cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infections in Liver, Kidney, Pancreas, and Intestinal Transplant Recipients

Abstract Patients who need abdominal organ transplantation are at high risk for community-acquired, nosocomial, and opportunistic infections. In part, this is due to the invasive procedures they undergo, as well as the immunosuppression they require. This review highlights the infections that these vulnerable patients may develop. The current epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of common infections in liver, kidney, pancreas, and intestinal transplant (IT) recipients are summarized here.
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tomato elicits unexpected flower phenotypes with similar gene expression profiles

Background Genetic transformation mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens is known to cause unexpected phenotypes. Mutations of a specific set of homeotic genes can result in alterred floral structure. Methodology/Principal Findings Previously we identified two genes (LeTGA1 and SOLly GLB1) induced by nutrient availability in tomato. To further elucidate their function, we sought to knock out the genes using antisense RNAi. When antisense constructs for the two different tomato genes were each transformed into Micro-Tina tomato plants, one primary transformant with similar mutant flower phenotypes was identified from transformation of each construct. Microarray analysis shows that a similar set of genes were up- or downregulated in both mutants. Sequencing of insertion sites indicates that each is inserted into a repetitive region which could impact expression of affected genes but direct alteration of floral homeotic gene sequences was not detected. Conclusion This is the first report that dominant flower mutations could be caused by genetic transformation designed to knock out two nutrient stress related genes.
Impact of exogenous growth hormone on host preservation and tumor cell-cycle distribution in a rat sarcoma model.

Abstract Growth hormone (hGH) has been reported to improve nitrogen balances and accrue lean mass tissue in stable subjects. However, the ability of hGH to positively influence host preservation in stressed catabolic states such as cancer-induced cachexia remains unproven. Thirty-seven sham or tumor implanted Fischer 344 rats were randomized to receive either 0.5 mg/kg/day hGH or saline (SAL) subcutaneously from Days 14 to 23 postimplantation. Plasma levels of hGh and somatomedin C/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I) as well as IGF I bioactivity were determined at sacrifice. Gastrocnemius muscle protein content was used as a index of host lean tissue mass and the tumor response was evaluated via flow cytometry for analysis of cell-cycle distribution. Host cachexia was not attenuated by hGH as muscle protein content was similar in hGH and saline-treated groups. Despite elevated hGH levels (range, 77–222 ng/ml (GH) vs
Multiple routes of protein transport from endosomes to the trans Golgi network

Proteins use multiple routes for transport from endosomes to the Golgi complex. Shiga and cholera toxins and TGN38/46 are routed from early and recycling endosomes, while mannose 6-phosphate receptors are routed from late endosomes. The identification of distinct molecular requirements for each of these pathways makes it clear that mammalian cells have evolved more complex targeting mechanisms and routes than previously anticipated.
Protein deficiency and performance of pigeons on a multiple schedule of reinforcement.

Pigeons reared from 2 pairs of healthy pigeons were fed on diets of either adequate (18%), medium (11%), or low (8%) protein for the first 30 days of life. The subjects were then placed on the 18% diet from 30 days of age until training and testing which was begun at 60 ± 3 days of age. Performance on a MULT FR30 FI60 was evaluated and the differences in the time necessary for the medium and low groups to stabilize were found to be statistically significant. Massed extinction trials to the FI were then begun followed by a schedule of MULT FR EXT. Differences between the adequate and inadequate protein groups were again found in both conditions. Other qualitative differences were found among the goups which suggested an analog of emotional lability and retardation.
Concept-Level Analysis and Design of Polyurea for Enhanced Blast-Mitigation Performance

Polyurea is an elastomeric co-polymer in which the presence of strong hydrogen bonding between chains gives rise to the formation of a nano-composite like microstructure consisting of discrete hard-domains distributed randomly within a compliant/soft matrix. Several experimental investigations reported in the open literature have indicated that the application of polyurea external coatings and/or internal linings can substantially improve ballistic penetration resistance and blast survivability of buildings, vehicles and laboratory/field test-plates. Recently, it was proposed that transition of polyurea between its rubbery state and its glassy state under high deformation-rate loading conditions is the main mechanism responsible for the improved ballistic-impact resistance of polyurea-coated structures. As far as the shock-mitigation performance of polyurea is concerned, additional/alternative mechanisms such as shock-impedance mismatch, shock-wave dispersion, fracture-mode conversion, and strain delocalization have been suggested (without validation). In this study, an attempt is made to identify the phenomena and processes within polyurea which are most likely responsible for the observed superior shock-mitigation performance of this material. Towards that end, computational methods and tools are used to investigate shockwave generation, propagation, dispersion, and transmission/reflection within polyurea and the adjoining material layers as present in the case of a blast-loaded assembly consisting of a head covered with a polyurea-augmented helmet. The results obtained show that for effective shock mitigation, the operation of volumetric energy-dissipating/energy-storing processes is required. Candidate processes of this type are identified and presented.
Target tracking using concurrent visible and infrared imageries

