cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of airway function of immature whole lung transplants versus mature lobar transplants

For the pediatric patient with end-stage lung disease in need of transplantation, two potential donor options currently exist: size-matched immature whole lungs or reduced-size mature lobes. To determine which of these options provides superior long-term function, we studied airway mechanics in a chronic porcine model of pediatric lung transplantation. Three groups of animals were studied: the first group underwent left upper lobectomy at 9 +/- 1 weeks of age (innervated left lower lobes). These animals served as controls. A second group of 9-week-old animals received an immature whole left lung allograft from age-matched donors. The third group received a reduced-size mature left lower lobe from 6-month-old donors. Measurements of dynamic airway resistance, pulmonary compliance, and functional residual capacity of the isolated lobes or lungs, and of the nonoperated right lungs, were recorded 12 +/- 1 weeks later, and mean values were calculated for each group. Results showed that transplantation of an immature whole lung resulted in abnormal dynamic airway resistance to airflow, which was not seen in the mature lobar transplants. In addition, compliance was impaired most significantly in the immature whole lung transplants. We conclude that in this experimental model of pediatric lung transplantation, transplantation of a mature lobar segment results in superior long-term airway function when compared with immature whole lung transplants.
Improving the Schedulability of Sporadic Self-Suspending Soft Real-Time Multiprocessor Task Systems

In work on globally-scheduled soft real-time multiprocessor systems, analysis has been presented for dealing with self-suspensions, but this analysis can be pessimistic. In this paper, we present an approach that is designed to improve the schedulability of such systems. In experimental results that are presented, the proposed approach significantly improved schedulability in most considered scenarios.
On the Hemodynamic Regulation of the Secretion of Aldosterone

Evidence is presented that the secretion of aldosterone in dogs may be considerably influeneed by hemodynamic factors. The experiments indicate that secretion of aldosterone may be decreased by expanding the "low pressure" system, and may be increased by reducing the amplitude of the pulse pressure in the carotid arteries. The decrease may be prevented by prior section of the vagi, the increase by prior denervation of the thyro-carotid arterial junctions.
The application of transfer functions to the analysis of the dynamics of the initialheating of steam turbines

By analyzing the frequency characteristics of the initial heating of a steam turbine casing wall we show that the application of approximate expressions for the transfer function gives a description of the change in the temperature differences at the wall which is qualitatively and quantitatively incorrect. In analyzing the dynamics of initial heating for the purposes of automatic control, we must take into account the initial thermal state of the wall.
Effect of sodium saccharin and calcium saccharin on urinary parameters in rats fed Prolab 3200 or AIN-76 diet

Abstract The effects of the salt form of saccharin and of diet on urinary ion levels have been studied in rats. Sodium saccharin (NaS) or calcium saccharin (CaS) was fed at a level of 5% in either Agway Prolab 3200 diet or AIN-76 diet to male, 5-wk-old F344 rats for 10 wk. The AIN-76 diet contained considerably less calcium, sodium and potassium than the Prolab 3200 diet, and smaller amounts of these ions were eliminated over 24 hr in the urine of rats fed the AIN-76 diet. Although food consumption was less in the groups fed AIN-76, total urinary saccharinate ion excretion with either saccharin salt was comparable with, or even higher than, that excreted by rats fed either salt in the Prolab 3200 diet. Rats fed Prolab 3200 eliminated approximately equal amounts of saccharinate ion in the faeces and urine. Rats fed AIN-76 eliminated about 10–20 times as much saccharin in the urine as in the faeces. Total saccharin excretion (faecal and urinary) was not influenced by the salt form. Water intake and urine volume were lower in rats fed control AIN-76 diet in comparison with those fed Prolab 3200, and were increased above the control level in groups fed saccharin in the AIN-76 diet. Urine electrolyte levels and osmolality were lower in the groups fed AIN-76. In general, NaS administration in either diet resulted in increased urinary sodium compared with controls, and the pH was at, or above, the level of control rats. CaS resulted in increased urinary calcium and decreased pH. There were marked diurnal variations in the urinary excretion of the various electrolytes, pH, and urine volume over a 24-hr period in all rats. This diurnal variation was more pronounced in the rats fed the Prolab 3200 diet. These results indicate that NaS and CaS have marked effects on the excretion of urinary electrolytes, and that these effects are influenced by diet.
Transcriptional repression of the rat osteocalcin gene: role of two intronic CCTCCT motifs.

