cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of alkaline phosphatase fusions to study protein secretion in Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract We have constructed a vector designed to facilitate the study of protein secretion in Bacillus subtilis. This vector is based on a translational fusion between the expression elements and signal sequence of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alkaline protease and the mature coding sequence for Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase (phoA). We show that export of alkaline phosphatase from B. subtilis depends on a functional signal sequence and that alkaline phosphatase activity depends upon secretion. The vector design facilitates the insertion of heterologous coding sequences between the signal and phoA to generate three-part translational fusions. Such phoA fusions are easily analyzed by monitoring alkaline phosphatase activity on agar plates or in culture supernatants or by immunological detection. Exploitation of this methodology, which has proven to be extremely useful in the study of protein secretion in E. coli, has a variety of applications for studying protein secretion in B. subtilis.
Flight Research with the MIT Daedalus Prototype

The MIT Light Eagle human-powered aircraft underwent long-duration testing over Rogers Dry Lake in California during January, 1987. Designed as a prototype for the MIT Daedalus Project, the Light Eagle's forty-eight flights provided pilot training, established new distance records for human-powered flight, and provided quantitative data through a series of instrumented flight experiments. The experiments focused on: (1) evaluating physiological loads on the pilot, (2) determining airframe power requirements, and (3) developing an electronic flight control system. This paper discusses the flight test program, its results and their implications for the follow-on Daedalus aircraft, and the potential uses of the Light Eagle as a low Reynolds number testbed.
The unexpected sphingolipid and cholesterol distribution in the plasma membrane (107.1)

Though the cellular abundances of sphingolipids and cholesterol are known to influence many biological processes, the organizations of these components within the plasma membrane are not well estab...
Political Reform in Japan: Leadership Looming Large

1. The Puzzle of Political Reform 2. Miki Takeo: An Outsider Stands Firm Inside the LDP 3. Kaifu Toshiki: Mr. Clean Plays It Safe 4. Miyazawa Kiichi: An Anti-Reformer Caught in "Reform Fever" 5. Ozawa Ichiro: Rebel with a Cause 6. Junior Politicians: Ideas and Action without Access 7. Koizumi Junichiro: A New Kind of Leadership? 8. Conclusion: Political Leadership in Japan
Precordial ST-segment depression in inferior myocardial infarction is associated with slow flow in the non-culprit left anterior descending artery.

Background: Anterior precordial ST-segment depression (APSTD) is common in the setting of inferior myocardial infarction (IMI). The presence of APSTD correlates with increased risk of adverse outcomes in patients with acute IMI as well as more myocardium at risk as assessed by sestamibi, larger infarcts, lower ejection fractions, and more severe wall motion abnormalities in the infarct region. The ECG leads associated with APSTD (V1–V3) are generally thought to represent electrical activity subtended by the anterior myocardium, which is perfused by the left anterior descending artery (LAD). To determine whether APSTD is associated with abnormal blood flow in the uninvolved or non-culprit LAD, we assessed TIMI flow grades and corrected TIMI frame counts (CTFC) in both the culprit and non-culprit arteries of IMI patients.
A Modified Szilard Engine: Measurement, Information, and Maxwell's Demon

Using an isolated measurement process, we calculate the effect measurement has on entropy for the multi-cylinder Szilard engine. We find that the system of cylinders possesses an entropy associated with cylinder total energy states, and that it records information transferred at measurement. Contrary to other's results, we find that the apparatus loses entropy due to measurement. The Second Law of Thermodynamics may be preserved if Maxwell's demon gains entropy moving the engine partition.
A Review of “Developing a Compensation Plan for Your Library”

This book covers the process of developing a compensation plan from the initial planning and decision-making stages to completion. This topic is increasingly vital as managers and human resource pr...
Evidence for the requirement of T cell costimulation in the pathogenesis of natural Pneumocystis carinii pulmonary infection.

Abstract Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a frequent and serious opportunistic infection in immunocompromized patients. Although the pathogenesis of PCP-mediated lung injury is poorly understood, a central involvement of host inflammatory responses has been implicated. We have found that while the loss of specific T cell costimulatory signals increases susceptibility to the spontaneous pneumocystis infection, PCP-induced pulmonary injury (and subsequent morbidity and mortality) involves other intact costimulatory pathways. Mice that are genetically deficient for the costimulatory receptor CD154 (CD154 knockout (ko) mice) spontaneously developed PCP, consistent with the increased susceptibility of X-linked hyper IgM syndrome patients (caused by CD154 gene mutations) to P. carinii infection. In these mice PCP was manifested by progressive weight loss, dyspnea and death. In contrast, CD154 ko mice also genetically lacking ICAM1 (CD154 ko×ICAM1 ko) or CD28 (CD154 ko×CD28 ko) costimulatory receptors had later onset of weight loss and significantly prolonged survival. Although onset of infection and age-matched P. carinii organism burden were equivalent, the CD154 single knockout mice had evidence of greater pulmonary inflammation vs. the double ko's. These findings suggest that costimulation-dependent T cell-mediated inflammation plays an important role in both susceptibility to and pathogenesis of PCP, and may identify potential molecular targets for novel immunomodulatory treatment approaches.
A Cell-Spreading Inhibitor Exists in Serum and in Epidermal Basal Cells