Visible and infrared video cameras are the most common imaging sensors used for video surveillance systems. Fusing concurrent visible and infrared imageries may further improve the overall detection and tracking performance of a video surveillance system. We performed image fusion using 13 pixel-based image fusion algorithms and examined their effects on the detection and tracking performance of a given target tracker. We identified five pyramid-based methods that produced significantly better performance, three of which also managed to achieve that with a relatively high efficiency.© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Robust controller for wheeled mobile robots

A guidance and control system has been developed for the autonomous operation of under-actuated mobile robots. The guidance system is based on the concepts of the line-of-sight (LOS) with the acceptance radius. It empowers the controller to simultaneously deal with the cross-track error while yielding the proper orientation of the robot. Both theoretical and experimental results prove the viability of the proposed approach and demonstrate the robustness of the controller to significant modeling imprecision.
A Discrete Element Approach for Modeling Cage Flexibility in Ball Bearing Dynamics Simulations

A model for deep-groove and angular-contact ball bearings was developed to investigate the influence of a flexible cage on bearing dynamics. The cage model introduces flexibility by representing the cage as an ensemble of discrete elements that allow deformation of the fibers connecting the elements. A finite element model of the cage was developed to establish the relationships between the nominal cage properties and those used in the flexible discrete element model. In this investigation, the raceways and balls have six degrees of freedom. The discrete elements comprising the cage each have three degrees of freedom in a cage reference frame. The cage reference frame has five degrees of freedom, enabling three-dimensional motion of the cage ensemble. Newton's laws are used to determine the accelerations of the bearing components, and a fourth-order Runge-Kutta algorithm with constant step size is used to integrate their equations of motion. Comparing results from the dynamic bearing model with flexible and rigid cages reveals the effects of cage flexibility on bearing performance. The cage experiences nearly the same motion and angular velocity in the loading conditions investigated regardless of the cage type. However, a significant reduction in ball-cage pocket forces occurs as a result of modeling the cage as a flexible body. Inclusion of cage flexibility in the model also reduces the time required for the bearing to reach steady-state operation.
Targeting Ovarian Cancer Cells With Rapidly Biodegradable L-Tyrosine Polyphosphate Nanoparticles Decorated With Folate

Chemotherapy employs toxic chemicals to kill rapidly dividing cells. Examples of FDA approved antineoplastic drugs include cisplatin, doxorubicin, and paclitaxel. Since most of these drugs are nonspecific, they also damage normal tissues as well as the aberrant tumors. As a result, non-specific therapies have multiple side effects, which include myelosuppression, mucositis, alopecia, nephrotoxicity, and genotoxcity. In order to minimize these issues, researchers have begun to conjugate antineoplastic chemicals with targeting moieties or encapsulate drugs into nanoparticles decorated with compounds, peptides, or proteins that recognize specific cellular receptors, which are upregulated by the neoplastic cells. The targeting moieties aid in the accumulation of these drugs within the blood vessels of carcinomas, while keeping concentrations low in the systemic circulation. Thus, targeted delivery systems are able to minimize the unwanted side effects and increase the efficacy of chemotherapies.© 2011 ASME
Inhibition of calcium phosphate crystallization by nucleoside phosphates

The 5′-triphosphates of adenosine, guanosine, uridine, and cytidine inhibited the crystallization of calcium phosphate from stable supersaturated solutions that had been seeded with crystals of hydroxyapatite. Concentrations of the nucleoside triphosphates in the micromolar range were sufficient to have a significant effect on the crystal growth process. Diphosphate and monophosphate derivatives had less effect on the precipitation of calcium phosphate. It is possible that the nucleoside triphosphates may play a beneficial role in regulating intracellular calcification, particularly in disease states in which calcium entry into cells is pathologically high.
Dislocational pile-up—grain boundary interaction at elevated temperature

Abstract The nucleation and growth of grain boundary voids on the grain boundary facets, transverse to the direction of applied load, is one of the widely accepted mechanisms of damage development and material failure at high temperature. The aim of this work is the analysis of certain sources of stress concentration on the grain boundary which lead to time dependent high stress gradients. Specifically, the interaction of a dislocational pile-up with the grain boundary at high temperature is studied in order to model a variety of practical possible grain defects which can be approached on the basis of the theory of continuously distributed dislocations. Assuming the existence of the pile-up before the temperature rises, one investigates the time dependent stress field along the grain boundary, stress relaxation parameters and critical time. The diffusive absorption of the dislocations from the pile-up as well as the dislocation redistribution in the pile-up versus time are represented. This data leads to the estimation of possible grain boundary void nucleation, material damping due to diffusive matter redistribution and evaluation of plastic energy dissipation.
A study of coping behaviours and teacher burnout

Abstract This study investigated whether or not factors of teacher burnout were associated with adaptive and maladaptive coping behaviour. It was found, in a sample of 365 US (north Texas) school teachers, that many physical and psychological problems (e.g., stomach aches and depression) were related to teacher burnout factors. Furthermore, the data showed that certain maladaptive coping mechanisms (e.g., excessive alcohol consumption) were associated with higher teacher burnout, while adaptive coping strategies (e.g., hobbies) were related to lower burnout levels among school teachers. An association was also revealed between certain demographic factors (e.g., gender) and coping behaviour.
The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in an elderly population.

