cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethical discontinuities in public—private sector negotiation

One problem in dispute settlement negotiations between public and private sector agents is a lack of congruence in the behavioral norms the parties consider appropriate. This normative dissonance may be seen as a problem of professional ethical discontinuity. The implementation and enforcement of Superfund, in which public sector engineers negotiated with private sector lawyers, illustrates this problem. Suggested remedies include addressing the negotiation process in professional codes of ethics, avoiding professional mismatches, better training for negotiators about the ethical discontinuity problem and, in the public health setting, improving alternatives to negotiated agreements.
Catheter-mediated subselective intracoronary gene delivery to the rabbit heart: introduction of a novel method.

Background Recent studies suggest that gene therapy using replication-deficient adenoviruses will benefit treatment of cardiovascular diseases including heart failure. A persistent hurdle is the effective and reproducible delivery of a transgene to the myocardium with minimal iatrogenic morbidity. In this study, we sought to design a relatively non-invasive percutaneous gene delivery system that would maximize cardiac transgene expression and minimize mortality after intracoronary adenovirus injection. Methods Adult rabbits received a left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) infusion of 5 × 1011 total viral particles of an adenovirus containing the marker transgene β-galactosidase (Adeno-βGal) via either a continuous infusion method utilizing an oxygenated, normothermic, physiologic pH Krebs solution driven by a Langendorff apparatus (n = 12) or a timed bolus and set concentration at a constant infusion rate to the LCx (n = 12). Six rabbits underwent global transgene delivery via an invasive method involving intraventricular delivery and aortic root cross-clamping. The efficacy of transgene expression via these three distinct delivery methods was determined in the left ventricle at 5 days by histological staining and colorimetric quantification assay. Results While the open-chest, aortic cross-clamping method provides the highest level of gene expression throughout the heart, the morbidity of this procedure is clinically prohibitive. Percutaneous LCx delivery of Adeno-βGal using the Langendorff apparatus was associated with the lowest morbidity and mortality while still supporting significant myocardial gene expression. Conclusions Percutaneous delivery of an adenovirus solution using a continuous infusion of oxygenated Krebs solution via a Langendorff apparatus appears to be a gene delivery modality offering the best compromise of gene expression and clinical utility to maximize any potential therapeutic outcome. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioreactor studies on temperature induction of the Q− mutant of bacteriophage λ in Escherichia coli

Abstract The parasite-host interactions between bacteriophage λ (denoted as λ) and Escherichia coli bacteria were studied in different bioreactor systems. Although the replicated λ-DNA of Q− mutant remains naked for a longer time to reach a high gene expression, the epidemic of λ-infection and the coevolutionary host-phage relations limit the temperature induction efficiency. The temperature induction is strongly dependent upon the susceptible population density at which λ -infection is activated. Maximum β-galactosidase expression occurs at the threshold of the infection system. According to this concept, the lethal level of parasitic λ to hosts is approx. 5 × 106 pfu/ml. Since a higher phage λ burden is exerted upon host cells at a low ODsh, the system moves towards virulence reduction for total survival. Prey-predator isocline analysis is used to consider the stability of the outcome of infection. The host growth has a destabilizing effect at lower population densities and a stabilization effect at higher population. Based upon the predictions, a substrate enrichment enhances bacterial growth and reporter protein production. However, the operations still need to follow the trajectory of threshold tie line to guarantee maximal productivity. Since the washout of infected cells reduces induction performance in continuous cultures, a batch mode of operation is better than continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) mode to achieve high gene expression. The threshold cell density regulates induction performances and therefore produces the optimal gene expression by maintaining maximal viable cells that provide sufficient resources for λ expression.
nth order Stieltjes differential boundary operators and Stieltjes differential boundary systems

This article discusses linear differential boundary systems, which include nth-order differential boundary relations as a special case, in Lnp[0,1] × Lnp[0,1], 1 ⩽ p < ∞. The adjoint relation in Lnq[0,1] × Lnq[0,1], 1p + 1q = 1, is derived. Green's formula is also found. Self-adjoint relations are found in Ln2[0,1] × Ln2[0,1], and their connection with Coddington's extensions of symmetric operators on subspaces of Lnp[0,1] × Ln2[0,1] is established.
The impact of epigenomics on future drug design and new therapies

The future of drug design and the development of new therapeutics will rely on our ability to unravel the complexities of the epigenome in normal and disease states. Proper epigenetic regulation is essential for normal differentiation in embryogenesis and development. Conversely, abnormal epigenetic regulation is a feature of complex diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other pathologies. Epigenetic therapies hold promise for a wide range of biological applications, from cancer treatment to the establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells. The creation of more specific and effective epigenetic therapies, however, requires a more complete understanding of epigenomic landscapes. Here, we give a historical overview of the epigenomics field and how epigenetic modifications can affect embryo development and disease etiology. We also discuss the impact of current and future epigenetic drugs.
2D-Modeling and Development of Interdigitated Back Contact Solar Cells on Low-Cost Substrates

