involves three phases. During phase I the reactor operates in a semi-batch mode involving input of the reactants. During the second phase, the vessel operates in a batch mode. During phase III the reactor has an output only and a fraction of its contents are emptied before another identical cycle begins. It was found that there are regimes in the operating parameter space where the system can reach more than one limit cycle (multistability). Using computer software based on the bifurcation theory for forced systems, as well as one- and two-parameter continuation algorithms, the impact of various parameters on the dynamics of the system was investigated. The results are presented in the form of diagrams. Conditions under which formation of the intermediate product in the reaction sequence is ma...
Cloning and characterization of AtRGP1. A reversibly autoglycosylated arabidopsis protein implicated in cell wall biosynthesis.

A reversibly glycosylated polypeptide from pea ( Pisum sativum ) is thought to have a role in the biosynthesis of hemicellulosic polysaccharides. We have investigated this hypothesis by isolating a cDNA clone encoding a homolog of A rabidopsis t haliana, Reversibly GlycosylatedPolypeptide-1 (AtRGP1), and preparing antibodies against the protein encoded by this gene. Polyclonal antibodies detect homologs in both dicot and monocot species. The patterns of expression and intracellular localization of the protein were examined. AtRGP1 protein and RNA concentration are highest in roots and suspension-cultured cells. Localization of the protein shows it to be mostly soluble but also peripherally associated with membranes. We confirmed that AtRGP1 produced in Escherichia coli could be reversibly glycosylated using UDP-glucose and UDP-galactose as substrates. Possible sites for UDP-sugar binding and glycosylation are discussed. Our results are consistent with a role for this reversibly glycosylated polypeptide in cell wall biosynthesis, although its precise role is still unknown.
PTCA of “shepherd's crook” right coronary arteries with a new shape of guiding catheter

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of lesions in a right coronary artery with a "shepherd's crook" configuration may pose procedural difficulties due to inadequate guiding catheter back-up support. We evaluated the utility of a new shape of guiding catheter, previously evaluated for PTCA of lesions in the left coronary artery, in five cases with this particular right coronary artery anatomy. Factors responsible for success in these cases relate to the catheter's shape and construction.
Social Movement Organizations and Response to Environmental Change: The NAACP, 1960-1973

From 1960 to 1973 the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People struggled to maintain its relevance to the black protest movement in the United States in the face of competition from organizations espousing more radical goals and strategies. The NAACP altered its short-term goals and some of its strategies in response to this challenge, but remained faithful to its traditional long-term goal of integration for blacks. This paper uses the resource mobilization model to help analyze how the NAACP survived this period despite its minimal doctrinal and strategic change. I find that while its membership remained constant, its revenue increased as it became professionalized and drew substantially greater funding from external sources such as foundations and corporations.
Variations in activity of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases as a function of development in Bacillus subtilis

Abstract Extracts from Bacillus sublilis cells at various stages of growth and spores were assayed for aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and methionyl-tRNA transformylase activity. There was no major change in any synthetase activity or in methionyl-tRNA transformylase activity during the sporulation cycle, which implies that these are not sporulation induced enzymes. However, extracts from B. subtilis cultures showed a burst of activity of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases during exponential growth. Preparations from dormant spores possessed the same kinds of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activities as vegetative cells for all the amino acids which were studied. Spores also contained methionyl-tRNA transformylases. These findings suggest that spores ought to be able to aminoacylate tRNA and formylate the initiator. N -formylmethionyl-tRNA, immediately upon germination.
Evaluation of Portable Concrete Barriers Using Finite Element Simulation

The use of finite element (FE) simulations in modeling and evaluating roadside hardware has increased significantly in the past few years. Thanks to the remarkable improvements in computer technology and finite element software, the crash behavior of automobiles and roadside hardware objects can be predicted. Finite element simulations were used to evaluate the safety of portable concrete barriers (PCB). The first step was to develop a methodology for creating accurate FE representations of PCBs. This objective was achieved by developing an FE model of an F-shape PCB design and using full-scale crash test data to validate the model. Once the fidelity and accuracy of the modeling methodology had been proved, FE models of two modified PCB designs were created and their safety performance was evaluated. Based on the simulation results, a third design was developed and its performance was analyzed. The safety performance of the three designs was compared.
228Ra and 228Th in coastal waters

