cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of ADP and Ionic Strength on the Kinetic and Motile Properties of Recombinant Mouse Myosin V

Mouse myosin V is a two-headed unconventional myosin with an extended neck that binds six calmodulins. Double-headed (heavy meromyosin-like) and single-headed (subfragment 1-like) fragments of mouse myosin V were expressed in Sf9 cells, and intact myosin V was purified from mouse brain. The actin-activated MgATPase of the tissue-purified myosin V, and its expressed fragments had a high V(max) and a low K(ATPase). Calcium regulated the MgATPase of intact myosin V but not of the fragments. Both the MgATPase activity and the in vitro motility were remarkably insensitive to ionic strength. Myosin V and its fragments translocated actin at very low myosin surface densities. ADP markedly inhibited the actin-activated MgATPase activity and the in vitro motility. ADP dissociated from myosin V subfragment 1 at a rate of about 11.5 s(-1) under conditions where the V(max) was 3.3 s(-1), indicating that, although not totally rate-limiting, ADP dissociation was close to the rate-limiting step. The high affinity for actin and the slow rate of ADP release helps the myosin head to remain attached to actin for a large fraction of each ATPase cycle and allows actin filaments to be moved by only a few myosin V molecules in vitro.
Cell enlargement in relation to the development of thallus form in Florideophyceae

Cell enlargement in members of the Florideophyceae is considered in relation to its magnitude, its orientation, and the complex patterns of enlargement which are here reported for the first time.
Distribution of the fiddler crab (Uca minax) in relation to marsh plants within a Virginia estuary

The distribution and abundance of the red-jointed fiddler crab,Uca minax, was related to the distribution of marsh plants within a Virginia estuary. The crab was found in association with 15 species of marsh phanerogams, occurring with five plant species more than 20 percent of the time. These plants wereSpartina alterniflora, Scirpus robustus, Distichlis spicata, Spartina patens, andSpartina cynosuroides.
Hybrid System Modeling for UAV Adversarial Operations

We address a dynamic configuration strategy for teams of Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs). A team is a collection of UAVs which may evolve through different organizations, called configurations. The team configuration may change with time to adapt to changes in the environment. To each configuration there corresponds a set of different properties for the UAVs in the team. The design for the configuration control problem involves a distributed hierarchical control architecture where the properties of the system can be formally analyzed. We do this in the framework of dynamic networks of hybrid automata. We present results from simulation to demonstrate these ideas.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
What do graded effects of semantic transparency reveal about morphological processing

We examined the influence of semantic transparency on morphological facilitation in English in three lexical decision experiments. Decision latencies to visual targets (e.g., CASUALNESS) were faster after semantically transparent (e.g., CASUALLY) than semantically opaque (e.g., CASUALTY) primes whether primes were auditory and presented immediately before onset of the target (Experiment 1a) or visual with an stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) of 250 ms (Experiment 1b). Latencies did not differ at an SOA of 48 ms (Experiment 2) or with a forward mask at an SOA of 83 ms (Experiment 3). Generally, effects of semantic transparency among morphological relatives were evident at long but not at short SOAs with visual targets, regardless of prime modality. Moreover, the difference in facilitation after opaque and transparent primes was graded and increased with family size of the base morpheme.
Routine Screening in Children with Advanced Stage Neuroblastoma • 645

What is the value of performing routine screening evaluations in children with advanced stage neuroblastoma (NB)? Children older than 1 year with NB often present with advanced disease associated with a grim prognosis despite aggressive therapy. After progressive disease (PD) and initiation of salvage therapy, prognosis remains poor. This single institution, retrospective study investigated detection of PD and outcome in children with NB. Between 1984 and 1996, 34 children with advanced NB who went on to have PD were identified, 31(91%) of whom had stage III (6) or IV (25) disease, and 3 infants with initially favorable prognosis NB. Mean age at diagnosis was 3.7 years (2 mo-16 yr). Urine VMA/HVA were elevated in 30 (88%). All children were treated with multiagent chemotherapy following CCG protocols.
Analgesic effect of clonidine added to bupivacaine 0.125% in paediatric caudal blockade.

Summary Background : Caudals are a common method of providing pain relief in children undergoing surgery. Clonidine, an α2 agonist, exhibits significant analgesic properties. The current investigation sought to determine whether caudal clonidine added to caudal bupivacaine would decrease pain in paediatric patients undergoing surgery. Methods : Thirty-six children undergoing elective surgery were studied. Following anaesthetic induction, a caudal was placed (1 mg·kg−1 bupivacaine 0.125%) with an equal volume of either clonidine (2 μg·kg−1) or saline. Perioperative analgesic requirements in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU) and at home following hospital discharge, and parental pain scores were evaluated. Results : There were no significant demographic, haemodynamic, or pain score differences between the groups. There was no difference in analgesic duration between groups. There were significantly more children who vomited during the first 24 postoperative hours in the clonidine group than in the saline group (eight in clonidine, two in saline; P < 0.05). Conclusion : We do not recommend adding clonidine (2 μg·kg−1) to a bupivacaine (0.125%) caudal block in children undergoing surgery.
Results from FAA Program to Validate Bonded Composite Doublers for Commercial Aviation Use

