cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A PROBABILITY DENSITY COMMON TO MOLECULAR FIELD AND COLLECTIVE EXCITATION THEORIES OF FERROMAGNETISM.

Abstract Molecular field theory is frequently used to relate the higher moments z ) n #62; to the first moment z #62;, the latter quantity being known from empirical magnetization data. The results are in excellent agreement with experiment, despite the glaring inadequacies of molecular field theory. It is shown that the functional dependence of z ) n #62; on z #62; follows only from a particular feature of molecular field theory, which has much wider generality and validity. The same result is obtained in all quasi-independent collective excitation theories. This fact is corroborated in decoupled Green function theories, and is used to simplify the form of these latter theories.
Review of Fifth International Psoriasis Symposium. San Francisco, July 1991.

This review was presented as a paper at The Annual Meeting of the Australasian College of Dermatologists, Perth, May 1991.
No evidence for mevalonate shunting in moderately affected children with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is caused by a genetic deficiency in 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) reductase (EC 1.3.1.21), the last enzyme of the cholesterol synthetic pathway. In SLOS, plasma cholesterol concentration is reduced and immediate precursor concentration (7-DHC) is elevated. Surprisingly, total sterol synthesis is reduced but HMG-CoA reductase activity, a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis is unaltered as judged by normal urinary excretion of mevalonic acid (MVA) (Pappu et al. J Lipid Res 43:1661-1669, 2002). These findings raise the possibility of increased diversion of MVA into the MVA shunt pathway away from sterol synthesis, by activation of the shunt pathway enzymes. To test this hypothesis, we measured the urinary excretion of 3-methylglutaconic acid (U-3MGC), a by-product of the shunt pathway, in 19 mildly to moderately severely affected SLOS subjects (ten males, nine females) receiving either a cholesterol-free or a high cholesterol diet, and in 20 age- and sex-matched controls. U-3MGC was similar in SLOS and controls, and was unaffected by dietary cholesterol intake. Further, no change in U-3MGC was observed in a subset of SLOS subjects (n = 9) receiving simvastatin. In contrast, U-MVA was reduced by cholesterol supplementation (~54%, p < 0.05) and by simvastatin (~50%, p < 0.04). There was no correlation between U-3MGC and either plasma sterol concentrations, urinary isoprenoids, or the subjects' clinical severity score. However U-3MGC was inversely correlated with age (p < 0.04) and body weight (p < 0.02), and higher in females than in males (~65%, p < 0.025). The data show that DHCR7 deficiency does not result in 3MGC accumulation in SLOS and suggest that the MVA shunt pathway is not activated in patients with the condition.
Expatriates: Reducing failure rates

Managers are trying various strategies to cope with increased global competition. One approach is to use expatriate assignments to gain understanding of international operations. But failure rates can be high. What can companies do to boost the chances of success? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of a high stringency differential display screen for identification of retinal mRNAs that are regulated by a circadian clock

We report here the initiation of a systematic screen to identify clock-controlled mRNAs from the retina of Xenopus laevis using mRNA differential display. Xenopus retina contains an endogenous circadian clock located within the photoreceptor layer. The retinal block controls many aspects of physiology, including gene transcription. This screen uses differential display, a PCR based procedure, to compare retinal mRNA populations at different times of day in constant darkness, for identification of messages that exhibit rhythmic expression. Out of approx. 2000 mRNAs that we have screened to date, we have identified four candidates for clock-controlled mRNAs. Initial characterization of one of these PCR products shows that it recognizes a pair of mRNA bands on Northern blots that exhibit high amplitude rhythms. This pair of messages is called RM1 and shows peak levels of expression in the subjective night. In situ hybridization shows that this clock-controlled message is specifically localized to the clock containing photoreceptor cell layer within the retina. Identification of new messages that are under the control of the circadian clock has broad relevance in retinal physiology and provides an opportunity to gain insight into the molecular mechanism of vertebrate circadian control.
The Roles of Teasing and Social Support in Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Behavioral Outcomes

The purpose of this study was to better understand the relations between teasing and various internalizing and externalizing outcome variables, as well as the potential for social support to mediate the relations between teasing and these outcome variables. A total of 651 9th–12th grade students in a suburban/semi-rural school district located in the midwestern United States participated in the study. Research has shown that teasing is related to negative outcomes. The present study adds to existing literature by demonstrating a small but statistically significant link between certain types of teasing and distress about that teasing with certain types of risk behavior. An unexpected finding was that higher rates of teasing about academic performance predicted lower rates of risk behavior. Social support was demonstrated to mediate teasing and some externalized outcomes.
Cytoplasmic continuity between embryonic cells and the primitive yolk sac during early gastrulation in Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract A morphological study of the embryo of Drosophila has revealed that cytoplasmic connections persist between the embryonic cells and the primitive yolk sac during early gastrulation. A band of microfilaments is present adjacent to the plasma membrane in the connections and in the yolk sac area between the connections. Possible roles these structures may play are discussed.
Particulate matter (PM) concentrations in underground and ground-level rail systems of the Los Angeles Metro

