cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short-term exposure to 12‰ brackish water has significant effects on the endocrine physiology of juvenile American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis).

Abstract American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) mainly inhabit freshwater habitats but can be exposed to a wide range of salinities during storm surges, droughts or from alterations in freshwater flows. Although some salinization events last weeks, others only last a few days. This study assessed changes in the endocrine function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and steroid hormone production (steroidogenesis) in juvenile alligators exposed to brackish water (12‰) for 7 days. We quantified plasma levels of angiotensin II and the corticosteroids (aldosterone, corticosterone and 11-deoxycortisol). Various progestogens, androgens, and estrogens were further assessed. The protein expression for the RAAS enzymes, renin and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), was quantified immunohistochemically in kidney and lung tissue, respectively, and histology was performed on kidney, lung and gonad tissues. Finally, blood biochemistry parameters such as electrolyte levels and diagnostic indicators for dehydration, renal, and hepatic function were measured. Corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, Na+, Cl−, total protein, albumin, uric acid, and cholesterol levels were all significantly elevated in alligators exposed to brackish water compared with alligators in freshwater. The levels of 17β-estradiol and estrone were significantly lowered while histology showed alterations in gonad tissue in the brackish water exposed group. In contrast, while there were no effects of exposure on aldosterone levels, angiotensin II was significantly reduced in brackish water exposed alligators. These results correlated with significantly decreased expressions for both renin and ACE in kidney and lung tissue. Overall, this study showed that short-term exposure of alligators to 12‰ brackish water has significant endocrine effects on juvenile alligators.
ggplot2: Elegant Graphics for Data Analysis (2nd ed.)

In this book review, we offer chapter-by-chapter review and general comments of Hadley Wickham’s (2016) ggplot2: Elegant Graphics for Data Analysis. Two examples of 2-way interaction plots were inc...
Clinical Features of Human Metapneumovirus-Associated Community-acquired Pneumonia Hospitalizations.

BACKGROUND Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a leading cause of respiratory tract infections. Few studies have compared the clinical characteristics and severity of HMPV-associated pneumonia with other pathogens. METHODS Active, population-based surveillance was previously conducted for radiographically confirmed, community-acquired pneumonia hospitalizations among children and adults in 8 United States hospitals. Clinical data and specimens for pathogen detection were systematically collected. We described clinical features of all HMPV-associated pneumonia and, after excluding codetections with other pathogen types, we compared features of HMPV-associated pneumonia with other viral, atypical, and bacterial pneumonia and modeled the severity (mild, moderate, and severe) and length of stay using multivariable proportional odds regression. RESULTS HMPV was detected in 298/2358 (12.6%) children and 88/2320 (3.8%) adults hospitalized with pneumonia and was commonly codetected with other pathogens (125/298 [42%] children and 21/88 [24%] adults). Fever and cough were the most common presenting symptoms of HMPV-associated pneumonia and were also common symptoms of other pathogens. After excluding codetections in children (n = 1778), compared to HMPV (reference), bacterial pneumonia exhibited increased severity (odds ratio [OR], 3.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-9.40), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; OR, 0.76; 95% CI, .59-.99) and atypical (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, .19-.81) infections exhibited decreased severity, and other viral pneumonia exhibited similar severity (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, .55-1.39). In adults (n = 2145), bacterial (OR, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.87-7.47) and RSV pneumonia (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.32-2.50) were more severe than HMPV (reference), but all other pathogens had similar severity. CONCLUSIONS Clinical features did not reliably distinguish HMPV-associated pneumonia from other pathogens. HMPV-associated pneumonia was less severe than bacterial and adult RSV pneumonia, but was otherwise as or more severe than other common pathogens.
Credit default swaps and CEO compensation: a long-term perspective

In this paper, we examine whether the onset of credit default swaps (CDSs) affects a firm’s executive compensation. The availability of CDSs allows lenders to transfer credit risk, but not control ...
Leaf litter inputs reinforce islands of nitrogen fertility in a lowland tropical forest

The role of lowland tropical forest tree communities in shaping soil nutrient cycling has been challenging to elucidate in the face of high species diversity. Previously, we showed that differences in tree species composition and canopy foliar nitrogen (N) concentrations correlated with differences in soil N availability in a mature Costa Rican rainforest. Here, we investigate potential mechanisms explaining this correlation. We used imaging spectroscopy to identify study plots containing 10–20 canopy trees with either high or low mean canopy N relative to the landscape mean. Plots were restricted to an uplifted terrace with relatively uniform parent material and climate. In order to assess whether canopy and soil N could be linked by litterfall inputs, we tracked litter production in the plots and measured rates of litter decay and the carbon and N content of leaf litter and leaf litter leachate. We also compared the abundance of putative N fixing trees and rates of free-living N fixation as well as soil pH, texture, cation exchange capacity, and topographic curvature to assess whether biological N fixation and/or soil properties could account for differences in soil N that were, in turn, imprinted on the canopy. We found no evidence of differences in legume communities, free-living N fixation, or abiotic properties. However, soils beneath high canopy N assemblages received ~ 60% more N via leaf litterfall due to variability in litter N content between plot types. The correlation of N in canopy leaves, leaf litter, and soil suggests that, under similar abiotic conditions, litterfall-mediated feedbacks can help maintain soil N differences among tropical tree assemblages in this diverse tropical forest.
A Multi-path Decoder Network for Brain Tumor Segmentation

