cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vitamin B6 inhibits the growth of human pancreatic carcinoma

Vitamin B6 serves as a coenzyme and is essential for the metabolism of amino acids. The human pancreatic carcinoma cell line PANC-1 was treated with pyridoxine (at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mM) or pyridoxal (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 mM). The viable cell count was determined daily for six days using the MTT assay. The experiment was repeated three times. Each control and each concentration tested was performed in triplicate. All comparisons were analyzed by ANOVA with Tukey HSD. At doses of 2.5 mM and higher, PN significantly inhibited the growth in a dose-dependent manner (p0.05). Treatment with PL (0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 mM) significantly inhibited growth from the second day (p0.05). We have demonstrated the inhibitory effect of PL and PN on a human pancreatic cancer cell line. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of megadose vitamin treatment in vivo. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
LIBRARY AND MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS: THE GREAT DIVIDE

How are public libraries fairing in this era of tight money? Investigations into sources of financing have made two things clear. The first is the predominantly local nature of public library support, despite the attention given the array of federal and state programs implemented since the passage in 1956 of the Library Service Act, later the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA).
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulates luteinizing hormone secretion by extracellular calcium-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

The dependence of LH responses to GnRH on extracellular calcium was investigated in cultured rat pituitary cells exposed to GnRH for 3 h in static culture or for 2 min during column perifusion. During static culture in normal medium, LH release was stimulated by GnRH with an ED50 of 0.3 nM and by K+ with an ED50 of 32 mM. Incubation in Ca2+- deficient (no added Ca2+) or Ca2+-free medium (containing 100 μM EGTA) substantially decreased, but did not abolish, the LH responses to 10 and 100 nM GnRH, whereas K+-induced LH release was almost completely abolished in Ca2+-deficient medium. The Ca2+ channel agonist (BK 8644) and antagonists (nifedipine, nicardipine, verapamil, and Co2+) respectively enhanced or reduced the LH responses to both GnRH and K+. However, the calcium antagonists completely abolished the LH response to depolarization by K+, but only partially inhibited the LH response to GnRH, confirming the existence of a significant component of GnRH action that is not dependent on extracellular Ca2+. I...
Conservation, foresight, and the future generations problem

The practice of conservation assumes that current persons have some obligations to future generations, but these obligations are complicated by a number of philosophical problems, chief among which is what Derek Parfit calls the Non‐Identity Problem. Because our actions now will affect the identities of persons to be born in the distant future, we cannot say that those actions either benefit or harm those persons. Thus, a causal link between our acts and their consequences for particular persons is severed, and the justification for conservation duties toward future generations undermined. I argue for an alternative justification for conservation in the capacity of foresight, which requires us to act not only upon duties that we have now, but also upon those that we will predictably have in the future. In this way, the future generations problem, at least as applied to conservation issues, is overcome.
Identification and characterization of a new binding site for angiotensin II in mouse neuroblastoma neuro-2A cells

Specific binding site for 125I-angiotensin II (Ang II), with unique pharmacological properties uncommon to the hitherto recognized receptor subtypes, was observed in mouse neuroblastoma cells (Neuro-2A). Differentiation of the cells with 100 nM PGE1 resulted in a 10-fold increase in the number of Ang II binding sites without changing the binding affinity (Kd value: 12.0 nM). 125I-Ang II binding to membranes of differentiated Neuro-2A was inhibited by unlabeled Ang II with a Ki value of 7.06 +/- 1.09 nM but not by Ang III (1 microM). Both AT1 antagonist, Dup753, and AT2 antagonist, PD123319, failed to inhibit 125I-Ang II binding at 1 microM. 125I-Ang II binding was not affected by GTP analogs such as GTP gamma S and Gpp(NH)p. These results suggest that Neuro-2A cells possess a binding site for Ang II which is different from the presently known subtypes of Ang II receptors, and that the number of the binding site is regulated by cell differentiation.
Thermal flux limited electron Kapitza conductance in copper-niobium multilayers

We study the interplay between the contributions of electron thermal flux and interface scattering to the Kapitza conductance across metal-metal interfaces through measurements of thermal conductivity of copper-niobium multilayers. Thermal conductivities of copper-niobium multilayer films of period thicknesses ranging from 5.4 to 96.2 nm and sample thicknesses ranging from 962 to 2677 nm are measured by time-domain thermoreflectance over a range of temperatures from 78 to 500 K. The Kapitza conductances between the Cu and Nb interfaces in multilayer films are determined from the thermal conductivities using a series resistor model and are in good agreement with the electron diffuse mismatch model. Our results for the thermal boundary conductance between Cu and Nb are compared to literature values for the thermal boundary conductance across Al-Cu and Pd-Ir interfaces, and demonstrate that the interface conductance in metallic systems is dictated by the temperature derivative of the electron energy flux in the metallic layers, rather than electron mean free path or scattering processes at the interface.
Acute proliferative retrolental fibroplasia: evolution of the lesion.

