cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of dynamic simulation to analyze storage and retrieval strategies

In the second half of 1998, shipment volumes at one of Intel's warehouses had increased beyond the storage and retrieval capabilities of the facility. An engineering improvement team began studying changes to the Warehouse Management System (WMS) that would increase throughput. From observation it was unclear what WMS code changes would actually improve throughput, and nearly impossible to predict the amount of improvement that would be realized in the facility. To solve these issues, the algorithms for storing product, releasing orders, and routing vehicles were first analyzed in a dynamic simulation model. Strategies that showed a significant increase in throughput were recommended for coding into the WMS software. Using a simulation model not only allowed the strategies to be prioritized, but also predicted the performance of each strategy. The equipment and physical layout of the facility were comprehended in the simulation model. The storage area consisted of twelve aisles, each 112 bins long and 16 bins high. Product was stored in boxes, which were retrieved and stored by operators driving Stockpicker vehicles. Since both the storage and retrieval of material were entirely controlled by the WMS, it was imperative that a logical routing decision for each Stockpicker vehicle be made. The initial storage and retrieval strategies were first coded in the simulation model to ensure that the model outputs were valid. Then, numerous storage and retrieval strategies were coded and analyzed to determine which ones would increase throughput. The final simulation results showed that throughput could be increased by 110% per day by simply improving the WMS storage and retrieval strategies. No additional vehicles or headcount were required which resulted in a significant annual cost savings.
The loss of Hh responsiveness by a non-ciliary Gli2 variant

Hedgehog signaling is crucial for vertebrate development and physiology. Gli2, the primary effector of Hedgehog signaling, localizes to the tip of the primary cilium, but the importance of its ciliary localization remains unclear. We address the roles of Gli2 ciliary localization by replacing endogenous Gli2 with Gli2ΔCLR, a Gli2 variant not localizing to the cilium. The resulting Gli2 Δ CLRKI and Gli2 Δ CLRKI ;Gli3 double mutants resemble Gli2- null and Gli2;Gli3 double mutants, respectively, suggesting the lack of Gli2ΔCLR activation in development. Significantly, Gli2ΔCLR cannot be activated either by pharmacochemical activation of Smo in vitro or by loss of Ptch1 in vivo . Finally, Gli2ΔCLR exhibits strong transcriptional activator activity in the absence of Sufu, suggesting that the lack of its activation in vivo results from a specific failure in relieving the inhibitory function of Sufu. Our results provide strong evidence that the ciliary localization of Gli2 is crucial for cilium-dependent activation of Hedgehog signaling.
Interleukin‐17 and systemic lupus erythematosus: current concepts

The emerging role of interleukin (IL)-17 as a hallmark proinflammatory cytokine of the adaptive immune system, produced primarily by a new T helper cell subset termed 'Th17', has received considerable attention. Differentiation of Th17 cells is driven by the simultaneous presence of transforming growth factor-beta and certain inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-6, IL-21), and recent studies have shown that inflammation instigated by IL-17-producing cells is central to the development and pathogenesis of several human autoimmune diseases and animal models of autoimmunity. In this review, we focus on the information regarding IL-17 and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease. The work that has explored the development and behaviour of IL-17-producing cells in SLE is discussed, and different mechanisms by which IL-17 could potentially augment inflammation and autoantibody production in the context of SLE are proposed.
Temporal shape of the photocurrent and the discharge current in a pulsed hollow cathode discharge

The temporal shape of both the discharge current and the photocurrent from a pulsed hollow cathode discharge is reported for aluminum, molybdenum, and titanium cathodes. Features which are characteristic of the discharge are discussed in terms of the physical processes involved. A circuit model of the discharge is presented and used to explain the discharge behavior. The effect of supply overvoltage and cathode material on pulse shape is reported and discussed
Mixed boundary value problems for a penny-shaped cut

The axially symmetric problem for a penny-shaped cut is solved in the case the displacements are prescribed on its upper surface and stresses on its lower surface. The solution is achieved by using integral transforms along with certain representations that reduce the general problem to the solution of uncoupled Hilbert problems. For polynomial loadings the Hilbert problems can be solved exactly by methods given by Muskhelishvili. As in the related plane problem two singularities at the edge of the disc are noted in the solution.
Effects of flocculation conditions on agglomerate structure

Abstract Direct experimental measurements of individual floc size and settling velocity allow the agglomerate density or porosity to be determined. Results indicate that density generally decreases with increasing floc size. The experimental data were fitted to an empirical model which was used in statistical testing for significant differences between measured floc density-size relationships in different systems. The effects of flocculation system variables such as agitation intensity, polymer concentration, mixing time, solids concentration, and primary particle size on resultant floc structures are presented and discussed. Based on these results, a simple multistage model is postulated.
Medium- and high-throughput screening of neurotoxicants using C. elegans

