cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of x-rays on thymocytes and its modification by cysteine.

SummarySensitivity of rabbit thymocytes to X-irradiation in vitro is decreased by a constant factor over a wide dosage range when cysteine is added to the suspension. Protection depends upon cysteine concentration and time of administration but is not a simple function of the sulfhydryl level. There is a definite postirradiation effect of cysteine which can be accounted for only in part by the persistence of toxic substances in the medium. The relative resistance of packed cells and the failure of cysteine to protect them may be a consequence of hypoxia. It is suggested that the effect of cysteine on irradiated thymic cell suspensions may be a result of competition with cell substrates for oxygen, but that the binding of oxygen per se is not necessarily the decisive event in the protection. The results are discussed in connection with related observations in the intact animal.
Spectroscopic and ionization properties of N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)-labeledlipidsinmodelmembranes

Abstract The spectroscopic and ionization properties of various lipids labeled with the 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl (NBD) group have been studied in model membranes using fluorescence, absorbance and electrophoretic mobility measurements. Electrophoretic measurements show that the NBD group is uncharged at neutral pH. However, at high pH, hydroxyl addition or deprotonation occurs with a pKa, depending upon conditions, of 11.5–11.8 for the NBD group of headgroup-labeled phosphatidylethanolamine (NBD-PE) and 11.1–11.5 for NBD labels placed at the end of one fatty acyl chain of a phosphatidylcholine (6-NBD-PC and 12-NBD-PC). This type of behavior is not observed in the case of a methylated NBD label placed in the flexible ‘tail’ of cholesterol (NBD-cholesterol). The similarity in pKa for NBD-PE and NBD-PCs suggests that in these cases the NBD group is at a similar depth in the membrane. This was examined further by comparison of the fluorescence emission maximum of the NBD group in model membranes with that in solvents of varying polarity. The apparent polarity experienced by NBD groups in model membranes indicates that for NBD-PE and 12-NBD-PC they are located at the polar region whereas the NBD group of NBD-cholesterol is deeply buried in a nonpolar region of the membrane. This conclusion is supported further by fluorescence quenching experiments measuring NBD exposure to the aqueous quencher Co2+. The results of this study confirm the tentative conclusions of our previous fluorescence quenching studies on the location of NBD groups in model membranes.
Deletion of Ogg1 DNA glycosylase results in telomere base damage and length alteration in yeast

Telomeres consist of short guanine-rich repeats. Guanine can be oxidized to 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) and 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (FapyG). 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (Ogg1) repairs these oxidative guanine lesions through the base excision repair (BER) pathway. Here we show that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae ablation of Ogg1p leads to an increase in oxidized guanine level in telomeric DNA. The ogg1 deletion (ogg1Δ) strain shows telomere lengthening that is dependent on telomerase and/or Rad52p-mediated homologous recombination. 8-oxoG in telomeric repeats attenuates the binding of the telomere binding protein, Rap1p, to telomeric DNA in vitro. Moreover, the amount of telomere-bound Rap1p and Rif2p is reduced in ogg1Δ strain. These results suggest that oxidized guanines may perturb telomere length equilibrium by attenuating telomere protein complex to function in telomeres, which in turn impedes their regulation of pathways engaged in telomere length maintenance. We propose that Ogg1p is critical in maintaining telomere length homoeostasis through telomere guanine damage repair, and that interfering with telomere length homoeostasis may be one of the mechanism(s) by which oxidative DNA damage inflicts the genome.
Sensitivity of the rate of spontaneous eye blinking to type of stimuli in young infants.

Although progress has been made toward understanding the mechanisms of spontaneous eye blinking (SB), few reports focus on the ontogeny of SB. The purpose of the present work was to investigate SB in infants by attempting to manipulate SB and examine potential correlates of SB. Fifty-two infants were observed in a quiet baseline condition then presented with either moving stimuli or a social stimulus. SB, eye movement, body movement and various background variables were measured. Results demonstrate that SB can be manipulated and that SB rate is differentially sensitive to the type of stimulus presented. Eye and body movements did not systematically relate to the rate of SB. Implications for mechanisms of SB regulation are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 51: 186–197, 2009
A general theory of systems performance criteria

Based on general systems thinking of the past half century and the efficiency literature of the last 100 years, this research develops a theoretical model of systems performance criteria that provides a means to evaluate how well any living system, whether individual, organisational or societal, performs task-related activities in the pursuit of goals. The model is used as a foundation for organising the various concepts of performance that have evolved over the past century: efficiency, costs, productivity, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. These performance concepts, derived from the theoretical model, are formalised into axioms that are used to deduce theorems and derivative laws in constructing a formal general theory of systems performance criteria.
American Public Opinion toward the Military: Differences by Race, Gender, and Class?

