cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies of gastric Ca2+-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase. I. characterization and general properties.

Abstract Gastric microsomes do not contain any significant Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity. Trypsinization of pig gastric microsomes in presence of ATP results in a significant (2–3-fold) increase in the basal (with Mg2+ as the only cation) ATPase activity, with virtual elimination of the K+-stimulated component. Such treatment causes unmaksing of a latent Mg2+-dependent Ca2+-stimulated ATPase. Other divalent cations such as Sr2+, Ba2+, Zn2+ and Mn2+ were found ineffective as a substitute for Ca2+. Moreover, those divalent cations acted as inhibitors of the Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity. The pH optimum of the enzyme is around 6.8. The enzyme has a K m of 70 μM for ATP and the K a values for Mg2+ and Ca2+ are about 4 · 10 −4 M and 10−7 M, respectively. Studies with inhibitors suggest the involvement of sulfhydryl and primary amino groups in the operation of the enzyme. Possible roles of the enzyme in gastric H+ transport have been discussed.
Comparison of a prostaglandin-F2α-based reproductive program with an estrus detection-based reproductive program on a large commercial dairy herd

Abstract The purpose of this study was to describe biological outcomes of two reproductive management strategies in commercial dairy cows: estrus detection with and without the use of prostaglandin-F2α. At regular preinsemination examinations, cows were allocated randomly to two cohorts: 1) prostaglandin cohort -- cows with palpable corpora lutea were injected with 25 mg dinoprost tromethamine and were bred by appointment 72 and 96 hours later, followed one week later by standard estrus detection practices (twice daily observation and tail chalking, with breeding approximately 12 to 24 hours later); and 2) estrus detection cohort -- cows identified as exhibiting estrus (observed estrus) were bred through the above standard procedures, without exposure to prostaglandin therapy. Age, milk production, weight, milk progesterone levels and reproductive data were collected for all cows. Although certain between-cohort effects were statistically significant, no differences could be found between the cohorts regarding standard measures of reproductive performance (average days in milk at conception (P=0.79), services per conception (P=0.48), proportion of animals failing to conceive to artificial insemination (P=0.53), and survival analysis on time to conception (P=0.30). With evidence for biological equivalence between the two reproductive strategies, nonbiological standards such as economics or ease of execution would be appropriate in choosing between the two strategies.
Practical approaches to psychiatric issues in the orthodontic patient

Orthodontics requires an extended, complex collaborative effort between the orthodontist, the patient, and the family. This collaboration may be compromised by individual or family psychopathology or developmental issues. This article will review the common problems that may occur with individuals and suggest practical solutions.
Text Message Authorship Classification Using Kernel Support Vector Machines

We explore the application of Kernel Support Vector Machines (SVM) to the realm of text messages. Our intent is to classify the author of a text message based on usage patterns present in a training set of text messages. We achieve between 57% and 96% accuracy in determining the author of unknown samples.
Serum proteins of animals infected with Leishmania donovani, with special reference to electrophoretic patterns☆☆☆

Abstract Analyses of the electrophoretic serum patterns of eight species of animals, representing a wide range of host response to Leishmania donovani , have indicated that the response of the susceptible animals (cotton rat, golden hamster, Chinese hamster, chinchilla, mouse and gerbil) was remarkably similar. Regardless of the number of parasites inoculated, the route of inoculation, or the source of parasite inoculum, these animals eventually showed a hypoalbuminemia and a hypergammaglobulinemia. The gerbil was an exception, in that the concentration of albumin tended to remain within the range of normal values. The values for the alpha and beta globulins and total protein concentrations were more variable than the other serum components investigated, but an apparent tendency was one of increased concentration. Superinfection of the gerbil tended to accentuate the previously observed changes. The guinea pig and rabbit, which are of low susceptibility to L. donovani , evidence little or no changes of their serum components. Both animals share the finding that the alpha globulins were increased during the course of infection. Further analysis of the gamma globulin area of the susceptibile animals has shown that a gamma globulin of a slow migration rate is formed in the infected cotton rat, golden hamster and Chinese hamster. No such components were seen in the infected chinchilla, mouse or gerbil. However, there appeared to be a tendency for the peak of the gamma globulin component to become bifid during the course of infection in the gerbil, such that one peak could be considered to have a migration rate similar to that observed for the infected cotton rat, golden hamster or Chinese hamster.
Application of word prediction and disambiguation to improve text entry for people with physical disabilities (assistive technology)

Computers and technologies are becoming an integral and important part of lives for most people, including those with disabilities. Improving and enhancing text entry and interaction with computers for disabled users has been investigated for many years, with many systems and interface devices proposed to facilitate and simplify text input process. This paper describes how we improve textual information entry, through word prediction, as an assistive technology for people with motion impairment using the regular input device, the keyboard, to eliminate the overhead and cognitive load needed for the learning process associated with the new and specialised input devices.
Comparison of somatosensory and somatomotor evoked responses to median nerve and digital nerve stimulation

