cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
File directory design considerations for distributed data bases

A file directory is a listing of information of the files available to the users of the distributed data base in a computer network. Such a directory will enable a user at any node to determine where in a network a specific sharable file exists. One can consider such a directory to be similar to a card catalogue in a public library. Users at each node may offer to list their files in this directory of public files for sharing purposes. A user may interrogate this list to determine its contents or obtain information on where a specific sharable file exists. The nonshared files is assumed to be stored at the computer that is known to the user and therefore is not considered here. We assume each computer has its own local directory which consists of all the sharable files stored in that computer. To search for a file that is not stored in a local computer, the user must consult the file directory.
Compiler-directed leakage energy reduction for instruction scratch-pad memories

Scratch-Pad Memories (SPMs) have been increasingly used in embedded systems, for which it is important to reduce the leakage energy consumption. While there are several techniques to reduce the leakage energy for cache memories, those techniques may result in significant performance overheads for instruction SPMs. In this paper, we study a compiler-based approach to reducing the instruction SPM leakage energy efficiently, which can also minimize the performance overhead. Our evaluation indicates that the compiler-based approach is superior to periodical or bank-based methods, all of which use drowsy techniques. On average, the compiler-based method can reduce the SPM leakage energy by nearly 89.82%, with only 0.25% performance overhead.
A Fabrication Process for Aluminum Alloys Reinforced with Al-Fe-V-Si Particles

Abstract A near net shaping process, to consolidate rapidly solidified Al-Fe-V-Si particles by infiltrating molten A201 aluminum alloy, is described. This new casting process could potentially eliminate the laborious procedures used currently. The Al-Fe-V-Si particle reinforced aluminum alloy composite material contains a high volume fraction of stable dispersoids in the particle and some large (Al, Fe, Si)iu intermetallics formed in the A201 aluminum alloy matrix during the infiltrating process. Despite the intermetallics, the fabricated material demonstrates good ductility with two times compression strength at 300°C, as compared with A201 aluminum alloy, and the elevated temperature strength of the composite degrades slightly after long time annealing.
Retinoid-Induced Expression and Activity of an Immediate Early Tumor Suppressor Gene in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Retinoids are used clinically to treat a number of hyper-proliferative disorders and have been shown in experimental animals to attenuate vascular occlusive diseases, presumably through nuclear receptors bound to retinoic acid response elements (RARE) located in target genes. Here, we show that natural or synthetic retinoids rapidly induce mRNA and protein expression of a specific isoform of A-Kinase Anchoring Protein 12 (AKAP12β) in cultured smooth muscle cells (SMC) as well as the intact vessel wall. Expression kinetics and actinomycin D studies indicate Akap12β is a retinoid-induced, immediate-early gene. Akap12β promoter analyses reveal a conserved RARE mildly induced with atRA in a region that exhibits hyper-acetylation. Immunofluorescence microscopy and protein kinase A (PKA) regulatory subunit overlay assays in SMC suggest a physical association between AKAP12β and PKA following retinoid treatment. Consistent with its designation as a tumor suppressor, inducible expression of AKAP12β attenuates SMC growth in vitro. Further, immunohistochemistry studies establish marked decreases in AKAP12 expression in experimentally-injured vessels of mice as well as atheromatous lesions in humans. Collectively, these results demonstrate a novel role for retinoids in the induction of an AKAP tumor suppressor that blocks vascular SMC growth thus providing new molecular insight into how retiniods may exert their anti-proliferative effects in the injured vessel wall.
Sexual Kindred Spirits Actual and Overperceived Similarity, Complementarity, and Partner Accuracy in Heterosexual Couples

We examined whether sexual similarity, complementarity, and perceptual accuracy exist within a large sample of heterosexual couples. Partners exhibited similarity and complementarity of sexual preferences, and they perceived each other’s preferences with a considerable degree of accuracy; these effects were greater than found in randomly assigned pseudocouples. In addition, people overperceived sexual similarity and complementarity, and they overperceived the accuracy with which their partner knew their preferences. We suggest these three forms of overperception are the result of motivated cognitive processes in service of sexual relationship maintenance. Using actor–partner interdependence modeling (Kenny, Kashy, & Cook, 2006), overperception predicted sexual satisfaction, as did complementarity, but similarity and accuracy did not. These findings indicate that motivated cognition may foster sexual satisfaction, as theories of motivated relationship cognitions suggest.
Innominate vein to left internal mammary artery bypass graft fistula during laser lead extraction: salvage with covered coronary artery stent.

