cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
H2O2 regulates cardiac myocyte phenotype via concentration-dependent activation of distinct kinase pathways

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can act as signaling molecules to stimulate either hypertrophy or apoptosis in cardiac myocytes. We tested the hypothesis that the phenotypic effects of ROS are due to differential, concentration-dependent activation of specific kinase signaling pathways. Adult rat ventricular myocytes were exposed to H(2)O(2) over a broad concentration range (10-1000 microM). Low concentrations of H(2)O(2) (10-30 microM) increased protein synthesis without affecting survival. Higher concentrations of H(2)O(2) (100-200 microM) increased apoptosis (assessed by TUNEL). Still higher concentrations of H(2)O(2) (300-1000 microM) caused both apoptosis and necrosis. A hypertrophic concentration of H(2)O(2) (10 microM) increased the activity of ERK1/2, but not that of JNK, p38 kinase or Akt. An apoptotic concentration of H(2)O(2) (100 microM) activated JNK, p38 kinase and Akt, and further activated ERK1/2. The MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 prevented the hypertrophic effect of 10 microM H(2)O(2). The apoptotic effect of 100 microM H(2)O(2) was inhibited bya dominant-negative JNK adenovirus, and was potentiated by U0126 or an Akt inhibitor. Thus, the concentration-dependent effects of ROS on myocyte hypertrophy and growth are due, at least in part, to the differential activation of specific kinase signaling pathways that regulate hypertrophy and apoptosis.
Effect of Dietary Protein Concentration on Growth and Processing Yield of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Raised from Advanced Fingerlings to Large Marketable Size

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of dietary protein concentration (26, 28, and 32%) and an all-plant protein diet (28% protein) on growth, feed efficiency, processing yield, and body composition of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus raised from advanced fingerlings to large marketable size (about 800 to 900 g/fish) for two growing seasons. Fingerling channel catfish (average weight = 56 g/fish) were stocked into twenty 0.04-ha ponds at a density of 18,525 fish/ha. Fish were fed once daily to satiation during the two growing seasons and fed according to recommended winter feeding schedules during the winter. There were no differences in diet consumption, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, survival, processing yields (carcass, shank fillet, and nugget), or fillet composition (moisture, protein, fat, and ash) among fish fed the various diets. These results indicate that a 26% protein diet containing plant and animal proteins or a 28% all-plant protein diet is adequate for channel catfish raised i...
Phosphorylation of Raf-1 by p21-activated Kinase 1 and Src Regulates Raf-1 Autoinhibition

Exposure of cells to mitogens or growth factors stimulates Raf-1 activity through a complex mechanism that involves binding to active Ras, phosphorylation on multiple residues, and protein-protein interactions. Recently it was shown that the amino terminus of Raf-1 contains an autoregulatory domain that can inhibit its activity in Xenopus oocytes. In the present work we show that expression of the Raf-1 autoinhibitory domain blocks extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 activation by the Raf-1 catalytic domain in mammalian cells. We also show that phosphorylation of Raf-1 on serine 338 by PAK1 and tyrosines 340 and 341 by Src relieves autoinhibition and that this occurs through a specific decrease in the binding of the Raf-1 regulatory domain to its catalytic domain. In addition, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of threonine 491 and serine 494, two phosphorylation sites in the catalytic domain that are required for Raf-1 activation, is unlikely to regulate autoinhibition. These results demonstrate that the autoinhibitory domain of Raf-1 is functional in mammalian cells and that its interaction with the Raf-1 catalytic domain is regulated by phosphorylation of serine 338 and tyrosines 340 and 341.
Autologous stem cell transplantation and multiple myeloma cancer stem cells

It is well established that high-dose therapy (HDT) combined with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) produces superior response rates and progression-free survival compared with conventional chemotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Accordingly, MM currently represents the most common indication for ASCT. Despite these clinical improvements, the impact of ASCT on overall survival is unclear because the vast majority of patients eventually experience disease relapse and progression. The continual risk of relapse suggests that malignant cells resistant to HDT possess the clonogenic growth potential to mediate tumor regrowth, and in several diseases cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified that are both highly tumorigenic and resistant to standard anticancer approaches. Putative CSCs have been identified in MM, and their characterization may lead to the development of novel maintenance strategies that inhibit the production of new tumor cells, prevent disease relapse, and improve overall survival.
Zero-Length Crosslinking of the β Subunit of Phosphorylase Kinase to the N-Terminal Half of its Regulatory α Subunit

