cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of transsynaptic regulation of adrenal enkephalin.

Abstract Transsynaptic activity differentially regulates biosynthesis of sympathoadrenal catecholamines and co-localized opiate peptides in the rat. We determined whether similar mechanisms were operative during development. Adrenal Leu-enkephalin (LEU), was first detected at E16.5, then increased 5-fold during maturation from birth to adulthood while adrenal weight increased 10-fold. Since medullary cells do not divide after the first postnatal week, this represents a specific maturational increase in LEU content per chromaffin cell. In adult medullae, decreasing transsynaptic activity through adrenal denervation or explantation results in a 30–50-fold increase in LEU. In contrast, LEU levels in denervated or explanted medullae from neonatal rats (⩽10 days) do not. Prolonged denervation (day 5–21) prevented even the normal maturational increase in LEU. However, depolarizing medullae with KC1 lowered LEU levels at all ages tested with an increased magnitude of effect after 10 days postnatal age. Specific deficits in signal-transduction mechanisms or immaturity of opiate biosynthetic pathways may account for these observations. Thus, during development, adrenal opiate peptides are not under transsynaptic control yet require presynaptic terminals to mature normally. Therefore, like catecholamines, co-localized adrenal opiate peptides require presynaptic regulatory signals to achieve normal development and function.
Bacterial peptides with C-terminal similarities to bovine neurotensin.

Using radioimmunoassay, peptides resembling the C-terminal region of bovine neurotensin (NT) have been demonstrated in acid/acetone extracts of Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Escherichia coli , and Caulaobacter crescentus . The NT-like bacterial components were shown to behave as peptides of small molecular weight (
Orogenic fluids and secondary magnetizations: testing the relationship in the South Wales Coalfield foreland basin

Abstract Carbonates that rim the South Wales Coalfield contain a pervasive late Paleozoic CRM residing in magnetite. The CRM in the eastern part of the basin was acquired after deformation, and geochemical results are consistent with a connection between remagnetization and orogenic-type fluids. In the western part of the basin, the CRM is synfolding but the geochemical results do not support a connection with orogenic fluids.
A fluorometric method for determination of oxidized and reduced glutathione in tissues.

Abstract A method for measurement of both oxidized (GSSG) and reduced (GSH) glutathione has been developed, with use of o-phthalaldehyde (OPT) as a fluorescent reagent. The method takes advantage of the reaction of GSH with OPT at pH 8 and of GSSG with OPT at pH 12; GSH can be complexed to N-ethylmaleimide to prevent interference of GSH with measurement of GSSG. The method gave “recoveries” of 91 to 110% for both GSH and GSSG and was quite specific for glutathione; and none of the manipulations appeared to influence the amount of glutathione present in the tissue. Results for GSH levels agreed well with earlier reports but levels of GSSG estimated here were higher than earlier reported values. The reasons for the apparently higher levels of GSSG are discussed.
Secondary bacterial infections in HIV-infected patients: An alternative ambulatory outpatient treatment utilizing intravenous cefotaxime

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of home intravenous antibiotic therapy in treating secondary bacterial infections in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study was a subset analysis of 22 patients with HIV, enrolled in two centers of a multicenter, open-label, prospective study. When necessary, patients were stabilized as inpatients, followed by home therapy. Enrolled patients had diagnoses of pneumonia, skin and soft-tissue infections, bacteremia/septicemia, or other infections, requiring parenteral therapy. A third-generation cephalosporin, cefotaxime, 1–2 g every 8 hours, was delivered intravenously using an ambulatory delivery system (ADS). Home therapy with cefotaxime/ADS produced a clinical response rate of 95% and bacteriologic response of 88.2%. The requirement for and duration of inpatient therapy was markedly reduced compared with diagnosis-related group (DRG) allotments. In conclusion, home intravenous antibiotic therapy with cefotaxime in patients infected with HIV is effective and safe. It may improve quality of life by reducing the length of hospital stay.
Bistability of biomembranes with elastic channels

An equilibrium theory of biomembranes with particles in their channels which takes into account "bilateral" channel-particle interactions has been proposed. The channel conformation changes to minimize the system free energy, which includes the channel's elastic free energy and the ion-channel repulsion, to give rise to bifurcation of the equilibrium state.
Long-term culture of differentiated granulosa cells from individual bovine follicles.