A 62-year-old man with a history of ventricular tachycardia and coronary artery bypass graft surgery underwent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator lead extraction with an excimer laser sheath because of a lead failure and inappropriate shocks. The procedure was complicated with an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula between …
Can traumatic brain injury surveillance systems be used to link individuals with TBI to services

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Surveillance System data to link individuals to information and services in their communities. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Using a qualitative exploratory approach, the investigators conducted focus groups of individuals with TBI and family members (n = 29) and individual interviews with state agency, medical and community services representatives (n = 15). MAIN OUTCOMES: The results showed that the participants saw many current problems with linking persons to services and with accessing care. The participants supported using TBI surveillance data to link persons to information and services, offered suggestions, discussed confidentiality and consent issues, described possible cultural competence issues and addressed cost feasibility. CONCLUSIONS: Overall persons with TBI and their family members overwhelmingly supported using the Colorado TBI Surveillance System to link persons to services. One major concern, however, was how to link persons who were not included in the surveillance data because their TBI happened before the surveillance system was implemented or because their injury did not result in hospitalization. This concern is addressed in a Linkage Model.
UV irradiation of wild type and radiation-sensitive mutants of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans: fertilities, survival, and parental effects.

— Survival after UV irradiation was examined in wild type and four radiation-sensitive (rad) mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans. Synchronous populations were employed to assess radiation sensitivities at different developmental stages. In addition, the effects of irradiation on male and hermaphrodite fertilities were measured. Wild-type sensitivity was maximal early in embryogenesis. Different age-dependent patterns of radiation sensitivity were obtained with the rad mutants. The effects of parental genotype were also tested. A parental wild-type allele was capable of quickly elevating the radiation resistance of embryos derived from homozygous rad hermaphrodites. In a second parental-effect test, homozygous rad embryos displayed greater radiation resistance when derived from heterozygous rather than homozygous hermaphrodites. The results indicate that radiation sensitivity in this metazoan is determined by complex interactions of gene products.
Preventing Patient Falls: What Are the Factors in Hospital Settings That Help Reduce and Prevent Inpatient Falls?

Patients are at a higher risk of falling in the hospital than at home because of their acute illness, medications, other treatments, or unfamiliarity with the hospital environment. Despite numerous...
Antimicrobial drug resistance affects broad changes in metabolomic phenotype in addition to secondary metabolism

Bacteria develop resistance to many classes of antibiotics vertically, by engendering mutations in genes encoding transcriptional and translational apparatus. These severe adaptations affect global transcription, translation, and the correspondingly affected metabolism. Here, we characterize metabolome scale changes in transcriptional and translational mutants in a genomically characterized Nocardiopsis, a soil-derived actinomycete, in stationary phase. Analysis of ultra-performance liquid chromatography–ion mobility–mass spectrometry metabolomic features from a cohort of streptomycin- and rifampicin-resistant mutants grown in the absence of antibiotics exhibits clear metabolomic speciation, and loadings analysis catalogs a marked change in metabolic phenotype. Consistent with derepression, up to 311 features are observed in antibiotic-resistant mutants that are not detected in their progenitors. Mutants demonstrate changes in primary metabolism, such as modulation of fatty acid composition and the increased production of the osmoprotectant ectoine, in addition to the presence of abundant emergent potential secondary metabolites. Isolation of three of these metabolites followed by structure elucidation demonstrates them to be an unusual polyketide family with a previously uncharacterized xanthene framework resulting from sequential oxidative carbon skeletal rearrangements. Designated as “mutaxanthenes,” this family can be correlated to a type II polyketide gene cluster in the producing organism. Taken together, these data suggest that biosynthetic pathway derepression is a general consequence of some antibiotic resistance mutations.
ConfChem Conference on Educating the Next Generation: Green and Sustainable Chemistry-Chemistry of Sustainability: A General Education Science Course Enhancing Students, Faculty and Institutional Programming

This paper describes a collaborative project to design and teach a general education science course, Chemistry of Sustainability. Our goal was to show how chemistry plays a central role in addressing the grand challenges of protecting the environment and human health by developing the knowledge and tools that meet our basic needs for energy, clean water, and consumer products. Course content was designed using a case-study approach that illustrates how basic chemical concepts including atomic structure, bonding, intermolecular forces, and reactivity are applied to address environmental issues. The cases tapped faculty research expertise and addressed topics such as renewable energy, sustainable consumer products, bioplastics, clean water, and nanoscience. Because sustainability is an interdisciplinary activity, we illustrated how life-cycle assessment and the principles of green chemistry can be used to provide sustainable chemical solutions. A surprising outcome of this project was the breadth and significance of the impacts on our students, faculty, and institution. This communication summarizes one of the invited papers to the ConfChem online conference Educating the Next Generation: Green and Sustainable Chemistry, held from May 7 to June 30, 2010 and hosted by the ACS DivCHED Committee on Computers in Chemical Education (CCCE).
Expression of Influenza B Virus Hemagglutinin Containing Multibasic Residue Cleavage Sites

