cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of cecal gene expression in a differentially susceptible mouse model of bacterial-induced inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: A/JCr mice develop typhlitis in response to Helicobacter hepaticus infection, whereas C57BL/6 mice coexist with this bacterium in a “commensal” relationship and do not develop disease even during prolonged colonization. Methods: To determine mechanisms that control this balance between responsiveness and nonresponsiveness, the mucosal response of A/JCr and C57BL/6 mice to acute H. hepaticus colonization was evaluated using genome-wide profiling. Transcription levels for a subset of gene discoveries were then evaluated longitudinally by semiquantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to identify changes in gene expression that occur during progression from the acute to chronic phase of colonization. To determine whether chronic mucosal inflammation in A/JCr mice was mediated through a Th1 mechanism, as was inferred from the gene expression data, mice with typhlitis were treated with neutralizing antibody targeting IL-12/23p40 or IFN-gamma and the response to treatment was determined by cecal lesion severity and transcription of disease-related genes. Results: A/JCr mice had a biphasic expression of proinflammatory genes that corresponded with the acute and chronic phases of disease. In contrast, C57BL/6 mice exhibited a less robust acute transcriptional response that waned by day 30 postinoculation. Sustained upregulation of proinflammatory signals and responsiveness to anti-IL-12/23p40 and anti-IFN-γ antibody suggests that inflammation in A/JCr mice was mediated through a Th1 mechanism. Prolonged upregulation of SOCS3 during the acute response to colonization suggests that C57BL/6 mice maintain mucosal homeostasis, at least in part by attenuating responsiveness to cytokine signaling. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings provide a foundation for understanding the immunological mechanisms that confer resistance or susceptibility to H. hepaticus-induced typhlitis. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2007)
Effects of kinship, age, and sex on social preferences in rats measured in an operant response situation

Latane and his co-workers have reported that several static stimulus variables do not affect social attraction between laboratory rats tested in an open-field apparatus. These variables include absence of fur, color of fur, perfumed fur, and sex of subject. Experiments are reported here that suggest that static stimulus variables related to kinship, age, and sex of companion exert a significant influence on social attraction and social exploration measured in an operant response situation. Social operant behavior varied as a function of stimulus factors in several situations: littermates paired with other littermates vs. strangers, dams exposed to young offspring vs. young strangers, dams exposed to young offspring vs. adult offspring, and adult rats exposed to their dams or to strange females.
The decision to 'bid for business': Municipal behavior in granting property tax abatements

Abstract We investigate the timing of local economic development incentive offers by estimating duration models of the time to adoption of the first manufacturing property tax abatement offered by a municipal government. The effects of municipal characteristics, incentive prevalence measures, and fiscal stress indicators on the duration of non-abatement regimes are investigated using data for 112 municipalities in metropolitan Detroit during 1974–1992. Median household income and the local property tax price of local public services are found to affect the hazard rates. Most importantly, there is evidence of positive duration dependence, or an emulation effect, with first-time abatement offers.
Defective de novo methylation of viral and cellular DNA sequences in ICF syndrome cells

ICF syndrome (immunodeficiency, centromere instability and facial anomalies) is a recessive human genetic disorder resulting from mutations in the DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) gene. Patients with this disease exhibit numerous chromosomal abnormalities, including anomalous decondensation, pairing, separation and breakage, primarily involving the pericentromeric regions of chromosomes 1 and 16. Global levels of DNA methylation in ICF cells are only slightly reduced; however, certain repetitive sequences and genes on the inactive X chromosome of female ICF patients are significantly hypomethylated. In the present report, we analyze the molecular defect of de novo methylation in ICF cells in greater detail by making use of a model Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-based system and three members of the unique cellular cancer-testis (C-T) gene family. Results with the EBV-based system indicate that de novo methylation of newly introduced viral sequences is defective in ICF syndrome. Limited de novo methylation capacity is retained in ICF cells, indicating that the mutations in DNMT3B are not complete loss-of-function mutations or that other DNMTs cooperate with DNMT3B. Analysis of three C-T genes (two on the X chromosome and one autosomal) revealed that loss of methylation from cellular gene sequences is heterogeneous, with both autosomal and X chromosome-based genes demonstrating sensitivity to mutations in DNMT3B. Aberrant hypomethylation at a number of loci examined correlated with altered gene expression levels. Lastly, no consistent changes in the protein levels of the DNA methyltransferases were noted when normal and ICF cell lines were compared.
Reaction of the trityl cation with dimethylketene dimethylacetal

