cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth and Characterization of Polarized Monolayers of Epididymal Epithelial Cells and Sertoli Cells in Dual Environment Culture Chambers

Epididymal epithelial cells isolated from mature rats and Sertoli cells isolated from 10-day-old rats were cultured in serum-free defined media on extracellular matrix impregnated filters maintained in dual environment culture chambers. Epididymal epithelial cells had a polarized appearance only when plated at high density (greater than 1 X 10(6) cells/cm2). Confluent monolayers of these cells formed a permeability barrier to inulin. Sertoli cells were columnar and highly polarized when grown on extracellular matrix-impregnated filters, cuboidal when grown on filters alone, and squamous when grown on plastic. Confluent polarized monolayers of these cells excluded the electron-dense tracer lanthanum nitrate by way of basal-tight junctions. Therefore, polarized monolayers of epididymal epithelial cells and Sertoli cells can be obtained by growing the cells at high density on extracellular matrix-impregnated permeable supports. By maintaining the monolayers in specially constructed culture chambers, the cells can develop a permeability barrier, and are able to achieve the separation of apical from basal compartments so important for their function in vivo.
Experimental demonstration of high two-photon time-energy entanglement

We report on the experimental demonstration of high energy-time entanglement in two-photon states created in the process of spontaneous parametric down-conversion. We show that the classical variance product, which we violate by three orders of magnitude, actually represents a lower bound estimate of the number of information eigenmodes $K$. Explicit measurements estimate $K$ to be greater than 100, with theoretical estimates predicting a value of as high as $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$. These results provide incentive for the practical feasibility of large bandwidth quantum information processing, particularly in cryptography over large distances.
Structural database for reducing cost in materials design and complexity of multiscale computations

Computational complexity of multiscale methods based on the first-principles energetics is analyzed. Computational cost of such methods is dominated by expensive first-principles determination of structural energies and atomic forces, including structural relaxations. Information integration is an opportunity to eliminate recalculation of known data, and, consequently, to reduce the total cost of multiscale calculations. We propose the Structural Database as a universal tool for structural data integration, and explain its conceptual design and functionality, including data mining options. To exemplify benefits provided by the Structural Database, we consider search for new ground states, construction of a phase diagram for a bulk material, and prediction of surface patterning. We show that the Structural Database is a powerful tool for information integration and data mining, which can greatly reduce the cost of multiscale computations and materials design. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 11: 36 – 42, 2006
Hydrophobic stabilization of chiton hemocyanins: effects of ureas, Hofmeister salts and pH on their dissociation.

Abstract The subunit dissociation of the hemocyanins from five members of the Polyplacophora families, Acanthochitonidae, Callistoplacidae, Chitonidae, Ischnochltonidae and Mopalidae, represented by the chitons Cryptochiton stelleri, Nutallina fluxa, Acanthopleura granulata, Stenoplax conspicua and Mopalia mucosa , respectively, have been investigated by light-scattering molecular-weight and ultracentrifugation methods, using the hydrophobic reagents of the urea series and the Hofmeister salt series as probes of the contact areas of the hemocyanin subunits. The polyplacophoran hemocyanins are decamers with molecular weights of (4.2–4.6) · 10 6 . The effectiveness of dissociaton by the ureas follows the order of increasing hydrophobicity of the reagent, i.e., urea, methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butylurea, as expected of hydrophobically stabilized subunit systems. The urea dissociation is found to be a two-step reaction: the dissociation of parent decamers to dimers followed by dissociation of the dimers to monomers. Analysis of the observed decrease in molecular weight requires the interaction with urea of about 27 to 35 apparent amino-acid groups ( N app ) at the contact areas of the dimers, and a much larger number of apparent binding groups ranging from about 100 to 120 per monomer at the contact areas of the monomers. Fitting of the pH disociation profiles of A. granulata, C. stelleri, M. muscosa and S. conspicua requires the participation of a much smaller number of amino-acid residues in the interaction with the probe-solvent component. The ionization or protonation of one acidic and one basic group per dimer, and five to eight acidic and basic groups per monomer is found to be adequate for the description of the two-step pH dissociation reaction.
Bactericidal Activity of Macromomycin, an Antitumor Antibiotic

Susceptibility testing by the broth dilution method showed that all the gram-positive but only some of the gram-negative bacteria tested were susceptible to the antitumor antibiotic, macromomycin (MCR; NSC 170105). The minimal inhibitory concentration for the susceptible organisms was less than 3 mug/ml. The action of MCR was bactericidal; however, at very high concentrations (50 mug/ml and above) some organisms occasionally escaped death. None of the escaped organisms was resistant to MCR. In combination with other commonly used antibiotics, MCR displayed partial synergy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (from a minimal inhibitory concentration of >100 to 12.5 mug/ml with 100 mug of chloramphenicol per ml) and for Bacillus pumilus and Staphylococcus aureus (from 1.6 to 0.4 mug/ml and below) with polymyxin B. As with mammalian cells, (125)I-labeled MCR was irreversibly bound to both gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Treatment with trypsin of the (125)I-labeled MCR-exposed cells did not release the bound MCR or reverse its lethal effect. When in solution in a protective buffer at 4 degrees C, MCR was stable for up to 45 days; at 37 degrees C, however, 25% of its bactericidal activity was lost in 72 h. Loss of activity was enhanced 16-fold in the presence of both heated and unheated pooled human sera. Urine had no effect on the activity of MCR.
The Mode of Action of Antibiotics in the Nutrition of the Dairy Calf. I. Effect of Terramycin Administered Orally on the Performance and Intestinal Flora of Young Dairy Calves

