cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Androgen Modulation of Multiple Transcription Start Sites of the Mitochondrial Aspartate Aminotransferase Gene in Rat Prostate

Mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (mAAT) is one of two key enzymes in the pathway of citrate production in prostate. Expression of mAAT is modulated by testosterone and prolactin in prostate. We cloned the promoter and 5'-flanking region of the rat mAAT gene and sequenced 2.0 kilobases of the DNA. This fragment contains the 5'-regulatory promoter region that lacks a TATA and a CCAAT box but is G+C rich. The 5'-upstream flanking region contains sequences that have high homology with the consensus glucocorticoid response element/androgen response element (ARE) and a reported ARE sequence that is different from the consensus sequence. Functional transcription studies showed that a 481-base region containing the two ARE sequences was sufficient for androgen-regulated gene expression. There are multiple transcription start sites that are regulated by testosterone in prostate. In liver, on the other hand, castration did not affect transcription from any of the start sites. Therefore, these data provide evidence that transcriptional regulation of the rat pmAAT gene occurs through an ARE located in the 5'-region. In addition, not only is gene expression modulated by testosterone, but the effect of testosterone on transcription is cell specific.
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin plus interleukin-2 and/or granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor enhances immunocompetent cell production of interferon-γ, which inhibits B16F10 melanoma cell growth in vitro

Although immunotherapy with bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) is an established adjuvant treatment for malignant melanoma, the mechanism of its role in this process is unclear. To investigate the possible contribution of tumor-inhibitory cytokines induced by BCG, B16F10 melanoma cell growth in culture was assessed in response to purified cytokines and conditioned media of BCG-stimulated splenocytes. Interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) was the most potent single agent (IC50 approximately 50 pg/ml). Tumor necrosis factor alpha was substantially weaker (IC50 > 10 ng/ml) but provided synergy with IFN gamma. None of the other cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, or granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor had direct antitumor activity against B16F10 melanoma cells. However, when IL-2 and/or GM-CSF were combined with BCG either by exogenous addition or through endogenous production by novel cytokine-secreting recombinant BCG (rBCG), a substantial increase in INF gamma production by splenocytes was observed. Antitumor activity of this conditioned medium directly correlated with IFN gamma concentration and was completely blocked by neutralizing antibody to IFN gamma. These results suggest that BCG may exert part of its antitumor action on melanoma through the induction of IFN gamma, which can be greatly enhanced through the concomitant addition of IL-2 and/or GM-CSF. Furthermore, by utilizing rBCG that secrete these cytokines, it may be possible to potentiate the antitumor effect of BCG directly at the site of BCG inoculation.
Ultrasound Evaluation of Heterotopic Pregnancy

Transabdominal ultrasound combined with transvaginal scanning is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancies. A case of a concurrent intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy is discussed. Also included is a discussion of the incidence, symptoms, and causes of heterotopic pregnancy, and the findings and treatments associated with ectopic pregnancies.
Successful blood pressure control in the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension.

Background The African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK) is an ongoing trial to evaluate the effect of blood pressure and choice of antihypertensive drug on the rate of decline of renal function. Objective To present the success of the AASK in achieving the trial's rigorous blood pressure goals in an extremely challenging patient population. Methods The AASK participants included African American patients with hypertension (n = 1094), aged 18 to 70 years, with glomerular filtration rates between 20 and 65 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 and no other identified causes of renal insufficiency. Participants were randomized to a goal mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) of either 102 to 107 mm Hg (usual MAP goal) or 92 mm Hg or less (low MAP goal). Participants in each of these groups were also randomized (double-blind) to a regimen containing metoprolol succinate, ramipril, or amlodipine besylate. Additional agents were added, if required, in the following recommended order: furosemide, doxazosin mesylate, clonidine hydrochloride, or hydralazine hydrochloride (or minoxidil, if needed). Results In participants randomized to the low MAP goal, the percentage of participants who achieved a blood pressure of less than 140/90 mm Hg increased from a baseline of 20.0% to 78.9% by 14 months after randomization. For usual MAP goal participants, the corresponding percentages increased from 21.5% to 41.8%. The difference in median levels of MAP between the 2 MAP goal groups increased and remained at approximately 12 mm Hg. Blood pressure reduction was similar regardless of age, sex, body mass index, education, insurance or employment status, income, or marital status. Conclusion The blood pressure goals set and achieved in AASK participants clearly demonstrate that adequate blood pressure control can be achieved even in hypertensive populations whose blood pressure is the most difficult to control.
The effect of photoperiod on the reproductive development of the northern bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians.

