cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum albumin, prealbumin, and postalbumin in perinatal pigs.

Abstract The serum proteins of late-fetal and neonatal unsuckled piglets have been compared with those of 5-day-old and older pigs. Electrophoretic behavior on polyacrylamide gel (PAG) and starch block, immunoreactivity, and solubility in 5% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) were studied. Neonatal sera are nearly devoid of albumin electrophoretically, and precipitin analysis indicates an albumin concentration of 2 mg/ml, compared with 35 mg/ml in maternal sow serum. Albumin rises postnatally to 15 mg/ml by 4–5 days of age and 29 mg/ml by 10 days. Most of the protein of neonatal serum occurs in two prominent electrophoretic bands, moving faster and slower than albumin. The proteins occurring in these bands retain their distinct migration rates on mixing with each other and with albumin, and they can be separated from each other electrophoretically on starch block. Despite this, these prominent neonatal serum proteins exhibit extensive immunologic cross-reactivity with each other. Most (60–85%) of the proteins of neonatal serum are soluble in cold 5% TCA. The TCA-soluble proteins migrate mainly as prealbumin and postalbumin on 7 1 2 % PAG electrophoresis, but react with antialbumin. Treatment of neonatal pig serum by a procedure which isolates bovine fetuin ( Spiro, 1960 ) also yields pre- and postalbumins, but this preparation does not react with antialbumin. The major electrophoretic difference between the latter preparation and the TCA-soluble proteins is a division, seen best on 10% PAG, of the prealbumin band of TCA-soluble proteins into two bands, one of which is sharp and migrates at the leading edge of the albumin zone. The presence of such a band in serum fractions from newborn animals correlates with the reactivity of such fractions with antialbumin. It thus appears that the albumin in newborn (and fetal) sera is unusually soluble in TCA and migrates somewhat faster than does albumin in serum from older animals. The typical electrophoretic moieties of neonatal serum and the TCA-solubility of its proteins disappear from serum nearly completely within 10 days after birth, but the same or related antigenic determinants can be demonstrated in adult serum. The postnatal changes in pig serum proteins are unusually abrupt but may be taken as broadly analogous to changes from fetal to adult serum protein patterns which occur in many mammals. The piglet is thus a useful model system in which to study these changes.
Influences of impatiens pollen and exposure to Beauveria bassiana on bionomics of western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis

Abstract Adult female western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis , were exposed for 24 h to impatiens leaf disks treated with Beauveria bassiana at low and high application rates (ca. 100 and 1000 viable conidia/mm 2 ) and subsequently maintained on impatiens leaf disks supplemented or not supplemented with impatiens pollen. Offspring production and mortality of insects were monitored daily. Exposure to B. bassiana at the low and high rates significantly reduced thrips longevity by 3.9 and 4.0 days, reduced the ovipositional period by 3.4 and 3.0 days, and reduced lifetime fecundity by 22 and 46% at the low and high rates, respectively. Infection by B. bassiana resulted in a sublethal (pre-mortem) effect on offspring production, decreasing offspring production on the day before death by 1.2 offspring/female. Pollen supplements had no effect on adult female thrips longevity, yet did significantly increase both daily (2.3 and 3.8 times) and lifetime fecundity (2.1 and 3.6 times) compared to control insects in tests at the low and high rates, respectively. No significant Beauveria × pollen interactions were detected at the low rate; however, a marginally significant pollen × B. bassiana interaction was present in tests of both daily and lifetime fecundity. There was a significant effect of B. bassiana on lifetime offspring production in the presence of pollen, but the effect was not detectable in the no pollen treatment. The increase in both daily and lifetime offspring production in the presence of pollen and the slow action of B. bassiana suggest that if B. bassiana is to be used successfully as a thrips management tool in impatiens crops, it must be applied before pollen becomes present and targeted against thrips immature stages to kill the insects before they reach reproductive maturity.
Optimum resolving power for an ultraviolet space telescope

Abstract The apparent photographic magnitude to which a space telescope (Celescope) can detect stars of various spectral types has been determined by the use of theoretical stellar atmospheres. This information, together with available stellar statistics, was used to obtain an estimate of the density of stars expected to be seen as a function of position on the celestial sphere. On the assumption of statistical homogeneity, it was found that with a sensitivity threshold of the system of 10 photons cm −2 sec −1 , and a resolving power 1' of arc, one could expect about 4 per cent of the observed stars to be unresolved doubles. Depending on the wavelength region, from 3 × 10 5 to 6 × 10 5 stars are expected to be seen with Celescope.
Perpetual analysis and continuous improvements: a must for organizational competitiveness

Outlines increasing US concern over the inadequacy of traditional cost‐based performance measures in helping manufacturing businesses to achieve excellence in operations and reproduces a case from Tatikonda and Tatikonda (1993) to illustrate the problem. Summarizes some ideas on costing for competitive strength and proposes a framework to enhance competitiveness through profound process knowledge as a basis for fast and continuous improvement. Stresses the importance of determining strategy, using benchmarks based on a good activity‐based costing system and creating a supporting and motivating performance measurement system specific to the needs of the firm as a whole. Calls for further research on developing and implementing these ideas in a specific business and warns that “competitiveness will be a never ending race”.
Partial independence of synthesis and membrane attachment of mitochondrial and cytoplasmic precursors of electron transfer complexes III and IV in adapting Bakers' yeast.

