cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transfer RNA-primed oligoadenylate synthesis in maize seedlings. II. Primer, substrate and metal specificities and size of product.

Abstract 1. The oligoadenylating enzyme, partially purified from corn seedlings, catalyzes the synthesis of polyadenylate linked to the 3′-hydroxyl of the terminal nucleoside of an RNA primer. 2. rRNA, a mixture of tRNA's, methionyl-tRNA or tRNA lacking a terminal adenosine satisfy the primer requirement. The enzyme is specific for ATP and Mn 2+ . 3. The maize enzyme is analogous to the adenylate-incorporating enzyme of rat liver. A relationship between the corn polyadenylic acid polymerase and RNA polymerase is postulated.
Modeling the ecohydrological role of aspect‐controlled radiation on tree‐grass‐shrub coexistence in a semiarid climate

[1] In this study, an ecohydrological Cellular Automata Tree-Grass-Shrub Simulator (CATGraSS) is presented. CATGraSS is driven by pulses of rainfall and daily solar radiation. In the model, each cell can hold a single plant type (tree, shrub, tree seedlings, shrub seedlings, grass) or can be bare soil. Plant competition is modeled explicitly by keeping track of mortality and establishment of plants, both calculated probabilistically based on soil moisture stress. Topographic influence on incoming shortwave radiation is treated explicitly, which leads to spatial variations in potential evapotranspiration and soil moisture over storm and interstorm time scales, and plant distribution over annual time scales. The model is implemented in a small basin (3.3 km2) in central New Mexico, USA, where north facing slopes are characterized by a juniper pine and grass savanna, and south facing slopes by creosotebush shrubs and grasses. Representing the current climate by a seasonal-varying Poisson rectangular pulse rainfall model, CATGraSS is calibrated against the existing plant patterns in the study catchment. The model is then used in a series of numerical experiments. CATGraSS is first run on flat terrain to examine the role of topography on plant patterns. Consistent with our observation in the region, this “flat run” gave a shrubland ecosystem with scattered grasses and trees. Model sensitivity to rainfall is investigated in a limited number of simulations by altering rainfall frequency-magnitude statistics, and seasonality. The sensitivity runs suggest that changes in the storm characteristics could lead to a dramatic reorganization of the plant composition on topography in central New Mexico. CATGraSS results underscore the importance of solar irradiance in determining vegetation composition over complex terrain under a water-limited ecosystem.
Peripheral neuropathy presenting with respiratory insufficiency as the primary complaint: Problem of recognizing alveolar hypoventilation due to neuromuscular disorders☆

Abstract A 57 year old farmer, initially believed to have hypoventilation secondary to medullary respiratory insensitivity, died with a peripheral neuropathy and marked involvement of the phrenic nerves. Peripheral neuropathy has not previously been reported to present in this manner. Routine pulmonary function tests that would help to distinguish patients with hypoventilation due to neuromuscular disorders from patients with hypoventilation due to diseases of the lung parenchyma and depression of the medullary respiratory centers were investigated. Five subjects with severe neuromuscular disease were studied (arterial carbon dioxide tension [pCO2]48 to 69 mm Hg, vital capacity [VC] 13 to 79 per cent of predicted and 1 second forced expiratory volume [FEV1] 76 to 96 per cent of VC). The mean ratio of maximum mid-inspiratory flow (MMIF) to maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) was 0.79. In age-matched control subjects this ratio was 1.41. In addition to observing the ratio of MMIF to MMEF other effective clinical screening procedures to distinguish patients with hypoventilation secondary to neuromuscular disorders from patients with medullary respiratory insensitivity include (1) identification of weakness of the muscles used for ventilation by measuring the static maximum inspiratory and expiratory airway pressures, (2) determination of ability to lower the arterial pCO2 with voluntary hyperventilation, and (3) comparison of the maximum breathing capacity to the minute ventilation while breathing 7.5 per cent carbon dioxide for 3 minutes. The latter two measurements permit assessment of central hypoventilation in the presence of intrinsic lung disease.
Market Reaction to the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005

The Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 (CAFA) virtually removed the majority of class-action jurisdiction from State to Federal Courts. We examine the market reaction to various events leading to the passage of CAFA and find that stockholders of companies likely to be affected by CAFA react positively (negatively) to the events that increase (decrease) the chances of passage. We examine the strength of this finding by testing three complementary hypotheses: one, companies susceptible to product-liability litigation display greater sensitivity to CAFA than companies exposed to contract litigation; two, the market reaction would be more positive for companies with better corporate governance and transparency to events favoring the passage of CAFA; three, because a positive market reaction implies that stockholders favor Federal Courts over State Courts as a venue, they would react negatively when a class-action is remanded from a State to a Federal Court. Our results support these hypotheses, indicating that stockholders prefer Federal Courts to State Courts for class-action jurisdiction.
Children and Adolescents: Television, Computers, and Media Viewing

