cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the ribosomal RNA operon from Texas Phoenix decline and lethal yellowing phytoplasmas

A comparison was made of the two palm yellows phytoplasmas affecting palms to determine if the entire ribosomal RNA operon portion of the phytoplasma genome, or portions thereof, could account for the observed palm host differences. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify a 5.0 kb DNA fragment consisting of the entire ribosomal RNA operon from a subgroup 16SrIV-D phytoplasma that causes Texas Phoenix palm decline (TPD) in cabbage (Sabal palmetto) palm in west central Florida and from a subgroup 16SrIV-A phytoplasma that causes lethal yellowing (LY) in coconut (Cocos nucifera) palm in Jamaica. Before the PCR reaction, we sequenced by 454 sequencing a draft genome of the coconut LY phytoplasma, strain LYFL, that infects C. nucifera in Florida, and obtained from this draft sequence both copies of the entire ribosomal operon. Sequence analysis of the ribosomal RNA operons from both the LY and TPD phytoplasmas revealed the gene composition and orientation for the operons to be 5′16S rRNA-tRNAIle-23S rRNA-5S rRNA3′ and a tRNAVal3′ downstream of the 5S rRNA gene. Based on molecular comparisons using the sequences of the ribosomal RNA operon, the TPD (16SrIV-D) strain was 98 % similar to the LY (16SrIV-A) strains.
Commentary: non-immunologic vascular failure of the transplanted heart.

It was with great interest that I read Dr. Labarrere’s article entitled “Non-Immunologic Vascular Failure of the Transplanted Heart,” featured in this month’s edition of the journal. The concepts in this editorial are original, provoking, and in part substantiated by recent reports in the transplant literature. It is highly likely that nonimmune factors, particularly those related to the body’s natural hemostatic and fibrinolytic systems, play a fundamental role in the development of allograft vascular disease (AVD) and ensuing graft dysfunction. However, like most pathologic processes, including AVD, a variety of interrelated factors, events and systems coalesce and influence the development of disease. In this regard, four critical points highlighted in Dr Labarrere’s article are worthy of thoughtful discussion.
The ratio of urinary cystatin C to urinary creatinine for detecting decreased GFR

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urine and serum concentrations of cystatin C and creatinine were measured in 40 boys and 42 girls. The fractional excretion of cystatin C (FE Cyst C) increased in proportion to the decrease in GFR. Since serum creatinine concentration (S-Creatinine) in the numerator of the fractional excretion equation and serum cystatin C concentration (S-Cystatin C) in the denominator have similar numerical values, they cancel out. The result is an equation in which the FE Cyst C is equal to the ratio of urinary cystatin C to urinary creatinine (u[cystatin-C/Cr]). The ratio of u[cystatin C/Cr] was compared with GFR. Using a receiving operating characteristic (ROC) plot, the data showed that a ratio of u[cystatin C/Cr]*100 that is ≥0.100 has a sensitivity of 90.0% for identification of children with GFR ≤60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. The false-positive rate is 16.1%. The u[cystatin C/Cr] ratio is a reliable screening tool for detecting decreased GFR that does not require a serum sample.
Deformation potential constants of the ground state of boron acceptors in silicon

Abstract The shear deformation potential constants of the ground state of boron acceptors in silicon have been determined from the piezospectroscopy of the 2p′ line; they are b ′ = -(1.61 ± 0.07) eV and d ′ = -(4.50 ± 0.15) eV.
A semiempirical study of pressure oscillations in LOX pump inducers

Pressure oscillations in LOX pump inducer of J-2 machine, using semianalytical first order model with retarded time mechanism
Rethinking receptor-G protein-effector interactions.

Hundreds of different receptors regulate the activity of effector proteins with the assistance of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins). The hypothesis that G protein-coupled receptors (R) govern their effectors (E) indirectly via a shuttling mechanism involving the exchange of heterotrimeric G proteins (Gαβγ) or parts thereof (Gα, Gβγ) between ephemeral R-G and G-E complexes has become firmly established. While there is no direct evidence for the cyclical formation and dissociation of these complexes during signalling, experimental changes in second messenger production, GTPase activity, and the binding characteristics of agonists, antagonists, and guanine nucleotides commonly are believed to reflect perturbations in the equilibria between G protein and the other two components. However, a growing body of evidence seems to argue against the shuttling model. The random, transient association of G protein and receptor is largely inconsistent with the binding of agonists to receptors and the allosteric regulation of that binding by guanine nucleotides. Also, the prevailing paradigm does not readily account for receptor-effector coupling specificity, as the promiscuous interaction of most G proteins with both receptors and effectors in vitro is at odds with the general failure of G proteins to be shared among ostensibly congruous signal transduction pathways in vivo. The latter paradox would be obviated by the simultaneous interaction of G protein with both receptor and effector. Indeed, various findings indicate that R-G-E complexes do occur. How and where in the cell such complexes are assembled and disassembled should provide important clues to the true mechanism of G protein-linked transduction.
HELICOPTER TRANSMISSION FAULT DETECTION VIA TIME-FREQUENCY, SCALE AND SPECTRAL METHODS

