cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relative Importance of Temperature, Food, and Physical Structure to Habitat Choice by Smallmouth Bass in Laboratory Experiments

Abstract Previous field studies suggest that the preference for an optimal temperature is often overridden by a stronger preference for other habitat variables such as physical structure. I used a temperature gradient tank with various treatments of ration, prey availability, and cover to test the relative importance of these factors in conjunction with temperature on habitat selection by individual smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu. The presence of food and cover (presented in separate experiments) significantly affected the temperature selected by smallmouth bass. Fish presented with a limited amount of food at a position of greater than preferred temperature in the tank increased the time spent at high temperatures, whereas fish allowed to feed till satiated retreated to the cold end of the tank for most of the day. When cover was present at the warm end of the tank, the mean time spent in this area was five times greater than when no cover was present in the tank. The preference for cover at high t...
Quantitative Visualization of the Flow Within the Volute of a Centrifugal Pump. Part A: Technique

This paper describes a series of quantitative flow visualization experiments within the volute of a centrifugal pump by implementing the “Particle Displacement Velocimetry” method (PDV or PIV). Part A focuses on the measurement procedures and includes an uncertainty analysis. This technique involves illuminating sections of a flow field with pulsed laser sheets while seeding the water with microscopic, neutrally buoyant particles containing imbedded fluorescent dye. By pulsing the laser more than once while recording a single photograph each particle leaves multiple traces on the same film. The analysis procedures consist of dividing the image to a large number of small sections (windows) and computing of the mean shift of all particles within each window. This shift is determined by computing the autocorrelation function of the image within the window. Digital image processing and specially written software are being utilized while analyzing the data. It is demonstrated that by controlling the magnification and particle concentration, the relative error can be maintained at about 1 percent. A sample analyzed image is presented. The rest of the data are included in Part B.
High and low temperature superplasticity in nanocrystalline materials

Abstract Superplasticity, the ability of a crystalline material to deform to hundreds of percent strain, has been demonstrated at elevated temperatures for several nanocrystalline metal and ceramic systems. Nanocrystalline materials manifest superplasticity at lower temperatures and faster strain rates than their larger-grained counterparts; however, their enhanced superplasticity can easily disappear during deformation due to a combination of static and dynamic grain growth. Despite this limitation, applications such as near net shape forming, diffusion bonding, thermally mismatched composite structures, and flaw-free processing are already under development. In contrast to conventional superplasticity, low (room temperature) superplasticity has yet to be demonstrated conclusively in nanocrystalline materials. Early measurements of a room temperature ductility/superplasticity effect can be largely attributed to the presence of porosity. Unusual trends in room temperature strain rate sensitivity may reflect thermally activated dislocation glide past synthesis-generated defects, rather than a true change in deformation mechanism at ultrafine grain sizes.
Evaluating FACES III and the Circumplex Model: 2,440 Families†

Previous evaluations of the Circumplex Model's curvilinear hypothesis using FACES instruments have yielded conflicting results. A review of the different research procedures and samples used in those investigations revealed that none of the studies had samples large and/or heterogenous enough to test the curvilinear hypothesis adequately. The present study evaluates the curvilinear hypothesis of family functioning and the concurrent validity of FACES III with a sample of optimal size (N = 2,440 families) and diversity. The lack of support for the curvilinear hypothesis in this "greenhouse" sample is explained by different findings for the two FACES III subscales. There was no relationship between the study's measures of well-being and the adaptability subscale and a linear relationship between these measures and the cohesion subscale. Implications of these findings for the continuing use of the FACES III and for the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems are discussed.
Massage parlors and “hand whores”. Some sociological observations∗

Abstract The “executive” massage parlor, ostensibly offering relaxation and physical therapy, may often operate as a deviant service system offering masturbation as compromise sexual gratification in competition with traditional forms of prostitution. The young women who work as masseuses, attracted by the remunerative financial opportunity, reject the occupational label and role of prostitute but are willing to assume the responsibility and self‐image of “hand whore.”
Holographic neurocomputer for backpropagation based on cascaded-grating holography

We describe recent results for implementation of the backpropagation neural network on an experimental optical neurocomputer developed under ARPA sponsorship. Weights are stored holographically in a photorefractive crystal using a recording method which eliminates crosstalk due to Bragg degeneracy and permits full utilization of the input and output. Experimental results are discussed for handwritten digit recognition.
Xunzi and the Prudence of Dao : Desire as the Motive to Become Good

Xunzi is often interpreted as offering a method for transforming our desires. This essay argues that, strictly speaking, he does not. Rather, Xunzi offers a method of developing an auxiliary motivational structure capable of overpowering our original desires, when there is a conflict. When one succeeds in transforming one’s overall character, original desires nevertheless remain and are largely satisfied. This explains why one may be motivated to follow the way even before one has developed noble intentions. On Xunzi’s view, following dao provides the best chance of satisfying one’s original desires, as well as fulfilling the more noble aspirations that arise from the process.
Multigated contrast-enhanced power Doppler to measure blood flow in mice tumors