A unique monoclonal antibody was obtained by immunizing mice with complement-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS). This antibody, named SI-1, stained epidermal basal cells of humans, pig, guinea pig, and rat by an indirect immunofluorescence technique after pretreatment of cryostat sections with alkali buffer (pH 9.6). After dissociating pig epidermal cells by trypsin, the SI-1 antibody stained exclusively and strongly one type of uniquely shaped cells. They were small and hanging-bell or columnar in shape with one convoluted side on the base, consisting of less than 2.8% of the dissociated epidermal cell population. The antigen contained in FBS was partially purified by affinity chromatography using the SI-1 antibody. The affinity-purified antigen inhibited the spreading of PAM cells, a spontaneously transformed murine keratinocyte line, in serum free medium in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 10-5 to 10 ng/ml. The antigen also inhibited the spreading of trypsinized pig epidermal cells in the range of 10-2 to 10-3 ng/ml in the presence of 0.05% FBS. Although there have been a few reports indicating that serum inhibited both spreading and attachment, a specific factor inhibited both spreading and attachment, a specific factor in serum has not been purified before. This is, to our knowledge, the first presentation of a cell-spreading inhibitor contained in serum.
The future of ecology: a collision of expectations and desires?

A subset of members of the Ecological Society of America was surveyed to describe the current status and infer the future state of ecology. Today's modal ecologist is a 55-year-old male professor who uses field observations and experiments to study communities and ecosystems and finds fulfillment in his research. Younger ecologists rely more heavily on laboratory experiments and modeling but obtain satisfaction in field work. If gender-based retention rates equalize, there may soon be as many women as men in ecology – and their interests differ markedly. Women and men report greater fulfillment from teaching and from data analysis/written communication, respectively. These patterns may explain the poor retention of women in the discipline, given the professional emphasis on publications and grants. Such dissonance between personal satisfaction and the missions of employing institutions must be addressed in order to advance the goals of ecology and enhance the diversity of its practitioners.
Initiation, growth and plasma characteristics of ‘Gatchina’ water plasmoids

Plasmoids generated by discharging a high-voltage capacitor through electrodes submerged in a weak aqueous electrolyte have attracted attention because of their resemblance to the natural phenomenon of ball lightning. We describe an extensive series of experimental studies which elucidate the mechanism responsible for the production of water plasmoids. We show that a plasma jet from a cathode spot is responsible for the formation of the main plasmoid, which grows in accordance with a current surge due to increasing contact area of the plasma with the liquid–air surface of the electrolyte. Spectra of optical emissions and scanning electron microscope studies indicate that the plasmoids glow because of a combination of chemiluminescence, atomic and molecular excitation, and possible incandescence from small particulates.
Chemical evidence of differential particle dispersal in the southern washington coastal environment

Aliphatic hydrocarbons, cupric oxide oxidation products of lignin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography in sediments from the southern Washington continental shelf and slope. The concentration of diploptene relative to plantwax n-alkanes increased systematically in surface sediments with distance offshore along east-west transects of the study area and remained constant in surface sediments along the midshelf silt deposit. Analogous trends were also observed for the concentration of cinnamyl phenols relative to vanillyl phenols and total methylphenanthrenes relative to phenanthrene. These changes in sedimentary composition are evidence that diploptene from some terrestrial source, lignin characteristic of non-woody vascular plant tissue and a fossil organic material contained within weathered rock debris disperse across the Washington continental shelf and slope in geographic patterns distinct from that for other river-derived, chemically related materials. The compositional variations are explained by the particulate associations of the land-derived chemicals and differential hydraulic dispersion of their respective carrier particles after discharge at the mouth of the Columbia River.
Interactions of a tetraanionic porphyrin with DNA: from a Z-DNA sensor to a versatile supramolecular device.

The anionic nickel(II) porphyrin NiTPPS is able to selectively sense the spermine induced left-handed Z-form of DNA while it is completely silent in the presence of right-handed B-DNA. Interactions between the DNA and the porphyrin can be easily modulated by pH and temperature. The resulting Z-DNA−porphyrin−spermine complex behaves as a supramolecular reversible information storage system and as a reversible AND logic gate.
Directed mutagenesis of the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-reactive carboxyl residues in β-subunit of F1-ATPase of Escherichia coli