Granulosa cells from 44 individual bovine follicles were placed and maintained in long-term tissue culture and were stable to subculture. The cells secreted progesterone into the medium using cholesterol as a principal precursor but did not secrete estrogens after 10 days in culture. The rate of growth and progesterone secretory capacity of the cells were independent of the size or hormone content of the follicles of origin. (Endocrinology 93: 1423, 1973)
Ultrasonic b-scan image compounding technique for prosthetic socket design

Prosthetic socket design is the most important aspect of the fit of a lower extremity prosthesis. The comfort and mobility of wearing a prosthetic socket mainly depends on the design of weight bearing characteristics of the socket. The weight bearing characteristics of a socket are determined by the relative positions among the tissues (such as bones, muscles, and fat) of the residual limb and the wall of the socket. Therefore, socket fitting cannot be guaranteed if the internal structural information of a residual limb is not made available to the prosthetist. Current prosthetic socket design and manufacture processes are disadvantaged by the inherent difficulties in determining the weight bearing characteristics of a socket due to the lack of crucial information about the internal structure of the residual limb, such as bone position, and muscle, and fat distribution. This disadvantage can be overcome through the use of an ultrasound imaging system and a computer-aided socket design system. The discussion of the complete system is out of the scope of this paper. An ultrasound imaging algorithm which provides the external shape of the limb, the bone position, and the texture pattern of the soft tissues within the limb is presented in this paper. The algorithm using the Compound B-scan imaging principle combined with geometrical transformation and statistical information faithfully measures and reconstructs with topographical shape and internal structure information of a residual limb.
Predictors of Recording an Event During Prolonged Inpatient Video Electroencephalogram Monitoring in Children

Abstract Background Distinguishing between seizures and nonepileptic events is a key challenge in pediatric neurology. The diagnostic gold standard is prolonged inpatient video electroencephalogram monitoring. However, little is known about preadmission characteristics that are predictive of recording an event during such monitoring. Methods This is a retrospective chart review of children undergoing prolonged inpatient video electroencephalogram monitoring between 2009 and 2012 at a tertiary referral center for the purpose of distinguishing between seizures and nonepileptic events. Demographic information, medical history, event characteristics, and inpatient monitoring course were abstracted. Results Two-hundred thirteen children were identified. The median recording duration was 25 hours (interquartile range 22.4-48.5), and median time to event of interest (among those with an event recorded) was 4.5 hours (interquartile range 1.4-18.8). An event of interest was recorded in 66% of patients. At the event level, 20% of recorded events were associated with an electroencephalogram correlate, which refers to a change in the pattern seen on the electroencephalogram during a seizure. At the patient level, 112 (79.4%) with events recorded had only nonepileptic events recorded, 25 (17.7%) had only seizures recorded, and 4 (2.8%) had both recorded. Recording an event was predicted by the presence of intellectual disability ( P = 0.001), greater preadmission event frequency ( P P Conclusions Prolonged inpatient electroencephalogram monitoring captured an event of interest in two-thirds of patients, with most of these events captured within less than four and a half hours of recording onset. Several factors predict a greater yield with prolonged inpatient video electroencephalogram monitoring—including event frequency, latency since the most recent event, and the presence of intellectual disability—and can be used to counsel patients regarding this study for the purpose of event capture in the context of shared decision making.
Exploring Japanese University English Teachers’ Professional Identity by NAGATOMO, DIANE H.

The article reviews the book "Exploring Japanese University English Teachers' Professional Identity," by Diane H. Nagatomo.
Transverse Quark Polarization in Large-p T Reactions, e + e - Jets, and Leptoproduction: A Test of Quantum Chromodynamics

We point out that the polarization $P$ of a scattered or produced quark is calculable perturbatively in quantum chromodynamics for ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}q\overline{q}$, large-${p}_{T}$ hadron reactions, and large-${Q}^{2}$ leptoproduction, and is infrared finite. The quantum-chromodynamics prediction is that $P=0$ in the scaling limit. Experimental tests are or will soon be possible in $\mathrm{pp}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\Lambda}X$ [where presently $P(\ensuremath{\Lambda})\ensuremath{\simeq}25%$ for ${p}_{T}g2$ GeV/c] and in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{quark}\mathrm{jets}$.
An inexpensive six-digit solid-state counter

Two other methods for converting an electronic calculator into a counter are described by Alexandrovich (1975) and Wollach, Roccaforte, and Breuning (1975). Figure 2. Schematic for converting Commodore Minuteman VI calculator to a six-digit counter. Shown removed from case, and with "Enter" key removed (equivalent to "+=" key). Calculator remains functional. Figure 1. Schematic for converting Novus 650 or Wards PlO calculator to a six-digit counter. Shown with display board removed from case and keyboard cut away for compactness. Two SPST switches added to replace "Clear" and "1" keys for reset and start. An inexpensive six-digit solid-state counter
Multiple power system stabilizers tuning using mean-variance optimization

Dynamic operation of a power system requires adaptive tuning of power system stabilizers (PSSs) in order to damp out low frequency oscillations under different grid conditions. PSS parameter tuning in a large interconnected system is an important and challenging problem to avoid system instability. This paper presents mean variance optimization (MVO) algorithm for PSS tuning at a control center utilizing remote synchrophasor data. The approach is illustrated on a two-area four-machine power system simulated on a real-time digital simulator (RTDS). Time domain simulation results show improved oscillation damping with PSSs tuned with MVO. Furthermore, comparison of MVO with particle swarm optimization is presented and it is observed that MVO converges faster.
Olfactory bulb kindling in mice susceptible and resistant to ethanol withdrawal.

