cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scattering of acoustic waves into Tollmien-Schlichting waves by small streamwise variations in surface geometry

By using the triple-deck scaling of Stewartson (1969) and Messiter (1970) it is shown that small but relatively sudden surface geometry variations that produce only very weak static pressure variations can nevertheless produce strong, i.e. O(1), coupling between an externally imposed acoustic disturbance and a spatially growing Tollmien-Schlichting wave. The analysis provides a qualitative explanation of the Leehey and Shapiro (1979) boundary-layer receptivity measurements and is in good quantitative agreement with the Aizin and Poliakov (1979) experiment. It may also explain why small 'trip wires' can promote early transition.
Triple Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin Glargine or Rosiglitazone Added to Combination Therapy of Sulfonylurea Plus Metformin in Insulin-Naïve Patients: Response to Rosenstock et al.

Rosenstock et al. (1) reported on the safety and efficacy of add-on insulin glargine versus rosiglitazone for patients with type 2 diabetes not adequately controlled on dual oral therapy with sulfonylurea plus metformin. The main finding of the study was similar glycemic control in both groups. About 50% of participants in both groups achieved an HbA1c of <7%. However, the authors comment on two …
Characterization of a glial cell-specific DNA-protein complex formed with the human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) enhancer.

Human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) encodes the trans-activator, Tax, which facilitates viral transcription from three 21 bp repeated elements within the U3 region of the long terminal repeat (LTR). Electrophoretic mobility shift (EMS) analyses utilizing double-stranded (ds) oligonucleotides homologous to each of the 21 bp repeats and nuclear extracts derived from selected cell lines of lymphocytic, neuronal, and glial origin have demonstrated the differential binding of cellular factors to each of the three 21 bp repeats. Specifically, both a glial cell-specific DNA-protein complex (designated GCS) and 21 bp repeat-specific DNA-protein complexes (designated U1 and U2) were detected. The formation of the GCS DNA-protein complex may involve activating transcription factor (ATF)/cAMP-response element (CRE) binding protein (CREB) family members(s) while the formation of the U1 and U2 DNA-protein complexes may involve an Sp1-related factor. In addition, three ATF-CREB-related DNA-protein complexes...
The cis-acting 3'-element of rubella virus RNA has DNA promoter activity.

Abstract The 3′-terminal region of the rubella virus (RV) positive-strand RNA, referred to here as the cis-acting element (CAE), is implicated in the initiation of negative-strand RNA synthesis. Sequence analysis of the 3′-CAE shows that there is a putative TATA box which is surrounded by G+C-rich sequences. To determine whether this element, in a DNA form, has the capability to initiate transcription, a 3′-end 165-bp NarI-EcoRI fragment from the RV cDNA was cloned upstream from a cat reporter gene. The level of CAT activity was dependent on the presence of the 3′-CAE and the SV40 enhancer. Primer extension analysis of the CAT mRNA showed that the the transcription start point is in the RV 3'-CAE, 34 bp downstream from the putative TATA box. DNA-gel shift analysis revealed that three nucleoprotein-specific complexes were formed with the 3′-CAE and the binding sites for these proteins were between bp −64 to −108. The possible promoter function of the RV 3′-CAE is discussed in context to RV persistence.
Successful Use of a Right Atrial Catheter for Hemodialysis

Maintenance of patent hemodialysis access is a major issue in the chronic dialysis population. Patients on chronic hemodialysis are at risk of progressive loss of possible sites for permanent vascular access. This issue becomes increasingly important in patients who are not suitable candidates for any other mode of renal replacement therapy for a variety of clinical reasons. When all conventional access sites are exhausted, a creative approach is often needed to establish an alternative vascular access for dialysis to maintain life. We report the placement of a tunneled dialysis catheter in the right atrium in such a patient. After 14 months, this catheter is still being used to deliver hemodialysis without any complications.
Natural History of Claudicants with Critical Hemodynamic Indices

We reviewed the records of approximately 1,500 patients seen in the Vascular Laboratory of the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center from 1980 to 1987 and identified 23 patients (25 limbs) who met all of the following criteria: 1) an ankle/brachial index less than or equal to 0.35; 2) an ankle or transmetatarsal pulse volume recording less than or equal to 3 mm in amplitude; and 3) no history of ischemic rest pain or gangrene. These patients were followed in the Vascular Laboratory for periods ranging from 11 to 127 months (mean 45.2 months). The study was terminated in March 1991 or when revascularization or amputation was required for limb-threatening symptoms or if the patient expired. Thirteen extremities (52%) showed no progression to limb-threatening symptoms. Claudication actually improved in three, remained unchanged in eight, and progressed in two. Twelve (48%) extremities developed limb-threatening conditions, with rest pain occurring in three, ischemic ulceration in six and gangrene in three. Eight of these limbs underwent revascularization and only one ultimately required major amputation. Another extremity presented with extensive gangrene and underwent a primary above-knee amputation. Three other patients did not undergo revascularization because of death in one and refusal in two others. Patients with intermittent claudication who have critical hemodynamic indices are at much greater risk for developing symptomatic limb-threatening ischemia. Close follow-up is mandatory since nearly half of these patients will eventually require operation for limb salvage. Patients who are unlikely to comply with a regular follow-up program may be considered for early revascularization to prevent complications of limb-threatening ischemia.
Theoretical calculation of distribution coefficients of impurities in germanium and silicon, heats of solid solution