Infants with retrolental fibroplasia have been followed at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute from August 1969 through December 1974. Changes occurring in acute proliferative RLF were documented with fundus photography and fluorescein angiography. These are presented and especially those that have prognostic significance are emphasized.
Systematic Sensor Selection Strategy: Development and Implementation Software Tool

This paper provides an overview of the Systematic Sensor Selection Strategy (S4) and introduces a software package that is being prepared for release to support development and implementation of S4 for user-defined applications. S4 was developed to identify an optimal subset of sensors from a larger pool of candidate sensors based on the inferred performance of the sensors in a diagnostic system. Selecting the proper sensors for an aerospace system is important for ensuring adequate measurement coverage that satisfies operational, maintenance, performance, and system diagnostic criteria. In particular, data acquired from the available sensor suite provides the foundation upon which any health management system is based, and directly impacts the diagnostic performance that can be achieved. A systematic approach is desired to perform sensor selection from a system-level perspective as opposed to performing decisions in an ad hoc or heuristic fashion. S4 was developed to meet this challenge. S4 identifies an optimal set of sensors for system fault diagnosis while taking conflicting constraints and objectives into consideration. S4 can be described as a general architecture structured to accommodate application-specific components and requirements. It identifies optimal sensor suite solutions by utilizing a user-defined merit function with a combinational optimization process. An S4 software package and user guide are currently under development to provide a tutorial for those wishing to implement the S4 approach. As an example application, the S4 software package includes a diagnostic system for an aircraft engine simulation called the Commercial Modular Aeropropulsion System Simulator. While the example application focuses on optimally selecting sensors based on their contribution to diagnostic performance, it could be easily adapted to support sensor optimization for operations, maintenance, parameter estimation, or other user-defined goals.
Trade Credit and Productive Efficiency in Developing Countries

Abstract In developing countries, credit shortages are often so severe as to impact a firm's day-to-day production decisions. Using firm-level data from five African countries, I show supplier credit is positively correlated with capacity utilization; the result continues to hold when credit access is instrumented using supplier characteristics. I claim that this is because firms lacking credit likely face inventory shortages, leading to lower rates of capacity utilization. This explanation yields several further predictions that are supported by the data: there is a positive relationship between supplier credit and inventory holdings; moreover, raw materials “stockouts” are positively correlated with capacity utilization, particularly in “inventory-intensive” industries.
Nanoconstruction of Microspheres and Microcapsules Using Proton-Induced Phase Transitions: Molecular Self-Recognition by Diamide Diacids in Water

Bis(N α -amido-L-phenylalanine)-1,1-cyclobutane dicarboxylate (5) was studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, variable-temperature NMR (VT-NMR), transmission electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, Raman microscopy, and a novel imaging technique known as soft X-ray microscopy (XRM). Diamide diacid 5 was shown to self-associate into solid microspheres during a proton-induced phase transition from the solvated state to the desolvated assembled state. These diverse techniques allowed for the delineation of the molecular recognition events involved in the assembly process. X-ray crystallography revealed that 5 packs in a bundled helical array comprised of two types of intermolecular hydrogen bonds (i.e., OC=O…HN and COOH…O=CN). VT-NMR and IR measurements of 5 (1 mM in CDCl 3 ) revealed the small temperature dependence of the amide NH chemical shift (Δδ/ΔT = -1.1 ppb/K) and the availability of the free amide NH of 5 to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Supramolecular rodlike structures were observed during the aqueous assembly of 5 into microspheres by XRM. Raman microscopy confirmed that nearly identical bonding patterns are present in the assembled microsphere and the crystal architecture of 5. Collectively, these observations provide compelling evidence that the assembly of 5 occurs via crystalline supramolecular intermediates, which are similar in shape and have complementary bonding motifs for proper self-recognition. Competition experiments involving varying concentrations of 5 and its microcapsule-forming cyclopropane analogue 3 revealed that molecular fidelity was less important to the microsphere-forming process than the related capsule-forming process.
Induction of paternal sex-chromosome losses and deletions and of autosomal gene mutations by the treatment of mouse post-meiotic germ cells with triethylenemelamine.