The regulation of osteocalcin gene transcription is complex, involving multiple positive and negative regulators. Previous studies have demonstrated that an intronic sequence, TTTCTTT (+118 to +124) is capable of mediating transcriptional repression of osteocalcin-CAT fusion genes in cells of the osteoblast lineage, by interacting with a specific nuclear protein. Further analyses of intronic sequences have identified a second silencer motif in this region. Two copies of a CCTCCT motif are present within the first intron of the rat osteocalcin gene (+106 to +111 and +135 to +140) and are capable of mediating transcriptional repression of osteocalcin-CAT fusion genes in rat osteosarcoma cells. Transient gene expression assays of wild-type and mutant osteocalcin-CAT fusion genes into ROS 17/2.8 cells demonstrate that mutagenesis of either of these CCTCCT motifs in isolation results in a 1.6-fold increase in CAT activity relative to the parent fusion gene. Moreover, a 5-fold increase in reporter gene activity...
Cathodoluminescence of Ingaas-GaAs Single Heterostructures

Mismatched InGaAs-GaAs epitaxial layers were grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on substrates containing 9800 or <100 dislocations/cm2. Cathodoluminescence (CL), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX) were used to analyze the effect of mismatch and substrate dislocation density on interface morphology. Surface ridges in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were found to correlate with areas of high recombination in CL. The spacing of dark recombination lines seen in CL was found to be an order of magnitude larger than the spacing of misfit dislocations seen in TEM. CL/IEM correlation reveals that some areas of the misfit array act more strongly as recombination centers than others. CL of step etched samples show that interface defects propagate into the GaAs buffer layer to depths of 4000 A below the interface. The substrate dislocation density does not have a major effect on the number or spacing of the dark recombination lines.
Characterization of a dynamic micro heat engine with integrated thermal switch

Progress toward the realization of an external combustion dynamic micro heat engine is documented. First, the development of a thermal switch suitable to control heat transfer to and from the micro heat engine is described. Second, the integration of a thermal switch with an engine is detailed. The thermal switch is shown to be an effective means to control heat transfer into the engine from a continuous heat source and out of the engine to a continuous heat sink. The use of the thermal switch is shown to enable engine cycle speeds up to 100 Hz, engine efficiencies up to 0.095% and power output up to 1.0 mW. The internal irreversibility of the engine is measured to be 23%.
Structural basis for dimerization in DNA recognition by gal4.

Gal4 is a Zn2Cys6 binuclear cluster containing transcription factor that binds DNA as a homodimer and can activate transcription by interacting with the mutant Gal11P protein. Although structures have been reported of the Gal4 dimerization domain and the binuclear cluster domain bound to DNA as a dimer, the structure of the "complete" Gal4 dimer bound to DNA has not previously been described. Here we report the structure of a complete Gal4 dimer bound to DNA and additional biochemical studies to address the molecular basis for Gal4 dimerization in DNA binding. We find that Gal4 dimerization on DNA is mediated by an intertwined helical bundle that deviates significantly from the solution NMR structure of the free dimerization domain. Associated biochemical studies show that the dimerization domain of Gal4 is important for DNA binding and protein thermostability. We also map the interaction surface of the Gal4 dimerization domain with Gal11P.
Failure of gamma globulin to prevent varicella

Summary In three series of experiments, children exposed to varicella were given 5 c.c. or 10 c.c. of gamma globulin intramuscularly, two to five days after the primary case with the erupted lesion appeared. In the first series, five secondary cases appeared in thirteen untreated controls, while seven children inoculated with 5 c.c. of gamma globulin four days after exposure remained free of infection. In the second series, six of eleven children treated five days after exposureand six of twelve controls developed chicken pox. In the third series, seven of thirteen children treated two days after exposureand eight of thirteen controls developed chicken pox. No explanation is evident for the apparent success in the first series, butit is possible that the histories of not having had varicella previously may have been unreliable. Gamma globulin does not appear to afford passive immunity under theconditions of these experiments.
Small molecule inducers of angiogenesis for tissue engineering.

Engineering of implantable tissues requires rapid induction of angiogenesis to meet the significant oxygen and nutrient demands of cells during tissue repair. To this end, our laboratories have utilized medicinal chemistry to synthesize non-peptide-based inducers of angiogenesis to aid tissue engineering. In this study, we describe the evaluation of SC-3-149, a small molecule compound with proliferative effects on vascular endothelial cells. Specifically, exogenous exposure of SC-3-149 induced an 18-fold increase in proliferation of human microvascular endothelial cells in vitro at low micromolar potency by day 14 in culture. Moreover, SC-3-149 significantly increased the formation of endothelial cord and tubelike structures in vitro, and improved endothelial scratch wound healing within 24 h. SC-3-149 also signifi- cantly inhibited vascular endothelial cell death owing to serum deprivation and high acidity (pH 6). Concurrent incubation of SC-3-149 with vascular endothelial growth factor increased cell su...
THE PATH OF CARBON IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS. XXIX. GLASS MICROBEADS

Glass microbeads are introduced as convenient and applicable mechanical supports for hydroponics that can be released from roots to exhibit visually discernible responses. Moreover, glass microbeads refract light, effectively redistributing light toward the phylloplane. The smallest beads, <300 μm diameter, rose from neutral to ∼pH 9 in water and the rise was attributable the raw materials source, sodalime glass. The largest 700 μm diameter beads were relatively stable in buffered nutrients. Photography of unobstructed roots was aided by release of microbeads from ryegrass, coleus, corn, and narcissus. Propagation of ‘Ninsei’ was undertaken in containers constructed with inflow and drainage ports. Photodocumentation of responses to indoxylglucopyranoside exhibited consistent differences as compared to controls when cultured in glass microbeads; and further investigations into increased light intensity by refraction may lead to enhanced photosynthetic efficiency.
Sphingosine 1-phosphate and control of vascular tone