The number of commercial airframes exceeding twenty years of service continues to grow. In addition, Service Life Extension Programs are attempting to extend the {open_quotes}economic{close_quotes} service life of commercial airframes to thirty years. The use of bonded composites may offer the airframe manufacturers and aircraft maintenance facilities a cost effective method to extend the lives of their aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration Assurance NDI Validation Center (AANC) to validate the use of bonded composite doublers on commercial aircraft.
High pressure antagonism of alcohol effects on the main phase-transition temperature of phospholipid membranes: biphasic response

Abstract The combined effects of high pressure (up to 300 bar) and a homologous series of 1-alkanols (ethanol C2 to 1-tridecanol C13) were studied on the main phase-transition temperature of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) vesicle membranes. It is known that short-chain alkanols depress and long-chain alkanols elevate the main transition temperature. The crossover from depression to elevation occurs at the carbon-chain length about C10–C12 in DPPC vesicle membranes coinciding with the cutoff chain-length where anesthetic potency suddenly disappears. Alkanols shorter than C8 linearly decreased the transition temperature and high pressure antagonized the temperature depression. Alkanols longer than C10 showed biphasic dose-response curves. High pressure enhanced the biphasic response. In addition, alkanols longer than the cutoff length depressed the transition temperature under high pressure at the low concentration range. These non-anesthetic alkanols may manifest anesthetic potency under high pressure. At higher concentrations, the temperature elevatory effect was accentuated by pressure. This biphasic effect of long-chin alkanols is not related to the ‘interdigitation’ associated with short-chain alkanols. The increment of the transition temperature by pressure was 0.0242 K bar−1 in the absence of alkanols. The volume change of the transition was estimated to be 27.7 cm3 mol−1. This value stayed constant to the limit of the present study of 300 bar.
Amphipathic interactions of cannabinoids with membranes. A comparison between Δ8-THC and its O-methyl analog using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and solid state 2H-NMR

The effects of (−)-Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol(Δ8-THC) and its biologically inactive O-methyl ether analog on model phospholipid membranes were studied using a combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), small angle X-ray diffraction and solid state 2H-NMR. The focus of this work is on the amphipathic interactions of cannabinoids with membranes and the role of the free phenolic hydroxyl group which is the only structural difference between these two cannabinoids. Identically prepared aqueous multilamellar dispersions of phosphatidylcholines in the absence and presence of cannabinoids were used. The DSC thermograms and X-ray diffraction patterns of these preparations allowed us to detect the strikingly different manners in which these two cannabinoids affect the thermotropic properties and the thickness of the bilayer. In order to study the effects of the cannabinoids on different regions of the bilayer, we used solid state 2H-NMR with four sets of model membranes from dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine deuterated in different sites, viz., the choline trimethylammonium head group, or one of the following three groups in the acyl chains; the 2′-methylene, 7′-methylene, 16′-methyl groups. Analysis of quadrupolar splittings indicated that Δ8-THC resides near the bilayer interface and the inactive analog sinks deeper towards the hydrophobic region. The temperature dependence of the solid state 2H-NMR spectra showed that, during the bilayer phase transition, the disordering of the choline head groups is a separate event from the melting of the acyl chains, and that amphipathic interactions between Δ8-THC and the membrane separate these two events further apart in temperature. The inactive analog lacks the ability to induce such a perturbation.
Drinking Behavior of High Risk College Men: Contradictory Preliminary Findings

Seventeen high risk and seventeen low risk college-aged men were compared with respect to drinking behavior/problems and certain implicated personality characteristics. The low risk subjects were, surprisingly, found to drink and become intoxicated more frequently than high risk subjects. They also reported significantly higher sensation seeking scores. This latter variable accounted for the greatest amount of variance in both risk status and frequency of drinking. By contrast, high risk subjects reported somewhat more lifetime alcohol-related symptomatology and significantly more preadult antisocial symptoms. Preadult antisocial symptoms, alone, explained 39% and 29%, respectively, of the variance in alcohol-related symptoms and the amount consumed on a typical drinking day. The implications and limitations of the findings with respect to the development of alcoholism are discussed.
Physics and the sounds produced by the temporomandibular joints. Part I.

In clinical dentistry, the solidborne vibrations (tissue pressure waves) produced by the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) may signify dysfunction or disease of the mandibular locomotor system. This article discusses aspects of the applied mathematics and electronic recording of solidborne vibrations of the TMJ (electrovibratography).
Reaction of Carbonyl Fluoride with Fluorine in the Presence of Various Fluorides as Catalysts.

