cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Exogenous Testosterone on the Dynamics of Nestling Provisioning in Dark-Eyed Juncos

In many songbird species, application of exogenous testosterone (T) during the breeding season has the general effects of reducing male parental investment and increasing allocation of time and energy to mating. Most studies record the number of feeding trips made by males as a function of their hormone treatment, but few have investigated the ways in which testosterone affects the dynamics of male and female provisioning behavior or the quantity of food delivered by males. We attempt to fill these gaps in our understanding of testosterone and male parental effort by utilizing data from a long-term study on the behavioral endocrinology of the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis). We found that male and female feeding rates covaried positively, although to different degrees, throughout the nestling period, but that this relationship was degraded in pairs in which males were given T implants. We also found that the coefficients of variation in the duration of intervals between successive feeding trips by males and females were highly positively related in broods of older nestlings. Male hormone treatment, however, had no effect on the coefficients of variation in either male or female feeding intervals. Finally, we examined the quantity of prey delivered by males and found no significant effect of hormone treatment.
Use of porcine dermal collagen as a prosthetic mesh in a contaminated field for ventral hernia repair: a case report

Chronic infection of a prosthetic mesh implant is a severe complication of ventral hernia repair, and mesh explantation is usually required in these cases. Biologic mesh implants have a possible role in ventral hernia repair in this setting. Here we present a case of chronic mesh infection following ventral hernia repair and the use of a biologic mesh to repair the existing defect following explantation of the infected mesh. Analysis of the explant material demonstrated possible oxidative degradation of the original polypropylene. A review of the literature follows.
Corrosion fatigue crack growth behavior of 7075-T6 under biaxial tension–tension cyclic loading condition ☆

Abstract Biaxial and uniaxial fatigue crack growth of aluminum alloy 7075-T6 was characterized under air and salt water (3.5%) environments. Biaxial fatigue increased crack growth rate in region I relative to uniaxial fatigue under both environments. Biaxial fatigue increased crack growth rate in region II relative to uniaxial fatigue under salt environment. Crack growth rates in region I were comparable in air and salt environments, while they were faster in salt water than air environment in region II. Biaxial fatigue in salt environment exhibited intergranular cracks along with main transgranular fracture. A mechanism for biaxial corrosion fatigue crack growth is proposed.
Keynote address: Integration of cytostatic agents and radiation therapy: A different approach to “proliferating” human tumors

Abstract Failure to achieve local and regional tumor control with radiation therapy remains a significant problem for a number of anatomic sites and can have a negative impact upon survival. There is emerging clinical and laboratory evidence that proliferation of tumor clonogens during the course of radiation treatment significantly impairs local control. Recent in situ studies suggest that as many as half of all human carcinomas have the potential to double their cell number in 5 or fewer days. Thus, cells that survive the initial treatments might rapidly repopulate a tumor, resulting in local failure. One potential clinical approach to reduce the impact of tumor cell repopulation during treatment would be to administer biological or chemical modifiers to slow or inhibit tumor proliferation. Examples of these cytostatic modifiers which are available for clinical testing now, or in the near future, include hormones, anti-hormones, growth factors, growth factor antagonists and other biologicals (e.g., interferons). Clinical alteration of the proliferative status of tumors could influence tumor control by reducing the impact of tumor cell proliferation during therapy, by modifying tumor cell radiosensitivity, or by favorably altering both. To appreciate the magnitude and the cumulative effect of these factors, newer technologies and experimental model systems need to be exploited in investigating correlations between proliferation and tumor control and between proliferative status and radiosensitivity. The design of future clinical trials using cytostatic agents and radiotherapy will rely heavily upon such basic information.
Residual analysis in random regressions using SAS and S-PLUS

A program package RRAP: Random Regression Residual Analysis Program using SAS [1] and S-PLUS [2] is available for performing random regression residual analysis. The PROCEDURE MIXED from SAS is used for statistical inference. Both elementary-level and individual-level residuals are used. The S-PLUS programs provide: (1) a transformation to orthogonalize the elementary-level correlated residuals for standard regression residual analyses; and (2) several statistics and plots for checking model assumptions, assessing model fitting and detecting outlying individuals. RRRAP starts with a SAS Macro RRRAPMAC on the data followed by a S-PLUS Program DoRRRAP on a UNIX system.
A fast semi-implicit method for anisotropic diffusion

Simple finite differencing of the anisotropic diffusion equation, where diffusion is only along a given direction, does not ensure that the numerically calculated heat fluxes are in the correct direction. This can lead to negative temperatures for the anisotropic thermal diffusion equation. In a previous paper we proposed a monotonicity-preserving explicit method which uses limiters (analogous to those used in the solution of hyperbolic equations) to interpolate the temperature gradients at cell faces. However, being explicit, this method was limited by a restrictive Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy (CFL) stability timestep. Here we propose a fast, conservative, directionally-split, semi-implicit method which is second order accurate in space, is stable for large timesteps, and is easy to implement in parallel. Although not strictly monotonicity-preserving, our method gives only small amplitude temperature oscillations at large temperature gradients, and the oscillations are damped in time. With numerical experiments we show that our semi-implicit method can achieve large speed-ups compared to the explicit method, without seriously violating the monotonicity constraint. This method can also be applied to isotropic diffusion, both on regular and distorted meshes.
A methionine sulfoxide reductase in Escherichia coli that reduces the R enantiomer of methionine sulfoxide.

