cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term recognition of father's song by female zebra finches

RECENTLY, attention has been directed at the question of how sexual imprinting, or the development of mating preferences, affects assortative mating within polymorphic species1–3 and regulates the extent of inbreeding and outbreeding in a population4–6. It may be selectively advantageous for a young organism to learn individual characteristics of parents and/or siblings to avoid subsequent mating with kin as well as to avoid hybridisation by not mating with individuals that differ greatly from rearing partners4–6. I report here that adult female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) can recognise the song of their own father after a period of early exposure followed by more than 2 months of separation while attaining sexual maturity.
Local law enforcement terrorism prevention efforts: A state level case study

Although law enforcement agencies across the nation have assumed part of the responsibility in the fight against terrorism, significant confusion exists as to the role of local law enforcement. While some agencies have taken steps towards terrorism prevention, little data has been collected on which agencies have taken the greatest steps, how those agencies have changed, and how other agencies should direct their activity. This case study of law enforcement census data from a single state considered variations in terrorism preparedness and predictors of preparedness. Agency size, presence of funding, and other variables significantly predict levels of terrorism preparedness. Important policy implications such as the distribution of funding and which agencies should be working towards terrorism preparedness are discussed.
Calcium Channel Blockers: An Intraoperative and Postoperative Trial in Women

Abstract This study analyzes the effects of intraoperative and postoperative calcium channel blockers on myocardial protection, postoperative arrhythmias, perioperative infarctions, and survival. Thirty-nine women undergoing consecutive coronary artery bypass operations were placed either in a control group (N = 23), in which standard cold potassium cardioplegia was used, or in a verapamil-nifedipine group (N = 16), in which verapamil (1 mg per liter) was added to the standard cardioplegic solution and nifedipine was instituted postoperatively. The verapamil-nifedipine group showed a significant reduction in postoperative levels of creatine phosphokinase ( p
Size Matters: An Exploratory Comparison of Small- and Large-Class University Lecture Introductions

Abstract This exploratory study investigates the impact of class size on the rhetorical move structures and lexico-grammatical features of academic lecture introductions. From the MICASE corpus (The Michigan Corpus of Academic Spoken English), two small corpora of lecture introductions of small- and large-class lectures were compiled. Using a genre-based analytical approach, the lecture introductions in the two corpora were compared to examine how the size of the audience influences the rhetorical and linguistic choices lecturers make in university settings. Findings of the comparative analysis suggest that class size does affect lecturers’ discursive decisions. A large audience seems to compel experienced lecturers to use more of certain discursive strategies as a way to create positive and friendly learning environments in settings that may not be particularly favorable for establishing such conditions. However, due to the nature of small classes in which the number of students is smaller and the proximity between lecturers and students is closer, reinforcing positive rapport seems to take less rhetorical and linguistic effort on the part of lecturers. The paper ends with a number of tentative pedagogical implications for lecturer training.
Chemical Logic and Enzymatic Machinery for Biological Assembly of Peptidyl Nucleoside Antibiotics

Peptidyl nucleoside antibiotics are a group of natural products targeting MraY, a bacterial translocase involved in the lipid-linked cycle in peptidoglycan biosynthesis. In this Perspective, we explore how Nature builds complex peptidyl nucleoside antibiotics scaffolds from simple nucleoside and amino acid building blocks. We discuss the current stage of research on biosynthetic pathways for peptidyl nucleoside antibiotics, primarily focusing on chemical logic and enzymatic machinery for uridine transformation and coupling to peptides. We further survey the nonribosomal biosynthetic paradigm for a subgroup of uridyl peptide antibiotics represented by pacidamycins, concluded by diversification opportunities for antibiotic optimization.
Metastatic Leiomyosarcoma of the Uterus: Unusual Presentation of a Case with Late Endobronchial and Small Bowel Metastases

A 56-year-old woman, 8 years after a total abdominal hysterectomy for leiomyosarcoma of the uterus, presented with simultaneous metastatic tumors to the bronchus and the small bowel. The former presented as atelectasis of a lung lobe and the latter as an ileoileal intussusception. Both lesions were resected and proved to be similar to the original tumor. The patient died of metastatic liver disease, 10 years after the hysterectomy and 2 years after resection of the metastases.
Composite stellar populations and element by element abundances in the Milky Way bulge and elliptical galaxies