Abstract Previous studies in which dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) was used to inactivate F1-ATPase enzymes have suggested that two glutamate residues in the β-subunit are essential for catalysis. In the Escherichia coli F1-ATPase, these are residues β-Glu-181 and β-Glu-192. Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis was used to change these residues to β-Gln-181 and β-Gln-192. The β-Gln-181 mutation produced strong impairment of oxidative phosphorylation in vivo and also of ATPase and ATP-driven proton-pumping activities in membranes assayed in vitro. A low level of each activity was detected and an F1-ATPase appeared to be assembled normally on the membranes. Therefore, it is suggested that the carboxyl side chain at residue β-181 is important, although not absolutely required, for catalysis in both directions on E. coli F1-ATPase. The β-Gln-192 mutation produced partial inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation in vivo and membrane ATPase activity was reduced by 78%. These results contrast with the complete or near-complete inactivation seen when E. coli F1-ATPase is reacted with DCCD and imply that DCCD-inactivation is attributable more to the attachment of the bulky DCCD molecule than to the derivatization of the carboxyl side chain of residue β-Glu-192. M. Ohtsubo and colleagues (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. (1987) 146, 705–710) described mutagenesis of the F1-β-subunit of thermophilic bacterium PS3. Mutations (Glu → Gln) of the residues homologous to Glu-181 and Glu-192 of E. coli F1-β-subunit both caused total inhibition of ATPase activity. Therefore, there was a marked difference in results obtained when the same residues were modified in the PS3 and E. coli F1-β-Subunits.
Impact of the chemical and physical stability of ketoprofen compounded in various pharmaceutical bases on its topical and transdermal delivery.

AbstractIncreasing demands for individualized drug treatment has led to an increase in the practice of compounded medications. In this study, we determined the impact of the chemical and physical stability of ketoprofen (10%w/w) cream on its topical/transdermal delivery over a 6-month period. The shelf life of ketoprofen at 25 °C in the pharmaceutical bases LipoDerm and LipoBase (109.94 and 85.9 days) was significantly longer than that in Pluronic Lecithin Organogel (PLO; 44.81 days), justifying extending its beyond use date (BUD) from 30 (USP37/NF32) to at least 60 days in LipoDerm and LipoBase. All the creams evaluated exhibited shear-thinning flow behavior with moderate thixotropy, while the flow properties for LipoBase and PLO creams were altered at storage times greater than 90 days. The percentage of ketoprofen permeated through porcine ear skin was 13.7, 19.1 and 12.7% of the dose from LipoDerm, LipoBase and PLO, respectively and decreased 2- to 3-fold after 28 days of storage. Flux ranging from 85...
NIST calibration facility for display colorimeters

A calibration facility has been developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to address the need for high accuracy color measurements of displays. Calibration services are planned for colorimeters and spectroradiometers, tailored to display measurements. A key component of the facility, a reference spectroradiometer, has been developed and its uncertainty for display measurements estimated using a series of computer simulations. The simulations predict that the reference spectroradiometer - corrected for wavelength error and variable bandpass - can measure any color of a cathode ray tube or liquid crystal display with a combined standard uncertainty of approximately 0.001 in chromaticity (x,y) and 1 percent in luminance (Y). In addition a new matrix correction technique has been developed as a means to transfer the calibration from the reference instrument to a test instrument. Using the four-color method, the residual errors with the calibrated instrument for one type of display are reduced to within 0.001 in x,y with respect to the reference instrument. To evaluate the overall performance of the system, commercial instruments - spectroradiometers and tristimulus colorimeter - were calibrated against the reference instrument, measuring both a CRT and an LCD display. The results show that calibrated target instruments can measure various colors of a particular display with a combined standard uncertainty of approximately 0.002 in x,y and 2 percent in Y.
Effect of Iron on measuring Water Content with a Neutron Meter

THE neutron moisture meter is based on the principle that hydrogen atoms, having a mass almost the same as that of neutrons and much less than that of other atoms in such media as soils, are the only atoms which reduce the kinetic energy of neutrons from high to thermal levels by collision. It is assumed that all hydrogen atoms are chemically associated with oxygen atoms in the form of water and that the detected activity of slow neutrons is proportional to the moisture content of the medium. It is recognized that an error will result if an unknown quantity of hydrogen atoms is present in some other form.
One hundred citation classics in general surgical journals.

The number of times an article is cited in scientific journals reflects its impact on a specific biomedical field or specialty and reflects the impact of the authors’ creativity. Our objective was to identify and analyze the characteristics of the 100 most frequently cited articles published in journals dedicated to general surgery and its close subspecialties. Using the database (1945–1995) of the Science Citation Index of the Institute for Scientific Information, 1500 articles cited 100 times and more were identified and the top 100 articles selected for further analysis. The 100 articles were published between 1931 and 1990, with more than two-thirds of them published after 1960. The mean number of citations per article was 405, (range 278–1013). Altogether, 84 of the articles originated from North America (USA 78, Canada 6) and the UK (12). New York State led the list of U.S. states with 14, and Harvard and Columbia University led the list of institutions with 6 articles each. The 100 articles were published in 10 surgical journals led by theAnnals of Surgery (n = 40), followed bySurgery (n = 15), Archives of Surgery (n = 12), Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics (n = 11), and British Journal of Surgery (n = 10). A total of 80 of the articles reported clinical experiences, 6 were clinical review articles, and 14 dealt with basic science. Eighteen articles reported a new surgical technique and six a prosthetic device. Gastrointestinal surgery and trauma and critical care led the list of the surgical fields, each with 25 articles, followed by vascular surgery (n = 15). Thirty-four persons authored two or more of the top-cited articles. This list of the top-cited papers identifies seminal contributions and their originators, facilitating the understanding and discourse of modern surgical history and offering surgeons hints about what makes a contribution a "top-cited classic." To produce such a "classic" the surgeon and his or her group must come up with a clinical or nonclinical innovation, observation, or discovery that has a long-standing effect on the way we practice—be it operative or nonoperative. Based on our findings, to be well cited such a contribution should be published in the English language in a high-impact journal. Moreover, it is more likely to resonant loudly if it originates from a North American or British "ivory tower."
Poling flexible piezoelectric composites