It is known that Escherichia coli methionine mutants can grow on both enantiomers of methionine sulfoxide (met(o)), i.e., met-R-(o) or met-S-(o), indicating the presence of enzymes in E. coli that can reduce each of these enantiomers to methionine (met). Previous studies have identified two members of the methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) family of enzymes, MsrA and fSMsr, that could reduce free met-S-(o), but the reduction of free met-R-(o) to met has not been elucidated. One possible candidate is MsrB which is known to reduce met-R-(o) in proteins to met. However, free met-R-(o) is a very poor substrate for MsrB and the level of MsrB activity in E. coli extracts is very low. A new member of the Msr family (fRMsr) has been identified in E. coli extracts that reduces free met-R-(o) to met. Partial purification of FRMsr has been obtained using extracts from an MsrA/MsrB double mutant of E. coli.
Life form influences survivorship patterns for 109 herbaceous perennials from six semi-arid ecosystems

Questions What factors explain the variation in plant survival parameters across species and ecosystems? Location Western North America. Methods We compiled six long-term data sets from western North America to test for ecosystem-dependent demographic responses for forbs and grasses. Based on these data, we characterized 123 survivorship curves for 109 species. Three demographic parameters were extracted from these survivorship curves: survival rate at age 1, life expectancy at age 1, and a parameter describing the shape of the survivorship curve. We used a mixed effects model to compare the differences in demographic parameters between life forms (forbs or grasses) and among ecosystems, incorporating ‘ecosystem’ as a random factor, with life form treated as a categorical factor, and mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature treated as continuous variables. Results Grasses had higher survival and longer life expectancy than forbs at 1 yr of age. Both forbs and grasses followed Type III survivorship curves, although forbs were closer to Type II compared to the grasses. Averaging across species, hazard ratios for whole survivorship curves differed among most ecosystems. While mean annual precipitation had no effect on any demographic parameter, mean annual temperature had a significantly negative effect on both first year survival rates and life expectancy for forbs. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that life form exerts a strong influence on demographic parameters and their response to temperature variation among ecosystems. This unprecedented information on the age-specific demography of herbaceous plants has implications for population modelling and research on life-history evolution and senescence.
Offshore Hydrokinetic Energy Conversion for Onshore Power Generation

Design comparisons have been performed for a number of different tidal energy systems, including a fully submerged, horizontal-axis electro-turbine system, similar to Verdant Tidal Turbines in New York's East River, a platform-based Marine Current Turbine, now operating in Northern Ireland's Strangford Narrows, and the Rotech Lunar Energy system, to be installed off the South Korean Coast. A fourth type of tidal energy system studied is a novel JPL/Caltech hydraulic energy transfer system that uses submerged turbine blades which are mechanically attached to adjacent high-pressure pumps, instead of to adjacent electrical turbines. The generated highpressure water streams are combined and transferred to an onshore hydroelectric plant by means of a closed-cycle pipeline. The hydraulic energy transfer system was found to be cost competitive, and it allows all electronics to be placed onshore, thus greatly reducing maintenance costs and corrosion problems. It also eliminates the expenses of conditioning and transferring multiple offshore power lines and of building offshore platforms embedded in the sea floor.
Conflict management and performance outcomes

Purpose – This introduction aims to summarize five studies included in this themed issue that focus on conflict management and performance outcomes. These studies highlight how conflict management research can help organizations perform more effectively.Design/methodology/approach – The five selected studies were combined into this single issue so that readers can compare and contrast scholarships from many countries and cultures, including Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, The Netherlands, Norway, and Taiwan to see how conflict management research relates to actual performance outcomes around the world.Findings – These studies show that negotiations conducted by two‐person dyads resulted in higher outcomes when compared to negotiations conducted by multi‐person groups. In addition, when negotiators consider more than one issue at a time and use a constructive problem solving approach, they can reach better outcomes. In addition, higher self‐efficacy of the negotiator can increase objective negotiation outcomes,...
Pictures with Parentheses: Combining Graphics and Procedures in a VLSI Layout Tool

Tile packing is a technique for VLSI module generation that uses both graphical and procedural information. A graphical editor is used to specify tiles of mask information, then procedures are written to arrange the tiles into modules. This technique combines the visual power of graphical systems with the programming power of procedural systems. Since all of the mask information is contained in the tiles, the same procedures may be used for different design rules or technologies, merely by supplying a different set of tiles. We describe the procedural and graphical interfaces, and discuss two module generators that have been built with them.
Reevaluation of commercial reagents for detection of Histoplasma capsulatum antigen in urine.

