cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estrone Sulfate Sulfatase Activity Is Increased during in Vitro Decidualization of Stromal Cells from Human Endometrium

Arylsulfatase (EC 3.1.6.1) activity in human stromal cells isolated from specimens of histologically normal proliferative endometrium was increased several-fold during culture for 8–15 days in RPMI-1640 medium plus 10% charcoaltreated fetal bovine serum in the presence of a mixture of ovarian hormones (36 nM estradiol, 1 μM medroxyprogesterone acetate, and 100 μg/mL relaxin). The changes in sulfatase activity, determined by measuring the rate of formation of estrone from tritiated estrone sulfate, were associated with in vitro decidualization of the stromal cells, as determined by changes in secretion of PRL into daily renewed culture medium. PRL output by the cells during the last 24 h in culture and sulfatase activity in the cells collected at the end of the culture period were related to their DNA and protein contents. Sulfatase activity in the cells cultured in the presence of the ovarian hormones was comparable to the activity found in decidual cells at term pregnancy. PRL added for 1 day to cultures...
Porosity of eggshells from wild and captive, pen-reared alligators (Alligator mississippiensis).

Artificially incubated fertile eggs from wild alligators have a significantly better hatch rate than those of captive, pen-reared alligators, possibly due to differences in the morphology of the eggshells. We compared the morphology of eggshells of wild alligators to those of captive alligators living in semi-natural environmental pens. Lengths and widths of eggs were measured and volume was determined, assuming an ellipsoid shape. Eggs were also evaluated for the quality of the eggshell (the presence or absence of rough deposits). Pieces of shell were cut from unincubated eggs and from eggs incubated for 55 days (just before hatching) and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Open pores on the outer surface of the shells were counted and thickness of the pieces was measured from micrographs. Results indicated that the number of pores on eggshells was lowest in eggs of captive alligators with early embryonic death. The number of pores was intermediate in eggs with early embryonic death from wild alligators, and the number of pores was highest in eggs with full-term embryos from wild or captive alligators. It is suggested that decreased porosity of eggshells may be associated with early embryonic death, is more prevalent in captive animals, and may, therefore, be related to poor hatch rate among penreared alligators.
Extraction of Flow Information in Choriocapillaris in Human Eyes From ICG Dye Angiography Images

Indocyanine green (ICG) dye angiography has been used by ophthalmologists as a useful tool for routine examination of the vasculature of the choroid in human eyes. ICG dye angiography is performed by venous injecting of ICG dye, which is delivered to different vascular structures in the eyes at different times. A multi-spectral fundus camera is used to take the dye intensity images of the eye at a speed of thirty images per second. In this study, a new approach is developed to extract information of velocity distribution in the choriocapillaris and its feeding blood vessels from the ICG dye angiograms. The ICG dye intensity rise and decay curves are constructed from the ICG dye images at each image pixel location in the choriocapillaris. It is shown that the magnitude of the local velocity in the choriocapillaris is proportional to the transient of the ICG dye intensity curve. The approach allows the determination of the absolute value of the velocity in the choriocapillaris and is calibrated by the image data at two axial locations of a straight blood vessel of uniform cross-section area. The velocity image of the entire choriocapillaris is then constructed. This approach could be used in clinical applications for diagnostic purposes since it provides detailed quantified flow information in human eyes.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
YouTube: Educational Potentials and Pitfalls

The instructional potential of video technology in the classroom is promising, especially in light of the 21st Century Learning Framework (Siegle, 2009). Studies show positive gains in student outcomes as a result of the integration of video technology in instruction. This article explores potential uses of YouTube as an instructional aid in lessons and in planning. Emphasis is placed on using YouTube directly in social studies instruction and as a teaching resource in elementary classrooms. Attention is also given to the evaluation of YouTube videos. This article discusses the potential challenges of using YouTube in the classroom and offers suggestions for overcoming those challenges.
Fusion and transfer in at near barrier energies

Energy-integrated one- and two-proton transfer cross sections and fusion excitation functions have been measured for and at energies near the Coulomb barrier. As in previous results with projectiles, anomalous dependence of the transfer probability on distance of closest approach is observed at energies only slightly above the barrier. Measured fusion cross sections show sub-barrier enhancement similar to that measured in other systems. Coupled-channel calculations including transfer form factors extracted from the measurements come closer to the data in the measurements and produce the full enhancement for .
A comparison of the electronic properties of CO adsorbed on a thick copper film, and on a copper monolayer deposited on Ru(0001), as determined by metastable quenching spectroscopy

Abstract We use thermal desorption and metastable quenching spectroscopy to study the properties of CO chemisorbed on Ru(0001); on a Cu monolayer deposited on Ru(0001); and on a Cu film. We find that CO binds more strongly to the Cu monolayer than the Cu film; that the Penning ionization peaks of CO are more prominent on the film; and that addition of CO causes a greater lowering of the work function of the Cu film, than that of the Cu monolayer. We also observe that the 2π ∗ emission of CO adsorbed on Ru(0001) has a double peak; that the saturation of Ru(0001) with CO seems to lead to CO tilting; and that the Penning spectrum of CO on Cu has two small features which have not been observed for CO adsorbed on other metals.
Decadal variations in surface solar irradiance as observed in a globally remote network