Abstract The fluorides KF, RbF and CsF have been known to serve as catalysts for the reaction CF 2 O + F 2 → CF 3 OF. The list of catalysts for this process has now been enlarged to include NaF, MgF 2 , CaF 2 , SrF 2 , BaF 2 and LaF 3 . Lithium fluoride and thorium fluoride also give CF 3 OF but are less active. Perhaps the substances CsF·HF, KAgF 4 and NiF 2 should be included in this list. Silver fluoride, usually as a mixture of AgF 2 with AgF, has been known to catalyze the reaction of CF 2 O with F 2 to give both CF 3 OF and CF 3 OOCF 3 . The proportion of the latter in the mixture of products increases with decreasing temperature. At 25°, the reaction is slow and the yield of CF 3 OOCF 3 is very high. It has now been shown that TIF 3 behaves like silver fluoride. It has also been shown that many other fluorides of metals give higher yields of CF 3 OOCF 3 than of CF 3 OF but require higher temperatures than AgF 2 (100- ca . 150°) to be effective. Various possible mechanisms for these catalytic processes are discussed.
Impaired recovery of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and hypoglycemic seizures after high-dose inhaled corticosteroid therapy in a toddler

Background Corticosteroids are the treatment of choice for children with persistent reactive airway disease. In these patients, taper and discontinuation of systemic therapy is often facilitated by transition to high-dose inhaled corticosteroid treatment. Objective To report a case of impaired hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis recovery and adrenal crisis associated with prolonged high-dose inhaled therapy after long-term systemic corticosteroid treatment. Methods A 32-month-old child with severe airway obstruction and wheezing was treated with long-term daily systemic (intravenous and oral) corticosteroids followed by high-dose inhaled fluticasone (440 to 1,320 μg/day). This child presented in adrenal crisis, as evidenced by severe hypoglycemia and seizures, 1 day after receiving the influenza vaccine. After hydrocortisone replacement and a long taper of fluticasone, the child's adrenal function returned to normal. Results At the time of seizure, the serum glucose was 1 mg/dL. An electroencephalogram, computed tomographic scan, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain were normal. Adrenal insufficiency was documented (morning serum cortisol, 0.6 μg/dL; after adrenocorticotrophic hormone stimulation, 8.4 μg/dL). Repeat evaluation 3 weeks after discontinuation of all corticosteroid therapy demonstrated normal HPA axis function. Conclusions After treatment with long-term systemic steroids, high-dose inhaled corticosteroid therapy can impair recovery of the HPA axis and place patients at risk for adrenal crisis.
Trigeminotectal and other trigeminofugal projections in neonatal kittens: an anatomical demonstration with horseradish peroxidase and tritiated leucine.

The trigeminal projection to the superior colliculus in neonatal kittens was studied by using both anterograde and retrograde neuroanatomical tracing techniques. Trigeminothalamic observations also were made. In the first series of experiments, horseradish peroxidase was injected into the superior colliculus in kittens on the day of parturition and in adult cats. Retrogradely labeled cells were found throughout the contralateral sensory trigeminal complex: the greatest numbers of cells were concentrated in pars oralis, with fewer in the principal nucleus, and fewer still in pars interpolaris and pars caudialis. Thus, the distribution pattern of trigeminotectal cells in neonates is similar to that in adult animals. In the second series of experiments, we injected tritiated leucine into the rostral portion of the spinal trigeminal nucleus in neonatal kittens and adult cats and compared the laminar and spatial distribution of anterogradely transported label in the superior colliculus and thalamus. Terminal label was observed in both structures in animals as young as 1-2 days postpartum. The label in the superior colliculus was overwhelmingly contralateral and formed a tier of discontinuous patches in the stratum griseum intermediale and, in a more diffuse manner, in the stratum griseum profundum. Most of the patches were located in the rostral 80% of the superior colliculus and were 60-280 μm in width. Although the size of the patches was smaller in the neonates, their distribution was similar to that in adult cats. Thus, with the exception of the difference in patch size, the terminal pattern of trigeminotectal projections is essentially adultlike at birth. The dense pattern of contralateral terminal label in the arcuate division of the ventrobasal complex also was similar to that of the adult cat, as was the trigeminal projection to the supraoculomotor gray. These data indicate that the development of the spatial organization of a major ascending somatosensory pathway to the superior colliculus (and to the thalamus) is largely a prenatal event. It is likely that the further maturationn of these systems during postnatal life is limited to fine changes in axonal terminals and synaptic formation within prenatally determined terminal territories. The in utero maturation of these trigeminofugal projections is necessary to enable the newborn kitten to utilize the perioral tactile cues necessary for early orientation and suckling behaviors.
Renal pathology in hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients

Hematopoietic cell transplantation-associated renal injury may be related to a combination of factors including chemotherapy, radiation, infection, immunosuppressive agents, ischemia, and graft-versus-host disease. Renal biopsy specimens from hematopoietic cell transplant recipients at two institutions (Stanford University Medical Center and Oregon Health & Science University) were reviewed in correlation with clinical data. Fifteen cases were identified (post hematopoietic cell transplant time 0.7-14.5 years), including six with autologous hematopoietic cell transplant. Indications for renal biopsy included proteinuria (n=13; nephrotic range in 8), increased serum creatinine (n=10), or both (n=6). Many patients had multiple pathologic findings on renal biopsy. Membranous glomerulonephritis was the most common diagnosis (n=7), including two patients with autologous hematopoietic cell transplant and five with evidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease elsewhere. Four membranous glomerulonephritis patients achieved sustained remission with rituximab therapy. Other glomerular pathology included focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (n=1) and minimal change disease (n=1). Evidence of thrombotic microangiopathy was common (in isolation or combined with other pathology), as was acute tubular necrosis and tubulointerstitial nephritis. Of 14 patients with follow-up (2-64 months, mean 19 months), 6 had chronic renal insufficiency (serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dl), 2 had end stage renal disease, and 6 had essentially normal renal function. Our retrospective study shows that renal dysfunction in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients is often multifactorial, and biopsy may reveal treatable causes. Membranous glomerulonephritis is seen in autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients, and may respond to anti-B-cell therapy, which has implications regarding pathogenesis and relationship to graft-versus-host disease.
Role of the Gastropod Shell and Operculum in Inhibiting Predation by Fishes

In contrast to the diets of other cottid fishes and most teleosts, the diet of Asemichthys taylori is dominated by gastropod mollusks. Access to this underused prey appears to be made possible by morphological speializations of the neurocanium that allow Asemichthys to puncture the shells of its prey during mastication. Unpunched, the shell and operculum act as a barrier to digestion; more than 40% of the unpunched gastropods emerged alive in the feces. Asemichthys adjusted its punching behavior in an apparently adaptive way; other prey lacking such barriers to digestion were rarely punched. The ability of some shelled invertebrates to avoid digestion may make them less desirable as prey for many fishes that cannot masticate this kind of prey. The ability of shelled mollusks to survive in the digestive tracts of vertebrates may provide a dispersal mechanism for otherwise sedentary species.
Liposarcoma Produced by 1:2-Benzpyrene

We have recently described (1) the production of fibrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and leiomyosarcoma by means of the subcutaneous injection of 1:2:5:6-dibenzanthracene in mice, rats, and rabbits. We wish to emphasize further the diverse character of the tumors produced by the cancerigenic hydrocarbons by describing five liposarcomas which we have produced with 1:2-benzpyrene in a mouse and four guinea-pigs, respectively. We know of no previous reports of the experimental production of liposarcoma by any means, with the exception of an example published by Bullock and Curtis (2), which was produced in the liver of an albino rat by the action of the Cysticercus fasciolaris. Liposarcoma in a Mouse Mouse No. 911, a white female of the Marsh strain, was injected with 1:2-benzpyrene on Jan. 20, 1935, when she was 128 days old. A one per cent solution of the benzpyrene in lard was used, 0.2 c.c. being injected subcutaneously in the anterior axillary line, midway between the axilla and the groin on each side. A tumor was first noted at the site of injection on the right side eighty-eight days later. It grew rapidly to reach a diameter of 3 cm. The mouse was then killed. The tumor was firm and white, and infiltrated the tissues of the chest wall. Portions of it were fixed in Zenker9s fluid, and the remainder reserved for transplantation. No metastases were found in the course of the autopsy. Twenty-four mice that were litter mates of mouse No. 911 were given subcutaneous inoculations of the tumor. It grew well in these new hosts, as shown by Chart I, which records its progress in 8 of the mice. Eighteen of the original 24 mice were alive two weeks after inoculation. Fourteen of these bore tumors and 4 did not. In 3 mice spontaneous recession of the tumor took place. The other tumors grew fairly rapidly, reaching an average diameter of 1.3 cm. six weeks after inoculation. Two of the tumors were ulcerated at this time. Their tumors being large, the mice were sacrificed a week later, and a section taken for histological study from one of the transplants. Further transplantation was not attempted.
Transformation and Immortalization of Human Keratinocytes by SV40

We have studied the appearance of transformed properties following infection of human epidermal keratinocytes by the oncogenic virus SV40. Shortly after infection, only a small fraction of the cells are positive for SV40 T antigen by immunofluorescence; this fraction progressively increases upon serial subcultivation concomitant with an increase in plating/colony-forming efficiency and growth rate. The capacity of the cells to differentiate progressively decreases, as indicated by cytochemical staining and cornified cell-envelope formation induced by suspension in methyl cellulose. The infected cells enter a period of growth crisis characterized by cytopathology and cell death as the level of T antigen synthesis reaches about 90 percent positive cells at about the tenth serial passage. Viable cells emerging from the crisis period are found to exhibit anchorage-independent growth, as indicated by the formation of viable colonies in semisolid media, but there is considerable variability in colony formation among clones isolated from anchorage-independent populations. The emergent population also manifests phenotypic instability in terms of the appearance of variants, which, in contrast to uninfected cells, expresses a well-defined actin cytoskeleton. The infected cells eventually become "immortalized," as evidenced by an indefinite lifespan, i.e., replication capability maintained well beyond the ordinary time of senescence for uninfected cells. We present these findings in the context of a stage-specific model of epithelial transformation in vitro.
Attenuation of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced dopaminergic nigrostriatal lesions in superoxide dismutase transgenic mice.

