cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhanced permeation and stratum corneum structural alterations in the presence of dithiothreitol

Stratum corneum protein biochemical and biophysical structural contributions to the barrier properties of human epidermis were determined in the presence of the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT). Mannitol and sucrose permeation through human epidermis in the presence of 0 to 50 mM DTT in PBS (pH 7.4) was measured in symmetric, side-by-side diffusion cells (32°C). DTT enhancement ratios, KP(DTT)KP(PBS), ranging from 1.6 to 32, were dependent on skin donor and DTT concentrations. DTT did not alter stratum corneum uptake of mannitol or sucrose nor mannitol solubility in DTT/PBS solutions. Stratum corneum biophysical structure was ascertained by FTIR in solvent replacement experiments. DTT-induced protein conformational alterations were apparent in the emergence of an Amide I band near 1615 cm−1, which is generally associated with β-sheet-like conformers. Therefore, DTT alters stratum corneum biophysical structure through interactions with proteins. After exposure of stratum corneum protein sheets to DTT/PBS solutions, the free thiol concentration increased from < 1 nmol SH/mg protein sheet to approx. 130 nmol/mg. The enhanced permeation which increased with increasing concentrations of DTT, was associated with diffusion mechanisms involving the cornified cells of the stratum corneum. These results indicate that corneocyte protein integrity does contribute to barrier function of the skin and influences the transport of polar solutes.
Effect of Chloramphenicol on Light-Dependent Synthesis of Proteins and Enzymes of Leaves and Chloroplasts of Phaseolus vulgaris.

to photosynthesize during prolonged irradiation. At the same time, profound morphological and chemical changes occur in the leaf plastids (10). Among these are qualitative and quantitative changes in protein content. Percent protein contained in the plastid fraction of Cichorium (6) and protein content per plastid of Phaseolus (27) increases on prolonged irradiation of etiolated leaves. Increases also occur in TPN glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase (3, 11), PPNR4, transhydrogenase (20), ribulose-1,5-di P carboxylase (12), and alkaline fructose-1,6-diphosphatase (33). In contrast, synthesis of cytoplasmic DPN glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase is not dependent on light
Nano dispersion amplified waveguide structures

A highly dispersive waveguide structure is proposed to efficiently compress and expand ultra short pulses in a package forming a sufficiently small footprint. A sub-wavelength grating is fashioned into a ridge waveguide to take advantage of multiple dispersive effects and spread the mode over a significantly larger area than a standard single-mode waveguide. The structure is designed to take advantage of the amplified dispersion near cutoff. Modal analysis is performed on two variations of the structure using a finite element solver package. The predicted dispersion is sufficient to double the width of a 1 ps pulse within the width of a standard 5 inch (127 mm) wafer. A theoretical analysis of the grating component composing the structure confirms that the dispersion values are fully reasonable.
The effect of Apistan® on honey bee (Apis mellifera L). Responses to methyl parathion, carbaryl and bifenthrin exposure

Cette etude visait a determiner si le traitement a l'Apistan® augmentait la vulnerabilite des abeilles a trois insecticides, utilises couramment en protection des cultures. Les tests biologiques ont ete faits sur 720 abeilles adultes prelevees dans une meme colonie pour chacun des trois insecticides etudies. Les abeilles ont ete placees dans des cages d'expedition de Benton a raison de dix abeilles par cage. Les cages ont ete divisees en deux groupes: une moitie a recu les inserts Apistan Queen Tabs®, l'autre n'a pas ete traitee. Des dilutions en serie de bifenthrine (pyrethrinoide), de carbaryl (carbamate) et de parathion-methyl (organophosphore) ont ete administrees aux abeilles avec une micro-seringue Hamilton, a raison de de 0,5 μL par abeille. L'acetone a ete utilisee comme solvant et des temoins traites a l'acetone ont ete inclus dans chaque test. Six repetitions de dix abeilles ont ete faites pour chacune des doses d'insecticide pour le lot traite a l'Apistan® et autant pour le lot non traite. La mortalite a ete evaluee 24 h apres le traitement, les donnees ont ete analysees par la methode Probit a l'aide du logiciel POLO. Les DL 50 avec des intervalles de confiance qui ne se chevauchent pas ont ete considerees comme significativement differentes. Tous les taux de synergie ont ete significatifs au seuil de probabilite de 95 %; neanmoins, ils n'avaient de valeur que si les DL 50 comparees etaient significativement differentes. Les abeilles traitees a l'Apistan® ont montre une sensibilite plus grande a la bifenthrine que les non traitees (tableau I). Mais la sensibilite des colonies au carbaryl et au parathion-methyl ne semble pas etre affectee par une exposition prealable a l'Apistan®. La bifenthrine a ete 1,9 fois plus toxique pour les abeilles traitees que pour les non traitees. Les DL 50 calculees pour le carbaryl et le parathion-methyl sont respectivement 1,4 et 1,1 fois plus elevees pour les abeilles non traitees, mais les differences ne sont pas significatives. Le resultat le plus interessant est que l'Apistan® n'a eu d'action importante sur la toxicite d'aucun des trois insecticides testes. Meme si l'effet concernant la bifenthrine est significatif, la difference est faible et il est difficile d'extrapoler aux conditions de plein champ. Neanmoins, par precaution, les apiculteurs devraient eviter de traiter leurs colonies a l'Apistan® pendant les periodes ou les abeilles sont susceptibles de butiner des cultures traitees a la bifenthrine.
Identification of a highly conserved region at the 5' flank of the phospholamban gene.

