cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clonal growth and serial propagation of rat esophageal epithelial cells

The clonal growth and serial propagation of rat esophageal epithelial cells in low serum-containing medium has been achieved without feeder layers or conditioned medium. To date, a total of four lines have been developed and maintained for as many as 40 passages in culture. Growth of the cells was possible only after modifying the culture medium (PFMR-4) by reducing the calcium concentration from 1 to 0.1 mM, and by adding low levels of dialyzed fetal bovine serum and seven growth factors; i.e. epidermal growth factor, hydrocortisone, ethanolamine, phosphoethanolamine, insulin, transferrin, and cholera toxin. Cell lines have been developed from both explant outgrowths and enzyme dissociated esophagi. The epithelial nature of the cells was confirmed by electron microscopy and immunological methods. Clonal growth studies revealed that optimal cell growth occurred in medium containing 2.4% dialyzed fetal bovine serum and 0.1 mM calcium. Calcium levels of 0.3 mM or higher caused the cells to stratify and undergo terminal differentiation. Coating the culture dishes with collagen, or a combination of collagen, fibronectin, and bovine serum albumin, increased both the cell growth rate and the colony forming efficiency. The successful long term culture of rat esophageal epithelial cells permits their use as models in studies concerned with esophageal differentiation and carcinogenesis.
EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF CRACK PROPAGATION IN GRANITE

An experimental approach is used to demonstrate the concept of an effective crack length with double-edge-notched specimens of charcoal and rockville granite. Crack propagation in rock is characterized by microcracking around the crack tip and interlocking along a portion of the crack; this region is called the fracture process zone, and together with the traction free length defines the effective crack length. Twenty closed-loop, strain-controlled fracture tests were conducted on charcoal and rockville granite. Crack growth was monitored with a travelling optical microscope (100 x magnification). By comparing the post-peak behaviour of both granites, it is suggested that the process zone is larger for the larger grain-sized rock (rockville). Conventional linear elastic fracture mechanics techniques are used to calculate the apparent fracture toughness of charcoal granite at various crack lengths. In addition, a j-integral expression is derived for the double-edged-notched geometry in terms of the area under the load-displacement record. The shortcomings of both analyses are discussed. An attempt is made to explain the inadequacies by including the process zone in the calculations of the fracture toughness. (Author/TRRL)
Simplified interpretation of Martian transmission spectra

Abstract A highly simplified procedure for the interpretation of Kuiper's Martian and telluric transmission measurements in the 2 μ region is shown to lead to a Martian surface pressure estimate of about 5 ± 1 mbar.
Patterns in Resource Partitioning by Insect Biological Control Agents of Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea Solstitialis L.) in Washington

Abstract Entire yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis L. (Asteraceae), plants were harvested from three southeastern Washington sites in September 2004 for seed head dissections to assess intra-plant patterns in the spatial distribution of the introduced false peacock fly, Chaetorellia succinea (Costa), and peacock fly, Chaetorellia australis Hering (Diptera: Tephritidae). Thirty plants were partitioned into three height classes and collected at each site, spanning the longitudinal range of yellow starthistle in Washington. Seed head canopies were stratified into three vertical sections and individual heads were dissected to determine bioagent occupation. Logistic regression analysis using a binary logit model was performed on data collected from each of the three sites separately due to varying site effects. Explanatory variables included plant height, plant width, plant canopy stratum (apical, mid, basal), and presence of other bioagents within a head. ‘Other bioagents’ detected include the yellow ...
Toll-like receptors: novel pharmacological targets for the treatment of neurological diseases

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of evolutionarily conserved molecules that directly detect pathogen invasion or tissue damage and initiate a biological response. TLRs can signal through two primary intracellular pathways and as such can induce either immuno-stimulatory or immuno-modulatory molecules. Both sides of this twin-edged sword are being examined for their therapeutic potential in combating neurological disease. The immuno-stimulatory properties of TLRs are being used to generate tumor-specific immune responses to CNS tumors while the immuno-modulatory properties are being used to suppress damaging inflammatory responses to stroke. Recently, a third component of TLR signaling has begun to emerge—that of direct neuroprotection. Hence, the TLRs offer novel targets for the treatment of neurological disease.
CONTROLLING VITRIFICATION OF PETUNIA IN VITRO

Nodal segments from in vitro culturedPetunia hybrida were grown under varying cultural conditions. The origin of nodal explants influenced vitrification. Basal segments formed a higher percentage of vitreous shoots than did the upper nodes. A method was developed for including polyethylene glycol with Gelrite to obtain gelled media of varying water potentials. Media water potential from −0.31 to −1.2 MPa had no effect on controlling the level of vitrification. Gelrite promoted vitrification but GIBCO agar, alone or in combination with Gelrite, reduced its occurrence. Lowering media NH4 content reduced vitrification, whereas sealing culture vessels with parafilm increased it. As it is now possible to control normal and vitreous plant development inPetunia, this can be used as a model system for studying the physiology and biochemistry of this developmental abnormality.
Amino-acids and amino-sugars in calcified tissues of Portunid crabs.

