cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Cell Surface Distributions of Na + /K + ATPase in Polarized Epithelial Cells

While there has been emphasis in recent years on understanding the protein structure, catalytic function and assembly of Na+/K+-ATPase (23), relatively less attention has been given to the mechanisms involved in regulating restricted distributions of Na+/K+-ATPase on the plasma membrane of cells. The function of Na+/K+-ATPase is to maintain plasma membrane potential, cell volume and, in general, cellular homeostasis; this requires that functional protein is expressed at the cell surface. However,in transporting epithelia, localization of Na+/K+-ATPase to the cell surface alone is not sufficient for cellular function (1). These cells play critical roles in regulating the ionic composition of biological compartments that are separated by the epithelium. In the kidney, for example, the renal tubule comprises a closed monolayer of cells that regulate the vectorial transport (reabsorption) of ions and solutes from the lumen of the tubule to the blood supply. In contrast, in the choroid plexus the epithelium controls vectorial transport (secretion) from the blood supply to the ventricular space to form the cerebral-spinal fluid. Opposite directions of ion transport across transporting epithelium is determined by the distribution of ion channels, exchanges and transporters between domains of the plasma membrane that face different biological compartments; these domains are defined as apical (facing the lumen or closed compartment) and basal-lateral (facing the blood supply) [see Figure 1]. Defining the mechanisms involved in regulating the distributions of these proteins is central to our understanding of the function of this important cell type in normal and disease states.
In-context interpretation: Avoiding pitfalls in misidentification of igneous bodies in seismic data

AbstractIn the past few decades, many exploration wells have been drilled into igneous rocks because of their similar seismic expressions to common exploration targets, such as carbonate mounds, sh...
Composite fermions in Fock space: Operator algebra, recursion relations, and order parameters

We develop recursion relations, in particle number, for all (unprojected) Jain composite fermion (CF) wave functions. These recursions generalize a similar recursion originally written down by Read for Laughlin states, in mixed first-second quantized notation. In contrast, our approach is purely second-quantized, giving rise to an algebraic, ``pure guiding center'' definition of CF states that de-emphasizes first quantized many-body wave functions. Key to the construction is a second-quantized representation of the flux attachment operator that maps any given fermion state to its CF counterpart. An algebra of generators of edge excitations is identified. In particular, in those cases where a well-studied parent Hamiltonian exists, its properties can be entirely understood in the present framework, and the identification of edge state generators can be understood as an instance of ``microscopic bosonization.'' The intimate connection of Read's original recursion with ``nonlocal order parameters'' generalizes to the present situation, and we are able to give explicit second-quantized formulas for nonlocal order parameters associated with CF states.
The association of major life events with chronic fatigue

Abstract Objective Major life events have been associated with the onset of unexplained chronic fatigue (CF) and with variability in illness course. The purpose of this study was to characterize the associations of major life events with illness status over time. Method Sentinel measures of clinical status were collected four times over 18 months in a cohort of 99 persons with CF; participants also were interviewed regarding major life events, which were independently rated by observers. Results Over time, more major life events attributed to CF predicted a worse clinical course, suggesting that illness-related major life events rather than stressful life events in general are associated with worse clinical status for persons with CF. Conclusion This study adds to the literature regarding specific types of life events' relationship to illness course, which has implications for the management of CF.
MicroRNA-137 Drives Epigenetic Reprogramming in the Adult Amygdala and Behavioral Changes after Adolescent Alcohol Exposure

Abstract Adolescent binge drinking is a serious public health concern and a risk factor for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and comorbid anxiety in adulthood. Chromatin remodeling mediated by epigenetic enzymes including lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) due to adolescent alcohol exposure may play a role in adult psychopathology. The mechanism by which adolescent alcohol exposure mechanistically regulates epigenetic reprogramming and behavioral changes in adulthood is unknown. We investigated the role of microRNA-137 (miR-137), which is crucial for normal neurodevelopment and targets LSD1, in adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) exposure-induced anxiety-like and alcohol-drinking behaviors and related epigenetic reprogramming in the amygdala in adulthood. Adolescent rats were exposed to 2 g/kg ethanol (2 d on/off; AIE) or adolescent intermittent saline (AIS) during postnatal days (PND)28–PND41 and allowed to grow to adulthood for analysis of behavior, miRNA expression, and epigenetic measures in the amygdala. Interestingly, miR-137 was increased and its target genes Lsd1 and Lsd1 + 8a were decreased in the AIE adult amygdala. Infusion of miR-137 antagomir directly into the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) rescues AIE-induced alcohol-drinking and anxiety-like behaviors via normalization of decreased Lsd1 expression, decreased LSD1 occupancy, and decreased Bdnf IV expression due to increased H3K9 dimethylation in AIE adult rats. Further, concomitant Lsd1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) infusion into the CeA prevents the miR-137-mediated reversal of AIE-induced adult anxiety and chromatin remodeling at the Bdnf IV promoter. These novel results highlight miR-137 as a potential therapeutic target for anxiety and AUD susceptibility after adolescent alcohol exposure in adulthood.
Volcanoes in Art

This chapter deals with the history of portrayal of volcanic eruptions in art from the sixteenth century to the present time. Volcanic eruptions have been an important motif for artists and these works preserve an important history of how different cultures throughout the world have viewed this catastrophic natural phenomenon.
Lodging REITs and third-party operators: Do more operators enhance the performance of REITs?

