cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prolactin inhibition of pregnant mare's serum stimulated follicle development in the rat ovary.

Prolactin (PRL) effects on the female reproductive system have been presumed to occur primarily at the hypothalamic-pituitary level. The following studies were designed to evaluate whether PRL can directly alter gonadotropin actions at the ovarian level. In the first experiment, 10 groups of 7 cycling adult female rats were given a daily dose of pregnant mare's serum (PMS: 25 IU) and either saline (SAL) or PRL (0.25, 0.8, 2.5, 8, or 25 micrograms) twice daily for 4 days. In the second experiment, PMS (6 doses: 0-75 IU/d; 16 animals/dose) was administered to all animals while half the animals at each PMS dose received PRL (25 micrograms twice daily) and half received an equal volume of diluent. Finally, hypophysectomized (hypox) adult rats (n = 5-6/group) received 25 IU PMS/d and PRL (0-75 micrograms) twice daily. An additional group received 0 PRL and 0 PMS. Ovarian weight and histology were evaluated at the completion of each study. In the first experiment, PRL inhibited PMS-stimulated ovarian weight gain in a dose-dependent manner (p less than 0.01). Numbers of preantral (p less than 0.005) and antral (p less than 0.05) follicles were decreased in animals receiving an inhibitory dose of PRL (25 micrograms BID) compared to controls. In the second experiment PRL (25 micrograms BID) again inhibited PMS-stimulated ovarian weight (p less than 0.01) at all doses of PMS. Finally, in hypox animals, PRL inhibited PMS-stimulated ovarian weight gain (25 and 75 micrograms PRL: p = 0.001), and mean number (p less than 0.001) and diameter (p less than 0.001) of antral ovarian follicles (8-75 micrograms PRL) compared to controls. In summary, administration of PRL inhibited PMS-stimulated ovarian weight gain, and antral follicle diameter (in hypox animals only) and number in adult female rats suggesting that in states of hyperprolactinemia, PRL alters gonadotropin-mediated activities (i.e., folliculogenesis) directly at the ovarian level in addition to its hypothalamic and pituitary actions.
SU‐GG‐J‐84: ADiver: A Respiratory Physiology Based Motion Phantom for Evaluating Radiotherapy Motion Management

Purpose: Most phantoms for evaluating breathing‐motion management execute motions from a pre‐defined function or a stored profile. We have developed a phantom (aDiver) that models human respiratory physiology so that it responds to its respiration history. This is valuable in evaluating motion management methods that modify the breathing pattern of patients. Method and Materials: aDiver is based on a servo‐motor controlled linear actuator. Software is downloaded to the micro‐controller which drives the actuator to the programmed position. We developed the software so that multiple segments of a breathing cycle can be combined to construct profiles of different amplitudes, shapes and periods. It calculates the real‐time concentration of carbon dioxide according to the executed profile. It assumes that the metabolic output rate of carbon dioxide is constant and there is perfect mixing of the different gas components. At the beginning of each inhalation, it will determine the inhalation depth based on the current concentration of carbon dioxide. aDiver accepts an input signal to hold the breath immediately and an input to execute a deep inhalation. It can also set a panic output when the carbon dioxide concentration is above a set level. Results: aDiver can ‘breathe’ practically indefinitely, responding to input to hold the breath, breathing deeper after a breath hold, responding to input to take a deep breath, and setting the panic signal when needed. We have demonstrated that it can produce a regular breathing profile at tidal volume for respiratory gating, it can take deep breaths and hold the breath for Active Breathing Control (ABC) repeatedly, and it can hold the breath in every (or every other) breathing cycle for Audio‐gated Radiotherapy (ART) or Gated Breathing Synchronizer (GBS). Conclusion: aDiver simulates the breathing pattern of a human under different commands automatically. Supported in part by NIH P01‐CA59827.
Cultural literacy and a multicultural inquiry into the study of crime and justice

In the emerging post-melting pot era, increasing tension and antipathy between racial and ethnic groups are present. These tensions also are emerging in public and political discourse, and are expressed in such terms as Eurocentric, Afrocentric, cultural literacy, politically correct, and multiculturalism. In this essay I argue that a “cultural literacy” in criminology and criminal justice, such as those developed by Terence Thornberry (1990) and by Larry Siegel and Marvin Zalman (1991) tends both to reproduce itself and to impede the development of scientific inquiry in the discipline. This is the case because such cultural literacies cannot form constructs of crime and justice that are abstract enough to transcend the traditional definitions of crime and the administration of crime control. A preliminary African-American literacy is introduced here as one of the many potential multicultural literacies capable of reshaping and advancing the study of crime and justice.
Design of a cap for radioshielding during treatment with interstitial125I brain implants

A practical radiation shielding cap has been constructed for use during 125I brain implants. The cap is comfortable enough to be worn continuously during a 6-day implant and provides complete shielding from the implanted radioactive sources.
A simplified expression for the crack tip strain of a stationary crack in a hardening material