Abstract This study evaluated an image-gating method using contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasound (US) to estimate blood perfusion in mice tumors. A mathematical model that compensates for the effect of bubble destruction by US pulses was used to determine contrast flow through an image plane. Multigated power Doppler images were obtained following contrast injection. Contrast flow index (CFI) was determined by measuring the area under the color level vs. time curve for each gating frequency. CFI was compared with true flow. The method was first evaluated using a flow phantom with variable flow rates, and then verified in a mouse model with implanted tumors. Color levels in Doppler images were modulated with gating frequency due to variable destruction of microbubbles by US pulses. CFI measured from the images correlated strongly with true flow in the flow phantom (r2 = 0.87). The proposed method yielded reproducible CFI for mice tumors, suggesting that multigated contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging may provide noninvasive measurement of tumor perfusion in mice. (E-mail: sehgal@oasis.rad.upenn.edu)
A Novel Metric for Evaluation of Solar Forecasting Models

This work presents an alternative, time-window invariant metric for evaluating the quality of solar forecasting models. Conventional approaches use statistical quantities such as the root-mean-square-error and/or the correlation coefficients to evaluate model quality. The straightforward use of statistical quantities to assign forecasting quality can be misleading because these metrics do not convey a measure of the variability of the time-series included in the solar irradiance data. In contrast, the quality metric proposed here, which is defined as the ratio of solar uncertainty to solar variability, compares forecasting error with solar variability directly. By making the forecasting error to variability comparisons for different time windows, we show that this ratio is essentially a statistical invariant for each forecasting model employed, i. e., the ratio is preserved for widely different time horizons.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Nepsilon-thioacetyl-lysine: a multi-facet functional probe for enzymatic protein lysine Nepsilon-deacetylation

Peptides containing Nepsilon-thioacetyl-lysine and Nepsilon-acetyl-lysine were evaluated for their de(thio)acetylation catalyzed by human HDAC8 and SIRT1, two distinct protein deacetylases. Nepsilon-Thioacetyl-lysine was found to be a mimic of Nepsilon-acetyl-lysine for HDAC8-catalyzed reaction, but to confer inhibition against SIRT1. These results point to further diverse applications based on Nepsilon-thioacetyl-lysine.
Distinct Face-Processing Strategies in Parents of Autistic Children

In his original description of autism, Kanner [1] noted that the parents of autistic children often exhibited unusual social behavior themselves, consistent with what we now know about the high heritability of autism [2]. We investigated this so-called Broad Autism Phenotype in the parents of children with autism, who themselves did not receive a diagnosis of any psychiatric illness. Building on recent quantifications of social cognition in autism [3], we investigated face processing by using the “bubbles” method [4] to measure how viewers make use of information from specific facial features in order to judge emotions. Parents of autistic children who were assessed as socially aloof (N = 15), a key component of the phenotype [5], showed a remarkable reduction in processing the eye region in faces, together with enhanced processing of the mouth, compared to a control group of parents of neurotypical children (N = 20), as well as to nonaloof parents of autistic children (N = 27, whose pattern of face processing was intermediate). The pattern of face processing seen in the Broad Autism Phenotype showed striking similarities to that previously reported to occur in autism [3] and for the first time provides a window into the endophenotype that may result from a subset of the genes that contribute to social cognition.
Effect of sample displacement in time-sequential sampling of spatiotemporal signals

Algorithms for digitally processing sampled spatiotemporal signals typically ignore the fact that those samples were obtained time-sequentially, rather than instantaneously, at the beginning of each frame period The effect of displacing time-sequentially obtained samples to a non-time-sequential lattice is analyzed for both deterministic and nondeterministic signals Sample displacement is shown to cause unavoidable frequency-domain aliasing The resulting artifacts are compared in test signals that have been sampled with a lexicographic and bit-reversed ordering of the sample points
A new technique for simultaneous measurement of PVT and phase equilibria properties of fluids at high temperatures and pressures