Abstract Phospholamban is a protein that regulates the activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase. The rat phospholamban gene contains a single intron of 6.5 kilobases which interrupts the 5′ untranslated region. Primer extension and nuclease mapping analysis identified a major transcription initiation site 87 nucleotides upstream of the first exon/intron junction. A highly conserved region was identified at the 5′ flank of the phospholamban gene. This region contained a TATA motif at position −52 which bound nuclear extract, and a consensus CHAT motif at position −76. This highly conserved region may be important in the regulation of basal transcriptional activity.
Ultraviolet disinfection of wastewater: Effect of dose on subsequent photoreactivation

Abstract The objective of this research was to examine the significance of photoreactivation of total coliform for u.v. disinfected secondary effluent. An appropriate methodology for quantifying photoreactivation was identified. Photoreactivation was evaluated in relation to u.v. dose, exposure to photoreactivating light and various water quality parameters. An increase in u.v. dose is extremely valuable in minimizing photoreactivation events. A significant inverse relationship was found between average u.v. dose and photoreactivation of coliform in wastewater at both low and high u.v. doses. Increased levels of suspended solids had the effect of reducing the true u.v. dose reaching targeted organisms, thus reducing DNA damage and increasing subsequent photoreactivation. The dose of photoreactivating light was also observed to be an important parameter in the reactivating process.
MEASURING PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY IN MATHEMATICS WITH MULTIPLE‐CHOICE ITEMS: THE EFFECT OF ITEM FORMAT ON SELECTED ITEM AND TEST CHARACTERISTICS

The development of problem solving skills is a major goal of most, if not all, mathematics curricula (Taylor, 1977; Robinson, 1977). Given this goal, there is the obvious need to assess the development of these skills. If a paper and pencil test is used for assessment, the best test is probably one that uses a free response format because relatively specific diagnostic information can be obtained. For example, the scorer may be able to determine which of the following three errors caused a student to answer a problem incorrectly: (a) a computational error; (b) an error in selection of the mathematical process; (c) a reading comprehension error. However, if a paper and pencil test uses a multiple-choice format, then there is usually a minimum amount of diagnostic information available. The most commonly used type of multiple-choice item is illustrated below:
The presence and significance of carnosine in histamine-containing tissues of several mammalian species.

Histamine is known to exert profound effects on the cardiovascular system in many mammals. Carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine) is a dipeptide previously known to be present only in a few tissues. It is our hypothesis that carnosine serves as a non-mast cell reservoir for histidine, available for histamine synthesis during periods of physiologic stress. To validate this hypothesis, we demonstrated the existence of carnosine in multiple histamine-rich tissues in several mammalian species; documented a metabolic link between carnosine and histidine, histamine and 3-methylhistamine (a degradation product of histamine) in unstressed animals, and showed that tissue carnosine is decreased simultaneously with an increase in tissue histamine during stress.
Ray-tracing formulas for refraction and internal reflection in uniaxial crystals

Formulas for the calculation of the direction cosines of refracted and internally reflected rays in anisotropic uniaxial crystals are presented. The method is based on a transformation to a nonorthonormal coordinate system in which the normal surface associated with the extraordinary ray is of spherical shape. A numerical example for the case of refraction and internal reflection in calcite is given.
Analyzing What Change Facilitators Do The Intervention Taxonomy

The data base from a series of qualitative and quantitative field studies of the implementation of educational innovations has been used to develop an Intervention Taxonomy. In the Intervention Tax...
Corrosion-mechanical behavior of the protective coatings of check valves of the oil-and-gas field equipment

We study the corrosion and corrosion-mechanical behavior of nickel-chromium coatings deposited on 30KhMA steel by the plasma-powder surfacing. It is shown that these coatings exhibit high corrosion resistance both in the vapor-gas and liquid phases of the NACE medium even in the presence of abrasive materials (1%) and under the conditions of stirring. It is demonstrated that the zone of fusion of the base metal with the material of the coating is not damaged and has no exfoliations after 200 h of testing for hydrogen-induced cracking in NACE media. All specimens passed through the tests for hydrogensulfide stress-corrosion cracking under a load of 0.8σ 0.2 [for the base metal (30KhMA)] and did not fail as a result of testing for 720 h. The material of the coating exhibits good corrosion-mechanical properties. Thus, it can be successfully used for manufacturing the elements of Christmas trees and check valves operating under the action of hydrogen sulfide.
The Mensheviks and NEP Society in Russia