Abstract When anaerobically grown Saccharomyces cerevisiae are aerated under conditions which may deplete them of cytoplasmically translated, mitochondrial inner membrane enzyme precursors, they show no immediate decrease in in vivo mitochondrial translational activity compared with cells which have not been so depleted. Similarly, cells depleted of mitochondrially translanted precursors show no immediate decrease in their cytoplasmic translation of mitochondrial inner membrane proteins. These experiments suggest that the synthesis and nonspecific membrane attachment of mitochondrially and cytoplasmically translated inner membrane proteins are not stringently delimited by a prior depletion of inner membrane precursors elaborated by the “other” genetic system. It is thus possible to demonstrate a degree of uncoupling of the activities of the two genetic systems. The oxygen inductions of reduced CoQ cytochrome c reductase (complex III) and of cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) activities in cells which have been sequentially exposed first to cycloheximide and then to chloramphenicol, or first to chloramphenicol and then to cycloheximide reflect the levels to which specifically integrated, mitochondrial and cytoplasmic precursors of these complexes can accumulate in the absence of concomitant translational activity by the “other” genetic system. These data again suggest the degree to which the translational activities of the two genetic systems can be uncoupled. A detailed study of the inductions of these two complexes in cells exposed first to chloramphenicol shows that the modes of induction of the two complexes are different. Complex III develops approximately 50% of its activity as an expression of a precursor (presumably mitochondrially translated) which is already present in the anaerobic cells, but which requires oxygen-induced cytoplasmic translation for its expression. The remainder of the induced complex III activity appears to require oxygen-induced mitochondrial translation for its expression. There was no analogous anaerobically present component evident during complex IV induction.
Probabilistic modeling of traffic lanes from GPS traces

Instead of traditional ways of creating road maps, an attractive alternative is to create a map based on GPS traces of regular drivers. One important aspect of this approach is to automatically compute the number and locations of driving lanes on a road. We introduce the idea of using a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to model the distribution of GPS traces across multiple traffic lanes. The GMM naturally accounts for the inherent spread in GPS data. We present a new variation of the GMM that enforces constant lane width and GPS variance in each lane. For fitting the GMM, we also introduce a new regularizer that is sensitive to the overall spread of the GPS data across the road. Our experiments on real GPS data show that our new GMM is better at counting lanes than a more traditional GMM, and it gives more consistent results across our data set.
Guest Editor's Introduction: Visual Culture and Race

In her groundbreaking essay “The Oppositional Gaze: Black Female Spectators” (1992), bell hooks discusses the stakes of looking in a racially segregated United States. She proposes that restrictions and prohibitions on the black gaze that were established during slavery and reinforced in the post-Reconstruction era in the spectacle of lynching incited black viewers to adopt a critical mode of looking, an oppositional gaze of resistance: “[A]ll attempts to repress our/black peoples’ right to gaze . . . produced in us an overwhelming longing to look, a rebellious desire, an oppositional gaze” (116). hooks emphasizes the importance of looking in US history and the urgency of refusing racism by looking back. Notably, she does not focus on the spectacle of racism or on countless racist representations but on the gaze itself and the power of resistant acts of looking. The essential questions hooks addresses activate two scholarly discourses that intersect in productive ways: visual culture studies and critical studies of race. Her questions encourage one to consider, as this special issue does, how looking has been racialized in the United States. As an interdisciplinary conversation, visual culture studies is not beholden to the histories of representation claimed by any one field, such as art history, literature, film studies, or popular culture studies. Instead, visual culture studies aims to “show seeing” (Mitchell), to focus not simply on vision but on “visuality” or “sight as a social fact” (Foster ix). In other words, instead of rehearsing a disciplinary canon of artworks, objects, events, or texts, it encourages scholars to investigate how people learn to see and come to understand themselves as viewers. Critical studies of race share this interdisciplinary impetus and focus on the social forces that shape many different practices. In the most general sense, the critical study of race examines the social construction of race or race “as a social fact.” Bringing these two conversations to bear on one another suggests that if sight is a social practice, it is also racialized in the United States, shaped and directed by the racial contours and contest of the social sphere.
Construction of a two-photon microscope for video-rate Ca2+ imaging

We describe the construction of a video-rate two-photon laser scanning microscope, compare its performance to a similar confocal microscope, and illustrate its use for imaging local Ca2+ transients from cortical neurons in brain slices. Key features include the use of a Ti-sapphire femtosecond laser allowing continuous tuning over a wide (700–1000 nm) wavelength range, a resonant scanning mirror to permit frame acquisition at 30 Hz, and efficient wide-field fluorescence detection. Two-photon imaging provides compelling advantages over confocal microscopy in terms of improved imaging depth and reduced phototoxicity and photobleaching, but the high cost of commercial instruments has limited their widespread adoption. By constructing one's own system the expense is greatly reduced without sacrifice of performance, and the microscope can be more readily tailored to specific applications.
The reliability and stability of the Turner and Engle working memory task.