Abstract : The reaction of trityl bromide with dimethylketene dimethylacetal yields a quinoidal ester derivative, resulting from reaction of the trityl cation at a para position. Treatment of this ester with methanolic sodium methoxide converts it to an aromatized isomer. The formation of the quinoidal ester makes it clear that the trityl ion reacts at a para position with dimethylketene acetal as a relatively highly hindered nucleophile to give a quinoidal cation which then leads to the quinoidal ester. The results emphasize the possibility of reactions of the trityl cation with nucleophiles at a benzene ring position, giving rise to new final products or possible transient intermediates with the nucleophile at a ring position instead of the central carbon atom. (Extracted)
Evaluating wetlands within an urban context

Coastal regions are among the most rapidly urbanizing places on earth. The numerous effects of urbanization on hydrology, geomorphology, and ecology make wetlands in urban regions likely to function differently from wetlands in non-urban lands. Furthermore, wetlands in urban regions may take on human-related values that they lack in non-urban areas, as they provide some contact with nature, and some opportunities for recrea-tions that are otherwise rare in the urban landscape. Evaluations of the success of restorations in urban regions require that criteria first determine the kinds and intensities of urban influence on the site, and then secondly assess functional performance. The development of success criteria, at both levels of assessment, depends on the proper definition of a reference domain (the set of wetlands to which success criteria will apply), and the documentation of a set of reference sites within the domain; both must be based within the urban context appropriate for the region of interest. An example is presented from a study of urban wetlands in New Jersey of a procedure for establishing the reference domain, the reference set of wetlands, and criteria for the assessment of urban influence.
Boussinesq modeling of a rip current system

In this study, we use a time domain numerical model based on the fully nonlinear extended Boussinesq equations [Wei et al., 1995] to investigate surface wave transformation and breaking-induced nearshore circulation. The energy dissipation due to wave breaking is modeled by introducing an eddy viscosity term into the momentum equations, with the viscosity strongly localized on the front face of the breaking waves. Wave run-up on the beach is simulated using a moving shoreline technique. We employ quasi fourth-order finite difference schemes to solve the governing equations. Satisfactory agreement is found between the numerical results and the laboratory measurements of Haller et al. [1997], including wave height, mean water level, and longshore and cross-shore velocity components. The model results reveal the temporal and spatial variability of the wave-induced nearshore circulation, and the instability of the rip current in agreement with the physical experiment. Insights into the vorticity associated with the rip current and wave diffraction by underlying vortices are obtained.
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) is a strong heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) client: implications for therapeutic manipulation

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) is a key regulator of growth and differentiation, whose aberrant activation causes a number of genetic diseases including achondroplasia and cancer. Hsp90 is a specialized molecular chaperone involved in stabilizing a select set of proteins termed clients. Here, we delineate the relationship of Hsp90 and co-chaperone Cdc37 with FGFR3 and the FGFR family. FGFR3 strongly associates with these chaperone complexes and depends on them for stability and function. Inhibition of Hsp90 function using the geldanamycin analog 17-AAG induces the ubiquitination and degradation of FGFR3 and reduces the signaling capacity of FGFR3. Other FGFRs weakly interact with these chaperones and are differentially influenced by Hsp90 inhibition. The Hsp90-related ubiquitin ligase CHIP is able to interact and destabilize FGFR3. Our results establish FGFR3 as a strong Hsp90 client and suggest that modulating Hsp90 chaperone complexes may beneficially influence the stability and function of FGFR3 in disease.
Duration of premeiotic deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and the stages of prophase I in rabbit oocytes.

To estimate the duration of oocyte DNA synthesis 36, 3-day-old female rabbits received 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, or 18 injections of tritiated thymidine (thy-3H) at hourly intervals. The ovaries, removed at 1, 10, or 20 days after the first injection, were radioautographed. Counts made of the number of silver grains associated with oocyte nuclei in meiotic Prophase I indicate that the duration of DNA synthesis is between 9 and 12 hr. To determine the length of the stages of meiotic Prophase I, a group of 2-3-day-old rabbits was given a single sub-cutaneous injection of thy-3H, and the ovaries were removed at hourly and/or daily intervals after treatment. The minimum duration of leptotene was 3 hr and the maximum duration probably was less than 8 hr. The maximum durations of zygotene, pachytene, and diplotene were estimated to be 44, 216, and 96 hr, respectively. The interval from the end of oogonial DNA synthesis to the beginning ofpremeiotic DNA synthesis (G2 + Mitosis + G1) appeared to be less than 6 hr.
Timing and duration of incarceration and high-risk sexual partnerships among African Americans in North Carolina.