This paper explores the integrated-light characteristics of the Milky Way (MW) bulge and to what extent they match those of elliptical galaxies in the local universe. We model composite stellar populations with realistic abundance distribution functions (ADFs), tracking the trends of individual elements as a function of overall heavy element abundance as actually observed in MW bulge stars. The resultant predictions for absorption feature strengths from the MW bulge mimic elliptical galaxies better than solar neighborhood stars do, but the MW bulge does not match elliptical galaxies, either. Comparing bulge versus elliptical galaxies, Fe, Ti, and Mg trend about the same for both but C, Na, and Ca seem irreconcilably different. Exploring the behavior of abundance compositeness leads to the concepts of "red lean" where a narrower ADF appears more metal rich than a wide one, and "red spread" where the spectral difference between wide and narrow ADFs increases as the ADF peak is moved to more metal-rich values. Tests on the systematics of recovering abundance, abundance pattern, and age from composite stellar populations using single stellar population models were performed. The chemical abundance pattern was recovered adequately, though a few minor systematic effects were uncovered. The prospects of measuring the width of the ADF of an old stellar population were investigated and seem bright using UV to IR photometry.
Transforming growth factor β1 enhances platelet aggregation through a non-transcriptional effect on the fibrinogen receptor

Upon activation, platelets store and release large amounts of the peptide transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1). The released TGFbeta1 can then act on nearby vascular cells to mediate subsequent vessel repair. In addition, TGFbeta1 may circulate to bone marrow and regulate megakaryocyte activity. It is not known what effect, if any, TGFbeta1 has on platelets. Adult TGFbeta1-deficient mice exhibit thrombocythemia and a mild bleeding disorder that is shown to result from faulty platelet aggregation. TGFbeta1-deficient platelets are shown to contain functional receptors, and preincubation with recombinant TGFbeta1 improves aggregation, demonstrating that TGFbeta1 plays an active role in platelet aggregation. TGFbeta1-deficient platelets fail to retain bound fibrinogen in response to aggregation agonists, but they possess normal levels of the alpha(IIb)/beta(3) fibrinogen receptor. Signaling from agonist receptors is normal because the platelets change shape, produce thromboxane A(2), and present P-selectin in response to stimulation. Consequently, activation and maintenance of alpha(IIb)/beta(3) into a fibrinogen-binding conformation is impaired in the absence of TGFbeta1. 4-Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment and protein kinase C activity measurements suggest a defect downstream of protein kinase C in its activation cascade. Because platelets lack nuclei, these data demonstrate for the first time a non-transcriptionally mediated TGFbeta1 signaling pathway that enhances the activation and maintenance of integrin function.
The kinematics of non-cohesive, sphero-cylindrical particles in a low-speed, vertical axis mixer

Abstract A discrete element method model is used to examine the velocity, solid fraction, and particle orientation fields of non-cohesive, sphero-cylindrical particles agitated in a vertical axis mixer for a range of particle aspect ratios and bed depths. The model is validated against experimental measurements of the rotating shaft torque. The particle trajectories within the bed are similar to those that have been reported previously for spheres, with a vortex circulating in the direction opposite of the blade rotation on horizontal planes of the bed. Increasing the particle aspect ratio generally decreases the particle velocities relative to the blade, implying reduced mixing. The solid fraction is largest just upstream of the blades and toward the base of the container for sphero-cylindrical particles. The smallest solid fractions are located in the wake region and at the bed's free surface. These results are generally consistent with those for spherical particles, although for spheres the solid fraction is smaller upstream of the blades near the container base. In general, larger particle aspect ratios decrease the overall bed solid fraction as well as the solid fraction uniformity. Particles with an aspect ratio larger than one have major axes that are offset between 10° and 20° from the flow streamlines. The degree of alignment between particles increases near boundary regions. In addition to the strong correlation between the particle principal orientation and velocity vectors, regions of larger velocity gradient magnitude result in smaller solid fractions and smaller degrees of three-dimensional alignment between particles.
The Q branch of the 2ν1 + ν4 band of CF4

Abstract The Q branch of the 2 ν 1 + ν 4 band of CF 4 was recorded with Doppler-limited resolution at T = 296 and 77 K using a tunable difference-frequency laser spectrometer. The low-temperature spectrum is fit to within 1.1 × 10 −4 cm −1 rms for J ≤ 40 using the simple diagonal approximation terms, m, v, and g, without centrifugal distortion. Extrapolation to higher J for the room-temperature measurement is moderately successful.
Red blood cells (RBCs), epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

In addition to serving as carriers of O2, red blood cells (RBCs) regulate vascular resistance and the distribution of microvascular perfusion by liberating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) upon exposure to a low O2 environment. Therefore, RBCs act as sensors that respond to low pO2 by releasing millimolar amounts of ATP, a signaling molecule, and lipid mediators (EETs). The release of EETs occurs by a mechanism that is activated by ATP stimulation of P2X7 receptors coupled to ATP transporters, which should greatly amplify the circulatory response to ATP. RBCs are reservoirs of EETs and the primary sources of plasma EETs, which are esterified to the phospholipids of lipoproteins. Levels of free EETs in plasma are low, about 3% of circulating EETs. RBC EETs are produced by direct oxidation of arachidonic acid (AA) esterified to glycerophospholipids and the monooxygenase-like activity of hemoglobin. On release, EETs affect vascular tone, produce profibrinolysis and dampen inflammation. A soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) regulates the concentrations of RBC and vascular EETs by metabolizing both cis- and trans-EETs to form dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs). The function and pathophysiological roles of trans-EETs and erythro-DHETs has yet to be integrated into a physiological and pathophysiological context.
Classification of Weather Patterns and Associated Trajectories of High-Ozone Episodes in the Houston–Galveston–Brazoria Area during the 2005/06 TexAQS-II

