cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RNA-binding proteins that specifically recognize the selenocysteine insertion sequence of human cellular glutathione peroxidase mRNA

Translational incorporation of the unusual amino acid selenocysteine in eukaryotes requires a coding region UGA codon (which otherwise serves as a termination signal), a selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) in the 3′-untranslated region of the mRNA, and selenocysteyl-tRNA. The mechanisms involved in SECIS recognition by the eukaryotic translational machinery remain unknown. We report the detection of RNA-binding proteins that specifically recognize the SECIS from human cellular glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) transcripts. RNA gel shift assays showed three retarded bands after incubation with COS-1 whole cell lysate or S-100 cytosol fraction or with extracts from hepatoma cell lines HepG2 and Hep3B. The specificity of the binding was demonstrated by competition by cold unlabeled SECIS RNA and by lack of competition by other RNA species with similar stem-loop secondary structures, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) trans-activation-response region of HIV mRNA element, and mutated SECIS constructs. UV cross-linking and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed at least two proteins, with estimated molecular masses of 55,000 and 65,000 Da, that bind to the SECIS. Examination of a series of insertion and deletion SECIS mutants indicated recognition of the SECIS primarily through the basal stem region, although the upper stem, loop, and two of three short conserved sequences also appear to contribute to the affinity of the binding.
Changes in membrane polypeptides that occur when chick embryo fibroblasts and NRK cells are transformed with avian sarcoma viruses.

Abstract Studies were designed to detect changes in the plasma membrane polypeptide composition of chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and Normal rat kidney (NRK) cells following infection with avian RNA tumor viruses. A method capable of isolating large fragments of plasma cell membranes, based on fractionation in a two-phase polymer system, was developed for this purpose. Infection with the Prague (subgroup C) or SR (subgroup A) strains of RSV, or with ts 68 of SR-RSV-A or ts 339 of B77 at the permissive temperature, caused CEF to transform morphologically; simultaneously a limited number of changes occurred in their plasma cell membrane composition. They were: (a) a large increase in the rate of labeling with 14 C-valine and in the total amount of a polypeptide with an apparent MW of 73,000; a similar small increase occurred with respect to a polypeptide with an MW of 95,000; neither could be labeled with 14 C-glucosamine; (b) a decrease in the rate of labeling and in the total amount of high molecular weight glycopoly-peptides with MWs of about 250,000; (c) a decrease in the rate of labeling and in the total amount of a polypeptide with an MW of 39,000. Infection with ts 68 and ts 339 at the nonpermissive temperature, or with a nontransforming mutant of SR-RSV-A, or with RAV-7, did not cause alterations (a) and (b), but did cause alteration (c). Identical membrane polypeptide changes were observed in NRK cells infected with the Prague strain of RSV or with ts 339 of B77 at the permissive but not at the nonpermissive temperature. The significance of the fact that these changes, in particular the increases in the amounts of the 73,000 and 95,000 dalton polypeptides, occurred to the same extent in the membranes of both avian and mammalian cells is discussed.
Production of glycine betaine and dimethylsulfoniopropionate in marine phytoplankton. I. Batch cultures

The quantitative significance of the nitrogenous compound glycine betaine (GBT) and its sulfur analog dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) to intracellular pools in marine phytoplankton is not well known. In a series of experiments conducted in August 1993, we measured these compounds, as well as total organic sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen, over the growth cycle in six isolates of marine phytoplankton, Amphidinium carterae Hulburt, Chrysochromulina sp. Lackey, Emiliania huxleyi Hay et Mohler, Prorocentrum minimum (Pavillard) Schiller, Skeletonema costatum (Greville) Cleve, and Tetraselmis sp. At the same time, we measured cellular concentrations of protein, amino acids, chlorophyll, and inorganic nutrients. All six species produced DMSP, while three produced GBT at lesser levels. In the Chrysochromulina sp. isolate, levels of GBT were greater than DMSP during the exponential phase of growth, but declined sharply as the culture approached stationary phase. This change appeared to coincide with the onset of nitrogen limitation. Other nitrogenous osmolytes were produced in five of the six species but in much smaller quantities. DMSP contributed significantly to cellular sulfur throughout the growth cycle although, in some algae, the proportion of dissolved DMSP increased substantially during stationary growth. When present, GBT formed a sizeable fraction of the cellular nitrogen only during exponential growth. A significant percentage (ca. 50%) of the organic nitrogen could not be accounted for even when cellular pools of protein, amino acids, inorganic nitrogen, and nitrogenous osmolytes were combined. Based on these experiments, there does not appear to be a reciprocal relationship between DMSP and GBT production, although GBT production does appear to be correlated with nitrogen availability.
Development, Justice, and Technology Transfer in China: The Case of HP and Legend.