Abstract Elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM) have been found in a number of worldwide underground transit systems, with major implications regarding exposure of commuters to PM and its associated health effects. An extensive sampling campaign was conducted in May–August 2010 to measure PM concentrations in two lines of the Los Angeles Metro system – an underground subway line (Metro red line) and a ground-level light-rail line (Metro gold line). The campaign goals were to: 1) determine personal PM exposure of commuters of both lines, and 2) measure and compare PM concentrations at station platforms and inside the train. Considering that a commuter typically spent 75% of time inside the train and 25% of time waiting at a station, subway commuters were exposed on average to PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations that were 1.9 and 1.8 times greater than the light-rail commuters. The average PM10 concentrations for the subway line at station platforms and inside the train were 78.0 μg m−3 and 31.5 μg m−3, respectively; for the light-rail line, corresponding PM10 concentrations were 38.2 μg m−3 and 16.2 μg m−3. Regression analysis demonstrated that personal exposure concentrations for the light-rail line are strongly associated with ambient PM levels (R2 = 0.61), while PM concentrations for the subway line are less influenced by ambient conditions (R2 = 0.38) and have a relatively stable background level of about 21 μg m−3. Our findings suggest that local emissions (i.e., vehicular traffic, road dust) are the main source of airborne PM for the light-rail line. The subway line, on the other hand, has an additional source of PM, most likely generated from the daily operation of trains. Strong inter-correlation of PM10 between the train and station microenvironments shows that airborne PM at stations are the main source of PM inside the trains for both lines (R2 = 0.91 and 0.81 for subway and light-rail line, respectively). In addition, PM2.5 and coarse PM (PM10-2.5) are also strongly correlated for the subway line (R2 = 0.89) and the light-rail line (R2 = 0.52–0.92), suggesting that PM2.5 and coarse PM originate from a common source. Finally, in comparison to worldwide subway systems, the L.A. Metro system is relatively ’clean’. Since the system is comparatively new (in operation since 1993), its ventilation system and braking technology are probably more efficient and more advanced than older subway systems.
Structure of cytochrome c at the interface with magnetic CoFe2O4nanoparticles

Yeast and horse cytochrome c are attached to 6 nm CoFe2O4nanoparticles and their structure is studied as a function of the nanoparticle surface chemistry. For yeast cytochrome c, the attachment is covalent and site-specific via dithiol cross-linkage between cysteine 102 and dimercaptosuccinic acid, the nanoparticle ligand. To control site-specificity and allow better characterization of non-specific interactions, horse cytochrome c is non-specifically linked to the nanoparticle. Circular dichroism shows that the structure of both proteins is affected by linkage to the CoFe2O4nanoparticle. Non-specific adsorption depends strongly on the surface properties of the nanoparticles. Co-functionalization with lysine improves protein folding, most likely by decreasing the nanoparticle net charge and impeding carboxylic acids residues from binding to surface cobalt and iron atoms. Higher protein coverage also helps folding for both yeast and horse cytochrome c.
Ion Chromatography Coupled with Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Ionic Compounds in Agricultural Chemicals

An IC/MS method was developed using thermospray and electrospray interfaces to obtain the mass spectra of ionic compounds in agricultural chemicals. This is an easy, rugged, and sensitive method and offers several advantages over the conventional HPLC/MS with ion-pairing reagents for the analysis of highly polar compounds. Ion exchange chromatography was used to separate the ionic compounds from other components in the sample. Sodium hydroxide mixed with methanol and water was used as the eluent. To make the eluent containing sodium hydroxide compatible with MS, an on-line solid-phase chemical suppressor was used, which removed sodium ions from the mobile solvent before it entered the mass spectrometer. The suppressor is easy to use, is rugged, and can withstand the high back-pressure generated by the thermospray LC/MS interface. It also works well with the electrospray interface.
Nitric oxide inhibits aromatase activity: Mechanisms of action

NO synthase is present in human ovarian granulosa-luteal cells and NO inhibits estradiol secretion by granulosa cells in culture. These findings suggest that NO is an autocrine regulator of ovarian steroidogenesis. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the mechanisms through which NO exerts an inhibitory effect on cytochrome P450 aromatase activity. To examine the effect of NO on aromatase mRNA levels, human granulosa-luteal cells were cultured in the presence or absence of the NO donor SNAP for 16 h. Using a probe for human aromatase, Northern blots revealed a 26% decrease in aromatase mRNA in cells exposed to SNAP. Because this modest decrease in mRNA is unlikely to explain a rapid and profound reduction in estradiol secretion that we have observed, we looked for direct effects of NO on cytochrome P450 aromatase activity. Aromatase activity was assayed in placental microsomes and granulosa-luteal cells by measuring the release of 3H2O from [1 beta-3H] androstenedione. NO (10(-4)-10(-3)M), added as a saturated saline solution, reduced aromatase activity by as much as 90% in a concentration-dependent, non-competitive manner. In contrast, carbon monoxide (CO), a gas known to bind to the heme iron in aromatase, had no effect on aromatase activity when added alone nor could CO reverse the NO-induced inhibition of aromatase. These data suggest that NO binding to the heme is insufficient to inhibit aromatase activity. NO has been reported to alter protein function by reacting with the sulfhydryl group of cysteines, forming a nitrosothiol group. Because a cysteine sulfhydryl group is thought to participate in the catalytic mechanism of all P450 enzymes, experiments were designed to test whether NO might inhibit aromatase via such a mechanism. Addition of increasing amounts of mercaptoethanol, a chemical with free sulfhydryl groups, blocked the NO-induced inhibition of aromatase in microsomes. N-Ethylmaleimide, a chemical which covalently modifies sulfhydryl groups, reduced aromatase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. We conclude that NO inhibits aromatase both by decreasing mRNA for the enzyme and by an acute, direct inhibition of enzyme activity. We hypothesize that the direct inhibition occurs as a result of the formation of a nitrosothiol on the cysteine residue adjacent to the heme in aromatase.
Synthesis and properties of new crosslinkable telechelics with benzoxazine moiety at the chain end