Abstract The 850-hPa synoptic flow patterns over eastern Texas and adjacent states during the 2005/06 Second Texas Air Quality Studies (TexAQS-II) period were classified into six groups using a two-stage clustering method. This study identifies synoptic weather patterns that are conducive to creating high-ozone events and reveals potential emission source regions leading to ozone exceedances through backward trajectory analysis. Clusters with dominant southerly synoptic flows and higher average wind speeds (C1 and C2 clusters) were related to low mean daytime ozone levels. Easterly (C3) and northerly (C5) clusters showed a higher probability to exceed the 8-h ozone standard than the other clusters. The dry and sunny postfrontal days with weak northerly or easterly weather patterns were often associated with ozone exceedances in the Houston–Galveston–Brazoria (HGB) area during September 2006. The majority of backward trajectories on ozone episode days were from the east, which brought polluted air from the...
Photodynamic herbicides. Recent developments and molecular basis of selectivity

In 1984, we described the development of a new concept in the design of photodynamic herbicides and demonstrated the phenomenology of the process by using a harmless amino acid, δ‐aminoevulinic acid (see Reference 1 of this article). δ‐Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is the precursor of all tetrapyrroles in plant and animal cells. By spraying plants with ALA, the latter is converted to tetrapyrroles which accumulate in the plant tissues. In light, the accumulated tetrapyrroles kill some plant species while other plant species are left unharmed. It has recently become apparent that susceptible plant species are divinyl or monovinyl dicotyledonous plants, while monovinyl mono‐cotyledonous plants are less susceptible. At night, monovinyl plant species accumulate mainly monovinyl tetrapyrroles, while divinyl plants accumulate mainly divinyl tetrapyrroles (see Reference 43 of this article). When divinyl plant species are induced to accumulate large amounts of divinyl tetrapyrroles or lesser amounts of monovinyl tetr...
A stochastic model for the HIV epidemic in homosexual populations involving age and race

In this paper, we derive a stochastic model for the HIV epidemic in homosexual populations involving age and race. To account for effects of different mixing patterns, a low risk selection rule is introduced. The model is then formulated in terms of chain multinomial distributions by means of which the means are derived. Some simulation studies by computer indicate clearly that age and race have a significant impact on the HIV epidemic.
Weak pressure wave in a gas filled elastic tube

Abstract The propagation of a small but finite shock disturbance through gas contained within a cylindrical tube is examined theoretically for the case where both the hoop elasticity and radial inertia of the tube are taken into account. Governing equations so derived are found to admit a non-dispersive wave of variable pressure behind the advancing shock front in direct contrast with the situation existing for an initially sharp-fronted infinitesimal disturbance where no steady wave form is possible. Detailed calculations are carried out for the case where the gas filling the tube is air. Results show that increases in either the tube or shock strength are sufficient to make the pressure distribution behind the wave front approach that which would exist in a rigid tube under similar conditions.
Expression of the mRNA (N6-adenosine)-methyltransferase S-adenosyl-L-methionine binding subunit mRNA in cultured cells.

Ribonuclease protection assays (RPA) were used to detect and quantitate the amount of messenger RNA (mRNA) coding for the S-adenosyl-l-methionine binding subunit (MT-A70) of the mRNA (N6-adenosine)-methyltransferase from different types of cultured cells. HeLa cells cultured in suspension were analyzed at regular intervals along a normal growth curve. It was discovered that MT-A70 mRNA was transcribed constitutively across the time-course, irrespective of the rate of cellular proliferation. Further, 11 different cell lines representing non-tumorigenic, tumorigenic, and virally-transformed tumorigenic types from Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, and Rattus norvegicus were examined for MT-A70 mRNA expression. It was found that all the cell lines expressed a long and short splice-variant form of the gene. In general, the cell lines expressed a similar total amount of the MT-A70 mRNA while statistically significant differences existed between the quantity of the long and short forms among cell types. Tumorigenic cell lines synthesized as much as a 9-fold greater amount of long form versus short form MT-A70 mRNA. Comparatively, non-tumorigenic cell lines generally expressed only a 1.5-fold greater amount of long form versus short form MT-A70 mRNA.
Precision in-package positioning with a thermal inchworm

This paper describes the design of a thermal inchworm device to realize precision in-package positioning. The inchworm actuation mechanism includes two metallic actuators facing each other and a workpiece between them. Electrothermal actuation is used to move the workpiece in the desired direction by inputting electric currents in a particular sequence. Nickel is chosen as the material of the actuators due to its desirable electrical, thermal and mechanical properties and availability in fabrication facilities. ANSYS theoretical modeling shows the proposed design can achieve high actuation resolution (0.1 μm) with large driving force and will provide power-free latching as well. The transient analysis defines the current input sequence needed to move the workpiece. The design has been carried out for specific application to optical fiber alignment but has potential for a wide range of other applications.
Environmental nanotechnology: Nanomaterials clean up.

