cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brief observations concerning the visual pigments of some selected fishes from Lake Heney, Quebec, a relict of glacial Lake Gatineau.

Abstract The visual pigments and liver vitamins A of several races of Osmerus eperlanus mordax (rainbow smelt). Coregonus artedii (cisco), Myoxocephalus quadricornis thompsonii (deepwater sculpin). Cottus ricei (spoonhead sculpin) and Salrelinus namaycush (lake charr) have been examined. With the exception of Salvelinus and certain specimens of Osmerus , all were taken from Lake Heney. originally part of glacial Lake Gatineau at the time of the Champlain Sea episode, a marine inundation of the St Lawrence Lowlands that occurred some 9,000–12,000 yr ago. Osmerus has a rhodopsin with λ max at 512 nm and a porphyropsin at 541 nm, the latter practically absent in the sympatric dwarf (including young-of-the-year) and giant races of Lake Heney. Coregonus has a rhodopsin with λ max at 510–511 nm, perhaps with a trace of porphyropsin : Salvelinus has a rhodopsin and porphyropsin in variable amounts with respective maxima at 511 and 540 ± 2 nm . Of the two cottids. Cottus has a rhodopsin with λ max at 503 nm but Myoxocephalus is unusual in having a mixture of two rhodopsins with maxima separated by only 7 nm. located at 508 and 515 nm respectively. All species have the precursor of porphyropsin. 3-dehydroretinol. in their livers in proportions ranging from 17 to 50 per cent of the total liver retinols. These findings are related to observations on kindred species in other habitats or other regions, and the visual pigments of the two cottids are discussed in relation to the recent evolution of these fish.
Optimum Locations of Pin Supports to Minimize Deflection of a Thin Plate Acted Upon by Its Own Weight

The paper discusses solutions to the problem of optimally supporting a thin plate, acted upon by its self weight, with a discrete number of supports. Such problems occur, for example, in supporting ceiling tiles with fasteners. The goal is to minimize deflection which is visually unappealing. Minimizing deflection is especially important as the initial deflection increases with time due to creep. Square and rectangular plates are considered. The approach taken here is based on combining a bending plate finite element code with an optimizer. Results are presented for square and rectangular plates on a (three) discrete supports. A penalty function is used to ensure that supports are not collinear.© 2009 ASME
Kinetics of regional blood-brain barrier glucose transport and cerebral blood flow determined with the carotid injection technique in conscious rats.

Abstract: Anesthetics, particularly barbiturates, have depressive effects on cerebral blood flow and metabolism and likely have similar effects on blood-brain barrier (BBB) transport. In previous studies utilizing the carotid injection technique, it was necessary to anesthetize the animals prior to performing the experiment. The carotid injection technique was modified by catheter implantation in the external carotid artery at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery. The technique was used to determine cerebral blood flow, the Km, Vmax, and KD of glucose transport in hippocampus, caudate, cortex, and thalamus-hypothalamus in conscious rats. Blood flow increased two to three times from that seen in the anesthetized rat. The Km in the four regions ranged between 6.5 and 9.2 mM, the Vmax ranged between 1.15 and 2.07 μmol/min/g, and the KD ranged between 0.015 and 0.035 ml/min/g. The Km and KD in the conscious rat did not differ from the values seen in the barbiturate anesthetized rat. The Vmax, on the other hand, increased two- to three-fold from that seen in the anesthetized rat and was nearly proportional to the increase in blood flow seen in the conscious rat. The development of the external carotid catheter technique now allows for determination of BBB substrate transport in conscious animals.
Neural methods for the traveling salesman problem: insights from operations research

Abstract Adaptive neural approaches to the traveling salesman problem appear to hold great promise, as evidenced by the work of Angeniol et al., among others. An adaptive approach based on self-organizing feature maps with conscience—the guilty net—has also exhibited the ability to give short tour lengths for the TSP. Neural approaches rarely compare in speed or efficacy, however, with good heuristics from operations research. In this paper, experiments with the guilty net and a new extension, the vigilant net, show that adaptive approaches can benefit from established results in operations research. Specifically, a simple starting position strategy derives from operations research literature, and proves an important force in reducing tour lengths. In addition, operations research yields insights into the kinds of TSP instances that should be studied. Nonuniformly distributed cities pose an important problem, and the guilty and vigilant nets yield tour lengths shorter than even a comparable geometry preserving operations research heuristic. Experimentation also shows the effect of neighborhood size and conscience.
Resting Energy Expenditures in Asian Women Measured by Indirect Calorimetry are Lower than Expenditures Calculated from Prediction Equations

