cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of calcium withdrawal and agents affecting calcium translocation on agonist-induced contractions of the rabbit ovarian artery.

SUMMARY 1. The effect of extracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) depletion, diltiazem, D-600 and TMB-8 on potassium (K+), norepinephrine-(NE) and histamine-induced contractions of the rabbit isolated ovarian artery was studied. 2. K+-induced contractions, which were biphasic, were rapidly lost (∼ 5 min) when calcium was removed from the physiological saline solution (O-Ca2+ PSS). NE and histamine-induced contractions also declined rapidly under nominal O-Ca2+ conditions without any evidence of a depletion resistant component. However, after 1 h under these conditions there was a partial restoration of their responses. 3. EGTA (10-3 mol/l) abolished these contractions to NE and histamine but not those in normal PSS. 4. Diltiazem and D-600 were more effective against K+-induced than NE- and histamine-induced contractions while the intracellular Ca2+ antagonist TMB-8 was equally effective against all three responses. 5. Histamine could still evoke contraction of the K+-contracted ovarian artery after this had been completely abolished with diltiazem or D-600 but not TMB-8. 6. These results are interpreted to suggest that K+, NE and histamine probably release intracellular Ca2+ to evoke contractions of the ovarian artery. They differ, however, in the mechanisms they employ to facilitate entry of extracellular calcium, which in turn leads to intracellular calcium release.
A unified multiaxial fatigue damage model for isotropic and anisotropic materials

A unified multiaxial fatigue damage model based on a characteristic plane approach is proposed in this paper, integrating both isotropic and anisotropic materials into one framework. Compared with most available critical plane-based models for multiaxial fatigue problem, the physical basis of the characteristic plane does not rely on the observations of the fatigue crack in the proposed model. The cracking information is not required for multiaxial fatigue analysis and the proposed model can automatically adapt for very different materials experiencing different failure modes. The effect of the mean normal stress is also included in the proposed model. The results of the proposed fatigue life prediction model are validated using experimental results of metals as well as unidirectional and multidirectional composite laminates.
Collaborative Web-Based Project on Tourism and Marketing

Summarized in this article is a three-phased process for planning and implementing a web based project in marketing and tourism classes.
Reye syndrome: an international perspective

An international perspective of Reye syndrome provides insights not noticeable with a parochial perspective. Sources of variation in Reye syndrome include geographic factors. The disappearance of Reye syndrome occurred globally, raising doubts about the importance of regional efforts to eliminate specific putative causes.
Idler Circuits in Varactor Frequency Multipliers

This paper presents a general large-signal analysis for frequency multiplication with "lossy" abrupt-junction varactors. A Fourier-series representation of the current, the nonlinear elastance and the voltage is used to obtain exact closed-form solutions. Lossless coupling networks are considered in the theory so that the performance limits obtained will be fundamental to the varactor itself. Additional circuit losses can be added quite simply to find the expected performance in a practical case. Idler currents (currents flowing at frequencies other than the input and output frequencies) are shown to be necessary for multiplication by integers greater than two with abrupt-junction varactors. The effects of these currents are included in the general theory and a particular case, the tripler, is completely solved to demonstrate the procedures involved and to show the performance limits set by varactor and idler losses. Graphs which show the comparative theoretical performance of several multipliers are presented.
Forum for Organizational Change in Health Professions Education

(2001). Forum for Organizational Change in Health Professions Education. Journal of Interprofessional Care: Vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 297-299.
Ichnofossils of the alluvial Willwood Formation (lower Eocene), Bighorn Basin, northwest Wyoming, U.S.A

Abstract The ichnofossil assemblage of the lower Eocene Willwood Formation consists of at least nine distinct endichnia that are preserved in full relief. Four forms (three ichnogenera and four ichnospecies) are new and represent fodinichnia and domichnia of oligochaete worms, an insect or spider, an unknown vertebrate (probably a mammal), and domichnia of an unidentified organism. Other potential trace makers of the ichnofauna include insects, mollusks, and decapods. In contrast to an Egyptian Oligocene fluvial ichnofauna produced largely by animals that burrowed in stream channel deposits, the Willwood assemblage is principally of flood-plain origin. Though the ichnofauna occurs in a variety of paleosol types, most of the fossils are restricted in distribution to specific sediment and soil types and, within paleosols, to specific identifiable horizons. This attribute will make them valuable indiced of paleoenvironment once they are better known in other ancient alluvial sequences. The environment suggested by the Willwood trace fossils (damp, but not wet soils with fluctuating water tables) is consistent with the warm temperate to subtropical (possibly monsoonal) conditions that are interpreted for the Willwood Formation by independent evidence of body fossils and paleopedology.
Impact of economic policies on reducing tobacco use among Medicaid clients in New York