Membranes made of manganese oxide nanowires can be used to selectively absorb oil from water through a combination of superhydrophobicity and capillary action.
The production of sex attractant substance and of oöthecae by the normal and irradiated American cockroach, Periplaneta americana L.

Abstract A correspondence has been shown to exist between the production of an attractant substance and the mating period of Periplaneta americana. The attractant is produced principally by virgin females and, sporadically, by mated females, and is conducive to mating; however, mating depresses the production of attractant. Manipulation of the female can depress the production of attractant. Production of attractant normally decreases with age and as oothecal production increases. Mating induces an increase in oothecal production, especially among younger cockroaches. Cathode-ray irradiation damages oothecal and attractant production. With oothecal production totally inhibited by irradiation, the females recovered their capacity to produce attractant and exceeded the normal yield. A relationship is indicated between attractant production and the processes which regulate ovulation.
Meteorites and Their Parent Planets

Harry Y. McSween's latest book, Meteorites and Their Parent Planets, is not intended primarily as a textbook or a technical reference for the dedicated researcher in meteoritics. Several up-to-date books along these lines already exist (Meteorites: A Petrologic-Chemical Synthesis, by R. T. Dodd, Cambridge University Press, London, 1981; Meteorites: Their Record of Early Solar System History, by J. T. Wasson, W. H. Freeman, San Francisco, Calif., 1985; Meteorites and the Early Solar System, edited by J. F. Kerridge and M. Matthews, University of Arizona Press, Tucson, in press, 1988). Rather, it is intended as an introduction of the field of meteoritics and the study of the formation and evolution of the Solar System, and it is aimed at a broad spectrum of scientists and nonscientists. McSween has undertaken a difficult task. Many problems in meteoritics require synthesis of information and lines of reasoning from such diverse and highly specialized areas of study as celestial mechanics, astrophysics, cratering dynamics, spectrophotometry, igneous petrology, and isotope geochemistry. Hence these problems are often difficult for the student, or even the advanced researcher, to grasp and are rarely appreciated by the nonscientist. McSween, however, succeeds remarkably well in presenting this complex subject in a way that any curious, intelligent person can understand.
Indigenous Transborder Citizenship: FIOB Los Angeles and the Oaxaca Social Movement of 20061

Concepts of citizenship need to be reworked in the context of transborder migration, political participation, and identify formation processes. Here I use the concept of transborder citizenship as a frame for understanding multilayered citizenship among indigenous migrants and immigrants. My focus is on understanding how citizenship is conceptualized, acted upon, and practiced strategically in transborder indigenous organizations located in multiple sites in Mexico and the United States through an examination of how indigenous migrants participate in and support social movements in their places of origin. While much of the coverage and analysis of the Oaxaca social movement of 2006 was focused on the city of Oaxaca and the role of urban Oaxacans, along with teachers in the movement, indigenous Oaxacans in the United States also participated in the social movement through a chapter of the Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca (Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca, APPO) organized in Los Angeles. M...
Expression of the PAX2 oncogene in human breast cancer and its role in progesterone-dependent mammary growth.

In this study, we first describe expression of the paired domain transcription factor PAX2 in the normal and cancerous human breast, then demonstrate in a murine model a novel function for PAX2 in the regulation of progesterone stimulation of secondary ductal growth. In human mammary tissue, PAX2 expression was coincident with sub-populations of mammary ductal cells, some of which possessed an undifferentiated histiotype, and was also found in >50% of the human breast tumors surveyed (n=38). In the mouse, mammary parenchyma with a targeted deletion of PAX2 developed normal ductal systems when grafted into wild-type host mammary fat pads, but failed to undergo higher order side-branching and lobular development in response to progesterone. A previously unsuspected PAX2/WT1 (Wilms' tumor suppressor gene) regulatory axis in the mammary gland was also indicated. Using RT–PCR, a significant reduction in WT1 mRNA expression was detected in the PAX2 mutant glands compared to wild-type counterparts and double-antibody immunohistochemistry detected the co-localization of PAX2 and WT1 in the nuclei of normal and cancerous breast cells. These data indicate a role for PAX2 (and possibly WT1) in the regulation of the progesterone response of the mature mammary gland. The potential contribution of PAX2 to breast tumor pathogenesis is discussed.
BTEV: Status, overview and prospects

The BTeV Collaboration is designing a detector to perform a broad program of studies in flavor physics in the beauty and charm systems: CP violation, flavor mixing and searches for rare and forbidden decays. The program will be sensitive to many signatures for physics beyond the Standard Model. The BTeV detector will be located at the CZero interaction region of the Tevatron p-p collider at Fermilab. This report will present the status of the program, review the detector design with emphasis on new developments, survey the projected physics reach, and conclude with expectations for the future.
Enzymatic determinations of glucose, sucrose and maltose in food samples by flow injection analysis

