cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DNA probes for the identification of Haemophilus ducreyi.

Haemophilus ducreyi ATCC 33922, a virulent, well-characterized strain, was used to construct a genomic library in a bacteriophage expression vector. Three DNA fragments were selected for use as probes on the basis of their ability to encode H. ducreyi-specific proteins, as demonstrated by reactivity with rabbit polyclonal antiserum. With DNA-DNA hybridization, the three probes, labeled with 32P, reacted strongly with 16 strains of H. ducreyi obtained from a variety of sources. Thirty-seven other bacterial isolates, representing 33 different species and including organisms likely to be encountered in the urogenital tract, were also tested with the three probes. Twenty-eight of these isolates, including the genital pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae, showed no hybridization with the probes. In addition, herpes simplex virus-infected tissue culture cells and Treponema pallidum-infected rabbit testicular fluid were also completely nonreactive. Nine isolates, six belonging to other Haemophilus species and three belonging to Pasteurella species, reacted weakly with the probes when approximately 3.0 x 10(7) to 6.0 x 10(7) CFU was tested. When 10(5) to 10(6) CFU of these organisms was tested, the weak reactions could no longer be seen. Yet this number of H. ducreyi still reacted strongly. In fact, the three probes consistently detected 10(4) CFU of H. ducreyi in pure and mixed cultures and even produced a weak signal when only 10(3) CFU was present. It is clear from our results that use of these probes will greatly facilitate the laboratory diagnosis of this genital pathogen. Images
Pure, postmitotic, polarized human neurons derived from NTera 2 cells provide a system for expressing exogenous proteins in terminally differentiated neurons

NTera 2/cl.D1 (NT2) cells, a human teratocarcinoma cell line, were manipulated following retinoic acid treatment to yield greater than 95% pure cultures of neuronal cells (NT2-N cells). The commitment of NT2-N cells to a stable neuronal phenotype is irreversible as judged by the lack of mitotic activity or phenotypic reversion over a period of 2 months in culture. Furthermore, NT2-N cells express a variety of neuronal markers including many neuronal cytoskeletal proteins, secretory markers, and surface markers. NT2-N cells resemble primary neuronal cultures from rodents morphologically and in density of process outgrowth and, like primary neurons, go on to elaborate processes that differentiate into axons and dendrites. This culture method yields sufficient highly differentiated postmitotic NT2-N cells for both biochemical and molecular biological studies. Indeed, when undifferentiated NT2 cells were stably transfected with a beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) expression plasmid, beta-gal expression was shown to be present in both undifferentiated NT2 and postmitotic NT2-N cells. Thus, the ability to transfect expression plasmids into undifferentiated NT2 cells will allow the introduction of normal and mutant gene products into cells that can then be induced to become stable, postmitotic human neurons. We conclude that NT2 cells and NT2-N cells represent a unique model system for studies of human neurons, and a novel vehicle for the expression of diverse gene products in terminally differentiated polarized neurons.
Proteomic Remodeling of Mitochondria in Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a common disease that has been attributed, in part, to deprivation of cardiac energy. As a result, the interplay between metabolism and adenosine triphosphate production is fundamental in determining the mechanisms driving the disease progression. Due to its central role in energy production, metabolism, calcium homeostasis, and oxidative stress, the mitochondrion has been suggested to play a pivotal role in the progression of the heart to failure. Nevertheless, the mitochondrion's specific role(s) and the proteins contributing to the development and progression of HF are not entirely clear. Thus, changes in mitochondrial proteomic make-up during HF have garnered great interest. With the continued development of advanced tools for assessing proteomic make-up, characterization of mitochondrial proteomic changes during disease states such as HF are being realized. These studies have begun to identify potential biomarkers of disease progression as well as protein targets that may provide an avenue for therapeutic intervention. The goal of this review is to highlight some of the changes in mitochondrial proteomic make-up that are associated with the development of HF in an effort to identify target axes and candidate proteins contributing to disease development. Results from a number of different HF models will be evaluated to gain insight into some of the similarities and differences in mitochondrial proteomic alterations associated with morphological and functional changes that result from the disease. Congest Heart Fail.
Varieties with P3 = 3 and q = dim(X)

We prove that if X is a complex projective variety with P3(X) = 3 and q(X) = dim(X), then X is birational to a bidouble cover of A(X). (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electronic structure of transition-metal hydrides: NiH and PdH

Ab initio self-consistent field (SCF), and configuration interaction (CI), calculations have been performed for the diatomic transition metal hydrides NiH and PdH to study the behavior of the $d$ electrons and their effect on chemical bonding. SCF calculations have been carried out for the three low-lying states, $^{2}\ensuremath{\Delta}$, $^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}$, and $^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$, which can be formed with the metal atom in the (${d}^{9}{s}^{1}$) configuration. The ground state of NiH is $^{2}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ with the $^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}$ and $^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$ states only about 0.1 eV above. In the case of PdH the $^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$ state is the lowest with the $^{2}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ about 0.6 eV above. This difference can be attributed to the participation of the $4d$ electrons in the PdH bond. The $3d$ electrons in NiH seem to be more localized and "atomic $d$-like." In both cases the potential energy curves are too broad and the equilibrium bond lengths are longer than those found from spectral data. For both molecules, the CI results are considerably improved over those from the SCF calculations. However, there are still significant differences between the computed (CI) and observed values for the ground-state equilibrium bond length and force constant. Two effects are considered in order to understand these errors. For NiH, the limited CI is unable to properly account for the differential correlation energy of the $3{d}^{9}4{s}^{1}$ and $3{d}^{8}4{s}^{2}$ terms of the free Ni atom and this probably leads to the errors in the calculation. For PdH, differential atomic correlation energies are likely to be much less important, but relativistic effects are likely to be important. We have also investigated some excited states and the calculated vertical term energies are compared with experimental results.
Production of Chick Chimaeras

