cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potential use of low-copy nuclear genes in DNA barcoding: a comparison with plastid genes in two Hawaiian plant radiations

DNA barcoding of land plants has relied traditionally on a small number of markers from the plastid genome. In contrast, low-copy nuclear genes have received little attention as DNA barcodes because of the absence of universal primers for PCR amplification. From pooled-species 454 transcriptome data we identified two variable intron-less nuclear loci for each of two species-rich genera of the Hawaiian flora: Clermontia (Campanulaceae) and Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) and compared their utility as DNA barcodes with that of plastid genes. We found that nuclear genes showed an overall greater variability, but also displayed a high level of heterozygosity, intraspecific variation, and retention of ancient alleles. Thus, nuclear genes displayed fewer species-diagnostic haplotypes compared to plastid genes and no interspecies gaps. The apparently greater coalescence times of nuclear genes are likely to limit their utility as barcodes, as only a small proportion of their alleles were fixed and unique to individual species. In both groups, species-diagnostic markers from either genome were scarce on the youngest island; a minimum age of ca. two million years may be needed for a species flock to be barcoded. For young plant groups, nuclear genes may not be a superior alternative to slowly evolving plastid genes.
42.1 Invited Paper: High Efficiency Phosphorescent AMOLEDs: The Path to Long Lifetime TVs

In this paper we present results of blue PHOLED technologies, and outline different AMOLED display architectures, comparing their performance and power consumption. Projected operating temperatures of AMOLED TVs are correlated to device lifetimes to show the lifetime enhancements enabled by the power savings of phosphorescent OLEDs. These results allow us to analyze compelling technology packages for OLED TVs.
Low-voltage (<5V) ion-mobility spectrometer array for label-free gas detection

Fast and reliable detection of toxic gas-phase industrial chemicals and warfare agents, which may be combustible, odorless, and colorless, necessitates the use of miniaturized multi-functional and portable gas analyzing systems. In this paper, we present a silicon micromachined ion-mobility spectrometer array (IMSA) using a versatile high aspect-ratio 3-D fabrication process and operating at less than 5V. The multi-electrode architecture facilitates simultaneous detection of more than one toxic gas species. Such a device has potential use for on-chip ion trapping in a quadrupole or hexapole electrode configuration. It also paves the way for a label-free gas analyzing system that can be monolithically integrated with on-chip low-noise amplifiers to produce a low-cost mobile platform for detection and analysis of multiple gas species.
A source model for efficient brachytherapy computations with Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo techniques have the potential for producing accurate brachytherapy dose distributions in heterogeneous finite geometries. However, for routine clinical use, computational speed must be adequate. A fast, all-particle, CT-based Monte Carlo code called PEREGRINE is being developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for radiation treatment planning. As one feature, the code will produce accurate dose distributions from brachytherapy sources in heterogeneous geometries. For efficiency, brachytherapy sources in this model are treated as points or line segments. Radiation is emitted with the proper energy spectrum and (perhaps anisotropic) angular distribution. In particular, for anisotropic emission the polar angle is determined by a random-number driven empirical function constructed from a source's measured or precomputed fluence emission pattern. Source model parameters are presented for iodine and iridium sources. While designed for the PEREGRINE program, this source model can be used in any Monte Carlo code.
A Novel Approach for Video Quantization Using the Spatiotemporal Frequency Characteristics of the Human Visual System.

The temporal limitations of the human visual system (HVS) are usually not fully explored in the quantization stage of today’s video encoders. In this paper we present a novel method to improve the compression efficiency of popular video compression algorithms in which the temporal frequency response characteristics of the HVS are taken into account while building macroblockspecific quantization matrices for non-intra-coded (i.e., ‘P’ or ‘B’) frames. These quantization matrices help removing redundant information from the video sequence and, consequently, increase compression efficiency. Results from our experiments show that the proposed approach can achieve improved bit savings over a standard encoder without sacrificing the perceived visual quality of the compressed sequence.
Effect of depositional regimes on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Lake Bled (NW Slovenia) sediments

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were measured in sediment cores from two contrasting depositional regimes in urban Lake Bled (NW Slovenia). The concentration of PAH in surface sediments, mostly derived from combustion, was higher in Zaka Bay where bottom waters are permanently oxic, than in the western basin where bottom waters oscillate between suboxic and anoxic (1930 vs. 1150ngPAHg(-1) dry weight (dw), respectively). This pattern is the reverse of what might be expected if PAH were to preferentially degrade under oxic conditions. Two PAH from non-combustion sources, perylene and retene, are also present in the sediments. Post-depositional diagenetic formation of perylene appeared to occur only in anoxic sediments. Differences in the source of sedimentary organic matter (autochthonous vs. allochthonous) is probably not a major factor in perylene formation, since the two locations have markedly different sources of organic matter but quite similar concentrations of perylene in deeper sediments, ranging from 250 to 350ngg(-1)dw. Thus, redox conditions may play a role in perylene generation. On the other hand, redox conditions in general can not be the only or even the major factor affecting the fate of sedimentary PAH since uniform compositions and depth distributions for pyrolytic PAH were observed in both cores, in spite of the two locations differ in redox, mixing and biota conditions. Thus, degradative loss of PAH is unlikely in Lake Bled sediments.
Measuring the extent of phase separation during polymerization of composite latex particles using modulated temperature DSC