In 1978, 16 months after Mao Zedong’s death, China’s new leader, Deng Xiaoping, introduced market reforms and an “opening” to the West that allowed the US company Hewlett-Packard (HP) to enter China in 1981. Shortly thereafter, HP began a partnership with the Chinese company Legend Computer (now Lenovo), through which HP transferred its technology in four main areas: (1) product technology, (2) business model, (3) management practices, and (4) strategic planning processes. This technology transfer seems to be a “just exchange” in that HP received access to China’s market while China received key managerial, marketing, and product technologies. Although multinationals are often criticized for their dealings with developing nations, the HP–Legend case provides an illustration of how a company from an industrialized nation can deal justly with a developing nation and assist in advancing its development. The transfer of technology from HP to Legend was facilitated by several factors, including HP’s historical willingness to help startups, its strategic posture, a favorable local environment, Legend’s recognition of its own needs, its willingness to learn from a foreign company, and the incentives to share technology that the Chinese government provided.
Encounters with Extreme Foods: Neophilic/Neophobic Tendencies and Novel Foods

This article examines how consumers determine what is edible through an analysis of people's experiences with “extreme,” or unusual, foods. Data from semi-structured interviews are analyzed to explore how people define “extreme” foods, the meanings that people derive from encounters with these foods, and the social contexts under which people are most likely to sample new foods. The findings underscore the influence of psychosocial forces on food tastes, with neophilic/neophobic tendencies and the formation, maintenance, and alterations of identities and relationships informing encounters with novel foods.
Differentiation induction of human promyelocytic leukemia cells by 10-hydioxycamptothecin, a DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor

Abstract The cytotoxic and differentiating effects of 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) in the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 were examined. By trypan blue dye exclusion, a 24-h exposure of the cells to 0.1 μM of the drug was found to be cytotoxic. Exposure of the cells to lower concentrations (0.001–0.01 μM) for 3 days reduced cell proliferation and induced cell differentiation. As determined by Wright-Giemsa staining, approximately 25% of promyelocytic cells became metamyelocytes, banded and segmented neutrophils. Electron microscopy demonstrated alterations in the ultrastructure of HCPT-induced HL-60 cells that included the formation of lobulated nuclei and the accumulation of large vesicles and small myelin bodies as well as glycogen-like particles in the cell periphery. Qualitatively similar results were obtained in a subline of HL-60 that is resistant to 4′-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide (m-AMSA); however, the rate and extent of induced ni-troblue tetrazolium-positive cells by HCPT and several other agents were greater in the resistant cell line. Under conditions that induced cell differentiation, HCPT sharply inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and increased the rate of protein synthesis without an effect on the rate of RNA synthesis. The measurement of DNA topoisomerase I activity in nuclear extracts from both HCPT- and DMSO-treated cells demonstrated that the enzyme was decreased in mature cells compared to nondifferentiated controls. The data suggest that progressive reduction of DNA topoisomerase I activity may be associated with cell differentiation, but whether HCPT-induced differentiation is mediated by inhibition of the enzyme is inconclusive.
A simulation study of DEA and parametric frontier models in the presence of heteroscedasticity

Abstract This paper studies the effects of heteroscedasticity on the following five types of estimators: (1) Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) per se as well as DEA joined to regression forms, (2) Corrected Ordinary Least Squares based on maximum residual (COLS-R), (3) Corrected Ordinary Least Squares based on moments of residuals (COLS-M), (4) Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE), and (5) Goal Programming with one-sided deviations as in Aigner and Chu (A&C). This is accomplished with simulated data in an experiment designed around a single output–single input production function which is piecewise Cobb–Douglas. Robustness of results is confirmed with another experiment employing a shifted smooth Cobb–Douglas production function. The model has a composed error term consisting of two components––one for measurement error and the other for inefficiency. The simulation results indicate that heteroscedasticity does not have an adverse impact on DEA-based estimators and that DEA-based estimators are the best estimators of efficient output even under heteroscedasticity.
Observed Decrease in the Periods of Pulsar PSR 0833–45

Pulsar PSR 0833-45 period decrease and rate of change in period increased between 24 February-3 March 1969, discussing contraction explanation
Synthesis and pharmacological properties of 1,2-bis(fluoromethoxy)-1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane

Abstract Fluoromethyl 2-methoxy-2,2-difluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)-ethyl ether (compound B), a fluorinated diether derived from the anesthetic sevoflurane, was reacted with bromine trifluoride. With proper control of reaction temperature, a single product, 1,2-bis(fluoromethoxy)-1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane (BFPP), was obtained in 58% yield. In the rat model, BFPP exhibited enhanced metabolic stability both in vivo and in liver microsomal preparations, evidenced by a reduction in fluoride release. Both compound B and BFPP were sedative/hypnotics in this animal, when administered intravenously. The sleep times of animals given BFPP were approximately six times longer than those of animals administered an equal dose of compound B.
Effect of ATP/ADP/phosphate potential on the maximal steady-state uptake of Ca2+ by skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The ability of the Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase pump of skeletal SR to produce and maintain a Ca2+ gradient was studied as a function of the ATP/ADP/Pi ratio. The internal free Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i was monitored by changes in fluorescence of CTC. Increasing ADP concentrations in the medium reduce the maximal [Ca2+]i concentration achieved. The inclusion or the omission of 4×10−4 M Pi or doubling the absolute ATP and ADP concentrations at a constant ATP/ADP ratio does not affect the level obtained. The level depends primarily on the ATP/ADP ratio. The [Ca2+] concentration shows a 1.5 power dependence on the ATP/ADP ratio. Further, [Ca2+]i achieved at steady state does not depend on whether the pump had been working in the forward or the reverse direction prior to testing. Analysis shows that the levels of Ca2+ achieved are much lower than the levels predicted thermodynamically under the assumption of ideal coupling between Ca2+ transport and ATP hydrolysis with a stoichiometry of 2:1. Under this condition the “osmotic” energy of the [Ca2+]i/[Ca2+]o ratio was shown to be 48% as large as the free energy of hydrolysis of ATP, giving an overall thermodynamic efficiency of 48%. Analysis shows that maximal steady-state uptake is determined by the balance between the rates of uptake by the pump and rates of leak processes (intrinsic or extrinsic to the pump). Comparison with other studies shows that the [Ca2+]i achieved results in trans-inhibition of the pump by tying up the Ca2+ translocator in the inwardly oriented phosphorylated form. The absence of an effect of Pi can be taken as evidence that the dissociation of Ca2+ from the inwardly oriented translocator on the phosphoylated enzyme must precede the dephosphorylation of the enzyme.
Genetic mapping of three quantitative trait loci for soybean aphid resistance in PI 567324

Host-plant resistance is an effective method for controlling soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura), the most damaging insect pest of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in North America. Recently, resistant soybean lines have been discovered and at least four aphid resistance genes (Rag1, Rag2, Rag3 and rag4) have been mapped on different soybean chromosomes. However, the evolution of new soybean aphid biotypes capable of defeating host-plant resistance conferred by most single genes demonstrates the need for finding germplasm with multigenic resistance to the aphid. This study was conducted to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for aphid resistance in PI 567324. We identified two major QTL (QTL_13_1 and QTL_13_2) for aphid resistance on soybean chromosome 13 using 184 recombinant inbred lines from a ‘Wyandot' × PI 567324 cross. QTL_13_1 was located close to the previously reported Rag2 gene locus, and QTL_13_2 was close to the rag4 locus. A minor QTL (QTL_6_1) was also detected on chromosome 6, where no gene for soybean aphid resistance has been reported so far. These results indicate that PI 567324 possesses oligogenic resistance to the soybean aphid. The molecular markers closely linked to the QTL reported here will be useful for development of cultivars with oligogenic resistance that are expected to provide broader and more durable resistance against soybean aphids compared with cultivars with monogenic resistance.
Women are different: the role of coupling factor 6 in blood pressure regulation.

Blood pressure (BP)-related diseases, particularly, hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Worldwide, elevated BP accounts for 47% of coronary heart disease cases and 54% of stroke incidences.1 Moreover, about 13% of total deaths worldwide are a result of hypertension. The excessive intake of salt has a major role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. To date, over 50 randomized trials have tested the effects of sodium reduction on BP in adults, with the overall consensus that sodium intake has a statistically significant, progressive and dose-dependent relationship with BP. A daily modest reduction of 100 mmol (6 g of salt) has been shown to significantly reduce systolic and diastolic BP in both the hypertensive and normotensive subjects.2 In this issue of Hypertension Research, Izumiyama et al.3 show that estrogen replacement has a cardioprotective function in ovariectomized females under a high-salt diet (HSD). Furthermore, they report on the mechanism whereby coupling factor 6 (CF6) overexpression increases salt-sensitive hypertension, resulting in enhanced cardiac systolic dysfunction.
Central Lateral Line and Auditory Pathways: A Phylogenetic Perspective

The phylogenetic origins of the lateral line electrosensory, lateral line mechanosensory, and auditory components of the octavolateralis system are unknown but each of these sensory modalities appears to have evolved early in vertebrate history. The octavolateralis terminal field occupies a large area of the dorsolateral wall of the medulla and among agnathids, cartilaginous fishes, non-teleost bony fishes and, with modifications, urodeles, consists of a dorsal electrosensory nucleus, a medial mechanosensory nucleus and a ventral octaval nuclear complex. This arrangement of medullary octavolateral nuclei, which differs from that of non-electroreceptive and electroreceptive teleosts, is considered the primitive plan and is retained in that phyletic line leading to tetrapods. Separate and parallel pathways are known, in elasmobranchs and a few teleosts, to ascend from each medullary lateral line center to the midbrain and presumably from midbrain to telencephalic levels via thalamic relays. There is no evidence, with the loss of lateral line senses among some amphibians and all amniotes, that the central neural pathways and nuclei are retained and used to process information from other sensory modalities. The anatomy of the central auditory system of fishes is unknown but is required for an understanding of whether auditory nuclei and pathways are retained during the fishamphibian transition, or whether new ones arise, to process information from independently evolved peripheral receptors.
A limit theorem for expectations conditional on a sum