IF differentiated (or determined) tissue grafts are transplanted into late stage embryos, it is possible to obtain experimentally in the chick1–3 and in the mouse4 a genetic chimaerism that is limited to a tissue type or to an organ. By the induced integration of two embryos at the morula stage into a single embryo which is normally developing, it has more recently become feasible to produce in the mouse an unrestricted chimaerism, in which the genetic mosaic condition is present in nearly all the tissues of the body. This was first accomplished by Tarkowski5 and Mintz6, the latter author referring to such type of mosaic mice as “allophenic hybrids”. Other workers have since confirmed the experiments7,8. The development of animals with unrestricted genetic mosaicism offers unique opportunities for investigations of basic aspects of ontogenesis in both early embryogenesis and later life.
Synthesis and Characterization of the Rare-Earth Vanadium Oxyselenides Ln7VO4Se8 (Ln=Nd, Sm, Gd)

Abstract The new compounds Ln 7 VO 4 Se 8 ( Ln =Nd, Sm, Gd) were each prepared by heating V, Se, and the corresponding rare-earth sesquioxide at 1223 K in a sealed fused-silica tube. Single crystals have been grown through the use of an antimony flux. They have been characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction measurements and by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. These isostructural compounds crystallize with two formula units in the orthorhombic space group Pbam in cells (at 153 K) of dimensions: Nd 7 VO 4 Se 8 , a =14.3419(9) A, b =15.5528(10) A, c =3.9948(3) A; Sm 7 VO 4 Se 8 , a =14.200(2) A, b =15.451(2) A, c =3.9511(6) A; Gd 7 VO 4 Se 8 , a =14.075(8) A, b =15.424(6) A, c =3.903(1) A. The new structure type comprises four crystallographically independent Ln atoms with three different coordination geometries and one V atom in an octahedral environment. Magnetic measurements reveal that Gd 7 VO 4 Se 8 is paramagnetic down to 5 K.
Major components of the primary and secondary dentition of miniature and duroc swine fed normal vs. low phosphorus diets.

Abstract The ash, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and carbon dioxide were determined in the enamel and dentine of individual permanent and deciduous teeth of Duroc and Miniature (Pittman-Moore) swine. At weaning age the pigs were fed three different diets, which varied in composition and particularly in content of calcium and phosphorus. An objective of the study was to observe the effect of a low phosphorus diet on tooth chemistry. As an experimental animal swine have the advantage of having a primary and secondary dentition, and the dietary regimen, therefore, was effective throughout the major period of calcification of the permanent teeth. The results indicate no effect of low phosphorus diets on the major components of enamel and dentine in any of the teeth, permanent or deciduous. All the teeth were quite uniform in content of the elements analysed.
Preparative Liquid Chromatographic Separation of Amino Acids and Peptides on Amberlite XAD-4

Abstract Amberlite XAD-4, a polystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymic reversed phase adsorbent which has a 750 m2/g surface area and 50A porosity, was used as the stationary phase for the preparative liquid chromatographic separation of amino acids and peptides. Mixtures of > 40 mg and > 100 mg sample load were separated on 8.0 and 20.5 mm i.d. columns, respectively. Mixed solvent and acidic and basic solutions which cannot be used with silica and alkyl-modified silica, were evaluated as mobile phases. Mixtures of amino acids, diastereomeric di-and tri-peptides, diastereomeric dipeptides obtained from the reaction of tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-amino acid-N-hydroxysuccinimide esters with D, L-amino acids, and enkephalin peptides were separated. Major and minor sample components were isolated.
Multigrid methods for the computation of singular solutions and stress intensity factors III: interface singularities

It is shown in this paper that two-dimensional interface problems with large jumps in the coefficients can be solved effectively by the piecewise linear finite element method on quasi-uniform grids. This is achieved by combining the full multigrid methodology, the singular function representation of the solution and the extraction formulas for stress intensity factors. The robustness of the algorithm is demonstrated by numerical experiments.
Chemical Bonding between Cu and OxygenCopper Oxides vs O2 Complexes: A Study of CuOx (x = 0−6) Species by Anion Photoelectron Spectroscopy

