cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Boer goats in Missouri.

Goats are known reservoirs of Coxiella burnetii, the etiologic agent of Q fever. However, there has been very little research on the prevalence of C. burnetii exposure and risk in meat goats farmed in the US. Banked serum samples were secondarily tested for C. burnetii specific antibodies. The animal and herd-level seroprevalence estimates for C. burnetii were 1.2% (3/249) and 4.2% (1/24) respectively. Within-herd seroprevalence ranged from 0% to 1.2%. This study indicates that seroprevalence of C. burnetii in Boer goats raised in Missouri was low, but it does not preclude the existence of a higher level of infection in Missouri’s meat goat herds. This result is inconclusive because this study was disadvantaged by the small number of individual animal and herds tested, which compromised the statistical power of this study to detect a possible higher seroprevalence of C. burnetii in this population, if present. More research is warranted to corroborate the preliminary findings reported here in order to determine the public health significance C. burnetii infection risks associated with contemporary goat production systems in the US.
Conceptualizing consumer experiences in cyberspace

The purpose of this paper is to address consumer experiences in cyberspace and which aspects of technology brought about these experiences. This paper proposes a conceptual model of technology and consumer experiences within virtual space by drawing from various literatures outside of marketing that have extensively studied the Internet phenomenon. Building from research in these diverse areas, two constructs are proposed that help describe consumer experiences in virtual space: telepresence and bricolage. Also examines aspects of cyber technology that give rise to these consumer experiences and projects what the consequences of these experiences may be as they apply to marketing.
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and prevention

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (UTIc) remain the most common nosocomial infection. Although usually benign, UTIc cause bacteremia in 2-4% of patients and have been associated with a case fatality rate three times as high as nonbacteriuric patients. Risk factors for UTIc identified in multivariate analyses include increasing duration of use, female sex, absence of systemic antibiotics, and disconnection of the catheter-collecting tube junction. Recent studies suggest that most episodes of low colony count bacteriuria (10(2)-10(4) cfu/ml) rapidly progress to high (greater than or equal to 10(5)/ml) colony counts within 24-48 hours. In persons with long-term catheterization, bacteriuria inevitably develops and the infecting strains change frequently. In this setting, Proteus and Morganella species produce catheter encrustations and persistent bacteriuria. Routes of bacterial entry have been well defined and differ by gender, with the periurethral route predominating in women and the intraluminal route in men. Growth of bacteria in biofilms on the inner surface of catheters promotes encrustation and may protect bacteria from antimicrobial agents. Bacterial virulence factors have not been well characterized in UTIc, but fimbrial adhesins have been associated with bacterial persistence in the catheterized urinary tract, and urease production has been associated with stone formation and catheter encrustation. Recent efforts to prevent UTIc have focused mainly on preventing bacterial entry to the urinary tract or eradicating bacteriuria after its onset and have been largely unsuccessful. Systemic antimicrobials, sealed tubing and catheter junctions, silver ion-coated catheters, and antiseptics in the collecting bag have all been efficacious in one or more controlled trials. Failure to stratify patients by major risk factors, especially gender, antimicrobial exposure, and catheter duration, makes interpretation of many trials difficult. Further research in the areas of innovative catheter system design, bacterial-host epithelial cell interaction, and targeted antimicrobial prophylaxis seem the most likely approaches to controlling UTIc in the future.
Dehydroepiandrosterone and related steroids alter 3T3-L1 preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to determine if the anti-adipogenic effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are mediated solely by DHEA or by one or more of its downstream metabolites. In Experiment 1, preconfluent proliferating cultures of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were incubated for either 24 or 72 h with 0, 1, 5 or 25 μM DHEA, DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), testosterone, estrone and 17β-estradiol. Pregnenolone, a precursor of DHEA(S), was also tested at these concentrations. After 24 h of incubation, DHEAS, 17β-estradiol and estrone at the 1 μM level stimulated preadipocyte proliferation. In contrast, DHEA and 17β-estradiol at the 25 μM level attenuated proliferation to a greater extent than all other steroids. After 72 h of incubation, DHEA and 17β-estradiol at the 25 μM level attenuated proliferation to a greater extent than all other steroids. In Experiment 2, post-confluent cultures of differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were incubated for 6 days with 0, 5, 30, or 60 μM levels of these steroids. Preadipocyte differentiation, as assessed by lipid content and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, decreased markedly when treated with 30 and 60 μM DHEA, 17β-estradiol, estrone and pregnenolone. In contrast, DHEAS had no impact on preadipocyte proliferation or differentiation. These results suggest that the anti-adipogenic actions of DHEA in adipose tissue may be mediated, in part, by one or more of its distal metabolites, including 17β-estradiol.
Pre-oxidation and TGO growth behaviour of an air-plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coating

