cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Erfahrungen mit kältekonservierten Knochenspänen

Die Verpflanzung von Knochenspanen stellt heute einen verbreiteten therapeutischen Eingriff in Chirurgie und Orthopadie dar. Bei Diskussion, ob autoplastischer, homoplastischer oder eventuell sogar heteroplastischer Knochen zu verwenden ist, gehen die Meinungen immer noch auseinander. Das gleiche gilt fur das Konservierungsverfahren im Falle von homo- oder heteroplastischem Material. Wir befasten uns mit den Ergebnissen von 129 Knochentransplantationen mit insgesamt 158 Knochenspanen. Es handelt sich dabei ausnahmslos um tiefgekuhlte homoplastische Corticalisspane. Unsere Ergebnisse sind dort gut, wo der Span in ein „ersatzkraftiges” Lager verpflanzt wird, und unbefriedigend, wo das Transplantat nur geringen knochernen Anschlus findet.Bei Spanverpflanzungen in Fallen von frischen Frakturen, Pseudarthrosen langer Rohrenknochen und Arthrodesen verzeichnen wir zufriedenstellende Resultate, bei Arthrorisen nachEden-Brunund in Fallen von groseren Knochendefekten (Defektpseudarthrosen) ist der Kontakt des Transplantates mit dem Wirtsknochen zu gering, es verhalt sich weitgehend so, wie bei der Ubertragung in Weichteile, d. h.,es kommt zu seiner Resorption. In diesen Fallen halten wir die Verwendung periostgedeckter Eigenspane fur angezeigt. Es handelt sich dabei jedoch um ein zahlenmasig relativ kleines Krankengut. In den andern Fallen hat sich die Verwendung kaltekonservierter Corticalisspane bewahrt. Das Verfahren der Konservierung ist einfach, die Konservierungsdauer ist fur das Resultat der Spanubertragungen irrelevant. Irgendwelche Unvertraglichkeitserscheinungen bei den Spanempfangern konnten nie beobachtet werden.
Plastic nuclear track detector measurements of high-LET particle radiation on apollo, skylab, and ASTP space missions

Abstract High-LET particle radiation-measurements taken inside manned spacecraft are presented for the Apollo, Skylab, and ASTP space missions. The measurements include particle flux, integral LET spectrum, and stopping-density charge-distribution registered in plastic nuclear track detectors worn by astronauts and located at various positions inside the spacecraft. They reflect a wide range of shielding depth and mission type.
pH regulation of the F-actin binding properties of Dictyostelium elongation factor 1α

ABP50, an F-actin bundling protein from Dictyostelium, is also the protein synthesis co-factor, elongation factor 1α (EF1α). Concomitant with cAMP stimulation in Dictyostelium is a cytoplasmic alkalinization (Aerts, R. J., DeWit, R. J. W., and Van Lookeren Campagne, M. M.(1987) FEBS Lett. 220, 366-370) and a redistribution of EF1α (Dharmawardhane, S., Demma, M., Yang, F., and Condeelis, J.(1991) Cell Motil. Cytoskel. 20, 279-288). In addition, others have shown a correlation between intracellular pH and the level of protein synthesis in Dictyostelium (Aerts, R. J., Durston, A. J., and Moolenaar, W. H.(1985) Cell 43, 653-657). The present study investigates the relationship between pH and the F-actin binding properties of EF1α. We found that increasing pH over the physiological range 6.2-7.8 causes a loss of EF1α-mediated F-actin bundling and single filament binding, with corresponding increases in the amount of free EF1α in vitro. Similar results also were obtained by cell fractionation and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. The EF1α binding constant (Kd) for F-actin is increased from 0.2 μM to > 2.2 μM over the same pH range. In addition, EF1α-induced actin bundle formation is freely reversible by changes in pH. Thus, pH may be a potent modulator of cytoarchitecture in Dictyostelium and may also influence mRNA translation rates by modifying the interactions between the protein synthetic machinery and the actin cytoskeleton.
Trend Analysis for Atmospheric Hydrocarbon Partitioning Using Continuous Thermodynamics

The partitioning of atmospheric hydrocarbons into vapor and condensed phases when the species count is large is considered using the formalism of continuous thermodynamics. The vapor saturation pressures and condensate species distribution are parameterized using the species normal boiling temperatures. Qualitative trends in activity coefficient values and phase equilibrium behavior that are relevant to the outer planets and Titan are discussed in terms of a much simplified perspective on these aspects of partitioning. The trends found are generally consistent with those from other published atmospheric model results.
Relationship of safety culture and process safety