Detection of the Histoplasma capsulatum urinary antigen (UAg) is among the most sensitive and rapid means to diagnose histoplasmosis. Previously, we evaluated analyte-specific reagents (ASR) manufactured by IMMY (Norman, OK) for detection of Histoplasma galactomannan (GM) in urine using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and we showed low positive agreement (64.5%) with the MiraVista (MVista) Histoplasma antigen (Ag) quantitative EIA (MiraVista Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN). Here we reevaluated the IMMY GM ASR following modification of our original assay protocol and introduction of an indeterminate range. A total of 150 prospectively collected urine samples were tested with both the IMMY and MVista EIAs, and clinical histories were recorded for all study subjects. The IMMY GM ASR showed positive and negative agreements of 82.3% (14/17 samples) and 100% (121/121 samples), respectively (with exclusion of 12 indeterminate results), and overall agreement of 90% (135/150 samples) with respect to the MVista EIA. Of the three patients with negative IMMY GM ASR results and positive MVista EIA results, testing was performed for initial diagnostic purposes for one patient (<0.4 ng/ml by the MVista EIA) and UAg levels were being monitored for the remaining two patients (both <0.7 ng/ml by the MVista EIA). The MVista EIA results were positive for 6/12 samples that tested indeterminate by the IMMY GM ASR. We also show that the IMMY GM ASR can be used to serially monitor Histoplasma UAg levels. In conclusion, we demonstrate that, with modification, the IMMY GM ASR is a reliable rapid assay for detection of Histoplasma UAg.
Long-term soil accumulation of chromium, copper, and arsenic adjacent to preservative-treated wood.

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood has been used extensively in outdoor applications, ranging from fence posts to decking and wood foundations. CCA treatment provides long-term protection for wood because chemical reactions that take place during treatment fix the preservative elements in the wood. However, varying amounts of CCA have been reported to leach from the wood (Lebow 1996). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and CCA producers recently reached an agreement to limit future use of CCA for some types of applications. One area of concern is the long-term accumulation of leached CCA in soil adjacent to treated wood structures. A study of CCA concentrations in soil beneath residential decks reported substantially elevated levels of copper, chromium, and arsenic (Stilwell and Gorny 1997). However, this finding conflicted with other studies that reported much lower concentrations of leached CCA components in soil adjacent to forest boardwalks (Comfort 1993, Lebow et al. 2000). The conflicting nature of these findings demonstrates the difficulty of interpreting soil measurements adjacent to in-service structures. The original treatment may be unknown, and there may be little historical data to indicate whether the site was previously exposed to contamination from construction debris or other non-leaching sources. In complicated structures such as decks, it may also be difficult to determine the surface area of the structure that is contributing to soil accumulations in any specific area. One way to overcome these obstacles is to sample soil adjacent to test specimens in exposure sites. The USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory uses such specimens to evaluate the long-term efficacy of wood preservatives. Treated wooden stakes are buried to one-half their length at exposure sites in Wisconsin and Mississippi. Treatment conditions and original preservative concentration are known for each stake, as are site history and conditions. The spacing of the stakes, and their simple geometry, make it possible to assume that the soil levels are attributable to a specific volume of wood. In this paper, we report soil levels of arsenic, copper, and chromium adjacent to stakes treated with CCA and exposed at test sites in Wisconsin and Mississippi for 22 years. The effects of site location and preservative concentration are discussed.
Modeling acoustic remote sensing and the Florida Straits with ray tracing

A new general-purpose three-dimensional underwater acoustic ray-tracing program called HARPO is demonstrated by simulating acoustic measurements in the Florida Straits. We illustrate how important it is to avoid adding unrealistic features when modeling the medium by showing that slope discontinuities in the bottom yield fictitious jumps in raypath properties as launch angle varies. Starting with simple models of sound speed and bathymetry (topography of the bottom) and Eater adding complexity increases insight into the relation between the medium and the propagation. The simple models we used provide a generic picture of propagation over the Miami Terrace, which can be used in experiment design and to assess the effects of perturbations in the sound speed and bathymetry. Our range versus launch-angle plots give information about relative signal strength due to ray spreading. Our range versus travel-time plots provide arrival time pulse sequences for all ranges of interest in a single plot. Because small details in the bathymetry have only a small effect on the range versus travel-time plots, our results for a simple bathymetry model give a reasonable estimate of the pulse arrival times for realistic bathymetry. Range versus launch-angle plots, on the other hand, are very sensitive to the details of the bathymetry. The insensitivity of pulse strength (through ray spreading) to details of the bathymetry suggest a measuring strategy in which pulse arrival time provide a measurement of sound speed and pulse strength provides details of the bathymetry.
Neuropsychological performance of a sample of adults with ADHD, Developmental Reading Disorder, and controls

