cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for intramolecular crosslinks in chicken bone collagen: the isolation of peptides containing allysine aldol.

Abstract Two peptides, each containing allysine aldol, were isolated as their dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives from a collagenase digest of chicken bone collagen. The compositions of the two peptides indicate that they derive from the crosslinked aminoterminal chains in β 11 and β 12 dimers. This homology to the sites of intramolecular crosslinks in skin collagen suggests that the β chains from which the peptides derive are also intramolecular in bone collagen. However, the peptides could not be isolated from native bone collagen that previously had been treated with borohydride, suggesting that, similar to the situation in skin collagen, the intramolecular bond participates in more complex crosslinks in native fibrils.
Adjuvant Effects of Ambient Particulate Matter Monitored by Proteomics of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid

Ambient particulate matter (PM) from air pollution is associated with exacerbation of asthma. The immunological basis for the adjuvant effects of PM is still not well understood. The generation of ROS and the resulting oxidative stress has been identified as one of the major mechanisms. Using a new intranasal sensitization model in which ambient PM is used as an adjuvant to enhance allergic inflammation (Li et al., Environ. Health Perspect. 2009, 117, 1116-1123), a proteomics approach was applied to study the adjuvant effects of ambient PM. The enhanced in vivo adjuvant effect of ultrafine particles correlates with a higher in vitro oxidant potential and a higher content of redox-cycling organic chemicals. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid proteins from normal and sensitized mice were resolved by 2-DE, and identified by MS. Polymeric immunoglobulin receptor, complement C3, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, chitinase 3-like protein 3, chitinase 3-like protein 4, and acidic mammalian chitinase demonstrated significantly enhanced up-regulation by UFP with a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content and a higher oxidant potential. These proteins may be the important specific elements targeted by PM in air pollution through the ability to generate ROS in the immune system, and may be involved in allergen sensitization and asthma pathogenesis.
A New Probabilistic Database Search Algorithm for ETD Spectra

Peptide characterization using electron transfer dissociation (ETD) is an important analytical tool for protein identification. The fragmentation observed in ETD spectra is complementary to that seen when using the traditional dissociation method, collision activated dissociation (CAD). Applications of ETD enhance the scope and complexity of the peptides that can be studied by mass spectrometry-based methods. For example, ETD is shown to be particularly useful for the study of post-translationally modified peptides. To take advantage of the power provided by ETD, it is important to have an ETD-specific database search engine, an integral tool of mass spectrometry-based analytical proteomics. In this paper, we report on our development of a database search engine using ETD spectra and protein sequence databases to identify peptides. The search engine is based on the probabilistic modeling of shared peaks count and shared peaks intensity between the spectra and the peptide sequences. The shared peaks count ...
The effect of the reactant gas on YBa2Cu3Ox film formation

Abstract The reactant gas used as the deposition ambient has a large effect on the composition and properties of cuprate superconductor films. In this study YBa2Cu3Ox thin films are deposited by pulsed organometallic beam epitaxy (POMBE). The barium precursor used contains fluorine and it is therefore possible to incorporate unwanted fluorine into the deposited film. For our deposition process both the fluorine content and oxygen content of the film are highly dependent on the reactant gas used as the deposition ambient. Many of the reaction conditions that remove fluorine also deplete the film of oxygen. In this study a set of reaction conditions that produce YBa2Cu3Ox films which are both fluorine-free and fully oxygenated are presented.
Queuing Network Models with State-Dependent Routing

A model of a closed queuing network within which customer routing between queues may depend on the state of the network is presented. The routing functions allowed may be rational functions of the queue lengths of various downstream queues which reside within special subnetworks called p-subnetworks. If a network with no state-dependent routing has a product-form joint equilibrium distribution of the queue lengths, then the introduction of these routing functions will preserve the product form of the equilibrium distribution. An example to illustrate the applicability of the model to the problem of analyzing a load balancing strategy is presented. It is also indicated how the parametric analysis of a network with routing functions can be simplified through the analysis of a simpler “equivalent” network.
Using input-output diagram to determine spatial and temporal extents of a queue upstream of a bottleneck

A simple approach is described for modifying an input-output (or queue-ing) diagram to measure the time and distance spent by vehicles in a queue in a much simpler and self-serving manner than a time-space diagram. The graphic technique requires construction of a curve depicting the cumulative number of vehicles to have reached the back of the queue as a function of time, but, as indicated here, the technique can be easily automated with a spreadsheet. The technique is applied to the simple case of a constant departure rate from a bottleneck and to the slightly more general case of a bottleneck capacity that changes once, which is demonstrated to be applicable to the study of an undersaturated traffic signal. In the course of describing the usefulness of this technique for estimating several measures, including the maximum length of a physical queue and the time when this maximum occurs, the difference between “delay” at a bottleneck and the “time spent in queue,” which appears to have been confused in so...
SUSCEPTIBILITY OF MINK TO CERTAIN VIRAL ANIMAL DISEASES FOREIGN TO THE UNITED STATES