Abstract Objective Measured resting energy expenditure (REE) and REEs calculated using the Harris-Benedict equation, Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization/ United Nations University (FAO/WHO/UNU) equations (FAO equations), and the Liu equation were compared in Asian women. Design REEs were measured using indirect calorimetry in the morning after an overnight fast and compared with REEs calculated using the Harris-Benedict equation, the FAO equations, and the Liu equation. Height, weight, and 3-day diet records were also obtained. Subjects Thirty-six healthy, free-living Asian women aged 19 to 52 years and living in the United States were recruited from Washington State University, Pullman, and completed the study. Statistical analyses Paired t tests, stepwise regression, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficients were used for the statistical analyses. Significance was set at P ≤.05. Results A significant correlation was found between measured REE and REE derived from the Harris-Benedict equation ( R =0.67, P R =0.70, P R =0.70, P P P Applications Caution must be taken when predicting REE of Asian women using the Harris-Benedict equation or the FAO equation. Indirect calorimetry or an equation specific to Asians, such as the Liu equation, is recommended when an accurate estimate is necessary. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997; 97:1288-1292.
Do physicians spend less time with older patients

In view of the additional time that older persons require for giving and receiving information, as well as for the examination process, it is important for manpower and reimbursement planning to better understand the nature of the physician-patient encounter with the elderly. We examined a series of national surveys of physicians' professional activities and found that physicians tend to spend less time with their older patients and also that encounter time by physicians in different specialties varies widely. Internists and cardiologists spend substantially more time with patients compared with general and family practitioners. For 65-74-year-old ambulatory patients, the average visit lengths are 18.3 minutes for internists, 18.0 for cardiologists, 11.2 for general practitioners, and 12.1 for family practitioners. Compared with ambulatory visit lengths for patients aged 45 to 64 years, average encounter times for 75-year-olds with family physicians were 0.8 minutes shorter, with general practitioners 1.2 minutes shorter, with internists 2.3 minutes shorter, and with cardiologists 3.0 minutes shorter. However, when all characteristics of the visit were considered, the effect of patient age remained significant only for general practitioners. A multivariate analysis of factors related to physician time for ambulatory care showed that more time is associated with multiple problems, problem severity, and the use of diagnostic testing. For general and family practice, the greater the number of previous visits for a problem, the shorter the encounter time is. Additional characteristics associated with shorter physician-patient encounter times include the volume of patients per week and the use of physician assistants within the practice. These findings have implications for medical education and manpower projections.
Definition of mouse chromosome 1 and 3 gene linkage groups that are conserved on human chromosome 1: evidence that a conserved linkage group spans the centromere of human chromosome 1.

Abstract Comparative mapping between the human and the mouse genomes allows characterization of linkage groups that have been conserved over evolution. In this study, genes previously localized to adjacent regions of human chromosome 1 were mapped to discrete regions on distal mouse chromosomes 1 and 3 using an interspecific cross. Linkage analysis in mouse defined two groups in which the gene order appears to be the same as that in humans: 15 genes localized between human chromosome 1q21 and 1q32 were found to span 29.5 cM on distal mouse chromosome 1;6 genes localized between human chromosome 1q21 and 1p22 spanned 15.6 cM on distal mouse chromosome 3. These data suggest that gene order within large chromosome segments may remain stable over long periods of evolution and that the position of the centromere may reflect a late event in the evolution of higher eukaryotic organisms. These studies provide a model for examination of specific evolutionary events.
Repair of defects on nasal sebaceous skin.

Background. Reconstructive procedures performed on sebaceous nasal skin are prone to partial flap necrosis, scar spread and inversion, and tissue mismatch. An ideal repair would optimize vascular integrity, minimize closure tension, and use adjacent tissue. Objective. The purpose of this article is to describe a flap design and dynamics that permit satisfactory reconstruction of small- to medium-sized defects on nasal sebaceous tissue. Methods. A modified advancement flap is described that may be used on central and off-midline defects of the nasal tip. Results. Use of the modified advancement flap resulted in good cosmetic results with few adverse postsurgical events. Conclusions. The modified advancement flap satisfies the requirements of a hardy blood supply, minimization of closure tension, and use of adjacent tissue. The surgical results are predictable and rarely associated with complications.
Two-beam coupling gain in undoped GaAs with applied DC electric field and moving grating

Experimental results of two-beam coupling gain efficiency in an undoped, semiinsulating GaAs crystal are reported. The highest gain coefficient measured is about 4.5/cm under the condition of an applied electric field of 13 kV/cm and a grating periodicity of 20 microns. The experimental results and theoretical calculations are in reasonable agreement with each other.
Multielement analysis of major and minor elements by thermal neutron induced capture gamma-ray spectrometry

The utility of prompt gamma-rays from thermal neutron capture for the measurement of nine elements (Si, Al, Fe, Na, K, Ca, Ti, Mg and P) in major and minor abundance has been investigated. National Bureau of Standards (NBS) and United States Geological Survey (USGS) standards were used to demonstrate generally good agreement between experimental measurements and certified values. Usually accuracies and precisions of ±10% were observed.
Graphene based supercapacitor fabricated by vacuum filtration deposition

