cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nucleation and Crystallization of Ion-Implanted Glass

Crystallization of the ion-implanted surface region of a lithia-alumina-silica glass has been obtained by implanting Ag+ ions Which are precipitated as metallic Ag nucleation sites. Nucleation and crystal growth occurs in the implanted region when the glass is appropriately irradiated with ionizating radiation and subsequently annealed. The process of crystallization of the implanted region was studied by use of infrared reflection spectroscopy, scanning-electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction analysis. Crystallization was observed to begin at 600–650°C by x-ray and infrared identification of the growth of lithium meta-silicate (Li2O-SiO2) and lithim di-silicate (Li2O-2SiO2) crystals. Crystallization was not observed at these temperatures either in the masked unimplanted areas or in implanted samples not exposed to ionizing radiation. In conventional glass-ceramics formed from glasses of this approximate composition, the crystallization nuclei are dispersed throughout the glass. The results of the present experiment suggest that sensitization and subsequent crystallization can be confined to the surface regions of glasses of suitable composition by means of ion implantation. Crystallization in the surface region is known to greatly increase the strength of the glass and ion implantation techniques may have some advantages over other surface strengthening mechanisms such as quenching and ion-exchange.
Polarization in American Politics: Does it Extend to the Federal District Court?

This article examines the question of whether there has been a pattern of increasing political polarization in decisions by federal district judges. The analysis employs the data set compiled by Robert Carp and Kenneth Manning that extends back to the 1930s. The results show that overall there has been increased polarization in the published decisions of federal trial judges, and that the overall trend largely reflects increasing conservatism by appointees of Republican presidents. However, this simple pattern breaks down as cases are disaggregated by subject matter, leaving a much murkier picture of change in decision patterns.
Successive Overrelaxation Iterative Methods

The point successice overrelaxation iterative method of Chap.3 was simultaneously introduced by Frankel (1950) and Young (1950). Whereas Frankel considered the special case of the numerical solutation of the Dirichlet problem for a rectangle and showed for this case that the point successive overrelaxation iterative method, with suitable chosen relaxation factor, gave substantially larger (by an order of magnitude) asymptotic rates of convergence than those for the point Jacobi and point Gauss-Seidel iterative methods, Young (1950)and Yound (1954a) showed that these conclusions held more generally for matrices satisfying his definition of propertly A, and that these results could be rigorously applied to the iterative solution of matrix equations arising from discrete approximations to a large class of elliptic partial differential equations for general regions. Then, Arms, Gates, and Zondek (1956) with their definition of property A Π generalized Young's results. In so doing, they enlarged the class of matrix equations to which the basic results of Young and Frankel, on the successive overrelaxation iterative method, could be rigorously applied.
Merger Motives and Technology Deployment: A Retrospective Evaluation:

The nature of post-merger technological progress outcomes is unclear, with theoretical and empirical literature being inconclusive and equivocal. We contend that merger motives materially drive pos...
Determining Worst-Case Gust Loads on Aircraft Structures Using an Evolutionary Algorithm

Determining the characteristics of wind gusts that result in the critical loading of an aircraft structure is an extremely complex problem. On the other hand, identifying these “worst-case gusts” is terribly important for aircraft designers because they need to ensure that aircraft are designed to withstand the dynamic loads associated with these turbulent gusts. In this paper an evolutionary algorithm (EA) is shown to be a feasible approach to solving this problem. The EA outperforms a traditional method suitable for solving linear problems, then is extended to nonlinear problems for which there is no effective solution methodology.
A Note on Ṛta and Dharma: Restoring the Cosmological Principle

The Vedic notion of Ṛta is broader than the more familiar notions of dharma and karma, which have become familiar English terms. Encompassing respect for nature, veneration of the deities, and attendance on the sacred rites, Ṛta is woven throughout the Ṛg Vedic hymns. By calling greater attention to this cosmic principle, scholars can work to counteract the commercialization and individualization of yoga.
Comprehensive comparative evaluation of background subtraction algorithms in open sea environments

Abstract In autonomous-ship and maritime security surveillance operations involving electro-optical sensors, the first phase of foreground segmentation and change detection using background subtraction (BS) algorithms is crucial. However, it is also the most complex in terms of execution time. Despite the development of several BS algorithms, maritime foreground segmentation and change detection remain major challenges owing to the complex, unconstrained, and diverse nature of ocean scenarios. However, only a few studies have investigated the applications of BS algorithms in maritime environments, especially those involving boats in the open sea. This study compares BS methods involving use of a non-static electro-optical sensor in combination with visible-light and infrared cameras to identify the best method for use in open sea scenarios, especially from the viewpoint of avoiding piracy and armed robbery. Thirty-seven methods, ranging from simple temporal differencing to more sophisticated ones, were validated via extensive experiments and analyses using realistic maritime datasets and practical maritime applications. In addition, because most methods considered in this study were not previously evaluated at the pixel level on open sea datasets, this paper proposes an appropriate maritime BS benchmark, based on which the 37 methods were compared to compensate for their prior lack of detailed analyses. The experimental results indicate that BS algorithms of the multiple features category can better handle maritime challenges, thereby realizing higher accuracies when analyzing visible-light and thermal videos. The proposed evaluation, therefore, complements those reported previously. Consequently, the proposed study enables users to identify the most suitable BS algorithm for use in intelligent maritime transportation, maritime security surveillance systems, and autonomous ships in the open sea.
VI-modules in nondescribing characteristic, part I