[1] Twenty-eight years (1977–2004) of surface solar irradiance observations at five remote climate observatories are analyzed for long-term temporal variations and spatial representativeness. Autocorrelated temporal variations are suggested in the annual mean irradiance records at some of the sites and in normalized anomaly records for various combinations of the surface sites. These variations are illustrated by first-, second-, and third-degree polynomials as well as by a sinusoidal fit, all of which are used as data smoothers not necessarily representative of any related physical processes, although some fits yield statistically significant coefficients. In general, there is an indication of a decreasing tendency in the early portion of the records and then an increasing tendency until toward the very end of the record. Variations among field sites are seen, with the one Arctic site showing the most departure from the others, with primarily a downward trend for most of the record. The spatial representativeness of each site's annual mean record is investigated using spatial cross correlation with satellite-derived global estimates of the surface solar irradiance. These cross correlations show significant correlations with relatively large areas both contiguous and noncontiguous with the sites.
Tasteless profits and vexed moralities : assessments of the present in rural Rajasthan

At a micro level and in a single locality, this article explores an overworked topic: the transformation from (moral) subsistence economy to (amoral) market economy, and its associations with the difference between need and desire. Ethnographic research among farmers and herders in the Banas Basin region of Rajasthan, North India, unfolds expressions of physical and moral discomfort with conditions of rural livelihoods in the present. Older persons portray the nature of modern times as characterized by overwhelming desire for profit and the things it can buy. Thus they explain willing sacrifice of flavourful indigenous grain species as well as the ascent of selfishness and violence, exemplified by the selling to slaughter of unwanted farm animals. Although young adults frequently echo their elders’ views on deteriorating relationships, their attitudes and actions also point towards potential reconstitutions of responsibility in altered social and economic contexts. This article's central aim is to portray the richness and depth of a vanishing interdependency among human and non-human beings as recollected by an ageing generation or imagined by the young; it also engages an anthropology of emerging civic participation in the wake of acknowledged losses. Resume Au niveau micro, dans une seule localite, le present article explore un sujet souvent traite : le passage de l'economie de subsistance (morale) a l'economie de marche (amorale) et ses associations avec la difference entre besoins et desirs. Les recherches ethnographiques parmi les agriculteurs et eleveurs du bassin de la riviere Banas, au Rajasthan, revelent des expressions de malaise physique et moral liees aux conditions de vie rurales presentes. Les personnes âgees decrivent les temps modernes comme caracterises par le desir ecrasant du profit et des choses qu'il peut apporter. C'est ainsi qu'elles expliquent le sacrifice volontaire des savoureuses especes de cereales indigenes, mais aussi la montee de l'egoisme et de la violence, illustree par la vente aux abattoirs des animaux de ferme surnumeraires. Bien que les jeunes adultes fassent souvent echo aux propos des anciens sur la deterioration des relations, leur attitude et leurs actions laissent aussi poindre des possibilites de reconstruction de la responsabilite dans un contexte social et economique altere. Le but central de l'article est de decrire la richesse et la profondeur d'une interdependance en voie de disparition entre etres humains et non humains, telle que les anciens se la rememorent et que les jeunes l'imaginent. Ceci engage egalement une anthropologie de l'emergence de la participation civique suivant la reconnaissance de ce qui est perdu.
Infrared sensor for remote temperature monitoring of solar thermal central receivers

At the Barstow 10MW Solar Thermal Pilot Plant, water is converted to high pressure steam by concentrated solar radiation. The design of the elements in which the boiling takes place makes them vulnerable to blockage by particulates contaminating the circulating water. Concern over the potential for heat damage to blocked boiler elements has led to the development of a remote optical monitoring system for use at the Pilot Plant. The system employs a telescope and infrared vidicon to detect the increased blackbody radiant emittance produced by an overheated element. An image is provided with spatial and thermal resolution sufficient to detect and identify a single blocked element. Design considerations for such a system are discussed, as are performance at the Pilot Plant and possible extensions of the system to more sophisticated pyrometric tasks.
Computer generation of infrared imagery.

A practical engineering model that predicts the thermal radiation distributions for a wide variety of scenes and a digital capability to simulate thermal imagery on a medium size computer was originated. Via memory conserving processing techniques the time necessary to computer generate the imagery is drastically reduced compared with standard methods. In certain conditions real-time picture creation (30 frames/sec) might be achieved.
Failure of allogeneic canine marrow grafts after total-body irradiation. Allogeneic "resistance" versus transfusion-induced sensitization.

