cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The reappearance of a developmental stage-specific antigen in adult regenerating neurons of the cockroach

A monoclonal antibody has previously been described that binds to all neurons in the 15 d (50% development) cockroach embryo but to only a small subset of neurons in the adult (Denburg et al., 1989). Experiments were performed in order to determine whether the developmental stage-specific antigen recognized by this antibody would reappear in adult neurons that were induced to undergo axonal regeneration by axotomy. It is demonstrated here that after nerve crush motor, sensory and interneurons undergo axonal regeneration and regain their ability to bind this antibody. This indicates that the developing and regenerating states of these neurons selectively use the same molecules to perform apparently similar cellular functions. The increase and subsequent decrease of antibody binding as a function of time after nerve crush was determined for each of these adult neurons. Correlations between the temporal distribution of the antigen and cellular events occurring during axonal regeneration are consistent with a role for this molecule in axon growth and the elimination of inappropriate synaptic connections. The antigen was localized to the external surface of the plasma membrane, and preliminary biochemical characterization has led to the tentative identification of the antigen as a glycolipid. These characteristics distinguish this growth- associated antigen from other previously described molecules whose temporal distribution has implicated a role for them in axon growth.
Improving labour relations performance using a Simplified Drum Buffer Rope (S-DBR) technique

The purpose of this research is to describe an implementation of Simplified Drum Buffer Rope (S-DBR), a scheduling methodology under Theory of Constraints, in service operations of a US military base. In doing so, this research contributes in two ways. For practitioners, this research is the first to show how S-DBR methodology can be utilised to improve the performance of labour relations. For academicians, this research is one of only a few to address the how questions of S-DBR use in a service context.
Towards accurate kinetic modeling of prompt NO formation in hydrocarbon flames via the NCN pathway

A basic kinetic mechanism that can predict the appropriate prompt-NO precursor NCN, as shown by experiment, with relative accuracy while still producing postflame NO results that can be calculated as accurately as or more accurately than through the former HCN pathway is presented for the first time. The basic NCN submechanism should be a starting point for future NCN kinetic and prompt NO formation refinement.
Thermoelastic Stresses in Thick-Walled Vessels Under Thermal Transients via the Inverse Route

A common threat to thick-walled vessels and pipes is thermal shock from operational steady state or transient thermoelastic stresses. As such, boundary conditions must be known or determined in order to reveal the underlying thermal state. For direct problems where all boundary conditions (temperature or flux) are known, the procedure is relatively straightforward and mathematically tractable as shown by many studies. Although more practical from a measurement standpoint, the inverse problem where the boundary conditions must be determined from remotely determined temperature and/or flux data is ill-posed and inherently sensitive to errors in the data. As a result, the inverse route is rarely used to determine thermal stresses. Moreover, most analytical solutions to the inverse problem rely on a host of assumptions that usually restrict their utility to time frames before the thermal wave reaches the natural boundaries of the structure. To help offset these limitations and at the same time solve for the useful case of a thick-walled cylinder exposed to thermal loading on the internal surface, the inverse problem was solved using a least-squares determination of polynomial coefficients based on a generalized direct solution to the heat equation. Once the inverse problem was solved in this fashion and the unknown boundary condition on the internal surface determined, the resulting polynomial was used with the generalized direct solution to determine the internal temperature and stress distributions as a function of time and radial position. For a thick-walled cylinder under an internal transient with external convection, excellent agreement was seen with known temperature histories. Given the versatility of the polynomial solutions advocated, the method appears well suited for many thermal scenarios provided the analysis is restricted to the time interval used to determine the polynomial and the thermophysical properties that do not vary with temperature.
Purification of mitogenic proteins from hura crepitans and Robinia pseudaccacia

Abstract The lectin-mitogens from Hura crepitans and Robinia pseudacaccia have been purified by affinity chromatography and compared to that from Abrus precatorius by sodium lauryl sulfate gel electrophoresis. Robinia lectin is quite similar to that from Abrus precatorius in that it consists of two distinct polypeptide chains of 32,000 and 30,000 daltons but unlike abrus lectin the chains are not joined by disulphide bonds. Hura lectin is composed of only a single polypeptide chain which migrates identically with the heavy chain of the abrus lectin. This heavy chain is likely responsible for binding to galactose residues on cell surfaces. The lectin from Robinia pseudaccacia has been obtained in crystalline form.
PROFESSOR LEO MOSER -- REFLECTIONS OF A VISIT