Let ξ1, ξ2, ξ3,... be a sequence of independent random variables, such that μ j ≕E[ξ j ], 0<α⩽Var[ξ j ] andE[|ξ j −μ j |2+δ] for some δ, 0<δ⩽1, and everyj⩾1. IfU and ξ0 are two random variables such thatE[ξ 0 2 ]<∞ andE[|U|ξ 0 2 ]<∞, and the vector 〈U,ξ〉 is independent of the sequence {ξ j :j⩾1}, then under appropriate regularity conditions $$E\left[ {U\left| {\xi _0 + S_n } \right. = \sum\limits_{j = 1}^n {\mu _j + c_n } } \right] = E[U] + O\left( {\frac{1}{{s_n^{1 + \delta } }}} \right) + O\left( {\frac{{|c_n |}}{{s_n^2 }}} \right)$$ whereS n ≕ξ1+ξ2+⋯+ξ n ,μ j ≕E[ξ j ],s n 2 ≕Var[S n ], andc n =O(s n ).
Toxicity and Anticholinesterase Effect of Formulated Methyl Parathion to the Estuarine Crab Chasmagnathus granulata (Decapoda, Grapsidae) Pre-exposed to Sesamol

Abstract This study, carried out on the estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulata , had two main objectives: (i) to correlate inhibition of the cholinesterase activity in the thoracic ganglia caused by a commercial formulation of methyl parathion (O,O-dimethyl- o-p- nitro-phenyl phosphorothionate) with crab mortality; and (ii) to investigate the methyl parathion bioactivation mechanisms. In crabs not pre-exposed to sesamol (3, 4-methylenedioxyphenol), in vivo cholinesterase inhibition showed a dose-related response (ID 50 = 0.36 mg · kg −1 ). However, it showed not to be a good tool to establish an effective dose since small amounts of inhibition were correlated to mortalities as high as 50%. Methyl parathion was more toxic to crabs not pre-exposed to sesamol (96 hr LD 50 = 0.21 mg · kg −1 ) than crabs pre-exposed to the MFO-inhibitor (96 hr LD 50 = 1.02 mg · kg −1 ). Pre-exposure to sesamol seems to prevent methyl parathion oxidation, and consequently, its toxicity since the cholinesterase inhibition in crabs pre-exposed to sesamol was lower than that observed in those not pre-exposed to sesamol. In accordance to the idea that the anticholinesterase property of methyl parathion is acquired only after its oxidation, a higher in vitro cholinesterase inhibition induced by chemically oxidized methyl parathion (IC 50 = 0.114 μ M) in relation to that caused by the fresh methyl parathion (IC 50 = 19.2 μ M) was observed.
On appropriate procedures for combining probability distributions within the same family

Abstract This article considers procedures for combining individual probability distributions that belong to some “family” into a “group” probability distribution that belongs to the same family. The procedures considered are Vincentizing, in which quantiles are averaged across distributions; generalized Vincentizing, in which the quantiles are transformed before averaging; and pooling based on the distribution function or the probability density function. Some of these results are applied to models of reaction time in psychological experiments.
The synthesis of the first stage graphite salt C8+AsF6− and its relationship to the first stage graphite/AsF5 intercalate

Oxidation of graphite with excess O/sub 2//sup +/AsF/sub 6//sup -/, in suspension in SO/sub 2/ClF, produces the blue first-stage graphite salt of composition C/sub 8/AsF/sub 6/, which x-ray single crystal photographs show is hexagonal with a = 4.92(2), c = 8.10(2), V = 170 A/sup 3/. The blue first-stage material of approximate composition C/sub 10/AsF/sub 5/ obtained from graphite and AsF/sub 5/ has a related pseudo cell. Arsenic x-ray absorption-edge spectra show that C/sub 8/AsF/sub 6/ contains AsF/sub 6//sup -/ alone, and that the graphite/AsF/sub 5/ intercalate contains AsF/sub 6//sup -/ and AsF/sub 3/ in accord with the AsF/sub 5/ reduction: 3 AsF/sub 5/ + 2 e/sup -/ ..-->.. 2 AsF/sub 6//sup -/ + AsF/sub 3/. Treatment of the graphite/AsF/sub 5/ compound with F/sub 2/ gas results in conversion of all of the intercalated arsenic to AsF/sub 6//sup -/.
Are we selecting the right patients for stroke rehabilitation in nursing homes

Abstract Murray PK, Dawson NV, Thomas CL, Cebul RD. Are we selecting the right patients for stroke rehabilitation in nursing homes? Objective To examine the effect of stroke rehabilitation in the nursing home on community discharge rates and functional status among patients stratified by propensity to receive rehabilitation. Design Retrospective cohort. Setting Medicaid-certified nursing homes (N=945) in Ohio. Participants Patients with stroke (N=2013) admitted to an Ohio nursing home. Intervention Rehabilitation therapy services. Main outcome measures The propensity to receive rehabilitation, used to adjust for selection bias, was calculated for each patient by using a logistic regression model. Community discharge and change in functional status, measured by using a crosswalk to the FIM instrument, were determined 3 months after admission. Results By 3 months after admission, 36.9% of the patients were discharged to the community, 16.6% had died, and 46.5% remained in the nursing home. The overall effect of rehabilitation on community discharge (relative risk [RR]=1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33–1.85) was not homogeneous across subgroups stratified by propensity to receive rehabilitation. Patients less likely to receive rehabilitation, as measured by a lower propensity score, had a significant benefit in terms of community discharge (RR=1.65; 95% CI, 1.35–1.97), but those more likely to receive services did not (RR=1.21; 95% CI, 0.87–1.56). Among long-term nursing home residents, rehabilitation services were not associated with improved functional status. Conclusions With respect to community discharge, patients who were less likely to receive rehabilitation therapy appear to receive greater benefit from rehabilitation services than those who were more likely to receive rehabilitation. This finding raises concerns about current selection practices for rehabilitation services. Research is needed to identify the patients most likely to benefit, especially in the present fiscally constrained reimbursement environment.
EFFECTS OF RESTRICTION OF RANGE AND TEST UNRELIABILITY ON CORRELATION BETWEEN MEASURES OF INTELLIGENCE AND CREATIVE THINKING