Amino acids and amino sugars determined in Portunid crab calcified tissues, giving relationship to calcification phenomenon
The self-preserving particle size distribution for coagulation by brownian motion

Abstract The solutions to the kinetic equation of coagulation are reviewed particularly from the standpoint of their asymptotic behavior. The coagulation equation is studied theoretically by means of a new similarity transformation. For the case of constant collision frequency factor, the transformed spectrum function approaches a self-preserving form after a sufficiently long time, for a certain class of initial distributions. For Brownian coagulation, approximate solutions are derived in closed form for the upper and the lower end of the self-preserving spectrum, and a numerical solution is given for the whole spectrum. The result of this study indicates that the shape of the self-preserving spectrum is greatly influenced by the form of the collision frequency factor.
Teaching Healthy Computing Skills to High School Students via Participatory Ergonomics

When today's students graduate from college and start their first job, many have close to twenty years of computer use exposure and some of them also have discomfort associated with this exposure. This discomfort may be due, in part, to a lack of training, from schools or other sources, in healthy computing habits (such as taking breaks, reducing awkward postures and postural fixity, etc.). A long-term goal of this line of research is to improve the health of students. In this study students were introduced to the concept and principles of healthy computing. The specific aim of this study was to recruit a small group of students to learn, in a participatory fashion, about healthy computing and then to assist them to develop means for effectively conveying their knowledge to other students. The objective of this paper is to explain the methodology that was utilized in the study and to provide evidence of its effectiveness.
Preparation and photo-oxidative functions of poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (PE-co-MAA) nanofibrous membrane supported porphyrins

Surface functionalized poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (PE-co-MAA) nanofibrous membranes were successfully prepared and applied as solid supports to immobilize photosensitizers. Several activation agents were used to facilitate the surface functionalization of PE-co-MAA nanofibrous membranes, and PCl5 was found to be the most efficient one to activate surface carboxylic acid groups. Three spacers with variable lengths were introduced to the membrane surfaces prior to immobilizations of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX), a photosensitizer. The results revealed that the membranes with longer spacer chain incorporated more photoactive macrocyclic compounds, and the supported PPIX provided a more powerful catalytic effect on the photo-oxidation of 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene. After five times of repeated catalytic reactions, the catalytic activity of the solid supported PPIX was maintained at 80% of the original power, and the membrane morphology was intact. The nanofibrous membrane supported photosensitizer provided high catalytic activity, easy handling, good durability and reusability.
Minimum weight design for stiffness in sandwich plates with rigid foam cores

Abstract A new relationship between the shear modulus and density of foams has been used to identify the core density as well as the core and face thicknesses which minimize the weight of a sandwich plate for a given bending stiffness. The results of bending tests on simply supported circular sandwich plates with aluminimum skins and polyurethane foam cores confirm the results of the analysis. The work should be useful in improving the design of sandwich panels in many engineering applications. It also has relevance to the understanding of the design of natural sandwich structures, such as those found in the human skull and in the iris leaf.
Documenting Oregon's Latino Heritage: The Braceros in Oregon Photograph Collection

This article was published as part of the Oregon Library Association Quarterly Fall 2012, 18:3, "Libraries, Museums and Oregon's Cultural History" Issue
Self-ignition of pyrolyzate-air mixtures

Abstract Modeling analysis on the ignition of thermally thin and thermally thick materials uses an ignition criterion which incorporates the concentration dependent self-ignition temperature of the pyrolyzate-air mixtures. A device known as the lower ignition temperature and concentration apparatus (LITACA) was designed, constructed and used in determination of the self-ignition temperatures of pyrolyzate-air mixtures as a function of pyrolyzate concentration. Originally LITACA incorporated a resistance heater pyrolyzate generating furnace which provided heating rates up to 25 °C/min. This furnace was later replaced by a radiant heater furnace which can produce heating rates in excess of 6000 °C/min. The ignition characteristics of pyrolyzate gases generated from several fabrics and wood were determined at heating rates from 20 to 6000 °C/min. The pyrolyzates from these materials showed certain common characteristics. As heating rate increased, the minimum self-ignition temperature decreased, the molecular weight of the pyrolyzate gases decreased, and the rich limit of ignition decreased. The lean limit of ignition was affected much less than the rich limit.
The effect of aspect ratio on the effectiveness of combustor coolant passages

The effect of aspect ratio on the heat transfer through curved, rectangular ducts is considered. Of particular interest is the development of improved understanding of the physical characteristics of such flows through parametric studies. A secondary goal is an assessment of the extent to which threedimensional computational methods can be used to impact coolant passage design. Computational issues include the necessity of a compressible formulation with an arbitrary equation of state, along with convergence control for both inviscid and viscous effects, including grid stretching. Results demonstrate that streamwise curvature induces strong vortices, the number of which is dependent upon the duct aspect ratio. Once established, these vortices are shown to persist for long distances even in straight tubes. Heat transfer appears to possess an optimum as the duct aspect ratio is increased from unity to large values.
The interplay between localization and superconductivity

Abstract The interplay between localization and superconductivity has been studied in uniform ultrathin films of both high- and low-temperature superconductors. In both types, a decrease of the transition temperature with decreasing thickness and increasing sheet resistance is found, and there appears to be a critical sheet resistance for superconductivity. The important issue is whether the threshold is material-dependent, or universal, with a value close to the quantum resistance for pairs, h/4e2 (6450Ω), the value found for films of Bi and DyBaCuO. The universality of this result would have important implications for the fundamental understanding of this problem.
Place Making, Grassroots Organizing, and Rural Protest: A Case Study of Anahim Lake, British Columbia.