The U.S. National Toxicology Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other national and international agencies are committing significant resources towards the development of alternative species to be used as replacements for mammalian models in toxicological studies. Caenorhabditis elegans is a well-characterized soil nematode that is becoming a useful model in the assessment of neurotoxicants. To determine the effects of potential neurotoxicants on C. elegans, four medium-throughput (feeding, growth, reproduction and locomotion) and two high-throughput (growth and reproduction) assays have been developed. Three of these assays use the COPAS Biosort, a flow cytometer capable of rapidly measuring thousands of nematodes in minutes. Medium-throughput feeding, growth, and reproduction assays were used to assess the toxicity of eight suspected neurotoxicants. For several of the neurotoxicants examined, significant effects were observed at similar concentrations between assays. High-throughput reproduction and growth assays were used to estimate the toxicity of thousands of chemicals in two libraries. These assays will prove useful in evaluating the role of alternative toxicological models in tiered toxicity testing of thousands of chemicals.
A METHOD FOR THE STUDY OF SINGLE JAW ADDUCTOR MUSCLE MOTOR UNITS IN THE RAT

Single motor units of the superficial masseter muscle were stimulated by impaling axons in the third division of the trigeminal nerve. Glass micropipette electrodes were driven into the nerve as it runs along the floor of the cranial cavity while passing small current pulses through the electrode to activate axons. Stable penetrations were maintained for as long as 45 min and twitch tensions were recorded for motor units that generated as little as 159 mg (1.6 mN) of force within a superficial masseter muscle capable of producing 20 g of twitch force. These are the first measurements of single motor-unit forces measured directly from the tendon of a whole jaw adductor muscle.
You can't eat moon rocks

The effects produced by the aerospace program are investigated. The technology developed from aerospace-related research, development, and manufacturing has been made available to the public for its use through the NASA Technology Utilization Program. A description is presented of 'spinoffs' of NASA's aerospace programs which are used on a daily basis by the public. Attention is given to the liquid cooled garment technology, meal systems for the elderly, the zinc-rich coating, the emergency blanket, the flexible urethane foam Temper Foam, the 'Fog-Away Coating', and composite graphite equipment.
Reply [to “Comment on ‘Arrhenius and current concerns: Continuity or a 100-year gap?’”]

I thank the distinguished academician K. Ya. Kondratyev for his “great interest” in my paper and find myself in substantial agreement with many of his comments. In particular, I agree that contemporary scientists and policy makers can benefit from a critical study of the history of science. While Kondratyev's focus is on “the more important and difficult task” of improving climate modeling and assessment, my work focuses on the past, which I discuss in greater detail in my book, Historical Perspectives on Climate Change (Oxford, 1998).
Semantic Role Labeling Using libSVM

We describe a system for the CoNLL-2005 shared task of Semantic Role Labeling. The system implements a two-layer architecture to first identify the arguments and then to label them for each predicate. The components are implemented as SVM classifiers using libSVM. Features were adapted and tuned for the system, including a reduced set for the identifier classifier. Experiments were conducted to find kernel parameters for the Radial Basis Function (RBF) kernel. An algorithm was defined to combine the results of the argument labeling classifier according to the constraints of the argument labeling problem.
Structured regions of α-synuclein fibrils include the early-onset Parkinson’s disease mutation sites

α-Synuclein (AS) fibrils are the major component of Lewy bodies, the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we use results from an extensive investigation employing solid-state NMR to present a detailed structural characterization and conformational dynamics quantification of full-length AS fibrils. Our results show that the core extends with a repeated structural motif. This result disagrees with the previously proposed fold of AS fibrils obtained with limited solid-state NMR data. Additionally, our results demonstrate that the three single point mutations associated with early-onset PD—A30P, E46K and A53T—are located in structured regions. We find that E46K and A53T mutations, located in rigid β-strands of the wild-type fibrils, are associated with major and minor structural perturbations, respectively.
Physical and chemical differentiation of three strains of cucumber mosaic virus and peanut stunt virus.

Abstract Several physical and chemical properties of three strains of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and the more distantly related peanut stunt virus (PSV) were studied to see if these viruses, which can be distinguished easily by biological and serological criteria, also exhibited distinct physical-chemical characteristics. The four viruses showed clear differences in electrophoretic mobility, in reactivity with respect to the lysyl-specific reagent trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid, and in their stability with respect to high concentrations of LiCl. In most of these properties, the D strain of CMV was markedly different from the other viruses. Because the above characteristics reflect differences in the capsid structures of these strains, it was not surprising that there was an excellent correlation with the serological grouping of these viruses [ Devergne, J. C., and Cardin, L., Ann. Phytopathol. 5, 409–430 (1973) ; and Devergne, J. C., and Cardin, L., Ann. Phytopathol. , in press (1976) ]. A detailed comparison was also made of the RNA component composition of the four viruses, and the buoyant density distribution of their formaldehyde-stabilized nucleo-proteins after isopycnic centrifugation in Cs formate. Both the buoyant density profiles and RNA component composition were strain-characteristic, clearly reflecting qualitative and quantitative differences in the nucleoprotein composition of the strains. With none of the four viruses was it possible to propose a simple model of the RNA component distribution, as has been done for brome mosaic virus [ Lane, L. C., and Kaesberg, P., Nature New Biol. 232, 40–43 (1971) ]. This was due to the fact that with CMV strains D, R, and PSV, the molar ratios of RNA 3 to RNA 4 greatly exceeded unity while, in addition, strains D and R contained large quantities of the low molecular weight RNA 5. Also, it has been impossible to draw a correlation between the RNA component compositions of the four viruses and their buoyant density profiles.
Pulling optical fibers