In this study, we investigated the performance of adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), relative to adults with Developmental Reading Disorder (DRD), and controls on a battery of executive function tasks (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test [WCST], Test of Variables of Attention, Tower of Hanoi, and Ravens Progressive Matrices) and several self‐report ADHD rating scales (Wender Utah Rating Scale, Patient Behavior Checklist, and the Adult Rating Scale). Sixty‐four participants took part in the study (21 with ADHD, 19 with DRD, and 24 controls). Kruskall‐Wallis one‐way analysis of variance results revealed a significant difference between groups, with the DRD group committing more WCST errors (total and perseveration) than the remaining groups. Group differences were also found on the ADHD ratings scales, with the ADHD group reporting higher ratings. Discriminant Function Analyses (using the rating scales and the neuropsychological tasks) correctly classified 67% and 44% of the cases, respect...
A possible mechanism for electrocardiographically silent changes in cardiac repolarization

Abstract Despite the widespread use of electrocardiogram (ECG), changes in cardiac activity resulting from ischemia or altered recovery characteristics sometimes remain electrocardiographically “silent” or are first detectable by techniques that measure ventricular contractility, such as ultrasound or blood pressure. Especially local changes in repolarization can go undetected when ECG electrodes do not lie close to the area of the heart affected. Experiments were performed on an isolated, perfused canine heart suspended in a realistically shaped, instrumented, electrolytic torso tank with the goal of determining some mechanisms for these ambiguities. By recording simultaneously both epicardial and torso tank surface potentials, complete descriptions were obtained of the electrical response to interventions such as coronary occlusions and alterations in pacing site and frequency. One hypothesis was that some interventions produce highly variable ECG responses primarily because of differences in their location within the heart. To test this, the effect was measured of repeating the same intervention as the heart's location and orientation in the tank were varied. A numerical forward solution was also used to investigate variation of torso tank potentials with heart location. The resulting changes in tank surface potentials illustrate how, for example, precordial ST-segment shifts following occlusion change from elevation to depression to become almost undetectable as the heart rotates in the tank. The results suggest that some events are electrocardiographically silent because of the complex geometric relationship of the heart, torso, and site of the lesion, as well as the spatial sampling and analysis techniques used in detection.
Response to aspirin and clopidogrel in patients scheduled to undergo cardiovascular surgery

Recent data indicate that among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention low platelet response to aspirin is associated with clopidogrel low response. It is unclear whether these findings extend to other patient populations. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate the relation between response to aspirin and clopidogrel among patients scheduled to undergo cardiac or vascular surgery. Patients who were scheduled for cardiac or vascular surgery and had taken aspirin 81–325 mg daily for at least a week and clopidogrel 75 mg daily for at least 3 days underwent blood testing for platelet function. One hundred patients were included in the current analysis. Platelet function was evaluated by the modified TEG platelet mapping assay with addition of ADP or arachidonic acid (AA), and by the PFA-100 assay with collagen-epinephrine (CEPI) or collagen-ADP (CADP) cartridges. Low response to aspirin or clopidogrel was defined as inhibition ≤20% for TEG-AA or TEG-ADP, respectively. Thirteen patients (13%) were low responders to aspirin and 34 (34%) were low responders to clopidogrel. Eight patients were low responders to both drugs. There were no differences in clinical characteristics between drug low responders versus sensitive patients. Aspirin low responders had lower TEG-ADP inhibition (19.5 ± 6 vs. 35.8 ± 3%, P = 0.03) and tended to have lower PFA-CADP time (84.7 ± 7 vs. 105.6 ± 5 s, P = 0.1) than aspirin sensitive patients. Clopidogrel low responders had lower TEG-AA inhibition (58 ± 6 vs. 75.1 ± 4%, P = 0.01) and PFA-CEPI time (168 ± 13 vs. 200.4 ± 10 s, P = 0.07) than clopidogrel sensitive patients. In patients scheduled to undergo cardiovascular surgery low response to aspirin is associated with low response to clopidogrel.
Results of Surgical Treatment of Patients with Diffuse Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis

Sixteen patients with diffuse hypertrophic subaortic stenosis have been treated surgically. Thirteen of 14 patients undergoing excision of hypertrophied muscle from the left ventricular outflow tract via left ventriculotomy or aortotomy have survived. Operation has provided excellent symptomatic relief, associated with eradication or significant reduction of the systolic pressure gradient between the left ventricle and the aorta while the patient is at rest. Operation is recommended for those patients with this disease who are experiencing significant and limiting symptoms related to obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract.
E-Field, H-Field, and Combined-Field Based Nyström Method Analysis for Electromagnetic Scattering by Complex-Material Bodies

The Nystrom method (NM) is used to solve for electromagnetic scattering by 3-D composite objects based on surface integral equations (SIEs). These SIEs include both equivalent electric and magnetic currents as unknowns since composite media exist. In the method-of-moments (MoM) solution for these SIEs, one may encounter the problem of how to represent the magnetic current using an appropriate basis function if the electric current is represented by Rao-Wilton-Glisson (RWG) basis function. Some choices like RWG, n × RWG, or dual basis function in representing the magnetic current may have the instability, fictitious charge, or high-cost problems, respectively, and thus, are not ideal. Compared with the MoM, the NM is simpler to implement, and most importantly, it can get rid of these problems. We employ this method to solve the E-field, H-field, and combined-field SIEs with efficient local correction schemes. Numerical examples show that the NM can give stable and efficient solutions for both near and far fields, when away from the resonant frequencies in E-field and H-field formulations, even for relatively complicated structures.
Human IRBP: characterization of uveitopathogenic sites.