Purpose—Incarceration may contribute to HIV transmission by disrupting stable partnerships and promoting high-risk partnerships. We investigated incarceration and high-risk partnerships among African Americans in North Carolina (NC). Methods—We conducted a weighted analysis using the NC Rural Health Project (N=320), a population-based case-control study of HIV among African Americans. We measured associations between timing and duration of incarceration and high-risk partnerships (multiple partnerships or sex trade for money or drugs). Results—Duration of incarceration appeared to be more important than how long ago incarceration occurred. After adjustment for socio-demographic indicators, high-risk partnerships were associated with short-term (<1 month) incarceration of the respondent versus no respondent incarceration (men: adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–2.8; women: aPR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.2–8.3). High-risk partnerships were also associated with incarceration of a partner versus no partner incarceration (men: aPR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.0; women: aPR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1–3.8). Among men, associations remained when adjusting for substance abuse. Among women, adjustment for substance abuse weakened estimates due to the strong correlation between substance abuse and incarceration. Conclusions—HIV prevention programs targeting currently- and formerly-incarcerated individuals and their partners may decrease HIV in African American communities with high incarceration rates.
Microsurgical and angiographic anatomy of middle cerebral artery aneurysms: prevalence and significance of early branch aneurysms.

Objective To determine the prevalence of early branch aneurysms, characterize these lesions angiographically and anatomically, and determine their clinical significance. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective review of 125 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm. Eighty-four patients harboring 100 MCA aneurysms were studied; 41 patients were excluded for lack of adequate imaging or for fusiform morphology of the aneurysm. Demographic characteristics including age, side, sex, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hematoma, multiple aneurysms, and type of treatment were obtained. Results The average patient age was 57.3 years (range, 29-79 yr); 69 were women and 15 were men. Fifty-eight were right MCA aneurysms and 42 were left aneurysms. Fourteen patients had multiple MCA aneurysms. Thirty-nine of 100 aneurysms were associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Twelve of 100 aneurysms were associated with an intracerebral hematoma. The average aneurysm sizes were 9.1 mm overall (range, 2.0-27.0 mm), 12.3 mm for ruptured aneurysms, and 7.5 mm for unruptured. There were 36 M1 bifurcation aneurysms, 39 early frontal branch aneurysms, 18 early temporal branch aneurysms, four lenticulostriate artery aneurysms, and three trifurcation aneurysms. Conclusion In our retrospective review, the majority of MCA aneurysms arose along the M1 segment proximal to the M1 bifurcation. Early frontal branch aneurysms were more common than typical M1 segment bifurcation aneurysms. M1 segment aneurysms arising from early frontal and early temporal branches have distinct anatomic features that impact surgical management and outcome. Understanding the relationship between the recurrent lenticulostriate arteries arising from the proximal segments of these early branches and the aneurysm neck should allow surgeons to avoid many postoperative ischemic complications when dealing with these challenging lesions.
Middle Holocene Hydrologic Change and Hypolimnion Formation in Lake Erie

Data from a nearshore sediment core and a deep-water sediment core from the central basin of Lake Erie reveal shifts in sediment properties and stable isotope composition of shell carbonate between ca. 4,600 and 3,500 14C yrs BP. Radiocarbon dates are corrected for the hardwater effect by subtracting 670 years based on a modern calibration for the central basin. Silt content increased in the deep water core at 4,600 and again, slightly, at 3,900 14C yrs BP. Sand size increased in the nearshore core at 3,500 14C yrs BP. δ18O of shell carbonate increased and δ13C decreased in both cores between about 4,200 and 3,500 14C years BP. Magnetic susceptibility and percent calcite decreased sharply and percent organic carbon increased slightly in the deep water core beginning at 4,000 14C yrs BP. Most of the changes in sediment properties and stable isotope composition of shell carbonate occurred between 4,200 and 3,900 14C yrs BP. They coincide in time with the Nipissing II highstand of Lake Nipissing, in the Huron and Michigan basins, and with evidence for higher-than-present lake levels in Lake Erie. The changes in proxy data are interpreted as evidence for an influx of surface water as drainage from the Upper Great Lakes was rerouted through Lake Erie. There is little evidence in the sediment proxy record for changes in Lake Erie during the earlier Nipissing I highstand or the middle Holocene transition in regional climate. A 9,000-year composite stable isotope record for the central basin shows that the sediment cores document a transformation in drainage that established the modern hydrologic system for the lake. High lake level induced a seasonal hypolimnion, setting the stage for the low pH, oxygen-depleted bottom waters of today.
Distinctive markings of sharks: Ethological considerations of visual function

Behavioral reports on free-ranging sharks or those held under semifield conditions almost invariably contain a section on social activities. The frequent inclusion of such information allows the cautious suggestion that most, if not all, sharks possess the means by which requisite information is transferred between individuals so that social functions can be achieved. Such transfer could be readily accomplished through the visual modality in conjunction with appropriate optical signals, the latter being specific motor patterns and/or specific body markings. Many sharks possess body markings that likely serve as effective camouflage, particularly among those animals dwelling on or near the bottom. Distinctive markings are found, however, also on fishes that inhabit open water (pelagic) regions and it is one group of these enigmatic markings, the distinctive, fin markings of sharks within the well-known families Carcharhinidae and Sphyrnidae that forms the subject of this report. This report summarizes various functions that such markings could subserve. It focuses, then, on the more probable functions in light of correlational data relating the intensity of such markings to certain water conditions. The report concludes by considering one of the most puzzling cases of fin markings, the large white tipped “paddles” of the oceanic whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus. Evidence suggests that such markings are, in fact, visual lures that aid in the capture of extremely rapid moving prey.
Tribological evaluation of oil pump relief valve coatings compatible with an aluminum oil pump body