Abstract Single crystal fibers have potential for a variety of optical applications both as active and passive elements. They can be produced by a variety of methods; the most versatile of which is the laser-heated pedestal growth technique. Laser heating provides a clean heat source which can be tightly focussed directly onto the sample with a beam size which is comparable with the fiber dimensions of a few μm to several mm. Contamination problems arising from crucibles and furnace components are virtually eliminated in the pedestal growth method, and the amount of material required is minimal. Very steep temperature gradients are possible which permit more rapid growth rates ( ≈ mm/min) than conventional growth methods, and can lead to increased dopant incorporation and the formation of potentially interesting metastable compounds. Crystals of both congruently and incongruently melting compounds can be grown. This method has been found to be a fast, simple, and inexpensive means to produce single crystals for property evaluation, making it an extremely valuable tool for surveying new materials. In addition, small diameter single crystal fibers will usually contain fewer defects than comparable bulk crystals.
Counterfactuals need not be comparative: The case of “As if”

Byrne (2005) assumes that counterfactual thinking requires a comparison of facts with an imagined alternative. In our view, however, this assumption is unnecessarily restrictive. We argue that individuals do not necessarily engage in counterfactual simulations exclusively to evaluate factual reality. Instead, comparative evaluation is often suspended in favor of experiencing the counterfactual simulation as if it were real.
Production of xanthan gum by Sphingomonas bacteria carrying genes from Xanthomonas campestris

Twelve genes coding for assembly, acetylation, pyruvylation, polymerization, and secretion of the polysaccharide xanthan gum are clustered together on the chromosome of the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. These genes (gumBCDEFGHIJKLM) are sufficient for synthesis of xanthan gum when placed in bacteria from a different genus, Sphingomonas. The polysaccharide from the recombinant microorganism is largely indistinguishable, structurally and functionally, from native xanthan gum. These results demonstrate that a complex pathway for biosynthesis of a specific polysaccharide can be acquired by a single inter-generic transfer of genes between bacteria. This suggests the biological and commercial feasibility of synthesizing xanthan gum or other polysaccharides in non-native hosts.
Pseudo-bound-state study of low-energy electron-molecule collisions: Elastic e - H 2 scattering

A study of the low-energy elastic $e$-${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ scattering information contained in multiconfiguration variational wave functions for a low-lying (positive) energy of the ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ system is described. The wave function is calculated using standard bound-state techniques, employing the modified valence-bond method with a basis set of Slater-type orbitals, and from it are obtained starting values at moderate electron-molecule separations for a simple single-channel scattering calculation, which is carried out beyond the region where exchange and coupling of partial waves are thought to be important. Results are presented for ${s}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ elastic scattering for incident-electron energies \ensuremath{\le} 10 eV in the static-exchange approximation with polarization included by means of an adiabatic polarization potential. The study shows that the standard ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ variational function does indeed provide a good approximation to the elastic scattering wave function in the region close to the molecule, but that care must be taken in choosing the basis set. Comparisons are made with other more traditional calculations.
A decision making environment in the classroom

Management Information Systems (MIS) books usually survey decision theory and behavioral issues as they apply to the information system's environment. The material covered is theoretical in nature leaving the student with little awareness of the importance of individual decision processes and information usage.In order to link this theory with the real world environment, I have developed a simulation which has been tested in several sections of an MBA course in Management Information Systems. This paper describes that simulation.
Comparative irritant potency of inhaled sulfate aerosols--effects on bronchial mucociliary clearance.

Abstract The effect of 1-hr oral inhalation exposures to submicrometer aerosols of ammonium bisulfate (NH4HSO4), ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4), and sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) upon mucociliary clearance from the bronchial tree of rabbits was examined. Exposures to NH4HSO4 at concentrations of ∼600–1700 μg/m3 produced a significant depression of clearance rate only at the highest exposure level. No significant effects were observed with the other sulfates at levels up to ∼2000 μg/m3. When results were compared to those from another study in this laboratory using sulfuric acid (H2SO4) aerosol, the ranking of irritant potency was H2SO4 > NH4HSO4 > (NH4)2SO4, Na2SO4. Alteration in bronchial mucociliary clearance due to sulfate aerosols appears to be related to the deposition of [H+] on the mucus lining of conducting airways.
New extraction method for nematode lipids.