The morphological features of composite latex particles predominantly develop during the polymerization process and depend upon a significant number of variables. In this study, we have concentrated on the relative polarities of the two polymers in the particles and the rate at which we added the monomers during semi-batch reactions containing the seed polymer latex. Our particular interest was to develop data that could reveal the extent of polymer phase separation as a function of the amount of monomer fed, and to characterize the morphology resulting from it. While TEM is the most common analytical technique employed, we show in this paper that modulated temperature DSC can generate data that allows us to follow the phase separation process as the monomer feed progresses. By considering the possibilities of having phases within the particles of pure polymer, homogeneously mixed (but nonequilibrium) polymers, gradient and interfacial polymer, we have been able to quite successfully simulate the DSC data. This results in quantitative estimates of the relative amounts of these phases and their polymer compositions. Combining these results with TEM photos showing the spatial characteristics of the morphology, we can achieve a much greater understanding of the physical structure of the composite latex particles. In many cases we find that phase separation is far from complete at the end of the reaction process.
Carcinomes canalaires in situ bilatéraux : événements indépendants ou maladie bilatérale ?

Resume Objectifs Etudier, retrospectivement des carcinomes canalaires in situ (CCIS) bilateraux, traites a l'institut Bergonie et rechercher la relation entre les deux evenements. Materiel et methodes De 1971 a 2001, sur 812 patientes prises en charge pour un CCIS a l'institut Bergonie, 78 patientes ont presente un CCIS bilateral, parmi elles, 19 ont integralement ete traitees dans notre centre. Il s'agissait soit de lesions synchrones soit metachrone (> 6 mois). Nous avons realise une etude comparative des caracteristiques cliniques et histologiques des deux CCIS. Resultats En cas de lesion metachrone, les CCIS controlateraux surviennent apres un delai median de 75 mois et jusqu'a 22 ans apres le premier evenement. Pour l'ensemble de la serie, dans 31 % des cas, le grade est identique, la concordance est de 53 % si l'on regroupe les bas grades et grades intermediaires vs hauts grades. Dans 53 % des cas au moins un sous-type architectural est retrouve entre le CCIS droit et gauche. Il existe donc une concordance a la fois architecturale et de grade (bas/haut) dans 32 % des cas et une concordance architecturale ou de grade dans 63 % . Conclusion La concordance histologique entre les deux lesions nous fait envisager l'existence possible d'une maladie in situ bilaterale chez 30 % des patientes. Le taux de rechute locale est de 20 % quel que soit le traitement initial et les rechutes se font toutes sur un mode infiltrant. Le risque de rechute controlaterale impose une surveillance continue meme en cas de traitement radical.
Treatment and prognosis of primary breast lymphoma: A review of 13 cases

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the breast is a rare entity that does not have a well-defined treatment strategy. At presentation, most patients are clinically thought to have a primary breast carcinoma, and the diagnosis of lymphoma is made at biopsy. Once the diagnosis of lymphoma is made, patients are treated with some combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. We review The Cleveland Clinic Foundation experience with primary breast lymphoma. Between 1980 and 1996, 17 patients with primary breast lymphoma were seen at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and 13 had follow-up information available. All patients underwent a staging workup including computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, as well as bilateral bone marrow biopsies; all patients staged IE (breast involvement only) or IIE (limited to the breast and ipsilateral axilla) were included. We did not include patients with more extensive supradiaphragmatic nodal involvement who were stage IIE. Patients received some combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 34 months, with a range of 7 to 138 months. There was an equal incidence of right- versus left-sided lesions. Five patients survived at least 5 years from the time of diagnosis. Long-term survival in patients with primary NHL of the breast is possible. We recommend treating patients with aggressive NHL of the breast with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy, followed by involved field radiation and treating those patients with indolent lymphoma with involved field radiation alone.
Statistical superiority sometimes makes little clinical sense.