Abstract Contemporary rural social movements bring diverse interest groups and stakeholders together at the local scale in the pursuit of common visions and goals, often against the backdrop of an external threat. The challenge for a movement's leaders is to negotiate and design a rural agenda that resonates with this complex constituency. One way to approach this problem is to construct and politicize a local sense of place as a means of rallying insiders against outside forces and pressures. This article explores the place-making activities of rural leaders operating within a complex social setting through an analysis of a grassroots social movement in Anahim Lake, British Columbia. The study uses the concept of the “place frame” to explore how Anahim's activists created a local discursive framework that enabled them to bridge dissimilar environmental values and practices within the community. The removal of external pressures following protest, however, saw the dissolution of this alignment. In documenting this process, the article contributes to a fuller understanding of the significance of place in grassroots protest and activism.
Reversible Cycloaddition of Isocyanates to Ruthenium Silylene Complexes

Reactions of ruthenium silylene complexes of the type [Cp*(PMe3)2RuSiR2]+ with unsaturated compounds were investigated. Nonpolar, unsaturated substrates such as ethylene, acetylene, and 2-butyne do not react with [Cp*(PMe3)2RuSiR2]B(C6F5)4 (1a, R = Me; 1b, R = Ph). However, methyl isocyanate inserts into an Si−S bond of the silylene complex [Cp*(PMe3)2RuSi(STol)2][BPh4] (5) to give the 1,2-dipolar addition product {Cp*(PMe3)2RuSi(STol)[η2−O(MeN)C(STol)]}[BPh4] (6a) in 87% yield. This product was characterized by X-ray crystallography as possessing a base-stabilized silylene ligand with thiolate and thiocarbamate substituents. Compound 1a reacts with methyl and phenyl isocyanate to give the 2 + 2 R = Me; 8, R = Ph). The analogous triflate R = Ph; 10, R = Me) were prepared by reaction of the appropriate ruthenium silyls Cp*(PMe3)2RuSiR2OTf with methyl isocyanate. Heating 9 to 100 °C in toluene resulted in dissociation of the isocyanate and regeneration of the triflate Cp*(PMe3)2RuSiPh2OTf. Competition react...
Absence of a conserved proline and presence of a conserved tyrosine in the CB2 cannabinoid receptor are crucial for its function

A majority (84%) of G protein-coupled receptors have a proline (P5.50) in the middle of the fifth transmembrane domain. However, one of the unique structural features of cannabinoid receptors is the replacement of the conserved P5.50 by a leucine (L5.50). It has been shown that a conserved tyrosine (Y5.58), located at the cytoplasmic side of P5.50, is crucial for the signal transduction of several G protein-coupled receptors. We proposed that the replacement of P5.50 by L5.50 and the presence of the conserved Y5.58 in this context are important for the function of CB2. Mutating L5.50 to a proline abolished ligand binding, whereas mutating Y5.58 to an alanine resulted in a rightward shift of the competition binding curves. Both of these mutations led to a complete loss of the ability of cannabinoid agonists to inhibit forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation.
Bupropion and Nicotine Patch as Smoking Cessation Aids in Alcoholics

Abstract This is a double-blind placebo-controlled study of sustained-release bupropion as a smoking cessation aid in alcoholics undergoing treatment for their alcoholism. Participants ( N =58) were enrolled within 1 week of entry into alcohol treatment from community and Veterans Affairs Substance Use Disorder programs. All participants received nicotine patch and were invited to attend a smoking cessation lecture and group. Cigarette smoking and alcohol outcomes were measured at 6 months. Bupropion when added to nicotine patch did not improve smoking outcomes. One third of participants on bupropion reported discontinuing the drug during weeks 1–4. Participants reported cigarette outcomes with nicotine patch that are similar to those seen in the general population. All study participants significantly reduced cigarette use. Comorbid affective disorder or antipersonality disorder did not affect outcomes. Alcohol outcomes were improved in those who discontinued cigarettes.
Surface degradation of high T/sub c/ superconductors

This paper reports on surface degradation studies of the YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}x} (123) and Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (2223) superconducting ceramics performed in N{sub 2}, Ar{sub 2}, O{sub 2}, wet and dry air. By using a non-contact, room temperature technique the time dependence of the surface impedance of both 123 and Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O bulk ceramics are measured from 100 Hz to 20 kHz. In humid environments the rate of degradation is dependent on the humidity and appears to be unaffected by the carrier gas. The surface impedance change due to humidity follows a power law and does not appear to saturate at a final value.
The effect of weed management systems and location on arable weed species communities in glyphosate‐resistant cropping systems