Abstract A novel method involving vacuum filtration deposition (VFD) of graphene suspension is developed in this study to fabricate graphene based nickel foam electrode for supercapacitor. Acid-treated graphene nanosheets in a suspension can be easily deposited in the pores of nickel foam in large quantity using this method, thus producing supercapacitors with large energy capacity. Structural and morphological characterizations of as prepared electrodes have been carried out using scan electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical performance of as prepared electrode has also been investigated through cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge/discharge analyzer, in comparison with electrodes prepared via existing technique. Our results demonstrated that the new electrode, while achieving much greater energy capacity due to large active substance incorporated, still maintains a relatively high power density and a good cycle performance in 6 M KOH electrolyte. Our results also demonstrated that a supercapacitor made of the existing electrophoretic deposition based electrodes will lose its entire capacitance after certain time period (20 days in our study); whereas the VFD based one retains virtually all its performance after the same period. The present study shows the potential application of this method for fabrication of supercapacitor with much improved energy capacity.
Identification of polypeptides associated with sarcolemmal vesicles enriched in orthogonal arrays.

Abstract Electron microscopy of freeze-fracture replicas from the sarcolemmas of fast-twitch muscle fibers reveals orthogonal arrays of particles. The biochemical nature of macromolecules associated with the sarcolemmal orthogonal array was investigated using muscle fragments and isolated sarcolemmal vesicles. Muscle fragments incubated in vitro with the lectin concanavalin A exhibited a clustering of orthogonal arrays into local patches. Treatment with other lectins did not result in the clustering of arrays. Clustering was inhibited by the addition of α-methyl- d -mannoside, a ligand which also binds concanavalin A. These results suggest that the orthogonal arrays (or associated components) specifically bind concanavalin A. Sarcolemmal vesicles from rabbit sacrospinalis (SAC) and rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) (both primarily fast-twitch) and rat soleus (SOL) (primarily slow-twitch) were obtained by a combination of low-salt fractionation and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of proteins and glycoproteins solubilized from these vesicles revealed several bands. Four of these bands were present in gels from both the rabbit and rat fast-twitch muscle sarcolemmal preparations (that contained arrays), yet were absent in gels from rat slow-twitch muscle sarcolemmal preparations (not bearing arrays). An enrichment in vesicles containing arrays was achieved by binding SAC sarcolemmal vesicles to Con A-Sepharose 4B beads. SDS-PAGE analysis of array-enriched vesicles from the concanavalin A beads revealed enrichment of three major bands at Mr 93 000, 54 000 and 49 000. These enriched bands correlate with three of the four bands common to fast-twitch EDL and SAC, yet absent in slow-twitch SOL sarcolemmal preparations. We conclude that at least one macromolecular component associated with the sarcolemmal orthogonal array is a concanavalin A binding glycoprotein. We further conclude that three candidates for this component co-purify with the morphological array, and have approximate molecular weights of 93 000, 54 000 and 49 000.
Insulin-like growth factor I induces c-fos messenger ribonucleic acid in L6 rat skeletal muscle cells

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mediates growth promotion of GH on specific target cells. As other growth factor action has been associated with oncogene induction, we examined whether IGF-I activated cellular oncogenes in L6 rat muscle cells, known target cells of IGF-I stimulatory action. Quiescent cells were incubated in serum-free defined medium with IGF-I (Amgen recombinant analog, Thr59) from 5 min to 4 h. 32P-Labeled DNA was first prepared from IGF-I-treated cell poly(A) RNA using avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase. This labeled probe was hybridized against a blot containing 12 different immobilized oncogene DNAs. The v-fos DNA showed a positive hybridization signal, indicating the presence of c-fos mRNA sequences. Northern analysis with [32P]v-fos DNA revealed a major c-fos mRNA species (2.2 kilobases) induced by treatment of cells with IGF-I (100 ng/ml) or fetal calf serum (15%) for 45 min. We, therefore, measured c-fos induction by cytoplasmic RNA blot hybridization. IGF-I (6....
Role of epidermal-dermal tissue interactions in regulating tenascin expression during development of the chick scutate scale.

During normal chicken development tenascin begins to accumulate in the dermis of anterior metatarsal skin at the time of scutate scale ridge formation, and is localized in a distinct pattern along the outer scale surface. Anterior metatarsal skin from scaleless (sc/sc) embryos, which do not form scutate scales, begins to accumulate tenascin 4 days later than normal skin. This study shows that normal and scaleless anterior metatarsal dermis accumulate the same tenascin isoforms and undergo the same isoform changes in the post-hatch period, but there is less tenascin accumulated in scaleless dermis and there is no pattern to its distribution. In both normal and scaleless anterior metatarsal skin, tenascin mRNA is localized in the dermis and is distributed in the same way as the protein. Thus, scaleless skin is defective in the ability to accumulate appropriate amounts of tenascin and to maintain the tenascin in the patterned manner of normal. Recombinant skin cultures show that epidermal–dermal interactions are required for tenascin accumulation. The dermis specifies the way that tenascin is organized, but interaction with epidermis is required to maintain this organization. The epidermal role appears to be permissive because in heterotypic recombinants, neither scaleless anterior metatarsal epidermis nor normal footpad epidermis changes the way that tenascin appears in the normal anterior metatarsal dermis; and in reciprocal recombinants, normal anterior metatarsal epidermis does not change the way tenascin is accumulated in either scaleless anterior metatarsal dermis or normal footpad dermis. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Slowly progressive aphasia without generalized dementia: Studies with positron emission tomography