Mink (Mustela vison) were inoculated with viruses: African horse sickness (AHS), African swine fever (ASF), bovine herpes virus II (BHV2), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), goat pox (GP), hog cholera (HC), peste des petits ruminants (PPR), rinderpest (RP), swine vesicular disease (SVD), vesicular exanthema of swine (VES) and vesicular stomatitis (VS). Their susceptibility was measured by development of clinical signs, virus isolation and detection of precipitin and/or virus neutralizing antibodies. SVD virus produced a lesion in one mink. Virus was isolated from mink inoculated with SVD, FMD and BHV2. Neutralizing and/or precipitin antibodies were detected in mink inoculated with ASF, FMD, GP, RP, SVD and VS viruses. Mink were not susceptible to AHS, HC, PPR and VES viruses.
ABC of Statistics for Verification and Validation (V&V) of Simulations of High-Consequence Engineering Systems

We begin this expository essay by reviewing, with examples from the materials and fabrication testing literature, what a typical engineer already knows about statistics. We then consider a central question in engineering decision making, i.e., given a computer simulation of high-consequence systems, how do we verify and validate (V & V) and what are the margins of errors of all the important predicted results? To answer this question, we assert that we need three basic tools that already exist in statistical and metrological sciences: (A) Error Analysis. (B) Experimental Design. (C) Uncertainty Analysis. Those three tools, to be known as A B C of statistics, were developed through a powerful linkage between the statistical and metrological sciences. By extending the key concepts of this linkage from physical experiments to numerical simulations, we propose a new approach to answering the V & V question posed earlier. The key concepts are: (1) Uncertainty as defined in ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (1993). (2) Design of experiments prior to data collection in a randomized or orthogonal scheme to evaluate interactions among model variables. (3) Standard reference benchmarks for calibration, and inter-laboratory studies for “weighted” consensus mean. To illustrate the need for and to discuss the plausibility of this metrology-based approach to V & V, two example problems are presented: (a) the verification of 12 simulations of the deformation of a cantilever beam, and (b) the calculation of a mean time to failure for a uniformly loaded 100-column single-floor steel grillage on fire.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
An experimental basis for revising the graphic rating scale for pain

Seven subjects judged the differences between electrocutaneous shocks and words from two category rating lists describing those sensations in each of two differences estimation experiments. The electrocutaneous shocks used for the two experiments were 10 suprathreshold shock intensities determined separately for each subject. There were two distinct 7-word category rating lists. Both lists shared 6 common words; however, the seventh word made the rational ordering of the two lists different. Magnitude scales of meaning for the category rating words and sensory scales for the electrocutaneous shock intensities were determined for each of the two experiments for each subject using conjoint measurement analysis. Comparisons of the sensory scales for electrocutaneous shock between the two difference estimation experiments for each subject showed that they judged the electrocutaneous shocks similarly with the two words lists. This allowed for comparisons between the scales of meaning for the words from the category rating lists. The two word lists were not equivalent. There was substantial agreement among the subjects on characteristic spacings of quantitative values for the category rating items. These results suggest that clinical ratings scales used for analgesimetry should not assume homogeneity of spacing of category items. A scale incorporating our subjects' common understanding is presented.
Evidence for Interaction Between Granulosa Cells and Theca in Early Progesterone Synthesis

The temporal characteristics of steroidogenesis in vitro by hamster preovulatory follicles, were compared to granulosa cells and theca incubated separately. Gonadotropin-stimulated intact follicles or recombined granulosa cells and theca synthesized increased amounts of progesterone by 30–120 minutes of incubation. The granulosa cells and theca, when incubated separately, did not begin to accumulate progesterone until 4 to 6 hours. The relatively rapid rise in follicular progesterone synthesis after in vitro gonadotropin stimulation follows the same time course as the rapid rise in vivo of hamster and rat preovulatory progesterone after the gonadotropin surge. The sharp differences in the temporal characteristics of progesterone synthesis between follicles and separated follicular cell types suggest an interaction between granulosa cells and theca in at least one phase of progesterone synthesis.
Piggyback basin in the Sevier orogenic belt, Utah: Implications for development of the thrust wedge

Timing data on a frontal thrust system indicate that the Sevier thrust wedge of central Utah advanced rapidly to its ultimate structural front in ∼30 m.y., between early Albian and Campanian time. It then persisted by out-of-sequence thrusting for an additional 25 m.y., until the early Eocene. The key to the history of the frontal thrust is a piggyback basin that formed on the hanging wall. Unconformity-bounded sedimentary units within the basin thin both westward and eastward onto structures generated by thrust faulting. Up to 860 m of upper Campanian to lower Eocene strata accumulated between these structures, which consist of a ramp anticline in the west and a thrust duplex in the east. The newly recognized interaction of coeval deposition and thrust deformation permits revised limits on the inception and longevity of the frontal thrust system.
Anger as a Moderator of Safer Sex Motivation among Low Income Urban Women