Abstract The distribution coefficients of Groups III, IV and V impurities in germanium and silicon were calculated, and very satisfactory agreement with experimental values was obtained. The method of calculation consisted in estimating the change in energy involved in transferring the impurity atoms from a crystalline reservoir to the solid and molten host material respectively. The binding energy of an impurity in the host lattice and the strain energy which it introduces were estimated. The change in vibrational entropy is believed to be negligible.
Diesel Particulate Matter Number Emissions: Evaluation of Existing Modal Emission Modeling Approaches

Recent health and exposure studies have indicated that emissions and air quality standards of particulate matters (PM) numbers could be beneficial since they account for the more harmful ultrafine particles that have negligible mass. This study examines existing modal emission modeling approaches [e.g., polynomial regressions, fuel rate-based approach, and vehicle specific power (VSP)-based approach] in order to evaluate their ability of predicting diesel particle number concentration emitted from a transit diesel bus. This is a necessary and useful first step to quantifying vehicular emissions in terms of PM number. The existing modeling approaches were applied to and then the technique of bootstrapping was used on the onboard measurement data of PM number concentrations emitted from a diesel transit bus. The predictive ability of the models with respect to particle number concentration is assessed by examining the statistical significance of the key regressors used in those approaches and the adjusted R-squared values of the models. Results indicate less than satisfying predictive capability of the examined approaches for PM number emission that behaves in a different manner from gaseous emissions. The study, however, demonstrates that vehicle operating factors such as VSP, speed, and acceleration are significant in explaining the variability of transient PM number concentration measurements from the bus.
THD Doppler procedure for hemorrhoids: the surgical technique

Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) is an effective treatment for hemorrhoidal disease. The ligation of hemorrhoidal arteries (called “dearterialization”) can provide a significant reduction of the arterial overflow to the hemorrhoidal piles. Plication of the redundant rectal mucosa/submucosa (called “mucopexy”) can provide a repositioning of prolapsing tissue to the anatomical site. In this paper, the surgical technique and perioperative patient management are illustrated. Following adequate clinical assessment, patients undergo THD under general or spinal anesthesia, in either the lithotomy or the prone position. In all patients, distal Doppler-guided dearterialization is performed, providing the selective ligation of hemorrhoidal arteries identified by Doppler. In patients with hemorrhoidal/muco-hemorrhoidal prolapse, the mucopexy is performed with a continuous suture including the redundant and prolapsing mucosa and submucosa. The description of the surgical procedure is complemented by an accompanying video (see supplementary material). In long-term follow-up, there is resolution of symptoms in the vast majority of patients. The most common complication is transient tenesmus, which sometimes can result in rectal discomfort or pain. Rectal bleeding occurs in a very limited number of patients. Neither fecal incontinence nor chronic pain should occur. Anorectal physiology parameters should be unaltered, and anal sphincters should not be injured by following this procedure. When accurately performed and for the correct indications, THD is a safe procedure and one of the most effective treatments for hemorrhoidal disease.
Managing Business Risk

Dalkon Shield, Bhopal, Tylenol, and asbestos today immediately connote business risk. The earliest writings on general management described risk as one of six major areas of functional responsibility in business, but the function today involves little more than insurance buying. A new view is needed---one to which management science can contribute.
Modeling the Dry Deposition Velocity of Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfate in Asia

Abstract The dry deposition model was created to estimate SO2 and sulfate dry deposition velocities over nine land use types in Asia. The study domain is 20°S–50°N, 39°–154°E. Monthly averaged 1° × 1° dry deposition velocities are estimated for four seasons. Model results show that the dry deposition velocity of SO2 demonstrates strong seasonal and diurnal variability in summer, fall, and spring. In summer, the daytime velocity (in centimeters per second) for SO2 forests is 0.4, over cultivation is 0.2, grassland is 0.5, and ocean is 0.8. Nighttime values of SO2 are two or three times less than daytime values. In winter, the deposition velocity of SO2 does not show much diurnal variability—the value is 0.1–0.2 except over ocean, when it is 0.5. Contrary to SO2, the dry deposition velocity of sulfate only slightly varies with seasons and time of the day. Generally, its value is less than 0.1.
Predictors of receiving counseling in a national sample of youth: the relative influence of symptoms, victimization exposure, parent–child conflict, and delinquency