Summary An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding terramycin on the performance and intestinal microflora of dairy calves from 3 days to 9 weeks of age. Terramycin administration increased significantly the rate of weight gain by 33% above that of the control animals. Appetite and feed efficiency were significantly increased. The incidence of scours was low and was not affected by the treatment. Terramycin was detected in the feces 6 to 9 hours after the first feeding. High concentrations of terramycin were found in the feces during continuous feeding of terramycin and the antibiotic was also present in the urine. Bacteriological studies revealed no marked difference in total and coliform counts attributable to the feeding of terramycin. However, there was a significant decrease in the number of enteric streptococci when terramycin was administered. Antibiotic sensitivity assays indicated an increase in the number of resistant strains of coliforms and enteric streptococci in the feces of calves fed terramycin. The normal metabolism of enteric streptococci appeared to be impaired by the presence of terramycin in vivo and in vitro. These bacteriological studies indicated that improved techniques should be used to determine the extent to which antibiotics affect the intestinal flora of animals.
Black out cluster instrument

Abstract In recent years, the black out cluster with self-lit pointer has become increasingly popular, especially in the luxury car market and has earned a high reputation. In order to expand upon the above-mentioned technology for commercial vehicles we would like to report on a self-lit pointer (single chip LED type) having a reduced cost but performance equal to that of the conventional (multi-chip LED type).
Host-Compiled Multicore System Simulation for Early Real-Time Performance Evaluation

With increasing complexity and software content, modern embedded platforms employ a heterogeneous mix of multicore processors along with hardware accelerators in order to provide high performance in limited power budgets. To evaluate real-time performance and other constraints, full system simulations are essential. With traditional approaches being either slow or inaccurate, so-called source-level or host-compiled simulators have recently emerged as a solution for rapid evaluation of the complete system at early design stages. In such approaches, a faster simulation is achieved by abstracting execution behavior and increasing simulation granularity. However, existing source-level simulators often focus on application behavior only while neglecting the effects of hardware/software interactions and their associated speed and accuracy trade-offs.In this article, we present a host-compiled simulator that emulates software execution in a full-system context. Our simulator incorporates abstract models of both real-time operating systems (RTOSs) and multicore processors to replicate timing-accurate hardware/software interactions and to enable full system cosimulation. An integrated approach for automatic timing granularity adjustment (ATGA) uses observations of the system state to automatically control the timing model and optimally navigate speed versus accuracy conditions. Results as applied to industrial-strength platforms confirm that OS- and system-level effects can significantly contribute to overall accuracy and simulation overhead. By providing careful abstractions, our models can achieve full system simulations at equivalent speeds of more than a thousand MIPS with less than 3p timing error. Coupled with the capability to easily adjust simulation parameters and configurations, this demonstrates the benefits of our simulator for early application development and design space exploration.
September 11th and Transnationalism: The Case of Brazilian Immigrants in the United States

One of the most salient features of transnational migration is the movement of international migrants back and forth between home and host countries. Although international migration has never meant an unimpeded flow of immigrants traversing international borders at will, the attacks in New York and Washington on September 11, 2001 have led many industrialized nations, including the United States, increasingly to restrict immigration and place ever greater obstacles to the movements of transnational migrants. This paper cites one immigrant group, Brazilians in the United States, as a case study and analyzes the ways in which they have been impacted by post-9/11 constraints. The specific focus is on the attacks' consequences for bodily transnationalism, the ability to physically cross international boundaries, and the impact of proposed immigration legislation on this issue.
Cardiovascular malformations in Klinefelter's syndrome: report of three cases.

Summary Three patients with Klinefelter's syndrome (XXY karyotype) and associated congenital heart disease are presented. Review of the literature coupled with our data suggest an association between Klinefelter's syndrome and congenital cardiac malformations.
Transmission electron microscopy study of an aluminum oxide fiber/aluminum-magnesium alloy metal matrix composite interface

Abstract Transmission electron microscopy and various electron diffraction techniques were implemented to characterize an α-aluminum oxide fiber/aluminum-magnesium alloy metal matrix composite interface. The primary interfacial reaction zone product was found to be a cubic spinel, namely MgAl 2 O 4 . The microstructure of this particular interface was polycrystalline and nonhomogeneous, varying in thickness from 30.0 nm to 3.0 μm. Another interfacial reaction zone product was seen to be a modulated structure which occurred due to the periodic alignment of atoms with varying atomic radii. The actual phase of the modulated structure was not determined, however, it was believed to be mullite, Al 6 Si 2 O 13 .
The Adaptor Molecule MyD88 Activates PI-3 Kinase Signaling in CD4+ T Cells and Enables CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide-Mediated Costimulation