Theoretical models suggest that both HIV knowledge and HIV risk perception inform rational decision making and, thus, predict safer sex motivation and behavior. However, the amount of variance explained by knowledge and risk perception is typically small. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated whether the predictive power of HIV knowledge and HIV risk perception on safer sex motivation is affected by trait anger. We hypothesized that anger may disrupt rational decision making, distorting the effects of both HIV knowledge and risk perception on safer sex intentions. Data from 232 low-income, urban women at risk for HIV infection were used to test a path model with past sexual risk behavior, HIV knowledge, and HIV risk perception as predictors of safer sex intentions. Moderator effects of anger on safer sex intentions were tested by simultaneous group comparisons between high-anger and low-anger women (median split). The theoretically expected "rational pattern" was found among low-anger women only, including (a) a positive effect of knowledge on safer sex intentions, and (b) buffer (inhibitor) effects of HIV knowledge and HIV risk perception on the negative path leading from past risk behavior to safer sex intentions. Among high-anger women, an "irrational pattern" emerged, with no effects of HIV knowledge and negative effects of both past risk behavior and HIV risk perception on safer sex intentions. In sum, the results suggest that rational knowledge- and risk-based decisions regarding safer sex may be limited to low-anger women.
Vaginal Small Cell Carcinoma Mimicking a Bartholin's Gland Abscess: A Case Report

We report a case of a 32-year-old woman with a lesion in the vagina which clinically mimicked a Bartholin's gland abscess, but was demonstrated to be a small cell carcinoma by light microscopy. This tumor is very rare and to our knowledge there are 13 reported cases of primary vaginal small cell carcinoma in the English literature. The mean age of presentation of this neoplasm in the 13 reported cases is 61 with a median survival of 12 months. This case stresses the importance of considering this unusual diagnosis when confronted with a large or recurrent "Bartholin's gland lesion," and underlines the need for careful pathological examination of such specimens.
Immediate improvement in lung volume after exogenous surfactant: alveolar recruitment versus increased distention.

To determine whether changes in lung volume may be responsible for the clinical improvement in preterm infants given exogenous surfactant, we measured functional residual capacity (FRC), lung mechanics, and partial pressure of oxygen in seven ventilated neonates (birth weight 1080±361 gm (mean ± SD); gestational age 28.3±2.6 weeks) less than 9 hours of age who had findings typical of hyaline membrane disease. All patients received 100 mg/kg calf lung surfactant extract. FRC was measured by a closed-circuit helium-dilution technique, and lung mechanics were determined by least mean squares analysis, FRC increased in all patients (range 56% to 330%; p p p p
Cubic and hexagonal single-crystal elastic constants of a cobalt--nickel alloy

A cubic single crystal of cobalt-32-wt% nickel was transformed to a hexagonal single crystal by cooling a uniaxially prestressed specimen. Evidence that the transformed specimen is a hexagonal single crystal was obtained by Laue x-ray photographs, surface markings, analysis of the magnitude of sound-wave velocities and the symmetry of their polarizations, and the magnetic field dependence of the attenuation of certain modes. The complete sets of second-order and third-order elastic constants of both the cubic and hexagonal phases were measured. These constants were used to calculate the change in enthalpy upon transformation, and the stacking-fault energy. The results are in good agreement with available thermodynamic data.
Stable isotope substituted spin labels. 2. An improved synthesis of perdeuterio-15N-(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl- 4-piperidinyl)maleimide

Stable isotope substituted spin labels increase the resolution and sensitivity of EPR measurements. An improved synthesis of 15N-(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl- 4-piperidinyl)maleimide has been devised and utilized. This improved synthesis is accomplished in five steps instead of the normally required seven or more.
Potential of a Dried Mycelium Formulation of an Indigenous Strain of Metarhizium anisopliae Against Subterranean Pests of Cranberry

We demonstrated that a dried mycelium formulation of an indigenous strain of Metarhizium anisopliae has good potential as an effective biopesticide against the black vine weevil (BVW), Otiorhynchus sulcatus (F.), and the cranberry girdler (CG), Chrysoteuchia topiaria (Zeller). The formulation was produced at moderate sized batches scales (~ 100g product per batch) using inexpensive and easily obtainable equipment ( 7 months). Percentage of M. anisopl...
A new control amplifier using a saturable current transformer and a switching transistor

The performance of a large portion of electric equipment relies on dependable control amplifiers. Many control systems require fast-responding, compact, and economic amplifiers along with the demand for reliability. Saturable magnetic circuits combined with switching transistors promise good solutions for these control requirements.
Genetic Variants of the Renin Angiotensin System: Effects on Atherosclerosis in Experimental Models and Humans

The renin angiotensin system (RAS) has profound effects on atherosclerosis development in animal models, which is partially complimented by evidence in the human disease. Although angiotensin II was considered to be the principal effector of the RAS, a broader array of bioactive angiotensin peptides have been identified that have increased the scope of enzymes and receptors in the RAS. Genetic interruption of the synthesis of these peptides has not been extensively performed in experimental or human studies. A few studies demonstrate that interruption of a component of the angiotensin peptide synthesis pathway reduces experimental lesion formation. The evidence in human studies has not been consistent. Conversely, genetic manipulation of the RAS receptors has demonstrated that AT1a receptors are profoundly involved in experimental atherosclerosis. Few studies have reported links of genetic variants of angiotensin II receptors to human atherosclerotic diseases. Further genetic studies are needed to define the role of RAS in atherosclerosis.
Duopoly Pricing Under ‘Private Knowledge’ of Product Differentiation

