cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonenzymic, Polyvalent Anion-catalyzed Formation of Methylglyoxal as an Explanation of Its Presence in Physiological Systems

Abstract The long standing question of the source of methylglyoxal formed in glycolyzing tissues was considered. Nonbiological studies, made with chemical model systems, made evident that the formation of methylglyoxal from dihydroxyacetone and from dl-glyceraldehyde under physiological conditions of pH and temperature is catalyzed by Tris and by certain polyvalent anions including phytate, phosphate, tetraborate, arsenate, arsenite, cacodylate, α,β-glycerophosphate, glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, and fructose 1,6-diphosphate. Borate and bicarbonate also catalyze the reaction at higher pH values. Methylglyoxal does not accumulate in the presence of other inorganic polyvalent anions, adenosine triphosphate, pyrophosphate, amino acids, polyvalent organic acids, monovalent anions or cations, polyvalent cations, or bovine albumin. The reaction between trioses and phosphate appears to follow second order kinetics. The second order rate constant, k2, is estimated to be 1.2 x 10-3 mm-1 hr-1 for dihydroxyacetone, and 6 x 10-4 mm-1 hr-1 for glyceraldehyde. The half-life period of the reaction between triose and phosphate ion may be estimated from the equation, t½ = ln2/k2[A], where [A] is the phosphate concentration (mm). The results are considered to be a possible explanation of many published observations of the appearance of methylglyoxal in glycolyzing tissues. The potential for methylglyoxal formation in biological tissues and in certain buffer systems possibly has wide ranging metabolic implications.
Bottom parameter extraction from long range reverberation measurements

From 1996 through 2000 the author participated with the SACLANT Undersea Research Centre in four Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) trials, including experiments for bottom reverberation. SUS charges were used as sources. The receivers were horizontal arrays (four apertures) spanning a wide frequency range. Sets of nearly monostatic recordings were analyzed in frequency bands from 80 to 4000 Hz. Previous results by the author, [Berlin ASA meeting, 1999] showed polar plots of the beam time series superimposed on bathymetric charts, revealing a number of scattering features not on the charts and that directional reverberation measurements are a useful remote-sensing tool. A manual procedure was used in the first 3 sea trials to obtain bottom parameter estimates that could reproduce the reverberation decay for at-sea results. Recently this inversion scheme has been automated using a constrained simulated annealing (SA) algorithm giving more formal inversion results. In May of 2000 a Scientific REA experiment was conducted with SACLANTCEN, ARL/PSU, DREA and NRL near the Malta Plateau. Reverberation data from 100 Hz-4000 Hz was obtained using SUS. The horizontal array data are compared with the Generic Sonar Model (GSM) predictions for both the manual and automated inverse schemes. Results show a definite improvement using the automated technique.
Hardening process for plasma deposited planar amorphous carbon films used in bilayer resists

A dry planarization process has been developed to produce planar amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films. These films provide a high degree of planarization over large distances, and they can be deposited at room temperature with low ion bombardment energy (10 V) and high deposition rate (300 nm/min). Depending on the deposition conditions and subsequent processing requirements, a hardening step may be needed. Various degrees of hardness can be obtained by heating the samples and/or exposing them to a low-power plasma. One effective hardening process is to expose the films to a low-power N/sub 2/ discharge (5-mW/cm/sup 2/ RF power and -10-V DC bias voltage) at 150 degrees C and 500 mtorr for 30 min. Excimer laser projection lithography has been used to define submicrometer patterns in bilayers which consist of a wet or dry deposited inorganic photoresist applied on top of the planarization layers. >
Discovery of tripeptide-derived multifunctional ligands possessing delta/mu opioid receptor agonist and neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist activities.

Abstract Several bifunctional peptides were synthesized and characterized based on the pentapeptide-derived ligand NP30 (1: Tyr-DAla-Gly-Phe-Gly-Trp-O-[3′,5′-Bzl(CF3)2]). Modification and truncation of amino acid residues were performed, and the tripeptide-derived ligand NP66 (11: Dmt-DAla-Trp-NH-[3′,5′-(CF3)2-Bzl]) was obtained based on the overlapping pharmacophore concept. The Trp3 residue of ligand 11 works as a message residue for both opioid and NK1 activities. The significance lies in the observation that the approach of appropriate truncation of peptide sequence could lead to a tripeptide-derived chimeric ligand with effective binding and functional activities for both mu and delta opioid and NK1 receptors with agonist activities at mu and delta opioid and antagonist activity at NK1 receptors, respectively.
In vivo imaging of S-TRAIL-mediated tumor regression and apoptosis