Abstract Wear can cause automotive relief valves to jam. In order to evaluate and screen candidate coatings for oil pump relief valves for reduction of aluminum pump cylinder bore wear and wear-related sticking, a laboratory reciprocating wear test using production parts has been developed. The coatings on valves include impinged and physical vapor deposited (PVD)-coated molybdenum disulfides, electroplated nickel–phosphorous with polytetrafluoroethylene (Ni–PTFE), electroplated bronze, and electroplated nickel–phosphorous–boron nitride (Ni–P–BN). The test results showed that the electroplated bronze coating demonstrated the best wear resistance against 380 aluminum pump bores while Ni–PTFE ranked second, PVD-coated MoS 2 third, and Ni–P–BN ranked last. It was observed that the electroplated bronze coating showed only mild oxidative or abrasive wear after 20 h wear test. The Ni–P–BN coating gave the worst wear resistance due to severe abrasive wear, surface scoring, and coating abrasion during the wear test. The major wear mechanisms for valve bore/relief valve can be classified at different levels from mild wear (oxidative wear or surface delamination) to abrasive wear (scoring, scuffing, and ploughing). This paper also reviewed the rooted wear mechanisms of production pump relief valves against aluminum bores based on metallographic observations of worn surfaces after field tests. This tribological investigation of valve coatings has provided insights into the fundamental wear mechanisms which depend on the compatibility of two sliding materials, protective coating composition, hard particle content, and surface interaction. The information will be useful in preventing oil pump relief valves from jamming.
Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer

Abstract Men with metastatic prostate cancer treated with androgen ablation therapy respond rapidly and often dramatically, with improvement in bone pain, regression of soft tissue metastases, and decreases in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Unfortunately, few treatment options are available to men with advanced prostate cancer in whom disease progresses after hormonal therapy. The combination of mitoxantrone with a corticosteroid is effective palliative therapy for bone pain; however, it is not associated with an improvement in overall survival. Recent studies have focused on the proteins that regulate apoptosis as a target for the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Agents that inhibit microtubule-associated proteins, such as estramustine, and agents known to phosphorylate Bcl-2, such as the taxanes, demonstrate high activity in HRPC. Estramustine-based regimens are commonly used for the treatment of men with HRPC. Results of phases I and II clinical trials evaluating the taxanes as single agents and combined with estramustine have demonstrated significant activity in terms of response rate, decrease in PSA level, and improvement of bone pain. Moreover, although completion of phase III trials is awaited, survival data with estramustine-taxane combinations appear promising in phase II trials.
A technique for the study of acoustic scattering from microparticles

A technique for observing acoustic scattering from individual particles with volumes on the order of 100 μm3 is described. The apparatus consists of an array of focused acoustic transducers, a fluid jet to position the particles, and electronics incorporating quadrature detection. A maximum likelihood estimator is developed for the scattering amplitude that combines the data received from a series of pulses as a particle is carried through the focal zone of the transducers. A calibration method and performance of the apparatus are discussed.
Catalysts for NOX reduction using ammonia. Evaluations of new catalyst compositions and reactor configurations show that the economics of retrofitting can be very favorable

In the present work, two basically different catalyst compositions were studied. The first was a commercial catalyst, Harshaw V0301, approximately 10% vanadia supported on alumina; the second was a modified molecular-sieve catalyst prepared in our laboratories. The basic design employed for minimizing the pressure drop was that of a parallel-passage reactor, PPR, comprising a set of stainless-steel screens coated on both sides with catalyst particles and mounted in parallel on a steel-rod frame with spaces between them for passage of the gas flowing parallel to the screens. Of the three catalyst compositions tested, Harshaw V0301 was somewhat more active than the modified molecular sieve, MS I, but the improved modification, MS II, showed greater activity than the Harshaw catalyst. The NO/sub x/ conversion obtained with the modified molecular-sieve catalysts increases as reaction temperature increases, at least up to somewhere over 450/sup 0/ C. Preliminary design calculations and cost estimates for full-scale PPR units to control NO/sub x/ emissions from utility power plants indicate that this approach holds much promise for obtaining high NO/sub x/ conversions at high space velocities with low pressure drops, and also with attractively low capital investment and operating costs. 4 references, 8 figures, 1 table. (JMT)
An evaluation scheme of adaptive configuration techniques