Television and computers have been related to aspects of mental health, especially for children and adolescents. In this article, we discuss ways in which media have been indirectly implicated in mental health such as the links between food marketing and obesity, violence and aggression, and prosocial behavior and the role these have on mental health. Next we explore the more direct effects such as scary images and fear, early television viewing and attention problems, and social networking site use and addiction. In conclusion we discuss the related US policies that have been developed to protect youth in these area.
Macrophage Expression of Inflammatory Genes in Response to EMCV Infection

The expression and production of type 1 interferon is the classic cellular response to virus infection. In addition to this antiviral response, virus infection also stimulates the production of proinflammatory mediators. In this review, the pathways controlling the induction of inflammatory genes and the roles that these inflammatory mediators contribute to host defense against viral pathogens will be discussed. Specific focus will be on the role of the chemokine receptor CCR5, as a signaling receptor controlling the activation of pathways leading to virus-induced inflammatory gene expression.
Early effects of aldosterone on Na-K pump in rat cortical collecting tubules

Sustained exposure to aldosterone (Aldo) increases the abundance and activity of the Na-K pump in cortical collecting tubules (CCT). However, the onset and mechanism of the early interaction of Aldo with the CCT pump, especially in adrenal-intact animals, are unclear. We evaluated the short-term effects of the hormone on Na-K-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activity and on ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake, a measure of the transporting rate of the pump, in microdissected CCT from adrenal-intact rats. Incubation with Aldo (10(-8) M, 2 h) had no effect on Na-K-ATPase activity (Vmax), whereas it produced at least a twofold increase in 86Rb uptake. This effect was generated by physiological concentrations of the hormone (threshold 10(-10) M; apparent K1/2 approximately 10(-9) M), after a short lag of less than or equal to 30 min. Incubation with Aldo in the presence of amiloride or nystatin or in a Na-free medium (choline chloride) did not prevent the enhanced 86Rb uptake seen after Aldo alone; possible interpretations of these observations are discussed. We conclude that Aldo produces a rapid stimulation of pump function in CCT that precedes its induction of new pump synthesis; the physiological significance of this effect is suggested by its occurrence in tubules from adrenal-intact animals within the time frame and concentration range of the hormone's effects on electrolyte transport.
DARK MATTER HALOS IN THE STANDARD COSMOLOGICAL MODEL: RESULTS FROM THE BOLSHOI SIMULATION

Lambda Cold Dark Matter (?CDM) is now the standard theory of structure formation in the universe. We present the first results from the new Bolshoi dissipationless cosmological ?CDM simulation that uses cosmological parameters favored by current observations. The Bolshoi simulation was run in a volume 250 h ?1?Mpc on a side using ~8 billion particles with mass and force resolution adequate to follow subhalos down to the completeness limit of V circ = 50?km?s?1 maximum circular velocity. Using merger trees derived from analysis of 180 stored time steps we find the circular velocities of satellites before they fall into their host halos. Using excellent statistics of halos and subhalos (~10 million at every moment and ~50 million over the whole history) we present accurate approximations for statistics such as the halo mass function, the concentrations for distinct halos and subhalos, the abundance of halos as a function of their circular velocity, and the abundance and the spatial distribution of subhalos. We find that at high redshifts the concentration falls to a minimum value of about 4.0 and then rises for higher values of halo mass?a new result. We present approximations for the velocity and mass functions of distinct halos as a function of redshift. We find that while the Sheth-Tormen (ST) approximation for the mass function of halos found by spherical overdensity is quite accurate at low redshifts, the ST formula overpredicts the abundance of halos by nearly an order of magnitude by z = 10. We find that the number of subhalos scales with the circular velocity of the host halo as V 1/2 host, and that subhalos have nearly the same radial distribution as dark matter particles at radii 0.3-2 times the host halo virial radius. The subhalo velocity function N(> V sub) scales as V ?3 circ. Combining the results of Bolshoi and Via Lactea-II simulations, we find that inside the virial radius of halos with the number of satellites is N(> V sub) = (V sub/58 km s?1)?3 for satellite circular velocities in the range 4 km s?1 < V sub < 150 km s?1.
Sequencing questions to ferret out terrorists: Models and heuristics ☆

Consider the problem of granting boarding clearance for a large population of air travelers while ferreting out any potential terrorists and denying them entry, in a short time. It is assumed that the probability of having a terrorist in the group is very small. Further assume that the process consists of asking a series of questions and the decision to clear or deny is dependent on the answer set. An efficient sequencing of the questions may reduce the number of questions needed to be asked in order to reach a decision. This problem is modeled as a question sequencing problem. The problem is intrinsically hard and hence we develop two approaches to solving the problem. The first uses a traditional greedy heuristic approach exploiting the relationship between answers and the outcome. The second adopts the decision tree approach used in classification problems to this problem. We also report on the performance of the two heuristics which does exceptionally well on problems with a very low probability of occurrence.
Salt Effects on Solvolysis Reactions of p-Nitrophenyl Alkanoates Catalyzed by 4-(Dialkylamino)pyridine- Functionalized Polymer in Buffered Water and Aqueous Methanol Solutions