Abstract In thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems, spinel and nickel oxide formed in an oxidizing environment are believed to be detrimental to TBC durability during service at high temperatures. The present study shows that in an air-plasma-sprayed (APS) TBC with Co–32Ni–21Cr–8Al–0.5Y (wt.%) bond coat, pre-oxidation treatments in low-pressure oxygen environments can suppress the formation of the detrimental oxides by promoting the formation of an Al 2 O 3 layer at the ceramic topcoat/bond coat interface. The development of the thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer generally exhibits a three-stage growth phenomenon that resembles high temperature creep. The pre-oxidation treatments reduce the growth rate and extend the steady-state growth stage, leading to an improved durability. Crack propagation in the TBC proceeds via opening and growth of pre-existing discontinuities in the ceramic topcoat, assisted by crack nucleation and growth associated with the TGO. Crack propagation during thermal cycling appeared to be controlled by TGO growth, and the maximum crack length and TGO thickness generally have a power law relationship.
Wetlands as natural assets

Abstract As the services of wetlands are uniquely related to hydrological processes, they result in a wide range of benefits to humankind. Although this facilitates the characterization of wetlands as natural assets, there are measurement problems. Because wetland services are nearly always non-marketed, they need to be explicitly valued to determine the trade-offs between development and conservation of wetlands. Two case studies, a floodplain in northern Nigeria and mangroves in southern Thailand, illustrate the issues involved. In the case of Nigeria, the natural capital is the river floodplain, and the trade-off is the upstream water diversion compared to the downstream flooding benefits to farming, fishery and forestry, as well as groundwater recharge. In the case of Thailand, the natural capital is the mangrove system, and the trade-off is the conversion to shrimp farms, as opposed to the mangrove benefits of locally harvested products, habitat-fishery linkages and storm protection. Editor D. Koutso...
Studies on aminochromes. I. Behavior of adrenochrome added to human plasma.

(1967). Studies on Aminochromes: I.—Behavior of Adrenochrome Added to Human Plasma. Archives Internationales de Physiologie et de Biochimie: Vol. 75, No. 4, pp. 690-696.
A Language Analysis of Successful and Nonsuccessful Readers: Comparing Linguistic Ability in Black, Chicano, and Anglo Boys.

Success in reading is crucial for success in school. Language acquisition and development appear to be foundations for reading achievement. This investigation was directed toward an analysis of language development of successful and nonsuccessful readers. In a review of the major studies dealing with poor reading achievement of Black urban youth, Harber and Bryen (1976) concluded that a great many questions remained open for investigation. Indeed, these authors suggested that a delay should be instituted in the implementation of large-scale reading programs in the schools until some of the more basic, unanswered issues could be resolved. A decade earlier, Coleman
Characteristics of wind profiles over complex terrain

Abstract An attempt is made to account for the characteristics of routine wind profiles over different types of complex terrain. It is shown that the differences among the profiles can be explained satisfactorily by differences in ground roughness, terrain features and stability.
Local-Regional Treatment of the Patient With Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a diagnosis based on a constellation of clinical features including a rapid onset of breast erythema and edema (peau d’orange) of a third or more of the skin of the breast and with a palpable border to the edema. Incidence has increased although it makes up only 1–4 % of all breast cancer diagnoses. In spite of some encouraging recent clinical outcome data, published local-regional control rates are consistently lower than expected in non-IBC and are of particular concern in this disease that readily progresses locally to carcinoma en cuirasse. With a focus on radiotherapy, this review provides a critical evaluation of the recent literature evaluating local-regional treatment of IBC, highlights new findings in the local-regional management of IBC, and offers an introduction to future directions regarding the optimal treatment and management of IBC.
Tidal Disruption of Strengthless Rubble Piles: A Dimensional Analysis

A relatively simple prescription for estimating the number of debris clumps (n) that form after a catastrophic tidal disruption event is presented. Following the breakup event, it is assumed that the individual debris particles follow keplerian orbits about the planet until the debris' gravitational contraction timescale (t(sub c)) becomes shorter than its orbital spreading timescale (t(sub s)). When the two timescales become comparable, self-gravity breaks up the debris train into n = L/D clumps, which is the debris length/diameter ratio at that instant. The clumps subsequently orbit the planet independent of each other. The predicted number of clumps n is in good agreement with more sophisticated N-body treatments of tidal breakup for parabolic encounters, and the dependence of n upon the progenitor's density as well as its orbit is also mapped out for hyperbolic encounters. These findings may be used to further constrain both the orbits and densities of the tidally disrupted bodies that struck Callisto and Ganymede. A cursory analysis shows that the Gomul and Gipul crater chains on Callisto, which have the greatest number of craters among the known chains, were formed by projectiles having comet-like densities estimated at rho(sub o) < 1 gm/cc.
Phosphorylation of Elongation Factor 1 and Ribosomal Protein S6 by Multipotential S6 Kinase and Insulin Stimulation of Translational Elongation