The hemagglutinin (HA) protein of influenza B virus contains a single arginine residue at its cleavage site and the HA0 precursor is not cleaved to the HA1 and HA2 subunits by tissue culture cell-associated proteases. To investigate if an HA protein could be obtained that could be cleaved by an endogenous cellular protease, the cDNA for HA of influenza B/MD/59 virus was subjected to site-specific mutagenesis. Three HA mutant proteins were constructed, through substitution or insertion of arginine residues, that have 4, 5, or 6 basic residues at their cleavage sites. Chemical cross-linking studies indicated that all three HA cleavage site mutants could oligomerize to a trimeric species, like WT HA. The three HA cleavage site mutant proteins were efficiently transported to the cell surface and bound erythrocytes in hemadsorption assays. The mutants were cleaved at a low level to HA1 and HA2 by an endogenous host cell protease and cleavage could be increased somewhat by addition of exogenous trypsin. The fusogenic activities of the HA cleavage site mutants were assessed in comparison to the WT HA protein by determining their syncytium formation ability and by using an R18 lipid-mixing assay and a NBD-taurine aqueous-content mixing assay. While the fusion activity of the WT HA protein was dependent on exogenous trypsin to activate HA, the three HA cleavage site mutant proteins were able to induce fusion in the absence of trypsin when assayed with the R18 lipid-mixing and NBD-taurine aqueous-content mixing assays, but were unable to induce syncytium formation in either the presence or absence of exogenous trypsin. Our results suggest that while the presence of a subtilisin-like protease cleavage sequence at the influenza B virus HA1/HA2 boundary does enable some HA0 molecules to be cleaved intracellularly, it alone is not sufficient for efficient cleavage.
Burning the medial axis

Medial axis is a classical shape descriptor that is widely used in computer graphics, computer vision, and pattern recognition. Defined elegantly as the locus of points with multiple nearest neighbors on the object boundary, the medial axis preserves both the structure and topology of the object in a compact form - a geometry that has one lower dimension than the object itself.
Performance Requirements For Analog Signal Processors In Radar And Communications Systems

AbstractMIT Lincoln Laboratory is perfecting surface- acoustic -wave, acoustoelectric and charge -coupled devices which perform the functions of correlation and Fourier transformation andmeet the requirements for radar and communication systems. Examples will be given of theperformance limitations of acoustoelectric convolvers and memory -correlators, of chirp -transform devices, and of programmable CCD matched filters. A critical evaluation of thesuitability of these components for system applications will be given.IntroductionA wide variety of technologies and techniques are presented at this conference, and in-cluded in this proceedings, for the real -time processing of signals in radar and communica-tions systems. The capacities and performance levels of these techniques range over a wideparameter field, and it is one of the purposes of this paper to help guide research sponsorsand system users through this maze of claims and counter -claims with suitable examples.The approach that is taken is to present material that I know well; the status of sur-face -wave and charge- coupled devices at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Perhaps some of the generalobservations about this restricted set of examples can be applied by the reader to evaluatethe status and potential of other devices for processing signals in real -time.There are three distinct stages in the development of new devices. Stage I, the "feasi-bility demonstration" stage, is where a new concept and /or technique is first demonstrated.Virtually all the emphasis during this stage is on the demonstration of a new effect, andthere is little effort to control side -effects that limit performance. Two devices whichfall into this catagory in our laboratory, the acoustoelectric(1) and SAW /CCD integratingcorrelators, are described and their performance characteristics summarized in Table II.Stage II, the "engineering development" effort, can last as long as two to four years.Here the main goal is to minimize undesirable side- effects and to enhance the desireableproperties to the point where the device is a likely candidate for a specific system appli-
Next-generation remote sensing: gas and aerosol monitoring sensorcraft (GAMS)

NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is sponsoring the development of a revolutionary new concept for remote sensing from space. This concept is based on new technology and differs radically from previous paradigms, which call for building instruments that bolt to spacecraft. Langley's concept is called a 'sensorcraft.' The term sensorcraft simply designates a spaceflight remote sensing system that does not distinguish between the instrument, which performs a remote measurement, and the spacecraft bus, which provides the operational resources needed by the instrument in orbit. It integrates the resource requirements of both to minimize size, power consumption and cost. The gas and aerosol monitoring sensorcraft (GAMS) is a technology development project that seeks to revolutionize the remote sensing technique of solar occultation. An inherent limitation of solar occultation is the spatial and temporal coverage from a single spacecraft. For any given orbit there are at most two opportunities to take data, one at sunrise and one at sunset. A single satellite takes months to obtain a sufficient number of events to achieve global coverage. One solution to quicker global coverage is to launch several copies of the satellite. Unfortunately, by today's standards, this is very costly in hardware, launch costs, and in mission operations. This paper describes the effort to produce a small, inexpensive satellite that requires minimal ground support effort. Such a satellite would be cost effective to mass-produce, be a good 'payload of opportunity,' and allow for a constellation approach yielding global coverage in a matter of days. The GAMS project will produce an autonomous sensorcraft with mass of 60 kg, requiring less than 50 W average power and costing less than $2 M. GAMS will also perform extensive onboard processing which not only helps to reduce size and weight, but will minimize mission operations requirements. A validation flight is targeted for Shuttle deployment in late 1999. This paper discusses the mission concept and the key technologies GAMS will employ to achieve a tenfold decrease in science mission costs.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Factors influencing choices for colorectal cancer screening among previously unscreened african and caucasian americans: Findings from a triangulation mixed methods investigation