Throughout history, humans have gathered in groups for social, religious, and industrial purposes. As the conglomeration of people interact, a set of underlying values, beliefs, and principles begins to develop that serve to guide behavior within the group. These "guidelines" are commonly referred to as the group culture. Modern-day organizations, including corporations, have developed their own unique cultures derived from the diversity of the organizational interests and the background of the employees. Safety culture, a sub-set of organizational culture, has been a major focus in recent years. This is especially true in the chemical industry due to the series of preventable, safety-related disasters that occurred in the late seventies and eighties. Some of the most notable disasters, during this time period, occurred at Bhopal, Flixborough, and Seveso. However, current events, like the September 11th terrorist attacks and the disintegration of the Columbia shuttle, have caused an assessment of safety culture in a variety of other organizations. Language: en
L'habitat à l'échelle locale : distribution multiparamètre des poissons d'eau courante

Des analyses quantitatives de l'utilisation de l'habitat a l'echelle locale par les poissons ont ete realisees pendant plus d'une decennie dans de nombreux cours d'eau d'Amerique du Nord. Des descriptions mathematiques des parametres physiques qui permettent de definir statistiquement differents microhabitats ont ete realisees pour les larves, juveniles et adultes de plus de 100 especes de poissons d'eau courante. Ces resultats ont ete obtenus en utilisant une approche non conventionnelle d'analyse de l'utilisation du microhabitat basee sur de nouveaux protocoles d'etude, des mesures de l'habitat physique, des echantillonnages des poissons, des analyses de donnees et leur interpretation. Les microhabitats etaient consideres comme des unites d'echantillonnage plutot que les localisations des poissons, afin de recueillir egalement des donnees sur les microhabitats non utilises. Les variables physiques de l'habitat ont ete mesurees a des echelles coherentes et les jeux de donnees ont ete configures en matrices echantillons par variable (variable physique et presence ou abondance de poissons). Pour chaque espece, l'hypothese testee etait que le microhabitat occupe etait une sous unite des microhabitats disponibles. Seules les variables d'habitat differentes entre les groupes d'echantillons occupes et inoccupes ont ete prises en compte dans la caracterisation de l'habitat au niveau de l'espece. La plupart des especes et des stades de developpement de poissons d'eau courante utilisent un microhabitat statistiquement defini, presque toujours caracterise par quelques variables physiques. Il en est de meme des larves qui selectionnent des habitats a une toute petite echelle, la ou la vitesse du courant est inferieure a leur vitesse critique de nage. La profondeur de l'eau est presque toujours la principale variable caracterisant l'habitat utilise, mais d'autres variables sont importantes pour quelques groupes d'especes. Cinq groupes d'utilisation de l'habitat sont distingues pour des petites rivieres aux caracteristiques physiques differents en compensant la precision du choix specifique de chaque espece par la simplicite d'un arrangement multi-espece de l'habitat. Les cinq groupes sont associes a differents types d'habitat et ces cinq microhabitats sont caracterises par des valeurs numeriques. Les cinq types d'habitat se recouvrent dans l'espace et une portion non negligeable de l'habitat de nombreux cours d'eau ne croise aucun des criteres. Globalement, les poissons d'eau courante semblent utiliser l'habitat de maniere tres souple et les facteurs responsables des variations d'utilisation du microhabitat a l'echelle locale sont encore tres mal connus.
Using the World Wide Web for art and humanities reference services

Abstract This paper describes what the World Wide Web is and what is needed in order to access its information. It discusses the future of art and humanities reference resources and presents criteria for evaluating Web sites. A review of the literature related to “Generation X” and their information expectations was done. There is an annotated list of specific World Wide Web resources related to African Diaspora, American Poetry, Comparative Literature, Gay and Lesbian Literature, and Outsider Art. This list provides examples for evaluation and is not meant to be exhaustive.
Preparation and characterization of a cell-free system from Chinese hamster ovary cells that translates natural messenger ribonucleic acid and analysis of intermediary reactions

Abstract A cell-free system from cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells has been developed, which translates endogenous mRNAs, exogenous natural mRNAs, and synthetic polynucleotide templates. The analysis of most of the reactions involved in initiation, elongation, and termination of protein synthesis can be carried out in this system. The postmitochondrial fraction, containing ribosomal 40 and 60 S subunits, 80 S ribosomes, polysomes, and cytosol proteins, incorporates amino acids into protein. The preparation is capable of recycling endogenous mRNA by initiating protein synthesis on polysomal mRNA, and of initiating protein synthesis on exogenous templates. When endogenous mRNA is degraded with micrococcal nuclease, polysomes are no longer evident and protein synthesis is markedly depended on added mRNA, ATP, GTP, and a nucleoside triphosphate-generating system. Amino acid incorporation is linear for over 2 h, polysomes containing nascent polypeptide chains are reformed and, with time, most of the protein synthesized is released into the media. Gel electrophoretic analysis of the product formed in response to globin mRNA indicates that most of the radioactivity migrates as a single peak, in the region corresponding to globin. Comparison of the electrophoretic pattern obtained from labeled Chinese hamster ovary cells with that from incubations of cell extract and Chinese hamster ovary mRNA indicates that essentially all of the polypeptides formed by the intact cell are synthesized by the cell-free system. Sucrose gradient centrifugation of incubations containing mRNA-depleted extract and [ 35 S]methionine, in the absence of added mRNA, is used to detect initiation intermediates in the formation of the [40 S Met-tRNA f ] complex and, with added natural mRNA plus cycloheximide, to detect intermediates in the formation of the 80 S initiation complex. Chain elongation reactions are measured by the incorporation of [ 3 H]phenylalanine into polyphenylalanine in extracts supplemented with poly(U), or by the formation of nascent polypeptide chains on polysomes with natural mRNA. Chain termination is measured by analyzing the amount of radioactive protein released into the cytosol.
Characterization of the optical properties of normal and defective pickling cucumbers and whole pickles