This paper describes the development and use of a technique to measure simultaneously pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) and phase equilibria compositions of fluid mixtures. This technique enables the analysis of reservoir fluids encountered in depletion recovery and EOR processes at pressures and temperatures commonly found in petroleum reservoirs. These fluids may include hydrocarbons, CO2 and water. A mercury free Ruska PVT Model 2370 is assembled to a Hewlett Packard 5880 gas chromatograph (GC) and a specially designed sampling device capable of measuring compositions on-line at high pressures and temperatures. The significance of this experimental setup is: (1) a superior on-line sampling technique for compositional analysis, (2) capability of simultaneous measurement of all phase volumes, and (3) a closed sampling loop part of the PVT system. A negligible volume (0.1–0.5 μl) is withdrawn for compositional analysis and sent to the GC through specialized sampling valves. Because the volumes used for analysis represent less than 1 × 10−5% of the sample volume, the mass withdrawn for analysis is negligible as well and does not affect the overall composition or the equilibrium of the system. This is referred to as a PVT-VLLE (vapor-liquid-liquid-equilibrium) apparatus. Although commissioning and validating experiments are worthy, they are generally not the most exciting papers to read and are probably considered minimal in nature. This paper, however, has some exciting potential. It describes a one-of-a-kind apparatus that could greatly contribute to our knowledge of process and mechanism in miscible- and steamflooding. This setup was validated by obtaining a good agreement (better than 0.1%) between the measured and reported compositions from standard mixtures. Phase compositions and densities of a binary mixture of n-hexane (n-C6)n-pentane (n-C5) were also measured and compared with the predicted values from the Soave-Redlich-Kwong Equation-of-State (EOS). Deviations of the experimental vapor and liquid compositions from the EOS predictions were less than 1%. Phase equilibria compositions of hydrocarbon mixtures of similar molecular weight and structure are well predicted with an EOS. The deviations on the molar liquid and vapor volumes were less than 20%; however, it is well known that cubic EOS's do not predict volumetric properties as accurately as compositions. The phase compositions and three-phase pressures of a binary system of n-octane/water are measured and compared with data published by Heidman et al. (1985). The measured three-phase pressures and compositions agree well with the published data. This confirms that this experimental procedure can be well suited for multiphase analysis of hydrocarbon/water mixtures. The quantitative determination of water in all the equilibrium phases at high pressures and temperatures requires detailed and novel procedures, but these are not the focus of this paper at this point.
UNIFORM CONVERGENCE OF MULTIPLIER CONVERGENT SERIES

If λ is a sequence K-space and P xj is a series in a topological vector space X, the series is said to be λ-multiplier convergent if the series P∞=1 tjxj converges in X for every t = {tj} ∈ λ. We show that if λ satisfies a gliding hump condition, called the signed strong gliding hump condition, then the series P∞=1 tjxj converge uniformly for t = {tj} belonging to bounded subsets of λ. A similar uniform convergence result is established for a multiplier convergent series version of the Hahn-Schur Theorem.
Left rigid rings

Abstract Given any ring R with 1 ∈ R and any family F of left ideals of R, we define End ( R + , F ) = { φ ∈ End ( R + ) : φ ( X ) ⊆ X for all X ∈ F } . We call a ring R left rigid if End ( R + , F l ) = R where F l is the family of all left ideals of R. We will present numerous examples of rings that are left rigid or not left rigid but End ( R + , F l ) is a left rigid ring.
Enhanced cyclooxygenase-1 expression within the superior mesenteric artery of portal hypertensive rats: Role in the hyperdynamic circulation†

Portal hypertension (PHT) is characterized by splanchnic hyperemia due to enhanced production of vasodilator substances. Enhanced vasodilation and increased splanchnic blood flow contribute to the elevated portal pressure characteristic of PHT. The aim of this study was to determine whether cyclooxygenase (Cox) expression is altered in PHT vessels and whether chronic inhibition of this enzyme impacts on splanchnic blood flow in PHT. PHT was created in Sprague-Dawley rats by a partial portal vein ligation. Control animals were sham operated. Plasma 6-keto-PGF1alpha (prostaglandin F1alpha) levels were significantly elevated in PHT after 2 days as compared with sham and remained elevated up to day 15. Treatment with indomethacin (2 mg/kg i.p. daily for 15 days) resulted in a significant decrease in 6-keto-PGF1alpha levels, which was concomitant with a significant decrease in superior mesenteric artery blood flow (Qsma) after 15 days in PHT rats. Cox-I expression was differentially enhanced in the PHT superior mesenteric artery and thoracic aorta during the development and progression of PHT. In contrast, Cox-II messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression was not detected in either of these vessels throughout the development of PHT. These data suggest that PHT is associated with enhanced Cox-I expression within the splanchnic vasculature concomitant with elevated plasma prostacyclin levels and a significant pressor response to indomethacin in PHT animals. We conclude that enhanced Cox-I expression results in increased prostacyclin levels that partially contribute to the maintenance of the hyperemia typical of PHT.
Determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A new approach to the determination of afiatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 is given; the method involves high-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection in the differential-pulse mode at the dropping mercury electrode with 1-s drop time. These aflatoxins can be determined simultaneously with good resolution but with some compromise in sensitivity. The detection limit of underivatized aflatoxin standards is around 5 ng. Average recoveries of aflatoxins from peanut butter by the Beebe method were G2 81%, G1 87%, B2 77% and B1 76%.
Shared Beliefs, Conflict, and a Retreat from Reform: The Story of a Professional Community of High School Mathematics Teachers.