Abstract Several sugars were determined in food samples with a flow injection system that used a combination of immobilized and soluble enzymes. The food samples were selected to have a broad range of sugar concentrations (0·1–30%). The proposed method is more rapid than official methods, yet comparable results are obtained with the particular food samples studied. Because the method uses enzymatic reactions, it is more selective than standard, non-enzymatic procedures. The method has been applied to standard solutions of glucose, sucrose and maltose and to honey, wheat flour, white wine and a soft drink. The precision of the enzymatic method is 2% RSD.
Polarized D2 Stokes-Raman Q branch broadened by He - A numerical calculation

Numerical calculations are presented for the high-pressure dependence of the linewidths of the D2 polarized Q branch of the Stokes Raman nu = 0-1 transition. A comparison is made with the experimental linewidths. The relationship between the line shape and S matrices is reviewed as well as the calculation of the latter for the D2-He system.
Carbonatbildung in inhibierten Chloridsolen

Gelangt Luft in Chlorid-Kuhlsolen, bilden sich mit absorbiertem Kohlendioxid Carbonate. In Calciumchlorid-Losungen entsteht dabei Calciumcarbonat. Fallt dieses aus, wird Salzsaure frei, der pH-Wert sinkt stark ab und der Kaltetrager wird erheblich korrosiver. In Kochsalz-Solen bleibt das sich bildende Natriumcarbonat bzw. -bydrogencarbonat in Losung und der pH-Wert andert sich nur geringfugig. Anders ist es dagegen in Kochsalz-Solen mit Natriumnitrit als Inhibitor in Gegenwart von Eisen. Bei reichlichem Zutritt von Luft entstehen neben Eisen(III)-hydroxid soviel Carbonate, das der pH-Wert in ein schadliches Gebiet ansteigt. In Kalteanlagen, die Eisenwerkstoffe enthalten und mit einer durch Natriumnitrit inhibierten Natriumchlorid-Sole arbeiten, ist deshalb auf weitestgehenden Ausschlus von Luft zu achten. Carbonate formation in inhibited chloride brines If air is absorbed by chloride cooling brines, the carbon dioxide in the air gives rise to the formation of carbonates; in calcium chloride brines, calcium carbonate is formed. Upon precipitation of the latter, hydrochloric acid is liberated, the pH decreases sharply and the cooling brine gains in corrosivity. In sodium chloride brines, the sodium carbonate or bicarbonate formed remains in solution and the pH changes but slightly. Conditions are different in sodium chloride brines containing sodium nitrite as an inhibitor and being in contact with iron. With free access of air the amount of carbonates formed in addition to ferric hydroxide is sufficient to raise the pH to dangerous values. In cooling installations involving ferrous metals and operating on a sodium chloride brine inhibited with sodium nitride, it is therefore important to prevent access of air as far as possible.
Continuous degeneracy and energy‐localization of molecular orbitals

The energy-localization method is examined for continuous degeneracy using a grouptheoretic approach. Conditions for the degenerate orbitals are obtained and an enumeration of symmetry groups where continuous degeneracy may occur is given. It is found that the orbitals may be equivalent under operations not contained in the total symmetry group. An alternative explanation for the free rotation of the lone pairs in F2 is offered.
Physiologically active amines in common fruits and vegetables.

Abstract 5-Hydroxytryptamine, tryptamine, tyramine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine and norepinephrine have been identified and assayed in a large number of fruits and vegetables. The significance of these findings with respect to plant physiology and to dietary effects in animals is discussed.
A metallomics approach discovers selenium-containing proteins in selenium-enriched soybean.

Our previous study found that high-molecular-weight selenium (Se) species make up 82% of the total Se in the bean of Se-enriched soybean plants (Chan et al. 2010, Metallomics, 2(2): p. 147–153). The Se species have been commonly seen in other plants in addition to soybean, but their identities remain unresolved. The present study employs a multi-technique metallomics approach to characterize the proteins containing Se in the beans of Se-enriched soybean plants. Two main categories of proteins, maturation proteins and protease inhibitors, were found in Se-containing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractions. The proteins were screened by two-dimensional HPLC-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, size-exclusion chromatography, and anion-exchange chromatography, and the Se-containing fractions were then identified by peptide mapping using HPLC-Chip-electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry. Based on the belief that Se goes into proteins through non-specific incorporation, a new method was designed and applied for the Se-containing peptide identification. The Se-containing peptide KSDQSSSYDDDEYSKPCCDLCMCTRS, part of the sequence of protein Bowman–Birk proteinase isoinhibitor (Glycine max), was found in one of the Se-containing fractions. The nutritional value of the Se-containing proteins in Se-enriched soybeans will be an interesting topic for the future studies.
Congenital stenosis of pulmonary veins at their atrial junctions