Internal defect in pickling cucumbers can cause bloater damage during brining, which lowers the quality of final pickled products and results in economic loss for the pickle industry. Hence it is important to have an effective optical inspection system for detection and segregation of defective pickling cucumbers. This research was intended to measure the spectral absorption and scattering properties of normal and internally defective pickling cucumbers and whole pickles, using hyperspectral imaging-based spatially-resolved technique. Spatially-resolved hyperspectral scattering images were acquired from 50 freshly harvested 'Journey' pickling cucumbers in the summer of 2008. The cucumbers were then subjected to rolling under mechanical load to induce internal damage. The damaged cucumbers were imaged again one hour and one day after the mechanical stress treatment. In addition, 20 whole pickles each of normal and defective (bloated) class were also measured by following the same procedure as that for pickling cucumbers. Spectra of the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients for pickling cucumbers and whole pickles were extracted from the spatially-resolved scattering profiles, using an inverse algorithm for a diffusion theory model, for the spectral range of 700-1,000 nm. It was found that within one hour after mechanical damage, changes in the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients for the cucumbers were minimal. One day after mechanical damage, the absorption coefficient for the cucumbers increased noticeably for the wavelengths of 700-920 nm, whereas the reduced scattering coefficient decreased more significantly for the wavelengths of 700-1,000 nm. Overall mechanical damage had greater impact on the scattering properties than on the absorption properties. After brining, pickles became translucent and scattering was greatly diminished. Thus the diffusion theory model was no longer valid for determining the optical properties of whole pickles. This research suggests that effective defect detection may be achieved by enhancing scattering features in the optical evaluation of cucumbers.
$D^0 - \bar D^0 $ MIXING IN THE NEW LEFT-RIGHT MODEL

In the newly proposed supersymmetric left-right model with E6 particle content, mixing can occur through WR couplings of the c and u quarks to the exotic h quarks, and may become observable at a level well above that of the standard model.
‘Flagging the Nation’ in International Sport: A Chinese Olympics and a German World Cup

Looking at the ideological ‘flagging of the nation’, i.e. the signs, symbols and practices that play a role in the popular reproduction and circulation of national images, [1] this paper analyses the heightened public display of national expression that characterized two recent mega sporting events: the 2006 Football World Cup hosted by Germany and the 2008 summer Olympic Games in Beijing. At such events, countries – or more specifically, the showcase cities that stand in as their representatives – become giant, self-promotional advertisements with the common-sense understanding that such displays are good for the country's international image while boosting domestic pride. Such events are understood as giving visual proof of the modernity and prosperity of a country – even when the officially-presented image is a recognizably idealized and selective one. For example, despite full knowledge of China's suppression of free speech and protest, the Beijing Olympics were nonetheless perceived in the internatio...
Bridging the Gap: A Literacy‐Oriented Approach to Teaching the Graphic Novel Der erste Frühling

This article examines the phenomenon of graphic novels generally, and in particular, their utility in second-language contexts via the example of the graphic adaptation of Klaus Kordoris Der erste Fruhling. This text lends itself especially to bridging thematic gaps in 20th-century German literature courses, as well as the “language/literature divide,” which is a current topic in language pedagogy. The article provides specific classroom techniques, in-class tasks, and writing assignments that will accommodate the varying student proficiency levels that often challenge instructors in second- and third-year college German courses.
Postfoundationalism and Interdisciplinarity: A Response to Jerome Stone

. In my recent work I argued that the religion and sciencedialogue is most successful when done locally and contextually. However, I also argued against theology's epistemic isolation in a pluralist, postmodern world, and for a postfoundationalist notion of human rationality that reveals the interdisciplinary, public nature of all theological reflection. I now want to explore the possibility that, when we look at what the prehistory of thehuman mind reveals about the biological roots of all human rationality, some forms of contemporary evolutionary epistemology may actually hold the key to understanding the kind of cognitive fluidity that enables true interdisciplinary reflection. Philosophically the religion and science dialogue benefits from this move when a postfoundationalist notion of rationality redescribes the dynamic interaction of our various disciplinary dialogues with one another as aform of transversal reasoning. Transversality in this sense justifies and urges an acknowledgment of multiple patterns of interpretation as one moves across the borders and boundaries of different disciplines.
One-axis tracking holographic planar concentrator systems