Abstract The vast majority of the powerful and effective algorithms in signal processing start with the assumption of stationarity. In addition, the deterministic portion of the signal is often assumed to be composed of complex exponentials which are the solutions to linear time-invariant (LTI) differential equations. Many signals do not comply with these assumptions, however, resulting in disappointment when conventional techniques are used. We now have at hand time–frequency (t–f) and scale transform analyses which can provide new insights into the nature of non-stationary signals. This paper describes some results using reduced interference distributions (RIDs) and scale transforms in the analysis of signals obtained from accelerometers placed strategically on a Westland helicopter transmission. Fault detection algorithms for several types of faults were compared and the methods based on the scale transform performed best followed by RID results. More conventional spectral-analysis-based methods were the least effective.
Adsorbate-induced structural changes of metal thin films: cobalt-oxygen and cobalt-sulfur overlayers on Mo(110)

Abstract The oxygen- and sulfur-induced aggregation of cobalt in mixed Co-oxygen and Co-sulfur overlayers on Mo(110) have been studied using X-ray photoelectron and temperature-programmed desorption spectroscopies and low-energy electron diffraction. X-ray photoelectron data indicate that deposition of oxygen on 1 monolayer of Co results in the formation of Co oxide, which begins to decompose above 400 K. Only minor amounts of Co oxide are formed when 1 ML of Co is deposited on an oxygen overlayer. After annealing to 965 K for 60 s, the attenuation of the Co X-ray photoelectron signal and the temperature-programmed desorption data provide evidence for migration of oxygen to Mo and formation of three-dimensional Co clusters. Sulfur in mixed CoS overlayers also induces Co island formation as sulfur bonds to Mo, although to a lesser extent than oxygen. The Co aggregation is explained in terms of the thermodynamic preference for oxygen and sulfur to bond to Mo over Co. These studies provide a means of constructing phases that can be used to investigate structural effects in surface reactions.
The Role of RtI in a Kindergarten Enrichment Program

Researchers used a kindergarten screening to identify kindergarten students at risk for difficulties in reading (phonological awareness) and writing (fine motor and perceptual skills) prior to beginning the school year. Of the 102 incoming kindergarten students, 54 showed signs of reading or writing difficulties. These 54 children participated in a weekly enrichment program called KidSkills. A collaborative team of educators developed the program with the intent to subscribe to the response-to-intervention approach. The KidSkills program used small-group intervention to address students’ developmental differences in literacy skills and overall academic readiness. Researchers tracked students’ progress using the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, Scott Foresman Baseline Group Test, and Early Literacy Profile in the fall, winter, and spring of the school year. All students who received the intervention demonstrated gains in literacy and fine motor and perceptual skills, and by May the entire...
OBSERVATION OF T = 2 LEVEL IN $sup 24$Mg AS A COMPOUND-NUCLEUS RESONANCE.

The lowest $T=2$ level in the self-conjugate nucleus $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$ has been observed as a sharp resonance in the once---$T$-forbidden capture reaction $^{23}\mathrm{Na}(p, \ensuremath{\gamma}){^{24}\mathrm{Mg}_{T=1}}^{*}$ and in the twice-$T$-forbidden elastic scattering $^{23}\mathrm{Na}(p, {p}_{0})^{23}\mathrm{Na}$. The assignment of $J=0$ to this level at ${E}_{x}=15.436\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.005$ is confirmed by $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ correlation measurements.
A Developmental Study of Ethnic Self-Concept among Preadolescent Girls

Summary The present study explored the developmental changes in the self-concepts of 634 nine-, 432 ten-, and 452 eleven-year-old girls from Euro-, Afro-, and Mexican-American backgrounds, respectively. The lower SES group had a significantly lower mean self-concept than the middle SES group. The Euros had a higher self-concept than the Afros, and both of these groups had significantly higher self-concepts than the Mexican-Americans. Also, 11-year-olds had a significantly higher mean than both the nine- and 10-year-olds. Furthermore, ANOVA showed that the two-way interaction between race and SES was not the same for the three age groups. The pattern of interaction was similar for the nine- and the 11-year-olds but different for the 10-year-olds. Self-concept scores increasing with age may be a function of development, cognitive maturity, and the mastery of social skills as well as ethnic membership, sociocultural environment, and the accessibility of opportunities.
Heat transfer enhancement with chemical reaction-model comparisons

A one dimensional tubular reactor model which incorporates heat transfer enhancement calculations in the presence of homogenous chemical reactions is presented. The model compensates for the distortion in the actual radial temperature profile due to chemical reaction by calculating the temperature profile in the film next to the reactor wall which is then used to correct for the heat transfer coefficient based on the non-reactive case. The relative simplicity and rapidity of the model makes it a viable alternative to the two dimensional model
Chi Representation of Standard Nitrogen, Argon, and Oxygen Adsorption Curves

The representation of the standard curves such as the α-s curve, the t-curve, and others as chi adsorption curves was examined. Even if the chi theory, which is based upon a quantum mechanical-stat...
Acoustic Emission Characterization of Corrosion Induced Damage in Reinforced Concrete