The present study explored the psychometric properties of Turner and Engle's (1989) operation span task, a widely used measure of working memory capacity. We administered the task three times to 33 college students, using equivalent test materials. The interval between the first and second administrations was 3 weeks, with 6-7 weeks between the second and third administrations. Alpha coefficients were all .75 or more. Recall accuracy decreased as operation set size increased. Raw test-retest correlations ranged from .67 to .81, the corrected reliability was .88, and stability scores ranged from .76 to .92. Performance improved from the first to the second test. Relative to reported reliabilities of other tasks used to assess individual differences in working memory capacity, the operation span task appears to have several statistical advantages.
Mycoplasma granularum of swine origin as a tissue culture contaminant.

SummaryA mycoplasma isolated from murine leukemia cells in culture was found to be serologically similar to a mycoplasma strain recovered from the nasal cavity of a pig. Additional serological tests revealed both strains to be Mycoplasma granularum, a species previously identified only in swine hosts.Tissue culture contamination with swine mycoplasma reemphasizes control problems in maintaining uncontaminated cell lines and poses major questions about sources of these strains in cell cultures.
Use of Microcomputers to Teach Human-Factors Engineering: New Directions

Assorted software used to assess and instruct students in human-factors courses is presented. Both in-house and commercially available software were selected on the basis of their innovative approaches to the microcomputer learning environment. Also, software samples are presented which illustrate the teaching of cognitive-behavioral skills in addition to the domain knowledge.
Legal issues in allergy and clinical immunology.

Abstract Clinical risk management for the allergist focuses primarily on concerns regarding adverse occurrences and the possibility of civil litigation as a result of negligence or professional liability. Risk is substantially reduced with an understanding of such predictable drug reactions as overdosage, side effects, secondary effects, and drug interactions. In addition, all clinicians who prescribe have a duty to disclose to their patients the possibility of unpredictable reactions, including intolerance, idiosyncrasy, and allergy or hypersensitivity. This disclosure should be part of a comprehensive discussion of the risks and benefits of, and alternatives to, therapeutic agents and procedures they recommend. The process of informed consent becomes even more critical with the increasing influence of hospital and managed care formularies on prescribing decisions. Although cost effectiveness is an important factor in prescribing decisions, the possibility of adverse effects, treatment failure, noncompliance, and other negative considerations must also be weighed. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1996;98:S334-8.)
Developmental differences in motor task integration: A test of Pascual-Leone's Theory of Constructive Operators

Univrrsity of Michigun This study assessed the ability of Pascual-Leone’s Theory of Constructive Operators to predict the minimum age or maturational level at which integration of a motor task could be achieved. Children 5-12 years of age (n= 114) performed a discrete motor task requiring a constrained circular movement to be integrated with an unconstrained linear movement to a target. The Theory of Constructive Operators and the principles of constructive cognition were used to generate a model of task performance. Based on the model and in accordance with the theory, it was predicted that 5- to 6-year-old subjects would lack the cognitive capacity (M-capacity) to efficiently integrate this task. An analysis of covariance for age was performed on task parameters reflecting integration (and highest M-demand) with movement speed as the covariate. Scheffe contrasts supported the prediction as 5- to 6-year-old subjects were inferior to each of the other age groups (p < .05). Furthermore, no significant differences were found to exist between any of the older age groups. According to Pascual-Leone’s Theory of Constructive Operators (Pascual-Leone, 1970, 1976), the maturational limits on cognitive capacity are quantifiable and can account for major developmental changes in information processing observed through childhood. Supportive evidence to date, has been derived largely from the use of Piagetian tasks, or similar “cognitive” tasks. The purpose of this investigation was to test the theory’s predictive ability with regards to the performance of a motor task. In Pascual-Leone’s theory, psychological processes are conceived as being hierarchically organized in two interacting systems. The first level is constituted by situational-specific constructs (schemes) which apply on input to categorize or modify it. All schemes become activated or apply
A Variable Emittance Filter For The Electron Laser Facility

We describe a variable emittance filter designed for the Electron Laser Facility (ELF). The filter attenuates the 4.5 MeV, 6 kA Experimental Test Accelerator (ETA) beam, permit-ting electrons only which fall within a given region of phase space (r, dr/dz) to pass. Initial experimental results are presented.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Introduction of Functionalized Mesopores to Metal–Organic Frameworks via Metal–Ligand–Fragment Coassembly

Introduction of functionalized mesopores into microporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can endow them with suitable properties for applications in gas storage, separation, catalysis, and drug delivery. However, common methods for functionalization (including pre- and post-synthetic modifications) of the internal surface of a MOF reduce the pore size of the MOF because the additional functional groups fill up the pores. We present a metal-ligand-fragment coassembly strategy for the introduction of (meso)pores functionalized with various substituent groups on the ligand fragments. Astonishingly, this new functionalization strategy increases the pore volume of a MOF instead of reducing it. Since the ligand fragments are often readily available or easily prepared, the new procedure for synthesis of the modified MOFs becomes much easier and more applicable than existing approaches. Remarkably, mesopores can be generated conveniently and controllably by the coassembly of a ligand and its fragment containing the desired functional groups. The fragment/ligand ratio has been optimized to preserve the parent structure and to promote maximum mesopore introduction, which has led to a systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of a series of functional groups for the adsorption of guest molecules.
A comparison of tracking methods for swimming C. elegans