This article uses a national survey of Latinos, African Americans, and Anglos (non-Hispanic whites) to test multiple hypotheses for public support of military expenditures, enlistment in the military, and overall evaluations of the military. While polls show that the military is the most respected government institution, it is less clear whether particular sectors of the contemporary public are more or less supportive—especially the growing Latino population. This is important because an ethnic gap in public opinion might lead to future difficulties in securing funding as well as volunteers. The article also examines whether factors such as gender and class are related to military support. The results show that Latinos are more likely than Anglos to encourage young people to enlist, but Latinos are less supportive of military spending. Women are also more likely than men to oppose spending, while the African American and socioeconomic status variables are not significant.
High-Speed Silicon Modulator for Future VLSI Interconnect

We demonstrate a silicon optical modulator capable of transmitting data at a bit rate up to 40 Gbps. Such a high-speed modulator enables integrated silicon photonic chips for future high data streams VLSI interconnect applications.
Substitutions for Cu in YBa2(Cu1−xMx)3O7−δ (M = Fe, Co, Al, Cr, Ni, and Zn)

Abstract Substitutions for copper in YBa 2 (Cu 1− x M x ) 3 O 7− δ (1:2:3) were investigated. It was found that indirect methods to determine solubility into 1:2:3 typically used in the study of intermetallic compounds (observed variation with composition of superconducting transition temperature and of lattice parameters) are not entirely reliable. Optical micrography was used to asses the morphology of the sintered polycrystalline specimens. Differential thermal analysis provides melting point data signaling the presence of impurities which melt at lower temperatures. Electron microprobe studies were undertaken to determine actual M content of the superconducting phase and to check for the presence of impurity phases. Estimates of solubility limits are made. Transmission electron microscope studies were used to determine the twin structure and investigate the occurrence of a tweed pattern. Superconducting transition temperature as a function of x was determined below the solubility limits. In several cases T c 's observed in this work differ from some previous reports. Possible sources of these discrepancies are discussed. Variation of lattice parameters as a function of x is reported. Also described are electrical resistivity and DC susceptibility measurements for selected samples.
Measurement of Cadmium(II) and Calcium(II) Complexation by Fulvic Acids Using 113Cd NMR

Aquatic and terrestrial fulvic acids are environmentally important in pollution transport because they affect the bioavailability and transport of metal ions. The complexation of the metal ions, Cd(II) and Ca(II), with several fulvic acids is examined in this study using 113Cd NMR. Our results indicate that Cd(II) predominately binds to the oxygen containing functional groups of the fulvic acids. A single 113Cd NMR resonance is observed in NMR spectra of Cd(II)−fulvic acid solutions indicating fast exchange between free and complexed cadmium species. An average association equilibrium constant, KCd, is determined from NMR spectra measured for the titration of fulvic acid with Cd(II). The KCd values determined for the four fulvic acids studied range between 1.2 and 3.5 × 103 M-1. Competitive binding between Ca(II) and Cd(II) is used to indirectly determine an average association equilibrium constant, KCa, for Ca(II) with each fulvic acid. Overall KCa values range from 4.6 to 7.8 × 102 M-1.
Dielectric cell for radiofrequency measurement of conductive media

Abstract A cylindrical cell for the determination of dielectric constants of liquids with high conductive losses is described. The cell is suitable for the range of 0·5-50 Mc/s and may be used for samples of at least 1 ml of liquid of dielectric constants (ϵ′) from 30-500, in a temperature range from -20 to +40°C. The determinations are based on variable capacitance and conductance from which ϵ′ and the dielectric loss factor ϵ″ amy be evaluated. Special precautions taken to reduce the impedance of the leads and to make the necessary corrections small and definite are described in detail.
The capacitated transportation-production problem: computational experience

Abstract This paper reports computational experience with the solution of transportation-production problems, using an algorithm designed for transportation problems with nonlinear objective functions. Both uncapacitated and capacitated varieties of the production-transportation problem are solved. Computational results on the former are compared to those reported elsewhere. Also presented are results on the capacitated problem, to our knowledge, heretofore not available. Nonlinear problems of size up to 25x100 are solved efficiently in CPU times ranging from 5 to 30 seconds. Many extensions to the linear transportation problem which already exist in the literature are applicable to the nonlinear model presented in this paper. Thus, we conclude that the solution technique provided here is an important step in finding solutions to a wide range of managerial problems.
Systemic dissemination as a result of oral infection in individuals 50 years of age and older

The oral pathosis caused by systemic disorders in middle-aged and elderly adults has been the focus of many publications in recent years. The intraoral soft and hard tissue changes associated with systemic disorders, medications, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment have been well-investigated and -documented. Far less attention has been paid to the role of oral infection as the etiology of systemic disorders. A literature review (1980-1994) is provided here focusing on well-documented cases in which systemic disorders were caused by oral foci of infections. This paper attempts to raise the level of awareness of practitioners in considering possible systemic complications caused by oral infection. It also emphasizes the need for further longitudinal studies in this field involving healthy and medically compromised elderly individuals.
Using Capital Budgeting for Managing E-Government Expenditures