Abstract A simplified expression for the crack tip strain of a stationary crack in a hardening material is obtained by considering the shear process at the crack tip region. It differs from the other investigations in that it is a simple closed-form solution. Comparison with the relevant literature and the fracture experiments shows that this new expression works satisfactorily inspite of the simple assumptions and the few mathematical operations involved.
Making a zebrafish kidney: a tale of two tubes

The kidney can be thought of as the pairing of two tubes: an epithelial tube (the nephron), carrying filtered blood and engaged in ion and water transport; and endothelial tubes (the blood vessels), delivering blood and carrying away recovered solute. The development of the nephron presents several interesting questions. How does an epithelial tube form and how is it patterned into functionally distinct components and segments? What guides the interaction between the vasculature and kidney epithelia? How are epithelial cell shape and lumen diameter maintained, and what goes wrong when kidney tubules balloon into cysts? Here, I outline the progress that has been made in answering these questions using the zebrafish pronephros as a simple, accessible model of nephron development.
Periods of Mineralization in Grants Mineral Belt, New Mexico: ABSTRACT

Geologic observations coupled with laboratory studies indicate several periods of mineralization in the Grants mineral belt. The earliest mineralization is from trend ore in the Ambrosia Lake and Smith Lake districts; Rb-Sr radiometric ages on chlorite formed penecontemporaneously with primary uranium minerals range from 135 to 138 ± 8 m.y. This period of mineralization is within the limits of error for the age of sedimentation obtained on barren ground montmorillonite of 140 to 145 ± 10 m.y., but cross-cutting ore indicates early epigenetic as opposed to syngenetic mineralization. Early formed ore in the Laguna district was remobilized and reprecipitated during some mid-Cretaceous event at 110 to 115 m.y. determined on the basis of Rb-Sr dating. Ore was not der ved from the overlying Dakota Formation (Cretaceous), as the Rb-Sr dates for the Dakota and Mancos formations are 92 ± 6 m.y. and 85 ± 10 m.y., respectively (in excellent agreement with U.S. Geological Survey K-Ar dating). Mineralization is present in the Dakota Sandstone, but whether the ore was syngenetic or epigenetic is unknown. Much of the stack ore was apparently formed during the Laramide orogeny about 60 m.y. ago, usually in close proximity to a redox front. Post-Laramide ore is proposed for several deposits in reduced ground at this redox front, some of which is apparently Tertiary although remobilized Jurassic ore cannot be distinguished from that from much younger sources even though reworked Jurassic ore is supported by high 87Sr/86Sr ratios. O e possibly formed during the Tertiary from a southerly source for some deposits, and some remobilized ore, possibly of Pleistocene age, is common in minor amounts. End_of_Article - Last_Page 687------------
Size relationships of Acroneuria californica (perlidae, plecoptera) and its prey

Acroneuria californica has a life cycle of three years and nymphs of quite different sizes were present throughout the year. The annual cycle of feeding habits is described. Diptera were heavily consumed in summer and Trichoptera in winter. Ephemeroptera were a regular component of the diet with minor peaks in spring and late summer. A positive relationship is shown between the size of stonefly nymphs and their prey of three insect orders. A size-dependent relationship is also shown in the qualitative nature of the diet. Trichoptera were eaten by large nymphs, Ephemeroptera by those of intermediate size and Diptera by the smallest nymphs. Interactions between prey size and seasonal availability are discussed.
Interactions of cell-surface galactosyltransferase with immunoglobulins

Detection of the activity of β-1,4-galactosyltransferase (β-1,4-GT) in suspensions of viable mouse hepatocytes, the human hepatoma cell line Hep G2, the human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29, the monocyte-like cell line U937, and human splenic B and T lymphocytes suggested the presence of β-1,4-GT, in an enzymatically active form, on plasma membranes. The presence of β-1,4-GT on cell surfaces was also indicated from the effect of trypsinization of live cells, which significantly reduced cell surface β-1,4-GT activity, but did not affect the activity associated with cytoplasmic membranes. Furthermore, the presence of β-1,4-GT on the cell surface was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence staining of cells with anti-β-1,4-GT antibody. The detection of radioactivity in immunoglobulins (Ig) and their component chains after incubation with suspensions of intact cells in the presence of Mn2+ and UDP-[3H]-galactose, indicated that Ig molecules were galactosylated. In the absence of UDP-[3H]-galactose, β-1,4-GT on cell surfaces, or immobilized on Sepharose-4B, formed stable complexes with galactose acceptors, including Ig. The efficiency of binding decreased in the order: J chain > α chain > μ chain > polymeric IgA2 > monomeric/polymeric IgA1 > IgM > IgG. Thus, β-1,4-GT could act as a cell-surface receptor for Ig through a cation-dependent, lectin-like association of the β-1,4-GT with the carbohydrate moieties of the Ig. This was confirmed by indirect surface immunofluorescence and radiolabeled ligand binding assays. The binding was inhibitable by EDTA, α-lactalbumin (in the presence of glucose), GlcNAc, or uridine 3',5'dialdehyde. At 37°C, the apparent affinity constants and association rate constants of interaction between cell surface β-1,4-GT on glutaraldehyde-fixed HT-29 and U937 cells and α2 chain or monomeric IgA1 were in the range from 7.1 × 107 to 4.6 × 108 M−1 and from 1 × 105 to 3 × 106 M−1 s−1, respectively. The dissociation rate constants and half time of dissociation calculated from these data were in the range from 2.1 × 10−2 to 5.0 × 10−4 s−1 and from 33 to 1380 s, respectively. The number of α2 or IgA1 molecules bound per HT-29 and U937 cell were in the range from 1.9 × 105 to 1.3 × 106. The binding of IgA by the cell surface β-1,4-GT was not associated with internalization or the catabolic degradation of the ligand.
Septal ablation and affective behavior in the golden hamster