Therapeutic proteins with specific effector functions play an increasingly important role in drug therapy. For example, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) predominantly kills cancer cells, while sparing normal cells. Here, we report the use of a secreted version of TRAIL as a therapeutic protein that induces apoptosis and kills surrounding cells in vivo, thus resulting in the dramatic reduction of glioma burden in mouse tumor models. Using a caspase-3-activatable aminoluciferin, we were able to show the induction of apoptosis specifically in S-TRAIL vector-infected gliomas. We also show that S-TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and resulting changes in tumor burden can be imaged in the same animal by dual-substrate bioluminescence imaging. The use of S-TRAIL as a therapeutic protein and the ability to image noninvasively both apoptosis and any other cellular events in real time have important clinical implications.
Wave Packets and Transport of Electrons in Metals

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses wave packets and transport of electrons in metals. The chapter deals with the changes in the theory of metals that are induced by the observation that scattering processes in metals are not, in general, adiabatic. The interactions between phonons and electrons consist of emission and absorption processes, in which energy and momentum are conserved, at least within the width of the levels concerned. The only reason that such processes are possible is that the electrons move faster than sound. The main forces responsible for transport phenomena in metals are the electromagnetic and the thermoelectric forces, opposed by collisions with impurities, and by the phonon–electron interactions. The problem is to discuss the equilibrium of a metal under all these influences, as described by the modified electron and phonon distributions f(p) and n(q), respectively. The usual procedure is to write down, at this point, the Boltzmann equation, which is an integral equation describing the steady state. Rather than write it out in full generality, one should consider the illustrative case of impurity collisions only, and electric fields only.
IP and Other Regulations

Intellectual property (IP) is a form of regulation. Once we understand IP laws as government social policies that seek to alter market outcomes, we can start to think of those laws as part of a broader tapestry of government rules that affect innovation in a complex variety of ways. Sometimes governments encourage innovation by rewarding it. Sometimes they encourage innovation by restricting market entry, giving incumbents supracompetitive returns by insulating them from competition. IP does both of these at various points. Market-entry regulation is a troubling way to encourage innovation, because in many cases it is competition, not monopoly, that drives technical progress. But a third type of regulation can actually open rather than close markets, and offers the prospect of encouraging innovation not by impeding competition but by encouraging it. Antitrust and net neutrality may fit within this last category.
Laboratory Evaluation of Hemolysis and Systemic Inflammatory Response in Neonatal Nonpulsatile and Pulsatile Extracorporeal Life Support Systems.

The objective of this study was to compare the systemic inflammatory response and hemolytic characteristics of a conventional roller pump (HL20-NP) and an alternative diagonal pump with nonpulsatile (DP3-NP) and pulsatile mode (DP3-P) in simulated neonatal extracorporeal life support (ECLS) systems. The experimental neonatal ECLS circuits consist of a conventional Jostra HL20 roller pump or an alternative Medos DP3 diagonal pump, and Medos Hilite 800 LT hollow-fiber oxygenator with diffusion membrane. Eighteen sterile circuits were primed with freshly donated whole blood and divided into three groups: conventional HL20 with nonpulsatile flow (HL20-NP), DP3 with nonpulsatile flow (DP3-NP), and DP3 with pulsatile flow (DP3-P). All trials were conducted for durations of 12 h at a flow rate of 500 mL/min at 36°C. Simultaneous blood flow and pressure waveforms were recorded. Blood samples were collected to measure plasma-free hemoglobin (PFH), human tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-8, in addition to the routine blood gas, lactate dehydrogenase, and lactic acid levels. HL20-NP group had the highest PFH levels (mean ± standard error of the mean) after a 12-h ECLS run, but the difference among groups did not reach statistical significance (HL20-NP group: 907.6 ± 253.1 mg/L, DP3-NP group: 343.7 ± 163.2 mg/L, and DP3-P group: 407.6 ± 156.6 mg/L, P = 0.06). Although there were similar trends but no statistical differences for the levels of proinflammatory cytokines among the three groups, the HL20-NP group had much greater levels than the other groups (P > 0.05). Pulsatile flow generated higher total hemodynamic energy and surplus hemodynamic energy levels at pre-oxygenator and pre-clamp sites (P < 0.01). Our study demonstrated that the alternative diagonal pump ECLS circuits appeared to have less systemic inflammatory response and hemolysis compared with the conventional roller pump ECLS circuit in simulated neonatal ECLS systems. Pulsatile flow delivered more hemodynamic energy to the pseudo-patient without increased odds of hemolysis compared with the conventional, nonpulsatile roller pump group.
HPA-axis stress reactivity in youth depression: evidence of impaired regulatory processes in depressed boys.