Abstract This article offers government officials, particularly local officials, a plan to finance their technological infrastructure. Our proposition of a fee-based financing structure rests on the guiding principles of capital financing, primarily the principle of equity.
Analytical Model of Diurnal Temperature for a Radome Enclosed Antenna

A critical design consideration for the Haystack Ultrawideband Satellite Imaging Radar’s (HUSIR) with respect to its performance at W-band is thermal distortion. This is because thermal distortion affects the surface accuracy of a parabolic reflector. For example, an extremely tight surface tolerance, ∼100 microns root-mean-squared, is required to obtain antenna performance efficiency close to 85 percent. Thermal control is one method for mitigating this distortion. Cost effective thermal control relies on a model that rapidly and accurately predicts the antenna’s temperature. This work develops a simplified analytical model to predict the surface temperature of a metal antenna based on external diurnal temperature variations. The thermal energy balance of the radome/antenna captures the radome enclosed antenna temperature transients. This study also includes a parametric investigation to quantify the sensitivity of the model with respect to convection coefficients. The developed model generates results for four months, (February, April, August, and October). We compare some of these results to experimental measurements.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
The isotopic composition of atmospheric carbon monoxide

Abstract The concentration and the carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of atmospheric CO of the northern hemisphere show regular seasonal variations. The isotopic pattern is different from that for CO from automobile engine combustion, whether compared to combustion in the same region as the air sample or to an estimated world average. These results indicate that there are several natural sources, one of which is much greater than anthropogenic emissions. The most likely nature of these sources are discussed and the production rates estimated.
From “Gardens” to “Plantations”: Market Economy and Commercial Agricultural Development in Shaanbei, China

Abstract Recent development of commercial agriculture in China can be illustrated by the diffusion of an orchard operation, “garden-plantation “, in northern Shaanxi Province (Shaanbei). Conceived in traditional family gardens, this new system has become a leading commercial operation and has resulted in improvements of both ecological and economic conditions. Empirical findings indicate that the emerging market economy has been a critical force behind the rapid diffusion and sustainable potentials of the garden-plantation system. This study contributes to the theories of sustainable growth and has policy implications for regional development.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN COLD-AND SALT-TOLERANCE DURING SEED GERMINATION IN TOMATO: ANALYSIS OF RESPONSE AND CORRELATED RESPONSE TO SELECTION

Seeds of F(2) progeny or a cross between a slow-germinating (UCT5) and a fast-germinating tomato line (PI120256) were evaluated for germination under non-stress (control), cold-stress and salt-stress conditions, and in each treatment the most rapidly (first 5%) germinating seeds were selected, grown to maturity and self-pollinated to produce F(3) progency. The selected F(3) progeny from each experiment were evaluated for germination in each of the three treatments, and compared with germination rate of unselected F(3) progeny. Selection for rapid seed germination was effective under cold stress and salt stress, but not effective under non-stress conditions. Furthermore, selection in either cold-stress or salt-stress treatment significantly improved progeny germination rate under both cold-stress and salt-stress treatments, as well as the non-stress treatment. The results support the suggestion that the same genes contribute to rapid seed germination under cold-, salt-and non-stress conditions. In practice therefore, selection for rapid seed germination under a single-stress environment may result in progeny with improved seed germination under a wide range of environmental conditions. Furthermore, to improve germination rate under non-stress conditions, it may be more effective to make selections under a stress treatment.
Detection of aberrant nuclear DNA metabolism in a conditional mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A single recessive nuclear gene mutation has been isolated from strain 123.1C of Saccharomyces cerevisiae which appears to be conditionally deficient in nuclear DNA metabolism. Growth of the mutant strain at the elevated temperature of 36° C results in rapid loss of cell viability. However, no apparent reduction in the rate of radioisotope incorporation into DNA was detected during this period. When haploid cells carrying this temperature sensitive lesion were exposed to the restrictive temperature for varying lengths of time, returned to the permissive temperature, mated with a non-temperature sensitive strain and then the resulting diploids made to undergo meiosis, a greatly reduced number of viable spores were produced. Genetic analysis of the viable spores produced by these diploids has revealed aberrant auxotrophic marker segregation patterns. Thus, these results suggest that the mutated gene harbored in this strain plays a vital role in the metabolism of the nuclear genome.
Relationship between Measures of Exposure to PCBs/Dioxins and Behavioral Effects in Recent Developmental Studies

