cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selection criteria for liver transplant donors

As the number of successful liver transplants has increased, the demand for donors has outpaced the supply. Approximately 25% of patients die awaiting an appropriate donor. Current criteria for assessing potential donors need to be closely examined. Fifty-six potential donors were evaluated by our transplant team by utilizing standard liver function tests (LFT's)-SGOT, SGPT, bilirubin. Additionally, a lidocaine metabolism test was performed by giving a 1 mg/kg IV dose of lidocaine over 1 minute and measuring the accumulation of the major metabolite monoethylglycinxylidide (MEGX) at 15 minutes by fluorescent polarization immunoassay (Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, IL). Previous work has suggested that a MEGX less than 50 ng/mL is associated with initial non-function. Thirty-four donors were transplanted (group I) and all had initial function (all MEGX values were greater than 50). Twenty-two donors (39%) were judged unacceptable (group II) by our transplant team and by outside centers based upon one of the following criteria: II A) elevated LFT's--8, 11 B) donor age--5, II C) donor instability--4, II D) no available recipient--3, II E) miscellaneous--2. Standard LFT's were not statistically different in the donors used and in those not used when excluding category II A. Six of seven donors excluded in group I had acceptable MEGX values indicating they may have been transplantable. Ten of 12 patients excluded in groups II B-D had normal LFT's and nine of 12 had acceptable MEGX values indicating they may have been transplantable also. In this era of organ shortage, a reevaluation of donor selection criteria utilizing new tests like MEGX may be necessary to meet the increased need.
Lesion of striatal neurones with kainic acid provides a model for Huntington's chorea.

THE symptoms of Huntington's chorea, an hereditary movement disorder, result from degeneration of neurones primarily in the basal ganglia1. Several neurochemical abnormalities have been identified in the brains of patients dying with this disorder2–5, but no animal system with similar neuropathological changes has been described. We now report that the injection of kainic acid into the rat striatum causes neuronal degeneration, neurochemical alterations and behavioural responses resembling Huntington's chorea. This procedure could provide an animal model for the study of the disease.
Improved N-terminal processing of recombinant proteins synthesized in Escherichia coli.

Preparations of rHMfA (recombinant histone A from M ethanothermus f ervidus) synthesized in E. coli by the heterologous expression of the hmfA gene were found to contain a mixture of rHMf A molecules, ∼40% that retained the N-terminal formyl-methionyl residue (f-met-rHMfA), ∼50% that lacked the formyl moiety but retained the methionyl residue (met-rHMfA), and only ∼10% that had lost both components of the protein synthesis initiating amino acid residue and therefore had the same N-terminal sequence as native HMf A molecules synthesized in Mt. fervidus. Expression of the hmfA gene in E. coli cells grown in the presence of trimethoprim and thymidine, coupled with the concurrent over-expression of a methionine aminopeptidase-encoding map gene, has been shown to overcome this N-terminal heterogeneity problem and to result in rHMf A preparations in which >85% of the molecules have the fully processed, native N-terminal sequence. This procedure should be generally useful for ensuring N-terminal processing of recombinant proteins synthesized in E. coli.
Bt Resistance in Helicoverpa zea 1 (Boddie): from Biology to Monitoring

Abstract. Results from conventional resistance monitoring and F2 screens have found no evidence of major resistance alleles to Cry1Ac in the bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), in US cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., fields. Furthermore, sentinel field plot results show no changes in field performance of Cry1Ac cotton despite 14 years of commercial use. Although insecticide-resistant management practices such as refugia, insecticide oversprays, and pyramided traits in Bt cotton have likely contributed to the lack of observed resistance development and changes in field efficacy, fitness costs associated with the development of Cry1Ac resistance in bollworm probably also have contributed to this outcome. This paper discusses various fitness costs associated with Cry1Ac resistance in bollworm and concludes with a discussion of how exclusive use of diet-based laboratory bioassays may underestimate their role in delaying development of resistance to Bt.
Emcibacter nanhaiensis gen. nov. sp. nov., isolated from sediment of the South China Sea

A new aerobic, Gram stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase- positive, ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated HTCJW17T, was isolated from a sediment collected from the South China Sea and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterization. The isolate forms small, creamy-white, opaque and circular colonies on agar plates. Growth occurs between 15 and 45 °C, 1–7 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 6–9. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HTCJW17T belongs to the family Kordiimonadaceae of the order Kordiimonadales, with highest sequence similarity to Kordiimonas gwangyangensis GW14-5T (91.1 %). The major fatty acids were identified to be summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c/ω6c; 56.6 %), C14:0 (8.5 %), C14:0 2-OH (8.4 %), summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c; 6.2 %), and C16:0 (5.2 %). The polar lipids were determined to be phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, six unidentified glycolipids and two unidentified phospholipids. The respiratory quinone was identified as ubiquinone Q-10. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 56.3 mol%. On the basis of genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic distinctness, we propose a novel genus, Emcibacter gen. nov., with Emcibacter nanhaiensis sp. nov. as the type species. The type strain is HTCJW17T (=CGMCC 1.12471T = LMG 27419T = MCCC 1A06723T).
The critical role of axillary ultrasound and aspiration biopsy in the management of breast cancer patients with clinically negative axilla.