Question How do different weed management systems based on glyphosate-resistant (GR) crops affect weed community structure and composition? Location A total of 156 agricultural fields across six US states. Methods Fields were selected and categorized into three weed management systems based on a 3-yr history: (1) a single continuous GR crop; (2) a rotation of two GR crops; and (3) a GR crop rotated with a non-GR crop. Weed species population density was surveyed in 20 0.5-m2 plots per field four times each season from 2006 to 2010. Weed population density, species richness and diversity were analysed using repeated measures mixed models to test the effect of year, geographic location (based on plant hardiness zone) and weed management system (as described above). Weed community composition was analysed using NMDS ordination. The importance of geographic location, planted crop and weed management system were analysed using analysis of similarity and permutational ANOVA based on the Bray–Curtis similarity among sites calculated from the maximum weed species population density per site per year. Results A total of 329 weed species were identified across the six states and all time periods. Weed communities were most strongly correlated with geographic location and secondarily to the crop planted. Weed management system affected similarity among weed communities through an interaction with site location but not every year. The weed management systems of crop rotation and GR trait rotation generally reduced weed population density and species diversity, but the effect of crop rotation varied by geographic location. Conclusions The overall effects of weed management systems in fields including the GR trait on arable weed communities reinforce the need for locally adapted weed management programmes to steward the GR crop trait to manage for high weed diversity while reducing crop–weed competition and maximizing yield.
Chemical element concentrations in four lichens on a transect entering Voyageurs National Park

Abstract A three factor transect study was conducted to test the hypothesis that chemical elements from air emissions in the vicinity of International Falls, Minnesota could not be detected in lichens along a 24 km transect reaching into Voyageurs National Park. It was hypothesized that element concentrations in lichens would decline exponentially downwind and would reach background values at a distance before the park boundary. Four species (Cladina rangiferina, Evernia mesomorpha, Hypogymnia physodes, and Parmelia sulcata) were sampled at ten sites for 3 years and 17 chemical elements were measured. The most notable result was a curvilinear geographic trend for many elements, which decreased from International Falls and then increased towards the park. This trend was significant for many anthropogenic elements, including S, Hg, Cd, and Cr, and for all four species. This type of distribution pattern has been observed in Hypogymnia physodes in other studies downwind of a steel mill and an oil refinery. Cladina, a ground-dwelling lichen, generally had lower tissue concentrations of the elements than the three epiphytic species. Tissue concentrations over the 3 years of sampling declined an average of 12%. Sufficient evidence exists to conclude that lichen tissue element concentrations in the vicinity of International Falls may be related to local air emissions, and that an exponential decline of element concentrations downwind of the sources does not apply to this situation.
Pretest Estimation in Regression: A Survey

Data are often used to test hypotheses, the outcome of which influences the final model, and the same data are used in estimating the parameters of the final model. This paper reviews the properties of such pretest estimators and surveys recent work on optimal pretest critical values. Implications are drawn for applied econometric research.
Alterations of Natural Hand Movements after Interruption of Fasciculus Cuneatus in the Macaque

As part of a series of investigations on the control of fine finger movements in the macaque, spontaneous use of the hand in grooming, scratching, and manipulation was observed before and after interruption of fasciculus cuneatus (FC). Videotaped observations were made of four stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides) living outdoors in social groups. The monkeys were followed for 1 to 3 years postoperatively.For the first 2 weeks following surgery, all monkeys neglected the affected hand and did not use it for support, locomotion, climbing, scratching, foraging, or grooming. Recovery of gross arm and hand movements occurred over a 1- to 3-month period. All the monkeys eventually used the hand for support, climbing, and object manipulation, but fine control of the fingers did not recover. Also, there was an apparent hypotonia of the fingers, imparting a “floppy” appearance to the hand. The animals coped with the loss of fine control by decreasing the frequency of some behaviors, eliminating others, and develo...
The formation of metastable aluminosilicates in the Al–Si–H2O system: Results from solution chemistry and solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Abstract We present the results of a series of experiments designed to probe the interactions between Al and the amorphous silica surface as a function of thermodynamic driving forces. The results from 27Al single pulse magic angle spinning (SP/MAS) and 27Al{1H} rotational echo double resonance (REDOR) allow us to identify the reaction products and constrain their structure. In all cases, despite low Al and Si concentrations we observe the formation of metastable aluminosilicates. Results from low temperature experiments indicate that despite thermodynamic driving forces for the formation of gibbsite we observe the precipitation of separate octahedrally coordinated Al (Al[6]) and tetrahedrally coordinated Al (Al[4]) silicate phases. At higher temperatures the Al[4] silicate phase dominates the speciation. Structural models derived from the NMR data are also proposed, and the results are discussed as they relate to previous work on Al/Si cycling.
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES, FOREIGNER TALK, AND REPAIR IN INTERLANGUAGE 1