In a population of 629,145 elderly subjects had at least one mucosal lesion; 27% of denture wearers had a denture-related lesion. Lesions were found most commonly on the palate, followed by the lips. Increasing age was the only significant factor in the risk of soft tissue enlargement.
Synthesis, single-crystal structure, and superconductivity of the rubidium-substituted La2CuO4

Abstract The new compound La 2− x Rb x CuO 4 ( x =0.055(3)) has been synthesized through a low-temperature ( 2 CuO 4 , RbOH acts not only as a low-temperature flux but also as a reactant that contributes the alkali metal to the final product. La 1.945 Rb 0.055 CuO 4 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group D 4h 17 -I4/mmm with two formula units in a cell of dimensions a =3.7858(6) and c =13.276(3) A ( T =298 K). The structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Superconductivity is observed for the first time in the La 2− x Rb x CuO 4 system with a T c onset ≈22 K for x =0.055. This molten-salts method was also employed to synthesize single crystals of sodium- and potassium-substituted La 2 CuO 4 . These compounds exhibit superconductivity with a T c onset of approximately 28 and 20 K, respectively.
Thermophoretic Effects on Particles in Counterflow Laminar Diffusion Flames

Abstract Thermophoresis, meaning particle drift down a local gas temperature gradient, is now known to be important to many combustion-related technologies. Until now, however, no direct experimental determinations of primary and aggregated particle thermophoretic diffusivities, αT D, in high temperature combustion environments have been reported. To perform such measurements, we selected a seeded laminar counterflow diffusion flame (CDF) operated at low strain-rate as a well-defined combustion system, offering at the same time a low velocity and high temperature gradient environment. We established a CH4/ O2Inert opposed jet diffusion flame in which the gaseous fuel/oxygen ratio, and the diluent flow rates were adjusted to obtain a flat, stable flame, approximately coincident with the gas stagnation plane (GSP). Particles fed to or formed on either or both sides of the GSP move toward this plane until the local axial velocity is exactly counterbalanced by the thermophoretic velocity. As a result of this ...
High-Resolution Measurement of Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) in Discrete Telecom Components using Quantum Interferometry

A quantum interferometric measurement of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) of commercial telecommunication wavelength selective switch (WSS) demonstrates advantages of quantum optical technology over conventional measurement.
ASSESSMENT OF MOTIVES IN CHILDREN

This report describes a conceptual model, and assessment techniques based upon it, which have been developed to assess motives in children from the viewpoint of development.
A Web Service Infrastructure for Thermochemical Data

W3C standardized Web Services are becoming an increasingly popular middleware technology used to facilitate the open exchange of chemical data. While several projects in existence use Web Services to wrap existing commercial and open-source tools that mine chemical structure data, no Web Service infrastructure has yet been developed to compute thermochemical properties of substances. This work presents an infrastructure of Web Services for thermochemical data retrieval. Several examples are presented to demonstrate how our Web Services can be called from Java, through JavaScript using an AJAX methodology, and within commonly used commercial applications such as Microsoft Excel and MATLAB for use in computational work. We illustrate how a JANAF table, widely used by chemists and engineers, can be quickly reproduced through our Web Service infrastructure.
The influence of ambient light intensity on in situ laser diffractometers

[1] In situ laser diffractometers characterize the suspended particle size distribution (PSD) by measuring laser-generated light scattered off small particles over a range of small forward angles. In environments with low particulate concentrations or high ambient light conditions the ratio of natural downwelling sunlight to scattered laser light sensed by the photodetectors is high and measurements are influenced. Here, we evaluate the effect of the ambient light field intensity on measurements made with a Laser In Situ Scattering and Transmissometry (LISST) 100X type B instrument. Paired light-dark scattering distributions are recorded over a range of underwater light intensities in high-turbidity and low-turbidity water. Light measurements displayed large erroneous concentrations of particles in the smallest size bin (1.25–1.48 μm) and showed effects over the full range of the PSD. Ambient light was found to exhibit the same constant distribution over the instrument photodetectors in both water samples, although the magnitude of the response, in laser counts per unit ambient light intensity, was PSD dependent. A technique for postprocessing data to remove the influence of light is presented for moored deployment and vertical profile data collected at Lake Tahoe, California-Nevada, United States. While measurements removed of the light effect were successfully reconstructed, the technique may not be applicable to data where the PSD or the LISST orientation relative to the sun direction change rapidly or when light intensities are high enough to quench the instrument photodetectors. Ambient light was found to have negligible effects on PSD measurements in Lake Tahoe was below intensities of ∼30 W m−2.
Dielectric and mechanical properties of polyimide-barium titanate nanocomposites

