cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Movements, behavior, and habitat utilization of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the Pacific Ocean off Baja California, Mexico, determined from archival tag data analyses, including unscented Kalman filtering

Abstract The movements, behavior, and habitat utilization of yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares , in the eastern Pacific Ocean off Baja California, Mexico, are described from analyses of 31,357 days of day-log and 28,835 days of time-series data, downloaded from 126 archival tags recovered from yellowfin (57–162 cm in length and 1.2–5.2 years of age) at liberty from 90 to 1161 d ( x ¯ = 273.2 d ), collected during 2002–2010. An unscented Kalman filter model with sea-surface temperature measurements integrated (UKFsst) was used to process the archival tag data sets in order to obtain improved estimates of geographic positions and most probable tracks (MPTs) and parameters. The median parameter estimates from the UKFsst model for errors in longitude ( σ x ) and latitude ( σ y ) were 0.32° and 1.36°, respectively, for directed movements ( u and v ) were 0.27 and 0.77 nm/d, respectively, and for dispersive movement ( D ) was 144.3 nm 2 /d. The MPTs for 120 (95%) of the yellowfin remained within 1358 km of their release locations, indicating restricted horizontal utilization distributions, and fidelity to this area of high biological productivity. There are observed differences in the movement patterns and parameters for fish released in different areas. Analyses of daily timed depth and temperature records resulted in the classification of the data into four distinct behaviors. When exhibiting type-1 diving behavior (82.9% of all days at liberty) the fish remained at depths of less than 50 m at night and did not dive to depths greater than about 100 m during the day. Type-2 diving behavior (17.1% of all days at liberty) was characterized by 10 or more dives in excess of 150 m during the day. Spatial and temporal patterns are evident in the distributions of type-1 and type-2 diving behaviors. Surface-oriented behavior, defined as the time fish remained at depths less than 10 m for more than 10 min, was also evaluated. The mean number and duration of daytime surface-oriented events per day, for all fish, were 7.6 and 24.2 min, respectively. There are significant differences among ages in the percentages of days classified as type-1 and type-2 behaviors, durations of those events, and in the numbers and durations of surface-oriented events. Yellowfin tuna exhibited occasional deep-diving behavior, and some dives were to depths exceeding 1000 m, where ambient temperatures were less than 5 °C. There are significant differences among ages in the nighttime and daytime average depths. The differences are the result of the fish of ages greater than 3 years showing greater daytime average depths and lesser nighttime average depths.
Problem of Critique: Triangulating Habermas, Derrida, and Gadamer within Metamodernism

This essay argues that Hans-Georg Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics, Jurgen Habermas’s communication theory, and Jacques Derrida’s deconstruction all fit together within one philosophical paradigm: metamodernism. Metamodernism, as defined, is opposed to both modernism and radical forms of postmodernism. Within metamodernism, a political conundrum provides the key clue for understanding the relations among Gadamer, Habermas, and Derrida as well as for elaborating the contours of the paradigm. Specifically, the political implications of the three philosophies are intransitive: they seem to shift around rather than being in fixed relations to each other. So, for instance, Gadamer sometimes seems to the political right of both Habermas and Derrida, but then, at different times, he stands between them, and then again, at other times, he seems to be to the left of both. This political paradox suggests that the traditional (modernist) political categories of liberalism and conservatism do not suitably reflect the critical positions within metamodernism. Gadamer, Habermas, and Derrida are far more concerned with explaining the possibility and techniques of interpretive and social critique, while remaining true to the metamodernist paradigm, rather than fitting themselves into the traditional liberal or conservative political camps.
Characterization of the fluorescent bimane derivative of E. coli initiator transfer RNA (tRNAfMet)

Summary The invariant modified base 4-thiouridine of the E. Coli initiator tRNA was chemically modified using a sulfhydryl specific fluorogenic probe, monobromobimane. The modified tRNA f Met is virtually indistinguishable biochemically from the native form in the aminoacylation and formylation reactions, and in its binding behavior to the ribosomal P site. Fluorescence quenching by I − increases 40% when the modified tRNA is charged with formylmethionine, even at this relatively well-shielded position in the tRNA elbow. Most important, the fluorescence polarization increases by a factor of 2, to almost the irrotational value, when fMet-tRNA f Met binds to the ribosomal P site, providing a useful tool for studying fMet-tRNA f Met -ribosome interaction equilibria and kinetics.
Smart pixels using the light amplifying optical switch (LAOS)

A light amplifying optical switch (LAOS), a vertically integrated heterojunction phototransistor (HPT) and light emitting diode (LED) that has latching thyristor type current-voltage characteristics, is described. Since the HPT is designed to have high optical gain, it can be incorporated in a circuit with the LAOS to fabricate high-performance optical logic gates such as a NOR, NAND, AND, or a gated latch. The methods for implementing these gates, experimental results for large mesa devices, and the performance of the gates are discussed. Logic gates that use either one or two wavelengths of input light are demonstrated. The present logic gates are shown to have output contrast ratios from 4 to 30, and operate at frequencies up to 300 kHz. Increasing this performance by improving processing techniques and reducing mesa size is discussed. >
The educational value of a resident aesthetic surgery clinic: A 10-year review