Summary. The Lorge-Thorndike Intelligence Test, Level 3, Form A, and the Minnesota Tests of Creative Thinking (Torrance, 1962) were given to groups of 461 and 827 fifth-grade American children. Subjects were divided into four groups, according to I.Q. range: below 90, 91 to 110, 111 to 130, and above 130. Linear correlations between I.Q. and creativity score for the whole population and for the sub-groups gave few significant coefficients. Corrections for explicit selection and for unreliability of the creativity measures indicated that the ‘true’ correlation might be as high as 88. There was consistent decrease in size of the correlation as the level of I.Q. of the sub-groups became higher, this lending support to the idea that, beyond a certain minimum level of intelligence, being more intelligent, does not guarantee a corresponding increase in the creativity. The results do not, however, support the view that creativity is an entity independent of other facets of human intellect.
Prophylaxis Against Venous Thromboembolism in Acutely Ill Medical Patients: An Observational Study

Study Objectives. To determine the risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and the rates of prophylactic measures used in acutely ill medical patients. Design. Prospective observational study. Setting. Academic tertiary care medical center. Patients. One hundred seventy-nine patients admitted to three general medical units over 30 consecutive days and hospitalized for at least 3 days. Measurements and Main Results. On concurrent review of the patients' medical records, 138 (77.1%) of 179 patients received one or more forms of VTE prophylaxis during their hospital stay. Of 41 (22.9%) patients receiving no VTE prophylaxis, 22 (53.7%) had and 19 (46.3%, or 10.6% of the total population) did not have a documented contraindication to anticoagulation. One hundred ten patients (61.5%) had three or more documented VTE risk factors for VTE. The most common prophylaxis was unfractionated heparin 5000 U injected subcutaneously twice/day. Therapeutic anticoagulation was given to 51 patients (28.5%) at some time during their hospitalization for indications other than VTE treatment. Two developed symptomatic VTE (1.1%) while hospitalized. Four patients (2.2%) receiving anticoagulants had adverse outcomes. One patient had minor bleeding, and one developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia without thrombosis. Conclusion. Rates of VTE prophylaxis were higher than previously reported rates, although no formalized guidelines, standardized order sets, alerting programs, training, or risk-stratification tools were used during the study period. Rates of adverse events were low.
Inherited F Sterility in the Male Pink Bollworm: Reduction of Eupyrene Sperm Bundles in the Testis and Duplex

The testis and duplex region of the ejaculatory duct of male Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) were examined for differences in the number and morphology of eupyrene and apyrene sperm bundles in sons of irradiated (F1 sons) or untreated (control) males. The testis of F1 and control males contained large numbers of apyrene sperm bundles, and both kinds of males had normal amounts of loose apyrene sperm in the duplex. Similarly, the testes of F1 and control males contained many immature eupyrene sperm bundles. However, in control males, these bundles matured, passed out of the testis, and were stored as bundles in the duplex. In F1 males, significantly fewer eupyrene bundles matured in the testis and many of the F1 males had no eupyrene sperm bundles in the duplex. Irradiation of P1 males affects spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis in F1 males so that the majority of eupyrene sperm do not descend into the duplex to become available for insemination.
Sketching in Air: A Single Stroke Classification Framework

We describe a trainable, hand drawn, single stroke 3D sketch–based classification system, using a motion detecting depth sense camera. Our system captures data from a user, who is free to sketch any desired shape in a 3D environment. The overall system is based on a set of previously defined and well developed classifiers, which are, the Rubine Classifier, $1 recognizer and the Image based classifier. The novelty of this paper comes from 1) the classification of sketches drawn in a 3D environment; 2) extending the pixel based image representation to a voxel–based scheme; and 3) combining the results from individual classifiers using a sensitivity matrix. To evaluate the performance of the system, user studies were performed. To validate the significance of results obtained from the user studies, we performed a t–test. Our system outperforms the individual classifiers and is able to achieve an average overall accuracy of 93+%.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Constructal Trees of Convective Fins