The identification of brain tumor type, shape, and size from MRI images plays an important role in glioma diagnosis and treatment. Manually identifying the tumor is time expensive and prone to error. And while information from different image modalities may help in principle, using these modalities for manual tumor segmentation may be even more time consuming. Convolutional U-Net architectures with encoders and decoders are state of the art in automated methods for image segmentation. Often only a single encoder and decoder is used, where different modalities and regions of the tumor share the same model parameters. This may lead to incorrect segmentations. We propose a convolutional U-Net that has separate, independent encoders for each image modality. The outputs from each encoder are concatenated and given to separate fusion and decoder blocks for each region of the tumor. The features from each decoder block are then calibrated in a final feature fusion block, after which the model gives it final predictions. Our network is an end-to-end model that simplifies training and reproducibility. On the BraTS 2019 validation dataset our model achieves average Dice values of 0.75, 0.90, and 0.83 for the enhancing tumor, whole tumor, and tumor core subregions respectively.
Genomic nucleotide-based distance analysis for delimiting old world monkey derived herpes simplex virus species

Herpes simplex viruses form a genus within the alphaherpesvirus subfamily, with three identified viral species isolated from Old World monkeys (OWM); Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1 (McHV-1; herpes B), Cercopithecine alphaherpesvirus 2 (SA8), and Papiine alphaherpesvirus 2 (PaHV-2; herpes papio). Herpes B is endemic to macaques, while PaHV-2 and SA8 appear endemic to baboons. All three viruses are genetically and antigenically similar, with SA8 and PaHV-2 thought to be avirulent in humans, while herpes B is a biosafety level 4 pathogen. Recently, next-generation sequencing (NGS) has resulted in an increased number of published OWM herpes simplex genomes, allowing an encompassing phylogenetic analysis. In this study, phylogenetic networks, in conjunction with a genome-based genetic distance cutoff method were used to examine 27 OWM monkey herpes simplex isolates. Genome-based genetic distances were calculated, resulting in distances between lion and pig-tailed simplex viruses themselves, and versus herpes B core strains that were higher than those between PaHV-2 and SA8 (approximately 14 and 10% respectively). The species distance cutoff was determined to be 8.94%, with the method recovering separate species status for PaHV-2 and SA8 and showed that lion and pig-tailed simplex viruses (vs core herpes B strains) were well over the distance species cutoff. We propose designating lion and pig-tailed simplex viruses as separate, individual viral species, and that this may be the first identification of viral cryptic species.
Operative approach to intestinal malrotation encountered during laparoscopic gastric bypass.

Congenital anomalies of midgut rotation are uncommon with a 0.2-0.5% incidence. Intestinal malrotation (IM) presents a unique challenge in bariatric surgery during laparoscopic gastric bypass (LRYGB), and familiarity with alternatives allows for safe laparoscopic intervention. IM was encountered in 5 of 1183 (0.4%) patients undergoing surgery. Once IM was suspected, a standardized approach was applied: rightward shift of ports, confirmation of IM by the absence of the ligament of Treitz, identification of the duodenojejunal junction, lysis of Ladd's bands, mirror-image construction of the Roux limb and construction of the gastrojejunal anastomosis. Forty percent were male, age 33 ± 8 years, with body mass index 50 kg/m2 (37-75 kg/m2). IM was identified preoperatively in two patients (40%). All operations were completed laparoscopically. Despite the finding of IM, successful laparoscopic completion of gastric bypass can be anticipated if the surgeon has an understanding of the anatomic alterations and a strategy for intraoperative management.
Asthma Exacerbation Triggered by Wildfire: A Standardized Patient Case to Integrate Climate Change Into Medical Curricula.

Introduction Climate change presents unprecedented health threats. It is imperative that medical trainees understand the implications of climate change/planetary health on the physical and mental h...
A Mathematical Model of the Impact of Novel Treatments on the Ab Burden in the Alzheimer's Brain, Csf and Plasma

With the advent of novel therapies for AD, there is a pressing need for biomarkers that are easy to monitor, such as the amyloid-beta levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. To gain a better understanding of the explanatory power of these biomarkers, we formulate and analyze a compaxtmental mathematical model for the amyloid-beta accumulation in the brain, CSF and plasma throughout the course of Alzheimer's treatment. Our analysis reveals that the total amyloid-beta burden in the brain is dictated by a unitless quantity called the polymerization ratio, which is the product of the production and elongation rates divided by the product of the fragmentation and loss rates. In this ratio, the production rate and loss rate include a source and sink term, respectively, related to the intercompaxtmental transport. Our results suggest that production inhibitors are likely to reduce the amyloid-beta levels in all three compartments. In contrast, agents that ingest monomers off of polymers, or that increase fragmentation or block elongation, may also reduce amyloid-beta burden in the brain, but may produce little change in or even transiently increase CSF and plasma amyloid-beta levels. Hence, great care must be taken when interpreting these biomarkers.
Satellite Cell Expression of RAGE is Important for Collateral Vessel Formation