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a platelet-derived lipid mediator that activates the endothelial isoform of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in endothelial cells. However, the role of S1P in endotheli...
High-efficiency 1.3-um multiple quantum well electroabsorption waveguide modulators for microwave photonic links

Efficient InAsP/GaInP multiple-quantum-well electroabsorption waveguide modulators have been developed at 1.3 micrometers wavelength. The modulators exhibit a typical fiber-to-fiber optical insertion loss of 7 dB, a slope efficiency of 1.0 V-1, and an optical saturation intensity in excess of 10 mW. The 3 dB electrical bandwidth is dictated by the device capacitance and a 13 GHz bandwidth has been measured for a 3 micrometers wide 180 micrometers long modulator. In a microwave photonic link without amplification, a RF link gain as high as -31 dB is achieved at 0.9 mA photodetector current and 1 GHz subcarrier modulation frequency.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Multispectral image-fused head-tracked vision system (HTVS) for driving applications

Current military thermal driver vision systems consist of a single Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) sensor mounted on a manually operated gimbal, which is normally locked forward during driving. The sensor video imagery is presented on a large area flat panel display for direct view. The Night Vision and Electronics Sensors Directorate and Kaiser Electronics are cooperatively working to develop a driver's Head Tracked Vision System (HTVS) which directs dual waveband sensors in a more natural head-slewed imaging mode. The HTVS consists of LWIR and image intensified sensors, a high-speed gimbal, a head mounted display, and a head tracker. The first prototype systems have been delivered and have undergone preliminary field trials to characterize the operational benefits of a head tracked sensor system for tactical military ground applications. This investigation will address the advantages of head tracked vs. fixed sensor systems regarding peripheral sightings of threats, road hazards, and nearby vehicles. An additional thrust will investigate the degree to which additive (A+B) fusion of LWIR and image intensified sensors enhances overall driving performance. Typically, LWIR sensors are better for detecting threats, while image intensified sensors provide more natural scene cues, such as shadows and texture. This investigation will examine the degree to which the fusion of these two sensors enhances the driver's overall situational awareness.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Adult-onset lower extremity weakness caused by venous malformation detected by magnetic resonance imaging.

Introduction: Symptomatic venous malformation (VM) of muscle in adults is rare and usually presents in childhood or adolescence as the individual is growing. We describe an atypical presentation of a malformation affecting the gastrocnemius muscle asymmetrically with onset in adulthood, which created a diagnostic challenge. Electromyography (EMG) and muscle biopsy did not fit clinically and MRI of the gastrocnemius led to the diagnosis. Methods: The setting for the patient studied was a neuromuscular outpatient clinic. Results: EMG showed decreased insertional activity and motor unit potential recruitment in the right gastrocnemius muscle. Muscle biopsy showed mild neurogenic changes. MRI demonstrated VM in the contralateral gastrocnemius muscle. Conclusions: This case represents a rare cause of atrophic weakness in adults, but muscle MRI should be considered when other tests are equivocal. Muscle Nerve 46:129–133, 2012
Spot welds fatigue life prediction with cyclic strain range

Even though spot welds have been used widely in automotive manufacturing for years, fatigue life prediction methods for estimating life have been based on welds connecting sheets of the same thickness. A validated fatigue life prediction method for spot welds connecting sheets of different thicknesses has yet to be published. In this study, the stresses and strains at the notch of a spot weld nugget were studied in detail. It was found that significant yielding occurs in spot welds even under relatively low loads. A fatigue life prediction method based on strain is proposed. The work here shows that a strain-based approach does a very good job of describing the fatigue life of mixed-thickness spot welds.
Plot configuration in corn yield trials

It is generally assumed that bordered plots are efficient for reducing error variance and the associated bias from border effects. Conflicting results in the literature regarding use of borders in corn (L.) grain trials and limited information on use of borders in corn silage (herbage) trials prompted studies on the most efficient plot size and the need for bordered plots in corn grain and silage yield trials. The studies encompassed five and six environments over a span of 4 yr for silage and grain, respectively. Silage trials included from 24 to 28 hybrids each year. Grain trials included three different maturity groups with 18 to 64 entries. Four-row plots were used with the center two rows representing bordered two-row plots and the outside two rows considered as unbordered two-row plots. Bordered two-row plots were 1.06 and 1.02 as efficient in reducing error variance as unbordered two-row plots for silage and grain, respectively. The hybrid by border interactions generally were not significant, and highly significant yield and rank correlations suggest that very little border bias was occurring. Four-row unbordered plots were only 1.30 and 1.48 as efficient as the two-row bordered plots for silage and grain trials, respectively. The greatest gain in efficiency, while not compromising estimation of relative hybrid yields (1.89 and 2.26) came from using two-row unbordered plots and doubling the number of replicates for silage and grain yield trials, respectively, vs. the two-row bordered plots.
Monte Carlo mean-field theory and frustrated systems in two and three dimensions.