Slowly progressive aphasia without generalized dementia is a degenerative syndrome selectively affecting dominant hemisphere language areas. We report changes in regional glucose metabolism measured by positron emission tomography in two patients with this condition. Striking abnormalities of glucose utilization in the left cerebral cortex were demonstrated in both patients. The findings of other neurodiagnostic studies were relatively unremarkable. The first patient had a 3-year history of progressive anomia and impaired auditory verbal recall. An electroencephalogram was normal, and computed tomography showed mild left perisylvian atrophy. Positron emission tomography revealed profound hypometabolism in the left temporal regions. The second patient also had a 3-year history of progressive anomia. Electroencephalography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging scans were normal. Positron emission tomography showed a major reduction in left parietal glucose utilization, with a lesser decrement in left temporal metabolism. Neither patient demonstrated significant contralateral or global abnormalities such as those reported in positron emission tomographic studies of Alzheimer's disease with or without focal clinical features. These observations support the concept of adult-onset progressive aphasia without dementia as a clinical syndrome distinct from Alzheimer's disease.
What do they know and how do they know it? An examination of citizen awareness of context

The connection between the individual and his or her aggregate geographic environment, usually defined as the neighborhood, is a key component of the contextual model of social influence. However, ...
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone as a Modulator of Ovarian Function

Summary GnRH and its agonist analogs exert direct inhibitory and stimulatory effects on the ovaries of animals from several species. In the immature follicle, GnRH inhibits the actions of FSH on an integrated array of biochemical responses that lead to follicular development and corpus luteum formation. GnRH also suppresses gonadotropin action in mature follicles, and stimulates certain ovarian processes such as steroidogenesis and oocyte maturation. The inhibitory and stimulatory effects of GnRH are mediated through the binding of the peptide to high-affinity receptors in granulosa and thecal cells. Recent studies have shown that GnRH action in the ovary is dependent upon calcium mobilization and probably operates through stimulation of phospholipid turnover and activation of protein kinase C.
Propulsion by impinging laser beams.

Evaluation of the best mission performance of a 'photon sail' system using an impinging laser beam. The results of calculations of nondimensional time history of distance, velocity, and acceleration for propulsion by laser beam reflection are presented. These calculations show that propulsion by impinging laser beams is not competitive with advanced onboard propulsion concepts for missions in the solar system.
Application of cost-effectiveness methodoloty tothe consideration of needlestick-prevention technology

Abstract Data from the study of needlestick-prevention devices in 10 New York State hospitals enabled application of cost-effectiveness analysis techniques for determining relative benefits of various safety interventions. This article introduces to infection control practitioners several economic concepts related to cost-effectiveness methodlogy and provides two examples of how they may be applied for decision-making purposes. A critical aspect of the analysis described is the determination of a base cost of needlestick injury. By applying decision analysis to experience-based data aggregated from participating institutions, base expected costs of needlestick injury was determined to be $363.
The single-item newsboy problem with dual performance measures and quantity discounts

Abstract This paper considers models for the single-item newsboy problem with quantity discount and the following dual performance measure: “maximize the expected profit subject to a constraint that the probability of achieving a target profit level is no less than a predetermined risk level.” We also consider two types of quantity discount: all-unit and incremental. For our models with zero shortage cost, a closed-form solution for determining the optimal order quantity is derived. However, models with positive shortage cost can only be solved numerically.
Reproductive biology: In vitro sperm maturation

Anticancer therapies can impair male fertility. Whereas men can opt to freeze their sperm before treatment, young boys don't produce mature sperm and so lack this choice. Work in mice offers hope for such patients. See Letter p.504 Reproducing the complex process of spermatogenesis in vitro might lead to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for male infertility. Takehiko Ogawa and colleagues have now established in vitro organ culture conditions that can support the production of fertile sperm from spermatogonia of neonatal mice. Spermatids and sperm that were derived in vitro produced healthy and fertile mice. In addition, neonatal testis tissues that were cryopreserved for several months resumed complete spermatogenesis in vitro on thawing. The organ culture method is simple and, with further refinements, could be applicable to a variety of mammalian species. This work suggests that cryopreservation of the testis tissue of paediatric cancer patients could become a practical way of ensuring future fertility.
Dependence patterns across financial markets: a mixed copula approach