A study by Rumaihi et al. [1] reported in this issue set out to investigate how an abnormal PSA level and DRE findings were used to detect prostate cancer in a group of 651 men referred to their centre and who had a 12-core TRUS-guided biopsy of the prostate (TRUSBP), based on an abnormal PSA level (>4 ng/mL) or an abnormal DRE. The biopsy findings were cancer in 27.6%, BPH in 42.2% and prostatitis in 36.4%. The investigators then set out to study the capability of total PSA level, a DRE and combinations of both for detecting prostate cancer, and calculating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall accuracy for each measurement. They also analysed the receiver operator characteristic curves of different PSA levels, finding that a value of 7.9 ng/mL should prompt a biopsy, rather than the ‘normal’ level of 4 ng/mL, and gave the ‘best results’ from a statistical perspective view. Indeed, using the higher rather than the lower value to justify TRUSBP resulted in almost 50% accuracy compared to 32.2% with a PSA level of 4 ng/mL. Combining an abnormal DRE with the two PSA thresholds gave an accuracy of 63.4% for a PSA level of 4 ng/mL, which could be improved to 76.9% using the higher value. The higher threshold was initially accepted as statistically superior; consideration that it might be related to higher levels of prostatitis found in men referred to them was discussed and then they became aware of failing to detect prostate cancers by using the higher PSA value to prompt TRUSBP. Certainly, 78 such cases (43% of all their detected cancers) would have been missed by using a threshold PSA level of 7.9 ng/mL to justify TRUSBP! When these cases were analysed by Gleason score, it was found that 27% had scores of ⩾7. Thus, despite the statistical superiority of using the higher PSA value to initiate TRUSBP, the clinical effect made little sense. Why would you want to not detect 43% of the cancers, particularly when a quarter of those missed were aggressive cases? The authors concluded appropriately that their ‘study supports the need for other diagnostic tests to help in solving this dilemma’. This has always been the case with the use of PSA and PSA derivatives for detecting prostate cancer.
Self reflection(s): Subjectivity and racial subordination in the contemporary African‐American writer

Abstract Shelby Steele's The Content of our Character, and John Wideman's Philadelphia Fire are contrasted for what they reveal about the two authors’ confrontation with self‐expression and self‐definition in a society that denies African‐American individuality. I argue that Steele's and Wideman's distinctive solutions to personal expression as demonstrated in these works constitute the discursive boundaries, the poles between which black male subjectivity oscillates in this racialist society. To explicate these particular positions, I draw on psychoanalytic concepts of narcissism, masculinity, and subjectivity. Thomas Mann's Death in Venice is invoked to articulate, albeit in a different society and context, the subjective crisis of the intellectual, the linkage between one's inner world and outer society, and the relation between personal identity and national self‐understanding. While Steele opts for an isolated, transcendent individualism, Wideman embraces a conception of self inextricably connected t...
Race Policy, Race Violence, and Race Reform in the U.S. Army During World War II*

No ceremonies marked the fiftieth anniversary of the wartime riots in New York, Los Angeles, Beaumont, Detroit, and Mobile. American political culture, if not recent historical analysis, continues to associate “the Good War” with national unity rather than unrest. But race tension was palpable to contemporaries. For example, ten months prior to Pearl Harbor and six months before a deadly shoot-out between black soldiers and white military policemen occurred in Fayetteville, North Carolina, that town had already earned the nickname “Uncle Sam's Powder Keg.” Less than ten miles from the city lay Fort Bragg, the nation's largest army camp, and visitors sensed a “seething undercurrent” of race friction coursing through the camp and the city. Thousands of black artillery trainees visited the downtown area each week, drinking and milling about in the streets. Because very few establishments welcomed their business, there was little else for them to do. A cab driver, asked about the city's hostile mood, replied that “the trouble is not ‘Is there trouble,’ but ‘What kind of trouble is it going to be and when is it going to pop?’” Similar questions animate this research, which explores the relationship between the Second World War mobilization and War Department practices and policies, on the one hand, and racial confrontations and violence involving soldiers, on the other.
Antisense to NPY-Y1 demonstrates that Y1 receptors in the hypothalamus underlie NPY hypothermia and feeding in rats

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a highly potent endogenous peptide which when injected into the medial hypothalamus causes spontaneous eating behaviour and an intense fall in body temperature (Tb). This study used antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) to determine whether the Y1 subtype of NPY receptor could underlie these remarkable physiological responses. In the unrestrained rat, the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) which is highly reactive to NPY was injected with antisense for NPY (aNPY), Y1 receptors (aNPY-Y1) and mismatched controls (mNPY; mNPY-Y1). After cannulae were implanted bilaterally in the brain of 19 rats, 0.4 or 0.8 microgram per 0.8 microliter of the phosphorothioate synthesised ODNs were delivered to the VMH of the rats at 12 h intervals over 2 d. Only the lower dose of aNPY-Y1, but not aNPY, evoked an intense phasic rise in the Tb following each micro-injection. Simultaneously, 0.4 microgram per 0.8 microliter of aNPY-Y1, but not aNPY, suppressed feeding behaviour after a sequence of micro-injections and on the following day. Body weights and locomotor activity of the rats likewise declined concomitantly with the hyperthermia and hypophagia caused by the Y1 receptor antisense. Neither of the control ODNs for NPY or Y1 receptors injected similarly in the VMH of the rats exerted any effects on these measures. These results clearly provide convincing evidence that in the VMH the Y1 subtype of NPY receptor mediates, in part, the neuronal mechanisms responsible for spontaneous feeding and hypothermia produced by native NPY when applied directly to this structure. The concurrent decline in body weight and activity caused by aNPY-Y1 could be caused by the episodes of hyperthermia.
The mental arms race amplifier

The use of tools to obtain food is probably a long-standing hominid adaptation. Therefore, the rapid increase in hominid brain size over the last million years cannot be explained by selection for basic tool use alone. Two alternative theories, here termed the ecological adaptation hypothesis and the intraspecific competition hypothesis, are reviewed and rejected. Instead, a combination of these two theories is offered: the mental arms race amplifier hypothesis.
Characterization of human antibody to polyribophosphate, the capsular antigen of Hemophilus influenzae, type B.