A framework for the study of interlanguage strategies of communication, production, and learning is established, and rigorous criteria are proposed to define communication strategies within that framework. Research on communication strategies is related to research on foreigner talk (Hatch 1979, Hatch, Shapira, and Gough 1978), and repair in interlanguage (Schwartz 1977, Fathman 1980). The claim is made that much of this research focuses on the same kind of phenomenon in interlanguage communication, but that the conceptual frameworks used by researchers investigating communication strategies, foreigner talk, and repair have in the main been different, and hence caused researchers to “see” different things in the same data.
La clé vers de nouveaux inhibiteurs de iNOS

M/S n° 6-7, vol. 25, juin-juillet 2009 3. Dokun AO, Kim S, Smith HR, et al. Specific and nonspecific NK cell activation during virus infection. Nat Immunol 2001 ; 2 : 951-6. 4. Robbins SH, Tessmer MS, Mikayama T, Brossay L. Expansion and contraction of the NK cell compartment in response to murine cytomegalovirus infection. J Immunol 2004 ; 173 : 259-66. 5. Bekiaris V, Timoshenko O, Hou TZ, et al. Ly49H+ NK cells migrate to and protect splenic white pulp stroma from murine cytomegalovirus infection. J Immunol 2008 ; 180 : 6768-76. 6. O’Leary JG, Goodarzi M, Drayton DL, von Andrian UH. T celland B cell-independent adaptive immunity mediated by natural killer cells. Nat Immunol 2006 ; 7 : 507-16. 7. Cooper MA, Elliott JM, Keyel PA, et al. Cytokineinduced memory-like natural killer cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2009 ; 106 : 1915-9. 8. Arstila TP, Casrouge A, Baron V, et al. Diversity of human alpha beta T cell receptors. Science 2000 ; 288 : 1135. 9. Badovinac VP, Haring JS, Harty JT. Initial T cell receptor transgenic cell precursor frequency dictates critical aspects of the CD8+ T cell response to infection. Immunity 2007 ; 26 : 827-41. 10. Kaech SM, Tan JT, Wherry EJ, et al. Selective expression of the interleukin 7 receptor identifies effector CD8 T cells that give rise to long-lived memory cells. Nat Immunol 2003 ; 4 : 1191-8. 11. Almeida JR, Price DA, Papagno L, et al. Superior control of HIV-1 replication by CD8+ T cells is reflected by their avidity, polyfunctionality, and clonal turnover. J Exp Med 2007 ; 204 : 2473-85.
cDNA sequence, tissue-specific expression, and chromosomal mapping of the human slow-twitch skeletal muscle isoform of troponin I.

Abstract Troponin I (TnI) is a myofibrillar protein involved in the calcium-mediated regulation of striated muscle contraction. Three isoforms of TnI are known and each is expressed in a muscle fiber-type-specific manner. TnI-fast and TnI-slow are expressed exclusively in fast-twitch and slow-twitch skeletal muscle myofibers, respectively, while a third isoform, TnI-card, is expressed in both the atrium and the ventricle of the heart. An explanation of the myofiber-type-restricted expression of the troponin I multigene family will further aid in understanding how various types of striated muscle fibers are established. To initiate the study of TnI isoform gene expression, we have isolated a full-length cDNA representing the human slow-twitch skeletal muscle isoform of troponin I. Sequence comparisons demonstrate that the TnI-slow protein is highly conserved between species. Therefore, the cDNA was used as a probe to investigate the tissue-specific and developmental regulation of the TnI-slow gene in both rodent and human myogenic cells. TnI-slow message appears to be restricted to muscle tissue containing slow-twitch skeletal muscle myofibers. TnI-slow gene expression is induced in differentiated cultures of primary human muscle cells and several (but not all) myogenic cell lines. In addition, a human-specific probe prepared from the 3′ untranslated region of the cDNA has been used to probe a panel of human/mouse somatic cell hybrid lines, resulting in the assignment of the human TnI-slow gene to the q12→qter region of chromosome 1. The locus is designated TNNI1.
Lasing at 7.9 nm in nickellike neodymium.

Using a series of 150-ps pulses from the Nova laser to illuminate neodymium slab targets, we observe a 38-ps-duration lasing pulse at 7.906 nm in nickellike neodymium on the J = 0 → 1, 4d →4p transition. To overcome the low gain in this system, we used a traveling-wave geometry in conjunction with two slab targets that were coupled lengthwise to increase the effective length and whose surfaces were curved to compensate partially for refraction effects.
The Drosophila Embryonic Patterning Determinant Torsolike Is a Component of the Eggshell