Contemporary scholarship on the development of the Soviet political system in the 1920s has largely bypassed the history of the Menshevik opposition. Those historians who regard NEP as a mere transition to Stalinism have dismissed the Menshevik experience as irrelevant, 1 and those who see a democratic potential in the NEP system have focused on the free debates in the Communist party (CP), the free peasantry, the market economy, and the free arts. 2 This article aims to revise some aspects of both interpretations. The story of the Mensheviks was not over by 1921. On the contrary, NEP opened a new period in the struggles over independent trade unions and elections to the Soviets; over the plight of workers and the whims of the Red Directors; over the Cheka terror and the Menshevik strategies of coping with Bolshevism. The Menshevik experience sheds new light on the transformation of the political process and the institutional changes in the Soviet regime in the course of NEP. In considering the major facets of the Menshevik opposition under NEP, I shall focus on the election campaign to the Soviets during the transition to NEP, subsequent Bolshevik-Menshevik relations, and the writings in the Menshevik underground samizdat press.
Advertising and the profitability of leading and following firms

This study finds a significant positive effect of advertising on profit rates for both leading, large following and small following firms in US industry. This finding is consistent with an intangible capital view of advertising, but is clearly inconsistent with the “competing” barrier to entry or barrier to mobility hypothesis. Thus, further support is gained for the view that few, if any, harmful consequences for competition arise due to high advertising intensity in industry.
A note on fiscal agent pricing of federal agency debt

Abstract This study, using data for 1981 through 1983, examines the efficiency and accuracy with which the fiscal agents for the three federal agencies estimated equilibrium competitive yields on their new debt issues. The findings indicate that the fiscal agents for two of the three agencies are adept at estimating equilibrium yields for new debt issues, even in the absence of an auction process or direct negotiation with potential investors or underwriters. The findings in the study also show that the average pricing error tends to favor the agencies rather than the buyer of the new issues.
Non-fermi-liquid aspects of charge transport in the cuprate superconductors

Abstract The in-plane and out-of-plane resistivities, the Hall effect and the normal-state magnetoresistance are surveyed, with emphasis on topics of recent interest.
Digital innovations in poetry: Practices of creative writing faculty in online literary publishing

This research project explores, through a series of online surveys and subsequent series of individual interviews, stakeholders' attitudes and practices regarding poetry published exclusively in web-based media. This article specifically examines the project's gathered data on creative writing faculty from North American institutions who were surveyed and interviewed about online poetry publishing as both creators and consumers of the literary works. This study also explores creative writing faculty members' opinions about publishing in online literary publications in regard to career impact, including tenure and promotion. As online literary publishing disrupts what continues to be a very print-oriented practice, Rogers' "diffusion of innovations" provides a useful framework for exploring these issues. Because this project considers how innovations diffuse throughout a specific group of artists and scholars, and the information needs that emerge from these transformations, the concept of "communities of practice" also informed data analysis.
A nonlinear three-dimensional analysis of reinforced concrete based on a bounding surface model

Abstract The present work addresses the problem of the formulation of an accurate yet efficient finite element procedure for the nonlinear analysis of general three-dimensional reinforced concrete structures. The main objectives of the research are: (1) the extension and recalibration of an existing bounding surface model for the behavior of concrete in cyclic compression; (2) the development of a complete constitutive relation for reinforced concrete by combining the bounding surface model with numerical procedures for the modeling of crack propagation, tension stiffening and steel reinforcement interaction effects; and (3) the implementation of the constitutive model in a three-dimensional isoparametric eight-node element. The accuracy of the proposed model is successfully demonstrated by detailed analyses of a deep beam and a prestressed concrete reactor vessel.
A simplified technique for determining the boundary layer voltage loss in MHD generators

Abstract MHD generator performance predictions require an accurate determination of the voltage losses in the channel; however, most techniques for determining these losses need substantial calculations and/or computer storage space. This paper proposes a simplified method for calculating the ohmic boundary layer contribution to the overall voltage losses. Voltage drop regions are discussed and a description of the turbulent boundary layer contribution is derived. Appropriate simplifying assumptions on the basic transport and MHD concepts are used to express the conductivity as a function of temperature only. Weighting functions for averaging the resistivity in turbulent boundary layers are determined and the nature of these functions is presented. Our results are compared with more precise descriptions and with experimental results.
Approximate multivariate conditional inference using the adjusted profile likelihood

The author proposes saddlepoint approximation methods that are adapted to multivariate conditional inference in canonical exponential familles. Several approaches to approximating conditional discrete distributions involve dividing an approximation to the full joint mass function, summed over tail regions of interest, by an approximate marginal density. The author first approximates this conditional likelihood by the adjusted profile likelihood, and then applies a multivariate saddlepoint approximation. He also presents formulas to aid in performing simultaneously the profiling and maximizing steps. Inference conditionnelle multivariee approchee au moyen de la vraisemblance profil ajustee L'auteur propose des methodes d'approximation par point de selle qui sont adaptees a l'inference conditionnelle multivariee dans les familles exponentielles canoniques. Plusieurs techniques d'approximation de lois discretes conditionnelles requierent que l'approximation de la fonction de masse conjointe, sommee sur les regions codales appropriees, soit divisee par une densite marginale approchee. L'auteur commence par approcher cette vraisemblance conditionnelle au moyen de la vraisemblance profil ajustee avant d'appliquer une approximation par point de selle multivariee. Il presente aussi des formules facilitant la realisation simultanee des etapes de profilage et de maximisation.
Pulse evolution and mode selection characteristics in a TEA-CO2 laser perturbed by injection of external radiation