Abstract Flexible piezoelectric composites made from PZT and polymer with 0–0–3 connectivity were fabricated using several types of Eccogel polymer. The conductivity of the composite is controlled by adding small amounts of a semiconductor filler such as carbon, germanium or silicon. By controlling conductivity, poling can be carried out very rapidly at low voltages, resulting in properties comparable to composites prepared without a conductive phase. For composites optimized for hydrophone performance, the hydrostatic voltage coefficient [gbar]h and hydrostatic figure of merit [gbar]h[dbar]h are an order of magnitude larger than those of single phase PZT.
Impact of a teaching strategy for health of the public

The advancing crisis in American health care delivery will require medical trainees to understand and have skills in dealing with the multiple socioeconomic factors that affect patient outcome. To initiate this understanding and skill base in medical trainees, a Health of the Public (HOP) faculty development seminar series was instituted so that this material could be role‐modeled and taught to residents and students. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether this faculty development teaching model leads to behavior change of faculty and trainees in actual patient care situations. Behaviors of HOP ward teams were compared with those of non‐HOP teams by trained observers using a 22‐item curriculum‐based checklist during 393 postcall patient presentations. No significant differences in any of the 22 items were found. Thus, the effectiveness of a “trickle down”; model of educating trainees must be questioned. More intensive and alternative strategies to effect the acquisition and use of HOP skills a...
Hepatic drug metabolism in rats: impairment in a dirty environment.

Reduction of aniline hydroxylase activity, ethylmorphine N- dementhylase activity, and cytochrome P-450 content occurred in hepatic microsomes of rats kept under dirty conditions, defined as accumulation for 1 week of urine and feces in pans under the wire mesh cages. In comparison with rats that had urine and feces removed twice daily from such pans, rats kept over Kimpak bedding or over Litter Green, changed twice daily, also showed reduced drug-metabolizing activity in hepatic microsomes, but to a lesser degree than the dirty rats. Placement of a filter top on cages for 1 week also decreased drug-metabolizing activity. These experiments suggest that the relative cleanliness of an animal9s environment can influence hepatic microsomal drug metabolism.
A method for estimating the temporal and spatial patterns of carbon dioxide emissions from national fossil-fuel consumption

A proportional methodology is presented for estimating fossil-fuel consumption and concomitant anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. This methodology employs data from representative sectors of the fossil-fuel market to determine the temporal (monthly) and spatial (provincial/state) patterns of fuel consumption. These patterns of fuel consumption are then converted to patterns of CO 2 emissions. The purpose is to provide a procedure for determining anthropogenic emissions from countries where a full accounting of emissions is impracticable due to limited data availability. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proportional methodology, it is applied to data from the United States (U.S.) and the results are compared to those from an independent methodology that employs a thorough accounting of all fuel sectors. Although there are some discrepancies between the two sets of CO 2 emissions estimates, overall, the approaches yield similar results. Thus, the proportional methodology developed here represents a viable method for estimating anthropogenic CO 2 emissions for other countries with limited data availability. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.2007.00319.x
A logic of knowledge and justified assumptions

Abstract In this paper we define the logic GK of knowledge and justified assumptions. GK is best understood as a formalization of autoepistemic reasoning processes that are more general than those in Moore's autoepistemic logic, and is formally defined via a modification of Shoham's preference semantics. We show that GK includes not only Moore's autoepistemic logic, but also Reiter's default logic. To our knowledge GK is the first complete semantic unification of the two logics. Similarly to circumscription, GK is based on the notion of logical minimization, and thus provides a bridge between circumscription and fixed-point nonmonotonic logics, an outstanding problem in nonmonotonic logics. As an application of this bridge, we propose a formalization of logic programs with negation-as-failure in circumscription.
The extraction riddle: just what are we missing?