A design methodology for low-concentration ratio holographic solar concentrators with one-axis tracking is investigated. This methodology maximizes the energy collected by cascaded holographic gratings and reduces diffracted beam cross talk between gratings. Several types of transmission gratings, optimized to work with single-axis tracking systems, are used in a cascaded configuration to concentrate a large fraction of the useable solar spectrum on the surface of photovoltaic cells. A model is developed that determines the energy yield of the holographic planar concentrator (HPC). Good agreement is found between simulation and measurement of a prototype system. Simulation of an optimized HPC design shows that 80% optical efficiency at 2X geometric concentration ratio is possible. The acceptance angle in the nontracking direction is ±65 deg, and a ±16-deg tracking tolerance is sufficient to maintain 80% of the maximum optical efficiency. Simulation also shows that the single-axis tracking HPC system has a 43.8% increase in energy yield compared to a nontracking holographic solar concentrator.
Role of Image-Guided Percutaneous Needle Biopsy in Cancer Staging

Detection of locoregional spread, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis is important in the staging of malignancies. Various noninvasive imaging modalities such as ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine studies, and positron emission tomography (PET) are used for this purpose. However, because of the nonspecificity of these imaging techniques and their frequent inability to differentiate benign from malignant disease, tissue diagnosis is often required to confirm the presence of metastatic disease. Percutaneous needle biopsies are useful for obtaining pathologic proof of metastases to assist in tumor staging at initial presentation or to document spread of tumor at a later stage. In patients with more than one primary malignancy, the biopsy results may help in determining the primary neoplasm responsible for the metastases. Biopsy is also useful for detecting residual or recurrent disease following treatment. Occasionally,thebiopsyresultsfromasuspectedmetastasisreveal a second primary malignancy. Image-guided percutaneous biopsy is a safe, well-established, and widely used technique for obtaining tissue specimens from various parts of the body. Improvements in needle design and advances in image-guidance technology have improved the safety and efficacy of the procedure. The purpose of this article is to provide a general overview of imageguidedbiopsytechniquesanddiscusstheroleofthesebiopsy procedures in tumor staging.
Symmetry conditions for third order elastic moduli and implications in nonlinear wave theory

Several results are presented concerning symmetry properties of the tensor of third order elastic moduli. It is proven that a set of conditions upon the components of the modulus tensor are both necessary and sufficient for a given direction to be normal to a plane of material symmetry. This leads to a systematic procedure by which the underlying symmetry of a material can be calculated from the 56 third order moduli. One implication of the symmetry conditions is that the nonlinearity parameter governing the evolution of acceleration waves and nonlinear wave phenomena is identically zero for all transverse waves associated with a plane of material symmetry.
A systematic approach for the location of hand sanitizer dispensers in hospitals

Compliance with hand hygiene practices is directly affected by the accessibility and availability of cleaning agents. Nevertheless, the decision of where to locate these dispensers is often not explicitly or fully addressed in the literature. In this paper, we study the problem of selecting the locations to install alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers throughout a hospital unit as an indirect approach to maximize compliance with hand hygiene practices. We investigate the relevant criteria in selecting dispenser locations that promote hand hygiene compliance, propose metrics for the evaluation of various location configurations, and formulate a dispenser location optimization model that systematically incorporates such criteria. A complete methodology to collect data and obtain the model parameters is described. We illustrate the proposed approach using data from a general care unit at a collaborating hospital. A cost analysis was performed to study the trade-offs between usability and cost. The proposed methodology can help in evaluating the current location configuration, determining the need for change, and establishing the best possible configuration. It can be adapted to incorporate alternative metrics, tailored to different institutions and updated as needed with new internal policies or safety regulation.
Differential feeding and fecal pellet composition of salps and pteropods, and the possible origin of the deep-water flora and olive-green “Cells”

Salps (mainly Salpa fusiformis and, to a lesser extent, Pegea socia) and a web-building pteropod (Corolla spectabilis) were studied in epipelagic waters of the central California Current. Although both kinds of gelatinous zooplankton trap phytoplankton in a mucus net, a fecal pellet analysis indicated that their diet differs significantly when they feed together, probably because of differences both in the pore sizes of their nets and in their feeding methods. Salps have a finemesh filter, on which they can retain even the smallest phytoplankton; thus, when small coccolithophores are abundant, as they were in our study, salp feces contain such cells and the coccoliths derived from them. In contrast, pteropods feeding in the same area produce fecal pellets consisting chiefly of larger phytoplankton, especially diatoms. Since fecal pellets transport most biogenic material to the deep sea, changes in herbivore species composition at a given geographic location can change the chemistry of materials entering deep water; at our study site, the more salps, the greater the calcite flux, and, the more pteropods, the greater the silica flux. In addition, fecal pellets of both salps and pteropods include partially digested residues of phytoplankton that appear as olive-green spheres, having an ultrastructure identical with that of the socalled olive-green “cells.” Presumably, fecal pellets, after sinking into deep water, ultimately disintegrate. releasing both the viable phytoplankton and the olive-green spheres into aphotic waters. Thus the feces of epipelagic herbivores are likely sources of much of the flora of the deep ocean.
The Machine: An Architecture for Memory-centric Computing