Abstract Background New York State (NYS) recently implemented Medicaid coverage for prescription pharmacologic adjuncts for cessation and a 55-cent excise tax on a pack of cigarettes. This study examined awareness and use of stop smoking medications and changes in smoking/purchasing behavior among Medicaid clients. Methods Participants ( n = 173) were English-speaking Medicaid clients ages 18–64 years who currently smoked cigarettes and volunteered to be interviewed while waiting to reregister with the NYC Medicaid Office during early 2001. Data were collected using a brief (10-min) interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results Over 80% of Medicaid clients reported some desire to stop smoking and 40% intended to stop smoking in the next 6 months. Awareness of Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation pharmacotherapy was 7% for nicotine replacement therapy and 13% for bupropion. Use of these stop smoking medications varied across products but in general was low ( Conclusions The majority of Medicaid clients report a desire to stop smoking, but these economic influences alone are insufficient to substantially reduce smoking in this population. These findings emphasize the importance of allocating a portion of tobacco tax revenue to promote both expanded awareness of this prescription benefit among Medicaid clients and to support programs to further assist low-income smokers in their attempts to stop smoking.
Mechanics of subsurface void nucleation in delamination wear

Abstract An analysis of the mechanics of void nucleation around subsurface hard particles during delamination wear is presented. The analysis is based on the state of subsurface stress and the accumulation of plastic deformation after each passage of a slider asperity. It is shown that voids can only nucleate in a small region below the sliding contact and that the depth of this region increases with increases of both the normal load and the friction coefficient. Under a given situation, voids first nucleate in a small region below the surface after 1–10 asperity passes. During subsequent passes void nucleation becomes possible deeper below the surface. The number of passes required for void nucleation at a given depth is found to decrease with increasing friction coefficient. The analysis indicates that either void nucleation or crack propagation can control the wear rate depending on the materials and the sliding conditions.
Library Outreach to Part-Time and Distance Education Instructors

As community colleges rely on part-time faculty and offer more online courses, faculty teaching in those capacities may not be as connected to the college as their full-time, on-campus counterparts. They may know very little about the library; in turn their students may not learn what the library has to offer. This article provides suggestions for library outreach for part-time and distance education faculty.
5-Azacytidine Inhibits Adipocytic Conversion of Human Skin Fibroblasts by Kirsten Murine Sarcoma Virus and Dexamethasone

Transformation of human skin fibroblasts (SF) by the Kirsten murine sarcoma virus (KiMSV) is associated with their neodifferentiation1 into preadipose cells. Hydrocortisone or dexamethasone
Biomarkers of Premalignant Breast Disease and Their Use as Surrogate Endpoints in Clinical Trials of Chemopreventive Agents

: Surrogate endpoint biomarkers (SEBs) are tissue changes observed in premalignant disease that highly correlate with cancer risk. They are urgently needed as endpoints in clinical trials of chemopreventive agents for breast premalignant disease because they require less time, money and effort compared to the conventional endpoint of cancer incidence reduction. The program of the Chemoprevention Branch, NCI, is supporting 30 clinical trials of various chemopreventive agents for premalignant disease in different organ systems that are being monitored by the SEBs of DNA aneuploidy, abnormally high proliferative index, abnormal nuclear morphometry (aberrant size, shape, texture, and pleomorphism) and nucleolar number, position in the nucleus, and morphometry. Evidence from the literature permits the expectation that in premalignant breast disease these SEBs, when measured by computer-assisted quantitative image analysis, will accurately predict the risk of recurrence of breast DCIS after lumpectomy.
Talking About Machines, Thick Description, and Knowledge Work

In the decade since the publication of Julian Orr’s Talking About Machines: An Ethnography of a Modern Job, the field of organization studies has yet to develop a rich and complete picture of the world of knowledge workers. In this essay, I argue that organization theory would benefit if scholars followed Orr’s lead and devoted increased ethnographic attention to knowledge and technical work. Thick descriptions of the situated work practices of knowledge workers would help us understand the complex relationship of work, occupations, and organizations. In particular, I suggest further investigation of the intersection of occupational communities within organizations, as well as additional empirical studies of networks of practice that extend beyond organizational boundaries.
New numerical method of solving the acoustical scattering equation with applications to seismic wave equation tomography

We present a new moment method of solving the acoustical scattering equation, and then apply this method to non-linear wave equation tomography. We describe the formulation, the implementation, and numerical testing of the method. The main characteristic of this method is that a bilinear basis function is used instead of a pulse basis function to evaluate the Green function, total field, and scattering potential at any arbitrary point of the image region. In this way, the integral equation may be discretized to arbitrary fineness in order to increase the accuracy of the computations. From simulation tests, we find that this method is accurate and the number of unknowns can be greatly reduced. Finally, we utilize this method in solving a non-linear wave equation inverse problem. The simulation results show that this method is effective and very useful for both forward and inverse problems.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Relativistic many-body calculations of energies, E2, and M1 transition rates of 4s24p states in Ga-like ions

Abstract Ionization energies, fine-structure splitting of 4s 2 4p states, and magnetic-dipole and electric-quadrupole transition rates for the 4s 2 4p 2 P 1/2 –4s 2 4p 2 P 3/2 transition are calculated for Ga-like ions with nuclear charge Z ranging from 31 to 100. First-, second-, third-order, and all-order Coulomb energies and first- and second-order Coulomb–Breit energies are calculated. Electric-quadrupole and magnetic-dipole matrix elements are evaluated to calculate the lifetime of the 4s 2 4p 2 P 3/2 state. The matrix elements are calculated using both relativistic many-body perturbation theory, complete through third order, and the relativistic all-order method restricted to single and double excitations. These calculations provide a theoretical benchmark for comparison with experiment and theory.
Discula destructiva sp. nov., cause of dogwood anthracnose.