This paper does not reflect official EPA policy. Epidemiological studies on the neurodevelopmental effects of exposure to PCBs initiated in the last decade have had the opportunity to take advantage of modern methodologies for the analysis of congeners of PCBs, dioxins, and related orga-nochlorine compounds. Each of these studies is a longitudinal prospective study, in which women were recruited during pregnancy and the children are being followed for at least several years after birth. The study from which the largest body of data has been published to date is being performed in the Netherlands, in which exposure to PCBs and related compounds is through the general food supply. Mother-infant pairs were recruited in two cities. Half of the infants were bottle-fed and half breast-fed in each city. Four PCB congeners (118, 138, 153, 180) were assessed in maternal and cord plasma, breast milk, and plasma of the child at 3.5 years. TEQ in breast milk was calculated based on PCDDs/PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs. V...
Hemodynamic Support with Percutaneous Devices in Patients with Heart Failure

The use of surgically implanted durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in high-risk patients with heart failure is declining and short-term, nondurable MCS device use is growing. Percutaneously delivered MCS options for advanced heart failure include the intra-aortic balloon pump, Impella axial flow catheter, TandemHeart centrifugal pump, and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Nondurable MCS devices have unique implantation characteristics and hemodynamic effects. Algorithms and guidelines for optimal nondurable MCS device selection do not exist. Emerging technologies and applications will address the need for improved left ventricular unloading using lower-profile devices, longer-term ambulatory support, and the potential for myocardial recovery.
Predicting Relevant Change in High Resolution Satellite Imagery

With the ever increasing volume of remote sensing imagery collected by satellite constellations and aerial platforms, the use of automated techniques for change detection has grown in importance, such that changes in features can be quickly identified. However, the amount of data collected surpasses the capacity of imagery analysts. In order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of imagery analysts performing data maintenance activities, we propose a method to predict relevant changes in high resolution satellite imagery based on human annotations on selected regions of an image. We study a variety of classifiers in order to determine which is most accurate. Additionally, we experiment with a variety of ways in which a diverse set of training data can be constructed to improve the quality of predictions. The proposed method aids in the analysis of change detection results by using various classifiers to develop a relevant change model that can be used to predict the likelihood of other analyzed areas containing a relevant change or not. These predictions of relevant change are useful to analysts, because they speed the interrogation of automated change detection results by leveraging their observations of areas already analyzed. A comparison of four classifiers shows that the random forest technique slightly outperforms other approaches.
TH‐C‐330A‐02: Does Image Quality Impact Mammographic Accuracy?

Purpose: To assess the impact of resolution and noise on observer performance in detecting and classifying breast masses and microcalcifications in x‐ray mammography.Method and Materials: Simulated breast masses and microcalcifications were inserted into normal digital mammograms. A routine modified the images to simulate the effects of reduced dose.Images were viewed on three medical‐grade displays: an LCD, a CRT with normal resolution, and a CRT with degraded resolution. Five experienced breast imagingradiologists scored the lesions in the image set using a custom graphic user interface based on a categorical rating paradigm. The data were analyzed to find overall accuracy and accuracy for four specific diagnostic tasks (detection of benign masses, malignant masses, and microcalcifications, and discrimination between benign and malignant masses). Results: When using different displays but keeping noise constant at full dose,radiologists had similar overall accuracy (LCD: 0.83 ± 0.01, CRTNormal: 0.82 ± 0.01, CRTDegraded: 0.84 ± 0.01). The radiologists also had similar accuracy for each of the four clinical tasks on the three displays. Overall, no statistically significant difference in clinical accuracy was observed between the three displays (p > 0.05). When varying dose levels while only using the LCD display, the radiologist performance dropped somewhat (full dose: 0.83 ± 0.01, half dose: 0.77 ± 0.02, quarter dose: 0.61 ± 0.02). Noise had the greatest impact on the detection of microcalcifications and discrimination between benign and malignant masses. Conclusions: This work suggests that the choice of medical display has a small impact on clinical accuracy in digital mammography. The small drops in clinical performance with increased noise suggests that dose may be somewhat decreased with limited impact on clinical utility. The categorical rating paradigm should be considered for future investigations as it allows for greater image throughput while closely modeling the clinical paradigm.
Infant Thresholds with Enhanced Attention to the Signal in Visual Reinforcement Audiometry

Experimental data show a discrepancy between adult auditory thresholds and best estimates of infant thresholds. The source of the discrepancy has not been determined. Attentional differences betwee...
Perception and Planning Architecture for Autonomous Ground Vehicles

By combining smart sensors and traversability grids with a JAUS-based component and messaging architecture, DARPA Grand Challenge finalist team CIMAR quickly developed a robust autonomous ground vehicle (AGV), a custom-built off-road vehicle. Key components included six smart sensors for detecting environmental conditions and reporting a priori data, a smart arbiter for fusing data from multiple smart sensors, and a reactive driver for providing real-time navigation planning and obstacle avoidance
Abstract 1585: Chronic induction of breast cell carcinogenesis by multiple environmental and dietary carcinogens