Abstract Scalp recorded cerebral and myogenic evoked responses to stimulation of the median nerve at the wrist and digital nerve at the index finger were summated and compared in eleven normal adults. Myogenic responses were differentiated from cerebral responses on the basis that the former occurred only with applied local muscle tension or were radically augmented by it, whereas the latter were relatively unaffected by muscle tensing maneuvers. Myogenic and cerebral responses had similar latencies, but their distributions were different. Myogenic potentials for both stimulus sites were widespread, bilateral and their maximal amplitudes and phase reversals occurred at electrodes overlying the contracting muscles. An almost linear relationship existed between the amount of applied muscle tension and the amplitude of the myogenic response. Early cerebral responses for both stimulus sites had a clear contralateral predominance, whereas the later potentials were more generalized. The cerebral response to median nerve stimulation was greater in amplitude, shorter in latency, better defined and similar in configuration to the digital nerve evoked response. Therefore, in terms of amplitude, definition of the response and potential myogenic contamination, digital nerve stimulation offers no advantage for evoking the somatosensory response. In subjects with prominent myogenic responses, recordings surrounding the site of maximal cerebral response showed no area where a cerebral response could be recorded free of potential myogenic contamination. This suggests that the contaminating effect of myogenic responses cannot be eliminated by the judicious choice of recording locations. Since myogenic responses are widely distributed and often much greater in amplitude and similar in latency to the cerebral response, they may potentially cause very serious problems in the interpretation of the scalp response. However, they do not appear to pose an insurmountable problem in normal cooperative subjects if care is taken to ensure relaxation of the scalp musculature.
Allene oxide synthase and hydroperoxide lyase product accumulation in Artemisia species

Abstract Jasmonic acid (JA) and some of its precursors and derivatives are important signaling molecules in plants, especially in defense reactions. Prior reports indicated that Artemisia species might accumulate high levels of JA and methyl jasmonate (MJ), but these levels have not been quantified. We surveyed representative species of Artemisia from around the world and found several species of Artemisia to accumulate unusually high basal levels of JA and MJ. The pool of free linolenic acid was in excess of the amount needed to support the synthesis of JA and MJ. Basal levels of MJ were comparable to or higher than those of JA, and wounding increased only MJ levels. Surveyed species of Artemisia accumulated JA and MJ in the range of 0.6–10 and 2–39 nmol/g FW, with A. tridentata subspecies vaseyana accumulating 20–48 nmol/g FW of JA and MJ depending on growth conditions. Some Artemisia species had two- to eight-fold higher JA when grown outside compared to growth in a greenhouse. Products of the hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) pathway, ( Z )-3-hexenal, ( E )-2-hexenal and hexanal, were only synthesized de novo upon wounding. The data suggest that wounding was needed to activate HPL, and/or bring the enzyme in close proximity to its substrate. Conversely, enzymes of the JA pathway were functioning near their maximum in unwounded leaves of Artemisia .
The subunit structure of yeast DNA photolyase and the purification of a fluorescent activator of the enzyme.

— Yeast DNA photolyase purified twice by affinity chromatography was analyzed by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gradient gels or by sedimentation velocity through 5–200/, sucrose gradients containing 0.4MKC1. Its molecular weight estimated by both these methods was130,000 and136,000, respectively. However, the enzyme dissociated into two bands having molecular weights of60,000 and85,000 when it was examined by electrophoresis on SDS polyacrylamide gradient gels. The subunit structure of the enzyme was confirmed when two absorption maxima corresponding to polypeptides of54,000 and82,500 daltons were observed in sucrose gradients run in 1.0 M KCI. Upon mixing these two fractions, a time-dependent increase in activity occurred, demonstrating that active enzyme could be reconstituted from these subunits. The activity of photolyase purified by affinity chromatography is enhanced by a compound (activator III) obtained from yeast by acidification, neutralization, ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Activator III emits at 350 and 440 nm when excited at 290 nm, and emits at 440 nm when excited at 358 nm. After acid hydrolysis, emission at 440 nm is produced only by excitation at 358 nm, indicating that it contains two separate chromophoric moieties. The chromophore excited by 358 nm light has a pK of 9–11, while the other has a pK of 4–5. Enhancement of photolyase activity by activator III at a concentration equimolar with that of the enzyme and the similarity of the fluorescent spectra of the activator and heat-denatured photolyase suggest that the activator may be the chromophore associated with the enzyme.
The effect of risk and race on lower extremity amputations among Medicare diabetic patients.

Objective The effect of national quality initiatives aiming at limiting lower extremity amputations in diabetic patients remains uncertain. We therefore explored trends in amputation among Medicare diabetic patients with a focus on those at highest risk. Methods The Diabetes Analytical File, an enhanced sample of all diabetic patients from the Medicare 5% sample, was used to study the national incidence of amputation in diabetic patients. Within a cohort of ∼5 million diabetic patients between 1999 and 2006, we compared the incidence of amputation in high-risk (end-stage renal disease or more than three comorbidities) and low-risk groups and by race. Results Between 1999 and 2006, 23,976 amputations were performed, comprising 11,558 in high-risk and 12,418 in low-risk patients. The amputation rate declined over time from 4.8/1000 in 1999 to 4.4/1000 in 2006 ( P P P P Conclusions High-risk patients represent a minority of Medicare diabetic patients but account for 50% of all amputations, and this effect is magnified in African Americans. Future quality improvement efforts should focus on high-risk patients and African Americans.
Demographic and maternal correlates of infant and child mortality in Bangladesh.