This paper identifies factors that predict children’s use of counseling services within a 2-year period. Using two waves of data from a national survey of 1009 youth age 6–17, we describe differences in utilization by demographic characteristics and compare receipt of counseling between children who scored high versus lower on: (1) levels of mental health symptoms, (2) multiple victimization exposure; (3) levels of delinquency; and (4) parent–child conflict. Multivariate logistic regressions were also performed to examine the relative and independent effects of a these factors on receiving counseling. Results indicate that counseling was received by only one- quarter or less of the 10–17 year olds and one-third or less of the 6–9 year olds with the highest levels of symptoms, victimization or delinquency. For the 10–17 year olds, delinquency and parent–child conflict were better predictors of treatment than were mental health symptoms or victimization exposure. In contrast, younger children (age 6–9) were most likely to receive counseling if they lived in a single parent or stepfamily household. The findings suggest that more counseling should be made available to distressed and victimized children, particularly those who do not engage in high delinquency and conflict which tend to promote referral.
Population balance models and self-similar size distributions

Abstract To illustrate the fallaciousness of the linear population balance model (PBM) currently used in the mineral industry, a $10,000 challenge was made by Professor Thomas P. Meloy. In spite of numerous early promises, only one challenge response has been received to date. This response claims to generate self-similar size distributions. This paper: 1) shows that the challenger's response of a dynamic batch grinding solution is not a valid answer to this challenge, 2) examines and explores the implications of the proposed solution, and 3) offers the only actual dynamic batch PBM solution to the problem. The challenger's response to the Meloy Challenge has not accomplished the generation of a self-similar product size distribution using the dynamic batch PBM. The actual solution, not an approximation which was offered, is the dynamic PBM with different, time-varying breakage rate functions with unrealistic large values.
Raf-1 signaling is required for the later stages of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced differentiation of HL60 cells but is not mediated by the MEK/ERK module

We are interested in determining the signaling pathways for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D)-induced differentiation of HL60 leukemic cells. One possible candidate is Raf-1, which is known to signal cell proliferation and neoplastic transformation through MEK, ERK, and downstream targets. It can also participate in the regulation of cell survival and various forms of cell differentiation, though the precise pathways are less well delineated. Here we report that Raf-1 has a role in monocytic differentiation of human myeloid leukemia HL60, which is not mediated by MEK and ERK, but likely by direct interaction with p90RSK. Specifically, we show that Raf-1 and p90RSK are increasingly activated in the later stages of differentiation of HL60 cells, at the same time as activation of MEK and ERK is decreasing. Transfection of a wild-type Raf-1 construct enhances 1,25D-induced differentiation, while antisense Raf-1 or short interfering (si) Raf-1 reduces 1,25D-induced differentiation. In contrast, antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) and siRNAs to MEK or ERK have no detectable effect on differentiation. In late stage differentiating cells Raf-1 and p90RSK are found as a complex, and inhibition of Raf-1, but not MEK or ERK expression reduces the levels of phosphorylated p90 RSK. These findings support the thesis that Raf-1 signals cell proliferation and cell differentiation through different intermediary proteins.
Serial intravascular ultrasound studies fail to show evidence of chronic Palmaz-Schatz stent recoil

Abstract Serial IVUS analysis after intervention and at follow-up showed that late recoil of the Palmaz-Schatz stent rarely occurred, and when it did occur, late stent recoil was minimal. The dominant mechanism of late lumen loss in this setting was neointimal hyperplasia.
A low power maximum power point tracker and power management system in 0.5µm CMOS

This paper presents a low-power maximum power point tracker (MPPT) and power management system (PM) for energy harvesting devices, including micro-photovoltaic (PV) cells, integrated in a 0.5µm 2P3M CMOS process. The MPPT utilizes the fractional open circuit method which approximates the optimal operating voltage of the PV cell as a fixed fraction of the cell's open circuit voltage. The proposed system uses an inductive boost converter with off-chip inductor and a novel charge skimming regulator (CSR) structure to simultaneously generate 1.8V and 1.2V supplies which are stored in supercapacitors. The PM manages the system supply according to available resources. The total power consumption of the chip was measured to be 11.3µW.
Patellar Tendon Repair: Postoperative Treatment

Enad JG, Loomis LL. Patellar tendon repair: postoperative treatment. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81: 786-8. Objective: To compare results of patellar tendon repair after early and delayed postoperative mobilization. Design: Two separate treatment groups, comparing 2 treat- ment alternatives at different time periods (before-after trial). Participants: Postoperative rehabilitation of 10 men who underwent patellar tendon repair. Intervention: Delayed mobilization group: weight-bearing in a cast and isometric lower-extremity exercises for 6 weeks; active flexion and extension exercises thereafter. Early mobili- zation group: weight-bearing in an extension brace, isometric lower-extremity exercises, prone active knee flexion, and passive knee extension for 6 weeks; active flexion and exten- sion exercises thereafter. Sixteen-month minimum follow-up. Results: Clinical (physical) findings were: 2 excellent, 1 good, 2 fair in the delayed-mobilization group; 1 excellent, 3 good, 1 fair in early-mobilization group. Functional (pain and activity level) findings were: 2 good, 2 fair, 1 poor in the delayed-mobilization group; 3 good, 1 fair, 1 poor in the early-mobilization group. Conclusions: Clinical and functional results were similar for both treatment groups. Further study is required to determine any significant long-term differences between rehabilitation methods.
Rat serum inhibits prolactin release from rat pituitary mammotrophs in culture