AbstractGiven the link between youth depression and stress exposure, efforts to identify related biomarkers have involved examinations of stress regulation systems, including the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Despite these vast efforts, the underlying mechanisms at play, as well as factors that may explain heterogeneity of past findings, are not well understood. In this study, we simultaneously examined separate components of the HPA-axis response (e.g. activation intensity, peak levels, recovery) to the Socially Evaluated Cold-Pressor Test in a targeted sample of 115 youth (age 9–16), recruited to overrepresent youth with elevated symptoms of depression. Among youth who displayed a cortisol response to the task, depression symptoms were associated with higher peak responses but not greater rate of activation or recovery in boys only. Among those who did not respond to the task, depression symptoms were associated with greater cortisol levels throughout the visit in boys and girls. Results su...
Macroeconomic Variables and the E/P Ratio

Although the price-to-earnings ratio and, its inverse, the earnings-to-price ratio (E/P) are frequently used by academics and practitioners, very little is known about their association with macroeconomic variables over the long term. In this paper, we examine the annual E/P ratio at the economy level for a 49-year period starting from 1952 until 2000. We also present results of associations between the E/P ratio and real interest rate, expected growth in real GDP, index of consumer sentiment and two proxies for economy-wide risks. Our study is also motivated by a previous surprising finding that the E/P ratio is positively correlated with inflation. Our data cover a longer time period than previous studies. We divide the time period into three subperiods roughly representing different underlying regulatory and economic environments. We find that the results across the three sub-periods are not consistent with one another: The association between expected (or realized) inflation and the E/P ratio is significantly negative in the first subperiod and significantly positive in the third subperiod. We conclude that the observed association between the earnings-to-price ratio and inflation may be spurious.
Early Inhibition of Cellular DNA Synthesis by High Multiplicities of Infectious and UV-Inactivated Reovirus

Inhibition of cellular DNA synthesis began 6 to 8 h after reovirus infection at a multiplicity of infection of 10 PFU per cell. However, as the multiplicity of infection was increased to a maximum of 10(3) PFU/cell, inhibition of DNA synthesis began earlier after infection (2-4 h postinfection), and the initial rate of inhibition increased. The enhanced inhibition of DNA replication at high virus multiplicities appeared to be selective since RNA synthesis was not detectably altered as late as 9 h postinfection and inhibition of protein synthesis did not begin until 7 to 9 h after infection. Early inhibition of DNA synthesis did not appear to be related to changes in thymidine pool characteristics, thymidine kinase activity, or detectable degradation of cellular DNA. Even though the particle-to-PFU ratio was increased by ultraviolet light inactivation of virus, the ability to induce early inhibition of DNA synthesis was not diminished.
SMAD4-dependent barrier constrains prostate cancer growth and metastatic progression

Effective clinical management of prostate cancer (PCA) has been challenged by significant intratumoural heterogeneity on the genomic and pathological levels and limited understanding of the genetic elements governing disease progression. Here, we exploited the experimental merits of the mouse to test the hypothesis that pathways constraining progression might be activated in indolent Pten-null mouse prostate tumours and that inactivation of such progression barriers in mice would engender a metastasis-prone condition. Comparative transcriptomic and canonical pathway analyses, followed by biochemical confirmation, of normal prostate epithelium versus poorly progressive Pten-null prostate cancers revealed robust activation of the TGFβ/BMP-SMAD4 signalling axis. The functional relevance of SMAD4 was further supported by emergence of invasive, metastatic and lethal prostate cancers with 100% penetrance upon genetic deletion of Smad4 in the Pten-null mouse prostate. Pathological and molecular analysis as well as transcriptomic knowledge-based pathway profiling of emerging tumours identified cell proliferation and invasion as two cardinal tumour biological features in the metastatic Smad4/Pten-null PCA model. Follow-on pathological and functional assessment confirmed cyclin D1 and SPP1 as key mediators of these biological processes, which together with PTEN and SMAD4, form a four-gene signature that is prognostic of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) biochemical recurrence and lethal metastasis in human PCA. This model-informed progression analysis, together with genetic, functional and translational studies, establishes SMAD4 as a key regulator of PCA progression in mice and humans.
Lance: optimizing high-resolution signal collection in wireless sensor networks

An emerging class of sensor networks focuses on reliable collection of high-resolution signals from across the network. In these applications, the system is capable of acquiring more data than can be delivered to the base station, due to severe limits on radio bandwidth and energy. Moreover, these systems are unable to take advantage of conventional approaches to in-network data aggregation, given the high data rates and need for raw signals. These systems face an important challenge: how to maximize the overall value of the collected data, subject to resource constraints.In this paper, we describe Lance, a general approach to bandwidth and energy management for reliable data collection in wireless sensor networks. Lance couples the use of optimized, data-driven reliable data collection with a model of energy cost for extracting data from the network. Lance's design decouples resource allocation mechanisms from application-specific policies, enabling flexible customization of the system's optimization metrics.We describe the Lance architecture in detail, demonstrating its use through a range of target applications and resource management policies. We present an extensive study driven by both real and synthetic data distributions, through simulations and runs on a large sensor testbed. We show that Lance maximizes the value of the collected data under a range of resource constraints, achieving near-optimal allocation of radio bandwidth and energy. Finally, we present results from a real sensor network deployment at Tungurahua volcano, Ecuador, in which Lance was used to drive data collection for an eight-node network collecting seismic and acoustic signals from the active volcano.
The International Reference Ionosphere: Rawer's IRI and its status today