Tracking the swimming motion of C. elegans worms is of high interest for a variety of research projects on behavior in biology, from aging to mating studies. We compare six different tracking methods, derived from two types of image preprocessing, namely local and global thresholding methods, and from three types of segmentation methods: low-level vision, and articulated models of either constant or varying width. All these methods have been successfully used in recent related works, with some modifications to adapt them to swimming motions. We show a quantitative comparison of these methods using computer-vision measures. To discuss their relative strengths and weaknesses, we consider three scenarios of behavior studies, depending on the constraints of a C. elegans project, and give suggestions as to which methods are more adapted to each case, and how to further improve them.
Gating of the native and purified cardiac SR Ca(2+)-release channel with monovalent cations as permeant species

The primary aim of this study was to characterize the steady-state gating of the native and the purified cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-release channel using monovalent cations (K+ in the purified, Cs+ in the native) rather than Ca2+ as the permeant ions. The improved resolution of the single-channel events under these conditions has provided a more detailed and accurate description of channel gating than was previously possible. Micromolar cytosolic Ca2+ activates the channel but in the absence of other activating ligands cannot fully open the channel. The relationship between the open probability (Po) and cytosolic free [Ca2+] in both native and purified channels indicates the binding of at least three Ca2+ ions for maximal activation. Lifetime analysis indicates a minimum of three open and five closed states for channels activated solely by Ca2+ and demonstrates that the primary mechanism for the increase in Po is an increase in the frequency of channel opening. Burst analysis also indicates that Ca2+ activates the channel by binding to closed states of the channel to increase the frequency of channel opening. Correlations between successive lifetimes suggest the existence of at least two pathways between the open and closed states. At a given activating [Ca2+], the Po is lower at negative than at positive holding potentials; however, we find no change in the mechanisms of Ca2+ activation at different voltages. Po measurements and lifetime analysis indicate that the gating of the purified channel when activated by Ca2+ is indistinguishable from that of the native channel and indicate that the channels are not modified by the purification procedure.
Nano-ceria enhancement of Bi2Cu0.1 V0.9O5.35 (BICUVOX) ceramic electrolytes

Abstract Doped nano-ceria particulates ((Ce 0.9 Gd 0.1 )O 2 , GDC) were synthesized by hydrothermal processes and dispersed within a matrix of copper-doped bismuth vanadate (Bi 2 V 0.9 Cu 0.1 O 5.35, BICUVOX) powder at levels ranging from 0.2 to 4.0 wt.%. The BICUVOX powder was synthesized by a co-precipitation process which resulted in a homogenous, fine-grained powder with an average particle size of ~ 0.6 μm. The BICUVOX/GDC composite was sintered at temperatures between 675 and 800 °C for 4 h. The incorporation of the nano-GDC into the BICUVOX ceramic was shown to pin grain boundary mobility, which permitted sintering to high densities while retaining finer grain sizes (1–4 μm in average size). The low levels of nano-GDC additions were shown to decrease the total conductivity of the BICUVOX electrolytes. Four-point conductivity testing of the BICUVOX/GDC (0.6 wt.%) composite in air showed values of ~ 0.008 S/cm and ~ 0.06 S/m at 300 °C and 500 °C, respectively. The average flexure strength of the same composite membrane was measured using a ring-on-ring configuration, and this measurement showed flexural strengths as high as 134.2 MPa. This strength is ~ 60% greater than previously reported values for BICUVOX membranes.
Computational simulation of laser heat processing of materials

Developpement d'un modele de simulation du traitement de surface au laser des materiaux. Validation du modele par une etude experimentale sur le durcissement superficiel de toles d'acier AISI 4140 par un traitement au laser CO 2 continu
Kinetics and mechanism of the barotropic lamellar gel/lamellar liquid crystal phase transition in fully hydrated dihexadecylphosphatidylethanolamine: a time-resolved x-ray diffraction study using pressure jump