Abstract Rat pituitary cells maintained in culture for 3 days in α-MEM supplemented with 17% horse serum produce and release 4−8× the quantity of prolactin (PRL) originally contained in the cells at the time of plating. Addition of small (200 μl) quantities of rat serum repeatedly suppressed PRL release by $ 50%. Inhibition was related to dose of rat serum. Other studies showed (a) that the cells could recover from serum-induced inhibition, (b) that the effect was independent of the age of the pituitary and/or serum donor, (c) that GH release was unaffected by rat serum addition, (d) that the effect could not be attributed to proteases in the serum preparations and (e) that addition of T3 to the culture medium prevented the inhibitory response. The inhibitory material(s) in rat serum is stable on freezing; is non-dialyzable; is heat-labile; is stable over 3 days incubation at 37°C; and is associated with molecules between 85 000 and 146 000 dalton. Inhibitory activity was generated upon incubating whole clotted blood at 37°C for 23 h. It is suggested that the inhibitory material might (a) be released from platelets during clotting or (b) be generated from an inactive precursor molecule cleaved by proteases released during the clotting process.
Quorum sensing in Candida albicans: Probing Farnesol's mode of action with 40 natural and synthetic farnesol analogs

The dimorphic fungus Candida albicans produces extracellular farnesol (3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatriene-1-ol) which acts as a quorum-sensing molecule (QSM) to suppress filamentation. Of four possible geometric isomers of farnesol, only the E,E isomer possesses QSM activity. We tested 40 natural and synthetic analogs of farnesol for their activity in an N-acetylglucosamine-induced differentiation assay for germ tube formation (GTF). Modified structural features include the head group, chain length, presence or absence of the three double bonds, substitution of a backbone carbon by S, O, N, and Se heteroatoms, presence or absence of a 3-methyl branch, and the bulkiness of the hydrophobic tail. Of the 40 compounds, 22 showed QSM activity by their ability to reduce GTF by 50%. However, even the most active of the analogs tested had only 7.3% of the activity of E,E-farnesol. Structure-activity relationships were examined in terms of the likely presence in C. albicans of a farnesol binding receptor protein.
Vitamin B-6 requirement for irreversible inactivation of rat liver tyrosine aminotransferase

Abstract In vitro inactivation of tyrosine aminotransferase at pH 7.0 did not occur in liver homogenates prepared from vitamin B-6-deficient rats, although it was previously demonstrated that the enzyme was inactivated in liver homogenates from vitamin B-6-adequate rats (R. D. Reynolds and S. D. Thompson, 1974, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 164 , 43–51) . Addition of 2 m m pyridoxine or pyridoxal- P to the incubated homogenate did not restore the inactivation, but injection of 1 mg of pyridoxine to deficient rats restored full inactivating activity by 12 h. All forms of vitamin B-6 injected restored inactivating activity in vitro . This effect appears to be specific for vitamin B-6, since no restoration of in vitro inactivation of tyrosine aminotransferase was observed following injection of riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, or folic acid. The restoration of inactivating activity in vitro following injection of pyridoxine was not inhibited by repeated injections of puromycin or cycloheximide. Apparently, in vivo protein synthesis is not required for the restoration of the in vitro inactivating activity. However, in vivo inactivation was similar in the vitamin B-6-adequate and -deficient rats. Inactivating activity is present in homogenates of liver and kidney, but not of abdominal muscle, small intestine, heart, testes, whole blood, or erythrocyte ghosts, and is found only in the plasma membrane fraction of liver. Similar to liver, the activity in the kidney homogenate requires the presence of l -cysteine and depends upon the vitamin B-6 status of the animal. Rapid inactivation in the liver occurs between pH 6.75 and 7.75 (final pH), with minimal inactivation above or below this range. No inhibition of inactivation was observed with homogenates incubated in the presence of several protease inhibitors.
Integrating a Peer-Taught Module on Practical Research Ethics into the Graduate Student Orientation Curriculum.