Sonographic evaluation of the axilla can predict node status in a significant proportion of clinically node-negative patients. This review focuses on the value of ultrasound followed by ultrasound-guided cytology in assessing the need for sentinel node mapping and conservative versus complete axillary dissections. Breast primaries from 168 sentinel node candidates were prospectively assessed for clinicopathologic variables associated with increased incidence of axillary metastases. Patients were classified accordingly, and those at a higher risk underwent ultrasound of their axillae, followed by aspiration biopsy if needed. Sentinel node mapping was performed in all low-risk patients, and in high-risk patients with normal axillary ultrasounds or negative cytology. Final axillary status was compared in terms of nodal stage, number of positive nodes, and size of metastasis. 112 patients were at high risk for nodal disease (67%), with a statistically significant lower probability for remaining node-negative and a statistical significantly higher risk for having more than one positive node. All patients with more than three positive nodes were detected by ultrasound-guided cytology. High-risk patients with final positive axillae missed by ultrasound or ultrasound guided cytology had tumor deposits measuring ≤5 mm. Extent of axillary dissections can be decided based on the risk for axillary metastases: sentinel node mapping for low-risk patients; less-aggressive axillary dissections for high-risk patients with negative ultrasound and/or negative cytology; and a standard dissection for high-risk patients with positive cytology.
Effectiveness of the ion exchange/vacuum dehydration treatment of phosphate ester fluids

Phosphate ester fluids are used in the electrohydraulic control systems of steam turbines. Conditioning agents are often added to the fluids to help prevent their performance being degraded by factors such as hydrolytic breakdown. However, some conditioning agents contain extractable metals that can react to form phosphate soaps or salts, which are also detrimental to the fluids' performance. This paper reports on the nature, origin, and mechanism of formation of these contaminants, with particular regard to those found on ‚last chance’ and high-pressure system filters and in the phosphate ester fluids used by utility companies. Ion exchange/vacuum dehydration (IX/VD) treatment has been found to be effective in removing water, particulates, acid, and phosphate soaps from phosphate ester fluids. Three case studies are outlined wherein the IX/VD treatment of phosphate ester fluids was used to restore the fluids to their original specification. IX/VD treatment is shown to be a cost-effective means of phosphate ester conditioning.
Component Approach for Confident Predictions of Deepwater CALM Buoy Coupled Motions: Part 1 — Philosophy

This paper describes a component approach of coupled motions for design of deepwater CALM offloading system in West Africa environment. Confident offloading buoy motions coupled with mooring and offloading line dynamics is identified as one of the key design challenges. In deepwater systems, components from the wave forces (exciting forces and radiated wave forces), viscous damping forces and mooring forces follow different scaling laws. We can not properly scale up the measured global responses of the coupled system to full-scale to verify the design. Component approaches overcome many of the test engineering and scale up weaknesses associated with truncated physical modeling. An effective application of a component approach develops a model test strategy for the purpose of validating the design analysis tools. In this paper we present a strategy for model testing, design tool validation and full-scale analyses. Differences between the component approach and the current industry practice are highlighted.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Investigation of neutron-rich oxygen and fluorine isotopes

Abstract The binding of at least six additional neutrons of fluorine compared to oxygen is linked to the emergence of the N = 16 shell close to the dripline. Single proton knock-out reactions from neutron-rich fluorine isotopes on a 12C target were measured at energies of ∼50 MeV/nucleon. Oxygen isotopes of A = 19 – 24 were observed. The particle instability of 25O was confirmed.
Differential regulation of laminin b1 transgene expression in the neonatal and adult mouse brain

Laminins are the major glycoproteins present in basement membrane, a type of extracellular matrix. We showed that the LAMB1 gene, which encodes the laminin β1 subunit, is transcriptionally activated by retinoic acid in embryonic stem cells. However, little information is available concerning LAMB1 developmental regulation and spatial expression in the adult mouse brain. In this study we used transgenic mice expressing different lengths of LAMB1 promoter driving β-galactosidase to investigate developmental and adult transcriptional regulation in the regions of the brain in which the laminin β1 protein is expressed. CNS expression was not observed in transgenic mice carrying a 1.4LAMB1βgal construct. Mice carrying a 2.5LAMB1βgal construct expressed the LAMB1 transgene, as assayed by X-gal staining, only in the molecular layer of the neonatal cerebellum. In contrast, a 3.9LAMB1βgal transgene showed broad regional expression in the adult mouse brain, including the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, colliculi, striatum, and substantia nigra. Similar expression patterns were observed for the endogenous laminin β1 protein and for the 3.9LAMB1βgal transgene, analyzed with an antibody against the β-galactosidase protein. The 3.9LAMB1βgal transgene expression in the hippocampal tri-synaptic circuit suggests a role for the LAMB1 gene in learning and memory.
The Y chromosomes of DBA/1Bg and DBA/2Bg compared for effects on intermale aggression