Les transfusions prealables, surtout si le donneur est le futur donneur de moelle, reduisent les chances de reussite de la greffe de moelle. Elles semblent sensibiliser le receveur vis-a-vis d'antigenes d'histocompatibilite exprimes sur les cellules sanguines et medullaires, ce qui amene une reaction au moment de la greffe de moelle. Cette reaction secondaire, due apparemment aux lymphocytes T, est plus difficile a maitriser qu'une reaction immune primaire
Popliteal Artery Trauma: Update and Recent Advances in Management

Management of vascular trauma has been standardized in the past two decades with a significant increase in limb salvage, but trauma to the popliteal artery still remains a challenge. A seven-year experience at San Bernardino County Medical Center was comprised of 20 popliteal artery injuries in 19 patients. Thirteen injuries (65%) were from blunt trauma, four injuries (20%) were from gunshot wounds, two injuries (10%) were from close-range shotgun blasts, and one (5%) was from a stab wound. Limb salvage was 100%. Liberal use of vein interposition grafts, routine intraoperative postreconstructive arteriogram, recognition of compartmental hypertension, and performance of fasciotomy were Important steps taken to ensure a high limb salvage rate. Our standard technique at this time consists of repair of the artery with simultaneous repair of the dislocated knee and internal fixation of fractures.
Auditory word recognition: evidence from aphasia and functional neuroimaging

This review examines the neural systems underlying auditory word recognition processes using both lesion and functional neuroimaging studies. Focus is on the influence of the sound properties of language (its phonetic as well as its phonological properties) in the service of identifying a particular word or the conceptual/meaning associated with that word. Results indicate that auditory word recognition recruits a neural system in which information is passed through the network in what appears to be functionally distinct stages – acoustic-phonetic analysis in temporal areas, mapping of sound structure to the lexicon, accessing a lexical candidate and its associated lexical-semantic network in temporo-parietal areas, and lexical selection in frontal areas. Information cascades throughout the network as shown by the influence of ‘goodness’ of fit and phonological/lexical competition on modulation of activation in both posterior areas including the superior temporal gyrus and supramarginal gyrus and in frontal areas including the inferior frontal gyrus.
A possible role of actin in the mechanical control of the cell cycle

Abstract Sail-sheet Cultures (SSC) are those in which the cells are i) grown within the meshes of inert grids ii) exposed to nutrients from most sides iii) attached to one another only at the edges like sail of a yacht (hence, the name ‘sail-sheet’) and iv) have the advantage of three-dimensional structure similar to an in vivo situation. We grew fibroblasts from chicken heart explants as SSC and studied the effect of mechanical stretching on the F-actin content of these cells. This study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that the effect of tension on the cell cycle may be channeled through the microfilaments. Data from this preliminary study suggested that short-term mechanical stretching of sail-sheets, using low frequency tension (1.0 Hz), diminishes F-actin. Thus, it may be possible to relate the decrease in the F-actin content of these cells to the slowing down of their locomotory activity, possible rounding up, and division. This study might contribute to the understanding of the mechanical control of the cell cycle and be of relevance in the phenomena such as healing of wounds and control of the cell division in tumors.
Metal and Semiconductor Nanowire Network Thin Films with Hierarchical Pore Structures

Metal and semiconductor nanowire thin films with hierarchical pore structure were electrodeposited using mesoporous silica (primary porogens) containing colloidal silica particles (secondary poroge...
Demonstration of a complete 12-port Terabit capacity optical packet switching fabric

We report on the implementation of a complete 12-port Data Vortex optical packet switching fabric containing 36 fully-interconnected nodes. Correct routing behavior is verified for 14-channel WDM packets, and latencies below 60 ns are achieved.
Electric Field Gradients in Ionic Crystals. I. Nuclear Quadrupole Coupling Constants

In ionic crystals and metals the coupling constant of a quadrupolar nucleus can often be written in the simplified form eQ(Δe)(1—γ∞). The polarization factors 1—γ∞ were calculated in previous work by T. P. Das, E. G. Wikner, and R. Bersohn. In the present work the factors Δe are calculated in the form of lattice sums. Under favorable circumstances a good estimate of the nuclear quadrupole moment Q can be made. When Q is known by other means, information about the distribution of charges in crystals may be obtained. It is shown, for example, that Al2O3 is essentially ionic. The agreement between experimental and observed coupling constants proves that the field gradients in ionic crystals and metals is of long‐range origin in contrast to molecular crystals.
The cytoplasmic body: another structural anomaly of the Z disk.

The “cytoplasmic body”, herein described, represents another basic pathological reaction of the Z disk. It is characterized by (1) its origin in the Z disk, (2) a dense filamentous core, (3) a surrounding lighter halo, (4) randomly orientated thin and finer filaments in the halo, (5) lack of a tetragonal filamentous array regardless of the plane of the section, (6) an accompanying focal decrease of mitochrondria from the affected fibre regions, and (7) its restriction to white (type 2) fibres. These features are compared with those of other anomalies of the Z disk.
Influence of organic and inorganic soil amendments on plant growth in crude oil-contaminated soil