Abstract New crosslinkable telechelics containing benzoxazine moiety at the chain end have been synthesized using oligomeric bisphenols with aromatic ether structure. The chain length of the oligomer is estimated from the size exclusion chromatography and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H NMR). The degree of end-capping by benzoxazine moieties, that is estimated from 1 H NMR spectrum, increases during 24 h of the reaction. The telechelic is used to cast polybenzoxazine films with excellent thermal stability. Mechanical and chemical properties of these films are studied as a function of the degree of end-capping.
On the statistics of oceanic waves

An analytical model for the crest statistics of oceanic waves is derived based on the Breitung's asymptotic formula for the mean h-upcrossing intensity of second-order narrow-band random processes. Comparisons with a wave data set collected at the Tern platform in the northern North Sea during an extreme storm are finally presented.
Determination of Methimazole and Carbimazole Using Polarography and Voltammetry

Abstract Anodic waves of methimazole (I) (1-methylimidazole-2-thiol) and carbimazole (II) (1-ethoxycarbonyl-3-methyl-2-thio-4-imidazoline) on mercury electrodes correspond to mercury salt formation. Both compounds form in the thiono form a soluble complex at pH < 6, compound (I) at higher pH-values a slightly soluble salt of the thiol form. Electrode processes involving the thiol form are complicated by adsorption. Oxidation at solid electrodes occurs only at potentials more than 0.5 V more positive. For compound (I) spectrophotometry indicated pKa=12.0 ± 0.2. By d.c. polarography in 0.1 M H2SO4 containing 10% ethanol the determination of both compounds is possible between 4 × 10− and 1 × 10−3 M, by differential pulse polarography between 1 × 10− and 1 × 10−4 M, by differential pulse voltammetry at HMDE between 5 × l0−7 and 6 × 10− M.
Age-related changes in the myenteric plexus of the porcine bowel.

Abstract Introduction Myenteric plexus (MP) is well recognized as an important regulator of peristaltic activity. Knowledge regarding prenatal and postnatal normal morphological changes is important when interpreting histopathologic findings in motility disorders of childhood. The aim of this study was to determine the neuronal density and morphology of the myenteric plexus (MP) of the porcine bowel from fetal life to adulthood. Method Small and large bowel whole-mount preparations of the MP were stained using NADPH diaphorase histochemistry in animals from 6 different age groups (60 and 90 days of gestation, newborn, 4-week and 12-week-old, and adult pigs). Using light microscopy, above parameters was quantified, and cell/nucleus sizes were measured. Results were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance test. Results There were significant regional and age-related differences in cell numbers per ganglia noted in MP throughout the lifetime of a pig. There was an abrupt increase in cell numbers per ganglia from the newborn to 4-week-old animals, which then stabilized in most parts of the bowel, except in the distal large bowel, where it continued to increase. Ganglion density and ganglia cell density both decreased steadily with advancing age. Cell size increased with age, mostly secondary to increase in the cytoplasm. Conclusion Our results show that significant changes occur in the MP in relation to age and the region of the bowel. These changes are most evident in the immediate period after birth but continue throughout life. Such age-related changes must be taken into account during morphological evaluation of biopsy specimens taken from infants who had constipation.
RosettaAntibody: antibody variable region homology modeling server

The RosettaAntibody server (http://antibody.graylab.jhu.edu) predicts the structure of an antibody variable region given the amino-acid sequences of the respective light and heavy chains. In an initial stage, the server identifies and displays the most sequence homologous template structures for the light and heavy framework regions and each of the complementarity determining region (CDR) loops. Subsequently, the most homologous templates are assembled into a side-chain optimized crude model, and the server returns a picture and coordinate file. For users requesting a high-resolution model, the server executes the full RosettaAntibody protocol which additionally models the hyper-variable CDR H3 loop. The high-resolution protocol also relieves steric clashes by optimizing the CDR backbone torsion angles and by simultaneously perturbing the relative orientation of the light and heavy chains. RosettaAntibody generates 2000 independent structures, and the server returns pictures, coordinate files, and detailed scoring information for the 10 top-scoring models. The 10 models enable users to use rational judgment in choosing the best model or to use the set as an ensemble for further studies such as docking. The high-resolution models generated by RosettaAntibody have been used for the successful prediction of antibody-antigen complex structures.
Global minimum test problem construction