One-year-old bay scallops, Argopecten irradians irradians (58 ± 2 mm, 22 ± 1 g live weight) were exposed to four replicated photoperiod treatments (24D, 8L:16D, 16L:8D, and 24L where D = dark hours, L = light hours) in order to measure the effect on gonad weight and maturation during the conditioning process. Results indicated that day-lengths of more than 8 h are necessary to promote gonad maturation in bay scallops. After 6 wk, the mean gonad weight for scallops in the 16-h and 24-h light regimes was similar at 0.6 ± 0.1 g dry weight compared to a mean of 0.2 ± 0.1 g dry weight for those in the 8-h and 0-h light regimes. Histological assessment indicated significantly more follicular tissue development in both the male and female portion of the gonad in the two longer photoperiod treatments. Overall, gamete maturity was highest for the scallops in the 16-h light regime; the incidence of mature eggs was 50% compared to 35% in the 24-h light regime, 20% in the 8-h light regime and 10% in the 0-h light regime. Assessment of feeding rates indicated no significant difference in algal cell consumption among treatments. Total dry tissue weight doubled over the 6-wk conditioning trial with no significant differences among treatments. One-year-old bay scallops appear to be non-responsive to conditions suitable for gonad maturation (i.e. appropriate temperature and food levels) unless they receive more than 8 h of light exposure. This finding has important implications for northern hatcheries which typically condition broodstock indoors during the early spring.
Selfconsistent band structures and optical calculations in cubic ferroelectric perovskites

Abstract The band structures of SrTiO3 BaTio3 and KNbO3 in the cubic perovsikte structure are calculated using the first-prinicipals selfconsistent orthogonalized linear combination of atomic orbitals method. In all three crystals, indirect band gaps of about 3 eV are obtained. The top of the valence band is at R and the minimum in the conduction band is at f. Effective charge calculation and the charg. 1 density maps reveal the highly ionic nature of the crystal bonding in these ferroelectric crystals. The optical conductivities and the frequency dependent dielectric functions up to 20 eV in all three crystals are also evaluated using the energy eigenvalues and wave functions obtained from the band calculation. The calculated spectra are found to be in good agreement with the existing experimental measurements.
Tryptophan Fluorescence Modulated by Histidine Quenching During Folding of Small Alpha Helical Peptides: Distance and Solvation Effects

8oct10-11:30 am prc changes.Tryptophan (Trp) fluorescence has been extensively used to study the folding kinetics of small alpha helical proteins including: the villin headpiece N68H (1yrf), villin headpiece K65(NLE) N68H K70(NLE) (2f4k) and a peptide Ac-Trp-(Ala)3-His+-NH2(WH5). In these three cases a histidine (His) has been placed in an alpha helical section of the protein four amino acids away from Trp, so that His will quench the fluorescence of Trp as the protein folds. His+ quenches the fluorescence of free Trp in solution at a diffusion limited rate by electron transfer from the Trp ring to the His+ ring. The rate of electron transfer is known to fall off exponentially due to the exponential decay of the electronic coupling Vel with distance. In this work we show that this decay also depends on how the energy gap is affected by distance. Solvation around the imidazole cation at large distances increases the energy gap, since waters around the cation point their dipoles towards the ring, destabilizing the charge transfer state. At short distances, the decreased water accessibility reduces the destabilization of the charge transfer state, enhancing electron transfer from the Trp ring to the His+ ring. This is seen in five different proteins: 1yrf, 2f4k, barnase (1a2p), T4-lysozyme (1lyd) and WH5. We also examine the ability of Trp fluorescence to determine folding rates for 1yrf, 2f4k and WH5 by using QM/MM simulations to determine the electron transfer rates in the folded and unfolded states.
Photophysical effects between spirobenzopyran-methyl methacrylate-functionalized colloidal particles.

Colloidal particles were derivatized with end-grafted polymethylmethacryate polymer brushes containing varying concentrations of spirobenzopyran photochromic molecules. The polymers were grown from initiator-functionalized silica partilces by an atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). These core-shell colloids formed stable suspensions in toluene with the spirobenzopyran in its closed, nonpolar form. However, UV-induced photoswitching of the photochrome to its open, polar merocyanine isomer caused rapid aggregation. The nature of this colloidal stability transition was examined with respect to the spirobenzopyran content in the polymeric brush and solvent polarity. Turbidimetry, wettability studies, UV-vis spectroscopy, suspension rheology, SEM, and visual inspection were utilized to characterize the system photoswitchability. It was found that the system exhibiting the greatest transition in toluene was the copolymer brush composed of 20% spirobenzopyran and 80% methyl methacrylate.
Repeated quinpirole treatments produce neurochemical sensitization and associated behavioral changes in female hamsters