Phytoremediation can be a viable alternative to traditional, more costly remediation techniques. Three greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate plant growth with different soil amendments in crude oil-contaminated soil. Growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L., cultivar: Riley), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L., cultivar: Common), crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis, cultivar: Large), fescue (Lolium arundinaceum Schreb., cultivar: Kentucky 31), and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam., cultivar: Marshall) was determined in crude oil-contaminated soil amended with either inorganic fertilizer, hardwood sawdust, papermill sludge, broiler litter or unamended (control). In the first study, the addition of broiler litter reduced seed germination for ryegrass, fescue, and alfalfa. In the second study, bermudagrass grown in broiler litter-amended soil produced the most shoot biomass, bermudagrass produced the most root biomass, and crabgrass and bermudagrass produced the most root length. In the third study, soil amended with broiler litter resulted in the greatest reduction in gravimetric total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) levels across the six plant treatments following the 14-wk study. Ryegrass produced more root biomass than any other species when grown in inorganic fertilizer- or hardwood sawdust + inorganic fertilizer-amended soil. The studies demonstrated that soil amendments and plant species selection were important considerations for phytoremediation of crude oil-contaminated soil.
Initial blood pressure response to enalapril in hospitalized patients (Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction [SOLVD]).

Abstract Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) is a randomized trial of enalapril versus placebo in reducing mortality in patients with cardiac dysfunction (defined as left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%). Before randomization, patients at risk for hypotension were hospitalized for a test dose of 2.5 mg of enalapril administered orally at baseline and again 12 hours later. As of February 1989, 89 of 7,539 (1.2%) patients had been studied during hospitalization. Baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 115 ± 18 and 73 ± 10 mm Hg, respectively. After enalapril, systolic blood pressure decreased slightly but significantly 8 to 20 hours after the initial dose (mean reduction 8 to 11 mm Hg). In this highly selected group of 89 patients, symptoms relating to decrease in blood pressure were noted in 13 (15%). It is emphasized that most patients with cardiac dysfunction readily tolerate enalapril. However, the agent should be administered with caution to patients with advanced congestive failure and diminished baseline blood pressure, owing to a significant incidence of symptomatic hypotension.
Polydepsipeptides, 4 Synthesis of the alternating Polydepsipeptides Poly(Ala‐Lac) and Poly(Val‐Lac)

Polydepsipeptides with repeating units alanyl-lactyl and valyl-lactyl were synthesized by thermal polymerization of the pentachlorophenyl ester trifluoroacetate salts of L-alanyl L-lactyl L-ananyl L-lactic acid and L-valyl L-lactyl L-valyl L-lactic acid. The depside linkages of these monomers were formed using N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole and the peptide bond by coupling a N-Boc-protected depside acid in the presence of N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide to a C-benzyl protected despide amine. Alternatively a N-Boc-protected depside acid was coupled by the mixed anhydride method to the amino depside pentachlorophenyl ester. This was accomplished by taking advantage of the different reaction rates of the aminolysis of the mixed anhydride and the pentachlorophenyl ester. The thermal polymerization was carried out with the monomers deposite on a micro-sized inorganic matrix, Kieselguhr, at temperatures between 100 and 120°C under high vacuum. The main fraction of polymer obtained had an average molecular weight (Mw) of 20000–30000 for poly(Ala-Lac) (10) and 80000–90000 for poly(Val-Lac) (17). Typical yields for these polymerizations were 50 and 75%, respectively. The polymers were found to be free from racemization by two independent methods: total hydrolysis and hydrazinolysis of the alternating ester bonds. The degradation products were investigated for their optical purity by measurements of circular dichroism. optical rotation. and L-lactate dchydrogenase digestion. Polydepsipeptide (Polypeptolide) mit der Wiederholungeinheit Alanyl-lactyl und Valyl-lactyl wurden hergestellt durch thermische Polymerisation der Tetradepsipeptide L-Alanyl-L-lactyl-L-alanyl-L-milchsaure- und L-Valyl-L-lactyl-L-valyl-L-milchsaure-pentachlorphenylester-trifluoracetat. Esterbindungen von Zweierfragmenten wurden mittels N,N′-Carbonyl-diimidazol geknupft, Peptidbindungen zwischen Zweierfragmenten durch Kupplung einer N-Boc-geschutzten Peptolidsaure an ein C-benzylgeschutztes Peptolidamin in Gegenwart on N,N′-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimid. Alternativ dazu wurde eine N-Boc-geschutzte Peptolidsaure als gemischtes Anhydrid von Isobutancarbonsaure mit der Aminogruppe des entsprechenden Peptolid-pentachlorphenylesters umgesetzt. Dies war moglich auf Grund der untrschiedlichen Aminolysegeschwindigkeiten des gemischten Carbonsaureanhydrids und des Pentachlorphenylesters. Fur die thermische Polymerisation bei Temperaturen von 100 bis 120°C im Hochvacuum wurden die Monomeren auf einen anorganischen Trager (Kieselgur, Celite®) sehr geringer Korngrose aufgebracht. Die Hauptfraktionen der erhaltenen Polymere hatten mittlere Molgewichte (Mw) von 20000–30000 [Poly(Ala-Lac) (10)] und 80000–90000 [Poly(Val-Lac) (17)]. Die erzielten Ausbeuten betrugen 50, bzw. 75%. Es wurde mit zwei unabhangigen Methoden (Totalhydrolyse und Hydrazinolyse der alternierenden Esterbindungen) nachgewiesen, das die Polymere racemisierungsfrei sind. Die Abbauprodukte wurden mit Hilfe von CD-Spektroskopie, L-Lactatdehydrogenase und optischer Drehung auf ihre optische Reinheit untersucht.
Metabolic Engineering for Advanced Biofuels Production from Escherichia coli

