cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The life history of acetylcholine receptors.

Publisher Summary The acetylcholine (ACh) receptor is the major integral membrane glycoprotein known to occur in the postsynaptic membrane at the neuromuscular junction. This chapter describes the life history of extra-junctional ACh receptor molecules. Average extra-junctional receptor lifetimes have been estimated as 8–30 h for ACh receptors in various muscles and muscle cultures from homeothermic species. For cultured chick and calf skeletal muscle in vitro , receptor lifetimes have been determined by pulse-chase experiments, involving direct labeling of receptor molecules with isotopically labelled amino acids. In other cases, estimates are based upon the loss of radioactivity from the muscle after iodinated α-bungarotoxin was bound to ACh receptor sites. The bound α-bungarotoxin may slightly decrease the turnover rate. Studies on the mechanism of degradation have involved labelling of receptor sites with iodinated a-bungarotoxin, and then following the fate of the radioactivity. The degradation process is energy dependent and not tightly coupled to receptor biosynthesis. α-Bungarotoxin receptor complexes are internalized and transported to secondary lysosomes where proteolysis occurs. The appearance of ACh hypersensitivity following denervation of adult skeletal muscle has been shown to result from turn-on of receptor biosynthesis.
In Favor of Foxes: Pluralism as Fact and Aid to the Pursuit of Justice

How admirable it is to use words to resolve conflicts between people. Using words rather than fists or bombs is valuable not only because it avoids physical destruction but also because it lays the predicate for more peaceable exchange, because it reflects and engenders respect, and because it creates the possibility of persuasion or for mutual agreement to coexist. Ronald Dworkin’s extraordinary career displays possible heights that the use of words to address human conflict can reach. In both form and substance, Dworkin’s work manifests profound respect for human beings and the dignity of each distinct person. It is with the respect he has both modeled and so ably earned that we offer these comments in rather diametric opposition to his most recent sterling accomplishment. For while Dworkin celebrates the “hedgehog” of unity of truth, we find the messier variety of plural truths more in keeping with lived experience, more attuned to the transparency and inclusiveness of debates over the good and the right, and more likely to reach the variety of human beings that such debates are meant to affect. Here, then, we suggest that values are plural, not unitary, and are better seen that way than sanded and recast to appear singular and unitary. It is not only possible, but also familiar and rewarding, to work through real problems with direct attention to plural values. At stake in these seemingly abstract and methodological differences are not only aesthetic tastes but also forms of justification and forms of human engagement through which real people can work through real problems.
MUTATIONS IN THE PHO80 GENE CONFER PERMEABILITY TO 5'-MONONUCLEOTIDES IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

Yeast mutants permeable to dTMP (tup) were selected and two new complementation groups (tup5 and tup7) were identified. Assay of the levels of both acid and alkaline phosphatase in cells grown under either repressing (5 mm PO4-3) or derepressing (0.03 mm PO4-3) conditions indicated that, in general, tup mutations cause cells to be defective in their regulation of phosphatase synthesis. In addition, three of the tup mutations (tup1, tup4 and tup7) displayed markedly elevated rates of inorganic phosphate transport. The tup7 locus was found to be tightly centromere-linked on the right arm of chromosome XV, and was shown to be allelic with the pho80 regulatory locus on the basis of both genetic and biochemical criteria. Analysis of other mutations known to affect phosphatase levels (pho) indicated that some also conferred permeability to dTMP. Possible allelic relationships between tup genes and certain of these pho mutations are discussed. Regardless of the culture conditions, wild-type strains were not permeable to dTMP; in contrast, it was found in the course of this work that normal yeast cells were permeable to dUMP and that dUMP permeability was regulated by the concentration of inorganic phosphate present in the medium used to grow the cells. Thus, permeability to 5'-mononucleotides appears to be under coordinate control with phosphatase synthesis.
The characteristics of chip-to-chip signal propagation in a package suitable for superconducting circuits

We have measured the electrical characteristics of chip-to-chip-carrier connectors ideally suited to high-performance Josephson LSI circuits. Self- and mutual inductances between connectors were measured by incorporating the connectors in a dc SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) and confirmed by detailed signal delay and crosstalk measurements made with Josephson logic circuits.
Nearshore suspended sediment variations, central Surinam coast

Abstract Nearshore suspended sediment concentration along the muddy Surinam coast is highly variable; maximum values are many times greater than on other muddy coasts. Water samples taken at four field stations during various stages of the tide range in concentration from 15 to 3,700 mg/l near the surface and from 100 to 30,000 mg/l near the bottom. Highest overall concentrations and greatest variability in concentration occur in water over large banks of fluid mud (thixotropic gel) that extend 2–3 km offshore and 5–10 km along-shore. On both the intertidal and subaqueous portions of these mudbanks highest concentrations are found at low tide. Results provide evidence that an exchange between fluid mud and suspended sediment takes place during each tidal cycle.
The role of enzyme isomerization in the native catalytic cycle of the ATP sulfurylase-GTPase system.