A grating-tunable TEA-CO2 laser with an unstable resonator cavity, modified to allow injection of CW CO2 laser radiation at the resonant transition line by means of an intracavity NaCl window, has been used to study the coupling requirements for generation of single frequency pulses. The width and shape of the mode selection region, and the dependence of the gain-switched spike buildup time and the pulse shapes on the intensity and detuning frequency of the injected radiation are reported. Comparisons of the experimental results with previously reported mode selection behavior are discussed.
Genetically-designed Neural Networks for Error Reduction in an Optimized Biomechanical Model of the Human Elbow Joint Complex

A real time dynamic biomechanical model of the human elbow joint has been used as the first step in the process of calculating time varying joint position from the electromyograms (EMGs) of eight muscles crossing the joint. Since calculation of position has a high sensitivity to errors in the model torque calculation, a genetic algorithm (GA) neural network (NN) has been developed for automatic error reduction in the dynamic model. Genetic algorithms are used to design many neural network structures during a preliminary trial effort, and then each network's performance is ranked to choose a trained network that represents the most accurate result. Experimental results from three subjects have shown model error reduction in 84.2% of the data sets from a subject on which the model had been trained, and 52.6% of the data sets from the subjects on which the model had not been trained. Furthermore, the GA networks reduced the error standard deviation across all subjects, showing that progress in error reductio...
Secalonic acid D alters the nature of and inhibits the binding of the transcription factors to the phorbol 12-O-tetradecanoate-13 acetate-response element in the developing murine secondary palate.

Secalonic acid D (SAD), a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium oxalicum in corn, induces cleft palate (CP) in the offspring of exposed dams. Results of recent studies suggest that protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition by SAD may be relevant to its CP-induction. Downstream effects of PKC are determined by the nature of transcription factors (TF) that form the activator protein-1 (AP-1) and the binding of AP-1 (and other TF) to the phorbol 12-O-tetradecanoate-13 acetate-response element (TRE) to form AP-1-TRE complex, neither of which have been studied in the palate. The aims of the present study were to identify the components of the murine palatal AP-1-TRE complex during development and to uncover the effects of SAD on this complex. Western blots and gel mobility shift assays of control palatal nuclear extracts revealed that, although all relevant TF are present in the palate throughout development, only cyclic-AMP response element (CRE) binding protein (CREB) and CRE-modulator protein-1 (CREM-1) and activating transcription factor-1 bound to TRE on Gestation Day (GD) 12. The pattern shifted to c-Jun and c-Fos (known AP-1 components) on GD 13 and 14. In SAD-treated offspring, however, CREM-1 alone; c-Jun, c-Fos, and CREB; and c-Jun and c-Fos bound to TRE on GD 12, 13, and 14, respectively. Binding of TF to TRE was inhibited by SAD on both GD 12 and 13. These results suggest that a dynamic shift in the binding of TF to TRE from PKA- to PKC-responsive TF occurs during palate development and that teratogens such as SAD can alter both the nature and extent of TF binding to TRE.
Proton hole states in neutron rich nuclei near A=100

A study of proton hole states in neutron rich nuclei near $A=100$ has been carried out using the ($\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{t}$,$\ensuremath{\alpha}$) reaction. Targets of $^{104}\mathrm{Ru}$ and $^{110}\mathrm{Pd}$ were bombarded with a beam of 17 MeV polarized tritons and the reaction $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles detected in a quadrupole-three-dipole spectrometer. Only the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decays of the residual nuclei, $^{103}\mathrm{Tc}$ and $^{109}\mathrm{Rh}$, have been previously observed. The results indicate a smooth trend with $Z$ of the proton single particle states observed in this region, except for $^{103}\mathrm{Tc}$. Examination of this nucleus indicates a strong tendency towards deformation.
Incidence and Risk Factors for Inguinal and Incisional Hernia After Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