Repeated stimulation of dopaminergic pathways with dopamine receptor agonists can produce both neurochemical and behavioral sensitization. The present study was designed to examine whether repeated treatment with the D2-like dopamine receptor agonist, quinpirole, would produce neurochemical sensitization of D1 dopamine receptor-mediated processes and associated behavioral changes in female hamsters in a manner analogous to that previously used to sensitize heterologous dopamine signaling pathways in derived cell lines. Female hamsters received two injections of quinpirole (1.5 mg/kg) or saline each week for 7 weeks, during which time pouching behavior and body weight were monitored. Over the next 2 weeks, hamsters were tested for differences in prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response (PPI) and sexual behavior. Adenylate cyclase activation assays were then performed on dissected tissue from the nucleus accumbens and caudate–putamen. Repeated treatment with quinpirole increased pouching behavior and body weight and disrupted PPI. No changes in sexual activity in response to repeated quinpirole were found. Prior quinpirole treatment enhanced D1 dopamine receptor-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the caudate–putamen that was blocked by co-incubation with the D1 dopamine antagonist, SCH23390. These results show that repeated activation of D2-like receptors in vivo can produce changes in feeding behavior and sensory processing that is associated with sensitization of D1 dopamine receptor-mediated signaling in the caudate–putamen.
A rigorous derivation of some invariant imbedding equations of transport theory

The invariant imbedding equations are obtained rigorously from the Boltzmann formulations for cases of timedependent transport in a rod, steady- state transport in a slab, and steady-state transport in a hollow sphere, a solid sphere, and a spherical shell enclosing a perfect absorber. (M.J.T.)
Obstetric complications during labor and delivery: assessing ethnic differences in California.

Purpose We sought to compare obstetric complications during labor and delivery among white non-Latina (white), black, Asian, and Latina women who delivered in California hospitals. Many intrapartum complications are preventable. Methods We used linked 1996–1998 state hospital discharge and birth certificate data to examine obstetric complications International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes considered relevant for population surveillance. We compared the observed and adjusted odds of experiencing a complication among women of color, using white women as the reference group. Findings One out of 5 deliveries had ≥1 complication. White (21.3%) and Asian women (21.1%) had similar prevalence rates, whereas black women (24.2%) had higher and Latina women (19.6%) had lower rates. After adjusting for covariates, the odds of experiencing ≥1 complication was lower for Asians (odds ratio [OR] = 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.93, 0.96) and Latinas (OR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.96, 0.98) than whites; the odds for black women remained elevated (OR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.23, 1.27). Asian women stood a higher risk of deliveries with major lacerations, postpartum hemorrhage, and major puerperal infections. Rates for the latter complication were higher among all women of color. Conclusions The burden of morbidity is high for all women, regardless of ethnicity. Yet, compared to white women, blacks suffer more aggregate morbidities, and Asians stand a high risk of all 3 intrapartum care–sensitive conditions. Furthermore, all women of color experience disproportionate rates of puerperal infections. Collective action is needed to reduce these disparities and improve maternal health.
Storage and retrieval of single photons transmitted between remote quantum memories

Two groups this week report a significant step on the long road to quantum computing: the storage and retrieval of single photons onto and from atomic quantum memories. Chaneliere et al. produced single photons from an atomic quantum memory in one lab, transported them through a 100-metre-long optical fibre and stored them for a time in a second memory. The atomic excitation was then converted back into a single photon. Previously, weak coherent laser pulses have been stopped and retrieved in atomic media, but single photons are ideal for realizing quantum bits. Eisaman et al. report a similar approach, using the coherent control technique known as electromagnetically induced transparency for the generation, transmission and storage of single photons. A third paper reports progress in another technology critical for quantum communication and computation: the storage and distribution of entangled quantum states. Chou et al. have achieved entanglement between two samples of atoms separated by 2.8 metres that jointly store one quantum bit of information. An elementary quantum network operation involves storing a qubit state in an atomic quantum memory node, and then retrieving and transporting the information through a single photon excitation to a remote quantum memory node for further storage or analysis. Implementations of quantum network operations are thus conditioned on the ability to realize matter-to-light and/or light-to-matter quantum state mappings. Here we report the generation, transmission, storage and retrieval of single quanta using two remote atomic ensembles. A single photon is generated from a cold atomic ensemble at one site 1, and is directed to another site through 100 metres of optical fibre. The photon is then converted into a single collective atomic excitation using a dark-state polariton approach2. After a programmable storage time, the atomic excitation is converted back into a single photon. This is demonstrated experimentally, for a storage time of 0.5 microseconds, by measurement of an anti-correlation parameter. Storage times exceeding ten microseconds are observed by intensity cross-correlation measurements. This storage period is two orders of magnitude longer than the time required to achieve conversion between photonic and atomic quanta. The controlled transfer of single quanta between remote quantum memories constitutes an important step towards distributed quantum networks.
Systematics of Mustelid-Like Carnivores

The phylogenetic relationships of the skunks to the Mustelidae and other caniform carnivores were examined using mitochondrial-DNA (mtDNA) sequence data from portions of the 12S and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Data were combined with partial sequences of the cytochrome b gene and morphological data obtained from the literature, and used in a total-evidence analysis. The Mustelidae represented a paraphyletic group, with the skunks ( Conepatus, Mephitis , and Spilogale ) and the Oriental stink badger ( Mydaus ) forming a monophyletic clade separate from a clade containing the rest of the Mustelidae and the monophyletic Procyonidae. Within the Mustelidae, minus the skunks and stink badger, only one currently recognized subfamily, the Lutrinae, represented a monophyletic group. The families Phocidae, Otariidae, and Odobenidae formed a monophyletic group that was the sister group to the clade composed of the skunks, procyonids, and mustelids. The families Ursidae and Canidae occurred at the base of the Caniformia clade. It is proposed that the skunks be elevated to the level of family and be referred to as the Mephitidae. The family Mephitidae includes the genera Mephitis (striped and hooded skunks), Conepatus (hog-nosed skunks), Spilogale (spotted skunks), and Mydaus (Oriental stink badgers).
Geographic incidence of human West Nile virus in northern Virginia, USA, in relation to incidence in birds and variations in urban environment.