Background Resident experience in aesthetic surgery is often deficient in many training programs around the country. Objective This study is the first to review the 10-year experience of a resident aesthetic clinic and identifies important educational aspects necessary for residency training in aesthetic surgery. Methods The operative experience of each chief resident from 1994 through 2004 and the database of the resident aesthetic surgery clinic during the same period were reviewed. A questionnaire was also distributed to all past chief residents regarding their experience with the clinic. Results Over 1600 new patients were evaluated in the resident aesthetic clinic in the last 10 years, with 482 patients undergoing 805 procedures. Each chief resident performed 104.5 ± 25.1 (mean ± SD) procedures as a primary surgeon. The resident clinic contributed 82.4% of the total aesthetic surgery procedures, as recorded by the chief residents' Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education operative logs. For the last 10 years, the reoperative complication rate was 3.1%, and no litigation has been brought against any resident or attending surgeon. Conclusions Our resident aesthetic surgery clinic emphasizes an intensive exposure to aesthetic surgery with the opportunity to gain “hands-on” operative experience, while reducing the liability for the attending surgeon. The means to obtain adequate resident education in aesthetic surgery and ways to improve such an experience are also discussed.
A Market-Consumer Model of Residential Property Values: The Airport-Noise—Land-Use Impact Problem

The paper presents a model of residential property values which is more complete and theoretically grounded than previous regression studies of environmental pollution and land values. By using the distribution model of linear programming, a constrained regression hypothesis is presented which strongly interacts with the theory that generated it. The full use of dual evaluators for estimation purposes is a central feature of the new model, and is an innovative contribution. It is not necessary to observe the purchase price of individual properties, since these (and interval estimates of other offer prices) follow theoretically from the regression results.A market solution to the housing-allocation problem having been characterized, the consumer's decision problem is considered, and his solution is shown to be in general incompatible with market conditions. This incompatibility is resolved by the use of a multipage or decomposable linear program which incorporates both consumer goals and market conditions....
The Effect of Satellite Spin on Two-Way Doppler Rangerate Measurements

The rotation of a spin-stabilized satellite employing a turnstile antenna for reception and retransmission affects two-way Doppler range-rate measurements. Two different types of tracking systems are considered and, in both systems, the range-rate measurement is changed by the amount \begin{equation*} |\Delta \dot{r}| = \frac{|1 \pm 1/k|}{2} \lambda_{t}f_{s} \end{equation*} where k is the turn-around ratio of the satellite transponder, Xt is the wavelength of the ground-based transmitter, and fs is the spin rate of the satellite. The positive sign is used if the turnstile antenna elements are connected to give the same polarization for both reception and transmission. If the antenna connections result in different polarizations, the minus sign is used and the magnitude of the effect is reduced.
Activation of the Human RANTES Gene Promoter in a Macrophage Cell Line by Lipopolysaccharide Is Dependent on Stress-Activated Protein Kinases and the IκB Kinase Cascade: Implications for Exacerbation of Allergic Inflammation by Environmental Pollutants

Abstract Macrophages are targeted by environmental pollutants and play a role in allergic inflammation. We explored the molecular basis for induction of RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cells expressed and secreted) mRNA by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the redox-active quinone,tert-butylhydroxyquinone (tBHQ). We demonstrate that transcriptional activation of the human RANTES promoter by LPS is dependent on specific AP-1 and NF-κB response elements, which are regulated by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and NF-κB kinase cascades, respectively. The transcriptional activation of the TRE3/4 site is mediated through the transcriptional activation of c-Jun by JNK. A c-Jun mutant which lacks a transcriptional activation domain interfered in the activation of the RANTES promoter. Similarly, kinase-inactive NF-κB inducing kinase interfered in the activation of the RANTES promoter. While activation of the RANTES promoter could also be blocked by the downstream kinase-inactive IκB kinases, only IKKα appears to be LPS-inducible. tBHQ also exerted subtle effects on the human RANTES promoter and induced mRNA expression in parallel with generating NF-κB shift complexes.
Rapid and continuous magnetic separation in droplet microfluidic devices

We present a droplet microfluidic method to extract molecules of interest from a droplet in a rapid and continuous fashion. We accomplish this by first marginalizing functionalized super-paramagnetic beads within the droplet using a magnetic field, and then splitting the droplet into one droplet containing the majority of magnetic beads and one droplet containing the minority fraction. We quantitatively analysed the factors which affect the efficiency of marginalization and droplet splitting to optimize the enrichment of magnetic beads. We first characterized the interplay between the droplet velocity and the strength of the magnetic field and its effect on marginalization. We found that marginalization is optimal at the midline of the magnet and that marginalization is a good predictor of bead enrichment through splitting at low to moderate droplet velocities. Finally, we focused our efforts on manipulating the splitting profile to improve the enrichment provided by asymmetric splitting. We designed asymmetric splitting forks that employ capillary effects to preferentially extract the bead-rich regions of the droplets. Our strategy represents a framework to optimize magnetic bead enrichment methods tailored to the requirements of specific droplet-based applications. We anticipate that our separation technology is well suited for applications in single-cell genomics and proteomics. In particular, our method could be used to separate mRNA bound to poly-dT functionalized magnetic microparticles from single cell lysates to prepare single-cell cDNA libraries.
A scanning electron microscope comparison of microfilled fixed prosthodontic resins

