cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization and comparison of the major glycoprotein from three strains of Rous sarcoma virus.

Abstract The major glycoprotein g2 was purified from three strains of Rous sarcoma virus, representing subgroups A, B, and C. Carbohydrate analysis showed that glucosamine, mannose, galactose, fucose and sialic acid constitute 40% of the weight of the subgroup A glycoprotein and 15% of the subgroup B and C glycoproteins. The molar ratios of sugars were very similar and amino acid compositions were similar but not identical for the three glycoproteins. Glycosidase digestions of subgroup A and C glycoproteins suggested the presence of two types of oligosaccharide chains, the complex serum type, with terminal sequences sialic acidα-Galβ-GlcNAcβ- and the high mannose type with terminal α-linked mannosyl residues. After removal of 70% of the carbohydrate by glycosidases, subgroup A glycoprotein contained only glucosamine and mannose, in the molar ratio 2.0:1.3. The sequence of sugar release was consistent with oligosaccharide structures such as those which have been described for other glycoproteins. The plant lectins concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin were shown to interact strongly with the g2 glycoprotein from viruses of all three subgroups.
Polymeric micro sensors and actuators.

Sensors and actuators using polymeric systems, constitute one of the most promising fields of “smart polymers”, and it is becoming ever more important to associate artificial sensing and actuating systems with living organisms. [...]
Handling effects on commingling and residual grain in an elevator

Grain handlers have responded to an increased use of specialty grain and the resulting need for grain segregation without the benefit of experimental data in the literature quantifying the commingling that may occur during grain handling. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of handling equipment on commingling and residual grain at an average grain flow rate of 47 t h -1 (1852 bu h -1) in the research elevator at the USDA-ARS Grain Marketing and Production Research Center in Manhattan, Kansas. Tests were done by first moving white corn through selected pieces of cleaned elevator equipment followed by moving yellow corn through the same equipment without any special clean out between the two operations. Commingling was calculated as the percentage of white kernels mixed in the yellow corn samples collected at selected time intervals during the second operation. Commingling was greater than 1% during no more than the first 38 sec and always decreased to less than 0.5% within the first metric ton of load (76 sec) for all tested equipment. The highest cumulative commingling for tests of one truckload (ca. 7.3 t) was 0.24% for the grain cleaner. Mean cumulative commingling values for the other handling equipment were 0.22%, 0.01%, and 0.18% for the weighing scale, grain scalper, and the combined effect of dump pit and boot, respectively. The residual grain obtained from cleaning the equipment after the test was highest at the elevator boot (120 kg), followed by the receiving pit (20 kg). The amounts of residual grain collected from the weighing scale, grain cleaner, and grain scalper were negligible (<1 kg) by comparison.
Increased electrotonic coupling in aged rat hippocampus: A possible mechanism for cellular excitability changes

The effects of aging on the intercellular transfer of the low molecular weight fluorescent dye 5,6-carboxyfluorescein was studied in subfields fascia dentata, CA1, and CA3 of rat hippocampal slices maintained in vitro. All three areas exhibited a statistically significant increase in dye coupling with age. The increased dye coupling was accompanied by an apparent increase in postsynaptic excitability as assessed by the ratio of the population spike to EPSP components of the extracellulary recorded field potential. The possibility that artifactual dye coupling due to cell fusion contributed significantly to these results was ruled out by the demonstrations that a high molecular weight, dextran-coupled fluorescein compound did not produce multiple fills and that dye coupling with carboxyfluorescein could be prevented by prior intracellular loading with Ca++, a procedure that decouples gap junctions in other tissue. The increase in extent of electrical coupling suggested by these data may largely account for the apparent increase in cellular excitability of this tissue with age and may reflect the mechanism by which the senescent hippocampus compensates for the loss of afferent input during the course of normal aging. The additional possibility is raised that increased electrical coupling may reflect a mechanism for permanent associative storage of information in this system.
Multiparty elections and land patronage: Zimbabwe and Côte d'Ivoire

This paper aims at some general understanding of the phenomenon of politicians using land rights as a patronage resource in attempts to mobilise electoral support. Using Zimbabwe and Cote d'Ivoire as case studies, it argues that the increasing visibility of land as a patronage resource in African multiparty elections may be at least partly explained by the convergence of three specific constraints and incentives confronting politicians. First, weak legal restraints on rulers’ ability to allocate land rights create opportunities for politicians to use land as a patronage resource. Second, competitive multiparty elections mean that politicians must work to mobilise constituency support in order to win. Third, the dwindling fiscal capacity of the state can heighten the attractiveness of land as a patronage resource. Land can be offered as a patronage resource even when state coffers run low.
A comparison of carfentanil/xylazine and Telazol/xylazine for immobilization of white-tailed deer.