The kinetics and mechanism of the barotropic lamellar gel (L beta')/lamellar liquid crystal (L alpha) phase transition in fully hydrated 1,2-dihexadecyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DHPE) has been studied using time-resolved x-ray diffraction (TRXRD). The phase transition was induced by pressure jumps of varying amplitudes in both the pressurization and depressurization directions at controlled temperature (78 degrees C). Both low- and wide-angle diffracted x rays were recorded simultaneously in live time using an x-ray-sensitive image intensifier coupled to a CCD camera and Super-VHS videotape recorder. Such an arrangement allowed for the direct and quantitative characterization of the long- (lamellar repeat spacing) and short-range order (chain packing) during a kinetic experiment. The image-processed live-time x-ray diffraction data were fitted using a nonlinear least-squares model, and the parameters of the fits were monitored continuously throughout the transition. The pressure-induced transitions from the L alpha to the L beta' phase and from the L beta' to the L alpha phase was two-state (no formation of intermediates apparent during the transition) to within the sensitivity limits of the method. The corresponding transit time (the time during which both phases coexist) associated with the long- and short-range order of the pressurization-induced L alpha-to-L beta' phase transition decreased to a limiting value of approximately 50 ms with increasing pressure jump amplitude. This limiting value was close to the response time of the detector/recording system. Thus, the intrinsic transit time of this transition in fully hydrated DHPE at 78 degrees C was less than or equal to 50 ms. In contrast, the depressurization-induced L beta'-to-L alpha phase transition was slower, taking approximately 1 s to complete, and occurred with no obvious dependence of the transit time on pressure jump amplitude. In the depressurization jump experiment, the lipid responded rapidly to the pressure jump in the L beta' phase up to the rate-determining L beta'-to-L alpha transition. Such behavior was examined carefully, as it could complicate the interpretation of phase transition kinetic measurements.
Inhibitors of sterol synthesis. The effects of dietary 5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol-15-one on the fate of [4-14C]cholesterol and [2,4-3H]5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol-15-one after intragastric administration to rats

Abstract The effect of dietary administration (0.1% in a rat chow diet) of 5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol-15-one, a potent inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis with marked hypocholesterolemic activity, on the fate of [4-14C]cholesterol and [2,4-3H]5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol-15-one has been studied after intragastric administration of the labeled sterols to rats. In general, the distribution of 3H in major tissues paralleled thatof 14C with no unusual concentration of 3H in any of the organs. Only trace amounts of3H and 14C were recovered in urine. Administration of the 15-ketosterol was associated with decreased absorption of the labeled cholesterol as indicated by decreased levels of 14C in the various tissues and organs of the 15-ketosterol-treated rats (relative to ad libitum and pair-fed control animals) and increased levels of 14C in feces and intestinal contents at 12 and 48 h after the administration of the labeled cholesterol. Studies of the distribution of 3H in liver indicated rapid conversion of the 15-ketosterol to cholesterol and cholesteryl esters. The amounts of 3H recovered in the various tissues and organs atboth 12 and 48 h after the administration of the labeled sterols were considerably less than the corresponding values for 14C, a finding which suggests a lower absorption of the 15-ketosterol (relative to cholesterol) an/or a more rapid clearance and biliary excretion of the 15-ketosterol and its metabolites.
Assessment of female sexual dysfunction: review of validated methods

Abstract Objective: To review validated methods for the assessment of female sexual function in clinical trials. Design: Evaluation of recent peer-review literature on sexual function assessment in women. Setting: International conference on androgen insufficiency in women. Patient(s): Women with sexual dysfunction due to androgen insufficiency or other causes. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Measures of sexual function in women. Result(s): Design and measurement problems in the assessment of sexual functioning in women have limited clinical trials in female sexual dysfunction. Objective measures, such as vaginal photoplethysmography or Duplex ultrasound, have been used in some studies but lack standardization and are unsuitable for use in large-scale clinical trials. A variety of interview methods, validated questionnaires, and event log measures have been used for assessing sexual function in recent trials of androgen replacement therapy. Each of these methods has distinct advantages and disadvantages, although validated questionnaires have provided the most reliable findings to date. Recent Food and Drug Administration guidelines on assessment of female sexual function in clinical trials are critically reviewed. Conclusion(s): Despite their prevalence and clinical significance, sexual problems in women have often been neglected in clinical trials. A major obstacle in the design of clinical trials in this area has been the need for sensitive and reliable measures of outcome. Of the currently available measures, self-reported event logs or questionnaires are best suited for research or clinical assessment of female sexual function.
MAPA DE AMPLIFICACION SISMICA DEL VALLE CENTRAL, COSTA RICA

La amplificacion sismica consiste en una modificacion de la senal sismica, cuando viaja de laroca hacia el suelo. Esto causa variaciones en la amplitud y en el contenido de frecuencias de la senal en lasuperficie. Ese efecto tiende a causar una variacion de la intensidad con un posible aumento en los danos ala infraestructura. Para evaluar el grado de amenaza de amplificacion sismica se combinan una serie de mapasque incluyen:- Geologia superficial- Fuentes generadoras de sismos- Intensidades maximas registradas- Periodo naturales del suelo- Aceleracion, velocidad y desplazamiento maximos posibles El mapa presentado permite obtener una amenaza relativa alta, media y baja en conjunto con algunos parametrosingenieriles. Finalmente se compara el mapa de amenaza con el de desarrollo urbano, donde se observa una coincidencia de las areas de mayor crecimiento residencial con el nivel mas alto de amenaza de amplificacion sismica.
Mechanisms of pulmonary oxygen toxicity.