Objectives To examine the risk of postoperative hernia development in men undergoing transperitoneal and extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). Open radical retropubic prostatectomy increases the risk of postoperative inguinal hernia development within the first 2 postoperative years. It is less clear to what extent minimally invasive radical prostatectomy techniques affect the incidence of hernia development. Methods A total of 651 LRP patients were mailed follow-up surveys regarding hernia development. Of these 651 patients, 378 responded (58%). Of the 378 patients, 308 had complete medical records for review. The mean follow-up for the fully evaluable cohort was 33.9 months (median 29.5, range 3-87). The potential risk factors for hernia (ie, previous hernia, age, surgical approach, pelvic lymph node dissection, bladder neck contracture, and operative time) were evaluated as categorical and/or continuous variables and using the univariate Cox proportional hazard ratio and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Preoperatively diagnosed inguinal hernias were repaired laparoscopically at LRP. Results The incidence of postoperative inguinal hernia was 5.2% (16 of 308). After transperitoneal LRP (n = 122), 7.4% (9/122) reported an inguinal hernia, a few (29%) of which occurred within 2 years after LRP. After extraperitoneal LRP (n = 186), only 3.8% (7/186) reported an inguinal hernia, all of which occurred within 2 years after LRP. Kaplan-Meier analysis, however, demonstrated no effect of the surgical approach on the inguinal hernia incidence ( P = .65). No risk factor was significantly associated with the postoperative hernia risk. One incisional hernia was noted (0.3%, 1 of 308), at a 5-mm extraperitoneal port site. Of the 308 men in the present study, 21 (6.8%) had undergone synchronous hernia repair, with no recurrences. Conclusions The incidence of inguinal hernia after LRP was similar, regardless of the laparoscopic approach, and was comparable or lower than the risk noted in published open radical retropubic prostatectomy series. No specific risk factors for post-LRP inguinal hernia development were identified.
Ethanol influence on insulin secretion from isolated rat islets.

This study was done to delineate the role of α- and β-adrenergic receptors and cyclic AMP in the mechanism of ethanol effects on insulin release from isolated islets. Rats were given an α-adrenergic blocker, phentolamine, or a β-adrenergic blocker, propranolol. In addition, ethanol 1 g/kg was given intragastrically 1 h prior to sacrifice. Glucose mediated insulin release from isolated islets was enhanced by phentolamine and decreased by propranolol. Ethanol treatment inhibited glucose-induced insulin release from isolated islets of control rats as well as those given phentolamine and/or propranolol. Insulin release from isolated islets in response to dibutyryl-cyclic AMP was attenuated by ethanol. Theophylline enhanced glucose mediated insulin release from control islets but ethanol treatment produced a significant inhibition of insulin response. The data suggest that the site of action of the deleterious effects of ethanol on insulin release from isolated islets in rat does not involve adrenergic system and cyclic AMP.
Temperature-mediated hyperinduction of fatty acid desaturation in pre-existing and newly formed fatty acids synthesized endogenously in Bacillus megaterium

Abstract 3 H-labeled fatty acids synthesized endogenously by Bacillus megaterium ATCC 14581 growing at 35°C in the presence of l -[G- 3 H]valine exhibited the same time-course of hyperinduced desaturation following a temperature decrease to 20°C as was observed previously with exogenously supplied 14 C-labeled fatty acids. Radioactive fatty acids synthesized in the presence of [U- 14 C]glucose during hyperinduction at 20°C following a shift-down from 35°C were desaturated at the same relative rate as 14 C-labeled fatty acids synthesized previously at 35°C, suggesting that the newly synthesized fatty acids equilibrate with a large portion of the preexisting moieties before becoming susceptible to desaturation.
Games soldiers play

Computer games and virtual reality are radically altering the way the military prepares for war. Over the last three decades, sophisticated computer modeling and graphics, faster processor speeds, and advances in artificial intelligence have gone into building simulation technology that can create a reality that stops just short of war. In turn, the use of simulators has helped bring about a sea change in military training. Troops today practice exhaustively, taught by simulators not only how to use their ever more complex equipment, but also how to work in teams, move efficiently through a battlespace, and negotiate a wide range of conflicts, which may or may not involve military force. Simulation also gives military and political leaders insight into potential conflicts. Commanders can now recreate on computer the complex choreography of thousands of soldiers, weapons, vehicles, and aircraft moving across a battlefield that extends over thousands of square kilometers. In this way, military decision-makers can test strategic options before launching a campaign in earnest. They can also assess the performance of new weapons systems under consideration.
γ-Aminobutyric acid-stimulated chloride permeability in crayfish muscle

gamma-Aminobutyric acid selectively increased Cl- permeability in isolated strips of crayfish abdominal muscle. Muscle fibers incubated in Van Harrevald's solution at room temperature took up 36Cl- to the extent of 700 ml/kg wet weight with a halftime of 2.5 min. During 15-S incubations, the control 36Cl- uptake space was 131 +/- 4 ml/kg (n = 60) and this was significantly increased by gamma-aminobutyric acid at 200 muM or higher concentrations to 177 +/- 4 ml/kg (n = 48, P less than 0.05). This effect was specific for chloride since gamma-aminobutyric acid did not increase the uptake by crayfish muscle of radioactive sucrose, inositol, or propionate. gamma-Aminobutyric acid stimulation of 36Cl- uptake is mediated by receptor-ionophore function since the process shows pharmacological properties virtually identical to those observed by electrophysiological techniques. The gamma-aminobutyric acid stimulation of Cl- permeability is dose dependent with 50% of the maximal effect at 40 muM gamma-aminobutyric acid and the dose vs. response curve is somewhat sigmoid. The gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist muscimol causes the same maximal effect on Cl- uptake as gamma-aminobutyric acid, but acts at 5-fold lower concentrations, i.e. is more potent. However, the partial agonist gamma-amino, beta-hydroxybutyric acid produced little or no stimulation of 36Cl- flux. The response to gamma-aminobutyric acid was blocked by 2 mM beta-guanidinopropionate or gamma-guanidinobutyrate, 0.5 mM bicuculline, and 10 muM picrotoxinin. Picrotoxinin inhibition was dose dependent with 50% inhibition occurring at 4 muM. Antagonists did not affect control 36Cl- uptake. These results confirm electrophysiological observations that the postsynaptic response to the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid involves a rapid increase in membrane permeability to Cl-.
(218-222) Miscellaneous Proposals to Amend the Code