Abstract The deterioration of steel reinforced concrete caused by reinforcing bar corrosion is recognized as a major technical problem in the State of Florida and nationwide. This mode of failure i...
The rosette complex in gerbil Deiters cells contains γ actin

The relationship of selected cytoskeletal elements with the rosette complex of Deiters cells was examined immunocytochemically in the gerbil cochlea. By light microscopy, the staining pattern for actin in the apical portion of Deiters cells corresponded with the location of the rosette complex. At the ultrastructural level, the actin antibodies bound selectively at the periphery of the dense trabeculae in the center of the complex. Comparative staining with a battery of polyclonal and isoform-specific monoclonal antibodies revealed selective presence of the gamma muscle actin isoform in this location. The loose meshwork at the periphery of the rosette complex stained selectively with a monoclonal antibody to vimentin. beta-tubulin was not associated with the rosette complex but occurred in abundance in the microtubule-rich stalk. Actin and vimentin were not detected in the apical compartment of Deiters cells at the extreme base of the cochlea, thus confirming their association with the rosette complex which is not present in regions of the gerbil cochlea tuned to frequencies of 20 kHz or higher (Spicer and Schulte, 1993, 1994). The cytoarchitecture of the rosette complex and its preferential distribution along the place-frequency map promote speculation that Deiters cells may play a role in regulating ion homeostasis and/or micromechanical response properties of the organ of Corti.
Prevalence and Correlates of Delegitimization Among Jewish Israeli Adolescents

Intractable political conflicts are characterized by a sociopsychological infrastructure (Bar-Tal, 2007) in which individuals are subject to a cognitive and emotional repertoire that legitimizes the use of violence. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of delegitimization, one psychological component theorized as central to the maintenance and reproduction of intractable conflict. Jewish Israeli adolescents completed a survey assessing delegitimization (a process by which members of the outgroup are morally derogated and considered of less existential value than ingroup members), demographic variables, political violence exposure and participation, and attitudes toward policies related to conflict resolution with the Palestinians. Higher levels of delegitimization were associated with being male and with higher reported levels of religiosity, political violence participation, and endorsement of non-compromising attitudes associated with conflict resolution. Analyses supported a conceptual mod...
The Repair of Magnesium Rotorcraft Components by Cold Spray

The U.S. Army and Navy have experienced significant corrosion problems with magnesium alloys that are used to fabricate aircraft components. The most severe of these are associated with large and expensive transmission and gearbox housings for rotorcraft, which have to be removed prematurely because of corrosion, adversely affecting fleet readiness and safety. Many of the parts cannot be reclaimed because there is not an existing technology that can restore them adequately for service. The replacement of these parts is very expensive ranging in the millions of dollars every year. One common repair technique, used for some of those parts that can be salvaged, involves the use of aluminum shims, which are adhesively bonded over areas where the corrosion has been ground down and dimensional restoration is required. The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Center for Cold Spray has developed a cold spray process to reclaim magnesium components that shows significant improvement over existing methods and is in the process of qualification for use on rotorcraft. The cold spray repair has been shown to have superior performance in the tests conducted to date, is inexpensive, can be incorporated into production, and has been modified for field repair, making it a feasible alternative over competing technologies. The work presented in this chapter represents the first two years of a three-year effort, which will result in the establishment of a demonstration cold spray facility at the Naval Air Depot at Cherry Point, North Carolina (NADEP-CP) where the overhaul and repair of Navy rotorcraft is accomplished. The program involved the participation of all branches of the U.S. Department of Defense, major U.S. helicopter companies, academia and international participation.
The excess incidence of diabetic end-stage renal disease among blacks. A population-based study of potential explanatory factors.

Objective. —To investigate whether the excess incidence of diabetic end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among African Americans could be explained by racial differences in putative ESRD risk factors. Design. —Population-based, ecologic study using the 1981 and 1982 Maryland Statewide Household Hypertension Survey for data on risk factor prevalence. Participants. —A total of 2.1 million adults residing within the boundaries of the Maryland Regional ESRD Registry, grouped by race and ZIP code into 26 subpopulations. Main Outcome Measure. —Incidence rates of treatment for diabetic ESRD between 1980 and 1985 from the Maryland Regional ESRD Registry by subpopulation. Results. —Between 1980 and 1985,442 persons entered treatment for diabetic ESRD. At the level of the subpopulation, diabetic ESRD incidence was positively associated with black race (relative risk [RR], 3.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.84 to 4.13), prevalence of diabetes (RR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.92 to 2.87), prevalence of poorly controlled hypertension (RR, 1.80; 95% Cl, 1.45 to 1.86), lack of a regular source of health care (RR, 1.82; 95% Cl, 1.62 to 2.05), and lower socioeconomic status as indicated by lack of college education (RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.32 to 1.52) (all, P P P P =.70). Conclusions. —These data suggest that the excess incidence of diabetic ESRD among blacks is not fully explained by a higher prevalence of diabetes or hypertension in blacks or by racial differences in age, socioeconomic status, or access to health care. Instead, they suggest an increased susceptibility to ESRD resulting from non—insulin-dependent diabetes among blacks as compared with whites. ( JAMA . 1992;268:3079-3084)
New Twists in Understanding the Fate of Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotide mRNA Targets