Summary: The relation between kindling and susceptibil ity to ethanol withdrawal seizures was investigated using withdrawal seizure-prone (WSP) and withdrawal seizure resistant (WSR) mice. These lines were developed by se lective breeding to be prone and resistant, respectively, to handling-induced convulsions after chronic exposure to ethanol. Development of kindled seizures in response to electrical stimulation of the olfactory bulb was inves tigated in mice aged 2 and 8 months with no exposure to ethanol. Older WSP mice kindled more slowly than older WSR mice, requiring significantly more stimulations to reach the first stage 3 and the first stage 5 seizures. In younger mice, there was no significant difference be tween the two lines in the rate of kindling. The lower kindling rate in mature WSP mice is in contrast to their higher sensitivity to handling-induced convulsions on withdrawal from ethanol and other agents. This finding suggests that separate genetic factors underlie these two models of mouse seizures.
Risk stratification for positive lymph nodes in prostate cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the risk of positive lymph nodes using preoperative clinical parameters. Methods and Materials: We reviewed our prospectively collected database for all patients who received R...
A novel discrete particle swarm optimization algorithm for estimating dielectric constants of tissue

Global optimization algorithms basically create a set of solutions, classify them, and then search for the best answer, iteratively. In this paper, a new discrete particle swarm optimization algorithm is proposed to estimate the permittivity arrangements of lossy multilayer structures, which represent body tissue models. Microwave imaging (AMI) is the modality in which the proposed algorithm is used for reconstructing the image. The main objective of this article is to depict the flexibility of PSO-based methods in handling complex problems expeditiously and successfully. Our new algorithm improves the estimation time by 85% as compared to our previous proposed one. Here, the impact of various parameters, namely, the AMI frequency, the immersion medium, the number of agents, the smoothing coefficient, and the maximum velocity, on the estimation performance are studied in terms of the maximum estimation error. It is demonstrated that by choosing the parameters correctly, one can achieve estimation results with a maximum error less that 10% in only 0.1 minute.
Distribution of flehmen reactions of the bull throughout the bovine estrous cycle

Abstract A bull's flehmen reactions were recorded daily during 20-minute contact with 3 cows for nine months. During estrous periods (−3 to +1 days) there were 174 observations: 28.2% without flehmen, 21.2% with a single reaction, and 50.6% with repeated reactions. During nonestrous periods there were 624 observations: 49.0% without flehmen, 40.4% with a single reaction, and 10.6% with repeated reactions. Average numbers of all and repeated reactions during estrous periods were 2.11±2.30 and 1.90±2.43 respectively. Corresponding values for nonestrous periods, 0.70±0.93 and 0.29±0.93, were significantly lower (P The results suggest that either the estrous pheromone(s) also occur(s) for a limited time or in limited amounts during nonestrus or that flehmen is not a very specific response to the estrus-related odors. In either case, the study of sexual pheromones should encompass other methods as well as flehmen observation.
Elastic Behavior of Arc-Cast Zirconium Carbide-Graphite Alloys

Abstract : The Young's modulus and shear modulus of arc-cast zirconium carbide-graphite alloys were measured as a function of graphite content and were found to be dependent upon the microstructure of these alloys. Attempts to fit several theoretical analyses to the data were not successful. The simplified physical models from which these analyses were derived limit their usefulness in predicting elastic behavior for materials having complex microstructures. (Author)
Kinetic analysis of the age related differences in glucose-6-phosphatase activity.

Abstract Kinetic analysis was performed on glucose-6-phosphatase of 6 and 24 month old rat liver and kidney microsomal fractions. In untreated microsomal fractions of old liver the enzyme displayed decrease in V. In untreated microsomal fractions of old kidney and enzyme displayed decrease in V and increase in Km. Triton X-100 and NH4OH were used to disrupt the membranes and to activate the enzyme. The treatments lowered the Km of the enzyme. The activated enzymes of the young and old liver had similar Km but the old liver still displayed a lower V. The same results were found for the kidney. Kidney membranes were found to contain about 50% latent enzyme activity which was released by the treatments. The liver did not contain latent enzyme activity. The age related reduction in glucose-6-phosphatase activity appears to be due to reduction in the amount of enzyme present in the membranes. The membranes from old animals appear to be more labile to manipulation than the membranes from young animals.
Risk Assessment for Karnal Bunt Occurrence in the Pacific Northwest.