L'A. commente et critique l'ouvrage de P. M. Postal Three investigations of extraction (1998) qui developpe nombreux arguments complexes sur le phenomene d'extraction incluant certains phenomenes qui ne sont generalement pas consideres comme renvoyant a de l'extraction. Postal discute principalement de trois points : 1. une serie de faits putatifs sur la distribution des possibilites d'extraction qu'ils divisent en deux principaux groupes, 2. une analyse des pronoms de reprise visant a critiquer les pretendues violations de la contrainte de la structure de coordination, 3. la reinterpretation de la montee du nœud droit a partir de l'extraction. L'A. reprend quelques points argumentatifs developpes par Postal dans l'ouvrage auxquels il s'oppose
Response of the marine angiosperm Phyllospadix torreyi to certain environmental variables: A preliminary study

Abstract Leaf growth of Phyllospadix torreyi was noted both in the field and in laboratory culture. Winter growth rate in the field did not seem to depend on aspect or slope of substrate. In that part of the intertidal zone which it dominates, average dry weight of P. torreyi leaf material was about 300 g/m 2 . We hypothesize that the spring growth rate is greater than the measured winter rate, and that increasing daily incident light energy triggers the change. In the laboratory cultures, optimum growth occurred in full strength sea water (29 000 ppm), under 100 lm/ft 2 light intensity (12-h day), and at a water temperature of 12–14 °C. Growth declined in lower salinities, under lower light intensities, and at higher temperatures. However, the magnitude of decline indicated that tolerance ranges of P. torreyi for salinity, light, and temperature are relatively broad.
Sustainability and growth when manufactured capital and natural capital are not substitutable

Abstract A two-sector neoclassical growth model of manufactured capital and natural capital is used in examining the importance of factor substitution to the issues of sustainability and economic growth. Analytical conclusions are established on the sustainability of the stocks of natural capital and manufactured capital, as well as on the importance of factor substitution to the issues of technical progress and recycling. Policy and welfare implications of the analysis are also discussed.
Random-Walk Method for Calculating Correlation Factors: Tracer Diffusion by Divacancy and Impurity-Vacancy Pairs in Cubic Crystals

The random-walk technique is extended in a way that allows correlation factors to be calculated in all cases where principle axes for diffusion can be found. The results are applicable both to tracer and to impurity diffusion. Explicit calculations are given of correlation factors for the diffusion of tracers by bound impurityvacancy pairs in fcc metals and NaCl-type ionic crystals, and by bound divacancy pairs in NaCl-type ionic crystals, CsCl-type ionic crystals, and fcc metals. Appropriate modifications for the "isotope effect" are made for the case of impurity-vacancy pairs.
Exposure to Environmental Risk Factors and Parenting Attitudes Among Substance-Abusing Women

This study examined the amount of exposure to negative environmental risks and their association with parenting attitudes among a group of inner city substance-abusing women. Mothers (N = 198) were...
Real-time digital image enhancement

A programmable system for enhancing monocular and stereographic images at video rates is presented. The system provides both automatic and interactive enhancement modes based on histogram modification and intensity mapping techniques. Experimental results which illustrate enhancement capabilities under a variety of scene types and conditions are described.
Aspects of rhodium marine chemistry

Abstract Rhodium, one of the least abundant of the Pt-group elements in the earth's crust, has the second highest concentration in seawater. This may be a consequence of strong complexing, perhaps kinetically restrained with time constants of the order of centuries to millenia. The element shows a nutrient-like distribution in waters of the Pacific Ocean. Pelagic and coastal sediments have Rh concentrations close to crustal values. There is a remarkable enrichment of Rh in ferromanganese minerals that cannot be explained by oxidative capture. Unlike the other Pt-group elements, Rh is enriched in the high temperature hydrothermal sulfide deposits as well as phosphorites.
Individual Differences in Multiple-Task Performance and Subjective Estimates of Workload

This experiment examined the relation between individual differences in multiple-task performance and subjective estimates of workload. 30 women performed various complex tasks alone and together and rated each task and task combination on 10 bipolar adjective scales describing different dimensions of workload. The subjects also completed tests of field dependence, memory span, and time estimation. Two classification schemes were used to identify each subject. One was based on the subject's dual-task response strategy and the other, on the subject's performance on a complex monitoring task. As the data showed little evidence of consistent individual differences on the monitoring task, this classification system was subsequently dropped. Group differences in between-response strategies were found on two of the workload scales. Some between-group trends were found on the time estimation and memory-span tasks, suggesting additional topics for investigation.
Clinical report of a paralytic syndrome affecting stallions, mares and foals on a Thoroughbred studfarm

An outbreak of ataxia and paralysis on a Thoroughbred studfarm is reported. The cause of the disease was attributed to equid herpesvirus (EHV1) infection which stemmed from a single 10-month abortion on the studfarm. Stallions, mares and foals were all affected but the most serious clinical signs occurred in the mares. there were 35 out of 39 mares, 2 out of 4 stallions and 5 out of 39 foals which exhibited signs of ataxia. Nine mares became recumbent and died or were euthanased. Treatment with betamethasone and antibiotics was given. The outbreak was contained to one area of the stud apart from secondary spread to 2 in-contact mares on different premises.
Seed treatment using pre-infiltration and biocontrol agents to reduce damping-off of corn caused by species of Pythium and Fusarium