This paper analyzes the influence of maternal factors (mothers age parity prior birth interval and subsequent birth interval) on mortality risk for 2150 Bangladeshi infants and children taking the sex and age of the child into account. Logistic regression estimates from retrospective maternal birth histories for the period 1966 to 1975 reveal age and sex patterns consistent with previous research. The results of the multivariate analysis suggest that 3 aspects of demographic and maternal conditions of the child are important: 1) neonatal mortality is high and accounts for about 60% of total deaths within the 1st 10 years of life. The 1st year of life especially the 1st month forms a high priority age period for concerns with childhood mortality. Reduction measures include tetanus vaccination diarrheal therapy and family planning measures; 2) Births to mothers less than 15 years of age have higher mortality and therefore mothers less than 20 years of age should receive special attention and postnatal care; 3) Children born following a short interval since the previous birth are at high mortality risk; since this risk persists for the 1st 2 years concern for these children cannot be dropped immediately after birth. Explanations for the adverse influence of short birth intervals include the mother not having recovered her nutritional resources metabolic balance or muscular or circulatory efficiency; other factors are sibling competition for food maternal care and scarce family resources important to infant health. (authors modified)
[3H]-2,3,7,8-TCDD uptake and elimination kinetics of medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Uptake and elimination rate constants for [3H]-2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin ([3H]TCDD) were estimated by exposing medaka (Oryzias latipes) to [3H]TCDD in flowing water with no solvent carriers. Uptake was determined from body burdens measured on exposure days 0, 2, 4, 6, 10, and 12. Elimination was quantified from whole fish after 28, 90, and 175 d in uncontaminated water. Medaka accumulated [3H]TCDD at a rapid rate, achieving residues 24,000 times the water concentration after 12 d, with no indication of approach to steady state. After 6 months in uncontaminated water, the pg TCDD/g decreased by 69%, much of the decrease due to growth dilution as evidenced by only a 47% decrease in the pg TCDD/fish. Uptake and elimination rate constants (2,300 ml/g/d and 0.0045/d, respectively) were estimated by fitting a one-compartment, linear, mass-balance model to the data, adjusting for growth rate. The experimental design, including solvent-free delivery of [3H]TCDD, exposure at concentrations below maximum water solubility, and measurement of fish growth and lipid content during a 6-month elimination phase, resulted in a predicted steady-state bioconcentration factor (BCF) for medaka of 510,000, a number considerably higher than previously reported for dioxin BCFs. Kinetic parameters were used to successfully predict TCDD BCF in medaka exposed independently.
Deterministic Processor Scheduling

This paper surveys the deterministic scheduling of jobs m uniprocessor, multiprocessor, and job-shop environments. The survey begins with a brief introduction to the representation of task or job sets, followed by a discussion of classification categories. These categories include number of processors, task interruptlbility, job periodicity, deadlines, and number of resources. Results are given for single-processor schedules in job-shop and multIprogramming environments, flow-shop schedules, and multiprocessor schedules. They are stated in terms of optimal constructive algorithms and suboptimal heuristics. In most cases the latter are stated in terms of performance bounds related to optimal results. Annotations for most of the references are provided in the form of a table classifying the referenced studies m terms of various parameters.
The pains of imprisonment: Exploring a classic text with contemporary authors

While classic texts on the prison have long been an important resource for those teaching courses on corrections, prison life has changed dramatically since many of these works were written. For this reason, some instructors may choose to drop classic texts in favor of more recent works. This essay examines recent firsthand accounts of prison written by Ted Conover, Victor Hassine, and Leonard Peltier and argues that such works may be used in conjunction with classic texts to provide students with an exciting, contemporary, and theoretically sophisticated account of prison life. By comparing these recent works to a particular classic text, Sykes's Society of Captives, this essay illustrates this potential for symbiosis and demonstrates some of the ways in which new works provide opportunities to extend our understanding of the classics. When used with classic texts, recent firsthand accounts offer instructors opportunities to illustrate and explain the significance of abstract concepts, to examine issues ...
STOCK-SCION CHEMISTRY AND THE FRUITING RELATIONSHIPS IN APPLE TREES.

