cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progesterone concentration, follicular development and induction of cyclicity in dairy cows receiving intravaginal progesterone inserts

Objectives were to evaluate progesterone concentrations after cows had initiated estrous cycles following calving and induction of estrous cycles in postpartum anovular high-producing Holstein dairy cows treated with controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR). In experiment 1 (EXP1), 62 cows that had initiated estrous cycles received a new CIDR (NCIDR) containing 1.38 g of progesterone or a 7-d used autoclaved CIDR (UCIDR) 48h after luteolysis for 7 d. Ovaries were examined by ultrasonography, and plasma analyzed for concentrations of progesterone. In experiment 2 (EXP2), 515 cows diagnosed as anestrus were randomly assigned to untreated control, NCIDR or UCIDR for 6d. Plasma was analyzed for concentration of progesterone 12 d after CIDR removal to determine ovulation. In EXP1, milk yield and body condition did not influence progesterone concentrations. Concentration of progesterone tended to increase faster (P=0.10) in cows receiving UCIDR than NCIDR, but both treatments reached a plateau at 90min. Cows receiving the NCIDR had greater (P=0.04) concentrations of progesterone during the 7-d treatment, but they were mostly subluteal (<1.0 ng/mL) after d 2. After removal, concentrations of progesterone were greater for NCIDR than UCIDR for the first 45 min, and were similar thereafter. Multiparous cows had lesser (P=0.004) concentrations than primiparous cows throughout the study. The pattern of ovarian follicular development was not affected by treatment. In EXP2, induction of onset of estrous cycles increased (P<0.01) with progesterone treatments, but was similar between NCIDR and UCIDR. Proportion of cows experiencing shorter than typical length estrous cycles after first AI tended to be greater (P=0.09) for control cows than those receiving the CIDR, and for cows remaining anestrous than those in which onset of estrous cycles was induced. Pregnancy per AI and pregnancy loss were similar among treatments. Cows that resumed estrous cyclicity prior to first AI had greater (P=0.01) pregnancy per AI. Treatment of high-producing Holstein cows that had previously initiated onset of estrous cycles with CIDR resulted in subluteal concentrations of progesterone, but in anestrous high-producing cows increased induction of estrous cycles with no effect on fertility at first insemination.
Methods for obtaining corresponding phrase structure and dependency grammars

Two methods are given for converting grammars belonging to different systems. One converts a simple (context-free) phrase structure grammar (SPG) into a corresponding dependency grammar (DG); the other converts a DG into a corresponding SPG. The structures assigned to a string by a source grammar will correspond systematically, though a symmetrically, to those assigned by the target grammar resulting from its conversion. Since both systems are weakly equivalent, generating exactly the CF languages, the methods facilitate experimentation with either notation in devising rules for any CF language or any CF set of strings designed to undergo subsequent transformation.
The Sensitivity of WRF Daily Summertime Simulations over West Africa to Alternative Parameterizations. Part I: African Wave Circulation

AbstractThe performance of the NCAR Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) as a West African regional-atmospheric model is evaluated. The study tests the sensitivity of WRF-simulated vorticity maxima associated with African easterly waves to 64 combinations of alternative parameterizations in a series of simulations in September. In all, 104 simulations of 12-day duration during 11 consecutive years are examined. The 64 combinations combine WRF parameterizations of cumulus convection, radiation transfer, surface hydrology, and PBL physics. Simulated daily and mean circulation results are validated against NASA’s Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) and NCEP/Department of Energy Global Reanalysis 2. Precipitation is considered in a second part of this two-part paper. A wide range of 700-hPa vorticity validation scores demonstrates the influence of alternative parameterizations. The best WRF performers achieve correlations against reanalysis of 0.40–0.60 and realisti...
Orisha worship communities : A reconsideration of organisational structure

It is commonly understood by both scholars and practitioners of Yoruba religion in the Americas that initiates in Africa worship only one or two Orisha, whereas in the New World each individual worships multiple Orisha. However, an analysis of both textual and visual sources points to a more complex religious environment among the Yoruba in their homeland. It is suggested that the innovations found in the New World were less radical than received wisdom indicates. In addition, such research challenges the assumption that the form of New World Orisha worship is a consequence of colonial oppression and suggests instead that it is based on existing African antecedents.
Ecological Segregation Among Three Species of Minnows (Cyprinidae) in a Minnesota Lake

Abstract The life histories of the mimic shiner (Notropis volucellus), the common shiner (N. cornutus), and the bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus), from a small Minnesota Lake, were compared in order to find out how temperate fish species segregate ecologically and how accurate dietary studies are for showing ecological differences among similar co-existing species. The three minnow species were found to differ from each other in habitat, feeding behavior, organisms consumed, population age structure, and breeding habits. Mimic shiners occurred in large schools in shallow water and fed during the day, with peaks at dawn and dusk, on emerging and flying insects. They usually spawned in August but did not spawn at all in some years. Bluntnose minnows were found in small schools both in shallow water and in silty bottomed clearings in the aquatic vegetation in deeper water. They fed continuously on bottom organisms and detritus and spawned in July. Common shiners were roving opportunists, feeding on whate...
Photoluminescence studies of ZnSe starting materials and vapor grown bulk crystals