A detailed description is provided of the coelomycetous fungus causing dogwood anthracnose on Cornus florida, C. kousa and C. nuttallii in North America. Conidiomata are acervular and subcuticular ...
Noninvasive Programmed Ventricular Stimulation Early After Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation to Predict Risk of Late Recurrence

Objectives The goal of this study was to evaluate the ability of noninvasive programmed stimulation (NIPS) after ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation to identify patients at high risk of recurrence. Background Optimal endpoints for VT ablation are not well defined. Methods Of 200 consecutive patients with VT and structural heart disease undergoing ablation, 11 had clinical VT inducible at the end of ablation and 11 recurred spontaneously. Of the remaining 178 patients, 132 underwent NIPS through their implantable cardioverter-defibrillator 3.1 ± 2.1 days after ablation. At 2 drive cycle lengths, single, double, and triple right ventricular extrastimuli were delivered to refractoriness. Clinical VT was defined by comparison with 12-lead electrocardiograms and stored implantable cardioverter-defibrillator electrograms from spontaneous VT episodes. Patients were followed for 1 year. Results Fifty-nine patients (44.7%) had no VT inducible at NIPS; 49 (37.1%) had inducible nonclinical VT only; and 24 (18.2%) had inducible clinical VT. Patients with inducible clinical VT at NIPS had markedly decreased 1-year VT-free survival compared to those in whom no VT was inducible ( 80%; p = 0.001), including 33% recurring with VT storm. Patients with inducible nonclinical VT only, had intermediate 1-year VT-free survival (65%). Conclusions When patients with VT and structural heart disease have no VT or nonclinical VT only inducible at the end of ablation or their condition is too unstable to undergo final programmed stimulation, NIPS should be considered in the following days to further define risk of recurrence. If clinical VT is inducible at NIPS, repeat ablation may be considered because recurrence over the following year is high.
The ability of calcium to change cyclic AMP from a stimulator to an inhibitor to thymic lymphoblast proliferation.

Calcium is a major regulator of thymic lymphoblast proliferation in vivo and in vitro. The proliferative activity of the lymphoblasts in thymic lymphocyte (thymocyte) populations in vitro is both constant and low in the presence of calcium concentrations between 0 and 1.0 mM, but higher concentrations increase proliferation by an endogenous cyclic AMP-mediated promotion of the initiation of DNA synthesis. Lower concentrations (10−7 to 10−5 M) of exogenous cyclic AMP (but not 5′-AMP) stimulate lymphoblast proliferation in a low-calcium (0.5 mM) medium, but higher concentrations do not. However, all exogenous cyclic AMP concentrations between 10−7 and 10−3 M (but again not 5′-AMP) block the stimulation of lymphoblast proliferation in a high-calcium (1.5 mM) medium. Exogenous cyclic AMP does not prevent calcium from “activating” lymphoblasts, but it reversibly blocks the reaction responsible for the initiation of DNA synthesis in these stimulated cells. Finally, cyclic AMP's inhibitory action, in contrast to its stimulatory action in low-calcium medium, is not specific for the cyclic nucleotide since a low, non-mitogenic concentration of cyclic GMP also prevents calcium from stimulating DNA synthesis and cell proliferation.
Soft-Chip Combining MIMO Multicarrier CDMA Antijam System

Multicarrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) systems using complex quadratic spreading sequences facilitate frequency- or time-domain chip combining to mitigate different types of jamming. In this paper, anti-jamming receivers estimating the jammer state information (JSI) and using them for chip combining in frequency- and time-domains to suppress partial band noise jamming (PBNJ) and pulse jamming (PJ), respectively, are studied for a turbo coded constant envelope multicarrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) system with cyclic delay diversity (CDD). A soft JSI (S-JSI) based chip combining technique is proposed that outperforms the conventional hard JSI (H-JSI) based chip combining by at least 1.75 dB at BER of 10-4 under both types of jamming. It is also shown that without pilot assisted a priori JSI, iterative despreading (includes JSI estimation and chip combining), demapping and decoding (IDDD) has almost similar performance as one-shot despreading followed by iterative demapping and decoding (IDD)
A classroom auction with externalities: Applied to mergers and acquisitions