The intermale aggression of the B1OD1F1 hybrid resembles that of the pugnacious DBA/1 strain, whereas the intermale aggression of the B1OD2F1 hybrid resembles that of the pacific C57BL/10 strain. This finding is consistent with the hypotheses that the DBA/1 (but not the DBA/2) Y chromosome has an effect on intermale aggression or that the DBA/2 autosomes mask a potential contribution of the DBA/2 Y chromosome to intermale aggression. These two hypotheses were discriminated by testing intermale aggression in DBA/1, DBA/2, and DBA/2.DBA/1-Y congenic strains. The DBA/2 and DBA/2.DBA/1-Y were statistically equivalent on all measures of intermale aggression. This finding supports the hypothesis that the DBA/1 and DBA/2 Y chromosomes have the potential for equivalent effects on intermale aggression and that the DBA/2 autosomal genes can mask the potential contribution of the DBA/1 and DBA/2 Y chromosome to intermale aggression.
Ligand interactions in the adenosine nucleotide-binding domain of the Hsp90 chaperone, GRP94. I. Evidence for allosteric regulation of ligand binding.

Abstract X-ray crystallographic studies of the N-terminal domain of Hsp90 have identified an unconventional ATP binding fold, thereby inferring a role for ATP in the regulation of the Hsp90 activity. In this report, N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) was used to investigate the nucleotide binding properties of GRP94, the endoplasmic reticulum paralog of Hsp90. Whereas Hsp90 did not bind NECA, GRP94 bound NECA in a saturable manner with aK d of 200 nm. NECA binding to GRP94 was efficiently blocked by geldanamycin and radicicol. Analysis of ligand binding stoichiometries by radioligand and calorimetric techniques indicated that GRP94 bound 1 mol of NECA/mol of GRP94 dimer. In contrast, GRP94 bound radicicol at a stoichiometry of 2 mol of radicicol/mol of GRP94 dimer. In [3H]NECA displacement assays, GRP94 displayed binding interactions with ATP, dATP, ADP, AMP, cAMP, and adenosine, but not GTP, CTP, or UTP. To accommodate the 0.5 mol of NECA:mol of GRP94 binding stoichiometry observed for the native GRP94 dimer, a model for allosteric regulation (negative cooperativity) of ligand binding is proposed. A hypothesis on the regulation of GRP94 conformation and activity by adenosine-based ligand(s) other than ATP and ADP is presented.
A Beginner's Guide to Structural Equation Modeling (3rd ed.)

Randall E. Schumacker and Richard G. Lomax. New York, NY: Routledge, 2010, 536 pages, $59.95 (softcover). As the popularity of structural equation modeling (SEM) grows, so does the number of introd...
Heterogeneity of microtubule proteins from Tetrahymena cilia.

The proteins of Tetrahymena cilia outer fibers were extracted and reduced and acetylated under various conditions. These preparations were examined by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. Electrophoresis in both 8 m-urea and in detergent, yielded two bands. The protein was eluted from these bands and subjected to amino-acid analysis. Proteins were also extracted from central pair microtubules. Examination of the central pair fraction by electrophoresis revealed two bands with electrophoretic mobilities identical to those of the outer fiber proteins.
Risky decision making in Huntington's disease.

In the clinical setting, Huntington's disease is associated with problems in judgment and decision making, however, the extent of these problems and their association with clinical characteristics have not been assessed. Recently, a laboratory-based simulated gambling task has been used to quantify similar decision-making deficits in ventromedial frontal lobe damaged participants. We hypothesized that participants with Huntington's disease (HD) would show deficits on this gambling task. For this study, 14 HD participants were asked to make 100 selections from four decks of cards with varied payoffs in order to maximize winnings of play money. They were compared to 22 participants with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 33 healthy controls. After an initial period in which participants had to learn contingencies of the decks, the HD group made fewer advantageous selections than the PD and control groups. In HD, the number of advantageous selections in the gambling task was correlated with measures of memory and conceptualization but not disinhibition. Thus, people with HD may have had difficulties learning or remembering win/loss contingencies of the decks, or they may have failed to consistently take these into account in their card selections. These findings are consistent with current models of frontal-subcortical brain circuits and behavior. (JINS, 2001, 7, 92–101.)
316 FETAL RAT SURFACTANT AT THE ONSET OF AIR BREATHING

Morphometric and biochemical measures of type II cell surfactant stores were combined to define late gestational maturation of the alveolar epithelium in its preparation for transition to air breathing. Fetal (G20, G22) and newborn (+10min) lung tissue was obtained from pathogen-free timed pregnant rats. Morphometric analyses of type II cells & their organelles was done using a stratified sample. Lamellar body (LB) fractions were obtained by sucrose density gradients & disaturated phosphatldylcholine (DSPC) was quantitated. The table gives the results of the volume fraction (Vv,%) of type II cell organelle content and the LB fraction and whole lung (WL) DSPC content. There was an increase in LB Vv from day 20 of gestation, with a parallel increase in LB DSPC. Within 10 min after birth, we found a significant increase in intracellular LB by morphologic and biochemical measures. This postnatal accumulation of intracellular surfactant could represent recycling of previously secreted phospholipid from the airspaces. Such an occurrence might supplement de novo pathways of surfactant production by newborn rat type II cells providing an additional source of surfactant flux. Supported by NHLBI R0132188 and by the VA research fund.
Changes in cracking, water content, and bulk density of salinized swelling clay field soils