Low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra were measured on ZnSe starting materials provided by various vendors and on bulk crystals grown from these starting materials by physical vapor transport (PVT) to study the effects of purification and contamination during PVT process. The impurity levels in one set of starting material/grown crystal were also measured by glow discharge mass spectroscopy (GDMS). The purification effect of pre-growth heat treatments and the PVT process is evidenced from the GDMS results which showed orders of magnitude reduction in the Li and Na concentration and a factor of 3 reduction in the O content after growth. The PL spectra showed that the strong emissions associated with Li (or Na) in one of the starting materials disappeared after growth. The GDMS results also showed increases in the Al and Si contents by orders of magnitude after growth. To evaluate the contamination of the crystal during the high temperature growth process, three growth runs were processed using similar growth parameters but different furnace environments. The PL spectra suggest that the Al contamination originated from the fused silica ampoule and that the Inconel cartridge might have been the cause of the broad Cu green and Cu red bands observed in one of the grown crystals.
A COMPARISON OF SOME SHORT-CUT METHODS OF ESTIMATING REAL PRODUCT PER CAPITA

Several recent studies of short-cut estimates comparing real income (on a purchasing power basis) of countries are reviewed, including methods comparing real income based on indicators, like electricity consumption. New estimates are presented for 101 countries which had a tradition of conventional national income estimates in 1965, and for 40 countries without extended national income series. One conclusion from the empircial analysis was that until there exist a large number of countries for which purchasing power estimates of real income are available, it is difficult to discriminate between alternative short-cut methods using indicators, and difficult to estimate real per capita incomes of low income countries without substantial errors of estimate. The paper advocates more purchasing power estimates, and institutionalizing the collection of international prices of specified items so that abbreviated market baskets can be readily compared across countries.
Discrimination between host songs by brood parasitic brown-headed cowbirds ( Molothrus ater).

Songbirds can learn both to produce and to discriminate between different classes of acoustic stimuli. Varying levels of auditory discrimination may improve the fitness of individuals in certain ecological and social contexts and, thus, selection is expected to mold the cognitive abilities of different species according to the potential benefits of acoustic processing. Although fine-scale auditory discrimination of conspecific songs and calls has been frequently reported for brood parasitic brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater), it remains unclear why and how they perceive differently the songs of their many host species. Using habituation-dishabituation paradigms and measuring behavioral and physiological (heart-rate) responses, we found that captive female cowbirds consistently discriminated between songs of two host species, the song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) and the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). Playback experiments with stimuli composed of con-specific followed by heterospecific vocalizations in the field also demonstrated discrimination between these heterospecific songs even though cowbirds were not attracted to playbacks of either host species' songs alone. Our results do not directly support a nest-searching function of heterospecific song discrimination by cowbirds and are most consistent with a function of the parasites' avoidance of attacks by their agressive hosts. These data demonstrate discrimination between heterospecific vocalizations by brown-headed cowbirds and add a novel dimension to the already expansive auditory perceptual abilities of brood parasitic species and other songbirds.
Fine-Grained Auditory Discrimination: Factor Structures

This research tested the hypothesis that as children's language development matures, factor-analytic structural changes occur that are associated with measurements of fine-grained auditory discrimi...
Privacy preserving smart metering system based retail level electricity market

Smart metering systems in distribution networks provide near real-time, two-way information exchange between end users and utilities, enabling many advanced smart grid technologies. However, the fine grained real-time data as well as the various market functionalities also pose great risks to customer privacy. In this work we propose a secure multi-party computation (SMC) based privacy preserving smart metering system. Using the proposed SMC protocol, a utility is able to perform advanced market based demand management algorithms without knowing the actual values of private end user consumption and configuration data. Using homomorphic encryption, billing is secure and verifiable. We implemented a demonstration system that includes a graphical user interface and simulates real-world network communication of the proposed SMC-enabled smart meters. The demonstration shows the feasibility of our proposed privacy preserving protocol for advanced smart grid technologies which includes load management and retail level electricity market support.
Basic human genetics

BASIC HUMAN GENETICS, 2nd ed., by E.J. Mange and A.P. Mange, Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA, 1998, 456 p, $74.95.
Axonal transport and turnover of proline- and leucine-labeled protein in the goldfish visual system.