Abstract Stimulation of protein synthesis in response to insulin is concomitant with increased phosphorylation of initiation factors 4B and 4G and ribosomal protein S6 (Morley, S. J., and Traugh, J. A. (1993)Biochimie 75, 985–989) and is due at least in part to multipotential S6 kinase. When elongation factor 1 (EF-1) from rabbit reticulocytes was examined as substrate for multipotential S6 kinase, up to 1 mol/mol of phosphate was incorporated into the α, β, and δ subunits. Phosphorylation of EF-1 resulted in a 2–2.6-fold stimulation of EF-1 activity, as measured by poly(U)-directed polyphenylalanine synthesis. The rate of elongation was also stimulated by approximately 2-fold with 80 S ribosomes phosphorylated on S6 by multipotential S6 kinase. When the rates of elongation in extracts from serum-fed 3T3-L1 cells and cells serum-deprived for 1.5 h were compared, a 40% decrease was observed upon serum deprivation. The addition of insulin to serum-deprived cells for 15 min stimulated elongation to a rate equivalent to that of serum-fed cells. Similar results were obtained with partially purified EF-1, with both EF-1 and ribosomes contributing to stimulation of elongation. These data are consistent with a ribosomal transit time of 3.2 min for serum-deprived cells and 1.6 min following the addition of insulin for 15 min. Taken together, the data suggest that insulin stimulation involves coordinate regulation of EF-1 and ribosomes through phosphorylation by multipotential S6 kinase.
Fictional" and "non-fictional" Televison celebrate earth day (or, politics is comedy plus pretense)

While there is much new work in the field of communications that challenges such distinctions, many scholars who study the medium still assume a clear and natural separation between fictional and non-fictional television. Falling into the former category are most prime-time shows, specials, movies and other broadcasts serving, it is assumed, primarily as entertainment. Further, many scholars assume that such shows have little impact on the way people think about the 'real world', in general, and politics, in particular. In the latter category are shows like the news, documentaries and other public-affairs programming. Such shows are assumed to deal with events or conditions in the 'real world'. With few exceptions, for example, political scientists examine only 'nonfiction' television when they search for the effect of the medium on political attitudes and beliefs. In this paper we critically examine the distinction between 'fiction' and non-fiction' television, arguing that it does not hold up under close scrutiny. Indeed, its unexamined persistence tends to blind scholars to the full political implications of television for democratic politics in the United States. Comments NOTE: At the time of publication, the author Michael X. Delli Carpini was affiliated with Columbia University. Currently January 2008, he is a faculty member of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania. This journal article is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/asc_papers/21
Estimation of a regional wage curve and policy implications

Based on all the metropolitan statistical areas in the state of Texas during 2002–2004, this study finds that the real wage rate and the unemployment rate have a significant negative relationship. However, the value of R 2 is relatively low. Policy implications are that the efficiency wage model may be used to explain the outcome and that there are other factors explaining the behaviour of wages.
Modulation of T cell responses with MHC-derived peptides

T cells are activated by an interaction of their TCRs with a complex made up of antigenic peptide bound to the interhelical groove of MHC molecules. The helices lining the antigen binding groove of MHC molecules are felt to contribute several contact residues for TCR binding. Peptides derived from the amino acid sequences of these helices may be capable of modulating immune responses and aiding in the dissection of immune recognition. These studies address the effects of a peptide derived from the sequence of amino acids 68–83 of the IAkβ1 domain (IAk 68–83) predicted to represent a portion of an antigen-binding helix on the IAk molecule. The IAk 68–83 peptide is bound a monoclonal anti-IAk antibody and inhibits its binding to IAk-bearing cells. The IAk 68–83 peptide inhibits antigen-dependent activation of the IAk+con-albumin restricted T cell clone D10.G4, and this effect is more pronounced at lower doses of antigen-presenting cells. The free peptide has a small effect in limiting binding of anticlonotypic antibodies to D10.G4, and a multivalent form bound to BSA has a more pronounced effect in this regard. The BSA-peptide conjugate, when fluoresceinated, specifically stained D10.G4 cells, and this was specifically competed by unfluoresceinated IAk 68–83 peptide-BSA conjugate, as well as by anticlonotype. These results suggest that peptides derived from the predicted helical region of MHC class II molecules may have a direct interaction with T cell receptors. Such peptides may be capable of modulating immune responses in a physiologically significant manner.
Rare Sequence Variation in the Genome Flanking a Short Tandem Repeat Locus Can Lead to a Question of “Nonmaternity”

Typing of STR (short tandem repeat) alleles is used in a variety of applications in clinical molecular pathology, including evaluations for maternal cell contamination. Using a commercially available STR typing assay for maternal cell contamination performed in conjunction with prenatal diagnostic testing, we were posed with apparent nonmaternity when the two fetal samples did not demonstrate the expected maternal allele at one locus. By designing primers external to the region amplified by the primers from the commercial assay and by performing direct sequencing of the resulting amplicon, we were able to determine that a guanine to adenine sequence variation led to primer mismatch and allele dropout. This explained the apparent null allele shared between the maternal and fetal samples. Therefore, although rare, allele dropout must be considered whenever unexplained homozygosity at an STR locus is observed.
High-load fretting of Ti–6Al–4V interfaces in point contact

