cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automatic Measurement, Reduction and Recording of Wavelengths from Spectrograms

A device is described which can be attached to any standard moving-plate comparator which automatically records the passage of the density maximum of a spectrum line, computes the wavelength corresponding to this maximum and records this value to eight figures photographically at high speed. The automatic recording, computing and measuring features can be used independently if desired. The comparator screw can be driven by hand, or by electric motor at controllable speed, through a shaft which is coupled to a wavelength shaft by means of variable ratio gears and a differential so that the speed ratio of the shafts can be rapidly adjusted to any desired instantaneous value. When measuring a plate the operator sees on a screen before him a magnified image of a portion of the spectrum; the light in this image actuates an amplifier system through three photo-cells to give records of plate density and rate of change of density with distance. When the density slope becomes zero while the density is greater than some predetermined background value a mercury arc flashes to record the wavelength dial readings. Correct wavelength readings for any desired number of standard lines can be set into the machine, or an empirical dispersion formula can be introduced. Errors due to backlash, oil film variation and temperature variation of the screw are practically eliminated, and automatic setting on most lines is found to be more accurate than hand setting. A microphotometer trace is superposed by the machine on the wavelength list so that the intensities and physical characteristics of lines can be determined directly. A ten to 200-fold gain in speed of measurement of complex spectrograms results from use of the machine. When used as a microphotometer the instrument is faster than those in common use.
Venomous pelagic coelenterates: Chemistry, toxicology, immunology and treatment of their stings

Ten years have elapsed since our last review article on the toxicology of venomous pelagic coelenterates was published (Burnett and Calton, 1977). Investigation on important medusae and the chemistry of their nematocyst venoms have been expanding. The venomous jellyfish discussed here include the Portuguese man-o'war, (Physalia physalis), the sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha), the box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri and/or Chiropsalmus quadrigatus), the cabbage head jellyfish (Stomolophus meleagris), the lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata), the Irukandji jellyfish (Carukia barnesi), the Moreton Bay Carybdeid medusa (Morbakka), and the mauve blubber (Pelagia noctiluca).
Anastomotic technique—Does it make a difference?

The morbidity and mortality associated with anastomotic leak (AL) can be severe. Surgeons have long sought to refine the technical aspects of constructing anastomoses with the goal of lowering incidence of AL. Anastomotic technique is aimed at creating a well-perfused, tension-free anastomosis. Anastomoses can performed using hand-sewn technique or with surgical staplers. There are many variations in the hand-sewn technique, such as the type of suture material used, the number of layers and whether the bowel is inverted or everted. The introduction of surgical staplers has altered the technical ease of constructing anastomoses, and this has contributed to their widespread clinical use. However, stapled anastomoses have not proven to be superior to hand-sewn anastomoses in the development of AL. Many other factors have been studied, such as anastomotic configuration (end-to-end, side-to-end, straight coloanal, colonic J-pouch, or transverse coloplasty), high versus low ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery ligation, omentoplasty, and prophylactic drain placement, but none have consistently been shown to prevent the development of AL.
Operating characteristic analysis of attribute ratings

The analysis of receiver operating characteristics as employed in psychophysics is suggested as a way of obtaining several useful measures in the context of attribute ratings. These include the difference between two stimuli on the attribute, the tendency for Ss to favor one pole of the rating scale, width of rating categories, and equal interval properties of the rating scale. The underlying measurement model is described along with means of evaluating its basic assumptions.
Zoonotic parasites of selected exotic animals

Parasitic zoonoses of ferrets, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, pet birds, and nonhuman primates are reviewed. Included in discussion are ectoparasites, Dirofilaria, Toxocara, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Balantidium, Entamoeba histolytica, Hymenolepis , pentastomids, and helminths including those that cause sparganosis. Arthropod vectors found on reptiles which may transmit zoonotic disease are listed. Diagnostic tests and treatment regimens are covered.
Ultrasonic enhancement of gene transfection in murine melanoma tumors

The enhancement of gene transfection by ultrasound (US) was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using the B16 mouse melanoma model. Cultured cells were either exposed in suspensions in vitro or implanted subcutaneously in female C57BL/6 mice for 10-14 days and, subsequently exposed, in vivo. For comparison to results with a luciferase plasmid, a reporter plasmid for green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used to evaluate transfection efficiency. US was supplied by a system, similar to a Dornier HM-3 lithotripter, that produced shock waves (SW) of 24.4 MPa peak positive and 5.2 MPa peak negative pressure amplitudes at the focus. The plasmids were mixed with the suspensions to achieve 20 ,microL mL(-1), or were injected intratumorally to provide 0.2 mg DNA per mL of tumor. Acoustic cavitation was promoted by retaining 0.2 mL of air in the 1.2-mL exposure chambers in vitro and by injecting air at 10% of tumor volume in vivo. In vitro, cell counts declined to 5.3% of shams after 800 SW exposure, with 1.4% of the cells expressing GFP after 2 days of culture. In vivo, 2 days after 400 SW exposure, viable-cell recovery from excised tumors was reduced to 4.2% of shams and cell transfection was enhanced by a factor of about 8, reaching 2.5% of cell counts (p < 0.005 in t-test). These results show that strong tumor ablation induced by US shock wave treatment can be coupled with simultaneous enhancement of gene transfection.
Aerodynamic performance of an annular classical airfoil cascade