A new method, combining mean-field and Monte Carlo approaches, is applied to frustrated Ising systems in d=2 and 3, in zero and nonzero uniform fields. The method brings to mean-field theory the hard-spin condition and uses much less sampling then the Monte Carlo simulation. The phase diagram of the d=2 triangular antiferromagnet is easily obtained with remarkable global quantitative accuracy. The phase diagram of the d=3 stacked triangular antiferromgnet shows three ordered phases, in a new multicritical topology of lines of XY, Ising, and three-state Potts transitions, accessible to experiments with layered magnets.
Atmospheric circulation patterns during late Pleistocene climate changes at Lake Malawi, Africa

Abstract The climate of tropical Africa transitioned from an interval of pronounced, orbitally-paced megadroughts to more humid and stable conditions approximately 70,000 years ago (Scholz et al., 2007). The regional atmospheric circulation patterns that accompanied these climatic changes, however, are unclear due to a paucity of continental paleoclimate records from tropical Africa extending into the last interglacial. We present a new 140-kyr record of the deuterium/hydrogen isotopic ratio of terrestrial leaf waxes (δD wax ) from drill cores from Lake Malawi, southeast Africa, that spans this important climatic transition. δD wax shifts from highly variable and relatively D-depleted to more stable and D-enriched around 56 ka, contemporary with the onset of more humid conditions in the region. Moisture source and transport history dominate the δD wax signal at Lake Malawi, with local rainfall amount playing a secondary role for much of the paleorecord. Analysis of modern moisture sources for Lake Malawi suggests that D-depletion of waxes during the megadroughts may have been caused by an enhanced contribution of the drier, D-depleted air mass currently located in central southern Africa to the Lake Malawi catchment. This D-depleted air mass is associated with the descending limb of the Hadley cell, which implies significant changes in the Hadley circulation during the megadroughts and related changes in the position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone over Africa. These findings demonstrate the ability of δD wax to serve as an atmospheric tracer when used in conjunction with additional proxy records for moisture balance, and elucidate potential mechanisms for pronounced hydrological change in southeast Africa during the late Pleistocene.
Uptake of riboflavin by intestinal basolateral membrane vesicles: a specialized carrier-mediated process.

Abstract The mechanism of riboflavin (RF) uptake by intestinal basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMV) was examined in this study. BLMV were isolated by an established Percoll-gradient methodology from rabbit small intestine. Uptake of riboflavin was mainly the result of transport of the substrate into an osmotically active intravesicular space with less binding to membrane surfaces. Uptake of RF with time was similar in the presence of a Na+ and a K+ gradient (out > in) and was not significantly influenced by changes in incubation buffer pH. The initial rate of uptake of riboflavin as a function of concentration was saturable in both jejunal and ileal BLMV and occurred with apparent K m values of 5.0 μM and 4.4 μM and V max values of 91.6 and 60.8 pmol/mg protein per 5 s, respectively. Unlabeled riboflavin and the structural analogues lumiflavin, isoriboflavin and 8-aminoriboflavin all caused significant inhibition (but to different degrees) in the uptake of [3H]riboflavin. On the other hand, 8-hydroxyriboflavin, lumichrome, lumazine and d -ribose failed to inhibit [3H]riboflavin uptake. Trans-stimulation of [3H]riboflavin efflux from preloaded BLMV by unlabeled riboflavin or lumiflavin was also observed. Altering transmembrane electrical potential by anion substitution and valinomycin-induced K+ diffusion did not affect the riboflavin uptake process. These results demonstrate the existence of a specialized carrier-mediated mechanism for riboflavin uptake by intestinal BLMV. Furthermore, the system appears to transport the vitamin by a process which is Na+- and pH-independent, and electroneutral in nature.
Contractile vacuoles in cells of a fresh water sponge, Spongilla lacustris.

Forty or more independently functioning contractile vacuoles (CVs) occupy the central region of fresh water sponge pinacocytes. Each CV undergoes a cycle of enlargement by fusion, movement, shape change, rounding up, and emptying over the course of 5–30 min. Diameter at discharge varies between 1 and 13 μm. CVs in all cell types are associated with submicroscopic coated vesicles. Filled CVs are bounded by an unmodified trilaminar membrane, but vacuoles with excess membrane frequently show coated evaginations. These evaginations are thought to pinch off as coated vesicles, providing an avenue for membrane recycling in the CV system.
The Military Metropolis: Defense Dependence in U.S. Metropolitan Areas

This article examines the “military metropolis,” an urban community that depends highly on military expenditures in order to sustain economic vitality. We build on past theories of military Keynesi...
Improved manual sequential analysis of peptides

Abstract Organic solvents can affect the efficiency of peptide sequencing by the Edman degradation method by altering peptide extractive losses during manual sequence analysis. We present a modified phenylisothiocyanate procedure for the degradation of one to five peptides simultaneously with high repetitive yield (90–95%) with an average time per cycle of 75 min. Improvement in average yield per cycle (repetitive yield) varies with the choice of solvent and nature of peptide under investigation. The degree of extraction of a particular thiazolinone similarly can be improved by the selection of appropriate solvents.
RNA Structure and Stability