Two-dimensional numerical simulations were performed to derive design rules for low-cost, high-efficiency interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells on a low-cost substrate. The IBC solar cells were designed to be fabricated using either the conventional screen printing or photolithography metallization processes. Bulk lifetime, bulk resistivity, contact spacing (pitch), contact opening width, recombination in the gap between the p+ BSF and n+ emitter, and the ratio of emitter width to pitch have been used as key variables in the simulations. It is found that short circuit current density (Jsc) is not only a strong function of the bulk lifetime but also the emitter coverage of the rear surface. Fill factor (FF) decreases as the emitter coverage increases because the majority carriers need to travel a longer distance through the substrate for longer emitter width. The simulated IBC results were compared with those for conventional screen printed solar cells. It was found that the IBC solar cell outperforms the screen printed (SP) solar cell when the bulk lifetime is above 50 mus due to higher Voc and Jsc , which suggests that higher performance can be realized on low-cost substrates with the IBC structure
Progesterone and Pregn-4-en-20α-ol-3-one in Ovarian Venous Blood During Various Reproductive States in the Rat1

The secretory rates of progesterone and pregn-4-en-20α-ol-3-one (20α-OH P) in ovarian venous blood were investigated in various reproductive states of individual rats. In rats with 4-day estrous cycles, 2 peaks of progestin secretion were observed, one in the evening of proestrum and another during early diestrum. The progesterone level in the evening of proestrum was twice that during early diestrum. The level of progesterone in pseudopregnant animals increased to day 6, and then declined by day 13. During pregnancy venous blood progesterone was higher than in pseudopregnancy. By day 11, the progesterone level had reached a plateau higher than the maximum level in rats with both uterine horns traumatized. This plateau was followed by a further increase by day 14. After parturition, an increase in 20α- OH P was observed, while progesterone declined. In pseudopregnant rats which were hysterectomized on day 5, progesterone values obtained at various stages were greater than those obtained from pseudopregnan...
Aluminum silicate-containing psammoma bodies in a cervicovaginal smear (Pap): cytological, ultrastructural, and radiographic microprobe studies.

Psammoma body is a rare finding in a cervicovaginal smear and can be associated with either benign or malignant diseases. Here we report a case to illustrate the association of psammoma bodies with benign granulomatous reactions to a foreign material (aluminum silicate).
ENGAGING Black Older Adults and Caregivers in Urban Communities IN HEALTH RESEARCH

The under-representation of the Black population in research may lead to poor health outcomes for them and a decreased capacity to generalize results to Black populations. This article describes ways in which sensitivity to cultural distinctions of Black older adults and their current or future caregivers can enhance their recruitment and retention in research. Cultural mores play an important role in the shaping of one's perceptions, definitions, responses to disease, and participation in health regimens. Similarly, one's cultural orientation plays a role in how a person is effectively recruited and retained in resear Wenger's translation process model uses cultural meaning to inform research decisions. This model was used in a recent study of Black older adults and their caregivers and will be described in this article. Effectively engaging Black individuals in health research is essential for improving their health.
Mechanisms underlying the micron‐scale segregation of sterols and GM1 in live mammalian sperm

We demonstrate for the first time that a stable, micron-scale segregation of focal enrichments of sterols exists at physiological temperature in the plasma membrane of live murine and human sperm. These enrichments of sterols represent microheterogeneities within this membrane domain overlying the acrosome. Previously, we showed that cholera toxin subunit B (CTB), which binds the glycosphingolipid, GM1, localizes to this same domain in live sperm. Interestingly, the GM1 undergoes an unexplained redistribution upon cell death. We now demonstrate that GM1 is also enriched in the acrosome, an exocytotic vesicle. Transfer of lipids between this and the plasma membrane occurs at cell death, increasing GM1 in the plasma membrane without apparent release of acrosomal contents. This finding provides corroborative support for an emerging model of regulated exocytosis in which membrane communications might occur without triggering the “acrosome reaction.” Comparison of the dynamics of CTB-bound endogenous GM1 and exogenous BODIPY–GM1 in live murine sperm demonstrate that the sub-acrosomal ring (SAR) functions as a specialized diffusion barrier segregating specific lipids within the sperm head plasma membrane. Our data show significant differences between endogenous lipids and exogenous lipid probes in terms of lateral diffusion. Based on these studies, we propose a hierarchical model to explain the segregation of this sterol- and GM1-enriched domain in live sperm, which is positioned to regulate sperm fertilization competence and mediate interactions with the oocyte. Moreover, our data suggest potential origins of subtypes of membrane raft microdomains enriched in sterols and/or GM1 that can be separated biochemically. J. Cell. Physiol. 218: 522–536, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Suicide, social integration and fertility rates

We measure the association between rates of suicide and fertility in the United States using a panel of states from 1981 to 2005. We find a positive relationship between suicide and fertility rates, in contrast to previous empirical work from other countries that has reported a strong negative relationship between fertility and suicide. This suggests that differences in the health-care system and social safety net between the United States and Europe may influence the relationship between childbirth and suicide.
Analysis of a mid-latitude E-region LQP event observed during the Coqui 2 Campaign