Abstract Lodging REITs are required to hire unaffiliated third-party operators to manage their properties. It has been noted that some lodging REITs use only one operator, whereas others hire a number of different operations. However, why lodging REITs choose to hire one or more operators has not been verified yet. Accordingly, this study intended to examine whether hiring more operators (i.e., operator diversification) affects the performance of lodging REITs. The results of this study showed that diversifying third-party operators has a curvilinear relationship with firm performance. Furthermore, the curvilinear relationship can weaken when operator diversification is paired with geographic diversification, but the relationship does not change depending on segment or brand diversification. This study implies that it is critical to understand not only the appropriate number of operators but also how to combine diversification strategies to ensure the success of lodging REITs.
Oxidative Lipidomics: Analysis of Oxidized Lipids and Lipid Peroxidation in Biological Systems with Relevance to Health and Disease

Oxidation of polyunsaturated (PUFA) lipids, catalyzed by free radicals either by non-enzymatic or enzymatic mechanisms, is highly critical in living cells during toxicity, pathophysiological events and disease states, radiation exposure, xenobiotic and drug metabolism, and aging. However, the methods of analysis to characterize the structures of different peroxidized lipids in cells (including PUFA, either free or esterified in the cellular membrane PLs) and the oxidative lipid metabolites, and determination of the extent of lipid peroxidation in the biological systems, are challenging and tedious due to the choice/availability of a suitable analytical method and also the complexity of different peroxidation products of lipids formed in a temporal scale which is system-dependent. Therefore, the current chapter discusses various available analytical methods/techniques to analyze the oxidized lipids and determine lipid peroxidation in the biological systems with an emphasis on health and disease. Finally, the importance of oxidative lipidomics has been discussed as a rapidly emerging discipline of measuring oxidative stress.
Necrotic upper tips1 mimics heat and drought stress and encodes a protoxylem-specific transcription factor in maize

Maintaining sufficient water transport during flowering is essential for proper organ growth, fertilization, and yield. Water deficits that coincide with flowering result in leaf wilting, necrosis, tassel browning, and sterility, a stress condition known as “tassel blasting.” We identified a mutant, necrotic upper tips1 (nut1), that mimics tassel blasting and drought stress and reveals the genetic mechanisms underlying these processes. The nut1 phenotype is evident only after the floral transition, and the mutants have difficulty moving water as shown by dye uptake and movement assays. These defects are correlated with reduced protoxylem vessel thickness that indirectly affects metaxylem cell wall integrity and function in the mutant. nut1 is caused by an Ac transposon insertion into the coding region of a unique NAC transcription factor within the VND clade of Arabidopsis. NUT1 localizes to the developing protoxylem of root, stem, and leaf sheath, but not metaxylem, and its expression is induced by flowering. NUT1 downstream target genes function in cell wall biosynthesis, apoptosis, and maintenance of xylem cell wall thickness and strength. These results show that maintaining protoxylem vessel integrity during periods of high water movement requires the expression of specialized, dynamically regulated transcription factors within the vasculature.
A review of vehicle active safety control methods: From antilock brakes to semiautonomy:

A comprehensive review of technologies and approaches for active safety systems designed to reduce ground vehicle crashes, as well as the associated severity of injuries and fatalities, is provided...
Make It Quick or Make It Last? Dilemmas in the Implementation of a School Improvement Reform

AbstractThis paper studies the early implementation of a school improvement effort in two high schools. We examine what explains variation in the teacher adoption of program practices. Our findings highlight the tension between encouraging immediate adoption of program practices and the longer-term goals of school-wide culture change. We find that highly structured practices and those that are already aligned with teachers' extant beliefs and classroom practices can be implemented with little pre-existing capacity. These conditions may also lead to more consistent and quicker initial adoption. However, this type of implementation might not encourage sufficient understanding of program goals and may inhibit the diffusion of practices into the school culture. Findings highlight dilemmas associated with program practices when the goal is to bring educational reforms to scale.
“We Females Have to Be Contented with the Tales of Adventures”: Trauma and Gender in Dorothy Day’s Early Reporting

This examination into the early writings of radical Catholic activist and newspaper founder Dorothy Day will explore how she fits into a cohort of journalists whose experiences with trauma both dro...
Shifting the Interaction Order in a Kindergarten Classroom in a Somali-Centric Charter School