A method is presented for the construction of test problems for which the global minimum point is known. Given a bounded convex polyhedron inR n , and a selected vertex, a concave quadratic function is constructed which attains its global minimum at the selected vertex. In general, this function will also have many other local minima.
Opening and closing communicative space with teachers investigating race and racism in their own practice

This article explores the very practical challenges that the author experienced as she and a racially mixed elementary school teaching staff negotiated communicative space within a critical inquiry group exploring race and racism in their teaching context. Specifically, the author explores her role of critical friend as crucial to forming communicative space; the ways that communicative space was contested and challenged within the critical inquiry group; and the new communicative spaces that arose from the original group. This article offers implications for action researchers attempting to create communicative spaces around difficult issues such as race and racism.
Improving Compliance in Remote Healthcare Systems Through Smartphone Battery Optimization

Remote health monitoring (RHM) has emerged as a solution to help reduce the cost burden of unhealthy lifestyles and aging populations. Enhancing compliance to prescribed medical regimens is an essential challenge to many systems, even those using smartphone technology. In this paper, we provide a technique to improve smartphone battery consumption and examine the effects of smartphone battery lifetime on compliance, in an attempt to enhance users’ adherence to remote monitoring systems. We deploy WANDA-CVD, an RHM system for patients at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), using a wearable smartphone for detection of physical activity. We tested the battery optimization technique in an in-lab pilot study and validated its effects on compliance in the Women's Heart Health Study. The battery optimization technique enhanced the battery lifetime by 192% on average, resulting in a 53% increase in compliance in the study. A system like WANDA-CVD can help increase smartphone battery lifetime for RHM systems monitoring physical activity.
Phase equilibria in the solid region of the system manganese selenide-cadmium selenide☆

Abstract The temperature-composition phase diagram for the solid region of the MnSeCdSe system has been investigated by X-ray diffraction and optical reflectance measurements on annealed samples over a range 500–1100°C. The small degree of solid solution on the MnSe-rich side compared to the large CdSe-rich one-phase region could be explained by the differences in structural and bonding properties of the components. The lattice parameters of compositions in the one-phase regions can be expressed for the MnSe-rich cubic phase by the equation a 0 =5.462+0.202·N , and for the CdSe-rich hexagonal phase by the equations a 0 =4.173+0.124·N and c 0 =6.822+0.193·N , where N is the mole fraction of CdSe.
Prefrontal brain asymmetry and pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder symptomatology

Abstract Background Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a dysphoric form of pre-menstrual syndrome, is included as a diagnosis for further study in the DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000). The present study investigated whether a marker of risk for major depressive disorder (MDD), prefrontal brain asymmetry, also characterizes women with PMDD. Methods In a sample of 25 college women with PMDD symptomatology and 25 matched controls, resting frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity was assessed on four occasions within a two-week span. Results Across several frontal sites women with PMDD had relatively less left than right prefrontal brain activity, consistent with a diathesis-stress model for menstrual-related dysphoria. Conclusions The findings suggest an overlap in the risk profile for MDD and PMDD.
Observing mother and child behavior in a problem-solving situation at school entry: Relations with academic achievement ☆

Abstract This study examined relations between ratings of mother-child interactions in a problem-solving situation at school entry and academic achievement in grades 2, 3, and 4. Data on the child's cognitive and fine-motor ability and mother's education were also collected at school entry. Academic achievement was assessed with the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). A factor score reflecting mother-child competence in the interaction situation correlated approximately .40 with ITBS total and subtest scores in grades 2, 3, and 4. In regression analyses with the mother-child measures entered first, mother's education, child cognitive and fine-motor ability added significantly to the prediction of ITBS scores and did not appreciably reduce the predictive relation of the mother-child competence factor. When the mother-child competence factor was entered last in regression, the majority of the variance was accounted for by the ability and demographic measures. The partial correlations of mother-child competence and the three ITBS total scores were significant when controlling for cognitive ability. An interaction term representing the combination of cognitive ability and mother-child competence accounted for a small, but significant increment in variance for the second and third grade ITBS. Implications for professional practice are discussed.
The Influences of Matched Versus Mismatched Negotiation Orientations on Negotiating Processes and Outcomes

This research demonstrates the critical role that a negotiator's competitive or collaborative orientation plays in affecting industrial negotiation processes and outcomes, which in turn, can significantly affect the organization's financial performance. This research extends prior work by demonstrating the joint effect of both the buyer's orientation and the seller's orientation on the negotiation process and outcomes. The results reveal that competitive goals can produce short-run benefits (be it for the buyer or for the seller), but at the cost of decreased satisfaction with the exchange. Two paired collaborators tend to find the most integrative solutions in the long run.
RBL cells expressing human FcεRI are a sensitive tool for exploring functional IgE–allergen interactions: studies with sera from peanut-sensitive patients

Rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL SX-38) express the alpha, beta, and gamma chains of human Fc epsilon RI. Following sensitization with IgE from a subset of allergic human donors, these cells can be triggered by exposure to anti-IgE or to very low concentrations of specific allergens. We examined 18 sera from patients who were highly sensitive to peanuts by history and had anti-peanut IgE by in vitro testing. The ability of these sera to sensitize the RBL SX-38 cells for degranulation with peanut allergens correlates very well with the absolute amount of anti-peanut IgE (r=0.95; p<0.001). The most effective sera contained at least 50 kU/l of total IgE and at least 15 kU/l of peanut-specific IgE. RBL SX-38 cells sensitized with these sera degranulated optimally upon exposure to anti-IgE (net degranulation of 40+/-8%, means+/-S.D.; n=8) and to a 10(5)-10(6) dilution of crude peanut extract (CPE) (37+/-7% net degranulation; 93+/-13% of that seen with anti-IgE). This assay is quite sensitive. Cells sensitized with selected sera are activated by exposure to a 1:10(7) dilution of the CPE containing picogram amounts of peanut allergens. This assay is also quite specific. Cells sensitized with sera from patients with anti-peanut IgE and no detectable IgE against soybean, walnut or grass pollen did not degranulate following exposure to these latter antigens. The converse was also true; cells sensitized with sera from patients without anti-peanut IgE did not react to peanut. These data demonstrate that RBL cells expressing human Fc epsilon RI form the basis of a useful model system for the detection of allergens and for the study of IgE-allergen interactions.
Characteristics and properties of a bovine submaxillary mucoid

Abstract A purified mucoid has been obtained from the bovine submaxillary glands by chloroform-Naxonate G treatment. The mucoid exhibits electrophoretic homogeneity with a mobility of −5.1 × 10 −5 cm 2 /V/sec at pH 7.8 and −7.8 × 10 −5 cm 2 /V/sec at pH 10.3. The compound contains hexosamine, 21.8 per cent (2.84 per cent glucosamine and 18.96 per cent galactosamine), sialic acid, 25.0 per cent, with traces of fucose and uronic acid. The mucoid exhibits a viscosity of 19.9 cP at 0.5 per cent in water and 2.76 cP at 0.5 per cent in 0.2 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0.
Childbirth related fears and psychological birth trauma in younger and older age adolescents.

Abstract Aim The aim of this study is to explore childbirth fears on psychological birth trauma (PBT) by adolescent age. Background Among adults parity and intrapartum fears including fear of dying, loss of control, pain, and limited support have been associated with negative birth appraisal and symptoms of traumatic stress, defined here as PBT. Methods This cross-sectional study surveyed a convenience sample of 201 adolescents at a large, county hospital. Results Over 75% of adolescents perceived fear. Younger and older adolescents, similar in fears, were distinguished only by parity. The effects of parity, overall rating of fear, and father of baby absence were found to vary by age on birth appraisal; however, only parity varied by age on IES scores. Conclusions All age adolescents can be fearful and will benefit with childbirth education and labor support to help reduce fears and subsequent PBT.
Surface charge of gold nanoparticles mediates mechanism of toxicity

Recently gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have shown promising biological and military applications due to their unique electronic and optical properties. However, little is known about their biocompatibility in the event that they come into contact with a biological system. In the present study, we have investigated whether modulating the surface charge of 1.5 nm Au NPs induced changes in cellular morphology, mitochondrial function, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular calcium levels, DNA damage-related gene expression, and of p53 and caspase-3 expression levels after exposure in a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). The evaluation of three different Au NPs (positively charged, neutral, and negatively charged) showed that cell morphology was disrupted by all three NPs and that they demonstrated a dose-dependent toxicity; the charged Au NPs displayed toxicity as low as 10 µg ml−1 and the neutral at 25 µg ml−1. Furthermore, there was significant mitochondrial stress (decreases in MMP and intracellular Ca2+ levels) following exposure to the charged Au NPs, but not the neutral Au NPs. In addition to the differences observed in the MMP and Ca2+ levels, up or down regulation of DNA damage related gene expression suggested a differential cell death mechanism based on whether or not the Au NPs were charged or neutral. Additionally, increased nuclear localization of p53 and caspase-3 expression was observed in cells exposed to the charged Au NPs, while the neutral Au NPs caused an increase in both nuclear and cytoplasmic p53 expression. In conclusion, these results indicate that surface charge is a major determinant of how Au NPs impact cellular processes, with the charged NPs inducing cell death through apoptosis and neutral NPs leading to necrosis.
HISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE YOLK-NUCLEUS IN FISH OOGENESIS.