ABSTRACT Tilletia indica, the causal agent of Karnal bunt of wheat, was first detected and reported in the United States in 1996. Karnal bunt occurred in the southwestern United States as early as 1992. Wheat contaminated with teliospores of T. indica is likely to have been transported from the Southwest to other regions, including the Pacific Northwest, before presence of the pathogen was discovered. Teliospore and sporidial germination and infection are highly dependent on climatic conditions. The potential for T. indica to infect wheat in the Pacific Northwest has not been reported. The objective of this study was to use published information on environmental factors favorable for infection and historical climate data for the Pacific Northwest to analyze the environmental risk for Karnal bunt to occur if wheat fields in the Pacific Northwest become contaminated by T. indica. Conditions during the past four decades appeared favorable for infection in nonirrigated wheat during 1 of every 3 years at two (...
Species distribution modelling as a macroecological tool: a case study using New World amphibians

Although species distribution modelling (SDM) is widely accepted among the scientific community and is increasingly used in ecology, conservation biology and biogeography, methodological limitations generate potential problems for its application in macroecology. Using amphibian species richness in North and South America, we compare species richness patterns derived from SDM maps and ‘expert’ maps to evaluate if: 1) richness patterns derived from SDM are biased toward climate-based explanations for diversity when compared to expert maps, since SDM methods are typically based on climatic variables; and 2) SDM is a reliable tool for generating richness maps in hyperrich regions where point occurrence data are limited for many species. We found that although three widely used SDM methods overestimated amphibian species richness in grid cells when compared to expert richness maps in both North and South America due to systematic overestimation of range sizes, diversity gradients were reasonably robust at broad scales. Further, climatic variables statistically explained patterns of richness at similar levels among the different richness sources, although climatic relationships were stronger in the much better known North America than in South America. We conclude that in the face of the high deforestation rates coupled with incomplete data on species distributions, especially in the tropics, SDM represents a useful macroecological tool for investigating broad-scale richness patterns and the dynamics between species richness and climate.
Determination of the Mean Free Path of Conduction Electrons

An earlier paper by Scheffers [Ann. Physik 33, 29 (1956)] is criticized. It is shown that Scheffers result for the magnetoresistance ratio of a metal is based on incorrect boundary conditions, and that the agreement with experiment in the case of the noble metals is fortuitous.
Voices of Urban and Rural Community College Minority Faculty: Satisfaction and Opinions

Due to limited knowledge about faculty at community colleges, not much attention has been given to their job satisfaction and opinions. In particular, there is a gap in the literature relative to community college minority faculty's satisfaction in rural and urban areas. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore minority faculty's satisfaction and opinions regarding faculty issues such as benefits, job satisfaction overall, and faculty workload. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data along with analysis of variance to determine if there are significant mean differences among the various geographical settings. The National Study of Postsecondary Faculty 1999 database was utilized for this study. The findings of this research revealed more similarities than differences between urban and rural minority community college faculty about their satisfaction and opinions.
The baboon β-myosin heavy-chain gene: construction and characterization of cDNA clones and gene expression in cardiac tissues

Abstract We have constructed a cDNA library from baboon ventricle and have used a rabbit β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC) cDNA probe to isolate cross-hybridizing clones. The nucleotide sequence of one such clone, λBMHCβH4, contains a portion of the coding region of the light meromyosin (LMM) region and the 3′-untranslated region of the baboon ventricular MHC. This cDNA clone is identified as containing β-MHC sequences on the basis of similarity with the 3′-untranslated regions of β-MHC genes from man (96% homologous) and rat (71% homologous), and dissimilarity with the 3′-untranslated region of the rat α-MHC gene (25% homologous). Alignment and comparison of the baboon cDNA nucleotide sequence with a human cDNA sequence reveal two amino acid substitutions in the LMM region that cause differences in their hydrophilicity profiles. These differences may alter MHC functions such as filament assembly. We have used baboon β-MHC cDNA clones to construct probes for S1 nuclease protection studies to detect and to distinguish cardiac MHC gene transcripts in baboon ventricle, atrium, and diaphragm. As in human tissues, β-MHC gene transcripts are detected in RNA from baboon ventricle and diaphragm. In baboon atrium, we detect β-MHC gene transcripts as well as transcripts that may represent expression of the α-MHC gene. This study represents the first examination of cardiac MHC genes and gene expression in tissues from a large mammal that is closely related to man.
Evidence for Protein Phosphatase 1 and 2A Regulation of K+ Channels in Two Types of Leaf Cells

Ion channels control ion fluxes across membranes, membrane potential, and signal transduction between and within cells. Protein kinases and phosphatases are important regulators involved in stimulus-response coupling in eukaryotic organisms. We have identified in extracts of Vicia faba leaf cells protein phosphatase activities inhibited by okadaic acid (OA) and calyculin A (CA), two inhibitors of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A. Using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques, we have demonstrated that inward K+ currents in guard cells are inhibited by nanomolar concentrations of OA or CA, whereas outward K+ currents are not affected. However, the same inhibitors enhance the magnitude of outward K+ currents in mesophyll cells. A phosphatase antagonist, adenosine-5[prime]-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), has an effect similar to OA and CA on outward K+ currents in mesophyll cells. Our findings suggest that protein phosphatases 1 and/or 2A play different physiological roles in modulating the activity of K+ channels in mesophyll cells and guard cells.
Microbore polypropylene capillary channeled polymer (C-CP) fiber columns for rapid reversed-phase HPLC of proteins