Previous studies have analyzed the number and location of bird infections with human incidence of West Nile virus (WNV) as well as the effects of environmental and socioeconomic factors on WNV propagation. However, such associations require more quantitative analyses. This study is intended to quantitatively analyze the relationship in eight counties/independent cities in the northern Virginia, based on an integrated analysis of spatially explicit information on precipitation, land cover, infrastructure, and demographic data using Geographical Information Systems, remote sensing, and statistics. Results show that bird infections in years 2002–2003 were closely associated with low to medium level of impervious surface with certain percentage of canopy and precipitation. Environmental and socioeconomic factors such as percentages of impervious surface, canopy, senior population (65 and older), old houses, bird risk areas, and low-income population were important indicators of human WNV risk in 2002. Limited impervious surface with some canopy provides suitable habitats for WNV transmission, where bird-feeding mosquitoes can forage for blood meals from nesting/roosting birds. Certain socioeconomic conditions such as old houses were linked with human infections by providing favorable environmental conditions, i.e., mature trees with abundant canopy and settled storm sewer systems. It should be noted that the current results may be biased toward urban environments, where dead birds were more likely found, and because the sampling efforts for the bird mortality were rather based on local residents' reports than a designed random sampling method. This geospatial study contributes toward better targeting of WNV prevention within the study area. It also provides an example of how geospatial methods and variables may be used in understanding the ecology of human WNV risk for other areas.
Enzymic and chemical analysis of particulate organic matter from a boreal river

SUMMARY. 1. Benthic particulate organic matter (POM) was collected from a shallow pool of a fourth order boreal stream and sorted into seven size fractions ranging from 63 to >4000μm. Each size fraction was analysed for fibre, total phosphorus, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen. Microbial activity was measured by oxygen consumption and characterized by assaying for eleven classes of exoenzymes including cellulase, phenol oxidase, peroxidase, phosphatase and sulphatase. 2. Indices of detritus quality such as C/N, C/P, percent lignin, and microbial respiration showed improvement with decreasing particle size. Three covarying exoenzyme groups were identified: a carbohydrase-phosphatase group that included eight enzymes, a phenol oxidase-peroxidase group, and sulphatase. The activity of the carbohydrase-phosphatase group, was significantly correlated with microbial respiration and the carbohydrate content of the POM. Phenol oxidase-peroxidase activity was correlated with lignin content for POM greater than 250 μm, but activity increased markedly in the two smallest size fractions even though the lignin content of the POM continued to decline, Sulphatase activity was inversely related to particle size over the entire range. 3. The changes in microbial activity with particle size were attributed to the increasing surface area to volume ratio of smaller particles and to an ecological succession in the microbial community.
Reactions of TATB‐Based Explosive with Molten Metal

The reactions of combustion products (CO, H2O) from the insensitive high explosive LX-17 (92.5 wt% 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB), 7.5 wt% Kel-F 800 binder) with molten metal (75 a%Nd, 25 a% Fe) were studied, to determine their contribution to the energy release rate of deflagrating LX-17, Kinetic data taken with gas mixtures of CO and H2O, and larger-scale tests with LX-17, showed that the reactions were slow and incomplete and that there was no significant contribution to the energy release rate. From the tests with JX-17, the effective flame temperature and burn velocity were dependent on confinement of gas products. LX-17 preheated to 500 K - 510 K showed effective flame temperatures of 1100 K - 1400 K and burn rates of 0.08–0.11 mm/s, depending on the extent of gas confinement by the molten metal.
Association Between Chronic Kidney Disease and Blood Transfusions for Knee and Hip Arthroplasty Surgery

The study aim is to assess associations between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and blood transfusions during hospitalization for joint arthroplasty. Patients with Stage IV-V CKD who underwent elective total knee or hip arthroplasty from 2007 to 2010 were matched 2:1 with age, gender, and surgery type controls without kidney disease. Multivariable analyses for transfusion risk with preoperative hemoglobin, body mass index, cardiovascular disease, and surgical complexity as explanatory variables were performed. Ninety CKD patients were identified and had lower preoperative hemoglobin, higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and blood transfusions. CKD was independently associated with increased odds of transfusions (2.88, 95% confidence interval 1.33-6.23, P=0.007). Preoperative optimization of CKD patients should be considered to reduce transfusion rates.
Sound Radiation of Cylindrical Shells