The development of the head and tail regions of the Drosophila embryo is dependent upon the localized polar activation of Torso (Tor), a receptor tyrosine kinase that is uniformly distributed in the membrane of the developing embryo [1, 2]. Trunk (Trk), the proposed ligand for Tor, is secreted as an inactive precursor into the perivitelline fluid that lies between the embryonic membrane and the vitelline membrane (VM), the inner layer of the eggshell [3, 4]. The spatial regulation of Trk processing is thought to be mediated by the secreted product of the torsolike (tsl) gene, which is expressed during oogenesis by a specialized population of follicle cells present at the two ends of the oocyte [5, 6]. We show here that Tsl protein is specifically localized to the polar regions of the VM in laid eggs. We further demonstrate that although Tsl can associate with nonpolar regions of the VM, the activity of polar-localized Tsl is enhanced, suggesting the existence of another spatially restricted factor acting in this pathway. The incorporation of Tsl into the VM provides a mechanism for the transfer of spatial information from the follicle cells to the developing embryo. To our knowledge, Tsl represents the first example of an embryonic patterning determinant that is a component of the eggshell.
The effects of chronic treatment with N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone on cerebellar noradrenergic receptor function in aged F344 rats☆

We examined if a 2 week treatment with the spin trapping agent N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN) would alleviate age-related deficits in cerebellar noradrenergic function of male 21–22 month old F344 rats compared to age-matched controls. Noradrenergic receptor function of PBN-treated rats was similar to young rats whereas for non-treated rats it was typical of that previously recorded in aged rats. Thus, treatment with PBN may reverse age-related deficits in cerebellar noradrenergic receptor function.
Discrimination between benign and malignant lesions of the breast using ultrasound disparity mapping

A technique called disparity mapping (DM) processes pairs of ultrasound B-scan images collected while a sonographer varies the probe pressure slightly on the breast surface. Dm measures the apparent displacement of the tissue about each image point and subsequently constructs a correlation map which represents the similarity between the speckle patterns around each point. The continuity of the lesion perimeter in the correlation image is used to separate benign from malignant lesions, with high continuity corresponding well with benign lesions and highly segmented perimeters correlating with malignancies. Twenty five solid masses were evaluated, and the results were compared with histology from core or surgical biopsy, or with cytology from fine needle aspiration. The results analyzed all lesions correctly (15 cancers and 10 benign lesions). There were no false positives or false negatives. The results suggest that DM may be a useful tool in digitally diagnosing breast lesions and consequently in reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Association Between Sexual Behavior and Antisocial Behavior: Insights From an Evolutionary Informed Analysis

There has been a great deal of interest in examining the evolutionary underpinnings to human behaviors, including antisocial behaviors. Very little of this research, however, has seeped into mainst...
US Immigration Law and its Geographies of Social Control: Lessons from Homosexual Exclusion during the Cold War

Despite its preoccupation with issues of space, power, and subjectivity, as well as being a prominent home for immigration-related scholarship, geography includes little research on the intersection of immigration and sexuality as well as on their joint regulation through immigration law. This paper looks at the intersection of immigration and sexuality through the lens of the Cold War practice of homosexual exclusion in US immigration law. By drawing linkages between homosexual exclusion and current immigration law, I argue that homosexual exclusion is not an aberrant part of US immigration law history, that immigration law has important social control functions, and that, as a result, immigration researchers in geography attend to immigration control beyond border enforcement per se.
Observations of wind-forced deep ocean currents in the North Pacific

The role of the quasi-steady Sverdrup balance in the midlatitude atmospheric response in the North Pacific was investigated by examining 200 instrument-years of moored current measurements in the deep ocean across the breadth of the midlatitude North Pacific. These data provide evidence of a seasonal modulation in the ocean eddy kinetic energy beneath the thermocline at several locations north of 35 deg N, which was often found to be in phase with the local atmospheric forcing function. Results of the measurements indicate that, throughout the midlatitude North Pacific, topography plays a crucial role in the wind forced response; the bottom slope tends to enhance the beta effect in this basin. Topography narrows the available bandwidth for forced barotropic Rossby waves, facilitating a quasi-steady topographic Sverdrup response over most of the basin. However, the enhanced beta effect reduces the magnitude of the ocean's response to wind forcing.
Gender and Temporality in Interpersonal Systems

This essay provides a nonessentializing account of how gender affects the social construction of time in communicative interactions. Niklas Luhmann's systems theory serves as the theoretical framework for explaining how time is constructed through communication codes. Using Luhmann's model, the essay argues that gender is a communication code that operates to align social participants' perspectives towards a socially constructed “present.” However, the essay notes that participants' experience of that present will be contingent upon the specific cultural and historical criteria that constitute their use of the gender code. The criteria specific to Anglo-American culture are used to illustrate how this instanciation of the gender code might affect temporal experience.
Recovery of memory following forgetting induced by depletion of biogenic amines.