ABSTRACT Bioassays were conducted in a greenhouse at 18°C to determine the effectiveness of a seed treatment used in combination with biocontrol agents for the reduction of corn damping-off caused by species of Pythium and Fusarium. Corn seeds were infiltrated with tap water, drained, air-dried, and then coated with biomass of an antagonistic fungus, Gliocladium virens isolate Gl-3, or an antagonistic bacterium, Burkholderia cepacia isolates Bc-B or Bc-1, or a combination of Gl-3 with each of the bacterial isolates. A nonsterile field soil was infested with a combination of pathogens: Pythium ultimum, P. arrhenomanes, and Fusarium graminearum at 2 inoculum rates (1× and 4×). Pre-infiltration enhanced (P ≤ 0.05) disease control with most treatments at both inoculum rates. Treatments with biocontrol agents alone or in combination, as well as the fungicide captan, effectively reduced the disease at a pathogen inoculum rate of 1×, resulting in greater (P ≤ 0.05) seedling stands, plant height, and fresh weight...
Information-seeking behavior in Generation Y students: Motivation, critical thinking, and learning theory

Research in information-seeking behavior, motivation, critical thinking, and learning theory was explored and compared in a search for possible motivating factors behind students' dependence on television and the Internet for their information needs. The research indicates that only a very small percentage of the general population prefer to learn by reading.
Central African volcanoes in 1929

The existence in Central Africa of a group of volcanoes, some of which are active, has long been known. They lie in the Central African Rift Valley (the western branch of the Rift Valley as distinct from the Eastern or Great Rift Valley) in the region where Uganda, Belgian Congo, and former German East Africa come together. There are eight major volcanic piles named from east to west, Muhavura, Mgahinga, Sabinyo, Wissoke, Karissimbi, Mikeno, Namlagira, and Ninagongo, with a large number of other vents that are topographically less conspicuous (see Fig. 4 ) . The highest is Karissimbi (14,865 feet) and the lowest Namlagira (10,046 feet). The distance from east to west (Muhavura to Namlagira) is 33 miles. The area in which the volcanoes lie, whatever the true mechanics of its formation may be, has the appearance of a sunk-land which is a lateral expansion of the Western Rift. (A. D. Combe in Ann. Rept. Geol. Survey Uganda for 1928, p. 14, calls this expansion the Bufumbira Bay, a very appropriate name. The mountains are usually known in German literature as the Virunga volcanoes, in English literature as the Mufumbira volcanoes, or again they may be referred to in either as the Lake Kivu volcanic area on account of their proximity to Lake Kivu.)
Orthogonal Differential Modulation for MIMO Multiple Access Channels with Two Users

This paper proposes a differential encoding scheme and several differential decoding schemes for a two-user MIMO system based on orthogonal space-time block codes (OSTBCs) when neither the transmitter nor the receiver knows the channel. We derive low complexity differential decoders for users with two transmit antennas based on three different decoding methods. We deploy dynamic programming in our methods to maintain a low decoding complexity. Simulations demonstrate that our differential schemes using the proposed low complexity decoders provide full transmit diversity. We also present additional differential decoding schemes that achieve full diversity, perform significantly better than the existing schemes, and work for any square OSTBC, but need higher decoding complexity. The proposed schemes work for any number of receive antennas. Moreover, we analyze the diversity of the proposed schemes. To the best of our knowledge, our low complexity schemes are the first low complexity differential schemes for multi-user MIMO systems.
Molecular mechanisms of lysophosphatidic acid action

2. The origins of LPA in biological fluids 499 2.1. Generation by phospholipase hydrolysis 499 2.2. Generation by lysophospholipase D cleavage 501 2.3. Production during oxidative modification of LDL 503
Growth curves, dental emergence norms, and supplementary morphological observations in known‐age captive orangutans

Postnatal development in known-age captive orangutans was studied by collating new data from seven orangutans at Chicago Zoological Park, Brookfield, Illinois, with published and unpublished data from 76 additional captive orangutans. Norms were tabulated for deciduous and permanent dental emergence. Growth curves for weight and linear dimensions in females and males were compared in captive-reared and wild-reared subjects. Hand-reared and mother-nursed captives were compared with respect to dental emergence and weight increase. Differential relative growth of extremity segments was investigated. Pedigree data are presented relative to genetics of hallucal nail absence. Males of various ages were compared with respect to testis size and location and cheek-pad development.
Do donor characteristics really matter? Short- and long-term impact of donor characteristics on recipient survival, 1995-1999

Abstract We reviewed the impact of multiple donor characteristics on recipient mortality by univariate and multivariate analyses in a cohort of heart donors from 1995 to 1999. A sub-cohort of donors was also selected who met "marginal" criteria, and the early and late survival of these patients was then compared. Surrogates of donor size (donor weight, donor body mass index [BMI], BMI mismatch >20%), under-resuscitation (hematocrit, 24-hour fluid intake) and age >56 years were significantly associated with peri-operative mortality in the univariate analysis; in the multivariate analysis, only average donor heart rate at procurement ( p = .001), donor hematocrit ( p = .02) and donor weight ( p = .05) were significantly associated. Few donor characteristics actually impact significantly on recipient outcome, and thus recipient characteristics may figure more prominently than those of the donor toward the risk of death after transplantation.
Carcinogenic Nitrosamines formed by Drug/Nitrite Interactions