A histochemical study of the oogenesis of two species of fresh water fishes, Channa maruleus and Heteropneustes fossilis, was undertaken to reveal the origin, structure, histochemical nature, and function of the so-called yolk-nucleus. The basophilic substance of the yolk-nucleus, which is situated in the juxta-nuclear cytoplasm, gradually accumulates adjacent to the nuclear membrane. It is a homogeneous, spherical mass. In Channa, some basophilic, dense bodies develop in the yolk-nucleus. Histochemical tests show that the yolk-nucleus and dense bodies are rich in RNA and proteins. Mitochondria of lipoprotein composition and lipid inclusions, composed of unsaturated phospholipids, appear in association with the yolk-nucleus. Throughout previtellogenesis, the yolk-nucleus continues to proliferate its basophilic, RNA-containing substance and other inclusions. Finally it disintegrates while lying in the peripheral cytoplasm of the larger oocytes which show the synthesis of yolk bodies. During yolk formation, lipid inclusions and mitochondria start disappearing from view but the RNA-containing substance, originated from the yolk-nucleus of previtellogenesis, continues to persist among the growing yolk bodies. The latter arise de novo from the ground cytoplasm, under the influence of the RNA-containing substance, mitochondria and lipid inclusions of previtellogenesis.
Gadodiamide T1 relaxivity in brain tissue in vivo is lower than in saline.

In vivo measurements of gadodiamide (Gd-DTPA-BMA) T1 relaxivity were performed at 4.7 T in injured and normal rat brains. Cerebral lesions were induced in nine rats by a localized freezing method. T1 maps of the lesions were generated before and after injection of Gd-DTPA-BMA (0.1–0.6 mmol/kg). Samples of normal and necrotic brain were collected postmortem; the wet and dry weights were determined, and Gd content was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The in vivo relaxivity was determined by a linear fit of a plot of the change in relaxation rate following injection of the contrast agent as a function of Gd content. This analysis yielded a relaxivity in the injured brain of 2.8 sec−1 mmol−1 kg tissue water at 36°C. The water weight fraction was 0.90 ± SD 0.02 wt/wt in injured brain and 0.79 ± 0.02 in normal brain. Relaxivity measurements were also performed on solutions of Gd-DTPA-BMA (0.0–0.6 mmol) and albumin (0–30% wt/wt) in normal saline at room and physiologic temperatures. The relaxivity in the albumin/saline increased with increasing solids content with values of 4.0–4.9 sec−1 mmol−1kg at 21°C and 3.4–4.5 sec−1 mmol−1 kg at 37°C. The relaxivity of the tissues differed significantly from that of the saline solutions of comparable solids content, suggesting that the solids content of a tissue is not the only factor that determines in vivo relaxivity. Magn Reson Med 53:35–40, 2005. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
OPEC's asset demand function—An empirical study

This paper considered a simple and standard model of the demand for U.S. securities by one of its major purchasers, OPEC. By comparing the coefficients of the interest, exchange and inflation rate variables to that of the income variable, we found that both the income and the substitution effect play an important role in determining the Middle Eastern members' demand for United States securities. For the remaining members of OPEC, the income effect seems to play a far less important role. Since the Middle Eastern members are the prevalent force in OPEC, the results for all OPEC members more closely resemble this group than the non-Middle Eastern group.
The preconcentration of various trace elements in seawater by solvent extraction and the ring oven

Abstract A procedure is described for the preconcentration from seawater without pretreatment of six trace elements uranium, copper, nickel, cobalt, iron, and manganese through solvent extraction with an 8-hydroxyquinoline-chloroform mixture. Extracted samples are deposited on filter-paper disks with the aid of a kinetic clamp pump and a ring oven, and the six elements are determined non-destructively by X-ray fluorescence. Evaluation of the procedure with distilled water and seawater samples spiked with the metal ions shows that extraction of the trace metals is essentially quantitative.
Study of flow-induced vibrations of a plate in narrow channels.

Flow induced vibrations of rigid plate in narrow channels, noting flow rate dependence on channel width
Phase homogenization of mixtures of poly(m-xylene adipamide) and nylon 6 by interchange reactions

Abstract Melt blends of poly(m-xylene adipamide) and nylon 6 prepared by extrusion at 260°C have two glass transitions and are opaque, whereas similar preparation at 290°C yields transparent melts and materials with a single glass transition. This phase homogenization has been shown by thermal, dynamic mechanical, and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses to be the result of interchange reactions. A single phase develops after as few as five interchange reactions per molecule. This segmented block structure explains the high level of crystallinity that is retained after phase homogenization. Such behaviour is possible when the unreacted components have an unfavourable but small interaction energy density, i.e. near miscibility, as argued using thermodynamic theories. Retention of crystallinity is useful for certain property considerations.
Prediction of treatment outcome by baseline urine cocaine results and self-reported cocaine use for cocaine and opioid dependence

This study examined the usefulness of baseline cocaine urine toxicology results and self-reported days of cocaine use in predicting treatment response in cocaine- and opioid-dependent subjects. Ninety-nine male and 52 female subjects, maintained on buprenorphine, participated in a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, four-cell trial that evaluated desipramine (150 mg/d) or placebo plus contingency management or a noncontingent voucher control. Out of 151, 102 (67%) subjects had cocaine-positive and 49 (32%) cocaine-negative urines at the beginning of treatment. For the previous 30 days before study participation, 91 (60%) subjects reported using cocaine 15 or less days (low baseline cocaine use) and 60 (40%) subjects reported more than 15 days (high baseline cocaine use). By using the treatment effectiveness score (TES) as the outcome measure, a negative urine for cocaine at baseline predicted a better outcome during a 24-week trial for cocaine and opioid use. There also was a significant interaction between baseline cocaine urine results and desipramine response with the urine cocaine-negative group showing greater desipramine response than placebo for opioid and cocaine use. Self-reported cocaine use at baseline did not show significant predictive power for TES scores during the clinical trial. These results suggest that baseline cocaine urine results should be considered as stratifying variables in clinical trials for cocaine dependence.
Faculty Perceptions of Student Self Plagiarism: An Exploratory Multi-university Study