Abstract The immunoglobulins involved in the human serologic response to polyribophosphate (PRP) 4 , the capsular antigen of Hemophilus influenzae type b, have been studied. After immunization with 50 μg of PRP, serum demonstrated primary antigen-binding capacity and a classic precipitin curve. Per unit weight, the IgM from this serum was 100-fold more active than the IgG in PRP-specific hemagglutination and 2-fold greater in complement-dependent bactericidal activity. Specific anti-PRP antibody separated from the IgG by immunoabsorption was active in both assays; of the IgG subgroups, only IgG1 was detected in this preparation. The high salt extract from a PRP precipitate of hyperimmune serum, however, contained IgG2 and IgG1 in the ratio of 1.6:1. Phagocytosis of H. influenzae b in vitro was enhanced by heated serum, IgG, and the anti-PRP IgG1 preparation but not by IgM; this activity was approximately doubled by the addition of complement. Inhibitor studies indicated that C 3 peptidase was active in this system.
DEDUCE: at the intersection of MapReduce and stream processing

MapReduce and stream processing are two emerging, but different, paradigms for analyzing, processing and making sense of large volumes of modern day data. While MapReduce offers the capability to analyze several terabytes of stored data, stream processing solutions offer the ability to process, possibly, a few million updates every second. However, there is an increasing number of data processing applications which need a solution that effectively and efficiently combines the benefits of MapReduce and stream processing to address their data processing needs. For example, in the automated stock trading domain, applications usually require periodic analysis of large amounts of stored data to generate a model using MapReduce, which is then used to process a stream of incident updates using a stream processing system. This paper presents Deduce, which extends IBM's System S stream processing middleware with support for MapReduce by providing (1) language and runtime support for easily specifying and embedding MapReduce jobs as elements of a larger data-flow, (2) capability to describe reusable modules that can be used as map and reduce tasks, and (3) configuration parameters that can be tweaked to control and manage the usage of shared resources by the MapReduce and stream processing components. We describe the motivation for Deduce and the design and implementation of the MapReduce extensions for System S, and then present experimental results.
Genetic variation across the historical range of the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Genetic differences within and among naturally occurring populations of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were characterized across five subspecies' historical ranges using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis, microsatellite loci and mitochondrial control region sequencing. Current subspecific designations based on morphological traits were generally supported by these analyses, with the exception of the eastern (M. g. silvestris) and Florida (M. g. osceola) subspecies, which consistently formed a single unit. The Gould's subspecies was both the most genetically divergent and the least genetically diverse of the subspecies. These genetic patterns were consistent with current and historical patterns of habitat continuity. Merriam's populations showed a positive association between genetic and geographical distance, Rio Grande populations showed a weaker association and the eastern populations showed none, suggesting differing demographic forces at work in these subspecies. We recommend managing turkeys to maintain subspecies integrity, while recognizing the importance of maintaining regional population structure that may reflect important adaptive variation.
Growth rates for the linearized motion of fluid interfaces away from equilibrium

We consider the motion of a two-dimensional interface separating an inviscid, incompressible, irrotational fluid, influenced by gravity, from a region of zero density. We show that under certain conditions the equations of motion, linearized about a presumed time-dependent solution, are wellposed; that is, linear disturbances have a bounded rate of growth. If surface tension is neglected, the linear equations are well-posed provided the underlying exact motion satisfies a condition on the acceleration of the interface relative to gravity, similar to the criterion formulated by G. I. Taylor. If surface tension is included, the linear equations are well-posed without qualifications, whether the fluid is above or below the interface. An interesting qualitative structure is found for the linear equations. A Lagrangian approach is used, like that of numerical work such as [3], except that the interface is assumed horizontal at infinity. Certain integral equations which occur, involving double layer potentials, are shown to be solvable in the present case. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Separation of binary C5 and C6 hydrocarbon mixtures through MFI zeolite membranes

MFI membranes on stainless-steel tubular supports separated mixtures of n-pentane/isoprene; the highest n-pentane/isoprene selectivity was 74, which was obtained at 333 K for a B-ZSM-5 membrane. Separation is due to faster diffusion of the linear alkane. The single-component permeance of n-pentane was higher than its permeance in the mixture because the slower-diffusing isoprene decreases the rate of n-pentane diffusion. No effects due to isoprene polymerization were observed, and the acid sites in B-ZSM-5 did not affect the separations. The separation selectivity for an equimolar mixture of n-hexane and 2,2-dimethylbutane was greater than 300 at 373 K for all membranes, and this was used as an indication of membrane quality.
Telomerase Regulation at the Telomere: A Binary Switch