While T cells respond directly to toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, TLR-signaling pathways in T cells are poorly characterized. Here we demonstrate in CD4(+) T cells that CpG DNA directly enhances proliferation, prevents anergy, and augments humoral responses to a T cell-dependent antigen by a Myeloid differentiation primary-response protein 88 (MyD88) and Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3 kinase)-dependent pathway. PI-3 kinase activation required a putative Src-homology domain (SH2) binding motif in the MyD88 Toll-Like or IL-1 Receptor (TIR) domain. Reconstitution of MyD88-deficient primary T cells with a MyD88 transgene mutated in this motif abrogated association of PI-3 kinase with MyD88, phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and Glycogen Synthetase Kinase-3 (GSK-3), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. The MyD88 death domain, on the other hand, was required for NF-kB activation and survival. These studies identify a MyD88-dependent PI-3 kinase-signaling pathway in T cells that differentiates CpG DNA-mediated proliferation from survival and is required for an in vivo T cell-dependent immune response.
A QoS-Based Broadcast Protocol for Multi-Hop Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks under Blind Information

Broadcast is an important operation in wireless networks where control information is usually propagated as broadcasts for the realization of most networking protocols. In traditional ad hoc networks, broadcasts are conducted on a common channel which is shared by all nodes in the network. However, in cognitive radio (CR) networks, unlicensed users may observe heterogeneous spectrum availability which is unknown to other users before broadcasts are executed. Thus, it is extremely challenging that broadcasts can be successfully conducted without the spectrum availability information. In addition, since broadcast collisions (i.e., simultaneous receipt of broadcast messages at the same node) often lead to the waste of network resources, they should be efficiently mitigated in multi-hop scenarios. In this paper, a Quality-of-Service (QoS)-based broadcast protocol for multi-hop CR ad hoc networks under blind information is proposed with the aim of high success rate and short broadcast delay. In our design, we do not assume that unlicensed users are aware of the network topology, the spectrum availability information, and time synchronization information. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that investigates the broadcast issue in multi-hop CR ad hoc networks under realistic scenarios. Simulation results show that our proposed broadcast protocol outperforms the random broadcast scheme in terms of higher success rate and shorter average broadcast delay.
Radiographic Analysis of a Hand-Held Surgical Navigation System for Tibial Resection in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Tibial intramedullary or extramedullary alignment guides have not been shown to be highly accurate in performing the tibial resection in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Since May 2010, a total of 42 knees underwent a TKA using a hand-held, accelerometer-based surgical navigation system for performing the tibial resection (KneeAlign; OrthAlign Inc, Aliso Viejo, Calif). Postoperative standing anteroposterior hip-to-ankle and lateral knee-to-ankle radiographs demonstrated that 97.6% of the tibial components were placed within 90° ± 2° to the mechanical axis in the coronal plane, and 96.2% of the components were placed within 3° ± 2° to the mechanical axis in the sagittal plane. The KneeAlign greatly improves the accuracy of tibial component alignment in TKA.
Alternating group coverings of the affine line for characteristic two

Abstract Unramified coverings of the affine line in characteristic two are constructed having alternating groups as Galois groups. The proof uses Jacobson's criterion for the Galois group of an equation to be contained in the alternating group. Alternating proofs use the Berkelamp discriminant or the Revoy discriminant. These are related to the Arf invariant.
Purkinje fibers of the avian heart express a myogenic transcription factor program distinct from cardiac and skeletal muscle

A rhythmic heart beat is coordinated by conduction of pacemaking impulses through the cardiac conduction system. Cells of the conduction system, including Purkinje fibers, terminally differentiate from a subset of cardiac muscle cells that respond to signals from endocardial and coronary arterial cells. A vessel-associated paracrine factor, endothelin, can induce embryonic heart muscle cells to differentiate into Purkinje fibers both in vivo and in vitro. During this phenotypic conversion, the conduction cells down-regulate genes characteristic of cardiac muscle and up-regulate subsets of genes typical of both skeletal muscle and neuronal cells. In the present study, we examined the expression of myogenic transcription factors associated with the switch of the gene expression program during terminal differentiation of heart muscle cells into Purkinje fibers. In situ hybridization analyses and immunohistochemistry of embryonic and adult hearts revealed that Purkinje fibers up-regulate skeletal and atrial muscle myosin heavy chains, connexin-42, and neurofilament protein. Concurrently, a cardiac muscle-specific myofibrillar protein, myosin-binding protein-C (cMyBP-C), is down-regulated. During this change in transcription, however, Purkinje fibers continue to express cardiac muscle transcription factors, such as Nkx2.5, GATA4, and MEF2C. Importantly, significantly higher levels of Nkx2.5 and GATA4 mRNAs were detected in Purkinje fibers as compared to ordinary heart muscle cells. No detectable difference was observed in MEF2C expression. In culture, endothelin-induced Purkinje fibers from embryonic cardiac muscle cells dramatically down-regulated cMyBP-C transcription, whereas expression of Nkx2.5 and GATA4 persisted. In addition, myoD, a skeletal muscle transcription factor, was up-regulated in endothelin-induced Purkinje cells, while Myf5 and MRF4 transcripts were undetectable in these cells. These results show that during and after conversion from heart muscle cells, Purkinje fibers express a unique myogenic transcription factor program. The mechanism underlying down-regulation of cardiac muscle genes and up-regulation of skeletal muscle genes during conduction cell differentiation may be independent from the transcriptional control seen in ordinary cardiac and skeletal muscle cells.
Linguistic Legislation and Transnational Commercial Activity: France & Belgium