The acoustic signature of submarines is very critical in such high performance structure. Submarines are not only required to sustain very high dynamic loadings at all time, but also being able maneuver and perform their functions under sea without being detected by sonar systems. Submarines rely on low acoustic signature level to remain undetected. Reduction of sound radiation is most efficiently achieved at the design stage. Acoustic signatures may be determined by considering operational scenarios, and modal characteristics. The acoustic signature of submarines is generally of two categories; broadband which has a continuous spectrum; and a tonal noise which has discrete frequencies. The nature of sound radiation of submarine is fiction of its speed. At low speed the acoustic signature is dominated by tonal noise, while at high speed, the acoustic signature is mainly dominated by broadband noise. Submarine hulls are mainly constructed of circular cylindrical shells. Unlike that of simpler structures such as beams and plates, the modal spectrum of cylindrical shell exhibits very unique characteristics. Mode crossing, the uniqueness of modal spectrum, and the redundancy of modal constraints are just to name a few. In cylindrical shells, the lowest natural frequency is not necessarily associated with the lowest wave index. In fact, the natural frequencies do not fall in ascending order of the wave index either. Solution of the vibration problem of cylindrical shells also indicates repeated natural frequencies. These modes are referred to as double peak frequencies. Mode shapes associated with each one of the natural frequencies are usually a combination of Radial (flexural), Longitudinal (axial), and Circumferential (torsional) modes. In this paper, the wave equation will be set up in terms of the pressure fluctuations, p(x, t) . It will be demonstrated that the noise radiation is a fluctuating pressure wave.
Dominant Social Status and Contraceptive Hormone Treatment Inhibit Atherogenesis in Premenopausal Monkeys

Abstract The stress of social subordination is associated with exacerbation of coronary artery atherosclerosis in premenopausal cynomolgus monkeys, possibly as a result of the ovarian dysfunction that reliably accompanies subordinate social status. The primary objective of the current study was to determine whether treatment with an oral contraceptive (OC) provides relative protection from development of atherosclerotic plaques, especially among animals made vulnerable to atherosclerosis by social subordination. In the present study, 193 adult female monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were placed in social groups of 5 or 6 animals each. Half of the animals were then fed an atherogenic diet to which had been added a triphasic OC, while the remainder received only the atherogenic diet. At the end of 26 months, atherosclerosis was measured in an iliac artery biopsy taken from each monkey. The results demonstrated that among untreated animals subordinate individuals developed significantly more atherosclerosis than did their dominant counterparts ( P <.01); however, OC treatment inhibited atherosclerosis in subordinate animals ( P <.05) and eliminated the difference between dominant and subordinate animals that was observed in the untreated condition. Subordinate social status and OC treatment were both associated with reduced plasma concentrations of HDL cholesterol ( P <.01 for both), and subordinate monkeys also had elevations in LDL cholesterol plus VLDL cholesterol ( P <.01). Nonetheless, the interaction between social status and OC treatment remained significant even after covariance adjustment for variation in plasma lipids. Taken together, these results suggest that social subordination worsens, whereas OC treatment inhibits, atherosclerosis, and that these effects are independent of concomitant variability in plasma lipids.
Molecular epidemiological investigation of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli isolates in Japan

We have established several measures for control and prevention of EHEC infection including designation of the disease as notifiable since there was the sudden increase in the incidence of infection with EHEC O157:H7 in Japan in 1996, involving multiple outbreaks. Improvements in methodologies for isolation of these organisms and enhanced laboratory screening have revealed a variety of sources in food and animals. Although there seems to be a bovine reservoir for 0157 EHEC in Japan as well as North America and UK, different foods have been linked to EHEC infection including salads, radish sprouts and salmon roe. There is clear evidence that divergent clones of EHEC O157:H7 are prevalent throughout Japan based on laboratory surveillance, however, we still need to better define the role of EHEC serogroups other than Escherichia coli 0157 as important causes of human infection.
Degenerative spondylolisthesis with an intact neural arch: a review of 60 cases with an analysis of clinical findings and the development of surgical management

The treatment over the past 12 years of 60 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis with an intact neural arch is reviewed. The patients averaged 65 years of age, with women outnumbering men by a ratio of 2:1. Symptoms in the lower extremities had been present for 3 months to 10 years, although varying back pain had existed for longer periods. Two-thirds showed signs of motor dysfunction. Sensory alterations and a positive Las egue's sign could be demonstrated in only one-half of the patients studied. Four of 5 patients developed intermittent neurogenic claudication, with varying evidence of painful radiculopathy. The marked disability caused by claudication contrasted sharply with the lesser neurological changes, and these patients required early surgical decompression. Diagnostic studies included electromyography, plain x-ray films, tomography, computed tomographic scanning, and myelography. The latter outlined a relative stenosis caused by olisthesis as well as arthrotic and spondylotic changes that determined the extent of decompressive operation required. The L-4, L-5 interspace was involved in 56 patients, L-3, L-4 was involved in 2, and L-5, S-1 was involved in 2. The ideal operation with L-4, L-5 olisthesis included complete laminectomy of L-4 and L-5 with unroofing of the lateral recesses and foraminotomy. This more extensive procedure was justified because of the failures encountered in previous patients in whom inadequate decompression had been performed. Among failures, obesity, diabetes, hyperlordosis, and extensive long-standing dysfunction were prominent. The relief of symptoms of intermittent neurogenic claudication was the most gratifying response observed. There was no unusual morbidity.
Nonlinear space-time processing of femtosecond laser pulses