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Breast cancer, the most common type of cancer among North American and European women, is mostly sporadic and attributable to long-term exposure to small quantities of multiple carcinogens. To understand how multiple carcinogens act together to induce breast cell carcinogenesis, we investigated the activity of the tobacco carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), the environmental carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), and the dietary carcinogen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP). Non-cancerous human breast epithelial MCF10A cells were exposed to NNK, B[a]P, and PhIP sequentially or in combination and then analyzed for the acquisition of cancerous properties/endpoints. Transient endpoints included DNA damage, Ras-Erk-Nox pathway activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation, and increased cell proliferation. Constitutive endpoints included reduced dependence on growth factors, anchorage-independent growth, Ras-Erk-Nox pathway activation, and increased ROS and cell proliferation. To detect agents that can intervene with cellular carcinogenesis induced by NNK, B[a]P, and PhIP, we investigated the activity of green tea catechins effective in blocking these cancerous endpoints. Our study revealed, for the first time, that combined NNK and B[a]P enhanced breast cell carcinogenesis chronically induced by PhIP. Co-exposure was more potent than sequential exposure to induce initiation of cellular carcinogenesis measured by induction of transient endpoints in a single exposure and progression of carcinogenesis measured by cellular acquisition of constitutive endpoints in cumulative exposures. Our study also revealed that combined ECG and EGCG, at non-cytotoxic levels, was more effective than individual agents in intervention of cellular carcinogenesis induced by combined NNK, B[a]P, and PhIP. Thus, co-exposure to NNK, B[a]P, and PhIP should be critically examined in epidemiological studies to reveal the impact of these carcinogens in the development of sporadic breast cancer. Use of combined ECG and EGCG should be seriously considered for chemoprevention of breast cell carcinogenesis associated with long-term exposure to environmental and dietary carcinogens. Citation Format: Lenora A. Pluchino, Hwa-Chain R. Wang. Chronic induction of breast cell carcinogenesis by multiple environmental and dietary carcinogens. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1585. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1585
Mouse Embryonic Development in a Serum-free Whole Embryo Culture System

Mid-gestation stage mouse embryos were cultured utilizing a serum-free culture medium prepared from commercially available stem cell media supplements in an oxygenated rolling bottle culture system. Mouse embryos at E10.5 were carefully isolated from the uterus with intact yolk sac and in a process involving precise surgical maneuver the embryos were gently exteriorized from the yolk sac while maintaining the vascular continuity of the embryo with the yolk sac. Compared to embryos prepared with intact yolk sac or with the yolk sac removed, these embryos exhibited superior survival rate and developmental progression when cultured under similar conditions. We show that these mouse embryos, when cultured in a defined medium in an atmosphere of 95% O2 / 5% CO2 in a rolling bottle culture apparatus at 37 °​C for 16-40 hr, exhibit morphological growth and development comparable to the embryos developing in utero. We believe this method will be useful for investigators needing to utilize whole embryo culture to study signaling interactions important in embryonic organogenesis.
A Simple Metal Pn Polymer Process Using Pulsed Electron Beams In Soft Vacuum

We describe the proximity patterning using 28 kV, soft vacuum exposing electrons of silver, copper and gold containing metal-polymer composite films. The cross-linking of the metal doped polyamic acid, resulting in reduced solubility of exposed regions, leads to successful patterning following conventional wet development. The patterned films were found to contain the metal content redistributed, preferentially enriching the surface during the imidization cure, as supported by a variety of surface analysis methods.
Near-threshold K-shell absorption cross section of argon: Relaxation and correlation effects.

A detailed theoretical study has been made of the effects of core relaxation and electron-electron correlation on the near-threshold absorption cross section of argon, and the results are compared with previous calculations and experiment. The key results are the following: (1) Within the Hartree-Fock approximation, core relaxation must be included to obtain realistic cross sections; (2) final-state calculations are extremely sensitive to the way in which exchange effects are included in the calculations; (3) although electron-electron correlations produce only small changes in the single-electron cross section, they can account for the two-electron resonances which have been observed immediately above the ionization threshold. In particular, the main resonance above threshold appears to be 1s3${p}^{5}$3${d}^{2}$, which can be reached from the ground state via initial-state correlation.
An Improved Algorithm for Inverse Design of Thermal Problems With Multiple Materials

An optimization scheme and matrix partitioning strategy are developed in conjunction with a boundary element solution procedure for inverse design in heat transfer. The optimal control problem is to locate interior heating or cooling passages inside a coated conducting domain to achieve a desired boundary temperature when the heat flux is specified (or vice versa). As the interior passages can be parameterized with a few variables, the optimization problem is of low dimension. The matrix partitioning scheme for the boundary element system and optimization search procedure lead to a fast computational scheme for this class of problems.
The size distribution of insertions and deletions in human and rodent pseudogenes suggests the logarithmic gap penalty for sequence alignment.