An extensive photoelectron spectroscopic study on the CuOx- (x = 0−6) species is presented. The photoelectron spectra of these species are obtained at four detachment photon energies: 2.33, 3.49, 4.66, and 6.42 eV. The spectra of the copper atom are included to show the dependence of the detachment cross sections on the photon energies. An intense two-electron transition to the 2P excited state of Cu is also observed in the 6.42 eV spectrum of Cu-. For CuO-, we observe an excited state of the anion, as well as photodetachment transitions to charge transfer excited states of CuO (Cu2+O2-). Six transitions are observed for CuO2- at 6.42 eV, revealing all six valence molecular orbitals of the linear OCuO molecule. CuO3- is observed to undergo photodissociation at 3.49 eV to give an internally hot CuO- plus O2. It is shown to have an OCuO2 type of structure, and its electronic structure can be viewed to be due to that of CuO perturbed by an O2. For CuO4-, two isomers are observed. One of them undergoes photo...
Identifying the Needs of LGBTQ Immigrants and Refugees in Southern Arizona

This article reports on the results of a needs assessment conducted for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) immigrants, asylees, refugees, and their allies in Southern Arizona, and it is the first study of its kind in the United States. Utilizing interview data collected with migrants, allies, and service providers in Tucson, Arizona, this article presents findings on the quality of service provision provided to this very underserved community pertaining to health care, housing, and legal services. The assessment shows that no services are provided specifically for LGBTQ migrants, and most LGBTQ migrants turn to family and friends when they have needs. The most significant result of this study pertains to the lack of cultural competence and an overall deficiency in terms of cultural awareness when it comes to the specific needs of LGBTQ migrants.
Preliminary results of large supersonic burning combustor testing.

A hydrogen fueled supersonic-burning combustor 18 in. in diameter, which is equivalent to that of an engine about 6 ft in diameter, was tested as a direct-connected duct at inlet conditions which simulated Mach 8 flight at 115,000 ft alt. A synthetic air consisting of oxygen with 39% nitrogen and 38% water vapor at a total temperature of 4500 deg R and a total pressure of 300 psia was supplied to the combustor inlet by a hydrazine-nitrogen tetroxide hot gas generator which maintained a uniform inlet flow Mach number of 2.8. The large combustor size required a new approach to fuel injector design. Some hydrogen was injected through flush-wall injectors, but most was injected from two rows of swept and tapered struts immersed in the flow stream. Supersonic combustion was obtained at hydrogen equivalence ratios of 0.94 without encountering thermal cho king. Wall static pressures, and the radial distribution of hydrogen, Pitot pressure, and Mach number were determined at the combustor exit.
Paragonimus westermani, P. ohirai, and P. miyazakii: Electrophoretic comparison of whole body proteins

Abstract Specific characteristics of Paragonimus westermani, P. ohirai , and P. miyazakii were sought in electrophoretic patterns of whole body proteins. From P. westermani , a minimum of 23 distinct protein bands was separated. Densitometric tracings gave at least 6 prominent peaks considered to be species specific. A minimum of 24 distinct bands was identified from P. ohirai . At least 7 of the bands were prominent and considered characteristic of P. ohirai . No significant difference was found in the electrophoretic patterns and the R F value of each band separated from P. ohirai worms obtained from rats and cats. A minimum of 23 distinct bands was identified from P. miyazakii . This species has at least 6 prominent bands, of which two (bands 7 and 11) were especially high in density. There was observed no significant difference between P. miyazakii worms originating from crabs collected at Iwakuni or at Kurodasho. The three species of lung flukes showed similar electrophoretic patterns in the gel regions near the origin and the front band. Two prominent bands identified from these gel regions were common to all of the above species. The major differences are found in the mid region of the gel. Each of the three lung flukes has a species-characteristic electrophoretic pattern containing several prominent protein fractions. These patterns are highly reproducible and definitive for all of the species.
The use of added erbium filtration in intraoral radiography

Using D and E speed film, intraoral exposures were made of a phantom at 70 and 90 kVp, with and without erbium filtration. Measurement of surface exposures indicates substantial reduction when erbium filtration was used. However, there was a visible loss of contrast. The raters agreed that radiographs made with E speed and D speed film, both with and without erbium filtration, were all of adequate diagnostic quality. The radiographs with the highest contrast were consistently preferred by all of the raters.
A Comparison of Satisfaction with Clinician, Family Members/Friends and Attorneys as Payees

Clients disabled by psychiatric illness may be assigned mental health clinicians as payees. We compared client–payee interactions among 42 clients with clinician-payees, 20 whose payees were family or friends and nine with attorney-payees. Compared to clients with attorney-payees, clients with clinician-payees felt more satisfied and more involved in their money management, and had had more contacts with their payees in the previous month. Clients’ satisfaction with family/friend payees was similar to that with clinician payees. In multivariate analyses, whether or not the payee had had training about mental illness accounted for 33% of the variance in satisfaction with the payee.
Interacting effects of dibutylchloromethyltin chloride, 2,3-dimercaptopropanol, and other reagents on mitochondrial respiration and K+ flux

The oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor DBCT (dibutylchloromethyltin chloride) inhibits state 3 respiration at a concentration less than that which stimulates K+ flux into respiring rat liver mitochondria. Inhibition of ADP-stimulated respiration by DBCT can be reversed or blocked by the dithiol 2,3-dimercaptopropanol. The data are consistent with previous suggestions that DBCT may interact with the ATP synthase via reaction with a dithiol group. The stimulation of K+ influx by DBCT is partially reversed by concentrations of 2-mercaptoethanol which fail to affect the inhibition of state 3 respiration by DBCT. The combination of DBCT plus 2,3-dimercaptopropanol inhibits mitochondrial K+ influx. The inhibitory effect of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide on K+ influx is not expressed in the presence of DBCT. Atractyloside has little effect on K+ influx in the presence or absence of DBCT. The combination of DBCT plus uncoupler induces a net loss of endogenous K+. Consideration is given to the alternative hypotheses that the acceleration of K+ influx by DBCT may involve either a direct link to the energy transduction apparatus, or may occur via separate activation of a passive transport mechanism.
Guided decisions processes

The heuristics and bias research program has convincingly demonstrated that our judgments and choices are prone to systematic errors. Decision analysis requires coherent judgments about beliefs (probabilities) and tastes (utilities), and a rational procedure to combine them so that choices maximize subjective expected utility. A guided decision process is a middle-of-the-road between decision analysis and intuitive judgments in which the emphasis is on improving decisions through simple decision rules. These rules reduce cost of thinking, or decision effort, for the myriad decisions that one faces in daily life; but at the same time, they are personalized to the individual and produce near optimal choices. We discuss the principles behind the guided decision processes research program, and illustrate the approach using several examples.
Process zone analysis for the single-edge notched specimen: Part I. Process zone size and crack profile

A systematic analysis of the process zone is presented. Relations among the process zone size, load and crack opening displacement (COD) are derived using the weight function method and a power function closing pressure distribution in the process zone. These relations are specialized and used to study the behaviour of the single-edge notched (SEN) specimen loaded in tension and in bending. This study shows that the method presented here may be successfully used to analyze the fracture of finite-size specimens.
Class action lawsuits and executive stock option exercise

Abstract In a large sample of shareholder initiated class action lawsuits from 1996 to 2011, we find a significant increase in informed insider option exercises during the class action period compared to the preceding quarter, and we find that this change is positively related to the probability of litigation. The market reaction to the announcement of lawsuits is negatively related to abnormal informed option exercises, but positively related to suits that ultimately get dismissed. These results suggest that the market can at least partially anticipate the merits and severity of the class action suit. In subsequent analyses, we find that CEO turnover is positively related to litigation, but not option exercises. Collectively, our results indicate that insiders knowingly trade on their private information.
A 7-day continuous infusion of PTH or PTHrP suppresses bone formation and uncouples bone turnover.

Human in vivo models of primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT), humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM), or lactational bone mobilization for more than 48 hours have not been described previously. We therefore developed 7-day continuous-infusion models using human parathyroid hormone(1–34) [hPTH(1–34)] and human parathyroid hormone–related protein(1–36) [hPTHrP(1–36)] in healthy human adult volunteers. Study subjects developed sustained mild increases in serum calcium (10.0 mg/dL), with marked suppression of endogenous PTH(1–84). The maximal tolerated infused doses over a 7-day period (2 and 4 pmol/kg/h for PTH and PTHrP, respectively) were far lower than in prior, briefer human studies (8 to 28 pmol/kg/h). In contrast to prior reports using higher PTH and PTHrP doses, both 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] and tubular maximum for phosphorus (TmP/GFR) remained unaltered with these low doses despite achievement of hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria. As expected, bone resorption increased rapidly and reversed promptly with cessation of the infusion. However, in contrast to events in primary HPT, bone formation was suppressed by 30% to 40% for the 7 days of the infusions. With cessation of PTH and PTHrP infusion, bone-formation markers abruptly rebounded upward, confirming that bone formation is suppressed by continuous PTH or PTHrP infusion. These studies demonstrate that continuous exposure of the human skeleton to PTH or PTHrP in vivo recruits and activates the bone-resorption program but causes sustained arrest in the osteoblast maturation program. These events would most closely mimic and model events in HHM. Although not a perfect model for lactation, the increase in resorption and the rebound increase in formation with cessation of the infusions are reminiscent of the maternal skeletal calcium mobilization and reversal that occur following lactation. The findings also highlight similarities and differences between the model and HPT. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Fertility preservation in patients receiving cyclophosphamide therapy for renal disease

Cyclophosphamide continues to have an important role in the treatment of renal disease, including nephrotic syndrome and lupus nephritis, despite known complications of gonadotoxicity and potential infertility in both male and female patients. It is important that the physician recommending this therapy mitigates the effect of the drug on fertility by adhering to recommendations on dosing limits and offering fertility-preserving strategies. In addition to well-established methods, such as sperm banking and embryo cryopreservation, advances in reproductive technology have yielded strategies such as oocyte cryopreservation, resulting in more fertility-preserving options for the pediatric patient. Despite these advances, there continues to be a significant barrier to referral and access to sperm banks and fertility specialists. These issues are further complicated by ethical issues associated with the treatment of pediatric patients. In this review we explore the development of recommended dosing limits and include a discussion of the available fertility-preserving methods, strategies for increasing access to fertility specialists, and the ethical considerations facing the pediatric healthcare provider.
Caregiving experiences and health conditions of women veteran and non-veteran caregivers.