The suitability of radioactively labeled proline as a marker of axonally transported protein in the goldfish visual system is further investigated and compared with another amino acid, leucine, in double-label experiments. Intraocularly injected proline is incorporated into protein in the eye 5 times more efficiently than is leucine, while local labeling of brain protein from precursor which has left the eye and entered the blood, (observed in the ipsilateral optic tectum) is five- to eight-fold less from proline than from leucine. The difference is attributed to the superior transport of leucine, an essential amino acid, into the brain from the blood. Once in the brain, the apparent rates of incorporation of the two amino acids are similar. Proline- or leucine-labeled, axonally transported proteins have a longer apparent half-life in the brain than do proteins labeled from intracranial injection of the precursors. By either route, proline-labeled proteins have a longer apparent half-life than leucine-labeled proteins. It is proposed that proline, released from protein breakdown is reutilized to a greater extent than is leucine.
Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase in vitro by pentylenetetrazol.

—The effect of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) on acetylcholinesterase (E.C.3.1.1.7) was studied in vitro. The kinetics of the reaction were studied on AChE in crude homogenates of rat brain and in purified preparations from Electrophorus electricus. The Km for rat brain AChE was 1·22 × 10-4m, with a Vmax of 1·37 μmol/g/min whereas the K4 for competitive inhibition of the enzyme by PTZ was 4·7 × 10-3m. The commercially purified enzyme exhibited a Km of 1·73 × 10-4m and a Ki of 1·00 × 10-3m.
Electron beam excitation of nonequilibrium effects in spatially separated superconductors

Abstract A superconductor driven into a nonequilibrium state under electron beam irradiation emits phonons. They can be detected by a spatially separated superconductor of the same material. This phenomenon, which is typical only to be superconducting state, is used to map a superconductor in a scanning electron microscope.
Collaborative partnerships in an urban environment: working together to benefit all

Purpose – This paper documents the effort of an urban university working collectively with a faith‐based organization, industry partners and the government to better the livelihood of individuals in a community.Design/methodology/approach – Conceptual paper that reviews current literature and applies it to a case study model.Findings – This conceptual writing offers strategies for group success through discussions of goal setting, benefit articulation, necessary infrastructure, curriculum development, and concludes with an outline of a true case study.Practical implications – Collaborative efforts of higher education, faith‐based organizations, government, and industry can work together to establish programs whose intent is to provide educational and training opportunities to at‐risk populations.Originality/value – The value of the paper is in the coordination of resources to provide a service deliverable that will benefit the larger community.
California's transformation: can we learn from the pioneer?

Lessons can be learned from the successes and problems that California experienced during its transformation of mental health services.
Carbothermic reduction of silicon dioxide— a thermodynamic investigation

The carbothermic reduction of silicon dioxide at high temperature was studied using a free energy minimization (FEM) program. The stability boundaries of Si(l), SiC(s), and SiO2(l), and the equilibrium compositions of the gaseous species at various pressures, temperatures, and total composition of the system have been calculated based on available thermodynamic data. At 101.325 kPa total pressure, formation of Si(l) is possible if the initial C/SiO2 ratio in the system is kept between 1 and 2.34. Above this ratio, only SiC(s) is observed. The temperature range over which only Si(l) is present in the condensed phase depends on the composition and pressure of the system. For example, at an initial C/SiO2 ratio of 1.75 and 101.325 kPa pressure, Si(l) is stable from 3080 K to 2813 K, below which SiC(s) begins to form. The possibility of producing elemental silicon using carbothermic reduction of SiO2 in a plasma reactor is discussed.
Heart Failure: Molecules, Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets

Gregory Bock, Jamie Goode, eds 291 pages. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd; 2006. $145.00. ISBN: 0–470–01597–7. The statistics of the staggering and ever-increasing burden of heart failure worldwide do not need to be fully repeated. Suffice it to say that in the United States alone, there are 5 million patients with congestive heart failure and another 500 000 new cases every year. Despite this, progress in treatment of the complex collection of disorders leading to congestive heart failure has been slow and generally incremental since the landmark trials of the last decades established angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and β-adrenergic receptor antagonists as standard therapies. Even with these therapies, prognosis is poor, and it has become increasingly clear that novel approaches to treatment are desperately needed. Heart Failure: Molecules, Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets consists of the proceedings of a Novartis Foundation symposium held in April 2005 in England. It was organized by Eric Olson and chaired by Seigo …
A Composite Analysis of Airstreams within Cold-Season Colorado Cyclones