As active members of the scientific community, graduate students make ethical judgments about the conduct and presentation of their research. Pressures in the research environment often influence t...
Assessing teachers' perceptions for school-based aggression prevention programs: Applying a cognitive-ecological framework

This article describes qualitative and quantitative assessment based on responses of 221 teachers from nine elementary schools in two districts (urban and suburban) to inform plans for reducing and preventing student aggression. Teachers' perceptions of students' aggressive behavior and beliefs were validated against students' self-reports and archival disciplinary data. Using a brief survey, we found district- and grade-level differences in teachers' perceptions of students' aggressive behavior and aggression supporting cognitions. Teacher reports on these two constructs each uniquely predicted teacher perceptions of the degree to which student aggression interferes with their jobs. Focus-group interviews with teachers were used to elaborate on individual-cognitive and ecological school factors related to student aggression, including procedures for handling aggression. The importance of teacher reports is highlighted, and implications for school program development are considered. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 331–344, 2006.
"It's in the Air": Redefining the Environment as a New Metaphor for Old Social Justice Struggles

Recently, minority activists have formed a new grassroots movement, known as environmental justice, to address toxic waste in their neighborhoods. By comparing and contrasting two environmental justice groups, this paper explores how adapting environmental discourse to traditional struggles for social justice affected grassroots minority activism. As they came to view their air, water, and soil as another aspect of life subject to institutional discrimination, the activists described in this paper constructed ambiguous environmental narratives that served as contexts for multiple organizing strategies. These strategies were not limited to ecological concerns, but included the social justice issues that each group had historically prioritized. In addition, the ambiguity of the environmental narratives activists created facilitated alliances with new organizational partners. Although the specific needs, goals, and outcomes of each case differed, both examples illustrate how "the environment" served as a fle...
Higgs boson pair production in the effective-W approximation

Abstract We calculate Higgs boson pair production from W-boson fusion both exactly and using the effective-W approximation. We find excellent agreement between the two approaches for m H > M W . We also find that the amplitude for Higgs boson pair production from longitudinal W bosons may be approximated by using the Goldstone-boson equivalence theorem.
Root Dissection: a Method of studying the Distribution of Active Mycelia within Root Tissue

THE presence of saprophytic micro-fungi in the decomposing cortex of roots of rye-grass1 has been studied by a simple modification of a technique, described by Harley and Waid2, which was developed to study the active mycelia of root surfaces. Roots at various stages of decomposition, characterized by the colour and condition of the cortex, were selected from rye-grass (Lolium perenne L.) growing under field conditions. The roots were washed by agitation in ten changes of 10 ml. of sterile water, and were then cut into 2-mm. fragments from which the outer cortex was dissected, leaving the central cylinder comprising the inner cortex and stele. Dissection was carried out in dishes of sterile water using sterile forceps and scalpel; with practice this could be done by eye. The 2-mm. fragments of outer and inner cortex and of intact roots were placed on three separate series of plates of Czapek-Dox agar and incubated for a period of three weeks at 25° C. The results, summarized in Table 1, demonstrate the differences which occurred between the composition of the mycelial populations of the root surfaces of intact roots and those of the outer and inner tissues of the cortex of dissected roots. Some of the sterile species of fungi isolated from the inner cortex were rarely isolated from intact roots, presumably because they could not compete in mixed culture with such surface-inhabiting species as Trichoderma viride or Mucor spp.
The molecular basis of the Neurospora clock

Abstract Circadian rhythms represents a nearly universal mode of cellular and organismal regulation among the eukaryotes. The common characteristics of biological clocks are shared throughout the breadth of phylogeny, and this shared set of features may reflect a shared molecular organization. It is clear that the molecular feedback loop that describes the central pacemaker mechanism will be found at the level of the cell in all organisms, so that molecularly simple systems may be useful for providing insights into more complex systems. The filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa is a well characterized genetic and biochemical system with a widely studied and well characterized circadian clock. Building on a strong genetic background, the mRNA and protein products of the frequency ( frq ) locus are now known to be components of the feedback loop that constitutes the pacemaking mechanism. The circadian oscillator in Neurospora can be described as an autoregulatory negative feedback loop wherein the products of the frq locus regulate themselves. In other work, the molecular cloning of genes under daily regulation by the clock is beginning to show the pathways through which clocks control gene expression, and how this aspect of regulation interfaces with acute responses to the environment.
Old Smokey coal fire, Floyd County, Kentucky: Estimates of gaseous emission rates

Abstract Vent emissions of the Old Smokey coal fire, Floyd County, Kentucky, were studied in May and July, 2010. Vent emissions were generally lower in July, perhaps due to a shift in the fire front, change in vent structure, or another unidentified factor. Volatile organics in the vent gasses contain dangerous levels of toxic, carcinogenic, and other hazardous compounds. Benzene ranges to nearly 400 parts per billion (volume) at one vent. Toluene exceeds 104 parts per billion (volume) at the same vent. Flux rates for CO 2 and CO range to 85,000 mg/s/m 2 and 89 mg/s/m 2 , respectively, for various vents for the two measuring times. Estimates of total CO 2 emissions, possibly less than 1000 t/year, are within the range of other eastern Kentucky coal fires.
Phospholipase A2 and Its Role in Brain Tissue