Specific salting-in effects that lead to striking substrate selectivity were observed for the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl alkanoates 2 (n = 2−16) catalyzed by 4-(dialkylamino)pyridine-functionalized polymer 1 in aqueous Tris buffer solution at pH 8.0 and 30 °C. Macromolecule 1 was found to exhibit clear substrate preference for 2 (n = 6) in 0.05 M aqueous Tris buffer solution, as contrasted with the corresponding reaction in 0.05 M aqueous phosphate or borate buffer solutions where the substrate selectivity is absent. The formation of a reactive catalyst−substrate complex, 1·2, appears to be promoted by the presence of tris(hydroxymethyl)methylammonium ion, an efficient salting-in agent, from the Tris buffer system. The salting-in effect on formation of 1·2 complex is presumed responsible for the substrate specificity. The salting-out effects of sodium chloride on the solvolysis of 2 catalyzed by 1 were also investigated in 1:1 (v/v) methanol−water solution at pH 8.0 and 30 °C. The rate of 1-catalyzed sol...
DISTRIBUTED-FEEDBACK VERTICAL-CAVITY SURFACE-EMITTING LASER WITH RESONANT-PERIODIC-GAIN ACTIVE REGION

Fabrication and lasing characteristics of prototype MOCVD-grown GaAs/AlGaAs/AlAs distributed-feedback resonant-periodic-gain surface-emitting lasers are reported. The new structure eliminates the need for end reflectors in earlier resonant-periodic-gain lasers, thereby reducing considerably the total thickness of the device. A new hybrid distributed-Bragg-reflector/distributed-feedback resonant-periodic-gain structure, compatible with the transverse-junction electrical pumping scheme, is also proposed.
Testing the monetary model of exchange rate determination: a closer look at panels

Abstract In this paper, we undertake an extensive evaluation of panel tests of the long-run monetary model of exchange rate determination. We first show how poorly the monetary model performs on a country-by-country basis for US dollar exchange rates over the post-Bretton Woods period for a large number of industrialized countries. In sharp contrast, we find considerable support for the monetary model using panel procedures, as in Groen (2000) and Mark and Sul (2001) . Given the disparity in the country-by-country and panel approaches, we carefully analyze the homogeneity restrictions inherent in the panel procedures. The evidence on the appropriateness of the homogeneity restrictions is mixed. In the end, whether the monetary model conforms to post-Bretton Woods data largely depends on one’s prior beliefs.
The structure of aggrecan fragments in human synovial fluid : Evidence that aggrecanase mediates cartilage degradation in inflammatory joint disease, joint injury, and osteoarthritis

Objective. To determine the proteolytic fragmentation patterns and N-terminal sequence of aggrecan fragments in human synovial fluid from patients with inflammatory arthritides, joint injury, or osteoarthritis (OA). Methods. Knee synovial fluid was obtained from patients with joint injury, OA, acute pyrophosphate arthritis (pseudogout), reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Chondroitin sulfate-substituted aggrecan fragments present in the fluid were purified by cesium chloride gradient centrifugation and enzymatically deglycosylated. Core protein species were determined by N-terminal analysis and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) with electroblotting and detection with monoclonal antibody 3B3. Results. Samples from patients with joint injury, OA, and inflammatory joint disease all showed a similar 3-band pattern, with core sizes of approximately 200 kd, 170 kd, and 135 kd. In all samples, diffuse immunereactive products were also seen, with an apparent size of >250 kd. N-terminal analysis of core preparations of all samples showed a consistent single predominant sequence, beginning at alanine 374 of the human aggrecan core protein. Conclusion. The aggrecan fragments present in joint fluids from patients with various inflammatory arthritides, joint injury, or OA result from a predominant cleavage of the human aggrecan core protein at the glutamate 373-alanine 374 bond within the interglobular domain, between the G1 and G2 domains. The consistent pattern of fragments seen on SDS-PAGE and the single predominant N-terminal sequence suggest a common degradative mechanism of aggrecan in these different joint conditions. The identity of the proteolytic agent (aggrecanase), however, remains unknown. These results appear to have important implications with regard to the development of therapies to protect cartilage from degradation in patients with joint disease. (Less)
Microstructural evolution of PST-TiAl during low-rate compressive micro-straining at 1023 K in hard and soft orientations

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) have been combined with quantitative image analyses to document systematically the microstructural evolution of polysynthetically twinned Ti-48at.%Al (PST-TiAl) during low-rate compression in hard and soft orientations at 1023 K to micro-strains (0.2%<e < 0.4%). The PST-TiAl contained excess volume fraction of a2-phase after conventional homogenization. The PST-TiAl maintained a lamellar morphology, the excess a2-phase lamellae transformed to g-phase lamellae and both the populations of a2- and g-phase lamellae coarsened during elevated temperature straining for hard and soft orientations. The microstructural changes were accomplished mainly by the instability mechanism of termination migration. Plastic strain accommodating defects assisted in the formation of lamellar terminations. The rates of the microstructural evolution were faster for the hard orientation tests than for the soft orientation tests, which has been attributed to the more frequent interactions between hard deformation modes and the lamellar interfaces in the former. It has been proposed that microstructural changes similar to those reported here are suitable to rationalize the large primary creep strains characteristic of fully lamellar TiAl alloys. # 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
A New Standard of News Quality: Burglar Alarms for the Monitorial Citizen