ObjectiveThe growth and remodeling of vascular networks is an important component of the prognosis for patients with peripheral artery disease. One protein that has been previously implicated to play a role in this process is the receptor for advanced glycation end products or RAGE. This study sought to determine the cellular source of RAGE in the ischemic hindlimb and the role of RAGE signaling in this cell type. Approach and ResultsUsing a hind limb ischemia model of vascular growth, this study found skeletal muscle satellite cells to be a novel major cellular source of RAGE in ischemic tissue by both staining and cellular sorting. While wild type satellite cells increased TNF and MCP-1 production in response to ischemia in vivo and a RAGE ligand in vitro, satellite cells from RAGE knockout mice lacked the increase in cytokine production both in vivo in response to ischemia and in vitro after stimuli with the RAGE ligand HMGB-1. Furthermore, encapsulated wild type satellite cells improved perfusion after hind limb ischemia surgery by both perfusion staining and vessel quantification but RAGE knockout satellite cells provided no improvement over empty capsules. ConclusionsThus, RAGE expression and signaling in satellite cells is crucial for their response to stimuli and angiogenic and arteriogenic functions. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=143 SRC="FIGDIR/small/433612v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (42K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@73dc28org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7acb74org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1c34bb1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@9e62c8_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG
Suture Materials, Needles, and Methods of Skin Closure: What Every Hand Surgeon Should Know

Sutures are used ubiquitously in surgery and are the most implanted materials in hand surgery. However, surgical training does not routinely include formal education on stitching materials or needles. Rather, suture familiarity is passed down by common use throughout training. We focus on a brief history and evolution of suture materials and suture needles, their material and mechanical properties, hand surgery-specific applications, other methods of skin closure (staples, skin glue, and adhesive strips), a cost analysis, and advances in musculoskeletal suturing, with a look toward the future. Equipped with a fundamental knowledge of suture needles and suture materials, hand surgeons will be better prepared to select the most appropriate, situation-specific tools.
Solving the Negative Earnings Dilemma of Multistage Bidding in Public Construction and Infrastructure Projects: A Game Theory–Based Approach

AbstractWith the tremendous increase in spending on public projects, contractors need to employ efficient and effective bidding strategies to cope with the competitive bidding environment. Usually,...
The unit of analysis for situated assessment

We begin with a discussion of contemporary approaches to assessment highlighting their reliance on a static, linear model of knowledgeable performance. Next we describe an ecological psychology approach to problem solving. Then, we propose the adoption of an agent-environment interaction as the unit of analysis. We continue by describing the problem-solving process from an ecological psychology perspective, to clarify the “intentional unit”. We close with a discussion of functional validity, the value added by access to assessment information during the problem-solving process.
Polarimetric interferometric studies of the harvard forest using l-band UAVSAR data repeat pass data

Quantification of the various components of the carbon cycle budget is key to improved climate modeling and projecting anthropogenic affects on climate in the future. Estimating the levels of above ground biomass contained in the world's forests that comprise 86% of the planet's above ground carbon and monitoring the rate of change to these standing stocks resulting from both natural and anthropogenic disturbances is necessary to solving the carbon cycle sink. Remote sensing is the only viable means of obtaining a global inventory of forest biomass at the hectare scale. The most promising means of obtaining remotely sensed biomass measurements involve using either lidar or radar measurements of vegetation structure coupled with allometric relationships. We have collected repeat-pass L-band fully polarimetric radar data at multiple spatial and temporal baselines to investigate the tree height and structure measurements using polarimetric interferometry techniques. This paper will discuss this experiment and comparison with lidar data.
Zero sets and interpolating sets in fock spaces

An example is constructed to show that interpolating sets for Fock spaces are not necessarily zero sets.
Metalorganic diazoalkanes: XX. Crystal structure of trimethyltin diazoacetic ester, Me3SnC(N2CO2Et

Abstract Me3SnC(N2CO2Et was obtained as a yellow, crystalline compound, m.p. 30°C from the reaction of Me3SnNEt2 with HC(N2)CO2Et, and its structure determined by X-ray diffractometry. The Me3SnC(N2CO2Et molecules have a plane of symmetry, the diazoacetic ester group being fixed in the Z-(1)-conformation. The CNN group is almost linear (177.5(7)°) and has bond lengths (CN 131.7(8) and NN 111.9(9) pm) comparable with those in other metalorganic diazoalkanes. As in Me3PbC(N2CO2Et, the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group is weakly coordinated to the tin atom of a neigbouring molecule: SnO 312.5(5) pm, COSn 180.0°.
P‐Selectin Knockout: A Mouse Model for Various Human Diseases