Abstract. When the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) initiated the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) project in 1968 it wisely selected K. Rawer as its first Chairperson. With a solid footing and good contacts in both the ground-based and space-based ionospheric communities he was ideally suited to pull together colleagues and data from both communities to help build the first version of the IRI. He assembled a team of 20+ international ionospheric experts in the IRI Working Group and chaired and directed the group from 1968 to 1984. The working group has now grown to 63 members and the IRI model has undergone many revisions as new data became available and new modeling techniques were applied. This paper was presented during a special session of the Kleinheubach Tagung 2013 in honor of K. Rawer's 100th birthday. It will review the current status of the IRI model and project and the international recognition it has achieved. It is quite fitting that this year we not only celebrate K. Rawer's 100th birthday but also the exciting news that his favorite science endeavor, IRI, has been internationally recognized as an ISO (International Standardization Organization) standard. The IRI homepage is at http://irimodel.org .
Central carbon metabolism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: an unexpected frontier

Recent advances in liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry have enabled the highly parallel, quantitative measurement of metabolites within a cell and the ability to trace their biochemical fates. In Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), these advances have highlighted major gaps in our understanding of central carbon metabolism (CCM) that have prompted fresh interpretations of the composition and structure of its metabolic pathways and the phenotypes of Mtb strains in which CCM genes have been deleted. High-throughput screens have demonstrated that small chemical compounds can selectively inhibit some enzymes of Mtb's CCM while sparing homologs in the host. Mtb's CCM has thus emerged as a frontier for both fundamental and translational research.
Moral Rationalism vs. Moral Sentimentalism: Is Morality More Like Math or Beauty?

One of the most significant disputes in early modern philosophy was between the moral rationalists and the moral sentimentalists. The moral rationalists – such as Ralph Cudworth, Samuel Clarke, and John Balguy – held that morality originated in reason alone. The moral sentimentalists – such as Anthony Ashley Cooper, the third Earl of Shaftesbury, Francis Hutcheson, and David Hume – held that morality originated at least partly in sentiment. In addition to other arguments, the rationalists and sentimentalists developed rich analogies. The most significant analogy the rationalists developed was between morality and mathematics. The most significant analogy the sentimentalists developed was between morality and beauty. These two analogies illustrate well the main ideas, underlying insights, and accounts of moral phenomenology the two positions have to offer. An examination of the two analogies will thus serve as a useful introduction to the debate between moral rationalism and moral sentimentalism as a whole.
Predatory demands of Bythotrephes and Leptodora in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron

Abstract Predatory invertebrates can be a major factor in structuring zooplankton communities. We collected zooplankton and the predatory cladocerans Bythotrephes longimanus and Leptodora kindtii at 4 stations in inner Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron during May–October 2009 and April–November 2010. Production of zooplankton prey was estimated using temperature and biomass based empirical models. Population consumption rates of Bythotrephes and Leptodor a were estimated using a combination of conversion efficiency, bioenergetics and experimental based models. Bythotrephes biomass peaked in July of 2009 and 2010, and in 2010, the biomass rebounded in the fall after a late summer decline. Leptodora biomass was generally lower than that of Bythotrephes except in June 2009 and August 2010. Zooplankton biomass, production and composition showed strong seasonal patterns, with biomass more than tripling between May and June each year, largely due to an increase in biomass of Daphnia in June. By contrast, total zooplankton biomass declined by over 70% between June and July owing to declines in Daphnia biomass. Population consumption by predatory cladocerans was a large percentage or even exceeded prey production during July and August in Saginaw Bay regardless of which consumption models were used. This short term ( Bythotrephes rather than Leptodora . Bythotrephes likely play an important role in food web function and should be accounted for when evaluating the flow of energy within the Laurentian Great Lakes systems.
An optimization procedure for the design of prop-rotors in high speed cruise including the coupling of performance, aeroelastic stability, and structures

An optimization procedure is developed to address the complex problem of designing prop-rotors in high speed cruise. The objectives are maximization of the aerodynamic efficiency in high speed cruise and minimization of the total rotor weight. Constraints are imposed on aeroelastic stability in cruise and rotor thrust. An isotropic box beam is used to model the principal load carrying member in the blade. Design variables include blade sweep and twist distributions, rotational velocity in cruise, and the box beam wall thickness. Since the optimization problem is associated with multiple design objectives, the problem is formulated using a multiobjective formulation technique known as the Kreisselmeier-Steinhauser function approach. The optimization algorithm is based on the method of feasible directions. A hybrid approximate analysis technique is used to reduce the computational expense of using exact analyses for every function evaluation within the optimizer. The results are compared to two reference rotors, unswept and swept. The optimum result shows significant improvements in the propulsive efficiency in cruise and reductions in the rotor weight without loss of aeroelastic stability or thrust, when compared to the reference unswept rotor. The swept reference rotor is initially unstable and the optimization procedure has been successful in producing a blade design which is fully stable with significant improvements in efficiency and blade weight. Off-design studies performed indicate that the optimum rotor maintains high propulsive efficiency over a wide range of operating conditions.
Effect of subcooling on the on-orbit pressurization rate of cryogenic propellant tankage