Abstract The treatment of male mouse post-meiotic germ cells with triethylenemelamine was found to induced paternal sex-chromosome loss, aberrations of the paternal X, and also specific-locus autosomal gene mutations. Two spontaneously occurring patroclinous XO females and one XYY male were also detected.
A simplified model for interpreting the Doppler spectrum of forward-scatter radar signals

An approximate form of Birkemeier's anisotropic scattering function is developed. This Gaussian scattering model is meant to be used for interpreting the Doppler Spctra of signals taken from a forward scatter radar system equipped with a Rake receiver. The model offers advantages in extracting the anisotropy coefficient from the Doppler spectrum of the received signal.
Phase Transition in the Dicke Model of Superradiance

A system of $N$ two-level atoms interacting with a quantized field, the so-called Dicke model of superradiance, is studied. By making use of a set of Glauber's coherent states for the field, the free energy of the system is calculated exactly in the thermodynamic limit. The results agree precisely with those obtained by Hepp and Lieb, who studied the same model using a different method. The exhibition of a phase transition of the system is presented mathematically in an elementary manner in our approach. The generalization to the case of finitely many radiation modes is also presented.
Electrochemical codeposition of poly(thieno(3,2-b)thiophene) and fullerene: An approach to a bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic device

Abstract An electrochemical approach was developed to fabricate polymer solar cell. Poly(thieno[3,2- b ]thiophene) and fullerene were codeposited by cyclic voltammetry from the solution containing corresponding monomers. The composition could be altered by changing potential range and was monitored by UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy. Morphology and phase separation were studied by AFM revealing formation of the bulk heterojunctions. For the device fabrication the codeposition onto electropolymerized PEDOT layer was done without destructive interference. V oc of 0.3 V and J sc of 35 μA/cm 2 were measured under standard AM 1.5 conditions.
Diabetes in pregnancy: glycemia control guidelines and rationale.

Purpose of review Little consensus exists on the definition of gestational diabetes (GDM), how the condition should be diagnosed, and if interventions for mild maternal hyperglycemia are of any benefit to the mother or fetus. Today, after several large multicenter clinical trials, we are closer than ever to a national and international consensus. Recent findings Glucose tolerance in pregnancy is a continuum, which has a fundamental link to fetal growth. The relationship between maternal glycemia and adverse outcomes is continuous, with no distinct inflection point for increased risk. As a result, any cut-off for the diagnosis of GDM is somewhat arbitrary. Treatment for GDM, even mild cases, significantly reduces the rate of certain adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes, warranting intervention. Summary Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis of GDM are expected to change in the near future provided that recommendations from the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group are accepted by professional organizations. The criteria for the diagnosis will likely be based on a single 75 g, 2-h oral glucose tolerance test with at least one abnormal value. The proposed threshold values are based on an international consensus regarding risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The public health implications for these changes are anticipated to be significant.
Observed properties of jets in young radio galaxies

Abstract Compact Symmetric Objects (CSOs) are a recently discovered class of radio galaxy thought to be quite young (age ∼1000 years). These compact (size
Learning in Dynamic Decision Making: The Recognition Process

The apparent difficulty that humans experience when asked to manage dynamic complexity might be related to their inability to discriminate among familiar classes of objects (i.e., flawed recognition). In this study we examined the change in individuals' recognition ability, as measured by the change in the similarity of decisions they made when confronted repeatedly with consistent dynamic situations of varying degrees of similarity. The study generated two primary findings. First, decisions became increasingly similar with task practice, a result that suggests gradually improving discrimination by the participants. Second, the similarity was determined by the interaction of many task features rather than individual task features. The general principles highlighted by this study are applicable to dynamic situations. For example, with practice, decision makers should be able to learn to identify the time at which to intervene to achieve the maximal effect during dynamic decision making.
Effects of amino acids on gelation kinetics and solubility of sickle hemoglobin

Abstract Ten amino acids have been studied for their effects on the gelation of sickle hemoglobin using the recently developed assay of Hofrichter, Ross and Eaton. By monitoring kinetics and using high speed sedimentation, the rate and extent of gelation are directly measured. Of the amino acids tested, only phenylalanine significantly inhibited the gelation of sickle hemoglobin. The systematic study of the effects of additives, such as amino acids, on gelation serves as a basis for the study of potential non-covalent inhibitors of sickling.
An introduction and invitation.

No one moves through life unscathed. Life marks us all as we tell tales that tell us. We reach for stories when expectations go awry, disrupting the continuity of scenes once quiet. A teenager grap...
Understanding the Characteristics of Brittle Materials

The framework for characterizing and predicting failure when simple crack propagation control predominates is reasonably well understood. Since, in many ceramic systems, crack propagation appears to be the primary failure mode much of this paper is devoted to a description of the crack propagation process. Other failure modes, such as crack initiation and complex crack propagation control, are, unfortunately, in a rather rudimentary state of development; however, some discussion of situations where these might occur is presented.Copyright © 1975 by ASME
Localization of the “maze memory system” in the white rat