P-selectin is a transmembrane adhesion receptor specific to platelets and endothelial cells. It has an N-terminal lectin domain that recognizes specific carbohydrate moieties on monocytes, neutrophils and some other subsets of leukocytes. P-selectin is stored in granules and is expressed on the plasma membrane only after the cells are stimulated by vascular injury or during inflammation. Physiologically P-selectin is likely to be involved in the recruitment of leukocytes that promote wound healing and fight infection. There are many disorders in which the excessive recruitment of leukocytes is characteristic, including chronic inflammation, atherosclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, asthma and reperfusion injury. Because certain cancer cells also express the ligand for P-selectin it is possible that this receptor is involved in metastasis. To study the specific role of P-selectin in these pathological processes, we have prepared a mouse lacking P-selectin through gene targeting. Leukocyte interaction with the vessel wall is defective in these animals as leukocytes do not roll in the mesenteric venules and their extravasation at sites of inflammation and vessel injury is limited. We are testing these animals in models of the various diseases mentioned above in order to evaluate when the absence of P-selectin is beneficial.
Sensitivity of southern California wind energy to turbine characteristics

Using output from a high-resolution meteorological simulation, we evaluate the sensitivity of southern California wind energy generation to variations in key characteristics of current wind turbines. These characteristics include hub height, rotor diameter and rated power, and depend on turbine make and model. They shape the turbine's power curve and thus have large implications for the energy generation capacity of wind farms. For each characteristic, we find complex and substantial geographical variations in the sensitivity of energy generation. However, the sensitivity associated with each characteristic can be predicted by a single corresponding climate statistic, greatly simplifying understanding of the relationship between climate and turbine optimization for energy production. In the case of the sensitivity to rotor diameter, the change in energy output per unit change in rotor diameter at any location is directly proportional to the weighted average wind speed between the cut-in speed and the rated speed. The sensitivity to rated power variations is likewise captured by the percent of the wind speed distribution between the turbines rated and cut-out speeds. Finally, the sensitivity to hub height is proportional to lower atmospheric wind shear. Using a wind turbine component cost model, we also evaluate energy output increase per dollar investment in each turbine characteristic. We find that rotor diameter increases typically provide a much larger wind energy boost per dollar invested, although there are some zones where investment in the other two characteristics is competitive. Our study underscores the need for joint analysis of regional climate, turbine engineering and economic modeling to optimize wind energy production. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factors related to root resorption in edgewise practice

In a series of 200 consecutively debanded patients receiving comprehensive orthodontic treatment with the edgewise appliance, six (3%) showed severe resorption (greater than one-quarter of the root length) of both maxillary central incisors. For other teeth, resorption of this extent occurred in less than 1% of the patients. Using a case-control design, the characteristics of 21 patients with severe resorption were compared to randomly selected controls from the case series. There were significantly more Class III patients among the severe resorption cases than would have been expected. Risk indicators for resorption that were related to treatment procedures included approximation of the maxillary incisor roots against the lingual cortical plate (odds ratio 20), maxillary surgery (odds ratio 8), and root torque (odds ratio 4.5).
Use of Plasma Amino Acid Concentration to Identify Limiting Amino Acids for Milk Production

Abstract The hypothesis that an essential amino acid will accumulate in blood plasma only when supplied in excess of requirement was the basis of an attempt to identify essential amino acids most likely limiting lactation. In a 5 X 5 Latin-square experiment, five lactating cows were fed a corn-based basal ration containing 9.0% crude protein. Casein treated with .8% wt/wt formaldehyde to prevent protein breakdown by ruminal microorganisms was fed in five quantities to give diets containing 9.0 (basal), 11.2, 13.5, 15.7, and 18.0% crude protein (dry matter basis). Milk production and milk crude protein content for each of the five treatments were: 20.4kg and 2.98%; 22.1 and 3.04; 24.7 and 3.14; 26.8 and 3.17; and 25.7 and 3.15. This indicated that amino acid supply was inadequate at the two lowest but adequate at the two highest percents of dietary protein. Comparison of milk samples obtained at the lowest and highest protein feeding indicated that 82% of the increase in milk nitrogen content was accounted for as true protein (trichloroacetic acid-precipitable nitrogen). There was little evidence of change in the amino acid composition of milk protein with increased protein intake. Essential amino acid concentrations in jugular and mammary vein plasma for cows at all intakes of formaldehyde-treated casein indicated that methionine, valine, and lysine were the most likely limiting amino acids for milk production.
Short communication: Development of a geospatial screening tool to identify source areas of windblown dust

Soil properties and air-mass backward trajectories were integrated into a geographical information systems (GIS) tool to identify geographical regions that were likely to have significant influence on dust concentrations at Class I national parks and wilderness areas in US. The Windblown Dust Index (WDI) was introduced by spatial analysis of wind erosion and land use/land cover data for North America to identify potential area sources of windblown dust. The spatial probability density maps of backward trajectories were utilized to determine the number of trajectory points that passed near a grid cell at speeds higher than a specified threshold value. Analysis of data for the Salt Creek and White Mountain wilderness areas highlighted the significant potential of both local and regional sources of windblown dust at the two sites, with evidence for seasonal variation. These data are useful in evaluating the importance of windblown dust source areas and developing cost-effective targeted studies and/or mitigation strategies.
A study of the response of psychotic patients to photographic self-image experience.