Shrinkage and cracking characteristics of swelling clays at two sites under border strip irrigation were examined. At one site, irrigation water salinity was varied. Image analysis of soil surface photographs was used to quantify surface ped geometry. Volumetric surface soil samples were used to find temporal and spatial variation of water content and bulk density both on the surface and with depth. Qualitative observations of cracking behavior were made in the field. There was no spatial dependence for water content and bulk density at the scale of several centimeters or between peds. Larger, more polygonal peds were observed in higher salinity treatments, wheel traffic rows, and after repeated irrigations. Surface shrinkage increased with salinity. Dry bulk density was higher on the high salinity treatment both on the surface and with depth. Despite larger area, perimeters of the 9000 ppm treatment peds were less than perimeters for other treatments. Surface percent crack area followed percent change in bulk density.
PREDICTORS OF TOXICOLOGY TESTS POSITIVE FOR COCAINE IN AN URBAN POPULATION.102

At a time of declining resources, toxicologies screens of newborn infants become an expensive proposition. We therefore, designed a study to try to predict which newborns would have a positive screen for cocaine or other drugs. 444 consecutive women who delivered at the Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center were evaluated. Detailed histories including drug use were obtained by structured interview on the post-partum floor. Concurrently, maternal urine and infant urine and meconium samples were obtained, numerically coded and matched to interview data to insure anonymity. Reported cocaine drug use during pregnancy by history was 34, (7.7%), total drug use by history was 39(8.8%) and drugs + marijuana was 48 (10.8%). This differed significantly with the number identified by toxicology screens, cocaine 93 (20.9%, p=.000), drug 117 (26.3%, p=000) and drug + marijuana 140 (31.5%, p=.000). Drug using mothers were more likely to be born in the US (60% vs 50%, p=.042), be a US citizen (81% vs 70%, p=.017), have spent more years in the US (21.3±9.0 vs 16.2±10.1, p=.000), be on public assistance (71% vs 59%, p=.017), smoke (56% vs 22%, p=.000), drink alcohol during the pregnancy (37% vs 4% p=.000), be African-American (51% vs 41%, p=.039), have a higher number of pregnancies (4.2±2.8 vs 3.1±2.3, p=.001), have a positive RPR(14% vs 2% p=.000), and have a newborn with a lower gestational age(38.8±2.7 vs 39.5±1.8, p=.006), lower birth weight(2940±699 vs 3208±560, p=.000), smaller length (48.2±4.4 vs 49.5±5.0, p=.017) and smaller head circumference (33.0±13.4 vs 34.1±2.5, p=.001). After reviewing the data we identified 3 criteria to predict those with a positive toxicology for drugs: a past history (prior to the pregnancy) for cocaine or marijuana, inadequate prenatal care defined as a first visit starting from 7 months of gestation or later or 2 prenatal visits or less, or a newborn who required admission to our neonatal ICU. These criteria correctly identified 72% of those with a positive toxicology for cocaine and 69% those with a positive toxicology for any drug or marijuana, while exposing only 20% of our drug free population to toxicology tests. These findings suggest a more cost-effective method to decide who requires toxicology screens.
High levels of unintegrated HIV-1 DNA in brain tissue of AIDS dementia patients

In the host cell, retroviral DNAs exist in three main forms: unintegrated linear, unintegrated circular, and integrated (the provirus). High levels of unintegrated forms of retroviral DNA often correlate with superinfection and accompanying cytopathic effects, as, for example, in the case of feline acquired immunodeficiency. In culture, HIV-1 infection also results in high levels of unintegrated viral DNA although direct correlations with cytopathicity have not been made. The low frequency of HIV-1-infected cells in patients has made it difficult to determine the structure of the viral DNA in fresh tissue samples from AIDS patients by standard methods such as Southern hybridization. The PCR technique however, which allows the detection of viral DNA at levels far below that possible by other hybridization methods is, in its conventional form, of limited use for quantitative analysis. To study the amount and form of HIV-1 DNA in primary tissue of AIDS patients we have therefore modified the PCR method. Our results indicate that each of the three species of viral DNA are detectable in blood and brain of AIDS patients, and that in autopsy samples from patients with HIV encephalitis there is a considerably higher proportion of unintegrated viral DNA.
Migration of crude oil from the Smackover source rock to Jurassic and Cretaceous reservoirs of the northern Gulf Rim

Abstract Migration of distinctive crude oils from the Upper Jurassic Smackover source rock across the northern Gulf Rim began at various times during the Cretaceous. Regional source rock differences resulted in two compositional subfamilies of Smackover crude oils. Type I crude oils in upper Smackover reservoirs of east Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi reflect an origin from algal-derived kerogen deposited in an anoxic environment. Type II crude oils in upper Smackover reservoirs of Alabama and Florida reflected an origin from kerogen preserved in a less anoxic environment with a terrestrial component. Comparison of molecular and carbon isotopic compositions of crude oils suggests that vertical migration of Type I Smackover crude oils charged many overlying Upper Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, and Upper Cretaceous reservoirs. Some lateral migration to Cretaceous reservoirs north of the updip limit of the Smackover Formation also occurred. Both Type I Smackover crude oils and geochemically dissimilar Cretaceous sourced oils are found in Upper Cretaceous Tuscaloosa and Woodbine reservoirs. Because of impermeable barriers to migration, especially in Alabama, vertical migration of Type II crude oils was less significant.
Ethion distribution in Florida Valencia oranges.