Increasing use of oxygen in clinical practice has provided new impetus for determining mechanisms of acute pulmonary oxygen toxicity. The pathophysiology of lungs exposed to oxygen in vivo and in vitro suggests a direct toxic effect of hyperoxia upon lung cells, with variation in sensitivity to injury among cell types. The currently accepted primary mechanism for oxygen-induced cellular injury is enhanced oxygen-derived free radical generation with subsequent oxidative attack upon basic cell constituents. The major intracellular sources of increased free radicals are undetermined, but there is sufficient evidence that the extracellular contribution, specifically from PMN leukocyte influx into lungs is not critical to lethal pulmonary oxygen toxicity. Cellular protection is provided by intracellular enzymatic and nonenzymatic anti-oxidant defenses, which can be manipulated by experimental treatments to alter survival in O2. Our increasing knowledge of the mechanisms of oxidant toxicity may lead to improved strategies for early detection of lung damage and for the prevention or treatment of injury.
Solid-state physics: When is a metal not a metal?

When it's an insulator, of course. Materials that should in theory conduct electricity — but don't — are well known, but the anomalous behaviour of one material has caused particular head-scratching.
Sentinel Node Biopsy After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A New Standard for Patients With Axillary Metastases?

Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) reliably identifies lymph node metastases and results in a high rate of local cancer control, even in patients who initially present with node-postive disease. In patients initially presenting with node-negative breast cancer, ALND has been replaced by sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. Sentinel lymph node biopsy involves injecting dye or tracer substances into the breast to selectively identify and remove the lymph nodes most likely to contain metastases. This is a much less morbid procedure than ALND.
Prevalence of Food Insecurity and Health-Associated Outcomes and Food Characteristics of Northern Plains Indian Households

ABSTRACT Food insecurity has been associated with chronic disease. Low economic status is one of the primary predictors of food insecurity and American Indian communities have some of the highest rates of poverty and unemployment in the nation. This project collected data on sociodemographic attributes, food insecurity and environment, and health status among Northern Plains Indian household members. Forty-four percent of the households surveyed (n = 187) reported food insecurity and prevalence of food insecurity significantly decreased with increasing household income. After adjustment for income, food insecurity was significantly associated with poor general health (odds ratio (OR) 2.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39–5.54) and bodily pain (OR and 95% CI = 2.14 (1.12–4.10)). Programs that decrease the prevalence of food insecurity and health disparities in this population are urgently needed.
Hypobetalipoproteinemic mice with a targeted apolipoprotein (Apo) B-27.6-specifying mutation: in vivo evidence for an important role of amino acids 1254-1744 of ApoB in lipid transport and metabolism of the apoB-containing lipoprotein.

Abstract Carboxyl-terminal deletion of apoB-100 may impair its triglyceride (TG)-transporting capability and alter its catabolism. Here, we compare our newly generated apoB gene (Apob)-targeted apoB-27.6-bearing mice to our previously reported apoB-38.9 mice to understand further the relationship between the size of a truncated apoB variant and its function/metabolismin vivo. The apoB-27.6-specifying mutation produces a premature stop codon six amino acids (aa) downstream of the last codon of mouse Apob exon 24 (corresponding to aa 1254 of human apoB-100). ApoB-27.6 transcripts were 3- and 5-fold more abundant than apoB wild type and apoB-38.9 transcripts in the liver. Likewise, hepatic secretion rates of apoB-27.6 were 7-fold higher than those of apoB-48 and apoB-38.9. In contrast, apoB-27.6 heterozygotes (Apob 27.6/+) had lower hepatic TG secretion rates and higher liver TG contents than both apoB-38.9 heterozygotes (Apob 38.9/+) and apoB wild type mice (Apob +/+). ApoB-27.6 was secreted byApob 27.6/+ hepatocytes as dense high density lipoprotein particles. Moreover, despite its high secretion rates, apoB-27.6 was barely detectable in plasma. Disruption of apoE gene inApob 38.9/+ and Apob 27.6/+dramatically increased plasma levels of apoB-38.9 as well as apoB-48 but caused no change in plasma apoB-27.6 concentrations. Finally, the birth rate of apoB-27.6 homozygotes (Apob 27.6/27.6) from intercrosses of Apob 27.6/+ was 7-fold lower than that of Apob 38.9/38.9 fromApob 38.9/+ intercrosses (1.8% versus12%). Crossbreeding of Apob 27.6/27.6 andApob 38.9/38.9 produced viableApob 27.6/38.9 offspring, butApob 27.6/27.6 intercrosses produced no offspring. Together, these results demonstrate in vivo that the apoB-27.6-apoB-38.9 peptide segment (aa 1254–1744) plays a critical role, not only in supporting hepatic TG-secretion and in modulating catabolism of apoB-containing lipoproteins, but also in normal mouse embryonic development.
Real-time high definition H.264 video decode using the Xbox 360 GPU

The Xbox 360 is powered by three dual pipeline 3.2 GHz IBM PowerPC processors and a 500 MHz ATI graphics processing unit. The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a special-purpose device, intended to create advanced visual effects and to render realistic scenes for the latest Xbox 360 games. In this paper, we report work on using the GPU as a parallel processing unit to accelerate the decoding of H.264/AVC high-definition (1920x1080) video. We report our experiences in developing a real-time, software-only high-definition video decoder for the Xbox 360.
Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source. 2. Desorption-ionization for the direct analysis of solid compounds.