The performance of microbore columns with polypropylene (PP) capillary-channeled polymer (C-CP) fibers as the support/stationary phase for separation of macromolecules has been investigated. Polypropylene C-CP fibers (40 μm diameter) were packed in fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) tubing of inner diameter 0.8 mm and lengths of 40, 60, 80, and 110 cm. The performance of PP fiber packed microbore columns (peak width, peak capacity, and resolution) was evaluated for separation of a three-protein mixture of ribonuclease A, cytochrome c, and transferrin under reversed-phase gradient conditions. The low backpressure characteristics of C-CP fiber columns enable operation at high linear velocities (up to 75 mm s−1 at 1.5 mL min−1). In contrast with the performance of other phases, such velocities enable enhanced resolution of the three-protein mixture, because peak widths decrease with velocity. Increased column length resulted in increased resolution, because the peak widths remained essentially constant, although retention times increased. In addition, it was found that the peak capacity increased with column length and linear velocity. Radial compression of the microbore tubing enhanced the homogeneity of the packing and, thereby, separation efficiency and resolution. Radial compression of columns resulted in a decrease in the interstitial fraction (~5 %), but increased resolution of ~14 % between ribonuclease A and cytochrome c. Even so, a linear velocity of 75 mm s−1 required a backpressure of 9.5 MPa only. It is clear that the fluid and solute-transport properties of the C-CP fiber microbore columns afford far better performance than is obtainable by use of standard format columns. The ability to achieve high separation efficiencies, rapidly and with low volume flow rates, holds promise for high-capacity protein separations in proteomics applications.
Exercise counseling practices among nephrologists caring for patients on dialysis

Abstract Background: Patients on dialysis therapy are inactive, are at high risk for conditions that can be prevented or ameliorated by exercise, and often receive most of their care from their nephrologist. Exercise counseling by physicians can increase patients' levels of physical activity. The aim of the study is to determine the frequency of exercise assessment and counseling among practicing nephrologists, characteristics of nephrologists who provide exercise counseling to their dialysis patients, and barriers to exercise counseling perceived by nephrologists. Methods: A 25-item survey regarding exercise counseling was administered to nephrologists attending the World Congress of Nephrology meeting in 2001. Results: Five hundred five nephrologists completed the survey. Overall, 38% reported "almost always" or "often" assessing patient level of physical activity and counseling inactive patients to increase activity. Older ( P P = 0.033), and women ( P = 0.018) nephrologists, as well as those who provided primary care to more of their patients ( P = 0.007), were more likely to provide exercise counseling. Nephrologists who do not provide routine counseling were more likely to endorse lack of time ( P P P = 0.01). In addition, noncounseling nephrologists were more likely to believe that other medical issues were more important than exercise ( P = 0.01). Conclusion: Rates of exercise counseling among nephrologists are low, although dialysis patients are a high-risk group unlikely to receive advice about exercise from other health care providers. The low rates of counseling, particularly among younger nephrologists, could be addressed by including information about counseling in fellowship training and/or practice guidelines for the care of patients on dialysis therapy. Am J Kidney Dis 41:171-178. © 2003 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Theory and Treatment Update:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the few mental disorders in which the cause is readily identifiable. In this article, we review the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria, prevalence, and presentation of patients with PTSD in primary care. The purpose of this article is to review current literature regarding theory, etiology, and treatment effectiveness. Key findings in terms of neurobiological underpinnings with implications for future treatment are discussed. Recommendations regarding effective psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, emerging treatment, and management issues in primary care settings are offered.
An interpretation of classical Yang-Mills theory

Abstract We present a new formulation, in twistor space, of the classical second-order Yang-Mills field equations.
A column-row-parallel ultrasound imaging architecture for 3d plane-wave imaging and Tx 2nd-order harmonic distortion (HD2) reduction

We propose a Column-Row-Parallel (CRP) architecture for integrated and low-power 3D medical ultrasound imaging applications. CRP offers linear-scaling interconnection, acquisition and programming time, while supporting rich functionality and fault-tolerance against possible transducer element defects. A 16×16 CMUT-ASIC CRP imaging system is fabricated and assembled to demonstrate the highly versatile architecture. 3D plane-wave coherent compounding on CRP facilitates fast frame rate (62.5 volume/s), high quality 3D ultrasonic imaging. An interleaved checker board pattern with I&Q excitations is also demonstrated on CRP for tissue harmonic imaging, reducing CMUT 2nd harmonic distortion (HD2) emission by over 20dB.
Naïve to memory T-cell differentiation during homeostasis-driven proliferation.