The size distributions of deletions, insertions, and indels (i.e., insertions or deletions) were studied, using 78 human processed pseudogenes and other published data sets. The following results were obtained: (1) Deletions occur more frequently than do insertions in sequence evolution; none of the pseudogenes studied shows significantly more insertions than deletions. (2) Empirically, the size distributions of deletions, insertions, and indels can be described well by a power law, i.e., fk = Ck-b, where fk is the frequency of deletion, insertion, or indel with gap length k, b is the power parameter, and C is the normalization factor. (3) The estimates of b for deletions and insertions from the same data set are approximately equal to each other, indicating that the size distributions for deletions and insertions are approximately identical. (4) The variation in the estimates of b among various data sets is small, indicating that the effect of local structure exists but only plays a secondary role in the size distribution of deletions and insertions. (5) The linear gap penalty, which is most commonly used in sequence alignment, is not supported by our analysis; rather, the power law for the size distribution of indels suggests that an appropriate gap penalty is wk = a + b ln k, where a is the gap creation cost and blnk is the gap extension cost. (6) The higher frequency of deletion over insertion suggests that the gap creation cost of insertion (ai) should be larger than that of deletion (ad); that is, ai - ad = ln R, where R is the frequency ratio of deletions to insertions.
Evidence that changes in presynaptic calcium currents are not responsible for long-term potentiation in hippocampus

Abstract We used two approaches to test the possibility that changes in presynaptic calcium currents might be responsible for the long-term potentiation (LTP) effect induced by high-frequency stimulation in area CA1 of hippocampal slices. In a first series of experiments, we compared the effect of Ltp Induction on paired-pulse facilitation with that produced by changes in extracellular calcium concentration, a procedure that modifies presynaptic calcium currents during depolarization by changing the ionic gradient for calcium. In hippocampus, as in peripheral synapses, increasing concentrations of extracellular calcium caused a marked reduction in the degree of facilitation obtained with paired-pulse stimulation; LTP, conversely, did not affect the facilitation ratio. The differential effect of changing calcium concentrations versus LTP induction on paired-pulse facilitation was observed with different interpulse intervals as well as in conditions in which the changes in response size produced by the two manipulations were comparable. In the second approach, we measured calcium dependency curves of synaptic responses before and after LTP induction or application of 4-aminopyridine, a blocker of potassium channels that increases presynaptic calcium currents by slowing spike repolarization. Procedures that increase calcium entry into terminals during transmission should shift to the left tigmoidal function releasing extracellular calcium to the slope of the extracellular response. This in turn should result in disproportionate effects of the procedure as a function of the calcium concentration. This prediction was realized with 4-aminopyridine but did not occur following LTP induction: control and potentiated responses were similarly affected by changes in calcium concentration. Although indirectly, these data strongly suggest that LTP is not accompanied by alterations in the presynaptic calcium dynamics associated with transmitter release.
Black Skiing, Everyday Racism, and the Racial Spatiality of Whiteness:

This article examines how structural and symbolic forces combine to produce racialized discourses of belonging and geographies of exclusion in and around downhill skiing. Drawing from literatures i...
Simulating a JIT/kanban production system using GEMS

Just-in-time refers to the movement of material at the necessary place at the necessary time. The implication is that each operation is closely synchronized with the subsequent ones to make that possible.A method of just-in-time production which uses standard containers with a single card attached to each. It is a pull system in which work centers signal with a card that they wish to withdraw parts from feeding operations or vendors. Kanban, in Japanese, loosely translated means, "card ", literally "billboard" or "sign ". The term is often used synonymously for the specific scheduling developed and used by Toyota Corporation in Japan.
Organophosphorylation of Acetylcholinesterase in the Presence of Peripheral Site Ligands DISTINCT EFFECTS OF PROPIDIUM AND FASCICULIN

Structural analysis of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) has revealed two sites of ligand interaction in the active site gorge: an acylation site at the base of the gorge and a peripheral site at its mouth. A goal of our studies is to understand how ligand binding to the peripheral site alters the reactivity of substrates and organophosphates at the acylation site. Kinetic rate constants were determined for the phosphorylation of AChE by two fluorogenic organophosphates, 7-[(diethoxyphosphoryl)oxy]-1-methylquinolinium iodide (DEPQ) and 7-[(methylethoxyphosphonyl)oxy]-4-methylcoumarin (EMPC), by monitoring release of the fluorescent leaving group. Rate constants obtained with human erythrocyte AChE were in good agreement with those obtained for recombinant human AChE produced from a high level Drosophila S2 cell expression system. First-order rate constants kOP were 1,600 +/- 300 min-1 for DEPQ and 150 +/- 11 min-1 for EMPC, and second-order rate constants kOP/KOP were 193 +/- 13 microM-1 min-1 for DEPQ and 0.7-1.0 +/- 0.1 microM-1 min-1 for EMPC. Binding of the small ligand propidium to the AChE peripheral site decreased kOP/KOP by factors of 2-20 for these organophosphates. Such modest inhibitory effects are consistent with our recently proposed steric blockade model (Szegletes, T., Mallender, W. D., and Rosenberry, T. L. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 4206-4216). Moreover, the binding of propidium resulted in a clear increase in kOP for EMPC, suggesting that molecular or electronic strain caused by the proximity of propidium to EMPC in the ternary complex may promote phosphorylation. In contrast, the binding of the polypeptide neurotoxin fasciculin to the peripheral site of AChE dramatically decreased phosphorylation rate constants. Values of kOP/KOP were decreased by factors of 10(3) to 10(5), and kOP was decreased by factors of 300-4,000. Such pronounced inhibition suggested a conformational change in the acylation site induced by fasciculin binding. As a note of caution to other investigators, measurements of phosphorylation of the fasciculin-AChE complex by AChE inactivation gave misleading rate constants because a small fraction of the AChE was resistant to inhibition by fasciculin.
Reliability and clinical utility of the "Wing" Present State examination.