NITROSAMINES are compounds with broad carcinogenic activity in many animal species, but have seldom been detected in the environment in significant quantities. Man may nevertheless be exposed to nitrosamines formed in vivo from ingested nitrite and secondary amines1–3. Nitrite is a common constituent of the diet, as are several secondary amines4. Since tertiary amines can also react with nitrite5 in the mildly acid conditions of the mammalian stomach, the exposure of man to the many tertiary nitrogen compounds which are drugs6 must also be considered.
Adolescent Bariatric Surgery

Obesity has become an increasingly serious problem in pediatric and adolescent populations in the United States. Although bariatric surgery has been offered to morbidly obese adolescents for the past several decades, it remains controversial. However, the benefits of weight loss surgery in this population have been realized, particularly its long-term physical and emotional effects on adolescents. This article reviews the demographics and health implications of adolescent obesity, describes the most common adolescent bariatric surgical procedures and their outcomes, discusses the ethical issues involved in elective surgery in this population, and outlines the key components of an adolescent bariatric surgical program.
Book Review: Basics of Nanotechnology

This PDF file contains the editorial “Book Review: Basics of Nanotechnology” for JNP Vol. 3 Issue 01
13C NMR studies on bilayers formed from synthetic di-10-methyl-stearoyl phosphatidylcholine enriched with 13C in the N-methyl carbons.

Abstract 13 C NMR relaxation measurements have been carried out on phospholipid bilayer systems formed from synthetic di-10-methyl-stearoyl phosphatidylcholine with 92% enrichment in one of the N-methyl carbons. Studies on single-walled vesicles prepared by sonication from this lipid, and on large multi-lamellar liposomes show that although T 1 values are nearly the same, T 2 ∗ values are markedly different. It is proposed that equivalent segmental motions in the two systems give rise to similar T 1 values. The T 2 ∗ values, on the other hand, are consistent with the view that the single-walled vesicles have a more disordered molecular organization than do the multi-lamellar bilayers.
A and B Blood Group Antigens in Human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the clinicopathological significance of blood group expression patterns in patients with surgically resected pa
Optimal nitrogen and potassium fertilization rates for establishment of warm-season putting greens.

Proper fertilization of golf course putting greens during grow-in provides rapid turfgrass cover, high quality putting surfaces, and limits environmental impacts. Different levels ofN and Kwere applied to `TifDwarf' and `TifEagle' bermudagrasses [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burt Davy], `SeaDwarf' seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz), and 'PristineFlora' zoysiagrass [Zoysia japonica Stued. by Zoysia tenuifolia (L.) Merr.], sprigged at a rate of 36.6 m 3 ha -1 on a USGA-specified green, to compare grow-in rate and qualitative turfgrass characteristics. Fertilizer treatments included 1.2, 2.4, 3.7, or 4.9 g N m -2 wk -1 , and a one-time application of polymer-coated urea (PCU) at 39.1 g N m -2 , with each N rate coinciding with four N/K fertilization ratios: 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, or 1:4. Visual measurements of grow-in rate were generally similar within cultivars with 2.4, 3.7, or 4.9 g N m -2 wk -1 . There were no significant effects for turfgrass growth or quality among N/K treatments. The 2.4 g N m -2 wk -1 rate was considered best for rapid establishment of all cultivars. Although 1.2 g N m -2 wk -1 amended turfgrass was slower to establish, this rate provided a more desirable putting surface and further decreased the potential for nutrient leaching.
The effect of an induced molt and a second cycle of lay on skeletal integrity of White Leghorns

The effect of an induced molt and a second egg laying cycle on White Leghorns hen's skeletal integrity was investigated in a series of 3 experiments. Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) of the left tibia and humerus were measured in live hens and excised bones and correlated with invasive bone measurement tests, egg traits, and the incidence of broken bones in carcasses of processed hens. The results of all 3 experiments showed that an induced molt was detrimental to skeletal integrity. For hens that were repeatedly scanned throughout the second cycle of lay, the BMD of the humerus never recovered after the molt. Recovery of tibial BMD to premolt values occurred late in the second cycle of lay when egg production was declining. The in vivo BMD scans conducted between 77 and 117 wk of age correlated with bone breaking force and bone ash weight (r = 0.58 and r = 0.65, respectively; P < 0.0001). The percentage of freshly broken bones per bird at the end of processing at 126 wk of age averaged 34% and ranged from 0 to 61%. The incidence of broken bones was negatively correlated with the excised tibial BMD and BMC at 126 wk of age (r = -0.54 and r = -0.53, respectively; P < 0.05). In conclusion, feed withdrawal for 10 d during an induced molt was detrimental to the skeletal integrity of hens, and as BMD and BMC of excised tibia at 126 wk of age decreased in White Leghorns, the incidence of bone breakage increased.
A thermodynamic model of physical gels