Abstract Phosphorylase kinase, a regulatory enzyme of glycogenolysis in skeletal muscle, is a hexadecameric oligomer containing four copies each of four distinct subunits: α, β, γ, and δ. By intramolecular zero-length crosslinking with transglutaminase, we have previously demonstrated that the regulatory α and β subunits abut one another in the holoenzyme [Nadeau, O. W., and Carlson, G. M. (1994)J. Biol. Chem.269, 29670–29676]. Selective partial proteolysis of the 138 kDa α subunit in holoenzyme that had been crosslinked by transglutaminase has revealed a high molecular weight conjugate corresponding to full-length β subunit crosslinked to a 60 kDa N-terminal fragment of α (determined by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and N-terminal sequencing). This conjugate was also observed when the enzyme was first activated by partial proteolysis of α and then crosslinked by transglutaminase. Both forms of the kinase, generated by either sequential crosslinking and proteolysis or the reverse, coeluted with non-crosslinked hexadecameric control enzyme in size exclusion chromatography, indicating that the crosslinking was intramolecular, i.e., within hexadecamers. This is the first demonstration of any intersubunit interaction involving the N-terminal domain of the α subunit and the first region of any subunit shown to interact with the β subunit. The results are consistent with the predicted path of the polypeptide backbone of the α subunits within the holoenzyme and with the proposed location of the β subunits.
Beneficial effects of chronic administration of dietary ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in dogs with renal insufficiency

Dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) alters the course of experimental renal disease in rats. However, chronic renal disease in other laboratory animals and in human beings frequently responds differently to experimental manipulations. We investigated the effects of variations in dietary PUFA composition on the chronic course of induced renal disease in dogs. Two months after 15/16 nephrectomy, dogs were randomly divided into three groups of seven animals each. For the next 20 months, each group of dogs was fed a low-fat basal diet supplemented with one of three sources of lipid to achieve a final concentration of 15% added fat. Fat sources provided omega-3 PUFA (menhaden fish oil, group FO), omega-6 PUFA (safflower oil, group SO), or saturated fatty acids (beef tallow, group BT). Throughout the dietary trial, the magnitude of proteinuria and the plasma concentrations of creatinine, cholesterol, and triglyceride were lower in group FO. The mean overall glomerular filtration rate was 0.89+/-0.18 ml/min per kilogram of body weight in group SO, a value that was significantly less (p < 0.05) than the corresponding values for groups BT and FO (1.21+/-0.18 and 1.43+/-0.20 ml/min/kg, respectively). Renal interstitial fibrosis also was significantly elevated in group SO. The extents of mesangial matrix expansion, glomerulosclerosis, and renal interstitial cellular infiltrate were similar in groups BT and SO, but lower (p < 0.05) in group FO. We conclude that supplementation with omega-6 PUFA enhanced renal injury; supplementation with omega-3 PUFA was renoprotective.
Education for a Scientific Age: ABSTRACT

Science will play an increasingly significant role in the lives of educated people in the years ahead. For this reason, young people going through school now, and those who are yet to be educated, should be getting a basic understanding of the language of science as part of their general education. Most students now in schools, including colleges and universities, are not getting the kind of education in science which will prepare them for life in a scientific age. Science is being presented to them as a body of facts and techniques. Consequently students have little, if any, opportunity to develop an understanding of the basic principles and concepts common to science. Facts and techniques have a short half-life--a way of becoming obsolete in a hurry. Individuals whose science training has been largely fact- and technology-oriented also become obsolete in a hurry. It is grossly unfair to the young people who are now being educated and those who will be educated in the future to burden them with obsolete training in science. New materials and new courses, which emphasize the "structure or broad unifying principles" of each science discipline, need to be developed and teachers trained to present science as inquiry. Sound training in science should begin in the early school years to provide children with a conceptual framework which they can use as a base for assimilating and understanding later experiences in science. The new elementary and secondary-school science curriculum materials provide a base on which a sound curriculum can be built, but much remains to be done if tomorrow's citizens are to be scientifically literate. End_of_Article - Last_Page 469------------
Ballistic electron emission microscopy (BEEM) of novel semiconductor heterostructures and quantum dots

The measurement of heterojunction band parameters and their spatial variation is of fundamental importance for the operation of heterostructure devices. Ballistic electron emission microscopy (BEEM) is a powerful, new low energy electron microscopy for imaging and spectroscopy of buried quantum objects and non-destructive local characterization of buried semiconductor heterostructures with nm resolution. We will present several new and novel applications of BEEM for semiconductor heterostructure characterization.
Short TE MR microscopy: accurate measurement and zonal differentiation of normal hyaline cartilage.

The purpose of this study was to use MR imaging to accurately measure the thickness of hyaline cartilage and determine the MR contrast parameters for differentiation of cartilage zones in normal human cartilage samples. Cartilage samples were examined using three dimensional spin-echo MR microscopy at 9.4 T with a voxel size of 31 x 31 x 300 μm. Effects of T 2 signal loss, susceptibility, and partial volume on measured thickness of cartilage were investigated. Thickness measurements were obtained on corresponding histological sections for comparison. Optimal contrast parameters for delineation of cartilage zones were evaluated using magnetization transfer, inversion recovery, T,, and T 2 contrast. T 2 relaxation losses were identified as the primary source of discrepancy between the measured thickness of cortical bone and hyaline cartilage. Good contrast for zonal differentiation was obtained using T 1 weighting. We conclude that images obtained using short TE MR microscopy can be used to accurately measure cartilage and bone thickness in human specimens, and can demonstrate zones within normal cartilage.
Excretion of cefamandole, cefazolin, and cephalothin into T-tube bile.