This note studies price decisions in a duopoly industry where firms have private information over the degree of product differentiation (product-type). A Bayesian-Nash price solution is derived assuming firms maximize their ‘certainty-equivalent’ profit levels. The comparative-statics indicate that increased risk aversion over the rival’s product triggers price competition. Consequently, the results of the study suggest revealing information is a higher reward strategy than concealing information in situations where rivals have asymmetric information over product type. These findings contribute to the industrial economic literature by generalizing the Bertrand equilibrium in an asymmetric information game model.
Diffusion of H through Pd-Ag alloys (423-523 K).

H diffusion constants have been determined from steady-state fluxes through Pd−Ag alloy membranes. The upstream side is maintained at a nearly constant pup (and consequently at a nearly constant rup = H/(Pd(1-x)Agx)) atom ratio, whereas the downstream side is at pH2 ≈ 0 (rdown = 0) (423−523 K). It is shown that the permeability is a maximum for atom fraction Ag, XAg = 0.23 (423−523 K) at both pup = 20.3 and 50.6 kPa. DH has been determined for some Pd−Ag alloys as a function of r in the dilute region, and it decreases with r even at small H contents for alloys with XAg < 0.35. The concentration dependence of DH(cH) has been determined for the Pd0.77Ag0.23 alloy over a large concentration range. The effect of nonideality on DH(r) and ED(r) has been systematically determined as a function of XAg, where XAg is the atom fraction of Ag in the H-free alloy. (dDH/dr) increases with XAg up to XAg = 0.35 and then changes from negative to positive at ≈0.35. The activation energies for diffusion, ED(r), have been de...
In vivo quantitative characterization of trabecular bone by NMR interferometry and localized proton spectroscopy.

In trabecular bone the NMR linewidth is found to be governed by the magnetic field inhomogeneity arising from the difference in magnetic permeability between bone and marrow. T21 was measured in vivo in the distal femur by interferometry and localized spectroscopy. Both methods showed T21 to be inversely related to trabecular plate density. © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.
Scintigraphic Assessment of the Regional Distribution and Kinetics of Pharmaceuticals

A lesser known use of imaging studies in drug development is to determine the patterns of deposition, biodistribution, and regional kinetics of drugs in the body. This kind of study is of most interest when the drug is intended for local action following topical administration by inhalation. Imaging provides a convenient noninvasive method for observing initial deposition patterns and their variations caused by variables of the drug’s formulation and delivery method. Though planar gamma imaging is the method that has most often been used, recent years have seen promising demonstrations of SPECT and PET imaging to provide three-dimensional and quantitative measurements of drug deposition. When the goal of a drug is direct local treatment of diseased tissue, delivery of that drug is an important therapeutic variable. Imaging studies allow the drug delivery to be measured and optimized before a drug formulation is committed to clinical trials.
Laparoscopic Ice Slush Renal Hypothermia for Partial Nephrectomy: The Initial Experience

ABSTRACTPurpose: We describe a novel technique of laparoscopic renal hypothermia with intracorporeal ice slush during partial nephrectomy as well as clinical experience with the initial 12 patients.Materials and Methods: A total of 12 select patients with an infiltrating renal tumor who were candidates for nephron sparing surgery underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with renal hypothermia. An Endocatch II (United States Surgical Corp., Norwalk, Connecticut) bag was placed around the mobilized kidney and its drawstring was cinched around the intact renal hilum. The renal artery and vein were occluded en bloc with a Satinsky clamp. The bottom of the engaged bag was retrieved through a 12 mm port site and opened, and ice slush was introduced within the bag to completely surround the kidney. After renal hypothermia was achieved laparoscopic partial nephrectomy was performed by duplicating open surgical techniques. Renal parenchymal temperature was measured using a thermocouple needle in ...
Precision of Geomagnetic Field Measurements in a Tectonically Active Region

A linear regression on standard deviations of differential proton magnetometer measurements at distances from a few meters to 50 kilometers indicates a standard deviation of hourly means that varies with site separation as σ=a+bd where a=0.07±0.08nT, b=0.01±0.003nT/km and d is the site separation in kilometers. At a few meters separation, for sites with low cultural noise in both seismically inactive and active regions, the standard deviation of hourly mean data has a mean of 0.12±0.03nT for instruments with 0.25nT sensitivity and 0.07±0.01nT for instruments with 0.125nT sensitivity. The least-count noise contributions are expected to be less than 0.06nT and 0.03nT, while undetermined instrument noise appears to contribute 0.10 and 0.06nT respectively. Instrument temperature sensitivity does not exceed 0.001nT/°C over a range from-6°C to 21°C. For typical site separations of 10 to 15km throughout the San Andreas fault, estimates of σ for hourly mean data range from 0.15 to 0.3nT depending on local magnetization characteristics. Spectral density estimates indicate difference field noise power decreases with increasing frequency at about 3 db/octave. Dominant spectral peaks occur at diurnal harmonics and at the tidal M2 frequency. Geomagnetic difference-field noise limits measurement capability at all frequencies below about 2 c.p.h. Where instrument precision starts to limit detection capability, instruments of higher sensitivity may be useful.
Integrated copy number and gene expression analysis detects a CREB1 association with Alzheimer’s disease