Human interstitial or interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) is a 136,000 molecular weight photoreceptor cell protein capable of inducing an experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in susceptible animal strains. In order to determine specific sites in human IRBP responsible for its uveitopathogenicity, we synthesized 60 peptides, corresponding to its entire 1262 amino acid sequence, and tested each peptide for its ability to induce an EAU in Lewis rats. Three peptides with extensive amino acid sequence homology, designated HIRBP 715, HIRBP 730, and HIRBP 745, were uveitopathogenic when used at a 50 ug immunizing dose. The most potent peptide for the induction of EAU was HIRBP 715. Histopathologically a severe inflammatory response was present in the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. In these eyes the retina was infiltrated extensively with inflammatory cells. Focally the photoreceptor cell layer of the retina was destroyed. There was an associated subretinal exudate as well as an occas...
Interferon activation of the transcription factor Stat91 involves dimerization through SH2-phosphotyrosyl peptide interactions.

Abstract Stat91 (a 91 kd protein that acts as a signal transducer and activator of transcription) is inactive in the cytoplasm of untreated cells but is activated by phosphorylation on tyrosine in response to a number of polypeptide ligands, including interferon α (IFN-α) and IFN-γ. We report here that the inactive Stat91 in the cytoplasm of untreated cells is a monomer and that upon IFN-γ-induced phosphorylation it forms a stable homodimer. Only the dimer is capable of binding to a specific DNA sequence directing transcription. Through dissociation and reassociation assays, we show that dimerization of Stat91 is mediated through SH2-phosphotyrosyl peptide interactions. Dimerization involving SH2 recognition of specific phosphotyrosyl peptides may well provide a prototype for interactions among family members of STAT proteins to form different transcription complexes.
Differentiated quality-of-protection in survivable WDM mesh networks using p-structures

In this paper, we develop a design methodology of survivable Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) networks based on pre-configured protection structures (p-structures) to support multiple classes of Quality-of-Protection (QoP). We elaborate a generic mathematical optimization method that could be used to provide n QoP levels R"i (i=1,...,n) provided that the network topology is (n+1)-connected. The added value of the p-structure approach is studied through the analysis of the required protection capacity to efficiently meet the needs of the supported n QoP levels. Furthermore, the protection capabilities and shapes of the protection building blocks of the p-structure and p-cycle schemes are compared to each others in order to gain an insight into how the flexibility of the p-structure scheme helps in meeting the requirements of multiple QoP levels. The computation results show that, depending on the network connectivity, up to 150% of protection capacity can be saved if p-structures are used rather than p-cycles. The analysis of the shapes of the optimal p-structures shows that, depending on the targeted QoP levels, the optimal mix of p-structures is very often composed of large and small structures with high and low protection capabilities, respectively.
Ternary tetradymite compounds as topological insulators

Ternary tetradymites Bi${}_{2}$Te${}_{2}$S, Bi${}_{2}$Te${}_{2}$Se, and Bi${}_{2}$Se${}_{2}$Te are found to be stable, bulk topological insulators via theory, showing band inversion between group V and VI ${p}_{z}$ orbitals. We identify Bi${}_{2}$Se${}_{2}$Te as a good candidate to study massive Dirac fermions, with a (111) cleavage-surface-derived Dirac point (DP) isolated in the bulk-band gap at the Fermi energy (${E}_{f}$)-like Bi${}_{2}$Se${}_{3}$ but with a spin texture alterable by layer chemistry. In contrast, Bi${}_{2}$Te${}_{2}$S and Bi${}_{2}$Te${}_{2}$Se (111) behave like Bi${}_{2}$Te${}_{3}$, with a DP below ${E}_{f}$ buried in bulk bands. Bi${}_{2}$Te${}_{2}$S offers large bulk resistivity needed for devices.
A requirement for cytoplasmic dynein and dynactin in intermediate filament network assembly and organization

We present evidence that vimentin intermediate filament (IF) motility in vivo is associated with cytoplasmic dynein. Immunofluorescence reveals that subunits of dynein and dynactin are associated with all structural forms of vimentin in baby hamster kidney-21 cells. This relationship is also supported by the presence of numerous components of dynein and dynactin in IF-enriched cytoskeletal preparations. Overexpression of dynamitin biases IF motility toward the cell surface, leading to a perinuclear clearance of IFs and their redistribution to the cell surface. IF-enriched cytoskeletal preparations from dynamitin-overexpressing cells contain decreased amounts of dynein, actin-related protein-1, and p150Glued relative to controls. In contrast, the amount of dynamitin is unaltered in these preparations, indicating that it is involved in linking vimentin cargo to dynactin. The results demonstrate that dynein and dynactin are required for the normal organization of vimentin IF networks in vivo. These results together with those of previous studies also suggest that a balance among the microtubule (MT) minus and plus end-directed motors, cytoplasmic dynein, and kinesin are required for the assembly and maintenance of type III IF networks in interphase cells. Furthermore, these motors are to a large extent responsible for the long recognized relationships between vimentin IFs and MTs.
Characteristics of guindilla (Valenzuela trinervis Bert.) oil