During homeostasis-driven T-cell proliferation, naive T cells stably acquire the cell surface markers and functional properties of antigen-induced memory T cells. Thus, in T-cell-deficient individuals, homeostasis-driven T-cell proliferation appears to restore only the memory T-cell compartment, whereas the reconstitution of the naive T-cell compartment depends on de novo T-cell development in the thymus.
Human penile ossification: A case report and review of the literature

Human penile ossification is a rare event. Only a limited number of cases have appeared in the literature. Several reported cases have been related to local trauma and plastic induration of the penis. We report an additional case with a comprehensive review of case reports in the literature.
Metal affinity protein precipitation: effects of mixing, protein concentration, and modifiers on protein fractionation.

Previous work by us and others has shown that mixing impacts apparent protein solubility in single protein precipitations. In this work, we probe the effects of contacting conditions on fractional precipitation behavior at the bench scale. We have chosen metal affinity precipitation as our model system; the kinetics of this mode of precipitation are very rapid and largely irreversible and, consequently, mixing conditions govern the extent of fractionation and purity of the product in such a process. Our experimental strategy involved a three-pronged approach to control the effects contacting conditions on precipitate yield, purity, and particle size distribution. First, we studied the impact of process variables that control precipitant concentrations in the reactor including impeller speed and precipitant addition rate. Second, we controlled the rate of precipitation by changing the initial protein concentration to alter the protein-protein collision rate. Third, we examined the role of the molecular-level kinetics of affinity precipitation by using modifiers that compete with surface moieties to bind the metal ion, thereby reducing its availability. Our model process and protein system consisted of zinc precipitations of mixtures of bovine serum albumin and bovine γ-globulins, carried out at a nominal 1-L scale; glycine was examined as a modifier. Faster impeller speeds and lower precipitant addition rates increased the desired protein yields, decreased purities, and reduced average precipitate particle size. Higher initial protein concentrations were found to produce precipitates with higher yields, lower purities and diminished particle size. Experiments with glycine indicated that modifiers in the precipitant solution serve to increase product purity, decrease yield, and increase the average particle size in bench-scale precipitations. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Modeling of late 3d transition metal metathesis of tert-butoxide complexes with amines

Abstract A DFT study of the alkoxide/amide metathesis reaction for late 3d transition metal β-diketiminate (nacnac) tert-butoxide and amide (N(H)R) complexes was performed. Bond dissociation free energies were used to understand trends in the reaction [M]–OtBu + RNH2 → [M]–NHR + tBuOH (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn; R = H, Ph, Ad (Ad = 1-adamantyl), [M] = nacnac complex). Steric effects were assessed via a multi-layer ONIOM approach for larger, more experimentally relevant substituents.
Ballistic transport and tunnelling magnetoresistance in tunnel junctions

In this paper we report the results of a theoretical study of the ballistic tunnelling of electrons in magnetic tunnel junctions. We show how first-principles band-structure calculations and published magnetization data can be used as inputs to the model, which is then used to predict the magnetoresistance of a tunnel junction. This approach provides a convenient way to examine effects not readily treated by purely first-principles calculations such as finite bias and finite temperature as well as providing a way to treat the amorphous nature of most tunnelling barriers. Ultimately, the model is used to show how the tunnelling magnetoresistance depends on extrinsic factors such as applied bias, and temperature, as well as on the intrinsic properties of the junction such as the barrier height and thickness. The model generates the asymmetry in the magnetoresistance often seen for forward and reverse bias in asymmetric junctions.
The service role of government in streamlining opportunities for construction permitting in disaster recovery

An exploratory research programme was undertaken to identify opportunities to streamline the construction permitting and code enforcement processes. The service role performed by government entities at various levels and opportunities for enhancement are considered. Data collection was primarily done through structured interviews. Several conclusions were drawn concerning the potential of the institutionalisation of information technology. It was also found that established permitting processes did not take into account the need for legitimate waivers and shortcuts in the process.
The iron redox and hydrolysis chemistry of the ferritins.

Abstract Background Ferritins are ubiquitous and well-characterized iron storage and detoxification proteins. In bacteria and plants, ferritins are homopolymers composed of H-type subunits, while in vertebrates, they typically consist of 24 similar subunits of two types, H and L. The H-subunit is responsible for the rapid oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) at a dinuclear center, whereas the L-subunit appears to help iron clearance from the ferroxidase center of the H-subunit and support iron nucleation and mineralization. Scope of review Despite their overall similar structures, ferritins from different origins markedly differ in their iron binding, oxidation, detoxification, and mineralization properties. This chapter provides a brief overview of the structure and function of ferritin, reviews our current knowledge of the process of iron uptake and mineral core formation, and highlights the similarities and differences of the iron oxidation and hydrolysis chemistry in a number of ferritins including those from archaea, bacteria, amphibians, and animals. General Significance Prokaryotic ferritins and ferritin-like proteins (Dps) appear to preferentially use H2O2 over O2 as the iron oxidant during ferritin core formation. While the product of iron oxidation at the ferroxidase centers of these and other ferritins is labile and is retained inside the protein cavity, the iron complex in the di-iron cofactor proteins is stable and remains at the catalytic site. Differences in the identity and affinity of the ferroxidase center ligands to iron have been suggested to influence the distinct reaction pathways in ferritins and the di-iron cofactor enzymes. Major conclusions The ferritin 3-fold channels are shown to be flexible structures that allow the entry and exit of different ions and molecules through the protein shell. The H- and L-subunits are shown to have complementary roles in iron oxidation and mineralization, and hydrogen peroxide appears to be a by-product of oxygen reduction at the FC of most ferritins. The di-iron(III) complex at the FC of some ferritins acts as a stable cofactor during iron oxidation rather than a catalytic center where Fe(II) is oxidized at the FC followed by its translocation to the protein cavity.
Gender Differences in Attributions for Success and Failure