Objectives, methods, and findings in this study of the response of psychotic patients to self-image experience, employing photographic self-images, are described. Self-recognition, reactions to the pictures, sex differences in response, and changes in the psychotic state accompanying self-confrontation are reported. The significance of the findings, hypothetical considerations, and potential utilization of the technique in investigation and therapy are discussed.
The effect of spur and non-spur apple cultivar type on adventitious root development from MM.111 rootstock

Abstract Trees of 8 spur and non-spur apple cultivars were grown for one season and their new root development on the buried rootstock shank was measured. Vegetative growth varied among cultivars even of the same kind, and was not consistently related to a spur or non-spur growth habit. Root development from the MM.111 rootstock shank was significantly affected by tree type, with the non-spur cultivars having the greatest amount of new root growth. Physical or chemical treatments imposed during the study failed to enhance rooting on rootstock shanks.
Formation of Volatile Compounds in Soy Flour by Singlet Oxygen Oxidation During Storage Under Light

: Volatile compounds in soy flour stored under light and in the dark at 30 °C were studied by a combination of solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and sensory evaluation. As storage time increased from 0 to 6 d, the total volatile compounds in soy flour stored in the dark and under light increased by 60% and 300%, respectively. Dimethyl disulfide increased significantly under light, and 2-pentylfuran, 1-octene, and 2-heptenal were identified only in soy flour under light. This indicates that the singlet oxygen oxidation was taking place in soy flour stored under light. Sensory off-flavor scores were significantly higher in samples stored under light than in the dark.
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: Middle-age onset of heterotopic ossification from a unique missense mutation (c.974G > C, p.G325A) in ACVR1†

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is the rare mendelian disease characterized by congenital malformation of the great toes preceding heterotopic ossification (HO) and caused by heterozygous activating mutation of the ACVR1 gene, which encodes the ALK2 receptor for bone morphogenetic proteins. Early adult life is the latest reported presentation for the HO of FOP. The patient of our report first developed HO from FOP at 47 years of age. She had congenital hallux valgus deformity but despite various traumas was previously well. HO began several months after a brief, seemingly viral, illness. Sudden and progressive pain, redness, warmth, and swelling appeared over a scapula. Computed tomography was remarkable for asymmetrical thickening of muscles and fascial planes. At first, the significance of the great toe abnormalities went unrecognized elsewhere, and biopsy for suspected inflammatory fasciitis revealed proliferating fibroblasts with scattered inflammatory cells. Prednisone improved her symptoms but, when tapered, swellings developed on her chest, posterior thorax, and flank, and FOP was diagnosed. Methylprednisolone, methotrexate, and alendronate seemed to help her symptoms, but the lesions worsened and HO appeared and rapidly progressed. Mutation analysis of the ACVR1 gene revealed heterozygosity for a unique missense defect (c.974G > C, p.G325A) that predicted a conservative (mild) amino acid change within the kinase domain of ALK2. Hence, HO in FOP can be delayed until middle-age, and perhaps provoked by a viral illness. Nevertheless, progression of HO can then be rapid despite bisphosphonate and high-dose immunosuppressive therapy. Possibly, our patient's late-onset HO reflects her mild alteration of ALK2 or some protective and therapeutically useful genetic, epigenetic, or nongenetic factor. Recognition of presymptomatic individuals or late-onset HO in FOP should have these patients avoid traumas, treatments, and maybe viral illnesses that can initiate or exacerbate the HO. If the diagnosis of FOP is unclear, ACVR1 mutation analysis is available at certified laboratories. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Functional defects in T4 bacteriophages lacking the gene 11 and gene 12 products

Abstract T4 bacteriophages lacking the gene 11 or gene 12 products have been examined to determine their functional abnormalities. They appear morphologically normal, and they can be converted to active particles in vitro using an extract containing the gene 11 and/or gene 12 product(s). Gene 11 and gene 12 defective particles do not adsorb properly even though they attach to the bacterial surface by their long tail fibers. The adsorption defect in T411−:12− particles seems to be that the sheath of a phage, adsorbed by its long tail fibers, has a severely reduced probability of contracting. The adsorption defect in T412− phages seems to be that the tail pins are only weakly bound to the bacterial wall, and when the sheath contracts, putting tension on the tail pins, they detach from the bacterium. Therefore, the gene 11 product appears to act on the phage's baseplate to facilitate sheath contraction while the gene 12 product seems to act on the tail pins of the baseplate to enable them to attach firmly to the Escherichia coli cell wall. The long tail fiber attachment of T411−:12− phages to bacteria appears to be reversible. High multiplicities of infection by T4 phages lacking the gene 11 and/or gene12 products do not cause lysis from without or kill cells. Furthermore, 11−:12− and 12− particles do not release their DNA upon interacting with bacteria. The normal release of the phage's DNA may be contingent upon the lytic interaction between the phage and the bacterial surface.
Spontaneous deamination of cytosine and 5-methylcytosine residues in DNA and replacement of 5-methylcytosine residues with cytosine residues