A polymer-ceramic nanocomposite is studied as a candidate for structural dielectric devices in aerospace applications. A pre-imidized polyimide powder was chosen for its excellent mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, while barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ) nanoparticles with a nominal diameter of 60 nm were dispersed in the matrix for the intended purpose of increasing the permittivity of the composite. Film samples with nanoparticle loadings of 0 to 20 vol% were created by solvent casting, and characterized using dielectric spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of 20 vol% BaTiO 3 was observed to increase the real part of the permittivity from 3.9 to 8.9 at 100 Hz, and the room temperature storage modulus from 2.6 GPa to 4.4 GPa, as compared with neat polyimide. On the other hand, the breakdown strength was observed to decrease with the addition of nanoparticles. SEM images suggest that nanoparticle agglomeration and settling may cause the observed decrease in breakdown strength. Processing changes, such as nanoparticle surface modification, should be considered in order to improve the particle-matrix interface and in turn the dielectric and mechanical properties of the composite.
The anatomy of a pipe bomb explosion: measuring the mass and velocity distributions of container fragments.

Improvised explosive devices such as pipe bombs are prevalent due to the availability of materials and ease of construction. However, little is known about how these devices actually explode, as few attempts to characterize fragmentation patterns have been attempted. In this study, seven devices composed of various pipe materials (PVC, black steel, and galvanized steel) and two energetic fillers (Pyrodex and Alliant Red Dot) were initiated and the explosions captured using high-speed videography. The video footage was used to calculate fragment velocities, which were represented as particle velocity vector maps. In addition, the fragments were weighed. The results demonstrate a correlation between the type of energetic filler and both the size and velocity of the fragments. Larger fragments were produced by Pyrodex filler indicating a less complete fragmentation, compared with smaller fragments produced by double-base smokeless powder. Additionally, higher fragment velocities were seen with Alliant Red Dot filler. Language: en
Contouring a bivariate quadratic polynomial over a triangle

Abstract We consider the problem of contouring a bivariate quadratic polynomial, defined as a triangular Bezier patch. The important cases where the contour has disjoint sections or is a closed curve are considered in detail. Our results lead to a simple, yet completely robust algorithm for describing contours as piecewise rational quadratic Bezier curves.
Chemical propylation of vitamin-B12 transmethylase: Anomalous behavior of S-adenosyl-l-methionine

Abstract The requirement for S -adenosyl- l -methionine (AMe) in the chemical propylalation of Escherichia coli N 5 -methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine transmethylase has been reexamined. When a relatively crude ammonium sulfate fraction was used as a source of the enzyme, AMe was an essential requirement for propylation in a flavin reducing system; however, exogenous AMe exhibited only a stimulatory effect in propylation systems which also contained dithiothreitol. With more purified transmethylase preparations, AMe inhibited chemical propylation in a dithiothreitol-containing incubation system. Evidence is presented to substantiate that AMe inhibits chemical propylation by initially methylating the bound cobalamin. This inhibition by AMe was completely reversed by only two cobalamin-enzyme equivalents of homocysteine. The inability of AMe to inhibit chemical propylation in the unpurified enzyme has been attributed to the degradation of AMe preparations to homocysteine by contaminating proteins in the crude enzyme preparation. The formation of small amounts of homocysteine ( N 5 -methyL- 14 C-tetrahydrofolate. A possible scheme to accommodate the previous [ J. Biol. Chem. 240 , 3064 (1965)] apparent requirement for AMe in propylation is suggested. Coincidental in this reinvestigation of the requirement for AMe in propylation was the finding that crystalline preparations of bovine serum albumin contained trace amounts of homocysteine which appeared to be bound through a disulfide bond.
The Arabidopsis BAP1 and BAP2 Genes Are General Inhibitors of Programmed Cell Death

Here we identify the BAP1 and BAP2 genes of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) as general inhibitors of programmed cell death (PCD) across the kingdoms. These two homologous genes encode small proteins containing a calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding C2 domain. BAP1 and its functional partner BON1 have been shown to negatively regulate defense responses and a disease resistance gene SNC1. Genetic studies here reveal an overlapping function of the BAP1 and BAP2 genes in cell death control. The loss of BAP2 function induces accelerated hypersensitive responses but does not compromise plant growth or confer enhanced resistance to virulent bacterial or oomycete pathogens. The loss of both BAP1 and BAP2 confers seedling lethality mediated by PAD4 and EDS1, two regulators of cell death and defense responses. Overexpression of BAP1 or BAP2 with their partner BON1 inhibits PCD induced by pathogens, the proapototic gene BAX, and superoxide-generating paraquat in Arabidopsis or Nicotiana benthamiana. Moreover, expressing BAP1 or BAP2 in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) alleviates cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide. Thus, the BAP genes function as general negative regulators of PCD induced by biotic and abiotic stimuli including reactive oxygen species. The dual roles of BAP and BON genes in repressing defense responses mediated by disease resistance genes and in inhibiting general PCD has implications in understanding the evolution of plant innate immunity.
Observed Acidities of Charcoals, Clays, and Common Laboratory Purification Reagents in Aqueous and Organic Solutions