Abstract The aim of this study is to characterize the baseline fretting behavior of Ti–6Al–4V on Ti–6Al–4V in point contact at relatively high pressure. The effect of the displacement amplitude on fretting damage is investigated. Two normal forces of 586 and 1485 N corresponding to 1.4 and 3.5, respectively, of the force for subsurface yield based on von Mises criterion are considered. Experiments are conducted at both room temperature and 260 °C. The range in displacement amplitudes span the partial slip, mixed fretting, and gross-slip regimes. The relationship between the displacement amplitude and the tangential force amplitude is determined by two methods: (1) a conventional constant displacement method using multiple specimens and (2) an incremental displacement method using a single specimen. Both methods give the same transition amplitude that separates partial and gross-slip conditions. However, the measured coefficient of friction for the latter method is greater. Surface cracks are observed when the displacement amplitude is near the transition between partial and gross slip. Significant fretting wear occurs in the gross-slip regime. The measured coefficient of friction under high-load fretting is independent of the normal load and is comparable the value measured in lightly loaded dry fretting contacts.
Uniqueness and stability of slowly oscillating periodic solutions of delay equations with bounded nonlinearity

We study slowly oscillating periodic solutions of delay equations with small parameters. When the nonlinearity has finite and nonzero limits at infinities, the appearance of these solutions and their periods can be found though asymptotic analysis. Under further natural assumptions on the nonlinearity, we prove that slowly oscillating periodic solutions are unique and asymptotically stable when parameters are sufficiently small.
Computer enhanced digital angiography

Summary: A new computer image enhancement technique was employed on cardiac images of 10 dogs and 7 patients to demonstrate the feasibility of an on-line automatic delineation of the left ventricular endocardial silhouette with a peripheral venous injection of contrast material while simultaneously reducing the x-ray dosage. This technique employs a very fast analog-to-digital conversion system capable of digitizing on-line video frames. By storing and continuously updating the first 30 video frames and then subtracting each incoming frame from this memory, most of the background is eliminated leaving only the contrast filled ventricle. Using calibrated densitometric measurements, we found that iodine concentrations in the human left ventricle following venous injection of 40 ml Renografinm-76 (25 ml/s), peaked at 4.3f0.3 mg/ml (meanfSD) compared to 14.8f0.8 mg/ml following direct injection of 40 ml at 13 ml/s (p<O.OOl). The computer enhanced venous-injected images had an optical contrast 14 times greater than that of the unenhanced direct left ventriculogram. This increase in optical contrast provided unambiguous subjective definition of the endocardial borders. This technique is applicable to both central and peripheral contrst injection whereby high quality images can be obtained at approximately 98% reduction in radiation (5 mA, 65-85 kV), allowing performance of serial studies.
Floquet Modal Analysis of a Teetered-Rotor Wind Turbine

This paper examines the operating modes of a two-bladed wind turbine structural model. Because of the gyroscopic asymmetry of its rotor, this turbine's dynamics can be quite distinct from that of a turbine with three or more blades. This asymmetry leads to system equations with periodic coefficients that must be solved by the Floquet approach to extract the correct modal parameters. A discussion of results is presented for a series of simple models with increasing complexity. We begin with a single-degree-of-freedom system and progress to a model with seven degrees-of-freedom: tower fore-aft bending, tower lateral bending, tower twist, nacelle yaw, hub teeter, and flapwise bending of each blade. Results illustrate how the turbine modes become more dominated by the centrifugal and gyroscopic effects as the rotor speed increases. Parametric studies are performed by varying precone angle, teeter stiffness, yaw stiffness, teeter damping, and yaw damping properties. Under certain levels of yaw stiffness or damping, the gyroscopic coupling may cause yaw and teeter mode coalescence, resulting in self-excited dynamic instabilities. Teeter damping is the only parameter found to strictly stabilize the turbine model.
Epidemiology, Prevention, and Management of Influenza in Patients with Hematologic Malignancy

Influenza results in annual epidemics of respiratory viral illness during the winter; when a novel virus enters the human population, a pandemic may result with a larger proportion of the population sickened. Unlike the mild and typically self-limited disease seen in immunocompetent patients, immunocompromised patients frequently have a more severe course. These individuals shed virus for a prolonged period of time, have a high rate of viral pneumonia, more frequently develop bacterial and fungal super-infections, and may develop late-onset airflow obstruction. Further, antiviral resistance develops more frequently in immunosuppressed patients. Although the cornerstone of prevention of influenza is vaccination, vaccine efficacy in patients with hematologic malignancies, particularly stem cell transplant recipients, is poor. Alternative preventative measures, such as seasonal antiviral prophylaxis can be considered. Lastly, there have been no prospective studies of antivirals in the management of influenza infections in these patients. As such, the optimal regimen and duration remains to be defined. Available evidence suggests that prolonged course are frequently needed. Patients who fail to response or have relapsed infections should be tested for emergence of antiviral resistance and alternative diagnoses should be investigated.
Detection of organophosphorus pesticide detoxifying bacterial colonies, using UV-photography of parathion-impregnated filters.