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Thoma et al. show that after a target mRNA is cleaved, upon treatment with an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, the 3' cleavage product persists and is translated to produce an N-terminally truncated version of the protein encoded by the target mRNA.
Classification of Alloys with an Artificial Neural Network and Multivariate Calibration of Glow-Discharge Emission Spectra

Artificial neural networks were constructed for the classification of metal alloys based on their elemental constituents. Glow discharge-atomic emission spectra obtained with a photodiode array spectrometer were used in multivariate calibrations for 7 elements in 37 Ni-based alloys (different types) and 15 Fe-based alloys. Subsets of the two major classes formed calibration sets for stepwise multiple linear regression. The remaining samples were used to validate the calibration models. Reference data from the calibration sets were then pooled into a single set to train neural networks with different architectures and different training parameters. After the neural networks learned to discriminate correctly among alloy classes in the training set, their ability to classify samples in the testing set was measured. In general, the neural network approach performed slightly better than the K-nearest neighbor method, but it suffered from a hidden classification mechanism and nonunique solutions. The neural network methodology is discussed and compared with conventional sample-classification techniques, and multivariate calibration of glow discharge spectra is compared with conventional univariate calibration.
HPCE determination of R(+) and S(−) mepivacaine in human serum using a derivatized cyclodextrin and ultraviolet detection

Abstract A high performance capillary electrophoresis assay for the quantitative determination of R (+) and S (−) mepivacaine in human serum is reported using heptakis (2,6-di- O -methyl) β -cyclodextrin as the chiral selector for the separation of the enantiomers. The background electrolyte was a 100 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5) containing 20 mM heptakis (2,6-di- O -methyl) β -cyclodextrin and 30 nM hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB). A 72 cm uncoated fused silica capillary was used for the analysis. HTAB was used as the buffer additive to decrease the adsorption of endogenous substances onto the silica wall. To separate the analytes of interest from the endogenous serum substances, a liquid–liquid extraction procedure was used. The extraction recoveries were greater than 70% for both R (+) and S (−) mepivacaine. The detection limits were around 150 ng ml −1 using 1 ml of serum and the limits of quantitation were 200 ng ml −1 . The calibration curves were linear over a range of 200–2000 ng ml −1 with R (−) prilocaine as internal standard (IS) and coefficients of determination were greater than 0.999 ( n =3). Precision and accuracy of the method were 4.1–7.2 and 2.6–5.9%, respectively, for R (+) mepivacaine and 4.0–7.4 and 3.2–7.4% for respectively, for S (−) mepivacaine. The HPCE method was compared to an existing HPLC method in terms of sensitivity and selectivity for the routine analysis of the drugs.
Applications of the lognormal frequency distribution to the chemical composition and size distribution of naturally occurring atmospheric aerosols

A total of 329 size distributions, obtained from measurements of atmospheric aerosols collected at altitudes from the surface to 9 km, was tested for lognormality using the modified Kolmogoroff-Smirnov test. Samples were collected at Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Death Valley, California; and over the Pacific Ocean about 250 km west of Santa Barbara, California. When considered as volume density distributions, 98% of those tested were lognormal at the 5% level of significance with geometric means in the range of 0.4 to 4 μm. When the particle size range from 0.13 to 5.6 μm was divided into 48 size intervals, in which the number of particles in each interval was normalized to the total number, the number of particles within most class intervals above I μm was lognormally distributed at the 5% level. Below 1 μm lognormality appeared to be less likely at both high and low sampling altitudes. Concentrations of Cl, S, K, Ca, Si, and Ti measured for the same altitudes and at the same locations were in general lognormally distributed. Calculations which compared the coagulation rate of a size distribution of fixed functional form with that of a mean of size distributions formed by the coagulation of aerosols contained in small volumes, each having a particle distribution in which the number of particles in each size class was lognormally distributed about the mean, showed a probably insignificant difference. Based on the above results, the authors speculate that the global aerosol may be described by three overlapping lognormal distributions.
Ultraviolet absorption and excitation spectroscopy of rare-earth-doped glass fibers derived from glassy and crystalline preforms

Ultraviolet absorption and laser excitation spectroscopy (LES) measurements are presented for rare-earth-doped optical fibers produced from both glassy and crystalline preforms. Absorption spectra are obtained via broad-spectrum UV LEDs emitting in the 250nm region. LES measurements are obtained utilizing a tunable UV laser source. The tunable laser employed is a frequency-doubled titanium:sapphire laser-pumped optical parametric amplifier (OPA) operating down to a minimum wavelength of about 225nm. Our results indicate a roughly linear relationship between the concentration of oxygen deficiency centers (ODC) and rare-earth content, regardless of the preform type, and the slope of the line is found to vary significantly with the rare earth. Additionally, LES measurements are used to elucidate the energy transfer mechanism from pumping in the UV to emission by the rare-earth. In all cases the fibers are Al codoped and those produced from glassy preforms are manufactured via standard methods. Fibers produced from crystalline preforms start with a pure silica-sleeved rare-earth doped YAG crystal rod that becomes glassy (amorphous) post-draw.
The acid catalyzed nitration of methanol: formation of methyl nitrate via aerosol chemistry