In studying the purification and clarification of organic compounds with mixtures of charcoals, clays, and chromatography supports in organic solution, we noted that the observed pH of the resulting slurry was an important factor in determining which of the materials was appropriate. To examine this aspect of these purification methods, we determined the observed acidity of several commercially available reagent-grade clays, decolorizing agents, chromatography supports, and several common laboratory drying reagents in water and in several organic solvents. As expected, we found that clays, decolorizing carbons, and filter aids cannot be assumed to be pH neutral and nonreactive with organic molecules. For the purification of organic compounds with pH-sensitive functionalities, the potential acidity or basicity of a clarification reagent in the chosen solvent should be considered.
Integrated active slot dipole antenna amplifier

This article presents the design and performance of a slop dipole antenna integrated directly with an FET amplifier. The measured radiation patterns of the antenna are linear with cross-polarization levels of 11 dB down in E plane and 17.5 dB down in H plane. The measured gain of the antenna is 10 dB at 7.1 GHz. Compared with a passive antenna, the active antenna has an extra gain of 7 dB.
A forever healing: The lived experience of venous ulcer disease☆

A phenomenological study was conducted to determine the lived experience of healing a venous ulcer for patients in an ambulatory surgical clinic. In addition to seven tape-recorded, transcribed interviews, weekly participant observations were made for 1 year. Interviews and field notes were transcribed and analyzed for themes by using van Manen's approach. Four major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) "A forever healing process" refers to the extended time over which healing occurs. (2) "Limits and accommodations" refers to the patterns of limitation related to mobility and activity restrictions due to pain and disfigurement. (3) "Powerlessness" describes the resignation about the inevitability of wound recurrence. (4) "Who cares?" refers to variation among the patients in assuming responsibly for managing their ulcer. Understanding the lived experience of venous leg ulcer disease allows care providers to provide empathic care. Patients can be encouraged to be active members of the treatment team and to assume responsibility for care and lifestyle choices.
Sec/SRP Requirements and Energetics of Membrane Insertion of Subunits a, b, and c of the Escherichia coli F1F0 ATP Synthase

Previously, the role of YidC in the membrane protein biogenesis of the F(0) sector of the Escherichia coli F(1)F(0) ATP synthase was investigated. Whereas subunits a and c of the F(1)F(0) ATP synthase were strictly dependent on YidC for membrane insertion, subunit b required YidC for efficient insertion (Yi, L., Jiang, F., Chen, M., Cain, B., Bolhuis, A., and Dalbey, R. E. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 10537-10544). In this paper, we investigated other protein components and energetics that are required in the membrane protein assembly of the F(0) sector subunits. We show here that the Sec translocase and the signal recognition particle (SRP) pathway are required for membrane insertion of subunits a and b. In contrast, subunit c required neither the Sec machinery nor the SRP pathway for insertion. While the proton motive force was not required for insertion of subunits b and c, it was required for translocation of the negatively charged periplasmic NH(2)-terminal tail of subunit a, whereas periplasmic loop 2 of subunit a could insert in a proton motive force-independent manner. Taken together, the in vivo data suggest that subunits a and b are inserted by the Sec/SRP pathway with the help of YidC, and subunit c is integrated into the membrane by the novel YidC pathway.
Aerodynamic forces on noncircular cross-section missile forebodies

A numerical investigation is performed to develop the aerodynamic characteristics of forebodies with noncircular cross sections in supersonic cruise. A robust, second order accurate Euler code, is utilized to determine CLj CD, and CM for forebodies with circular, square, diamond, triangle, and inverted triangle cross sections. The predictions at Mach 2.01 compare well with wind tunnel data for angles of attack from 0 to 6 deg. Computed results at Mach 3.0 show that distinct aerodynamic advantages may be obtained by using forebodies with noncircular cross sections. In supersonic cruise, forebodies with noncircular cross sections develop considerably greater lift and lift/drag ratios than forebodies with circular cross sections.
Microfossils of Lower Cambrian and Precambrian deposits in eastern Siberia