ATP sulfurylase, from E. coli Κ-12, is a GTPase·target complex that conformationally couples the free energies of GTP hydrolysis and activated sulfate (adenosine 5‘-phosphosulfate, or APS) synthesi...
Update on the cellular and molecular basis of capillary permeability.

The attenuated layer of endothelial cells lining the blood vessels forms the critical barrier controlling the exchange of molecules from the blood to the interstitial fluid. The interactions of normally circulating blood molecules with the endothelial glycocalyx can either restrict transcapillary exchange in general or selectively increase transendothelial transport of a specific group of ligands. Investigations into the mechanisms responsible for the effects of serum have identified specific receptors, some of which appear to be involved in receptor-mediated transcytosis and endocytosis via noncoated plasmalemma vesicles (also known as caveolae). Such studies suggest that regional differences in endothelial expression of cell surface glycoproteins can be exploited for the development of tissue-directed drug therapies.
Nontarget Effect of a Fungicide Spray Program on Phytophagous and Predacious Mite Populations in a Scab-Resistant Apple Orchard

Scab–resistant cultivars can reduce the need for fungicides in apple production. However, management of powdery mildew, Pudosphaera leucotricha (Ell. & Ell) Salmon, cedar apple rust, Gymnosporangium juniperi–virginianae Schwein., and frog–eye leaf spot, Botryosphacria abtusa (Schwien.), may require limited fungicide use. Because fungicides can have mite–suppressive activity, it is important to determine the impact this reduction would have on mite populations. This study, conducted during 1988 and 1989, investigated the impact of a fungicide spray program (six applications of benomy1 and mancozeb versus no fungicide application) on phytophagous and predacious mite populations in a Vermont apple orchard. Levels of mite infestation were determined on four scab–resistant cultivars by counting motile phytophagous and predacious mites on leaf samples collected on 16 dates in each growing season. Data were evaluated separately for each cultivar, on each assessment date and over time, using an analysis of variance with a completely randomized design. Within each cultivar there were three to five single tree replicates per treatment. The impact of the fungicide spray program on predacious mite populations was clearly evident in both years. Approximately 4 wk after the last fungicide application, significantly higher predacious mite populations were detected on nontreated trees. In, 36 (97.3%) of the 37 samples for all cultivars in which there was a significant difference in predacious mites, the mean number of predacious mites was significantly higher on nonfungicide treated trees. In 1988, few significant differences in phytophagolls mite populations within cultivars were detected. However, incidences where there were significant differences in phytophagolls mite, populations increased in 1989; in the majority of the incidences, populations were significantly higher on fungicide–treated trees. This study shows that a fungicide spray program consisting of six applications can affect the mite populations on apple trees. This study also documents the potential benefit of eliminating fungicide applications.
Hematopoietic differentiation of rhesus monkey embryonic stem cells

Several lines of embryonic stem cells (ESC) have been established from rhesus monkey blastocysts. We have examined two of these cell lines for their potential for generating hematopoietic progenitors in cell culture, and we identified culture conditions, including supplementation with bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP), that result in hematopoietic differentiation of rhesus ESC with high efficiency. We have also characterized the resulting hematopoietic progenitor cells for their patterns of gene expression, as compared to those of hematopoietic progenitor cells harvested from rhesus monkey bone marrow. Of more than 60 genes examined in this manner, CD34+/CD38- cells derived from embryonic stem cells and those obtained from bone marrow demonstrated very similar patterns of gene expression. However, with integrin alphaL, IL-6 receptor, and flt-3 gene expression was greatly diminished or absent in CD34+/CD38- cells derived from the ESC, whereas the bone marrow-derived progenitors showed substantial expression of all of these genes. When the same type of comparison was done with mouse (D3 and CCE) as well as human (H1) embryonic stem cells, in each case comparing ESC-derived hematopoietic progenitors with those harvested from bone marrow, the only consistent deficiency of gene expression was that of flt-3. In hematopoietic precursors derived from mouse ESC, globin-gene expression has previously been shown to be a useful index of the embryological maturity of the cells, and we also examined globin-gene expression in rhesus monkey ESC-derived hematopoietic precursor cells, using a semiquantitative technique. CD34+/CD38- cells demonstrated expression of the epsilon- and gamma-globin genes, but negligible levels of beta globin, suggesting that these cells were at the developmental stage in which the yolk sac and fetal liver are the primary sites of hematopoiesis.
Two-sided tolerance intervals for the two-parameter double exponential distribution

One-sided B-content tolerance intervals for the two-parameter double exponential distribution are considered. Monte Carlo tolerance factors along with estimates of their asymptotic standard deviations are presented. Smoothing the Monte Carlo results using least squares regression is investigated. Comparisons among the approximate, Monte Carlo and smoothed tolerance factors are also investigated.
MARCKS, MEMBRANES, AND CALMODULIN : KINETICS OF THEIR INTERACTION