By the end of the decade we expect over 30 billion intelligent devices connected to the Internet, resulting in unprecedented amounts of data. At the same time, scaling of today's foundational memory technologies will significantly slow down. We will need to transform the ways in which we collect, process, store, and analyze that data. "The Machine" is a new architecture from HP Labs that brings together byte-addressable non-volatile memory, photonic interconnects, and specialized SoCs for computing at multiple scales, ranging from handhelds to rack-scale to data center-scale. As part of this initiative, we are building hardware, a new OS, new data stores, and new analytics platforms, with the plan to open source various parts of the software stack. This talk will discuss the technologies that comprise The Machine and their implications for systems software and application programs, as well as describe the work we are doing at HP to address some of these challenges.
Success, Lethality, and Cell Structure Across the Dimensions of Al Qaeda

While experts understand that Al Qaeda's attack patterns and operational qualities are changing, they struggle to identify and generate consensus on Al Qaeda's strategic center of gravity. By defining different levels of Al Qaeda, core, periphery, and movement, this article engages current debates about the threat by focusing on the operational differences across these three levels. Contrary to conventional wisdom about operational efficiency, the social movement has a higher success rate but the core imposes greater costs as measured by casualties. The cells or networks actually executing the attacks also display substantive differences. The social movement networks organize in smaller cells than either affiliated groups or the core; however, they display greater levels of connectedness. The affiliated and organization cells display fewer connections, suggestive of more disciplined operational procedure despite lower success rates. These patterns reflect fundamental differences across characterizations o...
Elongation and Branching of Roots on Soybean Plants in a Carbon Dioxide-Enriched Aerial Environment

(…) Root weight at the end of the season (93 d after emergence) was 26 to 31% higher in [CO 2 ]-enriched chambers compared with the 330 μL L −1 treatment, and cumulative root length was approximately proportional to [CO 2 ]. However, CO 2 treatment did not affect the rate of elongation of individual root axes. Instead, there was a significant linear increase in the number of actively growing roots with increased [CO 2 ] (…)
Corrosion behavior of ion plated and implated films

Abstract The corrosion behavior of cathodic ion plated coatings on 52100 steel and 304 stainless steel in 0.5 N NaCl solutions was investigated. Both TiN and ZrN coatings were applied. The TiN coatings were also ion implanted with nitrogen, titanium and gold to determine the effect of ion implantation on corrosive behavior. To quantify the corrosion behavior, both potentiodynamic scans and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed. It was found that ion implantation did not enhance the corrosion resistance of TiN on either 52100 steel or the 304 stainless steel. However the ZrN did protect the stainless from corrosion. It is suggested that ZrN is rendered inherently more protective by the formation of a passive layer than TiN, even with excess titanium ions from implantation.
Aplastic Crisis in Sickle Cell Disorders: Bone Marrow Necrosis and Human Parvovirus Infection

Aplastic crisis in patients with sickle cell disease who develop a parvovirus infection may be associated with extensive bone marrow necrosis as well as acute selective erythroblastopenia. This illness may be manifested by pyrexia, lymphadenopathy, bone tenderness and significant hypoxemia with minimal roentgenographic findings in the lungs. It is uncertain whether the hypoxemia is caused by the effects of the viral infection on the lungs or is secondary to sickling of red blood cells in the pulmonary vasculature or both. The hypoxia may be sufficiently severe to require treatment with both oxygen and transfusion. The physical damage to the bone marrow associated with bone marrow necrosis may be more important than selective acute erythroblastopenia in inducing aplastic crisis in patients with sickle cell disorders. Studies of bone marrow biopsy specimens collected during parvovirus-associated aplastic crisis in patients with nonsickle cell hemolytic disorders would be helpful in determining the pathophysiology of parvovirus-associated disorders.
Early Holocene chronology and environment of Ampasambazimba, A Malagasy subfossil lemur site

According to a traditional but hitherto untested reconstruction of Madagascar’s Holocene environment, continuous forest preceded the monotonous grassland formations that now cover most of the island’s interior. Preliminary analyses of pollen samples collected near14C-dated horizons at Ampasambazimba (central Madagascar) indicate that a mosaic of woodlands, bushlands, and savanna existed close to this important vertebrate subfossil site around 7000–8000 BP. Although most members of Madagascar’s recently extinct “subfossil” fauna are thought to have been forest dwellers, several may have preferred a more open habitat like the one inferred for the region of Ampasambazimba. Dry savanna-woodland burns more readily than does dense forest and may have been more severely affected by the forces which transformed the Malagasy environment during the later Holocene. If so, the loss of savanna-woodland, not dense forest, may have been an important factor in the subfossil extinctions.
Induction of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-responsive genes and modulation of the immunoglobulin M response by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in primary human B cells.