Abstract This article describes the case of a professional community of high school Pre-algebra teachers who began and later abandoned a collective effort at reform. The community's retreat from reform appears to have been influenced by their beliefs about students and their closely related beliefs about appropriate content and pedagogy for those students. Both sets of beliefs were characterized by conflict and internal inconsistency. Yet, the community avoided addressing the conflicting nature of their beliefs. Both the nature of the community's beliefs and their avoidance of the inherent inconsistencies appear to have shaped the response to reform in this case.
Field analysis of bridge grids with non-warping torsion☆

Exact closed form solutions are found for rationally based mathematical models of rectangular grids with simple end supports and flexible side supports. Micro discrete field mechanics techniques are employed to obtain the formulas for non-prismatic membered, regular grids. A deformation or stiffness approach is used to formulate the mathematical model in the form of a partial difference equation with the nodal or joint displacements being the unknowns. The solutions are valid for general loadings and are in the form of double finite trigonometric series. A general solution for a doubly symmetric, regular, bridge grid is obtained by superposition of solutions for: (1) simple side supports case; (2) imposed boundary deflections case; (3) imposed boundary rotations case; and (4) imposed boundary moments case. Definitions of the imposed boundary function coefficients are obtained by satisfying equilibrium of the side boundary stringers. Axial effects and warping torsion effects are not accounted for. Computer programs written in Fortran and tested by the first author are available upon request by any interested person.
The mechanism of action of collagenase on the inhibition of release of acetylcholine from synaptosomal preparations

The release of acetylcholine from synaptosomal preparations from bovine superior cervical ganglia and rat cortex was inhibited when the preparations were pretreated with collagenase. The inhibition of release could be overcome with the calcium ionophore A23187. Collagenase treatment was shown to inhibit the uptake of calcium into the preparations. In addition, gel electrophoresis of synaptosomal membranes revealed two missing high molecular weight proteins when either synaptosomes or synaptosomal membranes were incubated with collagenase.
Effect of central injection of phencyclidine on QNB accumulation and motor activity.

Abstract The purpose of the present research was to determine if central administration of phencyclidine (PCP) would increase the in vivo accumulation of the muscarinic ligand, [ 3 H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) in mouse brain as has been reported after peripheral administration of PCP. Secondly, in order to provide a behavioral reference against which to compare any biochemical changes, the effects of peripheral vs. central PCP administration on motor activity were compared. When given into the lateral ventricle (i.c.v.) 20 min before QNB, PCP increased the accumulation of QNB in brain striatum and cortex, but not cerebellum. This finding replicates results of previous studies in which the drug was given i.p. The dose required to enhance QNB binding after central injection was, on a mg/kg body weight basis, approximately 10-fold less than that previously found necessary after i.p. injection. In contrast, PCP given centrally was markedly more potent in the motor activity tests than when given i.p. In addition, the behaviorally effective dose (0.4 μg) was substantially less than that needed for the QNB change (25.6 μg). Therefore, though PCP was more active in both measures after central than peripheral administration, the changes in QNB accumulation cannot, at this time, be related to changes in motor activity.
Cluster—surface scattering in a reflectron collider: probing fullerenes by surface impact

Abstract In this article, recent cluster—surface collision experiments are reviewed from the perspective of fullerene research. A detailed description of the method and the reflectron time-of-flight surface collider (reflectron collider), designed and built in Los Angeles, will be given first, to show how pulsed cluster-ion-beams are mass and energy selected, collided with specific surfaces and the various outcomes studied. In the second part, we outline several applications together with the scientific impact surface collision experiments have had on several fullerene-related research subjects. This includes impact-induced dissociation experiments, to probe stability and structural resilience, rebound velocity distributions from solid surfaces to reveal energetic and dynamic aspects of the scattering process, and rates of delayed electron emission from impact-heated fullerenes. Impact experiments also have turned out to be a useful tool to examine structural hypotheses as demonstrated on coalescence products from fullerene—fullerene reactions, fullerene derivatives and on metallo-fullerenes.
Growth factor induced fibroblast differentiation from human bone marrow stromal cells in vitro

Utilizing a two-dimensional tissue culture plastic screening system and a fractional factorial design, specific media formulations and growth factor combinations were determined that support human bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) differentiation toward fibroblast characteristics for utilization in tissue engineering, specifically cell morphology and alignment, metabolic activity, abundant expression of collagen types I and III, and negligible expression of other tissue-specific markers. BMSCs were cultured for up to 14 days on tissue culture plastic, supplemented with Dulbecco's Minimal Essential Medium (DMEM)/10% FBS or Advanced DMEM(ADMEM)/5% FBS. Each medium base was supplemented with one of nine possible growth factor combinations and ascorbate-2-phosphate (Asc-2-P) for the duration of culture. ADMEM supported comparable cell viability with half the serum content of the DMEM formulation. Asc-2-P was potent in promoting BMSC proliferation, in the absence of a mitogen, supporting significant increases in cell activity over 14 days of culture. DMEM promoted significant increases in cell viability for 7 of 9 growth factor groups when compared to their ADMEM counterparts. ADMEM, however, promoted increased cell transcript and protein expression, as 5 of 9 growth factor combinations induced a 200% increase in collagen type I versus equivalent DMEM cultures. Cell morphology and collagen type I immunostaining, when assessed in context of MTT and RNA results, identified 3 growth factor and medium combinations that supported fibroblast differentiation for future development of ligament tissue in vitro.
Development of microbial sensing membranes

Abstract Recent efforts aimed at minimizing membrane fouling have emphasized an increasing demand for on-line monitoring in an effort to accurately predict membrane performance. To this end, an in situ bacterial monitoring system was developed that is integrated within the membrane. Because the target is bacterial monitoring, organic matter fouling must be controlled to avoid interference/masking of bacterial sensing as well as to prevent permeability loses. Combining bacterial monitoring with a membrane designed for fouling control is a novel and unique concept.
Lobe shedding from propagating vortices