I first met Leo during the Summer Research Institute in the Theory of Numbers held at the University of Colorado in 1959. After talking with him and hearing his lectures during the Institute, I felt that arrangements would have to be made in the near future for a visit to Nebraska. During the academic year 1962-63 while Professor Moser was on a lecture tour for the MAA, I invited him to present two research lectures to the Nebraska Section on May 3 and 4, 1963. He responded: "Professor D. W. Western of Franklin and Marshall College is my booking agent and I will write him immediately and find out whether it would be possible to clear May 3rd and 4th for me and thus enable me to give the lectures in Nebraska." His generosity was revealed in a subsequent letter in which he asserted: "According to a letter just received from Professor D. W. Western, I am to lecture in Cleveland, Ohio on May 1st and 2nd and in St. Petersburg, Florida on May 6th and 7th. Assuming connections are not too bad I should be able to get to Nebraska in time. If I find that the connections are not easy then I can move the Cleveland date back by one week I imagine. My talks at Nebraska will be on Number Theory and have the general title "Some New Applications of Generating Series." As usual his lectures were delivered with vigor, humor, and clarity. Following his last lecture I invited him to my office in order to discuss some of his results, and during our conversation the subject of mathematical limericks was mentioned and he asked if I would like to record some of his and other's limericks. (I had previously received his permission to record his lectures.) The main purpose of this paper is to present a transcription of these limericks and other verse, recorded on May 4, 1963.
Community covariance and coexistence.

Abstract The effect of the structure of the community matrix, i.e. its covariance, and the average strength of competition on the number of alternative stable subsets of species (domains of attraction) and the number of species per domain are explored by computer simulation. Communities with negative covariance of the competitive interaction coefficients tend to have fewer domains and fewer species per domain. Regardless of the covariance, more domains of attraction and fewer species per domain of attraction occur with increasing average competition among community members.
Sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern after administration of nalbuphine hydrochloride: A case report

Nalbuphine hydrochloride (Nubain) is a synthetic analgesic available for use during labor. It is known to possibly cause respiratory depression in the neonate, but to date there are no published reports of any intrapartum alterations of fetal heart rate. A case presentation is given of a persistent sinusoidal pattern appearing after Nubain administration.
Crosstalk between tyrosine kinase receptors and BMP2 response during osteoblastic differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells

It is well documented that bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) promote mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) osteogenic differentiation, whereas platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) activate their proliferation. Understanding of the interactions between proliferation and differentiation of MSCs by different growth factors is an important issue for potentially improving the process of bone repair. In this study, we investigated the effects of PDGF or FGF signalling on BMP2 response during the osteogenic differentiation in human MSCs. Inhibition of PDGF and/or FGF receptor signalling with selective receptor inhibitors (1 μM) enhanced BMP2-induced alkaline phosphatase activity (from 1.6 to 2.4 fold) and expression of the osteoblastic transcription factor Osterix. These data were associated with an increase in Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation and BMP responsive element (BRE) transcriptional activity induced by BMP2. Since the phosphorylation of the Smad linker region at MAPK and GSK3 sites [1] has been shown to regulate the ubiquitination/degradation of Smads, signalling and interactions of PDGF and FGF receptor pathways with Smad activation by BMP2 were investigated in MSCs. PDGF and FGF activated MAPKs, in particular ERK1/2 but reduced GSK3α activity. BRE luciferase transcriptional activity was increased in the presence of ERK (U0126), JNK (SB600125) and GSK3 (SB216753) inhibitors, but not with the p38 inhibitor. Increased BMP2 response induced by PDGF and FGF receptor inhibitors was further increased in the presence of the GSK3 inhibitor (from 50 to 85% higher than without the GSK3 inhibitor). These data strongly suggest that activation of PDGF and FGF receptors negatively regulates BMP signalling through phosphorylation of Smad by activation of ERK and JNK in MSCs. In conclusion, inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinase signalling enhances BMP2-induced Smad activity and MSCs differentiation by inhibiting ERK and JNK signalling. This effect can be potentiated in the presence of a GSK3 inhibitor. Selective inhibition of these pathways might be of potential interest to improve the differentiation of MSCs during the process of bone repair. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ECTS 2011. Disclosure of interest: None declared.
Possible relationship of succinate dehydrogenase and fatty acid synthetase activities to Aspergillus parasiticus (NRRL 5139) growth and aflatoxin production.

Fatty acid synthetase (FAS) activity measured over time corresponded to aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis byAspergillus parasiticus grown in minimal salts sucrose medium. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, our primary metabolism indicator, decreased as FAS activity increased demonstrating that as primary metabolism slows, secondary metabolism and subsequently aflatoxin production begins. Fungal biomass, as measured by chitin, increased up to day 13 then stabilized. Calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and a combination of these minerals were tested to determine their effect in culture on FAS and SDH activities. Cultures grown in broth supplemented with zinc had greater FAS activity and produced more aflatoxin B1 when compared to the unsupplemented control. To determine if enzyme activity in a complex substrate is altered due to mineral composition, peanuts were cultivated with gypsum (calcium sulfate) supplementation. The peanuts grown had higher calcium content but less zinc. All peanuts grown in gypsum treated fields had less aflatoxin produced on them when compared to unsupplemented peanuts. Also, FAS activity was lower and chitin content was less when compared to the unsupplemented control peanuts. The FAS activity observed in these experiments indirectly suggests that the FAS complex may be responsible for producing the precursor for aflatoxin synthesis. However, additional information is needed to validate this hypothesis.
Electrical and Mechanical Properties of PZT Films