1. Bowen RL. Properties of silica-reinforced polymer for dent.31 reslorations. J Am Dent Assoc 1963;66:57-64. 2. Bowen R.L. Effect of particle shape and size distribution in reinforced polymer. J Am Dent Assoc 1964;69:481-95. 3. Going RE, Norstrant GW, Johnson BE. Strength of dental amalgam as influenced by pins [Abstract]. J Dent Res 1968;67. 4. Hirasawa T, Hirono S, Hirabayashi S, Harashima I, Aizawa M. Initial dimensional changes of composites in dry and wet condition!;. J Dent Res 1983;62:28-31. 5. Hirasawa T Studies on self-curing resin containing inorganic filler for dental restoration (III) on the dimensional accuracy of dental materials. Rep Res Inst Dent Mater 1965;2:644-55. 6. Oliva RA. Dimensional stability of composite as a build up material [Abstract]. J Dent Res 1984;63:286. 7. Oliva RA, Lowe JA. Dimensional stability of composite used as a core material. J PROSTHET DENT 1986;56:554-61. 8. Misra PN, Bowen RL. Sorption of water by filled-resin composites. J Dent Res 1977;56:603-12. 9. Pearson CJ. Long-term water sorption and stability of composite filling materials. Br J Dent 1979;7:64-8.
Regulatory subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase I from porcine skeletal muscle: Purification and proteolysis

Abstract The regulatory subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase I was purified to homogeneity from porcine skeletal muscle by two different procedures, one relying on affinity chromatography with cyclic AMP-Sepharose and the other relying exclusively on ion-exchange and molecular seive chromatography. Both procedures were adapted so that catalytic subunit also could be purified from the same enzyme preparation. In its native form the regulatory subunit was a dimer having a molecular weight of 92,500. Polyacrylamide gels run under denaturing conditions indicated that the dimer was composed of two identical subunits having a molecular weight 45,500. In addition to the dimeric regulatory subunit, a second, smaller cyclic AMP-binding protein frequently was observed. This protein having a molecular weight of 34,500 also was purified to homogeneity and appeared to be a proteolytic fragment derived from the regulatory subunit. Limited proteolysis with trypsin converted the regulatory subunit into a protein having a molecular weight of 34,500 and a polypeptide fragment having a molecular weight of approximately 11,000. Although the 34,500 molecular weight protein retained its capacity to bind cyclic AMP, it was monomeric apparently having lost its ability to aggregate to a dimer.
The Vitality of Scripture Within and Beyond the “Canon”

Abstract Challenging divisions between canonical and marginal texts, this essay critically evaluates the borrowing of the term “canon” from an Athanasian context and offers alternatives for thinking about the formation of scriptural authority in ancient Judaism. This essay focuses on the vitality of scripture as a corrective to scholarship which emphasizes canon, library, and prophetic cessation. To understand the authority of scripture is to understand scripture’s vitality in Ancient Judaism and, if the term “canon” is used, it should be used in a way that reflects this vitality.
Time and probability in quantum cosmology

A time function, an exactly conserved probability measure, and a time-evolution equation (related to the Wheeler-DeWitt equation) are proposed for quantum cosmology. The time-integral of the probability measure is the measure proposed by Hawking and Page. The evolution equation reduces to the Schrodinger equation, and probability measure to the Born measure, in the WKB approximation. The existence of this “Schrodinger-limit”, which involves a cancellation of time-dependencies in the probability density between the WKB prefactor and integration measure, is a consequence of laplacian factor ordering in the Wheeler-DeWitt equation.
Implications of the high-state iron-line feature and soft X-ray emission of Hercules X-1

The interpretation that the soft X-ray emission of Her X-1 is due to reprocessing of the primary hard X-rays intercepted by a plasma layer in the Alfven surface imposes quite a stringent - but not an unreasonable - constraint on its parameters. By using the Alfven shell parameters constrained by this interpretation, the degree of ionization of the Alfven shell is calculated. Because the flux of hard X-ray from the neutron star is greatly attenuated inside the Alfven shell, except for a skin depth from its inner surface, the degree of ionization is determined by photoionization due to soft X-rays produced within the Alfven shell. On one hand, the large soft X-ray luminosity, which is about the same as the hard X-ray luminosity, indicates that a substantial fraction of primary hard X-rays is absorbed by the Alfven shell. On the other hand, the fact that the hard X-ray spectrum of Her X-1 observed during the high state shows neither a significant absorption feature down to about 3 keV nor an iron K-absorption dip tells us that the hard X-rays observed at the earth are mostly not reprocessed. This apparent conflict is resolved if the Alfven shell is clumpy (i.e., made of streams or blobs). The observed iron-line feature around 6.5 keV (E.W. about 300 keV) is explained by fluorescent iron K photons produced as a by-product of reprocessing of the hard X-rays by the Alfven shell; for this a large enhancement of the iron abundance with respect to the solar value is not required.
Nonsurgical treatment for radicular of pain of zygoapophyseal joint cyst origin: Therapeutic selective nerve root block