Abstract 1. 1. A case of congenital stenosis of the pulmonary veins is presented. 2. 2. The brief literature on congenital pulmonary venous stenosis is reviewed. Only one similar case was found. Two other reported cases of congenital stenosis were complicated by cardiac anomalies and presented different types of stenosing lesions. 3. 3. The anatomy of this lesion with special reference to the possibility of surgical correction is discussed. 4. 4. The secondary effects of pulmonary venous obstruction in this case are: pulmonary hypertension, hyperemia, edema, focal fibrosis, hemosiderosis, an unusual response to inflammation, and some shunting of pulmonary venous blood to the systemic return.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy as a Tool for Detecting Ca2+ Mobilizing Second Messengers in Cell Extracts

Understanding of calcium signaling pathways in cells is essential for elucidating the mechanisms of both normal cell function and cancer development. Calcium messengers play the crucial role for intracellular Ca2+ release. We propose a new approach to detecting the calcium second messenger nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) in cell extracts using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Currently available radioreceptor binding and enzymatic assays require extensive sample preparation and take more than 12 h. With a SERS sensor, NAADP can be detected in less than 1 min without any special sample preparation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of using SERS for calcium signaling applications.
Synthesis and evaluation of potent, highly-selective, 3-aryl-piperazinone inhibitors of protein geranylgeranyltransferase-I

A series of compounds based on the carboxyl-terminal CAAL sequence of PGGTase-I substrates was designed and synthesized. Using piperazin-2-one as a semi-rigid scaffold, we have introduced critical pharmacophores in a well-defined arrangement to mimic the CAAL sequence. High potency and exceptional selectivity were obtained for inhibition of PGGTase-I with structures such as 45 and 70. Potency of this series of GGTIs was dependent on the presence of an L-leucine residue with a free carboxyl terminus, as well as an S configuration of the 3-aryl group. The selectivity was significantly enhanced by 5-methyl substitution on the imidazole ring and fluorine substitution on the 3-aryl group. Modification of the 6-position of the piperazinone scaffold was found to be unfavorable. Compounds 44 and 69, the corresponding methyl esters of 45 and 70, were found to selectively block processing of Rap1A by PGGTase-I in whole cells with IC50 values of 0.4 µM and 0.7 µM respectively.
The NLRP3 inflammasome is active but not essential in endotoxin-induced uveitis

Objective The inflammasome complex involving caspase-1 and nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat containing protein (NLRP)3, also known as NALP3 or cryopyrin is important for host responses to microbial pathogens and several autoinflammatory diseases. We investigated the extent to which NLRP3 and caspase-1 control ocular interleukin (IL)-1β production and severity of uveitis (intraocular inflammatory disease) in an established, acute inflammatory uveitis model, endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU).
Persistent Keratoacantoma: Challenges in Management

background Keratoacanthoma is a common cutaneous neoplasm, although the persistent form is less common and often more difficult to manage. Multiple treatment approaches have been attempted with variable efficacy. Establishing the diagnosis and selecting a treatment plan for persistent keratoacanthoma is often challenging. objective Our purpose is to describe the difficulty one may encounter in the diagnosis and treatment of persistent keratoacanthoma. Hopefully, review of this clinical conundrum may facilitate the management of the reader's future patients. methods We describe a case of persistent keratoacanthoma where the diagnosis was initially elusive and the management challenging. Our thought process during each stage of diagnosis and management is described in the form of “issues” with references to the appropriate literature. results After several diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, successful treatment was achieved with administration of oral isotretinoin. Long-term remission continued as the dosage was tapered. conclusion Persistent keratoacanthoma may be challenging to diagnose and manage, presenting a clinical conundrum. Careful review of the clinicopathologic presentation and an understanding of the various treatment options may result in a successful outcome.
Differential localization of mammalian Lin-7 (MALS/Veli) PDZ proteins in the kidney.

Lin-7 PDZ proteins, also called MALS or Velis, have been shown to coordinate basolateral membrane expression of various target proteins in renal epithelial cell models. Three different Lin-7/MALS/V...
Reproduction in Thyroidectomized and Thyro-Parathyroidectomized Cattle

Abstract Eight experimental animals, two lactating cows and six heifers, were either thyroidectomized or thyro-parathyroidectomized to determine the effect of hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism on breeding efficiency. Of 15 first services, over two breeding periods 80% resulted in conception. Two of the parathyroidectomized animals were not able to carry their feti to term in either of the two breeding periods. Evident manifestation of severe hypocalcemia resulted in abortion in each situation. A lack of normal mammary development and milk secretion was observed in the parathyroidectomized heifers. Results of this study do not support the theory that low breeding efficiency in the bovine during hot weather is the result of depressed thyroid secretion.
Nonlinear dynamic analysis of an elastic beam isolator sliding on frictional supports