In this paper, we present a set of metrics (scalability, adaptability, overhead, latency, complexity, and effectiveness) to evaluate dynamic configuration techniques. We have applied these metrics to two real systems: remote management system and dynamic security configuration of networked systems. The evaluation results show that our approach can efficiently and dynamically manage system resources and network security with little overhead.
Cholesterol-enriched diet disrupts the blood-testis barrier in rabbits

About 15% of heterosexual couples in the USA suffer from infertility issues; male infertility accounts for ∼50% of all infertility cases and roughly 50% of male infertility is idiopathic. Increased levels of plasma cholesterol affect spermatogenesis and male fertility negatively, but by unclear mechanisms. Clearly, spermatogenesis occurs in immune-privileged seminiferous tubules that are protected by the blood-testis barrier (BTB), and BTB disruption results in sperm damage and male infertility. Accordingly, using rabbits fed a 2% cholesterol-enriched diet for 2, 4, and 6 wk to raise levels of plasma cholesterol, we tested the hypothesis that elevated levels of plasma cholesterol disrupt the BTB functionally and biochemically. The cholesterol-enriched diet increased lipid deposition dramatically and time-dependently in the seminiferous tubules and disrupted the BTB as evidenced by increased IgG staining within the seminiferous tubules. Total protein levels of the tight-junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin were increased in the seminiferous tubules of rabbits fed the cholesterol-enriched diet, and the distribution patterns of tight-junction proteins were markedly affected, including an increased accumulation of tight-junction proteins in endosomes. Disruption of the integrity of the BTB due to increased plasma levels of cholesterol might play a role in male infertility.
Hypoplastic Right Ventricle in dHAND Mutants is the Result of Cytochrome C Mediated Apoptosis of Cardiomyocytes. |[bull]| 142

Hypoplastic right and left ventricles are among some of the most severe forms of congenital heart disease. It has been proposed that hypoplastic ventricles are the result of decreased growth stimulus secondary to diminished blood flow. We have previously reported that the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, dHAND, is specifically expressed in the segment of the heart tube fated to form the right ventricle. Targeted deletion of dHAND in mice resulted in a hypoplastic right ventricular chamber and other defects of the cardiac neural crest. We now propose a novel mechanism for dHAND's role in cardiac development. By intercrossing dHAND mutant mice with transgenic mice harboring a right ventricle-specific promoter (myosin light chain 2V) driving a lacZ reporter gene, we determined that a population of cardiomyocytes adopts a right ventriclular cell fate and differentiates appropriately. However, this population fails to expand during cardiac looping when the ventricular segments must increase in size. In vivo Brdu incorporation was normal in the mutant hearts indicating a normal proliferative rate. TUNEL assays revealed massive programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the segment of the heart tube fated to form the right ventricle well before any gross abnormalities or signs of heart failure in the mutants. Subtraction of mRNA pools between dHAND-null and wild-type embryonic hearts by representational difference analysis revealed that cytochrome c oxidase is down-regulated in dHAND-null hearts. In addition to its role in oxidative phosphorylation, release of cytochrome c from the mitochondrial membrane initiates the apoptotic pathway. Our data suggests a novel role for cytochrome c oxidase in preventing cytochrome c mediated apoptosis, possibly by retaining cytochrome c in the mitochondrial membrane. These data suggest that hypoplasia of an entire ventricle can occur with a single gene defect and is mediated by increased cell death of the hypoplastic chamber.
Development of miniature mass spectrometry systems for bioanalysis outside the conventional laboratories

Mass spectrometry (MS) is known for highly specific and sensitive analysis. The general applicability of this technique makes it a good candidate for biological applications over a much broader range than is now the case. The limiting factors preventing MS from being applied at the biologist's bench or in a physician's office are identified as the large size of the systems, as well as the complicated analytical procedures required. An approach for developing miniature MS analysis systems with simplified operational procedures is described and the associated technical developments are discussed.
Active Role of the Interdomain Linker of AraC

Mutations in the interdomain linker of the gene for the AraC regulatory protein of Escherichia coli that severely interfere with the protein's ability either to repress or to activate transcription have been found. These mutations have relatively small effects on the dimerization domain's ability to bind arabinose or to dimerize the protein or on the DNA-binding domain's affinity for a single DNA half-site. The linker mutations, however, dramatically change the affinity of AraC for binding to two direct-repeat DNA half-sites. Less dramatically, the induction-deficient linker variants also display altered DNA sequence selectivity. These results show that changing the sequence of the interdomain linker can profoundly affect the dimerization domain-DNA-binding domain interactions in AraC. The smaller effects on the functions of the individual domains could be the direct result of the linker alterations but more likely are the indirect result of the altered dimerization domain-DNA-binding domain interactions. In summary, the linker does not simply function as a passive and flexible connector between the domains of AraC but, instead, is more directly involved in the protein's dimerization domain-DNA-binding domain interactions.
Review Of Low Resolution Models For Atmospheric Transmission From The Millimeter Waves To The Ultraviolet Region