Classroom behavior management has been identified as an issue for some educators of refugee children who do not feel adequately prepared to support their students. While most of the research has been conducted on refugee-background students in secondary school settings, there is growing awareness that early childhood educators need support in identifying pedagogical and behavioral strategies which are supportive, inclusive, and effective for refugee children. In this chapter, we turn the language socialization lens on classroom behavior management in a kindergarten classroom in a Somali-centric charter school located in the American Midwest. We examine change over time with a focus on the teacher’s practices for quieting students. In analyzing data collected over three school years, we found that the teacher expanded her repertoire of practices for restoring quiet and order and that this change over time may be characterized as a shift from a teacher-as-sole-authority orientation toward classroom behavior management to an orientation in which authority can be shared with students. In addition to contributing to the small body of research related to Somali refugee children, we hope to help shape a different narrative about young children of refugees and the teachers who work with them, as well as to encourage researchers and practitioners to consider what culturally responsive classroom management might be for this population.
Focusing the Conceptualization of Erotophilia and Erotophobia on Global Attitudes Toward Sex: Development and Validation of the Sex Positivity-Negativity Scale.

Previous measures of erotophobia/erotophilia like the Sexual Opinion Survey (SOS) assessed gut-level positive–negative affective and evaluative reactions to a wide range of sexual stimuli, resulting in purposefully diverse item content. Although an effective strategy, the item content of existing erotophilia/erotophobia scales is now potentially too generalized, encompassing what have since developed as an array of more focused constructs in the current literature like attitudes toward (1) casual sex, (2) pornography, (3) non-heterosexual orientations (e.g., homophobia), and (4) masturbation. The current study therefore sought to evaluate existing scales and to develop a conceptually focused measure of sex-positivity and sex-negativity using a distinct strategy designed to obviate the need for overly generalized (and potentially imbalanced or confounding) item content. Using responses from 2205 online respondents (82% Caucasian, 66% heterosexual, and 50% female) completing an item pool of 158 items, the current study employed a combination of classic test-theory analyses (e.g., exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses) and item response theory analyses to develop a psychometrically optimized scale—the Sex Positivity–Negativity (SPN) scale. The SPN scale demonstrated: (1) a stable 2-subscale structure distinguishing sex-negativity from sex-positivity, (2) consistently high levels of internal consistency across 31 demographic subsamples, (3) more discriminant than convergent validity with existing erotophilia scales given its novel focus, (4) discriminant validity with more specific sexual attitudes, (5) greater levels of power and precision for detecting differences between individuals, (6) stronger links to individual, sexual, and relationship functioning than existing scales, and (7) incremental validity over the SOS for predicting change in relationship dynamics over 6 months. The findings therefore suggested that the SPN scale is a conceptually focused measure of sex-positivity and sex-negativity offering researchers a comparatively short and effective tool. Implications are discussed.
Oral Lisinopril Raises Tissue Levels of ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor, in Healthy Male and Female Mice

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the established cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2. However, it is unclear whether ACE1 inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril) or angiotensin receptor blockers (e.g., losartan) alter tissue ACE2 expression. This study sought to determine whether lisinopril or losartan, as monotherapies or in combination, change tissue levels of ACE2 in healthy male and female mice. Mice were treated for 21 days with drinking water containing lisinopril (10 mg/kg/day), losartan (10 mg/kg/day), or both. A control group was given water without drug. ACE2 protein index, the ratio of ACE2 protein to total protein, was determined on tissues from the small intestine, lung, kidney, and brain. Oral lisinopril increased ACE2 protein index across all tissues (p
The study of meta-stable positive ions with a double-focussing mass spectrometer: Part II. Methods used to study “meta-stable peaks” and the sensitivity achieved with a toluene sample

Abstract The sensitivity of the model RMH-2 mass spectrometer for the study of decompositions of meta-stable ions is illustrated in the case of toluene. “Meta-stable peaks” corresponding to about 1 or 2 p.p.m. of base peak intensity can be detected. A method for scanning the mass spectrum with fixed ion accelerating voltage at a series of pre-selected electric sector voltages is described and its advantages discussed. This has enabled many new decomposition processes to be detected.
Myxobacters from Arid Mexican Soil

Myxobacters were found to be common inhabitants of the arid soils from the Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, area. Thirteen species of the genera Myxococcus, Archangium, Cystobacter, Stigmatella, Polyangium, and Chondromyces were isolated on a mineral salts agar supplemented with bakers' yeast and filter paper. Greater species diversity per soil sample was found in the region receiving 400 to 800 mm of annual rainfall as compared with soils from an area having only 200 to 400 mm of rainfall.
Chronic respiratory disease among nonsmokers in Hagerstown, Maryland: IV. Effects of urban residence on pulmonary function values

Abstract The effects of urban residence on prevalence of respiratory symptoms and on pulmonary function in a population of white male nonsmokers are presented. Residence in urban areas of 50,000 + population in childhood was positively related to the PEFR; the effect at age 21 was estimated as approximately +26 liters/min. Residence in urban areas during adult life showed a significant nonlinear relationship to PEFR. Values increased during the first 7 years of urban residence as an adult, and then declined; this effect, at 30 years of urban residence after age 21, was estimated at −44 liters/min. No effect on the FEV 1.0 was found. Results for the prevalence of cough and phlegm are consistent with the results for the PEFR, but numbers were too small to allow definite conclusions to be drawn. The variance about the regressions was studied, and it was discovered that social class and urban residence affected the relationship of the variance about the regression to the age of the respondents.
Focus on communication: Improving interaction between staff and residents who have severe or profound mental retardation