The purpose of this research study was to evaluate faculty perceptions regarding student self-plagiarism or recycling of student papers. Although there is a plethora of information on plagiarism and faculty who self-plagiarize in publications, there is very little research on how faculty members perceive students re-using all or part of a previously completed assignment in a second assignment. With the wide use of plagiarism detection software, this issue becomes even more crucial. A population of 340 faculty members from two private universities at three different sites was surveyed in Fall 2012 semester regarding their perceptions of student self-plagiarism. A total of 89 faculty responded for a return rate of 26.2 %. Overall, institutional policies on self-plagiarism did not exist and faculty did not clearly understand the concept and believed their students did not either. Although faculty agreed students need to be educated on self-plagiarism, faculty assumed students had previously been educated on plagiarism as well as self-plagiarism; only 13 % ensured students understood this concept.
Myoblasts from fetal and adult skeletal muscle regulate myosin expression differently.

Abstract We compared the expression of myosin heavy chains in myogenic cultures prepared from fetal (embryonic Day 10) and adult (12–16 week) chicken pectoralis muscle using immunofluorescence with isoform-specific monoclonal antibodies. We found that the majority of fetal myocytes (differentiated myoblasts) and myotubes coexpressed ventricular and embryonic myosin heavy chains in culture. Also, when fetal cells were plated at a clonal density most clones coexpressed both ventricular and embryonic isoforms. In contrast, all adult myocytes and newly formed adult myotubes expressed just ventricular myosin, whether plated at mass or clonal densities. Within 12–24 hr of the onset of fusion, adult myotubes began to express embryonic myosin as well. Eventually, the majority of adult myotubes coexpressed both ventricular and embryonic myosin. The delay of embryonic myosin expression until after fusion was also seen in passaged adult myoblasts and in myoblasts isolated from regenerating adult muscle. The expression of embryonic myosin can be abolished by inhibiting fusion with EGTA in adult but not in fetal cultures. We conclude that both fetal and adult myotubes express ventricular and embryonic myosins but only fetal myocytes express the embryonic isoform prior to fusion. This difference in the regulation of embryonic myosin expression between fetal and adult myoblasts supports the hypothesis that these cells may represent two distinct populations of myogenic precursors.
Use of negative pressure wound therapy in the management of infected abdominal wounds containing mesh: an analysis of outcomes

The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical outcomes of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) using reticulated open-cell foam (ROCF) in the adjunctive management of abdominal wounds with exposed and known infected synthetic mesh. A non randomised, retrospective review of medical records for 21 consecutive patients with infected abdominal wounds treated with NPWT was conducted. All abdominal wounds contained exposed synthetic mesh [composite, polypropylene (PP), or knitted polyglactin 910 (PG) mesh]. Demographic and bacteriological data, wound history, pre-NPWT and comparative post-NPWT, operative procedures and complications, hospital length of stay (LOS) and wound healing outcomes were all analysed. Primary endpoints measured were (1) hospital LOS prior to initiation of NPWT, (2) total time on NPWT, (3) hospital LOS from NPWT initiation to discharge and (4) wound closure status at discharge. A total of 21 patients with abdominal wounds with exposed, infected mesh were treated with NPWT. Aetiology of the wounds was ventral hernia repair (n = 11) and acute abdominal wall defect (n = 10). Prior to NPWT initiation, the mean hospital LOS for the composite, PP and PG meshes were 76 days (range: 21-171 days), 51 days (range: 32-62 days) and 19 days (range: 12-39 days), respectively. The mean hospital LOS following initiation of NPWT for wounds with exposed composite, PP and PG mesh were 28, 31 and 32 days, respectively. Eighteen of the 21 wounds (86%) reached full closure after a mean time of 26 days of NPWT and a mean hospital LOS of 30 days postinitiation of NPWT. Three wounds, all with composite mesh left in situ, did not reach full closure, although all exhibited decreased wound dimensions, granulating beds and decreased surface area exposure of mesh. During NPWT/ROCF, one hypoalbuminemic patient with exposed PP mesh developed an enterocutaneous fistula over a prior enterotomy site. This patient subsequently underwent total mesh extraction, takedown of the fistula and PP mesh replacement followed by reinstitution of NPWT and flap closure. In addition to appropriate systemic antibiotics and nutritional optimisation, the adjunctive use of NPWT resulted in successful closure of 86% of infected abdominal wounds with exposed prosthetic mesh. Patient hospital LOS (except those with PG mesh), operative procedures and readmissions were decreased during NPWT compared with treatment prior to NPWT. Future multi-site prospective, controlled studies would provide a strong evidence base from which treatment decisions could be made in the management of these challenging and costly cases.
Capture-aware staggering for concurrent transmissions