Let VI be the category of finite dimensional F q -vector spaces whose morphisms are injective linear maps and let k be a noetherian ring. We study the category of functors from VI to k -modules in the case when q is invertible in k . Our results include a structure theorem, finiteness of regularity, and a description of the Hilbert series. These results are crucial in the classification of smooth irreducible GL ∞ ( F q ) -representations in nondescribing characteristic which is contained in Part II of this paper (VI-modules in nondescribing characteristic, part II, arxiv:1810.04592).
The Association between Quitline Characteristics and Smoking Cessation by Educational Attainment, Income, Race/Ethnicity, and Sex

Little research examines how tobacco quitlines affect disparities in smoking cessation in the United States. Our study utilized data from the Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2018) (TUS-CPS) and state-level quitline data from the North American Quitline Consortium and National Quitline Data Warehouse. We ran multilevel logistic regression models assessing a state-run quitline's budget, reach, number of counseling sessions offered per caller, and hours of operation on 90-day smoking cessation. Multiplicative interactions between all exposures and sex, race/ethnicity, income, and education were tested to understand potential effect modification. We found no evidence that budget, reach, number of counseling sessions, or hours available for counseling were associated with cessation in the main effects analyses. However, when looking at effect modification by sex, we found that higher budgets were associated with greater cessation in males relative to females. Further, higher budgets and offering more sessions had a stronger association with cessation among individuals with lower education, while available counseling hours were more strongly associated with cessation among those with higher education. No quitline characteristics examined were associated with smoking cessation. We found evidence for effect modification by sex and education. Despite proven efficacy at the individual-level, current resource allocation to quitlines may not be sufficient to improve rates of cessation.
Optimizing Pasteurized Fluid Milk Shelf-Life Through Microbial Spoilage Reduction

Psychrotolerant spore-forming bacteria, entering raw milk primarily on-farm, represent a major challenge for fluid milk processors due to the ability of these bacteria to survive heat treatments used for milk processing (e.g., pasteurization) and to cause premature spoilage. Importantly, fluid milk processors require tools to identify optimal strategies for reducing spore-forming bacteria, thereby extending product shelf-life by delaying spoilage. Potential strategies include (i) introducing farm-level premium payments (i.e., bonuses) based on spore-forming bacteria counts in raw milk and (ii) investing in spore reduction technologies at the processing level of the fluid milk supply chain. In this study, we apply an optimization methodology to the problem of milk spoilage due to psychrotolerant spore-forming bacteria and propose two novel mixed-integer linear programming models that assess improving milk shelf-life from the dairy processors' perspective. Our first model, imposed to a budgetary constraint, maximizes milk's shelf-life to cater to consumers who prefer milk with a long shelf-life. The second model minimizes the budget required to perform operations to produce milk with a shelf-life of a certain length geared to certain customers. We generate case studies based on real-world data from multiple sources and perform a comprehensive computational study to obtain optimal solutions for different processor sizes. Results demonstrate that optimal combinations of interventions are dependent on dairy processors’ production volume and quality of raw milk from different producers. Thus, the developed models provide novel decision support tools that will aid individual processors in identifying the optimal approach to achieving a desired milk shelf-life given their specific production conditions and motivations for shelf-life extension.
Binge drinking in early adulthood: A machine learning approach.

Abstract Binge drinking among young adults (18–25) has been recognized as a public health concern. Considerable variation among drinking behaviors have been found among this group. Several statistical methods are available to identify theoretically and empirically meaningful correlates of binge drinking. The present study evaluated three methods for identifying correlates of binge drinking, comparing logistic regression to two machine learning methods—classification tress and random forests. While each model identified similar correlates of binge drinking—such as propensity for engaging in risky behaviors, marijuana dependence, cocaine dependence, identifying as non-Hispanic white, and higher education—the AUC analysis showed that the random forest analysis more accurately classified positive cases of binge drinking. Random forests modelling of psychosocial data is a feasible approach for identifying correlates of binge drinking behaviors among young adults. Clinical implications are discussed related to screening for binge drinking in behavioral health organizations.
Microbial decontamination of parathion and p-nitrophenol in aqueous media