Results are presented for a series of experiments that were performed in a large-scale subsonic annular cascade facility that was specifically designed to provide three-dimensional aerodynamic data for the verification of numerical-calculation codes. In particular, the detailed three-dimensional aerodynamic performance of a classical flat-plate airfoil cascade is determined for angles of incidence of 0, 5, and 10 deg. The resulting data are analyzed and are correlated with predictions obtained from NASA's MERIDL and TSONIC numerical programs. It is found that: (1) at 0 and 5 deg, the airfoil surface data show a good correlation with the predictions; (2) at 10 deg, the data are in fair agreement with the numerical predictions; and (3) the two-dimensional Gaussian similarity relationship is appropriate for the wake velocity profiles in the mid-span region of the airfoil.
Electoral stability and the decline of class in democratic politics

This paper examines the dynamic consequences of the decline in class based politics. Two different mathematical models are constructed: a system of linear differential equations assuming behavioral independence within the electorate, and a system of nonlinear differential equations assuming behavioral interdependence. The analysis based on these models produces two main results. First, if the electorate is characterized by interdependent behavior, a stable balance between the parties is rendered problematic. Second, assuming that behavior is interdependent, the decline of class based politics undermines the potential for a stable balance between political parties.
EXTENSIONS OF POSITIVE DEFINITE FREDHOLM OPERATORS WITH PARTIALLY ZERO INVERSE

Considered is the problem of adjusting a positive definite operator in order to obtain a partially zero inverse. Using generalized determinants the problem is settled for operator matrices with Hilbert Schmidt off diagonal entries. For Fredholm integral operators an approximation result is obtained.
Individual differences of unique hue loci and their relation to color preferences

Loci of the four unique hues (red, green, blue, and yellow) on the equiluminant plane on the color display and three preferred colors were obtained from 115 normal trichromats. We sought possible correlations between these measures. Different unique hue loci were not correlated with each other. The three preferred colors were not correlated with each other. We found five combinations of significant correlation between a preferred color and unique hue settings, yet the overall tendency is not very clear. We conclude that individual differences in color appearance measured by unique hues and color preferences measured by asking for favorite colors may not be predicted from each other or even within a category because the differences in the earlier visual mechanisms can be compensated for and these high-level measures can be influenced by learning and experience. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 29, 285–291, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20023
A model for optimal reaction norms: the case of the pregnant garter snake and her temperature-sensitive embryos.

Abstract: We present a model to test Osgood’s (1978) proposition that viviparous snakes have optimal reaction norms for temperature‐sensitive meristic traits, such as scale counts. Our model predicts that traits that are subject to temperature effects during development will evolve a flat or \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \newcommand\cyr{ \renewcommand\rmdefault{wncyr} \renewcommand\sfdefault{wncyss} \renewcommand\encodingdefault{OT2} \normalfont \selectfont} \DeclareTextFontCommand{\textcyr}{\cyr} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} \landscape $\textsf{U}$\end{document} ‐shaped reaction norm (average scale count as a function of developmental temperature). We tested this prediction by maintaining 67 female garter snakes (Thamnophis el...
Ammonium excretion in a temperate-reef community by a planktivorous fish, Chromis punctipinnis (Pomacentridae), and potential uptake by young giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera (Laminariales)

The blacksmith Chromis punctipinnis, an abundant planktivorous damselfish off southern California, USA, shelters along rocky reefs at night. While sheltered, blacksmiths excrete ammonium that could, in turn, be utilized by nearby benthic macrophytes. Laboratory experiments during the summer and fall of 1983 and 1984 indicate that ammonium excretion at night ranged from 18.1 μmol h-1 by a 8.5 g (dry) fish, to 89.1 μmol h-1 by a 27.3 g fish; excretion rates generally declined throughout the night. Field measurements at night indicate that ammonium concentrations were significantly higher in rocky crevices occupied by blacksmiths than in unoccupied shelters, and the ammonium level in one shelter dropped after a blacksmith was experimentally removed. Young kelp plants (Macrocystis pyrifera) are capable of taking up ammonium at night. Ammonium levels in chambers containing both a blacksmith and a young kelp plant were significantly lower than in chambers containing only a fish, and ammonium levels dropped in ammoniumspiked chambers that contained kelp plants. Nighttime ammonium uptake rates by young kelp plants, which averaged 1.6 μmol g-1 (dry) h-1, were only slightly lower than those during the day. Daytime excretion by blacksmiths occasionally results in elevated ammonium levels in the water column. On two of six days, ammonium concentrations in midwater foraging aggregations were slightly but significantly higher than in upcurrent controls; since blacksmiths typically aggregate at the incurrent margin of kelp beds, the ammonium is swept downcurrent and may be utilized by large M. pyrifera that extend through the water column. Thus, the activities of blacksmiths may results in the importation of extrinsic, inorganic nitrogen to primary producers on temperate reefs.
Fluorescent polymeric nanocomposite films generated by surface-mediated photoinitiation of polymerization

Incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) into polymer films represents a valuable strategy for achieving a variety of desirable physical, optical, mechanical, and electrical attributes. Here, we describe and characterize the creation of highly fluorescent polymer films by entrapment of fluorescent NPs into polymer matrices through surface-mediated eosin photoinitiation reactions. Performing surface-mediated polymerizations with NPs combines the benefits of a covalently anchored film with the unique material properties afforded by NPs. The effects of monomer type, crosslinker content, NP size, and NP surface chemistry were investigated to determine their impact on the relative amount of NPs entrapped in the surface-bound films. The density of entrapped NPs was increased up to 6-fold by decreasing the NP diameter. Increasing the crosslinking agent concentration enabled a greater than 2-fold increase in the amount of NPs entrapped. Additionally, the monomer chemistry played a significant role as poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)-based monomer formulations entrapped a 10-fold higher density of carboxy-functionalized NPs than did acrylamide/bisacrylamide formulations, though the latter formulations ultimately immobilized more fluorophores by generating thicker films. In the context of a polymerization-based microarray biodetection platform, these findings enabled tailoring of the monomer and NP selection to yield a 200-fold improvement in sensitivity from 31 (±1) to 0.16 (±0.01) biotinylated target molecules per square micron. Similarly, in polymerization-based cell staining applications, appropriate monomer and NP selection enabled facile visualization of microscale, sub-cellular features. Careful consideration of monomer and NP selection is critical to achieve the desired properties in applications that employ surface-mediated polymerization to entrap NPs.
Strain differences in autotomy in mice after peripheral nerve transection or repair

The purpose of this study was to identify the optimal murine model for the study of peripheral nerve injury and nerve and limb transplantation. The degree of self-mutilation (autotomy) following sciatic and saphenous nerve injury was assessed in four mouse strains, Balb/C, C57BL/6J, C57BL/10J, and C3HEB, commonly used in surgical research. Experimental groups included sciatic and saphenous nerve transection with repair (n = 9) or without repair (n = 9), as well as housing arrangements favoring social interaction vs. isolation. Autotomy was most prevalent in the Balb/c and C3H strains at 56% and 89% overall, respectively, and was much less frequently seen in the C57Bl/10 and C57Bl/6 strains (22% and 11%, respectively). Autotomy was found to correlate most strongly with mouse strain, and with social contact as well. Two strains, C57BL/6J and C57BL/10J, were found to be highly resistant to self-mutilation, and are thus ideal animal models for peripheral-nerve and whole-limb transplant studies. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:363–368 2003
Welding Kinetics in a Miscible Blend of High-Tg and Low-Tg Polymers

A model system consisting of poly(tetramethyl bisphenol A polycarbonate) (TMPC) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was used to study the adhesion between miscible blends of polymers with very different glass transition temperatures. Contact mechanics experiments were performed where identical miscible blend layers were held into contact and separated at elevated temperatures. These results were correlated with measurements of PEO diffusion using dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry. For low PEO concentrations in the blend, adhesion was obtained above a critical temperature that was consistent with the Fox equation, but substantial adhesion was not obtained at any temperature for blends with higher PEO contents. The results indicate that adhesion requires sufficient mobility of the high-Tg TMPC component and can be enhanced by small additions of PEO. Larger additions of the highly mobile PEO lubricate the interface, eliminating the enhancement in adhesion that would otherwise result from diffusion of the hi...
Highlighting the differences between the positive and pseudo-positive cyto-architectonics

A great deal of research has been carried out by biologists, pathologists, as well as biomedical physicists on the studies of the cyto-architectonics in various types of cells with symptoms of cancerous disease. Color and texture of the cell and their interrelationships are the important basis for cell analyses, and prove successful to differentiate abnormal cells from normal ones. However, to classify the abnormal cells into two categories, namely cancerous cells and non- cancerous cells but with pseudo-positive phenomenon, more information are needed in addition to those obtained only from the observations on the microscopic images of the smear, and therefore, a further step, such as biopsy, has to be taken. In this paper, color image processing technique is introduced to highlight the differences between the positive and the pseudo-positive cyto-architectonics so as to help increase the visualization and diagnostic capability of an human expert. It is hoped that it would come out to be an effective tool for the screening of the pseudo-positive non-cancerous cells from the cancerous ones even when they look alike under microscope.
EXPERIMENTAL FOCALIZED MYOCARDIAL LESIONS PRODUCED WITH STREPTOCOCCUS MITIS