The Mailing Nine or "true Paradise" apple stock has been vegetatively propagated for centuries as a rootstock for use in the production of dwarf apple trees. Mailing Nine is said to be native to parts of southern Russia (3), and is presumably a type that has adapted itself to semi-arid conditions. The stock itself is a low branching shrub, rather than a tree. As to the physiological effects in dwarfing the scions (11) of apple varieties grafted or budded upon it, very little is known. Blackman (1) states: "The influence of stock on scion is one which has puzzled plant physiologists for decades. No progress has been made as to the mechanism of the action of a dwarfing stock. ' ' The Mailing Twelve stock used in this work is one of extreme vigor among the vegetatively propagated stocks (8), closely approaching the vigor of the free-growing or seedling crab stocks in common use by American nurserymen for the production of standard budded or grafted apple trees. The two stocks, Mailing Nine and Mailing Twelve, represent very nearly the extremes in growth habit, vigor, age of fruiting, etc., found in the Pyrus makes species. Of the scion varieties used, "Whitney is a very low N tree, slowing up in growth at an early age, while Snow is an extremely high N variety, very vigorous in growth. A chemical study of the trees grown on the two stocks just mentioned should reveal something of the chemistry involved in growth extremes in apple, and possibly something of the fruiting relationships as they occur in dwarf and in standard apple trees of different varieties. All apple scion varieties are not affected in the same way by these two Mailing stocks, according to Roberts 's (14) work. Of the varieties studied here, Wealthy is only moderately dwarfed by the Mailing Nine stock, but is fruiting heavily (at the age of 6 years) on a biennial schedule. Mclntosh on Nine is decidedly dwarfed, with characteristically open top, and fruits heavily. Spy, Winesap, and Whitney are severely dwarfed, and are fruitful. All of these varieties as grown on Mailing Twelve stock are as yet entirely unfruitful (with the exception of Wealthy which fruits lightly) and are very vigorous growers. Snow on Nine is not appreciably dwarfed, however, while Snow on Twelve makes a fair growth but does not show the extreme vigor that might be expected from this combination of root and scion. York in
Establishment of cell polarity in yeast.

The establishment of cell polarity is a central feature of morphogenesis in many types of cells (Schnepf 1986; Horvitz and Herskowitz 1992; Rodriguez-Boulan and Nelson 1993; Shapiro 1993; Priess 1994). Polarity establishment involves selection of an axis of polarization followed by the asymmetric organization of cytoskeletal elements, membranous organdies, components of the plasma membrane, and components of the extracellular matrix or cell wall along this axis. In budding yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, cell polarization is vividly manifested during the vegetative cell cycle by the appearance and selective growth of the bud, which depends on the highly polarized movement of secretory vesicles carrying new cell-surface material, and perhaps of the Golgi cisternae that generate such vesicles (Preuss et al. 1992), to the bud site and into the growing bud. This movement appears to depend primarily on the actin/myosin system (Bretscher et al. 1994; Welch et al. 1994; Govindan et al. 1995), but other cytoskeletal elements such as the cytoplasmic microtubules and the septin-containing neck filaments also polarize before bud emergence (Byers 1981; Kilmartin and Adams 1984; Ford and Pringle 1991; Kim et al. 1991; Snyder et al. 1991) and appear to play roles in modulating the pattern of cellsurface growth and/or in the segregation of organdies along the mother-bud axis (Adams 1984; Adams and Pringle 1984; Jacobs et al. 1988; Palmer et al. 1992; Li et al. 1993; Muhua et al. 1994). Thus, the central questions about the establishment of polarity in budding yeast cells concern how the axes of polarization (bud sites) are chosen, how this choice is communicated to the cytoskeletal systems, and how these processes are coordinated with other events in the cell cycle. Yeast cells also polarize during another phase of the life cycle: During mating, a cell polarizes its cytoskeleton and cell-surface growth toward its partner of opposite mating type (Tkacz and MacKay 1979; Byers 1981; Ford and Pringle 1986; Hasek et al. 1987; Read et al. 1992; Chenevert 1994), apparently in response to the gradient of secreted mating pheromone (Jackson and Hartwell 1990; Segall 1993; Chenevert 1994; Dorer et al. 1995).
Cognitive and Affective representations of people and MCMI–II personality psychopathology.

Hibbard, Hilsenroth, Hibbard, and Nash (1995) found that affective, but not cognitive, dimensions of object representations were related to the severity of psychopathology among outpatients. In this study, the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale (Western, Barends, Leigh, Mendel, & Silbert, 1990) developed for interview data (Relationship Episodes; Luborsky, 1990) was used to assess the object representations of 33 men and 38 women entering psychotherapy. The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II was used to assess the personality traits of the 71 participants. The results support earlier findings that only affective dimensions of object representations are related to outpatient personality pathology.
A micro-to-meso sublaminate model for the viscoelastic analysis of thick-section multi-layered FRP composite structures