Adult albino rats, previously trained on a three-cul maze, sustained bilateral cortical or subcortical lesions and were subsequently tested for retention. Those animals showing defective retention suffered damage to either the anterior neocortex, posterior neocortex, cingulate cortex, corpus striatum, hippocampus, septofornix area, thalamus (anterior, lateral, ventromedial, or posterior divisions), posterolateral hypothalamus, mamillary bodies, subthalamus, red nucleus, substantia nigra, central tegmentum, ventral portions of the brainstem reticular formation, or the cerebellum. Excellent retention was observed following damage to either the amygdaloid complex, rostral medial forebrain bundle, dorsomedial thalamus, or dorsal midbrain. These results, coupled with earlier findings, suggest that the maze habit is dependent upon the activities of three functional blocks of the brain: the first block (brainstem reticular formation) has integrative functions, the second block (sensorimotor cortex, cingulate cortex, cerebellum, and thalamus) has kinesthetic functions, and the third block (occipital cortex, hippocampus, septofornix area, and mamillary bodies) plays a role in the discrimination of spatial cues.
Ultrasonic study of terbium in a magnetic field

A model is presented which describes longitudinal ultrasonic propagation characteristics in magnetic materials. The model specifically incorporates magnetoelastic and exchange interactions when an external magnetic field is applied. Spin fluctuations and spin polarization are seen to play a dominant role, and particular attention is focused on the effect of critical fluctuations near the magnetic-phase-transition temperatures. The model is applied to single-crystal terbium. Longitudinal ultrasonic attenuation data are presented under conditions of constant temperature and constant magnetic field. The constant-temperature data reveal a very large attenuation enhancement by a magnetic field in the paramagnetic region. The constant-field data show anomalous attenuation maxima even when the applied field is sufficient to quench the spin-spiral state; a magnetic phase diagram for terbium is deduced from the constant-field data. A quantitative comparison between the experimental results and theory is presented for the constant-temperature data, and a qualitative comparison between experimental results and theory is presented for the constant-field data. Good agreement is achieved.
Construction of a Lab-Scale Reverse Osmosis (RO) System for Organic/Biological Fouling Research

New Mexico ranks 2nd in natural gas production of all producing states and the Gulf Coast region. A significant amount of produced water can be generated during gas production. In 2002, around 3.8 million barrels of produced water were generated during gas production in the San Juan Basin. While obviously not drinkable at the wellhead due to the presence of salts, trace organics, and heavy metals, produced water may be treated for agricultural and industrial purposes. Reclaiming produced water for industrial processes would then free up freshwater resources for other beneficial uses. Membrane separation is a viable option for produced water desalinization; however, its large-scale implementation has been plagued by the recurring fouling of the membranes and the associated high operating costs. The paper describes the components and layout of a bench-scale reverse osmosis (RO) system used to study membrane fouling from the desalination of produced water.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
A highway's road-effect zone for desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii)

Abstract Roads and highways can affect populations of animals directly (e.g. due to road mortality) and indirectly (e.g. due to fragmentation of habitat and proliferation of non-native or predatory species). We investigated the effect of roads on threatened desert tortoise ( Gopherus agassizii ) populations in the Mojave Desert, California, and attempted to determine the width of the road-effect zone by counting tortoise signs along transects at 0, 400, 800, and 1600 m from the edge of a highway. Mean sign count was 0.2/km at 0 m, 4.2/km at 400 m, 5.7/km at 800 m, and 5.4/km at 1600 m from the highway edge. The differences between all pairs of distances, except 800 and 1600 m, were statistically significant, suggesting that tortoise populations in our study area are depressed in a zone extending at least 400 m from roadways. We speculate that the major cause for this depression zone is road mortality.
Effect of dew on canopy reflectance and temperature

Abstract The diurnal behavior of canopy reflectance and emittance was characterized for six spring wheat cultivars using two ground-based radiometers that had spectral bandpass characteristics similar to the multispectral scanner and thematic mapper radiometers on Landsats 4 and 5. Nadir measurements of spectral reflectance and emittance were made over well-watered canopies with and without dew to determine its effect on each wavelength interval. The diurnal patterns of reflectances from canopies without dew were symmetric with respect to solar noon. However, when dew was present on canopies, morning reflectances in wavelengths shorter than 0.7 μm and longer than 1.15 μm were significantly different than those observed during the afternoon under similar solar zenith angles. Quantitative measurements of dew density in each cultivar established that moderately high dew levels increased reflectance in visible wavelengths by 40–60%, and decreased reflectance in wavelengths between 1.15 and 2.35 μm by 25–60%. No effect of dew was noted in the near-IR region of the spectrum between 0.7 and 1.1 μm or the thermal IR (10.4–12.5 μm).
Attitudes Toward a Personalized, Individualized High School Program

This article briefly describes an innovative educa tional model that was implemented at a large subur ban high school, and summarizes the attitudes toward its components by the parents, students, and teachers who were involved.
Root-Tip Smear Method for Difficult Material

A technic is outlined for the preparation of difficult material for the study of chromosome number and morphology in root-tip smears. The chief objective is to obtain polar views of the metaphase plates rather than equatorial views. To achieve this end it is recommended that fresh root-tips be cut free-hand into thin cross sections. The important features are: thin freehand cross sectioning of the fresh root-tips; fixing in Belling's iron aceto-carmine solution; maceration for 2–5 minutes in 50% HCl in 95% alcohol; and mounting in “Diaphane.”
Racial Stratification, Intellectual History, and Presidential Action in the Civil Rights Domain

Using an historical approach, this paper assesses the role of the American presidency in the pursuit of civil rights policy. The basic argument is that the drivingforces in the passage of civil rights policies since Reconstruction have been external pressures on the presidency. Rather than being protagonists in the progression of civil rights, presidents are portrayed as political actors primarily interested in maintaining social order and attracting African-American votes. Rarely have presidents pushed for civil rights progress outside of that context.
A rapid assay for cellular deoxyribonucleic acid.

