cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A rapid “pump-and-probe” laser technique for determining state-resolved product distributions

Abstract A new laser technique is described for the determination of state-resolved product distributions at relatively high total pressures (≈1 torr). An active species is created by one laser pulse, and products of its desctruction are detected by laser-induced fluorescence with ≈20 ns. For the E-to-V process Cd(1P1) + N2 → Cd(3F0,1,2) + N2, the initial 3P0:3P1:3P2 distribution is O.O5:0.27:0.68.
Metamorphic Pattern Formation and Deformation: In Vivo and In Vitro Mechanisms

Mitotic spindle formation into a bipolar structure suitable for chromosome segregation requires reorganization of the interphase microtubule cytoskeleton. A multi-protein complex at spindle poles acts as a microtubule organizing center (MTOC). Microtubules are assembled from this site through the addition of α/β-tubulin heterodimers onto a template complex containing γ-tubulin (γ-TuSC) imbedded into a larger macromolecular ring (γ-TuRC). Our goal is to apply insights on patterning biological polymers in vivo to development of hybrid biosynthetic systems capable of utilizing microtubules in self-assembling metamorphic patterns including parquet deformation behavior. Dynamic patterning has applications in biosensing, materials design and new nanomanufacturing paradigms. Building off of recent structural insights into γ-TuSC and GCP4 with our own detailed genetic analysis, site-directed mutagenesis, cross-species functional studies and biochemical purification and nucleation assays we provide novel insights on MTOC structural requirements to nucleation. Additionally we have identified an associated regulatory mechanism utilized by a subset of Kinesin-14 members for targeting and regulatory interference at poles (TRIP) distinct from microtubule targeting elements found in other Kinesin-14 members such as Drosophila Ncd. Our in vivo analysis supports application of the recent Kollman-Agard structure as a general eukaryotic model however with species-specific protein and domain constraints as well as contact sites for Kinesin-14 regulation of γ-TuRC. Our findings have broad application towards a general understanding of cellular MTOC machinery and reiterates the flexibility of Klps to localize to multiple spindle compartments and participate in a diversity of cellular roles. Natural cellular machines provide tools and inspiration for biomimicry and for resolution of societal grand challenges through redirected applications. Using tools available through the semiconductor industry and materials science we are generating artificial centrosomes (ACENs) from nanoparticles to act as simplified nucleation centers for use in synthetic self-assembly paradigms.
Retinal ganglion cell dendrites undergo a visual activity-dependent redistribution after eye opening

Recent studies showed that light stimulation is required for the maturational segregation of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) synaptic connectivity with ON and OFF bipolar cells in mammalian retina. However, it is not clear to what extent light stimulation regulates the maturation of RGC dendritic ramification and synaptic connections. The present work quantitatively analyzed the dendritic ramification patterns of different morphological subtypes of RGCs of developing mouse retinas and demonstrated that RGCs in all four major morphological subtypes underwent profound dendritic redistributions from the center to specific stratum of the IPL after eye opening. Light deprivation preferentially blocked the developmental RGC dendritic redistribution from the center to sublamina a of the IPL. Interestingly, this developmental redistribution of RGC dendrites could not be explained by a simple developmental elimination of “excess” dendrites and, therefore, suggests a possible mechanism that requires both selective dendritic growth and elimination guided by visual activity. J. Comp. Neurol. 503:244–259, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dirac constraint dynamics and slowing down of relaxation in complex systems

Abstract A dynamical approach based on a Liouvillian formalism with time dependent Dirac constraints is used to obtain a time dependent relaxation rate W o f(t) for relaxation in a complex system where W o is the relaxation rate in the absence of complexity. f(t) is expressed in terms of the change in complexity entropy ΔS c (t) and various theorems about entropy are provided.
Retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer into keratocytes: In vitro effects of polybrene and protamine sulfate

· Background: To determine the potential of somatic gene transfer as a novel technique for modulating corneal wound healing on a cellular level, the successful transduction of human keratocytes should be ascertained in vitro. In addition, the ability of different polycations to increase the transduction efficiency and their antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects should be assessed. · Methods: To test transduction efficiency (X-Gal staining), cultured human keratocytes were incubated for 2 h with a retroviral vector bearing the β-galactosidase gene, with and without the addition of polybrene or protamine sulfate. To test the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects, cultured human keratocytes were incubated with various concentrations of polybrene and protamine sulfate (0.08 to 800 μg/ml) for 2, 24 and 72 h, and evaluations were performed by means of an XTT-based colorimetric assay and phase-contrast microscopy. · Results: Human keratocytes in vitro were transduced successfully with the s-galactosidase gene (3.5±1.0%). Transduction efficiency was significantly (P≤0.01) improved by addition of a polycation (from 12.3±1.7% to 18.6±2.3%), but there was no significant difference between the effects of polybrene and those of protamine sulfate. Both drugs induced a highly significant dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation (P<0.001). ID50 ranged from 11 to 22 μg/ml with polybrene and from 15 to 244 μg/ml with protamine sulfate. Only with doses of 80 and 800 μg/ml did protamine sulfate produce less antiproliferative effects than polybrene (P≤0.04). The lowest concentrations induced no morphological signs of cytotoxicity, whereas these signs were mild at 8 μg/ml and moderate to severe at the highest concentrations. · Conclusions: Both polybrene and protamine sulfate can significantly improve the in vitro efficiency of successful retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer into keratocytes. Mild cytotoxic and moderate antiproliferative effects are to be expected in cultured keratocytes with a standard transduction procedure (8 μg/ml for 2 h).
Tanner ‘88 and the television of politics