Methylation of cytosine residues at position 5 is the only known genetically programmed modifica- tion of the bases in vertebrate DNA. 5-Methylcy- tosine (mSC) constitutes - 0.7-3% of the bases of all studied normal vertebrate cells or tissues and is found mostly in CpG dinucleotide sequences (Ehrlich and Wang, 1981; Gama-Sosa et
Expression and Functional Interaction of the Catalytic and Regulatory Subunits of Human Methionine Adenosyltransferase in Mammalian Cells

Abstract Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) catalyzes the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet). The mammalian MAT II isozyme consists of catalytic α2 and regulatory β subunits. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction and kinetic behavior of the human MAT II subunit proteins in mammalian cells. COS-1 cells were transiently transfected with pTargeT vector harboring full-length cDNA that encodes for the MAT II α2 or β subunits. Expression of the His-tagged recombinant α2 (rα2) subunit in COS-1 cells markedly increased MAT II activity and resulted in a shift in theK m for l-methionine (l-Met) from 15 μm (endogenous MAT II) to 75 μm(rα2), and with the apparent existence of two kinetic forms of MAT in the transfected COS-1 cell extracts. By contrast, expression of the recombinant β (rβ) subunit had no effect on theK m for l-Met of the endogenous MAT II, while it did cause an increase in both the V maxand the specific activity of endogenous MAT. Co-expression of both rα2 and rβ subunits resulted in a significant increase of MAT specific activity with the appearance of a single kinetic form of MAT (K m = 20 μm). The recombinant MAT II α2 and rβ subunit associated spontaneously either in cell-free system or in COS-1 cells co-expressing both subunits. Analysis of nickel-agarose-purified His-tagged rα2 subunit from COS-1 cell extracts showed that the β subunit co-purified with the α2 subunit. Furthermore, the α2 and β subunits co-migrated in native polyacrylamide gels. Together, the data provide evidence for α2 and β MAT subunit association. In addition, the β subunit regulated MAT II activity by reducing its K m for l-Met and by rendering the enzyme more susceptible to feedback inhibition by AdoMet. We believe that the previously described differential expression of MAT II β subunit may be an important mechanism by which MAT activity can be modulated to provide different levels of AdoMet that may be required at different stages of cell growth and differentiation.
Low-temperature nuclear spin relaxation in β-aluminas

27Al NMR T1 measurements for Na-, K-, and Na0.5K0.5β-alumina in the temperature range ∼5–180K are reported. Both Na- and Kβ-alumina exhibit a nearly linear temperature dependence of the spin-lattice relaxation rate T−11 up to ∼55K which is attributed to the presence of two-level system (TLS) tunneling modes. A shallow T1 minimum at ∼30K is observed in Na0.5K0.5β-alumina. It is suggested that the origin of this minimum is associated with the distribution of TLS parameters, and may be a low-temperature manifestation of the mixed-alkali effect commonly observed in glasses in the higher temperature ionic hopping regime.
A mechanism for complementation of the sodA sodB defect in Escherichia coli by overproduction of the rbo gene product (desulfoferrodoxin) from Desulfoarculus baarsii.

Overexpression of rbo in Escherichia coli prevents the inactivation of the [4Fe-4S]-containing fumarases that otherwise occurs in the sodA sodB strain. It similarly protects against the increased sensitivity toward H2O2, which is imposed by the lack of SOD A and SOD B. These results would be explained on the basis of scavenging of O·2 within the cells by RBO. This interpretation was supported by measurements of intracellular scavenging of O·2 by the lucigenin luminescence method. Since SOD activity could not be detected in dilute extracts, of the RBO-overexpressing sodA sodB strain, we propose that RBO catalyzes the reduction of O·2 at the expense of cellular reductants such as NAD(P)H. A similar mechanism may apply to other instances of complementation of SOD defects by non-SOD genes.
Hydrodynamics of constrained inverse fludization and semifluidization in a gas-liquid-solid system

Abstract Experiments were conducted to study the hydrodynamic behavior of the constrained inverse gas-liquid-solid fluidized bed and the semifluidized bed where the liquid is the continuous phase. Also included in the experiments was a study of the hydrodynamic behavior of countercurrent flow of gas and liquid in a packed bed. This part of the study simulates the packed section of a constrained inverse semifluidized bed. A mathematical model is developed to account for the friction factor between the liquid and solid in the packed bed. The gas hold-up and friction factor of the packed bed are analyzed and empirically correlated. Wallis' drift flux model is modified to describe the gas hold-up in a constrained inverse fluidized bed. For the constrained inverse semifluidized bed,
Splenic regeneration does not occur after sub-total splenectomy