We examined the reliability and clinical utility of a structured mental status interview schedule, the eighth edition of the Present State Examination. Using this schedule, we interviewed a consecutive series of patients with functional psychiatric disorders shortly following admission. We modified the scoring methods to provide a concise yet meaningful profile of psychopathological disorders. We confirmed its high interrater reliability using video tapes of approximately every tenth interview and demonstrated that it is a practical technique for the examination of patients with functional disorders by showing that a high quality interview was obtainable. Finally, we showed that it is a powerful diagnostic tool, and with our scoring modifications provides a valid, clinically meaningful profile of psychopathological features of the major functional disorders: schizophrenia, affective psychoses, and neurotic personality disorders.
Exception handling for sensor fusion

This paper presents a control scheme for handling sensing failures (sensor malfunctions, significant degradations in performance due to changes in the environment, and errant expectations) in sensor fusion for autonomous mobile robots. The advantages of the exception handling mechanism are that it emphasizes a fast response to sensing failures, is able to use only a partial causal model of sensing failure, and leads to a graceful degradation of sensing if the sensing failure cannot be compensated for. The exception handling mechanism consists of two modules: error classification and error recovery. The error classification module in the exception handler attempts to classify the type and source(s) of the error using a modified generate-and-test procedure. If the source of the error is isolated, the error recovery module examines its cache of recovery schemes, which either repair or replace the current sensing configuration. If the failure is due to an error in expectation or cannot be identified, the planner is alerted. Experiments using actual sensor data collected by the CSM Mobile Robotics/Machine Perception Laboratory's Denning mobile robot demonstrate the operation of the exception handling mechanism.
Homogeneous enzyme-linked assays mediated by enzyme antibodies; a new approach to electrode-based immunoassays

Abstract A new homogeneous enzyme—immunoassay system is described. The assay employs an ammonia-liberating enzyme covalenty coupled to protein antigens along with two antibodies. An anti-enzyme antibody inhibits the enzyme. However, an antibody selective for the antigen reverses the inhibition process. When samples containing free antigen are present in the assay mixture, there is competition for anti-antigen antibody sites and protection against the anti-enzyme antibodies is diminished. The extent of the enzymatic reaction is monitored with an ammonium ion-selective electrode. Preliminary data demonstrating the feasibility of this approach for human serum albumin are presented.
An immunocytochemical study of type I muscle fibres in developing human skeletal muscles.

Abstract An immunocytochemical study was done on the skeletal muscles of human fetuses (19–36 weeks gestation), infants and adults using a new monoclonal antibody (McAb) ALD-47. The antibody was generated against slow myosin of chicken and is specific for myosin heavy chain (MHC). In human infants and adults the type I muscle fibres are strongly reactive with this McAb and the type II fibres uniformly non-reactive. In the fetuses from 19–20 weeks gestation (in whom the fibre types are not distinguishable by the histochemical myosin ATPase test) a proportion of muscle fibres react specifically with ALD-47. Other muscle fibres at this stage react positively with a fast specific MHC McAb HM-1.2 or are negative to both ALD-47 and HM-1.2 antibodies. These McAbs, thus, identify three distinct fibre populations in the early fetal muscle which by histochemical staining appears homogeneous. The percentage of ALD-47 positive fibres increases in fetuses at later gestational periods; at all stages these fibres lack reactivity with the HM-1.2 antibody. Because of its selective fibre type reactivity in differentiating muscles, the McAb ALD-47 in conjunction with HM-1.2 should be useful in immunoaffinity fractionation and biochemical studies of myosin isoforms in developing human muscles.
Lunar ferroan anorthosites and mare basalt sources: The mixed connection