Abstract A new procedure for thorough extraction of lipids (designated AIB procedure) was developed during an investigation of lipid metabolism in Stephanurus dentatus, a nematode parasite of swine. Worm homogenates in 0.9% sodium chloride were shaken with 1 2 homogenate volume of acetone (A), and then, in addition, with 1 homogenate volume of the organic phase (IB) of a mixture of isopropanol, benzene, and water (2:2:1, v/v). After centrifugation, the organic (upper) layer was removed and the aqueous phase and interface extracted three additional times. Extracts were reduced in vacuo and maintained under nitrogen. Higher lipid yields were obtained by the AIB method as compared to the well-known Folch procedure. Recoveries for lipid phosphorus, lipid nitrogen, and free sterols are given. This method achieves a very thorough extraction of polar and nonpolar lipids and is especially useful for the extraction of tissue homogenates. It is suggested that this method may be applied to lipid extraction of a variety of biological preparations.
The Human Side of Public Administration

about the human side of public administration is a good opening salvo designed to attract attention, but what I really want to focus my comments on is a thread that is woven deeply within the fibers of administration, and that now, more than ever before, needs to be brought to the surface and recognized explicitly as an integral aspect of our democratic heritage. Specifically, I am referring to the humanistic imperatives that democracy histori-
SYNTHESES, STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATIONS, AND HETEROCUMULENE METATHESIS STUDIES OF NEW MONOMERIC BIS(TRIORGANOSILYLAMIDO)TIN(II) DERIVATIVES

The syntheses and solid-state structures of two new monomeric bis(triorganosilyl)amido stannylenes, bis[N-trimethylsilyl-N-2,6-diisopropylphenylamido]tin(II) (1) and bis[N,N-bis(dimethylphenylsilyl)amido]tin(II) (2), are reported. Heterocumulene metathesis studies reveal that while 1 is inert toward carbon dioxide and isocyanates, 2 undergoes controlled metathesis with these reagents, including a range of para-substituted arylisocyanates, X−C6H4NCO (X = OCH3, CH3, F, Cl, and CF3), that allow for a Hammett investigation of the electronic factors that influence this process. This latter study shows that the rate of tin(II)-mediated heterocumulene metathesis is enhanced by an increased nucleophilicity of the heterocumulene.
Outcomes of small-incision cataract surgery in eyes with preexisting Ahmed Glaucoma Valves.

Purpose To investigate outcomes of phacoemulsification in eyes with functioning Ahmed Glaucoma Valves (AGVs). Design Observational case series. Methods We reviewed records of 19 patients (23 eyes) who had a clear-cornea phacoemulsification ≥3 months after insertion of an AGV between 1997 and 2002. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) control, number of medications, complications, and further glaucoma surgery. Results The median interval between AGV surgery and phacoemulsification was 0.7 years with an average (±SD) follow-up time of 1.6 (±0.6) years (range: 0.9 to 3.0 years). Four eyes (17%) had an IOP increase >10 mm Hg on day one. The mean IOP or number of medications did not significantly change after phacoemulsification at one month or thereafter ( P > .05). One eye (4%) required a second AGV. Conclusions Small-incision cataract surgery is consistent with maintenance of IOP control in eyes with functioning AGV. A minority of the eyes will require repeat glaucoma surgery.
Distorted black holes in terms of multipole moments.

In terms of a multipole-moment formalism previously developed for non-asymptotically-flat systems in general relativity, the metric of a Schwarzschild black hole in an external quadrupolar gravitational field is studied. Among other results, we find that the black hole develops an induced quadrupole moment, which in turn generates a tidal field opposing the applied field. This effect, plus the fact that the horizon cannot expand when a quasistatic tidal force is applied, can be described in terms of effective 2-dimensional elastic moduli for the black-hole horizon. The bulk modulus is kappa-tilde = infinity, and the shear modulus is mu-tilde = -63/(20..pi..M), where M is the hole's mass.
Angle-dependent quasiparticle weights in correlated metals

The variation in the quasiparticle weight $Z$ on moving around the Fermi surface in correlated metals is studied theoretically. Our primary example is a heavy Fermi liquid treated within the standard hybridization mean-field theory. The most dramatic variation in the quasiparticle weight happens in situations where the hybridization vanishes along certain directions in momentum space. Such a ``hybridization node'' is demonstrated for a simplified model of a cerium-based cubic heavy electron metal. We show that the quasiparticle weight varies from almost unity in some directions to values approaching zero in others. This is accompanied by a similar variation in the quasiparticle effective mass. Some consequences of such hybridization nodes and the associated angle dependence are explored. Comparisons with somewhat similar phenomena in the normal metallic state of cuprate materials are discussed. A phenomenological picture of the pseudogap state in cuprates with a large Fermi surface with a severely anisotropic spectral weight is explored.
Remarks on Nonstandard Least-Squares Problems

It is shown that after treating a least-squares problem in the standard fashion, the imposition of stochastic restrictions on certain parameters can be accomplished essentially by inverting a matrix of an order no larger than the total number of restricted parameters, and that generally there is an explicit term for correcting the unrestricted to the restricted solution. In addition, any known type of nonstandard least-squares adjustment problem can be reduced to an equivalent standard linear problem, that is, one in which there is exactly one observation per condition equation and in which the observations are not correlated.
Postmortem disposition of morphine in rats