The biliary tract excretion of cefamandole, cefazolin, and cephalothin was measured in eight patients with T-tubes inserted into their common ducts after ductal exploration for biliary tract stones. Each patient received 1.0 g intravenously of each cephalosporin on 3 separate days; T-tube bile and serum were collected at selected time intervals thereafter. In seven patients, bile and urine were collected for 6 h after the administration of each drug. Mean peak levels of cefamandole, cefazolin, and cephalothin in bile were 352, 46, and 12 μg/ml, respectively. The respective mean peak serum levels were 55.0, 92.8, and 32.4 μg/ml. Despite the fact that peak serum levels of cefazolin were 1.5 times those of cefamandole, levels in bile of cefamandole were about 8 times those of cefazolin. Over a 6-h period, almost three times as much cefamandole was excreted into bile as was cefazolin. Therefore, in those patients with biliary tract sepsis, in whom a cephalosporin is indicated for therapy, cefamandole appears to be the drug of choice.
A stolen object detection and tracing system for mobile valuables

The proposed system provides a mechanism of detecting the stealing of valuables, and integrates wireless sensor networks with a location service to trace stolen valuables through deployed cameras in an indoor environment. Compared with traditional surveillance systems, it is able to actively notify the security manager that monitored valuables are stole and show the current positions, and real-time images of those stolen valuables when theft cases occur.
Determine component probability from NASA ground system Problem Reports

During the shuttle era, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) used a failure reporting database called the Problem Reporting and Corrective Action (PRACA). Its purpose was to identify and track system nonconformance. The PRACA database over the years changed from a nominal way to identify system problems, to a complex tracking and report production database. The PRACA database became the primary method to categorize any anomalies, from corrosion issues to catastrophic failures. The systems documented in the PRACA database range from flight hardware to ground or facility support equipment. While the PRACA database is complex, it does possess all the failure modes, times of occurrence, length of system delay, parts repaired or replaced, and corrective action performed. The difficulty is mining the data to then utilize that data in order to estimate component, Line Replaceable Unit (LRU), and system reliability analysis metrics. In this paper, we identify a methodology to categorize qualitative data from the ground system PRACA database for common ground or facility support equipment utilizing a heuristic method to identify credible failures. These data are then used to determine interarrival times to perform an estimation of a metric for repairable component or LRU reliability. This analysis is used to determine failure modes of the equipment, probability of the component failure mode, and to support various quantitative differing techniques for performing repairable system analysis. Components or LRU's are evaluated in the same environment and condition that occurs during the launch process.
Clear cell carcinoma arising in the abdominal wall: Two case reports and literature review

Clear cell carcinoma originating in the abdominal wall is rare and usually develops within endometriotic implants in the scar. We describe 2 patients: a 42 year old with a 15 cm mass on the abdominal wall treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and excision and a 51 year old with a 6 cm abdominal mass treated with excision and adjuvant radiotherapy.
Outcome of 28 open pilon fractures with injury severity-based fixation

Open pilon fracture management and treatment poses a significant challenge to orthopedic surgeons. The purpose of this study was to determine patient outcomes for open pilon fractures based on wound complication and infection rates, as well as subjective outcome instruments. This was a retrospective consecutive case series of 28 fractures with Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA)-type 43-B and 43-C open pilon fractures. Mean length of follow-up was 36 months and minimum of 1 year. Ten fractures were Gustilo and Anderson grade IIIB, and the remaining fractures were grades I–IIIA. Patients were initially treated with spanning external fixation and staged wound debridement followed by osteosynthesis of the articular surface. Metaphyseal fixation was by either plate fixation or Ilizarov frame. The primary outcome was the incidence of deep tissue infection requiring surgery. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of other complications (nonunion, malunion, amputation) and functional outcomes (Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment Questionnaire and AAOS Foot and Ankle Questionnaire). Four patients developed deep tissue infections, three in the internal fixation group and one in the Ilizarov group, and all were treated successfully with staged debridement. There were two delayed unions required bone grafting, and infection-free union was ultimately achieved in all fractures. Two patients underwent arthrodesis secondary to post-traumatic arthritis, while no patients experienced malunions or amputations. The use of staged wound debridement in conjunction with either plate fixation or Ilizarov frame achieves low rates of wound infection and stable fixation after anatomic joint reconstruction for OTA-type 43-B and 43-C open pilon fractures.
Speed of reversal of midazolam-induced respiratory depression by flumazenil--a study in patients undergoing upper G.I. endoscopy.

Intravenous midazolam was given to 17 patients coming to upper G.I. endoscopy. All patients had an ear oximeter and calibrated induction plethysmograph attached to record oxygen saturation and minute volume continuously. Midazolam induced significant depression of respiration. Following removal of the endoscope, a new base line was obtained before giving intravenous flumazenil in an attempt to reverse the sedative and ventilatory effects of midazolam. When 0.5 mg of flumazenil was given over 20 s, followed by 0.1 mg every minute, up to a total of 1.0 mg, all patients were apparently awake in under 2 min. Although the flumazenil had clearly reversed the sedative effects of midazolam, the ventilatory effects were largely uninfluenced. The implications are discussed.
Reduced hip extension in the elderly: dynamic or postural?