For French and francophonic people, the continued vitality of their linguistic heritage is an integral part of their sense of national identity and cultural cohesiveness. The truth of this statement has been corroborated recently by legislative enactments in France and in Belgium which prescribe and/or recommend the use of French in certain private commercial and governmental activity taking place within these countries.1 This legislation represents an attempt to provide a partial remedy to what has been perceived generally as the syntactical and lexical "contamination" of the French language resulting from the dominance of English or, more precisely, American English, in international business transactions and technological development.2 Born of a common desire to protect the "integrity of the French language,"3 the provisions of the two legislative instruments are similar in many respects: the earlier French law in fact served as a model for the Belgian decree. They raise the same issues, albeit to differing degrees; namely, the wisdom of modifying linguistic usage through legislative means; the practicality of enforcing a broad, perhaps ill-defined, mandate; and the propriety of having their substantive prescriptions interpreted and applied by the courts. Despite this similarity, the French law presents significant differences in substance and methodology. Since it is a statute, application of the French law is more wide-ranging than that of the Belgian decree.4 Rather than merely encouraging compliance with its provisions, the French law, unlike its Belgian counterpart, pro-
Remote size measurements of particulate products of heterogeneous combustion

A spectrophotometric technique has been devised that allows measurements situ of a well-defined mean size of particles which are below the limits of optical resolution and which may be moving at unknown velocities of 2000 m/sec or more. The particle size of aluminum oxide produced by a solid propellant was measured by spectrophotometric observations on the near plume of a small rocket. The tests indicate that the mean particle size, i.e., the ratio of third to second moment of the size distribution function, is 0.4 to 0.6 microns, is independent of chamber pressure in the rocket motor, and is only weakly dependent on, the residence time of the products within the combustion chamber. These results are in disagreement with tests conducted with the same rocket motor and propellant in which all products of combustion were collected in a receiver tank. On the other hand, the results are in agreement with more recent data which were obtained by firing a small, nozzleless rocket motor into a prepressurized tank. The spectrophotometric method has potential application to laboratory measurements of condensation, heterogeneous combustion, and to the measurement of particle size of Al2O3 produced by rocket motors that are too large to be tested by the tank-collection technique.
History of childhood abuse in panic disorder, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder.

The authors examined the prevalence of self-reported childhood physical or sexual abuse in a sample of adult patients presenting for treatment of panic disorder, social phobia, or generalized anxiety disorder. Regardless of the presence of comorbid anxiety disorders or comorbid depression, patients
Aggregation of unsaturated long‐chain fatty alcohols in nonaqueous systems

Aggregation and related phenomena in nonaqueous binary and ternary solutions containing unsaturated long-chain fatty alcohol amphiphiles have been studied. Six C18 fatty alcohols were studied—oleyl alcohol (9Z-octadecen-1-ol), elaidyl alcohol (9E-octadecen-1-ol), linoleyl alcohol (9Z, 12Z-octadecadien-1-ol), elaidolinoleyl alcohol (9E, 12E-octadecadien-1-ol), linolenyl alcohol (9Z, 12Z, 15Z-octadecatrien-1-ol) and elaidolinolenyl alcohol (9E, 12E, 15E-octadecatrien-1-ol). Equivalent conductivity and photon correlation spectroscopy confirmed that unsaturated long-chain fatty alcohols form large and polydisperse aggregates in methanol. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) results showed that the degree of unsaturation and configuration of the double bonds in the fatty alcohol significantly influences aggregation. Aggregation of oleyl alcohol in a series of straight and branched medium-chainlength (C3-C8) alkanol solvents was studied. For shorter-chained alkanols (C1-C4), decreasing solvent dielectric constant decreases the CMC; however, for longer-chained alkanols (C4-C8), no significant effects occurred on the CMC. The effect of solubilized soybean oil on the viscosity of long-chain fatty alcohol/methanol solutions was also analyzed. Relative viscosity results were consistent with those expected for microemulsions. Although preliminary in nature, these results generally support the notion that soybean oil is solubilized by incorporation into large soybean oil-in-fatty alcohol aggregates in methanol solvent, resembling a nonaqueous detergentless microemulsion.
Screening Systems and Decision Making at the Preschool Level: Application of a Comprehensive Validity Framework.