Abstract Associated with intense propagating vortices is a separatrix defining a region of fluid that is transported with the vortex. The distortion of this separatrix, under external perturbations, leads to entrainment and detrainment of fluid. The detrained fluid is shed in lobes in the wake of the vortex. Examples of this phenomenon for a propagating monopole and dipole are provided from rotating-tank experiments and numerical simulations.
Pediatric Endocarditis and Stroke: A Single Center Retrospective Review of Seven Cases

The acute management of strokes in children with infective endocarditis is limited by the paucity of published data on their clinical course and outcomes. Our retrospective study at an urban tertiary-care academic center characterized the clinical course of seven pediatric patients with endocarditis and subsequent cerebral infarcts. Among 115 patients with endocarditis, a stroke occurred in seven. Four patients manifested congenital heart disease. In six patients, the stroke occurred in the distribution of the middle cerebral artery, with no preference for the left or right hemisphere. The most common presenting sign was focal weakness. Three patients manifested mycotic aneurysms, all of which were successfully repaired. Two patients received aspirin therapy, with no adverse effects. All patients survived, but neurologic recovery was variable. The two youngest patients (aged 3 and 14 weeks) demonstrated the longest periods of hospitalization, with the most severe neurologic impairment. These findings suggest that children may have better outcomes than adults after a stroke secondary to bacterial endocarditis. Routine surveillance for mycotic aneurysms in patients with new neurologic deficits, and the use of aspirin, should be considered in the medical management.
Human aggression and enumerative measures of immunity.

OBJECTIVE: A pattern of clinical, behavioral, and experimental findings suggests that individual differences in aggressive behavior may be related to immunologic processes. We evaluated two conflicting models of the relationship: 1) A positive association stems from an adaptive mechanism protecting aggressive individuals from increased exposure to immune stimuli and 2) a negative association is due to potential immunosuppressive effects of high testosterone levels. METHODS: We investigated the models using enumerative measures of cellular and humoral immunity in a sample of 4415 men aged 30 to 48 years who were interviewed and underwent a medical examination. RESULTS: Analysis revealed positive (and curvilinear) associations between aggressive behavior and enumerative measures of helper/inducer and suppressor/cytolytic T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. The aggression-immunity relationship was independent of testosterone level, age, current health status, and negative health behaviors and was most pronounced for helper/inducer T cells. There was no evidence of a negative association between testosterone and any immune measure. CONCLUSIONS: In a large sample of men, individual differences in aggressive behavior were positively associated with enumerative measures of cellular immunity. Language: en
Correlation of Ogden Thrust, Durst Mountain Thrust, and Allochthonous Precambrian Farmington Canyon Complex in North-Central Wasatch Mountains, Utah: ABSTRACT

The Precambrian Farmington Canyon complex crops out in the Wasatch Mountains between Ogden and Bountiful, Utah. Additional exposures are present at Durst Mountain and at Antelope Island. East of Ogden, between Ogden Canyon and Strongs Canyon, the Farmington Canyon complex has been thrust eastward over Lower Cambrian Tintic Quartzite and Middle Cambrian shales and limestones of the Ophir Formation and Maxfield Limestone. This thrust is named the Ogden thrust. Similarly, at Durst Mountain, east of Morgan Valley, the Farmington Canyon complex has been thrust over Lower Cambrian Tintic Quartzite and Middle Cambrian shales and limestones. This thrust fault is the Durst Mountain thrust. If subsequent vertical offset of 2,000-4,000 ft (610-1,220 m) down to the west on the Morgan Valley normal fault is restored, it appears that the two similar thrusts involving the Farmington Canyon complex could once have been continuous. Such a reconstruction requires a minimum of 12 mi (19 3 km) of thrust displacement of the complex eastward over the sequence of basal Cambrian rocks. This evidence is significant for two reasons: (1) the Farmington Canyon complex of the Wasatch Mountains may not be in place, but may be allochthonous above a decollement at depth; and (2) the Paleozoic-Mesozoic sequence east of Morgan may also overlie the same decollement, which would increase the potential for petroleum plays in the area north of Croyden. Thus, the northern Utah uplift, proposed for this area by A. J. Eardley and discussed by M. D. Crittenden, may result from a sequence of Farmington Canyon complex thrust upsection eastward, rather than a vertical uplift of basement. End_of_Article - Last_Page 948------------
Information and ignorance

Abstract Ignorance is sometimes understood to be deprivation of information. By reviewing different types of ignorance, some understanding of different senses of information may be obtained. This paper surveys some possibilities along these lines. Reliance on entropy based measures of information is held to be inappropriate to several important senses of ignorance. Some applications to the choice of prior probabilities are briefly explored.
The diel rhythm of circulating ACTH titer in the goldfish (Carassius auratus l.).