Abstract RNA molecules fold into specific base-paired conformations that contain single-stranded regions, A-form double helices, hairpin loops, internal loops, bulges, junctions, pseudoknots, kissing hairpins, and so forth. These structural motifs are recognized by proteins, other RNAs, and other parts of the same RNA. The interactions of these structural elements are crucial to the biological functions of the RNA molecules. We describe the different motifs and discuss their thermodynamic stabilities relative to single strands of RNA. The stabilities determine under what conditions they occur and whether they change when interacting with proteins or other ligands.
Frequency skewed optical pulses for range detection

Frequency skewed optical pulses are generated via both a composite cavity structure in a fiberized semiconductor optical amplifier ring laser and a frequency skew loop outside the laser cavity. The composite cavity technique is similar to rational harmonic mode-locking, however it is based on cavity detuning rather than frequency detuning. These frequency skewed pulses are ideal for range detection applications since their interference results in a range dependent RF signal. The intracavity frequency skewed pulse train showed superior performance in both stability and signal quality.
State and Regional Effects for Predicted Differences in Dairy Goats

Abstract Predicted Differences on 1187 Alpine, 323 LaMancha, 1358 Nubian, 489 Saanen, and 615 Toggenburg bucks for milk yield, milk fat yield, and milk fat percentage were analyzed for state and regional differences. There were significant breed, state, and breed by state effects for Predicted Difference milk and fat. Spearman rank correlations on state and on region averages, and on buck values, generally were positive and highly significant for Predicted Difference milk with Predicted Difference fat. Rank correlations for Predicted Difference fat with Predicted Difference percentage were often positive and for Predicted Difference milk with Predicted Difference percentage were consistently negative.
Gli1 contributes to cellular resistance to cisplatin through altered cellular accumulation of the drug

Cellular resistance to platinum anticancer compounds is governed by no less than two molecular processes; DNA repair and cellular accumulation of drug. Gli1 is an upstream regulator of nucleotide excision repair, effecting this process through c-jun. We, therefore, investigated whether Gli1 plays a role in cellular accumulation of cisplatin. Using a Gli1-specific shRNA, we explored the role of Gli1 in the cellular accumulation and efflux of cisplatin, in cisplatin-resistant A2780-CP70 human ovarian cancer cells. When Gli1 is inhibited, cellular uptake of cisplatin was approximately 33% of the level of uptake under control conditions. When Gli1 is inhibited, cellular efflux of cisplatin was completely abrogated, over a 12-h period of observation. We assayed nuclear lysates from these cells, for the ability to bind the DNA sequence that is the Gli-binding site (GBS) in the 5'UTR for each of five known cisplatin transmembrane transporters. Four of these transporters are active in cisplatin uptake; and, one is active in cisplatin efflux. In each case, nuclear lysate from A2780-CP70 cells binds the GBS of the respective cisplatin transport gene. We conclude that Gli1 plays a strong role in total cellular accumulation of cisplatin in these cells; and, that the combined effects on cellular accumulation of drug and on DNA repair may indicate a role for Gli1 in protecting cellular DNA from lethal types of DNA damage.
Receptive Fields And Visual Representations

Efficient representation of images for human use requires an understanding of how the brain processes and represents visual information. Spatial imagery is represented in the brain in the receptive fields of visual neurons. Models of these neurons lead to models of image fidelity, and to digital implementations of these neural codes. This approach will be illustrated by two example codes. The advantages and difficulties of this approach will be discussed.
Secretory patterns of LH and FSH and follicular growth following administration of PGF2α during the early luteal phase in cattle

Two studies were conducted to determine the changes in gonadotropin secretion associated with growth and development of the largest follicle and the ability of the largest ovarian follicle present on Day 5 following estrus to ovulate if luteal regression is induced. In both studies, cows received either saline (i.m.) or prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α; 25 mg i.m.) on the fifth day post estrus. Frequency of LH pulses declined (P<0.01) with increasing day of cycle, while pulse amplitude and duration increased (P<0.05) in saline-treated cows. In PGF2α-treated cows, LH remained as high frequency-low amplitude pulses. Secretory patterns of FSH were similar between the two groups. In Experiment 2, the largest ovarian follicle present was marked around its periphery with sub-epithelial injections of charcoal. In saline-treated cows, the size of the charcoal marked follicles generally decreased, indicating atresia. A corpus luteum was present within the area of a previously marked follicle in three PGF2α-treated cows. The size of the marked follicles either decreased or increased in the remaining PGF2α-treated cows, with ovulation occurring at a different site. In summary, PGF2α-induced luteal regression on the fifth day of estrus subsequently alters the frequency, amplitude and duration of LH pulses, but not FSH pulses, and the largest follicle present on Day 5 either increases or decreases in size or ovulates when PGF2α is given on Day 5 following estrus.
The comparability of the Test of Cognitive Skills with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children‐Revised and the Stanford‐Binet: Fourth edition with gifted children