Universal screening is designed to be an efficient method for identifying preschool students with mental health problems, but prior to use, screening systems must be evaluated to determine their appropriateness within a specific setting. In this article, an evidence-based validity framework is applied to four screening systems for identifying preschool students with mental health problems. The framework is influenced by the most recent standards for educational and psychological testing, research on test accessibility, and considerations for evaluating screening systems. Suggestions are provided for evaluating the accessibility (Step 1), reliability (Step 2), construct validity (Step 3), and consequential validity (Step 4) of an instrument. Other factors for consideration (i.e., developmental stage, incremental validity, and generalizability) are also identified. Special attention is given to conditional probability indices, which are highly relevant to evaluation of screening systems, given the dichotomous nature of decision making in preschool mental health. The authors suggest that this framework be used, along with specification of the construct of interest and characteristics of the environment, to identify the appropriate method to be used for each preschool screening decision. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Double-exchange model for noninteracting electron spins coupled to a lattice of classical spins: Phase diagram at zero temperature

The analytical zero-temperature phase diagram of the double exchange model for classical background spins as a function of the carrier density and Hund's coupling in the entire range of these parameters is presented. By constructing a continuum field theory we explore the possibility of a continuous phase transition from ferromagnetic state to a gently varying textured state. We find such a transition in and below two dimensions and show that the emerging stable state is a spin-spiral which survives the tendency towards phase separation into commonly considered phases, and is also energetically favored to the canted state, for low carrier density.
Synthesis and evaluation of 5-lipoxygenase translocation inhibitors from acylnitroso hetero-Diels–Alder cycloadducts

Acylnitroso cycloadducts have proven to be valuable intermediates in the syntheses of a plethora of biologically active molecules. Recently, organometallic reagents were shown to open bicyclic acylnitroso cycloadducts and, more interestingly, the prospect of highly regioselective openings was raised. This transformation was employed in the synthesis of a compound with excellent inhibitory activity against 5-lipoxygenase ((±)-4a, IC50 51 nM), an important mediator of inflammation intimately involved in a number of disease states including asthma and cancer. Optimization of the copper-mediated organometallic ring opening reaction was accomplished allowing the further exploration of the biological activity. Synthesis of a number of derivatives with varying affinity for metal binding as well as pendant groups in a range of sizes was accomplished. Analogues were tested in a whole cell assay which revealed a subset of the compounds to be inhibitors of enzyme translocation, a mode of action not previously known and, potentially, extremely important for better understanding of the enzyme and inhibitor development. Additionally, the lead compound was tested in vivo in an established colon cancer model and showed very encouraging anti-tumorogenic properties.
A precise determination of the half-life of the 690 keVE0 transition in72Ge

The half-life of the 690 keV level of72Ge is determined from the interval distribution between the beta particles due to decay to this level and the subsequent conversion electrons due to the E0 transition of this level. A value of strength parameter ρ=0.10 is calculated and this value is compared with those predicted by various nuclear models.
Relationships between circadian cycles of rat adrenal cholesterol ester metabolizing enzymes, cholesterol, ascorbic acid, and corticosteroid secretion.

Abstract The circadian changes in rat adrenal cholesterol ester (CE) metabolism have been studied and related to the circadian changes in adrenal ascorbic acid and corticosterone levels and plasma corticosterone levels. Significant declines in the ratio of CE/C. cholesterol esterase (CEase) and acyl CoA: cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT) activities occur during the peak and declining phases of adrenal and plasma corticosteroids, suggesting that when there is a decreased need for steroid precursors the amount of stored CE is decreased, and that the enzymes involved in CE metabolism decline in activity. Adrenal ascorbic acid has a biphasic rhythm with peaks at 0900 and 2200 h. The rhythm of ascorbic acid appears to be inverse to that of ACAT activity, suggesting possible relationships between the two parameters.
Perceived ‘Hispanicness’versus ‘Americanness’: A study of brand ethnicity with Hispanic consumers

This article discusses how consumers differentiate competing brands of similar utilitarian values on the basis of a brand’s cultural association, namely brand ethnicity, and examines how the perceived brand ethnicity influences consumers’ brand preference and choice. Study findings, based on both qualitative and quantitative research with self-identified His panic consumers, indicate that Hispanic consumers associate certain brands with Hispanic culture and other brands with American culture. In a hypothetical purchasing scenario, the perceived brand ethnicity affects consumers’ brand preference significantly in accordance with their cultural orientation. However, in a real consumer behaviour setting, external factors such as brand accessibility attenuate the effects of brand ethnicity.
Genetic Manipulation of Pathogenicity Loci in Non-Typhimurium Salmonella