1. By the intravenous injection into rabbits of Streptococcus mitis, we have produced focalized myocardial lesions which are identical with those caused by the injection of Streptococcus rheumaticus, and with those produced by Bracht and Wachter with Streptococcus viridans. 2. The lesions differ from those which we produced by injections of streptococci from the Chicago epidemic of sore throat (epidemic streptococcus). 3. The lesions are not identical with Aschoff bodies and are easily differentiated from them. They also differ from the foci produced by Jackson and Coombs, who describe their lesions as being either Aschoff bodies or similar formations. 4. The myocardial lesions of the rabbit appear to be caused by toxins liberated by the streptococci injected and not by the living organisms themselves. 5. The only point of similarity between the experimental lesions and those found in cases of rheumatic carditis in man is their focalized nature.
GABA level, gamma oscillation, and working memory performance in schizophrenia

A relationship between working memory impairment, disordered neuronal oscillations, and abnormal prefrontal GABA function has been hypothesized in schizophrenia; however, in vivo GABA measurements and gamma band neural synchrony have not yet been compared in schizophrenia. This case–control pilot study (N = 24) compared baseline and working memory task-induced neuronal oscillations acquired with high-density electroencephalograms (EEGs) to GABA levels measured in vivo with magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Working memory performance, baseline GABA level in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and measures of gamma oscillations from EEGs at baseline and during a working memory task were obtained. A major limitation of this study is a relatively small sample size for several analyses due to the integration of diverse methodologies and participant compliance. Working memory performance was significantly lower for patients than for controls. During the working memory task, patients (n = 7) had significantly lower amplitudes in gamma oscillations than controls (n = 9). However, both at rest and across working memory stages, there were significant correlations between gamma oscillation amplitude and left DLPFC GABA level. Peak gamma frequency during the encoding stage of the working memory task (n = 16) significantly correlated with GABA level and working memory performance. Despite gamma band amplitude deficits in patients across working memory stages, both baseline and working memory-induced gamma oscillations showed strong dependence on baseline GABA levels in patients and controls. These findings suggest a critical role for GABA function in gamma band oscillations, even under conditions of system and cognitive impairments as seen in schizophrenia.
Health services clinical trials: design, conduct, and cost methodology.

Randomized clinical trials and their developing methodology have had substantial impact on the advancement of medical practice. With the emergence of managed care and increased emphasis on the reduction of medical care expenditures, cost evaluation is now becoming a part of clinical trial research. The papers by Henderson et al. and Manheim that follow address the evolution of health services research, its application to multicenter clinical trials in a major U.S. health-care system, and methods of assessing costs in health services clinical trials.
Discriminative reaction time in children as related to amount of stimulus familiarization

Abstract Eighty 4- to 6-year-old children were each exposed to 40 presentations of a light stimulus during a familiarization experience. Amount of familiarization was varied by including either 35 or 5 exposures to a light of a given hue (red or green). Additional presentations (5 or 35) of a white light served to equate the total number of exposures. After familiarization, S was given 50 discriminative reaction time trials in which the red and the green light each served as the signal to respond on half the trials. In relation to the familiarization experience, the red light was “familiar” and the green light “novel” for half the S s, whereas the reversed relation obtained for the remaining S s. Response speeds were significantly faster to the novel than to the familiar stimulus, this effect being of comparable magnitude for low and high amounts of familiarization. In addition, a sequential analysis which took into account whether a given reaction time trial involved a stimulus which was the same as (“unchanged”) or different from (“changed”) the stimulus occurring on the immediately preceding trial revealed that: (a) responses were significantly faster to the novel than to the familiar stimulus on both unchanged and changed trials; and (b) responses were significantly faster on changed than on unchanged trials. The discussion points up the possibility that two types of “novelty” are involved in this situation: (a) novelty due to the familiarization experience; and (b) novelty inherent in changing from one stimulus to another from trial to trial within the discriminative reaction time task itself.
A Meta‐Analysis of Forest Cover, Edge Effects, and Artificial Nest Predation Rates

Landscape fragmentation has been among the most intensely studied topics in conservation biology for decades (Gates & Gysel 1978; Murcia 1995). The influence of habitat edge has often been investigated as an important feature in fragmented areas, especially with respect to bird nesting success, as evidenced by three recent reviews. Paton (1994) concluded that "current evidence, although equivocal, suggests that predation and parasitism rates are often significantly greater within 50 m of an edge." Andren (1995) examined edge (or patch size) effects in a review of 40 papers and concluded that "edge-related increase in predation seems to be most commonly found inside forests surrounded by farmland and was rarely found in forest mosaics." Major and Kendal (1996) showed that a preponderance of studies "demonstrated a positive correlation between predation rate and the degree of habitat fragmentation," but found "more variable results" regarding edge effects. We believe that none of these papers adequately addressed the issue of whether or not predation rates and edge effects differ between deforested versus forested landscapes. Thus, we decided to evaluate relationships between degree of forest cover in a landscape and (1) avian nest success rates and (2) the existence of elevated predation rates near habitat edges. We combined data from 13 previous studies in 33 U.S. landscapes to explore patterns of nest predation and landscape composition.
Medication adherence in successful kidney transplant recipients.