The comparability of the Test of Cognitive Skills (TCS) with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition (SBIV) with 75 elementary- and middle-school-aged gifted students was investigated. Results indicated that the mean Cognitive Skills Index was about 6 points higher than the WISC-R FSIQ and about 9 points higher than the SBIV Composite score. Correlation coefficients between the TCS Cognitive Skills Index and the SBIV Composite score and the WISC-R FSIQ were.51 and.41, respectively. Absolute differences between individual scores revealed that 44% of the students' SBIV Composite scores were more than 10 points different than their Cognitive Skills Index, and 28% of the students' WISC-R FSIQ scores were more than 10 points different. The results indicated limited comparability between the TCS and WISC-R and SBIV. The implications of these findings and future research questions are discussed.
Late Results of Small Untreated Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

We report our experience with 73 patients who were initially selected for nonoperative management of an abdominal aortic aneurysm less than 5 cm in diameter. Size of the aneurysm was determined by ultrasound (34); arterlography (16); computerized tomography (17); plain x-ray (4); and magnetic resonance imaging (2). End points of the study were subsequent elective resection, rupture, death from cause other than rupture, or an intact aneurysm followed for a minimum of three years. Overall, 28 (38%) aneurysms were subsequently resected on an elective basis; four (5%) ruptured; 15 (21%) were intact at the time of the patient's death; and 26 (36%) remained intact during follow-up of 3 to 6.5 years. Indications for elective resection were aneurysm enlargement (21); symptoms suggesting impending rupture (3); and improvement in medical condition (4). In the 43 aneurysms initially less than 4 cm diameter, 16 (37%) had elective resection and one (2%) ruptured, and in the 30 that were 4–4.9 cm, 12 (40%) were resected and three (10%) ruptured. The four aneurysms that ruptured had enlarged to greater than 5 cm prior to rupture. We conclude that aneurysms less than 4 cm can be safely followed. Aneurysms 4–4.9 cm should be considered for operation, depending upon the size of the aneurysm, patient's life expectancy, and risk factors for surgery. Any aneurysm that enlarges should be resected, especially if the aneurysm becomes larger than 5 cm in diameter.
Palmitoylome profiling reveals S-palmitoylation–dependent antiviral activity of IFITM3

Identification of immune effectors and the post-translational modifications that control their activity is essential for dissecting mechanisms of immunity. Here we demonstrate that the antiviral activity of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is post-translationally regulated by S-palmitoylation. Large-scale profiling of palmitoylated proteins in a dendritic cell line using a chemical reporter strategy revealed over 150 lipid-modified proteins with diverse cellular functions, including innate immunity. We discovered that S-palmitoylation of IFITM3 on membrane-proximal cysteines controls its clustering in membrane compartments and its antiviral activity against influenza virus. The sites of S-palmitoylation are highly conserved among the IFITM family of proteins in vertebrates, which suggests that S-palmitoylation of these immune effectors may be an ancient post-translational modification that is crucial for host resistance to viral infections. The S-palmitoylation and clustering of IFITM3 will be important for elucidating its mechanism of action and for the design of antiviral therapeutics.
Nonequivalence of alpha-bungarotoxin receptors and acetylcholine receptors in chick sympathetic neurons

Abstract alpha-Bungarotoxin binds selectively to chick sympathetic neurons that are responsive iontophoretically applied acetylcholine. alpha-Bungarotoxin (125 nM) does not affect the response of cultured neurons to acetylcholine, nor does it affect a cholinergic synaptic potential recorded from sympathetic ganglia. d-Tubocurarine (100 muM) inhibits alpha-bungarotoxin binding and blocks acetylcholine receptor function in both preparations, but alpha-bungarotoxin does not protect acetylcholine receptors against d-tubocurarine blockade of acetylcholine responses. The receptor for alpha-bungarotoxin can be extracted from neuronal membranes with nonionic detergents and, when assayed by velocity sedimentation in sucrose gradients, sediments at a rate faster than that of skeletal muscle acetylcholine receptors. Treatment of alpha-bungarotoxin-receptor complexes with glutaraldehyde (0.1%, wt/vol) increases their stability from a half-time for dissociation of 3.5 hr to greater than 6 days at 23 degrees. This permits a quantitative assay of alpha-bungarotoxin-receptor complexes after relatively long periods of velocity sedimentation. It is concluded that alpha-bungarotoxin does not bind to the acetylcholine-binding site of neuronal acetylcholine receptors. These results compel a reevaluation of studies that assume that alpha-bungarotoxin is a specific ligand for neuronal acetylcholine receptors.
A model for using videoconferencing technology to support international social work field practicum students

EnglishAround one in .ve US accredited schools of social work are currently placing students in international .eld placements. Providing adequate supervision strains these programs. This study proposes a triad model of videoconferencing supervision and reports the responses of students in international placements, their agencies and university supervisors.FrenchEnviron un cinquie me des e coles de travail social accre dite es aux Etats-Unis offrent des stages internationaux a leurs e tudiants. Fournir la supervision approprie e met de la stresse sur ces programmes. Cet article propose un mode le de supervision par vide oconfe rence (triad) et discute les opinions sur ce mode le des e tudiants en stages, de leurs agences, et des superviseurs des universite s.SapanishAproximadamente una de cada cinco escuelas de trabajo social, acreditada en los Estados Unidos, ubican estudiantes en campos internacionales. Mediante una adecuada supervision se pueden filtrar estos programas. Este estudio propone un modelo tr...
Explaining gender differences in aggression: An ambitious but inconclusive attempt

Campbell's ambitious target article attempts to explain gender differences in both aggressive behavior and cultural representations of aggressive behavior. I comment on some of the specific arguments that require further clarification, some areas that merit expanded discussion, some topics which should be mentioned, and some research and theoretical questions raised by the article.
Simulated sea level change alters anatomy, physiology, growth, and reproduction of red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle L.).