Abstract Early Cambrian and Late Proterozoic deposits in the south of eastern Siberia (Irkutsk amphitheatre) contain a large quantity of microfossils in carbonate and terrigenous rocks. Numerous finds of fossils are particularly important for the terrigenous part of the Uschakovsk and Motsk Formations. The detected microfossils change sharply in vertical section. Fossils of the Uschakovsk and Motsk Series have wide horizontal spreading, not only within the limits of Siberia. Analogous assemblages have been found in the Russian Platform. This makes it possible to correlate the Uschakovsk Series to Upper Riphean deposits of the Serdobs Series of the Riysan—Pachelm Trough. The Middle Motsk complex is close to the Gdowsk Sandstone complex in the northwest of the Russian Platform. The Upper Motsk deposits contain Lower Cambrian microfossils. The microfossils of the same age have also been found in the Bellskaja, Bulaiskaja and Angarskaja Formations.
Additive Effects of Endogenous Cannabinoid Anandamide and Ethanol on α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor-Mediated Responses in Xenopus Oocytes

The interaction between the effects of the endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist anandamide and ethanol on the function of homomeric α 7 -nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes were investigated using the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. Anandamide and ethanol reversibly inhibited currents evoked with 100 μM acetylcholine in a concentration-dependent manner. Coapplication of anandamide and ethanol caused a significantly greater inhibition of α 7 -nACh receptor function than anandamide or ethanol alone. The IC 50 value of 238 ± 34 nM for anandamide inhibition decreased significantly to 104 ± 23 nM in the presence of 30 mM ethanol. The inhibition of α 7 -mediated currents by coapplication of anandamide and ethanol was not altered by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, an inhibitor of anandamide hydrolyzing enzyme, or N -(4-hydroxyphenyl)-arachidonylamide, an anandamide transport inhibitor. Analysis of oocytes by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization technique indicated that ethanol treatment did not alter the lipid profile of oocytes, and there is negligible, if any, anandamide present in these cells. Results of studies with chimeric α 7 -nACh-5-HT 3 receptors comprised of the amino-terminal domain of the α 7 -nACh receptor and the transmembrane and carboxyl-terminal domains of 5-HT 3 receptors suggest that although ethanol inhibition of the α 7 -nACh receptor is likely to involve the N-terminal region of the receptor, the site of action for anandamide is located in the transmembrane and carboxyl-terminal domains of the receptors. These data indicate that endocannabinoids and ethanol potentiate each other9s inhibitory effects on α 7 -nACh receptor function through distinct regions of the receptor.
The effects of unilateral ovariectomy on follicular maturation in the hamster.

In the hamster, the follicles that will ovulate at any one estrus can usually be distinguished by the third day of the estrous cycle. This has been shown by determining whether compensatory ovulation occurs after unilateral ovariectomy on the various days of the estrous cycle. The results indicate that unilateral ovariectomy on the first and second day of the cycle is followed by a doubling in the number of ova released from the remaining ovary. There is no compensatory increase in ovulation after unilateral ovariectomy on the third or fourth day. However, if pregnant mare serum or human chorionic gonadotropin is injected at the time of unilateral ovariectomy on the third day the ovulation rate is doubled in the remaining ovary. The altered responsiveness of the ovary in the latter half of the cycle is paralleled by accelerated growth of the largest follicles as the antra begin to expand. It is believed that a shift in the ratio of FSH and LH at midcycle accounts for the difference in results when unilate...
Retention of enzymatic activity of bovine enterokinase after a limited reduction of disulfide bonds.

Summary A limited reduction of disulfide bonds of bovine enterokinase has been accomplished by incubating the native enzyme with 5 mM dithioerythritol at 25°C for 2 hrs. After alkylation of the partially reduced protein with iodoacetate or iodoacetamide, the modified enzyme retained full enzymatic activity toward trypsinogen and thiobenzyl benzyloxycarbonyl L-lysinate. SDS-gel electrophoresis performed in the absence of mercaptoethanol showed that the heavy and light chains were no longer covalently bound to one another. Since the light chain retained full catalytic activity, intermolecular disulfide bonds holding the heavy and light chains together were non-essential for catalytic activity.
The Effects of Ad Valorem and Specific Taxes on Prices: Comment

In teaching that old game, "ad valorem versus specific taxes," it is a temptation to introduce the new rules recently proposed by Paul Taubman in this Journal.' The play seems faster because Taubman uses the assumption of constant elasticity of demand to derive results simultaneously for firms which follow percentage markup pricing and those which seek profit maximization. Taubman also announces that he has checkmated an old pro. To provide this excitement, unfortunately, Taubman has to invoke some unorthodox assumptions and ignore a conventional criterion. The focus of Taubman's attack is on statements from John F. Due's Sales Taxation volume, although similar conclusions are found elsewhere.2 The central question is whether the burden of taxes placed on commodities at the manufacturer's level will be pyramided by retailers using price markup methods. Pyramiding, simply speaking, is an increase in the price of a taxed commodity in excess of the amount of the tax collected by the government; it results from the application by merchants of constant percentage markups to purchase prices which include the tax, and thus indirectly to the tax itself.3 Due concludes, in general, that pyramiding will occur.4 Taubman claims that "Due is incorrect for ad valorem taxes" and "correct for specific taxes only if retailers cannot substitute something for the manufacturer's product." For specific taxes, Taubman's exception hinges upon the retailer's ability to reduce his other costs to compensate for the rise in the price of the taxed input. Since this is a partial equilibrium game, we are not allowed to chase resources released by the taxed manufacturer around to augment the supply and lower the price of the other inputs of the retailer. So we have to make do with constant
Biological changes along the continuum of an agricultural stream: influence of a small terrestrial preserve and use of adult caddisflies in biomonitoring