Abstract 6-Hydroxydopamine is a neurotoxin that produces degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway in rodents. Its toxicity is thought to involve the generation of superoxide anion secondary to its autoxidation. To examine the effects of the overexpression of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase activity on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced dopaminergic neuronal damage, we have measured the effects of 6-hydroxydopamine on striatal and nigral dopamine transporters and nigral tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase transgenic mice. Intracerebroventricular injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (50 μ g) in non-transgenic mice produced reductions in the size of striatal area and an enlargement of the cerebral ventricle on both sides of the brains of mice killed two weeks after the injection. In addition, 6-hydroxydopamine caused marked decreases in striatal and nigral [ 125 I]RTI-121-labelled dopamine transporters not only on the injected side but also on the non-injected side of non-transgenic mice; this was associated with decreased cell number and size of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta on both sides in these mice. In contrast, superoxide dismutase transgenic mice were protected against these neurotoxic effects of 6-hydroxydopamine, with the homozygous transgenic mice showing almost complete protection. These results provide further support for a role of superoxide anion in the toxic effects of 6-hydroxydopamine. They also provide further evidence that reactive oxygen species may be the main determining factors in the neurodegenerative effects of catecholamines.
Information utility in active sequential hypothesis testing

This paper considers a broad spectrum of applications in cognition, communications, design of experiments, and sensor management. In all of these applications, a decision maker is responsible to control the system dynamically so as to enhance his information in a speedy manner about an underlying phenomena of interest while accounting for the cost of communication, sensing, or data collection. In addition, due to the sequential nature of the problem, the decision maker relies on his current information state to constantly (re-)evaluate the information utility of various actions. In this paper, using a dynamic programming interpretation, an optimal notion of information utility is derived. Inspired by this view of the problem, a set of heuristic policies for dynamic selection of actions are proposed. The construction of these heuristics relate various notions of information utility with the statistical properties of the outcome, such as Kullback-Leibler divergence and mutual information. Via numerical and asymptotic analysis, the performance of these policies, hence the utility of the statistical quantities such as divergence and mutual information, in the context of the active hypothesis testing is investigated.
Relative roles of 3-D and 2-D coordinate systems in solving the correspondence problem in apparent motion

There has been a controversy in the apparent motion literature regarding the influence of 3-D distances between motion tokens on correspondence matching. The current series of experiments indicates that this discrepancy results because the effect of three-dimensional distance is too small to be detected unless the retinal coordinates of the motion tokens are carefully chosen so as to lead to ambiguous correspondence matches on identical trials. It is also shown that, even when the retinal coordinates of motion tokens are equated, such that the different solutions to the correspondence problem are generated with equal probability, the effect of 3-D distances obtained is relatively small when compared to the effect of the retinal coordinates of motion tokens.
Techniques for phosphopeptide enrichment prior to analysis by mass spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is the tool of choice to investigate protein phosphorylation, which plays a vital role in cell regulation and diseases such as cancer. However, low abundances of phosphopeptides and low degrees of phosphorylation typically necessitate isolation and concentration of phosphopeptides prior to MS analysis. This review discusses the enrichment of phosphopeptides with immobilized metal affinity chromatography, reversible covalent binding, and metal oxide affinity chromatography. Capture of phosphopeptides on TiO(2) seems especially promising in terms of selectivity and recovery, but the success of all methods depends on careful selection of binding, washing, and elution solutions. Enrichment techniques are complementary, such that a combination of methods greatly enhances the number of phosphopeptides isolated from complex samples. Development of a standard series of phosphopeptides in a highly complex mixture of digested proteins would greatly aid the comparison of different enrichment methods. Phosphopeptide binding to magnetic beads and on-plate isolation prior to MALDI-MS are emerging as convenient methods for purification of small (microL) samples. On-plate enrichment can yield >70% recoveries of phosphopeptides in mixtures of a few digested proteins and can avoid sample-handling steps, but this technique is likely limited to relatively simple samples such as immunoprecipitates. With recent advances in enrichment techniques in hand, MS analysis should provide important insights into phosphorylation pathways.
Mechanical properties of ABS/polycarbonate blends

The mechanical properties of extruder compounded blends of ABS and polycarbonate in the form of extruded-sheet and injection-molded bars are reported and compared with commercial products based on these components. The modulus and tensile yield strength exhibit a nearly additive response to blend composition while percent elongation at break shows a minimum vs. composition. Notched Izod impact strength is nearly constant at the level of pure ABS up to 50% polycarbonate and increases rapidly upon further addition of polycarbonate.
Recent changes in nitrate and dissolved organic carbon export from the upper Kuparuk River, North Slope, Alaska