Abstract: Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is the name for the class of lipolytic enzymes that hydrolyze the acyl group from the sn-2 position of glycerophospholipids, generating free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. The products of the PLA2-catalyzed reaction can potentially act as second messengers themselves, or be further metabolized to eicosanoids, platelet-activating factor, and lysophosphatidic acid. All of these are recognized as bioactive lipids that can potentially alter many ongoing cellular processes. The presence of PLA2 in the central nervous system, accompanied by the relatively large quantity of potential substrate, poses an interesting dilemma as to the role PLA2 has during both physiologic and pathologic states. Several different PLA2 enzymes exist in brain, some of which have been partially characterized. They are classified into two subtypes, CA2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent, based on their catalytic dependence on Ca2+. Under physiologic conditions, PLA2 may be involved in phospholipid turnover, membrane remodeling, exocytosis, detoxification of phospholipid peroxides, and neurotransmitter release. However, under pathological situations, increased PLA2 activity may result in the loss of essential membrane glycerophospholipids, resulting in altered membrane permeability, ion homeostasis, increased free fatty acid release, and the accumulation of lipid peroxides. These processes, along with loss of ATP, may be responsible for the loss of membrane phospholipid and subsequent neuronal injury found in ischemia, spinal cord injury, and other neurodegenerative diseases. This review outlines the current knowledge of the PLA2 found in the central nervous system and attempts to define the role of PLA2 during both physiologic and pathologic conditions.
Purification and biochemical characterization of recombinant rat liver phenylalanine hydroxylase produced in Escherichia coli

Phenylalanine hydroxylase, important in phenylalanine metabolism in mammals, is regulated through short-term (activation) and long-term (induction) mechanisms. To help elucidate the structure-function relationships involved in the activation of this enzyme, we have isolated and characterized full-length cDNA clones to rat phenylalanine hydroxylase. Recombinant rat phenylalanine hydroxylase was placed into an expression vector in Escherichia coli. The enzyme has been purified to homogeneity and its physical and catalytic properties have been characterized. The molecular weight and the fluorescence emission spectrum of the recombinant enzyme were identical to those of the native enzyme. The recombinant enzyme could be activated by incubation with phenylalanine or lysolecithin or by phosphorylation, as is the rat liver enzyme. The extent of activation is the same as that for the native enzyme in each case except for phenylalanine, which activates the recombinant enzyme only 5- to 10-fold rather than the 15- to 30-fold activation observed with the native enzyme. The kinetic constants determined for the recombinant enzyme are also essentially the same as those reported for the native enzyme. We conclude that this enzyme is essentially identical to the native enzyme and should be very useful in the future study of this important hydroxylase.
Iodine adsorption studies at platinum

Abstract Adsorption and desorption of iodine-containing species were studied using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), and the rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) techniques in 0.2 mol/dm 3 sulfuric acid + 2 mmol/dm 3 potassium iodide. The EQCM method showed that ca. 0.4 monolayer of iodine-containing species was adsorbed at the potential 0.2 V vs. SCE, with no concomitant faradaic process. At potentials on the limiting current region for th oxidation of iodide to iodine, one monolayer of adsorbed iodine was found using the EQCM technique. Charge and flux data obtained using the RRDE in the potential range 0.2 V to 0.8 V vs. SCE agree with the overall reaction sequence I − Soln + ? ads = I ads + ? + 2e − , i.e., the charge passed at the disk was twice that required to account for the total adsorbed iodine formed from dissolved iodide ion. The assignment of the chemical identity of ? ads to H . ads is discussed in light of the previous literature dealing with the adsorption of iodine-containing species at platinum.
Hydrogen isotope ratios of mouse tissues are influenced by a variety of factors other than diet

In a recent report, Estep and Dabrowski (I) presented data which they claimed defined the relationship between the stable hydrogen isotopic ratios of an animal's tissues and those of its food and water sources. On the basis of their interpretation of these data, they suggested that the isotopic composition of animal hydrogen records information about an animal's diet. We wish to comment on their report.
Some aspects of least-square analysis of particle tracks with orthogonal polynomials

Abstract It is shown that a certain set of orthogonal polynomials can simplify the analysis of particle tracks. General expressions for an arbitrary order of fit are given for the various error terms and several specific examples are examined for straight line and parabolic tracks. An example of analysis involving higher order fit is also given.
Encapsulation of Enzymes within Polymer Spheres To Create Optical Nanosensors for Oxidative Stress

We describe the fabrication and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel spheres containing the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for application as optical nanosensors for hydrogen peroxide. HRP was encapsulated in PEG hydrogel spheres by reverse emulsion photopolymerization, yielding spheres with a size range from 250 to 350 nm. Encapsulated HRP activity and sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide were investigated by the Amplex Red assay based on the fluorescence response as a function of H2O2. These HRP-loaded spheres were then introduced to murine macrophages with Amplex Red in the culture media. After phagocytosis, the biocompatibility of spheres was determined by live cell staining using calcein AM (5 μM). The HRP-loaded PEG hydrogel spheres were activated (i.e., fluorescent oxidized Amplex Red produced within the spheres) by oxidative stresses such as exogenous H2O2 (100 μM) and lipopolysaccharide (1 μg/mL), which induced the production of endogenous peroxide inside macrophages. The res...
Effect of rectal lumen concentration on the reabsorption of ions and water by the American cockroach