Abstract Lee LW, Zavarei K, Evans J, Lelas JJ, Riley PO, Kerrigan DC. Reduced hip extension in the elderly: dynamic or postural? Objective To test the hypothesis that reduced hip extension and increased anterior pelvic tilt in the elderly are dynamic gait phenomena that do not occur during normal standing posture. Design Experimental. Setting Gait laboratory. Participants Twenty-five older adult subjects (mean age ± standard deviation, 71±5y) and 25 young adult subjects (mean age, 26±5y). Intervention Subjects were observed during standing and walking at self-determined comfortable, slow, and fast walking speeds. Positions and kinematics of the pelvis and lower extremities were measured using a 3-dimensional video-based motion analysis system. Main Outcome Measures Peak hip extension and anterior pelvic tilt. Results There were no statistically significant differences between the older and young adult groups during standing with respect to either hip extension (3°±5° vs 1°±6°) or anterior pelvic tilt (11°±5° vs 10°±5°). On the other hand, at comfortable walking speeds, the older adult group had reduced peak hip extension (7°±6° vs 11°±6°, P P Conclusions Age-related changes in gait defined by reduced peak hip extension and increased pelvic tilt are dynamic rather than standing postural characteristics.
The reaction of potassium chlorate with lactose: Analysis of combustion gases

Abstract The gaseous products of combustion of mixtures of potassium chlorate and lactose have been determined and are mainly carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water, and hydrogen, with methane and other hydrocarbons also present (increasingly so as the burning temperature decreases). The experimentally determined major-constituent gas concentrations are in satisfactory agreement with those predicted assuming that the reaction CO 2 + H ⇄ CO + H 2 O , proceeds to equilibrium at the burning temperature.
Internally dispersed synthesis of uniform silver nanoparticles via in situ reduction of [Ag(NH3)2]+ along natural microfibrillar substructures of cotton fiber

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are known to have efficient antimicrobial properties, but the direct application of Ag NPs onto the surface of textiles has shown to be ineffective and raise environmental concerns because Ag NPs leach out during washing. In this study, non-leaching and stable Ag-cotton nanocomposite fiber was produced by the in situ formation of Ag NPs inside the cotton fiber. The reported method is to introduce a nanofluidic system in alkali-swollen cotton fiber. Sequential flows of [Ag(NH3)2]+ and reductant aqueous fluids into the opened microfibrillar channels yielded a self-assembly of Ag ions on the deprotonated cellulose and subsequent nucleation and particle growth on the microfibrils. Transmission electron and field emission scanning electron microscopy images showed Ag NPs evenly dispersed throughout the entire cross-section of the fiber and their fixation onto the isolated secondary cell wall, respectively. Despite the rapid reduction reaction and the absence of a stabilizing agent, the successful formation of monodispersed Ag NPs (12 ± 3 nm) was attributed to the self-controlled function of the highly organized microfibrillar substructures, which regulated the transport and mixing of reactants. Incorporation of Ag NPs into the internal structure of the cotton fiber did not significantly influence the cotton crystalline structure.
The economic impact of landmines on developing countries

Leaders of the world economy take the infrastructure dimension of the environment for granted. As these leaders attempt to develop trade with third‐world countries they are naIve about constraints placed on development by past civil strife. When the international community helps to reconstruct and develop trade with these countries it must acknowledge the damage often caused during the conflict. Often this means dealing with the removal of landmines. Economic leaders often relate rebuilding the infrastructure and ridding the country of landmines to the military even while militaries are ill equipped for this. Concludes that an understanding of the intricate nature of infrastructure issues in the transition from conflict and strife to peace must be built.
Impact of hepatitis A vaccination on health care utilization in the United States, 1996-2004.

Background Since 1996, hepatitis A vaccine has been recommended for persons at risk for infection and children living in communities with the highest disease rates. In 1999, this recommendation was expanded to include all children in 17 states with high incidence compared to a national baseline period. Reported hepatitis A incidence has decreased substantially since 1999; however, comprehensive data on changes in hospital and outpatient utilization have not been reported. Objective To analyze a health insurance claims database to examine impacts of the hepatitis A vaccination program on medical visits and associated expenditures. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of the 1996–2004 Medstat MarketScan databases, which include enrollees of more than 100 health insurance plans offered by approximately 40 large employers each year, using 1996 and 1997 as the pre-vaccination baseline. Trends in rates of medical care visits were analyzed using Poisson regression method. Results From the pre-vaccination era to 2004, hospitalizations due to hepatitis A declined by 68.5% (from 0.81 to 0.26 per 100,000 population, P < 0.001) and ambulatory visits declined by 41.5% (from 12.9 to 7.5 per 100,000 population, P < 0.001). Ambulatory visits declined in all age groups, with the greatest declines among children <18 years old. Declines were greater among enrollees who resided in the 17 vaccinating states (58.5%) than those in non-vaccinating states (32.7%, P < 0.001). After adjusting to the US population, using data derived from a privately insured population, total estimated direct medical expenditures for hepatitis A-related hospitalizations and ambulatory visits declined by 68.1%, from an average of $29.1 million in 1996 and 1997 to $9.3 million in 2004. Conclusions Since the introduction of the hepatitis A vaccination program, hospitalizations, ambulatory visits, and their associated expenditures due to hepatitis A disease have declined substantially among all age groups across the US. Greater declines were seen in the 17 states with vaccination recommendations for hepatitis A.
Poly(schiff base) polymers based on substituted biphenyl