The purpose of the present research project was to examine change in interactive behaviors between staff and residents of facilities that serve individuals with mental retardation. Twelve staff members were trained using an adapted component of the Nursing Child Assessment Satellite Training model, the Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities Adaptation of the Nursing Child Assessment Feeding Scale. Data indicated some slight increases in positive interactive staff behaviors with some small indications of generalization to another task and maintenance over a 6-month period in one setting. Little or inconsistent change was indicated in resident behaviors. Recommendations are made for further investigation of factors related to behavior change in staff and residents.
Both Pre-Transplant and Early Post-Transplant Antireflux Surgery Prevent Development of Early Allograft Injury After Lung Transplantation.

Antireflux surgery (ARS) has been associated with improved lung transplant outcomes. Pre-transplant ARS has been shown in small studies to improve pulmonary function among transplant candidates with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although early post-transplant ARS has been shown to be effective in reducing chronic rejection, the optimal timing of ARS in transplant recipients remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the time to early allograft injury among lung transplant recipients by timing of ARS. This was a retrospective cohort study of lung transplant recipients undergoing ARS before or after transplantation at a tertiary care center since 2007, with at least 1-year follow-up. Early allograft injury was defined clinically and histologically as acute rejection or lymphocytic bronchiolitis, occurring within the first year after transplantation. In accordance with prior studies, the cutoff between early and late post-transplant ARS was set at 6 months. Time-to-event analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model was applied to assess the relationship between timing of surgery and early allograft injury. Subjects not meeting this outcome were censored at 1 year in the time-to-event analysis. Fisher’s exact test for binary variables and Student’s t test for continuous variables were performed to assess for differences among the three groups: ARS pre-transplant, ARS early post-transplant, and ARS late post-transplant. Forty-eight subjects (60 % men, mean age 55) met the inclusion criteria for the study. Patient demographics, pre-transplant cardiopulmonary function, BMI, CMV status, and PPI exposure were similar between groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated significantly increased early allograft injury in late post-transplant ARS patients compared with both pre-transplant (log-rank p = 0.007) and early post-transplant (log-rank p = 0.05) patients, as well as a significant trend across groups (log-rank p = 0.005). No significant difference between pre- and early post-transplant groups was noted. Three ARS failures were noted in the pre- and late post-transplant groups. Complications included one death due to aspiration pneumonia in a late post-transplant ARS recipient. No early post-transplant ARS patients experienced ARS failure or complications. Late post-lung transplant ARS resulted in increased risk of early allograft injury compared to pre-transplant and early post-transplant ARS. Both pre- and early post-transplant ARS appear equally safe and effective in improving lung transplant outcomes. These findings support consideration of aggressive reflux testing and application of antireflux measures before or soon after transplantation to minimize the impact of reflux on allograft injury.
Post-Earthquake Pipeline Leak Detection Technologies

Pipelines carry water, fuel, waste, communication and power cables, all of which are important to the operation of residential, hospital, military, and industrial complexes. Often, pipelines are severely damaged after catastrophes such as earthquakes. The immediate inspection of pipelines is critical to prevent fires, explosions, and contamination from broken gas, water, or sewage lines. This paper reviews the conventional and emerging technologies used in pipeline leak detection. These technologies are discussed in terms of the phenomena employed, principles, system applicability, and positive and negative virtues of each when applied to various pipeline defect detection.
Using open source software for scientific simulations, data visualization, and publishing

There is a growing number of software packages that can be legally downloaded from the Internet and used in educational and research projects under licenses that involve no costs and few practical restrictions. Primarily, this is open source software. Using an investigation of waves in simulated excitable media as a case study, it is shown that an extensive project, from parallel computer simulations and data visualization stages to the final publication preparation stage, can be carried out completely based on free software. This creates favorable research and educational opportunities in low budget environments.
A Comparison of Weight Estimation Methods in Adult Horses

Abstract Weight tapes and body weight estimation formulas are routinely used to determine the body weight of a horse when a scale is not available. The established formula to estimate body weight in mature horses is weight (kg) = ( heartgirth 2 × body length )/(11,880 cm 3 ). Two variations of the body length measurement have been used, measuring distance from the point of the shoulder to the ischial tuberosity (Point) or to the midpoint of the distance between the widest part of the stifle and the tail when viewed from the rear (Stifle). The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a commercial weight tape and the body weight estimation formula using both body length measurements in estimating weight of adult horses. Horses (n = 145) were weighed on a portable livestock scale, and measured for height at the withers, heart girth circumference, and body length by using the Point and Stifle measurements. A commercial weight tape was used to estimate body weight on 110 horses. The two formula weight estimations and the weight tape estimation were significantly different from the actual weight and from each other. The mean difference between actual weight and tape weight (n = 110) was 65.81 kg, whereas the differences between actual weight and the formula estimations (n = 145) were 17.25 kg for the Point measurement and 45.26 kg for the Stifle measurement. The estimation formula using body length measurement with the ischial tuberosity endpoint most closely estimates the actual body weight of the horses.
Medicine in the age of electronic health records