Telomerase is known to preferentially elongate the shortest telomeres in a cell. Using an elegant yeast assay, Texeira et al. (2004 [this issue of Cell]) address what aspect of telomerase action is regulated by telomere length: the frequency or the extent of telomere elongation. They show that short telomeres are elongated more frequently than long telomeres, arguing that telomeres switch between two states, one that allows telomere extension and one that does not.
Formation of Water-in-Carbon Dioxide Microemulsions with a Cationic Surfactant: A Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Study

The formation of water-in-carbon dioxide microemulsions with a cationic perfluoropolyether trimethylammonium acetate surfactant, PFPE−C(O)−NH−CH2−N+(CH3)3 CH3COO-, is reported over a range of temperatures (25−90 °C) and pressures (87.3−415 bar). Spherical droplets are observed by SANS with radii ranging from 16 to 36 A for water-to-surfactant molar ratios (Wo) from 9.5 to 28. Porod analysis of the SANS data indicates an area of approximately 60 A2/surfactant molecule at the water−CO2 interface, in reasonable agreement with the value of 72 A2 determined from the change in the droplet radius with Wo. The CO2-phobic functionality between the surfactant headgroup and perfluoropolyether tail reduces CO2 penetration of the tails, resulting in a smaller area/surfactant than in the case of an anionic perfluoropolyether surfactant [Langmuir 1997, 13, 3934]. A relatively rigid film, with a mean film rigidity (2K + K) of approximately 1 kBT, along with the strong partitioning of the surfactant toward CO2 versus wat...
Transforming growth factor-alpha: a major human serum factor that promotes human keratinocyte migration.

In unwounded skin, human keratinocytes (HKs) are in contact with a plasma filtrate. In an acute wound, HKs come in contact with serum for the first time. Because human serum (HS), but not plasma, promotes HK migration, we speculated that a major HK pro-motility factor in vivo comes from serum. In this study, we compared all of the published growth factors (GFs), reported to promote HK migration, with HS. No single GF could duplicate the HK pro-motility activity in HS. Among these GFs, tumor growth factor (TGF) α showed the highest HK pro-motility activity, reaching ∼80% of the activity in HS. The order of potency was: TGF α >insulin>EGF>heparin binding (HB)-EGF>IGF-1>basic fibroblast growth factor >IL-8>HGF>IL-1>KGF>TGF β . Interestingly, the combination of TGF α and insulin could duplicate the HK pro-motility activity in HS, although only the TGF α , but not insulin, levels increase in serum over plasma. Addition of neutralizing antibodies against TGF α to serum or depletion of TGF α from serum by immunoprecipitation significantly abolished its HK pro-motility activity. Plasma with added TGF α stimulated HK migration that reached more than 80% of the serum stimulation. Since insulin levels are identical between plasma and serum, we propose that TGF α is the physiologic HK pro-motility factor in HS.
A theorem of Nepomnyashchii on continuous subset-selections

Abstract The principal purpose of this paper is to give new proofs of two theorems of G.M. Nepomnyashchii on continuous subset-selections. These proofs depend primarily on an ordinary selection theorem and a recent representation theorem of B.A. Pasynkov.
The calculation of two-electron properties from multiple-scattering Xα wavefunctions

Abstract A method for calculating two-electron properties from MS Xα wavefunctions is described. Results are presented for Coulomb and exchange integrals of ozone; the Xα integrals are insensitive to the choice of MS Xα parameters, and agree well with Hartiee-Fock values. The use of the method in calculating multiplet splittings is illustrated for ozone.
In vivo transport and excretion of corrosion products from accelerated anodic corrosion of porous coated F75 alloy.

Corrosion of porous coated cobalt chromium specimens surgically implanted subcutaneously in hamsters was accelerated by application of a fixed anodic potential. Corrosion current measurements were utilized for prediction of metal ion release based on Faraday's law. Daily urine samples were collected pre- and post-stimulation, and, at animal sacrifice, organs and blood samples were taken for chemical analysis. By using in vitro release data from previous studies, and efficiency correction factors, the amount of metal ion release was calculated. The results demonstrated rapid and complete excretion of nickel and molybdenum. Most of the cobalt was excreted, with elevation of cobalt levels in liver, kidney, and lung. Chromium excretion was much lower due to significant red cell binding and in vivo storage, especially in the kidney and spleen. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Autologous fat grafts harvested and refined by the Coleman technique: a comparative study.