Typically, the waters above the continental shelf contain higher concentrations of 228 Ra but lower concentrations of 228 Th than do the surface waters of the open ocean. The vertical profiles of 228 Ra concentration in the shelf waters of the Middle Atlantic Bight suggest that the shelf sediments are the chief source of 228 Ra, but that the sediments of bays and estuaries are a significant secondary source. In the mid-shelf and outer shelf waters of the Bight, the 228 Ra concentration increases and the 228 Th/ 228 Ra activity ratio decreases from the region bordering Nova Scotia to the region uust north of Cape Hatteras. The mean residence time of thorium in the surface waters of the Bight, calculated from the 228 Th/ 228 Ra activity ratios, ranges from 4 months in the slope waters and outer shelf waters and 1·5 months in the inner shelf waters of the region bordering Nova Scotia to 1·5 months in the slope waters, 20 days in the outer shelf waters and 10 days in the inner shelf waters of the region just north of Cape Hatteras. The vertical profiles of 228 Th concentration in the surface mixed layer and thermocline of the open ocean qualitatively resemble the profiles of concentrations of nutrients, such as phosphate. The process most likely to produce the observed rapid transport of thorium out of the surface waters probably involves uptake of thorium by phytoplankton, ingestion of the phytoplankton by zooplankton, and inclusion of the thorium in rapidly settling fecal pellets.
Childhood trauma and depression in alcoholics: relationship to hostility.

Abstract Objective: To examine for a relationship between childhood trauma and depression in alcoholics. Methods: Euthymic depressed alcoholics (N=23) were compared with never depressed alcoholics (N=20) for their scores on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Subjects also completed the Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire (HDHQ). Results: Euthymic depressed alcoholics had significantly higher scores on the CTQ for childhood emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional neglect. They also had significantly higher hostility scores on the HDHQ. There were significant correlations between adult hostility scores and CTQ scores for childhood emotional neglect, physical neglect, sexual abuse and total childhood trauma. Conclusion: A history of childhood trauma was correlated with adult depression in male alcoholics: a hostile personality dimension might be a mediating variable. Limitation: Subjects were queried on their memories of childhood traumas. Prospective studies are needed.
The moral significance of European languages in African literature

(1971). The moral significance of European languages in African literature. Today's Speech: Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 3-11.
Deliquescence of NaBH 4 from Density Functional Theory and Experiments

We report a theoretical investigation of H2O adsorption on the NaBH4(100) surface based on first principles density functional theory with inclusion of dispersion corrections in order to explore the initial stages of deliquescence at the molecular level. In the zero coverage limit, H2O is found to bind strongly to sodium sites on NaBH4(100) through O··· Na and O–H···H–B attractions. As the coverage increases H2O molecules adsorb on boron sites. H atoms in the adsorbed H2O monomer adopt tilted down (15°–20°) configurations with respect to the NaBH4(100) surface, which undergoes reconstruction in response to adsorbed H2O by rotations of BH4– groups of up to 90° and slight distortions of the positions of Na+ and BH4–. The adsorption energy per H2O is roughly independent of water coverage up to at least a coverage of four monolayers, suggesting that it is energetically feasible for water to condense on the surface, in agreement with experiments. We have experimentally studied the deliquescence of a mixture of...
The effects of rose bengal on the imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri (forel)

Abstract The imported fire ant is susceptible to a lethal photooxidation reaction after ingesting rose bengal. The reaction has been shown to be dependent on dye concentration, incubation period prior to exposure, light intensity and exposure time. Imported fire ants are also susceptible to a long-term lethal reaction that is light independent.
Use of electronic anti-fouling technology with filtration to prevent fouling in a heat exchanger