From October 2001 to January 2002, captive free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were immobilized with a combination of carfentanil citrate and xylazine hydrochloride. From this study, we selected a dose of carfentanil/xylazine for the purpose of comparing immobilization parameters and physiologic effects with those of a combination of tiletamine and zolazepam (Telazol®) and xylazine. Animals were initially given intramuscular injections of 10 mg xylazine and one of four doses of carfentanil (i.e., 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg). A carfentanil dose of 1.2 mg (x±SD=23.5±3.2 μg/kg) and 10 mg xylazine (0.2±0.03 mg/kg) were selected, based on induction times and previously published reports, to compare with a combination of 230 mg of Telazol® (4.5±0.6 mg/kg) and 120 mg xylazine (2.3±0.3 mg/kg). Time to first observable drug effects and to induction were significantly longer for deer treated with carfentanil/xylazine than with Telazol®/xylazine (P<0.01). Hyperthermia was common in deer immobiliz...
Methods of optimized via design for higher channel bandwidth

This paper analyzes the ability of an optimized via design to achieve higher channel bandwidth by minimizing the impedance discontinuity of a high speed serial link above 5Gbps owing to the parasitic capacitive effect of vias on a single Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The methods of optimized via design are back-drilling plated through hole, removing unused pads and increasing anti-pad clearance [1]. Different via features and their impact are studied in 3D model extraction using EMPro software from Agilent, and simulations are done using Advanced Design System (ADS) where the measurement of insertion loss, time domain reflectometry (TDR) and eye diagrams are used. Subsequently, the simulation results are correlated with measurement results from a prototype PCB.
MODLER: modeling by object-driven linear elemental relations

This paper describes a system to represent linear programming models and their instances. In addition to a modeling language, MODLER has an extensive query capability which includes a multi-view architecture. Further, randomization options provide rapid prototyping. The MODLER system is part of a workbench for building and managing decision support systems that are based on linear programming.
Neonatal susceptibility and immunity to major bacterial pathogens

Neonatal bacterial sepsis has continued in this decade to contribute significantly to neonatal mortality and morbidity and is a critical determinant of outcome in infants of very low birth weight despite the availability of antibiotics. The group B Streptococcus and Escherichia coli are the predominant pathogens for the newborn infant. Studies on the epidemiology, microbiology, and immunology of group B streptococcal disease are more extensive than those on E. coli disease. Type-specific antibodies, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and complement are integral to immunity against group B Streptococcus, and experimental data are presented to support the importance of these components. The newborn infant is handicapped by temporary deficiencies in host defenses, and approaches for restoring immunocompetence, such as immunization of the mother or passive administration of intravenous immunoglobulins or other immune factors, are presented for consideration. Further studies are required to demonstrate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of these approaches.
Metric Evaluation of Technologies for Long Duration Space Missions: Application to Bread Makers

: Technologies are being evaluated by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Advanced Food Technology element. A transportation cost measure known as equivalent system mass (ESM) is being implemented at NASA as a preliminary assessment strategy for technologies. This study concentrated on calculating ESM values for 3 commercial bread-maker technologies and aprototype bread-maker technology currently unavailable in the marketplace. Information regarding weight, volume, power consumption, cooling, and crewtime were collected. One commercial technology produced a lower ESM value and performed better in most evaluative categories. However, non-ESM factors may contribute greater roles in technology selection. In this, the current ESM equation may not be capable of capturing all relevant aspects of a food technology. bread
Image analysis of androgen receptor immunostaining in metastatic prostate cancer heterogeneity as a predictor of response to hormonal therapy

Background. Reliable predictors of the response of prostate cancer to androgen ablation therapy are lacking. The goals of this study were to determine whether nuclear androgen receptor (AR) concentrations in metastatic prostate cancer varied within and between specimens and to correlate this information with the response to therapy. Methods. AR concentration was evaluated by computer-assisted image analysis of immunohistochemical staining intensity in 200 malignant epithelial nuclei of each of 17 specimens of Stage D2 prostate cancer obtained before hormonal therapy. The data were correlated with the time to tumor progression (relapse) after hormonal therapy. Results. AR staining intensity varied within specimens, and the variance of staining intensity was significantly greater (P = 0.03) in the poor responders (n = 8; time to progression, < 20 months) than in the good responders (n = 9; time to progression, ≥ 20 months). The kurtosis was significantly lower in poor responders (P = 0.04). However, the mean AR staining intensity was not significantly different among patients. The frequency distribution plots of good responders were generally uniform and unimodal, but those of poor responders were flattened (more platykurtic), dispersed, and highly variable. Thus, the AR concentration per cell was significantly more heterogeneous in poor responders. Variance was a significant predictor of response. Five of 6 patients with a high variance (defined as variance greater than the mean) were poor responders, whereas 8 of 11 patients with a low variance were good responders (an overall classification accuracy of 13 of 17, 76%). Conclusions. The greater AR heterogeneity in poor responders may reflect a greater genetic instability in tumors that have progressed further toward androgen in-dependence and may be a valuable predictor of progression.
Role of peripheral μ-opioid receptors in inflammatory orofacial muscle pain