Genetic variation, both single-nucleotide variations and copy number variations (CNV), contribute to changes in gene expression. In some cases these variations are meaningfully correlated with disease states. We hypothesized that in a genetically heterogeneous disorder such as sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), utilizing gene expression as a quantitative trait and CNVs as a genetic marker map within the same individuals in the context of case-control status may increase the power to detect relevant loci. Using this approach an 8-kb deletion was identified that contains a PAX6-binding site on chr2q33.3 upstream of CREB1 encoding the cAMP responsive element-binding protein1 transcription factor. The association of the CNV to AD was confirmed by a case-control association study consisting of the Texas Alzheimer Research and Care Consortium and NIA-LOAD Family Study data sets.
Differential effect of cysteine-to-serine substitutions in metallothionein on cadmium resistance.

Abstract A set of mutant coding sequences for Chinese hamster metallothionein (MT) 2 in which codons for individual cysteines were replaced by serine codons was cloned into a yeast expression system. MT gene expression was placed under control of a constitutive promoter on a multicopy Escherichia coli-yeast shuttle vector. MTs were expressed in a metal-sensitive host that lacks the endogenous MT gene. The expressed MTs conferred increased metal resistance to the yeast host. A sensitive assay for cadmium resistance was developed in which population doubling times were monitored in rich liquid medium supplemented with a sublethal dose of CdCl2. Measurements on mutants with single cysteine replacements at 12 positions revealed two mutant classes. One class (Cys----Ser at position 5, 13, 19, or 33) did not affect the detoxification capacity of MT. A second class (Cys----Ser at position 7, 15, 26, 29, 44, 48, 50, or 60) conferred to the host markedly less resistance to cadmium. Bridging cysteines were more critical to cadmium resistance. All five bridging cysteine mutants studied (at positions 7, 15, 44, 50, and 60) conferred lower cadmium resistance. In contrast, mutation of four out of seven terminal cysteines (at position 5, 13, 19, or 33) was shown to be inconsequential. Mutations tend to be more detrimental in the alpha domain than in the beta domain in conveying cadmium resistance, suggesting that the contribution of individual cysteine to the detoxification function of MT is site specific.
Metabolic variants of intestinal alkaline phosphatase in relation to fat absorption: in situ demonstration with the organ-specific inhibitors L-phenylalanine and L-homoarginine.

The localization of rat intestinal alkaline phosphatase has been studied in relation to fat absorption. The observations support a theory of conversion, within the intestinal mucosa, of intestinal type to liver type alkaline phosphatase when the criterion of differential sensitivity to two amino acid inhibitors, l-phenylalanine, and l-homoarginine, is applied.
Is there muscle pathology in fibromyalgia syndrome

A number of studies have reported abnormalities in the muscles of fibromyalgia patients. The early studies, some of which indicated morphologic abnormalities, had major problems with patient selection and lacked adequate control groups. More recent studies of morphology have shown only nonspecific or mild changes, perhaps consistent with subtle metabolic abnormalities, especially at tender point sites. Studies of muscle metabolism, however, particularly the more rigorous studies using MR spectroscopy, have failed to confirm abnormalities in muscle metabolism, both at tender and nontender point locations. The abnormalities detected in earlier studies appear to have been confounded by subtle metabolic changes resulting from muscle deconditioning. Studies of muscle blood flow also demonstrate abnormalities that can be explained by deconditioning alone. Studies of muscle strength that show differences between patients and controls can be explained by lack of voluntary effort. A popular theory of the genesis of pain in fibromyalgia syndrome was that excessive muscle tension led to increased excitability of nociceptors in muscle leading to muscle hypertension and chronic pain. Furthermore, defective sympathetic control was proposed to result in disturbed microcirculation and nociceptor excitation. In aggregate, however, studies using EMG techniques show no evidence of excessive muscle tension or defective sympathetic nervous function. Therefore, although muscular pain has been a central feature of fibromyalgia syndrome, controlled studies of muscle fail to support a convincing role for muscle in the pathophysiology of the condition. Muscle tenderness in fibromyalgia cannot be explained on the basis of primary muscle abnormalities, either structural or functional. Future pathophysiologic studies in fibromyalgia should focus on central mechanisms.
Mutation and Selection Pressure during Adaptation of Influenza Virus to Mice.