The antemortem and postmortem distribution of morphine was studied in rats for the purpose of establishing whether drug distribution is altered after death. Samples were examined for free and total morphine concentration, pH and water content at 0-96 h after death. Morphine was administered antemortem at various intervals. All groups of rats studied showed a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in postmortem cardiac blood morphine concentrations. These changes, which are detectable within 5 min after death are likely to be related to an observed, rapid decrease in cardiac blood pH from 7.34 +/- 0.02 to 6.74 +/- 0.05. Significant increases in free morphine levels were, also, observed 24 and 96 h after death in liver, heart and forebrain while urine morphine levels decreased. The liver showed the greatest increase (20-fold) in free morphine levels 96 h after death, while hindbrain levels did not significantly change. Bacterial hydrolysis of morphine glucuronides accounted only in part for the observed increase in free morphine concentration. Postmortem fluid movement and pH-dependent drug partitioning was detected. It would appear that several mechanisms are responsible for postmortem drug distribution. Understanding the mechanisms and patterns responsible may eventually lead to better choices of postmortem tissue which may better represent antemortem drug levels.
Bridging the gaps: interoperability for language engineering architectures using GrAF

This paper explores interoperability for data represented using the Graph Annotation Framework (GrAF) (Ide and Suderman, 2007) and the data formats utilized by two general-purpose annotation systems: the General Architecture for Text Engineering (GATE) (Cunningham et al., 2002) and the Unstructured Information Management Architecture (UIMA) (Ferrucci and Lally in Nat Lang Eng 10(3---4):327---348, 2004). GrAF is intended to serve as a "pivot" to enable interoperability among different formats, and both GATE and UIMA are at least implicitly designed with an eye toward interoperability with other formats and tools. We describe the steps required to perform a round-trip rendering from GrAF to GATE and GrAF to UIMA CAS and back again, and outline the commonalities as well as the differences and gaps that came to light in the process.
Transmembrane Serine Mutations reduce the Minimum Pore Diameter of Channelrhodopsin-2

Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) is a microbial-type rhodopsin that, together with channelrhodopsin-1, mediates phototactic behavior in the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Like all other microbial-type rhodopsins, ChR2 has seven transmembrane domains with the chromophore all-trans retinal bound to a single lysine residue. However, unlike other microbial-type rhodopsins, ChR2 functions as a non-selective cation channel and not an ion pump. A sequence alignment of ChR2 with the proton pump bacteriorhodopsin (bR) reveals that ChR2 lacks specific motifs within the transmembrane domains that facilitate non-covalent interactions and contribute to protein stability. Specifically, there are eight TM serine residues, which have a high propensity for forming inter- and intrahelical hydrogen-bonds, present in bR that are absent in ChR2. We hypothesized that the re-introduction of serine residues at homologous positions in ChR2 would facilitate hydrogen-bonding, thus reducing the pore diameter of ChR2. We measured kinetics, reversal potentials, and calculated permeability ratios of alkali metal solutions using two-electrode voltage clamp. Applying excluded volume theory, we determined the minimum pore diameter of wild-type and mutant ChR2. Three mutants had either reduced functionality or low surface expression. Furthermore, four ChR2 mutants were determined to have smaller pore diameters than wild-type ChR2 while one mutant was similar to the phenotype, but had two-fold slower kinetics. Lastly, we replaced an endogenous serine residue with alanine and observed an increase in the pore diameter. An analysis of experimental results shows that re-introducing serine residues into the transmembrane domain of ChR2 can restrict the pore diameter while the removal of a transmembrane serine results in a larger pore. We suggest that the pore restriction is caused by the formation of an inter- or intrahelical hydrogen-bond and that multiple positions along the intracellular side of the transmembrane domains contribute to cation permeability.
Common sense ideas to increase the percentage of filled seats in nephrology fellowships

Interest in nephrology has been decreasing for the last decade. In this opinion piece, the author provides four unconventional, outside-the-box strategies to increase the percentage of filled nephrology training positions.
746-4 Estradiol, Administered Acutely, Protects Ischemic Myocardium in Both Female and Male Rabbits