[1] Arecibo ISR observations and VHF coherent backscatter data collected with a radar situated in southern Puerto Rico are examined to understand the causes of quasi-periodic variations in VHF returns from lower E-region heights (∼93 km). It is found that Bragg scale density irregularities causing the observed VHF backscatter are formed and propagated horizontally in a density perturbation field localized at the upper boundary of a tidal ion layer. The density perturbation has a 7 km horizontal wavelength, propagates in southwest direction, and it is not aligned with the geomagnetic field. Thus the production mechanism of the observed density perturbation cannot be the gradient-drift instability often invoked to account for the generation of mid-latitude sporadic E radar echoes. Nevertheless, secondary gradient-drift instability operating on the gradients of the southwest propagating perturbation remains the most likely cause of Bragg scale electron density waves responsible for the VHF returns.
Stephens and Goldman respond.

A respomd to the comment on distinguishing a quasicrystal from an icosahedral glass via lattice imaging is presented. (AIP)
Genomic insights into WNT/β-catenin signaling

The canonical WNT pathway regulates the stability of the proto-oncogene β-catenin and is aberrantly activated in many cancer types. Studies in a wide range of experimental models confirm that β-catenin activity is required for tumor initiation in cancers where this pathway is deregulated. However, to date this pathway has proven to be challenging to target therapeutically. Moreover, several lines of evidence suggest that other components and regulators of β-catenin exist. Here we will describe recent structural and functional studies describing genomic alterations and new regulators of β-catenin that lead to aberrant activation of the WNT/β-catenin pathway. These findings provide new insights into the biology of WNT/β-catenin signaling and suggest potential therapeutic opportunities.
Extraocular muscle changes in experimental orbital venous stasis: some similarities to graves' orbitopathy

• Background: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is generally considered to have an autoimmune etiology. Recently, however, it has been hypothesized that orbital venous obstruction may contribute significantly to the clinical manifestations. To determine whether such obstruction could induce histologic and clinical findings consistent with GO, we developed an animal model of orbital venous obstruction by ligating the draining ophthalmic veins of the right eyes of four cats.
Considering Mixed Mode Surveys for Questions in Political Behavior: Using the Internet and Mail to Get Quality Data at Reasonable Costs

Telephone surveys have been a principle means of learning about the attitudes and behaviors of citizens and voters. The single mode telephone survey, however, is increasingly threatened by rising costs, the declining use of landline telephones, and declining participation rates. One solution to these problems has been the introduction of mixed-mode surveys. However, such designs are relatively new and questions about their representativeness and the intricacies of the methodology remain. We report on the representativeness of a post election mixed-mode (Internet and mail) survey design of 2006 general election voters. We compare sample respondent means to sample frame means on key demographic characteristics and examine how mail and Internet respondents differed in terms of attitudes, behaviors and demographics. We find that overall the Internet respondents were representative of the population and that respondent choice of mode did not influence item response. We conclude that mixed-mode designs may allow researchers to ask important questions about political behavior from their desktops.
Repetitive impact testing of micromechanical structures

Abstract A micromechanical repetitive impact test apparatus made of polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) has been designed, fabricated, and operated. The structure consists of two identical microimpact bumpers (MIBs), with impact masses of 3.7 × 10 −11 kg and impact bumper head radii of 30 μ. The two MIBs have been driven into resonance with impact at frequencies as high as 13.2 kHz. A nonlinear dynamic model of the impact system has been constructed using a traditional coefficient of restitution ( e ) assumption. Theory and simulation show that if the energies dissipated during impact are O J ( e = 1) and 1.6 × 10 −14 J ( e = 0.57), respectively, the amplitudes of the impact responses are 5.3 and 5.4 μm, respectively. Simulations demonstrate a ‘jump frequency’ highly dependent on the coefficient of restitution. In the structure described here, the coefficient of restitution was determined to be e = 0.57. Extended periods of impact to characterize possible wear have also been studied. In one test a maximum contact stress of 0.1 GPa was generated for 72 continuous hours. In another test, a maximum contact stress of over 2 GPa was generated for 12 continuous hours.
Neural response to working memory load varies by dopamine transporter genotype in children