Polycondensation d'une diamine aromatique et d'un orthocetophenol. Etude des proprietes electriques
Effectiveness of lifestyle intervention for hypertension in Shanghai communities: Results from the Shanghai Hypertension Detail Management Program

A community-based multi-center randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of blood pressure control for hypertension patients in communities in urban Shanghai by integrated intervention. At present, patients (n = 1395) from four communities have completed follow-up for one year, including the intervention group (n = 921) and usual care group (n = 474). The intervention programs included disease management by a care manager. Blood pressure of each patient was measured regularly. Compared with the control group, the net change of mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was − 6.75 (95% CI: − 7.79 to − 5.71, P < 0.001) mmHg, mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was − 4.29 (95% CI: − 5.08 to − 3.49, P < 0.001) mmHg, and mean pulse pressure (PP) was − 2.46 (95% CI: − 3.50 to − 1.43, P < 0.001) mmHg in the intervention group. The net change extent was larger in patients with regular pharmacological treatment than in those with irregular pharmacological treatment or non-pharmacological treatment. The measures of integrated intervention for hypertension patients in communities can lower significantly not only SBP and DBP, but also PP. It is suggested that measures of integrated intervention can decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases in hypertension patients.
Image-guided simulation for bioluminescence tomographic imaging

Noninvasive imaging of the reporter gene expression based on bioluminescence is playing an important role in the areas of cancer biology, cell biology, and gene therapy. The central problem for the bioluminescence tomography (BLT) we are developing is to reconstruct the underlying bioluminescent source distribution in a small animal using a modality fusion approach. To solve this inversion problem, a mathematical model of the mouse is built from a CT/micro-CT scan, which enables the assignment of optical parameters to various regions in the model. This optical geometrical model is used in the Monte Carlo simulation to calculate the flux distribution on the animal body surface, as a key part of the BLT process. The model development necessitates approximations in surface simplification, and so on. It leads to the model mismatches of different kinds. To overcome such discrepancies, instead of developing a mathematical model, segmented CT images are directly used in our simulation software. While the simulation code is executed, those images that are relevant are assessed according to the location of the propagating photon. Depending upon the segmentation rules including the pixel value range, appropriate optical parameters are selected for statistical sampling of the free path and weight of the photon. In this paper, we report luminescence experiments using a physical mouse phantom to evaluate this image-guided simulation procedure, which suggest both the feasibility and some advantages of this technique over the existing methods.
Experimental data acquisition and manipulation by microcomputer

Abstract To improve experiment management, we developed a microcomputer system which automatically displays, collects, manipulates and stores data in real-time. Upon completion of all experiments, it automatically performs statistical analysis, prints graphs and stores the results. The components required to accomplish these tasks include: (1) a microprocessor and visual monitor; (2) transducers, each with preamplifier, filter and amplifier; (3) couplers from each amplifier to the computer; (4) software to direct display, manipulation, statistical analysis and storage of data; and (5) hardware to allow real-time graphic and hard copy display. The resulting system allows sampling rates up to 300 Hz and accuracy of 0.20% full scale, 0–200 mm Hg. It provides great flexibility, efficiency and reliability in data management, and thereby facilitates the organization and completion of research protocols. It simplicity of design and operation makes it easy to use, and it is extremely cost effective. We present a method of laboratory microcomputerization as a practical alternative for management of physiological experimentation.
Optimization and closed loop guidance of drag modulated aeroassisted orbital transfer

An analysis of optimal and near optimal atmospheric flight trajectories for drag modulated aeroassisted orbital transfer is presented. An explicit and adaptive closed loop guidance approach for this mode of orbit transfer is also presented with performance near the optimal nominal trajectories. The orbital transfer of interest is for return from high earth orbit to low earth orbit. Most of what is discussed in this paper concerns the aeroassisted or atmospheric segment which lowers the apogee of the high earth orbit to the apogee of the low earth orbit. Minimization of the total impulsive delta-V at this low earth orbit apogee is the optimization criterion. Control about this impulse due to a number of potential error sources in atmospheric braking is the requirement imposed on closed loop guidance.
A broadband microstrip patch antenna fed through vias connected to a 3dB quadrature branch line coupler for worldwide UHF RFID reader applications

This paper presents the design of a circularly polarized Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader antenna for worldwide Ultra High Frequency (UHF) (860–960 MHz) applications. The proposed antenna, which consists of a microstrip patch with truncated corners and a cross slot, is suspended over a ground plane and fed through vias that extend from the quadrature 3 dB branch line coupler placed below the ground plane. This antenna has a total size of 225 × 250 × 12.8 mm3 and shows a measured matching band of 840–1150MHz (31.2%) and 3 dB axial ratio (AR) of 820–1120 MHz (31%).
Wildlife management, surface mining, and regional planning