We report the first case of zygoapophyseal joint cyst-induced radicular pain successfully treated with therapeutic selective nerve root block. A 56-year-old dentist presented with pain involving the lateral thigh, lateral calf, and foot dorsum that worsened with standing and walking. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine showed a cyst emanating from the right L4-L5 zygoapophyseal joint, resulting in central canal and lateral recess stenosis. The patient was treated with two fluorscopically guided therapeutic L5 selective nerve root blocks. The patient remained pain free at 18-month follow-up.
Analysis methodology for simulation of distributed adaptive routing systems

In network simulations, complex dynamical behavior is Previous analysis has identified limitations associated with Markov Chain Models and has established a need for the analysis of network dynamics through bound-queue/minimum-interarrival-time simulation models. In network simulations, complex dynamical behavior is observed even for simplistic stationary offered loads. An important contributor to the complexity of the network dynamics is the routing system. When a network consists of a large number of nodes, a routing system is applied in order to route traffic in an efficient manner between the nodes. The routing system has an important effect on the resulting network dynamics. This paper will discuss the complex dynamical behavior observed in networks controlled by distributed adaptive routing systems. This methodology can be applied during stability analyses of routing systems and is useful in system-level simulation verification.
Participatory Management in a Public Child Welfare Agency

(1998). Participatory Management in a Public Child Welfare Agency. Administration in Social Work: Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 19-32.
A Study of Work-Time Distributions on Unpaced Tasks

Abstract Recent investigations into the work-time distributions of light assembly tasks indicate that some reserve must be used when applying the generalized relationships which are traditionally believed to hold. Video recordings were made of industrial operations and, in subsequent analysis, any process controlled or nonproductive elements were excluded. The elements studied were all analyzed using MTM-1 so that the nature of the element and the method used to perform it could be defined closely. The work time distributions obtained show the general pattern expected in regard to positive skewness and gross measures of dispersion. However, measures of skewness and the coefficient of variation show wide differences throughout the overall sample. Analysis of the nature of the individual work elements and their statistical characteristics failed to reveal any clear explanation for the differences encountered. The need for further research in this area is, therefore, underlined where the prediction of the na...
On the field sampling of pesticide spray distributions using Teflon spheres and flat cards

Abstract A still‐air, controlled experiment showed that the use of spherical targets resulted in a slight underestimate (7%) of the deposition of spray droplets (mean diameter ≍ 180 μ). This error was attributed to interception by the wire supports suspending the spheres. Comparison of sphere and flat card catch data from a USDA APHIS open field, aerial spray trial demonstrates that the impaction on the cards decreases as the wind speed increases and that they are generally unsuitable for pesticide accountancy. The spheres only have small errors when used to sample mass flux of pesticide spray.
Effect of Canal Preparation on Fill Length in Straight Root Canals Obturated with RealSeal 1 and Thermafil Plus

Abstract Introduction A common adverse effect when using thermoplasticized obturators is overextension. A canal preparation allowing for predictable obturation length would be of clinical value. This study compared straight canals instrumented to a size 40 file by evaluating the extension of 2 thermoplastic obturation systems, a 0.04 standardized taper preparation (STP) and a varied taper preparation (VTP), by evaluating the extension of 2 thermoplastic obturation systems, RealSeal 1 (RS-1) and Thermafil Plus (TP). Methods Eighty extracted mature human premolars with single straight canals were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups (n = 20). Groups 1 and 2 were instrumented to size 40/04 at working length with STP. Groups 3 and 4 were instrumented to size 40/02 at working length with VTP. Groups 1 and 3 were obturated with RS-1, and groups 2 and 4 were obturated with TP. All groups were obturated per manufacturer's instructions. Extension of material was evaluated and assessed ordinally. Statistically significant differences were determined by logistic regression with significance level set at P Results Significant differences in extrusion existed between groups 2 and 4 when controlling for type of material ( P = .026) and all groups for extrusion of TP compared with RS-1 when controlling for type of preparation ( P Conclusions The results indicate that when filling with RS-1 obturators, the canal can be instrumented to an STP or VTP with a low likelihood of excessive extrusion. If the clinician prefers to use TP obturators, this study validates a VTP to decrease the occurrence of overextension.
A tympanometric pressure swallow test for assessment of eustachian tube function