PZT is a well known ferroelectric material which has been investigated in thin film form for memory, electro-optical and actuator applications. The electrical and electro-mechanical properties of thin PZT films deposited by opposed target RF-sputtering and laser ablation were determined. The targets were sintered and one of them had a composition near the morphotropic phase boundary (48% Ti and 52% Zr) while the other one was on the tetragonal side of the phase diagram with 60% Ti and 40% Zr. Both types had 25% excess lead. The thin films were deposited on a number of substrates (MgO, CaF 2 , Al 2 O 3 and Spinel. Platinum electrodes were e-beam evaporated on Si/SiO 2 as well as on the above single crystal materials). We have measured the relative dielectric constant e, the polarization P and the electrical field to mechanical strain conversion factor d 33 . The values which were obtained are compatible with bulk materials but an annealing step at 575°C in oxygen is necessary after deposition. The values before anneal are often significantly lower and we have attributed the reduction to interface layers between the electrodes and the perovskite film or a surface layer on the grains. The d 33 coefficients were determined by an interferometric technique which directly detects the surface displacement of the electrode dot.
A Model-Based Privacy Compliance Checker

Increasingly, e-business organisations are coming under pressure to be compliant to a range of privacy legislation, policies and best practice. There is a clear need for high-level management and administrators to be able to assess in a dynamic, customisable way the degree to which their enterprise complies with these. We outline a solution to this problem in the form of a model-driven automated privacy process analysis and configuration checking system. This system models privacy compliance constraints, automates the assessment of the extent to which a particular computing environment is compliant and generates dashboard-style reports that highlight policy failures. We have developed a prototype that provides this functionality in the context of governance audit; this includes the development of software agents to gather information on-the-fly regarding selected privacy enhancing technologies and other aspects of enterprise system configuration. This approach may also be tailored to enhance the assurance provided by existing governance tools.
New Rapid Assay for Nafcillin in Serum by Spectrofluorometry

A new, rapid method for measuring serum levels of nafcillin by spectrofluorometry is described. The method involves extraction of 2 ml of acidified serum with n-butyl chloride, subjecting the organic solvent layer to excitation at 340 nm, and measuring the relative intensity of emission fluorescence at 380 nm. An excellent linear correlation exists between serum levels of nafcillin and the relative intensity in a drug concentration range of 0.25 to 150 μg/ml. The results obtained by this spectrofluorometric technique are in complete accord with those obtained by the conventional microbiological assay using Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P. The method is not interfered with by elevated levels of endogenous metabolic products or the presence of other drugs, including a number of antimicrobial agents. The assay is interfered with, however, by the presence of salicylates, for which appropriate correction can easily be made. A salicylate assay employing a spectrofluorometric technique is also described.
Synthesis of graphene paper from pyrolyzed asphalt

Abstract A new technique for the synthesis of large sheets (>10 cm2) of multi-layered graphene is presented. The condensation onto a heated surface (≈650 °C) of fumes from the thermal decomposition of asphalt in a ceramic crucible produces carbon films with a metallic sheen. Heating was done by a Fisher burner (natural gas/air) flame and the crucible was covered but exposed to laboratory atmosphere. These films were determined to be multi-layered graphene by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman and infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. XPS indicates that the films are primarily sp2 hybridized carbon with small amounts of sp3 C–H and C–O or C–N functionalities. Based on the D band shift (1593 cm−1) and the ratio of D band to G band (1354 cm−1) of 0.93, the Raman spectrum also indicates that the material is sp2 C with some nanocrystalline features. The infrared spectrum exhibits A1U (868 cm−1) and E1U (1599 cm−1) stretching of the intralayer bonds of graphene. This form of chemical vapor deposition may be a scalable to give much larger surface areas. Furthermore, the process does not require metal substrates. Deposition onto silica nanosprings and diatomites is demonstrated.
KNOCKDOWN OF TYROSINE HYDROXYLASE IN THE NUCLEUS OF THE SOLITARY TRACT REDUCES ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE DURING CHRONIC INTERMITTENT HYPOXIA

Noradrenergic A2 neurons in nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) respond to stressors such as hypoxia. We hypothesize that tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) knockdown in NTS reduces cardiovascular responses to...
Hypermobility of the first tarsometatarsal joint.

Hypermobility of the first tarsometatarsal joint has been implicated as a cause of forefoot problems for more than 70 years [1,2]. Morton [1] described that abnormal weight transfer to the second metatarsal was due to hypermobility of the first ray; this resulted in lesser metatarsal pain and alteration in the normal balance of the foot. The combination of an abnormally short first metatarsal (Morton’s toe) and hypermobility of the first ray was believed to be a major source of foot dysfunction. Lapidus [2], in the 1930s, also recognized that the first tarsometatarsal joint was a source of pathology; he recommended fusion of this joint to address this problem. Courriades [3] was credited first with recognizing that hypermobility of the first ray was a distinct clinical entity. Over the past 15 to 20 years, clinical research has confirmed that hypermobility of the first tarsometatarsal joint is a source of painful bunion deformities [4–7].
Effect of cooking on residues of ormetoprim and sulfadimethoxine in the muscle of channel catfish

Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were fed Romet medicated feed at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg Romet per kg of fish daily for 5 d. To keep Romet concentration high enough for evaluation of cooking effects, fillets were sampled without the 3 d withdrawal period required by the US Food and Drug Administration. Concentrations of ormetoprim (OMP) and sulfadimethoxine (SDM), the antibiotics in Romet, were determined by a high-pressure liquid chromatography method in fillets before and after cooking. Fillets were cooked by one of four methods: smoked at 160–200 °C, baked at 190 °C, fried in canola oil at 190 °C, and injected with a mixture of 6% polyphosphate solution, frozen for 4 weeks, and then fried in vegetable oil at 190 °C. The average OMP concentrations in cooked tissue were 0.23, 0.66, and 1.22 μ/g dry basis (db) and SDM concentrations were 2.64, 2.73, and 3.74 μg/g db for fish dosed with Romet at levels of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, respectively. Cooking caused an average 54.0% reduction of OMP and 46.1% reduction of SDM from raw fillet of fish. Cooking significantly reduces both OMP and SDM residues in fillets and provides an additional margin of safety for consumers. Results for the four cooking methods were not statistically different.
Effects of IL-4 and Fcγ receptor II engagement on Egr-1 expression during stimulation of B lymphocytes by membrane immunoglobulin crosslinking

Egr-1 is an immediate early gene that is rapidly upregulated in response to mitogenic signals induced by antigen receptor crosslinking on murine B lymphocytes. It has been shown that levels of Egr-1 expression are closely correlated with B cell proliferation in several models of B cell activation and tolerance. We compared the expression of Egr-1 during B cell stimulation with Fab′2 and IgG anti-immunoglobulin (anti-IG), since it is known that Fab′2 anti-Ig is mitogenic while IgG anti-Ig is not, owing to a dominant inhibitory effect of crosslinking the B cell Fcγ RII to membrane Ig. While mitogenic doses of Fab′2 anti-Ig induce large and rapid increases in Egr-1 expression, IgG anti-Ig results in smaller increases in Egr-1 mRNA, comparable to that seen with submitogenic concentrations of Fab′2 anti-Ig. However, the correlation between Egr-1 expression and B cell proliferation breaks down when IL-4 is added as a co-mitogen to induce B cell proliferation with IgG anti-Ig or submitogenic concentrations of Fab′2 anti-Ig. No corresponding increases in Egr-1 mRNA levels are observed when IL-4 is added. Therefore, IL-4 overcomes Fc receptor-mediated inhibition of B cell proliferation without affecting inhibition of Egr-1 mRNA induction, as demonstrated earlier for c-myc mRNA in this system.
Phosphorylation Coupled with the Reduction of Cytochrome C by α-Ketoglutarate in Heart Muscle Granules

Phosphorylation Coupled with the Reduction of Cytochrome C by α-Ketoglutarate in Heart Muscle Granules
Medical Abortion: Use of Mifepristone and Misoprostol in First and Second Trimesters of Pregnancy

Medical abortion in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy offers women a safe and effective alternative to surgical termination. The World Health Organization supports a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol as the optimal regimen in both the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, but doses, routes, and timing of administration vary with gestational age. Most methods of contraception can be initiated at the time of medical abortion in women wishing to delay fertility, with the exception of the intrauterine device, which can be initiated as soon as a woman is no longer pregnant.
Multivisceral Resection Does Not Affect Morbidity and Survival After Cytoreductive Surgery and Chemoperfusion for Carcinomatosis from Colorectal Cancer

Carcinomatosis of colorectal origin is increasingly treated by cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CS-HIPEC). This procedure commonly involves multivisceral resection (MVR) with potentially high morbidity. We analyzed the effect of MVR on the outcome after CS-HIPEC. All patients with colorectal carcinomatosis operated between June 2001 and June 2007 were included. MVR was defined as resection of two or more organs (n = 35). Patients without any or with a single visceral resection formed a control group (n = 30). Sixty-five patients underwent 72 procedures. MVR was not strongly associated with the mortality, morbidity, reoperation, or readmission. Morbidity, but not mortality, was more common in patients requiring bowel anastomosis (36 of 51 vs. 7 of 21, P = .003). Median survival from the diagnosis of carcinomatosis was not significantly different between the MVR and controls (32.8 months vs. 20.0 months, P = .787). Similarly, the median survival from the time of cytoreduction was not significantly different (20.2 vs. 14.3 months; P = .436). Independent predictors of survival in the Cox regression model were presence of residual disease >5 mm (hazard ratio = 4.5, P = .048), evidence of carcinomatosis on preoperative computed tomographic scan (6.1, P = .008), and initial diagnosis of cancer as systemic (2.6, P = .049). MVR had no statistically significant effect on survival (.441, P = .133). Increased risk of complications is associated with the number of intestinal anastomoses, but not with multivisceral resection in CS-HIPEC. Long-term survival is not affected by the number of resected organs.
Making broadband-ISDN successful