Scholarly evaluations of the quality of news are often negative, sometimes scathingly so. The rise of soft news and market-driven journalism in recent years has increased the intensity of this criticism. This article argues, however, that much criticism of news is based on an ideal of citizenship and a standard of quality that are neither realistic nor necessary for the functioning of democracy. The article therefore proposes a new, less demanding standard of quality and defends it as adequate to the informational needs of citizens in a democracy.
ENERGY SPECTRUM AND g FACTOR OF MgO:Ni2+ AND THEIR PRESSURE-INDUCED SHIFT

The unified calculation of the whole energy spectrum and g factor of the ground state for MgO:Ni2+ at normal pressure and their pressure-induced Shifts has been carried out on the basis of the theory of pressure-induced shifts and the diagonalization of the complete d(8) energy matrix in a regular octahedral field. All the calculated results are in excellent agreement with a lot of experimental data. The new assignments of spin-orbit levels have been given, in conjunction with the careful analyses of the observed optical spectra and phonon energies. For the first time, by using the wavefunctons obtained by diagonalization of the complete energy matrix, the pressure-induced shifts of g factor have satisfactorily been calculated and explained by microscopic theory. The rates of change of levels with respect to various parameters and the contributions to levels from various parameters have been calculated. The distinct differences of pressure-induced shifts of various levels are immediately determined by their characteristic dependencies on the parameters of interactions. The pressure-induced shifts of levels have provided important criteria for the correctness of the calculation and assignment of the energy spectrum of MgO:Ni2+, and it is quite necessary and important to carry out the unified calculation of the whole energy spectrum and g factor at normal pressure and their pressure-induced shifts. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Cross sections and isomer ratios for the 88Sr(3He, p)90 m, 90 gY reaction

Abstract The absolute cross sections for 90mY and 90gY produced by the 88Sr(3He, p) reaction have been determined at 1 MeV intervals from 14 to 19 MeV. The total excitation function peaks at ≈17.5 MeV with a peak value of 9.3 mb. The isomer ratio function shows no apparent variation with energy, maintaining a constant value of σ m /(σ m +σ g )⋍0.25 over the energy range studied. The constant value of the isomer ratios is attributed to a direct type interaction.
CONSUMER AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE OF FLAME RETARDANT TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND FLAMMABILITY LEGISLATION

The quest for flame retardance has witnessed a continual involvement of many diverse disciplines; especially concerned are those in the area of textiles and clothing. In this study, an instrument was developed to assess the subject's awareness of flame retardant textile products, cost and care practices of flame retardant fabrics, and attitude toward federal flammability legislation. The main objective of the study was to conduct a survey among 1500 consumers in a south-western city of the United States to determine if measures taken by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in regard to flame retardant items had been understood by the consumer. The study determined a need for extensive consumer education in the area of textile flammability to heighten awareness of flame retardant textile items and care practices. Exploration of other alternatives to mandated safety standards was recommended.
Bromide and N-acetyl-S-(n-propyl)-L-cysteine in urine from workers exposed to 1-bromopropane solvents from vapor degreasing or adhesive manufacturing.

1-Bromopropane (1-BP) is an alternative for ozone depleting and other solvents; it is used in aerosol products, adhesives, and cleaning solvents. There is concern that 1-BP may be a reproductive and neurological toxicant. Mercapturic acid conjugates are excreted in urine from 1-BP metabolism involving debromination. The main objectives were to evaluate urinary bromide [Br(−)] and N-acetyl-S-(n-propyl)-l-cysteine (AcPrCys) for assessing 1-BP exposure in workers with low exposure. Workers’ 1-BP exposures were measured in their breathing zones with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection via NIOSH 1025. Urine specimens were obtained over a 48-h period at five facilities using vapor degreasers and one adhesive manufacturer. All of the workers’ urine was collected into composite samples and analyzed separately representing daily time intervals: at work, after work but before bedtime, and upon awakening. Urinary metabolites were analyzed using intra-coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy for Br(−), and high-performance liquid chromatography and electro-spray ionization mass spectroscopy for AcPrCys. Time-weighted average (TWA) geometric mean (GM) breathing zone concentrations of 1-BP at vapor degreasing facilities were 2.6 and 0.31 ppm, respectively, for workers near degreasers and those remote from degreasers. Urine metabolites showed the same trend as TWA exposures: higher levels were observed for workers near degreasers (48-h GM Br(−) = 8.9 vs. 3.7; 48-h GM AcPrCys = 1.3 vs. 0.12, respectively). Associations of Br(−) and AcPrCys concentrations with 1-BP TWA were statistically significant near degreasers (p < 0.01). This study shows that urinary Br(−) and AcPrCys are useful biomarkers of workers’ 1-BP exposures using analyses sensitive enough to measure low exposure jobs.
The role of TLR4 activation in photoreceptor mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Purpose. Herein the authors investigated whether the activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the innate immune response causes retinal photoreceptor oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage.
Isolation of a non-covalent aldose reductase-nucleotide-inhibitor complex.