Premenopausal women are at lower risk of coronary heart disease than their male counterparts, and it has been shown that estrogen treatment protects against cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. The acute cardiac effects are unknown. We investigated the effect of acute pretreatment with estradiol on myocardial infarct size in 2 protocols, studying intact anesthetized female and male rabbits. 17β-estradiol (1 mg) was given 15 min before coronary artery occlusion in the treated group; control rabbits received vehicle. All rabbits underwent 30 min of coronary artery occlusion and 4 hrs reperfusion. Risk zone (RZ) was assessed by blue dye and infarct size (IS) by tetrazolium staining. Differences in postischemic function were assessed by dP/dt at 4 hr of reperfusion. Myocardial blood flow was similar between groups 10 min after treatment and during occlusion and reperfusion, thus estradiol did not increase blood flow. Heart rate and systemic pressure were also similar between groups. Estradiol levels during occlusion were 1-8 picogramfml in untreated female and male rabbits and 66 ± 28 (male) and 352 ± 273 (female) in treated rabbits. Treated rabbits of both sexes developed significantly less necrosis. Although male rabbits had larger infarcts than female rabbits, gender was not a significant covariate for IS. Functional recovery at 4 hr reperfusion was not improved by estradiol in either protocol. Group n RZ(%LV) IS(% RZ) dP/dt † Female Control 11 29 ± 2 23 ± 5 60 ± 6 Estradiol 10 29 ± 3 10 ± l * 77 ± 4 Male Control 10 35 ± 2 31 ± 5 69 ± 7 Estradiol 10 34 ± 3 16 ± 4 * 68 ± 6 * p l 0.03 vs respective control group † (% baseline) p = ns between groups by ANOVA Conclusion Estradiol exerts a protective effect on ischemic myocardium that is not associated with an increase in myocardial blood flow or alteration in hemodynamics. This is the first study, of which we are aware, showing that acute administration of estrogen reduces infarct size.
Serotonergic mechanism in the control of β-endorphin and acth release in male rats

Abstract The role of the serotonergic mechanism in the regulation of β-endorphin (β-EP) and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-like immunoreactivity in plasma was investigated. Increases in β-EP and ACTH-LI produced by quipazine maleate (QPZ), a serotonergic agonist, 1 hr after injection could be completely prevented by the serotonin (5-HT) antagonist, cinanserin (CIN), which when injected alone, decreased basal plasma concentrations of both β-EP-LI and ACTH-LI. Concurrent injections of L-5-HTP with the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, produced an additive increase in plasma β-EP-LI 1 hr after injection. Injection of the 5-HT antagonist, cyproheptadine, significantly decreased plasma β-EP-LI. Stress by immobilization for 30 min or exposing the rats to 40° ± 1°C for 30 min produced an approximate 4-fold increase in plasma β-EP-LI and ACTH-LI, which was potentiated by I.P. injections of fluoxetine. Furthermore, the stress induced increases in plasma concentrations of β-EP-LI and ACTH-LI were significantly reduced by the serotonin antagonists metergoline and cinanserin. These results suggest that 5-HT is a potent stimulator of both β-EP and ACTH release and the increase in plasma concentrations of ACTH and β-EP induced by stress are probably mediated, at least in part, by central serotonergic mechanisms.
Colloid Science of Metal Nanoparticle Catalysts in 2D and 3D Structures. Challenges of Nucleation, Growth, Composition, Particle Shape, Size Control and Their Influence on Activity and Selectivity

Recent breakthroughs in synthesis in nanosciences have achieved control of size and shapes of nanoparticles that are relevant for catalyst design. In this article, we review the advance of synthesis of nanoparticles, fabrication of two and three dimensional model catalyst system, characterization, and studies of activity and selectivity. The ability to synthesize monodispersed platinum and rhodium nanoparticles in the 1-10 nm range permitted us to study the influence of composition, structure, and dynamic properties of monodispersed metal nanoparticle on chemical reactivity and selectivity. We review the importance of size and shape of nanoparticles to determine the reaction selectivity in multi-path reactions. The influence of metal-support interaction has been studied by probing the hot electron flows through the metal-oxide interface in catalytic nanodiodes. Novel designs of nanoparticle catalytic systems are discussed.
Expression and amplification of cloned rat liver tyrosine aminotransferase in nonhepatic cells.

A full-length cDNA for the rat liver enzyme tyrosine aminotransferase has been used to construct mammalian expression vectors by recombinant DNA techniques. These vectors, which have employed either a simian virus 40 or a Rous sarcoma virus promoter, were transfected into a variety of nonhepatic mammalian cell lines in culture. Transient expression of tyrosine aminotransferase was readily observed after transfection into monkey COS cells and mouse L cells. Stable clones that express cloned tyrosine aminotransferase have been isolated from mouse L cells, hamster Wgla fibroblasts, and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. A vector capable of expressing both tyrosine aminotransferase and dihy-drofolate reductase was stimulated to undergo amplification by treatment with methotrexate in a CHO cell line deficient in the latter enzyme. Levels of tyrosine aminotransferase as much as 50-fold higher than typically seen in glucocorticoid-induced hepatoma cells were achieved in some CHO clones by this technique. The tyrosine aminotransferase produced at these highly amplified levels appeared structurally normal and had no major harmful effects on the cells.
Optimized separation of scopoletin and umbelliferone and cis-trans isomers of ferulic and p-coumaric acids by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract A systematic optimization strategy for reverse-phase h.p.l.c. is used to produce complete separation of all components of a mixture containing two coumarins, umbelliferone and scopoletin, and the cis-trans isomers of two cinnamic acids, p -coumaric and ferulic. A series of experiments gives retention time data for each of these substances in four citric acid-buffered mobile phases. A mathematical model fitted to this data gives model parameters that provide the basis for a window diagram of relative retentions vs. mobile phase pH. The window diagram gives an estimate of the mobile phase pH required for optimum separation.
A Statistical Modeling Approach for Tumor-Type Identification in Surgical Neuropathology Using Tissue Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Current clinical practice involves classification of biopsied or resected tumor tissue based on a histopathological evaluation by a neuropathologist. In this paper, we propose a method for computer-aided histopathological evaluation using mass spectrometry imaging. Specifically, mass spectrometry imaging can be used to acquire the chemical composition of a tissue section and, hence, provides a framework to study the molecular composition of the sample while preserving the morphological features in the tissue. The proposed classification framework uses statistical modeling to identify the tumor type associated with a given sample. In addition, if the tumor type for a given tissue sample is unknown or there is a great degree of uncertainty associated with assigning the tumor type to one of the known tumor models, then the algorithm rejects the given sample without classification. Due to the modular nature of the proposed framework, new tumor models can be added without the need to retrain the algorithm on all existing tumor models.
Efficient computation of the noncentral x2 distribution