[1] Export of nitrate and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from the upper Kuparuk River between the late 1970s and early 2000s was evaluated using long-term ecological research (LTER) data in combination with solute flux and catchment hydrology models. The USGS Load Estimator (LOADEST) was used to calculate June–August export from 1978 forward. LOADEST was then coupled with a catchment-based land surface model (CLSM) to estimate total annual export from 1991 to 2001. Simulations using the LOADEST/CLSM combination indicate that annual nitrate export from the upper Kuparuk River increased by � 5 fold and annual DOC export decreased by about one half from 1991 to 2001. The decrease in DOC export was focused in May and was primarily attributed to a decrease in river discharge. In contrast, increased nitrate export was evident from May to September and was primarily attributed to increased nitrate concentrations. Increased nitrate concentrations are evident across a wide range of discharge conditions, indicating that higher values do not simply reflect lower discharge in recent years but a significant shift to higher concentration per unit discharge. Nitrate concentrations remained elevated after 2001. However, extraordinarily low discharge during June 2004 and June–August 2005 outweighed the influence of higher concentrations in determining export during these years. The mechanism responsible for the recent increase in nitrate concentrations is uncertain but may relate to changes in soils and vegetation associated with regional warming. While changes in nitrate and DOC export from arctic rivers reflect changes in terrestrial ecosystems, they also have significant implications for Arctic Ocean ecosystems.
Signs and Symptoms

Chapter 1 indicated that intracranial aneurysms were recognized in the 17th and 18th centuries (16,119,172), and in the 19th century a few case reports were forthcoming. In 1859 Gull, after studying six cases, concluded (75), Whenever young persons die with symptoms of ingravescent apoplexy, and after death large effusion of blood is found, especially if the effusion be over the surface of the brain in the meshes of the pia mater, the presence of an aneurism is probable…. although we may from the circumstances sometimes suspect the presence of aneurism within the cranium, we have at the best, no symptoms upon which to ground more than a probable diagnosis.
Short-period SC undulator

We describe here design of short period helical undulator with SC windings. 2 mm period, K/spl sim/0.12 undulator can be used in positron production scheme. Results of test of 6 in-length prototype cold mass is represented also.
The Vocal Memnon and Solar Thermal Automata

A memnonium is a selfactuating system that generates music using solar energy. The name comes from the statue of Memnon, a famous tourist attraction in the Greco-Roman world that was said to emit sound when warmed by the morning sun. The Memnon statue inspired the design of musical automata in later periods, to which there are many historical references. Several intriguing technologies and engineering methods may be well suited for modern memnonium design efforts. However, full realization of solar thermoacoustic and thermokinetic sculpture would likely require deep collaboration between physics, music and other disciplines. In modern times, only a few simple proofof- concept memnonia have been constructed.
The use of THP-1 cells as a model for mimicking the function and regulation of monocytes and macrophages in the vasculature

Since their establishment thirty years ago, THP-1 cells have become one of most widely used cell lines to investigate the function and regulation of monocytes and macrophages in the cardiovascular system. However, because this cell line was derived from the blood of a patient with acute monocytic leukemia, the extent to which THP-1 cells mimic monocytes and macrophages in the vasculature is not entirely known. This article serves as a meaningful attempt to address this question by reviewing the recent publications. The interactions between THP-1 cells and various vascular cells (such as endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, adipocytes, and T cells) provide insight into the roles of the interconnection of monocytes-macrophages with other vascular cells during vascular inflammation, particularly atherogenesis and obesity. Transcriptome, microRNA profile, and histone modifications of THP-1 cells shed new light on the regulatory mechanism of the monocytes-macrophages in response to various inflammatory mediators, such as oxidized low density lipoprotein, lipopolysaccharide, and glucose. These studies hint that under certain defined conditions, THP-1 cells not only resemble primary monocytes-macrophages isolated from healthy donors or donors with disease, such as diabetes mellitus, but also mimic the in situ alteration of macrophages in the adipose tissue of obese subjects and in atherosclerotic lesions. A potential trajectory is to use this cell line to study the novel molecular mechanisms in monocytes and macrophages in relation to the physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system, however, the conclusion of studies employing THP-1 cells requires further verification using primary cells and/or in vivo models to be generalized to monocytes and macrophages.
Adapting anatomy teaching to surgical trends: a combination of classical dissection, medical imaging, and 3D-printing technologies.