The aims of this project were to investigate whether inflammation in the orofacial muscle alters mu opioid receptor (MOR) mRNA and protein expressions in trigeminal ganglia (TG), and to assess the contribution of peripheral MORs under acute and inflammatory muscle pain conditions. mRNA and protein levels for MOR were quantified by reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively, from the TG of naive rats, and compared with those from the rats treated with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in the masseter. TG was found to express mRNA and protein for MOR, and CFA significantly up-regulated both MOR mRNA and protein by 3 days following the inflammation. The MOR protein up-regulation persisted to day 7 and returned to the baseline level by day 14. We then investigated whether peripheral application of a MOR agonist, D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol-enkephalin acetate salt (DAMGO), attenuates masseter nociception induced by masseteric infusion of hypertonic saline (HS) in lightly anesthetized rats. DAMGO (1, 5, 10 microg) or vehicle was administered directly into the masseter 5-10 min prior to the HS infusion. The DAMGO effects were assessed on mean peak counts (MPC) and overall magnitude as calculated by the area under the curve (AUC) of the HS-evoked behavioral responses. Under this condition, only the highest dose of DAMGO (10 microg) significantly reduced MPC, which was prevented when H-D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2 (CTAP), a selective MOR antagonist, was co-administered. DAMGO pre-treatment in the contralateral masseter did not attenuate MPC. The same doses of DAMGO administered into CFA-inflamed rats, however, produced a greater attenuation of both MPC and AUC of HS-evoked nocifensive responses. These results demonstrated that activation of peripheral MOR provides greater anti-nociception in inflamed muscle, and that the enhanced MOR effect can be partly explained by significant up-regulation of MOR expression in TG.
An observational study of consumer use of fast-food restaurant drive-through lanes: implications for menu labelling policy.

Objective Some versions of restaurant menu labelling legislation do not require energy information to be posted on menus for drive-through lanes. The present study was designed to quantify the number of customers who purchase fast food through drive-in windows as a means of informing legislative labelling efforts. Design This was an observational study. Setting The study took place at two McDonald's and Burger King restaurants, and single Dairy Queen, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell and Wendy's restaurants. Subjects The number of customers entering the chain restaurants and purchasing food via the drive-through lane were recorded. A total of 3549 patrons were observed. Results The percentage of customers who made their purchases at drive-throughs was fifty-seven. The overall average (57 %) is likely a conservative estimate because some fast-food restaurants have late-night hours when only the drive-throughs are open. Conclusions Since nearly six in ten customers purchase food via the drive-through lanes, menu labelling legislation should mandate the inclusion of menu labels on drive-through menu boards to maximise the impact of this public health intervention.
Central lymph node dissection in differentiated thyroid cancer.

Background There has been renewed interest in extensive lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), and a number of reports have been published concerning compartment-oriented dissection of regional lymph nodes in PTC. A comprehensive review of this body of literature using evidence-based methodology is pending.
A Reversible Growth Inhibition of Isolated Tomato Roots.

Introduction. - It is known that certain bacteria are inhibited in their growth by the presence of sulfanilamide or related compounds in the nutrient medium, and it has been suggested by Fildes(1) and by Woods(2) that this inhibition is due to specific interference with the utilization of essential metabolites, in particular p-amino benzoic acid. In the present paper data will be presented which show that the growth of isolated tomato roots(3) is inhibited in the presence of appropriate concentrations of sulfanilamide or its derivatives, but that this growth inhibition can be in whole or in part abolished by the further presence of p-amino benzoic acid, a substance not otherwise essential as a supplement for the growth of isolated tomato roots.
Use of thought-stopping and self-reinforcement in treatment of depression.

A treatment method which combines thought-stopping and a program of self-reinforcement is described as it was applied to a case of mild depression. The use of thought-stopping significantly decreased the patient's level of negative self-statements while the use of operant methods substantially increased positive self-statements. However, due to the uncontrolled nature of this case study, alternate hypotheses could not be ruled out. Therefore, the present results should be interpreted with appropriate caution.
C/C composite brake disk nondestructive evaluation by IR thermography

This paper discusses the non-destructive evaluation of thick Carbon/Carbon (C/C) composite aircraft brake disks by using transient infrared thermography (IRT) approach. Thermal diffusivity measurement technique was applied to identify the subsurface anomalies in thick C/C brake disks. In addition, finite element analysis (FEA) modeling tool was used to determine the transient thermal response of the C/C disks that were subjected to flash heating. For this, series of finite element models were built and thermal responses with various thermal diffusivities subjected to different heating conditions were investigated. Experiments were conducted to verify the models by using custom built in-house IRT system and commercial turnkey system. The analysis and experimental results showed good correlation between thermal diffusivity value and anomalies within the disk. It was demonstrated that the step-heating transient thermal approach could be effectively applied to obtain the whole field thermal diffusivity value of C/C composites.
Mechanism of zoospore release inPhytophthora andPythium