Abstract A method for the isolation of an intact, non-covalent complex formed by the interaction of aldose reductase, NADP(H) nucleotide, and inhibitor has been developed to aid in the discovery and development of novel aldose reductase inhibitors. In the complexes isolated, both the carboxylic acid-containing inhibitor tolrestat and the spirohydantoin-containing inhibitor AL1576 (2,7-difluorospirofluorene-9,5′-imidazolidine-2′,4′-dione) tightly bound in a 1:1 ratio to aldose reductase complexed with either NADPH or NADP + . Inhibitor binding to either the enzyme–NADP + or enzyme–NADPH complex appeared to be equal and pH-dependent, with maximum binding observed at a pH range of 7 to 8.5 where the inhibitors are ionized. These results indicated that the charge state of the cofactor (NADPH vs NADP + ) is not critical for inhibitor binding to aldose reductase. Molecular modeling studies suggested that His110 plays a crucial role in directing charged inhibitors containing either a carboxylate or an ionizable hydantoin group to the active site of aldose reductase by providing charge interaction.
Impact of omphalocele size on associated conditions.

Purpose: Omphalocele is often associated with the presence of other congenital anomalies. Case reports have demonstrated nonclassical associations occurring in smaller omphaloceles. The aim of this study was to determine if omphalocele defect size correlates with the type of anomalies found. Methods: Patient records at a pediatric hospital were retrospectively reviewed for an 8-year period. Data were collected on patient demographics, omphalocele size, and congenital anomalies identified. Size of the abdominal wall defect was determined by either physical examination or operative record of repair. Patient cohorts were designated as those with small (4 cm and less) or large (greater than 4 cm) omphaloceles. Results: Fifty-three cases of omphalocele were observed. Twenty-seven cases were classified as small, with 26 classified as large. A predominance of males was noted in the small omphalocele group (78% vs 42%; P = .01). Intestinal anomalies, including Meckel's diverticulum and intestinal atresia, were only seen in patients with small omphaloceles. Most cardiac anomalies were associated with large omphaloceles (34.6% vs 3.7%; P = .01). Conclusion: Small omphalocele size correlates with an increased prevalence of associated gastrointestinal anomalies, a lower prevalence of cardiac anomalies, and a higher predominance of male sex.
Aircraft Precipitation-Static Radio Interference

Radio reception at normal frequencies on board high-speed, all-metal aircraft suffers severe interference under certain precipitation conditions. Flight research has shown that under these same conditions, an airplane will accumulate a relatively heavy electric charge. The resulting potential difference between this charged object and its immediate surroundings creates voltage gradients of sufficient magnitude on pointed and sharp-edged extremities of the craft to produce corona discharges. Local radio disturbances of varying character and severe intensity accompany these discharges. Several different mechanisms were found to be involved in the production of the discharges, and currents of magnitudes greater than one milliampere were observed under severe conditions from a single point. Numerous graphic records were taken in flight showing the correlation between the charge and discharge currents at various points on the airplane. These records also illustrated the rapidly fluctuating magnitude of the discharges and indicated that their directions reversed rapidly under certain space-gradient conditions. Ground tests involving the research airplane mounted on insulating supports and charged by means of a high-voltage rectifier, indicated that the radio interference and discharge currents observed in flight could be duplicated under controlled conditions on the ground. Further ground and laboratory tests verified and explained the recognized efficiency of the shielded radio loop in improving to a marked degree the signal-to- noise ratio in the presence of corona discharge interference. The mechanism of the interference was studied intensively in the laboratory.
Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Aneurysms Secondary to Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome May Not Need Celiac Artery Revascularization or Ligament Release