Septal ablation in 19 male golden hamsters produced no increases in affective reactivity as scored on a six test rating schedule of emotionality. Examination of the comparative data shows that appearance of a septal syndrome, such as that seen in the rat, is relatively rare and suggests that it may be independent of other effects of septal lesions common to a number of species.
Effective detection of human adenovirus in hawaiian waters using enhanced pcr methods

Background The current criteria for recreational water quality evaluation are primarily based on measurements of fecal indicator bacteria growth. However, these criteria often fail to predict the presence of waterborne human pathogenic viruses. To explore the possibility of direct use of human enteric viruses as improved human fecal contamination indicators, human adenovirus (HAdV) was tested as a model in this study.
Clod Size and Moisture Condition Influence on the Shearing Behavior of Compacted Soil

This paper presents results of the influence of clod size and initial moisture condition on the shearing behavior of a clayey soil with a plasticity index of 22. The clods were divided into different size categories, and then two groups of samples were prepared; samples with large clods (LC = clod size less than 38 mm) and samples with small clods (SC = clod size less than 4.75 mm). Two initial moisture conditions were achieved using two different moisture tempering times of 0 and 14 days. All samples were compacted to the same density and moisture content (95 % of maximum dry density and 2 % dry of optimum moisture content). Triaxial compression tests, including constant water content unsaturated tests and backpressure saturated, isotropically consolidated, undrained compression tests were performed at different confining pressures. At 0-day tempering time, samples prepared using large clods were found to be stiffer and stronger than those prepared using small clods. However, at 14-day tempering time, the strength of both LC and SC samples was similar.
Multicolor Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging of Ink Jet-Printed Protein Microarrays

We report a technique that utilizes surface plasmon resonance dispersion as a mechanism to provide multicolor contrast for imaging thin molecular films. Illumination of gold surfaces with p-polarized white light in the Kretschmann configuration produces distinct reflected colors due to excitation of surface plasmons and the resulting absorption of specific wavelengths from the source light. In addition, these colors transform in response to the formation of thin molecular films. This process represents a simple detection method for distinguishing between films of varying thickness in sensor applications. As an example, we interrogated a protein microarray formed by a commercial drop-on-demand chemical ink jet printer. Submonolayer films of a test protein (bovine serum albumin) were readily detected by this method. Analysis of the dispersion relations and absorbance sensitivities illustrate the performance and characteristics of this system. Higher detection sensitivity was achieved at angles where red wav...
Toxicity evaluation of air pollutants by use of luminescent bacteria

Abstract Cells of a species of luminescent bacteria were treated with a gas stream containing products formed by the photochemical oxidation of cis -2-butene and NO. Luminescence and viability decreased with the time of irradiation of reactants. The rate of luminescence decrease was dependent on the ratio of the initial concentrations of cis -2-butene and NO with a ratio of 2 giving the most rapid loss. Known photochemical oxidation products, ozone, NO 2 , formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and PAN were examined individually. Aldehydes did not appear to contribute to the decrease in luminescence but ozone and PAN did. Although NO 2 alone up to 0.5 ppm produced no decrease, it may contribute to the luminescence loss in the total irradiation mixture. The total oxidant concentration produced upon irradiation gave luminescence decreases which were matched by comparable concentrations of pure ozone. However, this does not imply that luminescence losses caused by photochemical oxidants are due only to ozone. A possible mechanism of the toxic effect and the interpretation of this bioassay in relation to other organisms are briefly discussed.
Peak shapes in femtosecond 2D correlation spectroscopy

Abstract The two-dimensional (2D) peak shape correlates the electronic frequencies of individual molecules during initial absorption and subsequent radiation. Because the two spectra from each molecule are correlated before addition to produce a macroscopic signal, the 2D peak shape contains new microscopic information about the dynamics of individual molecular environments. Peak shapes in 2D femtosecond spectroscopy are investigated computationally with the Brownian oscillator model of Yan and Mukamel, which incorporates time-resolved spontaneous solvent fluctuations and forced solvent reorganization after excitation. These computations reveal the origin of the off-diagonal displacement of the diagonal 2D peaks, the negative region above the diagonal, and the peak shape distortions produced by manipulation of the phase-matched response with noncollinear pulses.
The range of normal.