In the era of EHRs, it is possible to examine the outcomes of decisions made by doctors during clinical practice to identify patterns of care---generating evidence based on the collective practice of experts. We will discuss methods that use unstructured patient data to monitor for adverse drug events, profile specific drugs, identify off-label drug usage, uncover 'natural experiments' and generate practice-based evidence for difficult-to-test clinical hypotheses. We will describe how to detect associations among drugs and their adverse events several years before an alert is issued as well as compute the true rate of drug-drug interactions. We will present approaches to identify novel off-label uses of drugs using the patient feature matrix along with prior knowledge about drugs, diseases, and known usage. We will review a natural experiment--where a subset of congestive heart failure patients who were prescribed Cilostazol despite its black box warning--and profile its safety. We will discuss the testing of a clinical hypothesis about an association between allergic conditions and chronic uveitis in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Präzisionsmessung der Feinstrukturkonstante

Interferometrie mit Materiewellen hat sich in jungerer Vergangenheit zu einem Werkzeug fur Prazisionsmessungen unterschiedlicher Art entwickelt. Unsere Gruppe an der Stanford University arbeitet an einer Messung der Feinstrukturkonstante α. Wir nutzen dabei den Ruckstos, den ein Casiumatom erfahrt, wenn es mit vielen Photonen gleichzeitig wechselwirkt. Durch diese Multiphotonenprozesse lasst sich das Signal um einen Faktor hundert gegenuber fruheren Experimenten erhohen.
Focal Adhesions in (Myo)fibroblasts Scaffold Adenylyl Cyclase with Phosphorylated Caveolin

Fibroblast-myofibroblast transformation, a critical event for enhanced extracellular matrix deposition, involves formation of an actin stress fiber contractile apparatus that radiates from focal adhesions (FA) in the plasma membrane. Activation of adenylyl cyclase (AC, i.e. increases in cAMP) negatively regulates such transformation. Caveolae and their resident protein caveolins scaffold signaling molecules, including AC isoforms, whereas phosphorylated caveolin-1 (phospho-cav-1) may localize at FA. Here, we used adult rat cardiac fibroblasts to examine distribution and expression of AC, phospho-cav-1, and FA proteins to define mechanisms that link increases in cAMP to caveolin-1 phosphorylation, actin/FA assembly, and fibroblast-myofibroblast transformation. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation, immunoblot, and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that, unlike cav-1, phospho-cav-1 enriches in membrane fractions that express FA proteins and localize at the ends of actin stress fibers. We detected AC in both cav-1 and phospho-cav-1 immunoprecipitates, but FA kinase (FAK), phospho-FAK (FAK Tyr-397), paxillin, and vinculin were detected only in phospho-cav-1 immunoprecipitates. Treatment with the AC activator forskolin or a cAMP analog increased cav-1 phosphorylation but decreased FAK Tyr-397 phosphorylation in a cAMP-dependent protein kinase-dependent manner. These events preceded actin cytoskeletal disruption, an effect that was blocked by small interfering RNA knock-down of cav-1. Inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B abrogated cAMP-mediated disruption of actin cytoskeleton, cav-1 phosphorylation, and FAK Tyr-397 dephosphorylation. The data thus define a novel organization of signaling molecules that regulate fibroblasts: scaffolding of AC by phospho-cav-1 at FA sites in a caveolae-free microdomain along with components that mediate inhibition of actin/FA assembly and fibroblast-myofibroblast transformation via increases in cAMP.
Two-regular subgraphs of hypergraphs

We prove that the maximum number of edges in a k-uniform hypergraph on n vertices containing no 2-regular subhypergraph is (n-1k-1) if k>=4 is even and n is sufficiently large. Equality holds only if all edges contain a specific vertex v. For odd k we conjecture that this maximum is (n-1k-1)[email protected][email protected]?, with equality only for the hypergraph described above plus a maximum matching omitting v.
Quality Assurance For Image Display Devices In A Hospital-Wide IMACS Network

The AT&T CommView® image management and communication system (IMACS) at Georgetown University supports multiple work stations for diagnosis, review, and research. Consistancy of the perceived brightness of displayed images throughout the network in the hospital is a critical issue. A simple method has been developed to set and track the brightness of cathod ray tuned used to display radiological images. A computer generated test image (SMPTE) is used. This consists of 11 brightness patches equally spaced over the dynamic range of CRT intensity driving levels. This test image is displayed and viewed in the same manner as patient images. An inexpensive hand-held photometer calibrated in ft-Lamberts is used to measure the brightness patches of the test images.
Fedosov’s formal symplectic groupoids and contravariant connections

Abstract Using Fedosov’s approach we give a geometric construction of a formal symplectic groupoid over any Poisson manifold endowed with a torsion-free Poisson contravariant connection. In the case of Kahler–Poisson manifolds this construction provides, in particular, the formal symplectic groupoids with separation of variables. We show that the dual of a semisimple Lie algebra does not admit torsion-free Poisson contravariant connections.
Association of apolipoprotein B gene variants with plasma apoB and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.