Relative wind isentropic analysis was employed to investigate the evolution of airstreams and airstream boundaries within midlatitude cyclones that formed in the Colorado cyclogenesis region of the United States. This study attempts to verify and expand upon existing conceptual models of three-dimensional airflow, while describing how such models vary at different times during cyclone development and when the intensification history of the storm is considered. Forty-nine cyclone events were first divided into three categories: earlydeveloping cyclones (those that intensify with 24 h of cyclogenesis), late-developing cyclones (those that intensify 24‐48 h after cyclogenesis), and nondeveloping cyclones (those that either display little change in intensity or weaken with time). Composite isentropic surfaces for multiple levels (315‐290 K, separated by 5 K) were constructed by cyclone category for six 12-h time periods within the cyclone life cycle. Three distinct airstreams and four types of airstream boundaries were identified on the composite isentropic surfaces. Two of the airstreams closely resemble the ‘‘drystream’’ and ‘‘warm conveyor belt (WCB)’’ described in previous studies. The third airstream is referred to here as the cyclonically turning moist airstream (CMA). Until approximately 24 h after cyclogenesis, the CMA and WCB originate at similar latitudes although the CMA occurs at a lower elevation. Later in the storm life cycle, the CMA originates at a more northerly latitude than the WCB and in comparison is a relatively cold airstream. Airstream boundaries separating the WCB and the drystream are seen at almost all time periods. This feature acquires a forward-leaning orientation with time with only the lowermost boundaries being accompanied by a modest to strong temperature gradient. Two airstream boundaries involve the CMA. The first separates the CMA and the drystream and is a lower-tropospheric feature, particularly late in the storm life cycle. The second boundary is located north or northwest of the cyclone center and separates the CMA from northerly descending air. This midtropospheric feature occurs along a relatively weak temperature gradient. The fourth type of airstream boundary is referred to as a southwest confluence zone and separates northerly, descending airflow southwest of the cyclone center from easterly, rising airflow to the southeast. At the middle and later stages of the cyclone life cycle, this boundary is a lower-tropospheric feature. It is often associated with a relatively strong temperature gradient. The composites indicate that the evolution of the airstreams and airstream boundaries is remarkably similar for the three cyclone types, except that they are out of synchrony by one or more 12-h time steps. In particular, all three airstreams are evident on the precyclogenesis (time t 2 12) composite surfaces for the nondeveloping cyclones, whereas the full suite of airstreams does not appear until 12 h later for the developing cyclones.
Children with and without disabilities in residential care: risk at program entry, departure and six-month follow-up

Although youth with disabilities represent nearly a third of the population served in residential care, little is known about the functioning of these children as compared to their peers without disabilities at program entry, departure and six-month follow-up. This study sought to extend previous research by evaluating the behavioral, mental health and educational characteristics of youth with (n = 159) and without disabilities (n = 344) served in a large residential treatment family group home program at three time points to determine group similarities and differences. Results revealed both groups presented significant risks and profiles that were more alike than different. However, across specific indicators of behavioral, mental health and educational functioning, group differences were found. Specifically, youth with disabilities presented more formal placements and social problems at program entry, had more placement changes in care, and presented poorer peer and adult relationships and higher risk ...
Expression of heregulin by mouse mammary tumor cells: role in activation of ErbB receptors.

The inappropriate activation of one or more members of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases [ErbB-1 (EGFR), ErbB-2, ErbB-3, ErbB-4] has been linked with oncogenesis. ErbB-2 is frequently coexpressed with ErbB-3 in breast cancer cells and in the presence of the ligand heregulin (HRG) the ErbB-2/ErbB-3 receptors form a signaling heterodimer that can affect cell proliferation and apoptosis. The major goal of the present study was to determine whether endogenous HRG causes autocrine/paracrine activation of ErbB-2/ErbB-3 and contributes to the proliferation of mammary epithelial tumor cells. Tyrosine-phosphorylated (activated) ErbB-2 and ErbB-3 receptors were detected in the majority of extracts from tumors that had formed spontaneously or as a result of oncogene expression. HRG-1 transcripts and protein were found in the epithelial cells of most of these mouse mammary tumors. Various mouse mammary cell lines also contained activated ErbB-2/ErbB-3 and HRG transcripts. A � 50 kDa C-terminal fragment of pro-HRG was detected, which indicates that the HRG-1 precursor is readily processed by these cells. It is likely that the secreted mature HRG activated the ErbB-2/3 receptors. Addition of an antiserum against HRG to the mammary epithelial tumor cell line TM-6 reduced ErbB-3 Tyr-phosphorylation. Treatment with HRG-1 siRNA oligonucleotides or infection with a retroviral construct to stably express HRG siRNA effectively reduced HRG protein levels, ErbB-2/ErbB-3 activation, and the rate of proliferation, which could be reversed by the addition of HRG. The cumulative findings from these experiments show that coexpression of the HRG ligand contributes to activation of ErbB-2/Erb-3 in mouse mammary tumor cells in an autocrine or paracrine fashion. Published 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Optimizing the holographic digital data storage channel