One of the primary aspects of any test is its capacity to distinguish "normal" from "abnormal." However, the issue of what normal truly is remains complex. There are two categories: correlated normality and isolated normality. Each has numerous advantages and disadvantages, but the latter is much more common for defining normal. The method of establishing limits of normal varies depending on whether correlated or isolated normality is utilized. With correlated normality, the limits are dependent on whether the purpose of the test is discovery, exclusion, or confirmation. Isolated normality limits are frequently based on the consequences of being termed abnormal. It is imperative that normal limits be based on values of an appropriate reference group: the normal group should be healthy equivalents of the individual being tested. Finally, both intrapersonal and menstruational variations that result when multiple tests are performed on the same individual should be accounted for.
Biotinidase catalyzes debiotinylation of histones

Background Posttranslational modifications of histones play important roles in processes such as regulation of gene expression and DNA repair. Recently, evidence has been provided that histones in human cells are modified by covalent attachment of biotin. Aim of the study To determine whether the reverse process (debiotinylation of histones) occurs in biological samples and whether debiotinylation is an enzyme-mediated process; and to characterize the enzyme that mediates debiotinylation of histones. Methods Plasma and lymphocytes from healthy adults and a biotinidase-deficient patient were used as sources of debiotinylating enzymes. Debiotinylation of histones by plasma and lymphocyte proteins was measured using a colorimetric 96-well plate assay. Results Histones were debiotinylated rapidly if incubated with human plasma or lysates of lymphocytes. The following observations are consistent with the hypothesis that debiotinylation is an enzyme-mediated process: (i) Hydrolysis was slower at 4 °C compared to 37 °C; (ii) debiotinylating activity was destroyed when biological samples were heated at 90 °C for 30 min preceding incubation with biotinylated histones; and (iii) rates of debiotinylation were pH dependent. Rates of histone debiotinylation were significantly decreased in biotinidase-deficient samples. Conclusion Debiotinylation of histones in human samples is an enzyme-mediated process that is at least partly catalyzed by biotinidase.
Metal Fragments and Extended Arrays on a Si(100)-(2×1) Surface. I. Theoretical Study of MLn Complexation to Si(100)

Adsorption of two model fragments, Fe(CO)4 and PdCl3-, on a cluster model of the Si(100) surface and disilene was studied by means of density functional calculations. The reconstructed silicon−silicon surface dimer forms a strong bond to metal fragments, analogous to ethylene π-bond complexation to a transition metal complex. This bond can be described in terms of the Dewar−Chatt−Duncanson model. The Fe(CO)4 fragment binds to the surface cluster model in two geometrical configurationsin a geometry in which the Si−Si bond is in the equatorial plane of an approximate trigonal bipyramid at Fe and another, less stable geometry with the Si−Si bond perpendicular to the equatorial plane. PdCl3- also binds well, forming a square planar complex with the Si−Si bond in the plane of the complex. Since the Cl- ligands in PdCl3- are labile, adsorption in a geometry with the Si−Si bond perpendicular to the plane of the square planar complex leads to two unusual structures in which Si−Cl bonds are formed. The possibility...
Neurilemoma of the medial plantar nerve: A case report and literature review

A neurilemoma is an uncommon, benign, encapsulated neoplasm whose origin is derived from the Schwann cells. Its incidence in the foot is uncommon. A review of the literature, etiology, incidence, clinical presentation, histology, differential diagnosis, and treatment are discussed. The authors present a case of a neurilemoma of the medial plantar nerve of the foot.
Structural dynamics of the Ca2(+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum. Temperature profiles of fluorescence polarization and intramolecular energy transfer.

Abstract The temperature dependence of fluorescence polarization and Forster-type resonance energy transfer (FRET) was analyzed in the Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum using protein tryptophan and site-specific fluorescence indicators such as 5-[2-((iodoacetyl)amino)ethyl]aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (IAEDANS), fluorescein 5′-isothiocyanate (FITC), 2′,3′-O-(2,4,3-trinitrophenyl)adenosine monophosphate (TNP-AMP) or lanthanides (Pr3+, Nd3+) as probes. The normalized energy transfer efficiency between AEDANS bound at cysteine-670 and -674 and FITC bound at lysine-515 increases with increasing temperature in the range of 10–37°C, indicating the existence of a relatively flexible structure in the region of the ATPase molecule that links the AEDANS to the FITC site. These observations are consistent with the theory of Somogyi, Matko, Papp, Hevessy, Welch and Damjanovich (Biochemistry 23 (1984) 3403–3411) that thermally induced structural fluctuations increase the energy transfer. Structural fluctuations were also evident in the energy transfer between FITC linked to the nucleotide-binding domain and Nd3+ bound at the putative Ca2+ sites. By contrast the normalized energy transfer efficiency between AEDANS and Pr3+ was relatively insensitive to temperature, suggesting that the region between cysteine-670 and the putative Ca2+ site monitored by the AEDANS-Pr3+ pair is relatively rigid. A combination of the energy transfer data with the structural information derived from analysis of Ca2+-ATPase crystals yields a structural model, in which the location of the AEDANS-, FITC- and Ca2+ sites are tentatively identified.
Audiologic and Otologic Manifestations of Hutchinson‐Gilford Progeria Syndrome