The aqueous phase acid-catalyzed reaction of methanol (CH3OH) with nitric acid (HNO3) to yield methyl nitrate (CH3ONO2) under atmospheric conditions has been investigated using gas-phase infrared spectroscopy. Reactions were conducted in aqueous sulfuric acid solutions (50.5–63.6 wt.%) with [CH3OH] = 0.00005–0.005 M and [HNO3] = 0.02–0.21 M, at 278.2–328.6 K. Methyl nitrate production rates increased linearly with CH3OH and HNO3 concentrations and exponentially with sulfuric acid weight percent within the regime studied. Rates increased linearly with nitronium ion \(\left( {{\text{NO}}_2^ + } \right)\) concentration, indicating that the reaction involves \({\text{NO}}_2^ + \) as the nitrating agent under these conditions. At 298 K, the rate of methyl nitrate production can be calculated from kobs[CH3OH][HNO3], where kobs = 2.337 × 10−13(exp(0.3198*wt.% H2SO4)) when the solubility of CH3ONO2 in acidic solution is approximated by H* for pure water. The temperature dependence of the rate coefficient is related to solution composition, with activation energies of 59 and 49 kJ/mol at 51.1 and 63.6 wt.% H2SO4, respectively, when k is calculated from rate\(\left[ {{\text{NO}}_2^ + } \right]^{ - 1} \left[ {{\text{CH}}_3 {\text{OH}}} \right]^{ - 1} \). The temperature dependence has also been parameterized for application to the atmosphere, but the small quantities of \({\text{NO}}_2^ + \) present in aerosol particles will result in methyl nitrate production rates too small to be of significance under most atmospheric conditions.
Acute alcohol intoxication: significance of the amylase level

To evaluate the effects of acute alcohol intoxication on serum amylase and isoamylase levels, 58 clinically intoxicated patients with blood alcohol levels greater than 100 mg/dL were studied. Comparisons were made to normal control and a sober chronic alcoholic group. Admitting serum isoamylase levels were determined by cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis and serum amylase levels measured by the Amylochrome technique. The average blood alcohol level in the intoxicated group was 301 ± 99 mg/dL. Thirty of the 58 patients had hyperamylasemia (> 207 IU). Twenty-five of these 30 patients had hyperamylasemia from nonpancreatic sources (increased salivary isoamylase). Two of the 30 patients had pancreatic hyperamylasemia and three patients had elevated levels of both isomylases. Neither of the patients with pancreatic hyperamylasemia had clinical evidence of acute pancreatitis. Although nine of the 58 patients had abdominal pain and clinical symptoms suggestive of acute pancreatitis, none of these patients had elevated pancreatic isoamylase. The finding of hyperamylasemia in acutely intoxicated patients is common. This is most frequently due to a rise in the salivary (nonpancreatic) isoamylase. The reliability of the total serum amylase as an indication of pancreatic disease in the intoxicated patient is questioned.
Effect of chronic hypoglycaemia on glucose concentration and glycogen content in rat brain: A localized 13C NMR study

While chronic hypoglycaemia has been reported to increase unidirectional glucose transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and to increase GLUT1 expression at the endothelium, the effect on steady-state brain d-glucose and brain glycogen content is currently unknown. Brain glucose and glycogen concentrations were directly measured in vivo using localized 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) following 12-14 days of hypoglycaemia. Brain glucose content was significantly increased by 48%, which is consistent with an increase in the maximal glucose transport rate, Tmax, by 58% compared with the sham-treated animals. The localized 13C NMR measurements of brain glucose were directly validated by comparison with biochemically determined brain glucose content after rapid focused microwave fixation (1.4 s at 4 kW). Both in vivo MRS and biochemical measurements implied that brain glycogen content was not affected by chronic hypoglycaemia, consistent with brain glucose being a major factor controlling brain glycogen content. We conclude that the increased glucose transporter expression in chronic hypoglycaemia leads to increased brain glucose content at a given level of glycaemia. Such increased brain glucose concentrations can result in a lowered glycaemic threshold of counter-regulation observed in chronic hypoglycaemia.
PRECOCIOUS COPULATORY ACTIVITY INDUCED IN MALE RATS BY SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTIONS OF TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE1

GONADOTROPIC and gonadal hormones induce many of the somatic and physiological signs of pubertas praecox in immature rats if administered repeatedly in appropriate doses (1, 2). Whether these somatic changes are accompanied by psychosexual changes, however, cannot be definitely concluded from the published studies available to the author. Reports on the masculinisation of young chicks suggest that the somatic and psychosexual changes may, to a marked extent, go hand in hand. Domm and v. Dyke (3) reported that male chicks cro.wed at the age of 9 days, following 6 daily injections of a gonadotropic hormone (hebin), and that treading appeared when the chicks were 13 days old, following 10 daily injections of hebin. Hamilton (4) caused male chicks to crow at the age of 10 days, by injections of testOsterone propionate from the second day after hatching.
Thyrocalcitonin Inhibition of Bone Resorption Induced by Parathyroid Hormone in Tissue Culture