The traditional genetic tools used in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium rely heavily on a high-transducing mutant of bacteriophage P22. P22 recognizes its hosts by the structure of their O-antigens, which vary among serovars of Salmonella; therefore, it cannot be used in most non-Typhimurium Salmonella, including the majority of those causing food-borne illnesses in both humans and livestock. Bacteriophage P1 infects a variety of enteric bacteria, including galE mutants of serovar Typhimurium; however, the degree to which the presence of coimmune prophages, the lack of required attachment sites or the lack of host factors act as barriers to using phage P1 in natural isolates of Salmonella is unknown. Here, we show that recombineering can be used to make virtually any serovar of Salmonella susceptible to P1 infection; as a result, P1 can be utilized for facile genetic manipulation of non-Typhimurium Salmonella, including movement of very large pathogenicity islands. A toolkit for easy manipulation of non-Typhimurium serovars of Salmonella is described.
Identification and characterization of two chloramphenicol glucuronides from the in vitro glucuronidation of chloramphenicol in human liver microsomes

This study reports the development of a specific and sensitive liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS/MS) assay for the quantification of the in vitro O-glucuronidation of chloramphenicol (CP), the determination of the kinetic parameters for the O-glucuronidation of CP in pooled human liver microsomes (HLM), the biosynthesis of the CP glucuronides (CPGlu), and identification of the structures of CPGlu by (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and MS. Two glucuronyl derived metabolites of CP were obtained from the incubation of alamethicin-activated HLM with CP and uridine 5'-diphosphoglucuronic acid (UDPGA) in pH 7.4 TRIS buffer. Their identification and structural confirmation were achieved by beta-glucuronidase hydrolysis, in the presence and absence of UDPGA, and by (1)H-NMR and LC-MS/MS. These two metabolites were biosynthesized, isolated, and purified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their structures were further identified as the 1-O-CPGlu (the minor glucuronide formed at the secondary alcohol of CP) and 3-O-CPGlu (the major glucuronide formed at the primary alcohol of CP) by LC-MS/MS and two-dimensional NMR. The enzymatic kinetic parameters K(m) and V(max) in HLM for the 3-O-CPGlu were determined to be 650 microM and 0.26 nmoles min(-1) mg(-1), respectively, and for the 1-O-CPGlu to be 301 microM and 0.014 nmoles min(-1) mg(-1), respectively. This study also provides a sensitive and specific method for the measurement of in vitro CP-UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity.
Ova fertilization and sperm number per fertilized ovum for selenium and vitamin E-treated charolais cattle.

Fertilization of ova, number of sperm per fertilized ovum and serum and myometrial Se concentrations were determined in Charolais cows treated with selenium and vitamin E (Se+E). Cows were considered low in Se status prior to allotment to either a control (n=20) or a Se+E-treated (n=21) group. Se+E-treated cows received 40 mg of Se as selenite and 544 IU of alpha-tocopherol acetate by IM injection at 14-day intervals throughout the study, whereas control cows received saline. Starting on day 75 of treatment, cows were checked for estrus and inseminated. Reproductive tracts were removed at slaughter with ova collected and examined for fertilization and number of adhered sperm. The proportion of recovered ova that were fertilized for control and Se+E-treated cows was 8 of 11 and 12 of 15, respectively (P > .05). For spermatozoal data, a few extreme values accounted for a non-significant trend in which a greater number of sperm were adhered to fertilized ova collected from Se+E-treated than control cows (35.6 +/- 7.2 and 24.8 +/- 7.7, respectively). When analyzing only ova with spermatozoal numbers within one S.D. of the mean number of sperm per fertilized ovum, mean (+/- S.E.M.) spermatozoal numbers for control and Se+E-treated cows were 13.5 +/- 3.1 and 36.4 +/- 5.3, respectively (P <. 005). Spermatozoal number was correlated (P <. 01) with serum and myometrial Se concentrations (r=.67 and .78, respectively) and these concentrations were greater (P <. 001) in treated animals. Low Se status was not associated with ova fertilization in this study; however, greater spermatozoal numbers for fertilized ova collected from Se+E-treated cows suggests increased sperm transport.
Towards enabling peer-to-peer Grids

In this paper we propose a peer-to-peer (P2P) Grid comprising resources such as relatively static clients, high-end resources and a dynamic collection of multiple P2P subsystems. We investigate the architecture of the messaging and event service that will support such a hybrid environment. We designed a distributed publish–subscribe system NaradaBrokering for XML-specified messages. NaradaBrokering provides support for centralized, distributed and P2P (via JXTA) interactions. Here we investigate and present our strategy for the integration of JXTA into NaradaBrokering. The resultant system naturally scales with multiple Peer Groups linked by NaradaBrokering. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The USA – no longer a haven for the foreign bank

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the current dilemmas facing foreign banks and countries in the pursuit of eradicating money laundering and international financial crimes.Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses the recently enacted Title III of the USA Patriot Act which regulates foreign banking institutions in order to curb international money laundering. The paper examines the recent decision of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals discussing foreign banks' liability when their depositors have deposited funds obtained as a result of money laundering.Findings – The US Government can easily forfeit funds derived from or connected to a money laundering offence found in correspondent accounts of foreign banks.Practical implications – Owing to the great risk of seizure in the US of money laundered funds, foreign banks must decide whether the difficulty of recovering any US seizure from their customers call for them to implement additional security measures or limit contact with Amer...
Influence of Maternal Antibodies on Neonatal Immunization against Respiratory Viruses