The flowing afterglow-atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) ionization source described in part 1 of this study (in this issue) is applied to the direct analysis of condensed-phase samples. When either liquids or solids are exposed to the ionizing beam of the APGD, strong signals for the molecular ions of substances present on their surfaces can be detected without compromising the integrity of the solid sample structure or sample substrate. As was observed for gas-phase compounds in part 1 of this study, both polar and nonpolar substances can be ionized and detected by mass spectrometry. The parent molecular ion (or its protonated counterpart) is usually the main spectral feature, with little or no fragmentation in evidence. Preliminary quantitative results show that this approach offers very good sensitivity (detection limits in the picogram regime are reported for several test compounds in part 1 of this study) and linear response to the analyte concentration. Examples of the application of this s...
Loss of molecules in magneto-electrostatic traps due to nonadiabatic transitions

We analyze the dynamics of a paramagnetic, dipolar molecule in a generic “magneto-electrostatic” trap where both magnetic and electric fields may be present. The potential energy that governs the dynamics of the molecules is found using a reduced molecular model that incorporates the main features of the system. We discuss the shape of the trapping potentials for different field geometries, as well as the possibility of nonadiabatic transitions to untrapped states, i.e., the analog of Majorana transitions in a quadrupole magnetic atomic trap. Maximizing the lifetime of molecules in a trap is of great concern in current experiments, and we assess the effect of nonadiabatic transitions on obtainable trap lifetimes.
The role of peripheral catecholamines in reserpine-induced amnesia

The effect of peripherally administered catecholamines on reserpine-induced amnesia of a PA training in mice was investigated. The amnesic effect of reserpine could be blocked with 50 mg/kg DA or 0.1 or 0.75 mg/kg NE when given ip either before, immediately, or 10 min after but not 90 min following PA. Epinephrine or a lower dose of DA could not attentrate the reserpine-induced amnesia. Syrosingopine, the peripherally acting reserpine analogue also produced time-dependent retention impairments. The amnesic effects of these Rauwolfia alkaloids were interpreted in terms of their peripheral antiadrenergic actions.
Locoregional recurrence after doxorubicin-based chemotherapy and postmastectomy: Implications for breast cancer patients with early-stage disease and predictors for recurrence after postmastectomy radiation.

Purpose: To compare rates of locoregional recurrence (LRR) after mastectomy, doxorubicin-based chemotherapy, and radiation with those of patients receiving mastectomy and doxorubicin-based chemotherapy without radiation and to determine predictors of LRR after postmastectomy radiation. Methods: Kaplan-Meier freedom-from-LRR rates were calculated for 470 patients treated with mastectomy, doxorubicin-based chemotherapy, and postmastectomy radiation in five single-institution clinical trials. The LRR rates in these patients were compared to previously reported rates in 1031 patients treated without radiation in the same trials. Results: Median follow-up was 14 years. Irradiated patients had significantly less favorable prognostic factors for LRR than did unirradiated patients. Despite this, in all subsets of node-positive patients, postmastectomy radiation led to lower rates of LRR. This included patients with T1 or T2 tumors and one to three positive nodes (10-year LRR rates of 3% vs. 13%, p = 0.003). Multivariate analysis of LRR for patients with this stage of disease revealed that no radiation, close/positive margins, gross extracapsular extension, and dissection of <10 nodes predicted for increased LRR (hazard ratios 6.25, 4.61, 3.27, and 2.66, respectively). Significant predictors of LRR for patients treated with postmastectomy radiation were higher number and ≥20% positive nodes, larger tumor size, lymphovascular space invasion, and estrogen receptor (ER)-negative disease. Recursive partitioning analysis revealed ER-negative status to be the most powerful discriminator of LRR in irradiated patients. Conclusions: Postmastectomy radiation decreases LRR for patients with breast cancer, including those with Stage II breast cancer and one to three positive lymph nodes.
Petri net applications: Modeling software, hardware, and other systems with this powerful tool

Modeling computer software, hardware, and other systems using Petri nets is discussed. The various analysis techniques and extension of Petri nets are considered. Problems in Petri net analysis techniques are examined, and analysis techniques that solve them are given.
Cross-cultural experience, strategic motivation and employer hiring preference: An exploratory study in an emerging economy

The relationship between self-complexity, strategic motivation, and organizational processes such as staffing seems lacking in the human resources management and organizational behavior (OB) litera...
Single-domain crystal-anisotropy-dominated coercivity.