Abstract Using a 1988 Home Box Office (HBO) series as a point of departure this paper examines the state of mass‐mediated politics. Examples from Tanner ‘88 reveal unmistakable signs of contemporary electoral campaigns ‐ stage management, monitored public opinion, and mythinformation. Pseudo‐events replace actual political circumstances to create politically useful images. The consciousness industry, in creating almost universal commodification, has fused propaganda and advertising in the selling of products and politics. Emphasis on spectacle and happening, immediate delivery, and manipulation of demand represent important changes in the way that capitalism and democracy work. A new mode of information in which social relations are mediated by electronic communication systems is being created. But saturation coverage in the media has not created a better‐informed, more active electorate. Rather, it has reduced the political process to a level of mindless slogans, trivial issues, and meaningless simulations.
Reversal of the nucleotide specificity of ketol acid reductoisomerase by site-directed mutagenesis identifies the NADPH binding site.

Abstract Analysis of the published amino acid sequences of the enzyme ketol acid reductoisomerase (KARI) from seven organisms identified three regions with highly conserved sequences. One of these regions is predicted to be the dinucleotide fold where NADPH binds. In order to confirm that this region did include the NADPH binding site, we used oligonucleotide-mediated site-directed mutagenesis to study the function of specific amino acids in this region in terms of their interactions with NADPH. Four positively charged amino acids, R68, K69, K75, and R76, were mutated singly, in different combinations, and finally as a quartet in order to evaluate electrostatic interactions with NADPH. Mutation of each of the arginines singly to glutamine results in a 60- to 100-fold reduction inkcat/Kmfor NADPH. Mutation of each of the lysines singly does not significantly alter the steady state kinetic parameters associated with NADPH. None of these mutations significantly alters the affinity of the enzyme for NADH. After looking at double mutations of these four amino acids, we constructed the quadruplet mutant R68DK69LK75VR76D. This mutant hasKmandkcatvalues of 19.3 μ m and 5.3 min−1for NADH, which compares to 207 μ m and 0.11 min−1for the wild-type enzyme. For the quadruplet mutant the corresponding values for NADPH are >200 μ m forKmand 2 min−1forkcatcompared to 7.3 μ m and 7.2 min−1for the wild-type enzyme. By altering these four amino acids, the specificity constants for NADH and NADPH are almost exactly reversed in the mutant relative to the wild type.
The Light Chain-binding Domain of the Smooth Muscle Myosin Heavy Chain Is Not the Only Determinant of Regulation

Abstract Interactions between the dephosphorylated regulatory light chains (RLCs) of smooth muscle myosin are involved in maintaining the enzymatically “off” state. Expressed chimeric smooth muscle heavy meromyosins containing skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain (HC) sequences were used to assess the relative importance of the light chain-binding domain (or “neck”) to regulation. Surprisingly, regulation remained intact with a skeletal RLC-binding site. A chimera with the entire α-helical neck composed of skeletal HC sequence showed 2-fold regulation of motility and nearly 5-fold regulation of actin-activated ATPase activity. Complete activation of the dephosphorylated state (i.e. complete loss of regulation) occurred when skeletal HC sequence extended from the head/rod junction to the SH1-SH2 helix. Smooth muscle-specific sequences near the motor domain may therefore position the regulatory domain in a way that optimizes RLC-rod-head interactions, thus enabling a completely off state when the RLC is dephosphorylated. Conversely, a chimera that joins the motor domain from unconventional myosin V to the smooth muscle myosin neck and rod showed only 2-fold regulation. The presence of the smooth muscle light chain-binding region and rod is therefore not sufficient to confer complete phosphorylation-dependent regulation upon all motor domains of the myosin family.
Nature of the silicon—phenyl and silicon—oxygen bonds in hexaphenyldisiloxane: An electric dipole moment study

Abstract The electric dipole moment of hexaphenyldisiloxane, (C 6 H 5 ) 3 SiOSi(C 6 H 5 ) 3 , has been measured in CCl 4 at 30°. The value, μ = 1.03 ± 0.02 D, shows that in the disiloxanes (R 3 Si) 2 O (R = H, CH 3 , C 6 H 5 ) the group moments are in the order . Possible relationships between these data and the base strengths of selected disiloxanes are discussed.
Oblique-coordinate-system-based Chandezon method for modeling one-dimensionally periodic, multilayer, inhomogeneous, anisotropic gratings