A mixed microbial culture was adapted to growth on parathion to determine the feasibility of using microorganisms to detoxify concentrated parathion in agricultural wastes. In a 600-ml chemostat, the culture was able to degrade 50 mg of parathion per liter per h. Para-nitrophenol, produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of parathion, caused delays in exponential growth which were directly proportional to its concentration. A pseudomonad, isolated from the mixed culture, exhibited optimal growth at 0.21 mM p-nitrophenol and grew in concentrations up to 3.5 mM. In metabolic studies using [14C]p-nitrophenol, the nitro group was removed in stoichiometric quantities as nitrite and hydroquinone was tentatively identified as a metabolite.
Geologic map of the Dillon quadrangle, Summit and Grand Counties, Colorado

New 1:24,000-scale geologic mapping along the Interstate-70 urban corridor in western Colorado, in support of the USGS Central Region State/USGS Cooperative Geologic Mapping Project, is contributing to a more complete understanding of the stratigraphy, structure, tectonic evolution, and hazard potential of this rapidly developing region. The 1:24,000-scale Dillon quadrangle is near the headwaters of the Blue River and straddles features of the Blue River graben (Kellogg, 1999), part of the northernmost reaches of the Rio Grande rift, a major late Oligocene to recent zone of extension that extends from Colorado to Mexico. The Williams Range thrust fault, the western structural margin of the Colorado Front Range, cuts through the center of the quadrangle, although is mostly covered by surficial deposits. The oldest rocks in the quadrangle underlie the Williams Fork Mountains and the ridge immediately east of South Fork Middle Fork River, and include biotite-sillimanite schist and gneiss, amphibolite, and migmatite that are intruded by granite inferred to be part of the 1,667-1,750 Ma Routt Plutonic Suite (Tweto, 1987). The oldest exposed sedimentary unit is the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation, but Pennsylvanian Maroon Formation, a sequence of red sandstone, conglomerate, and interbedded shale, underlies the southern part of the quadrangle. The thickest sequence of sedimentary rocks is Cretaceous in age and includes at least 500 m of the Upper Cretaceous Pierre Shale. Surficial deposits include (1) an old, deeply dissected landslide deposit, possibly as old as Pliocene, on the west flank of the Williams Fork Mountains, (2) deeply weathered, very coarse gravel deposits underlying a mesa in the southwest part of the quadrangle (the Mesa Cortina subdivision. The gravels are gold bearing and were mined by hydraulic methods in the 1800s), (3) moderately to deeply weathered, widespread, bouldery material that is a combination of till of the Bull Lake glaciation, debris-flow deposits, landslide deposits, and possibly pre-Bull Lake till, (4) glacial deposits of both Bull Lake (middle Pleistocene) and Pinedale (late Pleistocene)glaciations, (5) recent landslide deposits, and (6)extensive colluvial and alluvial deposits.
Structural and functional studies of cross-linked Go protein subunits.

The guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) that couple hormone and other receptors to a variety of intracellular effector enzymes and ion channels are heterotrimers of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits. One way to study the interfaces between subunits is to analyze the consequences of chemically cross-linking them. We have used 1,6-bismaleimidohexane (BMH), a homobifunctional cross-linking reagent that reacts with sulfhydryl groups, to cross-link alpha to beta subunits of Go and Gi-1. Two cross-linked products are formed from each G protein with apparent molecular masses of 140 and 122 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both bands formed from Go reacted with anti-alpha o and anti-beta antibody. The mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is anomalous since the undenatured, cross-linked proteins have the same Stokes radius as the native, uncross-linked alpha beta gamma heterotrimer. Therefore, each cross-linked product contains one alpha and one beta subunit. Activation of Go by guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) does not prevent cross-linking of alpha to beta gamma, consistent with an equilibrium between associated and dissociated subunits even in the presence of GTP gamma S. The same cross-linked products of Go are formed in brain membranes reacted with BMH as are formed in solution, indicating that the residues cross-linked by BMH in the pure protein are accessible when Go is membrane bound. Analysis of tryptic peptides formed from the cross-linked products indicates that the alpha subunit is cross-linked to the 26-kDa carboxyl-terminal portion of the beta subunit. The cross-linked G protein is functional, and its alpha subunit can change conformation upon binding GTP gamma S. GTP gamma S stabilizes alpha o to digestion by trypsin (Winslow, J.W., Van Amsterdam, J.R., and Neer, E.J. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 7571-7579) and also stabilizes the alpha subunit in the cross-linked product. Cross-linked G o can be ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin. This ADP-ribosylation is inhibited by GTP gamma S with a concentration dependence that is indistinguishable from that of the control, uncross-linked G o. These two kinds of experiments indicate that alpha o is able to change its conformation even though it cannot separate completely from beta gamma. Thus, although dissociation of the subunits accompanies activation of G o in solution, it is not obligatory for a conformational change to occur in the alpha subunit.
Who Benefits from a Lottery-funded College Subsidy? Evidence from the New Mexico Success Scholarship