Seed of Guindilla (Valenzuela trinervis Bert.) and its oil were characterized. On a dry weight basis, the seed consists of 56% hull and seed coat and 44% cotyledon, containing about 67.0% lipids. The main fatty acids are: 62.3% oleic, 12.9% gadoleic, 10.1% linoleic and 9.6% palmitic. Physical properties of oil, expressed by hand press, include: melting point, −6 to −2 C; iodine value, 75.1; saponification value, 192; and unsaponifiable matter, 0.8%.
Design flexibility using 1550-nm technology for AM video

This presentation will review the current status of passive optical splitters and directional couplers. Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) and dispersion-shifted fiber technologies. It also will focus on system performance when 1550 nm AM video systems are deployed.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Radical revisions to the ruler of deep time

Stephen J. Gould [1987] argued that one of the greatest scientific realizations was the concept of “deep time,” a phrase coined by John McPhee to encompass the breadth of geological time. We rely on measurements of geological time to provide rates of geological and geophysical processes and a chronology for the evolution of the Earth. Geological measurements of deep time rely on a limited number of radiometric ages that provide the only true clocks. Our chronometer is the geological time scale, and it is based on these ages and interpolations between them. The most precise ruler for these interpolations is provided by minor variations in the Earth's orbit, which control solar insolation and global climate changes; this “astronomical pacemaker” has provided a precise chronology (one with 5,000-year resolution) for the past few million years. It has proven difficult to extend this astronomical time scale to the geological record older than about 5 m.y. However, for the Late Cretaceous to Pleistocene (approximately the last 150 m.y.), another ruler is available: reversals of the Earth's magnetic field provide a Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale (GPTS) that serves as a framework for a limited number of radiometric ages.
Processes controlling virus inactivation in coastal waters

Abstract The mechanisms controlling virus inactivation in coastal waters are discussed. Chemical and biological processes appear to be important but a purely thermal mechanism is probably not significant. Viral association with colloidal and particulate materials prolong survival and may enhance the transport of viruses to marine sediments. Sewage management practices are evaluated for efficiency in the control of viral contamination of bathing and shellfishing waters.
SCnS Linear Chain Production by Direct Laser Ablation

Cumulenic polycarbons SC n S (n = 2-27) were generated by laser ablation of mixtures of elemental carbon and sulfur. The resulting molecules were analyzed in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The spectra exhibited ideal odd/even intensity alternation attributed to their relative stability and the formation mechanism of the clusters. The structures and energies of the neutral and charged carbon chains capped with two sulfur atoms were also studied by density functional theory. The computational results were consistent with the experimental observations. Evidence of sulfur poisoning of fullerene formation was observed and explained in terms of one of the existing models for fullerene formation and growth.
The use of behavioral test batteries, II: Effect of test interval

Test batteries are commonly used to assess the behavioral phenotype of genetically modified and inbred strains of mice. However, few systematic studies have been employed to address several key issues concerning the use of a test battery. The current study was designed to address whether inter-test interval affects behavioral performance. Male mice of 3 different inbred strains and one F1 hybrid strain were randomly assigned to either a test battery with 1 week inter-test intervals, or a rapid test battery with 1-2 day inter-test intervals. The test battery included a neurological exam, open-field activity, light-dark exploration, rotarod test, prepulse inhibition, and startle habituation. The experiment was repeated with female animals of 2 different strains. As expected, there were strain differences on each of the behavioral assays; however, there was no major difference in performance between mice of the standard test battery and the rapid test battery. Similar results were found with females. These results indicate that the interval between most tests could be as little as 1-2 days, with little significant effect on overall performance. Thus, it is possible with the current test battery to reduce the inter-test interval to facilitate the rate of studying and identifying behavioral phenotypes in mice.
Performance of children with traumatic brain injury on the cognitive assessment system

Children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury (TBI) were compared to a matched sample of neurologically normal children and adolescents on several measures of cognitive processing. Each of the children in the TBI group had experienced a closed head injury of moderate to severe magnitude. Participants in both the TBI (n = 22) and control (n = 22) groups ranged in age from 9 to 17 years and lived in the midwestern United States. They were all administered the Cognitive Assessment System (Naglieri & Das, 1997a). Children with TBI earned significantly lower scores in the domains of Planning and Attention than the matched control group. Within-group comparisons showed that the TBI group's Planning and Attention scores were significantly lower than their Simultaneous and Successive scores. The results are consistent with previous literature demonstrating poor performance on measures of attention and executive functions among children who have experienced TBI.
Genetics of mitochondrial glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT-2) in Tigriopus californicus

Glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT; EC 2.6.1.1) occurs as two electrophoretically distinguishable isozymes in the copepod Tigriopus californicus. The slower-migrating form, referred to as GOT2 , is shown to be associated with the mitochondrial cell fraction. GOT2 phenotypes are inherited in typical Mendelian fashion, indicating that they are encoded by a nuclear gene. Allelic frequencies for electrophoretic variants of the two Got loci in 12 California populations of T. californicus show a sharp differentiation of local populations. Linkage studies demonstrated that Got-2 is linked to Got-1; a map of four loci in linkage group I is presented.
Properties of an Anderson impurity in the local spin fluctuation limit

Abstract We discuss a selfconsistent second-order self-energy approximation for the d-electron propagator within the Anderson model at any temperature. The frequency dependent impurity spin susceptibility is also obtained using the calculated local Green's function and displayed as function of temperature.
Introduction to pediatric pharmacy practice: reflections of pediatrics practitioners.