This paper studies the modelling and estimation of dependence across international financial markets, with a focus on the structure of dependence. A new approach is proposed based on a mixed copula model and the model is constructed so that it can capture various patterns of dependence structures. The marginal distribution of asset returns in each market is estimated non-parametrically and a quasi-ML method is used to estimate the mixed copula. The methodology is applied to estimate the dependence across several international stock markets. The empirical findings are shown to have some implications that are important for a wide range of multivariate studies in Economics and Finance.
Sympathy for a Character's Plight: Sex Differences in Response to Theatre

What causes us to feel sympathy for fictional characters? Using audience members from four theatrical productions we tested the relative strength of three oft-cited predictors: understanding the emotions of another (cognitive empathy), feeling the emotions of another (emotional empathy), and experiencing a negative emotional reaction to another's plight (personal distress). Predictors of sympathy held constant for a wide range of ages but differed for males versus females. Level of sympathy was predicted by emotional empathy in males but by cognitive empathy in females. These findings suggest that when watching theatrical performances, sympathy for characters is more other-directed for females than for males.
Effect of surface species on activity and selectivity of MoO3/SiO2 catalysts in partial oxidation of methane to formaldehyde

The effect of the nature of surface species on the activity and selectivity of MoO3/SiO2 catalysts has been investigated for the partial oxidation of methane to formaldehyde. Characterization techniques including BET surface area, ambient and in situ Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction were used in conjunction with steady-state reaction studies to relate the presence of different surface species to the activity and selectivity of the catalyst. Results of these experiments indicate the presence of a highly dispersed silicomolybdic species with terminal Mo=O sites appearing at lower MoO3 loadings. As the weight loading increases, these sites are transformed into polymolybdate species, forming more Mo-O-Mo bridging sites at the expense of Mo=O sites. At high weight loadings, crystalline MoO3 begins to form. The abundance of the Mo=O sites is believed to affect activity and selectivity in the partial oxidation of methane to formaldehyde.
Making lasting memories: Remembering the significant

Although forgetting is the common fate of most of our experiences, much evidence indicates that emotional arousal enhances the storage of memories, thus serving to create, selectively, lasting memories of our more important experiences. The neurobiological systems mediating emotional arousal and memory are very closely linked. The adrenal stress hormones epinephrine and corticosterone released by emotional arousal regulate the consolidation of long-term memory. The amygdala plays a critical role in mediating these stress hormone influences. The release of norepinephrine in the amygdala and the activation of noradrenergic receptors are essential for stress hormone-induced memory enhancement. The findings of both animal and human studies provide compelling evidence that stress-induced activation of the amygdala and its interactions with other brain regions involved in processing memory play a critical role in ensuring that emotionally significant experiences are well-remembered. Recent research has determined that some human subjects have highly superior autobiographic memory of their daily experiences and that there are structural differences in the brains of these subjects compared with the brains of subjects who do not have such memory. Understanding of neurobiological bases of such exceptional memory may provide additional insights into the processes underlying the selectivity of memory.
Cat cones have rod input: A comparison of the response properties of cones and horizontal cell bodies in the retina of the cat

The responses of horizontal cell bodies and cones in the retina of the cat have been studied by means of intracellular recording and Procion dye injection in an isolated, arterially perfused eyecup preparation. Comparison of the hyperpolarizing responses of these units to red and blue stimuli of different intensities indicated that all morphological varieties of horizontal cells and, additionally, cones themselves, had mixed rod and cone input. The rod input into horizontal cell bodies is thus explained on the basis of cone physiology. The half-saturating intensity of 441 nm stimuli for the rod input into cones and horizontal cells was about 400 quanta/mum2/sec and about 160,000 quanta/mum2/sec for the cone input. Little of this difference can be related to the different quantum catching abilities of rods and cones. The spatial properties of horizontal cell bodies and cones have been characterized using stimuli consisting of long slits in conjunction with a continuous cable model. Space constants for horizontal cells ranged from 210 mum to 410 mum, whereas those for cones ranged from 50 mum, or possibly less, to 180 mum. It is argued that horizontal cell bodies of the cat retina form electrical networks, and that the sizes of the receptive fields generated in these networks may be limited by the diameters of the primary and secondary dendrites of horizontal cells. The rod and cone fields of horizontal cell bodies were found to be nearly coextensive in space, arguing against the notion that substantial rod input came from distant, rod-dominated terminal arborizations.
A non-immunogenic adenoviral vector, coexpressing CTLA4Ig and bilirubin-uridine-diphosphoglucuronateglucuronosyltransferase permits long-term, repeatable transgene expression in the Gunn rat model of Crigler-Najjar syndrome.