Etude de la distribution de ce pesticide et de ses derives (monoxone et dioxone d'ethion) dans la pulpe et la peau du fruit. La limite de detection pour le dosage, par chromatographie gazeuse, est de 0,02 ppm
S8-5 Diabetic renal remodeling: Role of hydrogen sulfide

Matrix mettaloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and H2S has been shown to modulate pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. However, the regulation of these molecules and their cross-talk in diabetic kidney is still unclear. Using WT, diabetic (Akita), MMP-9 (-/-), double knockout (DKO) of Akita/MMP-9(-/-) mice, and in vitro cell culture we have previously reported that MMP-9-mediated H2S generation triggered renovascular remodeling in diabetes. In hyperglycemic mice increased oxidative stress, induction of MMP-9, alteration in microRNAs expressions, and diminished expressions of CBS and CSE with concomitant decreased production of H2S were measured. In addition, increased expressions of NMDA-R1 and connexins (Cxs)-40 and -43 were also observed in diabetic kidney. In DKO mice, all the above molecules showed a trend toward baseline despite hyperglycemia. In vitro, glomerular endothelial cells treated with high glucose showed induction of MMP-9, attenuated H2S production, NMDA-R1 induction, and dysregulated Cxs expressions. Silencing MMP-9 by siRNA or inhibition of NMDA-R1 by MK801 or H2S treatment preserved Cxs-40 and -43. Our ongoing studies have revealed that deregulation of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase 1 (PARP1) in hyperglycemic condition enhanced extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis resulting in accumulation of matrix proteins. Interestingly, H2S treatment mitigated matrix remodeling. Furthermore, H2S-mediated formation of STRAD/MO25/LKB1 tri-molecular complex [STE20-related protein (STRAD), mouse protein-25, and liver kinase B1 (LKB1)] led the activation of AMP-K (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase), and modulated autophagy in hyperglycemia. Together, these results suggest that in diabetic renovascular remodeling MMP-9 plays a major role and that H2S mitigates adverse remodeling.
Diffusions with reflection on an orthant and associated initial-boundary value problems

A class of diffusion processes with instantaneous reflection on the hyperplanes of an orthant is considered. In the case of constant drift and covariance coefficients, such diffusions arise as limits of properly normalized queue length processes in open queueing networks, under heavy traffic conditions. The directions of the reflection on each hyperplane determine the boundary data in an associated initial-boundary value problem with oblique derivatives for the corresponding Kolmogorov equation. This problem is studied in terms of single layer potentials with densities placed on the hyperplanes of the orthant, and is shown to be equivalent to solving a system of integral equations for those densities. The stochastic representation of the solution is also derived.
Auditing entrepreneurial service innovations

This study's objective was to develop an entrepreneurial service innovation audit model. Because the entrepreneurial service innovation literature was underreported, a case study research method explored the appropriateness and validity of the model. The three individual case studies demonstrate that the proposed model is valid. This study's results also explicitly identify the sub-dimensions that entrepreneurial service organisations need to use in auditing their service innovations. This is the first model, known to us, developed to audit entrepreneurial service innovations. The model can facilitate the growth of entrepreneurial services because it indicates the dimensions that can make an entrepreneurial service innovation successful.
Functionalization of wood particles through a reactive extrusion process

Wood particles were modified in a reactive extrusion process with maleated polyethylene (MAPE) and maleated polypropylene (MAPP) compounds. Contents of MAPE were varied to study the effect of material composition on grafting efficiency during reactive extrusion, while extruder barrel temperatures and rotational screw speeds were varied to evaluate the effects of processing conditions on the modification of wood particles. Polymer molecular weight effects were followed using MAPP, with different molecular weights. Efficiency of the modification was assessed using FTIR and XPS surface analysis techniques, along with a titrimetric analysis, to verify the esterification reaction between the wood particles and maleated polyolefins. The grafting of maleated polyolefins onto the surface of the wood particles through a reaction of the hydroxyl groups on the wood surface with the maleated groups of the maleated polyolefins was confirmed, while the level of grafting of MAPE onto wood particles was determined to be a function of the MAPE concentration. However, there was no significant difference found in grafting efficiency at different extrusion processing conditions, rather all of the conditions resulted in adequate grafting. Similarly, there was no difference in grafting efficiency with the molecular weight of MAPP. Reactive extrusion was found to be a suitable technique for the modification of wood particles, with maleated polyolefins, for all of the material compositions and processing conditions studied. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3131–3142, 2006
A general relaxation method for inverse solution of the full radiative transfer equation.