It is well documented that membrane binding of MARCKS (Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C-Kinase Substrate) requires both hydrophobic insertion of the N-terminal myristate into the bilayer and electrostatic interaction of the basic effector region with acidic lipids. The structure of a membrane-bound peptide corresponding to the effector region, residues 151–175 of bovine MARCKS, was recently determined using spin-labeled peptides and EPR. The kinetics of the peptide–membrane interaction were determined from stopped-flow fluorescence measurements; the adsorption of the peptide onto phospholipid vesicles is a diffusion-limited process. Five μM Ca2+–calmodulin decreases the lifetime of the peptide on a 100 nm diameter 10:1 PC/PS vesicle from 0.1 s to 0.01 s by rapidly pulling the peptide off the membrane. We propose a molecular mechanism, based on previous work by M. Eigen and colleagues, by which calmodulin may remove MARCKS(151–175) from the membrane at a diffusion-limited rate. Calmodulin may also use this mechanism to remove the pseudosubstrate region from the substrate binding site of enzymes such as calmodulin kinase II and myosin light chain kinase.
Ultrafast all-optical code-division multiple-access networks

In optical code-division multiple access (CDMA), the architecture of optical encoders/decoders is another important factor that needs to be considered, besides the correlation properties of those already extensively studied optical codes. The architecture of optical encoders/decoders affects, for example, the amount of power loss and length of optical delays that are associated with code sequence generation and correlation, which, in turn, affect the power budget, size, and cost of an optical CDMA system. Various CDMA coding architectures are studied in the paper. In contrast to the encoders/decoders used in prime networks (i.e., prime encodes/decoders), which generate, select, and correlate code sequences by a parallel combination of fiber-optic delay-lines, and in 2n networks (i.e., 2n encoders/decoders), which generate and correlate code sequences by a serial combination of 2 X 2 passive couplers and fiber delays with sequence selection performed in a parallel fashion, the modified 2n encoders/decoders generate, select, and correlate code sequences by a serial combination of directional couplers and delays. The power and delay- length requirements of the modified 2n encoders/decoders are compared to that of the prime and 2n encoders/decoders. A 100 Mbit/s optical CDMA experiment in free space demonstrating the feasibility of the all-serial coding architecture using a serial combination of 50/50 beam splitters and retroreflectors at 10 Tchip/s (i.e., 100,000 chip/bit) with 100 fs laser pulses is reported.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On The Divergence Buckling Of A Wide Bandsaw Plate By Roll-tensioning

Abstract Residual membrane stresses are induced in wide bandsaw plates by cold-rolling longitudinal tracks, a process known as roll-tensioning. When properly done, roll-tensioning substantially improves the cutting performance of the bandsaw. However, excessive rolling can buckle the plate causing rubbing of the plate against the work piece. The analysis in this paper shows that excessive roll-tensioning induces transverse or torsional buckling of the plate, depending on the location of the longitudinal tracks across the plate width and the magnitude of the uniform longitudinal (axial) tension applied to the plate during the cutting operation. The buckling modes are characterized by a number of waves along the length of the plate that are qualitatively predictable by theory.
Vibration-resistant direct-phase-detecting optical interferometers

Two dual-beam differential direct-phase-detecting optical interferometers for scanning moving surfaces are described. Two beams from these interferometers are focused ∼42 µm apart on moving surfaces, and the difference in their reflected path lengths is measured to provide the surface roughness measurement. These interferometers are exceptionally insensitive to environmental vibrations and to surface physical and chemical factors. Applications discussed include the measurement of the surface roughness of a rotating cylinder and a moving web.
Role of axoplasmic transport in neurotrophic regulation of muscle end plate acetylcholinesterase.

THE mechanism underlying neural control of skeletal muscle acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is not fully understood1. The experimental evidence points to acetylcholine (ACh)2 and nerve-evoked muscle activity3 as the “trophic” mediators, but neither is sufficient to account for the entire effect of innervation on muscle4. It remains to be seen whether factors such as cell-to-cell contact, and/or some regulatory substance(s) released by motor nerves also contribute to the regulation of AChE activity. In turn, the regulatory substance(s) might be conveyed by axoplasmic transport, for blockage of this process causes denervation-like changes without disturbing neurotransmitter release or the consequent muscle contractile activity5. We report here a reversible change in the activity of endplate AChE that can be ascribed to a temporary interruption of axoplasmic transport.
Cost analysis of continuous renal replacement and extended hemodialysis

BACKGROUND Continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRTs) are now considered routinely in the treatment of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) in the intensive care (ICU) setting. In search of the most effective modality, cost becomes important. METHODS Of the various modalities utilizing convection, diffusion, or a combination of the two, continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) and extended hemodialysis procedures (including sustained low-efficiency dialysis [SLED]) are the most common in the United States; both have been noted to be effective in delivering an adequate dialysis dose. This study compared the costs of these two therapies in two Philadelphia teaching hospitals. RESULTS The cost for delivery of 24 hours of CVVHDF using the Gambro-Prisma machine was found to be $1,602 versus $423 for 12 hours of SLED therapy with the Fresenius 2008K machine. Twenty-four hours of SLED would cost $797, and the cost can be decreased to $77 if the nursing-to-patient ratio is increased from 1:1 to 1:2. CONCLUSIONS Higher material costs were primarily responsible for the expense of CVVHDF. Given that the dose deliveries are similar, SLED remains the most cost-effective option for delivering renal replacement in the ICU setting. These costs may not exactly mirror those of other institutions depending on the types of solutions used, the filters utilized, salary differences based on geographical location, and the intensity of CRRT delivered.
Is tumor volume an independent prognostic factor in clinically localized prostate cancer