Holographic storage has the potential to become a digital data storage technology with fast readout and high density. Computer users have come to expect, however, that data retrieved from their storage devices will be retrieved error- free (with a probability of error less than 10-12). In both conventional storage devices and holographic data storage, achieving this degree of reliability involves a good understanding of the data channel and a combination of careful hardware engineering, signal processing, and coding. At the IBM Almaden Research Center, we have leveraged the expertise acquired with 1-dimensional, time-dependent data channels found in magnetic and optical data storage systems, to develop unique and highly effective signal processing and coding algorithms to optimize the performance of the 2-dimensional, space-dependent digital holographic data storage channel. Crucial to our efforts has been the high-performance holographic data storage platform we built in 1996. This tool has allowed us to characterize and perturb a real holographic data channel, and implement and evaluate new data-coding and signal processing algorithms. This rapid feedback loop between ideas, implementation, and results both aids in selecting fruitful approaches and yields deeper understanding of the underlying data channel. In this paper, we discuss the holographic digital data storage channel as divided into five parts: the optical path, pre-processing (how the data gets into the holograms), post-processing (manipulation of raw data just after optical detection), conversion into binary 0's and 1's, and error-correction (using added redundancy). Optimizing the channel involves maximizing the system performance (density, speed) while minimizing complexity (and thus cost) and maintaining the required degree of reliability.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Construction of a deletion-scanning library for the 5′-proximal promoter region of the bean β-phaseolin gene

A library of internal deletion mutants was constructed in the 5′-proximal promoter region of the gene encoding the bean seed storage protein β-phaseolin. A nick was introduced randomly in the target DNA sequence by depurination and treatment with exonuclease III, and served as the initiating point for deleting adjacent DNA sequences by S1 nuclease. A syntheticPst I linker was ligated to the blunt-ended DNA to serve as a restriction marker for mapping the approximate position of deletion mutants. Subcloning of a kanamycin marker gene into the linker site facilitated selection of plasmid DNA in which internal deletions were introduced in the target DNA sequence. Distribution of internal deletion mutants was mapped by determining the locations of thePst I site in the target sequence. DNA sequence analysis of mutants indicated that the extent of internal deletions ranged from 6 to 100 bp with a mean of 39 bp. In addition, the CAAT and TATA boxes in the promoter region of the β-phaseolin gene were effectively dissected in these mutants.
Stress thallium-201/rest technetium-99m sequential dual isotope high-speed myocardial perfusion imaging.

Objectives Our purpose was to describe a novel, rapid stress thallium-201 (Tl-201)/rest technetium-99m (Tc-99m) agent myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) protocol (Tl/Tc) with a high-speed MPI scanner and to compare this protocol with a standard rest/stress Tc-99m agent protocol (Tc/Tc) with respect to image quality and radiation dosimetry. Background Recent advances in gamma camera technology have provided opportunity for improved SPECT MPI protocols. A rapid Tl/Tc protocol that could improve image information while maintaining a low radiation burden for the patient would be desirable. Methods We compared high-speed SPECT MPI studies in 374 consecutive patients undergoing exercise or pharmacologic Tl/Tc protocol to those of 262 patients undergoing rest/stress Tc/Tc protocol. Results Tl/Tc imaging was accomplished in Conclusions A rapid stress Tl-201/rest Tc-99m protocol for use with high-speed SPECT MPI has image quality and radiation dosimetry similar to those observed with a conventional rest/stress Tc-99m protocol. The Tl/Tc protocol offers promise as an efficient and relatively low radiation dose method, in which the superior qualities of Tl-201 for stress imaging and of the Tc-99m agents for rest imaging can be preserved. The findings also suggest that with rapid imaging rest MPI immediately after Tc-99m agent injection may be superior to standard delayed image initiation.
Invasive aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient with fever and a cardiac mass.

Invasive aspergillosis is an often fatal disease that usually occurs in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of invasive aspergillosis presenting as a febrile respiratory infection with a cardiac mass in an immunocompetent patient. Invasive aspergillosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an otherwise undiagnosed febrile respiratory illness, even in immunocompetent patients. Echocardiography should be peformed to evaluate for endocarditis in such cases. Prompt initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy is warranted, even before the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis is confirmed.
Plasma growth hormone response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in infantile autism: A pilot study

Plasma growth hormone responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia were examined in eight preschool-age autistic children. Six of these children were examined on two separate occasions: during the period of baseline evaluation and after 4 weeks of daily haloperidol administration. On at least one occasion, half of this small sample exhibited persistent elevation of growth hormone levels, with a failure to return to baseline values over the course of a 135-minute period postinsulin infusion. These data are consistent with the occurrence of hypothalamic dysfunction in subgroups of autistic children. Short-term administration of haloperidol did not diminish the ability of the pituitary to secrete growth hormone in response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia.
Anomalous statistics of partial radiation widths