The relaxation method for the inverse solution of the full radiative transfer equation is generalized to solve for all atmospheric parameters which appear in the integrand as functions or functionals, without any a priori information related to the expected solution. The method is illustrated by examples in the earth's atmosphere for the determination of water vapor mixing ratio profiles from observations in the 6.3-micron band.
A spatial hierarchical model for abundance of three ice-associated seal species in the eastern Bering Sea

Abstract Estimating the abundance of seals inhabiting sea ice is complicated because the areas are large, the ice area and distribution may change rapidly, and it is impractical to detect and count a (typically unknown) portion of the population that is in the water, rather than hauled out on the ice. We propose a method for resolving these issues by using a series of daily estimates that are imprecise by themselves, but yield an acceptable estimate when they are combined. Population surveys of spotted seals, ribbon seals and bearded seals were conducted over 279,880 km 2 of the Bering Sea between 13 April and 26 May 2007. During that period, the sea-ice conditions and spatial distribution of seals changed dramatically. We surveyed 2748 km 2 using line transect methods from a helicopter deployed from the US Coast Guard icebreaker Healy . Corrections for incomplete availability of seals used a generalized linear mixed model for seal haul-out probability using sensors on seals with data transmitted by satellite. We accounted for incomplete detection through standard distance-sampling methods along with a double-observer model. The availability and detection models were combined in a data model for local abundance in space and time. To accommodate the shifting ice and seal movements, we then developed a hierarchical spatially-autocorrelated regression model using remotely sensed sea ice concentration data to predict abundance at each survey date. While abundance estimation was very imprecise for each date, we were able to combine them to obtain good estimates of overall population abundance even though the population was spatially dynamic. The proposed hierarchical model combined submodels and accounted for their sources of uncertainty. Spotted seals were most abundant within the study area (233,700, 95% CI 137,300–793,100), followed by bearded seals (61,800, 95% CI 34,900–171,600) and ribbon seals (61,100, 95% CI 35,200–189,300).
Microscale Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing

Microscale transport mechanisms play a critical role in the thermal processing of materials because changes in the structure and characteristics of the material largely occur at these or smaller length scales. The heat transfer and fluid flow considerations determine the properties of the final product, such as in a crystal drawn from silicon melt or a gel from the chemical conversion of a biopolymer. Also, a wide variety of material fabrication processes, such as the manufacture of optical glass fiber for telecommunications, fabrication of thin films by chemical vapor deposition, and surface coating, involve microscale length scales due to the requirements on the devices and applications for which they are intended. For example, hollow fibers, which are used for sensors and power delivery, typically need fairly precise microscale wall thicknesses and hole diameters for satisfactory operation. The basic transport mechanisms underlying these processes are discussed in this review paper. The importance of material characterization in accurate modeling and experimentation is brought out, along with the coupling between the process and the resulting properties such as uniformity, concentricity, and diameter. Of particular interest are thermally induced defects and other imperfections that may arise due to the transport phenomena involved at these microscale levels. Additional aspects such as surface tension, stability, and free surface characteristics that affect the material processing at microscale dimensions are also discussed. Some of the important methods to treat these problems and challenges are presented. Characteristic numerical and experimental results are discussed for a few important areas. The implications of such results in improving practical systems and processes, including enhanced process feasibility and product quality, are also discussed.
H3-cerebroside sulfate re-distribution induced by cation, opiate or phosphatidyl serine

Abstract Transfer of H 3 -cerebroside sulfate (CS) from aqueous phase to nonaqueous phases (heptane interface) was studied in the absence and presence of opiates, cations and phosphatidylserine. The degree of H 3 -CS re-distribution was dependent on the concentration of these substances used. The concentration of an opiate agonist (GPA-1657) required to increase H 3 -CS by 50% in the nonaqueous phase was much lower than that of its corresponding antagonist (GPA-2163) and the value for calcium was 100 times less than sodium. Opiate antagonist (GPA-2163) and phosphatidylserine inhibited the agonist induced re-distribution of H 3 -CS. Thus, the data seem to indicate that the distribution of H 3 -CS between these two phases was determined by hydrophobic-hydropholic balance of H 3 -CS and this balance was dependent on the counter ion pairing with CS. This finding is consistent with our previous observation that opiate agonist-CS complex was more hydrophobic than free CS of the CS-complex formed with opiate antagonist.
Temperature effects on bioremediation of PAHs and PCP contaminated south Louisiana soils: A laboratory mesocosm study

Goal, Scope and Background Temperature and soil moisture content are important environmental variables in bioremediation technologies. Optimizing these variables in-situ would enhance and maintain remediation of hazardous wastes during cold winter seasons or in cold regions and may lead to reduced maintenance and/or cost. The effect of elevated temperature and soil moisture on bioremediation efficiency was investigated using a laboratory mesocosm approach. Selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phenols degradation in contaminated flooded soils, commonly found in Superfund sites situated in coastal plains sediments/soils, were evaluated in the mesocosms.
Fusion of radar and satellite target measurements