ABSTRACTPurpose: There continues to be debate regarding the prognostic significance of tumor volume (TV) in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens. We assessed the prognostic significance of TV in a ...
Design and initial tests of a dynamic enclosure chamber for measurements of vapor-phase mercury fluxes over soils

In an effort to establish reliable methodologies for measuring fluxes of mercury (Hg) across the soil-air interface, we have developed a field flux chamber built with FEP Teflon. To evaluate our field flux chamber system, a series of laboratory and field tests were performed. The observations of relatively low chamber blanks and low blank-to-sample ratios for the FEP Teflon chamber suggest its potential in Hg flux investigations. Despite its potential, Hg exchange rate measurements using the field flux chamber method must be made with great caution since it can be subject to contamination problems associated with the selection of chamber materials.
Two-dimensional packing of short DNA with nonpairing overhangs in cationic liposome-DNA complexes: From onsager nematics to columnar nematics with finite-length columns

We report the formation of liquid crystalline (LC) phases of short double-stranded DNA with nonpairing (nonsticky) overhangs, confined between two-dimensional (2D) lipid bilayers of cationic liposome-DNA complexes. In a landmark study (Science2007, 318, 1276), Nakata et al. reported on the discovery of strong end-to-end stacking interactions between short DNAs (sDNAs) with blunt ends, leading to the formation of 3D nematic (N) and columnar LC phases. Employing synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering, we have studied the interplay between shape anisotropy-induced and DNA end-to-end interaction-induced N ordering for 11, 24, and 48 bp sDNA rods with single-stranded oligo-thymine (T) overhangs modulating the end-to-end interactions. For suppressed stacking interactions with 10-T overhangs, the volume fraction of sDNA at which the 2D isotropic (I)-to-N transition occurs for 24 and 48 bp sDNA rods depended on their length-to-width (L/D) shape anisotropy, qualitatively consistent with Onsager's theory for the entropic alignment of rigid rods. As the overhang length is reduced from 10 to 5 and 2 T for 24 and 48 bp sDNA, the N-to-I transition occurs at lower volume fractions, indicating the onset of some degree of end-to-end stacking interactions. The 11 bp sDNA rods with 5- and 10-T overhangs remain in the I phase, consistent with their small shape anisotropy (L/D ≈ 1.9) below the limit for Onsager LC ordering. Unexpectedly, in contrast to the behavior of 24 and 48 bp sDNA, the end-to-end interactions between 11 bp sDNA rods with 2-T overhangs set in dramatically, and a novel 2D columnar N phase (N(C)) with finite-length columns formed. The building blocks of this phase are comprised of 1D stacks of (on average) four 11 bp DNA-2T rods with an effective L(stacked)/D ≈ 8.2. Our findings have implications for the DNA-directed assembly of nanoparticles on 2D platforms via end-to-end interactions and in designing optimally packed LC phases of short anisotropic biomolecules (such as peptides and short-interfering RNAs) on nanoparticle membranes, which are used in gene silencing and chemical delivery.
Corrigendum: use of emerging technologies to assess differences in outdoor physical activity in st. Louis, missouri.

Results and figures of the article by Adlakha et al. (2014) contained minor errors, which we hereby rectify. Results show that a large majority of running and walking routes were through or tangential to a park or green space. A total of 1,722.01 miles from 287 running routes and 236.84 miles from 71 walking routes appear in Figure ​Figure11 and Table ​Table1.1. The average lengths of a run and walk in this sample were 6.00 and 3.33 miles, respectively. Of all the parks in the study area, 70% were located in low-income neighborhoods. Of the 287 running routes, 80.80% traversed a park at some point during the run and 6.97% of these runs took place in parks located in low-SES neighborhoods. Of the 71 walking routes, 70.40% traversed a park at some point during the walk and 15.50% of walking routes occurred in parks located in low-SES neighborhoods. Figure ​Figure22 illustrates the availability of many parks across St. Louis, but shows fewer mapped running or walking routes in the northern half of the region that features more low-SES neighborhoods. Figure 1 Running routes, walking routes, and poverty rate in St. Louis, MO, USA. Table 1 Use of parks in St. Louis, MO for physical activity in 2012a. Figure 2 Running and walking routes in parks and poverty rate in St. Louis, MO, USA. The odds of reported running and walking routes traversing low-SES neighborhoods were significantly lower than the odds of running and walking routes reported in higher-SES neighborhoods (runs: OR = 0.36, CI = 0.21–0.62; walks: OR = 0.41, CI = 0.23–0.73) (Table ​(Table2).2). The odds of running in a park in a low-SES neighborhood were 52% lower than running in a park in a higher-SES neighborhood (OR = 0.48, CI = 0.29–0.79). The odds of walking reported in a park in a low-SES neighborhood were 64% lower than walking in a park in a higher-SES neighborhood (OR = 0.36, CI = 0.16–0.82). Table 2 Logistic regression: odds of running and walking in a low-SES neighborhood (N = 238) and park (N = 511), compared to higher-SES neighborhoods. Revised results indicate decreased odds of reported running and walking in low-SES St. Louis neighborhoods compared to higher-SES St. Louis neighborhoods (Table ​(Table1).1). This finding is consistent with the disparate rates of PA in low versus higher-SES areas (1, 2). Overall, the lower odds of reported running and walking in low-SES neighborhoods and parks located in these low-SES neighborhoods compared to higher-SES neighborhoods and parks corroborates several health and environmental disparities between north and south St. Louis.
Dynamic Indoor Location Determination: Mechanisms and Robustness Evaluation