Inheriting two (10/10) relative to one (9/10) copy of the 10-repeat allele of the dopamine transporter genotype (DAT1) is associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a childhood disorder marked by poor executive function. We examined whether functional anatomy underlying working memory, a component process of executive function, differed by DAT1 in 7-12 year-old typically developing children. 10/10 and 9/10 carriers performed a verbal n-back task in two functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) runs varying in working memory load, high (2-back vs. 1-back) and low (1-back vs. 0-back). Performance accuracy was superior in 9/10 than 10/10 carriers in the high but not low load runs. Examination of each run separately revealed that frontal-striatal-parietal regions were more activated in 9/10 than 10/10 carriers in the high load run; the groups did not differ in the low load run. Examination of load effects revealed a DAT1xLoad interaction in the right hemisphere in the caudate, our a priori region of interest. Exploratory analysis at a more liberal threshold revealed this interaction in other basal ganglia regions (putamen, and substantial nigra/subthalamic nuclei - SN/STN) and in medial parietal cortex (left precuneus). The striatal and parietal regions were more activated in 9/10 carriers under high than low load, and DAT1 differences (9/10>10/10) were evident only under high load. In contrast, SN/STN tended to be more activated in 10/10 carriers under low than high load and DAT1 differences (10/10>9/10) were evident only under low load. Thus, 10-repeat homozygosity of DAT1 was associated with reduced performance and a lack of increased basal ganglia involvement under higher working memory demands.
Acute Fatal Deterioration in Putaminal Hemorrhage

Background Clinical deterioration in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage has rarely been studied. It has been previously thought that intracranial hematomas bleed in a monophasic fashion. Recent studies have demonstrated continuous active bleeding within hours after the event, resulting in enlargement of the hematoma. However, acute sudden and fatal deterioration suggesting a rebleed is rarely reported. Summary of Reports An 84-year-old man was admitted with a moderate-size hemorrhage in the putamen and was treated for hypertension during the first day of admission. He acutely demonstrated extensor posturing and light-fixed pupils. Repeat CT scan showed massive enlargement of the intracranial hematoma and extension into the ventricles causing acute hydrocephalus. A 72-year-old man was admitted with a mid-size hemorrhage in the putamen. Acute deterioration with loss of all brain stem reflexes except for cornea reflexes was associated with a large increase in volume of the hematoma, 7 hours a...
On the band structure of rare earth chalcogenides and pnictides

Abstract Using LCAO-tight bonding methodology the band structure of rare earth chalcogenides and pnictides is determined under a variety of simplifying conditions. The analysis shows that one cannot in general separate cation-cation from cation-anion-cation interactions. Schematic energy band diagrams based on the secular determinantal equation are presented for directions of high symmetry in reciprocal space. These are used to rationalize the observed metallic or semiconducting properties of the rare earth chalcogenides and pnictides.
Line Positions and Strengths of HDO between 6000 and 7700 cm−1

Abstract High-resolution spectra of gas sample mixtures of HDO, D 2 O, and H 2 O were obtained with a Fourier-transform spectrometer at resolutions of 0.01 and 0.02 cm −1 . The spectra were analyzed to obtain line positions and strengths of HDO transitions covering the region from 6000 to 7700 cm −1 . The analysis included 2445 lines involving the (101)–(000), (021)–(000), (210)–(000), and (002)–(000) bands; this is the first report of assignments in the (210)–(000) and (002)–(000) bands as well as line strength measurements of any HDO transitions in this spectral interval.
Injection versus medialization laryngoplasty for the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis: follow-up at six months.

Objectives/hypothesis To determine whether injection laryngoplasty or medialization laryngoplasty is more effective in the long-term treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). Study design A retrospective study of patients with UFVP who underwent either injection or medialization laryngoplasty at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences between July 29, 2003 and November 18, 2005. Methods The data analyzed included patient characteristics and type of intervention, along with the pretreatment and post-treatment parameters of videostrobolaryngoscopy, perceptual voice analysis, and patients' subjective assessment of voice handicap. Results Thirty-four patients were evaluated, 15 new and 19 from a previous study. The average time from intervention to post-treatment evaluation in the new cohort was 4.8 months (range, 1.5-10.5 months). The average time from intervention to post-treatment in the combined cohort was 6.4 months (range, 1-24 months). Improvements were demonstrated in each of the measured voice parameters in both the injection and the medialization groups, and no significant differences were found in the degree of improvement between the two groups. Limited data on aerodynamic and acoustic voice measurements showed a trend toward improvement in each treatment group. Conclusions Injection and medialization laryngoplasty were comparable in achieving voice improvement at the average long-term follow-up of 6 months.
Intracellular pathway of a mucin-type membrane glyucoprotein in mouse mammary tumor cells☆