The authors describe an in-class exercise in which students participate in an auction to buy US Airways. The exercise is based on events of late 1995, in which neither United nor American Airlines decided to bid for US Airways. Two teams of students participate in an English auction. Students learn that the equilibrium of the sequential game is that neither firm bid and, thereby, learn why US Airways did not sell at that time. In addition, two other teams participate in a sealed-bid auction, in which US Airways will sell in Nash equilibrium. Results typically have lined up with theoretical predictions.
Disordered Gambling and Its treatment

Abstract Pathological gambling is an increasing concern with the growth of legalized gambling opportunities, and clinicians who provide general psychotherapy, as well as those specializing in some disorders, are likely to encounter patients with gambling problems. This review article describes the diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling and screening methods for identifying individuals with gambling problems. Problem and pathological gambling are more likely to occur in certain populations, such as among individuals with substance use, mood and anxiety disorders, and medical problems. However, few pathological gamblers seek specialized gambling treatment. This paper reviews different forms of treatments that have been applied to gamblers, along with evidence of their efficacy. Clinical guidelines for identifying and treating gambling problems are outlined as well.
Special considerations for bloodborne pathogens in the PACU

Abstract Routine care of postoperative patients implies considerable exposure to blood products as well as to coughs and secretions. In the PACU coughed secretions are often frankly contaminated with blood, and coughing is unpredictable after airway irritation. For these reasons, PACU nurses are exposed to many small inocula of potentially infected blood products. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding transmission of viral pathogens to health care workers, particularly hepatitis and human immunodeficiency viruses. Although the risk of acquiring these bloodborne pathogens from patients via coughs or splashes is small, the precise risks have not been quantified, and the stakes are high. Protection of PACU personnel by the use of universal precautions should be a routine part of patient care in the PACU.
Fluconazole Failure in the Treatment of Invasive Mycoses

Fluconazole is a recently licensed antifungal agent that has gained widespread use in the medical community. Despite a lack of controlled trials in invasive fungal infections, this agent is often prescribed because of ease of administration and concern over amphotericin B toxicity. Three cases of systemic fungal infections in which fluconazole use resulted in unambiguous microbiologic and clinical failure are reported.
Development of Tolerance to Pentobarbital

Abstract Tolerance to pentobarbital developed 4 hr. after the first injection and reached a peak at 17–22 hr., after which it decreased to nonsignificant levels by 48 hr. The duration and frequency of administration of pentobarbital affected the degree of development of tolerance to pentobarbital. PTI (Percentage Tolerance Index) decreased progressively with the increase in the number of injections. When four injections were given within the span of 28 hr., the animals showed a greater degree of tolerance on the third injection which was administered 24 hr. after the initial injection. Tolerance was also present on the fourth injection but to a lesser degree when compared with the third injection. The experimental data from this study suggest that tolerance to pentobarbital does develop and is the result of the pentobarbital stimulating its own metabolizing enzyme.
Fragmentation and patch size shape genetic structure of brook trout populations

We tested the relative influence of habitat patch size and connectivity on genetic structure and effective population size in eight brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) habitat patches in a watershed in Virginia, USA. Variation at eight microsatellite loci in 2229 young-of-the-year brook trout for two successive cohorts (2010 and 2011) was examined. Genetic differentiation across all populations was pronounced. Overall F` ST was 0.397 (95% CI: 0.322–0.525) and overall FST was 0.124 (95% CI: 0.096–0.159). Above-barrier patch size had a strong positive relationship with genetic diversity, N^b , and genetic differentiation. Our analysis is consistent with greater extinction risk in smaller above-barrier patches. Larger above-barrier patches contained greater genetic diversity but reduced N^b relative to adjacent below-barrier patches. The primary effect of barriers may be to reduce available above-barrier spawning habitat, even for larger above-barrier patches. Below-barrier patches also showed evidence of re...
Strategic groups and competitive enactment: a study of dynamic relationships between mental models and performance

This study used computer-assisted content analysis of more than four hundred presidents' letters to shareholders to examine empirical linkages between cognitive strategic groups clustered by themes in the reports and strategic groups clustered by performance. We found these groups converged as predicted by the literature, and that mental models and performance are involved in a recursive process of competitive enactment which contributes to strategic group stability. Our research used inductively derived themes from the letters to structure a mental model widely shared in the pharmaceutical industry, and then employed thematic variations to find stable clusters of companies. These thematic clusters were triangulated with the strategic groups from a published study of the same industry, in the same period, and were shown to converge. Additionally, longitudinal linkages between earlier mental models of strategic goals and later reports of performance were found. The findings of our large-scale empirical study support strategic group theory, demonstrate a novel approach to data mining, and pose questions for future research. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Competitive Advantage of Taiwan

(1994). The Competitive Advantage of Taiwan. Asia Pacific Business Review: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 90-112.
Effects of Captopril and Propranolol on Cognitive Function and Cerebral Blood Flow in Aged Hypertensive Rats