Past studies in rodent models identified the suppression of primary humoral immune responses as one of the most sensitive sequela associated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure. Yet, the sensitivity of humoral immunity to TCDD in humans represents an important toxicological data gap. Therefore, the objectives of this investigation were two-fold. The first was to assess the induction of known aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)–responsive genes in primary human B cells as a measure of early biological responses to TCDD. The second was to evaluate the direct effect of TCDD on CD40 ligand–induced immunoglobulin M (IgM) secretion by human primary B cells. The effects of TCDD on induction of AHR-responsive genes and suppression of the IgM response were also compared with B cells from a TCDD-responsive mouse strain, C57BL/6. AHR-responsive genes in human B cells exhibited slower kinetics and reduced magnitude of induction by TCDD when compared with mouse B cells. Evaluation of B-cell function from 12 donors identified two general phenotypes; the majority of donors exhibited similar sensitivity to suppression by TCDD of the IgM response as mouse B cells, which was not attributable to decreased B-cell proliferation. In a minority of donors, no suppression of the IgM response by TCDD was observed. Although donor-to-donor variation in sensitivity to TCDD was observed, human B cells from the majority of donors evaluated showed impairment of effector function by TCDD. Collectively, data presented in this series of studies demonstrate that TCDD impairs the humoral immunity of humans by directly targeting B cells.
MEMS microswitches for reconfigurable microwave circuitry

The performance is reported for a new microelectromechanical structure (MEMS) cantilever microswitch. We report on both dc- and capacitively-contacted microswitches. The dc-contacted microswitches have contact resistance of less than 1 /spl Omega/, and the RF loss of the switch up to 40 GHz in the closed position is 0.1-0.2 dB. Capacitively-contacted switches have an impedance ratio of 141:1 from the open to closed state and in the closed position have a series capacitance of 1.2 pF. The capacitively-contacted switches have been measured up to 40 GHz with S/sub 22/ less than -0.7 dB across the 5-40 GHz band.
Children's responses to mother-infant and father-infant interaction with a baby sibling: Jealousy or joy?

Firstborn children's reactions to mother-infant and father-infant interaction after a sibling's birth were examined in an investigation of 224 families. Triadic observations of parent-infant-sibling interaction were conducted at 1 month after the birth. Parents reported on children's problem behaviors at 1 and 4 months after the birth and completed the Attachment Q-sort before the birth. Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified 4 latent classes (behavioral profiles) for mother-infant and father-infant interactions: regulated-exploration, disruptive-dysregulated, approach-avoidant, and anxious-clingy. A fifth class, attention-seeking, was found with fathers. The regulated-exploration class was the normative pattern (60%), with few children in the disruptive class (2.7%). Approach-avoidant children had more behavior problems at 4 months than any other class, with the exception of the disruptive children, who were higher on aggression and attention problems. Before the birth, anxious-clingy children had less secure attachments to their fathers than approach avoidant children but more secure attachments to their mothers. Results underscore individual differences in firstborns' behavioral responses to parent-infant interaction and the importance of a person-centered approach for understanding children's jealousy.
Assessing preferences regarding centralized and decentralized water infrastructure in post-earthquake Leogane, Haiti

Though the benefits of centralized water systems (e.g. improved publichealth, environmental protection, streamlined operations, economy of scale, reliability) are well known, these systems are not always feasible or appropriate. In developing world settings there has been growing interest by infrastructure experts,researchers, and international lending institutions in decentralized means of improving access to drinking water. While decentralized water systems with independent components may be less vulnerable to systemic failures, hazards, and extreme environmental events, centralized water systems are often associated with a higher quality of life. This study investigates stakeholder preferences regarding water infrastructure issues in Leogane, Haiti (population ~300,000), a town situated at the epicenter of the January 2010 earthquake. The methodology included a paper survey, semi-structured interviews, and a participatory workshop. While most of the study participants relied on decentralized water sources prior to the earthquake, a majority also expressed a preference for a centralized water system going forward. However, the study participants articulated an integrated vision for the future of local water management. Study participants indicated an interest in alternative decentralized solutions, for example featuring artesian wells with homewater treatment, and saw linkages between water supply decisions and local environmental protection, agriculture, and deforestation. These results are discussed within the context of sustainable infrastructure reconstruction efforts in Haiti, specifically as an example of how local preferences can be integrated into the visioning of infrastructure design.
Ammonia and Biological Deposition of Calcium Carbonate