Abstract Epiglycanin, a mucin-type glycoprotein, was found by immunoelectron microscopy to be located in cytoplasmic compartments, as well as at the surface of the TA3-Ha mammary carcinoma ascites cell. The glycoprotein was identified by means of gold-labeled secondary antibody bouond to a primary anti-epiglycanin monoclonal antibody or by lectins specific for carbohydrate structures in epiglycanin. The primary antibody recognized a glycopeptide component containing a β- d -(1→3)- d -GalNAc chain attached to a serine or threonine residue. Two routes to the cell surface epiglycanins's first-recognized location in the trans-Golgi reticulum were suggested. Its presence in vesciles, which fuse with the cell surface, would explain the presence of epiglycanin as an integral membrane protein. Some of these observed vesicles, however, may be endocytotic in character. Epiglycanin was also found in large multivesiculate sacs which were observed on occasion to be open to the extracellular milieu. This finding as well as the observed fusion of small vesicles from the trans-Golgi network with the sacs, strongly suggested exocytotic migration for the large sacs. Endocytotic migration may also be possible, although incubation of viable cells with gold-labeled antiepiglycanin antibody resulted in minimal uptake within the intracellular sacs, and incubation with [125I]-epiglycanin under metabolic conditions resulted in no detectable uptake of radiolabel by the cells.
Improving accountability through expanded measures of performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how test‐based accountability has influenced school and district practices and explore how states and districts might consider creating expanded systems of measures to address the shortcomings of traditional accountability. It provides research‐based guidance for entities that are developing or adopting new measures of school performance.Design/methodology/approach – The study relies on literature review, consultation with expert advisers, review of state and district documentation, and semi‐structured interviews with staff at state and local education agencies and research institutions.Findings – The research shows mixed effects of test‐based accountability on student achievement and demonstrates that teachers and administrators change their practices in ways that respond to the incentives provided by the system. The review of state and district measurement systems shows widespread use of additional measures of constructs, such as school climate and colle...
X-ray coronae of stars: Recent results from Chandra

Abstract I summarize and comment upon studies of stellar coronae using the remarkable spectroscopic and imaging capabilities of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Nearly all types of stars are detected as X-ray sources, except for the late-B to early-A stars and the cool giants and supergiants. Chandra's high resolution spectroscopy provides emission measure distributions, electron densities, coronal abundances, and tantilizing hints about the structure and evolution of stellar coronae. Chandra's high resolution imaging is resolving the crowded fields of young clusters into their constituent stars from massive O stars to brown dwarfs.
Sources and Effects of Monolayers on Atmospheric Water Droplets.

Abstract Haze particles coated by organic substances have been found in some maritime regions. It is shown that the most likely origin of surfactant material on atmospheric droplets is the ocean surface, which contains fatty acids and other organics previously identified in atmospheric aerosol particles as well as calcium soaps and proteinaceous substances which could act as surfactants. Persistent hazes, but not fogs, may result from stabilization of unactivated atmospheric droplets by organic surfactants in maritime regions. Calculations show that under time-varying atmospheric conditions the primary effect of surfactants is to decrease the steady-state portion of. the growth rate. A kinetic mechanism is proposed for the monolayer inhibitory action, implying limitations on the utility of the accommodation coefficient formulation.
The second-order optical potential for pion-nucleus scattering

Abstract The optical model for high energy elastic scattering of pions by nuclei may be explicitly evaluated in terms of two-nucleon correlations in nuclei (neglecting tertiary and higher order correlations), using dispersion relations to give the relevant scattering amplitudes. Previous treatments of the effects of pair correlations have assumed specific nuclear models. In the present discussion it is shown how this may be done avoiding model-dependent assumptions.
Agricultural climatology: a review of the science and the potential

Agricultural climatology has evolved into a science capable of playing a major role in the provision of sufficient food to support the world's increasing population. Climatic resource assessment and crop‐weather model development for yield assessment are the primary applications.
The estimation of a hedonic asking and offer rent equation model: An EM algorithm approach

In this paper we claim that modeling housing markets, specifically the rental housing market, should be based on some sort of disequilibrium framework. We posit a model of asking and offer rents in the spirit of a sample selectivity model. This approach allows us not only to test whether landlords and tenants agree upon the marginal evaluations of unit attributes, but also to estimate the impact on rental demand of tenant specific attributes such as family income and race. Since estimators obtained from this procedure are consistent, but not efficient in this two equation context, we employ an EM algorithm in our estimation in order to obtain MLE equivalent estimators. We have found that our data support the use of this disequilibrium approach in that the coefficient estimates for the asking rent equation, under the assumptions of a sample selectivity model, are not coincident with those obtained from an uncorrected equation.
The effects of big-bank presence on the profit efficiency of small banks in rural markets

Abstract Because big banks could impact competition in rural markets, we investigate the effects of big-bank presence on the performance of rural, small banks. When competing against a big bank, rural one-county banks operate at lower levels of proit efficiency, but with higher ROA and increased levels of interest and fee income from loans. Lower profit efficiency and higher returns in the rural markets suggest that big banks possess market power in rural markets and that they can extract rents to earn higher returns with lower than average profit efficiency. Therefore, small banks in rural markets should not fear large competitors. Conversely, customers who rely on loans from rural, small banks are negatively impacted by higher rates and fees on loans when a big bank is present in the market.
Nonstandard hulls of Banach spaces

The main theme of this paper is the relationship between a Banach spaceE and its nonstandard hullsE (including ultrapowers ofE). Emphasis is placed on the ways in which the general structure ofE is determined by the approximate shape and arrangement of the finite dimensional subspaces ofE.
Liquid chromatography for separation and quantitative determination of adrenergic amines and flavonoids from Poncirus trifoliatus Raf. fruits at different stages of growth