Introduction Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rare disorder defined by compression and narrowing of the celiac artery by the median arcuate ligament. The increased blood flow through the pancreaticoduodenal arcade can lead to the aneurysmal formation within the vessel. We report 3 cases of pancreaticoduodenal arterial aneurysms (PDAAs) in patients with MALS whose aneurysms were occluded, but celiac artery revascularization was not performed. Methods Case 1: Asymptomatic 61-year-old female with no past medical history was referred to vascular surgery for evaluation of a PDAA incidentally found on computed tomography (CT) scan. The patient was taken for laparoscopic division of the median arcuate ligament; however, the release was incomplete. This was followed by endovascular coil embolization of the PDAA without celiac revascularization. The patient tolerated the procedure well with no complications and the 1-year follow-up shows no signs of aneurysm recurrence. Case 2: A 61-year-old male found to have an incidental PDAA on CT scan. The patient was taken for coil embolization without median arcuate ligament release. At the 1-year follow-up, the patient continues to be asymptomatic with no recurrence. Case 3: A 56-year-old male presented with a ruptured PDAA. He was taken immediately for coil embolization of the ruptured aneurysm. Postoperatively, the patient was identified to have MALS on CT scan. Because of his asymptomatic history and benign physical examination before the rupture, he was not taken for a ligament release or celiac revascularization. He continues to be asymptomatic at his follow-up. Results PDAAs secondary to MALS are very rare and most commonly diagnosed at the time of rupture, which has a mortality rate that reaches approximately 30%, making early identification and treatment necessary. Standard treatment would include exclusion of the aneurysm followed by celiac revascularization; however, these 3 cases identify an alternative approach to the standard treatment. Conclusion Celiac revascularization may not be necessary in the asymptomatic patient with a PDAA who has close follow-up and serial imaging.
Comment on “Moving beyond the IGY: The Electronic Geophysical Year (eGY) Concept”

In their Eos article (16 March 2004), Daniel Baker and his colleagues acknowledged that one of the key achievements of the International Geophysical Year (IGY) was the establishment of data centers. I am sure that the authors are well aware of the importance of these data centers. I am concerned, however, by statements such as: “…researchers can redefine the ‘data center’ concept…” I am also concerned that some readers may interpret the overall proposed concept as one that is moving beyond the need for data centers, i.e., the concept of “…free access to all available data through the Internet and World Wide Web. That is, all data providers and data users will exchange the data directly establishing a worldwide fabric (or grid) of geophysical data.”
Effect of test conditions on the essential work of fracture in polyethylene terephthalate film

The tear resistance of polyethylene terephthalate film is characterized by the essential work of fracture method in mode I as a function of test speed and temperature. Attempts to extrapolate tearing resistance found by the method of essential work to commercial slitting processes are discussed. Limitations of the essential work of fracture method with regards to specimen size are evaluated. Based on the findings modifications to the test protocol are suggested.
Lanthanide nitrate complexes of hexamethylphosphoramide

Abstract The syntheses and physical properties of the crystalline compounds [Ln(HMPA)3(NO3)3] (Ln = La, Nd) (HMPA = hexamethylphosphoramide), [Ln(HMPA)4(NO3)2](NO3) (Ln = Dy, Er, Yb) and dimeric [Ln2 (HMPA)7(NO3)5] (NO3) (Ln = Sm, Gd) are reported. For most of the complexes, the infrared and Raman spectra, molar conductivities, molecular weights and X-ray powder patterns are reported. Infrared spectra of these complexes indicate that in the solid state, the La and Nd complexes contain coordinated nitrate, while the Sm, Gd, Dy, Er and Yb complexes contain both ionic and coordinated nitrate; in all cases coordination through the oxygen atom of HMPA is observed. Both the composition of these compounds and the X-ray data clearly indicate the existence of 3 isomorphous series of HMPA complexes.
Optimal ASK and QAM with non-equal symbol probabilities on Rayleigh fading channels

Formulas are derived to compute the optimal signal constellation, bit error probabilities, and decision thresholds for M-ASK and QAM with non-equal prior symbol probabilities on Rayleigh fading channels. It is shown that the optimal system can improve average Eb/N0 by 5 dB compared to a conventional system, i.e. a system with source coding, equiprobable symbols, and equal space constellation.
Gene and protein structure of the mate recognition protein gene family in Brachionus manjavacas (Rotifera)

The mate recognition protein (MRP) gene is a member of a family of extracellular matrix protein genes, called MRP Motif Repeat (MMR) genes, with no known homologs. Two sets of MMR genes, designated MMR-A and MMR-B, were found in Brachionus manjavacas. MMR-B has previously been shown to encode the MRP in the Brachionus plicatilis species complex. MMR family genes share the same basic structure: a signal peptide sequence, followed by nearly identical 276 bp (MMR-A) or 261 bp (MMR-B) repeats, with a truncated final repeat. Each repeat of the predicted MMR-A and -B proteins is expected to have a secondary structure of 5 α-helices, ranging in length from 11 to 20 amino acids, separated by coils of 1–3 amino acids. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids are predicted to be partitioned to opposite sides of each α-helix, suggesting that MMR proteins are globular with a hydrophobic core. MMR-A and MMR-B proteins vary in their post-translational modifications, resulting in differences in size and charge, and likely causing differences in the physical properties of the proteins on the surface of the female, and their ability to be recognized by a receptor on a male rotifer. The identity of MMR gene repeats is theorized to be maintained by concerted evolution, through a process of unequal crossing over and/or gene conversion, with new mutations likely to be lost. Rarely, however, the same process of concerted evolution can rapidly spread a mutation across all of the repeats. When a mutation results in conformational changes in the protein detectable by males, it could lead to reproductive isolation and thereby to speciation. Thus, changes in MRP could be a driving force in the high degree of species diversity seen within the B. plicatilis cryptic species complex.
Genetically programmed biases in Th1 and Th2 immune responses modulate atherogenesis.