Abstract Following depletion of biogenic amines by reserpine, mice were trained to avoid one compartment of a shuttle box by employing the procedures of Pavlovian fear conditioning. Retention was tested one week later using both an active and a passive measure. A robust amnesia was apparent in reserpine-treated animals on both retention measures. Treatment with the mixed dopamine-serotonin agonist lisuride 30 min prior to the test alleviated the memory loss. Since improved retention in the drug treated mice was indexed by increased response latencies in the passive test and decreased latencies in the active test it is unlikely that the improvement in performance was the result of non-specific effects on activity. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that lisuride treatment before testing facilitates retrieval processes
Mechanical and thermal properties of dragline silk from the spider Nephila clavipes

Dragline silk from the spider, Nephila clavipes, was characterized by thermal analysis (TGA, DSC, DMA), computational modeling, scanning electron microscopy and by quasi-static as well as high rates of strain. Thermal stability to about 230°C was observed by TGA, two transitions by DMA, −75°C, representative of localized motion in the amorphous domain, and a main chain motion associated with partial melt at 210°C. Tensile tests indicated average initial modulus, ultimate tensile strength and ultimate tensile strain of 22 GPa, 1.1 GPa and 9%, respectively. The corresponding properties of the best fibers tested were 60 GPa, 2.9 GPa and 11%, respectively. High strain rates (>50,000%/sec) indicated similar mechanical properties to the average values indicated above. Microscopy showed compressive and tensile strains to failure of 34%. Computational modeling yielded a crystal modulus of 200 GPa.
The Manipulability of Voting Systems

(2002). The Manipulability of Voting Systems. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 109, No. 4, pp. 321-337.
Immunoanalysis of calf uterine progesterone receptor: Modulation of receptor-associated 90 kDa heat-shock protein

We have examined the influence of transforming agents on the in vitro modulation of the 90 kDa heat-shock protein (hsp-90) associated with the calf uterine progesterone receptor (PR). This analysis was facilitated by the use of αPR6 (Sullivan et al. 1986) (anti-PR monoclonal antibody that recognizes 110 kDa protein of chicken PR, subunit PR-B), which was seen to shift the rate of sedimentation of the untransformed (8S) and thermally transformed (4S) [3H]R5020-receptor complexes from the calf uterine cytosol toward the bottom of the tube. Silver staining of the αPR6-purified calf uterine cytosol revealed the presence of two major proteins with Mr 114 kDa and 90 kDa. Affinity-labeling of uterine cytosol with [3H]R5020, however, yielded only one major protein of 114 kDa. Incubation of uterine cytosol with AC88 (Riehl et al. 1985), a monoclonal antibody that recognizes hsp-90, resulted in a precipitation of a single 90 kDa protein which showed electrophoretic mobility similar to the second protein precipitated with αPR6. Western blot analysis confirmed that αPR6 interacts only with the 114 kDa cytosol protein representing the calf uterine PR. Incubation of PR complexes at 23°C or at 0°C with 0.3 M KCI or 10 mM ATP also caused the dissociation of hsp-90 from the 114 kDa PR protein, although thermal transformation was less effective in dissociating hsp-90 from PR when the ligand binding site was occupied by the antiprogestin RU486. The presence of iodoacetamide (IA) stabilized the nontransformed RU486-bound PR against thermal transformation while there was dissociation of hsp-90 from the R5020-receptor complexes. Results of our study demonstrate that calf uterine PR is represented by a major steroid binding protein of 114kDa that exists in association with hsp-90. Exposure to transforming conditions leads to dissociation of receptor-associated hsp-90. Furthermore, the inability of IA-treated RU486-occupied PR to transform suggests that transformation of agonist-bound PR involves SH-groups which must be protected from the inactivating influence of IA.
Lymphangiomas of the oral cavity: A clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and electron-microscopic study

Abstract Purpose: This study evaluated the demographics, treatment outcomes, histology, and basement lamina characteristics of a large series of lymphangiomas. Material and Methods: Forty-seven lymphangiomas of the oral cavity were evaluated microscopically and representative specimens were also evaluated immunohistochemically (IMH) and by electron microscopy (EM). Results: Patient's ages ranged from 2 to 84 years. The dorsal surface of the tongue was the most common site. Discontinuities in the basement membrane were detected with IMH and EM. Conclusion: The discontinuous basement membrane may explain why sclerosing agents have not been effective as a form of treatment for lymphangioma.
Intelligent vehicle power management through neural learning

Power management for the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) is a challenging problem because of the dual-power-source nature of HEV design and implementation. In this paper, we present an Intelligent Power Controller, UMD_IPC, trained with a machine learning approach to provide optimal power flow for in-vehicle operations. The UMD_IPC is implemented in a HEV model provided by PSAT simulation environment, and its performances on three drive cycles are close to the optimal results generated by Dynamic Programming.
Renal Vasodilatory Action of Dopamine in Patients With Heart Failure Magnitude of Effect and Site of Action