(219) The Editorial Committee is instructed to provide a glossary of technical terms in the ICBN: A glossary would facilitate interpretation of the Code by obviating the need to find the appropriate entry in the index and then find the definition in the text. More importantly, having the Editorial Committee focus on the definition of terms may help them guard against inconsistencies, redundancies, and ambiguities in the Code. For example, the word "available" is used in at least three different ways. In "available element" (Art. 9.17; Art. 10.5) the word is used in an ordinary sense referring to potential types, but "available epithet" (Art. 11.5; Art. 58) is a technical term meaning "an epithet that does not form a later homonym in its new position or rank". An "available name" (Art. 6.4, Ex. 4; Art. 53.1, Ex. 2) is a name that is either an initially legitimate name that has not been suppressed by conservation or sanctioning or an initially illegitimate name that has been made legitimate by conservation or sanctioning. An "unavailable name" (Art. 15.2) is a name that may not be used either because it is illegitimate or because it is suppressed by conservation or sanctioning. It would be useful to clarify these various usages and terms in a glossary. Ironically, the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature contains a definition of "available name" as used in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (Art. 45, Ex. 4, fn.).
Growth of Dactylis glomerata along a light gradient in the central Appalachian region of the eastern USA: I. Dry matter production and partitioning

Microsite influences on resource allocation related to silvopastoral swards undergoing repeated defoliation are unclear. Defoliating traditional pasture species according to canopy development criteria may not be appropriate when the plants grow as understory crops in woodlots. An experiment using container-grown plants was conducted under field conditions to determine how open (O), shaded woodland (W) and open-to-shaded woodland transition zones (E O, E W), representing the partial shade conditions found in silvopastoral settings, influenced productivity and dry matter allocation in Dactylis glomerata L. Plants established in spring (SP) and late summer (LS) were clipped each time mean sward height reached 20 cm. Dry matter production differed for SP and LS plantings, and was greater in O than W sites. Dry matter allocation to shoots of SP plants indicated some agronomic benefit associated with the E O and E W sites. Leaf mass did not vary with irradiance, but stembase mass did. The SP plants had numerous small tillers whereas LS plants were composed of comparatively fewer but more massive tillers. Plants growing at O, E O and E W were similar, whereas plants in the W site were smaller and had the fewest tillers regardless of planting time. Results suggest that defoliation management for shaded components of silvopastoral systems should be based on some index other than sward height, and that management criteria might change during the growing season. Less intensive removal (e.g., 10-cm rather that 5-cm residue) should be considered for defoliated, shade grown plants, since this could allow more stembase and nonstructural carbohydrate storage tissues to remain.
Oversampled Antenna Array: Supergain and Diversity Performance

Supergain property and diversity performance in closely spaced antenna array are demonstrated in this work. It is commonly believed that the array spacing has to be greater than 0.5lambda to avoid mutual coupling and correlation between the elements. By applying a multiport impedance matching network, electrically oversampled antenna array is separated into decoupled and orthogonal radiation modes, which lead to the supergain and diversity enhancement.
Mixture distribution analysis of a computer assisted diagnostic method for the evaluation of pulmonary nodules on computed tomography scan1

Abstract Rationale and objectives To compare the effectiveness of a new computational scheme for pulmonary nodule detection in computed tomography images against human observers. Materials and methods The study involved evaluation of 81 potential nodules by four radiologists. Each radiologist separately evaluated the potential nodules and provided a confidence level for the presence of pulmonary nodules. Their performance was compared with that of the new computational scheme by mixture distribution analysis. Results Mixture distribution analysis of the results of the four radiologists demonstrated a relative proportion agreement of 0.84. The kappa statistic was used to compare the agreement of the computational scheme with the results of the four radiologists. A kappa value of .65 (se = .11) was shown to be significantly different from chance ( P = .99). Conclusion The new computational scheme correlates well with the radiologists’ subjective rankings of pulmonary nodules on computed tomography scans and may prove a useful tool in the evaluation of algorithms for the screening and diagnosis of lung cancer.
Preservation of ovarian tissue in adnexal torsion with fluorescein.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the ability of fluorescein to intraoperatively detect viable fallopian and ovarian tissues involved in adnexal torsion. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study was performed at Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Women's Hospital. Participants were female patients 18 to 45 years old with adnexal torsion confirmed at exploratory celiotomy. Five milliliters of 10% fluorescein were injected intravenously, and the involved untwisted adnexa was observed under ultraviolet light. Nonfluorescent tissue was resected and histologically evaluated. RESULTS: Eleven patients were entered into the study. Mean age was 25 years (range 15 to 42). Eight patients (72%) had preservation of involved ovarian tissue. No complications were associated with this procedure. Only three patients (28%) underwent oophorectomy. CONCLUSION: The use of intravenous fluorescein appears to be a valuable adjunct in the management of adnexal torsion. Application of this technique in reproductive-aged patients resulted in a three-quarter reduction in oophorectomy procedures.
Lithospheric Plates, Benioff Zones, and Volcanoes