Wildlife management, surface mining, and regional planning historically have had conflicting missions. The cooperative public/private venture which created the Robinson Forest and Cyprus-Amax Wildlife Management Areas is presented as an example of how a regional perspective encourages a symbiotic relationship among these functions. Wildlife management areas, as either an interim or final land use, are shown to incorporate development concepts which benefit the general public, the coal industry, and the environment. Examining the regional pattern of wildlife management areas and refuges confirms the appropriateness of the subject site for this use. It is suggested that the pattern of mined lands can be studied to identify other sites with potential to provide linkages between a wildlife habitat areas and encourage reclamation of such sites to the {open_quotes}fish and wildlife{close_quotes} postmining land use. Such reclamation strategies should be pursued within a long-term planning framework. More research is needed to recreate specific habitat types on drastically disturbed land and planning is needed to assure that sensitive habitats or species are located away from zones likely to undergo future development. Use of geographic information systems to integrate existing environmental information could make such studies more effective. 14 refs., 7 figs.
Polarized endocytosis by Madin-Darby canine kidney cells transfected with functional chicken liver glycoprotein receptor

We have studied the expression of the chicken hepatic glycoprotein receptor (chicken hepatic lectin [CHL]) in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, by transfection of its cDNA under the control of a retroviral promotor. Transfected cell lines stably express 87,000 surface receptors/cell with a kd = 13 nM. In confluent monolayers, approximately 40% of CHL is localized at the plasma membrane. 98% of the surface CHL is expressed at the basolateral surface where it performs polarized endocytosis and degradation of glycoproteins carrying terminal N-acetylglucosamine at a rate of 50,000 ligand molecules/h. Studies of the half-life of metabolically labeled receptor and of the stability of biotinylated cell surface receptor after internalization indicate that transfected CHL performs several rounds of uptake and recycling before it gets degraded. The successful expression of a functional basolateral receptor in MDCK cells opens the way for the characterization of the mechanisms that control targeting and recycling of proteins to the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells.
Magnesium sensitizes slow vacuolar channels to physiological cytosolic calcium and inhibits fast vacuolar channels in fava bean guard cell vacuoles

Vacuolar ion channels in guard cells play important roles during stomatal movement and are regulated by many factors including Ca(2+), calmodulin, protein kinases, and phosphatases. We report that physiological cytosolic and luminal Mg(2+) levels strongly regulate vacuolar ion channels in fava bean (Vicia faba) guard cells. Luminal Mg(2+) inhibited fast vacuolar (FV) currents with a K(i) of approximately 0.23 mM in a voltage-dependent manner at positive potentials on the cytoplasmic side. Cytosolic Mg(2+) at 1 mM also inhibited FV currents. Furthermore, in the absence of cytosolic Mg(2+), cytosolic Ca(2+) at less than 10 µM did not activate slow vacuolar (SV) currents. However, when cytosolic Mg(2+) was present, submicromolar concentrations of cytosolic Ca(2+) activated SV currents with a K(d) of approximately 227 nM, suggesting a synergistic Mg(2+)-Ca(2+) effect. The activation potential of SV currents was shifted toward physiological potentials in the presence of cytosolic Mg(2+) concentrations. The direction of SV currents could also be changed from outward to both outward and inward currents. Our data predict a model for SV channel regulation, including a cytosolic binding site for Ca(2+) with an affinity in the submicromolar range and a cytosolic low-affinity Mg(2+)-Ca(2+) binding site. SV channels are predicted to contain a third binding site on the vacuolar luminal side, which binds Ca(2+) and is inhibitory. In conclusion, cytosolic Mg(2+) sensitizes SV channels to physiological cytosolic Ca(2+) elevations. Furthermore, we propose that cytosolic and vacuolar Mg(2+) concentrations ensure that FV channels do not function as a continuous vacuolar K(+) leak, which would prohibit stomatal opening.
InBase: the Intein Database

Inteins are self-catalytic protein splicing elements. InBase (http://www.neb.com/neb/inteins.html), the Intein Database and Registry, is a curated compilation of published and unpublished information about protein splicing. It presents general information as well as detailed data for each intein, including tabulated comparisons and a comprehensive bibliography. An intein-specific BLAST server is now available to assist in identifying new inteins.
Comparison of tigecycline penetration into the epithelial lining fluid of infected and uninfected murine lungs