A rapid, filter-lift assay was developed for the identification of bacteria capable of degrading organophosphorus pesticides. Filter pads impregnated with parathion were applied to the surface of plates containing potential parathion-degrading colonies. Positive colonies capable of converting parathion to 4-nitrophenol attain a visible yellow coloration after 30 min of exposure; however, the identification of selected individuals was difficult when large numbers of colonies were screened on a single plate. An enhancement of this screening method was achieved with the use of UV-photography, which allowed for the detection of a single mutant or cured colony among 500 parathion-degrading colonies per plate. In addition, it was possible to detect a single parathion-degrading colony among 10,000 non-degrading colonies per plate. The efficiency of the technique was validated with a parathion-degrading strain ofPseudomonas diminuta from which phenotypically negative isolates were selected, subjected to plasmid isolation, evaluated for detoxifying activity, and tested by a battery of microbiological criteria to confirm the parental strain phenotype. All non-productive colonies were identical to the parental strain except for the lack of detoxifying capability and the loss of a large plasmid found in the parental strain.
Moore-closed and first countable feebly compact extension spaces

Abstract Several embedding theorems are obtained, such as the following: Let Y be a first countable regular space in which the set B ={ y ϵ Y : y does not have a neighborhood base consisting of feebly compact open subsets of Y } is a countable nowhere dense set. Then Y has a regular(1)-closed (≡ first countable, regular, and feebly compact) extension space. A number of examples are given, including one of a separable Moore space Y such that the set B has a cardinality c , and no extension space of Y can be Moore-closed, regular(1)-closed, or Urysohn(1)-closed.
Conservation of angular momentum in thermomagnetic torque experiments

The conservation of orbital angular momentum has the following consequence for Scott-effect experiments: The torque exerted on the outer cylinder is equal in size but opposite in direction to the torque on the inner cylinder. This is true for each of the two contributions to the torque, namely, the bulk and slip contribution.
Study of binding of warfarin to serum albumins by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract The binding of warfarin to human serum albumin and bovine serum albumin, respectively, was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Based upon the Hummel—Dreyer method, two techniques were developed: the internal calibration and the external calibration. The results obtained by the HPLC method and those obtained by the classical method (equilibrium dialysis) were compared. The external calibration method seems to be superior to others for its simplicity, speed and convenience.
Is lysine the source of the pyridine ring in nicotine

Gibt man L(+)-Lysin-e-15N oder in allen Stellungen mit14C markiertes L(+)-Lysin zu keimfreien Kulturen von abgeschnittenen Wurzeln vonNicotiana tabacum, so erzeugen die Wurzeln Nikotin, welches kleine Mengen15N oder14C enthalt. Ferner enthalt das Nikotin mehr15N oder14C im Pyrrolidinring als im Pyridinring. Lysin liegt daher nicht auf dem direkten biogenetischen Weg zum Nikotin.
Acute effects of doxorubicin on human left ventricular systolic and diastolic function.

Abstract Although the long-term cardiotoxic effects of cumulative doses of doxorubicin are well established, the short-term effects on cardiac function are uncertain. Therefore we examined the short-term effects of doxorubicin on left ventricular systolic and diastolic function following a total of 56 doses of doxorubicin in 15 patients with normal resting left ventricular function. Resting radionuclide ventriculography was performed 1 hour before and 4 hours after each dose of doxorubicin. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased significantly from 64 ± 1% to 67 ± 1% ( p p p
CLINICAL & RADIOLOGICAL CORRELATION OF GASTROINTESTINAL (GI) MANIFESTATIONS IN HENOCH-SCHOENLEIN SYNDROME (HSS)

CLINICAL & RADIOLOGICAL CORRELATION OF GASTROINTESTINAL (GI) MANIFESTATIONS IN HENOCH-SCHOENLEIN SYNDROME (HSS)
Effect of L-glutamic acid on the weight of embryonic chick tibiotarsi cultivated in vitro.