BACKGROUND: A "renal dose" of dopamine is often used to increase renal blood flow; however, data on the magnitude of effect and site of action in patients with heart failure are scarce. METHODS AND RESULTS: Renal effects of intravenous dopamine (1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 mug . kg(-1) . min(-1)) were evaluated in 13 patients with chronic heart failure. Renal blood flow was calculated from renal artery cross-sectional area measured with intravascular ultrasound and renal blood flow velocity-time integral measured by the intravascular Doppler technique. Cross-sectional area increased and was significantly higher than baseline (0.30+/-0.04 cm(2)) at 5 mug . kg(-1) . min(-1) (0.36+/-0.05 cm(2)) and 10 mug . kg(-1) . min(-1) (0.38+/-0.06 cm(2)). The velocity-time integral was significantly higher than baseline (22+/-3 cm) at doses of 3 and 5 mug . kg(-1) . min(-1) (both 31+/-4 cm). Renal blood flow increased, whereas renal vascular resistance decreased, reaching statistical significance at 2 mug . kg(-1) . min(-1) through 10 mug . kg(-1) . min(-1). Cardiac output gradually increased, reaching statistical significance at doses of 5 and 10 mug . kg(-1) . min(-1) (5.5+/-0.5 and 6.1+/-0.7 versus 4.5+/-5.2 L/min at baseline), but the increase in renal blood flow appeared proportionately larger than corresponding increases in cardiac output. CONCLUSIONS: Dopamine is associated with an increase in renal blood flow in patients with heart failure. This effect is due to dilation of both the large conductance and small resistance renal blood vessels. Further evaluation of the efficacy and safety of dopamine for improvement of renal function in hospitalized patients with heart failure is warranted.
Chemoreceptors and Flagellar Motors Are Subterminally Located in Close Proximity at the Two Cell Poles in Spirochetes

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions, immunofluorescence microscopy, and cryo-electron tomography revealed that the chemoreceptors of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi form long, thin arrays near both cell poles. These arrays are in close proximity to the flagellar motors. This information provides a basis for further understanding motility, chemotaxis, and protein localization in spirochetes.
Preparation of functionalized and metal-impregnated activated carbon by a single-step activation method

Abstract A rapid method to prepare functionalized and metal-impregnated activated carbon from coal is described in this paper. A mixture of ferric chloride and a sub-bituminous coal was used to demonstrate simultaneous coal activation, chlorine functionalization, and iron/iron oxides impregnation in the resulting porous carbon products. The FeCl 3 concentration in the mixture, the method to prepare the FeCl 3 -coal mixture (solid mixing or liquid impregnation), and activation atmosphere and temperature impacted the surface area and porosity development, Cl functionalization, and iron species impregnation and dispersion in the carbon products. Samples activated in nitrogen or a simulated flue gas at 600 or 1000 °C for 1–2 min had surface areas up to ∼800 m 2 /g, bulk iron contents up to 18 wt%, and surface chlorine contents up to 27 wt%. Potential catalytic and adsorption application of the carbon materials was explored in catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) of phenol and adsorption of ionic mercury from aqueous solutions. Results indicated that impregnated activated carbons outperformed their non-impregnated counterparts in both the CWAO and adsorption tests.
Evaluation of hepatic and renal function in cats with chediak-higashi syndrome.

Summary Cats with the Chediak-Higashi Syndrome (CHS) have partial oculocutaneous albinism, a bleeding tendency, and enlarged cytoplasmic granules in many cell types including those in the liver and kidney. Hepatic and renal function was evaluated in six CHS and six age-matched control cats to determine if the functions of these organs were compromised by the CHS trait. Serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin were determined to assess the status of the liver. Sulfobromophthalein retention tests were also performed. Renal function was evaluated by determination of 14C-inulin clearance; blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine concentrations; 24-hour protein/creatinine ratios; percent clearance ratios of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chloride; and urinalysis values. The CHS cats were not significantly (P>0.05) different from the control cats in any of the above tests. Use of a non-parametric statistical test did reveal a mild difference (P = 0.047) in 24-hour protein excretion between CHS and control cats. Complete blood counts were performed, and the packed cell volume and hemoglobin concentrations were significantly lower (P> 0.05) in the CHS cats than in the control cats.
Rough Surface Scattering Based on the Specular Point Theory

The average number of specular points per unit area for a two-dimensionally rough surface is derived in terms of the surface statistics. Expressions for the average of the product of the principal radii of curvature of the specular point are also obtained. These quantities are then substituted into the average scattering cross section per unit area derived from the stationary-phase approach, and two probability models are considered. The results are general and apply to bistatic as well as backscatter, and are valid for finitely as well as perfectly conducting surface materials.
La equidad en materia de salud vista con enfoque étnico

In this day and age, public policies that aim to improve equity cannot limit themselves to seeking greater access for all to the job market; the lack of equity is also reflected in unequal access to health services, to education, and to political representation. In order to understand and attempt to correct this unequal access, an approach is needed that takes into account all the sociodemographic factors that shape inequality in the Region of the Americas, most notably sex, ethnic origin, and race. This paper is the product of a request by the Member States of the Pan American Health Organization for PAHO to make known the influence that race, ethnic origin, and sex have on the state of health and on access to health care services. The paper examines how racial discrimination and other forms of intolerance, the low socioeconomic and educational level of certain ethnic and racial groups, and cultural beliefs exert a decisive influence on individuals' search for health care and their possibilities of enjoying good health. This subject is particularly important this year, when the United Nations is holding its World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.