The case of a 6-year-old male undergoing sub-total splenectomy after a trivial fall is described. Although the remaining spleen survived, no increase in splenic bulk had occurred 8 years later as measured by isotope scan.
Left ventricular functional improvement after transmyocardial laser revascularization

Abstract Background . Transmyocardial laser revascularization has been used to treat patients with end-stage coronary artery disease that is not amenable to standard revascularization. Although there is evidence of angina relief and quality of life enhancement, there is little information concerning improvement in myocardial contractility. The purpose of this study was to determine whether transmyocardial laser revascularization improves myocardial function in chronically ischemic myocardium. Methods . In a model of chronic ischemia by Ameroid occlusion of the circumflex artery, domestic pigs (n = 8) were treated with transmyocardial laser revascularization. Before laser treatment, segmental contraction was assessed at rest and with dobutamine stress echocardiography. Myocardium subtended by the occlusion was compared with that remote from the occlusion. Six weeks after transmyocardial laser revascularization, the animals were restudied at rest and with stress, and then sacrificed. Sham-treated control animals (n = 4) underwent the same procedures but were not treated with transmyocardial laser revascularization. Control animals did not demonstrate significant recovery of function. Results . Transmyocardial laser revascularization improved resting function in chronically ischemic myocardium by 100%. Conclusions . Transmyocardial laser revascularization significantly improves the function of chronically ischemic myocardium. These data may help explain the mechanisms by which transmyocardial laser revascularization is clinically effective.
A meta-evaluation of nitrapyrin agronomic and environmental effectiveness with emphasis on corn production in the Midwestern USA

The effectiveness of nitrification inhibitors for abatement of N loss from the agroecosystem is difficult to measure at typical agronomic scales, since performance varies at the research-field scale due to complex interactions among crop management, soil properties, length of the trial, and environmental factors. The environmental impact of the nitrification inhibitor nitrapyrin on N losses from agronomic ecosystems was considered with emphasis on the Midwestern USA. A meta-evaluation approach considered the integrated responses to nitrification inhibition found across research trials conducted in diverse environments over many years as measured in side-by-side comparisons of fertilizer N or manure applied with and without nitrapyrin. The resulting distributions of response indices were evaluated with respect to the magnitude and variance of the agronomic and environmental effects that may be achieved when nitrification inhibitors are used regionally over time. The indices considered (1) crop yield, (2) annual or season-long maintenance of inorganic N within the crop root zone, (3) NO3-N leached past the crop root zone, and (4) greenhouse gas emission from soil. Results showed that on average, the crop yield increased (relative to N fertilization without nitrapyrin) 7% and soil N retention increased by 28%, while N leaching decreased by 16% and greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 51%. In more than 75% of individual comparisons, use of a nitrification inhibitor increased soil N retention and crop yield, and decreased N leaching and volatilization. The potential of nitrification inhibitors for reducing N loss needs to be considered at the scale of a sensitive region, such as a watershed, over a prolonged period of use as well as within the context of overall goals for abatement of N losses from the agroecosystem to the environment.
The effect of rewriting prose material on reading comprehension

Abstract The purpose of this research was to investigate whether certain grammatical transformations have an equivalent effect on the reading comprehension of individuals possessing differing degrees of reading competency. Seventy‐two college students grouped into three levels of reading ability were administered seven prose passages. Approximately half of the subjects at each level read the passages in their original form. The other half read revised versions of the same passages. The revisions involved editing out abstract nouns and verb‐nominalizations and replacing them with either concrete nouns or full verbs. The reading comprehension of poor readers who read the revised passages was better than that of poor readers who read the passages in their original form. Revision had no effect on the reading comprehension of average and good readers. These data were interpreted as suggesting that the effect of rewriting prose material so as to increase its comprehensibility varies as a function of an individu...
PHONEMIC AWARENESS TRAINING: APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES OF DIRECT INSTRUCTION

Why is phonemic awareness so critical to the learning‐to‐read process? Why do some readers fail to develop phonemic awareness? What can be done to foster phonemic awareness? The research on these three related questions is integrated. It is argued that learning how to read in an alphabetic system requires children to understand the complex relationship between print and speech. This understanding is not easily achieved by children who have difficulty detecting and manipulating the sounds within spoken words. Pre‐reading and beginning reading instruction should be designed to facilitate the acquisition of phonemic awareness. Recommended practices include (a) engaging preschool children in activities that direct their attention to the sounds in words, (b) teaching students to segment and to blend, (c) combining training in segmentation and blending with instruction in letter‐sound relationships, (d) teaching segmentation and blending as complementary processes, (e) systematically sequencing examples when te...
DC Resistivity Measurements of Model Saline Ice Sheets