Abstract An innovative technology to control fouling in heat exchangers was developed, based on a combined use of electronic anti-fouling (EAF) technology and filtration. To validate the concept, the present study conducted a series of accelerated fouling tests with an artificial hard water of a hardness of 1000 mg 1 −1 . The pressure drop across a heat transfer test tube and the overall heat transfer coefficient were measured as a function of time. The pressure drop obtained with the combined use of the EAF treatment and filter showed almost no change from the initial value. Furthermore, the overall heat transfer coefficient obtained with the combined use of the EAF treatment and filter decreased by 6% from the initial value, whereas the U value dropped by 29% without any treatment.
Effects of the addition of direct-fed microbials and glycerol to the diet of lactating dairy cows on milk yield and apparent efficiency of yield

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a direct-fed microbial (M) and dietary glycerol (G) on milk yield, efficiency of yield, and nutrient digestibility during hot weather. Sixty Holstein cows averaging 120 d in milk (DIM) and 36.2 kg/d of milk were used in a 12-wk 2×2 factorial design trial from June through September 2008. Cows were fed a common diet during the 2-wk standardization period and were blocked by milk yield, DIM, parity, and dry matter intake. Diets were based on corn and ryegrass silages and balanced to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Treatments included a negative control (M- or G-), 4 × 10(9) cfu/head of a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NP51 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii NP24 (M+), control plus 400 g/h per day of 99% pure food-grade glycerol (G+), and 4×10(9) cfu/h per day of a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NP51 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii NP24 plus 400 g/h per day of 99% pure food-grade glycerol (MG++). No interactions were observed between direct-fed microbials and dietary glycerol in the study except on apparent nutrient digestibility. No differences were observed in dry matter intake, which averaged 22.7, 23.1, 23.4, and 22.9 for M-, G-, M+, and G+, respectively. Milk yield was increased for M+ compared with M- at 34.1 and 31.7 kg/d, but G+ had no effect on yield. No treatment effect was noted for milk fat percentage or milk protein percentage among diets. Milk protein yield was higher for M+ compared with M- at 0.93 versus 0.87 kg/d. Energy-corrected milk was improved for the M+ versus M- groups at 33.5 and 31.6 kg/d, respectively. No differences in respiratory rate, skin temperature, body temperature, or concentrations of serum glucose or urea N were observed among treatments. Improvement in apparent digestibility was observed with M+ and G+ compared with M-/G- in this experiment. The addition of a direct-fed microbial alone improved milk and protein yield, energy-corrected milk, and apparent digestibility of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, and the inclusion of glycerol (G+) had a positive effect on apparent dry matter and acid detergent fiber digestibility compared with M-/G-. The addition of a direct-fed microbial and dietary glycerol may improve yield and digestibility for cows subject to heat stress.
Differentiation of muscle and the determination of ultimate tissue size

The factors that determine ultimate muscle size have been studied using a "model" that involves two strains of mice, which had been especially bred for "largeness" (QL) and for "smallness" (QS). The difference in muscle size was not found to be due to a difference in fibre size, but due to a difference in fibre number. The muscles from the "QL" mice contained about 30% more fibres. The reason for this increased fibre number was investigated. During early development, the fusion of mononucleated presumptive myoblasts to form multinucleated myotubes took place at the same time in both "QL" and "OS" mice, as indicated by the appearance and increase in activity of ATP: creatine phosphotransferase. At this stage fibre (and cell) number and size could be determined by measuring nuclear number and protein/DNA ratio respectively. No difference in fibre (and cell) size could be found in mice at 5 days before birth, newly born, or at 20 days of age. At these ages it was found that the muscles from the "QL" mice contained a greater number of nuclei (muscle cells). The amount of RNA/nucleus was used as an index of protein synthetic rate, and no difference could be found between the large mice and the small mice. It was concluded that, in the case of the "QL" mice, the increased fibre number was not brought about by: (i) a delay in time of fusion of presumptive myoblasts; (ii) a smaller number of myoblasts fusing to form myotubes; or (iii) extensive fibre formation after fusion. Differences in fibre number, and hence muscle size, must therefore, presumably be caused by initial differences in the rate of proliferation of myoblasts before fusion.
New silicon monoxide masers

Seven Mira variable stars with silicon monoxide maser emission have been found. All are later than M4 and heavily reddened. Two were observed near maximum light. One, Y Cas, seems to bear out the correlation of 43-GHz SiO maser luminosity and mean spectral type at maximum light. RT Aql, however, falls about 1 mag below the expected brightness. A catalog of SiO maser stars is given.
Alpha and beta adrenergic receptors of canine lung tissue identification and characterization of alpha adrenergic receptors by two different ligands