Abstract 1. A diel rhythm of circulating ACTH titer was demonstrated in goldfish maintained on a 12 hr light, 12 hr dark photoperiod (light 8.00–20.00 hr). 2. The rhythm is bimodal, having two peak ACTH titers. The first peak occurs at 10.00–11.00 hr (2–3 hr post light onset). The second peak occurs at 13.00–16.00 hr (5–9 hr post light onset). 3. The mean peak ACTH titer is 101·5 ± 28·7 pg/ml and the mean low ACTH titer 42·1 ± 13·7 pg/ml. The total mean ACTH titer is 56·9 ± 3·6 pg/ml. 4. The peaks of ACTH titer precede the peak cortisol levels by 1 hr.
The Measurement and Utility of the Opinion Leadership Concept for Family Planning Programs

The objectives of family planning educational programs often include information diffusion as well as attitude and behavior change within a target population This paper suggests that working with opinion leaders might be one possible means of fulfilling these objectives. But in order to work with opinion leaders, it is necessary first to identify them For family planning studies, the operational indicators used in past studies do not appear to be adequate. These indicators do not accurately identify persons who will take an opinion leadership behavior in the future, do not measure knowledge by the opinion leader, do not distinguish positive from negative opinion leaders, and do not take account of the bi-directional flow of information and advice both to and from the opinion leader. Drawing upon data from a family planning study in Baltimore, various examples for inadequate opinion leadership indicators are given. The paper suggests the need to revise these indicators and then outlines a simple and inexpe...
Orbital time scale and new C-isotope record for Cenomanian-Turonian boundary stratotype

Previous time scales for the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary (CTB) interval containing Oceanic Anoxic Event II (OAE II) vary by a factor of three. In this paper we present a new orbital time scale for the CTB stratotype established independently of radiometric, biostratigraphic, or geochemical data sets, update revisions of CTB biostratigraphic zonation, and provide a new detailed carbon isotopic record for the CTB study interval. The orbital time scale allows an independent assessment of basal biozone ages relative to the new CTB date of 93.55 Ma (GTS04). The d 13 Corg data document the abrupt onset of OAE II, significant variability in d 13 Corg values, and values enriched to almost 222‰. These new data underscore the difficulty in defining OAE II termination. Using the new isotope curve and time scale, estimates of OAE II duration can be determined and exported to other sites based on integration of well-established chemostratigraphic and biostratigraphic datums. The new data will allow more accurate calculations of biogeochemical and paleobiologic rates across the CTB.
Transition of Arrestin into the Active Receptor-binding State Requires an Extended Interdomain Hinge*

Abstract Arrestins selectively bind to the phosphorylated activated form of G protein-coupled receptors, thereby blocking further G protein activation. Structurally, arrestins consist of two domains topologically connected by a 12-residue long loop, which we term the “hinge” region. Both domains contain receptor-binding elements. The relative size and shape of arrestin and rhodopsin suggest that dramatic changes in arrestin conformation are required to bring all of its receptor-binding elements in contact with the cytoplasmic surface of the receptor. Here we use the visual arrestin/rhodopsin system to test the hypothesis that the transition of arrestin into its active receptor-binding state involves a movement of the two domains relative to each other that might be limited by the length of the hinge. We have introduced three insertions and 24 deletions in the hinge region and measured the binding of all of these mutants to light-activated phosphorylated (P-Rh*), dark phosphorylated (P-Rh), dark unphosphorylated (Rh), and light-activated unphosphorylated rhodopsin (Rh*). The addition of 1–3 extra residues to the hinge has no effect on arrestin function. In contrast, sequential elimination of 1–8 residues results in a progressive decrease in P-Rh* binding without changing arrestin selectivity for P-Rh*. These results suggest that there is a minimum length of the hinge region necessary for high affinity binding, consistent with the idea that the two domains move relative to each other in the process of arrestin transition into its active receptor-binding state. The same length of the hinge is also necessary for the binding of “constitutively active” arrestin mutants to P-Rh*, dark P-Rh, and Rh*, suggesting that the active (receptor-bound) arrestin conformation is essentially the same in both wild type and mutant forms.
'Whew that was Close!' How Near Miss Events Bias Subsequent Decision Making under Risk

In two experiments, we show clear evidence of a 'near miss' bias, in that when people receive information about prior near miss events (events that could have had a positive or negative outcome, where the outcome was non-fatal) they subsequently make riskier decisions than those who receive no near miss information. We explain the near miss bias as a discounting of given probability information such that people fail to see the independence of events. In Experiment 2, we show that when probability information is made salient and the decision makers attend to this probability information as the basis for their decision, the near miss bias goes away. In Experiment 2, we also see that when people have near miss information they search significantly less for information, even when that information is costless. Results are discussed in terms of accident prevention, Bayesian updating, and the normalization of deviance.
Procurement contracting: efficiency, renegotiation and performance evaluation

Abstract Renegotiation of long-term contracts can result in inefficiency if it is associated with strategic behavior that reduces the reliability of ex ante agreements. The focus of this paper is on the consequences of opportunistic renegotiation of procurement contracts, and the subsequent performance evaluation, when commitment is limited and information is incomplete or verifiability is limited. Performance data that would indicate efficiency in a complete information setting may indicate inefficiency in an incomplete information setting. Performance evaluation thus should focus on procurement mechanisms that relate the quantity purchased to the possible costs of the supplier.
Production and crystal growth of isotopic rare-earth metals