A formulation of the Chandezon method for modeling one-dimensionally periodic, multilayer, inhomogeneous, anisotropic diffraction gratings is presented. The formulation is based on an oblique Cartesian coordinate system so that blazed surface-relief profiles and slanted volume permittivity variations can be treated simultaneously. The permittivity tensors of the anisotropic materials can be arbitrary, but their spatial variations are assumed to have the same period as the surface corrugations. Some of the previous authors’ works in the above individual aspects of the subject are improved on in regard to clarity, simplicity, and generality. Most important, the theory of Fourier factorization is applied throughout the analysis to ensure fast convergence of the numerical method when the permittivity tensors or the derivatives of the grating’s surface-profile functions have discontinuities. Numerical examples, including those of two types of multilayer magneto-optic gratings, are provided.
Move it!: puppetry for creativity

This project studied the influence of kinesthetic intelligences on creativity in young children. To understand this relationship preschoolers were observed in their daycare setting during story-time over a period of four sessions. During the sessions observations focused on the children's ability to propose narratives when the teacher used different storytelling methods. The children's responses were videotaped and coded later for analysis. The coding was used to calculate the baseline Ideational Fluency of the children. Total fluency was calculated by adding the number of popular and original responses. Behavior patterns also emerged from the study. Children generated not only more responses, but a greater variation in narratives when they were allowed to interact with tangible characters and act out behaviors. This is part of larger project to design a toy that fosters children's creativity using tangible objects and gestures.
A national study of the complications of lupus in pregnancy.

Objective This study was undertaken to determine the risk of rare complications during pregnancy for women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Study Design By using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2000-2003, we compared maternal and pregnancy complications for all pregnancy-related admissions for women with and without systemic lupus erythematosus. Results Of more than 16.7 million admissions for childbirth over the 4 years, 13,555 were to women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Maternal mortality was 20-fold higher among women with systemic lupus erythematosus. The risks for thrombosis, infection, thrombocytopenia, and transfusion were each 3- to 7-fold higher for women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus patients also had a higher risk for cesarean sections (odds ratio: 1.7), preterm labor (odds ratio: 2.4), and preeclampsia (odds ratio: 3.0) than other women. Women with systemic lupus erythematosus were more likely to have other medical conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and thrombophilia, that are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion Women with systemic lupus erythematosus are at increased risk for serious medical and pregnancy complications during pregnancy.
Codes for Multi-Level Flash Memories: Correcting Asymmetric Limited-Magnitude Errors

Several physical effects that limit the reliability and performance of Multilevel Flash memories induce errors that have low magnitude and are dominantly asymmetric. This paper studies block codes for asymmetric limited-magnitude errors over q-ary channels. We propose code constructions for such channels when the number of errors is bounded by t. The construction uses known codes for symmetric errors over small alphabets to protect large-alphabet symbols from asymmetric limited-magnitude errors. The encoding and decoding of these codes are performed over the small alphabet whose size depends only on the maximum error magnitude and is independent of the alphabet size of the outer code. An extension of the construction is proposed to include systematic codes as a benefit to practical implementation.
Analytical Prediction of Damage Growth in Notched Composite Panels Loaded in Axial Compression

A Progressive failure analysis method based on shell elements is developed for the computation of damage initiation and growth in stiffened thick-skin stitched graphite-epoxy panels loaded in axial compression. The analysis method involves a step-by-step simulation of material degradation based on ply-level failure mechanisms. High computational efficiency is derived from the use of superposed layers of shell elements to model each ply orientation in the laminate. Multiple integration points through the thickness are used to obtain the correct bending effects through the thickness without the need for ply-by-ply evaluations of the state of the material. The analysis results are compared with experimental results for three stiffened panels with notches oriented at 0, 15 and 30 degrees to the panel width dimension. A parametric study is performed to investigate the damage growth retardation characteristics of the Kevlar stitch lines in the panels.
An integral solution of moving boundary problems

Abstract An integral method is presented that utilizes Galerkin functions and leads to closed-form solutions for temperature distribution in the liquid and solid phase. Unlike methods using quasi-steady assumptions, this method retains the contribution of the internal heat capacity of solid and liquid, therefore, accommodating problems involving time-dependent temperature along the boundary. The method is applied to classical one- and two-dimensional solidification problems to test its accuracy. The agreement between this method and the existing one-dimensional boundary-layer integral method is excellent. The two-dimensional results for a square geometry are compared to the experimental data obtained for octadecane.
Hall force-dominated nonlinear dynamics of ultraclean high-temperature superconductors

Abstract The coupled nonlinear electrodynamics of an isotropic, ultraclean type-II superconductor is examined. A theory for weakly nonlinear but strongly dispersive wave propagation in an Abrikosov vortex lattice of a high-temperature superconductor is developed. In the ultraclean regime the Hall force dominates, modifying the linear dispersion relation. It is found that the nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation governs the evolution of the complex amplitude, allowing soliton solutions. The effects of nonlocal vortex interaction and vortex inertia are included. The detection of NLS solitons could provide a means of studying the Hall force and vortex mass at low temperature.
A COMPARISON OF INTRATRACHEAL PULMONARY VENTILATION (ITPV) TO CONVENTIONAL VENTILATION ON A SURFACTANT DEFICIENT ANIMAL MODEL. ▴ 2106