Earthquake focus depth contours delineate undulating surfaces which may represent the tops and bottoms of lithospheric plates 50 to 75 km thick, dipping beneath island arcs. The same data can be contoured as a single surface only with difficulty and with anomalous points. Active volcanoes lie above axes of undulations which plunge down the slope of the surface.
Evolutionary ecology of plant–microbe interactions: soil microbial structure alters selection on plant traits

Summary • Below-ground microbial communities influence plant diversity, plant productivity, and plant community composition. Given these strong ecological effects, are interactions with below-ground microbes also important for understanding natural selection on plant traits? • Here, we manipulated below-ground microbial communities and the soil moisture environment on replicated populations of Brassica rapa to examine how microbial community structure influences selection on plant traits and mediates plant responses to abiotic environmental stress. • In soils with experimentally simplified microbial communities, plants were smaller, had reduced chlorophyll content, produced fewer flowers, and were less fecund when compared with plant populations grown in association with more complex soil microbial communities. Selection on plant growth and phenological traits also was stronger when plants were grown in simplified, less diverse soil microbial communities, and these effects typically were consistent across soil moisture treatments. • Our results suggest that microbial community structure affects patterns of natural selection on plant traits. Thus, the below-ground microbial community can influence evolutionary processes, just as recent studies have demonstrated that microbial diversity can influence plant community and ecosystem processes.
Grapes versus gluttony

A compound found in red grapes called resveratrol improves the health and lifespan of mice on a high-calorie diet. This is potentially good news for overweight humans. Does it bode well for the rest of us too?
Dechanneling of protons in copper single crystals. I

Abstract The dechanneling of 150 keV protons impinging along the direction in nearly perfect copper crystals has been investigated by measurements of the 135° backscattered protons and of the yields of the characteristic Cu(L) X-rays, as a function of the crystal temperature (300 °K, 485 °K, and 645 °K) and the incident beam direction relative to the channel. The data are analyzed and interpreted in a two step procedure. First, the data are reduced in terms of the energies of the observed backscattered protons taking into account the contributions of dechanneled protons and of the protons knocked onto random trajectories by the surface atoms. Second, model backscattering spectra and X-ray yields are constructed by assuming various trial functions for the dependence of the dechanneling rate, on penetration depth. Two trial functions are tested. One is based on a small-angle multiplescattering model of dechanneling. The other assumes an exponential decay of the number of channeled protons, chara...
An oral preparation containing Hyal-Joint DS can reduce osteoarthritis knee pain

s / Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 20 (2012) S54–S296 S173 there were 3 reports of product related adverse events compared to 9 reports in the Synvisc-One group and 7 events reported in the Hydros group. Arthralgia was the most commonly reported product-related adverse event (5 reports with Synvisc-One, 4 with Hydros, and 1 with Hydros-TA). Conclusions: A single injection of Hydros or Hydros-TA was well tolerated and relieved pain associated with symptomatic OA of the knee over 26 weeks. The study endpoints showed strong trends toward an enhanced effect compared to Synvisc-One. In fact, in patients with OA Grade 3, the improvement in pain scores at 2 weeks was significantly greater in the Hydros-TA group compared with the Synvisc-One group. Future clinical evaluations will be required to further demonstrate the safety and the superiority of Hydros and Hydros-TA compared to SynviscOne. 340 AN ORAL PREPARATION CONTAINING HYAL-JOINT DS CAN REDUCE OSTEOARTHRITIS KNEE PAIN F. Nelson , W.C. Wu , R. Zvirbulis , B. Zonca , M. Pasierb , P. Wilton . Henry Ford Hosp., Detroit, MI, USA; Bone and Joint Ctr., Henry Ford Hosp., Detroit, MI, USA; Wayne State Univeristy Med. Sch., Detroit, MI,
H2-Blocker Therapy and Necrotizing Enterocolitis for Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants

We thank Drs Lin, Su, and Chen for their interest in our article1 on H2-blocker therapy and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight infants. We agree that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that H2 blockers should never be considered for use in this population. It is clear that additional work is needed to identify and then validate the mechanism behind the possible link between H2-blocker exposure and NEC. We are intrigued with the possible link between H2-blocker use, infection risk, and probiotics' …
Near infrared two-photon excitation cross-sections of voltage-sensitive dyes.