Abstract The flow characteristics during zoospore release and cytoplasmic discharge from sporangia were studied in double-distilled water using severalPhytophthora species andPythium aphanidermatum. The time for passage of a zoospore through the exit pore increased and flow velocity decreased linearly with increasing volume of discharged cytoplasm fromPhytophthora sporangia (three-phase germination type) as well as fromPythium sporangia. The number of zoospores per sporangium averaged 31 (P. cactorum), 38 (P. palmivora), and 68 (P. cinnamoni); the mean passage time per zoospore was about 1.40, 0.90, and 0.50 seconds, and the mean flow velocity was about 13,20, and 29 μm per second for the three species, respectively. Sporangia produced in bean meal broth released zoospores with a higher velocity than sporangia produced in a chloride salt solution. The different flow rates could be correlated with the diameters of the exit pores of the sporangia and with turgor pressures at the beginning of cytoplasmic discharge. Zoospore release fromPhytophthora sporangia could be stopped completely by transferring sporangia into solutions of osmotic water potentials between −2.4 and −3.6 bar. Cytoplasmic discharge is explained using an osmotic pressure-flow model based on the equation of Hagen-Poiseuille.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Attenuates of Expression of Experimental Murine Lupus of MRL/1 Mice

The murine strain MRL/1 spontaneously develops a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like syndrome. An increased number of T cells and polyclonal T helper cell activity has been described in these mice suggesting a potential role for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3 [1,25-D3], an antiproliferative hormone selecting the T-helper lymphocyte subset. One month old MRL/1 mice were submitted or not to 1,25-D3 0.1 μg for 4 weeks, then 0.15 μg given i.p. every other day for 18 weeks while maintained on a low calcium chow. Dermatologic lesions, i.e. alopecia, necrosis of the ear and scab formation, were completely inhibited by 1,25-D3 therapy. By 20 weeks, all mice had developed proteinuria. However, the degree of proteinuria was somewhat reduced in treated mice as assessed by urine protein/creatinine ratios ( 4 in treated vs untreated mice respectively). Moreover, a trend for a reduction in serum titers for anti-ssDNA antibodies was observed at 18 weeks. The active vitamin D metabolite had no effect on the developme...
The Efficacy Advantage: Factors Related to the Formation of Group Efficacy1

Extending previous research investigating factors related to the formation of group efficacy, this research examined predictors across cultures and groups of various types. Based on theories of collective cognition, hypothesized predictors included self-efficacy, group affect, status differential, and collectivism. These were investigated using 2 methodologies (simulation and field study), each conducted in 2 cultural contexts. Self-efficacy, group affect, and collectivism were significant predictors, explaining between 27% and 49% of the variance in group efficacy across the studies. Implications for theory and research are discussed.
Molecular dynamics simulation of low energy displacement cascades in Cu

Molecular dynamics computer simulations have been performed to study properties of low-energy (< 500 eV) displacement cascades in Cu. Various aspects of the time development of cascades are considered including instantaneous number of Frenkel pairs, partitioning of kinetic and potential energies, distribution of atom kinetic energies, cascade expansion rate, and Frenkel pair distributions. The anisotropy of the threshold energy for Frenkel-pair production is interpreted in terms of “branching”. Replacement sequences and the damage function are discussed based on analysis of events corresponding to 18 recoil directions. The damage function exhibits a plateau at v ~ 0.5 Frenkel pairs extending from 25–150 eV; at higher recoil energies the onset of multiple defect production is much slower than predicted by the modified Kinchin-Pease model.
Unraveling complex temporal associations in cellular systems across multiple time-series microarray datasets

Unraveling the temporal complexity of cellular systems is a challenging task, as the subtle coordination of molecular activities cannot be adequately captured by simple mathematical concepts such as correlation. This paper addresses the challenge with a data-mining approach. We introduce the novel concept of a ''frequent temporal association pattern'' (FTAP): a set of genes simultaneously exhibit complex temporal expression patterns recurrently across multiple microarray datasets. Such temporal signals are hard to identify in individual microarray datasets, but become significant by their frequent occurrences across multiple datasets. We designed an efficient two-stage algorithm to identify FTAPs. First, for each gene we identify expression trends that occur frequently across multiple datasets. Second, we look for a set of genes that simultaneously exhibit their respective trends recurrently in multiple datasets. We applied this algorithm to 18 yeast time-series microarray datasets. The majority of FTAPs identified by the algorithm are associated with specific biological functions. Moreover, a significant number of patterns include genes that are functionally related but do not exhibit co-expression; such gene groups cannot be captured by clustering algorithms. Our approach offers advantages: (1) it can identify complex associations of temporal trends in gene expression, an important step towards understanding the complex mechanisms governing cellular systems; (2) it is capable of integrating time-series data with different time scales and intervals; and (3) it yields results that are robust against outliers.
Aniridia, cataracts, and Wilms' tumor in monozygous twins