Tropical coastal forests – mangroves – will be one of the first ecosystems to be affected by altered sea levels accompanying global climate change. Responses of mangrove forests to changing sea levels depend on reactions of individual plants, yet such responses have not been addressed experimentally. We report data from a long-term greenhouse study that assessed physiological and individual growth responses of the dominant neotropical mangrove, Rhizophora mangle, to levels of inundation expected to occur in the Caribbean within 50–100 years. In this study, we grew potted plants in tanks with simulated semidiurnal (twice daily) high tides that approximated current conditions (MW plants), a 16-cm increase in sea level (LW plants), and a 16-cm decrease in sea level (HW plants). The experiment lasted 2½ years, beginning with mangrove seedlings and terminating after plants began to reproduce. Environmental (air temperature, relative humidity, photosynthetically active radiation) and edaphic conditions (pH, redox, soil sulfide) approximated field conditions in Belize, the source locale for the seedlings. HW plants were shorter and narrower, and produced fewer branches and leaves, responses correlated with the development of acid-sulfide soils in their pots. LW plants initially grew more rapidly than MW plants. However, the growth of LW plants slowed dramatically once they reached the sapling stage, and by the end of the experiment, MW plants were 10–20% larger in all measured growth parameters. Plants did not exhibit differences in allometric growth as a function of inundation. Anatomical characteristics of leaves did not differ among treatments. Both foliar C:N and root porosity decreased from LW through MW to HW. Relative to LW and HW plants, MW plants had 1–7% fewer stomata/mm2, 6–21% greater maximum photosynthetic rates, 3–23% greater absolute relative growth rates (RGRs), and a 30% higher RGR for a given increase in net assimilation rate. Reduced growth of R. mangle under realistic conditions approximating future inundation depths likely will temper projected increased growth of this species under concomitant increases in the atmospheric concentration of CO2.
Fast Inactivation in Shaker K+ Channels : Properties of Ionic and Gating Currents

Fast inactivating Shaker H4 potassium channels and nonconducting pore mutant Shaker H4 W434F channels have been used to correlate the installation and recovery of the fast inactivation of ionic current with changes in the kinetics of gating current known as "charge immobilization" (Armstrong, C.M., and F. Bezanilla. 1977. J. Gen. Physiol. 70:567-590.). Shaker H4 W434F gating currents are very similar to those of the conducting clone recorded in potassium-free solutions. This mutant channel allows the recording of the total gating charge return, even when returning from potentials that would largely inactivate conducting channels. As the depolarizing potential increased, the OFF gating currents decay phase at -90 mV return potential changed from a single fast component to at least two components, the slower requiring approximately 200 ms for a full charge return. The charge immobilization onset and the ionic current decay have an identical time course. The recoveries of gating current (Shaker H4 W434F) and ionic current (Shaker H4) in 2 mM external potassium have at least two components. Both recoveries are similar at -120 and -90 mV. In contrast, at higher potentials (-70 and -50 mV), the gating charge recovers significantly more slowly than the ionic current. A model with a single inactivated state cannot account for all our data, which strongly support the existence of "parallel" inactivated states. In this model, a fraction of the charge can be recovered upon repolarization while the channel pore is occupied by the NH2-terminus region.
The use of dichloroacetate in the treatment of overwhelming hypoxic acidosis

Overwhelming hypoxic acidosis due to poor tissue oxygen delivery from low cardiac output, pulmonary failure, and other causes has devastating effects postoperatively on patient outcome. Whereas conventional therapeutics often can not reverse the downward spiral of these patients, dichloroacetate (DCA) has been shown to be beneficial. This study investigated the metabolic and hemodynamic effects of DCA given after the onset of overwhelming hypoxic acidosis in a canine model. A hypoxically ventilated canine model of severe induced acidosis was established and dogs surviving the development of acidosis were randomized to receive DCA or sodium chloride (NaCl) treatment. Dogs receiving DCA after development of hypoxic lactic acidosis showed no further change in metabolic parameters during the 90-minute treatment period (pH, 7.24 to 7.23; HCO3, 17.7 to 18 mmol/L; lactate, 2.04 to 1.05 mM/L); whereas animals receiving an equivalent sodium load showed progressive, significant deterioration in all parameters (pH, 7.24 to 7.12; HCO3, 16.8 to 13.2 mM/L; lactate, 2.05 to 3.55 mM/L). Myocardial blood flow was significantly increased by hypoxia in all dogs. Finally, cardiac output and stroke volume were significantly increased at 90 minutes by DCA versus control. Myocardial oxygen utilization efficiency (LV work/M VO2) was improved during DCA treatment. DCA, a carboxylic acid, increases pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, thereby enhancing lactate use a metabolic substrate. DCA had an ameliorative metabolic effect, and benefitted myocardial performance without a direct inotropic effect. DCA treatment appears to enhance myocardial performance on a metabolic and not primarily inotropic basis, does not increase the "cost" of myocardial work, and warrants further study.
A Molecular Mechanics Study of the Cholesteryl Acetate Crystal: Evaluation of Interconversion among rg, rz, and rα Bond Lengths