Abstract The dynamic behavior of an elastic beam free to slide on two frictional supports is studied under sinusoidal and random excitations. The beam force–deflection relationship, originally expressed in terms of elliptic functions, is approximated by a polynomial fit of eleventh order. The friction force is modeled in terms of the sliding velocity and the end slope angle. Under sinusoidal excitation, the equation of motion of the system is solved numerically and the solution is utilized to estimate the system transmissibility. It is found that when the excitation frequency is increased beyond resonance, the friction at the sliding supports improves the transmissibility. The dependence of the response on initial conditions establishes the basins of attraction for different values of friction coefficient and excitation parameters. The dependence of the safety integrity factor on excitation amplitude level and friction coefficient reveals that the friction extends the stable region. Under random excitation, the system response statistics are estimated from Monte Carlo simulation results for different values of friction coefficient and excitation power spectral density level. The friction is found to result in a significant reduction of the system response mean square.
Analysis of positron annihilation lifetime data by numerical Laplace inversion: Corrections for source terms and zero-time shift errors

Abstract We have recently described modifications to the program CONTIN [S.W. Provencher, Comput. Phys. Commun. 27 (1982) 229] for the solution of Fredholm integral equations with convoluted kernels of the type that occur in the analysis of positron annihilation lifetime data [R.B. Gregory and Yongkang Zhu, Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A290 (1990) 172]. In this article, modifications to the program to correct for source terms in the sample and reference decay curves and for shifts in the position of the zero-time channel of the sample and reference data are described. Unwanted source components, expressed as a discrete sum of exponentials, may be removed from both the sample and reference data by modification of the sample data alone, without the need for direct knowledge of the instrument resolution function. Shifts in the position of the zero-time channel of up to half the channel width of the multichannel analyzer can be corrected. Analyses of computer-simulated test data indicate that the quality of the reconstructed annihilation rate probability density functions is improved by employing a reference material with a short lifetime and indicate that reference materials which generate free positrons by quenching positronium formation (i.e. strong oxidizing agents) have lifetimes that are too long (400–450 ps) to provide reliable estimates of the lifetime parameters for the shortlived components with the methods described here. Well-annealed single crystals of metals with lifetimes less than 200 ps, such as molybdenum (123 ps) and aluminum (166 ps) do not introduce significant errors in estimates of the lifetime parameters and are to be preferred as reference materials. The performance of our modified version of CONTIN is illustrated by application to positron annihilation in polytetrafluoroethylene.
FACTORS MODULATING PNEUMOCOCCAL ADHESION. • 1097

Mechanisms regulating the adhesion of S. pneumoniae to activated epithelial cells have been clarified; however, factors involved in attachment to resting epithelial cells have not been elucidated. S. pneumoniae were labeled with [14C] N-acetyl-glucosamine, adhered to confluent monolayers of alveolar type II pulmonary epithelial cells (A549) for 60 min. at 37°C and washed two times prior to trypsin relase of adherent pneumococci. Total adhesion was calculated as [adherent cpm/inoculated cpm]× 100.
Van der Waals attraction between two conducting chains

Abstract The Van der Waals force between two conducting chains is shown from the zero point energies of the strongly spatially dispersive plasmon modes to vary at small separations L as L −3 instead of L −6 as for nonconducting chains.
Postoperative airway findings after maxillomandibular advancement for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate the upper airway characteristics in the early postoperative period after maxillomandibular advancement for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Methods: Nasopharyngolaryngoscopy was performed before and 48 hours after surgery on 70 consecutive patients who underwent maxillomandibular advancement for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The preoperative and the postoperative evaluations were performed by the same examiner for consistency. Results: Mild to moderate lateral pharyngeal wall edema was identified in 70 consecutive patients. Fourteen patients (20%) had edema as well as ecchymosis involving the pyriform sinus and aryepiglottic fold. Four of these patients (6%) were also noted to have hypopharyngeal hematoma involving the pyriform sinus, aryepiglottic fold, arytenoid, and false vocal cord that partially obstructed the airway. These four patients were closely monitored for 1 to 2 additional days for possible expanding hematoma leading to airway compromise. None of these patients were found to have airway difficulty, and the minimum oxygen saturation was more than 90% throughout the hospitalization. All four patients were discharged uneventfully, and the hematoma resolved completely within 10 days. Conclusion: Although postoperative edema was expected after maxillomandibular advancement, hypopharyngeal hematoma was unexpected. Although none of our patients had evidence of airway difficulty, the possibility of an expanding hypopharyngeal hematoma should be considered in patients complaining of breathing difficulty after maxillomandibular advancement surgery.
Aerosol Capture in Granular Beds in the Sedimentation and Diffusion Dominated Regimes