The World Health Organization defines medication adherence as “the extent to which a person’s behaviour (taking medications, following a recommended diet and/or executing life-style changes) corresponds with the agreed recommendations of a health care provider.”1 Adherence to an effective immunosuppressive medication regimen has been identified as a vital behavior to prevent graft rejection after organ transplantation.2,3 De Geest and colleagues4 found that medication nonadherence of only 3% resulted in an increased number of late acute rejections in heart transplant patients. Results of a recent study5 in kidney transplant recipients also indicate that medication nonadherence is associated with poor outcomes. Immunosuppressive nonadherence may lead to a number of complications, including acute and chronic rejection, diminished renal function requiring a return to dialysis, or death.6–10 Patients returning to dialysis after a failed kidney transplant are at 78% greater mortality risk than are patients receiving dialysis who are waiting for a transplant.11 Much research has been conducted to gain an understanding of medication nonadherence in adult kidney transplant recipients. Research has focused on predictors,6 barriers,12 and beliefs13 of individuals who fail to adhere to immunosuppressive medications. Interventions have also been tested to improve immunosuppressive adherence in this group.14–17 No one, however, has analyzed what behaviors or factors are present in successful kidney transplant recipients that may contribute to desirable medication adherence and long-term success after kidney transplant. The purpose of this study was to explore the medication-taking behavior of successful kidney transplant recipients and determine what adherence-influencing behaviors were common among this unique group.
Effect of dopamine on hemoglobin synthesis of chick blastoderm in vitro.

SummaryDopamine markedly inhibited the synthesis of hemoglobin in the area vasculosa of chick blastoderms in vitro without affecting the development of the embryos proper. This effect was more evident in young blastoderms than in old ones. l-dopa, a precursor of dopamine, suppressed hemoglobin formation to a lesser degree. Norepinephrine and epinephrine at a similar concentration were lethal to all blastoderms, whereas serotonin had no visible effect on the hemoglobin synthesis or the development of embryos.
Parsing Work Environments Along the Dimensions of Sexual and Non-Sexual Harassment: Drawing Lines in Office Sand

Laws addressing harassment at work have evolved considerably since court systems first recognized that (sexual) harassment is illegal. Now, managers must worry about protected classes other than sex (e.g., race, age, etc.), and the effects of harassment on bystanders as well as victims (i.e., ambient harassment). Understanding these newer conceptualizations of workplace harassment is critical for mangers dealing with an increasingly complex array of possible work environments, only some of which are illegal. Toward this end, we present a taxonomy of eight possible work environments, created by parsing the legal definition of sexual harassment (i.e., the first-recognized type of hostile work environment). The taxonomy illustrates the evolution of law in this area, and highlights the multidimensional nature of workplace harassment. Also discussed are potential complications arising from how a reasonable person and a victim might interpret behavior. Managers using the taxonomy may better assess whether their work environments have crossed the line, or facilitate movement from less- to more-desirable work environments.
Numerical simulation on the interaction of blast waves with a series of aluminum cylinders at near-field

Abstract This paper demonstrates the application of numerical simulation in predicting the interaction of blast waves with a series of aluminum cylinders at near-field. The results from the experiments performed by Held [Held M. Impulse method for the blast contour of cylindrical high explosive charges. Propellants Explos Pyrotech 1999;24:17–26] are used as a benchmark for comparison. This numerical simulation, performed using the fluid-structure coupling feature in AUTODYN-3D®, predicts the initial velocities of the aluminum cylinders in the vicinity of the blast field. Results from the numerical simulation yield relatively good agreement with those obtained from experiments, and also provide insight and explanations to some of the surprising results observed in the experiments. An understanding of these results from the experiments is crucial in determining the effects of close-in explosions from high explosive. The paper also includes the study of the momentum transfer to these cylinders when the explosive charge is initiated at two ends simultaneously. The results from this simulation are then compared with a case when it is initiated at two ends with different initiation times. In an effort to investigate the effects of high length-to-diameter ratios on the momentum transfer, simulation for a cylindrical charge with L/D = 3.0 is also included.
Identification of Heme Oxygenase 1 (HO-1) as a Novel Negative Regulator of Mobilization of Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells

Activation of complement cascade (ComC) play and important role in mobilization of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) from bone marrow (BM) into peripheral blood (PB). While there are vast experimental data on the mechanisms and factors that induce or promote mobilization of HSPCs, there is relatively less data on negative regulators of this process. We demonstrate for the first time that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) that has a well-documented anti-inflammatory potential plays an important and heretofore unrecognized role in retention of HSPCs in BM niches by i) modulating negatively activation of mobilization promoting ComC, ii) maintaining stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) level in the BM microenvironment and iii) attenuating chemotactic responsiveness of HSPCs to SDF-1 and sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P) gradients in PB. Furthermore, our data showing a positive mobilizing effect by a non-toxic small-molecule inhibitor of HO-1 (SnPP) suggest that blockade of HO-1 would be a promising strategy to facilitate mobilization of HSPCs. Further studies are also needed to evaluate better the molecular mechanisms responsible for the potential effect of HO-1 in homing of HSPCs after transplantation.
Young Handicapped Children: Their Prevalence and Experiences with Early Intervention Services

The present study assessed the prevalence of handicapping conditions among young children (0 through 4) In Ohio and explored the experiences these handicapped children and their families have had with early intervention services. Using a telephone interview procedure, parents from 1,551 families in Ohio having 2,133 children were administered a survey instrument. Results indicated that 6.1% of the young children had functionally handicapping conditions. Approximately two-thirds (63%) of these children had received early intervention services as a result of their conditions. Parents of those served reported that service was initiated soon after conditions were noticed and that they were satisfied with their quality. Planning implications for the general public, professionals, legislators, and administrators are discussed.
Accuracy And Cost Of U.S. Financial Data

Data from The Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP) has been widely recognized and accepted as the premier source of research quality U.S. stock market data for more than 40 years. As a result of advances in information technology, other sources of U.S. stock market data became available during the last decade. The purpose of this study is to analyze the accuracy of data from Yahoo, MSN Money and Worden Brothers TeleChart, against CRSP, by comparing their closing prices for 30 companies included in the Dow Jones Industrial Index and 30 randomly selected companies from the smallest quintal of S&P 500 firms, over the five year period from 01/01/2003 through 12/31/2007. Preliminary findings are based on the limited time period and size of the sample. While CRSP is undoubtedly “the place” to gather quality financial information, non-CRSP sources of financial data, perhaps not as robust as CRSP, are sufficiently accurate to support research and teaching in quality learning environments. Furthermore free sources of financial data e.g. MSN Money, resemble CRSP as well as, if not better than, commercial TeleChart. Results suggest that Yahoo and particularly MSN Money are acceptable transitory substitutes for CRSP for research purposes, especially for securities from larger, well known firms, and more than adequate for teaching needs. Manual data downloading for MSN Money and Yahoo can be automated with Excel add-in or free shareware software.
Doing Scene: Identity, Space, and the Interactional Accomplishment of Youth Culture

Recently, scholars have analyzed phenomena like punk, hip-hop, and rave as “scenes,” networks of individuals who converge in local, translocal, and virtual spaces. While researchers conceptualize s...
β4 integrin and epidermal growth factor coordinately regulate electric field-mediated directional migration via Rac1

Endogenous DC electric fields (EF) are present during embryogenesis and are generated in vivo upon wounding, providing guidance cues for directional cell migration (galvanotaxis) required in these processes. To understand the role of beta (β)4 integrin in directional migration, the migratory paths of either primary human keratinocytes (NHK), β4 integrin-null human keratinocytes (β4−), or those in which β4 integrin was reexpressed (β4+), were tracked during exposure to EFs of physiological magnitude (100 mV/mm). Although the expression of β4 integrin had no effect on the rate of cell movement, it was essential for directional (cathodal) migration in the absence of epidermal growth factor (EGF). The addition of EGF potentiated the directional response, suggesting that at least two distinct but synergistic signaling pathways coordinate galvanotaxis. Expression of either a ligand binding–defective β4 (β4+AD) or β4 with a truncated cytoplasmic tail (β4+CT) resulted in loss of directionality in the absence of EGF, whereas inhibition of Rac1 blinded the cells to the EF even in the presence of EGF. In summary, both the β4 integrin ligand–binding and cytoplasmic domains together with EGF were required for the synergistic activation of a Rac-dependent signaling pathway that was essential for keratinocyte directional migration in response to a galvanotactic stimulus.
Lucia Joyce, schizophrenia, Nora Barnacle, Stephen Dedalus, Leopold, Milly, and Molly Bloom, dreaming, Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker, Isabel, Shaun, Shem, Anna Livia Plurabelle and the River Liffey: James Joyce's Dublin Phantasmagoria .