Abstract Background Unique experiences, for example, trauma, of women veteran caregivers may create differences in the caregiving experience and may be associated with health concerns. We examined caregiving factors and health concerns in women veteran caregivers compared to non-veteran women (civilian) caregivers, and identified variables associated with being a woman veteran caregiver. Methods We conducted secondary data analyses using data from a multistate survey to examine sociodemographics, the caregiver experience (relationship to recipient, duration as caregiver, hours of care provided, area help is needed, and greatest difficulty faced as a caregiver); emotional support; life satisfaction; lifestyle behaviors; general, physical, and mental health; and chronic conditions in women informal caregivers. Findings Of women caregivers, more veteran caregivers provided activities of daily living (ADL) help (33%) than non-veteran caregivers (21%; p = .02). There were no differences in years as a caregiver, hours of care provided, or the relationship to the recipient. Poor sleep and poor mental health were experienced by more women veteran caregivers (vs. non-veteran), but physical health, general health, and chronic condition prevalence did not differ. Women veteran caregivers had twofold greater odds of being Black, never married, college educated, and providing ADL assistance. Odds of obesity were lower for women veteran caregivers relative to other women caregivers. Conclusions Women veteran caregivers experience health concerns, including sleeplessness, poor mental health, and some chronic conditions. Our cohort were young women, yet had concerns that may be exacerbated by being a veteran and assuming a caregiver role. Comprehensive services to support their needs as veteran patients and as caregivers are needed.
820 mV open-circuit voltages from Cu2O/CH3CN junctions

P-Type cuprous oxide (Cu2O) photoelectrodes prepared by the thermal oxidation of Cu foils exhibited open-circuit voltages in excess of 800 mV in nonaqueous regenerative photoelectrochemical cells. In contact with the decamethylcobaltocene+/0 (Me10CoCp2+/0) redox couple, cuprous oxide yielded open-circuit voltage, Voc, values of 820 mV and short-circuit current density, Jsc, values of 3.1 mA cm−2 under simulated air mass 1.5 illumination. The energy-conversion efficiency of 1.5% was limited by solution absorption and optical reflection losses that reduced the short-circuit photocurrent density. Spectral response measurements demonstrated that the internal quantum yield approached unity in the 400–500 nm spectral range, but poor red response, attributable to bulk recombination, lowered the overall efficiency of the cell. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy indicated that the photoelectrodes had a high-quality cuprous oxide surface, and revealed no observable photocorrosion during operation in the nonaqueous electrolyte. The semiconductor/liquid junctions thus provide a noninvasive method to investigate the energy-conversion properties of cuprous oxide without the confounding factors of deleterious surface reactions.
Sufis and Sultans in post‐Mongol Iran

One of the least-studied eras of Iranian history is that between the invasion of Changiz Khan (Genghis Khan) in the early 13th century and the establishment of the Safavid Empire early in the 16th. This was a time of unprecedented political upheaval when much of the Iranian world became subject to rule by Mongols and Turks. The period between the collapse of the (Mongol) Il-Khan dynasty in 1335, however, and the consolidation of the empire of Timur (Tamerlane) in the 1380s was an age of regionalism par excellence and one of cultural florescence. The most important of the minor dynasties that flourished at this time were the Muzaffarids in Fars, Iraq-i 'Ajam and Kirman (1314-93), the Jalayirids in Iraq,
STRESS RELAXATION CHARACTERISTICS OF CHEDDAR CHEESE

Stress relaxation experiments were conducted by heating a cheese sample (22 mm diameter and 17.5 mm height) at 40, 50 and 60°C in an aluminum cup whose inner diameter and depth were 22 mm and 17.5 mm, respectively. A plunger of 18 mm diameter, which was attached to an Instron type machine, was allowed to compress the cheese instantaneously to 10% deformation. The relaxation of stress was recorded as a function of time. Cheddar cheeses with four different fat content (15.3, 22.8, 37.3 and 45.6% fat dry matter – FDM) and two different moisture content (58.1 and 62.4% moisture in non fat portion – MNFP) at 2, 4, 12 and 24 weeks were used in this study. Generalized Maxwell and empirical Peleg models were used to characterize the stress relaxation behavior of melted cheese. The effect of fat content, moisture content, and age of cheese on stress relaxation behavior was studied. Peleg model well described the stress relaxation behavior of melted cheese (cheeses above 50°C) and eight element Maxwell model predic...
Adoptive transfer of experimental allergic encephalitis

We have previously shown that adoptive transfer of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis can be greatly enhanced by culturing sensitized lymph node cells (LNC) with specific antigen, myelin basic protein (BP). In the present study, successful transfer was accomplished with 5×106 Lewis rat LNC after 48 h culture with BP. Disease transfer was inhibited by the addition to culture of dibutyryl adenosine 3’,5’-cyclic monophosphate (Bt2 cAMP) or the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, isobutyl methylxanthine (MIX), but not by Bt2cGMP. BP-induced lymphoproliferation was also inhibited, but with a slightly different dose-response relationship. An early step in the lymphocyte activation process appears to be most sensitive to the inhibitory effects of Bt2cAMP.
Chimeric maternal cells in offspring do not respond to renal injury, inflammatory or repair signals.