Chronic hypertension has been reported to produce adverse cognitive effects in elderly individuals, perhaps by altering central nervous system hemodynamics. The beneficial or adverse effects of antihypertensive drugs on these processes are not well understood. We examined the effects of catopril (90 mglkglday) and propranolol (80 mg/kg/day) on cognitive function and brain blood flow in hypertensive and normotensive rats. Cognitive function was assessed by the Morris water maze, and regional brain blood flow was measured by the [ u C]iodoantipyrine method. Nineteen-month' old propranolol-treated hypertensive rats exhibited poorer performance (p < .05) than control rats and had lower brain blood flows, particularly in white matter regions (p < .01). Captopril-treated hypertensive rats did not differ significantly from control rats with regard to either cognitive performance or brain blood flow. In the normotensive rats, there were no effects of either drug on cognitive performance or brain blood flow. Thus, blood pressure reduction by propranolol but not captopril has an adverse effect on cognitive function and brain blood flow in hypertensive rats. 'T'HERE is considerable evidence that long-standing hyA pertension is associated with decreased performance on certain cognitive tests, particularly in elderly individuals
Effect of fuel composition on the performance of ceramic-based solid oxide fuel cell anodes

Abstract Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes based on electronically conducting ceramics have potential advantages over conventional Ni–YSZ anodes, including better fuel flexibility, stability under redox cycling, and sulfur tolerance. Here we report on anodes based on La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Cr 0.98 V 0.02 O 3 that also contained Ce 0.9 Gd 0.1 O 1.95 (GDC) and a small amount (5 wt.%) of NiO, and describe results for these electrodes in SOFCs with GDC electrolytes. Microstructural evaluation showed the desired porous microstructure. Metallic Ni, if present in the anodes after reduction, was below the X-ray diffraction detection limit; the Ni may instead have dissolved in the perovskite phase. Cell performance with hydrogen was evaluated using current–voltage measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy — anode polarization resistance values were generally larger than typically reported for Ni–YSZ anodes under comparable test conditions. The SOFCs were found to operate well with slightly humidified hydrocarbon fuels including methane, ethane, propane, and butane, but showed slight degradation over several hours apparently due to coking. However, initial cell performance was recovered by switching to H 2 fuel or by exposing the anodes to air. Cell performance was stable during several hydrogen–air and propane–air reduction–oxidation cycles.
Parallel Beam Approximation for Calculation of Detection Efficiency of Crystals in PET Detector Arrays

In this work we propose a parallel beam approximation for the computation of the detection efficiency of crystals in a PET detector array. In this approximation the detection efficiency of a crystal is estimated using the distance between source and the crystal and the pre-calculated detection cross section of the crystal in a crystal array which is calculated for a uniform parallel beam of gammas. The pre-calculated detection cross sections for a few representative incident angles and gamma energies can be used to create a look-up table to be used in simulation studies or practical implementation of scatter or random correction algorithms. Utilizing the symmetries of the square crystal array, the pre-calculated look-up tables can be relatively small. The detection cross sections can be measured experimentally, calculated analytically or simulated using a Monte Carlo (MC) approach. In this work we used a MC simulation that takes into account the energy windowing, Compton scattering and factors in the “block effect”. The parallel beam approximation was validated by a separate MC simulation using point sources located at different positions around a crystal array. Experimentally measured detection efficiencies were compared with Monte Carlo simulated detection efficiencies. Results suggest that the parallel beam approximation provides an efficient and accurate way to compute the crystal detection efficiency, which can be used for estimation of random and scatter coincidences for PET data corrections.
Alkanethiol Mediated Release of Surface Bound Nanoparticles Fabricated by Nanosphere Lithography

This work presents an innovative approach to produce monodisperse solution-phase triangular silver nanoparticles with well-controlled geometry. Ag nanotriangles are fabricated by nanosphere lithography (NSL), functionalized with alkanethiol molecules and then released from the substrate into solution. The resulting single isolated nanoparticles are subsequently asymmetrically functionalized with alkanedithiol molecules to form dimer pairs. The optical properties of the Ag nanoparticles have been measured using UV-Vis spectroscopy while their structural properties have been characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Theoretical calculations based on Mie theory and the Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA) method have been done to interpret the optical properties of the released Ag nanoparticles.
Rhythm and Timing of Movement in Performance: Drama, Dance, and Ceremony

Rhythm and Timing of Movement in Performance: Drama, Dance, and Ceremony. Janet Goodridge. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1999. 304 pp., tables, figures, photographs, references, index.
Identification and macrophage‐activating activity of glycolipids released from intracellular Mycobacterium bovis BCG