We investigated factors that influence choice of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test and assessed the most- and least-preferred options among fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and double contrast barium enema among adults with varied race, gender, and geographic region demographics. Mixed methods data collection consisted of 10 focus group interviews and a survey of the 93 focus group participants. Participants were ≥50 years of age and reported not having been screened for colorectal cancer in the last ten years. Analyses examined differences by race, gender, and geographic location. Participants had modest knowledge about CRC and there were fewer correct answers to knowledge questions by African Americans. Participants recognized value of early detection, and identified health symptoms and their doctor’s recommendation as influential for obtaining CRC screening. They chose colonoscopy and FOBT as the most preferred tests, while barium enema was least preferred. The analysis revealed intra-group variations in preference, though there were no significant differences by race, gender, or location. Openness of discussing this sensitive topic, lack of knowledge about colorectal cancer and screening costs, and diversity of preferences expressed within study groups suggest the importance of patient-physician dialogue about colorectal cancer screening options. New approaches to promoting colorectal cancer screening need to explore methods to facilitate patients establishing and expressing preferences among the screening options.
Zero crossings on lines of curvature

Abstract We investigate how much information can be found about the geometry of an object from an image when the general form of the reflection function is known but its specific form is not. We prove theorems showing that the zero crossings of the second directional derivatives occur near the extrema of the curvature along the principal directions of curvature. We next rederive and extend results of Koenderink and van Doorn showing that most extrema of the image intensity lie on parabolic lines. We prove that the directions of the isophotes (the lines of constant image intensity) always lie along the directions of curvature at parabolic lines and hence are photometric invariants. We prove that isophotes which are brighter (or dimmer) than their neighbours must necessarily be parabolic lines.
Neuropsychiatric toxicity associated with cytokine therapies.

The cytokines interleukin-2 and interferon-α are potent biological agents used to treat malignancy, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. While these medications show substantial therapeutic promise, the neuropsychiatric toxicity associated with these agents is often treatment-limiting. The pathophysiology of this toxicity is not well delineated, and adverse effects to the central nervous system are often misdiagnosed by clinicians. This report reviews the preclinical and clinical literature describing the morbidity associated with these agents and suggests appropriate clinical management strategies and future directions for research.
Aromatase and its inhibitors--an overview.

Abstract Estrogen synthesis by aromatase occurs in a number of tissues throughout the body. Strategies which reduce production of estrogen offer useful means of treating hormone-dependent breast cancer. Initially, several steroidal compounds were determined to be selective inhibitors of aromatase. The most potent of these, 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (4-OHA) inhibits aromatase competitively but also causes inactivation of the enzyme. A number of other steroidal inhibitors appear to act by this mechanism also. In contrast, the newer imidazole compounds are reversible, competitive inhibitors. In vivo studies demonstrated that 4-OHA inhibited aromatase activity in ovarian and peripheral tissues and reduced plasma estrogen levels in rat and non-human primate species. In rats with mammary tumors, reduction in ovarian estrogen production was correlated with tumor regression. 4-OHA was also found to inhibit gonadotropin levels in animals in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanism of this effect appears to be associated with the weak androgenic activity of the compound. Together with aromatase inhibition, this action may contribute to reducing the growth stimulating effects of estrogen. A series of studies have now been completed in postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with 4-OHA either 500 mg/2 weeks or weekly, or 250 mg/2 weeks. These doses did not affect gonadotropin levels. Plasma estrogen concentrations were significantly reduced. Complete or partial tumor regression occurred in 26% of the patients and the disease was stabilized in 25% of the patients. The results suggest that 4-OHA is of benefit to postmenopausal patients who have relapsed from prior hormonal therapies. Several of the steroidal inhibitors are now entering clinical trials as well as non-steroidal compounds which are more potent and selective than aminoglutethidine. Aromatase inhibitors should provide several useful additions to the treatment of breast cancer.
A class of large polysaccharides contains the antigenic determinants for the cytotoxic antibodies in a conventional syngeneic anti-F9 serum as well as a monoclonal antibody prepared against F9 cells