It is argued that the technology needed to support the emerging broadband integrated services digital network technology (B-ISDN) is on the horizon, but the deployment of this technology in the telecommunication plant will not be sufficient to make B-ISDN a commercial success. Two corequisites for ensuring the long-term success of the emerging B-ISDN include stimulating the demand for bandwidth by inventing and promoting new telecommunication applications, and enabling the interconnection or convergence of the emerging high-speed network and the existing cable television infrastructure. The author believes that this is necessary because no alternative seems to offer a workable base for financing the transition to B-ISDN and for reaching the needed economy of scale, and because the intrinsic value of the public network grows combinatorially with the number of subscribers. >
Osmotic Effects on the Polyamine Pathway of Neurospora crassa

In bacteria, mammals, and certain plants, the induction of the polyamine synthetic enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), and the accumulation of its product, putrescine, follows osmotic manipulations of cells. In at least some of these cases, this response is indispensable for survival. We wished to determine whether the polyamine pathway of Neurospora crassa was regulated in response to hyper- or hypoosmotic conditions. Unlike ODC of most other classes of organisms, the N. crassa enzyme and the accumulation of putrescine appears to be relatively indifferent to these conditions, either during sudden transitions or in steady-state. We conclude that other mechanisms of osmotic adjustment or tolerance have evolved in N. crassa and perhaps other fungi that obviate the need for putrescine accumulation.
Effect of duration of depolarisation on contraction of normal and hypertrophied feline ventricular myocytes

Objective: The aim was to test the hypothesis that the prolongation of action potential duration in hypertrophied feline myocytes causes the contractions to be of long duration. Methods: Left ventricular hypertrophy was induced by slow progressive pressure overload after banding the ascending aorta of young cats. Single myocytes were en/.ymatically dissociated for whole cell patch clamp studies. Cell shortenings were induced by stimulated action potentials (in current clamp mode) and by step depolarisations using voltage clamp to control the duration of depolarisation. Results: Action potential duration measured at 50% repolarisation (0.5 Hz) was significantly longer in hypertrophied myocytes, at 688(SEM 43) ms, n = 25, v 396(17) ms, n = 22, in control myocytes (p<0.01). The associated contractions in hypertrophied myocytes had significantly longer durations measured at 50% relengthening (hypertrophied myocytes 609(54) ms, control myocytes 406(13) ms]. The absolute magnitude of shortening normalised to percent diastolic cell length was also significantly reduced in hypertrophied myocytes [7.8(0.8)% diastolic cell length] compared to control myocytes [12.2(0.6)% diastolic cell length] and the duration of contraction time to 50% relengthening was prolonged [406(13) ms v 609(54) ms]. When the duration of depolarisation was controlled with voltage clamp techniques, steady state contractions at +10 mV increased in magnitude in both control and hypertrophied myocytes as the duration of depolarization was lengthened. At all durations tested (100-1000 ms), contractions were significantly longer in duration in hypertrophied myocytes. Changing the duration of depolarisation had no significant effect on the duration of contraction in control myocytes. In hypertrophied myocytes, however, prolongation of depolarisation (500-1000 ms) significantly prolonged the contraction. Steady state contractions initiated from -70 mV (sodium current activated) were larger in both control and hypertrophied myocytes than contractions elicited from –40 mV (sodium current inactivated), and the effect of depolarisation duration on contractile duration was the same. Conclusions: Changes in sarcolemmal properties which produce a lengthening of the action potential duration in hypertrophy are not primarily responsible for the prolongation of contractile duration. However, there is a portion of contraction which becomes sensitive to the duration of depolarisation in hypertrophied myocytes. Cardiovascular Research 1994; 28 :1482-1489
Natural Convection With Radiation in a Cavity With Open Top End

The heat transfer by natural convection and radiation in a two-dimensional cavity with one side heated, one side and bottom insulated, and the top open was investigated numerically. The first part of the study focused on natural convection alone, and concluded with closed-form correlations for the heat transfer from each of the side walls. It was found that the fluid rises along both side walls in the boundary layer regime. In the second part of the study, the natural convection correlations were incorporated into a seven-equation model for combined convection and radiation. The procedure needed for calculating the floating temperature of the insulated wall was illustrated numerically. The individual effects of the dimensions of the cavity, the temperature of the heated wall, and the emissivities of the two side walls were also documented numerically.
Lesser Peachtree Borers: Response of Males to Wing and Carton Traps Baited with One or Five Virgin Females

Traps baited with 5 virgin ♀ Synanthedon pictipes (Grote and Robinson) recovered 28.3% released ♂ (80% of those caught); traps baited with 1 ♀ caught 7.1% released ♂ (20% of those caught). Each female in either case was equally attractive, attracting 20% of the recorded catch. Traps made with a hardboard base that supported 2 hardware-cloth wings, and covered with a hardboard roof, captured 1.8 times more ♂ moths than 1-gal carton traps, when each was baited with 5 ♀/trap.
Multiple fatigue crack growth in pre-corroded 2024-T3 aluminum