We describe various optical techniques for processing and detection of femtosecond laser pulses. Photorefractive and cascaded second order nonlinear wave mixing are used for space-to-time conversion, transforming space domain information into ultrafast temporal waveforms. An inverse operation that transforms a femtosecond pulse sequence into a quasi-stationary spatial image is performed with spectral domain three wave-mixing. We also demonstrate single-shot phase sensitive femtosecond pulse detection with two-photon absorption in a conventional silicon detector array. This approach allows efficient detection of wide-bandwidth ultrafast signals in the wavelength range of 1-2 μm.
Discrimination of relative spatial position

Subjects can accurately discriminate small changes in the relative position of features within a pattern. Simple patterns (intersected line segments) can undergo magnification and a variety of transformations without significantly affecting the discrimination thresholds. Features to be localized and compared need not be similar. We suggest that such relative position discriminations could support complex object identification.
Boron in plants: a biochemical role

Boron, as borate, appears to have a role in partitioning metabolism between the glycolytic and pentose-shunt pathways. This effect results from the association of borate with 6-phosphogluconic acid, forming a virtual substrate that inhibits the action of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. In the absence of borate, the inhibition of the enzyme is released, and excess phenolic acids are formed. These acids also associate strongly with borate and thus develop an autocatalytic system for production of excess phenolic acids which cause necrosis of tissue and eventual death of the plant.
Levels of symmetry adapted perturbation theory (SAPT). I. Efficiency and performance for interaction energies

A systematic examination of the computational expense and accuracy of Symmetry-Adapted Perturbation Theory (SAPT) for the prediction of non-covalent interaction energies is provided with respect to both method [SAPT0, DFT-SAPT, SAPT2, SAPT2+, SAPT2+(3), and SAPT2+3; with and without CCD dispersion for the last three] and basis set [Dunning cc-pVDZ through aug-cc-pV5Z wherever computationally tractable, including truncations of diffuse basis functions]. To improve accuracy for hydrogen-bonded systems, we also include two corrections based on exchange-scaling (sSAPT0) and the supermolecular MP2 interaction energy (δMP2). When considering the best error performance relative to computational effort, we recommend as the gold, silver, and bronze standard of SAPT: SAPT2+(3)δMP2/aug-cc-pVTZ, SAPT2+/aug-cc-pVDZ, and sSAPT0/jun-cc-pVDZ. Their respective mean absolute errors in interaction energy across the S22, HBC6, NBC10, and HSG databases are 0.15 (62.9), 0.30 (4.4), and 0.49 kcal mol−1 (0.03 h for adenine·thymine complex).
Dorros-spring pressurizer: An inflation device for use in transluminal angioplasty procedures

A simple hand-operated balloon inflation device has been developed for use in coronary and peripheral transluminal angioplasty procedures. This device is compact, portable, and easily sterilized and eliminates the need for compressed gas, pneumatic pistons, carbon dioxide cartridges, or a complex holder or mounting apparatus. This device, the Dorros-Spring pressurizer, provides for precise control of pressures which inflate the angioplasty dilatation catheters by means of an hydraulic salinecontrast system. This inflation device has been used in over 150 coronary and 100 peripheral transluminal angioplasties without the occurrence of failure of mechanical components or loss of calibration.
Retinal intrinsic optical signals in a cat model of primary congenital glaucoma.

Purpose. To examine the impact of reduced inner retinal function and breed on intrinsic optical signals in cats.
Mitigation of Inverter-Grid Harmonic Resonance by Narrow-Band Damping

This paper deals with damping of resonance between grid-connected inverters and the power grid. This paper proposes a narrow-band digital filtering technique to resolve the resonance problem by shaping the inverter output impedance at selected frequencies without affecting the characteristics of the inverter outside the selected frequency range. A frequency-sampling method is used to implement the narrow-band digital filter which allows direct control of the filter's amplitude and phase response in accordance with damping requirements. The experimental results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.
Modification of Beta-Aminopropionitrile Toxicity by Divalent, Metal Salts in the Chick Embryo