Normal Eustachian tube function is necessary for maintaining healthy middle ear conditions. A tympanometric pressure swallow test is proposed which can be used to assess Eustachian tube function behind an intact tympanic membrane. In general, after recording a baseline tympanogram, mechanically created positive and negative air pressures are created in a hermetically sealed ear canal causing increased pressure on the middle ear air cushion. The patient is then asked to swallow. Preliminary clinical findings in ears with apparent normal Eustachian tube function show that a shift in the peak pressure point of the tympanogram occurs when the tympanogram is recorded again, implying that the Eustachian tube opens and equalizes middle ear air pressure. Positive canal pressure swallow maneuvers show a peak pressure shift to a negative value, whereas negative pressure swallow maneuvers show a peak pressure shift to a positive value.
Pear-shaped deformation in oscillator model

Abstract The fourth order perturbation calculations have been carried out in order to determine the stability of the pear-shaped deformations using the deformation potential of Lee and Inglis and the harmonic oscillator representation without spin-orbit coupling. The resulting perturbation energy g 4 is proved to be negative for the sample nuclei considered, thus making it possible to compete with the second order energy which is positive. The value of pear-shapedness parameter g( h /Mω 0 ) 1 2 for which the sign of the total perturbation energy turns negative is approximately 0.15 for heavy nuclei while it is approximately 0.5 for light nuclei, thus suggesting that such deformations may be stable in heavy nuclei only. The contributions from the terms in g 6 and of higher order are also estimated and expected to be small.
Effects of relativity on resonant transfer and excitation in collisions of U89+ with light targets.

The resonant transfer and excitation cross sections in collisions of U{sup 89+} ion with light targets have been calculated in impulse approximation using the multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock method. Effects of relativity not only shift the peak positions significantly but also change the number of peaks. Relativistic effects have been found to increase the total dielectronic recombination strength by 50%. Including Breit interaction in calculations of Auger matrix elements can enhance the resonant transfer and excitation cross sections by as much as a factor of 2.
Proteolysis: A Biological Process Adapted in Drug Delivery, Therapy, and Imaging

In many diseases, protease expressions are found deregulated when compared with them at the healthy states. The unique ability to hydrolyze protein amide bonds has made those deregulated proteases attractive biological triggers in drug development. Proteolysis has been widely applied in pro-drug design to achieve favorable pharmacokinetics. Controlled drug delivery systems are also reported by incorporating protease-sensitive motifs onto bio-, inorganic-, or organic- materials. In addition, protease responsive molecular probes are developed for in vitro bioanalysis and in vivo diagnostic imaging. This review focuses on various proteolysis-dependent approaches to drug delivery, therapy, and imaging. References are selected to illustrate the concepts and demonstrate the potentials of these enzyme-responsive strategies.
Polymer Films on Electrodes. 30. Electrochemistry and Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy Characterization of Benzimidazolebenzophenanthroline-Type Ladder (BBL) and Semiladder (BBB) Polymer Films

Polymer-modified electrodes were obtained by spin-coating solutions of poly(benzobisimidazobenzophenanthroline) ladder (BBL) and semiladder (BBB) polymers on indium−tin oxide electrodes. An electrochemical study of these films showed reproducible and stable cyclic voltammograms for reduction of the polymer (in the absence of oxygen), the absence of waves for oxidation of the polymer, and brilliant changes in color during the potential scan. Measurements with the scanning electrochemical microscope showed changes in the film conductivity, with the films being more conductive in the reduced form. The potential dependence of the film resistance and atomic force microscopic characterization are also reported. These results confirm the electron transport and electron-accepting nature of both BBL and BBB, which can accept up to two electrons per monomer repeat unit. Although the electrochromic features of BBL and BBB are similar, a significant difference in the film morphologies was observed by atomic force mic...
Stacking and H-bonding patterns of dGpdC and dGpdCpdG: Performance of the M05-2X and M06-2X Minnesota density functionals for the single strand DNA

Abstract The Minnesota density functionals, M05-2X and M06-2X, were used to predict the structures of the nucleotide oligomers. This study indicates that these functionals are able to reliable predict bases stacked structures in nucleotide oligomers (dGpdC and dGpdCpdG). The obtained results are in excellent agreement with those from the MP2 theory. The electron density distributions between the stacked nucleobases calculated by the Minnesota density functionals are very close to that evaluated by the MP2 method (differences are less than 0.001 au). The M05-2X and M06-2X functionals also appear to provide a reliable description for the intra-strand H-bonding in single strands of DNA.
Asymmetric postbuckling of symmetrically laminated cross ply, short cylindrical panels under compression

Abstract Buckling and initial postbuckling behavior of symmetrically laminated, thin cross ply cylindrical panels under axial compression are investigated. The panels are simply supported at all four edges. Closed form solutions are obtained for the buckling loads. The initial asymmetric postbuckling behavior is demonstrated by computing the postbuckling coefficients within the context of Koiter's theory of elastic stability. Parameter studies involving the flatness parameter, the length-to-width ratio, number of layers and Young's moduli ratio are presented for typical cross ply cylindrical panels likely to be encountered in practice.
Prostaglandin receptors in rat kidney