This paper investigates the enrollment, retention and academic performance effects of NM Success, a merit-based lottery-funded scholarship established in 1997, using student-level data from the University of New Mexico. While we find a staggering 56 per cent increase in University enrollments, the program pays out four subsidies for every new student attracted to college. Less academically able, higher income students have the greatest enrollment response. The program has not improved retention, and students have responded to its performance requirements by reducing their credit hours. Held to overall enrollment objectives, the program is truly a Success, but it fares less well when held to the standards of economic efficiency and distributional equity.
Episodic weakness and vacuolar myopathy in hypokalemic periodic paralysis

We report a 50-year-old woman who presented with a 20 year history of gradually progressive lower extremity weakness, characterized by knee buckling with occasional falls and foot dragging. She also experienced difficulty in lifting her arms above her shoulders. The primary periodic paralyses are rare disorders caused by dysfunctional ion channels in skeletal muscle. The hypokalemic type is generally an autosomal dominant condition, due to missense mutations in the alpha subunits of the skeletal muscle L-type calcium channel genes, CACN1AS, or the skeletal muscle sodium channel gene, SCN4A. The affected patients typically present with episodic weakness. For our patient, the consumption of foods high in carbohydrates seemed to precipitate the episodes of weakness. Her family history was significant for six blood relatives, including three sons and three relatives on the paternal side, who had experienced similar symptoms. A biopsy of the left rectus femoralis muscle showed vacuolar myopathic changes in the scattered muscle fibers, accompanied by occasional degenerating and regenerating muscle fibers. There was no evidence of inflammation on the biopsy. The vacuoles were often associated with increased acid phosphatase staining. An electron microscopic examination showed that the vacuolar changes were due to T-tubule dilation, a characteristic of hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Other metabolic etiologies of vacuolar myopathy, such as acid phosphatase (lysosomal) associated acid maltase deficiency (a glycogen storage disease), need to be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Bioethics in the Popular Mode

Book reviewed in this article: Life Choices: Confronting the Life and Death Decisions Created by Modern Medicine. By Howard Levine. Hard Choices: Mixed Blessings of Modern Medical Technology. By B. D. Colen. The Sorcerer's Apprentice: Inside the Modem Hospital. By Sallie Tisdale. Playing God in the Nursery. By Jeff Lyon.
Commentary on Fate and Exposure Models: Description of the Multimedia Environmental Pollutant Assessment System (MEPAS®) Version 3.2, with Application to a Hypothetical Soil Contamination Scenario

(1998). Commentary on Fate and Exposure Models: Description of the Multimedia Environmental Pollutant Assessment System (MEPAS®) Version 3.2, with Application to a Hypothetical Soil Contamination Scenario. Journal of Soil Contamination: Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 283-300.
Neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer is not associated with higher rates of thromboembolism

Aim Thromboembolism (TE) is a leading cause of death amongst cancer patients. The effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) on the risk of TE in rectal cancer patients is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether nCRT was associated with an increased risk of TE in patients with rectal cancer, either during therapy or with subsequent treatment. Method This was a retrospective study from a prospectively maintained database at a tertiary referral centre. Participants included patients with rectal cancer treated between January 2000 and December 2013. The primary outcome was the rate of TE in patients with rectal cancer who had nCRT compared with those who did not. Results One hundred and seventy-one (7.8%) of 2181 rectal cancer patients developed TE. Patients who had nCRT did not have an increased incidence of TE compared with those who had surgery alone (81/946, 8.6% vs 94/1235, 7.6%, P = 0.42) after a median follow-up of 95 months. Ten (1.1%) of 946 patients who received nCRT developed TE during or immediately after nCRT. Most TE events occurred in the 30-day postoperative period (70 patients, 3.2%). Conclusion The prevalence of TE in patients with rectal cancer was 7.8%, with most events occurring in within 30 days of surgery. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation was not associated with an increased risk of TE.
Haemocin, the bacteriocin produced by Haemophilus influenzae: species distribution and role in colonization.

Abstract Four hundred thirty-eight strains of Haemophilus influenzae were examined for production of and sensitivity to haemocin, a bacteriocin produced by some members of this species. Whereas 199 of 212 (94%) type b isolates produced haemocin, 131 of 134 (98%) nontypeable and 91 of 92 (99%) encapsulated non-type b isolates were sensitive to haemocin. Among strains previously genetically characterized by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, haemocin production was detected in type b isolates belonging to 25 of 29 (86%) clonally distinct electrophoretic types. None of 60 clonally distinct nontypeable strains produced this substance, and all were sensitive to it in vitro. The genes encoding haemocin production were transformed independently of the genes necessary for capsule expression from a prototypic type b strain to a nontypeable strain. After intranasal inoculation of infant rats with an equal mixture of a non-haemocin-producing strain and its haemocin-producing transformant, organisms capable of haemocin production predominated in both nasopharyngeal and blood cultures. These data demonstrate that haemocin production is strongly associated with type b encapsulated members of this species and suggest a mechanism by which haemocin might play a role in host nasopharyngeal colonization by this pathogen.
Effects of interferon beta-1b on black holes in multiple sclerosis over a 6-year period with monthly evaluations