The molecular natures of the antigenic targets detected by cytotoxic antibodies in both a monoclonal antibody (ECMA-3) made against F9 cells and a conventional mouse anti-F9 serum were investigated. Both of the antibodies precipitated a class of high molecular weight polysaccharides from Nonidet P40 lysates of F9 cells. These molecules were labeled by radioactive galactose and fucose but only poorly by amino acids; in addition, they were fairly resistant to pronase and the digest still had a molecular weight of 70 K or more. Even after extensive pronase digestion the polysaccharides inhibited the cytotoxic activities of the antibodies, suggesting that the antigenic targets reside on the carbohydrate portion. This class of polysaccharides was shown to be a minor component of the characteristic large polysaccharides of F9 cells.
Brazil's agrarian structure: Changes from 1970 through 1980

Abstract Structural patterns that accompany the growth and modernization of Brazil's agrarian economy are identified. Despite increasing land concentration, a rather large and disproportionate economic contribution of sizable numbers of very small farms is documented, as is an enhanced vitality of larger farms. Meanwhile, large quantities of unused agricultural land remain on many medium-sized and large farms. The expected inverse relationship between farm size and various measures of production per land unit is validated, and reasons for the inverse relationship are deduced. Production is so large on small farms because their intensity of resource use overwhelms the facts that yields are greater and higher-valued export crops are more usually found on large farms. That capitalized intermediate and large farms seem destined to play a larger role in future production in Brazil is argued, but it is doubtful that the small farm and, by implication, the peasantry will “disappear” in the foreseeable future.
A note on the inductive properties of filamentary transistors

The input impedance of filamentary transistors is analyzed. A simple perturbation method leads to the distribution of injected carriers in the filament, which then is utilized to calculate the filament conductance as a function of emitter current. From the results of the analysis an equivalent circuit is obtained and the inductive effects are easily explained. The analysis is only valid for emitter currents so small that the number of injected minority carriers is much smaller than the number of majority carriers in equilibrium. At low frequencies it is possible to obtain sharp resonances but at high frequencies the sharpness of the resonance is lost due to the disappearance of the negative dynamic resistance.
Thiophene adsorption and decomposition on clean and sulfur precovered Ru(0001)

Abstract Thiophene adsorption and decomposition on clean and sulfur precovered Ru(0001) surfaces (i.e., θs = 0.50) have been examined using TPD, TPRS and static SIMS. On the sulfur precovered surface, thiophene adsorption and desorption is reversible with desorption occurring at 145 K from the multilayer and at 161 K from the adsorbed surface layer. The FWHM of the 161 K peak is particularly narrow (i.e., 12 K.) and has been attributed to the autocatalytic desorption of thiophene stabilized by adsorbate-adsorbate interactions. The weak interaction to the surface is further substantiated by SIMS analysis after desorption which detects no hydrocarbon residuals. The passive nature of the surface allows unique assignment of secondary ions formed by the collision cascade in the absence of surface-induced decomposition. On the clean surface, thiophene adsorption is irreversible providing new secondary ions at m z 14 ( CH 2 + ), 26 ( C 2 H 2 + ), 27 ( C 2 H 2 + ), 28 ( C 2 H 4 + ), 57 ( C 2 HS + ) and 114 (RuC+) after adsorption at 95 K as well as secondary ions at m z 12 ( C + ), 13 ( CH + ), 50 ( C 4 H 2 + ) and 216 (Ru2C+) after annealing to 300 K. The C4H2+ observed after annealing has been attributed to a bound C4 intermediate in agreement with previous studies on a number of other metal surfaces. The irreversible nature of the adsorption is also manifested in the desorption spectrum where a new feature at 260 K is observed at intermediate thiophene exposures between 0.3 and 0.5 L. This desorption state has been attributed to irreversibly adsorbed thiophene fragments which stabilize thiophene adsorbates.
Self-perceptions, motivation, and school functioning of low-income maltreated and comparison children

Maltreated children are at risk for disturbances and delays in their socioemotional and scholastic functioning. This study examined the impact of child maltreatment and age on perceptions of competence, and the relations among perceived competence, motivation, and school functioning. The sample included 76 school children living in poverty, approximately two-thirds of whom had been victims of child maltreatment. Results indicated that both maltreated and nonmaltreated children exhibited maladaptive motivational orientations toward scholastic tasks and poor academic performance, supporting the idea that threats to scholastic functioning reside as much within the ecology of poverty as in that of maltreatment. Over and above the general effects of poverty, maltreatment was found to disrupt the psychological processes accounting for children's scholastic performance. Results revealed that younger maltreated children (6- and 7-year-olds) reported more inflated self-perceptions of competence and social acceptance than nonmaltreated children. In contrast, older maltreated children (8- through 11-year-olds) reported lower perceived social acceptance than nonmaltreated children. Among older nonmaltreated children, perceived competence was positively related to teacher's ratings of their effort, intrinsic motivation, and grades. For older maltreated children, these relations among self-perceptions and school functioning were in the opposite direction from those of nonmaltreated children, suggesting that the determinants of academic engagement are different for maltreated and nonmaltreated children.
Techniques for assessment of pollution effects on seabirds