Abstract The physiological effects of prostaglandins (PGs) are mediated through their interactions with specific binding sites (receptors) on effector cells. Since such receptors potentially regulate the action of PGs on the kidney, the distribution and properties of renal PG receptors in the rat were examined. The distribution of PGE 2 , PGE 1 , and PGF 2α receptors along the nephron was not uniform; the outer medulla had by far the greatest density of sites, followed by the inner medulla and cortex. Receptors were found exclusively in the particulate fractions, of which the 40,000 g pellet had the highest specific activity. In the outer medulla, receptor density calculated from Scatchard plots was 2.12 pmol/mg for PGE 2 , 1.12 for PGE 1 , and 0.44 for PGF 2α ; the K D 's were similar for all prostaglandins. The conditions for optimal in vitro binding of PGE 2 and PGF 2α by outer medullary membranes were investigated. In vivo administration of 16,16′-dimethyl-PGE 2 resulted in a dose-dependent “down” regulation of PGE 2 binding to outer medullary membranes due to changes in both the number and affinities of receptors. Changes in the numbers and/or properties of PG receptors may be an important mechanism for regulating the effects of PGs and renal function under normal and pathologic conditions.
Facultative variation in the timing of parturition by female coypus (Myocastor coypus), and the cost of delay

Female coypus Myocastor coypus in captivity produce more litters than expected by chance following days when they are undisturbed and less after they are disturbed. The observed distribution can be explained using simulations which assume that females can delay parturition for up to three days, depending on the level of disturbance on a previous day. The advantage of delay for wild coypus may be that parturient females can delay parturition if detected by a predator and move to a safer location. The main cost of delay is an increase in the average proportion of young that die in the last few days of pregnancy and in the days following parturition. These costs and benefits may be similar to those involved in the evolution of gestation periods.
Hardware architecture to accelerate the belief propagation algorithm for a Wyner-Ziv decoder

Wyner-Ziv based video codecs reverse the processing complexity between encoders and decoders such that the complexity of the encoder can be significantly reduced at the expense of highly complex decoders requiring hardware accelerators to achieve real time performance. In this paper we describe a flexible hardware architecture for processing the Belief Propagation algorithm in a real time Wyner-Ziv video decoder for several hundred, very large, Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes. The proposed architecture features a hierarchical memory structure to provide a caching capability to overcome the high memory bandwidths needed to supply data to the processors. By taking advantage of the deterministic nature of LDPC codes to increase cache utilization, we are able to substantially reduce the size of expensive, high speed memory needed to support the processing of large codes compared to designs implementing a single layer memory structure.
Structure, function, and assembly of heme centers in mitochondrial respiratory complexes.

The sequential flow of electrons in the respiratory chain, from a low reduction potential substrate to O2, is mediated by protein-bound redox cofactors. In mitochondria, hemes—together with flavin, iron–sulfur, and copper cofactors—mediate this multi-electron transfer. Hemes, in three different forms, are used as a protein-bound prosthetic group in succinate dehydrogenase (complex II), in bc1 complex (complex III) and in cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV). The exact function of heme b in complex II is still unclear, and lags behind in operational detail that is available for the hemes of complex III and IV. The two b hemes of complex III participate in the unique bifurcation of electron flow from the oxidation of ubiquinol, while heme c of the cytochrome c subunit, Cyt1, transfers these electrons to the peripheral cytochrome c. The unique heme a3, with CuB, form a catalytic site in complex IV that binds and reduces molecular oxygen. In addition to providing catalytic and electron transfer operations, hemes also serve a critical role in the assembly of these respiratory complexes, which is just beginning to be understood. In the absence of heme, the assembly of complex II is impaired, especially in mammalian cells. In complex III, a covalent attachment of the heme to apo-Cyt1 is a prerequisite for the complete assembly of bc1, whereas in complex IV, heme a is required for the proper folding of the Cox 1 subunit and subsequent assembly. In this review, we provide further details of the aforementioned processes with respect to the hemes of the mitochondrial respiratory complexes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cell Biology of Metals
Preventing mucosal HIV transmission with topical microbicides: Challenges and opportunities

A combination of prevention and treatment modalities will be needed to successfully control the global spread of HIV. Microbicides, drug products topically applied to mucosal surfaces to prevent HIV infection, are one of these biomedical interventions that hold great promise. In order to be efficacious, microbicides must overcome several challenges imposed by the mucosal microenvironment they intend to protect and the mischievous human immunodeficiency virus with its enormous capacity to adapt. Recent data, however, supports the establishment of the primo-infection by only a small number of founder viruses, which are highly vulnerable to microbicidal intervention at the initial stages of mucosal invasion. The biological foundation of these challenges and opportunities in microbicide development is explored in this review. This article forms part of a special supplement on presentations covering HIV transmission and microbicides, based on the symposium "Trends in Microbicide Formulations", held on 25 and 26 January 2010, Arlington, VA.
Factors affecting in vitro activity of prolactin cells in the euryhaline teleost Sarotherodon mossambicus (Tilapia mossambica)