Background Chronic, hypointense black holes (BHs) are recognized as a sign of permanent damage in patients with multiple sclerosis. Although the effects of interferon beta-1b in reducing the formation of new BHs are established, it is not clear whether the drug may reduce BH duration after these lesions are formed. Objective To analyze the effects of interferon beta-1b in reducing the duration of T1 BHs in patients with multiple sclerosis. Design Patients were clinically assessed and imaged monthly over a 36-month natural history phase and 36-month therapy phase. Numbers of contrast-enhanced lesions and newly formed BHs were counted on each scan. Each BH was counted until it was no longer seen. Setting Outpatient service of the Neuroimmunology Branch at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. Patients Six patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis were included. One patient did not form any BHs during the therapy phase. Analyses were performed on the remaining 5 individuals. Interventions Interferon beta-1b at the dosage of 8 million international units every other day. Main Outcome Measures Number and duration (in months) of newly formed BHs. Results Rate of BH accumulation decreased with treatment ( P = .01), but Kaplan-Meier models revealed that the duration of BHs did not shorten (χ 2 1 = 2.47, P = .12). Conclusions Interferon beta-1b reduces the frequency of new BH formation but does not appear to decrease their duration in time. Analyses with larger patient cohorts are needed to confirm these preliminary findings. Published online September 12, 2005 (doi:10.1001/archneur.62.11.noc40499).
A strategic risk management program for agriculture

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how an organized framework for risk management called Risk Navigator SRM© can be practically applied to common risk management problems.Design/methodology/approach – The program makes complex risk principles easier to understand and access by linking together disparate and difficult risk management concepts into a single strategic risk management (SRM) framework. The strategic framework is organized into ten steps in order to organize and develop a practical and applied risk management plan. This paper demonstrates the SRM process in a crop insurance example. A simple version of the program, called Risk Navigator Lite©, is also applied to crop insurance to demonstrate how robust the framework is for adaptation to field settings, where data may be limited or where decision makers might have limited capacity to understand complicated principles necessary for risk management.Findings – This manuscript elaborates upon how the SRM process may be effectively...
Stability of Carbon-Nitrogen Cages in Fourfold Symmetry

Molecules consisting entirely of nitrogen have been studied extensively for their potential as high energy density materials (HEDM). One class of potential high-energy nitrogen molecules is the cage of three-coordinate nitrogen. Previous theoretical studies of cages Nx have shown that the most stable isomers are cylindrical molecules with 3-fold symmetry and triangular endcaps, but such molecules are not stable with respect to dissociation. In the current study, nitrogen cages are modified to include carbon atom substituents. Carbon atoms are studied for their potential to stabilize the nitrogen structures while maintaining significant levels of energy release from the molecules. Theoretical calculations are carried out on a sequence of high-energy cages with carbon and nitrogen. Density functional theory (B3LYP), perturbation theory (MP2 and MP4), and coupled-cluster theory (CCSD(T)) are used in conjunction with the correlation-consistent basis sets of Dunning. Stability trends as a function of molecule ...
Age-Based Rationing and Women

The expense of caring for growing numbers of older individuals can create strong incentives to ration health care based on age. While not directed explicitly at women, this form of rationing would affect women disproportionately because more women than men occupy the ranks of older Americans. A proper understanding of age-based rationing requires attention to gender issues. Once gender issues are taken into account, age-based rationing appears to perpetuate broader gender inequities in the society. This position is supported by three arguments. First, although age-based rationing leads to inequalities between age groups, the inequalities it produces between the sexes are more ethically troubling. Second, these departures from equality cannot be justified even when they benefit society at large by enabling investments in other health care priorities. Finally, since older women represent a disadvantaged and vulnerable group, age-based rationing is difficult to justify even if our obligation to protect the vulnerable is minimal. (JAMA. 1991;266:3012-3015)
A conceptual model for the assessment of depressional wetlands in the prairie pothole region

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's), Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) is developing a landscape-level conceptual model to evaluate the condition of depressional (basin-type) wetlands in the prairie pothole region (PPR) of the United States. This effort is underway to determine the current condition of the Nation's wetlands and to track how it is improving or degrading over time, as well as to identify management priorities over major geographic areas. The depressional wetlands in the PPR were selected by EMAP both because of the importance of this region for waterfowl and because of the efforts currently being conducted by federal agencies and academic institutions in this region. The PPR provides nesting habitat for more than 15 species of ducks, and supports as much as half of the total production of dabbling and diving ducks in North America. Wetlands in this area became a vulnerable resource after extensive draineage in the 1800s. We propose a conceptual model that represents a framework for guiding the development of ecological indicators, research activities, and data collection for the evaluation of wetland conditions. In princple, this conceptual model is applicable to wetlands in any part of the world.
Isolation of a membrane-DNA-RNA complex from rat liver mitochondria.