Many regions worldwide report difficulties in recruiting applicants to surgery. One strategy proposed to reverse this trend consists of early exposure of medical students to the field. Against this backdrop, the present study presents an innovative approach for anatomy teaching, integrating a surgically relevant trend: 3D printing. Whole-body computed tomography (CT) was made of two cadavers. Twelve students performed measurements and 3D reconstructions of selected anatomical structures (Osirix, Mimics). 3D printed (3DP) models were obtained (ZPrinter 310 Plus), and the students completed the analogous measurements on these replicas. Finally, classical anatomical dissection was performed and the same parameters were measured. The differences between the values obtained by the three modalities were submitted to standard statistical analysis (Wilcoxon two-tail paired test). Qualitative comparison of the digital 3D reconstructions based on the students’ manual CT segmentation and the anatomical reality showed excellent correlation. Quantitatively, the values measured on the CT images and the physical models created by 3D printing differed from those measured on the cadavers by less than 2 mm. Students were highly appreciative of the approach (CT, 3DP, cadaver). Their average satisfaction score was 5.8 on a 1–6 scale. This study shows that the approach proposed can be achieved. The results obtained also show that CT-based 3D printed models are close to the authentic anatomic reality. The program allows early and interactive exposure of medical students to a surgically relevant trend—in this case 3D printing.
Flow of polymeric melts in short tubes

In an attempt to further understand the flow of polymeric melts through gates in injection molding, the present investigation deals with measurement of pressure drops during isothermal extrusion of fiber-filled and unfilled polystyrene, polypropylene, and polycarbonate melts in short tubes with sudden contraction at high shear rates typical of injection molding. Flow curves for these materials have been determined over a wide range of shear rates at various temperatures by using a capillary rheometer and extruder. Measurements indicate that rheological properties of fiber-filled melts after injection molding differ from those of fresh samples. Moreover, it has been found that decreasing the tube length increases the slope of the curve for pressure drop vs. Volumetric flow rate. Extra pressure losses due to end effects have been determined which show that at high shear rates these losses can reach levels as high as 100 bar, with the effect being higher for the fiber-filled melts. By using a viscoelastic consitutive equation, the extra pressure losses have been separated into entrance and exit losses. Model parameters required for this calculation have been determined from viscosity-shear rate curves for the melts. For various polymers, master curves useful for industrial applications have been constructed for the extra pressure losses.
Real time responsive animation with personality

Building on principles from prior work on procedural texture synthesis (K. Perlin, 1985), we are able to create remarkably lifelike, responsively animated characters in real time. Rhythmic and stochastic noise functions are used to define time varying parameters that drive computer generated puppets. Because we are conveying just the "texture" of motion, we are able to avoid computation of dynamics and constraint solvers. The subjective impression of dynamics and other subtle influences on motion can be conveyed with great visual realism by properly tuned expressions containing pseudo random noise functions. For example, we can make a character appear to be dynamically balancing herself, to appear nervous, or to be gesturing in a particular way. Each move has an internal rhythm, and transitions between moves are temporally constrained so that "impossible" transitions are precluded. For example, if while the character is walking we specify a dance turn, the character will always step into the turn onto the correct weight bearing foot. An operator can make a character perform a properly connected sequence of actions, while conveying particular moods and attitudes, merely by pushing buttons at a high level. Potential uses of such high level "textural" approaches to computer graphic simulation include role playing games, simulated conferences, "clip animation", graphical front ends for MUDs, and synthetic performances. >
Comparison of Stapled and Hand-sewn Esophagogastric Anastomoses

Background: Esophagogastric anastomotic leaks continue to be a major source of morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy. Leaks usually result from technical errors or occult ischemia of the mobilized gastric fundus. The introduction of stapled esophagogastric anastomoses was initially very promising; leak rates appeared to be reduced. Data Sources: The English language medical literature was searched for publications comparing stapled and hand-sewn esophagogastric anastomoses. We reviewed data from four randomized trials and seven nonrandomized comparative studies to determine if stapling was superior to hand suturing for esophagogastric anastomoses. Results: Pooled data from randomized trials comparing stapled with hand-sewn esophagogastric anastomoses showed no significant difference for leaks (stapled 9%, hand-sewn 8%, P <0.67), but a higher incidence of strictures in stapled anastomoses (stapled 27%, hand-sewn 16%, P <0.02). In nonrandomized studies, stapled anastomoses had a lower leak rate (stapled 6%, hand-sewn 11%, P <0.0001), but strictures were more frequent (stapled 31%, hand-sewn 16%, P <0.0001). A major source of bias in the nonrandomized studies was the comparison of contemporary stapled experience and earlier hand-sewn experience. This bias was not present in three of seven nonrandomized studies that featured prospective data collection. Pooled data from these three studies showed no difference in anastomotic leak rate (stapled 4%, hand-sewn 6%, P <0.28). Conclusions: Stapled and hand-sewn esophagogastric anastomotic techniques have equivalent anastomotic leak rates, but strictures are more common in stapled anastomoses. Irrespective of which technique is used, surgical experience and meticulous attention to detail are required to prevent anastomotic complications. Anastomotic technical modifications alone are unlikely to eliminate the problem of leaks, since they do not address the problem of gastric fundal ischemia.
The ultrastructure of the cardiac ganglion of the desert scorpion, Paruroctonus mesaensis (Scorpionida: Vaejovidae).