Microscopy based on voltage-sensitive dyes has proven effective for revealing spatio-temporal patterns of neuronal activity in vivo and in vitro. Two-photon microscopy using voltage-sensitive dyes offers the possibility of wide-field visualization of membrane potential on sub-cellular length scales, hundreds of microns below the tissue surface. Very little information is available, however, about the utility of voltage-sensitive dyes for two-photon imaging purposes. Here we report on measurements of two-photon fluorescence excitation crosssections for nine voltage-sensitive dyes in a solvent, octanol, intended to simulate the membrane environment. Ultrashort light pulses from a Ti:sapphire laser were used for excitation from 790 to 960 nm, and fluorescein dye was used as a calibration standard. Overall, dyes RH795, RH421, RH414, di-8-ANEPPS, and di-8-ANEPPDHQ had the largest two-photon excitation cross-sections (∼15 × 10 −50 cm 4 s photon −1 )i n this wavelength region and are therefore potentially useful for two-photon microscopy. Interestingly, di-8-ANEPPDHQ, a chimera constructed from the potentiometric dyes RH795 and di-8-ANEPPS, exhibited larger cross-sections than either of its constituents. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Inferring species phylogenies from multiple genes: Concatenated sequence tree versus consensus gene tree

Phylogenetic trees from multiple genes can be obtained in two fundamentally different ways. In one, gene sequences are concatenated into a super-gene alignment, which is then analyzed to generate the species tree. In the other, phylogenies are inferred separately from each gene, and a consensus of these gene phylogenies is used to represent the species tree. Here, we have compared these two approaches by means of computer simulation, using 448 parameter sets, including evolutionary rate, sequence length, base composition, and transition/transversion rate bias. In these simulations, we emphasized a worst-case scenario analysis in which 100 replicate datasets for each evolutionary parameter set (gene) were generated, and the replicate dataset that produced a tree topology showing the largest number of phylogenetic errors was selected to represent that parameter set. Both randomly selected and worst-case replicates were utilized to compare the consensus and concatenation approaches primarily using the neighbor-joining (NJ) method. We find that the concatenation approach yields more accurate trees, even when the sequences concatenated have evolved with very different substitution patterns and no attempts are made to accommodate these differences while inferring phylogenies. These results appear to hold true for parsimony and likelihood methods as well. The concatenation approach shows >95% accuracy with only 10 genes. However, this gain in accuracy is sometimes accompanied by reinforcement of certain systematic biases, resulting in spuriously high bootstrap support for incorrect partitions, whether we employ site, gene, or a combined bootstrap resampling approach. Therefore, it will be prudent to report the number of individual genes supporting an inferred clade in the concatenated sequence tree, in addition to the bootstrap support.
Plants can utilize iron form Fe‐N,N'‐di‐(2‐hydroxybenzoyl)‐ethylenediamine‐N,N'‐diacetic acid, a ferric chelate with 106 greater formation constant than Fe‐EDDHA.

Abstract HBED [N,N'‐di‐(2‐hydroxybenzoyl)‐ethylenediamine‐N,N'‐diacetic acid] was synthesized in 1967, but it only recently became available in the quantities needed for plant nutrition research. This chelator is a close relative of EDDHA, but has a Fe3+‐chelate formation or stability constant (at ionic strength, μ+ 0.1) of 39.68 compared to 33.91 for EDDHA. Even the Fe3+ selectivity (i.e. Fe3+/Ca2+ stability constant ratios) is greater for HBED than for EDDHA. These greater stabilities with Fe3+ appear to result from better steric fit of HBED to Fe3+. FeHBED has Fe3+ stability constant and Fe3/Fe2+ and Fe3+/Ca2+ stability constant ratios much lite the Fe3+ selective bacterial siderophores. Soybean, corn, and nutsedge species were grown in complete Hoagland type nutrient solution containing 0 Fe, 10 μM FeHEDTA, 10 μM FeEDDHA (1:1 and 1:3 Fe:EDDHA ratios), or 10 μM FeHBED, and containing CaCO3 to control pH at 7.5. Soybean and nutsedge species obtained adequate Fe and remained green, while corn was severel...
Low power modular integer exponentiation using discrete logarithm transformation

Exponentiation is an important mathematical operation in many areas, and is constantly being researched for more efficient methods. This paper presents a power efficient implementation of integer modular exponentiation using discrete logarithm transformation. By transforming the base of an exponent, this method is able to perform modular exponentiation without the use of multipliers. Originally developed and implemented for high speed applications, this method has been modified and implemented for low power while maintaining comparable performance. The design is created and simulated with a repeative-square design for comparison purpose. The two circuits are compared in terms of speed and power consumption. Results show that for bus sizes greater than 32 bit, the proposed design is able to use only approximately 40% of the power that the repeative-square counterpart consumes.
Treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections.

Abstract Background: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) may produce substantial morbidity and mortality rates, particularly those classified as complicated or necrotizing. Objective: To weigh the strength of recommendations using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology and to provide evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and management for SSTIs. Data Sources: Computerized identification of published research and review of relevant articles. Study Selection: All published reports on the management of complicated and necrotizing SSTIs were evaluated by an expert panel of members of the Surgical Infection Society according to published guidelines for evidence-based medicine. The quality of the evidence was judged by the GRADE methodology and criteria. Practice surveys, pharmacokinetic studies, and reviews or duplicative publications presenting primary data already considered were excluded from analysis. Data Extraction: Information on demographics...