Intracellular mycobacteria release cell wall glycolipids into the endosomal network of infected macrophages. Here, we characterize the glycolipids of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG) that are released into murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMO). Intracellularly released mycobacterial lipids were harvested from BMMO that had been infected with 14C-labelled BCG. Released BCG lipids were resolved by thin-layer chromatography, and they migrated similarly to phosphatidylinositol dimannosides (PIM2), mono- and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, trehalose mono- and dimycolates and the phenolic glycolipid, mycoside B. Culture-derived BCG lipids that co-migrated with the intracellularly released lipids were purified and identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. When delivered on polystyrene microspheres, fluorescently tagged BCG lipids were also released into the BMMO, in a manner similar to release from viable or heat-killed BCG bacilli. To determine whether the released lipids elicited macrophage responses, BCG lipid-coated microspheres were delivered to interferon gamma-primed macrophages (BMMO or thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages), and reactive nitrogen intermediates as well as tumour necrosis factor-alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 production were induced. When fractionated BCG lipids were delivered on the microspheres, PIM2 species reproduced the macrophage-activating activity of total BCG lipids. These results demonstrate that intracellular mycobacteria release a heterogeneous mix of lipids, some of which elicit the production of proinflammatory cytokines from macrophages that could potentially contribute to the granulomatous response in tuberculous diseases.
On the growth of decagonal Al-Ni-Co quasicrystals from the ternary melt

Abstract High-quality, single-Frain samples of decagonal Al-Ni-Co quasicrystals with volumes of up to 0.8 cm3 and an approximate composition of Al72Ni11 Co17 have been grown from the ternary melt. The precise growth methods and conditions are discussed in detail. X-ray diffraction patterns of crushed single grains and of single-grain samples are exceptionally sharp indicating a high degree of structural order with no evidence of second phases. Transmission electron micrographs also reveal sharp diffraction patterns in the even n layers but diffuse scattering in the odd n layers, indicative of a structure intermediate between the Al73Co27 and Al69Ni31 end members. The electrical resistivity measured directly from cut bars for currents flowing perpendicular to the crystalline direction (i.e. perpendicular to the c axis) is non-metallic, with a broad maximum around 180 K, and a value of approximately 310 μω cm at 300 K. The resistivity for currents flowing parallel to the c axis is metallic and is almost an ...
Expeditions of the M/V Theodore N. Gill off the South Atlantic coast of the United States, 1962–1954

The U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and Office of Naval Research are jointly prosecuting a program of the oceanography of the offshore waters from Hatteras to Straits of Florida. A two-year program of bimonthly cruises has recently terminated. Measurements of physical and biological properties, chemical content, and meteorological conditions were carried out.
Repair of transposable phage Mu DNA insertions begins only when the E. coli replisome collides with the transpososome

Summary We report a new cellular interaction between the infecting transposable phage Mu and the host Escherichia coli replication machinery during repair of Mu insertions, which involves filling-in of short target gaps on either side of the insertion, concomitant with degradation of extraneous long flanking DNA (FD) linked to Mu. Using the FD as a marker to follow repair, we find that after transposition into the chromosome, the unrepaired Mu is indefinitely stable until the replication fork arrives at the insertion site, whereupon the FD is rapidly degraded. When the fork runs into a Mu target gap, a double strand end (DSE) will result; we demonstrate fork-dependent DSEs proximal to Mu. These findings suggest that Pol III stalled at the transpososome is exploited for co-ordinated repair of both target gaps flanking Mu without replicating the intervening 37 kb of Mu, disassembling the stable transpososome in the process. This work is relevant to all transposable elements, including retroviral elements like HIV-1, which share with Mu the common problem of repair of their flanking target gaps.
Role of Intrauterine Environment on Ova after Normal and Delayed Ovulation

Blastocysts recovered from control rats or from rats with delayed ovulation were transferred to normal recipients or recipients in which ovulation had been delayed to determine if age of ova and/or altered intrauterine environment affected imphanation and subsequent embryonic development. Three types of transfers were made with 20 donorrecipients for each group: transfers in which both donors and recipients were normal; transfers in which the donors were normal and in which ovulation had been delayed in the recipients; transfers in which ovulation had been delayed in the donors whereas the recipients were normal. Recipients were pseudopregnant rats, one group of which had ovulation delayed with pentobarbital sodium. Delayed ovulation in the donor increased the incidence of embryonic death (20.2 vs. 9.4%) and of small or abnormal embryos (19.5 vs. 7.1% of surviving embryos) as compared to control donors, but did not influence the implantation rate (73.2 vs. 72.8%). Blastocysts from control donors had a decreased rate of implantation when transferred to pseudopregnant rats in which ovulation had been delayed (49.7 vs. 72.8% in control recipients), while embryonic development and death were not significantly increased. These data reveal that delaying ovulation decreases implantation rate through changes in the intrauterine environment and that changes in the ovum result in increased embryonic death and developmental defects. When the ovulatory interval is lengthened to 6 days in the rat, it is accompanied by a decrease in implantation rate, an increase in embryonic death, and an increased frequency of developmental anomalies and chromosomal aberrations (Fugo and Butcher, 1966; Butcher and Fugo, 1967; Butcher et al., 1969). While many of the observed changes have been shown to be associated with alterations in the ovum, it was felt that some of the aberrations might be due to alterations in the intrauterine environment. Ova transfers between young and old hamsters (Blaha, 1964) have shown that the decreased implantation rate in the old animals is produced by changes in intrauterine en
VALIDATION OF AN INDEXED RADIOTHERAPY HEAD POSITIONING DEVICE FOR USE IN DOGS AND CATS