The dc resistivity structure of an artificially grown saline ice sheet at various stages of growth, thermal modification, and desalination has been determined by finding layered models to best fit Schlumberger array sounding data. Values between 2 and 90 ? · were obtained for model layers varying from 2-to 200-%o brine volume. After a strong warming and cooling cycle following 32-cm growth, the average resistivity had decreased by a factor of about 2 despite the brine volume having also decreased by nearly a factor of 2. This change with age plus the variability in the resistivity values implies that no simple correlation exists between brine volume and resistivity because permeability, which is related to age and temperature, is also a strong factor. The low resistivity values measured show that resistivity will strongly affect microwave radiometric emissions from young or warm sea ice.
Spermidine/Spermine N1-Acetyltransferase 2 (SSAT2) functions as a coactivator for NF-κB and cooperates with CBP and P/CAF to enhance NF-κB-dependent transcription

Abstract Activation of transcription by NF-κB requires association with coactivator proteins, including CBP/p300 and P/CAF. To identify new coregulatory proteins, a cytoplasmic two-hybrid screen was performed using the C-terminus of the p65 subunit as bait. Through this screen, the spermidine/spermine N 1 -acetyltransferase 2 (SSAT2) protein was identified as a potential modulator of NF-κB activity. SSAT2 was originally identified based on homology to SSAT1, a protein involved in polyamine catabolism. However both proteins contain an acetyltransferase domain that has similarity to the acetyltransferase domains of the GNAT superfamily of coactivators. Although SSAT2 is 46% identical to SSAT1, based on a recent report, SSAT2 does not appear to function in polyamine catabolism. Because of the similarity of SSAT2 to coactivators, we wanted to determine if SSAT2 could function as a coactivator for NF-κB. Coimmunoprecipitations confirmed the interaction between p65 and SSAT2. In transient transfection reporter gene assays, SSAT2 functions as a transcriptional coactivator for NF-κB and cooperates with CBP and P/CAF to enhance TNFα-induced NF-κB activity. Moreover, SSAT2 transiently associates with the promoters of the NF-κB-regulated cIAP2 and IL-8 genes in response to TNFα. Although the overall function of SSAT2 is not known, it appears that it can function as a transcriptional coactivator.
The use of a modified vaginal pouch for the diagnosis and management of premature rupture of the membranes

A modified Reality vaginal pouch (Wisconsin Pharmacal, Jackson, Wis.) was effective in assessing membrane integrity in patients evaluated for suspected premature rupture of the membranes and was useful for collecting fluid in patients requiring pulmonary maturity studies. This technique does not alter the incidence of infection and is beneficial in the management of selected patients.
Microbial cell recovery enhancement through flocculation

The removal of cellular material from fermentation broths is of importance in many fermentation processes. The present work compares the performance of recently developed polyelectrolyte flocculating additives with traditionally available additives. Objectives are to establish criteria for the choice of a flocculating additive and establish optimum conditions for the formation of stable, fast settling floe, and for quantitative separation of cellular material from the medium. Fermentation broths of actively growing Candida intermedia were used to evaluate the effectiveness of fifty commercial flocculating additives at different dosages and pH values. Certain strong anionic and strong cationic polyelectrolytes and mineral hydrocolloids were found to be most effective in their enhancement of settling rates. Some differences in behavior exist between glucose grown cells, hydrocarbon grown cells, and washed cells in buffer suspension. Flocculation of cells from fermentation broths is concluded to be highly dependent upon adsorbed material. A high charge density to interact or compete with adsorbed material and a solubility in the adsorbed material are important factors in choosing an additive for a given application. The fluid mechanics of a flocculating suspension is an important variable since low shear does not provide adequate contacting between cells for floe formation and high shear leads to floe breakup. An apparatus was constructed to grow floe under constant fluid mechanical conditions both in laminar and turbulent flow regimes. Turbulent shear was found to be very important in forming large, compact floe in cases where irreversible ionic bridging is the mechanism as for the strong anionic polyelectrolyte, polystyrene sulfonate. Adequate mixing is required to disperse the flocculating additive, but the level of turbulence is relatively unimportant in cases where reversible colloidal bridging is the mechanism as for the mineral hydrocolloid, bentonite.
Application of signed digraphs-based analysis for fault diagnosis of chemical process flowsheets

Abstract Recently, Maurya et al. (Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 42 (2003b, c) 4789,4811) have presented a comprehensive framework for signed directed graph-based analysis of process systems where major theoretical results have been substantiated with simple examples or individual unit-based case studies. In this article, two case studies are presented to illustrate SDG-based analysis of process flowsheets containing many units and control loops. While the literature is replete with single unit examples, flowsheet level analysis as described in this paper is virtually non-existent. The first case study deals with prediction of initial response and its fault diagnostic application in the Tennessee Eastman (TE) flowsheet using a lumped parameter model of the process. The second case study deals with the steady-state analysis and fault diagnosis (FD) of a reaction–separation process. For this case study, the overall signed digraph for the process is developed from the digraphs for individual units and control loops in the flowsheet. It is shown that digraph-based steady-state analysis results in good diagnostic resolution.