A review is presented of low resolution models for the calculation of slant path atmospheric transmission in the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet regions. It purports to summarize, for the benefit of readers who are optical designers or of users whose systems operate in the atmospheric envjronment, the fundamentals of atmospheric transmission and modeling. The discussion primarily revolves on the attenuation effects modeled in widely-adopted codes, such as LOWTRAN and EOSAEL.
Principles and Applications of Geochemistry, 2nd Edition

Many academic geology departments do not include geochemistry in their undergraduate core curriculums. The second edition of Principles and Applications of Geochemistry demonstrates why this should change. Gunter Faure's book clearly shows the important role played by quantitative geochemical analysis in our understanding of Earth processes, both natural and anthropogenic. Intended as an introductory inorganic geochemistry text for senior undergraduates or first-year graduate students, the book makes even the most difficult concepts readily understandable. Beyond its lucid technical explanations, it also includes engaging discussions of the history of geochemistry as a science.
The Higgs factorization of a geometric strong map

Abstract The Higgs factorization of a strong map between matroids on a fixed set is that factorization into elementary maps in which each matroid is the Higgs lift of its successor. This factorization is characterized by properties of the modular filters which induce the elementary maps of the factorizations in two different ways. It is also shown to be minimal in a natural order on factorizations arising from the weak-map partial order on matroids. The notion of essential nullity of flats of a matroid is introduced; this quantity is nonzero precisely for the cyclic flats, and is shown to be related to the minimal flats of the modular filters inducing the maps of the Higgs factorization.
The chemosensitizing and cytotoxic effects of RSU 1164 and RSU 1165 in a murine tumor model.

Abstract RSU 1069, the lead compound in a series of nitroimidazoles containing an alkylating aziridine function, has been shown to be a potent radiosensitizer and chemopotentiator both in vitro and in vivo . However, this agent also demonstrates significant in situ toxicity. Recently it has been shown that less toxic analogues of RSU 1069 can be produced by the introduction of alkyl substituents to moderate the reactivity of the aziridine function. The present investigations were undertaken to evaluate the in vivo cytotoxicity and chemosensitizing efficacy of two such analogues, RSU 1164 and RSU 1165. All experiments were performed with KHT sarcomas grown intra-muscularly. In the cytotoxicity studies, a range of sensitizer doses was utilized whereas in the chemopotentiation investigations a fixed sensitizer exposure was combined simultaneously with a range of doses of the nitrosourea CCNU. In both studies, tumor cell survival was determined 22–24 hr after treatment using a soft agar clonogenic assay. Normal tissue toxicity in the chemopotentiation studies was assessed by bone marrow CFU-S assay. Both analogues were found to be significantly :less cytotoxic to KHT sarcoma cells than RSU 1169 (a factor of 4–6 in dose at 50% cell survival). Combining a 1.0 to 2.0 mmol/kg dose of RSU 1164 or RSU 1165 with a range of doses of CCNU increased tumor cell killing by a factor of 1.5–1.6 but did not enhance bone marrow stem cell toxicity. The addition of either sensitizer to CCNU treatment therefore led to a significant therapeutic benefit.
Access to NMR Spectroscopy for Two-Year College Students: The NMR Site at Trinity University.

Students at two-year colleges and small four-year colleges have often obtained their exposure to NMR spectroscopy through “canned” spectra because the cost of an NMR spectrometer, particularly a high-field spectrometer, is prohibitive in these environments. This article describes the design of a NMR site at Trinity University in which spectral data from student samples from community colleges and several four-year colleges are obtained on a 300 MHz NMR spectrometer. The unprocessed free induction decay (FID) is distributed to the students via the Internet and then processed by the students at their local institutions. The success of the NMR site at one two-year college, Palo Alto College, is described along with details of the experiments chosen for analysis. Two other two-year colleges, San Antonio College and Northwest Vista College, provide additional information about the effectiveness of the site.
Drucker on effective public management

Management historians have devoted attention to writer Peter F. Drucker’s thoughts about directing businesses successfully but may have overlooked (or been unaware of) his appreciation of the inherent difficulties in managing public sector organizations effectively. He nevertheless wrote extensively about two highly important components of this sector: nonprofit organizations and the federal government. He was among the earliest observers to recognize the growing significance of nonprofits and the variety of obstacles to their more effective management. He also perceived categories of management problems unique to the ability of the federal government to be run well ‐ a set of external and internal limits. His observations reveal an underlying respect for the role of government and his desire to strengthen it by focussing its missions and priorities on what it must do and what it does best and identifying what it does poorly and should thus delegate to nonprofits and business.
The all ulnar motor hand without forearm anastomosis