Atherosclerotic lesions contain T lymphocytes, which orchestrate adaptive immunity and regulate many innate immune pathways. This study examined the influence of Th1 and Th2 helper cell subsets on atherogenesis in two ApoE−/− mouse strains, C57BL/6 and BALB/c, which display opposite T-cell subset polarizations. ApoE−/− BL/6 mice showed predominant Th1-like immune responses on polyclonal stimulation of splenic CD4+ T cells and had IgG2a antibodies to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (a disease-related antigen) whereas ApoE−/− BALB/c mice displayed predominant Th2 responses by CD4+ T cells and an IgG1 isotype response toward oxidized low-density lipoprotein. ApoE−/− BL/6 and BALB/c mice consumed a high-cholesterol diet for 10, 16, and 24 weeks with equivalent cholesterolemic responses. The Th1-slanted BL/6 mice developed significantly more atherosclerosis in the aortic root and abdominal aorta at all time points compared with BALB/c mice, supporting a proatherogenic role for Th1 response. Progression of atherosclerosis was associated with increased levels of interleukin (IL)-6 in mouse serum and CD4+ T-cell culture supernatants and increased levels of the acute-phase protein, serum amyloid A (SAA). Both IL-6 and SAA levels rose significantly in ApoE−/− BL/6 mice compared with BALB/c mice. The circulating cytokine milieu (IL-6) and acute phase reactants such as SAA may reflect alterations in the Th1/Th2 balance. The results presented here illustrate how genetically determined modifiers of both immune and inflammatory responses can modulate atherogenesis independently of lipid levels.
Pineal gland, melatonin synthesis, and testicular development in the rat.

Abstract Investigations with neonatal rats from day-1 through day-84 after parturition showed that the synthesis of melatonin by the pineal gland was greatest on day-1, but decreased sharply by day-16. This decrease in melatonin synthesis corresponded with the time that the eyes of the neonatal rats opened. Melatonin synthesis by the pineal gland in this investigation was inversely related to the previously reported rapid increase in testicular development after 16 days of age. The synthesis of melatonin by the pineal gland also appeared to be inversely related to the rate of development of the neonatal rat testis. Although pineal weight increased with age, the greater increase in body weight resulted in a reduced glandular weight relative to body size, particularly after day-8 and day-34. The high rate of melatonin synthesis recorded on days 1 and 8 for the neonatal rat was attributed to the darkened state in utero and the unopened and non-functional eyes of the neonatal animal. The sharp decrease in melatonin synthesis between day-8 and day-16 was attributed to the intervening intervening of the eyes and the perception of light.
New techniques for diffusion studies of thin polymer films

Trois techniques de transport de solvant par microbalance a quartz piezoelectrique, poutre de flexion et interferometrie laser
Flutter of flat rectangular anisotropic plates in high mach number supersonic flow

Abstract This paper presents the results of a theoretical study of the supersonic flutter of panels composed of advanced composite materials. Three different materials were selected for this study: boron-epoxy, graphite-epoxy and boron-aluminum. Primary emphasis is given to panels composed of a single layer or ply of material; however, in two instances, the stability behavior of these single layer panels is contrasted with the behavior of panels composed of several layers of material. The results presented show that the orientation of the ply material principal axes and the number of plies in the laminate have a pronounced effect on flutter. Effects of anisotropy are shown to disappear quickly as more layers of material are added. In one case, an irregularity in the stability curve is discussed as is convergence of the assumed mode solution.
A hyperbolic two-step model based finite difference scheme for studying thermal deformation in a double-layered thin film exposed to ultrashort-pulsed lasers

Hyperbolic two-step micro heat transport equations have attracted attention in thermal analysis of thin metal films exposed to ultrashort-pulsed lasers. In this article, we develop a finite difference scheme for studying thermal deformation in a 2D double-layered micro thin film exposed to ultrashort-pulsed lasers. This scheme is obtained based on the hyperbolic two-step model with temperature-dependent thermal properties coupled with the dynamic equations of motion. The method is illustrated by investigating thermal deformation in a gold layer on a chromium padding layer.
Stability of single crystal sapphire in nickel and nickel-alloy matrices

The object of this investigation was to study the chemical interaction between single-crystal sapphire filaments and nickel and nickel alloy matrices, and to determine the effect of these reactions on filament strength. It was found that the reaction between pure nickel and sapphire in an inert atmosphere resulted in pitting of the sapphire during heat treatment, and in the formation of nickel spinel in an oxidizing atmosphere. The presence of 18 pct Cr in the nickel markedly decreased the severity of attack in both atmospheres, and in an oxidizing atmosphere a reaction product of NiO and NiAl2O4 was formed at the sapphire Jmetal interface. For the case of a Udimet-700 matrix, all pressing conditions resulted in severe rod fragmentation.
A peptide bromoiodinane approach for asymmetric bromolactonization