We studied the first instance of aniridia-Wilms' tumor syndrome in twins who were mentally retarded. Both of them had congenital aniridia, cataracts, and glaucoma; only one subsequently developed a Wilms' tumor. A two-allele, two-step mutation is the most likely explanation of this genetically abnormal syndrome in twins. The aniridia-Wilms' tumor syndrome in twins further documents the relationship of teratogenic malformations and neoplasias.
Persistent reduced oxygen requirement following blood transfusion during recovery from hemorrhagic shock

Our study intended to determine the effects on oxygen uptake (VO2) of restoring a normal rate of O2 delivery following blood transfusion (BT) after a severe hemorrhage (H). Spontaneously breathing urethane anesthetized rats were bled by removing 20 ml/kg of blood over 30 min. Rats were then infused with their own shed blood 15 min after the end of H. At mid-perfusion, half of the rats received a unique infusion of the decoupling agent 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP, 6 mg/kg). VO2 and arterial blood pressure (ABP) were continuously measured throughout the study, along with serial determination of blood lactate concentration [La]. Animals were euthanized 45 min after the end of reperfusion; liver and lungs were further analyzed for early expression of oxidative stress gene using RT-PCR. Our bleeding protocol induced a significant decrease in ABP and increase in [La], while VO2 dropped by half. The O2 deficit progressively accumulated during the period of bleeding reached -114 ± 53 ml/kg, just before blood transfusion. Despite the transfusion of blood, a significant O2 deficit persisted (-82 ± 59 ml/kg) 45 min after reperfusion. This slow recovery of VO2 was sped up by DNP injection, leading to a fast recovery of O2 deficit after reperfusion, becoming positive (+460 ± 132 ml/kg) by the end of the protocol, supporting the view that O2 supply is not the main controller of VO2 dynamics after BT. Of note is that DNP also enhanced oxidative stress gene expression (up-regulation of NADPH oxidase 4 in the lung for instance). The mechanism of slow recovery of O2 requirement/demand following BT and the resulting effects on tissues exposed to relatively high O2 partial pressure are discussed.
Depth-specific patterns of benthic secondary production in an oligotrophic lake

Benthic secondary production plays an important role in the population, community, and ecosystem dynamics of lakes. However, whole-lake estimates of benthic secondary production are rare, and very little is known about intralake patterns in production. We measured benthic secondary production for the dominant macroinvertebrate taxa in Crampton Lake, a 26-ha north-temperate lake at the border of Wisconsin and Michigan, USA. Production was estimated by the size-frequency method for each taxon at each depth where it occurred. Confidence intervals for production estimates were determined by bootstrapping. A small number of taxa were responsible for most benthic secondary production, and most taxa were not highly productive. Thus, we observed a log-normal rank-production relationship. This relationship might be common in other lakes. However, production was not strongly related to abundance, a result that suggests that even rare taxa might contribute substantially to secondary production. Whole-lake benthic secondary production averaged 4.4 g dry mass m � 2 y � 1 . Across depths, confidence intervals for area- specific rates of production generally overlapped, although point estimates were somewhat higher in the littoral zone (4.8-6.5) than in the profundal zone (3.2-4.5). Despite this similarity in rates, .65% of whole- lake benthic secondary production occurred in the littoral zone because of lake morphometry. A synthesis of limited published data revealed multiple patterns in the relationship between depth and benthic secondary production in other lakes. In most lakes, area-specific rates of production either declined or remained constant as depth increased. This observation, combined with the fact that most lakes are small and predominantly littoral, suggests that littoral dominance of whole-lake benthic secondary production might be widespread, and might help explain recent findings that lake fishes rely heavily on littoral production.
Effects of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid on Nitrogen Losses from Urban and Rural Northern Forest Ecosystems

The objectives of this study were to quantify rates of nitrogen inputs to the forest floor, determine rates of nitrogen losses via leaching and to partition the sources of NO3 − from healthy, declining, and salvage or preemptively cut eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) stands in both an urban forest at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, MA and a rural forest at Harvard Forest in Petersham, MA. Rates of nitrogen inputs (NH4 + and NO3 −) to the forest floor were 4–5 times greater, and rates of nitrogen losses via leachate were more than ten times greater, at the Arnold Arboretum compared to Harvard Forest. Nitrate that was lost via leachate at Harvard Forest came predominantly from atmospheric deposition inputs, whereas NO3 − losses at the Arnold Arboretum came predominantly from nitrification. Although our study was limited to one urban and one rural site, our results suggest that current management regimes used to control the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), such as salvage cutting, may be reducing nitrogen losses in urban areas due to rapid regrowth of vegetation and uptake of nitrogen by those plants. In contrast, preemptive cutting of trees in rural areas may be leading to proportionately greater losses of nitrogen in those sites, though the total magnitude of nitrogen lost is still smaller than in urban sites. Results of our study suggest that the combination of the hemlock woolly adelgid, nitrogen inputs, and management practices lead to changes in the movement and source of NO3 − losses from eastern hemlock forest ecosystems.
Transient Convective Heat Transfer for Laminar Boundary Layer Flow With Effects of Wall Capacitance and Resistance