The fruits of Poncirus trifoliatus Raf. (Rutaceae) have been used against allergic diseases for generations and still occupy an important place in traditional oriental medicine. They have also been used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers. Chemical analysis of extracts of Poncirus trifoliatus Raf. fruit at different stages of maturation revealed variations in the concentrations of flavonoids present. Fourteen flavonoids (neoeriocitrin, narirutin, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, neoponcirin, poncirin, naringenin, hesperetin, sinensetin, nobiletin, heptamethoxyflavone, 5-O-demethylnobiletin, and tangeretin) and five amines (synephrine, octopamine, N-methyltyramine, hordenine, and tyramine) in extracts from the fruit of Poncirus trifoliatus Raf. were analyzed by HPLC with a C18 reversed-phase column. The concentrations of the four flavonoids naringin, poncirin, narirutin, and neoponcirin was maximum during the first stage of growth and gradually decreased until the fruits were fully developed. The paper also discusses the anatomical variations observed at different stages of development of the fruit.
Some Interspecies Relationships in Anostraca Populations of Certain Louisiana Ponds

Occasional depressions characterized by stands of mixed hardwoods are to be found as scattered "islands" on the pine flatlands of St. Tammany Parish, southeast Louisiana. Certain of them exhibit unusual features with regard to the Anostraca populations which develop following flooding. When filled during summer or fall, single-species populations of Streptocephalus seali Ryder appear. When flooded during the winter months the same basins support populations of Eubranchip us holmani (Ryder), usually unmixed with Streptocephalus although small numbers of the latter species may occasionally be present. In exposed roadside ditches in the vicinity, on the other hand, flourishing populations of S. seali may occur at any season of the year. Eutbranchipus is never found in the latter situationi. Investigations directed toward a clarification of the relationships of these 2 species with each other and with the ecological factors of the environment have been carried on during the period 1959-61. I am indebted to the National Science Foundation (G-8692) for support of these studies. I also wish to thank Larry H. Ogren for permission to cite unpublished data relating to temperature tolerances of these species.
Urgent air–medical transport: Right patient, place and time

See related research article by Singh and colleagues, page [579][1] Transport of acutely injured and ill patients by air has become an integral part of regionalized systems of health care. Patient outcomes are improved with use of such trauma systems, which rely on well-trained crews and either
Culture conditions affecting biodegradation components of the brown-rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum.

To determine the liquid culture conditions under which the wood-degrading system of the brown-rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum is expressed, enzymes and metabolites from liquid and solid substrate cultures were characterized. Enzymes were analyzed by 2-D gel electrophoresis and also assayed. Growth conditions were varied by using liquid media containing: (1) low carbon, low nitrogen, (2) low carbon, high nitrogen, (3) high carbon, low nitrogen, or (4) high carbon, high nitrogen. The protein arrays expressed under the four conditions were very similar, and endo-1,4-β-glucanase (detected by 2-D gels) activity along with β-glucosidase, xylanase, and NADH/quinone oxidoreductase activities were detected. Maximal expression of the hydrolytic enzymes was observed in high carbon/high nitrogen medium, whereas the highest oxidoreductase activity was in the high carbon low nitrogen medium. Oxalate and 2,5-dimethoxybenzoquinone were detected under all culture conditions, with higher production in high carbon/low nitrogen medium. Cultures grown in this medium also yielded the highest rate of hydroxylation of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, yielding protocatechuic acid, a product of hydroxyl radical attack.
The electrophysiology of muscle fibers in the hearts of Decapod Crustaceans

Intracellular recordings from the muscle fibers in contracting hearts of the crayfish and the lobster show a sequence of potential changes superficially resembling the vertebrate cardiac action potential. In the Crustaceans, however, the plateau part of the depolarization is produced by fused junctional potentials, elicited by the firing of motor neurons whose cell bodies lie in the cardiac ganglion. The first or second JP elicits an active membrane response that probably is produced by Ca2+ influx, since it is blocked by Mn2+. Local currents can flow between the individual muscle fibers, presumably by way of gap junctions. Simultaneous records were made extracellularly from one of the efferent nerves coming from the lobster cardiac ganglion and intracellularly from a muscle fiber. Four motor axons were identified in the efferent nerve and the firing of each of these sets up a JP at each point on the muscle membrane. A fifth motor neuron may also run to each muscle fiber. In the isolated heart the motor outflow from the cardiac ganglion is quite variable. Nevertheless, the system is such that the potential changes on the muscle membrane are almost indistinguishable from beat to beat. The hermit crab cardiac muscle usually has only two JPs per beat; the first JP sets up an overshooting spike.
Polymorphisms in the regulatory region of the human serotonin 5-HT2A receptor gene (HTR2A) influence gene expression.