Abstract A method is described for the rapid and specific extraction and subsequent fluorometric assay of DNA from less than 2 × 10 4 diploid mammallan cells—0.1 μg of DNA. The procedure can be routinely completed in 3 hr and can be applied to quantitation of [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation into these small quantities of DNA.
An Experimental Approach for Delayed Stress Corrosion

Failures of structural and mechanical components have long been attributed to environmentally assisted cracking (EAC). The umbrella of EAC encompasses several phenomena, including stress corrosion cracking (SCC), corrosion fatigue (CF), hydrogen embrittlement (HE) and liquid metal embrittlement (LME). The latter, LME, has resulted in the failure of components in petrochemical and aeronautical industries, among others. The effects are detrimental, with crack tip velocities on the order of centimeters per second and failures occurring rapidly. Previous research has provided numerous underlying microstructural failure mechanisms aimed at identifying the true failure mode. Conflicting experimental data has extended the debate over the true mechanism promoting renewed interest in novel experimental regimes. Utilizing fracture mechanics specimens, the solid-liquid Al-Hg couple was analyzed to extend or reject current theories. Through the implementation of an original environmental chamber capable of testing notched and pre-cracked components in corrosive environments, C(T) specimens were subjected to experiments submersed in liquid mercury. Upon the application of an initially applied stress intensity factor (under load-control), incubation periods preceding failure were observed. Crack initiation and propagation were observed to occur along the starter notch, as well as other regions on the specimen. Results provided evidence that additional factors, such as a critical load or critical microstructural orientation, were factors in crack initiation and propagation. In the quest to observe the influence of these additional factors, a variation of the experimental setup was implemented and initial tests have begun.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Historical analyses by PIXE

Abstract Particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) is ideally suited for the elemental analysis of the papers, parchment, and inks of books, manuscripts, and other historical documents. This paper will describe the general kinds of historical and bibliographical issues that can be addressed by PIXE, and it discusses two specific historical applications of the technique: to the Gutenberg Bible and the Calov Bible owned by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Impact experiments 3 : catastrophic fragmentation of aggregate targets and relation to asteroids

An experimental study is conducted of collisions employing artificial aggregates as targets, in order to ascertain the fragmentation characteristics of weakly bonded bodies that consist of stronger constituent particles, such as loosely aggregated planetesimals. It is established that weakly bonded aggregate bodies may exhibit unexpectedly high impact strengths due to constituent particles' energy dissipation. The cumulative size distributions of fragments that are larger than the constituent grains form power-law segments resembling those formed by the fragmentation of homogeneous targets.
Nitrogen deprivation promotes Populus root growth through global transcriptome reprogramming and activation of hierarchical genetic networks

Summary We show a distinct and previously poorly characterized response of poplar (Populus tremula × Populus alba) roots to low nitrogen (LN), which involves activation of root growth and significant transcriptome reprogramming. Analysis of the temporal patterns of enriched ontologies among the differentially expressed genes revealed an ordered assembly of functionally cohesive biological events that aligned well with growth and morphological responses. A core set of 28 biological processes was significantly enriched across the whole studied period and 21 of these were also enriched in the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana during the LN response. More than half (15) of the 28 processes belong to gene ontology (GO) terms associated with signaling and signal transduction pathways, suggesting the presence of conserved signaling mechanisms triggered by LN. A reconstruction of genetic regulatory network analysis revealed a sub-network centered on a PtaNAC1 (P. tremula × alba NAM, ATAF, CUC 1) transcription factor. PtaNAC1 root-specific up-regulation increased root biomass and significantly changed the expression of the connected hub genes specifically under LN. Our results provide evidence that the root response to LN involves hierarchically structured genetic networks centered on key regulatory factors. Targeting these factors via genetic engineering or breeding approaches can allow dynamic adjustment of root architecture in response to variable nitrogen availabilities in the soil.
The removal of heavy metals in urban runoff by sorption on mulch