Transient forced convective heat transfer from a laminar boundary layer flow over a flat plate with appreciable thermal capacity and resistance is studied analytically. In the analysis, the flow is assumed to be steady and incompressible and the solid plate is subjected to a uniform step heat input at the lower surface. The integral method is utilized to reduce systems of nonlinear partial differential equations to a single integro-differential equation in terms of interfacial temperature which is then solved with the aid of finite difference technique. Numerical results for the fluid-solid interface temperature, heat transfer coefficient, and temperature distributions within the fluid and solid are presented. Some limiting solutions are found to agree well with the results of the previous theoretical analyses.
A theoretical evaluation of the root-mean-square amplitudes of vibration in XeF2 and XeF4

The general formulation necessary for the calculation of the root-mean-square amplitudes of vibration of square planar molecules is presented within the framework of Morino's method. The root-mean-square amplitudes of vibration of the Xe-F, the adjacent F…F, and the trans F…F interatomic distances in XeF4 have been theoretically estimated to be 0·0465 a, 0·1101 a, and 0·0633 a, respectively at 298°K. While the experimental value of the last of these has not yet been ascertained, the first two compare favourably with the reported values of 0·05 a and 0·10 a. Furthermore, the root-mean-square amplitudes of vibration of the Xe-F and F…F interatomic distances in XeF2 were calculated to be 0·0469 a and 0·0638 a respectively at 298°K. The striking resemblance of these values with those of XeF4 suggests strongly that the bonding in both molecules must be similar.
Identification of a highly specific and versatile vitamin D receptor antibody

The active form of vitamin D, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) is critical for regulation of serum calcium and phosphorus levels and for proper maintenance of bone mineralization and neuromuscular function. Biological effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 are mediated through a nuclear steroid hormone receptor, known as the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The discovery of VDR in a number of different cell and tissue types, suggests that the physiological role of vitamin D may extend beyond the regulation of calcium homeostasis and bone function. Unfortunately, identification of tissues expressing VDR has been controversial due to low abundance of the receptor and quality of the antibodies used. Therefore, we elected to characterize a panel of commercially available VDR antibodies in order to identify antibodies with high specificity and sensitivity. To address these objectives, we have used multiple immunoassays to determine VDR expression in tissues from several organs from multiple species employing tissues from VDR knockout mice as critical negative controls. Many of the antibodies tested showed nonspecific binding that can account for divergent reports. However, one antibody, identified as D-6, is highly specific and extremely sensitive. The specificity, sensitivity, and versatility of this antibody make it the preferred antibody for identifying VDR expression in target tissues using immunological methods.
Galactic Distributions and Statistics of the HD Stars in the Michigan Spectral Catalogue

The systematic, spectroscopic two-dimensional classification of the HD stars by N. H. is approximately three-quarters complete. Over 161,000 stars have been classified visually using 10° objective-prism plates (2 A resolution) taken at CTIO with the Michigan Curtis Schmidt telescope. The published portion of this large, homogeneous database, taken from volumes 1-5 of the Michigan Spectral Catalogue (declination -90° to +5°), has been used to investigate the Galactic (l, b) distributions of the objects primarily via Aitoff equal-area projection plots. Particular attention has been given to the normal dwarfs and giants, the supergiants, and many of the spectroscopically peculiar classes of stars, such as the WR, Be, shell, Ap, Am, δ Del, C, S, CH, Ba, and CN stars.
Management of primary spinal cord tumors

The literature is scarce on surgical and/or radiotherapeutic management of primary neoplasms of the spinal cord, a rare form of tumor. We have reviewed retrospectively the records of all patients with spinal cord tumor who were treated at the University of California, San Francisco, from 1950 to 1975, a total of 34 patients. Patients were treated with megavoltage equipment to portals large enough to include the tumor with generous margins above and below the area of known disease. In 25 patients tumor histology was confirmed, while nine patients had nondiagnostic tissue diagnoses. All 12 patients who had ependymomas are alive without recurrence with a minimum follow-up of 3 years. Six patients had low grade astrocytomas and 5 of the 6 survived longer than 3 years. Five of the 9 unbiopsied patients were alive with no evidence of disease, having minimum follow-up intervals of 3 years. Detailed analysis of dose, fractionation, and field size are presented for all patients. Based upon our data, we recommend conservative surgery followed by irradiation as the optimal management for patients with spinal cord tumors.
Essentiality of coenzyme Q for the oxidation of α-glycerophosphate by pig brain mitochondria