THE mechanism for the formation of CO32−, the reacting species in CaCO3 formation in biological systems which deposit CaCO3, is not known. The involvement of carbonic anhydrase in the biological formation of CaCO3 (refs. 1 and 2) suggests that CO32− arises from the dissociation of HCO3−. Hodges and Lorcher3,4 have summarized the major questions concerning the origin of CO32− in the avian eggshell-forming system and have outlined a model, originally proposed by Diamantstein5, in which the CO32− of eggshell CaCO3 arises in the shell gland lumen from HCO3− which is produced intracellularly by shell gland carbonic anhydrase. As emphasized by Hodges and Lorcher and also recently by Simkiss6, a major question remaining with the mechanism of CO32− formation is the fate of the proton formed by HCO3− dissociation. We propose that this proton may be neutralized by the reaction, NH3 + H+⇌NH4+. We also feel that NH3 acts in this manner in CaCO3 deposition by certain land snails7,8. The neutralization of protons by NH3 has precedence as a biological phenomenon. For example, protons are neutralized by NH3 in the mammalian kidney during metabolic acidosis9 and this reaction may also serve to regulate the acidity of sweat10. The effect of NH3 in the biological deposition of CaCO3 is summarized by the equation: This overall reaction has also been considered as a model for the geochemical deposition of CaCO3 in certain circumstances11.
Inference of surfaces, 3-D curves, and junctions from sparse 3-D data

Addresses the problem of obtaining surface information from a sparse set of 3-D data in the presence of spurious noise samples. The input can be in the form of points, or points with an associated normal, allowing for both position and direction to be corrupted by noise. This is the typical input obtained from matching sparse features in stereo or motion, assuming that the observed scene is rigid. Most approaches treat the problem as an interpolation problem, solved by fitting a surface such as a membrane or thin plate which minimizes some functional. The authors argue that these physical constraints are not sufficient and propose to impose additional perceptual constraints such as good continuation and "co-surfacity". These constraints allow the authors to not only infer surfaces, but also detect surface discontinuities at the same time. The method imposes no restriction on genus, number of discontinuities, number of objects, and is non-iterative. The result is in the form of three dense saliency maps for surfaces, intersections between surfaces, and 3-D junctions. These saliency maps can then be used to guide a 'marching' process to generate a description (e.g. a triangulated mesh) making information about surfaces, space curves, and 3-D junctions explicit. The authors present results on computer-generated and real data having multiple objects, varying curvature, and of different genus.
Strings, black holes, and quantum information

We find multiple relations between extremal black holes in string theory and 2- and 3-qubit systems in quantum information theory. We show that the entropy of the axion-dilaton extremal black hole is related to the concurrence of a 2-qubit state, whereas the entropy of the STU black holes, Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield (BPS) as well as non-BPS, is related to the 3-tangle of a 3-qubit state. We relate the 3-qubit states with the string theory states with some number of $D$-branes. We identify a set of large black holes with the maximally entangled Greenberger, Horne, Zeilinger (GHZ) class of states and small black holes with separable, bipartite, and W states. We sort out the relation between 3-qubit states, twistors, octonions, and black holes. We give a simple expression for the entropy and the area of stretched horizon of small black holes in terms of a norm and 2-tangles of a 3-qubit system. Finally, we show that the most general expression for the black hole and black ring entropy in $N=8$ supergravity/M theory, which is given by the famous quartic Cartan ${E}_{7(7)}$ invariant, can be reduced to Cayley's hyperdeterminant describing the 3-tangle of a 3-qubit state.
Food selection by copepods: discrimination on the basis of food quality

The copepod Acartia tonsa displayed nearly two-fold higher ingestion rates on faster-growing cells of the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii compared to ingestion rates on slower-growing cells of that species at the same cell concentration. Ingestion rates on slow-growing cells were also enhanced by the addition of cell-free aliquots of algal exudate to the experimental feeding chambers. In addition, the faster-growing algal cells were selectively ingested by the copepod when the two cell types were mixed together in different proportions, indicating that physiological differences between growing cells are a critical factor in the food detection/selection process of zooplankton. Consideration of cell carbon, nitrogen, and protein composition suggests that the copepods are maximizing nitrogenous ingestion (total protein and/or nitrogen). Selectivity for cells with higher protein content results in a higher daily protein ration, even if the selection process results in a decreased rate of ingestion in mixtures of cell types.
The New German Constitution.

To understand the real nature of the government which now, under its new constitution, is attempting to guide the German nation through the perils of reconstruction is indeed a baffling problem. We are as yet too close to the events which brought it into existence and clothed it with constitutional forms to attempt their evaluation or to determine their significance. The revolution was so unlike what we should have expected as necessary to shift the ultimate power in the state from a narrow military and landed oligarchy to the masses of the people, that a doubt forces itself upon us as to its genuineness. The war, with its shattering of national ideals, its appalling toll of life, the grinding misery which it imposed, and the insuperable financial bondage to which it condemned the nation for an indefinite future, might account for a thorough popular disillusionment which would sweep the nation into the current of democracy. But if this were the case, we would expect a general enthusiasm for the new government, an evident popular sense of the passing of the dark night of autocratic rule and a joy in the light of a new and happier day. This is exactly what does not exist. There are three classes in Germany today. The first, who constitute only a small minority, are the nationalists and militarists who are bitterly opposed to the republic, and even now are agitating at every favorable opportunity for the restoration of the monarchy in its old form. The second class are likewise a comparatively small minority. They are the revolutionaries, the Spartacists with some of the Independent Socialists, who are just as strongly opposed to the government, using wherever possible the instruments of direct action to inaugurate the revolution which they
Molecular correlates of altered expression of potassium currents in failing rabbit myocardium