The existing statistical model was extended in order to describe the unexpectedly small fluctuations in the partial radiation widths that were reported for U/sup 239/. (C.E.S.)
Glimpses of a highly gifted child in a heterogeneous classroom

This article reports on the activities and interactions of a highly gifted 9‐year‐old boy as he functioned in a fifth grade classroom with 28 other students of mixed ability levels. His asynchronous development, with intellectual ability exceeding social and emotional development, created difficulties for him in the school setting. School modifications took little account of affective needs and resulted in limited success in the cognitive area despite considerable efforts on the part of staff. Suggestions are offered for helping highly gifted students achieve greater academic and social success when they are placed in heterogeneous settings.
The influence of building width and orientation on plume dispersion in the wake of a building

Abstract In a wind-tunnel study, the influence of building width and orientation into the wind was examined through concentration profiles in the near wake of the building. The model building was placed in a simulated atmospheric boundary layer. The effects of building width were examined for buildings having width-to-height ratios ranging from 2 to 22. The effects of oblique orientation were examined for angles ranging from — 30 to +60 deg. For most cases, the source was placed midway along the lee side of the building. The stack height was either at ground level or 1.5 times the height of the building. The lateral plume spread from a point source placed near the center of the building was observed to be largest for a width/height ratio of 10. The influence of the end flow around the sides of the building had less effect for wider buildings. For the ground-level source, an oblique angle resulted in a maximum ground-level concentration increase by a factor of 2–3 at three building heights downstream. Concentrations were increased by less than a factor of 1.5 at ten building heights downstream. For an elevated source, the building influence on ground-level concentrations was quite similar but with an even larger increase.
The actor's bodies

This paper analyzes the ways in which the actor's body asserts a presence on the stage by arguing that the actor on stage establishes at least seven distinct kinds of corporeal presence, seven ontologically distinct bodies, each with its own kind of interior, exterior, and autonomy. The discussion ranges from Broadway shows to ordeal artists and includes comments on Richard Foreman, Holly Hughes, Ron Vawter, Robbie McCauley, and Bill T. Jones, among others.
Advances in aerosols: adult respiratory disease

Recognition of the importance of breathing pattern in aerosol delivery and deposition has led to the design of devices that allow targeting of deposition to airways and alveoli. Systems incorporating patient feedback provide control of factors affecting deposition, and the control of dose to the lung can now be expected. New devices combined with a medical realization of therapeutic need are beginning to affect the range of drugs now available to the caregiver or in development for the immediate future. The interface between the patient and the device represents a new area of practical research. Facemasks have been shown to be important in terms of drug delivery with different behavior in metered dose inhaler (MDI)/valved holding chambers compared to nebulizers. Recently completed clinical trials have demonstrated the usefulness of therapy targeted to the lungs in reducing systemic toxicity with enhanced efficacy. A prime example is aerosolized cyclosporine, used to prevent rejection in lung transplantation. This agent has recently been shown to reduce mortality in transplant recipients and will lead to a new drug application in the United States. For larger patient populations, the pursuit of therapies to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) can affect the outcome of illness in the intubated patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) may benefit from high doses of aerosolized interferon gamma. Patient and caregiver safety are additional factors that will affect future approaches to therapy.
Expression of p16, Rb, and p53 Proteins in Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Anorectal Region Harboring Human Papillomavirus DNA

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been implicated as an etiologic agent for the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the anorectal region. It has been shown that the HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins are able to inactivate the tumor suppressor functions of p53 and Rb. In cervical and head and neck cancers, HPV infection is also associated with an overexpression of p16, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. The expression of these cell cycle regulators in squamous cell carcinomas of the anorectal region has not been well studied. In the current study, 29 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the anorectal region were immunohistochemically examined for the expression of p16, Rb, and p53 proteins. Tumor cell DNA was also extracted from paraffin blocks and subjected to broad-spectrum HPV DNA testing and typing. The results show that the tumor cells exhibited a strong and diffuse nuclear stain (with some cytoplasmic positivity) for p16 in all 29 cases (100%). The adjacent nonneoplastic squamous epithelium or colonic mucosa, in contrast, was completely negative. Loss of Rb nuclear staining in tumor cells was observed in 20 cases (69%). The p53 protein was essentially undetectable, with only 6 cases containing <10% positive cells. HPV DNA was detected in every case (100%), with 25 cases (86%) harboring Type 16. In addition, almost identical results were obtained in 12 HPV-positive squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract. This was in marked contrast to those of HPV-negative tumors, where positive p16 staining and loss of Rb expression were seen in only 2/21 (10%) and 1/21 (5%) cases, respectively. These observations indicate that overexpression of p16 and loss of Rb nuclear staining are commonly associated with high-risk HPV infection, which may serve as useful surrogate biomarkers for identifying squamous cell carcinomas harboring HPV DNA.
Partial purification and characterization of NADP-dependent 12α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from clostridium leptum