Abstract Beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) and other lathrogenic agents increase the fragility and solubility of collagen in the developing chick embryo (Levene and Gross, 1959). The amount of collagen extractible from embryonic tissue is dependent on dose of BAPN (Gross et al., 1960) as is mortality in the developing chick embryo (Naber and Dunn, 1959) indicating that lethality is a valid measure of lathyrism in the chick embryo. Recently it has been shown that BAPN acts by blocking the formation of insoluble collagen from the form soluble in neutral salt solutions (Smiley and Yeager, 1962). Presumably then, the lower molecular weight collagen fails to form aggregates of higher molecular weight that are insoluble and become part of the mature collagen fibril. The failure of aggregation of the lower molecular weight forms of collagen may be due to a failure in the formation of inter molecular cross links or chemical bonds in the soluble…
Single-Breakage Studies to Determine the Relationships between Respirable Dust Generation and Coal Seam Characteristics

Abstract Primary breakage is defined as the initial breakage of the coal seam by the cutting action of the continuous miner. A single-breakage process is one that does not involve secondary breakage (or regrinding). Primary dust is defined as dust generated during primary, single breakage. Specially designed single-breakage experiments have been conducted to determine the primary dust generation rates of 17 coal samples obtained from four continuous miner sections, three longwall sections, and the Penn State Coal Data Bank. This research was based on the hypothesis that quantification of the respirable dust generated during single-breakage studies would be useful in developing an index to rank coal seams according to their propensity for respirable dust generation, and may lead to an a priori knowledge of dust generation rates during mining. A better understanding of the factors affecting dust generation rates will facilitate the development of more effective technology for controlling respirable dust gen...
Clinical use of the locking compression plate (LCP) in horses: a retrospective study of 31 cases (2004–2006)

Summary Reasons for performing study: Fracture repair and arthrodesis in horses require rigid fixation in order to achieve early post operative comfort. The locking compression plate (LCP) was designed to allow greater stability and less periosteal disruption than conventional plates. Objective: To describe a series of clinical cases in which the LCP was used for fracture stabilisation or arthrodesis. Methods: Medical records, radiographs and follow-up for 31 horses having fracture stabilisation or arthrodesis with the LCP were reviewed. Reasons for treatment included fracture of the olecranon (n = 2), metatarsal III (n = 2), ilial shaft (n = 1), femur (n = 2), radius (n = 2), medial condylar (n = 5) and complex lateral condylar (n = 1); or arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal joint (n = 8), proximal interphalangeal joint (n = 8) and carpus (n = 2). Results: Of the 31 horses, 27 were discharged from the hospital. Complications included incisional infection (32%), implant infection (19%), implant loosening/breakage (22%), contralateral limb laminitis (16%), colic (3%) and diarrhoea (3%). Follow-up was available on all horses with at least 6 weeks of follow-up ranging up to 25 months. Of the 31 horses, 25 are sound for intended purpose, one is lame and 5 were subjected to euthanasia for complications associated with the original injury. Conclusions: The LCP is an acceptable means of fracture stabilisation and arthrodesis in the horse. Potential relevance: The LCP should be considered for difficult fracture configurations and arthrodeses, especially when increased stability of the fixation is needed.
Design of tilted hydrostatic thrust bearings

Summary Hydrostatic bearings are usually designed to operate under parallel conditions, but structural and thermal deformations cause tilting of the pad. A semianalytical solution of the pressure equation is used. It is shown that tilting of hydrostatic thrust bearings gives rise to negative pressures and that cavitation may occur depending on the tilt parameter. The characteristic values of the bearing are found to be strong functions of the tilt parameter and of the bearing number. Hydrostatic thrust bearings are used in an increasing number of applications. A simple approach to bearing design is commonly used in which parallel bearing surfaces are assumed. In practice, machining and assembly errors and structural and thermal deformations will result in relative inclination of the bearing surfaces. The effect of tilt on the performance characteristics of hydrostatic thrust bearings has been recognized by several investigators. Fisher [ 1 ] has shown that a significant change in the operating conditions of a hydrostatic thrust bearing results from tilt and he developed an approximate theoretical solution for a tilted hydrostatic thrust bearing. His results were in good agreement with the experimental investigations reported by Bennett [ 21. More recently Royle and Raizada [3] and Howarth and Newton [4] have presented a numerical analysis of the effects of tilt, sliding and squeeze action on hydrostatic pads. They combined all the right-hand side of the pressure equation in one dimensionless parameter and obtained a linear relationship between the load and lubricant flow and that parameter. In this paper a theoretical investigation into the effects of tilt and sliding on statically loaded hydrostatic thrust bearings is presented. The investigation covers the effects of the tilt parameter and the bearing number on the pressure distribution, load, coefficient of friction and lubricant flow rate.
Quenched autoligation probes allow discrimination of live bacterial species by single nucleotide differences in rRNA