Introduction: ITPV is a new experimental modality of ventilator support. During ITPV there is continuous gas flow through a small reverse thrust catheter which sits inside the ETT with the tip near the carina allowing ventilation with low Tidal volume. Our objective was to compare ITPV to Conventional ventilation in a model of surfactant deficiency.
Subgame-Perfect Implementation of Bargaining Solutions

Abstract This paper provides simple four-stage game forms that fully implement a large class of two-person bargaining solutions in subgame-perfect equilibrium. The solutions that can be implemented by our game forms are those that maximize a monotonic and quasi-concave function of utilities after normalizing each agent's utility function so that the maximum utility is 1 and the utility of the disagreement outcome is 0. This class of solutions includes the Nash, Kalai–Smorodinsky, and Relative Utilitarian solutions. The game forms have a structure of alternating offers and contain no integer device.
Mechanism of Resistance of a Variant of P388 Leukemia to L-(αS,5S)-α-Amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic Acid (Acivicin)

Acivicin [L-(alpha S,5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid; NSC 163501] is a fermentation-derived amino acid antibiotic antagonistic to L-glutamine which exhibits potent oncolytic properties. We have developed a variant of P388 leukemia resistant to acivicin (P388/ACIA) and compared its properties with those of the parent line (P388/S). An examination of the enzymes utilizing L-glutamine revealed that the basal specific activities of L-asparagine synthetase and L-glutaminase were 1-to 3-fold higher in the parent line. The activities of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II, L-asparagine synthetase, formylglycinamide ribonucleotide amidotransferase, and guanosine monophosphate synthetase were about equally inhibited in the two cell lines, while there was a partial inhibition of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate amidotransferase, fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase, and L-glutaminase activities, found only in the sensitive line. Cytidine triphosphate synthetase activity was not inhibited in either line. There was no difference in the dose response or restitution of L-glutamine utilizing enzyme activities between the two lines. Acivicin treatment produced a 2- to 3-fold augmentation of the L-glutamine pools only in the sensitive line. Drug injection induced increased 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate levels in both lines. Acivicin perturbed guanosine nucleotide pools only in the sensitive line, indicating that the primary mechanism of action of acivicin in P388 leukemia may be directed at guanosine monophosphate synthetase. Transport studies demonstrated a restricted uptake of acivicin by the resistant cells. These studies suggest that the transport of acivicin and L-glutamine plays an important role in determining the sensitivity or resistance to acivicin in these tumors.
Checking polynomial identities over any field: towards a derandomization?

We present a Monte Carlo algorithm for testing multivariate polynomial identities over any field using fewer random bits than other methods. To test if a polynomial P x xn is zero, our method uses Pn i dlog di e random bits , where di is the degree of xi in P , to obtain any inverse polynomial error in polynomial time. The algorithm applies to polynomials given as a black box or in some implicit representation such as a straight-line program. Our method works by evaluating P at truncated formal power series representing square roots of irreducible polynomials over the field. This approach is similar to that of Chen and Kao [CK97], but with the advantage that the techniques are purely algebraic and apply to any field. We also prove a lower bound showing that the number of random bits used by our algorithm is essentially optimal in the black-box model.
Evaluation of the 5-day versus a modified 7-day CIDR breeding program in dairy heifers

Abstract Dairy heifers were used to compared the effects of two timed AI + controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocols (5-day vs. a modified 7-day) on: (1) luteal regression to initiate a new ovarian follicular wave; (2) ovarian response to the initial GnRH injection; and (3) pregnancy outcomes. Holstein heifers (N = 543) were assigned randomly to two treatments: (1) 25 mg PGF2α (im) and a CIDR insert on Day −7 followed by 100 μg of GnRH (GnRH-1) on Day −5 and 25 mg PGF2α (im) at CIDR insert removal (7-day [7D]) on Day 0; or (2) 100 μg GnRH (GnRH-1) and insertion of a CIDR on Day −5 and 25 mg PGF2α (im) at CIDR removal (5-day [5D]) on Day 0. Insemination with frozen-thawed conventional or gender-biased semen occurred after detected estrus from Days 0 to 2 or by appointment at 72 h after PGF2α when a second 100-μg dose of GnRH was given. Blood was collected on Days −7, −5, 0, and 3 to determine concentrations of progesterone and incidence of luteolysis. Ovaries were scanned on Days −5 and 0. Luteolysis in the 7D treatment by 48 h after the initial PGF2α was greater (P
Prepreg process analysis