Maternal microchimerism (MMc) can persist for years in a child, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Chimeric cells may either contribute to dise...
Where Civic Republicanism and Deliberative Democracy Meet

does not, however, yield an account Is of fine-grained principles we can use in rationing contexts. Tustice 4. See "The Goals of Medicine: -Justie Toward a Sustainable Future," (draft of February, 1996). Enough?? 5. See John Rawls, Political Liberalism (New York: Columbia University Press, 1993), esp. lecture 6; Joshua Cohen, "Deliberation and Democratic Legitimacy," in The Good Polity, ed. Alan Hamlin and Phillip Petit (Oxford: Blackwells, 1989), pp. 17-34; Cass Sunstein, The Partial Constitution (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1993), esp. chaps. 1 and 6. 6. Norman Daniels, "Growth Hormone Therapy for Short Stature: Can We Support the Treatment/Enhancement Distinction?" Growth, Genetics, & Hormones 8 (1992, Supplement 1): 46-48; James E. Sabin and Norman Daniels, "Determining 'Medical Necessity' in Mental Health Practice," Hasting Center Report 24, no. 6 (1994): 5-13. m
Remote estimation of leaf transpiration rate and stomatal resistance based on infrared thermometry

Abstract A remote method was developed for monitoring leaf transpiration rate and stomatal resistance on a realtime base. The method utilizes leaf temperatures measured with an infrared radiometer as integral inputs for a model to compute those parameters. The model is based on the energy balance of a plant leaf, accounting for moisture transfer processes in the stomata and boundary layer. Remotely determined transpiration rates and stomatal resistances were compared with those measured with a steady state porometer. The corresponding values obtained from the two methods were linearly related ( r=0.79 ∗∗ and 0.93∗∗ for transpiration and stomatal resistance, respectively); but the porometer transpiration rates were somewhat higher than those obtained by the “remote” method, probably because the air in the porometer cuvette was drier than the ambient air. On the other hand, the stomatal-resistance values from the two methods fell on the 1:1 line with a high correlation coefficient, suggesting that the “remote” method produces excellent estimates of actual stomatal resistance.
Genetic Control of Drug Levels in Man: Antipyrine

Antipyrine was administered to identical or monozygotic twins and to fraternal or dizygotic twins. Individuals with identical genotypes (monozygotic twins) exhibited significantly less variability in antipyrine halflife than did genetically different individuals (dizygotic twins). Therefore variations in antipyrine metabolism appear to be determined genetically rather than environmentally. In the 36 twins tested, antipyrine half-lives varied between 5.1 and 16.7 hours. No significant correlation occurred between half-lives for phenylbutazone and antipyrine in the 28 twins who received both drugs.
Activation of the electrochemical properties of thiamin and its phosphate esters in acidic solutions

Abstract An electrochemical investigation of free thiamin and its phosphate esters was performed in acidic solutions at an unmodified platinum electrode by means of cyclic voltammetry. The results obtained provide information that reflects the redox properties of thiamin itself rather than its usual interaction with mercury from polarographic analyses. In acidic media, the protonated thiamin (A2+) at the N1′ position in the pyrimidine ring was found to be the electroactive species. A2+ was reduced in a one-electron transfer mechanism to produce a very reactive radical cation, A + which underwent a fast dimerization [AA]2+. In the reverse scan, the dimer [AA]2+ was oxidized back to the starting material (A2+) in a two-electron transfer process. Both pH and electrode materials played an important role in the determination of the proposed mechanism.
Functional Effects of Transforming Growth Factor β on Adhesive Properties of Porcine Trophectoderm

In pigs, expression and amounts of biologically active TGFβs at the conceptus-maternal interface increase significantly as conceptuses elongate and begin the implantation process. Before their activation, secreted TGFβs are noncovalently associated with their respective, isoform-specific latency-associated peptides (LAPs), which contain the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) amino acid sequence that serves as a ligand for numerous integrins. Objectives of this study were to determine whether TGFβ1 increases production of fibronectin by porcine trophectoderm, whether porcine trophectoderm adheres specifically to fibronectin and LAP, and whether functional interactions between porcine trophectoderm and the two TGFβ-associated proteins, fibronectin and LAP, are integrin mediated. Porcine trophectoderm cells (pTr2) were cultured in presence of TGFβ1, LAP, or pan-neutralizing anti-TGFβ antibody; TGFβ specifically increased (P < 0.05) fibronectin mRNA levels, as determined by Northern and slot blot analyses. Immunofluorescence ...
Continuous, free-flow electrophoresis: A modified approach