Abstract 1. 1. Initial lumen concentrations were varied from 400 m-osmols (iso-osmotic) to 700 m-osmols (hyperosmotic) and the resulting change in osmolarity noted. Solute reabsorption occurred in all cases although not as a linear function. 2. 2. The use of dinitrophenol (DNP) on both sides of the epithelium apparently removed the influence of functioning transport mechanisms. The transcellular movement reverted to a simple diffusion process as noted by the linear change in lumen osmolarity. 3. 3. Differential effects were found when DNP was placed on only the lumen or haemolymph side. 4. 4. Volume differences as measured by the isotope dilution technique were always of a linear nature. 5. 5. The analogous placement of DNP as described above failed to elicit a drastic change but did modify the slope. 6. 6. The results of these experiments suggest that water movement out of the rectum is intimately linked with the initial lumen osmolarity and does not appear to depend upon simultaneous absorption on solutes from the lumen.
The influence of social support and active coping on depression among African Americans and Latinos with disabilities.

Maria Cecilia ZeaFaye Z. BelgraveTiffany G. TownsendS. Lisbeth JaramaSonia R. BanksGeorge Washington UniversityABSTRACT. Examined relationships among depression, active coping, and socialsupport in a sample of 109 African American and 57 Latinos with disabilities.Measures included Beck and Beck (1972) short version of the Depression Inventory,Brandt and Weinert's (1981,1987) Personal Resources Questionnaire (PRQ), an d thecondensed version of Tyler's (1978) Behavioral Attributes of Psychosocial Compe-tence Scale (Zea, Reisen, & Tyler, 1996). Findings indicated that active coping,satisfaction with social support, and type of disability were significant predictors ofdepression for African Americans, whereas active coping, perception of severity ofdisability, and social support were significant predictors of depression for Latinos.These findings underscore the importance of testing separate models for AfricanAmericans and Latinos.Fourteen percent of working-age African Americans and 8% of Latinos havedisabilities which impact functioning in activities of daily living (Bowe, 1990).Educational and employment opportunities are often reduced with an accompanyingreduction in the standard of living for these individuals. For example, only 16% ofAfrican Americans, 13% of Latina women, and 31 % of Latino men with disabilitiesare employed (Bowe, 1985a, 1985b). Inadequate and poor standards of living maygenerate feelings of stress, which feed into an increase in physical and psychologicalsymptoms that further impede an integration into the work force.REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY Vol. 41, No. 3, 1996
Effect of Prolonged ACTH Administration on the Gonads of Sexually Mature Chickens

Abstract STUDIES in this laboratory have shown that exposure of grouped chickens to prolonged periods of social interaction resulted in adrenal hypertrophy accompanied by decreased reproductive function and gonadal degeneration (Flickinger, 1961, 1963, 1965). These endocrine adaptations to an environmental stimulus were believed to result from alterations in the secretion of trophic hormones of the anterior pituitary. Hence, the investigation reported herein was undertaken to measure the effects of prolonged administration of ACTH on the gonads and adrenals of sexually mature chickens. MATERIALS AND METHODS Single Comb White Leghorn chickens, hatched from a highly inbred strain, were housed in individual cages (2 sq. ft./bird) following brooding. A commercial poultry ration and drinking water were supplied ab libitum and photoperiods were set at 15 hours per day. When the birds reached 26 weeks of age, they received daily intramuscular injections of gelatin-suspended ACTH 3 for a period of 14 days. Vehicle-injected 4 birds of …
Issues in electricity planning with computer models: illustrations with Elfin and WASP

Abstract This study presents and compares the results of simulations performed with two resource planning models: Elfin and WASP. The purpose of this study is to guage the effect of particular model features on the evaluation of a range of energy planning alternatives that have very different air emission impacts. Simulations illustrate dramatic differences in model results when model features do or do not address issues such as the realistic characterization of thermal plant operations. This study reports the results of simulating three alternative characterizations of new resource options: (1) representing realistic operating constraints on steam boilers; (2) evaluating a mix of new resources that includes demand-side management programs; and (3) considering the impacts of power plant emissions as part of the criteria for choosing a particular resource mix.
Stereotypes and Shifting Standards: Some Paradoxical Effects of Cognitive Load

Four studies tested a prediction derived from the shifting-standards model (Biernat, Manis, & Nelson, 1991) regarding the role stereotypes play in judgments of individual group members. Previous research has documented that stereotyping effects are stronger on objective than on subjective response scales, and the present studies found that these effects were intensified when participants were under heavy cognitive load. Stereotyping effects increased on objective judgment scales, but decreased on subjective scales. The latter is a paradoxical effect: By relying on stereotypes, one may increasingly use them as within-category comparative standards, which leads to the apparent reduction of stereotyping effects.
Comparison and verification of quantitative competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (QC-RT-PCR) and real time RT-PCR for avian leukosis virus subgroup J