IN a previous communication1 the dose-response line relating the final length of embryonic chick tibiotarsi cultivated in vitro and the concentration of L-glutamine in the medium was described. Furthermore, it was shown that the presence of 25 mgm. per 100 ml. L-glutamic acid in the medium had no effect on the position of the L-glutamine dose-response line. From this result it was argued that L-glutamic acid does not act as a precursor for L-glutamine in this system. The purpose of the present communication is to present additional results on the wet and dry weights of the same bones. These results were not included in the first communication since their discussion was irrelevant to the point at issue, and could have created confusion.
Anatomy of a basaltic volcano

Kilauea volcano, in Hawaii, may be the best understood basaltic volcano in the world. Magma rises from a depth of 80 km or more and resides temporarily in near-surface reservoirs: eruption begins when the crust above one of these reservoirs splits open in response to a pressure increase. Repeated rift-zone eruptions compress Kilauea's flanks; after decades of accumulation, the stress is relieved in catastrophic earthquakes and southward displacement of the volcano's south flank.
The effects of EMG biofeedback and relaxation training on primary dysmenorrhea.

Fifteen dysmenorrhea sufferers received relaxation training with EMG biofeedback, relaxation training with no feedback, or no treatment. Participants who received biofeedback training did not differ from participants who received relaxation training in their ability to maintain a reduced level of EMG activity prior to the onset of menstruation. On the first day of menstruation, those receiving biofeedback training were able to maintain reduced EMG activity, whereas those receiving relaxation training showed an elevated level of EMG activity. Subjective reports indicated that the symptoms of dysmenorrhea improved for the biofeedback group during training but did not improve for the relaxation or control groups. Suggestions for further research are noted.
Surrogate motherhood: personality traits and satisfaction with service providers.

This study explored the personality traits of 15 women who served as surrogate mothers in a California-based surrogacy program. Their satisfaction with their service providers, i.e., the program director, psychologist, and medical doctor, were explored. All had given birth to one or more children, and five had been a surrogate more than once. 13 used in vitro fertilization, with only two choosing artificial insemination. 15 subjects were given the NEO–R Personality Inventory, a global measure of normal personality traits. Analysis indicated that surrogates overall were very pleased with their experiences, and they differed from the general population on nine personality traits.
Fabrication of Bioactive Surfaces by Functionalization of Electroactive and Surface-Active Block Copolymers

Biofunctional block copolymers are becoming increasingly attractive materials as active components in biosensors and other nanoscale electronic devices. We have described two different classes of block copolymers with biofuctional properties. Biofunctionality for block copolymers is achieved through functionalization with appropriate biospecific ligands. We have synthesized block copolymers of electroactive poly(3-decylthiophene) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate by atom transfer radical polymerization. The block copolymers were functionalized with the dinitrophenyl (DNP) groups, which are capable of binding to Immunoglobulin E (IgE) on cell surfaces. The block copolymers were shown to be redox active. Additionally, the triblock copolymer of α, ω-bi-biotin (poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly (styrene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)) was also synthesized to study their capacity to bind fluorescently tagged avidin. The surface-active property of the poly(ethylene oxide) block improved the availability of the biotin functional groups on the polymer surfaces. Fluorescence microscopy observations confirm the specific binding of biotin with avidin.
Protein fatty acid acylation: enzymatic synthesis of an N-myristoylglycyl peptide.

Abstract Incubation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain JR153 with either [3H]myristate or [3H]palmitate demonstrates the synthesis of proteins that contain covalently bound fatty acids. A unique set of proteins is labeled by each fatty acid. Detailed analysis of a 20-kDa protein labeled with myristic acid demonstrates that myristate is linked to the amino-terminal glycine. We describe an enzymatic activity in yeast that will transfer myristic acid to the amino terminus of the octapeptide Gly-Asn-Ala-Ala-Ala-Ala-Arg-Arg, whose sequence was derived from a known N-myristoylated acyl protein, the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase of bovine cardiac muscle. The acylation reaction is dependent on ATP and CoA, is enriched in a crude membrane fraction, and will use myristate but not palmitate as the acyl donor. Specificity of the glycyl peptide substrate is demonstrated by the observation that other glycyl peptides do not competitively inhibit myristoylation of Gly-Asn-Ala-Ala-Ala-Ala-Arg-Arg.
Brain-stem regions for stimulus-bound and stimulus-related respiration.

Abstract Application of periodic bursts of electrical pulses to an extensive region in the brain stem of anesthetized cats can modify the spontaneous respiration so that it becomes phase-locked to the stimulus bursts. This phenomenon is called stimulus-bound respiration rate if the ratio between respiration rate and bursts rate is one; and it is called stimulus-related respiration rate if the ratio is other than one. The part of the brain which elicits this phenomenon extends from the preoptic region to the caudal medulla oblongata. It includes the pneumotaxic, apneustic, and the medullary respiratory centers. In general, stimulus-related respiration can be obtained from a region adjacent to and surrounding that for stimulus-bound respiration responses. From some parts in the reticular formation, stimulus-bound respiration can be evoked without concomitant changes in arterial pressure, heart rate and motor responses. This suggests that these regions deal with the specific function of controlling respiration rate, different from the general function of reticular activation. A tentative hypothesis, with the direct participation of only the medullary respiratory centers, is offered as the underlying neurophysiological mechanism for stimulus-bound respiration.
Benchmark Simulation of Turbulent Flow through a Staggered Tube Bundle to Support CFD as a Reactor Design Tool. Part I: SRANS CFD Simulation