Quenched autoligation (QUAL) probes are a class of self-reacting nucleic acid probes that give strong fluorescence signal in the presence of fully complementary RNAs and selectivity against single nucleotide differences in solution. Here, we describe experiments designed to test whether QUAL probes can discriminate between bacterial species by the detection of small differences in their 16S rRNA sequences. Probes were introduced into live cells using small amounts of detergent, thus eliminating the need for fixation, and fluorescence signal was monitored both by microscopy and by flow cytometry without any washing steps. The effects of probe length, modified backbone, probe concentration and growth state of the bacteria were investigated. The data demonstrate specific fluorescence discrimination between three closely related bacteria, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas putida, based on single nucleotide differences in their 16S rRNA. Discrimination was possible with cells in mid-log phase or in lag phase. These results suggest that QUAL probes may be useful for rapid identification of microorganisms in laboratory and clinical settings.
Balls and bins with structure: balanced allocations on hypergraphs

In the standard balls-and-bins model of balanced allocations, m balls are placed sequentially into n bins. Each ball chooses d uniform-random bins and is placed in the least loaded bin. It is well known that when d = logΘ(1) n, after placing m = n balls, the maximum load (number of balls in a bin) is Θ(1) w.h.p. In this paper we show that as long as d = Ω(log n), independent random choices are not necessary to achieve a constant load balance: these choices may be structured in a very general way. Specifically, we allow each ball i to have an associated random set of bins Bi. We require that [Bi] = Ω(log n) and that bins are included in Bi with approximately the same probability; but the distributions of the Bis are otherwise arbitrary, so that there may be correlations in the choice of bins. We show that this model captures structure important to two applications, nearby server selection and load balance in distributed hash tables.
The evolution of aggressive losers.

We examine the question of when aggressive behavior of likely losers should be part of an evolutionarily stable strategy. We modified an earlier model by the authors that found situations where likely losers initiate aggressive interactions more often than likely winners. The modifications allowed us to examine the robustness of the previous study by including an unusually high number of possible strategies (n = 81) and to examine a wide range of parameter settings. First, we show that restricting attention to only a few most plausible strategies may change the overall results. Second, within the space where escalation is predicted, for a large percentage of the parameter settings (85%), an ESS exists that leads to a somewhat counterintuitive situation where escalation is more often initiated by the likely loser than by the likely winner of the contest. In contrast, an ESS that favors escalation by likely winners was found only for about 3% of parameter settings. Furthermore, we use simulations of evolution in a finite population to verify for certain parameter settings that the analytically predicted ESS's could in fact evolve. Our results suggest that ESSs in which the likely loser rather than the likely winner is expected to initiate escalation are generic and ESSs in which the opposite is true need to be explained by incorporating specific features of the biology of a given species into more detailed models.
SHARK-BITTEN PROTOSTEGID TURTLES FROM THE UPPER CRETACEOUS MOOREVILLE CHALK, ALABAMA

Protostegids are Cretaceous marine turtles. Fossil materials assignable to the family Protostegidae range from early Albian to Late Campanian in age and have been described from all continents except Antarctica (Hirayama, 1995). The group includes two gigantic forms, Archelon Wieland and Protostega Cope, that reached maximum carapace lengths in excess of 2 m and rank among the largest turtles that ever lived. In this paper, we describe two specimens of Protostega gigas Cope housed in the Field Museum of Natural History (FMNH), Chicago, Illinois: FMNH P27452 and FMNH PR58. Both are from the Mooreville Chalk (Upper Santonian to Lower Campanian: Mancini et al., 1995) in Greene County, Alabama, and are noteworthy because they show tooth marks from at least one large shark. One of the specimens also exhibits five embedded teeth of the Late Cretaceous cretoxyrhinid shark Cretoxyrhina mantelli (Agassiz). This note constitutes the first report of protostegid turtles bitten by C. mantelli . #### FMNH P27452 The specimen consists of disarticulated bones of a partial skeleton. Two bones that exhibit evidence for shark biting are considered here: a nearly complete left humerus (Figs. 1.1, 2.1; also illustrated in Zangerl, 1953, fig. 49) and a left hyoplastron (Figs. 1.3, 2.2). Figure 1 —Photographs of two specimens of Protostega gigas with embedded Cretoxyrhina mantelli teeth and/or tooth marks from the Mooreville Chalk, Greene County, Alabama. 1, Ventral (left) and dorsal (right) views of left humerus in FMNH P27452, (distal end oriented toward the bottom; cf. Fig. 2.1); 2, close-up view (stereopair) of two tooth fragments of C. mantelli pierced in left humerus in FMNH P27452 (distal end of humerus oriented toward the bottom; see Fig. 2.1 for its location); 3, ventral view of left hyoplastron in FMNH P27452 (anterior edge oriented toward the top; cf. Fig. 2.2); 4, …
Community-Cyberinfrastructure-Enabled Discovery in Science and Engineering

A community cyberinfrastructure would enable a new era of multidisciplinary research and collaboration in science and engineering. With such an infrastructure, researchers could share knowledge and results along with computing cycles, storage, and bandwidth. A generic, transparent cyberinfrastructure would also foster more meaningful analyses of data and visualization, modeling, and simulation of real-world phenomena.