This paper extends to the field of convective heat transfer the constructal theory of optimizing the access of a current that flows between one point and a finite-size volume, when the volume size is constrained. The volume is bathed by a uniform stream. A small amount of high-conductivity fin material is distributed optimally through the volume, and makes the connection between the volume and one point (fin root) on its boundary. The optimization proceeds in a series of volume subsystems of increasing sizes (elemental volume, first construct, second construct). The shape of the volume and the relative thicknesses of the fins are optimized at each level of assembly. The optimized structure emerges as a tree of fins in which every geometric detail is a result of minimizing the thermal resistance between the finite-size volume and the root point (source, sink). Convection occurs in the interstitial spaces of the tree. The paper shows that several of the geometric details of the optimized structure are robust, i.e., relatively insensitive to changes in other design parameters. The paper concludes with a discussion of constructal theory and the relevance of the optimized tree structures to predicting natural self-organization and self-optimization.
The response of trout and zebrafish embryos to low and high boron concentrations is U-shaped

Fish in the embryo-larval stage of development have been shown to be sensitive to boron (B) at both ends of the dose-response curve (1,2). The present study evaluated the health effects of low and high B concentrations on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a cold water species, and zebrafish (Danio rerio), a warm water species. Rainbow trout embryos were incubated from day 1 until 2 wk posthatch in Type 1 ASTM ultrapure-grade water (12.5°C) supplemented with only B (0-500 μM) as boric acid, or together with CaCO3 (0–2 mM) to increase water hardness. Embryonic growth was stimulated by B in a dose-dependent manner at all Ca concentrations (p < 0.001). Chronic exposures below 9 μmol B/L impaired embryonic growth and above 10 mmol B/L caused death (p < 0.001). Thus, the safe range of exposure for the rainbow trout was between the adverse effect concentrations of 9 μmol B/L and 10 mmol B/L. Zebrafish were maintained for 6 mo in ultrapure water containing <0.2 μmol B/L to determine the effect of low-level exposure. High-level exposure was assessed by exposing zygotes, derived from parents maintained at 46 μmol B/L, to graded concentrations of boric acid up to a concentration of 75 mmol B/L from fertilization until they were free feeding (96 h). Fertilization occurred, but zygotes failed to survive when water contained <0.2 umol B/L (p < 0.001). Death occurred at and above 9.2 mmol B/L. Thus, the safe range of B exposure for zebrafish was between the adverse effect concentrations of 0.2 μmol B/L and 9.2 mmol B/L. The dose-response for both species was thus U-shaped.
Enhancement of lignite char reactivity to steam by cation addition

Abstract Chars produced from lignites typically have much higher reactivities to gasification than those produced from bituminous coals. This has been attributed previously to the presence of carboxylate salts of inorganic constituents on the lignites. Upon charring of the lignites, the carboxylate salts decompose leaving behind well dispersed inorganic constituents which act as catalysts for gasification. In this study, a raw lignite has been treated with HCl and HF to demineralize it and to increase its carboxyl content prior to exchanging selected cations with the hydrogen on the carboxyl groups. Up to 2.14 mmol of calcium per g of coal could be added using this procedure. Addition of varying amounts of calcium to the lignite resulted in the production of chars containing calcium contents ranging from 1.1 to 12.9 wt %. Such addition resulted in a rectilinear increase in reactivity of the char to steam with increasing amount of calcium added. Maximum reactivity attained was over ten times the reactivity found for the char produced from the raw lignite. At comparable molar loadings of metal cations onto the acid-treated lignite, the chars subsequently produced had reactivities in steam in the order: K >Na ≈ Ca >Fe >Mg. Char reactivity could also be enhanced by the addition of cations to nitric acid-treated char which had been produced, in turn, from demineralized lignite.
Vascular responses to anaesthetic agents

Data have been presented showing that certain general anaesthetic agents such as halothane decrease the spontaneous activity of the rabbit anterior mesenteric portal vein and decrease the response of venous and aortic strips to exogenous noradrenaline. If these observations can be extrapolated to the intact animal they may indicate that the hypotension occurring with use of such agents may be due not only to cardiac effects but also to peripheral vasodilatation and muting of reflex sympathetic vasoconstriction. Although the response to noradrenaline is antagonized, this appears to be nonspecific effect and no evidence was found for interference with noradrenaline release nor for direct actions on beta-adrenegic receptors. While the thiobarbiturates increased spontaneous activity and tone of the rabbit anterior portal vein no evidence was obtained that this occurred through release of noradrenaline from tissue stores.
Non-divergence form operators and variations on Yau's explosion criterion