Abstract Electrophoresis is an exceptionally effective method for separating small particles or large molecules in the colloidal size range, and is widely used in biological and clinical studies to separate cells, viruses, and large proteins. It has become the standard analytical tool for detecting the presence of these materials. Despite the success of electrophoresis in analytical and research applications, there has been much less success in using electrophoresis in preparative-scale applications to separate large quantities of materials. A new or modified concept is described that eliminates some of the most serious problems that have arisen in adopting electrophoresis for preparative-scale separations. The new concept uses a narrow-gap flow system between the electrodes and eliminates or greatly reduces problems with thermal convection. In addition, the narrow gap can be a convenient annular region between two cylindrical electrodes. The electric potential is applied across the annulus (or across the narrow flow channel) and the potential applied to the electrodes is reversed periodically. Between the reversals of the electric field, the inner electrode (or one side of the narrow flow gap) is rotated periodically in different directions. This periodic motion and alternating of the applied field displaces charged particles in the angular direction. The rate of displacement depends on the electrophoretic mobility of the particles.
The N-terminal Region of Yeast TFIIB Contains Two Adjacent Functional Domains Involved in Stable RNA Polymerase II Binding and Transcription Start Site Selection

The general transcription factor IIB (TFIIB) is required for accurate and efficient transcription of protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). To define functional domains in the highly conserved N-terminal region of TFIIB, we have analyzed 14 site-directed substitution mutants of yeast TFIIB for their ability to support cell viability, transcription in vitro, accurate start site selection in vitro and in vivo, and to form stable complexes with purified RNAPII in vitro. Mutations impairing the formation of stable TFIIB.RNAPII complexes mapped to the zinc ribbon fold, whereas mutations conferring downstream shifts in transcription start site selection were identified at multiple positions within a highly conserved homology block adjacent and C-terminal to the zinc ribbon. These results demonstrate that the N-terminal region of yeast TFIIB contains two separable and adjacent functional domains involved in stable RNAPII binding and transcription start site selection, suggesting that downstream shifts in transcription start site selection do not result from impairment of stable TFIIB.RNAPII binding. We discuss models for yeast start site selection in which TFIIB may affect the ability of preinitiation complexes to interact with downstream DNA or to affect start site recognition by a scanning polymerase.
Ecological Studies Related to Plankton Productivity in Two Chesapeake Bay Estuaries

Middle and Back Rivers are two adjacent Chesapeake Bay estuaries located near Baltimore, Maryland. Preliminary observations suggested that Middle River was typical of most local estuaries, while Back River exhibited several atypical characteristics. This study was undertaken to compare various ecological parameters in an attempt to document and explain any differences found in the two estuaries.
Fuzzy Expert System to Assess Corrosion of Cast/Ductile Iron Pipes from Backfill Properties

: Several factors may contribute to the structural failure of cast and ductile iron water mains, the most important of which is considered to be corrosion. The ANSI/AWWA C105/A21.5-99 10-point scoring (10-P) method is commonly used to predict the corrosivity potential of a given soil sample using certain soil properties. The 10-P and other scoring methods use binary logic to classify the soil as either corrosive or noncorrosive. Fuzzy logic extends binary logic in this context as it recognizes the real world phenomena using a certain degree of membership between 0 and 1. This article presents a fuzzy logic expert system capable of predicting the deterioration of cast and ductile iron water mains based on surrounding soil properties. The proposed model consists of two modules: a knowledge base and an inference mechanism. The knowledge base provides information for better decision making and is developed in a two-tier fuzzy modeling process. First in direct approach, the expert knowledge generates a subjective model to describe the characteristics of the system using fuzzy linguistic variables. Later in system identification, the field data are used to develop an objective model, which is eventually used in conjunction with the subjective model to provide a more reliable knowledge base for the expert system. The inference mechanism uses fuzzy approximate reasoning methods to process the encoded information of the knowledge base.
Intralipid Induces Cardioprotection against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Opening Via the PI3K/AKT Pathway

Acute myocardial infarction is a major cause of mortality, and the best hope of salvaging viable myocardium is by rapid cardiac reperfusion. A novel cardioprotective drug which could be applied at the time of reperfusion after acute infarction would be ideal. Here we tested the hypothesis that administration of Intralipid at the onset of reperfusion protects the heart against ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. Isolated hearts (Langendorff) from male mice were subjected to 20 minutes of global normothermic (37°C) ischemia followed by 40 minutes of reperfusion with Krebs Henseleit buffer (CTRL) or with additional 1% Intralipid (ILP). Postischemic treatment with Intralipid significantly improved the cardiac function; the rate pressure product (RPP) was increased from 3432±334mmHg∗beats/min in CTRL to 15405±1011mmHg∗beats/min in ILP. Consistent with the higher functional recovery in ILP, the infarct size was markedly smaller in ILP (19±3%,n=8) compared to CTRL (55.6±3.4%,n=10). The inhibition of mitochondria permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening during reperfusion has been shown to induce cardioprotection. To investigate whether intralipid-induced cardioprotection occurs by inhibition of the mPTP opening, we compared the viability of isolated mitochondria by calcium overload. Postischemic administration of Intralipid inhibited the opening of the mPTP as calcium retention capacity was higher in the ILP group compared to control (2.7±0.06 vs. 1.5±0.11 μM/mg-mitochondrial protein, p<0.05). To identifiy the key signaling molecules involved in regulating mPTP opening, Western Blot analyis of heart lysates was performed. The activity of AKT/ERK1/GSK were respectively 2.3, 5 and 2.7 fold higher in ILP compared to CTRL. The involvement of PI3K/AKT pathway was further investigated by LY294002, a specific inhibitor of PI3K. The Intralipid-induced cardioprotection was fully abolished in the presence of LY294002, indicating the cardioprotective action of Intralipid is mediated via PI3K/AKT pathway.
Corneal Cell Adhesion to Contact Lens Hydrogel Materials Enhanced via Tear Film Protein Deposition