A description of the hot-melt prepreg process was developed by coupling resin matrix flow at the coating and impregnation zones with heat transfer considerations. Both bismaleimide (BMI) and epoxy resin systems were used as matrices. With continuous carbon fiber reinforcement. For the laboratory scale prepregger utilized in this study, the thickness of the resin film produced in a doctor blade was approximately 63% of the blade distance, showing good agreement with experimental data. In addition, the measured heat transfer coefficient between prepreg and atmosphere indicated that surface convective resistance is large compared to the internal conductive resistance and thus the chill plate in the prepregging operation plays on important role in determining prepreg quality. By formulating an analytical methodology in terms of the “Prepreg Flow Number” (PFN) that combined important operating parameter (e.g., temperature, pressure, and production rate), a temperature-pressure-velocity superposition was confirmed for the prepregging process. In addition, the model could easily be extended to different scales and types of prepregging processes with the aid of dimension-less parameters that are quite descriptive of the operating conditions employed in prepreg manufacturing.
Regulation of Nutrient Transport across the Placenta

Abnormal fetal growth, both growth restriction and overgrowth, is associated with perinatal complications and an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease later in life. Fetal growth is dependent on nutrient availability, which in turn is related to the capacity of the placenta to transport these nutrients. The activity of a range of nutrient transporters has been reported to be decreased in placentas of growth restricted fetuses, whereas at least some studies indicate that placental nutrient transport is upregulated in fetal overgrowth. These findings suggest that changes in placental nutrient transport may directly contribute to the development of abnormal fetal growth. Detailed information on the mechanisms by which placental nutrient transporters are regulated will therefore help us to better understand how important pregnancy complications develop and may provide a foundation for designing novel intervention strategies. In this paper we will focus on recent studies of regulatory mechanisms that modulate placental transport of amino acids, fatty acids, and glucose.
Using EOF Analysis to Identify Important Surface Wind Patterns in Mountain Valleys

Empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) have been determined for three wind datasets from stations in valleys south of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Two of the datasets were for summer months, with individual days selected from the MesoWest archive to represent conditions conducive to well-developed thermally driven flows. The remaining dataset was for the month of October 2000 and was derived from a combination of MesoWest data and data collected during intensive observation periods of the Vertical Transport and Mixing Experiment (VTMX) conducted in the Great Salt Lake area. This experiment investigated stable atmospheric conditions in the complex urban terrain around Salt Lake City, Utah. In all three datasets, the primary EOFs represented flows that were directed predominantly along valley axes and were caused by channeled or thermally driven flow. Diurnal variations in EOF intensity showed that thermal effects were the most common causal mechanism. The alongvalley EOFs accounted for 43%‐58% of the variance in the wind component datasets (8 or 10 stations each). The second EOFs accounted for 13%‐18% of the variance. In the summer datasets, the second EOF appeared to represent day‐night transition periods; there was evidence of both side canyon flows and day‐night transitional effects in the October dataset. The EOF approach has promise for classifying wind patterns and selecting representative cases for simulation or for further detailed analysis.
Incidental and indirect exposure to three chemical insecticides used for control of the Gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.)1

The incidental and indirect exposure to three chemical insecticides used for control of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), in camping and picnic areas in Pennsylvania, U. S. A., was monitored on the day of application and weekly for three weeks. The insecticides were applied at 1.12 kg AI/ha (carbaryl and trichlorfon) or 35 g AI/ha (diflubenzuron). Pads, located on various parts of the bodies of test subjects, and used for swabbing picnic tables, were analysed for residues. Even using figures for the greatest exposure recorded on the day of application, the dermal LD50 is greater by a factor of approx. 10,000. Greatly reduced pesticide recoveries were recorded with carbaryl in the weeks following application; few pads with diflubenzuron were positive 7 days after pesticide application, and no residues of trichlorfon were recovered after the day of treatment. Zusammenfassung Zufallige und indirekte Kontamination mit drei Insektiziden wahrend einer Schwammspinner-(Lymantria dispar L.)-Bekampfungsaktion Es wurden zufallige Kontaminationen von Camping- und Picknick-Stellen mit drei chemischen Insektiziden, die zur Schwammspinner-Bekampfung in Pennsylvania, USA verwendet wurden, am Tage der Applikation und danach dreimal im wochentlichen Abstand untersucht. Die Insektizide wurden mit 1,12 kg AI/ha (Carbaryl und Trichlorfon) oder 35 g AI/ha (Diflubenzuron) angewandt. Tucher, die an verschiedenen Korperteilen der Testpersonen angebracht waren oder zum Abwischen der Picknick-Tische Verwendung fanden, wurden auf Ruckstande untersucht. Selbst bei der starksten Kontamination am Tage der Bekampfung war die dermale LD50 um etwa das 10 000-fache groser. Der starkste Pestizidabbau wurde bei Carbaryl in den auf die Applikation folgenden Wochen festgestellt. Einige Tucher mit Diflubenzuron waren 7 Tage nach Pestizidausbringung noch positiv. Von Trichlorfon wurden selbst am Tage nach der Behandlung keine Ruckstande mehr nachgewiesen.
Ecological periodic tables for benthic macrofaunal usage of estuarine habitats in the US Pacific Northwest