Many indoor location determination systems have been developed lately due to burgeoning demands on location based autonomous systems, however, the performance of most systems is not well understood because conditions under which reported systems were evaluated could be very different. To this date, there are still not yet many valuable evaluation studies using real measurement data sets in recent literature. In this work, we examine a set of localization mechanisms and evaluate their performance robustness under various configuration settings and dynamics using two different building environments including one regular office building and one underground floor-plan. We study both the distance-based and the database-based systems that employ only received signal strength for location determination, and propose several performance enhancement methods that would improve the robustness of common indoor systems. We introduce a simple but effective radio distortion model to capture signal perturbations under uncontrolled environments where signal values could be distorted significantly. Using the model, we also evaluate two location searching algorithms including lateration and multidimensional scaling (MDS), we observed that MDS presented stable and smaller localization errors under most experimental settings. Of systems studied in this paper, strong experimental evidence indicated that the signal-location map method, a database-based system, outperforms the distance-based systems, especially when environment is dynamic or when radio signal values are distorted intentionally.
Parkinson disease: an update

Background Over the past decade, the treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) has undergone tremendous changes. New drugs have been introduced to manage the cardinal motor symptoms of PD, and other agents have been borrowed to treat the nonmotor manifestations of the illness. For neurologists faced with the task of treating PD patients, the available array of medications may be confusing and intimidating. Review summary In this review, I summarize the newest approved medications for the treatment of PD, including the new dopamine agonists and catechol-O-methyl-transferase inhibitors. I also describe agents that are used to treat common problems in PD patients, including hallucinations, orthostasis, nausea, erectile dysfunction, depression, and memory loss. Guidelines for handling common scenarios in PD patients will be illustrated by 10 case histories. Finally, the most promising PD drugs that are currently in development will be reviewed. Conclusions Neurologists have a vast armamentarium to treat both motor and nonmotor manifestations of PD. Understanding this array allows the astute clinician to improve the lives of their patients with PD.
Modeling Scramjet Combustor Flowfields with a Grid Adaptation Scheme

The accurate description of flow features associated with the normal injection of fuel into supersonic primary flows is essential in the design of efficient engines for hypervelocity aerospace vehicles. The flow features in such injections are complex with multiple interactions between shocks and between shocks boundary layers. Numerical studies of perpendicular sonic N2 injection and mixing in a Mach 3.8 scramjet combustor environment are discussed. A dynamic grid adaptation procedure based on the equilibration of spring-mass system is employed to enhanced the description of the complicated flow features. Numerical results are compared with experimental measurements and indicate that the adaptation procedure enhances the capability of the modeling procedure to describe the flow features associated with scramjet combustor components.
Multi-institutional database of anatomic pathology errors

In 2002, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality funded a consortium of institutions to study the current state of anatomic pathology error. This consortium designed and constructed an anatomic pathology error database that was used to benchmark institutional frequencies, causes and outcomes of error. The aggregated and institutional data showed high variability in practice and that anatomic pathology errors generally were caused by multiple system failures, often occurring in the pre-analytic and post-analytic testing phases. The consortium used these data to design error reduction initiatives that were implemented in practices. Institutional monitoring of error data following implementation often resulted in considerable error reduction. This model of database use and improvement is demonstrated using several examples.
NITROGEN DEPOSITION AND EXTINCTION RISK IN THE NORTHERN PITCHER PLANT, SARRACENIA PURPUREA

Chronic nitrogen deposition may affect the long-term survival of plant pop- ulations. The northern pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, is a model system for forecasting extinction risk in the face of increasing nitrogen deposition. Uptake of N occurs directly from pitcher leaves, which fill with rainwater and prey, and accumulate nutrients. We monitored the demography of two populations of S. purpurea in ombrotrophic bogs of northern New England (USA) and described population growth with a four-stage matrix model. Growth, survivorship, and reproduction were in close balance, and the model pre- dicted population growth rates close to zero, with long doubling times. In a life-table response experiment, we manipulated in situ concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in pitcher plant leaves. At high levels of N and high N:P ratios, population growth rates were significantly depressed. Using local N-deposition records, we forecast different N-deposition scenarios and built a nonstationary population growth model, in which a different transition matrix at each time step reflected the current deposition regime. Autocorrelation in the time series of N deposition rates generated periodic increases in population size superimposed on long-term trends of exponential decline. For a 1% annual increase in N deposition rates, this model predicted a substantial risk of extinction at 100 yr (0.38-0.70), with an estimated population survival time of 160-180 yr. Although slow-growing populations of Sarracenia can buffer substantial environmental change, chronic increases in N deposition rate threaten population persistence.
America's adolescents: where have we been, where are we going?