Each year, many pharmacy students and new practitioners embark into one of the more feared rotations of the advanced pharmacy practice curriculum: pediatrics. This hesitation may stem from a fear of the unfamiliar. In fact, the mean time in doctor of pharmacy didactic curricula devoted to pediatric
Bedside hemoglobinometry in hemodialysis patients: lessons from point-of-care testing.

The HemoCue B-hemoglobin test system (HemoCue, Inc., Mission Viejo, CA) is a photometric method for rapid bedside determination of hemoglobin (Hb). We compared the performance of HemoCue measured Hb against Coulter STK-S (CSTK) measured Hb in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients in two different settings. In the first setting, Hemocue analysis was performed by multiple HD technicians (n = 132). In the second setting, a nurse trained in proper specimen handling performed the HemoCue analysis (n = 74). Simultaneous measurement of Hb by the CSTK method was performed. First setting: Hb was 11.1 ± 1.66 (SD) g/dl by CSTK and 11.7 ± 2.29 g/dl by HemoCue. The HemoCue method consistently overestimated Hb by an average (SD) of 0.63 (1.267) g/dl (95% Cl = 0.42 to 0.85). Hb was overestimated in 25.7% and underestimated in 2.3% of the patients by 1 g/dl or more. Thus, the HemoCue system was accurate within 1 g/dl only 72% of the time. Second setting: HemoCue overestimated Hb by an average (SD) of 0.29 (0.52) g/dl (95% Cl, 0.17 to 0.41). Only 4% of all patients had errors in estimation of 1 g/dl or more. Thus, HemoCue was accurate in 96% of the patients within 1 g/dl. After reviewing the two protocols, the primary difference in the two studies was the technique used to obtain the specimens. When performed properly, Hb testing using the HemoCue testing system had a high level of agreement with CSTK. Appropriate training in specimen handling, as well as test performance, will increase accuracy and reliability of bedside hemoglobinometry.
Do Women Need the Renaissance

Joan Kelly's path-breaking article, ‘Did Women have a Renaissance?’, first published in 1977, led historians of women in many fields to question the applicability of chronological categories derived from male experience. Thirty years later, the questioning continues, augmented by doubts about whether all systems of periodisation over-simplify the diversity of gender. This paper examines what might be lost if feminist historians, in their sensitivity to difference, refuse to apply structures of periodisation. It looks at challenges to both ‘Renaissance’ and ‘early modern’ as conceptual categories and suggests ways in which gender is and must remain central to understandings of these eras.
The Additive Value of Positive Psychological Capital in Predicting Work Attitudes and Behaviors

Conventional wisdom and recent research have supported the importance of employee positivity. However, empirical analysis has not yet demonstrated potential added value of recently recognized psychological capital over the more established positive traits in predicting work attitudes and behaviors. This study found that psychological capital was positively related to extrarole organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) and negatively to organizational cynicism, intentions to quit, and counterproductive workplace behaviors. With one exception, psychological capital also predicted unique variance in these outcomes beyond demographics, self-evaluation, personality, and person—organization and person—job fit. The article concludes with implications for future research and practical application.
In-vitro anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of grepafloxacin in zymogen A- or Staphylococcus aureus-stimulated human THP-1 monocytes.

The effects of grepafloxacin on the release of cytokines, chemical mediators, hydrolytic enzyme activities, and lipoxygenation in zymogen A- or Staphylococcus aureus-stimulated human THP-1 monocytes were evaluated. Initially, consistent with stimulation of phagocytic mechanisms of the monocytes, increases in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) release, nitric oxide [NO] release, and hydrogen peroxide [H2O2] release, with a small decrease in cellular pH, occurred within 2 h. Enzymatic activities associated with oxygen burst of phagocytic cells (e.g., protein kinase C and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced (NADPH) oxidase) were elevated, suggesting that monocytes attempted to destroy the invading organism through an innate phagocytic cidal immunologic mechanism. After 1–2 h of exposure to grepafloxacin, the oxygen burst and the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemical mediators were suppressed. After 4 h, suppression of n-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG) and cathepsin D activities and lipid peroxidation occurred, suppressing the pathogen-induced spread of infection and inflammation. Release of tumor necrosis factor (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and IL-8 was inhibited by grepafloxacin in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting a reduction in the acute-phase inflammatory responses initiated by cytokine release from monocytes. Later, S. aureus were killed through inhibition of DNA synthesis, consistent with a bacteriostatic effect. Drug action against invading organisms appears to occur through multiple processes. Modulation of the innate immune system occurs within the first hour, causing the activation of cytokines, chemical mediators, and hydrolytic enzymes. A second phase between 2–4 h appears to involve the suppression of cellular components involved in inflammation and the spread of the infection. The third response, an apparent bacteriostatic inhibition of DNA synthesis, causes bacterial death.
MicroRNAs Overexpressed in Growth-Restricted Rat Skeletal Muscles Regulate the Glucose Transport in Cell Culture Targeting Central TGF-β Factor SMAD4