The study examined gender differences in attributions for success and failure in math/science and language arts. Developmental patterns were also examined through a cross sectional design of 731 boys and 680 girls in grades four through eleven. Girls were found to have fewer adaptive attributional patterns in math/science than in language arts. While boys had more adaptive patterns in math/science than had girls, they also had more adaptive patterns for language arts patterns than for math/science. It was concluded that cross content area research should consider the student's relative perceived task difficulty.
Stress echocardiography for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease: Progress towards quantification

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review highlights recent progress in the quantitative approach to the interpretation of stress echocardiograms. Recent literature regarding the application of tissue Doppler and strain rate imaging for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease is summarized. RECENT FINDINGS The high temporal and spatial resolution of tissue Doppler and strain rate imaging permit recognition of regional myocardial dysfunction. These techniques have been performed during low- and high-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography and have been applied to exercise echocardiography. During stress, the peak systolic velocity and early diastolic velocity increased to a greater degree in normal segments compared to ischemic segments. With tissue Doppler imaging, viable segments show increases in systolic velocities in contrast to infarcted segments. Presently, the feasibility of strain rate imaging is slightly less than that of conventional wall motion assessment. However, in preliminary studies, tissue Doppler parameters and especially strain rate parameters appear to offer advantages in accuracy compared to conventional wall motion assessment. SUMMARY Tissue Doppler and strain rate imaging offer great promise for the accurate, reproducible quantification of regional myocardial function. Further studies are indicated to prove their accuracy, efficiency, and superiority over existing methods.
Assembly path planning for stable robotic construction

We propose an algorithmic approach for assembly path planning that takes stability of the structure during construction into account. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is used to evaluate the intermediate stages of the assembly for stability. The algorithm presented here assembles a structure by greedily taking the most stable option at each step in the assembly process, and has complexity O(n!), albeit most structures are effectively assembled with complexity O(n 2 ). We demonstrate the workings of the proposed hybrid discrete/FEA search algorithm in simulation on a series of truss structures. In particular, we show that the algorithm is able to identify correct orderings that led to stable assembly, and discuss structures for which a greedy approach with scaffolding might be advantageous over a complete approach.
Systematic classification of unseeded batch crystallization systems for achievable shape and size analysis

Abstract The purpose of the current work is to develop a systematic classification scheme for crystallization systems considering simultaneous size and shape variations, and to study the effect of temperature profiles on the achievable final shape of crystals for various crystallization systems. A classification method is proposed based on the simultaneous consideration of the effect of temperature profiles on nucleation and growth rates of two different characteristic crystal dimensions. Hence the approach provides direct indication of the extent in which crystal shape may be controlled for a particular system class by manipulating the supersaturation. A multidimensional population balance model (PBM) was implemented for unseeded crystallization processes of four different compounds. The effect between the nucleation and growth mechanisms on the final aspect ratio (AR) was investigated and it was shown that for nucleation dominated systems the AR is independent of the supersaturation profile. The simulation results confirmed experimentally also show that most crystallization systems tend to achieve an equilibrium shape hence the variation in the aspect ratio that can be achieved by manipulating the supersaturation is limited, in particular when nucleation is also taken into account as a competing phenomenon.
Preservation potential of ultrabasic volcanic sand in an arid intracontinental setting; will the Hopi Buttes maar-diatreme field be preserved in the rock record?