The SOLA-ECLIPSE code is being developed to enable prediction of the behavior of cryogenic propellants in spacecraft tankage. A brief description of the formulations used for modeling heat transfer and for determining thermodynamic state is presented. Code performance is verified through comparison to experimental data for the self-pressurization of scale model liquid hydrogen tanks. SOLA-ECLIPSE is used to examine the effect of initial subcooling of the liquid phase on the self-pressurization rate of an on-orbit full scale liquid hydrogen tank typical for a chemical propulsion Orbital Transfer Vehicle. The computational predictions show that even small amounts of subcooling will significantly decrease the self-pressurization rate. Further, if the cooling is provided by a Thermodynamic Vent System, it is concluded that small levels of subcooling will maximize propellant conservation.
Further measurements of turbulence intensity in flame zones

Abstract In a previous paper, a technique for measuring transverse turbulence intensity in flames by means of helium diffusion was described. The intensity is estimated from the concentration distribution of helium (determined by sampling) downstream of a ‘point source’ injection tube immersed in the main stream. Results were reported of the effect of various parameters on the intensity measured at a single location in highly turbulent flames stabilized on baffles in a 2 in. × 8 in. rectangular duct. The present paper contains additional results obtained at several other positions in the same duct. The data include heat release combustion efficiencies and turbulence intensities under both cold flow and burning conditions for each of two different values of approach flow turbulence intensity (approximately 5 per cent and 10 per cent). Premixed pentane-air at an equivalence ratio of 0·7 and a pressure of 0·85 atm was used. The twofold increase in approach turbulence caused an approximately twofold increase in the rate of flame spreading. By comparing the absolute intensities of turbulence during burning and cold flow it is shown that in regions of actively burning gas the turbulence is higher than in cold flow, but in regions of completely burnt gas the intensity may be reduced and may even become laminar. Cold gas regions adjacent to flame zones are essentially unaffected by the presence of flame.
Understanding Urban Women’s Domestic-Role Orientation in Post-Mao China

The present study examines the trend of urban women’s domestic role orientation in the wake of market transition in post-Mao China. During the 2005–7 period, we conducted in-depth interviews with 115 married women, who either currently held a job or had retreated to the home from workplaces, of both Mao and post-Mao cohorts in four large cities. It is found that women’s growing domestic orientation mainly stems from labor commodification and denigration, as the party-state scaled back its welfare provisions and commitment to social justice, on the one hand, and unleashed market forces, on the other. Therefore, women’s domestic orientation, rather than a mere reflection of persistent traditional culture, may be seen as their refusal to be commodified and passive resistance to labor denigration in the new age of economic liberalism. The findings also bear feminist and class implications of complex dynamics of capitalism.
A fast algorithm for the inversion of general Toeplitz matrices

We propose a ''fast'' algorithm for the construction of a data-sparse inverse of a generalToeplitz matrix. The computational cost for inverting an N x N Toeplitz matrix equals the cost of four length-N FFTs plus an O(N)-term. This cost should be compared to the O(N log^2N) cost of previously published methods. Moreover, while those earlier methods are based on algebraic considerations, the procedure of this paper is analysis-based; as a result, its stability does not depend on the symmetry and positive-definiteness of the matrix being inverted. The performance of the scheme is illustrated with numerical examples.
Expression pattern of alpha CaMKII in the mouse main olfactory bulb.

Multifunctional Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is highly enriched at synapses and has been implicated in regulating the formation and function of several sensory systems, including the visual and the somatosensory systems. Although there is evidence for CaMKII expression in the olfactory system, the cellular localization of CaMKII has not been well studied and its function remains unknown. In this study, we examined the normal expression patterns of the predominant alpha CaMKII in the mouse main olfactory bulb. We showed that alpha CaMKII expression levels were high in the olfactory bulb and were developmentally regulated. Immunoreactivity to alpha CaMKII was heavy in the external plexiform layer and the granule cell layer but minimal in the olfactory nerve layer and the glomerular layer. At the cellular level, alpha CaMKII was selectively expressed in the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic granule cells but not in the GABAergic periglomerular cells. Unexpectedly, alpha CaMKII was not detected in the glutamatergic mitral/tufted cells. At the ultrastructural level, alpha CaMKII immunoreactivity was positive in granule cell spines and dendrites, but negative in mitral/tufted cell dendrites. In contrast, in the piriform cortex, as in the majority of cortical regions, alpha CaMKII was expressed in the glutamatergic neurons but not in the GABAergic neurons. Our results set the stage for ongoing investigations of the roles of CaMKII in the formation and function of the olfactory system.
Regeneration in the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator, after injury or removal of limb buds