Abstract A membrane-DNA-RNA complex has been isolated from Sarkosyl lysates of inner membrane matrix preparations from normal and regenerating rat liver mitochondria. Incubation of inner membrane matrix preparations with a radioactively labeled precursor in vitro under conditions which support nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis in mitochondria results in the labeling of the appropriate component of the complex. Only membrane fragments complex with the Mg 2+ -Sarkosyl crystals and DNA is found in the complex by virtue of its specific attachment to the membrane fragment. RNA, in turn, appears to be bound to the DNA. The percentage of the total DNA of the lysate which is attached to the membrane fragment in the Sarkosyl crystal is 3- to 4-fold higher in the complexes from 22-hr regenerating and fetal rat liver mitochondria than in normal rat liver, whereas the percentage of membrane protein is the same in both cases. The increased attachment of DNA to membrane in actively proliferating tissues suggests a possible functional significance for the attachment of the mitochondrial DNA to the membrane during the replication of mitochondrial DNA. The membrane-DNA-RNA complex from rat liver mitochondria appears to resemble similar complexes isolated from several bacterial species by the same method.
Endometriosis: Current Management

Objective To review the clinical features, theories of pathogenesis, and current treatment of endometriosis-associated pain and infertility. Design We review the manifestation of endometriosis and the possible mechanisms that lead to its symptoms, examine the efficacy of current therapeutic options for pelvic pain and infertility, and provide specific recommendations for treatment based on the current literature. Material and Methods Endometriosis is the presence of hormonally responsive endometrial tissue occurring outside the uterine cavity. This condition may be asymptomatic but is often found in association with pelvic pain or infertility (or both). The precise pathogenesis has not been clearly established but likely involves retrograde menstruation with subsequent seeding of endometrial glands at extrauterine sites. The definitive diagnosis and staging of endometriosis are performed by laparoscopy. Various strategies have been used to treat endometriosis including expectant, medical, surgical, and combination management. Results The efficacy of treatment varies for pelvic pain and infertility. Endometriosis-associated pain may respond to both medical and surgical management. The use of medical therapy for endometriosis-associated infertility is not supported by current studies. Surgical management of infertility may be efficacious when pelvic anatomy is distorted because of endometriosis. The use of superovulation strategies and in vitro fertilization has been shown to be effective in overcoming endometriosis-associated infertility. Conclusion Pelvic pain and infertility in the presence of endometriosis necessitate individualization of therapy to achieve treatment goals. Neither medical nor surgical management is efficacious in all circumstances. As a better understanding of the pathogenesis of endometriosis evolves, treatment of this perplexing condition will probably continue to improve.
Patlak plots of Gd-DTPA MRI data yield blood–brain transfer constants concordant with those of 14C-sucrose in areas of blood–brain opening

The blood-to-brain transfer rate constant (Ki) of Gd-DTPA was determined in MRI studies of a rat model of transient cerebral ischemia. The longitudinal relaxation rate, R1, was estimated using repeated Look-Locker measurements. A model-independent analysis of ΔR1, the Patlak plot, produced maps of Ki for Gd-DTPA and the distribution volume of the mobile protons (Vp) with intravascular-Gd changed R1's. The Ki's of Gd-DTPA were estimated in regions of interest with blood–brain barrier (BBB) opening (regions of interest, ROIs) and compared to those of 14C-sucrose determined shortly thereafter by quantitative autoradiography. The Ki's for both Gd-DTPA and sucrose were much higher than normal within the ROIs (n = 7); linear regression of Ki for Gd-DTPA vs. Ki for sucrose yielded a slope of 0.43 ± 0.11 and r2 = 0.72 (P = 0.01). Thus, Ki for Gd-DTPA varied in parallel with, but was less than, Ki for sucrose. In the ROIs, mean Vp was 0.071 ml g−1 and much higher than mean vascular volume estimated by dynamic-contrast-enhancement (0.013 ml g−1) or mean Vp in contralateral brain (0.015 ml g−1). This elevated Vp may reflect increased capillary permeability to water. In conclusion, Ki can be reliably calculated from Gd-DTPA-MRI data by Patlak plots. Magn Reson Med 50:283–292, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Human Sweat Components Attractive to Mosquitoes

WHETHER human sweat is attractive to mosquitoes is a controversial problem. Hewlett1, Rudolfs2 and Rahm3 concluded that human sweat was not attractive; however, Parker4 and Brown5,6 found the contrary. Recently, Brown7,8 reported that lysine and alanine are attractive to Aedes aegypti (L.).
Urinary tract reconstruction in renal transplantation Mayo clinic experience and review of literature