Abstract Large single crystals of high-purity rare-earth metal isotopes 154Sm, 163Dy, and 170Er were obtained by grain growth during high-temperature annealing. Isotopic separation produced about 60 g each of the isotopes in metal oxide form. The isotopic enrichment was 99.5, 96.9, and 96.1% for the 154Sm, 163Dy, and 170Er, respectively. The metal was formed by high-temperature reduction and distillation. Collection efficiency was about 92%, and the total impurity content was
Column chromatography on polystyrene resin using aqueous systems

Abstract Chromatography of the polystyrene resin Amberlite XAD-2, using water or dilute aqueous solutions as eluantsm, provides useful separations of biologicaly important compounds of low molecular weight. Adsorption effects govern separations. Compounds with aromatic or non-polar groups are retarded on the resin, while ionic or polar compounds pass through the column with little or no retention. The importance of pH is discussed. A nucleoside may be separated from the corresponding nucleotide or free base, the order of elution being nucleotide-base-nucleoside. Pyrimidine nucleosides may be separated from the strongly adsorbed purine nucleosides and amino acids may be separated into groups. Protonation of a molecule resulted in a smaller elution volume.
Numeral Classifiers and Counted Nouns in the Classic Maya Inscriptions

Yucatecan, Ch’olan, and Tzeltalan languages have numeral classifiers which obligatorily follow numbers. Although such classifiers are not present in every number expression, several numeral classifiers occur frequently in the Classic Maya inscriptions. The most common of them, the period glyphs, constitute a feature which distinguishes Maya inscriptions from Mixe-Zoquean inscriptions, since the classifiers required in Mayan languages do not occur in Mixe-Zoquean languages. Any glyph immediately following bar/dot numbers should be examined carefully for that possibility. Several morphemes which immediately follow numbers are discussed here, and evaluated for the likelihood of their having functioned as classifiers.
BCRP transports dipyridamole and is inhibited by calcium channel blockers.

We investigated whether dipyridamole and various calcium channel blockers are inhibitors and/or substrates of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). The effect of dipyridamole and the calcium channel blockers on mitoxantrone efflux by BCRP-overexpressing human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells was determined by flow cytometry. The ability of some of these compounds to reverse BCRP-mediated mitoxantrone resistance was measured by cytotoxicity assays. Transport studies were performed using radiolabeled compounds. Dipyridamole, nicardipine, nitrendipine, and nimodipine effectively inhibited BCRP-mediated mitoxantrone efflux; however, bepridil, diltiazem, and verapamil had no significant effect. Nifedipine is a much weaker BCRP inhibitor compared with other dihydropyridines tested. Nicardipine and dipyridamole were the most potent BCRP inhibitors among the compounds tested with IC50 values of 4.8 ± 1.3 and 6.4 ± 0.9 μM, respectively. Nicardipine and dipyridamole also effectively reversed BCRP-mediated mitoxantrone resistance in HEK cells. [3H]Nitrendipine was found not to be transported by BCRP. However, the transport of [3H]dipyridamole by BCRP was observed in both HEK and Madin–Darby canine kidney cells stably expressing the transporter, and this transport was completely abolished by fumitremorgin C, a known BCRP inhibitor. Dipyridamole and several dihydropyridines are effective BCRP inhibitors, but bepridil, diltiazem, and verapamil are not. We also identified a new BCRP substrate, dipyridamole.
The Rat Glomerular Filtration Barrier Does Not Show Negative Charge Selectivity

Objective:To characterize the effects of size, shape, and negative charge on the transport of macromolecules across the glomerular capillary wall by using the sieving curves (fractional clearance vs. solute molecular radii) of fluorescent polydispersed polysaccharide tracers. Methods:Glomerular fractional clearances (FC) were measured with fluorescent neutral [isoelectric point (pI) = 7.3 ± 0.2] and negatively charged (pI = 3.5 ± 0.4) dextrans (DEX) in comparison with negatively charged (pI = 4.8 ± 0.3) hydroxy ethyl starch (HES) and (pI = 4.6 ± 0.1) bovine serum albumin (BSA) in Sprague-Dawley and Fischer 344/Brown Norway rats. FCs (n= 53) were measured by using the urinary clearance of 14C-inulin to determine the glomerular filtration rate. The relative uptake of each fluorescent probe by endothelial and renal proximal tubule epithelial (LLC-PK1) cells, in vitro, was measured microscopically by using a cooled (−25 °C) CCD camera. Results:The sieving curves for randomly coiled neutral and negatively char...
Prevalence of GBV-C/HGV, a novel 'hepatitis' virus, in patients with aplastic anaemia