Abstract Serial extraction of lyophilized pig brain mitochondria with cold pentane resulted in complete loss of α-glycerophosphate oxidase activity. On titration with coenzyme Q 10 the activity was fully recovered. On comparing the decline of α-glycerophosphate, NADH, and succinoxidase activities during serial extraction with pentane, α-glycerophosphate oxidation was always the first to be lost. Extraction of coenzyme Q 10 from lyophilized brain mitochondria with pentane does not affect the activities of α-glycerophosphate or NADH dehydrogenase, but succinate dehydrogenase is partially inactivated. Reversible inactivation of the α-glycerophosphate oxidase system on depletion of the coenzyme Q content is taken as evidence that coenzyme Q is an obligatory component of this system. In accord with the conclusion that coenzyme Q is probably the physiological oxidant of α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, in antimycin-treated brain mitochondria α-glycerophosphate causes full activation of endogenous succinate dehydrogenase, in analogy to the previously observed activation by NAD-linked substrates in liver and heart mitochondria and by NADH in submitochondrial particles.
Dinitrochlorobenzene Is Inherently Mutagenic in the Presence of Trace Mutagenic Contaminants

• 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) is used for immunotherapy of alopecia areata and verruca vulgaris. We initially postulated that the presence of mutagenic contaminants in commercially available DNCB might account for part of its mutagenicity. We have now characterized changes in the dose-mutagenic response curve of 99% DNCB modified by adding 1% concentrations of known contaminants: 1-chloro-2-nitrobenzene; 1,3-dinitrobenzene; and 2,4-dichloronitrobenzene. Dose-response curves were generated using Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA-98 and TA-100 at concentrations of 0, 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 μg per plate in a modified Ames assay. We observed a linear dose-response relationship with a slight, but nonsignificant, shift to the right when contaminants were added. We conclude that DNCB is itself mutagenic, and that contaminants play a minor role in its observed mutagenicity. ( Arch Dermatol 1988;124:396-398)
The speeding of voluntary reaction by a warning signal.

Warning signals can shorten reaction time (RT) via either a top-down mechanism, temporal attention, or a bottom-up one, phasic arousal. The goal of this review article is to identify the locus at which these processes influence RT. Electrophysiological and behavioral evidence indicate that the chronometric locus for both modulatory effects lies mainly within a narrow window at the center of the stimulus–response interval. This interval presumably encompasses late perceptual, response selection, and early motor processes. Phasic arousal is theorized to reduce the threshold for response selection within a circuit involving the supramarginal gyrus. A blind-sight study indicates that conscious, cortical level processing is necessary for temporal attention, at least when the warning signal is visual.
Effects of ethanol at four phases of the menstrual cycle.

Rationale: Ovarian hormones, such as estrogen (E) and progesterone (P), interact with neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and γ-aminobutyric acid, which are thought to be important in mediating the effects of ethanol. Therefore, it is possible that circulating ovarian hormones influence the acute subjective, behavioral, and physiological effects of ethanol, thus indirectly influencing ethanol consumption. Objectives: To examine the relationship between hormone levels and consumption of ethanol, this study investigated whether the effects of ethanol and the consumption of ethanol vary as a function of menstrual cycle phase. Methods: Sixteen healthy women with normal menstrual cycles ingested ethanol at four hormonally distinct phases of the menstrual cycle, namely early follicular, late follicular, mid-luteal, and late-luteal. During each session, they first sampled three small doses of ethanol (0.2 g/kg each) at half-hourly intervals. They completed subjective and behavioral tests before the first dose and after each subsequent dose. After consuming the third beverage, the women were allowed to choose up to three additional doses of ethanol (0.2 g/kg), one every 30 min. Results: Ethanol produced subjective effects typical for this drug (such as stimulant-like effects and euphoria), and it impaired eye movements and psychomotor performance. However, the effects of ethanol did not vary according to menstrual cycle phase, and consumption of ethanol also did not vary across the menstrual cycle. Conclusions: These results suggest that circulating ovarian hormones, like E and P, have little effect on either the acute subjective and behavioral effects of ethanol, or on ethanol consumption.
General multi-product, multi-pollutant market pollution permit model: a variational inequality approach

In this paper, we develop a new model in marketable pollution permits that consists of perfectly competitive, multi-product, multi-pollutant firms. The formulation and qualitative analysis of the model, as well as the computational approach, are based on the theory of variational inequalities.
Nested codebook design for MIMO precoders

In multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) communication systems, significant throughput gains can be obtained by closed-loop operation, where two aspects of the transmission are adapted to channel conditions: the transmission rank (number of independent spatial layers); and the precoding matrix which maps the spatial layers to the transmit antennas. To facilitate feedback and signaling, the precoding matrix for each rank is often restricted to a finite pre-determined codebook. Prior research has studied the problem of designing the codebook independently for each rank, with the aim of maximizing throughput gains for a given codebook size. In this paper, we propose to jointly design the family of codebooks for various transmission ranks. Our nested codebooks greatly simplify both codebook design and the selection of precoding matrix for a specific channel. In addition, we prove by analysis and simulation results that the complexity reduction is obtained without sacrificing throughput gains. Due to these advantages, the proposed structured codeboook design has been accepted for use in the 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard.
Update on Bacterial Pneumonia in the Foal and Weanling