The contribution of the variants of the apolipoprotein (apo) B locus to the total variance in plasma apoB and cholesterol levels was examined in four independent populations, two that were composed of normal controls (n = 77 and 85) and two with coronary heart disease (n = 115 and 159). A correlation between genotype at the apoB-XbaI locus and apoB levels was observed. The effects of the (+; presence of restriction site) and (-) alleles were to increase or decrease the apoB and cholesterol levels by approximately 3.5 mg/dl, respectively. None of the 274 individuals in the coronary heart disease (CHD) groups was found to be a carrier of the apoB allele Arg3500→Gln, previously shown to be associated with an apoB protein defective in binding to the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R). No DNA sequence variants were found in the region encoding amino acid residues 3129–3532 within the putative LDL-R binding domain among 35 individuals with apoB levels above the 94th percentile (141 mg/dl).
Cavity ring-down spectroscopy of CH and CD radicals in a diamond thin film chemical vapor deposition reactor

A mixture of H2 and CH4 is passed over a hot-wire tungsten filament in a diamond thin film chemical vapor deposition reactor. The resulting CH radicals are measured in absorption using cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS). The concentration of the CH radicals increases as the filament is approached. The rotational temperature measurements indicate a large temperature discontinuity between the filament and the CH in the gas phase. The pathways for CH production were investigated by replacing H2 by D2 in the feed gas mixture, which resulted in the exclusive production of CD. From this observation it is concluded that rapid H/D isotope exchange dominates in the gas phase. Nonperiodic temporal oscillations in the CH concentration are observed when a rhenium filament is used in place of a tungsten filament. The oscillations are attributed to the nonperiodic changes in the amount of carbon at the filament surface.
POLARITY OF TRACHEARY REGENERATION IN YOUNG INTERNODES OF COLEUS (LABIATAE)

After Jacobs' recent discovery of almost absolute basipetal polarity of IAA-4C movement through young internodes of Coleus, tracheary regeneration around a wound in the stem was re-investigated to see if it showed parallel changes from the less strict polarity of IAA-14C described decades ago. As determined from either counts of "complete regenerated strands" or from finer details of regeneration, tracheary regeneration was very strongly polar. If leaves were present only below the wound, no regenerated strands developed unless there was a sizeable length of leafless stem remaining above the wound. If there were leaves below the wound as well as above it the amount of regeneration was usually reduced. The short strands of acropetally regenerating tracheary cells, previously interpreted as resulting from acropetal IAA movement, were observed in plants with leaves above but not below the wound, and were not seen in plants with leaves only below the wound. Hence, they are more likely to result from basipetally moving IAA. Isolated patches of tracheary regeneration were observed under several conditions. The wound interfered with development of the leaf directly above the wound.
Knowledge of Food Identification, Food Preparation Techniques, and Attitudes toward the Professional Need for Food Skills of Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Students

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME : To evaluate the need for and the level of professional food knowledge and preparation skills in dietetic education and practice. A survey was sent to a sample of 340 registered dietitians (RD) stratified by 5 areas of practice, and to 160 affiliate members (AM) of the American Dietetic Association. Responses were received from 197 RDs and 49 AMs. Food identification and preparation was measured with a 20 question Food Literacy Quiz (FLQ) previously developed to measure the cooking knowledge of a national sample of heads of household. Attitudes toward the professional need for food skills was measured by questions based on performance standards for dietetic education and food science curricula. With an FLQ score of 70% correct considered passing, 90% of the RD group and 70% of the AM group passed. A significant difference was found between mean scores of the RD (79.9±1.9) and the AM (74.3±2.1) on the FLQ. No significant differences were found according to area of practice. Questions most often answered incorrectly by both groups included: "How much raw rice yields 1 cup of cooked rice?" "To keep broccoli green when cooking, you should leave the cover on?" (T or F). A significant difference in attitude toward the professional need for food skills was found in response to the question: "Do you feel you have enough overall knowledge of foods?" Among the RD group, 84% felt they had enough food knowledge in comparison to 67% of the AM group. These finding suggest that even though RDs knew more about food than AMs, both groups had lower scores than might be expected of professionals who specialize in food, nutrition and health.
Pilomatrixoma of the head and neck in children

Summary Pilomatrixoma, also known as calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe, is a benign tumor of hair cell origin. It is an unusual, but not particularly rare, tumor. Fifty percent or more of pilomatrixomas occur in the head and neck, and 40% occur in patients under 10 years of age. Pilomatrixomas may be mistaken for cysts, calcified lymph nodes, calcified hematomas or hemangiomas, or parotid gland tumors. We describe our experience with 15 children, 1½–12 years of age, in whom we have excised pilomatrixomas from the head and neck.
Further observations on the chemistry of Pararosaniline-Feulgen staining