Host immune responses limit the duration of expression of transgenes introduced by recombinant adenoviruses, preclude gene transfer upon vector readministration and cause liver injury. CTLA4Ig inhibits immune response by blocking the co-stimulatory interaction between CD28 on T cells and B7 on antigen-presenting cells. We have constructed a recombinant adenovirus, Ad-hUGT1A1-CTLA4Ig that coexpresses human bilirubin-uridinediphosphoglucuronate glucuronosyltransferase (hUGT1A1) and soluble murine CTLA4Ig, both driven by CMV immediate-early promoters. After intravenous injection of this vector (6 x 10(11) p.f.u.) into UGT1A1-deficient jaundiced Gunn rats, serum CTLA4Ig levels peaked at 1.8-2.0 mg/ml on day 7 and declined thereafter to 0.2 mg/ml by day 180. Serum bilirubin declined from mean preinjection levels of 8.0 mg/dl to 0.48-0.6 mg/dl in 3 days, remained normal for 28 weeks, and then gradually increased to 8 mg/dl by day 350. A second injection of Ad-hUGT1A1-CTLA4Ig normalized serum bilirubin. In two rats in this group that were followed longer, serum bilirubin increased to 3.1 and 3.5 mg/dl in 40 weeks, but was normalized again after a third injection. The antibody and cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) responses were negligible, and liver biopsy showed no inflammatory cell infiltration. Rats receiving a tertiary challenge with Ad-LacZ (expressing E. coli beta-galactosidase) (5 x 10(11) p.f.u.), 2 months after the second dose of Ad-hUGT1A1-CTLA4Ig, showed beta-galactosidase expression in over 80% of hepatocytes. In contrast, after Ad-hUGT1A1 (which expresses UGT1A1 alone) injection, serum bilirubin remained normal for only 4 weeks, and returned to preinjection levels by day 120. Bilirubin levels did not decline upon reinjection, and beta-galactosidase was not expressed after Ad-LacZ. High levels of adenovirus-specific antibodies and CTL, and hepatic inflammation were found. This is the first demonstration that coexpression of CTLA4Ig permits prolonged expression and repeatable gene transfer by an adenoviral vector.
ALLIGATOR MANDIBULAR DEVELOPMENT DURING LONG TERM ORGAN CULTURE

The development of the first branchial (mandibular) arch of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is studied in organ culture for the first time. There is extensive mandibular morphogenesis in vitro and the pattern of the differentiated elements, bones, muscles, and cartilage, is comparable to that found during normal development in ovo. In addition, we observe the development of paired lingual swellings and the formation of a small tongue consisting of fibrous, lipid containing, and muscular tissues, as found in the normal tongue. Several culture variables are examined: (a) although alligator embryos normally develop at 30°C, we successfully culture the mandibular rudiments with good short term (3 wk) results at 37°CC; (b) at 30° C, we are able to culture arches for long term periods of 6 wk; (c) the mandibular arches develop well in both serum containing medium and in a chemically defined medium free from added hormones. The reptilian mandibular arches exhibit excellent, patterned, development and may have less stringent culture requirements than their avian and mammalian counterparts.
Rhetoric and nomenclature in Lavoisier's chemical language

Implicit in the theoretical chemical writings of Antoine Laurent Lavoisier is a theory of language that is not in complete harmony with the philosopher of language whom he takes as his explicit authority, Condillac. Lavoisier's reform of the nomenclature of chemistry leads to his dividing scientific language into two sets with different properties: a denotative artificial nomenclature and connotative natural language. This division supposedly permits knowledge to be stored in the nomenclature while the natural language retains the rhetorical tools necessary for creative thought and argument. The consequences of this reform of scientific language are, however, the opposite of what Lavoisier had intended.
Altered growth and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 production in PC3 prostate carcinoma cells stably transfected with a constitutively active androgen receptor complementary deoxyribonucleic acid.

The network of androgen-dependent growth factors regulating the growth and function of normal or neoplastic prostate epithelium is largely unknown. To facilitate studies directed at investigating this issue, androgen receptor-negative (AR-) PC3 prostate carcinoma cells were stably transfected with the expression plasmid CMV3 containing a constitutively active AR construct that is truncated at its hormone-binding domain (CMV-ARCA). The major characteristic of the resulting cell line (PC3-ARCA) was a growth rate approximately 35% slower than that of a control mock-transfected cell line (PC3-Neo). Of the several growth factors known to be present in the prostate, the current studies focused on the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis, specifically the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), several of which are known to be abnormally produced by prostate cancer. Northern analysis showed that IGFBP-1 and -5 are not expressed by PC3-ARCA and -Neo cells. Western ligand and immunoblot analysis of medium conditioned by P...
Firmware-assisted Memory Acquisition and Analysis tools for Digital Forensics

Being able to inspect and analyze the operational state of commodity machines is crucial for modern digital forensics. Indeed, volatile system state including memory data and CPU registers contain information that cannot be directly inferred or reconstructed by acquiring the contents of the nonvolatile storage. Unfortunately, it still remains an open problem how to reliably and consistently retrieve the volatile machine state without disrupting its operation. In this paper, we propose to leverage commercial PCI network cards and the current x86 implementation of System Management Mode to reliably replicate the physical memory and critical CPU registers from commodity hardware. Furthermore, we demonstrate how remote state replication can be used for semantic reconstruction, where the analysis of memory structures enables us to interactively perform forensic analysis of the machine's memory content.
Theory of two-photon phase conjugation

The theory of degenerate four-wave mixing using two-photon transitions is formulated. Two kinds of mechanisms compete in generating conjugate waves leading to two phenomena that do not occur in two-level media: (1) a double-peaked reflection spectrum and (2) coupled-mode oscillation in absorbing media. In addition, because of the dynamic Stark-shifted line center, the reflection coefficient approaches a constant value at large intensities, unlike the two-level coefficient, which bleaches to zero.
Molecular cloning and expression of three polygalacturonase cDNAs from the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris.