The rostral pars distalis (RPD) of the euryhaline teleost Sarotherodon mossambicus (Tilapia mossambica) was incubated in vitro to study the activity of the prolactin cells. Total prolactin release during 18 hr was measured by disc gel electrophoresis; release of newly synthesised prolactin was followed using a 3H-leucine tracer. Synthetic activity was estimated by calculating the specific activity of the prolactin bands. Prolactin release from the control tissues was always greater in hyposmotic than in hyperosmotic medium, indicating a direct effect of osmotic pressure upon the cells. Dopamine (1 μg/ml) inhibited release, but not synthesis, of prolactin in hyposmotic medium. Octopamine (5 μg/ml and 10 ng/ml) in hyposmotic medium and γ-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA) (100 ng/ml) in hyperosmotic medium had no effect on prolactin secretion. Cortisol (1 μg/ml) inhibited prolactin release in hyposmotic medium and, to a lesser extent, in hyperosmotic medium. Prolactin specific activity was increased only in the latter medium. Estradiol-17β (100 ng/ml) did not alter prolactin release in hyperosmotic medium, but did appear to enhance hormone synthesis. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (100 ng/ml) inhibited prolactin release, but not synthesis, in hyposmotic medium, and did not affect prolactin secretion in hyperosmotic medium. TRH at 100 pg/ml was ineffective in hyperosmotic medium. Somatostatin (300 ng/ml) inhibited prolactin synthesis and release in hyposmotic medium, but inhibited only release in hyperosmotic medium. These results indicate that there may be a complex regulation of the prolactin cells in this teleost. The in vitro responses of teleost prolactin cells to various potential mediators resemble those seen in other vertebrates; however, the differences in detail may have special adaptive significance for the teleost.
A groundwater hypothesis for the origin of ?fire areas? on the Northern Channel Islands, California

Pleistocene areas of red sediments and carbonized vegetation on the Northern Channel Islands, California, have in the past been interpreted as caused by fires of either natural or human origin. Some are associated with darkened mammoth and bird fossils, and these fossils have been considered as having been burned by early man. Reevaluation of these so-called “fire areas” indicates that the above phenomena are the result of low-temperature (≤100°C), nonheating processes occurring in groundwater. Evidence for this conclusion is derived from field observations on fossil carbonized vegetation, and the geology of the areas. Additional evidence derives from experiments on the red sediments and fossil wood, X-ray diffraction analyses, magnetic analyses, studies on the clay minerals smectite and illite, and the demonstration that fossil mammoth bone contains sufficient Fe and Mn to account for their discoloration. Much of the carbonization of vegetation probably occurred in water rather than in fire. Radiocarbon dates from the islands will probably need to be reevaluated. These data provide evidence contrary to the concept of the occurrence of significant fires, either natural or set by early man, on the Northern Channel Islands.
Transient predictions of lateral jet injection into typical isothermal combustor flowfields

A fully three-dimensional turbulent time-dependent computer simulation is being used to investigate primary and dilution lateral jet injection into a typical combustor in the absence of combustion. Predictions of the transient and time-mean flowfield of a deflected turbulent jet in a confining cylindrical swirling crossflow are presented. The effect of jet-to-crossflow velocity ratios of 2, 4, and 6 in a cross flow with swirl strengths of (swirler vane angle) 0, 45, and 70 degrees were investigated. Predictions are compared with deflected-jet flow visualizations using smoke and neutrally buoyant helium-filled soap bubbles. Single and multilateral jets are also considered in the investigation. The predicted results exhibit good agreement with the trajectory and spread pattern of the jet obtained using flow-visualization techniques. The transient three-dimensional code utilizes a finite-difference explicit-time-marching scheme in cylindrical coordinates. Turbulence is simulated by means of the two-equation k-epsilon turbulence model.
Equations of piezoelectricity.

RECENTLY, Dr. Richard K. Cook1 has criticized as errors certain equations in my book2 in which mixed units occur. In particular, he points to my Eq. (1), which expresses the energy stored in a crystal upon which an arbitrary mechanical strain and an arbitrary electric field are impressed. His assertion that "the reader is therefore obliged to examine closely the origin of the formulae he uses" would be more convincing if he had cited instances in which an incorrect conclusion has been drawn from Eq. (1). This equation is : where the c's are elastic constants at constant field, the S's are strain-components, η" is the dielectric susceptibility of the clamped crystal, E the field-strength, e a piezo-electric stress-constant, J is the mechanical equivalent of heat in ergs per calorie, is the density, C the specific heat in cal.gm.-1 deg.-1, T the absolute temperature, θ = ΔT is a small change in temperature, q is a thermo-elastic constant, and p a pyro-electric constant.
Right Ventricular Unloading: Lessons from the Left

Excerpt The notion of using vasodilators for primary pulmonary hypertension is not new, but interest in such treatment has increased, perhaps because of the success achieved with impedance reducing...
MHC recognition in thymic development: distinct, parallel pathways for survival and lineage commitment.