A potentially high payoff for the ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) is the ability to fuse the information gathered by various sensor systems. In particular, it may be valuable in the future to fuse measurements made using ground based radars with passive measurements obtained from satellite-based EO/IR sensors. This task can be challenging in a multitarget environment in view of the widely differing resolution between active ground-based radar and an observation made by a sensor at long range from a satellite platform. Additionally, each sensor system could have a residual pointing bias which has not been calibrated out. The problem is further compounded by the possibility that an EO/IR sensor may not see exactly the same set of targets as a microwave radar. In order to better understand the problems involved in performing the fusion of metric information from EO/IR satellite measurements with active microwave radar measurements, we have undertaken a study of this data fusion issue and of the associated data processing techniques. To carry out this analysis, we have made use of high fidelity simulations to model the radar observations from a missile target and the observations of the same simulated target, as gathered by a constellation of satellites. In the paper, we discuss the improvements seen in our tests when fusing the state vectors, along with the improvements in sensor bias estimation. The limitations in performance due to the differing phenomenology between IR and microwave radar are discussed as well.
Mobilizing Culture as an Asset A Transdisciplinary Effort to Rethink Gender Violence

The contested relationship between gender violence and the “culture concept” can be found in the cultural defense of gender violence, gender violence linked to postcolonial retraditionalizations of family life, the underpolicing of gender violence associated with communities labeled as culturally backward, and the overpolicing of activities categorized by human rights advocates as harmful traditional practices. Culture has been used to defend, explain, or excuse gender violence, and seen as a barrier to the elimination of gender violence. Here, however, the authors analyze how culture has been mobilized strategically as a resource in the struggle against gender violence.
The Seasat altimeter mean sea surface model

Gridding techniques are used to combine an 18-day set of Seasat altimeter data and two precisely-computed Seasat ephemerides, in order to arrive at global contour maps of the mean sea surface topography. The altimeter data have an rms agreement of 111 cm with the SS3 mean sea surface computed by means of the PGS-S3 ephemerides, and of 70 cm with the SS4 mean surface derived from the PGS-S4 ephemerides. While comparisons with the GEM 10B 1 x 1 deg gravimetric geoid have yielded rms differences of 2.8 m, those with a global mean sea surface derived from GEOS 3 altimeter data show rms differences of 1.3 m and 1.1 m for the cases of the SS3 and SS4 surfaces, respectively. An SS4 mean sea surface topograph is featured among the study findings presented. Further improvements in the representation of mean sea surface topography are expected with the development of more accurate gravity models for orbit computation.
The functional result of mandibular reconstruction.

A study was performed to determine if patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction were functionally rehabilitated. Five parameters were evaluated: deglutition, mastication, cosmesis, diet, and the use of dentures
Hierarchical routing overhead in mobile ad hoc networks

Hierarchical techniques have long been known to afford scalability in networks. By summarizing topology detail via a hierarchical map of the network topology, network nodes are able to conserve memory and link resources. Extensive analysis of the memory requirements of hierarchical routing was undertaken in the 1970s. However, there has been little published work that assesses analytically the communication overhead incurred in hierarchical routing. This paper assesses the scalability, with respect to increasing node count, of hierarchical routing in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). The performance metric of interest is the number of control packet transmissions per second per node (/spl Phi/). To derive an expression for /spl Phi/, the components of hierarchical routing that incur overhead as a result of hierarchical cluster formation and location management are identified. It is shown here that /spl Phi/ is only polylogarithmic in the node count.
Community Analysis Reveals Close Affinities Between Endophytic and Endolichenic Fungi in Mosses and Lichens

Endolichenic fungi live in close association with algal photobionts inside asymptomatic lichen thalli and resemble fungal endophytes of plants in terms of taxonomy, diversity, transmission mode, and evolutionary history. This similarity has led to uncertainty regarding the distinctiveness of endolichenic fungi compared with endophytes. Here, we evaluate whether these fungi represent distinct ecological guilds or a single guild of flexible symbiotrophs capable of colonizing plants or lichens indiscriminately. Culturable fungi were sampled exhaustively from replicate sets of phylogenetically diverse plants and lichens in three microsites in a montane forest in southeastern Arizona (USA). Intensive sampling combined with a small spatial scale permitted us to decouple spatial heterogeneity from host association and to sample communities from living leaves, dead leaves, and lichen thalli to statistical completion. Characterization using data from the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and partial large subunit (ITS-LSU rDNA) provided a first estimation of host and substrate use for 960 isolates representing five classes and approximately 16 orders, 32 families, and 65 genera of Pezizomycotina. We found that fungal communities differ at a broad taxonomic level as a function of the phylogenetic placement of their plant or lichen hosts. Endolichenic fungal assemblages differed as a function of lichen taxonomy, rather than substrate, growth form, or photobiont. In plants, fungal communities were structured more by plant lineage than by the living vs. senescent status of the leaf. We found no evidence that endolichenic fungi are saprotrophic fungi that have been "entrapped" by lichen thalli. Instead, our study reveals the distinctiveness of endolichenic communities relative to those in living and dead plant tissues, with one notable exception: we identify, for the first time, an ecologically flexible group of symbionts that occurs both as endolichenic fungi and as endophytes of mosses.
All-optical regeneration of 25-Gb/s BPSK/DPSK signals with integrated MZI-SOA wavelength converter