802.11 requires bidirectional exchange (i.e., nodes reverse their roles as transmitters and receivers) and hence neighbors of both the transmitter and receiver must keep quiet for the entire duration of communication. This degrades spatial reuse, leading to low network throughput. To address this problem, power control, rate control, and carrier-sense adaptations have successfully identified possibilities of concurrency in the spatial domain. In the temporal domain, optimizations such as piggybacked Acks [1] have reduced role reversals, also enabling concurrency. Though beneficial, these improvements are bounded by the SINR requirement. Recent studies found that the SINR threshold is a dynamic value, dependent on the relative order in which the signal and the interference arrive at the receiver. This implies that under certain conditions, it might be feasible to capture a data frame in the presence of concurrent interference. If harnessed carefully, this can help improve the spatial reuse of wireless networks.
Coronary microcirculation evaluation with transesophageal echocardiography Doppler in type II diabetics.

Evaluation of coronary microvascular function can be obtained through coronary flow reserve measurements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the coronary microvascular function by using transesophageal-Doppler echocardiographic assessment of coronary flow reserve. The study included 32 normotensive patients with type II diabetes mellitus (group A) of short duration (6.1+/-3.8 years) aged 55.4+/-9.4 years and 14 healthy volunteers matched for age, gender and BMI (group B). No patients had clinical evidence of coronary artery disease and all of them produced a negative recent stress ECG test. Excluded from the study were patients with anemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, arrhythmia, congenital, or acquired structural heart disease. All subjects underwent transesophageal-Doppler echocardiography. Satisfactory coronary blood flow velocity recordings could be obtained from the initial segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery in healthy volunteers and in 27 patients at baseline and 2 min after dipyridamole infusion (0.56 mg/kg, for 4 min). In the remaining 5 patients no satisfactory recordings were available. The indexes of coronary flow reserve, i.e. the ratios of dipyridamole over basal maximum and mean diastolic velocities were calculated. Dipyridamole/rest maximal coronary reserve (Table 3) was 1.946+/-0.743, while this ratio for the mean diastolic velocity was 1.969+/-0.805 in group A. The respective values for group B, were 2.811+/-0.345 (P=0.000 vs. group A) and 2.914+/-0.303 (P=0.000 vs. group A). Thus, the increase in coronary flow reserve although present in both groups, it was more impressive in the normal group. Multiple regression logistic analysis of: age, sex, smoking, glucosylated hemoglobin, duration of diabetes and type of therapy, did not show any correlation of these parameters with the above ratios. This study shows that coronary flow reserve, as measured with transesophageal echocardiography-Doppler, is severely impaired in normotensive patients with type II diabetes, with relatively short duration of the disease.
Evidence for a set of closely linked autosomal genes that interact with sex-chromosome heterochromatin in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT It is proposed that there exists a special region in the euchromatin of the left arm of chromosome 2 (contained within sections 31-32 of the standard salivary gland chromosome map) that is defined by a set of genes, each one of which interacts with a specific sex-chromosome heterochromatic segment. The evidence for the existence of this region is, first, the exhibition, mapping, and analysis of five different maternal-effect, embryonic semi-lethals located in region 31-32. Secondly, in each case the consequence of the maternal effect is markedly influenced by the amount of X - or Y -chromosome heterochromatin carried by the progeny of mutant mothers. The nature of this interaction and possible reasons for the existence of the cluster of autosomal genes are discussed
AN ANALYSIS OF THE SEQUENCES OF THE VARIABLE REGIONS OF BENCE JONES PROTEINS AND MYELOMA LIGHT CHAINS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR ANTIBODY COMPLEMENTARITY

In an attempt to account for antibody specificity and complementarity in terms of structure, human kappa-, human lambda-, and mouse kappa-Bence Jones proteins and light chains are considered as a single population and the variable and constant regions are compared using the sequence data available. Statistical criteria are used in evaluating each position in the sequence as to whether it is essentially invariant or group-specific, subgroup-specific, species-specific, etc. Examination of the invariant residues of the variable and constant regions confirms the existence of a large number of invariant glycines, no invariant valine, lysine, and histidine, and only one invariant leucine and alanine in the variable region, as compared with the absence of invariant glycines and presence of three each of invariant alanine, leucine, and valine and two each of invariant lysine and histidine in the constant region. The unique role of glycine in the variable region is emphasized. Hydrophobicity of the invariant residues of the two regions is also evaluated. A parameter termed variability is defined and plotted against the position for the 107 residues of the variable region. Three stretches of unusually high variability are noted at residues 24-34, 50-56, and 89-97; variations in length have been found in the first and third of these. It is hypothesized that positions 24-34 and 89-97 contain the complementarity-determining residues of the light chain-those which make contact with the antigenic determinant. The heavy chain also has been reported to have a similar region of very high variability which would also participate in forming the antibody-combining site. It is postulated that the information for site complementarity is contained in some extrachromosomal DNA such as an episome and is incorporated by insertion into the DNA of the structural genes for the variable region of short linear sequences of nucleotides. The advantages and disadvantages of this hypothesis are discussed.