Classical ply-by-ply analysis of multi-layered thick-section composite structures with tens of layers through the cross-section is often impractical, especially when material nonlinearity and time-dependent effects are included. This study introduces an integrated micromechanical-sublaminate modeling approach for the nonlinear viscoelastic analysis of thick-section and multi-layered composite structures. The sublaminate model is used to generate three-dimensional (3D) effective nonlinear responses at through-thickness material integration points with given spatial variations of strains determined from the trial strain increments of the standard displacement-based finite-element (FE). The number of material integration points is determined by the resolution of the FE discretization of the composite structure. The sublaminate model at a selected material point represents the effective nonlinear continuum behavior in its neighborhood using the 3D lamination theory with uniform in-plane strain and out-of-plane stress patterns through the representative layers. Therefore, the sublaminate has first-order stress and strain paths and cannot recognize the local sequence of the layers. While this approach is very effective approximation especially in the case of a very large number of repeating layers using relatively few elements (integration points) through the thickness, it cannot be used to represent the interlaminar stresses or bending/extension/twisting coupling effects within a sublaminate. A previously developed micromechanical model by the authors for a nonlinear viscoelastic unidirectional lamina is used for each layer in the sublaminate. The proposed modeling approach is first calibrated and verified against creep tests on off-axis glass/epoxy performed by Lou and Schapery (J. Compos. Mater. 5:208–271, 1971). Analyses for different thick-section laminated structures are presented using the integrated sublaminate with both shell and 3D continuum elements. The proposed 3D nonlinear time-dependent sublaminate model is computationally efficient and robust in analyzing multi-layered composite structures having large number of plies.
Arg interacts with cortactin to promote adhesion-dependent cell edge protrusion

The molecular mechanisms by which the Abelson (Abl) or Abl-related gene (Arg) kinases interface with the actin polymerization machinery to promote cell edge protrusions during cell–matrix adhesion are unclear. In this study, we show that interactions between Arg and the Arp2/3 complex regulator cortactin are essential to mediate actin-based cell edge protrusion during fibroblast adhesion to fibronectin. Arg-deficient and cortactin knockdown fibroblasts exhibit similar defects in adhesion-dependent cell edge protrusion, which can be restored via reexpression of Arg and cortactin. Arg interacts with cortactin via both binding and catalytic events. The cortactin Src homology (SH) 3 domain binds to a Pro-rich motif in the Arg C terminus. Arg mediates adhesion-dependent phosphorylation of cortactin, creating an additional binding site for the Arg SH2 domain. Mutation of residues that mediate Arg–cortactin interactions abrogate the abilities of both proteins to support protrusions, and the Nck adapter, which binds phosphocortactin, is also required. These results demonstrate that interactions between Arg, cortactin, and Nck1 are critical to promote adhesion-dependent cell edge protrusions.
Low-threshold, dual-passive mode locking of a large mode area Nd:GdVO(4) laser.

The all solid-state combination of a saturable Bragg mirror for amplitude modulation and a cascaded χ(2):χ(2) nonlinearity (phase-mismatched second harmonic crystal) as an axial-mode phase locker for continuous-wave mode locking of large mode area lasers is investigated. The dual-passive mode-locking technique generates extremely stable sub-10ps sech2 pulses at 76MHz from a ∼6W, TEM00-mode, diode-pumped, thermal-lens-shaped, Brewster Nd:GdVO4 laser.
Plate kinematics: The Americas, East Africa, and the rest of the world

Abstract Euler vectors (relative angular velocity vectors) have been determined for twelve major plates by global inversion of carefully selected sea-floor spreading rates, transform fault trends, and earthquake slip vectors. The rate information comes from marine magnetic anomalies less than 5 m.y. old, so the motions are valid for post-Miocene times. Plate motions in a mean hotspot frame of reference have also been determined, and statistical confidence limits for all the Euler vectors estimated. Among the consequences of the global motion model is the conclusion that fast-spreading ridges (separation rates greater than 3 cm/yr) have plate motion nearly perpendicular to the strike of the ridge and magnetic anomalies. Four more slowly separating ridges have an average obliquity of spreading of almost 20°. For several plate boundaries, results that differ from previous studies are in agreement with geological evidence. The North and South American plates converge slowly about a pole east of the Antilles and near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The results for Africa versus Somalia imply slow east-west extension on the East African Rift Valleys. The pole for motion of Eurasia relative to North America is located near Sakhalin, in accordance with evidence from Siberia and Sakhalin.
Ultrastructural evidence for presynaptic μ opioid receptor modulation of synaptic plasticity in NMDA-receptor-containing dendrites in the dentate gyrus