Abstract Adrenergic receptors of canine peripheral lung tissues were measured by direct binding techniques using [ 3 H]dihydroergocryptine ([ 3 H]DHE), [ 3 H]prazosin and [ 3 H]dihydroalprenolol ([ 3 H]DHA). All three ligands bound to canine lung tissue with saturability, stereospecificity and reversibility. Adrenergic agonists competed for binding of [ 3 H]DHE and [ 3 H]prazosin in the order: 1-epinephrine > 1-norepinephrine > d-epinephrine > d-norepinephrine > 1-isoproterenol. Adrenergic antagonists competed for binding of [ 3 H]prazosin in the order: prazosin > phentolamine > yohimbine. Inhibition curves of [ 3 H]DHE by prazosin or yohimbine were biphasic suggesting two subtypes of binding sites. Maximum binding capacities of [ 3 H]DHE ranged from 30.6 to 42.7 fmol/mg protein. [ 3 H]prazosin from 18.3 to 26.9 fmol/mg protein and [ 3 H]DHA from 135.2 to 359.4 fmol/mg protein. When both [ 3 H]DHE and [ 3 H]prazosin were used in the same membrane preparation, specific binding of [ 3 H]DHE was always more than that of [ 3 H]prazosin. Since [ 3 H]prazosin is considered to bind to alpha 1 adrenergic receptors specifically and [ 3 H]DHE is considered to bind alpha 2 adrenergic receptors nonselectively, the difference between the numbers of the specific binding sites of these two ligands should represent alpha 2 adrenergic receptors. Alpha 2 adrenergic receptor density ranged from 9.5 to 21.1 fmol/mg protein. Our results suggest the existence of both alpha 1 and alpha 2 adrenergic receptors in canine peripheral lung tissue. Approximately 40% of alpha adrenergic receptors were alpha 2 . The ratio of alpha/beta adrenrgic receptors ranged from 1:3.3 to 1:10.4. The ratio of alpha 1 /be ta adrenergic receptors ranged from 1:6.7 to 1:21.1.
Analysis of specific impedance of rabbit cerebral cortex

An analysis of the impedance locus of rabbit cerebral cortex is developed, based largely on a model of neurons and neuroglia as branching cables closely packed with little interstitial space. The analysis only holds for distances greater than 300 μ from a current source. It yields an estimate of 10 msec for cortical neuronal membrane time constant and 0.1 to 10 μsec for neuroglial membrane time constant. This is in reasonable accordance with results from other workers. Neurons comprise 40 to 50% of the cortex volume and neuroglia 35 to 56%. If the interstitial fluid has the same resistivity as cerebrospinal fluid, then interstitial spaces are predicted to comprise from 2 to 15% of the volume. This is in accordance with electron microscopy results. Several alternate models are also considered and shown to be inconsistent with either physiological or anatomical data. Two components of intracellular current flow are present: flow in the direction of the axis of a fiber (longitudinal, cable, or electrotonic flow); and flow normal to the axis of a fiber or across a spherical cell body (transverse). One-third of the volume of cells contributes to longitudinal flow, two-thirds to transverse. Neuroglia cells are very “leaky” to longitudinal current flow at low frequencies, but not to transverse current flow. Thus one-third of the volume of neuroglia can be considered to be effectively interstitial space, but no more. Closer to a current source than 300 μ the analysis does not hold, but at least some of the characteristics “close in” can be determined.
Old roads and new directions : anthropology and the law

Histoire de la maniere dont l'anthropologie a aborde le droit. Les approches evolutionnistes de H. Maine, les approches descriptives de L. Pospisil et P. Bohannan, et les approches considerant les lois comme un moyen de resoudre les disputes n'etaient pas completes. Il faut considerer le politique. Les fonctions du droit sont la resolution des conflits, le controle des ressources, la regulation des relations interpersonnelles, la determination du statut et la protection de la sante publique et du bien-etre. L'analyse anthropologique peut etre conduite sur deux niveaux : le droit en tant qu'ordre et le droit en tant que justice