Background Genomic variation in the regulatory region of the serotonin (5-HT) 2A receptor gene (HTR2A) may contribute to altered levels of 5-HT 2A receptor and to psychiatric disease. Methods Frequency and linkage disequilibrium (LD) were determined for promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) -1438A/G, -1420C/T, and -783A/G in 156 subjects. Functional relevance of -1438A/G and -783A/G was assayed in vitro using a luciferase reporter assay and ex vivo using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction in a set of human fibroblast cell lines. Results Significant LD was observed between SNPs -1438A/G and -783A/G. In vitro assays showed no significant differences in promoter activity between the A- and G-allele of -1438 locus when expressed with the major alleles at -1420C/T and -783A/G; however, when the minor allele G at -783 was expressed with G-allele at -1438, promoter activity was significantly decreased. 5-HT 2A receptor mRNA expression in human fibroblast cell lines confirmed that -783A/G polymorphism significantly modified the effects of -1438A/G SNP. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that SNP -783A/G modifies the effects of the major SNP -1438A/G. Future studies examining the association of -1438A/G polymorphism with diseases and 5-HT 2A receptor expression analyses should account for this epistasis.
Expression of α-Lytic Protease in Bacillus Subtilis

We describe the expression of α-lytic protease, the serine gram negative protease of Lysobacter enzymogenes in Bacillus subtilis. When direct cloning of the α-lytic protease gene into the B. subtilis vector pUB110 failed to show detectable expression, alternative strategies were adopted. These included using the transcription, translation and post translational modification elements of a native Bacillus protein (Subtilisin BPN') in hybrid α-lytic protease gene constructs. The constructs were ligated into the B. subtilis multi copy plasmid pUB110 and the ligation product used to transform competent cells of the protease deficient B. subtilis strain DB104. Making these constructs involved the swapping of large sequence domains between the two genes. This was accomplished by using PCR generated cassettes of different leader sequence segments of the subtilisin BPN' gene that could be attached to the α-lytic protease structural gene precisely and reproducibly, without the use of restriction sites. The gene com...
Endogenous A1 adenosine receptors protect against hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury in mice

Hepatic ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury is a major clinical problem during the perioperative period and occurs frequently after major hepatic resection or liver transplantation. Exogenous and endogenous A(1) adenosine receptor (A(1)AR) activation protects against renal IR injury. In this study, we questioned whether exogenous and endogenous A(1)AR activation protects against hepatic IR injury in vivo. A(1)AR wild-type (WT) or knockout mice were subjected to 60 minutes of partial hepatic IR. Some animals were treated with a selective A(1)AR agonist, 2-chloro-N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA; 0.1 mg/kg), or a selective A(1)AR antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX; 0.4 mg/kg), 15 minutes before hepatic ischemia. Twenty-four hours after hepatic IR, the A(1) knockout mice and DPCPX-treated A(1) wild-type (A(1)WT) mice developed significantly worse liver injury (alanine aminotransferase, liver necrosis, neutrophil infiltration, and apoptosis) compared to A(1)AR WT mice. However, the selective A(1)AR agonist CCPA failed to protect against hepatic IR injury in A(1)WT mice. Our results show that the endogenous A(1)ARs protect against hepatic IR injury in vivo by primarily reducing apoptosis and necrosis with subsequent reductions in proinflammatory neutrophil infiltration. However, in contrast to the kidneys, in which exogenous A(1)AR activation protected against IR injury, exogenous A(1)AR activation failed to protect against liver injury after IR. We conclude that endogenous A(1)AR activation prevents worsened murine liver IR injury primarily by reducing necrotic and apoptotic cell death. Harnessing the mechanisms of cytoprotection with endogenous A(1)AR activation may lead to new therapies for perioperative hepatic IR injury.
An Exploration of Hypotheses that Explain Herbivore and Pathogen Attack in Restored Plant Communities

Many hypotheses address the associations of plant community composition with natural enemies, including: (i) plant species diversity may reduce enemy attack, (ii) attack may increase as host abundance increases, (iii) enemy spillover may lead to increased attack on one host species due to transmission from another host species, or enemy dilution may lead to reduced attack on a host that would otherwise have more attack, (iv) physical characteristics of the plant community may influence attack, and (v) plant vigor may affect attack. Restoration experiments with replicated plant communities provide an exceptional opportunity to explore these hypotheses. To explore the relative predictive strengths of these related hypotheses and to investigate the potential effect of several restoration site preparation techniques, we surveyed arthropod herbivore and fungal pathogen attack on the six most common native plant species in a restoration experiment. Multi-model inference revealed a weak but consistent negative correlation with pathogen attack and host diversity across the plant community, and no correlation between herbivory and host diversity. Our analyses also revealed host species-specific relationships between attack and abundance of the target host species, other native plant species, introduced plant species, and physical community characteristics. We found no relationship between enemy attack and plant vigor. We found minimal differences in plant community composition among several diverse site preparation techniques, and limited effects of site preparation techniques on attack. The strongest associations of community characteristics with attack varied among plant species with no community-wide patterns, suggesting that no single hypothesis successfully predicts the dominant community-wide trends in enemy attack.
The Winner's Curse: A Caution for Top Firms