MM3 calculations on the cholesteryl acetate crystal were carried out to study the accuracy of the MM3 force field, and to evaluate previous approximations (Kuchitsu and Cyvin) in the relationships ...
Fast track article: Impact of source counter on routing performance in resource constrained DTNs

We study routing schemes for Disruption Tolerant Networks (DTNs) where transmission bandwidth is scarce. In such a setting, a key issue is how to schedule the transmission of packets under limited bandwidth to optimize performance. Such a scheduling consists of source control (i.e., source nodes choosing a routing scheme) and the local transmission scheduling performed by each node. Existing works typically focus on transmission scheduling and buffer management aspects, but due to theoretical and practical difficulties, only heuristics have been proposed. In this work, we explore an alternative way to improve DTN routing performance via source control. We first show through simulation that for spray-and-wait routing scheme where the source node specifies the maximum allowed number of copies of a packet in the network, there exists an optimal counter value that achieves the minimum network-wide average packet delivery delay. Then as a first step towards understanding multi-hop multi-copy DTN routing schemes such as spray-and-wait scheme, we perform modeling study of two-hop single-copy scheme and two-hop multi-copy scheme under various transmission scheduling schemes, via queuing network analysis and continuous time Markov chain model analysis. Our modeling analysis provides insights into the impact of source counter on routing performance and further suggests the existence of an optimal counter value. Relying on the insights gained via simulations and modeling studies, we propose an adaptive scheme where nodes adjust their counter values to achieve minimum packet delivery delay, in a distributed and asynchronous fashion. Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of our scheme and suggest the potential of exploring this rich area for improving DTN routing performance.
The World's largest known Gorgonian.

Gorgonians in the deep sea can be much larger than their s hallow water counterparts, but there are only a few scattered measurements. We have estimated the size of a chrysogorgiid gorgonian, Iridogorgia magnispiralis Watling 2007, observed from a submersible on Twin Banks in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, as being 5.7 m tall.
Optimal gradient minimization scheme for finite element eigenproblems

Abstract A gradient minimization technique is developed for the solution of the general algebraic eigenproblem Kx = λMx arising from the application of the finite element method. The essence of the technique consists of a simultaneous linear and directional searches so as to obtain the highest rate of convergence. The effect of round-off errors on the obtainable accuracy in the eigenvalues and eigenvectors is established as a function of the properties of K and M . An a-posteriori error estimate and a practical termination criterion are also given in the paper.
The kinetics of crystal growth of magnesium fluoride

Abstract The kinetics of crystal growth of magnesium fluoride has been studied under conditions in which the supersaturation was maintained constant by the addition of mixed titrant solutions containing lattice ions and controlled by a specific fluoride ion electrode. Crystallization is governed by a surface process and the apparent reaction order with respect to supersaturation, α, changed with concentration. The reaction order was 1.8 at low supersaturation (0.4
Identification of CD15 as a marker for tumor-propagating cells in a mouse model of medulloblastoma.

Summary The growth of many cancers depends on self-renewing cells called cancer stem cells or tumor-propagating cells (TPCs). In human brain tumors, cells expressing the stem cell marker CD133 have been implicated as TPCs. Here we show that tumors from a model of medulloblastoma, the Patched mutant mouse, are propagated not by CD133 + cells but by cells expressing the progenitor markers Math1 and CD15/SSEA-1. These cells have a distinct expression profile that suggests increased proliferative capacity and decreased tendency to undergo apoptosis and differentiation. CD15 is also found in a subset of human medulloblastomas, and tumors expressing genes similar to those found in murine CD15 + cells have a poorer prognosis. Thus, CD15 may represent an important marker for TPCs in medulloblastoma.
Nature and possible origin of human serum ribonuclease.

Abstract Human Serum contains an acidic RNase which is glycoprotein in nature. It is thermostable at pH 4.2 and thermolabile at pH 8.5. It has a pH optimum at 6.5. Its activity either on poly (C) or RNA is endonucleolytic and is absolutely dependent on citrate or phosphate. It exhibits highest preference for the secondary phosphate esters of cytidine 3′-phosphates. It has no action on cytidine 2′:3′-cyclic phosphate. Poly (A) and poly (G) are not only refractory to its action, but also inhibit its action on poly (C). Its rate of hydrolysis of Poly (U) is about 2% of that of poly (C). It differs from bovine pancreatic RNase. It is, however, similar to human pancreatic RNase suggesting that its primary source is pancreas.