Audiologic and Otologic Manifestations of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome Elizabeth Guardiani, MD1; Christopher Zalewski, MA2; Carmen Brewer,PhD2; Melissa Merideth, MD MPH3; Wendy Introne, MD3; Leslie Gordon, MD PhD3; William Gahl, MD Ph.D3; H. Jeffrey Kim, MD1,2 1Georgetown University Hospital Dept. of Otolaryngology-HNS, Washington, DC 2National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Bethesda, MD 3National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD
'Is Israel part of Russia?' Immigrants on Russian and Israeli screens

The mass immigration from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) changed both the Israeli and Russian cultures. Since the 1990s, Russian immigrants and their homeland began appearing in Israeli films. Meanwhile, Jewish themes, including emigration, became more common in Russian cinema: Israel now appears in Russian films. Whether Russian or Israeli, these movies circulate through the internet, transnational TV channels, and Jewish film festivals, and are seen in Russia and elsewhere in the Russian diaspora. This shows that cultural processes in today's globalized mediated world are interrelated: as Russian-Jewish immigrants transform themselves through migration, they also transform cultures around them.
Early Numeracy Instruction for Students with Moderate and Severe Developmental Disabilities

Competence in early numeracy skills highly correlate with success in mathematics in later years; however, many students, including students with moderate and severe disabilities, lack a sound foundation in early numeracy skills. For this population, the gaps in skills widen as students progress through academic years, making it more difficult for students to access the general curriculum, and consequently, students exit school without the skills needed for the 21st century. This article provides a conceptual model for teaching early numeracy skills to elementary students with moderate and severe developmental disabilities, as well as pilot research in both special and general education settings. Limitations and suggestions for future research are included.
The potential value of improved ocean observation systems in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract A number of coastal and ocean observation systems exist throughout the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), but the network of systems is not currently linked or integrated and at present not fully implemented. The network of local systems are diverse, typically involving unique mandates and several different funding sources at various levels of permanence. The purpose of this paper is to describe the ocean observation systems that currently exist in the GOM, and to identify and quantify the expected economic benefits that may result from the implementation of an integrated regional network. Improved ocean observation systems are expected to reduce the uncertainty of ocean/weather forecasting and to enhance the value of ocean/weather information throughout the Gulf region. The source of benefits and the size of activity from which improved ocean observation benefits may be derived are estimated for private sector, non-market, and public sector activities categorized according to marine transportation, commercial fishing, recreational fishing, search and rescue operations, and pollution management. The benefits of improved ocean observation systems to energy exploration, development, and production activities are estimated, and a discussion of potential benefits to lightering activities, environmental monitoring, royalty payments, and engineering design are highlighted.
Intentionalism and the Imaginability of the Inverted Spectrum

Various thought-experiments have been offered as independent support for the possibility of intentionalism-defeating spectrum inversion, but they do not succeed. I refute what I take to be the four best arguments for holding that the thought-experiments do in fact provide such support: the implausible error argument, the symmetry argument, the no-inference argument and the best theory of representation argument. I thus offer a defence of intentionalism against a long-standing objection.
Topology control in multihop wireless networks with multi-beam smart antennas

Smart (directional) antennas can be deployed in a wireless network to enhance the capacity of the network by forming one or multiple beams only towards intended receivers. In this paper, we focus on the topology control approach for efficient communications in a wireless network with multi-beam smart antennas. This approach pre-computes an antenna pattern for each node such that an efficient network topology can be formed for future communications. The corresponding optimization problem is formally defined as the Sector Selection Problem (SSP). First, we present a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulation to provide optimal solutions. Then we present a Linear Programming (LP) rounding based algorithm for the SSP. Extensive simulation results show that the proposed algorithm provides close-to-optimal performance and outperforms a Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) based algorithm and the k nearest neighbors algorithm in terms of both network capacity and fairness.
Two Sisters Producing Anti-U1RNP Exhibit Serological Concordance and Clinical Discordance