We demonstrate all-optical regeneration with an optical PSK demodulator and integrated MZI-SOA for 25-Gb/s BPSK/DPSK signals. This concept can be applicable for regeneration for 100G PDM-QPSK using fully integrated devices.
A Relationship Between Avian Foraging Behavior and Infestation by Trombiculid Larvae (Acari) in Chiapas, Mexico

Birds face varying risk from parasites as they select and utilize habitat. Unfortunately, behavioral and habitat correlates of parasitism in birds are not well documented. This study combines data from a foraging behavior study with results from a banding study to test whether behavior and habitat affect an ectoparasite infestation by trombiculid mite (chigger) larvae on the bird community found in two different coffee agroecosystems in Chiapas, Mexico. Individuals from bird species with regular prevalence (i.e., infestation) foraged more frequently in lower vegetative layers and had significantly lower foraging height than those from species with little or no prevalence, suggesting that foraging near the ground increases exposure risk to chigger larvae. Using linear regression, across species, parasite prevalence decreased with increasing average foraging height. Lower infestation rates were found in coffee agroecosystems with higher management intensity (i.e., less shade and drier conditions), suggesting that management activities influence infestation rates. Consequently, drier tropical habitats may pose less risk to birds from ectoparasites, though seasonal prevalence was highest during the winter dry season. Although no direct link was found between host condition and infestation by chigger larvae on the wintering grounds, birds were sampled during the middle of the over-wintering period, not the end when infestation could affect birds fattening for migration.
journal of visual culture The Flotsam and Jetsam of Film History: Hei Tiki and Postcolonial Rearticulations

This essay addresses the film Hei Tiki (Alexander Markey, 1935) within the context of colonial transactions and postcolonial rearticulations. The film itself and the leftovers of its production are considered as colonial `flotsam and jetsam' that have been picked up and refashioned in new ways.
Ornithine-α-Ketoglutarate (OKG) Supplementation Is More Effective than Its Component Salts in Traumatized Rats

Addition of an anabolic stimulus during nutritional support seems to be a reasonable adjunct to augment protein synthesis. Ornithine-alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) has been used for this purpose in many pathological situations, but the mechanism of action is poorly understood. We have evaluated the relative metabolic efficacy of four isonitrogenous diets with or without the addition of alpha-ketoglutarate (alpha KG) or ornithine (ORN), in a rat trauma (bilateral femur fracture) model. Both control and traumatized rats were starved for 2 d. Then for 4 d, the control rats were pair-fed to the traumatized rats, one of the four isonitrogenous diets: the basal diet was a casein-based liquid diet; the ORN and OKG diets were the basal diet in which 10% of the dietary nitrogen was replaced by ORN- or OKG-nitrogen, respectively; the alpha KG diet contained equivalent amounts of alpha KG as were present in the OKG diet. Body weight gain per gram of nitrogen intake was similar in all four diet groups of both control and traumatized rats. The fraction of nitrogen intake that was retained in the body was significantly higher in OKG-fed traumatized rats (23%) than in the corresponding basal diet-fed rats. Plasma and muscle free amino acid concentrations were comparable in OKG- and ORN-fed rats but not in OKG- and alpha KG-fed rats. Our data suggest that the mechanism of OKG action may be associated with increases in growth hormone and insulin, as well as the production of metabolites of ORN and alpha KG. OKG has better metabolic benefits than its two components given separately in the nutritional support of injured rats.
Cryptococcus neoformans Chemotyping by Quantitative Analysis of 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra of Glucuronoxylomannans with a Computer-Simulated Artificial Neural Network

The complete assignment of the proton chemical shifts obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of de-O-acetylated glucuronoxylomannans (GXMs) from Cryptococcus neoformans permitted the high-resolution determination of the total structure of any GXM. Six structural motifs based on an alpha-(1-->3)-mannotriose substituted with variable quantities of 2-O-beta- and 4-O-beta-xylopyranosyl and 2-O-beta-glucopyranosyluronic acid were identified. The chemical shifts of only the anomeric protons of the mannosyl residues served as structure reporter groups (SRG) for the identification and quantitation of the six triads present in any GXM. The assigned protons for the mannosyl residues resonated at clearly distinguishable positions in the spectrum and supplied all the information essential for the assignment of the complete GXM structure. This technique for assigning structure is referred to as the SRG concept. The SRG concept was used to analyze the distribution of the six mannosyl triads of GXMs obtained from 106 isolates of C. neoformans. The six mannosyl triads occurred singularly or in combination with one or more of the other triads. The identification and quantitation of the SRG were simplified by using a computer-simulated artificial neural network (ANN) to automatically analyze the SRG region of the one-dimensional proton NMR spectra. The occurrence and relative distribution of the six mannosyl triads were used to chemotype C. neoformans on the basis of subtle variations in GXM structure determined by analysis of the SRG region of the proton NMR spectrum by the ANN. The data for the distribution of the six SRGs from GXMs of 106 isolates of C. neoformans yielded eight chemotypes, Chem1 through Chem8.