Global overturn of a hot, gravitationally unstable lunar mantle immediately following the solidification of a magma ocean explains several characteristics of lunar petrology. Lunar mare basalt sources are inferred to be depleted in europium and alumina. These depletions are consensually attributed to complementary plagioclase floating from a magma ocean. However, in contrast to the mare basalt source parent magma, the ferroan anorthosite parent magma was more evolved by virtue of its lower Mg/Fe ratio and Ni abundances, although less evolved in its poverty of clinopyroxene constituents, flat rare earth pattern, and lower incompatible element abundances. The europium anomaly in mare sources is inferred to be present at 400 km depth, too deep to have been directly influenced by plagioclase crystallization. Massive overturning of the post-magma ocean mantle would have carried down clinopyroxene, ilmenite, and phases containing fractionated rare earths, europium anomalies, and some heat-producing radionuclides.
Insulin-Induced Endothelial Cell Cortical Actin Filament Remodeling: A Requirement for Trans-Endothelial Insulin Transport

Insulin's trans-endothelial transport (TET) is critical for its metabolic action on muscle and involves trafficking of insulin bound to its receptor (or at high insulin concentrations, the IGF-I receptor) via caveolae. However, whether caveolae-mediated insulin TET involves actin cytoskeleton organization is unknown. Here we address whether insulin regulates actin filament organization in bovine aortic endothelial cells (bAEC) and whether this affects insulin uptake and TET. We found that insulin induced extensive cortical actin filament remodeling within 5 min. This remodeling was inhibited not only by disruption of actin microfilament organization but also by inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) or by disruption of lipid rafts using respective specific inhibitors. Knockdown of either caveolin-1 or Akt using specific small interfering RNA also eliminated the insulin-induced cortical actin filament remodeling. Blocking either actin microfilament organization or PI3K pathway signaling inhibit...
Cerium oxide nanoparticles scavenge nitric oxide radical (˙NO)

In this study we have obtained evidence that cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) are able to scavenge nitric oxide radical. Surprisingly, this activity is present in CeO2 NPs with a lower level of cerium in the 3+ state (CeO2 NPs with low 3+/4+ ratio and therefore a reduced number of oxygen vacancies), in contrast to the superoxide scavenging properties which are correlated with an increased level of cerium in the 3+ state (CeO2 NPs with high 3+/4+ ratio and therefore an increased number of oxygen vacancies).
Trust in SocietyKaren S. Cook (Ed.), Russell Sage Foundation, New York, 2001, 403 pages

Trust in Society is the second volume on trust sponsored by the Russell Sage Foundation. Whereas the first volume focused on the role of trust in good government, this second volume examines the re...
Symptomatic Abdominal Mass

Aman in his mid-20swith a history of alcohol abuse presented with abdominalpainafter3daysofdrinking.Hedescribedthepainasasharp, leftupper-quadrantpainmigrating to theepigastric region for24hours. The patient had a history of multiple episodes of hematemesis attributed to alcoholic gastritis; however, at this admission, he indicated he had not experienced vomiting. He admitted to early satietyover thepast fewmonths.Physicalexamination revealedasoftnondistended abdomen, but it was very tender in the epigastric region without rebound or guarding. There was no palpable mass. Elevated results of liver function tests, as well as amylase and lipase levels consistent with alcoholic pancreatitis, were noted. Magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomographic imaging, andupper endoscopy findings are shown inFigure 1. Biopsy results of themasswere reportedas normal gastric mucosa. Quiz at jamasurgery.com Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging A Endoscopic image B
Fumonisin toxicity in a transgenic mouse model lacking the mdr1a/1b P-glycoprotein genes.

The toxicity of fumonisin B1 (FB1) was investigated in male mdr1a/1b double knockout (MDRK) mice, lacking the drug-transporting P-glycoproteins. These transgenic animals are deficient in their blood:brain barrier and accumulate different drugs in brain and other tissues. The MDRK and their wild-type counterparts, FVB mice, were injected subcutaneously with 2.25 mg/kg per day of FB1 for 5 days and sampled one day after the last treatment in a protocol that has resulted in marked hepatic and renal damage in other strains. FB1 caused liver enlargement in both FVB and MDRK. Hematological parameters were not affected in either strain. Plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, measures of liver damage, were increased by FB1 in both FVB and MDRK mice. Histopathological evaluation of liver corroborated this finding. Kidney lesions were induced by FB1 in both types of mice. Concentrations of free sphingosine and sphinganine increased in liver and kidney of both strains after the FB1 treatment, although the increase in liver sphingoid bases was half as much in MDRK as compared to FVB. The levels of sphinganine-containing complex sphingolipids were increased in kidney. The levels of sphingosine-containing complex sphingolipids in kidney were unaffected by FB1 treatment but were significantly lower in control MDRK than in FVB mice. The levels of neurotransmitters and their metabolites were similarly affected in both strains by FB1, suggesting no influence of disrupted blood:brain barrier on FB1–induced neurotoxicity. In both strains, the liver mRNA for tumor necrosis factor α was increased; however, the increase was statistically significant only in FVB. It was apparent that mice deficient in P-glycoprotein do not exhibit greater sensitivity to FB1, the cellular or brain transport of FB1 appears to be independent of this multidrug transporting system.