Abstract Egg-line strains of type A′ and type B influenza viruses which are sensitive to the hemagglutinin-inhibiting and neutralizing activity of β-inhibitor may produce mutants which are resistant to β-inhibitor. These resistant mutants may be selected in ovo by introducing β-inhibitor in the form of bovine serum into the allantoic cavity. Resistant virus thus isolated has a more rapid growth rate and an enhanced survival advantage in mouse lungs and is pathogenic on initial inoculation into mice. By the method and equation of Luria and Delbruck Luria and Delbruck, 1943 , Newcombe, 1948 , the mutation rate from sensitivity to resistance to β-inhibitor has been calculated to be between 3.3 × 10−8 and 7.0 × 10−9 for different strains of influenza virus. During the adaptation of sensitive virus to mice, mixed populations of sensitive and resistant particles can be detected immediately prior to the appearance of extensive pulmonary consolidation. The proportion of resistant particles in the population rapidly increases until the majority are resistant, at which time the virus is adapted. Resistant virus does not appear to be enzymatically active against β-inhibitor.
Genomic regions responsible for manganese superoxide dismutase regulation in Drosophila melanogaster

Summary The transcription of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), expression of which is essential for detoxification of superoxide radicals from mitochondria, has been shown to be regulated in vitro by many factors and conditions including oxidative stress, cytokines, lipopolysaccharide, cytoplasmic myc (c-myc), p53 and tumour necrosis factors. Here we describe genomic regions in Drosophila melanogaster with regulatory effects on transcription of the MnSOD gene at an organism-wide level. To understand the integrated regulation of MnSOD expression we screened chromosomes of D. melanogaster to locate deficiencies that altered the expression of MnSOD. Suppressors of MnSOD were screened by assessing the relative message abundance of MnSOD in 149 deletions covering approximately 81% of the Drosophila genome. The chromosomal deficiency Df(2R)017 significantly up-regulated MnSOD mRNA by 1.7-fold. Deficiency in four other genomic intervals, Df(1)ct-J4, Df(2L)BSC4, Df(3L)66C-G28 and Df(3R)Scr, down-regulated MnSOD expression. Changes in MnSOD expression were positively associated with paraquat sensitivity of the deletion genotypes. Thus, at least one candidate enhancer and four candidate suppressors exist in the Drosophila genome to regulate the transcriptional activity of the MnSOD gene in vivo.
Coronin 1B Regulates S1P-Induced Human Lung Endothelial Cell Chemotaxis: Role of PLD2, Protein Kinase C and Rac1 Signal Transduction

Coronins are a highly conserved family of actin binding proteins that regulate actin-dependent processes such as cell motility and endocytosis. We found that treatment of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs) with the bioactive lipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) rapidly stimulates coronin 1B translocation to lamellipodia at the cell leading edge, which is required for S1P-induced chemotaxis. Further, S1P-induced chemotaxis of HPAECs was attenuated by pretreatment with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting coronin 1B (∼36%), PLD2 (∼45%) or Rac1 (∼50%) compared to scrambled siRNA controls. Down regulation PLD2 expression by siRNA also attenuated S1P-induced coronin 1B translocation to the leading edge of the cell periphery while PLD1 silencing had no effect. Also, S1P-induced coronin 1B redistribution to cell periphery and chemotaxis was attenuated by inhibition of Rac1 and over-expression of dominant negative PKC δ, e and ζ isoforms in HPAECs. These results demonstrate that S1P activation of PLD2, PKC and Rac1 is part of the signaling cascade that regulates coronin 1B translocation to the cell periphery and the ensuing cell chemotaxis.
Pathobiology of Human Germ Cell Neoplasia

The term germ cell neoplasia is used today histogenetically to define a rather heterogeneous group of tumors whose origin and morphogenesis can be best explained by postulating that they all originate from germ cells. Since most germ cells reside in the gonads, germ cell tumors are predominantly located in the testis and the ovary. However, morphologically identical tumors occur in extragonadal sites as well, raising at least some doubts about an obligatory germ cell derivation of these neoplasms. Is it possible that some of the extragonadal tumors are not of germ cell origin but rather derived from developmentally pluripotent embryonic or even extraembryonic cells displaced to these sites during the development? Are the stem cells in all the germ cell tumors of man, irrespective of their origin, identical or do they bear unique features imprinted during their development in different sites? Are the stem cells of a monomorphic, developmentally nullipotent embryonal carcinoma (EC) equivalent to the stem cells of a teratocarcinoma (mixed germ cell tumor)? Developmentally they are obviously different since the nullipotent EC cannot differentiate into many other cells and tissues, whereas the stem cells of teratocarcinoma give rise to various somatic and extraembryonic cell forms. However, since these cells are morphologically indistinguishable from one another and may express the same cell surface antigens (Andrews 1988), one would be inclined to conclude that they are indeed identical. However, what should take precedence for taxonomic purposes: the developmental potential or the cell phenotype? Could the chromosomal and genetic markers help out in this respect and what would represent the conclusive evidence that would definitively resolve all the dilemmas?
Gold(I) ethylene and copper(I) ethylene complexes supported by a polyhalogenated triazapentadienyl ligand.