In this article we compare and contrast finite algorithms for computing the noncentral x2 distribution function for odd or even degrees of freedom with the algorithms proposed recently by Ashour & Abdel-Samad (1990). We also obtain an alternative error bound for Ruben's (1974a) algorithm for even degrees of freedom and analyze the rate of convergence of two common infinite series representations for computing the cdf
Stochastic rolling of a rigid sphere in weak adhesive contact with a soft substrate

We study the rolling motion of a small solid sphere on a fibrillated rubber substrate in an external field in the presence of a Gaussian noise. From the nature of the drift and the evolution of the displacement fluctuation of the ball, it is evident that the rolling is controlled by a complex non-linear friction at a low velocity and a low noise strength (K), but by a linear kinematic friction at a high velocity and a high noise strength. This transition from a non-linear to a linear friction control of motion can be discerned from another experiment in which the ball is subjected to a periodic asymmetric vibration in conjunction with a random noise. Here, as opposed to that of a fixed external force, the rolling velocity decreases with the strength of the noise suggesting a progressive fluidization of the interface. A state (K) and rate (V) dependent friction model is able to explain both the evolution of the displacement fluctuation as well as the sigmoidal variation of the drift velocity with K. This research sets the stage for studying friction in a new way, in which it is submitted to a noise and then its dynamic response is studied using the tools of statistical mechanics. Although more works would be needed for a fuller realization of the above-stated goal, this approach has the potential to complement direct measurements of friction over several decades of velocities and other state variables. It is striking that the non-Gaussian displacement statistics as observed with the stochastic rolling is similar to that of a colloidal particle undergoing Brownian motion in contact with a soft microtubule.
Phenomenological interaction currents in nuclear systems

Beginning with the differential conservation law for electric change, the electromagnetic current density operator for a nuclear system is decomposed into one-body and two-body terms. The two-body or interaction current density is further separated into a longitudinal part which is related to the charge exchange part of the nuclear force ard a transverse part, depending on the nucleons' dynamical variables, and containing a large number of arbitrary parameters. In determining all the linearly independent irreducible vectors formed from the relative position vectors Rj and Rk and the nucleon spin vectors sigma j and sigma k, wh ich may be present in the transverse current density, the method of group characters is used. Along with these spin-space vectors, all linearly independent irreducible spin-space scalars, pseudoscalars, and pseudovectors are also calculated. These linearly independent vectors are then used together with the various symmetry properties of the current density to determine the most general form the transverse current density can assume. In a similar manner, the most general form of the Fourier transform of this current density operator is determined. Lastly, the form of the axial vector weak current density arising from mesonic exchange effects in BETA -decaying nuclei is derived again bymore » using the spin-space pseudovectors and the various symmetry properties of the weak current density.« less
Volume overload hypertrophy elicited by cold and its effects on myocardial capillarity.

Abstract Capillarity and fiber cross-sectional areas were measured in the hearts of guinea pigs exposed to cold early during growth. Twelve male guinea pigs were kept at 5 ± 1 °C for 4–18 weeks. Hearts were perfusion fixed via the aorta with a 2.5% glutaraldehyde, 1% formaldehyde-buffered solution, blocks were cut from left (LV) and right (RV) ventricles, post-fixed in OsO 4 , dehydrated and embedded in Spurr medium. Blocks were cut transversely to fiber orientation, 0.5 μm thick, stained with Toluidine Blue and photographed at 400 x. Heart weights, number and location of capillaries and fiber cross-sectional areas (FCSA) were measured in cold-acclimated animals and in normothermic controls. Growth rates for all guinea pigs were similar. Acclimation to cold caused modest LV and RV hypertrophy. the greater LV weight seemed due to longer fibers of normal FCSA, whereas the greater RV weight was due larger FCSA. Capillary density, capillary-to-fiber ratio and number of capillaries around the fibers were similar in the two groups of animals. Mean and maximal diffusion distances in cold-acclimated animals were not different from controls. Thus the myocardial hypertrophy induced by chronic volume overload was fully compensated for by increases in capillarity commensurate with increases in fiber girth.
Oriental cholangiohepatitis (clonorchiasis infestation) caused by Clonorchis sinensis.