Abstract This study shows that spatially and temporally recurring benthic macrofauna–habitat patterns validate the ecological relevance of habitat types to benthic macrofauna and suggest they can serve as elements in ecological periodic tables of benthic macrofaunal usage. We discovered patterns across nine habitat types (intertidal eelgrass [ Zostera marina ], dwarf eelgrass [ Zostera japonica ], oyster [ Crassostrea gigas ] ground culture, burrowing mud shrimp [ Upogebia pugettensis ], burrowing ghost shrimp [ Neotrypaea californiensis ], shell, sand, mud, and subtidal) on a variety of benthic macrofaunal community state variables in Grays Harbor, Washington, USA and compared them to those in Willapa Bay, Washington, USA. There were nominal differences in benthic macrofaunal Bray–Curtis similarity between all the habitats investigated except eelgrass and oyster in both estuaries. Across-habitat patterns on mean benthic macrofaunal species richness, abundance, biomass, abundance of deposit, suspension and facultative feeders, a dominance and a diversity index for the five habitats common to both studies were the same on a rank measurement scale: eelgrass ≈ oyster > mud shrimp > ghost shrimp ≈ subtidal. The patterns for most of the habitats and benthic macrofaunal measures were the same on a ratio measurement scale.
THE CAPITAL LEVY AND DEADWEIGHT DEBT IN ENGLAND—1815–40

As STUDENTS OF THE HISTORY of public finance well know, the subject of a capital levy as a means of coping with war debt is periodically a live issue. First proposed in modern form in 1714 at the birth of the public debt system in England, it was discussed again with greater seriousness after the Napoleonic wars in Britain and after the Franco-Prussian War in France in 1870. In the postwar readjustments after 1918, the issue of a capital levy was again widely debated. Interest in the device and the underlying problem with which it was designed to cope then faded. The capital levy had nowhere been carried through completely; experience with it was untidy; and under the stabilized conditions of "normal" economic life the capital levy appeared too drastic a public policy measure.' The Depressed Thirties brought new insights, new moods, and new doctrines which shifted the focus from the debt as such to changes in indebtedness. The monographic capital levy surveys written against this background were either clearly hostile or in the balance unfavorable to the levy as an effective device of public policy.2 Writing in 1945, Professor Haig, who knew well the literature and experience of the twenties, found it necessary to explain away a view of the capital levy as "a strange fiscal specimen suitable for entombment in some volume like Hubert Hall's Antiquities and Curiosities of the Exchequer."3 Professor Haig's protest against neglect appears to be confirmed by the recent postwar experience. In at least one western country, Germany, in a number of east European countries, and to some ex-
Mouse growth and differentiation factor-5 protein and DNA therapy potentiates intervertebral disc cell aggregation and chondrogenic gene expression.

Abstract Background context Growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5)–deficient mice showed abnormalities in intervertebral disc (IVD) structure and extracellular matrix. Adenovirus-mediated GDF-5 delivery can promote the growth of rabbit disc cells. Purpose The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of recombinant GDF-5 protein and GDF-5 complementary DNA (cDNA) on the metabolism of IVD cells. Study design The effects of recombinant GDF-5 protein and GDF-5 cDNA on mouse IVD cells will be evaluated in vitro. Methods Mouse disc cells in vitro were treated with recombinant GDF-5 protein. Mouse GDF-5 cDNA was cloned into an expression vector and was used to transfect mouse disc cells in vitro. Therapy with GDF-5 protein and cDNA was assessed by measuring cell proliferation, proteoglycan production, and extracellular matrix gene expression. Results Biochemical assays revealed an elevated sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG)/DNA ratio in mouse IVD cells that were cultured in the presence of various concentrations of mouse GDF-5(mGDF-5) protein. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrated that treating the cells with GDF-5 protein increased the expression of the collagen Type II and aggrecan genes in a dose-dependent manner but decreased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 gene expression. Immunohistochemistry showed an increase in the aggregation of mouse IVD cells that were treated with mGDF-5 in culture compared with the control group. The mouse GDF-5 gene was successfully cloned into an expression plasmid vector, and GDF-5 protein production was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Type II collagen and aggrecan gene expression by the cells increased significantly in the cells that were transfected by nucleofection with the GDF-5 plasmid compared with cells that were transfected with a control plasmid. Conclusions This is the first report of the cloning of the mouse GDF-5 gene and use of the nucleofection method to transfer DNA into IVD cells. The data suggest that both recombinant protein and the cDNA forms of GDF-5 can increase the expression of genes for extracellular matrix proteins in mouse IVD cells. Future attempts at gene therapy to treat degenerative disc disease with a novel ex vivo gene transfer technique are needed to develop a therapy that would alleviate the condition of patients with clinically relevant axial spine pain.
The Interaction of Leader and Member Characteristics in the Leader-Member Exchange (Lmx) Model of Leadership:

In this study, the interaction of leader and member characteristics is explored for its impact on the leader-member relationship. Some support was found for the importance of the interaction of leader and member characteristics: leaders with high needfor power accorded more negotiating latitude to members with high need for power, whereas leaders with low power motive accorded more negotiating latitude to members with low need for power. By contrast, no support was fou nd for the hypothesized interactive effects of leader and member genider, need for achievement, least preferred co-worker, or locus of control on member negotiating latitude. Thiese results suggest that leader-member "fit" may be defined primarily on the basis of congruence between the leader and member in how they use power and influence.
Telomere Shortening Accompanies Increased Cell Cycle Activity during Serial Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Reactivation of telomerase and maintenance of telomere length can lead to the prevention of replicative senescence in some human somatic cells grown in vitro. To investigate whether telomere shortening might also play a role in the limitation of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) division capacity in vivo, we analyzed telomere length during serial transplantation of murine HSCs. Southern blot analysis of telomere length in donor bone marrow cells revealed extensive shortening (∼7 kb) after just two rounds of HSC transplantation. The number of cycling HSCs increased after transplantation and remained elevated for at least 4 mo, while the frequency of HSCs in the bone marrow was completely regenerated by 2 mo after transplantation. Direct analysis of telomeres in HSCs by fluorescent in situ hybridization during serial transplantation also revealed a reduction in telomere size. Together, these data show that telomeres shorten during division of HSCs in vivo, and are consistent with the hypothesis that telomere shortening may limit the replicative capacity of HSCs.
Free flap survival despite early loss of the vascular pedicle.

Background. Early success of microvascular free tissue transfer is dependent upon the patency of the primary vascular pedicle. In time, neovascularization from the recipient bed and surrounding wound margins into the graft may be sufficient to maintain flap viability. The time necessary for successful neovascularization to occur is unclear. Most believe that prior radiation therapy will delay this process. Methods. This case report describes a patient, status postchemoradiotherapy, who underwent composite resection with anterolateral thigh free flap reconstruction for a new base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma. On postoperative day 9 the vascular pedicle thrombosed secondary to abscess formation. Results. Despite early loss of the arterial and venous pedicle, the flap survived completely. Conclusion. After microvascular free tissue transfer, neovascularization sufficient to maintain flap viability independent of the primary vascular pedicle may occur by postoperative day 9. This early revascularization can also occur despite a history of radiotherapy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
To Be or Not To Be—Obese

The prevalence of obesity in westernized societies is now considered by epidemiologists to be at an epidemic level. Slightly over a third of adult Americans are considered obese because they have a body mass index of more than 30 kg/m2 (1). Additionally, the percentage of the U.S. population that has a body mass index of more than 25 (considered “overweight”) is almost 70%, which gives even more “food” for thought (1). The consistent failure, for reasons of compliance or adverse actions, of multiple weight-management strategies is a worrying trend. In this issue of Endocrinology, Lockie et al. (2) potentially offer rational modifications to one of these “failed” treatments, rimonabant, that may allow a more positive reception of what was considered an effective, but flawed, weight-management drug.
Proximal row carpectomy: role of a radiocarpal interposition lateral meniscal allograft.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether use of a lateral meniscal interposition allograft combined with proximal row carpectomy would reduce the peak joint contact pressures and increase the contact area when compared with proximal row carpectomy alone. Methods Six cadaver wrists were cyclically moved through flexion–extension and radioulnar deviation ranges of motion. Joint contact pressure was measured with the carpus intact, after proximal row carpectomy, and after insertion of a lateral meniscal allograft. Contact pressure data were also collected with the wrist in 5 static positions. Results Proximal row carpectomy caused statistically greater peak pressures and smaller contact areas when compared with the intact wrist. Insertion of the allograft statistically restored the pressures and areas to that observed in the intact wrist. Conclusions These results support the clinical trial of a lateral meniscal interposition allograft in patients with contraindications for proximal row carpectomy, such as pre-existing arthritis in the capitate head or lunate facet of the radius.
A general framework for multidimensional adaptation

Data adaptation is an essential system component in a wide variety of application areas. To date, most applications use ad hoc methods to manage data in response to limited resources and changing system conditions. We present a generic adaptation framework that distills the common elements essential to a broad class of adaptive applications. Our framework provides an abstract data representation and defines a generic set of adaptation operations that directly support multidimensional and multimedia adaptive behavior. We present several application case studies and demonstrate the performance of our framework on an experimental prototype.
Subspace methods for blind estimation of time-varying FIR channels

Novel linear algorithms are proposed in this paper for estimating time-varying FIR systems, without resorting to higher order statistics. The proposed methods are applicable to systems where each time-varying tap coefficient can be described (with respect to time) as a linear combination of a finite number of basis functions. Examples of such channels include almost periodically varying ones (Fourier series description) or channels locally modeled by a truncated Taylor series or by a wavelet expansion. It is shown that the estimation of the expansion parameters is equivalent to estimating the second-order parameters of an unobservable FIR single-input-many-output (SIMO) process, which are directly computed (under some assumptions) from the observation data. By exploiting this equivalence, a number of different blind subspace methods are applicable, which have been originally developed in the context of time-invariant SIMO systems. Identifiability issues are investigated, and some illustrative simulations are presented.
Defining the buffering process by a triprotic acid without relying on stewart-electroneutrality considerations