Physiological studies have demonstrated that long-term potentiation (LTP) induction in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor containing dentate granule cells following lateral perforant path stimulation is opioid dependent, involving μ-opioid receptors (MORs) on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons. To determine the cellular relationships of MORs to postsynaptic NMDA receptor-containing dendrites, immunoreactivity (-I) against MOR and the NMDA receptor subunit 1 (NMDAR1) was examined in the outer molecular layer of the dentate gyrus using electron microscopy. MOR-I was predominantly in axons and axon terminals. NMDAR1-I was almost exclusively in spiny dendrites, but was also in a few terminals. Using immunogold particles to localize precisely NMDAR1, one-third of the NMDAR1-I was detected on the dendritic plasmalemma; in dendritic spines plasmalemmal immunogold particles were near synaptic densities. Many MOR-labeled axons and terminals contacted NMDAR1-labeled dendrites. MOR-labeled terminals formed symmetric (inhibitory-type) synapses on NMDAR1-labeled dendritic shafts or nonsynaptically contacted NMDAR1-labeled shafts and spines. MOR-labeled axons often abutted NMDAR1-containing dendritic spines which received asymmetric (excitatory-type) synapses from unlabeled terminals. Occasionally, MOR-labeled terminals and dendrites were apposed to NMDAR1-containing terminals. These results provide anatomical evidence that endogenous enkephalins or exogenous opioid agonists could inhibit GABAergic terminals that modulate granule cell dendrites, thus boosting depolarizing events in granule cells and facilitating the activation of NMDA receptors located on their dendrites.
Antibiotic resistance patterns of group B streptococcus in late-third-trimester rectovaginal cultures

Abstract Objective: To determine the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of rectovaginal group B streptococcal (GBS) isolates obtained from a heterogeneous obstetric population in the late third trimester. Methods: We performed a prospective observational study of rectovaginal GBS isolates obtained in the late third trimester during routine screening between January and December 1998. All cultures were prepared in a selective broth medium for 18–24 hours before plating onto sheep blood agar. Susceptibility testing of all isolates was performed for ampicillin, cefazolin, clindamycin, erythromycin, penicillin G, and vancomycin using the Vitek GPS card method. Results: A total of 2,111 rectovaginal cultures were performed in which GBS was isolate from 574 (27.2%) patients. The antibiogram of percent susceptible is as follows: vancomycin (100%), ampicillin (98.2%), penicillin G (98.2%), cefazolin (98.2%), clindamycin (92%), and erythromycin (81%). Ten isolates (1.8%) were sensitive only to vancomycin. Conclusions: Routine susceptibility testing of GBS isolates collected during pregnancy should be considered due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance among GBS strains.
Preliminary experience with alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) and low-dose tacrolimus immunosuppression in adult liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND The administration of alemtuzumab (Campath-1H [C1H]; Berlex Laboratories, Montville, NJ) at transplantation prevents a vigorous immune response and is believed to allow a gradual engagement of the host immune system. We report our preliminary experience with C1H and tacrolimus (Tac) immunosuppression in adult liver transplantation. METHODS We administered C1H and low-dose Tac to 40 adult recipients of cadaveric liver allografts between December 2001 and April 2003. A control group who met the same eligibility criteria consisted of 50 liver transplant recipients treated with our standard Tac and steroids protocol. RESULTS Baseline characteristics and patient and graft survival were similar (P >0.15). The incidence of acute rejection was significantly lower during the first 2 months posttransplantation (P =0.002) and slightly lower overall in the study group versus the control group at 12 months (46% vs. 55%, P =0.12, log-rank test). Median time to rejection among those experiencing rejection was significantly longer in the study group versus control group (2.76 vs. 0.34 months, P =0.0007). The mean Tac dose, 12-hr trough level, and percentage of patients receiving maintenance steroids were significantly lower in the group receiving C1H and Tac (P <0.0001 during the first 3 months, P <0.05 thereafter), as were the mean creatinine levels (P <0.05) and incidence of nephrotoxicity (P =0.004, conversion from Tac to other agents). Finally, in the group receiving C1H/Tac, patients with an average Tac trough level less than 6.5 ng/mL during the first 2 months post-transplantation demonstrated a significantly higher rejection rate beyond that time (P =0.02). CONCLUSION C1H and low-dose Tac seems to be at least as effective as our standard Tac and steroids regimen in preventing acute rejection in adult liver allotransplantation with less renal toxicity and less use of maintenance steroids.
Development of a rapid assay to detect the dinoflagellate Amyloodinium ocellatum using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)

Amyloodinium ocellatum is a highly pathogenic dinoflagellate parasite with global distribution that causes high mortalities in the culture of tropical and sub-tropical marine and estuarine fishes. Diagnosis typically occurs through gross examination following the onset of morbidity, at which point treatment is of limited benefit. In the present study, a new molecular diagnostic tool for the rapid detection of A. ocellatum (AO) was developed using the loop-mediated isothermal amplification method (LAMP). The AO-LAMP assay designed is highly specific using a set of four primers - two outer and two inner primers targeting six different regions on the 5' end of the Small Subunit rDNA region (SSU rDNA) of A. ocellatum. The AO-LAMP assay, optimized for 25-30 min at 62°C, amplified the DNA from A. ocellatum extracted from both water and gill tissue samples and did not amplify DNA from four closely related dinoflagellate sp ecies. The detection limit of the AO-LAMP assay was 10 fg, exceptionally higher than the conventional PCR (1 pg). In addition, the standardized AO-LAMP assay was capable of detecting single tomonts and trophonts; the assay was not affected by the presence of possible inhibitory substances present in environmental water samples or gill samples. The AO-LAMP assay developed in the present study provides a novel useful tool for the simple, rapid and sensitive detection of A. ocellatum in water and gill tissue samples, which could assist in the early detection and improved control of A. ocellatum infections in aquaculture systems.
Advertising of toothpaste in parenting magazines.