Let † denote the standard (i.e., Levi-Civita) Laplacian for some non-compact, connected, complete, separable Riemannian manifild M. In a much cited article, Yau [5] proved that when the Ricci curvature is bounded uniformly below, then the only bounded solution to the heat equation ∂tμ=Δμ on [0, ∞) × M which vanishes at t=0 is the one which vanishes evarywhere. Equivalently, no matter where it starts, Brownian motion on M never explodes. Yau's original statement was improved or extended in various directions by a long list of authors. With this paper, the present author joins the list.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with class I-II heart failure and a wide QRS: a cautionary note.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves cardiac performance, reverses myocardial remodeling, and improves survival in selected patients with advanced heart failure (HF) and a left bundle branch block (LBBB).1,–,4 This improvement is seemingly related to reversal of mechanical and electric dyssynchrony as manifested by a ventricular conduction delay on ECG. Often combined with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (CRT-D), CRT is now widely used to treat patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III-IV HF who have a QRS ≥120 ms and a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% while receiving optimal medical therapy.5,6 Response by Reynolds and Gold on p 208 Recently, the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (MADIT-CRT)7 and the Resynchronization Reverses Remodeling in Systolic Left Ventricular Dysfunction (REVERSE) trial8,9 demonstrated that CRT, in combination with optimal medical therapy (with or without defibrillator), reduces the risk for HF hospitalization and improves left ventricular (LV) structure and function in patients with NYHA class II and even class I patients with previous HF symptoms. Clearly, these 2 trials followed the “winning formula” in demonstrating consistent beneficial effects in designated end points, with findings that are concordant with earlier data.10 These results, not unexpectedly, have energized a chorus of investigators echoing the need to expand current guideline indications to consider CRT in patients with mild HF. It is important to recognize that randomized clinical trials provide validation of a hypothesis. This process of hypothesis testing assumes proper patient selection, appropriate methodology, and reproducible and clinically meaningful outcome measures. Because CRT implantation is invasive, is costly, has a finite time limit (based on battery life and lead integrity), and has a finite benefit scope (only a subset of patients truly yield benefit, even with standard indications of …
Orientations toward relationships: Choosing a situation in which to begin a relationship ☆

Abstract An investigation was conducted to examine how individuals choose situations in which to initiate relationships. It was hypothesized that individuals' self-monitoring orientation and the characteristics of their relationship partners would interact to determine situation choices. Accordingly, low- and high-self-monitoring men were asked to rate their preferences for interacting in romantic and nonromantic situations with particular types of partners. The characteristics of the partners were varied along two dimensions: physical attractiveness and personality desirability. Results demonstrated that low-, relative to high-, self-monitoring individuals' preferences for interacting in romantic situations were more influenced by the personality characteristics of potential partners. In contrast, high-, relative to low-, self-monitoring individuals' preferences for interacting in romantic situations were more influenced by the physical attractiveness of potential partners. Neither of these effects occurred when preferences for nonromantic situations were assessed. Implications of these differences for the initiation, maintenance, and dissolution of relationships were discussed.
Electron drift parameters in dimethyl ether

Abstract We have measured electron drift parameters in dimethyl ether gas over distances up to 14 cm and drift fields up to 1600 V/cm. By careful control of impurity levels, the attenuation of signals in the gas can be brought to manageable levels. Above 1000 V/cm, the attenuation of ionization signals due to attachment by electro-negative impurities is measured to be less than 0.5%/cm, making this gas an attractive candidate for use in small time projection chambers.
Development of TiO2 membranes for gas phase nanofiltration

Abstract Membranes have been fabricated from organic-based TiO 2 sols via a coating process. This process produces an essentially flaw-free membrane. Gas permeability experiments employing these membranes indicate that these membranes possess unique properties. These membranes exhibit relatively high permeabilities to propylene at low pressures. This property of these membranes can be attributed to a mechanism involving some form of condensed phase transport. The data also indicate that transport of helium, oxygen and nitrogen involves, to some extent, a form of surface transport.
Discussion: Turing's theory of morphogenesis—Its influence on modelling biological pattern and form

The evolution of spatial pattern is a central issue in developmental biology. Turing's (Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond.B237, 37–72, 1952) chemical theory of morphogenesis is a seminal contribution. In this talk I give a personal and necessarily limited view of its impact on mathematical and developmental biology. I briefly describe some of the interesting mathematical aspects of Turing's reaction-diffusion mechanism and discuss some of the different models which Turing's vision inspired. The emphasis throughout is on the practical biological applications of the various theories.
Diseases caused by silica: mechanisms of injury and disease development

Asbestos is a ubiquitous, naturally occurring fiber that has been linked to the development of malignant and fibrotic diseases of the lung and pleura. These diseases may be initiated by injury to epithelial cells and mesothelial cells by asbestos fibers through the formation of reactive oxygen intermediates. Elaboration of oxidants are also a consequence of inflammation, a hallmark of exposure to asbestos after inhalation or injection of asbestos fibers into animals. The type, size, and durability of asbestos fibers may be important in toxicity and pathogenicity of asbestos types. This review discusses the pathways of oxidant generation by asbestos fibers, cell-cell interaction that may initiate and perpetuate inflammation, cytokine release and proliferative responses to asbestos, and cell signaling pathways implicated in these events.
Deformation of an inertia-loaded thin ring in a rigid cavity with initial clearance

Abstract The deformation of a thin circular ring of uniform thickness contained in a rigid circular cavity with small initial clearance between the ring and cavity is considered. The displacement of the ring produced by an acceleration of the rigid cavity in the plane of the ring is analyzed using nonlinear bending theory. Steady state acceleration only is considered so that the inertia forces can be treated as static loads. Variables considered are initial clearance, ring thickness and acceleration magnitude. The friction between the ring and cavity is assumed to be zero. A closed-form solution to the linear portion of the governing differential equations is given. A numerical solution is obtained to the nonlinear differential equations, and a particular ring-cavity geometry is studied using this numerical solution. Results are compared with a ring-cavity system having zero clearance. The comparison shows the effects of clearance on the ring-cavity system and indicates the sharp reduction in critical load due to small initial radial clearance.
Occurrence and reproductive success of feminized males in the polychaete capitella capitata species type i