Abstract Although rejection remains the most frequent cause of renal allograft failure, technical problems have contributed and continue to contribute to graft loss. Urologic complications may be caused by technical errors in the donor nephrectomy or in urinary tract reconstruction. During the past decade, however, with advances in medical and surgical management, the reported incidence of urologic complications in renal transplantation has declined steadily. This may be due to (1) more extensive donor and recipient preparation and evaluation for surgery, (2) improvement of surgical technique with increasing experience in donor and recipient, and (3) more refined diagnosis and treatment of urologic and infectious complications.
In-Situ Measurements of Engineered Nanoporous Particle Transport in Saturated Porous Media

Engineered nanoporous particles have become an important class of nano-structured materials that have found their increasing industrial, energy, and environmental applications. The internal pore surfaces in the particles can be chemically tailored to sequestrate metals and radionuclide contaminants from groundwater. The fate and transport of the nanoporous particles in subsurface environments, however, have not been studied. Here we present a scanning optical fiber fluorescence profiler that can be used to in situ measure the transport of fluorescence-tagged colloidal and nano-structured particles in column systems. Engineered nanoporous silicate particles (ENSPs) that were covalently bonded with fluorescence-emitting, and uranium-chelating ligands in the intraparticle pore domains were synthesized and used as an example to investigate the nanoporous particle transport and to demonstrate the application of the developed in situ measurement profiler. The profiler detected an irreversible or slowly detached fraction of ENSPs in the sand collector even under conditions thermodynamically unfavorable to particle attachment. Further, the in situ measurement system detected the spatial variability of ENSPs transport that deviated from one-dimensional, homogeneous assumption that is typically used to model particle transport in the column. Generally, however, both measured and model-calculated results indicated that the transport of ENSPs were consistent with that of nonporousmore » colloidal particles that subjected to coupled reversible attachment/detachment and straining processes. The developed system can also be applied to detect other fluorescence-tagged nano-structured or colloidal particle transport.« less
Connection between a mitochondrion and endoplasmic reticulum in liver

Mitochondrion-endoplasmic reticulum connection in hepatocytes, discussing possible protein molecule transfer
In vitro fertilization and preimplantation development in the primate

Nonhuman primates represent a strong model for examining the chromosomal, biochemical, and temporal normality of embryos produced byin vitro fertilization. Morein vitro fertilized embryos from the squirrel monkey(Saimiri sciureus) have been produced and examined than with all other primate species combined. In studies over a 13 year period a fertilization rate approximating 60 % has been developed in this species with 30% of these embryos proceeding to the two cell stage and 50% of these to the three-four cell stage. Chromosomal abnormalities (primarily missing or extra chromosomes) at a level of nine to 16% have been found, a value corresponding to that found inin vivo mating andin vitro fertilization in other species. An incidence of triploidy of 16.7% was observed. RNA and protein synthetic rates appear comparable with those of laboratory species subjected toin vitro fertilization and indicate the initial stages of metabolic activity of the newly formed embryo. Similarly, increases in estrogen incorporation appear after fertilization but no effect is observed in progesterone incorporation. Utilizing 2-deoxy-glucose and insulin, it was determined that the glucose requirement as an energy source for early preimplantationin vitro fertilized primate embryos is very low.
Morphology, Growth, and Size Limit of Bacterial Cells

Bacterial cells utilize a living peptidoglycan network (PG) to separate the cell interior from the surroundings. The shape of the cell is controlled by PG synthesis and cytoskeletal proteins that form bundles and filaments underneath the cell wall. The PG layer also resists turgor pressure and protects the cell from osmotic shock. We argue that mechanical influences alter the chemical equilibrium of the reversible PG assembly and determine the cell shape and cell size. Using a mechanochemical approach, we show that the cell shape can be regarded as a steady state of a growing network under the influence of turgor pressure and mechanical stress. Using simple elastic models, we predict the size of common spherical and rodlike bacteria. The influence of cytoskeletal bundles such as crescentin and MreB are discussed within the context of our model.
Male esterase 6 catalyzes the synthesis of a sex pheromone in Drosophila melanogaster females

Esterase 6, a component of the seminal fluid of Drosophila melanogaster males, hydrolyzes cis-vaccenyl acetate, a lipid made only by males, to cis-vaccenyl alcohol. This reaction occurs in the female reproductive tract and is virtually complete within 6 hours after copulation. Both the alcohol and the acetate decrease the number of matings among pairs of virgin flies in which the female is treated topically with these substances. Although females tested 10 minutes after copulation elicit less courtship than virgin females, females tested 6 hours after copulation stimulate even less courtship if they received active esterase 6 in the seminal fluid of their respective mates. Either the alcohol or a derivative appears to be an antiaphrodisiac that decreases courtship elicited by inseminated females and thus reduces the probability of further mating. Thus the activity of the pheromone depends on a final reaction which occurs in the female, using both substrate and enzyme provided by the male.
Micro- and Nanobiological Systems: New Technologies and Applications