After autotomy of seven appendages and partial regeneration, crabs (Uca pugilator) were subjected to removal of one, three, or six developing limb buds at different stages of limb growth. Removal of one limb had no effect on the growth of the remaining limb buds or the time of ecdysis, and the limb bud removed was not replaced before ecdysis. Removal of six limb buds early in the regenerative period caused a retardation of growth in the remaining bud until the reamputated buds could be replaced. Ecdysis was postponed in these animals. Removal of six limb buds at a later stage, or removal of three limb buds at any stage, produced a slight delay in growth of the remaining bud(s) which was not always statistically significant. The inhibition of growth in the remaining bud(s) was greatest in those individuals which went on to replace the reamputated buds. Such individuals also exhibited a longer time to ecdysis. No inhibition of growth or delay in ecdysis was produced in small crabs (11–12 mm carapace width) by removal of one, three, or six limb buds. These were generally not replaced. Animals which had six limb buds removed early in regeneration showed a greater inhibition of growht in the remaining limb bud than those which had eyestalks as well as six limb buds removed. This latter group, however, did show a significant retardation. This is considered evidence for the production of limbgrowth inhibiting substances in other sites in addition to the eyestalks. Limb buds which had been injured grew more slowly than contralateral control limbs initially, but the difference diminished as the crabs approached ecdysis. Ecdysis was not delayed by the presence of this one incomplete limb bud. This is consistent with the lack of effect of removal of a single limb bud, seen in the previous experiments.
Life history of Oracella acuta (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) in loblolly pine seed orchards in Georgia

A loblolly pine mealybug, Oracella acuta (Lobdell), had four to five generations per year in loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.) seed orchards in southern Georgia. Crawlers overwintered between the needles in the fascicles or under old resin cells made by females of previous generations. Males of the overwintering generation were usually apterous, whereas males of subsequent generations were alate. Population densities did not usually differ significantly between crown levels. Populations in orchards fluctuated; these cycles were apparently caused in part by the adverse effects of aerial insecticide applications on natural enemies, a major factor in mealybug population declines. The two most abundant parasitoids were an encyrtid, Acerophagus coccois E. Smith, and a platygastrid, Allotropa sp.
Fractal Analysis of Binding and Dissociation Kinetics and Interactions of Cancer Markers on Biosensor Surfaces

A fractal analysis is presented for the binding and dissociation of different cancer markers on biosensor surfaces. The data analyzed include putrescine in solution to PDDA/APTES/MWCNT/Puo-modified GCE (glassy carbon electrode) () and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in solution to the soluble form of the VEGF receptor (SFlt-1 or VEGF-1) immobilized on a sensor chip (). Single- and dual-fractal models were used to fit the data. Values of the binding and dissociation rate coefficient(s), affinity values, and the fractal dimensions were obtained from the regression analysis provided by Corel Quattro Pro 8.0 (). The binding rate coefficients and the affinity values are sensitive to the degree of heterogeneity on the sensor chip surface. Predictive equations are developed for the binding rate coefficient as a function of the heterogeneity present on the biosensor chip surface. The analysis presented provides physical insights into these cancer biomarker-receptor reactions occurring on the different b...
Isolation and nucleotide sequence of the pea cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene.

We have isolated and sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (coxI) from pea. Mitochondrial DNA was isolated from two-week-old etiolated pea plants (Pisum sativum). These clones overlap by 1601 bp. We also present 2829 bp of 5' flanking sequence
The excitation of the OII(2s2p44P → 2s22p34S; λ834 Å) transition by electron impact on atomic and molecular oxygen

Abstract The excitation of the OII(2s2p44P → 2s22p34S; λ834 A) transition by electron impact on atomic and molecular oxygen has been studied. Absolute cross section values from threshold to 300 eV are presented for both processes.
Task-specific strategies of mental “rotation” of facial representations

The effects of task demands on the visual comparison of facial patterns and of comparable nonfacial patterns were explored in two studies. The studies yielded two primary findings. First, faces, despite their holistic properties, are not rotated faster than comparable non-face-like patterns, although subjects’ judgments of them were uniformly more rapid than judgments for nonfaces. Second, the nature of the same-different judgment task required of subjects had a large effect on the pattern of results obtained: When stimuli were compared to their mirror images, results indicative of mental “rotation” were obtained. When stimuli were compared on the basis of similarity of individual features, the pattern of results was very different. This one manipulation produced effects that exceeded those of all of the other manipulations, including that of rotation.
Inhibition of mammary tumorigenesis by a reduction of fat intake after carcinogen treatment in young versus adult rats