Abstract An NADP-linked 12α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was purified 63-fold from crude extracts (105 000 × g supernatant fraction) of Clostridium leptum using Bio-Gel A-1.5 M and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The 63-fold purified enzyme preparation (specific activity 3.3 I.U./mg protein) had a pH optimum of 8.5–9.0. A molecular weight of approx. 225 000 was estimated for the catalytically active enzyme by molecular sieve chromatography. The enzyme converted both unconjugated bile acids as well as taurineand glycine-conjugated bile acids that had a 12α-hydroxy group. The lowest apparent Km values were obtained with the conjugated dihydroxy bile acids; that is, 3α,12α-dihydroxy-5β-cholanoyl glycine (0.57 mM) and 3a,12a-dihydroxy-5β-cholanoyl taurine (0.44 mM). In contrast, trihydroxy bile acids and unconjugated dihydroxy bile acids had higher apparent Km values; that is, 3α,7α,12α:-trihydroxy-5β-cholanoic acid (7.0 mM), 3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholanoyl taurine (4.0 mM), 3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholanoyl glycine (2.7 mM) and 3α,12α-dihydroxy-5β-cholanoic acid (1.6 mM). The 63-fold purified enzyme had a half-life of 20 days when stored at −20°C. No change in specific activity was observed when 0.1 mM 3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholanoic acid was included in the growth medium or during any phase of cell growth.
Monomer exponent in radiation graft polymerization

The diffusion-free radiation graft polymerization of styrene onto polyethylene has been studied. The grafting rate shows a dependence on monomer which is far different than what has been assumed. Further, the dependence on monomer changes with increasing dose rate as does the dependence of grafting rate on radiation dose rate. Three different regions of behavior are defined: 1- a low dose rate region where the grafting rate is 12-order in dose rate and 32-order in monomer, 2- an intermediate dose rate region where the grafting rate is intermediate between 12- and 0-order in dose rate and 52-order in monomer, and 3- a high dose rate region where the grafting rate is independent of dose rate and at least 52-order in monomer. Various possible mechanisms responsible for these effects are discussed, including the effects of viscosity on the initiation and termination reactions and the possibilities of ionic graft polymerization and energy transfer.
Sleep/Active Schedules as a tunable characteristic of a Wireless Sensor Network

Energy constraints restrict the operation of the nodes of a wireless sensor network (WSN). Due to its limited size the sensor node can operate for a limited time. The main approach that significantly improves its lifetime is the sleep/active cycles scheme that is implemented as part of the MAC layer protocol. The two main characteristics of this model are the duty cycle and the synchronization. Protocols such as S-MAC, T-MAC and D-MAC have been designed based on different configuration of these parameters. This paper tries to analyze the sleep/active scheme in a more abstract way, by measuring it as a tunable property of any WSN. The range of our measurements includes fully synchronized schemes as well as schemes with no scheduling between the nodes. Thus, by performing several simulation scenarios we extract interesting results regarding the connectivity of the network under different duty cycles and synchronization schedules. We verify that WSNs with increased nodes density operate satisfactory even with more loosely synchronized schemes, thus significantly reducing the complexity and overhead added on the MAC layer. We present a framework that can evaluate and quantify this claim. Using this model, the designer of a WSN can fine-tune the parameters depending on the current conditions. Finally we extend this framework to accept these parameters as inputs and provide an optimized configuration of the sleep/active schedule based on them
XVIII. The adjustment of observations. I

It is urged that, for the adjustment of observations in those problems which are of importance in physics, there is a method much simpler and more convenient practically than the conventional Metho...
Cyclin G-associated kinase is necessary for osteosarcoma cell proliferation and receptor trafficking

Osteosarcoma is the most frequent primary malignant bone tumor among the children. The advent of neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma in the 1980s, but it has since plateaued in the past decades. Recently, one of the most researched areas in sarcoma treatment is tyrosine kinases. Here, we describe research on a serine/threonine kinase, cyclin G-associated kinase (GAK), which has not been reported in osteosarcoma previously. In this study, a lentiviral based human shRNA library was utilized to screen for kinases in KHOS and U-2OS osteosarcoma cells. The expression of GAK was examined in osteosarcoma and the effect on cell proliferation was analyzed by GAK siRNA knockdown. The level of GAK expression and its correlation to prognosis was analyzed in osteosarcoma tissue microarray. The effect of GAK depletion on insulin-like growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated signal transduction was analyzed by Western blot. We observed that GAK was overexpressed in both osteosarcoma cell lines and tissue samples when compared with human osteoblasts. GAK knockdown by siRNA decreased cell proliferation in both drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant osteosarcoma cell lines. Immunohistochemistry of osteosarcoma tissue microarray revealed that overexpression of GAK was associated with poor prognosis. Finally, knockdown of GAK resulted in alterations of receptor trafficking and several downstream proteins. In conclusion, our results suggest that osteosarcoma cell proliferation and survival are dependent on GAK. These findings may lead to the development of new therapeutic options for osteosarcoma.
Morphine inhibits cortisol and stimulates prolactin secretion in man