Added thyrocalcitonin greatly diminished parathyroid-hormone-induced resorption of bone in tissue culture. The results indicate that bone is primary site of action of thyrocalcitonin.
Environmental health consequences of land mines

AbstractThis article reviews the literature on the environmental effects of anti-personnel land mines globally. Land mines represent an immediate environmental health problem. Between 60 and 70 million land mines are currently in place in over 70 countries. Designed to kill or main humans, including civilians, they injure an estimated 1,200 persons and kill another 800 every week. Land-mine injuries tend to be serious; an estimated 300,000 persons worldwide have been disabled by them. The problem, politically very controversial, can be resolved only by preventing the further placement of mines, by de mining of areas already mined, and by coping with the personal and environmental devastation that they have already caused. Environmental health personnel should be involved in promoting awareness of the problem, in improving services for land-mine victims, and in promoting political efforts to ban further use of land mines.
Transcriptional activation of breast cancer-associated gene 2 by estrogen receptor.

RNF115, or Breast Cancer-Associated Gene 2 (BCA2), encodes a RING-finger ubiquitin E3 ligase, expression of which was associated with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive status in human breast tumors. Although the BCA2 promoter contains several estrogen response element (ERE) half-sites, the role of ER in the regulation of BCA2 transcription has not been reported. The aim of this study is to investigate the molecular mechanism by which estrogen regulates BCA2 transcription. BCA2 mRNA and protein levels were examined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively, and localization was assessed by immunofluorescence. BCA2 promoter activity in response to E2 was tested by a dual luciferase reporter assay and ER binding to the BCA2 promoter was examined by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. We found that BCA2 mRNA and protein levels are regulated by estrogen in ER-positive MCF7 breast cancer cells and MDA MB 231 cells stably transfected with ER. Estrogen treatment in hormonal depleted MCF7 and MDA MB 231/ER stably transfected cells resulted in increased nuclear ER and cytoplasmic and nuclear BCA2 staining. Cycloheximide is not able to inhibit BCA2 mRNA levels, suggesting potential BCA2 regulation at the transcriptional level. Anti-estrogens like tamoxifen and ICI 182 178 counteracted E2-induced BCA2 protein and knockdown of ER by ER siRNA resulted in a significant decrease in BCA2 protein and a lower nuclear expression pattern. Estrogen treatment lead to a significant increase in BCA2 promoter response, associated with increased binding of ER to the ERE region of the BCA2 promoter. BCA2 is therefore a newly identified transcriptional target of estrogen receptor.
Input–Output Anatomy of China's Energy Use Changes in the 1980s

China significantly reduced the energy intensity of its economy in the 1980s. In this paper, we conduct a structural decomposition analysis to explain China's energy use changes between 1981 and 1987—the years for which we have input–output tables. We find that China's energy saving during this period came about primarily by changes in how to produce (production technology changes) rather than changes in what to consume (final demand shifts). The driving force of the energy intensity decline was energy efficiency improvements, which were multiplied across the entire economy through inter-industry input–output linkages.
Joint Modeling for Cognitive Trajectory and Risk of Dementia in the Presence of Death

Dementia is characterized by accelerated cognitive decline before and after diagnosis as compared to normal aging. It has been known that cognitive impairment occurs long before the diagnosis of dementia. For individuals who develop dementia, it is important to determine the time when the rate of cognitive decline begins to accelerate and the subsequent gap time to dementia diagnosis. For normal aging individuals, it is also useful to understand the trajectory of cognitive function until their death. A Bayesian change-point model is proposed to fit the trajectory of cognitive function for individuals who develop dementia. In real life, people in older ages are subject to two competing risks, e.g., dementia and dementia-free death. Because the majority of people do not develop dementia, a mixture model is used for survival data with competing risks, which consists of dementia onset time after the change point of cognitive function decline for demented individuals and death time for nondemented individuals. The cognitive trajectories and the survival process are modeled jointly and the parameters are estimated using the Markov chain Monte Carlo method. Using data from the Honolulu Asia Aging Study, we show the trajectories of cognitive function and the effect of education, apolipoprotein E 4 genotype, and hypertension on cognitive decline and the risk of dementia.
Fashionable Photography in Mid-Twentieth-Century Senegal

AbstractThis article explores the reciprocal transformative effects of Senegalese fashion and photography from the post-World-War-II movements for Independence to the transnational youth movements of the 1960s and 1970s. It draws upon photographs from a museum archive and several family collections in Senegal. Photographs as physical objects and their particular archival spaces decisively influence the way we read photographic content. They thus also influence the way we read the look and meaning of the fashions portrayed. But the converse also holds: new, politically imbued fashions can disrupt established genres of Senegalese photography and the ideology these encoded. The genres in question here are studio portraiture, colonial ethnography, political reportage, and personal snapshot. Examples of fashion include lavish new clothing styles that emerge after World War II, and controversial youth fashions of the 1960s and 1970s. Together these fashions and photos form a case study for potential cross-ferti...
The sirtuin family’s role in aging and age-associated pathologies