[In Finnegans Wake] the characters are dreamlike shapes of the eternal, unholy family, Everyman, his wife, their children, and their followers, bobbing up and down on the river. In the twentieth century Everyman’s avatar was to be Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker, keeper of a public house in Chapelizod, whose wife was Anna Livia, whose children were the twins Shem and Shaun and their sister with the split personality, Isabel. Behind and within Earwicker, that compound of bounce and bluster, were all men of enterprise, strong or weak; his twin sons were every possible pair of brothers or opponents, his wife was all homekeepers, his daughter, every heart’s desire from Iseult of Ireland to Swift’s Vanessa. Beyond these manifestations Earwicker was a primordial giant, a mountain, a god, with a double aspect suggested by the
Efficient CSMA/CD-based protocols for multiple priority classes

Efficient, reservation-based CSMA/CD protocols for handling multiple-priority-class traffic are presented. The new protocols allow the transmission of a varying-length stream of packets with just a single reservation. Two protocols are proposed, one for a system in which the number of active users (contenders) in the currently highest priority class can be determined during the reservation period, and the other for a system in which this number cannot be determined. If the number of active users is known, then optimal p-persistence is used to transmit the packets; otherwise, a dynamically determined combination of one-persistant and p-persistent periods is used to transmit the packets in the reserved priority group and to prevent lower priority users from interrupting the reserved priority transmission stream. Preemptive and nonpreemptive versions of the protocols are described. A simple analytical model is developed and used to obtain channel efficiency as a function of priority group size. Using this model, it is shown that the new protocols allow higher channel utilization than previous, reservation-per-attempted-transmission protocols. >
N-Glycosylation of the Human Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-stimulating Factor Receptor α Subunit Is Essential for Ligand Binding and Signal Transduction

The alpha subunit of the receptor for human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a glycoprotein containing 11 potential N-glycosylation sites in the extracellular domain. We examined the role of N-glycosylation on alpha subunit membrane localization and function. Tunicamycin, an N-glycosylation inhibitor, markedly inhibited GM-CSF binding, GM-CSF-induced deoxyglucose uptake, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation in HL-60(eos) cells but did not affect cell surface expression of the alpha subunit as detected by an anti-alpha subunit monoclonal antibody. In COS cells expressing the alpha subunit and treated with tunicamycin, N-unglycosylated alpha subunit was expressed and transported to the cell surface but was not capable of binding GM-CSF. High affinity binding in COS cells expressing both alpha and beta subunits was also blocked by tunicamycin treatment. These studies indicate that N-linked oligosaccharides are essential for alpha subunit ligand binding and signaling by the human GM-CSF receptor.
Multiuser channel estimation and tracking for long-code CDMA systems

Channel estimation techniques for code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems need to combat multiple access interference (MAI) effectively. Most existing estimation techniques are designed for CDMA systems with short repetitive spreading codes. However, current and next-generation wireless systems use long spreading codes whose periods are much larger than the symbol duration. We derive the maximum-likelihood channel estimate for long-code CDMA systems over multipath channels using training sequences and approximate it using an iterative algorithm to reduce the computational complexity in each symbol duration. The iterative channel estimate is also shown to be asymptotically unbiased. The effectiveness of the iterative channel estimator is demonstrated in terms of squared error in estimation as well as the bit error rate performance of a multistage detector based on the channel estimates. The effect of error in decision feedback from the multistage detector (used in the absence of training sequences) is also shown to be negligible for reasonable feedback error rates using simulations. The proposed iterative channel estimation technique is also extended to track slowly varying multipath fading channels using decision feedback. Thus, an MAI-resistant multiuser channel estimation and tracking scheme with reasonable computational complexity is derived for long-code CDMA systems over multipath fading channels.
Alteration in protein kinase B (AKT) activity in platelets from patients with systemic sclerosis

We have previously reported that there is an increase in phosphotidylinositide-3 kinase activity secondary to increase in nitrotyrosylation in platelets from patients with SSc. Protein kinase B (Akt) is recruited to the plasma membrane by PI 3-K metabolites. Both enzymes play critical roles in signal transduction and activation of platelets. In the present investigation, we have studied the effect of postranslational modification of the activity of Akt. We have examined eight patients and eight controls and obtained results showing that enzymatic activity of Akt is increased in lysates of platelets from patients with SSc compared to normal volunteer controls. We have obtained results showing that there is no correlation of nitrotyrosylation of Akt on its enzymatic activity although Western blots show the enzyme has increased nitrotyrosylation. These results suggest that post-translational modification by nitrotyrosylation does not control Akt in SSc platelets. We concluded that the enhanced activity of PI 3-K and Akt in platelets from patients with SSc is mediated by different mechanisms.
Methane Gas from High Solids Digestion of Poultry Manure and Wheat Straw

Abstract An investigation was conducted for 15 months to assess the potential for methane production from high solids slurries consisting of manure from laying chickens combined with 0, 20, 40, and 60% by volatile solids (VS) weight chopped wheat straw. Two pilot scale digesters, each with an operating volume of 100 liters, were fed on alternate days at loading rates of 6 kg VS/m3·day. Retention times were held constant at 15 days, and the temperatures were maintained at 35 C. The methanogenic bacteria appeared to acclimate successfully to high concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (4.5 g/liter). Greatest gas production and volatile solids breakdown were observed for the digester fed 100% chicken manure (2.95 v/v gas/digester per day and 57.4%, respectively). Although addition of wheat straw provided a more stable environment for the methanogenic bacteria, gas production decreased with increasing amounts of straw (1.75 v/v gas/digester per day for 40% manure plus 60% straw).
Herpes simplex virus gE/gI must accumulate in the trans-Golgi network at early times and then redistribute to cell junctions to promote cell-cell spread