Abstract The present study demonstrates that a reduction of fat intake after dimethylbenz[ a ]anthracene (DMBA) administration to female Sprague-Dawley rats leads to an inhibition of mammary tumorigenesis. Animals were fed a 20% fat diet from weaning and were transferred to a 0.5% fat diet 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after carcinogen treatment. In rats given DMBA at 50 days of age, the following observations were obtained: (a) tumor incidence, as well as tumor yield, was decreased when the transfer to a low fat diet was initiated up to 4 weeks after DMBA; (b) regardless of fat intake, over 90% of tumors developed in all dietary groups were adenocarcinomas. This was in contrast to rats given DMBA at 150 days of age. In this case, (a) a 50% reduction in tumor incidence was apparent when the low fat diet was introduced even 6 weeks after DMBA intubation; and (b) more benign lesions were found and an association between a reduced risk of carcinogenesis and a lower ratio of adenocarcinoma to fibroadenoma seems to exist. Thus, the data demonstrate that the rats were less vulnerable to delays in reduction of fat intake on subsequent inhibition of mammary tumorigenesis than if they were exposed to the carcinogen at an older age.
Electrophoretic Heterogeneity of Lipopolysaccharides of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

Electrophoretic banding patterns of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), as observed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), have proved to be useful in studies relating LPS structure to virulence and as epidemiological markers. In this report, LPS of actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans from outer membrane fractions and hot phenol-water extracts were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and LPS-specific silver-staining techniques. Both intra- and inter-strain heterogeneity of A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS was observed. Twelve strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans, representative of the three described serotypes, were assigned to LPS subtypes based on the relative mobility of their most rapidly migrating LPS band. All three serotype a strains (29523, aB75, and GA3), two (29524 and SAC11A) of five serotype b strains, and two (aB67 and SAC5A) of four serotype c strains were assigned to LPS subtype I. The three remaining serotype b strains (29522, Y4, and JP2) were assigned to LPS subtype II, and the remaining two serotype c strains (SAC6A and SAC12A) were assigned to LPS subtype III. LPS subtyping may serve as an adjunct or alternative to serotyping in epidemiological studies.
Effects of systemic L-tyrosine on dopamine release from rat corpus striatum and nucleus accumbens

Intracerebral dialysis was used to monitor extracellular fluid from rat striatum and nucleus accumbens following the intraperitoneal administration of tyrosine. Dopamine concentrations in dialysates from both the striatum and the nucleus accumbens increased significantly in response to the tyrosine. The magnitude of the tyrosine effect was greater in the nucleus accumbens than in the striatum. Hence, mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons may be especially responsive to precursor availability.
Effects of oral ethanol self-administration on the EEG of alcohol preferring and -nonpreferring rats.

EEG measures have been shown to differ in human subjects who are at genetically increased risk for the development of alcoholism. In the present study, EEG was recorded in rats that were selectively bred for alcohol-preferring (P) and nonpreferring (NP) behaviors during an ethanol self-administration paradigm. In this paradigm, rats initially learned to press a lever for a 0.2% saccharin solution. Ethanol was then added to the saccharin solution in increasing concentrations while saccharin was faded progressively. EEG recordings were analyzed under three different conditions: baseline, 0.2% saccharin and 10% ethanol. Statistical analyses were carried out within each group of rats for three 10-min intervals in each condition. NP rats showed increases in EEG power in the 6–32 Hz frequency ranges 20–30 min following ethanol availability. In contrast, no significant EEG effects were found for P rats in the 10% ethanol condition with respect to time. EEG power in the three time periods (0–10, 10–20, 20–30 min) was also compared between conditions (baseline, saccharin, 10% ethanol). For NP rats, a significant increase in EEG power during the 20–30 min time interval was found in the 10% ethanol session for the 16–32 Hz frequency range as compared to baseline and saccharin. In P rats, a significant increase in the power of the EEG was found during the first 10 min in the 10% ethanol session in the 8–16 Hz frequency range as compared to baseline and saccharin. The two rat lines also differed in their behavioral responses to the self-administration paradigm. In the ethanol condition, P rats appeared behaviorally aroused during the first 10 min of recording as compared to baseline and saccharin, whereas the NP rats were behaviorally quiescent during the 20–30 min period following ethanol availability. These experiments demonstrate that P and NP rats exhibit different electrophysiological and behavioral responses during exposure to ethanol self-administration paradigms. P rats appeared to be activated initially by ethanol availability whereas NP rats eventually reduced their behavioral activity. These findings may help to further characterize the brain substrates responsible for the difference in alcohol preference between the two rat lines.
Cognitive Outcomes After On- Versus Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Background The Randomized On versus Off Bypass trial found no difference for a global cognitive outcome measure for patients receiving on-pump versus off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). In this report, we present the baseline patient characteristics that were predictive of post-CABG cognitive decline as well as compare cognitive outcomes between treatment arms. Methods A neuropsychological battery was administered preoperatively and at 1 year after undergoing CABG. Stepwise regression was used to identify demographic or clinical risk factors associated with cognitive decline. Neuropsychological data were converted to demographically corrected T scores to provide impairment levels. Results Overall 1,156 patients (581 on-pump, 575 off-pump) completed match-paired neuropsychological assessments at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Baseline cognitive score, age, education level, and ethnicity predicted cognitive decline after CABG. Only 20% of either group had mild impairment at baseline on three of the test scores, and less than 10% had severe impairment on individual tests at either time. Few subjects in either group transitioned to clinically impaired levels at follow-up on individual tests. Conclusions At baseline, lower cognitive function, older age, lower education, and ethnicity other than white were predictive of cognitive decline after CABG. Patients in both groups demonstrated low frequencies of cognitive impairment on individual tests at baseline and follow- up, and few patients in either group were classified as impaired at 1-year follow-up on individual tests. In general, the Randomized On versus Off Bypass study documented that neither on-pump nor off-pump CABG adversely impacts long-term brain function.
Parachute Mortar Design