Previous studies of fatigue crack growth in corroded aluminum have revealed that multiple crack-nucleating corrosion features often lead to the failure of individual test specimens. In the present work, this phenomenon was explored by performing quantitative fractography on forty 2024-T3 sheet aluminum fatigue specimens. Slightly over half of the specimens were found to have two or more crack-nucleating pits. The number of nucleating pits per specimen was found to be positively correlated with stress level, and an interactive effect with corrosion exposure duration was observed. A fracture mechanics-based model was developed to simulate the observed multiple crack growth process. Flaw interaction effects were investigated and the importance of modeling multiple crack growth at high stress levels was seen.
Analysis of photoenzymatic repair of UV lesions in DNA by single light flashes VI. Rate constants for enzyme-substrate binding in vitro between yeast photoreactivating enzyme and ultraviolet lesions in Haemophilus transforming DNA

Rate constants k 1 for formation, and k 2 for dissociation of the enzyme-substrate complexes of yeast photoreactivating enzyme and ultraviolet lesions in Haempphilus influenzae transforming DNA, have been measured as functions of temperature, pH and ionic strength in vitro . The measurements employed intense light flashes which cause repair of essentially all lesions complexed, to determine the number of complexes existing at any moment. Absolute concentrations of substrate were referred to the known numbers of pyrimidine dimers in irradiated DNA, while enzyme concentrations were determined by titration against substrate in a concentration range where the binding was essentially complete. The results reported permit a choice of optimum conditions for photoreactivation under various conditions of illumination. UV lesions are heterogeneous with respect to both formation and dissociation of complexes, and the values determined for the constants are weighted averages. The two rate constants depend on temperature as described by the Arrhenius expression with activation energies of about 9.3 and 5.5 kcal·mole −1 , respectively. This particular difference between the two activation energies indicates that the binding energy in the complex is small. Both constants increase with pH over the range 6.0–7.7, but their ratio, which governs the equilibrium complexing in the dark, is higher at the lower pH. k 1 depends critically on the salt concentration, the position of the sharp maximum varying with the particular ions present, while k 2 increases generally with salt concentration over the range studied. Simple empirical expressions have been found which quantitatively describe the behavior of both constants as a function of ionic strength.
Vascular injury during tension-free vaginal tape procedure for stress urinary incontinence.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Tension-free vaginal tape procedure is a popular surgical treatment of genuine stress urinary incontinence. CASES: Two cases of retropubic hematoma after tension-free vaginal tape procedure are reported. One woman with an 8 × 10 cm hematoma localized to the retropubic space required transfusion of two units of packed red blood cells for symptomatic relief. Neither case required reoperation, and both patients’ hematomas resolved over 6 months without treatment. Both patients were continent 9–12 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Although the tension-free vaginal tape procedure is a minimally invasive operation for stress urinary incontinence and appears to be effective, significant vascular complications can result.
Therapeutic targeting of Myc-reprogrammed cancer cell metabolism

Studies from many laboratories document that the MYC oncogene produces a pleiotropic transcription factor, Myc, which influences genes driven by all three RNA polymerases to orchestrate nutrient import with biomass accumulation for cell division. Myc has been shown to activate genes involved in glycolysis, glutaminolysis, and mitochondrial biogenesis to provide ATP and anabolic substrates for cell mass accumulation. Myc stimulates ribosome biogenesis and orchestrates the energetic demand for biomass accumulation through its regulation of glucose and glutamine import and metabolism. When normal cells are deprived of nutrients, endogenous MYC expression diminishes and cells withdraw from the cell cycle. However, ectopic MYC-driven cancer cells are locked in a state of deregulated biomass accumulation, which renders them addicted to glucose and glutamine. This addictive state can be exploited for cancer therapy, because nutrient deprivation kills Myc-driven cells and inhibition of the Myc targets, lactate dehydrogenase A or glutaminase, diminishes tumor xenograft growth in vivo.
Courtship-feeding, Egg-size and Breeding Success in Common Terns

FEEDING of female birds by their mates is generally known as “courtship-feeding” because it is thought to play a role in establishing and maintaining a pair-bond1–3. Its nutritional importance to the female at the time when she is forming eggs has been pointed out4–8, but no direct evidence for this function has been given.
A phase I study of panobinostat (LBH589) in patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and post‐polycythaemia vera/essential thrombocythaemia myelofibrosis (post‐PV/ET MF)

Panobinostat (LBH589), a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), was evaluated in a phase I study of patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and post-essential thrombocythaemia/polycythaemia vera-related myelofibrosis (Post-ET/PV MF). Eighteen patients (PMF 56%; Post-PV MF 28%; Post-ET MF 17%) were treated in three cohorts at oral doses of (i) 20, (ii) 30, and (iii) 25 mg three times weekly consecutively. Reversible thrombocytopenia was the dose-limiting toxicity. Five patients (two in Dose Cohort 1, one in Dose Cohort 2 and two in Dose Cohort 3) received six or more cycles and were evaluable for response assessment. After the sixth cycle, three of these five patients achieved clinical improvement (CI) with 100% reduction in palpable splenomegaly from baseline, and two patients experienced stable disease. Panobinostat therapy was also associated with improvement in the degree of anaemia in two of the five patients. Of the three patients who achieved CI after six cycles, one patient achieved a near complete remission after 15 cycles of treatment and another patient had resolution of marrow fibrosis after 16 cycles. We conclude that panobinostat is a well-tolerated, clinically active treatment for MF patients, regardless of JAK2 V617F status, and most effective when given at low doses over long periods of time.
Improved target detection using polarization-enhanced fringe-adjusted joint-transform correlation