Vaccines that successfully prevent severe infant respiratory virus diseases should induce protection at a very young age because of the low age of patients who are hospitalized owing to these viruses. Candidate respiratory virus vaccines are being tested in infants who are naive to infection but seropositive to the viral agents because they possess maternal IgG antibodies (Abs). Transplacental maternal Abs may be partially protective against disease caused by respiratory virus infections. Carefully conducted studies have shown that these Abs can also profoundly suppress or enhance infant immune responses to immunization. The mechanisms underlying regulation of immune responses to viruses by maternal Abs are under investigation. This article explores the current knowledge regarding the effect of maternal Abs on respiratory virus and measles virus immunization, and it reviews the current approaches to overcoming Ab-mediated immunosuppression.
Environmental applications for biosurfactants

Biosurfactants are surfactants that are produced extracellularly or as part of the cell membrane by bacteria, yeasts and fungi. Examples include Pseudomonas aeruginosa which produces rhamnolipids, Candida (formerly Torulopsis) bombicola, one of the few yeasts to produce biosurfactants, which produces high yields of sophorolipids from vegetable oils and sugars and Bacillus subtilis which produces a lipopeptide called surfactin. This review includes environmental applications of these biosurfactants for soil and water treatment. Biosurfactant applications in the environmental industries are promising due to their biodegradability, low toxicity and effectiveness in enhancing biodegradation and solubilization of low solubility compounds. However, more information is needed to be able to predict and model their behaviour. Full scale tests will be required. The role of biosurfactants in natural attenuation processes has not been determined. Very little information is available concerning the influence of soil components on the remediation process with biosurfactants. As most of the research until now has been performed with rhamnolipids, other biosurfactants need to be investigated as they may have more promising properties.
Spectral sunphotometry using a compact spectrometer

Abstract Spectral sunphotometry measurements over the range of 300 nm to 650 nm are made using a small, compact spectrometer. The aerosol optical depth at several wavelengths is calculated and compared with values obtained with a standard Model DA, two-channel (380 nm and 500 nm) sunphotometer currently in use in the EPA-NOAA network. This measured spectral intensity distribution which is dependent upon the atmospheric aerosol size distribution, is shown to characterize two parameters, of a generalized power law type size distribution. The results indicate that a small compact spectrometer can be used as a sunphotometer to obtain the spectral dependence of aerosol optical depth which may be used to infer at least two parameters of the aerosol size distribution.
Radiative losses of a birdcage resonator

We present a derivation of the losses in a birdcage resonator due to radiation. We also present an expression for the radiation limited Q. It is shown that in head coil imaging at 63 MHz radiative losses may account for 20% of the total loss with a radiation limited Q on the order of 150. The results are shown to be consistent with those reported in the recent literature.
HighWire Press and Its Journey to Become the World's Largest Full-Text STM Online Journal Collection

Abstract It has been nearly ten years since Stanford University founded HighWire Press, a producer of online journals in science, technology, and medicine (STM). This article examines the phenomenon of HighWire Press and discusses its history and its future as a premier host of online scholarly journals in science and medicine. HighWire Press is examined from the publisher's, institutional subscriber's, and individual user's experience. Key initiatives in e-journal publishing that were developed at HighWire Press are reviewed.
The production of active carbon from corn cobs by chemical activation

Corn cobs obtained as waste from the corn industry, were analyzed by a TG-DTA unit in an atmosphere of flowing nitrogen. The carbonaceous products so formed were then produced on a preparative scale and activated chemically using potassium hydroxide. This resulted in the formation of a carbon with a very high surface area. The active carbon produced was then examined using thermal analysis in the temperature jump mode on a thermogravimetry unit. From this data the kinetics of degradation of the active carbon was determined using zero order rate kinetics. The pore structure of the active material was also examined using SEM. TheEa for activated corn cobs was found to be 106 kJ mol−1.
Psychopathic personality traits in relational aggression among young adults.

Psychopathy is a robust predictor of overt physical aggression that may also be relevant to relational aggression (RA). This study was conducted to investigate the utility of psychopathic personality traits in the prediction of RA in a sample of 291 college students. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that both primary and secondary psychopathic traits explained additional variance in general/peer and romantic RA beyond physical aggressiveness. Consistent with previous research, no gender differences were found on either form of RA, challenging the popular stereotype of RA as a female behavior. Moreover, psychopathic traits were not differentially predictive of RA by gender or level of physical aggressiveness. Implications of these findings for research and clinical practice are discussed. Aggr. Behav. 35:1-8, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Language: en
Foraging-area size and food density: Some predictive models