Setup variability affects the appropriate delivery of radiation and informs the setup margin required to treat radiation patients. Twenty-four veterinary patients with head and neck cancers were enrolled in this prospective, cross-sectional study to determine the accuracy of an indexed board immobilization device for positioning. Couch position values were defined at the first treatment based on setup films. At subsequent treatments, patients were moved to the previously defined couch location, orthogonal films were acquired, table position was modified, and displacement was recorded. The mean systematic displacement, random displacement, overall displacement, and mean displacement values of the three-dimensional (3D) vector were calculated. Three hundred thirty-two pairs of orthogonal setup films were analyzed for displacement in cranial-caudal, lateral, and dorsal-ventral directions. The mean systematic displacements were 0.5, 0.8, and 0.5 mm, respectively. The mean random displacements were 1.0, 1.1, and 0.7 mm, respectively. The overall displacements were 1.1, 1.4, and 0.9 mm, respectively. The mean 3D vector value was 1.6 mm with a standard deviation of 1.2 mm. Ninety-five percent of the vectors were <3.6 mm. These values were compared to data obtained with a previously used immobilization device. A t-test was used to compare the two devices. The 3D vector, random displacement in all directions, and overall displacement in the cranial-caudal and dorsal-ventral directions were significantly smaller than displacements with the previous device. The precision and accuracy of the indexed board device was superior to the historical head and neck device.
Far-Field Analysis of Coupled Bulk and Boundary Layer Diffusion Toward an Ion Channel Entrance

We present a far-field analysis of ion diffusion toward a channel embedded in a membrane with a fixed charge density. The Smoluchowski equation, which represents the 3D problem, is approximated by a system of coupled three- and two-dimensional diffusions. The 2D diffusion models the quasi-two-dimensional diffusion of ions in a boundary layer in which the electrical potential interaction with the membrane surface charge is important. The 3D diffusion models ion transport in the bulk region outside the boundary layer. Analytical expressions for concentration and flux are developed that are accurate far from the channel entrance. These provide boundary conditions for a numerical solution of the problem. Our results are used to calculate far-field ion flows corresponding to experiments of Bell and Miller (Biophys. J. 45:279, 1984).
CCR2 deficiency leads to increased eosinophils, alternative macrophage activation, and type 2 cytokine expression in adipose tissue

Adipose tissue (AT) inflammation during obesity is mediated by immune cells and closely correlates with systemic insulin resistance. In lean AT, eosinophils are present in low but significant numbers and capable of promoting alternative macrophage activation in an IL-4/IL-13-dependent manner. In WT mice, obesity causes the proportion of AT eosinophils to decline, concomitant with inflammation and classical activation of AT macrophages. In this study, we show that CCR2 deficiency leads to increased eosinophil accumulation in AT. Further more, in contrast to WT mice, the increase in eosinophils in CCR2 2/2 AT is sustained and even amplified during obesity. Interestingly, a significant portion of eosinophils is found in CLSs in AT of obese CCR2 2/2 mice, which is the first time eosinophils have been shown to localize to these inflammatory hot spots. CCR2 2/2 bone marrow precursors displayed increased
Mutational activation of the cellular Harvey ras oncogene in rat esophageal papillomas induced by methylbenzylnitrosamine

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a strong association between human esophageal cancer and exposure to N-nitroso carcinogens. Esophageal tumors can be induced in experimental animals, especially in rats, by many N-nitroso carcinogens. In the present study, rat esophageal tumors induced by methylbenzylnitrosamine (MBNA) and MBNA-transformed esophageal cell lines were analyzed for activated protooncogenes. DNAs from four Fisher 344 rat esophageal papillomas were examined for their ability to induce morphological transformation of NIH 3T3 cells. One of four esophageal tumors was positive in this assay. Southern blot analysis of this NIH 3T3 transformant revealed that the transforming gene was an activated Ha-ras gene. The activating mutation in the Ha-ras gene was identified by amplifying and then sequencing the first exon of this gene. A GC----AT transition at the second base in codon 12 of the Ha-ras gene was detected. The tumor DNAs from the transfection-negative samples were also amplified, and sequencing analysis of the first exon revealed a GC----AT transition in codon 12. In addition, 14 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded rat esophageal papillomas were shown to contain the same mutation in one of the alleles of the Ha-ras gene. In contrast, no point mutation was found in codons 12, 13, and 61 of the Ha-, Ki-, or N-ras genes in MBNA-transformed rat esophageal cell lines. The GC----AT transition detected in the esophageal tumors by DNA sequencing was confirmed by slot blot oligonucleotide hybridization of the polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNAs. The fact that mutated Ha-ras genes were detected in the esophageal papillomas suggests that activation of this gene occurred early in the process of neoplastic progression. The point mutation detected in the Ha-ras gene appears to result from a direct genotoxic effect of MBNA involving formation of the O6-methylguanine adduct. Taken together, these studies suggest that the activation of the Ha-ras gene plays an important role in the induction of esophageal neoplasia in the Fisher 344 rat by MBNA.
Enhanced surfactant adsorption via polymer depletion forces: a simple model for reversing surfactant inhibition in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Lung surfactant adsorption to an air-water interface is strongly inhibited by an energy barrier imposed by the competitive adsorption of albumin and other surface-active serum proteins that are present in the lung during acute respiratory distress syndrome. This reduction in surfactant adsorption results in an increased surface tension in the lung and an increase in the work of breathing. The reduction in surfactant adsorption is quantitatively described using a variation of the classical Smolukowski analysis of colloid stability. Albumin adsorbed to the interface induces an energy barrier to surfactant diffusion of order 5 kBT, leading to a reduction in adsorption equivalent to reducing the surfactant concentration by a factor of 100. Adding hydrophilic, nonadsorbing polymers such as polyethylene glycol to the subphase provides a depletion attraction between the surfactant aggregates and the interface that eliminates the energy barrier. Surfactant adsorption increases exponentially with polymer concentration as predicted by the simple Asakura and Oosawa model of depletion attraction. Depletion forces can likely be used to overcome barriers to adsorption at a variety of liquid-vapor and solid-liquid interfaces.
Feasibility of quality-of-life research on the Internet: a follow-up study.