The 7 mammalian sirtuin proteins compose a protective cavalry of enzymes that can be invoked by cells to aid in the defense against a vast array of stressors. The pathologies associated with aging, such as metabolic syndrome, neurodegeneration, and cancer, are either caused by or exacerbated by a lifetime of chronic stress. As such, the activation of sirtuin proteins could provide a therapeutic approach to buffer against chronic stress and ameliorate age-related decline. Here we review experimental evidence both for and against this proposal, as well as the implications that isoform-specific sirtuin activation may have for healthy aging in humans.
Experimental Surgical Aneurysms in the Rat

Three different surgical methods were used to create experimental models of aneurysms in rats. The first model was an autogeneous side-to-side anastomosis of the inferior vena cava to the abdominal aorta. This model proved to be ac ceptable for acute preparations but was not amenable to survival surgery since occlusion of the venous circulation occurred. The second model developed was a renal vein aneurysm that was created in either of two ways: (1) the left renal vein was ligated at its juncture with the inferior vena cava and a partial ne phrectomy performed, or (2) the left renal vein was ligated in the same manner, as well as the inferior suprarenal artery. With either technique, the aneurysm developed within five to ten minutes. This model was technically satisfactory but also occluded the venous circulation as the first method had. The third model developed was a heterogeneous aorta of a donor animal grafted to the abdominal aorta of a recipient animal. This model proved to be best for survival surg...
Diffusion Barriers in Pulsed‐Gradient Spin‐Echo NMR Microscopy

Diffusion barrier effects on diffusion and flow mapping by NMR microscopy were simulated for the general case of an interface between two compartments with different relaxation properties and diffusion coefficients. The extreme case of a completely impermeable barrier (i.e. a glass wall) shows substantial changes in signal intensity and phase at distances of a few micrometers from the surface. Permeable boundaries show varying degrees of intensity and phase changes that can be used for deducing permeability properties of barriers that would otherwise be below the true spatial resolution of the image. The simulations were done for the case of a solid, water-imbibing polymer immersed in water and for water diffusion between intra- and extracellular compartments across a biological membrane. These specific boundary effects have substantial implications for the determination of image resolution and for the separation and measurement of coherent flow and random diffusion.
Structure in the NQR spectrum of solid chlorine

Abstract 35 Cl and 37 Cl NQR has been studied in well-annealed samples of solid chlorine. Fourier transform spectra and modulations in the spin-echo envelopes reveal new structure due to indirect spin-spin and intramolecular dipolar interactions; the isotope splittings are completely resolved.
TU-E-BRA-01: A Comparison of Various Online Strategies to Account for Interfractional Variations for Pancreatic Cancer.

Purpose: To indentify effective methods to address the large interfractional variations for pancreas irradiation, we compared various used/proposed online strategies. Methods: The daily CTs acquired using a respiration‐gated in‐room CT for 9 pancreatic cancer patients treated with IGRT (i.e., online repositioning based on rigid‐body alignment) were analyzed. The contours of the pancreas and duodenum on each daily CT set were generated by populating those from the planning CT using a deformable registration tool (ABAS, Elekta) with manual editing. PTV was generated with 3 mm margin. Nine online strategies were considered: 1) IGRT with 0 mm additional margin (AM), 2) IGRT with 2mm AM, 3) IGRT with 5mm AM, 4) IGRT with plan renormalized to maintain 95% PTV coverage, 5) Full scale reoptimization, 6) Reoptimization starting from the original plan, 7) Segment Aperture Morphing (SAM) from the original plan based on PTV shape change 8) SAM plus Segment Weight Optimization (SWO), 9) Reoptimization starting from the SAM plan. One way ANOVA (analysis of variance) was applied to plan qualities for the 9 strategies to assess statistical significance in difference. Results: The standard IGRT strategies (1–3) resulted in either inadequate PTV coverage or higher duodenum doses. Margin expansion along is not efficient to account for the changes. Full‐scale reoptimization resulted in the best plan but requiring delineation of several structures. Reoptimization on top of available plan (strategies 6 and 9) was considerably faster. SAM strategy (7) is the fastest online replanning, as it requires only one structure (target) delineation, and it's plan quality was comparable to that for the full‐scale reoptimization. Conclusion: Online replanning strategies can lead to either reduced duodenum dose or improved target coverage as compared to the current practice of IGRT. The SAM‐based online replanning is comparable to the full scale reoptimization and is efficient for practical use.
Chlorotetracycline and Growth Promoting Effect of Beta Carotene and Vitamin A in Rats.