Tear film protein deposition on contact lens hydrogels has been well characterized from the perspective of bacterial adhesion and viability. However, the effect of protein deposition on lens interactions with the corneal epithelium remains largely unexplored. The current study employs a live cell rheometer to quantify human corneal epithelial cell adhesion to soft contact lenses fouled with the tear film protein lysozyme. PureVision balafilcon A and AirOptix lotrafilcon B lenses were soaked for five days in either phosphate buffered saline (PBS), borate buffered saline (BBS), or Sensitive Eyes Plus Saline Solution (Sensitive Eyes), either pure or in the presence of lysozyme. Treated contact lenses were then contacted to a live monolayer of corneal epithelial cells for two hours, after which the contact lens was sheared laterally. The apparent cell monolayer relaxation modulus was then used to quantify the extent of cell adhesion to the contact lens surface. For both lens types, lysozyme increased corneal cell adhesion to the contact lens, with the apparent cell monolayer relaxation modulus increasing up to an order of magnitude in the presence of protein. The magnitude of this increase depended on the identity of the soaking solution: lenses soaked in borate-buffered solutions (BBS, Sensitive Eyes) exhibited a much greater increase in cell attachment upon protein addition than those soaked in PBS. Significantly, all measurements were conducted while subjecting the cells to moderate surface pressures and shear rates, similar to those experienced by corneal cells in vivo.
P nutrition of cassava, including mycorrhizal effects on P, K, S, Zn and Ca uptake

Abstract The nutritional requirements of cassava are ill-defined. This paper deals with the P requirements of cassava and the effect of P on other nutrients both in the presence of VA mycorrhizae and in soils when VA mycorrhizae were eliminated by fumigation. Cassava was grown on field plots with ten levels of phosphorus (0.002-1.6 ppm P in solution) on two Oxisols in Hawaii. Six cultivars were compared at one location. At the other location the significance of vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizae on the nutrition of cassava was investigated. There was a substantial increase in vegetative growth with increased P fertilization in the cultivar experiment; however, root yields were not greatly affected. Even at very low extractable soil P levels (Bray-1 P, 1 ppm) five out of the six cultivars did not respond to P fertilization. One cultivar, Ceiba, produced 42–48 t/ha of roots when P in solution was in the range 0.003-0.025 ppm. In the second experiment the role of VA mycorrhizae was studied by fumigating one half of each plot with methyl bromide which destroyed VA mycorrhizal fungi. Plants grown on the fumigated plots did not become infected with VA mycorrhizae during the first 80 days of the growing period. Cassava, cultivar Ceiba, was grown along with six other species. One of these was chinese cabbage which does not form mycorrhizal associations. Leaves from non-mycorrhizal cassava plants (fumigated plots) invariably contained less P on a percentage basis than leaves from mycorrhizal plants (non-fumigated plots). On the low P plot, leaf P decreased from 0.30 to 0.11% when VA mycorrhiza formation was precluded by fumigation. Likewise K and S concentrations in leaves decreased by 30% and Zn by 10%. There was no evidence that mycorrhizae promoted Ca uptake. These observations provide a basis for explaining why the P requirements of cassava in nutrient solution culture are very great, whereas cassava is generally unresponsive to P fertilization in the field.
Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Shigellae Isolated in Houston, Texas, in 1974

One hundred seventy-three strains of shigellae (113 Shigella sonnei , 56 S. flexneri , and four others) isolated in Houston during 1974 were tested for susceptibility to commonly used and newer antimicrobial agents. Forty-five percent of S. sonnei strains were susceptible to ampicillin, whereas 93% of S. flexneri strains were susceptible to that agent. S. sonnei and S. flexneri strains were equally susceptible to tetracycline (35 and 33%, respectively). All 173 strains were uniformly susceptible to quinoline drugs (cinoxacin, oxolinic acid, and nalidixic acid) and to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. This study supports recent suggestions that the initial therapy of bacillary dysentery no longer should be ampicillin or tetracycline. It remains for field testing to determine whether quinoline agents or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole will be the treatment of choice.
The Political Origins of Unemployment Insurance in Five American States

The last decade has been a time of rapid development in comparative social scientific research on modern welfare states—or more concretely, research on social insurance, pensions, and public assistance policies. Synchronic studies, using highly aggregated measures to make causal inferences about policy developments in all the nations of the world, have declined in favor of longitudinal comparative studies of up to eighteen advanced industrial capitalist democracies. Concomitant with this shift, analytic interest has moved away from industrialization and urbanization and toward more political explanatory variables—including class power and class alliances, the structures of political regimes, political parties, and party systems, and the activities of administrators and policy intellectuals.