Anomalous ulnar innervation of intrinsic hand muscles, inferred in a number of clinical series, has been documented only rarely in electrophysiological studies. Using near-nerve and standard conduction studies we evaluated 2 cases with nearly exclusive ulnar innervation of hand muscles. There was no evidence of anomalous communication in the forearm. Digital sensory fibers were normally distributed in median and ulnar nerves. The anomalous motor innervation most likely results from palmar communication between ulnar and median branches (Riche-Cannieu anastomoses). The normal distribution of digital afferents suggests that such anastomoses are formed primarily by motor axons.
The Solow model with CES technology: nonlinearities and parameter heterogeneity

This paper examines whether nonlinearities in the aggregate production function can explain parameter heterogeneity in the Solow growth regressions. Nonlinearities in the production technology are introduced by replacing the commonly used Cobb–Douglas (CD) aggregated production specification with the more general Constant-Elasticity-of-Substitution (CES) specification. We first justify our choice of production function by showing that cross-country regressions favour the CES over the CD technology. Then, by using an endogenous threshold methodology we show that the Solow model with CES technology is consistent with the existence of multiple regimes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The demonstration of SS-A/Ro antigen in human fetal tissues and in neonatal and adult skin.

Anti-SS-A/Ro antibodies have been statistically associated with congenital heart block and cutaneous lupus in the neonatal lupus syndrome, and with photosensitive cutaneous lupus in subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, but it had not been demonstrated that SS-A/Ro antigen is present in fetal tissues or at any age in human skin. We examined normal fetal tissues, normal neonatal and adult skin, and keratinocytes from purified serumfree cultures by immunofluorescence (IF) and by immunodiffusion or counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) to determine the presence of SS-A/Ro antigen. We found SS-A/Ro antigen to be present in fetal hearts and in other internal organs. SS-A/Ro antigen could be demonstrated in biopsies of neonatal and adult skin by IF and was confirmed to be in keratinocytes by CIE. SS-A/Ro antigen may be found on the surface of keratinocytes in culture and therefore may be present at a relevant site for antibody binding. We have shown that SS-A/Ro antigen is a normal component of tissues that may be affected in neonatal lupus (fetal myocardium, neonatal epidermis) and in subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (adult epidermis).
Application of a sparse representation method using K-SVD to data compression of experimental ambient vibration data for SHM

This paper introduces a data compression method using the K-SVD algorithm and its application to experimental ambient vibration data for structural health monitoring purposes. Because many damage diagnosis algorithms that use system identification require vibration measurements of multiple locations, it is necessary to transmit long threads of data. In wireless sensor networks for structural health monitoring, however, data transmission is often a major source of battery consumption. Therefore, reducing the amount of data to transmit can significantly lengthen the battery life and reduce maintenance cost. The K-SVD algorithm was originally developed in information theory for sparse signal representation. This algorithm creates an optimal over-complete set of bases, referred to as a dictionary, using singular value decomposition (SVD) and represents the data as sparse linear combinations of these bases using the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) algorithm. Since ambient vibration data are stationary, we can segment them and represent each segment sparsely. Then only the dictionary and the sparse vectors of the coefficients need to be transmitted wirelessly for restoration of the original data. We applied this method to ambient vibration data measured from a four-story steel moment resisting frame. The results show that the method can compress the data efficiently and restore the data with very little error.
Effects of clonidine on neuronal firing evoked by a noxious stimulus

When norepinephrine was applied microiontophoretically to certain neurons in the pontine reticular formation of rats, it produced an increase in neuronal firing like that produced by noxious stimulation. Previous studies have shown that both noxious stimulus- and norepinephrine-evoked increases in neuronal firing are mediated by alpha-adrenoceptors. These neurons were unresponsive to non-noxious stimuli, suggesting that they might play a role in nociception. Microiontophoretic or systemic administration of the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine significantly attenuated noxious stimulus-evoked firing, but had little effect on firing evoked by norepinephrine. This effect of clonidine could be prevented by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists piperoxan and yohimbine. These antagonists, when given alone, increased noxious stimulus-evoked firing, but had no effect on firing evoked by norepinephrine. In contrast, the selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist ARC-239 (2-(2,4-(o-methoxyphenyl)-piperazin-1-yl)ethyl-4,4-dimethyl-1,3-(2 H,4) isoquinolindione dihydrochloride) attenuated both noxious stimulus- and norepinephrine-evoked firing. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors modulate the release of norepinephrine. Furthermore, these data suggest that the pontine reticular formation is one site at which clonidine could act to produce analgesia.
Xenopus laevis oocytes infected with multi-drug-resistant bacteria: implications for electrical recordings.