We assessed advertisements for children’s toothpaste in two widely read US parenting magazines. Data on the number and type of toothpaste advertisements in two parenting magazines were collected from 116 magazine issues between 2007 and 2011. The number of children’s toothpaste advertisements per year and across magazines was computed. The amount of toothpaste presented in each advertisement was categorized. We noted whether the toothpaste advertisement stated that the toothpaste was fluoridated. We identified a total of 117 children’s toothpaste advertisements in these magazines and confirmed that the majority of the magazine issues contained at least one toothpaste advertisement. Of the 31 advertisements that depicted a picture of a toothbrush with toothpaste, all but one (96.8 %) depicted a full swirl of toothpaste covering the entire toothbrush head, which is well over the recommended amount. The pictures on the advertisements show an excessive amount of toothpaste on the brush, which directly conflicts with the instructions on many toothpastes and dentist recommendations. Those advertisements with photographs that depict a toothbrush with a full brush head of toothpaste are showing over four times the recommended amount for children.
Synovial Chondromatosis in a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

A case of synovial chondromatosis in a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) was found in June 1993. In radiographs of bilateral swelling of the scapulohumeral joint we observed numerous mineralized foci in the soft tissue. The foci were identified by light microscopy as cartilaginous metaplasia. This is the first report of synovial chondromatosis in an owl.
Identification of the combustion behaviour of lignite char between 350 and 900 °C

Abstract The combustion behaviour of four different lignite samples pyrolysed at 800 and 1000 °C has been studied. The reaction order and the activation energy of the char combustion reaction can be easily determined from the time to reach 50% conversion. Under 550 °C the reaction order of lignite samples are 0.7 and the activation energies are 27.4–27.9 kcal gmole−1. Above 550 °C the measurement of the intrinsic reaction rate is limited by the film diffusion resistance. The pyrolysis temperature affects the reactivity significantly. The reactivity of char pyrolysed at 800 °C is 3.5 times that of char pyrolysed at 1000 °C.
Investigations of crystalline phases in the melting of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox

Abstract The melting of Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O x and Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O x /Ag materials have been investigated by high-temperature X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) in order to study the phases that formed during melting-processing. At least three distinct phases of (Sr 1- x Ca x )CuO 2 , (Sr 1- x Ca x ) 2 CuO 3 and (Sr 1- x Ca x )O have been observed in the Bi-rich matrix depending upon operating temperatures. Either the addition of Ag or processing in a pure N 2 atmosphere decreases the melting point by about 30–40°C. Crystallization from the melt by fast cooling usually results in the coexistence of Bi-compounds and these Sr-Ca-Cu-O phases.
Contribution of nitropyrene to the mutagenic activity of coal fly ash

Stack-collected coal fly ash from western low-sulfur coal was extracted with 60:40 benzene/methanol. This extract was fractionated by preparative-scale high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the mutagenic activity of 14 fractions was evaluated by microbial assay with Salmonella typhimurium TA1538. A widespread distribution of direct-acting mutagens, which probably includes both mono- and dinitroaromatics, was detected. HPLC methods were also used to isolate 1-nitropyrene from the total benzene/methanol extract. The identification of 1-nitropyrene was based on gas chromatographic and HPLC retention measurements and mass spectral data. The concentration of 1-nitropyrene in the ash extract was determined by quantitative HPLC analyses. Mutagenicity assays of the total extract and an authentic 1-nitropyrene standard with Salmonella strains TA1538, TA100, and TA98 indicated that the 1-nitropyrene accounts for approximately 0.03-0.16% of the total mutagenic activity of the extract.
Submersible studies of deep-sea furrows and transverse ripples in cohesive sediments

Abstract Abyssal furrows and ripples, formed in cohesive sediments, have been observed and sampled by submersible on the Bahama Outer Ridge. These features have developed as bed forms of steady bottom currents presently flowing at 5–20 cm/sec. Small furrows developed high on the secondary outer ridge are asymmetrical, and have existid for at least the last 11,000 years. Cross-furrow variations in microtopography, sediment type, and accumulation rate suggest that the furrows are maintained by present-day currents. Transverse ripples on furrow wails are developed in cohesive sediments and have small corniches similar to those observed in snow downwind from mountain ridges. Regional changes in furrow type and morphology may reflect changes in sedimentary conditions and furrow evolution (current velocity, sediment type, sedimentation rate), or they may reflect different furrow origins.
Residual Stresses in Weld Repairs and Mitigation by Design

It is well known that residual stresses caused by weld repairs tend can be significantly higher than those caused by initial fabrication welds due to severe restraint conditions associated with typical weld repairs. This paper presents an in-depth investigation of repair weld geometry effects on residual stress distribution characteristics, particularly in terms of the through-thickness membrane and bending content that can be shown fundamentally different from that in initial fabrication welds. The results indicate that repair weld design parameters in terms of repair length, depth, and width are of critical importance to the mitigation of residual stresses. A 3D finite element residual stress modeling procedure developed and validated for numerous case studies in the past, after further validation on a selected component in the current study, is used throughout this investigation.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Tektite Research 1936-1990