Background:The viability of fat grafts obtained by even a well-established technique remains poorly studied and unknown. This study was designed to determine the viability of fat grafts harvested and refined by the Coleman technique.Methods:Sixteen adult white women were enrolled in this study. In g
Synthesis of 14C‐desmethylene aldrin, desmethylene dieldrin and desmethylene aldrin cis and trans‐dihydrddiols

The synthesis of 14C-desmethylene aldrin (I) from 14C-Ul-hexachloro cyclopentadiene and cyclohexa-l,4-diene via a Diels-Alder reaction and its conversion to desmethylene dieldrin (II) and desmethylene cis (III) and trans (IV)-dihydrodiols are described.
The effects of the histone deacetylase inhibitor 4-phenylbutyrate on gap junction conductance and permeability

Longitudinal resistance is a key factor in determining cardiac action potential propagation. Action potential conduction velocity has been shown to be proportional to the square root of longitudinal resistance. A major determinant of longitudinal resistance in myocardium is the gap junction channel, comprised of connexin proteins. Within the ventricular myocardium connexin 43 (Cx43) is the dominantly expressed connexin. Reduced numbers of gap junction channels will result in an increase in longitudinal resistance creating the possibility of slowed conduction velocity while increased numbers of channels would potentially result in an increase in conduction velocity. We sought to determine if inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC) by 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PB), a known inhibitor of HDAC resulted in an increase in junctional conductance and permeability, which is not the result of changes in single channel unitary conductance. These experiments were performed using HEK-293 cells and HeLa cells stably transfected with Cx43. Following treatment with increasing concentrations of 4-PB up-regulation of Cx43 was observed via Western blot analysis. Junctional (gj) conductance and unitary single channel conductance were measured via whole-cell patch clamp. In addition intercellular transfer of Lucifer Yellow (LY) was determined by fluorescence microscopy. The data in this study indicates that 4-PB is able to enhance functional Cx43 gap junction coupling as indicated by LY dye transfer and multichannel and single channel data along with Western blot analysis. As a corollary, pharmacological agents such as 4-PB have the potential, by increasing intercellular coupling, to reduce the effect of ischemia. It remains to be seen whether drugs like 4-PB will be effective in preventing cardiac maladies.
Timeout as a punishing stimulus in continuous and intermittent schedules

The effectiveness of a brief period of isolation (timeout) in the control of disruptive behavior emitted by a retarded child in a preschool classroom setting was examined. Timeout was shown to be an effective punishing stimulus, and its control of the child's disruptive behavior was investigated under four schedules of intermittent timeout. The results suggest that as a larger percentage of responses were punished, a greater decrease in the frequency of that response occurred. This inverse relationship between the percentage of responses punished and the frequency of the response did not appear to be linear, but rather a non-linear function. This function suggests that some schedules of intermittent punishment may be as effective as continuous punishment, at least in the case of the continued suppression of a response that has already been reduced to a low frequency.
A neurokinin‐1 receptor antagonist that reduces intraabdominal adhesion formation increases peritoneal matrix metalloproteinase activity

Adhesions remain a significant complication of abdominal surgery. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that remodeling of peritoneal extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is involved in adhesion formation. We have shown that administration of a specific neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonist (CJ-12,255, Pfizer) to rats within 5 hours of surgery reduces intraabdominal adhesion formation. Because substance P (SP), the primary NK-1R ligand, is known to augment tissue fibrosis, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of NK-1R antagonist administration on peritoneal MMP expression and activity 24 hours after surgery in a rat adhesion model. Following laparotomy, four ischemic buttons were created on the peritoneum of rats that received either an intraperitoneal NK-1R antagonist or a vehicle at surgery. Adhesion formation was assessed 7 days later. Peritoneal fluid and tissue were collected at 24 hours to assess total MMP activity, as well as MMP-2, MMP-8, and MMP-9 activity. Specific MMP and tissue inhibitors of MMP mRNAs were measured, and the effects of SP on MMP-3 expression were determined in Met-5A cells, a human peritoneal mesothelial cell line. NK-1R antagonist administration reduced adhesion formation by 47% (p<0.05) at 7 days and significantly increased the total MMP activity in peritoneal fluid at 24 hours. There was an accompanying increase (p<0.05) in MMP-8 and MMP-9 mRNA expression and activity in peritoneal tissue and fluid, respectively. MMP-3 mRNA was also increased in the 24-hour peritoneal tissue, and exposure of Met-5A cells to SP reduced MMP-3 expression and activity. These data support a role for MMPs, specifically MMP-3, MMP-8, and MMP-9, in intraabdominal adhesion formation and suggest that the NK-1R antagonist may reduce adhesions, in part, by increasing MMP activity in the peritoneum by 24 hours after surgery.
Effects of diphenylhydantoin and chloroquine on monkey liver microsomal mixed-function oxidases.

Sixteen adult male squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) were randomly divided into three treatment groups and one control group. Each treatment group received 10 mg/kg oral doses of diphenylhydantoin and/or chloroquine. Following sacrifice, in vitro assays for activity of liver microsomal mixed‐function oxidases were run. The assays confirmed diphenylhydantoin as a potent inducer of mixed‐function oxidases. Chloroquine administration had little affect on the enzymes assayed and did not inhibit the diphenylhydantoin induction.
Corepression of the P1 Addiction Operon by Phd and Doc