We monitored benthic macroinvertebrates and adult caddisflies along an agricultural stream continuum upstream, within, and downstream of a small forested preserve. The habitat upstream of all sites was >60% disturbed by agricultural activities. The percentage of riparian disturbance was markedly lower adjacent to the sites inside the preserve than those outside. Water physicochemical factors did not exhibit clear changes among sites, except for nitrate concentration, which was highest upstream of the preserve. Biological diversity of adult caddisflies was significantly higher within the preserve. Biological diversity of benthic invertebrates exhibited similar results except for non-significance between the upstream and preserve sites. Pollution tolerance and percentage of filtering collector metrics were unchanged among sites for both assemblages. The percentage of adult caddisflies in the shredder functional group increased significantly within the preserve but remained small relative to that of pollutio...
Cortical sensory evoked potentials during limbic seizures

Abstract Click and flash evoked cortical potentials from nine cats with chronically implanted electrodes were summed in a Computer of Average Transients during sleep, wakefulness and bilateral limbic seizures. The responses recorded during such seizures were indistinguishable from those recorded during the waking state, and were of smaller amplitude than those during sleep.
Stability bracing requirements for steel bridge girders with skewed supports

Cross frames and diaphragms are critical elements for the stability of I-shaped steel bridge girders during construction. The AASHTO specifications are relatively vague with regards to the stability design requirements of the braces. Spacing limits that have been used in past AASHTO specifications have been removed from the Load and Resistance Factor Design Specification, which instead requires the bracing to be designed by a rational analysis. Whereas the AASHTO specification does not define what constitutes a rational analysis, stability bracing systems must possess adequate stiffness and strength. The commercially available software packages that are typically used in bridge design generally do not have the capabilities to determine the adequacy of the bracing from a stability perspective. This paper outlines the stability bracing requirements for bridges with normal and skewed supports. The effects of support skew on the stiffness and strength requirements for stability bracing are addressed. Solutions that are available for systems with normal supports were modified to account for the effects of the support skew angle. Two orientations of the intermediate bracing were considered: parallel to the skew angles and perpendicular to the longitudinal girder axis. The solutions are presented and compared with finite-element results. The design solutions have good agreement with the finite-element solutions.
Small disturbances in turbomachine annuli with swirl

A general theory is proposed for the small disturbance field in strongly swirling flows in turbomachines. In contrast to the situation in nonswirling flows, vorticity, pressure, and entropy fields are not independent. Shear disturbances are not purely convected but rather propagate slowly in flows stable in the sense of Rayleigh, and are unstable in flows approaching free vortices. In the course of the propagation, there is an interchange between radial and tangential velocity perturbations. General conditions for propagation of pressure modes in the strongly swirling flow show the effects of rotation to be small if the frequency is large compared to base rotational frequency. Oscillatory shear flows have been observed in experiments in the MIT Blowdown Compressor.
Degree of fractal behavior as a diagnostic aid in quantitative image analyses.

Abstract PURPOSE: Multiple strategies in diagnoses of different diseases from images can include their histogram analyses. Any fractal behavior in the latter is to be quantified as to extent here, with a view toward contributing to a diagnostic process. PROCEDURE: One tool in quantitative image analyses is the fractal dimension D of the pixel histogram, a measure of self-similarity over various scales in a fitted power-law behavior of pixel intensity cumulative probability distribution. Proposed and developed here as diagnostic markers are features of its determination process that indicate to what extent there is fractal behavior. One of these is the curvature c that exists in log–log plots used for extracting the fractal exponent D of power-law behavior. RESULTS: Specific implementations are given both for a general lognormal pixel intensity distribution and for lung images. Both Ds and cs are determined for: normals, pulmonary embolism, cystic fibrosis, as well as a theoretical lognormal distribution. It is shown that D and heterogeneity described by a standard deviation are reciprocally related and not typically independent markers. The added independent information from c has possibilities of assisting in discrimination of normal and pathologic conditions, such as in lung diseases. CONCLUSION: In addition to a histogram's fractal dimension itself, there are indications that measures of the degree of fractal behavior may also hold promise in image diagnoses.
Multiple opiate receptors and pharmacological response to morphine in rats maintained on diets differing in protein concentration