— Fifty-odd years of tektite research are reviewed, proceeding from the discovery of the first North American tektites in 1936. This included the early recognition that tektites were terrestrial objects rather than meteorites and that the glassy particles in tektites were fused quartz (lechatelierite). Later, during National Science Foundation-supported research, it was found that some tektites appeared to have formed as puddles of melt, that the content and character of bubbles in lechatelierite can be used as a relative temperature scale, that rayed bubbles in tektites formed from hydrous minerals, that bubbles in tektites formed chiefly from water which was absorbed into the walls of the bubbles leaving vacuums, and that “fingers” in the surficial part of some tektites may have formed by differential volatilization. Some unpublished observations and adventures are briefly reported.
Mutual Inhibitory Effect of (−)-Mandelic Acid and Certain Sulfonamides on the Kinetics of Their Urinary Excretion in Humans

Pseudo-first-order rate constants for the overall elimination of (−)-mandelic acid both in the absence (K) and in the presence (Kas) of sulfadiazine, sulfamethazine, or sulfamerazine were determined in three human subjects. Since the extent of metabolism of (−)-mandelic acid was not significantly altered in the presence of these sulfonamides, the ratio of the rate constants, K/Kas, has been calculated as a measure of the inhibitory effect of each sulfonamide on the urinary excretion of (−)-mandelic acid. For the dosage levels of the inhibitors employed, the range of such ratios found in all three subjects is 1.29—1.55 due to sulfadiazine, 1.33—1.62 due to sulfamethazine, and 1.33-1.76 due to sulfamerazine. Similar inhibitory effects were observed on the urinary excretion of sulfadiazine in the presence of (−)-mandelic acid in two subjects. Therefore, it is concluded that these compounds probably share the same renal tubular transport system(s) for their secretion in humans.
Finite element modeling of lithosphere deformation: The Zagros collision orogeny

Abstract In the Zagros Mountains a formerly stable continental margin is being suddenly deformed. Finite element models of this tectonic flow are used to relate known surface deformations, earthquake locations, and fault plane solutions to unknown rock flow parameters and driving forces, in order to determine the latter. These two-dimensional plane-strain flow models incorporate the effects of nonlinear dislocation creep, frictional faulting, geological inhomogeneity, density anomalies, and varying temperature. All models driven by a subducting slab are unsuccessful because they require subduction of continental crust, which does not match present seismicity. Therefore the former oceanic slab must be detached, and the orogeny must be driven by horizontal compression in the lithosphere. Models also show that the subcrustal lithosphere is not shortened but acts as a stabilizing foundation. These results imply a simple geometry of crustal deformation which can be analytically modeled. The creep strength of the lower crust (75–100 bars) determines the topographic slope of the Zagros. The fact that subduction is not occurring on the old plate boundary places a limit on the shear stress deforming the cold upper crust. This limit is 300 bars if there is limestone at depth in the Crush Zone; otherwise 800 bars. These results are confirmed by a final finite element model. The total driving force of the orogeny associated with these limits is 2.8–5.5 · 10 15 dyne/cm, and the smaller amount could be provided by the gravitational spreading of the Red Sea rift. Shear-strain heating caused by the orogeny to date is less than 20°C. These results imply that even unheated continental crust is considerably weaker than laboratory friction measurements imply, and that it is mechanically decoupled at the Moho from the stronger mantle lithosphere.
Hysterisis Modeling by Inspection

By looking at the hysterisis loop of a core, its non-linear magnetizing branch can be modeled by visual inspection. Three constants on the hysterisis loop reveal enough information about the core loss and non-linear inductance that power measurements and data-pairs can be avoided. An experimental hysterisis loop is taken from a CT and its model put together by visual inspection. The visual method presented is simulated and verified against an experimental hysterisis loop using SimPowerSystems as the circuit simulator.
The Relationship Between Coccidiostats and Poultry Flock Immunity in Coccidiosis Control Programs

Abstract MOST coccidiosis control programs in recent years have placed the major emphasis upon the selection and use of coccidiostats in feed as a preventive. Increased reports of coccidiosis “breaks” which have occurred in laying flocks after preventive medication has been discontinued suggest the desirability of re-examination of the relationship between coccidiostats and the establishment of firm flock immunity. The question, “Does the use of a coccidiostat interfere with the development of immunity?” has been answered in popular releases with a “No” (Merck, 1958) and with a “Yes” (Reid, 1959a). Clarification of this answer is of importance in flock management programs. Extensive studies on the relationship between coccidiostats and immunity have been carried on since the discovery of the first coccidiostatic drugs. More recognition was given to this topic in early work than in more recent years. Waletsky and Hughes (1949) reviewed the literature on sulfur and various sulfa drugs as …