Global energy and environmental problems have stimulated increasing efforts toward synthesizing liquid biofuels as transportation energy. Compared to the traditional biofuel, ethanol, advanced biofuels should offer advantages such as higher energy density, lower hygroscopicity, lower vapor pressure, and compatibility with existing transportation infrastructure. However, these fuels are not synthesized economically using native organisms. Metabolic engineering offers an alternative approach in which synthetic pathways are engineered into user-friendly hosts for the production of these fuel molecules. These hosts could be readily manipulated to improve the production efficiency. This review summarizes recent progress in the engineering of Escherichia coli to produce advanced biofuels.
Parent Medication Concerns Predict Underutilization of Mental Health Services for Minority Children With ADHD

OBJECTIVE. Disparities in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment are recognized with minority children using services less than nonminority children. The authors examine minority parents' knowledge and perceptions of ADHD as they relate to service utilization. METHODS. Using a longitudinal cohort design, parents of children with untreated ADHD were surveyed regarding their knowledge and perceptions of ADHD and then followed for 3 to 6 months to determine whether they used services. RESULTS. Seventy parents of 5- to 18-year-old children with untreated ADHD were enrolled. Of the 70 children, 33 (47.1%) had not attended any mental health appointments and 51 (72.9%) had not used any treatments by 3- to 6-month follow-up. Logistic regression indicated that increasing age and medication concerns were associated with less follow-up at mental health appointments (P < .05) and less utilization of treatments (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS. The results of this study highlight the importance of addressing medication concerns, when referring minority children to mental health services or offering treatments.
MJO-like Coherent Structures: Sensitivity Simulations Using the Cloud-Resolving Convection Parameterization (CRCP)

Abstract Interaction between equatorially trapped disturbances and tropical convection is investigated using a nonhydrostatic global model that applies the cloud-resolving convection parameterization (CRCP). The CRCP represents subgrid scales of the global model by embedding a 2D cloud-resolving model in each column of the global model. The modeling setup is a constant-SST aquaplanet, with the size and rotation of earth, in radiative–convective quasi equilibrium. The global atmosphere is assumed to be initially at rest. No large-scale organization of convection is present outside the equatorial waveguide. Inside the waveguide, on the other hand, the model simulates spontaneous formation of coherent structures with deep convection on the leading edge and strong surface westerly winds to the west, the westerly wind bursts. These coherent structures resemble the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) observed in the terrestrial Tropics and are present in simulations applying prescribed and interactive radiation, an...
Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Older Men Receiving Testosterone Therapy

Background:Testosterone therapy for older men has increased substantially over the past decade. Research on the effects of testosterone therapy on cardiovascular outcomes has yielded inconsistent results. Objective: To examine the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in a population-based cohort of older men receiving intramuscular testosterone. Methods: Using a 5% national sample of Medicare beneficiaries, we identified 6355 patients treated with at least 1 injection of testosterone between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2005. We matched this cohort to 19 065 testosterone nonusers at a 1:3 ratio based on a composite MI prognostic score. Patients were followed until December 31, 2005, or until they lost coverage from Medicare, enrolled in a health maintenance organization, experienced a MI, or died. Results: In a Cox regression analysis adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, receipt of testosterone therapy was not associated with an increased risk of MI (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.69-1.02). In this analysis, there was an interaction between receipt of testosterone and quartile of risk of MI (P = 0.023). For men in the highest quartile of the MI prognostic score, testosterone therapy was associated with a reduced risk of MI (HR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.53-0.92), whereas there was no difference in risk for the first (HR = 1.20; 95% CI = 0.88-1.67), second (HR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.691.30), and third quartiles (HR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.59-1.01). Conclusions: Older men who were treated with intramuscular testosterone did not appear to have an increased risk of MI. For men with high MI risk, testosterone use was modestly protective against MI.
Mechanism of action of t-butyl hydroperoxide in the inhibition of vitamin K-dependent carboxylation.