Bacterial pneumonia is a common cause of disease in both neonatal and weanling foals. The causal organism or organisms differ with the age of the foal, should be identified via microbiologic culture, and will ultimately dictate appropriate treatment. Initial treatment in neonates should be broad spectrum and bactericidal, whereas weanling age foals may receive more targeted treatment. The combination of a macrolide antibiotic and rifampin remains the gold standard for treatment of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia; however, resistance to these antimicrobials is a concern.
A parametric bootstrap procedure to estimate the selected mean using censored data

Abstract Estimators for the mean of the selected population are proposed using a parametric bootstrap procedure. The small sample behaviour of the estimator is studied when the data is censored. The estimator is compared with other suitable estimators in the case of the negative exponential distribution.
Renewable electricity policy in Asia: A qualitative comparative analysis of factors affecting sustainability transitions

Abstract A qualitative comparative analysis was undertaken of 18 Asian countries to determine factors that influence the pace of their sustainability transitions toward increased renewable energy for electricity. We develop a policy index based on renewable electricity targets, feed-in tariffs, and emissions trading schemes in these countries. Countries with a relatively low level of current renewable electricity generation but with relatively high scores on the policy index are wealthier and more democratic. Likewise, countries with a relatively high level of renewable electricity generation and with lagging renewable electricity policy tend to be poorer, more authoritarian, and endowed with higher levels of fossil-fuel resources. Thus, our analysis points to factors other than GDP per capita that could explain the relative stasis or progress of a country toward a sustainable energy transition. Implications for the literature on the political and societal (or “landscape”) dimensions of sustainability transitions are discussed.
Chronic adult hypervitaminosis A with hypercalcemia

Abstract Severe hypercalcemia due to chronic hypervitaminosis A is described in a young adult. The hypercalcemia responded to parenteral fluids and with-drawal of the medication. During recovery, a negative calcium balance of 320 mg/day and increased urinary excretion of hydroxyproline were found. These data suggest that calcium was excessively mobilized from the skeleton due to an action of vitamin A on bone. With increased use of this vitamin, especially by young people for skin disorders, recognition of hypervitaminosis A is essential to avoid certain major medical problems.
Determination of Mean Sediment Thickness in the Crust: A Sedimentologic Method

Mean sediment thickness, volume of detntal quartz, and grain size distribution of dctrital quartz have been calculated for the total sediment mass of the earth's crust. Sedimentologic and petrographic data were used rather than geochemical data. Results are in good agreement with the earlier estimates based on geochemical arguments. Mean sediment thickness is computed to be 2690 feet and represents the erosion of 7640 feet of crystalline rocks. The percent of detrital quartz in the sediment mass is estimated to be 21.0 percent. The detntal quartz has a mean grain size of 4.0ϕ its frequency-distribution is log-normal with standard deviation of 2.5ϕ. As earlier work has indicated the mean size of quartz from newly disintegrated crystalline rocks to be 0.67 mm, the mean size of 0.06 mm determined for the earth's detrital quartz represents a size decrease of 90 percent by sedimentary processes.
Food and water intake in rats after transections of fibers en passage in the tegmentum

Abstract A 145 micron diameter wire knife was used to transect fibers en passage in ventral, medial, and dorsal aspects of the tegmentum. Data from 74 rats with bilaterally symmetric cuts indicate that the interruption of fibers which course through the central region of the tegmentum result in hyperdipsia. Three distinct syndromes were observed: (a) extreme hyperdipsia beginning on the first or second day after surgery and persisting for 4–6 days; (b) a smaller increase in water intake beginning on the first or second day after surgery and persisting for the duration of the experiment; and (c) normal or subnormal water intake for several days after surgery followed by a sharp increase which persisted for 4–6 days. Cuts through the dorsolateral tegmentum consistently produced hyperphagia in male rats maintained on a dry pellet diet. The magnitude of the effects was comparable to that seen in male rats after ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) lesions. These cuts, as well as others which did not result in hyperphagia, abolished the normal feeding responses to 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) without affecting the feeding response to insulin. Some of our cuts produced significant overeating but no commensurate weight gain, suggesting that metabolic disturbances may have occurred. Knife cuts of comparable size through the ventral third of the tegmentum, the pons, or the ventral aspects of the central grey, failed to affect either food or water intake reliably. Histological evidence of minimal direct damage to cellular components of the region of the behaviorally effective cuts and their extensive rostro-caudal distribution indicate that direct damage to perikarya of tegmental neurons probably is not responsible for the effects of the cuts.