Mortars are used as one method for ejecting parachutes into the airstream to decelerate spacecraft and aircraft pilot escape modules and to effect spin recovery of the aircraft. An approach to design of mortars in the class that can accommodate parachutes in the 20- to 55-foot-diameter size is presented. Parachute deployment considerations are discussed. Comments are made on the design of a power unit, mortar tube, cover, and sabot. Propellant selection and breech characteristics and size are discussed. A method of estimating hardware weights and reaction load is presented. In addition, some aspects of erodible orifices are given as well as comments concerning ambient effects on performance. This paper collates data and experience from design and flight qualification of four mortar systems, and provides pertinent estimations that should be of interest on programs considering parachute deployment.
Extent of Ploidy in Mammalian Marrow and Peripheral Blood Cells

SUMMARYVarious forms of ploidy were noted in the bone marrow cells of the Chinese hamster and opossum and in the peripheral blood cultures of the opossum. The cell types in these groups of mammals ranged from hypo-haploidy to octoploidy. The diploids were in the majority. Among the heteroploid cell population the hypo-diploids were predominant. Of the several hundred hamster marrow cells, only one was scored with exact haploid complement. Other cells, that had undergone somatic reduction in these two groups of animals, did not show a specific pattern for chromosome elimination.Several cytogenetic mechanisms have been discussed in order to explain the phenomenon of somatic chromosome reduction in mammals. There is circumstantial evidence to suggest that certain proliferating nuclei adopt such cytogenetic means for self elimination.
Rain follows logging in the Amazon? Results from CAM3–CLM3

The impact of logging on precipitation in the Amazon region is investigated based on numerical experiments using the community atmosphere model version 3 coupled with the community land surface model version 3 (CAM3–CLM3). Three different representations of logging are examined, ranging from selective logging, to partial deforestation, to clear cut. Precipitation increases in response to modest selective logging, and decreases as the severity of logging progresses to partial deforestation and clear cut. Further experiments indicate that the increase of precipitation is mostly due to the decrease of surface albedo following selective logging, resulting from a low contrast between bare soil albedo and vegetation optical properties (i.e., leaf reflectance) in CLM3. This study demonstrates the complexity of representing land cover changes in climate models, and underlines the importance of accuracy in albedo measurement from satellite remote sensing.
Mechanisms of rapid morphogenetic movements in the metamorphosis of the bryozoan Bugula neritina (cheilostomata, cellularioidea). I. Attachment to the substratum.

The larval morphology, settlement behavior, and the rapid morphogenetic movements that occur during the first 60 sec of metamorphosis of the cellularioid cheilostome bryozoan Bugula neritina have been examined and analyzed by light and electron microscopy. The larva attaches to the substratum at the onset of metamorphosis by the eversion of the internal sac. At the same time, the coronal cilia reverse their direction of beat, spreading an adhesive secreted by the neck region of the everting sac over the metamorphosing larva. During attachment, the larva goes through several configurations that coincide with the sequential contraction and relaxation of certain larval muscles. Histological and ultrastructural evidence indicates that the neck and wall regions of the internal sac are everted by the contraction of the muscles in the equatorial plane of the larva at the same time that the roof region in pulled toward the larval equator by the contraction of the axial muscles. The subsequent relaxation of the axial muscles allows the roof region to be everted by the antagonistic force generated by the sustained contraction of the equatorial musculature. After the roof region attaches to the substratum, the apical disc is temporarily retracted by a second contraction of the axial muscles. The apical disc subsequently reextends as the axial muscles relax just before coronal involution. A comparison of the ontogenetic sequence of rapid morphogenetic movements in the metamorphoses of cheilostome and ctenostome bryozoans indicates that cellularioid cheilostomes have undergone peramorphosis in the aspect of development.
Discrete wave mechanics: An introduction.

Abstract Discrete wave mechanics is formulated for particles in one-dimensional systems by use of a simple finite difference equation. The solutions involve wave vectors (instead of wave functions) as well as a newly defined “wave vector energy.” In the limit, as c → ∞, the treatment reduces to that of Schrodinger's wave mechanics. Specific calculations are made for completely free particles as well as for particles confined to a one-dimensional box. The results exhibit a striking compatibility with relativistic considerations. The wave vectors show properties that can be identified with particles and anti-particles—each possess identical probability distributions with energies that add up to zero.