Time-invariant and time-variant numerical simulations of flow through a staggered tube bundle array, idealizing the lower plenum (LP) subsystem configuration of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR), were performed. In Part I, the CFD prediction of fully periodic isothermal tube-bundle flow using steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (SRANS) equations with common turbulence models was investigated at a Reynolds number (Re) of 1.8 × 104, based on the tube diameter and inlet velocity. Three first-order turbulence models, standard k-e turbulence, renormalized group (RNG) k-e, and shear stress transport (SST) k-ω models, and a second-order turbulence model, Reynolds stress model (RSM), were considered. A comparison of CFD simulations and experiment results was made at five locations along (x, y) coordinates. The SRANS simulation showed that no universal model predicted the turbulent Reynolds stresses, and generally, the results were marginal to poor. This is because these models cannot accurately model the ...
Loss and assimilation of 15N-nitrate added to a North Dakota cattail marsh

Abstract Field 15 N balance studies were conducted to determine the fate of K 15 NO 3 added during summer to surface water in 0.27 m 2 plots within a North Dakota cattail (a mixture of Typha glauca Godr. and Typha angustifolia L.) marsh. In a 1989 study, 50.4 mmol 15 NO 3 − -N (approximately 1.1 mmol NO 3 − 1 −1 ) disappeared within 8 days after a temporary build-up of NO 2 − -N. Approximately 42% of the applied 15 N remained in the marsh. This residual N was found in cattail roots and rhizomes (9.5%), floating plants ( Lemna minor L. and Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleiden) (8.9%), soil (8.3%), litter (6.9%), surface water (4.6%) and cattail shoots (4.1%). The missing 15 N (58%) was presumably lost as a result of denitrification. In a 1991 experiment, 50.4 mmol of K 15 NO 3 was added to plots which had previously received additions of deionized water or 153 mmol of unlabeled KNO 3 . All the labeled NO 3 − again disappeared within 8 days. The unaccounted-for 15 N was approximately 56% and 82% of the added K 15 NO 3 -N in plots without and with the antecedent unlabeled KNO 3 treatment, respectively. The difference in recovery (26%) was highly significant. Stimulation of dissimilatory NO 3 − and NO 2 − reductases and/or suppression of dissimilatory reduction of 15 NO 3 − to 15 NH 4 + are postulated as likely factors for the higher apparent denitrification loss associated with the antecedent KNO 3 treatment.
On the Physical Origin of Same-Sign Dileptons Produced by Neutrino Interactions.

We explore the possible physical origins of the same-sign dilepton events produced by neutrino interactions, while the most likely explanation for these events has been thought to be charm pair production, experimental observations and theoretical calculations appear to make this hypothesis unlikely. We, therefore, explore alternate origins of these events and include constraints on physical processes from e+e− and charm decay data. One alternate hypothesis can fit the data: the production of a new class of neutral particles that decay semi-leptonically with a mass below 5 GeV. A possible place to look for these particles is in the decays of W±-bosons or ¯pp collisions where W± particles are exchanged with a key signature the production of 〈 unusual 〉 lepton or same-sign dilepton events (isolated from hadronic debris).
The comparative ultrastructure and possible function of eyespots: Euglena granulata and Chlamydomonas eugametos.

The structure of Euglena granulata and Chlamydomonas eugametos has been studied using polarization and electron microscopy, cinematography, and chemical extraction procedures, with the main focus on the structure of the eyespot.The 50-60 granules which form the extrachloroplastic eyespot of E. granulata are large bodies, up to 1200 mμ in diameter. They are found in the cytoplasm near the base of the reservoir and are associated with the parabasal body which contains a large crystal. The eyespot granules are contained within membranes having a unit membrane structure; 2 or 3 are usually present in a single eyespot packet; microtubules are also contained within the packet. The eyespot granules have the structure of a positive spherite and clearly exhibit birefringence; this structure is modified by fixation.The granules of the chloroplastic eyespot of C. eugametos are about 75 mμ in diameter and are contained within the chloroplast in an ordered array. Occasionally, the eyespot contains elongate or helical bodies mixed with the granules. Extraction with organic solvents caused the removal of materials which formed the eyespot granules as well as that of the osmophilic globules in the chloroplasts.Several hypotheses which concern the function of the eyespots in these and other species are discussed in the light of our results. the possible origin and demise of the eyespot granules are also discussed.
Linker Histone H1.2 Cooperates with Cul4A and PAF1 to Drive H4K31 Ubiquitylation-Mediated Transactivation