The micro-array profiling of micro-RNA has been performed in rat skeletal muscle tissues, isolated from male adult offspring of intrauterine plus postnatal growth restricted model (IPGR). Apparently, the GLUT4 mRNA expression in male sk. muscle was found to be unaltered in contrast to females. The over-expression of miR-29a and miR-23a in the experimental group of SMSP (Starved Mother Starved Pups) have been found to regulate the glucose transport activity with respect to their control counterparts CMCP (Control Mother Control Pups) as confirmed in rat L6 myoblast-myocyte cell culture system. The ex-vivo experimentation demonstrates an aberration in insulin signaling pathway in male sk. muscle that leads to the localization of the membrane-bound Glut4 protein. We have identified through a series of experiments one important protein factor SMAD4, a co-SMAD critical to the TGF-beta signaling pathway. This factor is targeted by miR-29a, as identified in an in vitro reporter-assay system in cell-culture experiment. The other micro-RNA, miR-23a, targets SMAD4 indirectly that seems to be critical in regulating insulin-dependent glucose transport activity. MicroRNA mimics, inhibitors and siRNA studies indicate the role of SMAD4 as inhibitory for glucose transport activities in normal physiological condition. The data demonstrate for the first time a critical function of microRNAs in fine-tuning the regulation of glucose transport in skeletal muscle. Chronic starved conditions (IPGR) in sk. muscle up-regulates microRNA changing the target protein expression patterns, such as SMAD4, to alter the glucose transport pathways for the survival. The innovative outcome of this paper identifies a critical pathway (TGF-beta) that may act negatively for the mammalian glucose transport machinery.
112 VIABILITY AND APOPTOSIS OF BOVINE FIBROBLASTS FROZEN IN A CONVENTIONAL (–20°C) OR LOW-TEMPERATURE (–80°C) FREEZER

Fibroblasts are commonly frozen in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, 10% v/v) at a cooling rate of 1°C min−1 in cryo-containers placed in a low-temperature (−80°C) freezer (LTF) overnight before storage in liquid nitrogen (LN2). LTFs are not always available and cell viability may be altered by freezing at different cooling rates. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate apoptosis and viability of bovine fibroblasts frozen at different cooling rates in a −80°C freezer or conventional −20°C freezer. Fibroblasts were generated from skin tissue collected from an adult female cow. Tissue was cut and cultured in DMEM for 7 to 10 days and passaged 2 or 3 times before being cryopreserved. Cells were frozen by one of 6 procedures; cells that were not frozen served as a control. To be frozen, cells were resuspended in DMEM + 10% FBS and 10% DMSO in 2-mL cryo-vials before being placed into freezing containers (Mr. Frosty, Nalgene). For groups 1 and 2, the container was placed in a −20°C freezer and cooled at ≈0.6°C min−1 to −7°C; ice formation was induced by seeding, after which cooling was continued at ≈0.6°C min−1 to −20°C. Vials in groups 1 and 2 were placed in LN2 after 1 h and 16 to 18 h, respectively. Group 3 and 4 vials were also cooled to −20°C at 0.6°C min, except that these samples were not seeded. After being held at −20°C for 16 to 18 h, group 3 vials were thawed; group 4 vials were stored in LN2. Vials in groups 5 and 6 were placed into a Mr. Frosty container and cooled at ≈1°C min−1 in a −80°C freezer. After being held at −80°C for 16 to 18 h, group 5 vials were thawed, and group 6 vials were placed into LN2. Group 1, 2, 3, and 4 vials were thawed in a 37°C water bath; group 5 and 6 vials were thawed in a 40°C water bath. Cell viabilities were quantified by using TB exclusion (TB) with microscopy. At least 20 000 cells from each group were thawed, and caspase 3, a key enzyme involved in apoptotic processes, was detected using a Caspase 3-FLICA apoptosis detection kit; propidium iodide-stained nuclei were assessed with cytometry (FCM) to determine viability (Table 1). Data were analyzed by ANOVA (P < 0.05). Although there were viability differences among groups, freezer type, seeding, holding time, and LN2 had no significant impact, as assessed by TB or FCM; however, no LN2 significantly increased the percentage of viable cells displaying apoptosis. In summary, bovine fibroblasts were successfully frozen in a conventional (−20°C) freezer before storage in LN2. Table 1. Viability and apoptosis of bovine fibroblasts frozen at −20°C or −80°C