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein heterodimer gE/gI is necessary for virus spread in epithelial and neuronal tissues. Deletion of the relatively large gE cytoplasmic (CT) domain abrogates the ability of gE/gI to mediate HSV spread. The gE CT domain is required for the sorting of gE/gI to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) in early stages of virus infection, and there are several recognizable TGN sorting motifs grouped near the center of this domain. Late in HSV infection, gE/gI, other viral glycoproteins, and enveloped virions redistribute from the TGN to epithelial cell junctions, and the gE CT domain is also required for this process. Without the gE CT domain, newly enveloped virions are directed to apical surfaces instead of to cell junctions. We hypothesized that the gE CT domain promotes virus envelopment into TGN subdomains from which nascent enveloped virions are sorted to cell junctions, a process that enhances cell-to-cell spread. To characterize elements of the gE CT domain involved in intracellular trafficking and cell-to-cell spread, we constructed a panel of truncation mutants. Specifically, these mutants were used to address whether sorting to the TGN and redistribution to cell junctions are necessary, and sufficient, for gE/gI to promote cell-to-cell spread. gE-519, lacking 32 C-terminal residues, localized normally to the TGN early in infection and then trafficked to cell junctions at late times and mediated virus spread. By contrast, mutants gE-495 (lacking 56 C-terminal residues) and gE-470 (lacking 81 residues) accumulated in the TGN but did not traffic to cell junctions and did not mediate cell-to-cell spread. A fourth mutant, gE-448 (lacking most of the CT domain), did not localize to cell junctions and did not mediate virus spread. Therefore, the capacity of gE/gI to promote cell-cell spread requires early localization to the TGN, but this is not sufficient for virus spread. Additionally, gE CT sequences between residues 495 and 519, which contain no obvious cell sorting motifs, are required to promote gE/gI traffic to cell junctions and cell-to-cell spread.
A surface based approach to recognition of geometric features for quality freeform surface machining

Abstract The paper presents a surface-based approach for geometric feature recognition for the purpose of automating the process planning of freeform surface machining. The proposed approach consists of the following four steps for recognition of the geometric features: conversion and preprocessing of the surface geometry data, subdivision of NURBS surface, reconstruction of surface orientation areas, and recognition of geometric features. The proposed scheme assumes that the input geometry data form is based on an IGES CAD model and the surface model can be represented in the form of trimmed NURBS surfaces. The connectivity relations of the product surfaces are analyzed and each surface is subdivided into orientation regions based on the surface normal vector over a certain point density grid, and then all the connected regions with the same orientation type are grouped into surface orientation areas. After that, the geometric feature will be recognized through the analysis of area connectivity and relationship. The paper describes the developed algorithms on surface orientation region subdivision, surface orientation area reconstruction, and geometric feature recognition. The verified feasibility study of the developed method is also presented.
Assessing available carbon: Comparison of techniques across selected forest soils

Abstract Available carbon (C) is defined as soil organic C that heterotrophic microorganisms can readily utilize as an energy and C source. Several techniques for assessing available C have been described in the literature, but none has become standard. Four of these methods, (i) mlneralizable C (Min‐C), (ii) cold water soluble C (CWS‐C), (iii) boiling water extractable C (BWE‐C), (iv) and total C (Tot‐C), were compared to each other and to a denitrification potential (DP) bioassay of C availability. These comparisons were made across selected forest soils which exhibited wide ranges of textural composition and organic C content and which ranged in acidity from pH 3.1 to 5.4. Carbon mineralized to CO2 during a 7 day aerobic incubation of field‐moist soil (Min‐C) provided the best prediction of DP. Min‐C also appeared to distinguish between available C and refractory C in a soil with high Tot‐C. Air drying increased CWS‐C levels 2‐ to 10‐fold. The C made soluble by drying and rewetting was strongly correla...
Tunable, all-reflective spatial heterodyne spectrometer for broadband spectral line studies in the visible and near-ultraviolet

A spatial heterodyne spectrometer (SHS) is an interferometric device that combines high resolving power and a large input acceptance angle in a compact format suitable for use at small telescope focal planes and spacecraft for observations of faint, angularly extended emission-line sources. The primary limitation of SHS instruments has come from the spatial sampling of their output interference pattern image, which limits their use to a narrow bandpass. We describe the first-light results from a broadband all-reflective SHS that can be mechanically aligned to any heterodyne wavelength from 300 to 700 nm. Such an instrument can be extremely useful for the near simultaneous study of the brightness and line shapes of major atomic and molecular diagnostic emissions from extended astrophysical targets such as comets or planetary atmospheres. We discuss the results of this validation program and the potential improvements that could be used to expand and/or improve the broadband spectral response of the instrument.