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) infections cause significant economic losses because of increased mortality, tumor production, decreased production, and cost for eradication. Current quantification methods for ALV-J expressed by TCID(50) are difficult to determine because of the lack of cytopathic effect in cell cultures and non-specificity of currently available antigen-capture ELISA tests. In this study, a one-tube fluorescent probe based real time RT-PCR method was developed for quantification of ALV-J and compared with available quantification methods. Cell lysates with different TCID(50)s determined by cell culture and antigen capture ELISA (ag-ELISA) were used for one-tube real time RT-PCR using fluorogenic probe and quantitative competitive RT-PCR (QC-RT-PCR). The results of QC-RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR were highly correlated to the TCID(50)s determined by conventional culture methods. They were also very specific, sensitive, easy to perform, reproducible, and rapid compared with conventional methods. These RT-PCR based quantification methods of ALV-J viral RNA will be useful for virological and pathogenesis studies.
Noise and discrimination performance of the MINACE optical correlation filter

A new distortion-invariant optical correlation filter used to produce easily detectable correlation peaks in the presence of noise and clutter, and to provide better intraclass recognition, is presented. The new minimum noise and correlation energy (MINACE) filter produces sharp correlation peaks while maintaining an acceptable SNR in the correlation plane output in the presence of false targets (discrimination) and noise (clutter and background). The MINACE filter achieves this by use of a new tighter bound to the correlation plane energy problem. New test results are presented to show that this approach provides improved recognition (and reduced true class training set size), good discrimination, and improved performance in noise and clutter. Filter size requirements for such advanced distortion- invariant filters are also addressed.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pseudo-rigid-body model chain algorithm: part 2 — equivalent representations for combined load boundary conditions

Pseudo-rigid-body models help expedite the compliant mechanism design process by aiding the analysis and synthesis of candidate design solutions, using loop-closure techniques for rigid-body mechanisms. Presently, these models are available only for relatively simple compliant beam geometries and loading situations. The pseudo-rigid-body model chain algorithm provides reasonable approximations of the deformed shape of complex compliant members; however, it has one major limitation. The elastic deformation of each compliant segment under combined load boundary conditions is obtained by superposing the pseudo-rigid-body model displacements due to i) the force and ii) the moment loads, respectively. Hence, each segment needs to be characterized by two separate pseudo-rigid-body models in order to accurately determine its deformation kinematics. Such an idealization of compliant segments would present significant challenges when attempting to represent the pseudo-rigid-body model chain in vectorial form, as in planar vector loop-closure methods. Vectorial modeling would be possible if each flexible segment in the chain could be represented by an “equivalent pseudo-rigid-body model.” This paper proposes the concept of a rudimentary equivalent pseudo-rigid-body model to represent compliant segments with combined load boundary conditions in the pseudo-rigid-body model chain algorithm. Such a model may help overcome the difficulties confronted in the potential implementation of the pseudo-rigid-body model chain in planar vector loop-closure solution techniques.© 2006 ASME
The Correlation and Dependence between Two F Statistics with the Same Denominator

Abstract We derive the correlation between two F statistics formed by using two independent chi-squared random variables as the numerators and a third central chi-squared variate as the common denominator. The correlation depends on the df of the numerators and denominator and the noncentrality parameters of the numerators. The correlation can be used to estimate useful probabilities involving both F statistics.
Bayesian network structures and inference techniques for automatic speech recognition

Abstract This paper describes the theory and implementation of Bayesian networks in the context of automatic speech recognition. Bayesian networks provide a succinct and expressive graphical language for factoring joint probability distributions, and we begin by presenting the structures that are appropriate for doing speech recognition training and decoding. This approach is notable because it expresses all the details of a speech recognition system in a uniform way using only the concepts of random variables and conditional probabilities. A powerful set of computational routines complements the representational utility of Bayesian networks, and the second part of this paper describes these algorithms in detail. We present a novel view of inference in general networks – where inference is done via a change-of-variables that renders the network tree-structured and amenable to a very simple form of inference. We present the technique in terms of straightforward dynamic programming recursions analogous to HMM α–β computation, and then extend it to handle deterministic constraints amongst variables in an extremely efficient manner. The paper concludes with a sequence of experimental results that show the range of effects that can be modeled, and that significant reductions in error-rate can be expected from intelligently factored state representations.
Absorption: Construct Explication by Q-Sort Assessments of Personality

Abstract This study reports on observer-assessed personality correlates of the personality disposition of absorption. A total of 45 young females and 43 young males were measured via the Tellegen Absorption Scale, with the relations of absorption to the independently evaluated items of the California Q-sort then being examined. Results indicate that for both sexes, the disposition to enter states of high absorption coexists with an implicative pattern of personality items consistent with the core conceptual definition of the disposition as defined by Tellegen (1992)—the willingness to destructure conventional modes of cognitive and perceptual processing. Sex differences in the correlates of absorption were also observed, suggesting that the phenotypical expression of the latent construct of absorption is moderated by sex.