Light and electron microscopy of the pacemaker ganglion of the scorpion heart indicate that it is about 15 mm long and 50 μm in diameter and extends along the dorsal midline of the heart. The largest cell bodies (30–45 μm in diameter) occur in clusters along the length of the ganglion. The ganglion appears to be innervated with fibers from the subesophageal and first three abdominal ganglia. The cardiac ganglion is surrounded by a neurilemma and a membranous sheath. The latter is apparently derived from connective tissue cells seen outside the ganglion. Nerve fibers other than those in the neuropil areas are usually surrounded by membrane and cytoplasm of glial cells. Often there are several layers of glial membrane, forming a loose myelin. The cardiac nerves to the heart muscle are also surrounded by a neurilemma, and the axons are surrounded by glia. The motor nerves contain lucent vesicles 60–100 nm and opaque granules 120–180 nm in diameter. In the cardiac ganglion, some nerve cell bodies have complex invaginations of glial processes forming a peripheral trophospongium. In the neuropil areas, nerve cell processes are often in close apposition. The septilaminar configuration typical of gap junctions is common, with gap distances of 1–4 nm. In tissues stained with lanthanum phosphate during fixation, we found gaps with unstained connections (1–2 nm diameter) between nerve-nerve and glial-nerve cell processes. Annular or double-membrane vesicles in various stages of formation were also seen in some nerve fibers in ganglia stained with lanthanum phosphate. Nerve endings with electron-lucent vesicles 40–60 nm in diameter are abundant in the cardiac ganglion, suggesting that these contain the excitatory transmitter of intrinsic neurons of the ganglion. Less abundant are fibers with membrane-limited opaque granules, circular or oblong in shape and as much as 330 nm in their longest dimension. Also seen were some nerve endings with both vesicles and granules.
A successful reintroduction of European otters

When the Otter Trust was set up in the UK in 1972, one of its long-term intentions was to restore European otters to suitable wild habitat. In 1982, this aim came to fruition with the release of three captive-bred otters into a river in East Anglia. These otters have now bred in the wild and further releases continue to add to the success of the project. The author is Chairman of the Otter Trust.
Constrained motion control of a robot manipulator

Monitoring of contact type is important to achieve tasks in which an end-effector holding an object makes contact with the constraint surface. The force exerted by the end-effector is usually controlled in a direction normal to the constraint surface, while the position of the end-effector is maintained in the tangential direction. In the paper, the position and force degrees of freedom are specified for constraint surfaces depending on the type of contact. Three types of contact (point, line, and plane) are considered. The type is determined based on the point of contact which is calculated from information received from a wrist force/torque sensor. Experimental results verify the technique for obtaining the type of contact. A reduced order position/force control method is then applied to effectively control the manipulator in orthogonal directions. An example is presented to demonstrate the technique.
A Liberal Use of "Torture": Pain, Personhood, and Precedent in the U.S. Federal Definition of Torture

Ongoing debates about the "enhanced interrogation techniques" used in the Global War on Terrorism, and the failure to prosecute officials who authorized these acts, have revealed deep controversy and complexity within popular and legal understandings of the term "torture." One source of this controversy lies in the U.S. federal definition of torture itself. A close reading of 18 U.S.C. § 2340 reveals a uniquely liberal-modernist conception of subjectivity and experience that offers inadequate legal protection against the "no-touch" techniques that have become paradigmatic of contemporary torture. Specifically, the moral and epistemological ambiguities within its legal categories of "pain" and "personhood" result in a law that effectively permits rather than prohibits the preferred torture techniques of liberal-democratic states. Following the critical-analytic work of this argument, the article offers an appeal for the inclusion of a more robustly rhetorical conception of experience in the formulation of a new legal definition of torture.
The Politics of Acculturation: Female Genital Cutting and the Challenge of Building Multicultural Democracies

Understanding how the idea of culture is mobilized in discursive contests is crucial for both theorizing and building multicultural democracies. To investigate this, I analyze a debate over whether we should relieve the “cultural need” for infibulation among immigrants by offering a “nick” in U.S. hospitals. Using interviews, newspaper coverage, and primary documents, I show that physicians and opponents of the procedure with contrasting models of culture disagreed on whether it represented cultural change. Opponents argued that the “nick” was fairly described as “female genital mutilation” and symbolically identical to more extensive cutting. Using a reified model, they imagined Somalis to be “culture-bound”; the adoption of a “nick” was simply a move from one genital cutting procedure to another. Unable to envision meaningful cultural adaptation, and presupposing the incompatibility of multiculturalism and feminism, they supported forced assimilation. Physicians, drawing on a dynamic model of culture, believed that adoption of the “nick” was meaningful cultural change, but overly idealized their ability to protect Somali girls from both Somali and U.S. patriarchy. Unduly confident, they failed to take oppression seriously, dismissing relevant constituencies and their concerns. Both models, then, influenced the outcome of this cultural conflict by shaping the perceptions of cultural change in problematic ways. Given the high-profile nature of “culture” in contemporary politics, these findings may very well extend to other issues that crystallize the supposed incommensurability of feminism and multiculturalism, as well as the wider debates about how societies can be both diverse and socially just.