Abstract t-Butyl hydroperoxide has been studied as a possible competitive inhibitor of the vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of the pentapeptide PheLeuGluGluIle. Under standard carboxylating conditions the concentrations of reduced phylloquinone and phylloquinone were followed by high-pressure liquid chromatography during 30-min incubations of Triton-solubilized microsomes from rat liver. Under these conditions supporting linear rates of carbon dioxide fixation for 20–30 min, the vitamin KH2 concentration decreased exponentially to less than 5% of its initial value in 30 min principally due to autooxidation. In the presence of 10 m m t-butyl-OOH, however, the oxidation of vitamin KH2 was greatly accelerated with none being detected after 7 min. In general, the rate of carboxylation of peptide paralleled the KH2 concentration. After cessation of carboxylation in the presence of t-butyl-OOH the readdition of KH2 stimulated additional 14CO2 fixation. A known competitive inhibitor of vitamin K, 2-chlorophylloquinone, did not accelerate the oxidation of KH2 but nonetheless inhibited the vitamin K-dependent carboxylation in a competitive manner. These data have led us to conclude that t-butyl-OOH is not a competitive inhibitor of the vitamin K-dependent carboxylase at the active site of the enzyme but merely acts to promote the oxidation of KH2.
Performance of Spin-Echo and Gradient-Echo T1-Weighted Sequences for Evaluation of Dural Venous Sinus Thrombosis and Stenosis

OBJECTIVE. Dural venous sinus abnormalities are clinically important but can potentially be overlooked using various MRI techniques. This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of spin-echo (SE) T1-weighted imaging, 3D gradient-recalled echo (GRE) T1-weighted imaging, and contrast-enhanced MR venography (MRV) for the detection of dural venous sinus thrombosis and transverse sinus (TS) stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Seventy-three patients underwent MRI evaluation with unenhanced and contrast-enhanced axial SE T1-weighted imaging, contrast-enhanced sagittal 3D GRE T1-weighted imaging, and contrast-enhanced MRV sequences. Three neuroradiologists each evaluated these 219 total datasets in a randomized blinded fashion for the presence or absence of TS stenosis and for dural venous sinus thrombosis in each of 10 venous sinus segments (730 total segments). Diagnostic performance characteristics and kappa statistics were calculated for each technique. RESULTS. Thirteen patients (37 segments) had suspected dura...
Heparan Sulfate Acts as a Bone Morphogenetic Protein Coreceptor by Facilitating Ligand-induced Receptor Hetero-oligomerization

Cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) not only binds several major classes of growth factors but also sometimes potentiates their activities--an effect usually termed "coreception." A view that coreception is due to the stabilization of growth factor-receptor interactions has emerged primarily from studies of the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). Recent in vivo studies have strongly suggested that HS also plays an important role in regulating signaling by the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Here, we provide evidence that the mechanism of coreception for BMPs is markedly different from that established for FGFs. First, we demonstrate a direct, stimulatory role for cell surface HS in the immediate signaling activities of BMP2 and BMP4, and we provide evidence that HS-BMP interactions are required for this effect. Next, using several independent assays of ligand binding and receptor assembly, including coimmunoprecipitation, cross-linking, and fluorescence fluctuation microscopy, we show that HS does not affect BMP binding to type I receptor subunits but instead enhances the subsequent recruitment of type II receptor subunits to BMP-type I receptor complexes. This suggests a view of HS as a catalyst of the formation of signaling complexes, rather than as a stabilizer of growth factor binding.
The Role of Legal Education in Producing Psychological Distress Among Law Students and Lawyers

The anecdotal literature suggests that the process of legal education impairs the maintenance of emotional well-being in law students. The purpose of this article is to present the results of a cross-sequential research design that empirically assessed the validity of this hypothesis. Data were collected, using four standardized self-report instruments (Brief Symptom Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist, and Hassle Scale) on subjects before and during law school and after graduation. Before law school, subjects expressed psychopathological symptom responses that were similar to the normal population. Yet during law school and after graduation symptom levels were significantly elevated. The implications of these results are presented.
Influence of Source and Physical Form of Xanthophyll Pigment on Broiler Pigmentation and Performance

Two experiments were conducted using 21-day-old, commercial-strain broilers to determine the effect of various commercial pigmentation products on pigmentation and bird performance. Birds received finisher/withdrawal diets that included 8% corn gluten meal or either a 2.5 or 5.0% substitution of gluten meal with Liquid OroGlo5, Dry Oroglo10, or Cromophyl-oro. When birds were slaughtered at either 48 or 51 days of age there were no differences in the birds' breast skin hue (dominant wavelength) or brightness (luminosity). Data indicated similar levels of pigmentation among birds in all treatments. Color intensity (excitation purity) values of shank and breast skin samples suggested that the liquid form of OroGlo was more effective than the dry form in pigmenting broiler skin when both forms were fed at equal calculated levels. Data indicated that actual xanthophyll intake was higher when the liquid source was fed. Body weight gain and feed efficiency among the treatments, in general, indicated that commercial pigment sources can be substituted for corn gluten meal without appreciably altering broiler performance.
Classic Articles in Special Education An Exploratory Investigation

This exploratory investigation sought to identify classic articles from the general special education literature that were published between 1960 and 1989. Initially, widely cited articles that were published during this time in Exceptional Children, Remedial and Special Education, and The Journal of Special Education were identified. Faculty from doctoral degree—granting institutions of higher education were then surveyed regarding which of these widely cited articles should be considered classics. Twelve articles, addressing such topics as mainstreaming or inclusion, student identification, curriculum-based measurement, efficacy of mainstreaming/inclusion programs, secondary curriculum and transition from school to work, and curricula for students with severe disabilities, were identified as classics. Directions for future research are discussed, including the need to clarify reliable methods for identifying classic articles and to identify classic articles in areas of specialization within special educ...
Evaluation of Streptomyces for biocontrol of Bipolaris sorokiniana and Sclerotinia homoeocarpa on the phylloplane of Poa pratensis