Two sisters had autoimmune responses to the U1RNP particle that were quantitatively similar and/or identical in molecular characteristics. No other autoantibodies were demonstrable. Both sisters immunoprecipitated only U1RNA, had a reaction of identity in gel diffusion, bound the 68-kDa band in HeLa cell extract in Western blot, and reacted almost equally to a rabbit anti-idiotypic reagent made against either sister's isolated anti-U1RNP Fab fragments. They both carried a DR4 allele, which has been associated with anti-U1RNP production in several studies. While the sisters both had Raynaud's phenomenon, their clinical pictures were otherwise dissimilar. One had a seizure disorder (Ju); the other had polymyositis and features of scleroderma (Je). In sister Ju, Raynaud's phenomenon was manifest for the first time in association with the appearance of precipitating anti-U1RNP.
Is host plant choice by a clytrine leaf beetle mediated through interactions with the ant Crematogaster lineolata

In the grasslands of northeastern Kansas, adult populations of Anomoea flavokansiensis, an oligophagous leaf beetle (subfamily Clytrinae), specialize on Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) even though other reported host species commonly occur and are simultaneously available. We performed choice feeding tests to examine whether A. flavokansiensis adults have a fixed feeding preference for bundleflower. In choice tests, beetles ate similar amounts of bundleflower and honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos). In addition, we measured fecundity and longevity of adults in no-choice tests to determine if adults were adapted solely to bundleflower. In no-choice tests, fecundity and longevity were no different for adults feeding on bundleflower and honey locust. We next examined the influence of host plant on the attractiveness of beetle eggs to ants. In northeastern Kansas, Crematogaster lineolata ants are attracted to A. flavokansiensis eggs and carry them into their nests where the larvae hatch and apparently reside as inquilines. C. lineolata exhibited a strong preference for eggs from female A. flavokansiensis that fed exclusively on bundleflower compared to eggs from females that fed exclusively on honey locust. Local populations of A. flavokansiensis in northeastern Kansas may specialize on bundleflower to increase the chances of their eggs being transported by C. lineolata ants into their nests. C. lineolata nests may serve as a predator-free and sheltered environment in which A. flavokansiensis eggs undergo embryogenesis.
Alternative Analyses for the Singly-Ordered Contingency Table

Abstract This article considers the R×C contingency table in which the C columns represent ordered categories. Two models are developed to take account of the order, and these models provide estimated cell frequencies as well as tests of the hypothesis that the relevant row parameeters are equal. One model is of the log-linear variety, and the other examines accumulated logits within rows.
Unilateral ureteral obstruction in neonatal rats leads to renal insufficiency in adulthood

Unilateral ureteral obstruction in neonatal rats leads to renal insufficiency in adulthood. Background Although unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction is the most common cause of congenital obstructive nephropathy in infants and children, management remains controversial, and follow-up after pyeloplasty is generally limited to the pediatric ages. We have developed a model of temporary unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in the neonatal rat: One month following the relief of five-day UUO, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the postobstructed kidney was normal despite a 40% reduction in the number of glomeruli and residual vascular, glomerular, tubular, and interstitial injury. Methods To determine whether hyperfiltration and residual injury of remaining nephrons leads to progression of renal insufficiency in later life, 31 rats were sham operated or subjected to left UUO at one day of age, with relief of UUO five days later, and were studied at one year of age. GFR was measured by inulin clearance, and the number of glomeruli, tubular atrophy, glomerular sclerosis, and interstitial fibrosis were measured by histomorphometry in sham, obstructed (UUO), and intact opposite kidneys. Intrarenal macrophages and α-smooth muscle actin were identified by immunohistochemistry. Results Despite relief of UUO, ultimate growth of the postobstructed kidney was impaired. The number of glomeruli was reduced by 40%, and GFR was decreased by 80%. However, despite significant compensatory growth of the opposite kidney, there was no compensatory increase in GFR, and proteinuria was increased. Moreover, glomerular sclerosis, tubular atrophy, macrophage infiltration, and interstitial fibrosis were significantly increased not only in the postobstructed kidney, but also in the opposite kidney. Conclusions Although GFR is initially maintained following relief of five-day UUO in the neonatal rat, there is eventual profound loss of function of the postobstructed and opposite kidneys because of progressive tubulointerstitial and glomerular damage. These findings suggest that despite normal postoperative GFR in infancy, children undergoing pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction should be followed into adulthood. Elucidation of the cellular response to temporary UUO may lead to improved methods to assess renal growth, injury, and functional reserve in patients with congenital obstructive nephropathy.
Nutritional Risk in Elderly Hospitalized Patients

Abstract Nutritional risk is common in elderly persons. This study examines nutritional risk and length of hospitalization for patients as a function of age. An analysis of 204 non-surgical patients, excluding cancer and HIV-infected patients, was performed. Risk was assessed utilizing the Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI) questionnaire. Patients were divided into two groups, less than 65 years of age (n= 116; mean=43.6 years) and 65 or older (n = 88; mean 77.3). Forty-nine patients (16 were less than 65 and 33 were older) could not respond and were excluded from subsequent analyses. Prior to hospitalization, older patients were more likely to cite illness affecting intake (p = 0.05), eat less than two meals a day (p
A method of increasing the sensitivity for laser desorption in an ion trap mass spectrometer