Single grain capture efficiencies η for low speed gas flow through clean granular beds are reported. The aerosol particles were liquid dioctyl phthalate droplets ranging in diameter D p from 0.15 to 4.7 μm. The grains were spheres of diameter D G equal to 2.13, 3.69, or 15.6 mm and crushed oil shale rock with volume equivalent spherical diameter of 2.2 or 17 mm. The superficial gas velocity was downward and varied from 2.5 to 80 mm/s. Sedimentation and Brownian diffusion are the dominant capture mechanisms for these conditions. Consequently, the Gravity number Grv = ρpD2 pCpg/18μU and the Peclet number Pe = DGU/ D p=3πμDpDGU/KTCp are important dimensionless groups for correlating data. An approximate solution to the convective diffusion equation for point particles shows that η/Grv is a function of the combination 21/3A1/3Pe−2/3Grv−1 only, when Grv « 1 and Pe » 1. A(αG, Re) is a known function of the fraction solids αG in the bed and the grain Reynolds number Re = ρDGU/μ. Our data are successfully correla...
Evidence for the surface barrier in a high-κ superconductor☆

Abstract The entry and exit of magnetic flux have been measured for Nb3Sn in fields up to 9.5 kOe. The results indicate that the barrier is the most likely mechanism for surface currents in this high-κ material.
Hemin control of globin synthesis: Effect of a translational repressor on Met-tRNAf binding to the small ribosomal subunit and its relation to the activity and availability of an initiation factor

Abstract The block in peptide chain initiation brought about by hemin deficiency of the rabbit reticulocyte lysate system is accompanied by a marked decrease in Met-tRNA f bound to the small ribosomal subunit. Under conditions of hemin supplementation, a similar reduction of Met-tRNA f binding is caused by the addition of the translational repressor which is formed by incubation of the ribosome-free supernatant fraction in the absence of hemin. Both types of inhibition can be reversed by an initiation factor obtained from reticulocyte ribosomes. The activity of a suboptimal concentration of initiation factor in promoting Met-tRNA f binding is incompletely inhibited by a large dose of repressor. In a partial system, where translation is blocked by cycloheximide, the repressor has no effect on Met-tRNA f binding promoted by added initiation factor. Cycloheximide increases the Met-tRNA f bound under conditions of hemin supplementation and also permits its slow accumulation under conditions of hemin deficiency. This is attributed to its action in blocking both translation and the resulting turnover of Met-tRNA f bound to the small ribosomal subunit. No change in the distribution of initiation factor between different ribosome particles was found under inhibited conditions. The results indicate that the hemin-controlled repressor has no direct effect on either the activity or the availability of the initiation factor.
Token-based error diffusion for high quality halftoning with good compression and low complexity

This paper presents a combined halftoning and compression approach which achieves high quality halftones and compression ratios comparable to those of JBIG and JBIG2 with much simpler encoding and decoding schemes. We use tone-dependent error diffusion and a tree structure to efficiently develop the halftone texture from a limited set of binary one-dimensional tokens. Local estimation of tone further restricts the candidate set of tokens. In areas of the image containing edges or detail, the token is not constrained. A Huffman code is used to efficiently encode the tokens with minimal complexity. Experimental results show that visual quality is very close to that of regular tone-dependent error diffusion.
Nitrogen fixation within a tropical upwelling ecosystem: Evidence for a Redfield budget of carbon/nitrogen cycling by the total phytoplankton community

Recent measurements and paradigms suggest that (1) the uptake of dissolved carbon and nitrate by phytoplankton may be greater than the Redfield ratio of 6.6 and (2) the oceans may be loosing nitrogen from an imbalance in the global rates of nitrogen fixation and denitrification. An analysis of concurrent ΔDIC/ΔNO3 depletion ratios within the Venezuelan and Peruvian upwelling ecosystems, indeed, suggests that values of 10.1–28.6 may pertain to these tropical eutrophic habitats. Nitrogen fixation may provide a Redfield balance in at least the former system, with 34–77% of the new production attributed to assimilation of N2. Independent confirmation of such new production on the Venezuelan shelf is provided by the interannual increases of H2S and DIC within the adjacent Cariaco Trench.
The survival probability function of a target moving along a straight line in a random field of obscuring elements

Abstract : This study is focused on the problem of determining the survival probability of a moving target, which is under attack by a hunter. The target (vehicle, tank, etc.) is moving along a straight line path, which is partially obscured from the hunter by randomly distributed objects (trees, clouds, terrain objects, etc.). The target can be destroyed by the hunter only along the visible segments of the path. Visibility contact between the hunter and the target is needed for tau sub o time units for a shooting trial to occur. In any given shooting trial the probability that the target is destroyed is fixed. If the target survives a shooting trial, another identical trial may be attempted if continuous visibility for tau sub o time units is possible. If the target enters an obscured segment of the path, the shooting trials terminate, until visible segment of length L, its survival probability can be approximated by the negative exponential function exp(-qL), for suitably chosen constant q, 0 < q < infinity. The problem is that the number of visible segments on the moving path, between two specified points P sub L and P sub U, and their lengths are random variables, whose distributions depend on the characteristics of the random field. This study is based on the model of a random Poisson field of obscuring elements. (kr)