Objectives: When evaluating the pharmacodynamics of antimicrobials, assumptions are often made relative to their pharmacokinetics. One example of this is applying tissue penetration results of uninfected hosts to those displaying a targeted illness. As tigecycline evolves into a potential treatment option for pneumonia, we determined whether the presence of a lung infection affected the penetration of the drug into the epithelial lining fluid (ELF). Methods: Single doses of tigecycline 50 and 25 mg/kg were administered to neutropenic ICR mice with or without the presence of an Acinetobacter baumannii lung infection. Serum samples were gathered at 0.5‐24 h after tigecycline administration; bronchoalveolar lavage was conducted at 1, 1.5, 4 and 8 h. Tigecycline concentrations were determined by HPLC. Comparisons of ELF penetration in infected and uninfected lungs were based on the ratios of the AUC0‐8 in ELF and the free AUC0‐8 in serum. AUCs were calculated by the trapezoidal rule. Results: The group without pulmonary infection displayed an ELF penetration ratio of 8.1 and 6.2 for the 50 and 25 mg/kg doses, respectively. The respective penetration ratios in the infected lungs were 23.3 and 12.9. Conclusions: While tigecycline exhibits excellent ELF penetration in healthy and infected murine lungs, the presence of infection greatly enhances penetration. Moreover, increased systemic exposures of tigecycline result in greater ELF penetration, regardless of infection status. When future tigecycline clinical trials for the treatment of pneumonia are considered, escalated doses may reap greater than expected benefits towards achieving adequate pharmacodynamic indexes within the lungs.
Growth strategies of a shade-tolerant tropical tree : the interactive effects of canopy gaps and simulated herbivory

Summary 1 We hypothesized that the survival of shade-tolerant juvenile trees in the understorey depends on allocation strategies that slow their growth but enhance recovery from herbivore damage. In contrast, allocation patterns should maximize height growth in gaps where competitors grow rapidly. We tested the interactive effects of canopy gaps and simulated herbivory (by removing the apical meristem, or 10%, 50% or 90% of tissue from all leaves) on juvenile (< 1 cm diameter at breast height) Shorea quadrinervis Sloot (Dipterocarpaceae), a dominant canopy tree in Borneo. 2 Damage did not diminish survival over 8 months, except for 90% foliage removal from understorey plants. Height growth in the understorey was negligible in both control and damaged plants. In gaps, height growth was stimulated by removal of either the apical meristem or 10% of leaf tissue; growth was reduced only after 90% foliage removal. 3 Higher damage levels increased subsequent net leaf loss. Leaf production was much greater, but leaf retention much lower, in gaps than in the understorey. Ninety per cent foliage removal drastically reduced production in gaps and retention in the understorey. After 10% defoliation, height growth was enhanced in gaps despite approximately 30% net leaf loss. 4 In a separate experiment, juveniles were moved from a shade house to gaps. After 8 months, gap plants had more leaves and more total biomass, but only half the root : shoot ratio of plants left in the shade. 5 Allocation patterns, together with the survival of understorey plants after all but the highest levels of damage, indicate that root : shoot allocation there tends to reduce the risk of mortality following herbivore or mechanical damage at the expense of growth. In contrast, in gaps, where interference competition for light is high, resource allocation apparently maximizes height growth. The interaction between resource availability and herbivore damage provides the basis for a more synthetic theory of resource allocation and growth strategies than one based on resource availability alone.
Effective Robot Task Learning by focusing on Task-relevant objects

In a Robot Learning from Demonstration framework involving environments with many objects, one of the key problems is to decide which objects are relevant to a given task. In this paper, we analyze this problem and propose a biologically-inspired computational model that enables the robot to focus on the task-relevant objects. To filter out incompatible task models, we compute a Task Relevance Value (TRV) for each object, which shows a human demonstrator's implicit indication of the relevance to the task. By combining an intentional action representation with ‘motionese’ [2], our model exhibits recognition capabilities compatible with the way that humans demonstrate. We evaluate the system on demonstrations from five different human subjects, showing its ability to correctly focus on the appropriate objects in these demonstrations.
Statistical methods for determining risk factors of chronic otitis media with effusion.

We use logistic regression with paired Bernouilli outcomes to analyse data on subjects who have either one or two organs (e.g. ears) each of which may develop disease. In this model, subject-specific covariates are related to the probability of developing disease. The proposed method is applied to determine risk factors for chronic otitis media with effusion.
Characterization of Hydrothermal Tobelitic Veins from Black Shale, Oquirrh Mountains, Utah

Hydrothermal tobelitic phyllosilicates modeled as ISII (R3) ordering with a minimum of 2- 3% and a maximum of 6-8% interstratified smectite occur in veins and as replacement of fossils in hydrothermaUy altered black shale. These heavy metal-rich phyllosilicate veins formed during a Mesozoic- aged, regional-scale hydrothermal event that affected an area which encompasses the Mercur Au district (Wilson and Parry, 1990a, 1990b). Associated minerals include kaolinite, quartz, chlorite, Fe-oxides, US (R1, 45% smectite), and pyrite. N and O contents of NH4 phyllosilicates determined by microprobe analysis range from 0.19 to 1.78 and 48.6 to 52.9 elemental wt. %, respectively. Infrared absorption analysis indicates N occurs as NH4 § Very high O analyses are probably caused by contamination with kaolinite. A representative structural formula for the tobelitic material is ((NH4)o.36Ko.36Nao.o3)- (All.9tMgoA3Feo.o3)(Sia.2jAlo.79)Olo(OHi.ssFoA2). Correlation plots of data from microprobe analyses indicate an atypically high correlation between interlayer charge and octahedral layer charge and no correlation between (K+Na) and N. More typical correlations between N and (K+Na) and between interlayer charge and tetrahedral layer charge are obtained if 2-8% of a beidellitic smectite are factored out of the analyses. This amount of smectite is consistent with modeling of X-ray diffraction data using the computer program NEWMOD (Reynolds, 1985). Possible sources of NH4 are from introduction by hydrothermal fluids or from thermal degradation of organic matter prevalent within the host rocks during low-grade metamorphism. The occurrence of NH4 phyllosilicate veins in unoxidized shale and the limited occurrence of NH4 phyllosilicates within the host shales suggests a hydrothermal source for the NH4.
Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior Toward Wildlife Among the Industrial Superpowers: United States, Japan, and Germany