Upon the addition of protons to an aqueous solution, a component of the H+ load will be bound i.e. buffered. In an aqueous solution containing a triprotic acid, H+ can be bound to three different states of the acid as well as to OH- ions that are derived from the auto-ionization of H2O. In quantifying the buffering process of a triprotic acid, one must define the partitioning of H+ among the three states of the acid and also the OH- ions in solution in order to predict the equilibrium pH value. However, previous quantitative approaches that model triprotic acid titration behaviour and used to predict the equilibrium pH rely on the mathematical convenience of electroneutrality/charge balance considerations. This fact has caused confusion in the literature, and has led to the assumption that charge balance/electroneutrality is a causal factor in modulating proton buffering (Stewart formulation). However, as we have previously shown, although charge balance can be used mathematically as a convenient tool in deriving various formulae, electroneutrality per se is not a fundamental physicochemical parameter that is mechanistically involved in the underlying buffering and proton transfer reactions. The lack of distinction between a mathematical tool, and a fundamental physicochemical parameter is in part a reason for the current debate regarding the Stewart formulation of acid-base analysis. We therefore posed the following question: Is it possible to generate an equation that defines and predicts the buffering of a triprotic acid that is based only on H+ partitioning without incorporating electroneutrality in the derivation? Towards this goal, we derived our new equation utilizing: 1) partitioning of H+ buffering; 2) conservation of mass; and 3) acid-base equilibria. In validating this model, we compared the predicted equilibrium pH with the measured pH of an aqueous solution consisting of Na2HPO4 to which HCl was added. The measured pH values were in excellent agreement with the predictions of our equation. Our results provide further important evidence that one can mathematically model the chemistry of acid-base phenomenology without relying on electroneutrality (Stewart formulation) considerations.
Monocytes stimulate COX-2 expression in pancreatic cancer cells

Abstract COX-2 is an enzyme that modulates human pancreatic cancer (PaCa) cell survival, proliferation, and tumor metastasis. 60–80% of human PaCa express COX-2. However, the regulation of COX-2 expression in PaCa cells is not clear. We hypothesize that inflammatory cell infiltrate—namely monocytes/macrophages found commonly in PaCa—regulates the expression and activity of COX-2. The human histiocytic lymphoma cell line U937 was terminally differentiated with phorbol ester (PMA) and served as a human monocyte/macrophage model. IL-1β levels in the culture medium were measured by ELISA. PaCa cell lines (BxPC-3, Capan-2, HPAF-II) were stimulated with U937 conditioned culture medium (CM). COX-2 protein expression was determined by immunoblotting and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) production by ELISA. To determine, whether the effect of U937 CM was mediated by IL-1β, we used an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA). The effect of recombinant IL-1β on COX-2 expression, PGE 2 production, and ERK1/ERK2 phosphorylation in human PaCa cells was analyzed. Since PMA-differentiated U937 cells secreted low levels of IL-1β (15 ± 2 pg/ml), we stimulated differentiated U937 cells with LPS markedly increasing IL-1β secretion (1670 ± 145 pg/ml). CM of U937 cells increased COX-2 protein expression after 24 hours 5.6-fold, 7.7-fold, and 5.3-fold in the BxPC-3, Capan-2, and HPAF-II cells, respectively. Compared to control, U937 CM increased PGE 2 production in BxPC-3 (202 ± 8 vs. 516 ± 24 pg/ml, p 2 production was only partially inhibited by IL-1RA. Recombinant IL-1β dose- and time dependently increased COX-2 expression, PGE 2 production, and ERK1/ERK2 activation in BxPC-3, Capan-2, and HPAF-II cells, an effect which was inhibited by IL-1RA. IL-1β secreted by monocytes stimulates expression of COX-2 in human pancreatic cancer cells. Other cytokines secreted from U937 cells may also activate COX-2 expression. Studies combining immunomodulation with COX-2 inhibition for PaCa treatment may yield significant results.
Short Paper: A Distributed Cross-Layer Intrusion Detection System for Ad Hoc Networks

In this paper, we propose a node-based intrusion detection system (IDS) for wireless ad hoc networks. Specifically, we define a feature set that correlates information from MAC layer and network layer to profile normal behaviors of mobile nodes, and we also adapt a rule-based data mining technique for anomaly detection. The proposed IDS is able to effectively detect an attack and is able to localize the attack source within one-hop perimeter. False positive rate is reduced through the decision module of the IDS where intelligence gathered from neighbor nodes is used to make a collaborative decision and Bayesian network is used to evaluate multiple attack sources. We validate our work through ns-2 simulation experiments. Experimental results show the effectiveness of our method.