A series of adsorption experiments was conducted in order to assess the ability of three mulches to remove several of the heavy metal ions typically encountered in urban runoff. Three types of mulch, cypress bark (C), hardwood bark (H), and pine bark nugget (P), were selected as potential sorbents to capture heavy metals in urban runoff. The hardwood bark (H) mulch had the best physicochemical properties for adsorption of heavy metal ions. In addition, because of its fast removal rate and acceptably high capacity for all the heavy metal ions, it was concluded that the H mulch is the best of the three adsorbents for treatment of urban runoff containing trace amounts of heavy metals. In order to investigate the sorption isotherm, two equilibrium models, the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, were analyzed. The sorption of these metals on H mulch conformed to the linear form of the Langmuir adsorption equation. At pH 5 and 6, the Langmuir constants (S(m)) for each metal were found to be 0.324 and 0.359 mmol/g (Cu); 0.306 and 0.350 mmol/g (Pb); and 0.185 and 0.187 mmol/g (Zn) at 25 degrees C.
Sleep‐related laryngeal obstruction presenting as snoring or sleep apnea

The difference between snoring (with or without sleep apnea) and laryngeal stridor resulting from laryngeal dysfunction may not be readily apparent. Two cases of Shy-Drager syndrome and one undiagnosed case in which laryngeal dysfunction was exacerbated by sleep are reported. Such dysfunction might create life-threatening situations for which emergency tracheostomy should be considered. The importance of differentiating stridor from snoring is discussed.
RITZ VECTOR APPROACH FOR STATIC AND DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF PLATES WITH EDGE BEAMS

Abstract A Ritz vector approach is used to develop new formulations for evaluating the static and the dynamic characteristics of rectangular plates with edge beams. Unlike previous studies in which stiffness coefficients with specified distributions along the plate edges are used to represent the effect of edge restraints, the effect of elastic edge restraints is accounted for by including appropriate integrals for edge beams in the expressions for total kinetic and potential energies in a Rayleigh–Ritz approach. The effect of various types of boundary conditions at the beam ends is accounted for by considering the corresponding Ritz vectors. The contribution of beam mass to the total kinetic energy is also considered in the proposed approach. This effect has often been neglected in the previous studies but can be significant in some applications. The results obtained from the application of the proposed approach to a variety of examples are compared with the corresponding results obtained from the finite element analysis.
Structure of leading infrared divergences in non-Abelian gauge theories

We have examined the structure of leading infrared divergences of the $S$-matrix elements for nonexceptional momentum configurations for an arbitrary number of massive quarks and color-singlet external sources in non-Abelian gauge theories. it is shown that the sum of all these divergences satisfies a simple differential equation with respect to the space-time dimension as an infrared cutoff.
Extracellular vesicles from a muscle cell line (C2C12) enhance cell survival and neurite outgrowth of a motor neuron cell line (NSC-34).

Introduction : There is renewed interest in extracellular vesicles over the past decade or 2 after initially being thought of as simple cellular garbage cans to rid cells of unwanted components. Although there has been intense research into the role of extracellular vesicles in the fields of tumour and stem cell biology, the possible role of extracellular vesicles in nerve regeneration is just in its infancy. Background : When a peripheral nerve is damaged, the communication between spinal cord motor neurons and their target muscles is disrupted and the result can be the loss of coordinated muscle movement. Despite state-of-the-art surgical procedures only approximately 10% of adults will recover full function after peripheral nerve repair. To improve upon such results will require a better understanding of the basic mechanisms that influence axon outgrowth and the interplay between the parent motor neuron and the distal end organ of muscle. It has previously been shown that extracellular vesicles are immunologically tolerated, display targeting ligands on their surface, and can be delivered in vivo to selected cell populations. All of these characteristics suggest that extracellular vesicles could play a significant role in nerve regeneration. Methods : We have carried out studies using 2 very well characterized cell lines, the C2C12 muscle cell line and the motor neuron cell line NSC-34 to ask the question: Do extracellular vesicles from muscle influence cell survival and/or neurite outgrowth of motor neurons? Conclusion : Our results show striking effects of extracellular vesicles derived from the muscle cell line on the motor neuron cell line in terms of neurite outgrowth and survival. Keywords: extracellular vesicles; motor neuron; muscle; neurite outgrowth (Published: 19 February 2014) Citation: Journal of Extracellular Vesicles 2014, 3 : 22865 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jev.v3.22865 To access the supplementary material to this article, please see Supplementary files under Article Tools online.
Global sourcing: process and design for efficient management

Although the literature on the strategic aspect of global sourcing is large, detailed studies on this procurement strategy from a process perspective are limited. This paper adopts the process viewpoint and examines the design and management issues associated with the global sourcing process based on a case study at a leading firm in the US aviation industry. The effectiveness of the company’s global sourcing process is evaluated, the design alternatives of the supply chain structure are compared, and the critical issues of efficient management of the process are summarized. Specifically, three logistics‐based criteria are developed to indicate the effectiveness of the transportation and distribution network. The paper also demonstrates that the process design can be assessed based on the dimensions of supply chain integration. Finally, a flow‐level matrix is developed to identify the critical issues of managing the global sourcing process.
Molecular dynamics study of the binary Cu_(46)Zr_(54) metallic glass motivated by experiments: Glass formation and atomic-level structure