This paper examines attitudes, knowledge, and behavior toward wildlife in the United States, Japan, and Germany. These countries collectively account for some 40% of the world's gross national product, and they have a major impact on the global environment. A similar conceptual and methodological approach was used to study national samples in each country over a roughly ten-year period. The primary conceptual approach was a typology of basic attitudes toward animals. The main methodological procedure involved closed-ended surveys of national samples in each country. Respondents in each country had a distinctive pattern of basic attitudes, knowledge, and behavior toward wildlife and its conservation. These differences are described and interpreted in terms of the biogeographical, cultural, and historical characteristics of each country.
Tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons and their contacts with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-containing fibers in the hypothalamus of the diurnal murid rodent, Arvicanthis niloticus.

Diurnal and nocturnal animals differ with respect to the timing of a host of behavioral and physiological events including those associated with neuroendocrine functions, but the neural bases of these differences are poorly understood. In nocturnal species, rhythms in tyrosine hydroxylasecontaining(TH+)neuronsinthehypothalamusappeartoberesponsibleforrhythmsinprolactinsecretion.HereweinvestigatedTH+cellsinadiurnal rodent(Arvicanthisniloticus,theunstripedNilegrassrat),andcomparingthemwiththoseofanocturnalrodent(Rattusnorvegicus,Sprague‐Dawley rat).WealsoexaminedrelationshipsbetweenTH+cellsandfiberscontainingvasoactiveintestinalpolypeptide(VIP)thatarethoughttooriginatefrom cellsinthesuprachiasmaticnucleus(SCN),thesiteoftheprimarycircadianclockinmammals.ThedistributionofTH+neuronswasverysimilarinthe two species except for a population of cells in the basal forebrain that was only present in grass rats. Fibers containing VIP appeared to contact neuroendocrineTH+cellsinbothspecies.Thesedatasuggestthat,thoughtheremaybesubtlespeciesdifferences,temporalinformationislikelytobe carried along the same direct pathways from the SCN to the TH+ neurons in day- and night-active species. # 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Carbonate clumped isotope thermometry of deep-sea corals and implications for vital effects

Here we calibrate the carbonate clumped isotope thermometer in modern deep-sea corals. We examined 11 specimens of three species of deep-sea corals and one species of a surface coral spanning a total range in growth temperature of 2–25 °C. External standard errors for individual measurements ranged from 0.005‰ to 0.011‰ (average: 0.0074‰) which corresponds to ~1-2 °C. External standard errors for replicate measurements of Δ_47 in corals ranged from 0.002‰ to 0.014‰ (average: 0.0072‰) which corresponds to 0.4–2.8 °C. We find that skeletal carbonate from deep-sea corals shows the same relationship of Δ47 (the measure of ^(13)C–^(18)O ordering) to temperature as does inorganic calcite. In contrast, the δ^(13) C and δ^(18)O values of these carbonates (measured simultaneously with Δ_47 for every sample) differ markedly from equilibrium with seawater; i.e., these samples exhibit pronounced ‘vital effects’ in their bulk isotopic compositions. We explore several reasons why the clumped isotope compositions of deep-sea coral skeletons exhibit no evidence of a vital effect despite having large conventional isotopic vital effects.
Limits to xylem refilling under negative pressure in Laurus nobilis and Acer negundo

The ability of juvenile Laurus nobilis and Acer negundo plants to refill embolized xylem vessels was tested under conditions of soil drought when xylem sap pressure was substantially negative, thus violating the expected condition that pressure must rise to near atmospheric for refilling. Intact potted plants were dried to a stem water potential ( Y W ) corresponding with approximately 80% loss of hydraulic conductivity (PLC) in shoots. Then plants were re-watered and kept at a less negative target Y W for 1‐48 h. The Y Y W was measured continuously with stem psychrometers. Rewatered L. nobilis held at the target Y Y Y W for 1 h showed no evidence for refilling unless Y W was within a few tenths of a MPa of zero. In contrast, re-watered L. nobilis held for 24 and 48 h at water potentials well below zero showed a significant reduction in PLC. The recovery was highly variable, being complete in some stem segments, and scarcely evident in others. Embolism repair was accompanied by a significant but moderate decrease in the osmotic potential ( Yp ) of the bulk xylem sap ( Yp = - - 67 kPa in recov