Pararosaniline-Feulgen staining of cells in suspension produces nucleus- and chromatin-specific fluorescence as well as color. Experiments were designed to test postulated reaction mechanisms responsible for the fluorescent staining with the nonfluorescent pararosaniline. The reduction in fluorescent-staining intensity by pretreatment of cells with 2.2 x 10-2M K2S2O5 tends to rule out the alkysulfonic acid pathway; conditions favoring the formation of this intermediate reduce staining intensity. The fluorescence enhancement, observed when cells stained in pararosaniline without K2S2O5 are post-treated with K2S2O5, suggests that there is an initial Schiff-base linkage between pararosaniline and an aldehyde of hydrolyzed DNA, and that this linkage is stabilized in the presence of K2S2O5. Microspectrofluorometer measurements of cells stained at various pararosaniline concentrations in 2.2x10-2M K2S2O5, show that the fluorescence emission maximum ranges from about 627 nm at 3.1x10-3 M pararosaniline to about 604 nm at 3.1x10-5M. All of the employed staining protocols appear to produce the same fluorescent product, perhaps a heterocyclic pyronin analog formed from pararosaniline. Flow microfluorometric analysis of cells stained in suspension verified that the relative fluorescence intensity represents relative DNA content. Staining at reduced pararosaniline concentration (3.1x10-4M) reduces the coefficient of variation of the flow microfluorometric histograms, showing that maximum quantitation does not necessarily correlate with maximum staining intensity.
In Situ Hydraulic Conductivity of Clay and Silty-Clay Fluvial-Deltaic Sediments, Texas Gulf Coast

Two aquifer pumping tests (13 and 24 hours) and a tracer injection test were performed on shallow (7.5 m) clay and silty-clay sediments of the fluvial-deltaic Beaumont Formation from the U.S. Gulf Coast. The in situ horizontal hydraulic conductivity determined from these tests is found to be approximately 10−3 cm/sec. This value is one to three orders of magnitude larger than that of typical silts and clays, and two to four orders of magnitude larger than the vertical hydraulic conductivity measured on core in laboratory permeameter experiments. A uniformity of the drawdown curves from different observation wells strongly suggests that hydraulic conductivity is relatively homogeneous and isotropic in the horizontal plane at the scale of the test. This relatively large in situ horizontal hydraulic conductivity for these clay-rich sediments is attributed to macroporosity rather than matrix porosity.
Genes regulating HLA class I antigen expression in T-B lymphoblast hybrids.

Regulation of HLA class I and class II antigen expression was studied in hybrids of human T and B lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). The T-LCL CEMR.3 expresses no HLA class II antigens. It expresses little total HLA class I antigen and no HLA-B antigens. The B-LCL 721.174 is a radiation-induced variant immunoselected for loss of class II antigen expression. In addition to showing a deletion of all HLA-DR and DQ structural genes, 721.174 expresses no HLA-B antigens and a decreased level of HLA-A antigen compared with the parental cell line. A hybrid of 721.174 and CEMR.3 expresses class II antigens encoded by CEMR.3. Increased expression of HLA class I antigens encoded by both 721.174 and CEMR.3 was also observed. Specifically, the previously undetectable HLA-B5 and HLA-Bw6 antigens encoded by 721.174 and CEMR.3, respectively, were present on the hybrid. Increased expression of the HLA-A2 antigen encoded by 721.174 was also observed. An immunoselected variant of the hybrid lacking both CEMR.3-derived copies of chromosome 6 lost expression of the HLA-B5 antigen encoded by 721.174 and expressed a decreased amount of HLA-A2. From these data, we infer that two complementary trans-acting factors mediate enhanced expression of HLA class I antigens in the hybrid. One of these factors is provided by a gene located on chromosome 6, derived from CEMR.3. The second factor, introduced by 721.174, is the gene previously postulated to induce expression of CEMR.3-encoded class I antigens in hybrids of CEMR.3 with B-LCL.
Some results on the boundary condition model t-matrix

Abstract It is shown that the pure boundary condition model (BCM) t -matrix obtained from the Hoenig-Lomon pseudopotential does not satisfy the analyticity requirements suggested by Brayshaw, since the t -matrix possesses unphysical poles. A closed form expression is derived for the t -matrix which arises when the external potential in the BCM is taken to be a square well. A separable expansion for the t -matrix is also derived and compared numerically with the closed form result. The rate of convergence is found to be fast enough to be of practical value in calculations on the three-nucleon system.
Entry of mouse hepatitis virus into cells by endosomal and nonendosomal pathways.