The molecular events triggered by MHC recognition and how they lead to the emergence of mature CD4 and CD8 lineage thymocytes are not yet understood. To address these questions, we have examined what signals are necessary to drive the development of CD8 lineage thymocytes in TCRα− mice in which TCR/MHC engagement cannot occur. We find that the combination of constitutive Notch activity and constitutive Bcl-2 expression are necessary and sufficient to allow the appearance of mature CD8 lineage thymocytes in TCRα− mice. In addition, Notch activity alone in TCRα− mice can induce the up-regulation of HES1, suggesting that thymocytes are competent to respond to Notch signaling in the absence of MHC recognition. These data indicate that survival and lineage commitment represent distinct, parallel pathways that occur as a consequence of MHC recognition, both of which are necessary for the development of mature CD8 lineage T cells.
Isopropylammonium Formate as a Mobile Phase Modifier for Liquid Chromatography

Isopropylammonium formate (IPAF), a new alkylammonium formate (AAF) room temperature ionic liquid, has been synthesized from isopropylamine and formic acid and characterized as an organic solvent mobile phase replacement for reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC). Characterization of IPAF solvent properties in water such as pH, conductivity, and viscosity, as well as its synthesis, is described. The LC polarity (P') and the solvent strength (S) parameters are determined to be 6.0 and 2.4, respectively, similar to those same parameters for methanol and acetonitrile. Application of this RTIL is demonstrated as an organic solvent replacement for reversed-phase LC to separate a test mixture of niacinamide, acetophenone and p-nitroaniline. The van Deemter plot profile for several columns of different dimensions, particle size, pore size and stationary phase are compared using an IPAF-water mobile phase. At flow rates above 2 mL/min, on-line mixing of the viscous IPAF with water appears not to be uniform. A flattening of the van Deemter profile is noted for particularly short (50 mm) wide bore (4.6 mm) columns packed with larger particles (10 µm). Small particle longer columns likely facilitated mixing at the beginning of the column generating typical linearly increasing van Deemeter curves. IPAF has been further shown as a function of temperature to be a non-denaturing modifier solvent for the separation of the protein cytochrome c from tryptophan compared to methanol. This is important to show, because the semi-preparative separation of native proteins using AAF mobile phases is the long-term goal of this research program.
Educational Innovations in Multimedia Systems

Multimedia systems have emerged as one of the fastest growing segments of computing systems and thus need to be well integrated into a computer engineering curriculum. Fortunately the teaching and learning of multimedia systems can be aided with novel instructional techniques based on multimedia. The Multimedia Curriculum project at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is developing a unified set of instructional materials on the engineering techniques used in the design and test of hardware, software and networks for multimedia. This large project includes three facets: 1) multimedia instructional modules using web-linked Digital Video Disks, 2) multimedia communication utilities to facilitate student interaction, and 3) multimedia component design projects. In this paper, we explain our approach to using multimedia as both content and instructional technology and briefly present preliminary results in each of the three facets.
Wire-Speed TCAM-Based Architectures for Multimatch Packet Classification

Most conventional packet classifiers find only the highest priority filter that matches the arriving packet. However, new networking applications such as network intrusion detection systems and load balancers require all (or the first few) matching packets during classification. In this paper, two TCAM-based architectures for multi-match search are introduced. The first one is a renovated TCAM design that can find all or the first r matches in a packet filter set. The second architecture is a novel partitioning scheme based on filter intersection properties allowing us to use off-the-shelf TCAMs for multi-match packet classification. Our classifier engine finds all matches in exactly one conventional TCAM cycle while reducing the power consumption by at least two orders of magnitude, which is far better than the existing hardware based designs.
Mechanism-Based Causal Reasoning in Young Children

The hypothesis that children develop an understanding of causal mechanisms was tested across 3 experiments. In Experiment 1 (N = 48), preschoolers had to choose as efficacious either a cause that had worked in the past, but was now disconnected from its effect, or a cause that had failed to work previously, but was now connected. Four-year-olds chose the now-connected cause more often than 3-year-olds. Experiment 2 (N = 16) showed 4-year-olds responded appropriately to an irrelevant modification in the same causal system. Experiment 3 (N = 24) demonstrated when the mechanism was batteries rather than connection, 3-year-olds could properly distinguish between relevant and irrelevant modifications. Together, these data suggest that understanding of specific causal mechanisms develops at different ages.
Community-acquired pneumonia: what is relevant and what is not?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Community-acquired pneumonia is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and is the most common cause of death from infectious diseases in North America. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in epidemiology, risk factors, severity criteria and antibiotic therapeutic regimens used for community-acquired pneumonia management. RECENT FINDINGS All guidelines recommend early and appropriate empiric therapy directed against common typical organisms, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, and other atypical organisms, but clinicians should be aware of newer emerging pathogens such as community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative pathogens. SUMMARY The optimum outcome in community-acquired pneumonia can be achieved by careful risk stratification using prediction rules together with appropriate antibiotic regimens. The mainstay of community-acquired pneumonia prevention is influenza and pneumococcal immunization. Promotion of smoking cessation will also help curtail the incidence of pneumococcal disease.