Seabirds can readily be identified even in an advanced state of decomposition, after a long period of submergence in seawater, or when covered in thick oil. They are geographically widespread and often very numerous. Most nest colonially, lay distinct, large, easily obtainable eggs and they feed on a wide range of marine organisms. For these reasons they are particularly suitable for use as indicators of the extent of pollution. The first demonstration of widespread contamination of British marine waters by organochlorine compounds resulted from an examination of seabird eggs. Ninety eggs, of thirteen species, were collected from seabird colonies at different parts of the coast. All were found to contain residues of dieldrin and pp'-DDE (a metabolite of DDT) and just over half also contained residues of BHC and heptachlor epoxide (Moore & Tatton I965). Eggs are particularly s-uitable as specimens. Many seabirds lay clutches containing several eggs, or will relay a clutch if the first is removed, so large numbers of eggs can be taken without serious adverse effects on populations. This means that the collection of eggs, even of comparatively rare species or from declining populations, is usually acceptable to conservationists. This can be important as studies are frequently only started when it is realized that a population has decreased or is seriously declining, e.g. studies are now required of the diminished auk populations of the Isles of Scilly and southwest England. Eggs do not decompose rapidly and are easily handled. Large numbers of intact individual eggs can be transported in egg cartons, or bulk samples obtained by combining the contents from large numbers in bottles. Thorough mixing of these samples can be achieved using an egg-whisk and subsamples extracted by pipette.
Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-γ1 undergoes pH-induced activation and conformational change

Abstract Phospholipase C-γ1 displayed sigmoidal kinetics with a S0.5 value of 0.17 mole fraction PIP2 when assayed at pH 6.8 using detergent:lipid mixed micelles. The pH optimum for hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate by phospholipase C-γ1 was dependent on the mole fraction of substrate in the micelle. The pH optimum was 5.5 when the enzyme was assayed below the S0.5. The pH optima shifted to a pH range of 6.0–6.3 when the enzyme was assayed above the S0.5. The kinetic parameters for phospholipase C-γ1 assayed at various pH values from pH 7.0 to 5.0 yielded similar n values (n=4), but the constant, K′, decreased from 1×10−2 (mole fraction)2 at pH 7.0 to 1×10−5 (mole fraction)2 at pH 5.0. Maximum enzyme specificity occurred at pH values below pH 6.0 as determined by the plot of log kcat/S0.5 versus pH. Intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that at a pH value above 7.0 or below 6.3, tryptophan quenching occurred. Fluorescence quenching experiments performed with acrylamide determined phospholipase C-γ1 incubated at pH 5.0 had a larger collisional quenching constant than enzyme incubated at pH 7.0. Lowering the pH to 5.0 apparently resulted in interior tryptophans becoming more solvent accessible. These data suggest that pH may activate phospholipase C-γ1 by disrupting ionizable groups leading to a conformational change.
Infection of total hip prosthesis by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium chelonae in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Atypical mycobacterial infections of the musculoskeletal system are very rare and are generally associated with predisposing factors, such as trauma, use of corticosteroids, or an immunocompromised state. There have only been three reports of Mycobacterium chelonae prosthetic infection of which two cases were associated with total hip arthroplasty and one with total knee arthroplasty and no reports of both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. chelonae occurring in the same joint. We report a case of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated with low-dose methotrexate (15 mg/week) who developed infection with both M. tuberculosis and M. chelonae after the revision of a prosthetic hip. Joint infections by mycobacteria are clinically indistinguishable from those caused by more common bacterial pathogens and, therefore, diagnosis is often delayed. Recurrent prosthetic hip infections, particularly in immunosuppressive patients, should alert the physician to consider the possibility of both tuberculous and atypical mycobacterial infections. Obtaining appropriate cultures can be critical in making the diagnosis and directing treatment. With the increasing use of immunosuppressive agents, including TNF alpha inhibitors, it is likely that there will be an increase in the number of mycobacterial infections complicating arthroplasties.
Spartina alterniflora Loisel., a halophyte grass model to dissect salt stress tolerance