The Xenopus laevis oocyte has been the workhorse for the investigation of ion transport proteins. These large cells have spawned a multitude of novel techniques that are unfathomable in mammalian cells, yet the fickleness of the oocyte has driven many researchers to use other membrane protein expression systems. Here, we show that some colonies of Xenopus laevis are infected with three multi-drug–resistant bacteria: Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Oocytes extracted from infected frogs quickly (3–4 d) develop multiple black foci on the animal pole, similar to microinjection scars, which render the extracted eggs useless for electrical recordings. Although multi-drug resistant, the bacteria were susceptible to amikacin and ciprofloxacin in growth assays. Supplementing the oocyte storage media with these two antibiotics prevented the appearance of the black foci and afforded oocytes suitable for whole-cell recordings. Given that P. fluorescens associated with X. laevis has become rapidly drug resistant, it is imperative that researchers store the extracted oocytes in the antibiotic cocktail and not treat the animals harboring the multi-drug–resistant bacteria.
Cryosurgical Ablation of the Prostate for Localized Adenocarcinoma: A Preliminary Experience

AbstractPurpose: Cryosurgical ablation of the prostate has recently become recognized as a therapeutic option in the treatment of localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate. To assess the efficacy of cryoablation in this disease process several centers have instituted treatment protocols.Materials and Methods: Our overall series includes 117 ultrasound guided percutaneous transperineal cryoablations performed on 104 patients with localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Followup consisted of digital rectal examinations and measurement of prostate specific antigen levels at 3-month intervals after cryosurgery. Additionally, prostate biopsies were obtained 3 to 6 months postoperatively.Results: Of 63 patients who underwent initial cryosurgery and followup biopsy 47 (75 percent) had negative findings. Of the 16 patients with positive biopsies 10 consented to undergo a second cryosurgical ablation, and 7 of these patients subsequently had negative followup biopsies. Therefore, our disease-free rate at 3 months...
Computed tomography of malpositioned thoracostomy drains : A pictorial essay

Chest drain placement is essential to the management of patients with abnormal thoracic collections of air or fluid. Frequently, in these critically ill patients, drain position can only be assessed by portable frontal radiographs. However, evaluation by axial chest CT in some cases reveals unexpected malplacement that may prompt repositioning to reduce morbidity and improve drain function.
Air shower simulations in a hybrid approach using cascade equations

A new hybrid approach to air shower simulations is described. At highest energies, each particle is followed individually using the traditional Monte Carlo method; this initializes a system of cascade equations which are applicable for energies such that the shower is one dimensional. The cascade equations are solved numerically down to energies at which lateral spreading becomes significant; then, their output serves as a source function for a three-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation of the final stage of the shower. This simulation procedure reproduces the natural fluctuations in the initial stages of the shower, gives accurate lateral distribution functions, and provides detailed information about all low energy particles on an event-by-event basis. It is quite efficient in computation time.
Influence of the Synoptic-Scale Flow on Sea Breezes Observed during CaPE

Abstract Mean sea-breeze characteristics were determined by analyzing a number of sea-breeze events during offshore, parallel, and onshore flow regimes during the Convection and Precipitation/Electrification Experiment (CaPE). It was observed that offshore flow cases exhibited the widest, and relatively strongest, radar-detected thin lines. The thin-line reflectivity values steadily increased during the day. In contrast, a thin line was detected only during late afternoon on parallel flow days while no easily identifiable thin line was observed during onshore flow days. The gradients of temperature and moisture, as measured by a surface meteorological station during sea-breeze passage, were strongest and weakest during offshore and onshore flow days, respectively. In addition, the moisture and temperature gradients across the leading edge of the sea breeze steadily increased during the day and were strongest during late afternoon. Using dual-Doppler techniques, the detailed kinematic structure of the sea-...
Snake Avoidance in Feral and Laboratory Reared Squirrel Monkeys

The latency of food retrieval and other behaviours in the presence of a live boa constrictor and other snake-like stimuli was observed in three groups of squirrel monkeys (adult feral, adult laboratory reared, and immature laboratory reared). The principal results were as follows: 1. Both of the laboratory reared groups retrieved food within about five or fewer sec in the presence of any stimulus, including the live snake. 2. The retrieval latencies of the adult feral group were longest in the presence of the live snake, the next longest in the presence of rubber snakes painted either gray or an approximation of the boa constrictor markings, and shortest in the presence of various rubber tubes or a gray block. This result suggests that avoidance of some snake like stimuli in the adult feral squirrel monkey is determined more by shape than by markings. 3. The habituation of the snake avoidance response was rapid for all stimuli, but occurred more slowly for the live snake than for the two rubber snakes. 4. Of the various behaviors observed in the interval between the presentation and the retrieval of food, visual scanning was predominant and occurred during 74 percent of this time.