Abstract Background: Oriental Cholangiohepatitis (Clonorchis infestation) is caused by Clonorchis sinensis , a liver fluke endemic to China. Objective: To discuss the presentation of clonorchiasis and diagnosis of this condition in the emergency department (ED). Case Report: This is a case report of a Chinese woman who recently immigrated to the United States and was evaluated in a tertiary care urban ED. The patient presented with complaints of abdominal pain and was found on imaging to have clonorchiasis infestation of the bile ducts. She was admitted and treated for cholangitis and clonorchiasis infestation with piperacillin/tazobactam and praziquantel. Conclusion: History and imaging play an important role in diagnosis of this endemic parasitic abdominal infection.
Visual mutual assessment of size in male Lyssomanes viridis jumping spider contests

Numerous animals are known to assess the resource holding potential of their opponents using conventional signals and other correlates of resource holding potential. Although body and weapon size generally correlate with resource holding potential and are often presumed to be visually evaluated in animal contests, no one has demonstrated visual assessment of opponent size while controlling for all potential correlates of size. To this end, we presented male Lyssomanes viridis jumping spiders with computer-animated opponents 1) of 3 different overall sizes and 2) with different weapon and nonweapon appendages elongated by the amount that would normally accompany a 20% increase in body size. Male L. viridis have strikingly colored, exaggerated chelicerae and forelegs, which are used as weapons in contests, and the forelegs are waved during visual agonistic displays. We scored 4 levels of escalation in males’ responses to animations. Using generalized linear mixed modeling, we assessed the relative predictive power of the following variables on escalation intensity: 1) focal male size, 2) animated opponent size, and 3) the difference in size between the focal male and his animated opponent. When we presented males with animations scaled to different sizes, we found that size difference was the best predictor of escalation intensity, followed by opponent size. The effect of opponent size disappeared when size difference was included in the same model. Focal male size did not significantly predict escalation intensity. This suggests that males employ a mutual assessment strategy. Surprisingly, males did not respond differently to animations with versus without elongated weaponry. (Less)
A semiautomated procedure for the determination of phosphorus in water, waste waters and particulates

Abstract Improved procedures for the determination of total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), particulate phosphorus (PP) and dissolved inorganic orthophosphate (DP) are described. Organic particulate material is solubilized in 5 n NaOH, and phosphorus compounds are oxidized and mineralized to orthophosphate by persulfate digestion. DP is determined by an improved automated molybdenum blue procedure that does not require sample pH adjustment or a correction for silicate interference in the 0–50 mg Si 1 −1 range. The use of 36-position digestion racks allows 32 TDP or PP samples to be digested in ca . 1 and 4 h respectively. Detection limits in μg of phosphorus 1 −1 are DP, 2; TDP, 5; and PP. 1. Waste water samples were analyzed for TDP and PP by the nitric acid-sulfuric acid procedure and by the proposed method. There was no significant difference between the two sets of data (P > 0.45).
Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate : One-year experience

Abstract Objectives To determine the safety and efficacy of transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TVP) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Methods A prospective trial of 114 consecutive patients who underwent TVP since August 1994 was conducted. The mean follow-up period was 12.3 months. Parameters evaluated included American Urological Association symptom score (Sx), peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), operative time, postoperative catheterization time, length of hospital stay, and loss of days from work. Results Of the 109 men available for follow-up, Sx decreased from 16.7 to 7.3, 6.5, 6.3, and 5.4 at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively ( P P Conclusions On the basis of 1 -year follow-up data, this study demonstrates that TVP is a safe and effective modality for treating lower urinary tract symptoms. However, longer, prospective, blinded studies are needed to determine efficacy relative to transurethral resection of the prostate.
Severity of coronary artery disease in black and white male veterans and likelihood of revascularization.

Abstract Background Many reports in the literature have found the use of invasive cardiac procedures in black patients to be less common than in white patients. These reports tend to have small numbers of black patients compared with white patients or rely on the information contained in claims or administrative data. Methods and results Cardiac catheterization reports were reviewed in a Veterans Administration hospital that serves a large number of black patients. After review of the medical histories and hemodynamic and angiographic findings in 726 black and 734 white male veterans, data were collected to determine recommended and actual therapy. Death was assessed after a 4- to 10-year follow-up period. White patients were more likely to have significant coronary artery lesions than black patients. Multivariate analysis showed that the likelihood of patients actually having percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery did not differ by ethnicity when controlling for disease extent or severity. Coronary artery bypass surgery was associated with decreased mortality rates for both black and white patients. Although short-term death in blacks was not different from whites, blacks had an increased long-term risk for death. Conclusions After coronary angiography, black veterans and white veterans appear to undergo revascularization procedures related to the severity of disease. The decreased long-term life expectancy of black men as compared with whites is not necessarily explained by the presence of or treatment for coronary artery disease in this population.