Three unique cDNAs encoding putative polygalacturonase enzymes were isolated from the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae). The three nucleotide sequences were dissimilar to one another, but the deduced amino acid sequences were similar to each other and to other polygalacturonases from insects, fungi, plants, and bacteria. Four conserved segments characteristic of polygalacturonases were present, but with some notable semiconservative substitutions. Two of four expected disulfide bridge—forming cysteine pairs were present. All three inferred protein translations included predicted signal sequences of 17 to 20 amino acids. Amplification of genomic DNA identified an intron in one of the genes, Llpg1, in the 5′ untranslated region. Semiquantitative RT-PCR revealed expression in all stages of the insect except the eggs. Expression in adults, male and female, was highly variable, indicating a family of highly inducible and diverse enzymes adapted to the generalist polyphagous nature of this important pest.
Housing Selection, Need Satisfaction and Dropout from College

The study investigates the relationship of 153 students' housing arrangements to the frequency of dropping out from college. Results indicate that dropping out was related to the living situation, ...
Fuel efficient periodic gain control strategies for spacecraft relative motion in elliptic chief orbits

Periodic gain continuous control strategies are applied to the nonlinear time periodic equations of spacecraft relative motion when the chief orbit is elliptic. Specifically, control strategies based on time-varying linear quadratic regulator (LQR), Lyapunov–Floquet transformation (LFT) with time-invariant LQR, LFT with backstepping, and feedback linearization are implemented and shown to be much more fuel efficient than constant gain feedback control. Both natural and constrained leader-follower two-spacecraft formations are studied. Furthermore, a dead-band control is added for the constrained formation to reduce the amount of the fuel used. The closed-loop response and control effort required are investigated and compared for the same settling time envelopes for all control strategies.
DNA-Bound Bas1 Recruits Pho2 To Activate ADE Genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Expression of the genes in the ADE regulon of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is repressed by the presence of purine bases in the extracellular medium and derepressed when cells are grown in the absence of purines. Derepression requires the transcriptional activators Bas1 and Pho2, as well as the biosynthetic intermediates 5′-phosphoribosyl-4-succinocarboxamide-5-aminoimidazole (SAICAR) and 5′-phosphoribosyl-4-carboxamide- 5-aminoimidazole (AICAR). In this study, we investigated if nuclear localization and binding to promoter DNA by the activators are regulated by purines. Using indirect immunofluorescence, we found that Bas1 is localized to the nucleus under both repressing and derepressing conditions. Importantly, we detected Bas1 bound to promoter DNA under both conditions using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays at several ADE promoters (ADE1, ADE2, ADE4, and ADE5,7) and HIS4. We analyzed the binding of Bas1 to wild-type and mutant sequences of the ADE5,7 promoters in vivo, and found that Bas1 binds independently to each of its two binding sites. Pho2 was not required for the association of Bas1 with chromosomal DNA, but it was required for an increase in Bas1-immunoprecipitated DNA. The presence of Pho2 at promoters was dependent on Bas1 and occurred only under derepressing conditions when the ADE genes are transcribed at elevated levels. We propose a model for regulation of the ADE genes in which DNA-bound Bas1 is inactive due to masking of its activation domain and Pho2 binds poorly to promoters when cells have sufficient purine nucleotides. Upon limitation for purines, the SAICAR/AICAR regulatory signal is transmitted to the nucleus to increase Bas1 and Pho2 interaction, recruiting Pho2 to promoters and freeing the activation domains for transactivation.
Surgical management of cutaneous malignancies.

Diagnosing and treating cutaneous malignancies effectively is one of the most important responsibilities of the general dermatologist. While the amount and extent of the surgery done by the individual practitioner may vary according to his or her knowledge, abilities, training, and personal preferences, there are nevertheless certain fundamental techniques with which all practicing dermatologists should be familiar. In this review, the principles of using skin biopsies to diagnose cutaneous neoplasms and the surgical techniques used to treat nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers will be discussed. The methods, advantages, disadvantages, and indications for each technique will also be addressed. When deciding on the appropriate type of biopsy and subsequent surgical treatment of a suspected cutaneous malignancy, it is important to remember that the approach to diagnosis and treatment must be individualized for each patient. The invasiveness of the lesion and whether the lesion is primary, recurrent, or metastatic must be evaluated.1,2 The physical characteristics of the lesion, including its anatomic location, size, shape, histologic subtype, and the vital structures that underlie it, may dictate a particular course of management.3 The patient’s physical and psychological status, age, skin color, degree of sun damage, and cosmetic considerations may also play a role in determining the choice of therapy.1,2,4–6
1,800 Years of abrupt climate change, severe fire, and accelerated erosion, Sierra Nevada, California, USA