We present a theoretical approach to the problem associated with the anomalous coercivity observed in granular magnetic solids such as iron or cobalt embedded in an insulating medium and to amorphous multilayer thin films. In this paper we show that if the magnetic moments at the granular surface or multilayer interface are pinned, such enhanced coercivity is predictable. The model used assumes a one-dimensional dependence of the magnetization (along the length of the granule or the depth of the layer). That dimension is taken to be small to inhibit the appearance of domain walls parallel to that direction. We consider materials whose energy is dominated by a Zeeman term, an anisotropy term, a demagnetization term, and an exchange term
Interaction of fibronectin with antibodies and collagen in radioimmunoassay

Abstract Human fibroblast surface and plasma protein, fibronectin, has been shown to bind to collagen, and it can be purified by affinity chromatography on gelatin (denatured collagen) coupled to Sepharose particles (Engvall, E. and Ruoslahti, E. (1977) Int. J. Cancer 20, 1–5). The same procedure was used for purification of fibronectin from mouse plasma. Radioiodination of the gelatin-purified mouse and human fibronectins gave labeled proteins from which 60–70% of the radioactivity could be bound to anti-fibronectin in antibody excess. Fibronectin preparations isolated using other methods showed lower immunoreactivity after labeling. A major part of the labeled fibronectin retained its affinity for collagen. This allowed removal of weakly immunoreactive material by fractionation of the iodinated protein on gelatin-Sepharose. The bound and eluted fraction of the labeled protein showed more than 90% binding to antibody and to collagen. The labeled fibronectin was used to study two questions of immediate interest: the effect of collagen, a component likely to be present in samples containing fibronectin, on fibronectin radioimmunoassay, and the effect of anti-fibronectin on the fibronectin-collagen interaction. Quantitation of fibronectin by radioimmunoassay was found to be unaffected by the presence of collagen in the sample, suggesting that the interaction of fibronectin with antibody was not affected by the presence of collagen. On the contrary, the binding of labeled fibronectin to collagen was inhibited when the labeled protein was mixed with purified antibodies to fibronectin. Fibronectin previously bound to a gelatin column was released when antibodies were passed through the column. That antibodies can interfere with the fibronectin-collagen binding suggests that the avidity of the antibody-fibronectin interaction is higher than that between fibronectin and collagen.
Synthesis and processing of AgInO2 delafossite compounds by cation exchange reactions

Abstract In recent years, ternary noble metal oxide compounds based on the delafossite structure have attracted great interest because of their potential use as transparent conductors. In this work, the experimental conditions which affect the synthesis and properties of Ag-based compounds by the cation exchange technique was explored. The reaction between AgNO 3 and NaInO 2 was performed at temperatures ranging from 200 to 300 °C in air over a period of 48 h or more. With X-ray diffraction, the phase distribution and crystallite size was monitored and related to the experimental conditions. Electron microscopy was also utilized to observe the phase distribution and locate the presence of secondary phases such as Ag metal. From these results, it was concluded that the volume change associated with the NaInO 2 to AgInO 2 transformation affected the delafossite crystallite size. The effects of KNO 3 in promoting the cation exchange reaction were also discussed in terms of stabilizing the AgNO 3 :NaNO 3 :KNO 3 solution. Finally, it was shown that n-type AgInO 2 with a conductivity of 6 S cm −1 was synthesized by modifying the precursor NaInO 2 phase.
Accurate identification of plum pox potyvirus and its differentiation from Asian prunus latent potyvirus in Prunus germplasm.

We have determined the accuracy of plum pox potyvirus (PPV) identification in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays using DNA primers for the 3’non-coding region of PPV as compared with primers for a segment of PPV coat protein. Only primers for the 3’non-coding region were specific for PPV identification. Primers for PPV coat protein reacted with other known potyviruses such as potato Y potyvirus and papaya ringspot potyvirus. The 3’non-coding region sequence of PPV has great value in the specific differentiation of PPV from other potyviruses. PPV is the only potyvirus so far known to infect Prunus spp. We have now identified a latent virus, which we have named Asian prunus latent potyvirus (APLV), that infects germplasm of peach and Prunus mume. PPV can be differentiated from APLV by RT-PCR using DNA primers specific for the 3’non-coding region of the PPV genome. APLV, however, reacts positively with PPV coat-protein primers in RT-PCR assay, PPV cDNA probe of cloned PPV cDNA containing the coat protein gene in molecular hybridization assays, and PPV antiserum in serological assays.
Anomalies in covariant W-gravity

Abstract We consider free scalar matter covariantly coupled to background W-gravity. Expanding to second order in the W-gravity fields, we study the appropriate anomalous Ward-Takahashi identities and find the counterterms which maintain diffeomorphism invariance and its W-analogue. We see that a redefinition of the vielbein transformation rule under W-diffeomorphism is required in order to cancel nonlocal contributions to the anomaly. Moreover, we explicitly write all gauge invariances at this order. Some consequences of these results for the chiral gauge quantization are discussed.
Equilibrium Analysis of Lattice-Mismatched Nanowire Heterostructures

The quality of lattice-mismatched semiconductor heterojunctions is often limited by the presence of misfit dislocations. Nanowire geometries offer the promise of creating highly mismatched, yet dislocation free heterojunctions. A simple model, based upon the critical thickness model of Matthews and Blakeslee for misfit dislocation formation in planar heterostructures, illustrates that there exists a critical nanowire radius for which a coherent heterostructured nanowire system is unstable with respect to the formation of misfit dislocations. The model indicates that within the nanowire geometry, it should be possible to create perfect heterojunctions with large lattice-mismatch.