A rare gold(I) ethylene complex and the closely related copper(I) ethylene adduct have been isolated using [N{(C3F7)C(2,6-Cl2C6H3)N}2]− as the supporting ligand. [N{(C3F7)C(2,6-Cl2C6H3)N}2]Au(C2H4) (1) is an air-stable solid. It features a U-shaped triazapentadienyl ligand backbone and a three-coordinate, trigonal-planar gold center. The copper(I) adduct [N{(C3F7)C(2,6-Cl2C6H3)N}2]Cu(C2H4) (2) also has a similar structure. The 13C NMR signal corresponding to the ethylene carbons of 1 appears at about 64 ppm upfield from the free ethylene, while the ethylene carbons of 2 show a relatively smaller (39 ppm) upfield shift. [N{(C3F7)C(2,6-Cl2C6H3)N}2]M(C2H4) (M = Cu, Au) mediate carbene-transfer reactions from ethyl diazoacetate to saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons.
High efficiency cavity-backed log-periodic antenna

High efficiency uni-directional log-periodic antenna with low-profile cavity-backing is presented. The proposed concept offers a novel approach for transforming a broadband bi-directional aperture to a uni-directional antenna. To eliminate lossy materials inside the cavity, a parasitic cross bow-tie slot with controlled coupling and dissipation is introduced at the bottom of the cavity. The numerical and experimental results show VSWR 1.5dBi and average efficiency of 82% from 0.55GHz to 6GHz.
Applying evolutionary computation to mitigate uncertainty in dynamically-adaptive, high-assurance middleware

In this paper, we explore the integration of evolutionary computation into the development and run-time support of dynamically-adaptable, high-assurance middleware. The open-ended nature of the evolutionary process has been shown to discover novel solutions to complex engineering problems. In the case of high-assurance adaptive software, however, this search capability must be coupled with rigorous development tools and run-time support to ensure that the resulting systems behave in accordance with requirements. Early investigations are reviewed, and several challenging problems and possible research directions are discussed.
Methods for estimation of subsample time delays of digitized echo signals

Time delay estimation (TDE) is commonly performed in practice by crosscorrelation of digitized echo signals. Since time delays are generally not integral multiples of the sampling period, the location of the largest sample of the crosscorrelation function (ccf) is an inexact estimator of the location of the peak. Therefore, one must interpolate between the samples of the ccf to improve the estimation precision. Using theory and simulations, we review and compare the performance of several methods for interpolation of the ccf. The maximum likelihood approach to interpolation is the application of a reconstruction filter to the discrete ccf. However, this method can only be approximated in practice and can be computationally intensive. For these reasons, a simple method is widely used that involves fitting a parabola (or other curve) to samples of the ccf in the neighborhood of its peak. We describe and compare two curve-fitting methods: parabolic and cosine interpolation. Curve-fitting interpolation can yield biased time-delay estimates, which may preclude the use of these methods in some applications. The artifactual effect of these bias errors on elasticity imaging by elastography is discussed. We demonstrate that reconstructive interpolation is unbiased. An iterative implementation of the reconstruction procedure is proposed that can reduce the computation time significantly.
A comparison of four buprenorphine dosing regimens in the treatment of opioid dependence.

Objectives This study compared 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96-hour buprenorphine dosing regimens in opioid-dependent outpatients. Methods Fourteen subjects received buprenorphine in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Daily sublingual maintenance doses were 4 mg/70 kg (n = 5) and 8 mg/70 kg (n = 9). After a stabilization period of maintenance administration, subjects received, in a random order, four dosing regimens for five repetitions of each regimen: a maintenance dose every 24 hours, a doubled maintenance dose every 48 hours, a tripled maintenance dose every 72 hours, and a quadrupled maintenance dose every 96 hours. In the latter three dosing regimens, subjects received placebo on the interposed day(s). Study participation was contingent on opioid abstinence and daily clinic attendance. Measures of subjective opioid agonist and withdrawal effects were assessed daily. Results Relative to standard maintenance dosing, none of the higher doses induced agonist effects. Changes in indices of subjective withdrawal effects were noted as the time since the last active dose increased during intermittent dosing regimens, but the magnitude of these effects was relatively low and was comparable to those found in other alternate-day dosing studies. Conclusions These results support the feasibility and safety of twice weekly buprenorphine dosing regimens. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1999) 66, 306–314; doi:
Influence of Thiouracil on Growth and Fattening in Broilers

Abstract THE role of the thyroid gland in the regulation of general body metabolism, metamorphosis, growth and development is well known. Although obesity is often associated with hypothyroidism this is not always the case and the available experimental evidence does not indicate that thyroid dysfunction is the chief cause of extreme fat deposition. However, thyroidectomy is often followed by increased body weight in hyperthyroid humans. Andrews and Bullard (1940–1943) reported that beef steers gained at an increased rate following partial thyroidectomy. The rate of gain was markedly increased during the first six post-recovery weeks but was subsequently reduced to approximately pre-operative levels following hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the thyroid gland remnants. Surgical removal of the thyroid is a useful experimental procedure but has little application in practical livestock production. The discovery of orally active thyroid inhibiting substances has opened up a new field of investigation in applied animal physiology. Richter . . .
Increased mannitol excretion in controlled hereditary galactosemia.