Objective: Assessment of the feasibility of conducting clinical research with patients using electronic mail and the World Wide Web. Design: We re-contacted 463 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 154 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients who had provided us with email addresses as part of a Web-based study. In an electronic mail message, we informed patients of a web site with a new study and invited them to participate. We then examined the factors associated with patients' participation in the new study. Results: Completion rates were 28% for UC patients (single mailing) and 48% for BPH patients (up to four mailings in a two-month period). Some patients could not be contacted due to invalid email addresses (23%). Those who completed the new study tended to be older, and less time had elapsed since their participation in the previous study. Furthermore, their health-related quality-of-life had significantly improved since the previous study. Conclusion: It is possible to use direct electronic mail contact to conduct follow-up research with patients. Response rates appear to be related to the number of messages sent, age of the recipients, and time since the initial contact.
Electric Field Cancellation on Quartz by Rb Adsorbate-Induced Negative Electron Affinity

We investigate the (0001) surface of single crystal quartz with a submonolayer of Rb adsorbates. Using Rydberg atom electromagnetically induced transparency, we investigate the electric fields resulting from Rb adsorbed on the quartz surface, and measure the activation energy of the Rb adsorbates. We show that the adsorbed Rb induces negative electron affinity (NEA) on the quartz surface. The NEA surface allows low energy electrons to bind to the surface and cancel the electric field from the Rb adsorbates. Our results will be important for integrating Rydberg atoms into hybrid quantum systems, as fundamental probes of atom-surface interactions, and for studies of 2D electron gases bound to surfaces.
Biocompatible Pressure Sensing Skins for Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments

This paper presents 800- $\mu \text{m}$ thick, biocompatible sensing skins composed of arrays of pressure sensors. The arrays can be configured to conform to the surface of medical instruments so as to act as disposable sensing skins. In particular, the fabrication of cylindrical geometries is considered here for use on endoscopes. The sensing technology is based on polydimethylsiloxane synthetic silicone encapsulated microchannels filled with a biocompatible salt-saturated glycerol solution, functioning as the conductive medium. A multi-layer manufacturing approach is introduced that enables stacking sensing microchannels, mechanical stress concentration features, and electrical routing via flexcircuits in a thickness of less than 1 mm. The proposed approach is inexpensive and does not require clean room tools or techniques. The mechanical stress concentration features are implemented using a patterned copper layer that serves to improve sensing range and sensitivity. Sensor performance is demonstrated experimentally using a sensing skin mounted on a neuroendoscope insertion cannula and is shown to outperform previously developed non-biocompatible sensors.
Eye and gonad: role in the dual-oscillator circadian system of female Japanese quail

Experiments were conducted to determine the anatomic and physiological basis of the dual-oscillator circadian system of female Japanese quail. After blocking of ocular light perception by eye-patching, the circadian body temperature rhythm dissociates into two circadian components in continuous lighting (LL). One component free runs with a period significantly shorter than 24 h [mean period (tau) = 22.7 h] and is driven by an ocular pacemaker, whereas the other component free runs with a period significantly longer than 24 h (tau = 26.3 h). The long free-running rhythm is driven by the same circadian clock that drives the circadian rhythm of ovulation. The expression of the long free-running rhythm in LL depends on the presence of the ovary: body temperature rhythmicity is abolished by ovariectomy. The two free-running oscillators in eye-patched birds showed evidence of mutual interaction. Significantly, the phase relationships that occur as the two oscillators interact can determine whether or not ovulation occurs. The results are discussed in terms of an "internal coincidence" mechanism for photoperiodic time measurement.