Increasing evidence suggests that linker histone H1 can influence distinct cellular processes by acting as a gene-specific regulator. However, the mechanistic basis underlying such H1 specificity and whether H1 acts in concert with other chromatin-altering activities remain unclear. Here, we show that one of the H1 subtypes, H1.2, stably interacts with Cul4A E3 ubiquitin ligase and PAF1 elongation complexes and that such interaction potentiates target gene transcription via induction of H4K31 ubiquitylation, H3K4me3, and H3K79me2. H1.2, Cul4A, and PAF1 are functionally cooperative because their individual knockdown results in the loss of the corresponding histone marks and the deficiency of target gene transcription. H1.2 interacts with the serine 2-phosphorylated form of RNAPII, and we argue that it recruits the Cul4A and PAF1 complexes to target genes by bridging the interaction between the Cul4A and PAF1 complexes. These data define an expanded role for H1 in regulating gene transcription and illustrate its dependence on the elongation competence of RNAPII.
Elastic Fiber Depletion in the Supporting Ligaments of the Gastroesophageal Junction: A Structural Basis for the Development of Hiatal Hernia

Background The position of the gastroesophageal junction is maintained by a complex of fibroelastic ligaments. The purpose of this study was to characterize and compare the histology of these ligaments in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia (HH) versus GERD alone, with emphasis on the elastin morphology. Study Design Thirteen patients were examined at the time of laparoscopic fundoplication for symptomatic GERD; nine had no significant HH and four had large diaphragmatic hernias (GERD/HH). Tissue biopsies were obtained from the gastrohepatic ligament (GHL, n=5 and n=3, GERD and GERD/HH, respectively), the phrenoesophageal ligament (n=7 and n=4, respectively), and the gastrophrenic ligament (n=6 and n=4, respectively). Sections of fixed tissue were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and resorcin-fuchsin for analysis of elastic fibers by light microscopy, and elastin area was quantified and expressed as a percentage of the imaged tissue. Results Elastin and collagen fibers were prominent in all ligaments in patients with GERD alone. In patients with GERD/HH, there was fragmentation and distortion of elastin in the phrenoesophageal ligament and gastrohepatic ligament, and to a lesser degree, in the gastrophrenic ligament. Compared with patients with GERD alone, the presence of hiatal hernia was associated with a reduction in elastin area by more than 50% in the phrenoesophageal ligament ([mean ± SEM] 31.0%±3.3% versus 15.1%±1.3%, p Conclusions The periesophageal ligaments in patients with GERD are characterized by prominent elastic fibers. In contrast, GERD/HH is associated with depletion of elastic fibers in two of three ligaments supporting the gastroesophageal junction. Elastic fiber depletion in the periesophageal ligaments thereby provides a structural basis for the development of HH. It remains unclear if this represents a primary (etiologic) alteration or if it is a secondary phenomenon.
The Art of Impurity

I was taken aback when I received a request from the West Australian government to write a response to the question, "What Is The Ethical Foundation For Planning A More Sustainable Future?" My first reaction was: Does not every one want a future? And doesn't this necessarily mean a commitment to sustainability ? Would not everyone earnestly want a more sustainable future? To have to ask the question at all shows just how far out of balance our crazy, greed-driven culture is. To ask the question is to imply that many people do not want to live on, or, at least, do not want the next generation to live on. It was like being asked: How can one morally justify a flourishing, joyful life for every being on earth? In a profound sense, there cannot and need not be any moral justification for sustainability because sustainability is the foundation for morality, not the other way around. As the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle cautioned, it shows a lack of education to try and prove everything. You can't prove logic, for example, because logic presupposes proof. Likewise, our ultimate norms such as "Love is better than hate" must be gained by intuition; they can't be proved. No sooner had I received this request than I became ill (no causal connection, I assure you!) and in my fever-induced reveries I penned imaginary responses. I wrote: "The Ethical Foundation of Sustainability is 'Joy' or 'Life' or 'An Ethic of Flourishing'."
The yolk sac tumor: reflections on a remarkable neoplasm and two of the many intrigued by it-Gunnar Teilum and Aleksander Talerman-and the bond it formed between them.

One of the most remarkable of human neoplasms, the yolk sac tumor, is reviewed, emphasizing its histologic diversity and differential diagnosis, occurrence at many sites, and the shared passion for this unique neoplasm of Dr Gunnar Teilum (who deserves almost all credit for delineation of the nature of the tumor and its features) and Dr Aleksander Talerman (who made his own contribution to our knowledge of it) and the friendship it helped forge between these 2 distinguished pathologists. In a unique series of articles, beginning in the early 1940s, Teilum delineated the distinctive features of the neoplasm and recognized that it was 1 of 2 initially included as “mesonephroma ovarii” by Dr Walter Schiller in 1939 (the second we now know as clear cell carcinoma). Teilum named the tumor “endodermal sinus tumor” because it came to his attention that papillary formations common in the yolk sac tumor resembled the endodermal sinuses of the rat placenta. He focused on the histogenesis of the tumor and its morpho...