SummaryAddition of chlorotetracycline to a Vit. A-deficient diet was found to stimulate additional growth in Vit. A-deficient rats that received restricted intakes of beta carotene or Vit. A. Extent of additional growth depended on amount of the antibiotic incorporated in the basal diet and amount of the supplementary vitamin fed. Under the conditions of the experiments reported a diet that contained 1 g/kg of chlorotetracycline exerted the greatest growth-stimulating effect in rats that subsisted on a minimum maintenance intake of Vit. A or beta caratene. This increase in growth ranged from 200ioJo in the low Vit. A-intake animals to essentially no increase in growth rate of animals that received the higher doses of the vitamin. Food requirement per unit of weight increase was lower in the rats that received the chlorotetracycline-containing diets. Rats restricted to equal food intakes made greater gains in weight when the diet contained the antibiotic.
The influence of teaching assistant willingness to communicate and communication anxiety in the classroom

This study examined the effects of teaching assistant willingness to communicate and communication apprehension in the university classroom. Results indicated that TA willingness to communicate is significantly related to perceptions of TA nonverbal immediacy. Additionally, as TA communication apprehension increases, student perceptions of TA nonverbal immediacy and TA power use decrease. An examination of TA state anxiety in the classroom revealed that TA state anxiety is negatively correlated with student ratings of instruction, affective learning, perceptions of TA nonverbal immediacy, and perceptions of TA reward power, referent power use, and expert power use.
Update in endocrinology: evidence published in 2010.

This Update summarizes studies published in 2010 that the author considers highly relevant to the practice of endocrinology. Topics include calcium and bone metabolism, diabetes and metabolism, obe...
Sonographic features of neonatal mastitis and breast abscess.

Neonatal mastitis and neonatal breast abscess are uncommon. Although well described in the pediatric and surgical literature, there is a paucity of reports describing their sonographic features. To describe and illustrate the sonographic features of neonatal mastitis and neonatal breast abscess. We reviewed the medical database of a large children’s health-care center from 2000 through 2008 for patients presenting in the first 8 weeks of life with mastitis. The findings were correlated with clinical presentation and course, laboratory findings and clinical outcome. Four neonates (three girls and one boy) presented with mastitis. They all had prominent breast buds on the affected side with poorly defined margins, slightly more echogenic focally or diffusely compared to normal with hyperemia on color flow Doppler US. The surrounding subcutaneous tissue was thick and echogenic. Two abscesses presented as avascular areas without color flow on Doppler US, subtly increased through-transmission and surrounding hyperemia. One abscess was of increased echogenicity while the other was anechoic. Neonatal mastitis and breast abscess are unusual diseases that should be appropriately treated with antibiotics and drainage to avoid generalized sepsis, breast hypoplasia, and scarring. US is useful in distinguishing mastitis from breast abscess and guiding treatment options.
Generalized Theory of Electrical Machinery

In the following pages electrical machinery is analyzed from a new point of view. Analytical quantities like magnetizing current, armature reaction, leakage flux, transient reactance are not introduced; only such quantities are used as actually exist in the machine at one particular load. Thereby the theory of electrical machinery is expressed in terms of the minimum possible number of quantities. No hypothetical currents or fluxes are used and no actual physical quantity is left out. The concept of ``free energy,'' used in thermo dynamics, is introduced and generalized. The criterion of good design of all electrical machines is expressed by a constant, the ``thermodynamic efficiency'' which gives a measure of the effective utilization of iron and space for the transformation of energy. This constant plays a most fundamental role in the steady and transient behavior of the machine. A method is given by which the direction of flow of energy between different parts of any complicated machine can be easily read off the diagrams. The theory of constant-potential and constant-current electromagnets is used as a stepping stone to show that the theory of the polyphase alternator is identical with the theory of the constant-potential polyphase transformer if flux linkages and magnetomotive forces are interchanged. The circle diagrams of the transformer and the alternator are developed as well as the elliptical locus diagram of the alternator with salient poles. Problems in the sudden short circuit and the sudden load variation of the polyphase alternator are also solved.
Review of S100A9 Biology and its Role in Cancer

S100A9 is a calcium binding protein with multiple ligands and post-translation modifications that is involved in inflammatory events and the initial development of the cancer cell through to the development of metastatic disease. This review has a threefold purpose: 1) describe the S100A9 structural elements important for its biological activity, 2) describe the S100A9 biology in the context of the immune system, and 3) illustrate the role of S100A9 in the development of malignancy via interactions with the immune system and other cellular processes.
Lorentz microscopy of bubble domains and changes in domain wall state in hexaferrites

Some results of an investigation of magnetic bubble domains in thin hexaferrite crystals using Lorentz microscopy are presented. The structure of the bubble domains is discussed and the methods used to produce them are described. With the use of variable bias field and pulsed magnetic fields in the electron microscope, changes of state in bubbles and switching of bubble wall chirality could be observed directly. Einige Ergebnisse von Untersuchungen an magnetischen Blasendomanen in dunnen Hexaferritkristallen mit Lorentz-Mikroskopie werden mitgeteilt. Die Struktur der Blasendomanen wird diskutiert und die zu ihrer Produktion benutzten Methoden beschrieben. Mit Hilfe einer variablen Vorspannung und gepulsten magnetischen Feldern in der Elektronenmikroskopie konnten Zustandsanderungen in den Blasen und das Umschalten der Blasenwandchiralitat direkt beobachtet werden.