We introduce novel optoelectronic target detection technique using polarization enhancement. Images correspond to elements of Stokes vector imagery are introduced as input scenes to the fringe-adjusted joint-transform correlator. Our results show excellent improvement in performance parameters. Both computer simulation and experimental results are presented in support of the proposed technique.
Risk of rheumatoid arthritis following vaccination with tetanus, influenza and hepatitis B vaccines among persons 15-59 years of age.

Abstract Background Associations between vaccinations, particularly hepatitis B, and onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been reported, but examined in few large-scale studies. Method Onset of RA cases and dates of vaccination against hepatitis B, tetanus, and influenza were identified in a retrospective chart review of approximately 1 million Kaiser Permanente Northern California members ages 15–59 years from 1997 through 1999. In a cohort analysis, rates of new-onset RA were compared between vaccinated and unvaccinated within 90, 180, and 365 days. In a case-control analysis, rates of vaccination during exposure intervals (90, 180, 365, and 730 days) were compared between cases and controls using conditional logistic regression. Results 378 RA cases were included in the cohort analysis; 37 additional cases were included in the case-control analysis. In the cohort analysis the relative risks of RA onset within 90, 180, or 365 days of hepatitis B vaccination were not significant (R.R. = 1.44, p = 0.53; R.R. = 1.67, p = 0.22; R.R. = 1.23, p = 0.59 respectively). We found a possible association between RA and influenza vaccine in the previous 180 and 365 days in the cohort analysis (R.R = 1.36, p = 0.03; R.R. = 1.34, p = 0.01 respectively), but in the case-control analysis, cases were no more likely than controls to have received any of the three vaccines. Conclusions In this large retrospective study we found no statistically significant association between exposure to hepatitis B vaccine and onset of RA. A possible association between RA and influenza vaccination in the cohort study was not borne out in the larger case-control analysis.
Heat shock and the activation of AP-1 and inhibition of NF-κB DNA-binding activity: possible role of intracellular redox status

The early response genes comprising the AP-1 and NF-κB transcription factors are induced by environmental stress and thought to modulate responses to injury processes through the induction of target genes. Exposure to heat and ionizing radiation (IR) has been shown to affect signalling machinery involved in AP-1 and NF-κB activation. Furthermore, regulation of the signalling pathways leading to the activation of these transcription factors has been linked to changes in intracellular oxidation/reduction (redox) reactions. The hypothesis is proposed that exposure to thermal stress and/or IR might alter metabolic processes impacting upon cellular redox state and thereby modify the activity of redox-sensitive transcription factors such as AP-1 and NF-κB. Gel electromobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated that heat shock-induced AP-1 DNA-binding activity but inhibited IR-induced activation of NF-κB. A time course showed that activation of the AP-1 complex occurs between 4 and 5 h following thermal stress, an...
Financial Impact of E-Business Initiatives in the Retail Industry

Electronic business (EB) on the Internet has been promoted as a revolutionary technology that will transform â€œthe way we do business.â€ This paper presents the results of an exploratory study, which compares the financial performance (FP) of 73 publicly held U.S. corporations from the retail industry over a ten-year period. The study analyzes the financial statements of these companies to determine whether EB initiative have had an impact on their financial performance. The results indicate that companies with EB initiatives experienced improved performance in the post-EB era, though not overwhelmingly or across the board. In order to reassure that the observed improvement was not a result of the favorable economic climate of the late 1990s, the 36 companies with EB initiatives were compared against 37 companies with no EB initiatives (nEB) during the same time period. This comparative analysis of 730 sample data points indicates that the EB companies did perform better in some areas than their nEB counter part, albeit marginally.
Space Charge De-Bunching in Charged-Particle Beams

One of the factors influencing the properties of a pulsed beam is the growth of the charge bunches due to space charge forces. The growth along the direction of motion of the bunch degrades the time-structure of the pulsed beam and the growth transverse to the direction of motion de-focuses the beam. Although the space charge effect is only important at high current densities, it must be considered a limiting factor in any pulsed beam system. A general method of obtaining the field in the bunch to second order in v/c was developed. From this the motion of charges in the bunch was obtained by numerical integration for the case of a Gaussian distribution of space charge under the assumption that the charge distribution remains Gaussian. Solutions are presented in a dimensionless, graphical form which can easily be scaled for a particular problem.
Smith-Purcell radiation from a charge moving above a finite-length grating