ABSTRACT Petrographic study of modern sand samples collected near Hopi Buttes volcanic field (northeastern Arizona) underscores the low preservation potential of mafic minerals and ultrabasic volcanic detritus even in an arid, intraplate tectonic setting. The Miocene-Pliocene Hopi Buttes volcanic field has been interpreted as a maar-diatreme and scoria cone field in which phreatomagmatic eruptions took place in a playa lake basin. The tephra, necks, dikes, flows, and maar crater fill are now sources of sediment found in local ephemeral streams. Once the volcanic field is eroded away, the main record of its existence will be as a provenance component in the sand it is now shedding. The locally derived volcanic components include monocrystalline pyroxene, glass shards, scoria, and a narrow range of ultrabasic volcanic rock fragments. Thin-section point counts (450 grains) on four sieved sand fractions from each of 7 sites downstream (0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 21, and 31 km) from one margin of the volcanic field provided the following results. (1) The proportion of volcanogenic to total sand grains decreases from an initial value of about 40% at a rate of about 0.8% per kilometer downstream from the source rocks over the first 30 km of stream length. (2) Dilution by sand eroded from other local source rocks, rather than physical grain-size reduction or chemical dissolution, drives the diminution of volcanogenic grain proportions. Detritus sourced from the Hopi Buttes volcanic field has a very low preservation/recognition potential, despite the arid climate and stable tectonic setting far removed from a plate margin. It follows that maar-diatreme volcanism is generally underrepresented in the sedimentary record.
Characterization of hemadsorption-negative mutants of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Previously isolated mutants of Mycoplasma pneumoniae incapable of hemadsorption were characterized with respect to specific protein content, tracheal ring attachment capability, and virulence for both in vitro and in vivo model systems. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed both quantitative and qualitative differences between the protein complements of two different mutant strains and that of the virulent parent strain. Studies of mycoplasma attachment to hamster tracheal rings in vitro demonstrated that only one of these mutant strains still possessed the ability to attach to the respiratory epithelium via neuraminidase-sensitive receptors. Measurement of [3H]orotic acid uptake in mycoplasma-infected tracheal rings indicated that infection with the hemadsorption-negative mutants resulted in only slight reductions of ribonucleic acid synthesis, similar to levels observed for tracheal rings infected with an avirulent strain of M. pneumoniae. The virulence potential of the two mutant strains was further investigated by utilizing the hamster model system. Both mutant strains were rapidly cleared from the lungs of infected animals and produced little or no microscopic pneumonia.
Microdomains of High Calcium Are Not Required for Exocytosis in Rbl-2h3 Mucosal Mast Cells

We have previously shown that store-associated microdomains of high Ca2+ are not essential for exocytosis in RBL-2H3 mucosal mast cells. We have now examined whether Ca2+ microdomains near the plasma membrane are required, by comparing the secretory responses seen when Ca2+ influx was elicited by two very different mechanisms. In the first, antigen was used to activate the Ca2+ release–activated Ca2+ (CRAC) current (ICRAC) through CRAC channels. In the second, a Ca2+ ionophore was used to transport Ca2+ randomly across the plasma membrane. Since store depletion by Ca2+ ionophore will also activate ICRAC, different means of inhibiting ICRAC before ionophore addition were used. Ca2+ responses and secretion in individual cells were compared using simultaneous indo-1 microfluorometry and constant potential amperometry. Secretion still takes place when the increase in intracellular Ca2+ occurs diffusely via the Ca2+ ionophore, and at an average intracellular Ca2+ concentration that is no greater than that observed when Ca2+ entry via CRAC channels triggers secretion. Our results suggest that microdomains of high Ca2+ near the plasma membrane, or associated with mitochondria or Ca2+ stores, are not required for secretion. Therefore, we conclude that modest global increases in intracellular Ca2+ are sufficient for exocytosis in these nonexcitable cells.
The Protein Tyrosine Kinase-Dependent Pathway Mediates the Effect of K Intake on Renal K Secretion

Dietary K intake plays an important role in the regulation of K secretion: a decrease stimulates and an increase suppresses kidney expression of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK), which plays a role in regulating Kir1.1 (ROMK), which is responsible for K secretion in the cortical collecting duct (CCD) and K recycling in the thick ascending limb. Tyrosine phosphorylation of ROMK channels increases with low dietary K and decreases with high dietary K. Moreover, stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of ROMK1 enhances ROMK1 internalization and reduces the K channel number in the cell surface in the CCD.
Lithium 2,2,2‐Trifluoroethoxide

[69163-14-0] C2H2F3LiO (MW 105.97) InChI = 1/C2H2F3O.Li/c3-2(4,5)1-6;/h1H2;/q-1;+1 InChIKey = DMQZZHWKDANLBZ-UHFFFAOYAY
Distributed admission control for heterogeneous multicast with bandwidth guarantees

Many group communication applications have real-time constraints. Since multicast serves as a natural framework for such applications, it is desirable to support quality of service (QoS) guarantees for multicast. Limiting the amount of processing inside the network core has been recognized as a key for any QoS solution to be scalable and accordingly any QoS solution for multicast should not require core routers to perform extensive per-flow operations. We propose an architecture to implement distributed admission control for multicast flows with heterogeneous user requirements while not requiring core routers to perform any admission control. Our admission control framework guarantees that a request is only admitted if there is sufficient bandwidth available and only requires the edge routers of a domain to take admission decisions. An intra-domain signaling mechanism is used in conjunction with the admission control framework to install the forwarding state inside the network core. We show that using our architecture, the requirements for both installing and maintaining the forwarding state in core routers, are similar to that in a best-effort multicast, thus, providing the QoS control plane functionality with negligible additional complexity inside network core.