Abstract Purpose To determine historical trends and current status of the health of America's youth Methods A thorough literature review was conducted to establish the best sources for adolescent data across a wide range of health-related issues using major national data sources. Data were collected and synthesized to create a comprehensive overview of adolescent health and demographic trends. Results and conclusion Adolescence is a distinct developmental stage posing unique challenges. Although generally considered a time of health and well-being, traditional health indicators often overlook areas specific to adolescence. Despite encouraging improvements in recent years, this population continues to have high rates of morbidity and mortality owing to violence, injury, and mental health disorders. Also, potentially health-damaging behaviors, such as premature and unprotected sexual behavior and substance use, pose significant threats. Fortunately, adolescence is a time of great behavioral plasticity. Because the vast majority of adolescent health risks are the result of behavioral causes, much of this morbidity and mortality is preventable. The adolescent population is projected to greatly increase over the next 2 decades. However, older age groups are increasing more rapidly, reducing the proportion of adolescents in the overall population. The aging population will likely demand increased access to scarce resources. The public needs to be educated about the need to support programs for youth. If resources are properly allocated, and health professionals trained to deal with adolescents' unique needs, America's youth have the potential to benefit greatly from successful implementation of new knowledge, developing healthy, positive, life-long behaviors.
Use of land surface temperature to estimate surface energy fluxes: Contributions of Wilfried Brutsaert and collaborators

Land surface temperature (LST) plays a key role in governing the land surface energy budget, and measurements or estimates of LST are an integral part of many land surface models and methods to estimate land surface sensible heat (H) and latent heat fluxes. In particular, the LST “anchors” the potential temperature profile in Monin-Obukhov similarity theory, from which H can be derived. Brutsaert has made important contributions to our understanding the nature of surface temperature measurements as well as the practical but theoretically sound use of LST in this framework. His work has coincided with the wide-spread availability of remotely sensed LST measurements. Use of remotely sensed LST estimates inevitably involves complicating factors, such as: varying spatial and temporal scales in measurements, theory, and models; spatial variability of LST and H; the relationship between measurements of LST and the temperature “felt” by the atmosphere; and the need to correct satellite-based radiometric LST measurements for the radiative effects of the atmosphere. This paper reviews the progress made in research in these areas by tracing and commenting on Brutsaert's contributions.
Detection of natural IgM subunits and subunits of IgM produced by reduction and alkylation by anti-μ sera

Abstract (1) The hemolytic activity of IgM antibody which is lost after reduction and alkylation can be reconstituted by anti-μ sera. (2) The Sephadex fraction of anti-SRBC serum, which characteristically contains immunoglobulins with sedimentation constants of 7 S , was enhanced by anti-μ sera indicating the presence of naturally occurring sub-units of IgM.
Coke zero: "liquid dream"

"Liquid Dream" plunges the audience into a stream of effervescent Coke Zero, gliding in and out of liquid and light and interacting with golden light beams against a glowing, star-filled galaxy.
The Influence of Top Management Team Heterogeneity on the Capital Raised through an Initial Public Offering

A significant body of research exists on the top management teams (TMTs) of established firms and specifically on the heterogeneity of TMTs of established firms. Little research exists, however, on the heterogeneity of TMTs of firms in the early stages of their existence. In this study, I examine the relationship among TMT heterogeneity and the capital raised by the firm through its initial public offering (IPO). I argue that TMT heterogeneity provides a signal to potential investors about the quality of the IPO and hence is associated with greater capital accumulations. My findings suggest that heterogeneity in the TMT's functional background and educational background is associated with greater capital raised through an IPO.
The 9Be(p, α) and (p, d) cross sections at low energies

Cross sections for the ^9Be(p, d) and (p, α) reactions have been measured for proton lab energies of 30 to 700 keV. Angular distributions were measured for energies of 100 to 600 keV. Absolute normalization of the cross sections was done by measuring cross sections for Rutherford scattered α-particles. The maximum cross sections observed at the 330 keV (lab) J^π = 1^− resonance were 360 ± 20 mb for (p, α) and 470 ± 30 mb for (p, d). The value of S_(c.m)(E = 0) for the combined cross sections was estimated to be 35^(+45)_(−15) MeV · b. The reaction data were interpreted in terms of an R-matrix compound nucleus model. There were no obvious effects due to direct reactions. The low-energy behavior of the cross sections was fitted by using three ^(10)B resonance levels; a J^π = 2^+ level at −20 keV (c.m.), a 1^− level at 310 keV (c.m.) and a 1^+ level at 410 keV (c.m.).
The ‘Collaborative Care’ curriculum: an educational model addressing key ACGME core competencies in primary care residency training