Laser desorption in an ion trap mass spectrometer shows significant promise for both qualitative and trace analysis. In this work, we explore various combinations of time-varying DC and radiofrequency (RF) fields in order to optimize laser-generated signals. By judicious choice of timing between the laser desorption pulse and the rise in the applied RF trapping potential, we observed over an order of magnitude enhancement in the trapped ion signal. This new method for laser desorption has enabled us to observe mass spectra of many compounds (e.g., pyrene, dichlorobenzene, and ferrocene) that are barely detectable using previous laser desorption methods. Effects of laser timing and the magnitude of the steady-state RF potential are discussed.
The self-esteem of adolescents in American public high schools: A multilevel analysis of individual differences

Abstract This study is a multilevel investigation of the global self-esteem of adolescents in American public high schools. The primary objectives were: (1) to evaluate the influence of student characteristics and public high school social climate on adolescent global self-esteem in a first-stage or micro-model; (2) to evaluate the influence of social climate on the variability of individual differences from school to school in a second-stage or macro-model; and (3) to cross-validate the first- and second-stage models to assess generalizability of the findings. Schools (n = 219) and students (n = 13022) were sampled from High School and Beyond, a database representative of secondary schools and students in the U.S.A.; half the sample was set aside for cross-validation purposes. Collective well-being and distress were predictors of adolescent esteem in the presence of theoretically important student characteristics. The relationship of social climate to variability of esteem suggests that a positive climate may reduce individual differences within the school. Methodological comments on the employed multilevel analysis are offered.
Direct observation of zirconium segregation to dislocations and grain boundaries in NiAl

Segregation of zirconium to dislocations in microalloyed NiAl has been directly observed in the atom probe field ion microscopy (APFIM). Approximately two thirds of the dislocations in the NiAl matrix exhibited zirconium segregation. Zirconium-rich regions with ribbon-like morphology were also detected in the NiAl matrix. It is suggested that these regions are associated with dislocations. These results support the suggestion that the substantial increase in ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) of the zirconium-doped alloy is due to pinning of dislocations by zirconium. Since the mechanism underlying the DBTT in binary NiAl is not understood, it would be of interest to examine the possibility of a similar pinning of dislocations by trace interstitial and other impurities in the undoped alloy. Segregation of zirconium to grain boundaries has also been observed in the APFIM. This result indicates the possible strengthening of grain boundaries has also been observed in the APFIM. This result indicates the possible strengthening of grain boundaries due to zirconium segregation and is consistent with the change in the fracture mode from intergranular in the undoped NiAl to a mixture of intergranular and transgranular mode in zirconium-doped NiAl. The NiAl matrix was heavily depleted of both solutes molybdenum and zirconium.more » Small Mo-rich precipitates observed in the matrix and at grain boundaries and the ribbon-like Zr-rich regions are likely to contributed to the increase in yield stress through precipitation hardening.« less
On the isotopic composition of carbon in soil carbon dioxide

Abstract In this study it is shown that the isotopic composition of carbon in soil CO2 differs from the isotopic composition of carbon in soil-respired CO2. Soil CO2 collected from a montane soil has an endmember δ13C value of −23.3%. whereas soil-respired CO2 in this system has a δ 13C value of −27.5%. This difference is very close to the theoretical difference of 4.4%. which is predicted by the difference in the diffusion coefficients for 12CO2 and 13CO2. Because of the measured and the theoretical difference between the isotopic composition of carbon in soil CO2 and soil-respired CO2 it is suggested that, in the future, a distinction should be made between them.
Writing an Application for a Human Subjects Institutional Review Board

After reading this article, readers will be able to do the following: understand the role and responsibilities of an institutional review board (IRB); recognize the major areas that must be addressed in an IRB submission; and avoid common mistakes in writing a research application submission to an IRB.
Effect of thermodynamic phase changes on CO2 leakage

Abstract Due to the concerns about the effect of greenhouse gases on the climate, Geologic CO 2 storage is a very active area of research. One of the biggest risks associated with such projects is the possibility of leakage. Detrimental environmental consequences present a need to study potential leakage scenarios. Stored CO 2 may leak if possible leakage pathways are available and favourable. Pressure and temperature decrease from the leakage source to the surface. Below the CO 2 saturation pressure, liquid condensation of the CO 2 occurs. At even lower temperatures and pressures, in the presence of water, hydrate formation occurs. CO 2 -hydrate forms when free water is available and the temperature is below 283 K and pressure is below 647 psi. During leakage, decreases in the temperature and pressure results in a CO 2 phase change that affects the leakage flux. The purpose of this study is to estimate the leakage flux for different scenarios taking thermodynamic phase changes into account. An analytical model was built to predict steady state leakage flux taking the phase transitions into account. Several important limiting assumptions were required to perform these calculations. A numerical model with coupled mass and energy balances was developed and used to estimate the flux under less restrictive assumptions than the analytical model. Hydrate formation was modelled using the Van der Waals-Platteeuw model. Example analytical calculations indicate that for a uniform permeability pathway the CO 2 leakage flux decreases by a factor of about two due to CO 2 condensation and about three when hydrate forms compared with the isothermal leakage rate. These calculations illustrate the importance of the pressure and temperature of the leakage source (aquifer) and the amount of water in the pathway (fault) among other variables. Example numerical calculations indicate a cyclical nature of the leakage flux under certain conditions. Hydrate formation results in partial to complete blockage of the fault until melted.
An exploration of how the thermodynamic efficiency of bioenergetic membrane systems varies with c-subunit stoichiometry of F1F0 ATP synthases