The P1 plasmid addiction operon encodes Doc, a toxin that kills plasmid-free segregants, and Phd, an unstable antidote that neutralizes the toxin. Additionally, these products repress transcription of the operon. The antidote binds to two adjacent sites in the promoter. Here we present evidence concerning the regulatory role of the toxin, which we studied with the aid of a mutation, docH66Y. The DocH66Y protein retained the regulatory properties of the wild-type protein, but not its toxicity. In vivo, DocH66Y enhanced repression by Phd but failed to affect repression in the absence of Phd, suggesting that DocH66Y contacts Phd. In vitro, a MalE-DocH66Y fusion protein was found to bind Phd. Binding of toxin to antidote may be the physical basis for the neutralization of toxin. DocH66Y failed to bind DNA in vitro yet enhanced the affinity, cooperativity, and specificity with which Phd bound the operator. Although DocH66Y enhanced the binding of Phd to two adjacent Phd-binding sites, DocH66Y had relatively little effect on the binding of Phd to a single Phd-binding site, indicating that DocH66Y mediates cooperative interactions between adjacent Phd-binding sites. Several electrophoretically distinct protein-DNA complexes were observed with different amounts of DocH66Y relative to Phd. Maximal repression and specificity of DNA binding were observed with subsaturating amounts of DocH66Y relative to Phd. Analogous antidote-toxin pairs appear to have similar autoregulatory circuits. Autoregulation, by dampening fluctuations in the levels of toxin and antidote, may prevent the inappropriate activation of the toxin.
RANSAC-Assisted Display Model Reconstruction for Projective Display

Using projectors to create perspectively correct imagery on arbitrary display surfaces requires geometric knowledge of the display surface shape, the projector calibration, and the users position in a common coordinate system. Prior solutions have most commonly modeled the display surface as a tessellated mesh derived from the 3D-point cloud acquired during system calibration. In this paper we describe a method for functional reconstruction of the display surface, which takes advantage of the knowledge that most interior display spaces (e.g. walls, floors, ceilings, building columns) are piecewise planar. Using a RANSAC algorithm to recursively fit planes to a 3D-point cloud sampling of the surface, followed by a conversion of the plane definitions into simple planar polygon descriptions, we are able to create a geometric model which is less complex than a dense tessellated mesh and offers a simple method for accurately modeling the corners of rooms. Planar models also eliminate subtle, but irritating, texture distortion often seen in tessellated mesh approximations to planar surfaces.
Aerobic and Anaerobic Metal Attenuation Processes in a Constructed Wetland Treating Acid Mine Drainage

Abstract The use of constructed wetlands for acid mine drainage amelioration has become a popular alternative to conventional treatment methods, but the metal attenuation processes of these systems are poorly understood. Precipitates from biotic and abiotic zones of a staged constructed wetland treating high metal load (~1000 mg L−1 Fe) and low pH (~3.0) acid mine drainage were characterized by chemical dissolution, x-ray diffraction, and thermal analyses and speciated by geochemical modeling. Characterization of sediments from abiotic/aerobic zones within the treatment system showed an abundance of crystalline iron oxides and hydroxides. At the air/water interface of initial abiotic treatment basins, SO4/Fe ratios were low enough (<2.0) for the formation of jarosite and goethite, but as the ratio increased due to treatment and subsequent reductions in iron concentration, jarosite was transformed to other Fe-oxyhydroxysulfates and goethite formation was inhibited. Amorphous iron minerals such as ferrihydrite and Fe(OH)3 were dominant in biotic wetland cell substrates. Apparently, low Fe3+ activity, redox potential, and oxygen diffusion rates in the anaerobic subsurface environment inhibited crystalline iron precipitation. However, some crystalline iron minerals formed near the surface of biotic areas due to increased oxygen levels from surface aeration and/or oxygen transport by plant roots. Alkalinity generation from limestone dissolution within the substrate also played a significant role in metal retention processes. The formation of gypsum, rhodochrosite, and siderite as byproducts of alkalinity-generating reactions in this system appeared to have an impact on S, Mn, and Fe solubility controls. Therefore, sustaining alkaline conditions within the wetland is necessary for maintaining metal retention consistency and long-term treatment efficiency.
Adaptive ray packet reordering

Modern high-performance ray tracers use large ray packets and SIMD instruction sets to decrease both the computational and bandwidth cost compared to a single ray implementation. Current global illumination renderers, however, are still based around single ray implementations and interfaces. The presumption is that while packets have been shown to work well for highly coherent rays, in the presence of less coherent secondary ray distributions the gains of both packet and SIMD techniques dwindle rapidly. With low enough coherence, performance can be reduced to being as slow as reasonable single ray code - if not worse - so the benefit of packets for a global illumination system is assumed to be next to none. With SIMD width expanding in future architectures, leaving SIMD units underutilized means a massive loss in performance compared to the maximum performance achievable. In this paper, we present a method for recovering packet and SIMD coherence for incoherent secondary ray distributions through demand-driven reordering of rays into more coherent packets. We demonstrate that the reordering overhead is outweighed by the increased coherence within a prototypical implementation in the Manta realtime ray tracer among a wide variety of ray distributions, including diffuse path tracing.
The effects of Cirazoline, an alpha-1 adrenoreceptor agonist, on the firing rates of thermally classified anterior hypothalamic neurons in rat brain slices