Action potential (AP) prolongation is a hallmark of failing myocardium. Functional downregulation of K currents is a prominent feature of cells isolated from failing ventricles. The detailed changes in K current expression differ depending on the species, the region of the heart, and the mechanism of induction of heart failure. We used complementary approaches to study K current downregulation in pacing tachycardia-induced heart failure in the rabbit. The AP duration (APD) at 90% repolarization was significantly longer in cells isolated from failing hearts compared with controls (539 +/- 162 failing vs. 394 +/- 114 control, P < 0.05). The major K currents in the rabbit heart, inward rectifier potassium current (I(K1)), transient outward (I(to)), and delayed rectifier current (I(K)) were functionally downregulated in cells isolated from failing ventricles. The mRNA levels of Kv4.2, Kv1.4, KChIP2, and Kir2.1 were significantly downregulated, whereas the Kv4.3, Erg, KvLQT1, and minK were unaltered in the failing ventricles compared with the control left ventricles. Significant downregulation in the long splice variant of Kv4.3, but not in the total Kv4.3, Kv4.2, and KChIP2 immunoreactive protein, was observed in cells isolated from the failing ventricle with no change in Kv1.4, KvLQT1, and in Kir2.1 immunoreactive protein levels. Multiple cellular and molecular mechanisms underlie the downregulation of K currents in the failing rabbit ventricle.
Cardiotrophin-1 Stimulation of Cardiac Fibroblast Growth: Roles for Glycoprotein 130/Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Receptor and the Endothelin Type A Receptor

Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), a member of the interleukin-6 superfamily, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) are potent hypertrophic factors in cardiomyocytes. Although CT-1 and ET-1 gene expression in the heart is upregulated in experimental heart failure, their role in the activation of the cardiac fibroblast is unknown. This study was designed to identify the presence and action of CT-1 and its receptor complex, glycoprotein130 (gp130) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) receptor, on cardiac fibroblast growth in cultured adult canine cardiac fibroblasts. In addition, we investigated the interaction between CT-1/gp130/LIF receptor and ET-1/endothelin type A (ETA) receptor axis. Immunohistochemistry was performed using the indirect immunoperoxidase method, while we assessed the cell cycle of cardiac fibroblasts by flow cytometry, DNA synthesis by [3H]thymidine incorporation, and collagen synthesis by [3H]proline incorporation, respectively. CT-1 and gp130/LIF receptor were widely present in the cytoplasm of the cardiac f...
Realizing a multimedia broadband integrated network

Recent advances in fiber optics and data compression technologies have resulted in the realization of very high-speed communication networks. These networks are being designed to carry a wide variety of traffic types including voice, video and multimedia data. This paper discusses the many challenges and issues involved in realizing a broadband multimedia network. A possible scenario of ATM-based B-ISDN is given. The design of a new transmission scheduling mechanism that not only guarantees QOS requirements for the different traffic classes, but can also transport bursts of sessions as a whole, thereby preserving integrity of user talkspurt in a bursty traffic environment, is presented. Simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of the scheme.
Homotypic and heterotypic continuity of fine-grained temperament during infancy, toddlerhood, and early childhood

Longitudinal continuity was investigated for fine-grained and factor-level aspects of temperament measured with the Infant Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised (IBQ-R), Early Childhood Behaviour Questionnaire (ECBQ), and Children's Behaviour Questionnaire (CBQ). Considerable homotypic continuity was found. Convergent and discriminant validity of the measures was supported, as all fine-grained dimensions exhibited stability across adjacent measurement periods, and all scales found on both the ECBQ and CBQ were most highly correlated with their equivalent scales. At the factor level, Surgency and Negative Affect factors were stable across all time points, and Effortful Control/Regulatory Capacity was stable across adjacent time periods. High-Intensity Pleasure, Activity Level, and Impulsivity contributed strongly to continuity of Surgency, and Sadness, Frustration, and Falling Reactivity played strong roles in the continuity of Negative Affect. Heterotypic continuity was also found. High levels of Infant Surgency predicted high toddler Effortful Control, whereas high toddler Surgency predicted low Effortful Control in preschoolers. Infant Surgency dimensions especially predicted Toddler Attention Shifting and Low-Intensity Pleasure, and toddler Activity Level was most closely associated with later deficits in Effortful Control. Inverse relations were also obtained between Negative Affect and Effortful Control, with substantial negative connections between toddler Negative Affect and preschool Attention Focusing and Inhibitory Control. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.