We have identified a binary bulk metallic glass forming alloy Cu_(46_Zr_(54) by analyzing the structure and thermal behaviors of copper mold cast samples using x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimeter. Motivated by these experimental results, we fitted the effective Rosato-Guillope-Legrand-type force field parameters for the binary Cu-Zr alloy system and the atomistic description of glass formation and structure analysis of the Cu_(46)Zr_(54) alloy based on molecular dynamics simulation will be also presented.
Mass loading of planetary atmospheres by rocky satellites—II: Transport and enhanced lifetimes of satellite ejecta in planetary magnetospheres

Abstract Extensive studies have been conducted concerning individual mass, temporal and positional distribution of submicron rocky ejecta existing in the satellite-planetary gravitational sphere of influence. The transit time of the major portion of the ejecta that is transported from the satellite's gravitational sphere of influence to the planetary magnetopause is about one week and represents a mass loading pulse occurring each satellite orbit. The mass-flux distributions of lunar ejecta at the surface of the magnetopause for a complete lunar orbit are presented. Spatial mass densities of lunar ejecta in specific zones of the magnetosphere provide a means to compare sporadic interplanetary dust spatial mass densities in the same zones.
Mate guarding and gallivanting by male hoary marmots (Marmota caligata)

Seven years data on the vernal behavior of hoarty marmots, Marmota caligata, suggest that males engage in a two-part reproductive strategy, which consists of guarding their mates against possible copulation with additional males, and also gallivanting — wandering about in search of additional reproductive opportunities for themselves. Data are presented which support seven predictions derived from the assumption that mate guarding and gallivanting are parts of a reproductive strategy by male marmots.
Leukocytes as carriers for targeted cancer drug delivery

Introduction: Metastasis contributes to over 90% of cancer-related deaths. Numerous nanoparticle platforms have been developed to target and treat cancer, yet efficient delivery of these systems to the appropriate site remains challenging. Leukocytes, which share similarities to tumor cells in terms of their transport and migration through the body, are well suited to serve as carriers of drug delivery systems to target cancer sites.Areas covered: This review focuses on the use and functionalization of leukocytes for therapeutic targeting of metastatic cancer. Tumor cell and leukocyte extravasation, margination in the bloodstream, and migration into soft tissue are discussed, along with the potential to exploit these functional similarities to effectively deliver drugs. Current nanoparticle-based drug formulations for the treatment of cancer are reviewed, along with methods to functionalize delivery vehicles to leukocytes, either on the surface and/or within the cell. Recent progress in this area, both in...
Effects of Psychological and Physical Self-Image on Perceptions of Salesperson Performance and Nonstore Shopping Intention:

Social interactions can affect one's self-image and are also influenced by self-image. This reciprocal relationship may be found in retail service encounters through the interaction between custome...
Internal conversion tables part II: Directional and polarization particle parameters for Z = 30 to Z = 103

Values of particle parameters used for the analysis of angular correlations involving internal-conversion electrons are presented. Directional particle parameters are given for the K-, L-, and M-subshells and for the total L- and M-shells. Polarization particle parameters are given for the K-shell. The calculations have been performed for the four lowest electric and magnetic multipoles for all Z-values from 30 to 103 and for electron energies varying from 6 to 1500 keV above threshold. Only the particle parameters of lower rank are given. Those of higher rank can be found from the recurrence relations presented. A table of F-coefficients is included. Table I angular-distribution coefficients has its own DOI of 10.1016/S0550-306X(68)80018-7. Table II directional particle parameters has its own DOI also: 10.1016/S0550-306X(68)80019-9.
Simulation of massive public health data by power polynomials

Situations in which multiple outcomes and predictors of different distributional types are collected are becoming increasingly common in public health practice, and joint modeling of mixed types has been gaining popularity in recent years. Evaluation of various statistical techniques that have been developed for mixed data in simulated environments necessarily requires joint generation of multiple variables. Most massive public health data sets include different types of variables. For instance, in clustered or longitudinal designs, often multiple variables are measured or observed for each individual or at each occasion. This work is motivated by a need to jointly generate binary and possibly non-normal continuous variables. We illustrate the use of power polynomials to simulate multivariate mixed data on the basis of a real adolescent smoking study. We believe that our proposed technique for simulating such intensive data has the potential to be a handy methodological addition to public health researchers' toolkit.
Epo regulation: a 3-dimensional challenge

Comment on Dame et al, page [4282][1] Dame and colleagues have provided insight into the physiologic consequences of Epo gene regulation by their demonstration that transcription depends in part on the Wilms tumor suppressor protein, Wt1. The biologic repertoire of erythropoietin (Epo) extends
Identification of an Extracellular Catalyst of Carbon Tetrachloride Dehalogenation from Pseudomonas stutzeri Strain KC as Pyridine-2,6-bis(thiocarboxylate)