Several species of Streptomyces were evaluated for their ability to control Sclerotinia homoeocarpa (dollar spot) and Bipolaris sorokiniana (leaf spot) on the phylloplane of Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass). Species evaluated included S. diastaticus (S32), S. galbus (S35), and S. hygroscopicus (isolates S13, S28). All evaluations were conducted on the upper epidermis of intact attached leaves of P. pratensis, and antagonism was measured as the ability of Streptomyces isolates to prevent chlorophyll loss from leaves inoculated with B. sorokiniana or S. homoeocarpa during pathogenesis. Only S. hygroscopicus (S13) effectively prevented infection and subsequent chlorophyll loss from leaves inoculated with B. sorokiniana or S. homoeocarpa. Isolate S28 of S. hygroscopicus showed erratic antagonism of both pathogens, depending upon how the isolate was prepared for use. Streptomyces diastaticus and S. galbus were antagonistic to S. homoeocarpa only in whole culture form.
Mullerian cysts of the posterior mediastinum: report of two cases and review of the literature

Cystic lesions can be occasionally be found in the mediastinum, and typically include bronchogenic cysts, esophageal duplication cysts, and neuroenteric cysts. In 2005, Hattori described the first mediastinal cyst with Mullerian differentiation. Since that time, three other authors have described similar cysts occurring in the posterior mediastinum. Here we present two cases of patients with ciliated cysts with Mullerian differentiation with expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, PAX8 and Wilm’s tumor 1, occurring in the posterior mediastinum and review the related literature.
Multibody Structure-and-Motion Segmentation by Branch-and-Bound Model Selection

An efficient and robust framework is proposed for two-view multiple structure-and-motion segmentation of unknown number of rigid objects. The segmentation problem has three unknowns, namely the object memberships, the corresponding fundamental matrices, and the number of objects. To handle this otherwise recursive problem, hypotheses for fundamental matrices are generated through local sampling. Once the hypotheses are available, a combinatorial selection problem is formulated to optimize a model selection cost which takes into account the hypotheses likelihoods and the model complexity. An explicit model for outliers is also added for robust segmentation. The model selection cost is minimized through the branch-and-bound technique of combinatorial optimization. The proposed branch-and-bound approach efficiently searches the solution space and guaranties optimality over the current set of hypotheses. The efficiency and the guarantee of optimality of the method is due to its ability to reject solutions without explicitly evaluating them. The proposed approach was validated with synthetic data, and segmentation results are presented for real images.
Joint optimization of transceivers with decision feedback and bit loading

The transceiver optimization problem for MIMO channels has been considered in the past with linear receivers as well as with decision feedback (DFE) receivers. Joint optimization of bit allocation, precoder, and equalizer has in the past been considered only for the linear transceiver (transceiver with linear precoder and linear equalizer). It has also been observed that the use of DFE even without bit allocation in general results in better performance that linear transceivers with bit allocation. This paper provides a general study of this for transceivers with the zero-forcing constraint. It is formally shown that when the bit allocation, precoder, and equalizer are jointly optimized, linear transceivers and transceivers with DFE have identical performance in the sense that transmitted power is identical for a given bit rate and error probability. The developments of this paper are based on the generalized triangular decomposition (GTD) recently introduced by Jiang, Li, and Hager. It will be shown that a broad class of GTD-based systems solve the optimal DFE problem with bit allocation. The special case of a linear transceiver with optimum bit allocation will emerge as one of the many solutions.
Diagnosis and treatment of equine polysaccharide storage myopathy

Equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (EPSM) is a recently recognized metabolic condition with a high incidence in many breeds of horses and ponies. Clinical signs are extremely variable, but all can be related to underlying skeletal muscle dysfunction. Therapy employing a high-fat, high-fiber, low-starch, low-sugar diet and as much exercise as possible has proven to be extremely successful in control of this disorder. EPSM is progressive, and early detection and institution of therapy are vital.
Using Genetic Diagnosis to Determine Individual Therapeutic Utility

Humans have considerable genetic variation, as shown by their DNA sequence differences. Drug responsiveness and toxicity are affected by this variability. Genetic variation affects prodrug activation, drug targets, downstream activation pathways, drug elimination, and toxicity activation. Molecular diagnostic methods have discovered the genetic basis of several of these "outlier" drug responses. By predicting a patient's response, such diagnostics can improve both the safety and efficacy of drugs. The article illustrates the matching of molecular diagnosis to drug therapy for improved patient outcomes.
Industry–university technology cooperation: a theory of inter-organizational relationships