Natural populations of the cosmopolitan polychaete species, Capitella capitata (Species Type I, Grassle and Grassle 1976) contain males, females and hermaphrodites. Hermaphroditic individuals arise through feminization of males when females are rare. The age-specific survivorships and fecundities of females and hermaphrodites were estimated. There were no significant differences between females and hermaphrodites in survivorship, number of offspring per brood, or percentage of aborted eggs per brood. Net reproductive rates were used to estimate fitness, and the relative fitness of a hermaphrodite as a female ranged from 0.09 to 0.31. The fitness differential was due to the difference in the number of broods that females and hermaphrodites produce. The effects of density, sex ratio, age and body size on the timing of the development of hermaphrodites in groups of siblings were also examined. Hermaphrodites appeared when females were rare or when densities were low. Hermaphrodites never developed in cohorts with larger males unless females were rare. These observations suggest that feminization of males occurs when some males are unable to gain access to females because of mate competition. Feminization does not appear to be correlated with a threshold in body size.
Lower Pole Calicostomy for the Management of Iatrogenic Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction

ABSTRACTIt is often possible to use endoscopic techniques for the management of iatrogenic upper ureteral or ureteropelvic junction obstruction. However, in some cases with severe stricture disease or significant ischemic injury open surgical reconstruction is necessary. We report our experience with ileal ureter-lower pole calicostomy for the management of these complex urological injuries. During the last 3 years we treated 3 patients with severe ureteral/ureteropelvic junction obstruction secondary to iatrogenic injuries, including ureteral avulsion during ureteroscopic stone extraction, ureteral laceration during dilation for diagnostic ureteropyeloscopy, and ureteral ligation with ureteropelvic junction disruption and large peri-pelvic urinoma. In all cases unsuccessful attempts at endoscopic management necessitated open repair. Lower pole heminephrectomy was performed in all patients to expose the lower pole calix and ileal ureter-lower pole calicostomy was created due to the injury of large segment...
Evolution of indications for facial transplantation

Face transplantation has the unique potential to restore facial form and function in patients with severe facial defects. Current indications for face transplantation remain limited by unknown long-term outcomes and the requirements for lifelong immunosuppression and substantial plans for reconstruction in case of failure. We initially obtained Institutional Review Board approval for partial face transplantation in patients with defects comprising 25% of the face and/or loss of one or more major facial features. We launched an outcome-oriented face transplantation study and screened 13 potential patients between February 2008 and January 2011. Experience gained during screening motivated the expansion of indications to include full facial defects and the consideration of patient-specific complex issues on a case-by-case basis. Although our programme focuses on restoring absent or severely compromised motor and sensory functions, we recognise aesthetic appearance as a crucial facial function. Patients are extensively educated on the risks and benefits of facial transplantation and then allowed to play the main role in the decision-making process, as long as no absolute exclusion criteria are present. As we learn more about the long-term outcomes of face transplantation and safe reduction of immunosuppression, face-transplant indications may expand from major unreconstructable defects towards potentially minor defects.
Impacts of Cocontaminants on the Performances of Perchlorate and Nitrate Specialty Ion-Exchange Resins

The influence of anionic inorganic cocontaminants including nitrate, Cr(VI), Se(VI), and As(V) on the application of nitrate and perchlorate specialty resins in water treatment was investigated. It was found that nitrate can be removed from waters using perchlorate specialty resins, but the resin is poorly regenerated. Perchlorate was not easily removed from either nitrate or perchlorate specialty resins. Simultaneous removal of nitrate and Cr(VI) was optimal when using nitrate specialty resin. Perchlorate/nitrate specialty resins were inefficient in removing As(V), but can exchange Cr(VI) or Se(VI). A major concern is the presence of high levels of Cr(VI), As(V), or Se(VI) in the waste brine, which affects waste brine disposal and cost. Perchlorate specialty resins showed very low run length for Cr(VI), As(V), or Se(VI). Nitrate specialty resins were very efficient in removing Cr(VI), and they can be easily regenerated.
The stepwise acceleration of phosphatidyl choline synthesis in phytohemagglutinin-treated lymphocytes.

Abstract Phytohemagglutinin accelerates the incorporation of labeled choline into total lymphocyte lipid(> 95% in phosphatidyl choline) in a stepwise manner. The early acceleration of choline incorporation (0–2 h) is independent of protein synthesis while the late acceleration (24–48 h) is dependent upon protein synthesis. The labeling of phosphatidyl choline by [ Me - 14 C]methionine is also accelerated by phytohemagglutinin. Phytohemagglutinin stimulates the accumulation first of phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl serine (0–24 h), then of phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl inositol (24–48 h). A model is presented for the roles that these stepwise alterations in phospholipid metabolism play in growth induction by phytohemagglutinin.