Smith-Purcell radiation (SPR), generated by an electron beam traveling above a grating, is characterized by a broad range of frequencies. The radiated wavelength depends on the angle of observation according to the SPR resonance relationship and the bandwidth is inversely proportional to the number of the grating grooves. A rigorous theoretical model of SPR from a three-dimensional bunch of relativistic electrons passing above a grating of finite length is presented by an electric-field integral equation method. The finite-length grating results are compared with the case of an infinitely long grating assumption in which periodic boundary conditions are rigorously applied and with a model based on the image-charge approximation. The SPR resonance relationship is the same in all three formalisms. Significant errors in the strength of the radiated energy are introduced by the two approximations. In particular, for gratings with less than $\ensuremath{\sim}20$ periods, the image-charge approximation and the infinitely long grating assumption result in an order of magnitude too high and too low radiated energy per groove, respectively, in the plane transverse to the grating groove lines. Numerical examples are calculated for an $\ensuremath{\sim}18\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MeV}$ bunch traveling above different finite-length gratings with a period of 2.5 mm.
Intimate partner violence and death among infants and children in India.

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to test the association between maternal intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and child death. METHODS: Information was collected regarding 39096 children RESULTS: Maternal experience of physical IPV was associated with increased mortality rates among all children (risk ratio [RR]: 1.21 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13–1.30]), infants (RR: 1.24 [95% CI: 1.01–1.53]), and older children (RR: 1.25 [95% CI: 1.00–1.56]). Sexual and psychological IPV were less strongly associated with child death. The associations between maternal IPV and death did not differ according to the child9s gender. CONCLUSION: The robust association between exposure to household IPV and infant and child death could be attributable to the mother9s inability to care for her child, psychological stress associated with witnessing violence, and the use of maternal violence victimization as a proxy for child violence victimization.
Bagasse-Fiber-Reinforced Composites

This paper describes the evaluation of five water soluble phenolic resins as binders, at 5 percent concentration, for oriented and random bagasse-reinforced composite materials. De termined was the amount of resin retained during processing when these phenolics are precipitated from a water slurry onto the bagasse fibers. The physical properties of random and orien ted cured composites (wet and dry) were determined. Random fiber composites were also prepared by a "moist" process (in which no resin is lost) and compared. A specific resin was se lected as best based on retained mechanical properties and mini mal phenolic processing losses.
Octahedral Chromium(III) Complexes Supported by Bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amines: Ligand Influence on Coordination Geometry and Ethylene Polymerization Activity

This report describes the synthesis, structural characterization, and polymerization behavior of a series of chromium(III) complexes supported by bis(2-pyridylmethyl)alkylamine (BPA) ligands. The compounds are prepared in high yield by room-temperature reaction of the appropriate BPA ligand with CrCl3(THF)3. X-ray crystallographic studies reveal that the complexes' coordination geometries depend on the substituent at the 6-position of the pyridine ring. Unsubstituted ligands yield fac-{N-propyl-N,N-di(2-pyridylmethyl)amine}CrCl3 (6A) and fac-{N-hexyl-N,N-di(2-pyridylmethyl)amine}CrCl3(6B), whereas 6-methyl-substituted ligands produce mer-{N-propyl-N,N-di(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine}CrCl3(6C) and mer-{N-hexyl-N,N-di(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine}CrCl3 (6D). Moreover, ethylene polymerization studies indicate that, upon activation by methylalumoxane, the fac derivatives are 30−40 times more active than their mer counterparts.
Purification and characterization of recombinant histidine-tagged human platelet 12-lipoxygenase expressed in a baculovirus/insect cell system.

A baculoviral expression vector consisting of a sequence encoding a six-histidine tag apposed to the human platelet 12-lipoxygenase cDNA, under control of the polyhedrin promoter, was constructed. Recombinant 12-lipoxygenase baculoviruses were used to infect Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells (Sf9). At 54 h post-infection, maximal 12-lipoxygenase activity and protein levels were achieved; the enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity in a single step by nickel-ion-chelation chromatography in which the (His)6-tagged 12-lipoxygenase was eluted with 100 mM imidazole. The purified enzyme metabolized arachidonic acid almost exclusively to 12-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid with little, if any, epoxyalcohol or reduction products and had a Vmax of 2–4 μmol min−1 mg protein−1, Km of 10 μM and kcat of ∼250 min−1. Linoleic acid, on the other hand, was converted to (13S)-13-hydroperoxy-octadecadienoic acid at a rate which was about 2% of that obtained with arachidonic acid as substrate, but displayed the same Km. The enzyme was most active between pH 7.5–8 and activity was stimulated significantly in the presence of 0.006% Tween-20. A polyclonal antibody to the recombinant enzyme was generated and found to recognize a single 75-kDa band in platelets, human erythroleukemia cells and 12-lipoxygenase baculoviral-infected Sf9 cells by immunoblot and immunoprecipitation methods. 12-Lipoxygenase protein represented 0.1% of the total soluble protein in platelet preparations. In immunofluorescence experiments 12-lipoxygenase was observed in the cytoplasm of infected insect cells and in the human megakaryoblastic DAMI cell line. The isolation of large quantities of pure human platelet 12-lipoxygenase should facilitate detailed biochemical structure/function studies.