Aim The ‘Collaborative Care’ curriculum is a 12-month senior resident class project in which one evidence-based clinical guideline is designed, implemented and evaluated in our residency practice. This curriculum specifically addresses three of the six Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies: Practice-Based Learning and Improvement, Interpersonal and Communication Skills and System-Based Practices. Additionally, the project enhances the quality of patient care within the model family practice centre in a family practice residency. Methods During the project, the third-year residency class selects the disease, develops the clinical guideline, leads its implementation and guides the evaluation process. Select faculty members serve as mentors and coach the resident class through each phase of the project. Specific educational objectives are developed for each content area: evidence-based medicine, clinical guideline development, continuous quality improvement and team leadership. A series of seminars are presented during the project year to provide ‘just-in-time’ learning for the key content and skills required for each step in the project. By working together to develop the practice guideline, then working with nurses and allied health staff to implement the guideline and review its effectiveness, the resident team gains competence in the areas of practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills and system-based practices. Results The self-reported level of resident confidence in skill acquisition for each content area was measured for each resident at the time of graduation from the residency programme. Results from the first 2 years of this curriculum are reported (resident n = 12), and demonstrate a high level of physician confidence in the skills addressed and their utility for future practice. Conclusions The senior resident seminar and team project model reported here creates learning experiences that appear to address at least three of the ACGME general competency expectations: practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal communication skills, and systems-based practice. From the initial resident feedback, this educational model seems to establish a high level of physician confidence in the skills addressed and their utility for future practice.
New network architecture for stoichiometrically, thermodynamically and kinetically balanced metabolic reaction systems

Abstract The conventional way of assembling the metabolic reactions into networks by placing the metabolites on the nodes and associating the edges with reactions is shown to violate the mass balance, thermodynamics and kinetics. A new type of metabolic networks referred to as reaction route (RR) networks is discussed. The distinct feature of the RR networks is that both the nodes and edges are subject to mass balance, thermodynamic and kinetic constraints. To satisfy these constraints, it is necessary to introduce two different types of nodes. One of these, referred to as terminal nodes, satisfy the mass balance conditions for external metabolites. The other type of nodes, referred to as intermediate nodes, satisfy the quasi steady-state conditions for internal metabolites. It is further required that every cycle in the network be thermodynamically consistent in that the sum of affinities (Gibbs free energy changes) of the reactions comprising the cycle should add up to zero. A balanced RR metabolic network possesses a remarkable property, namely, every conceivable walk between two terminal nodes involves a sequence of metabolic reaction steps that produce an overall reaction (OR), i.e., a reaction comprising only external metabolites. A key result is that many metabolic reaction networks may be balanced if and only if the network is allowed to be infinite and periodic.
Nmnat exerts neuroprotective effects in dendrites and axons

Dendrites can be maintained for extended periods of time after they initially establish coverage of their receptive field. The long-term maintenance of dendrites underlies synaptic connectivity, but how neurons establish and then maintain their dendritic arborization patterns throughout development is not well understood. Here, we show that the NAD synthase Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (Nmnat) is cell-autonomously required for maintaining type-specific dendritic coverage of Drosophila dendritic arborization (da) sensory neurons. In nmnat heterozygous mutants, dendritic arborization patterns of class IV da neurons are properly established before increased retraction and decreased growth of terminal branches lead to progressive defects in dendritic coverage during later stages of development. Although sensory axons are largely intact in nmnat heterozygotes, complete loss of nmnat function causes severe axonal degeneration, demonstrating differential requirements for nmnat dosage in the maintenance of dendritic arborization patterns and axonal integrity. Overexpression of Nmnat suppresses dendrite maintenance defects associated with loss of the tumor suppressor kinase Warts (Wts), providing evidence that Nmnat, in addition to its neuroprotective role in axons, can function as a protective factor against progressive dendritic loss. Moreover, motor neurons deficient for nmnat show progressive defects in both dendrites and axons. Our studies reveal an essential role for endogenous Nmnat function in the maintenance of both axonal and dendritic integrity and present evidence of a broad neuroprotective role for Nmnat in the central nervous system.
The effects of NH3 and CO2 on the sensory ending of mammalian muscle spindles: intracellular pH as a possible mechanism

The changes in impulse activity of the sensory endings of single isolated cat muscle spindles, as affected by NH3 and CO2 were analyzed. These changes are most likely caused by corresponding changes in intracellular pH of the sensory endings.
Comparison of the semen characteristics of Fengjing, Meishan and Yorkshire boars