Recently the F0 portion of the bovine mitochondrial F1F0-ATP synthase was shown to contain eight ‘c’ subunits (n = 8). This surprised many in the field, as previously, the only other mitochondrial F0 (for yeast) was shown to have ten ‘c’ subunits. The metabolic implications of ‘c’ subunit copy number explored in this paper lead to several surprising conclusions: (1) Aerobically respiring E. coli (n = 10) and animal mitochondria (n = 8) both have very high F1F0 thermodynamic efficiencies of ≈90 % under typical conditions, whereas efficiency is only ≈65 % for chloroplasts (n = 14). Reasons for this difference, including the importance of transmembrane potential (∆Ψ) as a rotational catalyst, as opposed to an energy source, are discussed. (2) Maximum theoretical P/O ratios in animal mitochondria (n = 8) are calculated to be 2.73 ATP/NADH and 1.64 ATP/FADH2, yielding 34.5 ATP/glucose (assuming NADH import via the malate/aspartate shuttle). The experimentally measured values of 2.44 (±0.15), 1.47 (±0.13), and 31.3 (±1.5), respectively, are only about 10 % lower, suggesting very little energy depletion via transmembrane proton leakage. (3) Finally, the thermodynamic efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation is not lower than that of substrate level phosphorylation, as previously believed. The overall thermodynamic efficiencies of oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, and the citric acid cycle are ≈80 % in all three processes.
Small oscillations of a collisionless quark plasma

Abstract The oscillations of a collisionless quark plasma are studied on the basis of the gauge covariant kinetic equations. The small oscillation approach provides the dispersion relations which coincide with those predicted by the finite-temperature QCD in one-loop approximation.
The developmental pattern of adenine nucleotide translocase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase in embryonic chicken (gallus domesticus) liver

Abstract 1. 1. The mitochondrial enzymes, adenine nucleotide translocase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase, were measured in chicken liver during embryonic development. 2. 2. Adenine nucleotide translocase activity varied somewhat, with higher levels found in early and late embryos and a sharp drop noted just prior to hatching. 3. 3. The sensitivity of the translocase to inhibition by palmitoyl CoA was similar during all stages of growth. 4. 4. Maximum atractylate sensitivity was observed at approximately 3 × 10 − M in both 17-day-old embryonic and post-hatch liver mitochondria. 5. 5. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase showed a pattern of activity similar to that of adenine nucleotide translocase, except that there was no decrease after hatching.
The human and mouse MHC class III region: a parade of 21 genes at the centromeric segment

The human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III region contains 57-60 structural genes spanning 654-759 kb of genomic DNA. Analysis of the sequence identities of the human and mouse genomic regions between NOTCH4 and complement C2 yields important information on the locations of the coding and regulatory sequences. It also provides insights into the relationship between protein function and level of sequence conservation, and on the clustering of genes with related functions.
Cost and policy implications from the increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus

Abstract Background: The increasing prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), among children and adults, has posed important policy and budgetary considerations to government, health insurance companies, employers, physicians, and health care delivery systems. Objective: This article examines issues that are common to obesity and DM, including cost, clinical research, and treatment barriers, and proposes health policies to address these issues. Method: A manual review was performed of authoritative literature from peer-reviewed medical publications and recently published medical textbooks. Results: Obesity has been disproportionately prevalent among women and minorities, accompanied by an increased risk for DM. Women have experienced an increased risk for the metabolic syndrome, DM, and cardiovascular disease after onset of menopause. Obesity has been related to an increased risk for breast cancer among women, and may be a barrier that prevents women from being screened for colon and breast cancers. Maternal obesity has been a risk factor for gestational DM. Conclusions: Obesity and DM represent crises for the health care system and the health of the public, incurring costs and disease burden for adults and children, with increasing costs and prevalence expected unless more coordinated efforts to address the causes of these conditions at the national level are implemented. An investment in infrastructure to promote increased physical activity and reward weight management may be budget neutral in the long term by reducing the costs of morbidity and mortality. About two thirds of the costs from DM complications could be averted with appropriate primary care.