This article proposes a grounded theoretical framework of R&D technology cooperation based on the congruence of existing theories of inter-organizational relationships. The theory is grounded in the empirical experiences of the industry-university cooperative centers in the US. It addresses two research questions: (1) Why do universities and industrial companies engage in cooperatioe R&D? (2) What factors affect their survival? Perceived resource dependency is proposed to be a motivator for initiating cooperative R&D. Interaction theories explain survivability, in that prior interaction between the parties and the degree of institutionalization of the interactions are hypothesized to explain survival over time. The intensity of interaction is also suggested to improve the chances for survival, but within a range of optimality (not too much and not too little). Iimitations and implications for research and poliy are also discussed.
Ordering and shape tuning of Ge islands on metal-patterned Si

In semiconductor epitaxy, a central challenge for the formation of ordered arrays of nanostructures, such as quantum dot islands, is the realization of processing routes to control surface-mediated growth mechanisms with high spatial precision and reproducibility across macroscopic lengths. To this end we have recently demonstrated a simple route for the directed assembly of heteroepitaxial islands based on rudimentary metal patterning. Here we show that the same metal patterns on the silicon surface that lead to island ordering radically modify island morphology resulting in shapes such as nanorods and truncated pyramids that are set by the choices of metal species and substrate orientation. These effects reflect a remarkable combination of metal-mediated growth phenomena that may be exploited to tailor the functionality of island arrays.
KIC, a Novel Ca2+ Binding Protein with One EF-Hand Motif, Interacts with a Microtubule Motor Protein and Regulates Trichome Morphogenesis

Kinesin-like calmodulin binding protein (KCBP) is a microtubule motor protein involved in the regulation of cell division and trichome morphogenesis. Genetic studies have shown that KCBP is likely to interact with several other proteins. To identify KCBP-interacting proteins, we used the C-terminal region of KCBP in a yeast two-hybrid screen. This screening resulted in the isolation of a novel KCBP-interacting Ca2+ binding protein (KIC). KIC, with its single EF-hand motif, bound Ca2+ at a physiological concentration. Coprecipitation with bacterially expressed protein and native KCBP, gel-mobility shift studies, and ATPase assays with the KCBP motor confirmed that KIC interacts with KCBP in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Interestingly, although both Ca2+-KIC and Ca2+-calmodulin were able to interact with KCBP and inhibit its microtubule binding activity, the concentration of Ca2+ required to inhibit the microtubule-stimulated ATPase activity of KCBP by KIC was threefold less than that required for calmodulin. Two KIC-related Ca2+ binding proteins and a centrin from Arabidopsis, which contain one and four EF-hand motifs, respectively, bound Ca2+ but did not affect microtubule binding and microtubule-stimulated ATPase activities of KCBP, indicating the specificity of Ca2+ sensors in regulating their targets. Overexpression of KIC in Arabidopsis resulted in trichomes with reduced branch number resembling the zwichel/kcbp phenotype. These results suggest that KIC modulates the activity of KCBP in response to changes in cytosolic Ca2+ and regulates trichome morphogenesis.
Dental development in South African australopithecines. Part II: Dental stage assessment

Dental development stages of six immature Australopithecus robustus individuals from Swarktrans (SK 61, SK 62, SK 63, SK 64, SK 438, SK 3978) and seven immature Australopithecus africanus individuals from Taung, Sterkfontein, and Makapans (Taung 1, Sts 2, Sts 8, Sts 18, Sts 24, Stw 327, MLD 2) are described. These stages were assessed using the system devised by Demirjian and colleagues and were based on a data set comprising over 350 computed tomographic (CT) scans taken at 1 and 2 mm slice intervals. It is concluded that patterns of dental development may have differed between A. robustus and A. africanus even though the chronology of development (i.e., the length of time for dental development to occur) may have proceeded relatively rapidly in both species. These data provide unique information regarding the timing and pattern of dental maturation in austral-opithecines and can be used to compare and contrast developmental patterns among early hominids, modern humans, and nonhuman primates.
PTP-1B is an essential positive regulator of platelet integrin signaling

Outside-in integrin αIIbβ3 signaling is required for normal platelet thrombus formation and is triggered by c-Src activation through an unknown mechanism. In this study, we demonstrate an essential role for protein–tyrosine phosphatase (PTP)–1B in this process. In resting platelets, c-Src forms a complex with αIIbβ3 and Csk, which phosphorylates c-Src tyrosine 529 to maintain c-Src autoinhibition. Fibrinogen binding to αIIbβ3 triggers PTP-1B recruitment to the αIIbβ3–c-Src–Csk complex in a manner that is dependent on c-Src and specific tyrosine (tyrosine 152 and 153) and proline (proline 309 and 310) residues in PTP-1B. Studies of PTP-1B–deficient mouse platelets indicate that PTP-1B is required for fibrinogen-dependent Csk dissociation from αIIbβ3, dephosphorylation of c-Src tyrosine 529, and c-Src activation. Furthermore, PTP-1B–deficient platelets are defective in outside-in αIIbβ3 signaling in vitro as manifested by poor spreading on fibrinogen and decreased clot retraction, and they exhibit ineffective Ca2+ signaling and thrombus formation in vivo. Thus, PTP-1B is an essential positive regulator of the initiation of outside-in αIIbβ3 signaling in platelets.