Salinity is one of the most serious abiotic stresses affecting crop productivity worldwide. Improving tolerance to salinity in field crops is globally important because a majority of the world population relies on salt-sensitive crops such as rice, corn, and wheat for their daily calories. Although there is no salt stress sensor yet identified, different signaling components and tolerance mechanisms have been substantiated to a great extent in a glycophyte like Arabidopsis, and more recently in a few halophytes. With the rapid advances in genetics, genomics, and biochemical and transformation tools, it is now possible to explore the genetic and molecular basis of the unusually high level of salt tolerance in halophilic plants. We will focus on a halophyte grass, Spartina alterniflora, commonly known as smooth cordgrass, which possesses all known mechanisms of salt tolerance and subsequent exploitation of its genome information for crop improvement. A number of candidate genes encoding transcription factors, ion transport, osmoprotectants, antioxidants, detoxifying enzymes, etc. have been identified. Although recent efforts to develop salt tolerant cultivars that could retain the halophytic traits through transgenesis show some promise, further exploration is needed to test the contribution of single or multiple salt stress-related genes or regulatory factors from halophilic plants, including S. alterniflora, for possible utilization in crop improvement.
Using genetic markers in phycological research

Genetic research on algae has led to interesting discoveries in the past decade, demonstrating that this approach has much to offer, both intrinsically, and as an aid to phycological studies. In general, genetic research on algae can be divided into three spheres of activity. Of these, the most applied sphere is plant breeding, which is based on measurements of quantitative characteristics found in wild or cultivated populations of seaweeds, and genetic analysis of the measured phenotypic variance. Very little research of this kind exists for algae; currently the only significant breeding efforts are located in the Orient, particularly China, where improvement of Laminaria japonica as an aquaculture crop has been under way for about 25 years (Wu, 1987). The most modern of the three spheres of genetic activity is molecular genetics, with its emphasis on DNA isolation and direct characterization of the plant genome. At present, molecular genetic research is being pursued vigorously for some species of unicellular algae, in particular, members of the genus Chlamydomonas for which an excellent fund of biological and genetic information already exists.
FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF HYDROLYZED LACTOSE: RELATIVE SWEETNESS

A sensory panel of 11 judges determined the relative sweetness of lactose/glucose/galactose mixtures simulating hydrolyzed lactose syrups in a semi-model system similar to unflavored ice cream mix. The hydrolyzed syrups were evaluated at two levels of substitutions (25% and 50%) of the sucrose in the control mix, which contained 15% sucrose. A paired-comparison method was used, and the samples were served at 4.5 ± 0.7°C. The equisweetness point was determined graphically. The data showed a synergistic sweetness effect. A small amount of lactose enhanced sweetness, e.g. less sucrose was needed for equisweetness when 25% of the sucrose was replaced with 70%-hydrolyzed lactose syrup than with 100%hydrolyzed syrup.
Digital demodulation scheme for wide-dynamic-range measurements with a fiber optic interferometer

We model and experimentally demonstrate a Hilbert Transform-based signal processing scheme that maps optical phase shifts in a fiber optic interferometer into electrical phase shifts in the harmonics of an imposed modulation frequency. The interferometer is a two-loop Mach- Zehnder with only one loop exposed to the measurand. A phase modulation at a convenient carrier frequency is applied to the first loop, and its second harmonic is applied to the second loop. A 30 Hz measurand test signal is applied, upshifted, and demodulated using a simple digital signal processing algorithm. In contrast to the nonlinear dependence of transmittance on phase shift of conventional interferometric sensors, this digital signal processing scheme yields a demodulated output that is linear with phase shift, and is capable of extracting measurands with dynamic ranges much greater than 2 (pi) radians.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of extinction persisting through reconditioning.

Changes in extinction responses between repeated extinctions were studied under conditions producing large decreases between the first two extinctions (continuous reinforcement, trial procedure). I...
Parity violation and electron-spin resonance of donors in semiconductors

Abstract This paper presents a theory of the g -factors and the intensities of the electric dipole spin-resonance absorption for conduction electrons and electrons bound to donors in zinc blende and wurtzite semiconductors. The results of the theory are compared with relevant data on InSb and Cd 1− x Mn x Se. The best fits of the theory to the experimental results yield values for the strength of the spin-orbit coupling in the conduction band of these materials as well as parameters describing the anisotropic Zeeman splitting of the electron energy levels.
How Student Affairs Professionals Learn to Advocate: A Phenomenological Study.

AbstractThis phenomenological study examined how student affairs professionals learn advocacy skills and what they learn in their education on this topic. Findings based on 22 interviews show participants felt underprepared by their graduate programs for the myriad challenges involved with advocating for students. Findings indicate participants found other sources of knowledge on this topic and identified core competencies they believe helped them become successful advocates. The author presents implications for professionals and graduate educators
Specific inhibition of HDAC4 in cardiac progenitor cells enhances myocardial repairs.