Abstract 1. The influence of diets differing in protein concentration on the characteristics of μ, δ, and κ-opiate receptors and on the analgesic and hyperthermic responses to morphine was examined in rats. Three groups of male Sprague—Dawley rats were maintained for four weeks on isocaloric diet containing either 4, 20 or 50% protein. 2. The animals maintained on 4% protein diet weighted 92 ± 2% of the initial weight at the end of the fourth week, whereas animals maintained on 20% and 50% protein diet weighed 222 ± 2% and 221 ± 2%, respectively. The average food intake per 100 g body weight on day 1 of the study in 4,20 and 50% protein diet group was 5.0 ± 2.2 g, 10.4 ± 1.4 g, and 10.0 ± 1.2 g, respectively. This difference in food intake was not observed during rest of the period of the study. 3. Water intake was higher for the animals maintained on diet containing 50% protein as compared to the other two groups. 4. The analgesic and the hyperthermic response to morphine varied in direct relation to the concentration of protein in the diet. The concentration of morphine in the brain and plasma of animals maintained on the three diets following challenge dose of morphine did not differ. Similarly the B max and K d values for the binding of [ 3 H]naltrexone, [ 3 H] d -Ser 2 -Thr 6 -leucine enkephalin and [ 3 H]ethylketocyclazocine to brain membranes prepared from rats kept on 4, 20 and 50% protein concentration did not differ. 5. It is concluded that the diet differing in protein concentration can alter the responses to morphine, and that such altered effects can not be accounted for by the changes in the distribution of morphine in brain and plasma or to the changes in the characteristics of the μ, δ and κ opiate receptors in the brain.
The development of scales to measure social support for diet and exercise behaviors

The purpose of this study was to develop measures of perceived social support specific to health-related eating and exercise behaviors. In Study I, specific supportive and nonsupportive behaviors were identified through interviews with 40 individuals making health-behavior changes. In Study II, items derived from the interviews were administered to 171 subjects. Support from family and friends was assessed separately for both diet and exercise habits. Meaningful factors were identified for each of the four scales, and some factors were similar for family and friend scales. Both test-retest and internal consistency reliabilities were acceptable, and six factors can be used as subscales. Social support scales were correlated with respective self-reported dietary and exercise habits, providing evidence of concurrent criterion-related validity. A measure of general social support was not related to the specific social support scales or to reported health habits. These scales are among the first measures of social support behaviors specific to dietary- and exercise-habit change.
Cellular immune responses against hepatitis C virus.

Cellular immune responses are typically important in recovery from acute infections, and studies of acute hepatitis C confirm that broadly directed CD4 + and CD8 + T cell responses are associated with spontaneous clearance of infection. However, a major unanswered question is what role the cellular immune response plays in progression of liver disease during chronic infection. Classic models of hepatitis C suggest that cellular immune responses promote liver injury, either by causing direct cytolysis of infected cells or by promoting inflammation. However, clinical evidence suggests that persons with cellular immune dysfunction, such as that due to with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, have more-rapid disease progression. Recent data suggest that cellular immune responses do serve to limit the progression of liver disease, even if they are ineffective at clearance of virus. There is limited information on the effect of HIV coinfection on the cellular immune response to hepatitis C virus, but further study of this issue might shed light on the pathogenesis of liver disease in both immunocompromised and nonimmunocompromised hosts.
A theory for the shock-wave consolidation of powders

A model for the shock consolidation of powders is developed which predicts, for a given powder density, the regimes of shock pressure P and shock duration t_d expected to yield fully densified compacts of near optimum strength. Most of the densification work is assumed deposited near particle boundaries, leading to partial melting. The model gives an upper bound to the amount of melt. The condition that the melt between particles must exceed a critical thickness and must solidify within the duration of the shocked state leads to necessary conditions for P and t_d.These requirements are presented in “maps of shock consolidation,” using normalized parameters. The model predicts that for a shock energy (normalized to that required to heat iron to the melting point) of 0.7, a minimum shock duration of 2μs is required to consolidate 60μm diameter iron-based powder.
Spectroscopic and Calorimetric Characterizations of DNA Duplexes Containing 2-Aminopurine†

The base analog 2-aminopurine (AP) strongly promotes A·T to G·C and G·C to A·T transitions in bacteria and bacteriophage. During DNA replication, the primary mutagenic event involves formation of a heteroduplex with an AP·C site at a much higher frequency than formation of the corresponding heteroduplex with an A·C site. It is not known if AP-induced mutagenesis correlates with differences in the thermodynamic properties of an AP·C versus an A·C site, or whether interactions involving DNA polymerases are controlling. To address this specific question, and more generally to characterize AP-containing duplexes, we have used a combination of spectroscopic and calorimetric techniques to determine the thermodynamic properties of six 11-mer duplexes. The sequences of these duplexes are identical except for the identity of the variable central base pair which can be either A·T, A·C, AP·T, AP·C, AP·A, or AP·G, and which we use to designate each duplex. Analyses and interpretation of the optically and calorimetric...