Abstract A series of 37 peptides containing an iodo-aryl amide active site were generated by means of both solid phase and conventional synthesis. These peptides were screened for asymmetric induction in the bromolactonization of 4-phenyl-4-pentenoic acid based on the generation of chiral bromoiodinane bromenium sources. The study culminated in the discovery of a tri-peptide iodo-aryl amide that effected the desired bromolactonization in quantitative conversion with 24% ee. The experiments disclosed herein provided valuable insight that ultimately facilitated the development of more synthetically useful enantioselective halocyclization methodology.
Influence of Age on Measurement of Health Status in Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery

Purpose: To assess the influence of age on the relationships between global measures of health and specific health dimensions. Design: Cross-sectional cohort study. Setting: University tertiary care hospital. Patients: Patients older than 50 years admitted for major elective non-cardiac surgery. Measurements: Consenting patients underwent preoperative evaluations including a medical history, physical examination, and administration of health status assessment instruments. Global health status was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) and with a 0 to 100 verbal measure of global health. Specific health dimensions (physical function, role function, social function, mental health, energy and fatigue, and pain) were measured using the SF-36. Subjects also completed a second validated measure of physical functioning, the Specific Activity Scale (SAS). Results: Although patients aged >70 years (n = 276) had poorer role function, energy, and fatigue scores and poorer physical function on both the SF-36 and SAS than younger patients (n = 469) (P < 0.05), they had similar overall health perception. In the entire population, global health status as measured with the SF-36 health perception scale had the greatest correlation with the energy and fatigue scale (r = .45), correlated moderately with mental health (r = .35), social function (r = .32), and physical function (r = .33), and correlated less well with the surgically remediable dimension of pain (r = .23). However, correlations of global health perception with pain and global health perception with role functioning were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower in older patients when compared with subjects 70 years or younger (r = .13 vs .28 and r = .19 vs .33, respectively). Conclusion: Despite poorer role function, poorer energy and fatigue scores, and poorer physical function, elderly persons have similar global health perception when compared with younger individuals. These data indicate that global health perception may be determined by different factors in the elderly or that the elderly have fundamentally different expectations of what their global health status should be. Our findings emphasize the importance of multidimensional scales when evaluating quality of life because, particularly in the elderly, the use of global measures alone may not reflect critically important dimension-specific impairments in health.
Ion Exchange Separation of Desoxyribonucleotides

As has been implied by Cohn (1), the ion exchange methods developed by him for the separation of ribonucleotides (2) may be readily adapted to the separation of desoxyribonucleotides. Since no procedure for this separation has been published, it would seem worth while to outline the technique developed in our laboratory.
Replication of mycoplasmavirus MVL51: VI. Acriflavine stimulates growth of this single-stranded DNA virus.

Acriflavine inhibits the growth of a double stranded DNA mycoplasmavirus, but stimulates the growth of a single stranded DNA mycoplasmavirus. Maximal stimulation occurs when acriflavine is added late during infection and reflects an increased synthesis of viral relative to cellular DNA.
Intersections Between Work and Family: When a Playpen Can be Office Furniture

Do you think he'll continue to work full time now that he's beginning his family? He sure has become unreliable since they had that baby. He doesn't seem to be taking his career as seriously as he did before the baby was born. I wonder if he will take time to pursue tenure as rigorously or seriously now that he has a baby? How will he find time to write as a father?
An exploration of the factor structure and development of potentially useful subscales of etiological beliefs about schizophrenia in a general population sample

Given that accessing care, treatment engagement, and course and outcomes among people with schizophrenia may be influenced by beliefs about causes in the larger community, causal beliefs about schizophrenia have been studied in numerous communities around the world. In particular, the 30-item list of etiological attributions developed by Angermeyer and colleagues has been used to describe causal beliefs in patients, family members, and lay community members within such communities. The current study, the first examination of the latent or factorial structure of these 30 causal beliefs, seeks to provide informative subscales that may enhance reliability and validity of groupings of causes for future analyses involving community members. Data were gathered from six separate surveys involving three distinct groups of individuals from the same community within the southeastern United States: lay community members, relatives of individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, and police officers at the start of a 1-week mental health training program. Exploratory factor analysis in the overall sample (n = 577) revealed four factors that were used to define four subscales, termed: personal/family/social stressors (14 items), inconsistent with modern conceptions of risk (8 items), external/environmental insults to the brain (6 items), and consistent with modern biological conceptions (2 items). Cronbach’s internal consistency reliability coefficients for these subscales were 0.91, 0.83, 0.71, and 0.65, respectively. These findings suggest that subscales could be derived to provide continuous measures for assessing causal beliefs in order to study how this concept relates to attitudes toward schizophrenia, the people affected by the disorder, and treatments that are recommended by mental health professionals. Replication within similar and dissimilar groups is warranted.