Abstract OBLV60 is an acid-dependent syncytium-forming variant isolated from OBL21 cells persistently infected with the pH-independent mouse hepatitis virus (MHV)-4 strain. The fusion activity of OBLV60 can be strictly regulated by controlling pH and thus provides the means to definitively examine the entry of MHV into cells by endosomal and nonendosomal pathways. Shortly after high multiplicity infection, both MHV-4 and OBLV60 were detected by electron microscopy in endosomal vesicles and were recovered from lysates of cells treated with proteinase K to remove extracellular virus. For OBLV60, but not MHV-4, exposure to lysosomotropic compounds early in infection prevented viral penetration and significantly reduced viral yields. These results suggested that both MHV-4 and OBLV60 utilized the endosomal route of entry into cells, but that MHV-4 did not require acidification of endosomal vesicles. Studies on the entry of virus through fusion at the cell surface were performed by briefly exposing surface-bound OBLV60 to a fusion-permissive pH under conditions that prevent endocytic entry. Acid treatment of surface-bound OBLV60 caused a significant increase in the yields of virus produced in cultures of fusion-sensitive Sac− or DBT cells, demonstrating entry of virus by fusion at the cell surface. No measurable increase in virus production was detected with acid treatment of OBLV60 bound to OBL21 cells, suggesting that entry at the cell surface does not occur in these cells, which are resistant to MHV-induced syncytia formation. These results raise interesting questions concerning how mechanisms of MHV entry influence the selection of fusion variants.
Structure and development of bracteal nectary glands in Aphelandra (Acanthaceae)

A survey of bracteal (extrafloral) nectaries in species of Aphelandra (Acanthaceae) reveals substantial diversity. Each bracteal nectary is an aggregate of individual glands that vary in number, size, and structure among species. Glands contain three cell layers: a palisade-like secretory cell layer, a one-to-many-celled intermediate layer with thickened cell walls, and a foot layer. Members of the A. pulcherrima complex have one of two distinct gland types: relatively small glands with a single-celled intermediate layer or larger glands that have a multicellular intermediate layer. Nectaries composed of small glands are patches of many (>50) glands, whereas those composed of large glands are patches of <10 glands. Four outgroup species have bracteal nectaries of numerous small glands with pluricellular intermediate layers. Glands of all three types are initiated as single enlarged protodermal cells, and all undergo similar early periclinal divisions; the large-gland type shows greater subsequent enlargement with many more anticlinal divisions. The bracteal nectar glands are interpreted to be homologous with simpler glandular trichomes, and mark a monophyletic lineage within Aphelandra. Comparisons with outgroup species show that both nectary types in the A. pulcherrima complex have diverged from an ancestral condition of numerous small glands with pluricellular intermediate layers. Use of the ontogenetic criterion to polarize gland type within the A. pulcherrima complex would yield erroneous results because evolution has apparently involved a developmental truncation with loss of cell divisions in the intermediate layer of small glands. Comparable nectar glands in more distant taxa are interpreted as remarkable cases of convergent evolution, perhaps from similar trichome precursors.
A comparison of hypertonic to isotonic fluid in the resuscitation of brain injury and hemorrhagic shock

We studied the early and late effects of hypertonic resuscitation (HR) on the injured brain using a porcine model of hemorrhagic shock and focal cryogenic brain injury. After shock, swine were randomly assigned to receive a bolus (4 cc/kg) of either Ringers lactate (RL) or 7.5% hypertonic saline in 6% Dextran 70, followed by either RL or hypertonic sodium lactate to restore mean arterial pressure to baseline. All animals were studied for 24 hr after the start of resuscitation. Bolus HR improved cerebral blood flow (CBF) with a lower intracranial pressure (ICP) than RL. Continued hypertonic resuscitation prolonged the period of improved CBF and low ICP. At 24 hr CBF had deteriorated in the region of injury in all study groups and in the uninjured hemisphere in swine receiving RL. These data suggest that rapid resuscitation without increasing ICP for up to 6 hr as seen with hypertonic fluid could conceivably allow adequate time for surgical evacuation of mass lesions and effectively prevent secondary brain injury. This work underscores the importance of prolonged periods of study when evaluating brain resuscitation from traumatic shock.
Nanoparticle interface driven microstructural evolution and crystalline phases of polypropylene: The effect of nanoclay content on structure and physical properties

Abstract Significant differences in the microstructure occur when the polypropylene matrix dispersed with 4 wt.% and 8 wt.% nanoclay. In neat polypropylene, α-crystals nucleate in the low to moderate crystallization pressure range of (∼0.1–60 MPa), while γ-phase nucleates at crystallization pressure of ∼60–200 MPa. In contrast to neat polypropylene, the presence of nanoclay in the polymer matrix, promotes the formation of γ-phase at ambient crystallization pressure of 0.1 MPa. Nanoclay and pressure-induced crystallization governs phase evolution and microstructure of polypropylene and is associated with change in the thermodynamic and physical properties such as equilibrium melting point and glass transition temperature. This change in equilibrium melting point and glass transition temperature points toward thermodynamic interaction between polymer-nanoparticle and nanoparticle interface-driven microstructural evolution. The dependence of equilibrium melting point on crystallization pressure and spherulite size on undercooling delineates two distinct regimes which are ascribed to dominant α- and γ-phases of polypropylene. However, the effect of nanoparticles is less dramatic when nanoclay content is increased from 4 wt.% to 8 wt.% implying that the effect maximizes at ∼4 wt.% nanoclay.