This paper provides both a detailed history of environmental change in the Sierra Nevada over the past 1,800 years and evidence for climate teleconnections between the Sierra Nevada and Greenland during the late Holocene. A review of Greenland ice core data suggests that the magnitudes of abrupt changes in temperature and precipitation increased beginning c. 3,700 and 3,000 years ago, respectively. Precipitation increased abruptly 1,300 years ago. Comparing paleotemperature data from Cirque Peak, CA with paleoprecipitation data from Pyramid Lake, NV suggests that hot temperatures occurred at the beginnings of most severe droughts in the Sierra Nevada over the past 1,800 years. Severe fires and erosion also occurred at Coburn Lake, CA at the beginning of all severe droughts in the Sierra Nevada over the past 1,800 years. This suggests that abrupt climate change during the late Holocene caused vegetation and mountain slopes in some areas to be out of equilibrium with abruptly changed climates. Finally, the ending of drought conditions in Greenland coincided with the beginning of drought conditions in the Sierra Nevada over the past 1,800 years, perhaps as a result of the rapidly changed locations of the Earth’s major precipitation belts during abrupt climate change events.
Preliminary Pharmacokinetic Study of Repeated Doses of Rifampin and Rifapentine in Guinea Pigs

Substitution of rifapentine (RFP) for rifampin (RIF) in the standard antituberculous regimen reduces the time required to cure chronic tuberculosis (TB) infection in mice, but not in guinea pigs. In order to gain insight into these discrepant findings, we conducted a steady-state pharmacokinetic (PK) study in healthy guinea pigs to study the metabolism and autoinduction of RIF and RFP. Both RFP and RIF 25-desacetyl metabolites (desRFP and desRIF, respectively), were detected at low concentrations in the serum of guinea pigs. The metabolite concentrations in guinea pigs are much lower than those seen in humans at steady state.
A study of metal-ceramic wettability in SiC-Al using dynamic melt infiltration of SiC

Pressure-assisted infiltration with a 2014 Al alloy of plain and Cu-coated single crystal platelets of alpha silicon carbide was used to study particulate wettability under dynamic conditions relevant to pressure casting of metal-matrix composites. The total penetration length of infiltrant metal in porous compacts was measured at the conclusion of solidification as a function of pressure, infiltration time, and SiC size for both plain and Cu-coated SiC. The experimental data were analyzed to obtain a threshold pressure for the effect of melt intrusion through SiC compacts. The threshold pressure was taken either directly as a measure of wettability or converted to an effective wetting angle using the Young-Laplace capillary equation. Cu coating resulted in partial but beneficial improvements in wettability as a result of its dissolution in the melt, compared to uncoated SiC.
A new method for testing and calibration of high-resistance grounding systems

An innovative method is proposed where charging current can be measured and grounding resistors sized without staging a fault. Overvoltages have caused damage to equipment and voltage transformer fuse blowing an ungrounded 4.8 kV delta distribution system. Three causes are suspected: single-line-to-ground faults, multiple restrikes and ferroresonance. The first is the most likely. The existence of ferroresonance can be determined by taking recordings of transient waveforms. The solution evaluated here is conversion to a high-resistance grounded system using banks of distribution transformers with broken-delta secondaries. Evaluation of system parameters shows that the grounding resistance should be in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 times the per phase capacitive reactance. This method will require that all equipment in the 4.8 kV distribution systems be rated for full line-to-line voltage. Ground fault current will be limited to less than 10 A. Simulation of multiple restrikes shows that overvoltages will be limited to 2.5 per unit. Properly sized high-resistance grounding can eliminate ferroresonance.
Client-related predictors of early treatment drop-out in a substance abuse clinic exclusively employing individual therapy

The present study examined predictors of early drop-out in a heterogeneous male and female outpatient sample enrolled in an addiction program. Clients who failed to attend five or more individual therapy sessions were considered "non treatment-engaged." Sixty-four percent of the sample engaged in initial treatment, compared to 36% who were early drop-outs. The latter group, compared to the former group, was significantly less educated and was more likely to be African American, female, report cocaine as the primary drug of choice, and be referred from outside the larger medical center (p <.05). In multivariate models, female gender and African American ethnicity were independent predictors of early treatment drop-out (p <.00001). Although substance-related factors influenced treatment outcomes, their effects were weakened when taken into consideration with demographic factors such as gender and ethnicity. Continued examination of ethnicity, gender, and other potential negative prognostic factors for attendance in various addiction treatment milieus may aid in provision of appropriate services especially for high-risk clients.