Abstract Peripheral exposure to LPS induces a biphasic fever thought to be initiated via vagal afferents to the preoptic area of the anterior hypothalamus (POAH), an important thermoregulatory control center in the brain. Previous studies have shown that norepinephrine synaptically mediates this Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 )-dependent change in temperature through the selective activation of alpha-2 adrenoreceptors (AR). However, there is clear evidence that alpha-1 AR activation of thermoregulatory hypothalamic neurons will result in a rapid hyperthermia that is not dependent on PGE 2 . This direct action of norepinephrine in the POAH was tested in the present study by recording the single-unit activity of POAH neurons in a tissue slice preparation from the adult male rat, in response to temperature and the selective alpha-1 AR agonist Cirazoline (1–100 μM). Neurons were classified as either warm sensitive or temperature insensitive. Warm sensitive neurons responded to Cirazoline with a decrease in firing rate, while temperature insensitive neurons showed a firing rate increase. These responses are similar to those reported for PGE 2 and suggest that both warm sensitive and temperature insensitive neurons in the POAH are important in mediating this alpha-1 AR-dependent hyperthermic shift in body temperature.
Internationalizing the Psychology Curriculum in the USA: Meeting the Challenges and Opportunities of a Global Era

In response to the impact of globalization, Psychology has embarked upon a journey to internationalize the field. Beginning with a review of the impetus for such an internationalization movement, this chapter provides an historical review of the confluence of factors that have led to the current attempts to internationalize the psychology curriculum within the USA. This chapter provides the contextual background to the current volume which is aimed at supporting these efforts across the various subdisciplines of Psychology ranging from Developmental to Clinical Psychology.
Preparation and Chromatographic Characterization of Tetrahydrogestrinone, a New “Designer” Anabolic Steroid

Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG, (17α)-13β-ethyl-17β-hydroxy-18,19-dinorpregna-4,9,11-trien-3-one, C21H28O2, 312 m.w.) is a synthetic 19-norsteroid closely related to gestrinone ((17α)-13β-ethyl-17β-hydroxy-18,19-dinorpregna-4,9,11-trien-20-yn-3-one, C21H24O2, 308 m.w.) which was originally developed as an oral contraceptive for women. Recent press reports detail the probable use of THG by athletes to enhance athletic performance, and the FDA has banned THG, declaring it a “designer drug.” THG has been difficult to analyze because of its instability, lack of commercially available analytical standards, and the fact that no published synthetic methods for the compound exist. We now report a method for the preparation of THG via the carefully controlled hydrogenation of gestrinone.
Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Settlement: Postclosure Perspectives

This paper presents settlement mechanisms and the methods for estimating settlements of municipal solid waste landfills, including bioreactor landfills. Based on results of field monitoring and data in published literature, coefficients of secondary compression for solid waste due to self-weight and external load are estimated. Special considerations are given to bioreactor landfills. Uses of these coefficients for long-term settlement estimation and their application to postclosure maintenance and development plans are discussed. Four case histories illustrating the use of these coefficients are presented. Methods of landfill treatment to reduce settlements are also presented.
Neuron variable structure controller

The problem of nonlinear adaptive joint controller design using a proportional feedback structure is addressed. The design is considered in the context of the decentralized control of manipulators where ease of implementation and reliability are desirable characteristics. The design incorporates a nonlinear sigmoidal loop gain characteristic within a conventional proportional feedback structure. Proper selection of sigmoid parameters can significantly improve tracking performance in comparison with conventional designs using a constant loop gain. A methodology for selecting and adaptively updating sigmoid parameters is presented. The adaptive updating scheme is implemented with shunting short-term memory neurons. The implementation exploits the nonlinear response characteristics of these neurons in a learning process which updates the sigmoid parameters. The design is illustrated for a direct-drive joint control. >
Pathogenesis and immunological aspects of experimental histoplasmosis in Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Studies were carried out to obtain basic information on the pathogenesis of experimental histoplasmosis in Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) and to determine whether such infected primates can be used as a source of positive reference sera in serological tests for histoplasmosis. Ten monkeys were inoculated intraperitoneally with approximately 9.1 × 107 viable Histoplasma capsulatum yeast-form cells or cell aggregates. At periodical intervals, their sera were tested for antibodies to H. capsulatum by the complement fixation (CF), immunodiffusion, and latex agglutination tests. Selected monkeys were also sacrificed at periodical intervals for cultural and pathological evaluation of their tissues. Infection with H. capsulatum elicited high-antibody responses, and the fungus disseminated to many organs. Initially, the infected monkeys developed CF titers as high as 1:256 to both histoplasmin and H. capsulatum yeast cell antigens. Subsequent challenges boosted the CF antibody titers to levels as high as 1:1,024. All of the monkeys developed M precipitins, and some also produced H precipitins. Latex agglutination titers as high as 1:1,024 were also demonstrated. Our findings show that Cynomolgus monkeys experimentally infected with H. capsulatum by the intraperitoneal route develop a mild form of histoplasmosis and that these animals can be used as a source of reference sera in serological tests for histoplasmosis.