Abstract Elevated urinary excretion of mannitol was found in patients with hereditary galactosemia who were under dietary control but were still excreting galactitol. The significance of this finding is discussed.
Distribution of static charge in a free turbulent jet

Abstract The transport of electrical charge in a free turbulent jet is studied. The jet is assumed to be fully submerged in a surrounding fluid which is free of charge far from the jet. The conservation equations governing the charge density and fluid velocity are solved simultaneously using the “Box” numerical method. This technique results in the same degree of accuracy for both the charge density and the velocity solutions. The charge density is characterized by a single dimensionless parameter L equal to the product of the Peclet number and the dimensionless Debye length. The dimensionless Debye length is given by the Debye length divided by the initial radius of the jet. Two sets of initial conditions are considered; one set assumes constant velocity and charge distribution at the jet inlet; the other uses inlet charge and velocity profiles based on the solution of the fluid momentum and charge governing equations for a turbulent pipe flow. The second set of conditions is intended to model the condition of a jet issuing from a turbulent flow in a long pipe. Results show that the qualitative behavior of the charge distribution is the same for both sets of initial conditions. For L 5000. In this extreme the charge density extends into the jet far-field.
Compound Semiconductor as CMOS Channel Material: Déjà vu or New Paradigm?

We have examined the potential of double gate (DG) inter-band tunnel FETs (TFET) in 3 different material systems, Si, Ge and InAs, for logic circuit applications down to 0.25 V supply voltage (VCC). Based on the two-dimensional numerical drift-diffusion simulations, we conclude that 30 nm gate length InAs (indium arsenide) based TFETs can achieve Ion/Ioff of > 4x104 with < 1 ps intrinsic delay at 0.25 V VCC. In fact, the InAs TFETs show the maximum benefit when their supply voltage VCC is scaled aggressively down to 0.25 V and this benefit primarily arises from a) efficient tunneling under low electric field and b) their higher source-side injection velocity. MOSFETs or quantum-well FETs in this low VDD range do not even meet the Ion-Ioff stipulation of 104.
Identification of parameters in the 2-D IHCP

Abstract We present a numerical marching scheme, based on mollification and the general cross validation methods, to determine the diffusivity coefficient, as well as the temperature and heat flux histories, in the two-dimensional inverse heat conduction problem when noisy data at the active boundary and the initial measured temperature distribution are given. No information about the quality and/or quantity of the noise is assumed. A proof of stability and convergence of the algorithm, together with several numerical examples, are provided.
Elementary abelian p-subgroups of algebraic groups

Let ~ be an algebraically closed field and let G be a finite-dimensional algebraic group over N which is nearly simple, i.e. the connected component of the identity G O is perfect, C6(G °) = Z(G °) and G°/Z(G °) is simple. We classify maximal elementary abelian p-subgroups of G which consist of semisimple elements, i.e. for all primes p ~ char K. Call a group quasisimple if it is perfect and is simple modulo the center. Call a subset of an algebraic group total if it is in a toms; otherwise nontoral. For several quasisimple algebraic groups and p = 2, we define complexity, and give local criteria for whether an elementary abelian 2-subgroup of G is total. For all primes, we analyze the nontoral examples, include a classification of all the maximal elementary abelian p-groups, many of the nonmaximal ones, discuss their normalizers and fusion (i.e. how conjugacy classes of the ambient algebraic group meet the subgroup). For some cases, we give a very detailed discussion, e.g. p = 3 and G of type E6, E 7 and E 8. We explain how the presence of spin up and spin down elements influences the structure of projectively elementary abelian 2-groups in Spin(2n, C). Examples of an elementary abelian group which is nontoral in one algebraic group but toral in a larger one are noted. Two subsets of a maximal torus are conjugate in G iff they are conjugate in the normalizer of the torus; this observation, with our discussion of the nontoral cases, gives a detailed guide to the possibilities for the embedding of an elementary abelian p-group in G. To give an application of our methods, we study extraspecial p-groups in E8(~).
Nonlinear optical properties of plasmonic nanoparticles: The influence of material, size, shape and solvent

Suspensions of Au and Ag plasmonic nanoparticles, irradiated with 532-nm, ns-long pulses, exhibit nonlinear absorption, nonlinear scattering and saturable absorption. Laser-induced damage is suppressed by >100x when the solvent is toluene instead of water.
Fetus-saving Caesarian rejection by pregnant woman: a case study.

A PATIENT presents to OB triage at 32 weeks with contractions and the head of the fetus compressing the cord. She has had no prenatal care. Nonsurgical interventions have been attempted and have failed. She is in stable condition, but the fetus is not receiving blood and is at risk of imminent death without emergent Caesarian section. The patient resolutely refuses surgical delivery despite expressing a clear understanding of the CME INFORMATION