Abstract Pseudomonas stutzeri strain KC was originally characterized as having, under iron-limiting conditions, novel carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) dehalogenation activity, specifically, a net conversion of CCl 4 to CO 2 . The exact pathway and reaction mechanisms are unknown, but chloroform is not an intermediate and thiophosgene and phosgene have been identified as intermediates in trapping experiments. Previous work by others using cell-free preparations has shown that cell-free culture supernatants that have been passed through a low-molecular-weight cutoff membrane can confer rapid CCl 4 transformation ability upon cultures of bacteria which otherwise show little or no reactivity toward CCl 4 . We used a cell-free assay system to monitor the complete purification of compounds showing CCl 4 degradation activity elaborated by iron-limited cultures of strain KC. Electrospray tandem mass spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and comparisons with synthetic material have identified pyridine-2,6-bis(thiocarboxylate) as a metabolite of strain KC which has CCl 4 transformation activity in the presence of chemical reductants, e.g., titanium[III] citrate or dithiothreitiol, or actively growing bacterial cultures.
Current Research and Recent Radiocarbon Dates from Northern Africa, II

This article reports on developments in archaeological research in North Africa during the last four years, as these are reflected in the 350, or thereabouts, radiocarbon (and thermoluminescence) dates that have appeared since the last review. The number of new dates, and new data, becoming available indicate that North African archaeology is flourishing, although, in contrast to the earlier decades of this century, the focus seems now to be moving toward the eastern part of the region, and toward matters of adaptation rather than of simple classification, as exemplified by the new interpretations of the Dhar Tichitt Neolithic in Mauritania.The lower Nile Valley has yielded evidence for an intensification of subsistence activities in the Late Palaeolithic in two areas, Makhadma and Kubbaniya, both involving fish-harvesting and the latter also witnessing the use of plant-foods on a scale hitherto undocumented for this period.At the beginning of the Holocene, there is now good evidence for an eighth millennium bc Neolithic in northern Niger, complete with sophisticated ceramics, which complements the evidence already known for similar phenomena further east in the Sahara. There is even a possibility that the Khartoum Mesolithic of the central Nile Valley might be equally old. Our understanding of the Sudanese Neolithic has greatly increased. For the first time, there appears to be a development from the Khartoum Mesolithic into the Khartoum Neolithic, albeit located outside the Valley. The Khartoum Neolithic is more or less confined to the fourth millennium bc, but did give rise to the later Kadada Neolithic. After Kadada, the focus of settlement seems to have shifted outside the Valley until Meroitic times.In the protohistoric and historic periods, we have a better understanding of the chronology of the Egyptian Predynastic, although not yet of its development; what models exist will be radically modified if the pyramids are indeed as old as the dates on them now indicate. Finally, far from the Nile Valley in northern Niger, there comes detailed evidence of the development of a precocious metallurgical tradition within a Neolithic context.
Immunologic Basis for Long HCDR3s in Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Against HIV-1.

A large panel of potent broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) against HIV-1 has been reported in recent years, raising hope for the design of an effective vaccine based on epitopes recognized by these protective antibodies. However, many of these bnAbs contain the feature of long heavy chain complementarity-determining region 3 (HCDR3) sequences, which is viewed as an obstacle to the development of an HIV-1 vaccine targeting long HCDR3 bnAb responses. This mini-review summarizes the current literature and discusses the different potential Immunologic mechanisms for generating long HCDR3, including D-D fusion, VH replacement, long N region addition and skewed D-J genes usage, among which potential VH replacement products appear to be significant contributors. VH replacement occurs through RAG-mediated secondary recombination and contributes to the diversified naive B cell repertoire. During VH replacement, a short stretch of nucleotides from previously rearranged VH genes is left within the newly formed HCDR3, thus elongating its length. Accumulating evidence suggests that long HCDR3s are present at significant numbers in the human mature naive B cell repertoire and are primarily generated by recombination during B cell development. These new observations indicate that long HCDR3s, though in low frequency, are a normal feature of human antibody naive repertoire and they appear to be selected to target conserved epitopes located in deep regions of the HIV-1 envelope trimer during HIV-1 infection. Therefore, the presence of long HCDR3 sequences should not necessarily be viewed as an obstacle to the development of an HIV-1 vaccine that promotes bnAb responses.
Taxonomy of Chubs (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Genus Gila) in the American Southwest with Comments on Conservation

Abstract Chubs of the Gila River basin have been variously classified as nominal species, subspecies of Gila robusta, or a “complex.” Three full species, robusta, intermedia, and nigra are here recognized, the last possibly arising through more than one hybrization event between robusta and intermedia. Following resolution of a nomenclatural problem, G. nigra is characterized in a key for species identification. Listing under the Endangered Species Act is suggested for all species of Gila in the Colorado River basin.