Semen characteristics of Chinese Fengjing, CHinese Meishan and American Yorkshire boars were examined. Samples were collected from 24 boars: 6 Fengjing, 12 Meishan and 6 Yorkshire. Three semen characteristics and 6 biochemical evaluations of semen or seminal plasma were analyzed. The whole semen parameters measured were gelatinous (gel) and gel-free volume and progressive motility. Fengjing boars were higher in gel volume than Meishan (P 0.25), while Yorkshire boars were higher than Meishan boars in gel volume (P 0.80). However, the only difference detected for progressive motility was between Fengjing and Meishan boars (78.5 vs 74.5%; P 0.18). The biochemical messurements made were fructose, galactose, inositol, total carbohydrate and total protein in seminal plasma and pH in gel-free semen. Fengjing boars had higher concentrations of galactose in seminal plasma than Meishan or Yorkshire boars (P 0.80). The pH level and total protein concentration did not differ among the 3 breeds (P > 0.30). This study indicated that breed differences were detected for several seminal parameters, although no single breed had consistantly higher values for all the parameters measured.
Flow characteristics in models of arterial stenoses. II. Unsteady flow.

Abstract In Part I of this paper the effect of a stenosis on the steady flow through a tube was considered. In Part II the effect of unsteadiness is investigated experimentally using the same axisymmetric and nonsymmetric models. Oscillating flow, with and without a steady component, was utilized and the pressure drop was determined as a function of several parameters. An approximate equation for predicting the pressure drop across a stenosis is developed, and verified experimentally. It is shown that three dimensionless parameters can be used to characterize the unsteady flow in a stenosis. Hot-film measurements were used to investigate the development of turbulence and it was found that the oscillating flow was more stable than the corresponding steady flow for mild constrictions. For the severely constricted models the oscillating flow was slightly less stable than for steady flow.
Metastases to the uterine corpus from extragenital cancers. A clinicopathologic study of 63 cases

This report is an analysis of 63 cases of metastatic cancers to the uterine corpus from extragenital neoplasms. The patients' ages ranged from 34-88 years (mean, 59.7 years). Twenty lesions were discovered in surgical specimens and 43 were detected at autopsy. The primary tumors arose in the breast (42.9%), colon (17.5%), stomach (11.1%), pancreas (11.1%), gallbladder (4.8%), lung (4.8%), cutaneous melanoma (3.2%), urinary bladder (3.2%), and thyroid (1.6%). In five (25%) of the surgical cases, uterine metastases were the first indication of the presence of an extragenital primary cancer. Metastases to leiomyomas were found in 13 instances. The myometrium was more often involved than the endometrium, but endometrial curettings contained the metastatic tumor in numerous cases. Metastases to the ovaries were detected in almost two thirds of cases. Although an infrequent event, abnormal uterine bleeding may result from secondary spread to the uterine corpus from an extragenital primary neoplasm.
Scaling of plasma parameters in the SOL and divertor for Alcator C-Mod

Abstract A fast-scanning Langmuir probe and an array of divertor Langmuir probes are used to characterize the cross-field heat transport ( χ ⊥ ) and to compare plasma conditions “upstream” along a magnetic flux tube to conditions at the divertor. Three distinct regimes are found which depend on the power into the SOL and the edge plasma density: (1) a sheath-limited conduction regime where the divertor target temperature and density is similar to the values upstream, (2) a high-recycling regime where plasma pressure is approximately constant along field lines while n e is high and T e is low at the divertor, and (3) a detached divertor regime where n e and T e collapse near the divertor strike points. The scaling between regimes (1) and (2) can be described by a transport model that includes anomalous cross-field heat transport (0.25 χ ⊥ 2 s −1 ), sheath conduction, and classical parallel electron conduction.
Laser scattering defects in MBE-grown GaAs epitaxial layers related to dislocations in semi-insulating substrates

Abstract Scattering defects and microscopic PL in MBE-grown GaAs epitaxial layers on semi-insulating (SI) substrates with different dislocation density were studied by laser topography. The epitaxial layer on a lower-dislocation-density substrate (EPD=4E3 cm −2 : grown by VB method) has about one order fewer scattering defects than that on a higher-dislocation-density substrate (EPD=3E4 cm −2 : grown by LEC method), in which scattering defects were observed with cellular patterns like dislocation distribution in the substrate. PL characteristics are the same in the two epitaxial layers. The effects of these scattering defects on power devices are discussed.
Plasmid analysis of multiple resistantSerratia marcescens

Plasmid transfer and profiles were determined in strains ofSerratia marcescens resistant to established antibiotics and to newer ureidopenicillins and third-generation cephalosporins. Neither pigment production or cephalosporin resistance was plasmid mediated. Resistance to carbenicillin (ureidopenicillins) and low levels of aminoglycosides resided on a 34-Mdal plasmid. High-level aminoglycoside resistance was associated with a 70-Mdal plasmid. No function could be ascribed to a 62-Mdal plasmid. The 34-Mdal plasmid, but not the 70- or 62-Mdal plasmids, was transferable by conjugation, but only by those strains that harbored a 25-Mdal plasmid. The 34-Mdal plasmid rendered strains stably resistant. The 70-Mdal plasmid was spontaneously lost at a high frequency.