History suggests that the advantages of wealth are easily frittered away if the holders of that wealth are not forced to find more efficient rather than more expensive solutions.
Cross-linked dodecyl acrylate microspheres: novel matrices for plasticizer-free optical ion sensing

Hexanedioldiacrylate (HDDA) cross-linked dodecyl acrylate (DDA) microspheres ranging from approximately 1 to 10m in diameter have been prepared via photoinitiated dispersion polymerization and used as polymer matrices in the development of a new class of “plasticizer-free” ion-selective optical sensors (optodes). Incorporation of a fluorescent Nile Blue derivative (ETH 5294) into the microspheres produced independent self-referencing optodes capable of measuring the activities of various anions in aqueous media. In order to increase sensitivity and signal reproducibility, changes in the fluorescence intensity of two emission peaks, corresponding to the protonated and deprotonated forms of the chromoionophore, were used to perform ratiometric analysis. Spatial and 3D spectral resolution of individual sensing microspheres is reported, providing analytically useful information about the local sensing environment. Physical properties of the polymeric microspheres that affect sensor function such as size, morphology, surface topography, dispersity, and glass transition temperature (Tg) are also reported here. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Influence of constant and fluctuating temperature on biodegradation rates of fish biodiesel blends contaminating Alaskan sand

Abstract Bioremediation of sandy soil contaminated with fish-biodiesel, conventional diesel, and blends of both was studied in microcosm experiments at different temperatures, simulating the subarctic environment. While distinct lag, exponential, and stationary phases were observed at 20 °C, degradation at 6 °C was slow and the lag phase continued throughout the 4-week experiment. A three-phase 1st order kinetic model successfully described respiration at 20 °C, a one-phase model was sufficient at 6 °C. For temperatures fluctuating between ∼6 and ∼20 °C, higher than expected microbial activity persisted at 6 °C for several days, due to the presence of active cultures, even though the soil temperature closely followed the air temperature. At 20 °C, respiration peaked already after 1 week, and 18–51% of the initially added fuel was mineralized within 4 weeks, whereby degradation was higher at higher biodiesel percentages. Biodiesel addition accelerated mineralization of blends with regular diesel beyond expectations. In blends with 20% biodiesel, the degradation rate constant was twice as high as for conventional diesel. These synergistic effects are likely due to an active microbial population. Addition of biodiesel to conventional diesel could reduce the impact of diesel spills.
Crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of Oxytricha nova telomere end-binding protein alpha subunit both uncomplexed and complexed with telomeric ssDNA.

Abstract Oxytricha nova telomere end-binding protein specifically recognizes and caps single strand (T 4 G 4 ) n telomeric DNA at the very 3′-ends of O. nova macronuclear chromosomes. Proteins homologous to the N-terminal domain of On TEBP α subunit have now been identified in Oxytricha trifallax , Stylonychia mytilis , Euplotes crassus , Schizosaccharomyces pombe , and Homo sapiens , suggesting that this protein is widely distributed in eukaryotes. We describe here the crystal structures of the N-terminal single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding domain of O. nova telomere end-binding protein α subunit both uncomplexed and complexed with single strand telomeric DNA. These structures show how the N-terminal domain of α alone, in the absence of the β subunit and without α dimerization, can bind single-stranded telomeric DNA in a sequence-specific and 3′-end-specific manner. Furthermore, comparison of the uncomplexed and complexed forms of this protein shows that the ssDNA-binding site is largely pre-organized in the absence of ssDNA with modest, but interesting, rearrangements of amino acid side-chains that compose the ssDNA-binding site. The structures described here extend our understanding of structures of O. nova telomeric complexes by adding uncomplexed and complexed forms of monomeric α to previously described structures for (α56/ssDNA) 2 dimer and α56/β28/ssDNA ternary complexes. We believe that each of these four structures represent intermediates in an ordered assembly/disassembly pathway for O. nova telomeric complexes.
Infrared Studies of “Hard” and “Soft” Woods

FT-IR spectra of 24 different woods have been studied with the use of whole wood pieces and a diffuse reflectance accessory. Three absorptions have been identified, the positions or relative intensities of which are characteristic of the holocellulose/lignin ratio or of the type of lignin present in the wood. These spectral features serve as useful indicators to distinguish between "soft" or "hard" woods.
Magnetic and structural properties of high rate dual ion‐beam sputtered NiFe films (invited)

NiFe films in the thickness range of 300 A to 8 μm with excellent magnetic properties and thickness uniformity have been prepared using a newly developed high rate (up to 1000 A/min) dual ion beam sputtering system. Deposition conditions such as the ion assist voltage, the target orientation and the partial pressure of nitrogen have been optimized to reduce coercivity Hc and stress as well as to improve film adhesion and film thermal stability. The annealing effects on Hc, the anisotropy field Hk, as well as the resistivity of the NiFe films were studied. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the microstructures of the films and were correlated with their magnetic properties. These ion‐beam sputtered NiFe films have excellent magnetic, electrical, mechanical, and microstructural properties to make them suitable for thin‐film head applications.