GBV-C or hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) is a novel RNA virus with similarities to members of the Flaviviridae family, especially hepatitis C. Viral RNA is detected in about 1.5% of American blood donors, with higher prevalence in multiply transfused patients and in individuals with hepatitis or liver disease. Some cases of aplastic anaemia follow apparent non-A, non-B, non-C viral hepatitis, and GBV-C viraemia has been described in three case reports of hepatitis-associated aplastic anaemia. We tested clinical samples from patients with aplastic anaemia with or without recent hepatitis for the presence of GBV-C/HGV. Virus was detected in a total of 15/57 (26.3%) of patients with aplastic anaemia and 12/52 (23.1%) of multiply transfused control patients. Sequencing of the 188 base pair NS3 helicase PCR product in the serum of five individuals indicated the same high degree of sequence variation as has been seen among other isolates of the virus. GBV-C/HGV does not appear to be implicated in the aetiology of aplastic anaemia.
Epstein–Barr virus-associated inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen: report of two cases and review of the literature

We report two rare examples of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen. One patient presented with night sweats, abdominal pain, and weight loss and was found to have a splenic mass on CT scan suspected of lymphoma. The splenic mass in second patient was found incidentally at the time of work up for kidney stones. The pathologic examination of these splenectomy specimens showed similar histologic features. However, the spindle cells were composed of EBV-infected follicular dendritic cells in one case whereas the second case lacked significant follicular dendritic cell proliferation and showed only focal EBV-infected cells suggesting that these proliferations are heterogenous in nature.
Weights modulo pe of linear codes over rings

In this paper we look at linear codes over the Galois ring $$GR(p^{\ell}, m)$$ with the homogeneous weight and we prove that the number of codewords with homogenous weights in a particular residue class modulo p e are divisible by high powers of p. We also state a result for a more generalized weight on linear codes over Galois rings. We obtain similar results for the Lee weights of linear codes over $$\mathbb{F}_{2^m}+u\mathbb{F}_{2^m}$$ and we prove that the results we obtain are best possible. The results that we obtain are an improvement to Wilson's results in [Wilson RM (2003) In: Proceedings of international workshop on Cambridge linear algebra and graph coloring]
Adrenal changes produced in rats by infection with B. tularense and B. coli.

It is well known that the adrenal glands respond to many infectious diseases by a depletion of their cholesterol content (Sayers, Sayers, Fry, White, and Long, 1944) and that this indicates, along with a falling adrenal ascorbic acid content, a state of increased adrenal activity and, if advanced enough, of adrenal exhaustion (Long, 1947). It is also known that infection with tularemia causes pathological changes in the adrenals (Lillie and Francis, 1936) and that these changes are compatible with the pathological picture of adrenal exhaustion (Pinchot). Quantitative studies of the functional reserve of the adrenal cortex in tularemia, the effect of treatment with cortical hormone, and studies of the respiratory metabolism of animals infected with this disease have not been reported. It was felt that these studies might throw some light on the mechanisms by which this parasite produces its characteristic disease and symptomotology in the host. B.
Factor analysis of the 1985 revision of Kolb's learning style inventory

Kolb's earlier (1976) Learning Style Inventory (LSI) has been criticized for its poor reliability and validity. Even after revisions (1985) were made and a new instrument was developed, the test-re...
The ω-phase as an example of an unusual shear transformation

The conditions leading to formation of the metastable ω-phase in Ti, Zr, and Hf alloys are described and earlier experimental observations directly related to ω -phase formation are summarized. New experimental results are presented which show that increased oxygen content suppresses athermal ω-phase formation in Ti-V alloys. A mechanism of ω-phase formation based on the formation of a linear displacement defect is described and it is shown that both the earlier and new experimental results are consistent with this mechanism. Additional experimental results on variations in electrical and physical properties in Ti alloys are also shown to be consistent with the linear displacement defect model.
Primary Structure of Human Lumican (Keratan Sulfate Proteoglycan) and Localization of the Gene (LUM) to Chromosome 12q21.3-q22

Abstract A human corneal fibroblast cDNA library was screened with a bovine lumican cDNA probe to obtain three clones. Sequencing of the longest clone (1.75 kb) yielded an open reading frame of 1014 bp coding for a 338-amino-acid core protein. Amino acid sequencing of a tryptic peptide resulted in a 9-amino-acid match with the derived primary structure, confirming the identity of these clones. Human lumican displays all of the features of small interstitial proteoglycans: N- and C-terminal domains with highly conserved cysteines and a central domain containing nine repeats of slight variations of the leucine motif LXXLXLXXNXL. Like bovine lumican, the human core protein contains four possible N-glycosylation sites in the central domains, all or some of which are substituted with keratan sulfate side chains. At the amino acid level, it is 90% identical with bovine and 72% identical with the chicken core protein. The gene (LUM) was localized to human chromosome 12 by hybridizing a cDNA probe to a Southern blot containing a human/hamster mono-chromosomal mapping panel DNA. Further sublocalization to 12q21.3-q22 was performed by the fluorescence in situ hybridization technique using a lumican P1 genomic clone. By immunohistochemical staining, we show lumican's presence, not only in the corneal stroma as shown previously, but also in the dermal area of the skin, indicating a wider distribution of this proteoglycan.