Abstract It has been observed that when food increases in density along an environmental gradient, the size of foraging areas used by desert ant colonies decreases. Factors that could cause this inverse relationship are explored. Four models of ant foraging are developed and presented in the form of equations for calculating net foraging energy as a function of size of the foraging area. These are used to predict the optimal sizes of foraging areas under conditions of different food densities. Only one of the models predicts an inverse relationship between density of food and size of foraging area when food is the limiting factor in colony reproduction. In this model, the foraging areas of adjacent colonies are assumed to be overlapping and the number of foragers assigned to each square meter of the foraging area is constant, regardless of food density or distance from the nest entrance. Tests for distinguishing among the four models, as well as for determining whether colonies are or are not food limited, are discussed.
The Immunoreceptor Tyrosine-Based Activation Motif of Epstein–Barr Virus LMP2A Is Essential for Blocking BCR-Mediated Signal Transduction☆

The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) blocks B-cell receptor (BCR) signal transduction in EBV-immortalized B lymphocytesin vitro.The cytoplasmic amino-terminal domain of LMP2A contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine activation motif (ITAM). ITAMs consist of paired tyrosine and leucine residues and play a central role in signal transduction of the BCR and the T-cell receptor (TCR). To investigate the importance of the LMP2A ITAM, two EBV recombinants were constructed, each containing a tyrosine-to-phenylalanine point mutation at amino acid 74 or 85 within the ITAM of LMP2A. Tyrosine phosphorylation, calcium mobilization, and induction of BZLF1 expression were no longer blocked in the LMP2A ITAM mutant LCLs following BCR cross-linking. In addition, the Syk protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) was unable to bind LMP2A in unstimulated LCLs infected with either of the LMP2A ITAM mutants. Analysis of Syk phosphorylation before and after BCR cross-linking in the LMP2A mutant ITAM LCLs compared with wild-type EBV LCLs indicates a specific role of the LMP2A ITAM on the LMP2A-mediated negative effect on the Syk PTK. These data indicate the importance of the LMP2A ITAM motif in the LMP2A-mediated block on BCR signal transduction and position the role of the Syk PTK as being central to the function of LMP2A.
Genetic resistance to lymphoma-leukemia: role of natural killer cells in the rejection of lymphoma grafts

Abstract Lethally irradiated genetically resistant (C57 × AKR) mice, unlike non-resistant (C3H × AKR) mice, which display genetic resistance to transplantation of parental C57 bone marrow grafts (GR to BMT), also reject transplanted parental AKR lymphoma grafts (GR to lymphoma). Depletion of natural killer (NK)) cell activity of resistant (C57 × AKR) mice by anti-asialo GM-1 serum abrogated the resistance, whereas stimulation of NK cell activity of non-resistant (C3H × AKR) mice by polyinosinic: polycytidillic acid (poly I:C) induced the resistance to parental AKR lymphoma grafts. This shows that NK cells contribute to GR of (C57 × AKR) hybrid mice to parental AKR lymphoma grafts. Further, these results indicate that NK cells which confer genetic resistance to bone marow transplantation (GR to BMT) in lethally irradiated (C57 × AKR) hybrid mice, also mediate GR to lymphoma transplantation in these mice, thereby linking GR to BMT with GR to lymphoma-leukemia.
The effects of gepirone and 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)-piperazine on levels of corticosterone in rat plasma.

Abstract It was found that gepirone and 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)-piperazine (1-PP) increased levels of corticosterone in plasma in the intact rat. Gepirone was more potent and more efficacious than its metabolite, 1-PP. The ED50 was 6.4 μmol/kg for gepirone and 65.4 μmol/kg for 1-PP. Forty-five min after intraperitoneal administration, gepirone and 1-PP produced maximum increases in corticosterone of 283% and 211 %, respectively, above control values. The amplitude and duration of the effects of the drugs were dependent on the ongoing activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Consequently, the greatest absolute increases in corticosterone were produced during the afternoon when the activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis was greatest. A single 10 mg/kg dose of gepirone significantly elevated levels of corticosterone in plasma (313 % after 1 hr) above control values for 2 hr during afternoon trials and for 1 hr (244%) during morning trials. In addition, it was found that the effects of the administration of gepirone and of stress on the levels of corticosterone in plasma were additive. In the light of other work on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, these results suggest that the increased levels of corticosterone, elicited by gepirone, were mediated through a serotonergic action rather than through noradrenergic activity.
Dynamic response of an isothermal static corona to finite-amplitude disturbances

The velocity evolution of sprays, surges and fast ejections is characterized by a rapid acceleration followed by a slowdown. In contrast, eruptive prominences show a velocity evolution with a slow increase followed by a rapid acceleration. We examine the physical causes which differentiate these two characteristic velocity evolutions, and study the dynamic responses of the solar corona. For simplicity, the ascending disturbances are modelled as purely radial adiabatic flows caused by finite-amplitude perturbations (pulses) in an initially isothermal, static corona. It is shown that the resultant flow depends strongly on the nature of the disturbing causes. In particular, the coronal response to sprays and fast ejections can be identified with temperature and velocity pulses at the bottom of the corona, with surges related to shorter pulses, while the slow moving eruptive prominences are correlated with density pulses. It is shown that for large flare sprays 5 × 1039 particles can be injected into the solar wind.