We have recently shown that in vivo inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC) stimulates endogenous myocardial regeneration in infarcted hearts (Zhang L et al. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 341: 285–293, 2012). Furthermore, our observation demonstrates that HDAC inhibition promotes cardiogenesis, which is associated with HDAC4 reduction. However, it remains unknown as to whether specific inhibition of HDAC4 modulates cardiac stem cells (CSCs) to facilitate myocardial repair and to preserve cardiac performance. c-kit+ CSCs were isolated from adult mouse hearts and were transfected with HDAC4 siRNA to knockdown HDAC4 of c-kit+ CSCs. The transfection of HDAC4 siRNA caused a marked reduction of HDAC4 mRNA and proteins in c-kit+ CSCs. Mouse myocardial infarction (MI) was created to assess the effect of HDAC4 inhibition in c-kit+ CSCs on myocardial regeneration in vivo when cells were introduced into MI hearts. Transplantation of HDAC4 siRNA-treated c-kit+ CSCs into MI hearts improved ventricular function, attenuated ventricular remodeling, and promoted CSC-derived regeneration and neovascularization. Furthermore, Ki67 and BrdU positively proliferative myocytes increased in MI hearts receiving HDAC4 siRNA-treated c-kit+ CSCs compared with MI hearts engrafted with control siRNA-treated c-kit+ CSCs. In addition, compared with MI hearts engrafted with control adenoviral GFP-infected c-kit+ CSCs, MI hearts receiving adenoviral HDAC4-infected c-kit+ CSCs exhibited attenuated cardiac functional recovery, CSC-derived regeneration, and neovascularization, which was accompanied with adverse ventricular remodeling and decrease in Ki67 and BrdU positively proliferative myocytes. HDAC4 inhibition facilitated c-kit+ CSCs into the differentiation into cardiac lineage commitments in vitro, while HDAC4 overexpression attenuated c-kit+ CSC-derived cardiogenesis. Our results indicate that HDAC4 inhibition promotes CSC-derived cardiac regeneration and improves the restoration of cardiac function.
Intrathymic injection of anti-Fas monoclonal antibody prolongs murine non-vascularized cardiac allograft survival.

Fas is a pro-apoptotic molecule involved in activation-induced cell-death of T lymphocytes, central and peripheral tolerance and immune privilege. We sought to determine the role of Fas in the thymus after organ transplantation. Heterotopic non-vascularized heart transplants from C3H mice were placed in C57Bl/6 recipients. A hamster anti-mouse anti-Fas mAb (JO2) was injected in the thymus of allograft recipients at the time of transplant. Results were compared with intrathymic injections of hamster IgG (HIgG), anti-FasL, as well as surgical thymectomy or intraperitoneal or intravenous injections of JO2 as controls. Intrathymic injection of 5 μg JO2 induced massive thymocyte apoptosis and enhanced allograft survival compared to HIgG (median graft survival 16 days vs 12.5 days, respectively, P=0.01). The effect was receptor and ligand specific. Intraperitoneal or intravenous injections of JO2 did not prolong graft survival. Thymocyte apoptosis was confirmed in vitro, in vivo and in situ. In the thymus, double positive immature CD4+8+ thymocytes were most susceptible to Fas-induced apoptosis. Our data shows that specific modulation of Fas pathways in the thymus at the time of transplant improves modestly but significantly murine heterotopic non-vascularized cardiac allograft survival and is associated with apoptosis of immature CD4+8+ thymocytes.
Some morphological variations in Boophilus annulatus microplus (Acariña: Ixodidae) from northern Mexico.

In Boophilus collected in northern Mexico the morphological characters used to separate B. annulatus (Say) and B. annulatus microplus (Canestrini) were variable, but it appeared that the two taxa do not occur together in the same regions of Tamaulipas or Coahuila. The caudal process of males of microplus varied from prominent to entirely absent, and coxa I of the females was equally variable. Variations in 30 collections of Boophilus are categorized.
The anion-exchange absorption of americium, yttrium, lanthanum, europium, and ytterbrium from aqueous ammonium thiocyanate

Abstract Distribution coefficients are given for anion-exchange absorption of trivalent Am, Y, La, Eu, and Yb in NH4SCN from 0·5–10 M. Effects of loading are shown for absorption of Eu and tracer Am in 6·6 molal NH4SCN at various Eu(SCN)3 concentrations; distribution coefficients decrease linearly with increasing Eu concentration in the anion exchanger, while the AmEu separation factor remains constant.
Anodic infrared spectroelectrochemistry of mono- and dinuclear complexes containing the (η5-C5H4R) Mn(CO)2L moiety (L = CO or PR3)

A series of manganese and dimanganese organometallic complexes containing carbonyl ligands were studied by voltammetry, coulometry and IR spectroelectrochemistry. One-electron oxidations to cations were reversible at sub-ambient temperatures in dichloromethane for all complexes incorporating a phosphine ligand, two such processes being observed for the dinuclear complexes. The mono- and dications were characterized by IR spectroelectrochemistry using a thin-layer cell in the transmission mode. Good results were obtained for dichloromethane solutions with temperatures as low as 213 K. All of the mixed-valent monocations of the di-manganese complexes exhibited trapped valency.