Abstract Physical gels are characterized by dynamic cross-links that are constantly created and broken, changing its state between solid and liquid under influence of environmental factors. This restructuring ability of physical gels makes them an important class of materials with many applications, such as in drug delivery. In this article, we present a thermodynamic model for physical gels that considers both the elastic properties of the network and the transient nature of the cross-links. The cross-links’ reformation is captured through a connectivity tensor M at the microscopic level. The macroscopic quantities, such as the volume fraction of the monomer ϕ, number of monomers per cross-link s, and the number of cross-links per volume q, are defined by statistic averaging. A mean-field energy functional for the gel is constructed based on these variables. The equilibrium equations and the stress are obtained at the current state. We study the static thermodynamic properties of physical gels predicted by the model. We discuss the problems of un-constrained swelling and stress driven phase transitions of physical gels and describe the conditions under which these phenomena arise as functions of the bond activation energy Ea, polymer/solvent interaction parameter χ, and external stress p.
Dynamics and efficiency of photoinduced charge transport in DNA: Toward the elusive molecular wire*

Experimental investigations of photoinduced charge transport in synthetic DNA capped hairpins possessing electron acceptor and donor stilbene chromophores at either end have established the mechanism, dynamics, and efficiency of charge transport in DNA. The mechanism for charge transport in repeating A-T base pairs (A-tracts) was found to change from single-step superexchange at short distances to multistep incoherent hole hopping at longer distances. The rate constants for base-to-base hole hopping in longer A- and G-tract sequences are 1.2 × 10 9 s -1 and 4.3 × 10 9 s -1 , respectively, considerably slower than the rate constants associated with molecular wires. Even slower rate constants are observed for alter- nating or random base sequences such as those encountered in natural DNA. The efficiency of charge separation in capped hairpins with A-tract sequences is also low as a consequence of the competition of hole hopping with charge recombination. Significantly higher efficien- cies for charge separation are possible using diblock purine base sequences consisting of two or three adenines followed by a larger number of guanines. The short A-block serves as a molecular rectifier, slowing down charge recombination. More efficient charge separation can also be achieved using non-natural bases or by using the triplet acceptor anthraquinone for hole injection.
Split, in situ left internal thoracic artery to revascularize left anterior descending coronary artery system.

From ‘‘Dedinje’’ Cardiovascular Institute, Belgrade, Serbia. Disclosures: Authors have nothing to disclose with regard to commercial support. Received for publicationMarch 9, 2011; revisions receivedMay 8, 2011; accepted for publication May 17, 2011; available ahead of print June 27, 2011. Address for reprints: Dusko Nezic, MD, PhD, FETCS, Chief, Department of Cardiac Surgery I, ‘‘Dedinje’’ Cardiovascular Institute, M. Tepica 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (E-mail: nezic@eunet.rs; nezic@ikvbd.com). J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2011;142:1579-80 0022-5223/$36.00 Copyright 2011 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2011.05.012
Asymmetric Pigmentary Glaucoma Resulting From Cataract Formation

Pigment dispersion syndrome usually manifests bilaterally, and asymmetric involvement is unusual. When asymmetry is present, the eye with greater involvement may have an additional exacerbating condition or the eye with less involvement may be protected. Analysis of such cases should further elucidate the mechanism of the disorder and its development and regression. We examined four patients in whom unilateral cataract formation or extraction was associated with reduced clinical signs of pigment dispersion syndrome in the affected eye. Cataract formation, by inducing relative pupillary block, appears to decrease or prevent the manifestation of pigment liberation.
Photodisintegration-triggered Nuclear Energy Release in Superbursts

Superbursts from accreting neutron stars present a unique opportunity to probe nuclear processes at densities ρ ≈ 109 g cm-3 and temperatures T > 109 K. Cumming & Bildsten showed that these 1042 erg bursts are most likely triggered by unstable ignition of a small amount of carbon in a sea of heavy nuclei made during prior rp-process burning of hydrogen and helium. We show here that the high temperatures reached during superbursts lead to photodisintegration reactions, which trigger conversion of these heavy nuclei into iron group elements. The neutron richness of the heavy nuclei allow (γ, n) reactions to trigger the photodisintegration runaway. Because the heavy elements are initially far from the minimum in binding energy, the nuclear energy release in this process can easily dominate that from the fusion of carbon. To our knowledge, this is the only cosmic phenomenon where the destruction of heavy nuclei into lighter nuclei represents the main source of energy.
Hierarchical comments-based clustering

Information resources on the Web like videos, images, and documents are increasingly becoming more "social" through user engagement via commenting systems. These commenting systems provide a forum for users to discuss the resources but have the side effect of providing valuable editorial and contextual information about the resources. In this paper, we explore a comments-driven clustering framework for organizing Web resources according to this user-based perspective. Concretely, we propose a hierarchical comment clustering approach that relies on two key features: (i) comment term normalization and key term extraction for distilling noisy comments for effective clustering; and (ii) a real-time insertion component for incrementally updating the comments-based hierarchy so that resources can be efficiently placed in the hierarchy as comments arise and without the need to re-generate the (potentially) expensive hierarchy. We study the clustering approach over the popular video sharing site YouTube. YouTube is a challenging and difficult environment, notorious for its extremely short, ill-formed, and often unintelligible user-contributed comments. Through extensive experimental study, we find that the proposed approach can lead to effective and efficient comments-based video organizing even in a YouTube-like environment.