The role of opioids in endocrine regulation has been the subject of numerous studies. Surprisingly, however, the acute endocrine effects of morphine on basal hormonal levels in man have not been adequately documented. We report here the effects of intravenous morphine (5 mg) on plasma cortisol and prolactin. Fourteen healthy volunteers (nine male, five female) received morphine at 0930 hr. Blood samples were collected immediately before and 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min after the injection. In six of the male subjects the procedure was repeated with a placebo (normal saline) injection. Morphine stimulated prolactin release. There was a trend for a greater response in females compared to male subjects. Cortisol secretion was markedly suppressed by morphine. In sharp contrast to the results obtained with placebo, cortisol levels following morphine declined progressively at a rate consistent with the half-life of cortisol. This downward trend of cortisol values continued uninterrupted for the duration of the experiment in all 14 subjects. These results are consistent with the presence of an inhibitory opioid mechanism in the human hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Use of an Independent Skeletal Distractor in Hip Arthroscopy

Distraction of the hip joint plays an important role in hip arthroscopy by improving visualization of and access to intra-articular structures. Distraction is usually performed by use of a standard traction table and foot plate, with the patient in either the supine or lateral position. Between 1996 and 2005 at our institution, we have used an inexpensive, independent, sterile radiolucent skeletal distractor device to perform hip arthroscopy in the lateral position successfully in 156 cases for a variety of indications and procedures. The device consists of a perineal post, a longitudinal distraction beam, and a telescoping distraction carriage fitted with a screw drive for attachment to a distal femoral K-wire. Skeletal traction is applied against the perineal post through the K-wire via the action of the distraction carriage and fine-tuned with the screw drive, affording excellent visualization of intra-articular structures. The use of this device during hip arthroscopy negates the need for a fracture table, enables the surgeon to remain sterile and still manipulate the traction apparatus intraoperatively, and provides for simultaneous hip and knee flexion to relax the sciatic nerve. Its modular design and small size make hip arthroscopy possible in almost all settings, including outpatient operating rooms.
The amplitudes of non-harmonic vibrations

Abstract Two new approximate graphical solutions are given for the problem of forced vibration of an undamped single degree of freedom vibrating system with a non-linear spring, whose characteristic is given in the form of a curve. One of these solutions gives much more accurate results than the approximation known so far.
Lexical and sentential priming in competition: Implications for two-stage theories of lexical access

This article presents a new method that can compare lexical priming (word–word) and sentential priming (sentence–word) directly within a single paradigm. We show that it can be used to address modular theories of word comprehension, which propose that the effects of sentence context occur after lexical access has taken place. Although lexical priming and sentential priming each occur very quickly in time, there should be a brief time window in which the former is present but the latter is absent. Lexical and sentential priming of unambiguous words were evaluated together, in competing and converging combinations, using time windows designed to detect an early stage where lexical priming is observed but sentential priming is not. Related and unrelated word pairs were presented visually, in rapid succession, within auditory sentence contexts that were either compatible or incompatible with the target (the second word in each pair). In lexical decision, the additive effects of lexical priming and sentential priming were present under all temporal conditions, although the latter was always substantially larger. In cross-modal naming, sentential priming was present in all temporal conditions; lexical priming was more fragile, interacting with timing and sentential congruence. No evidence was found for a stage in which lexical priming is present but sentential priming is absent – a finding that is difficult to reconcile with two-stage models of lexical versus sentential priming. We conclude that sentential context operates very early in the process of word recognition, and that it can interact with lexical priming at the earliest time window.
Identification of a novel developmental mechanism in the generation of mesothelia

Mesothelium is the surface layer of all coelomic organs and is crucial for the generation of their vasculature. Still, our understanding of the genesis of this essential cell type is restricted to the heart where a localized exogenous population of cells, the proepicardium, migrates to and envelops the myocardium supplying mesothelial, vascular and stromal cell lineages. Currently it is not known whether this pattern of development is specific to the heart or applies broadly to other coelomic organs. Using two independent long-term lineage-tracing studies, we demonstrate that mesothelial progenitors of the intestine are intrinsic to the gut tube anlage. Furthermore, a novel chick-quail chimera model of gut morphogenesis reveals these mesothelial progenitors are broadly distributed throughout the gut primordium and are not derived from a localized and exogenous proepicardium-like source of cells. These data demonstrate an intrinsic origin of mesothelial cells to a coelomic organ and provide a novel mechanism for the generation of mesothelial cells.