Summary form only given. Nanotechnology has recently been applied to a wide range of biological systems. In particular, there is a current push to examine the interface between the biological world and micro/nano-scale systems. In this paper, the author presents ongoing work in microfluidics, biosensors, and nano-bio interfaces. Specific topics are included in the development of a DNA-based, microfluidic detection system and its use for both pathogen identification and forensic DNA analysis. In addition, the author covers current studies in magnetic-microfluidic integration, bacterial quorum sensing, bacterial adhesion, and novel optical detection systems. Some of the unique biological considerations for these systems are discussed, as well as issues relating to device fabrication and testing.
International Financial Integration and Growth in Developing Countries: Issues and Implications for Africa

This paper examines international financial integration, economic growth and the linkages between them, focusing on Africa. A central theme is the importance of distinguishing between policy based (de jure ) indicators of integration and (de facto ) indicators based on actual capital flows or stocks. The paper reviews trends in both sets of integration indicators and uses growth accounting to summarise key features of Africa's growth experience. The linkage between them is examined through an extensive review of recent literature as well as some new empirical evidence. The review finds little evidence relating de jure integration to growth, but this may reflect relatively uninformative available indicators. In contrast, the paper concludes that there is strong evidence associating FDI inflows with increased growth and that this relationship seems to hold for Africa. Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.
An ibotenate-selective metabotropic glutamate receptor mediates protein phosphorylation in cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons.

Previous results showed that within 30 s after glutamate stimulation of cultured rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons there occurred an elevation of Ca2+ and diacylglycerol, and the phosphorylation of three acidic protein kinase C substrates, i.e., an 87-kDa protein known as myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate and a 120- and a 48-kDa protein. In addition, it was suggested that a metabotropic-type glutamate receptor might be responsible for the phosphorylation observed. This work examines the ability of metabotropic and inotropic glutamate receptor agonists to quickly activate phospholipases in 1.26 mM versus 50 nM extracellular Ca2+ by measuring the generation of inositol phosphates. NMDA, quisqualate, and trans-(+/-)-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid did not stimulate the generation of inositol phosphates in the presence of normal or low extracellular Ca2+ in pyramidal neurons. Kainate stimulated the production of inositol phosphates in the presence of 1.26 mM extracellular Ca2+ but not in 50 nM extracellular Ca2+. Other than glutamate, only ibotenate was able to stimulate the generation of inositol phosphatases in both normal and low extracellular Ca2+. The maximal response to ibotenate was approximately equal to that of glutamate, when pyramidal neurons were stimulated in 50 nM extracellular Ca2+. The generation of inositol phosphates by glutamate and ibotenate could be partially blocked (50-60% reduction) by pretreatment of neurons with pertussis toxin (250 ng/ml), suggesting that a GTP-binding protein might be involved. In addition, ibotenate stimulated the immediate phosphorylation of the same three protein kinase C substrates as glutamate. The NMDA receptor blocker MK-801 had no effect on this phosphorylation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
ON THE BIOCHEMICAL ETIOLOGY OF KETOSIS.

Abstract When a low level of palmitate is added to a rat liver homogenate, more is converted to CO 2 than acetoacetate. However, as the level of palmitate is increased, the maximum capacity of the preferential pathway, namely complete oxidation to CO 2 , is reached and ketogenesis then predominates.
Cellular adhesion regulates bFGF gene expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

It has previously been shown that cell density has a profound effect on the expression of the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene by human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro. This study was designed to examine cellular mechanisms which may be responsible for the density-dependent expression of bFGF. Examination of RPE labeling index with respect to cell density suggests that cell cycle progression is not responsible for changes in steady-state mRNA levels. Media switch experiments between sparse and dense RPE cell cultures also rule out a soluble mediator. Extracellular matrix deposited within the 3-day plating period could also not account for the observed changes in bFGF gene expression. However, the synchronous loss of cell contact induced by Ca2+ chelation caused a transient elevation in steady-state mRNA levels. These results suggest that changes in cell adhesion may be responsible for the density-dependent regulation of bFGF mRNA levels in RPE cells in vitro.
Nonverbal reciprocation of approval: an experimental analysis ☆

Abstract The maintenance of free social interaction may be due in part to the normative reciprocation of common approval-related responses. An experiment was designed to provide a demonstration of such reciprocation. Each of 48 ninth-grade subjects was given a standard interview by an adult. The interviewer followed each answer of the subject with either approving responses (smile, positive head nod, verbal acknowledgment, and gesticulation), disapproving responses (frown, negative head nod, and verbal disparagement), or no response. Subjects emitted significantly higher percentages of smiles and positive head nods in response to the approving interviewers than to the disapproving or nonresponsive interviewers. Also, as anticipated, subjects responded with their lowest percentages of self-manipulatory responses and “non-ah” speech disturbances in the approving interviews. The results support the notion of a reinforcement-feedback system which may be a major determinant of the social interaction process.