cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of Coronary Artery Bypass Surgical Procedure and Coronary Angioplasty in Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease: Changes During a 10-Year Period at Mayo Clinic Rochester

Objective To compare changing clinical characteristics and early and late outcomes for patients treated with either coronary artery bypass grafting or coronary angioplasty at Mayo Clinic Rochester during a 10-year period. Design We retrospectively analyzed a series of patients with coronary artery disease who were clinically selected for myocardial revascularization from Jan. 1, 1982, through Dec. 31, 1991. Material and Methods The study population consisted of 7,099 patients treated with coronary artery bypass grafting and 4,937 who underwent coronary angioplasty. To monitor changes in clinical and procedural outcomes over time, we divided the 10-year period into three equal intervals: period I=Jan. 1, 1982, through Apr. 30, 1985; period II=May 1, 1985, through Aug. 31, 1988; and period III=Sep. 1, 1988, through Dec. 31, 1991. Patients who underwent valve or arrhythmia operations along with coronary bypass were excluded from the study, as were those who were treated with angioplasty technologies other than balloon angioplasty. Results Throughout the study period, use of coronary angioplasty progressively increased (784 procedures in period I and 3,516 in period III). The number of coronary bypass operations increased from period I to period II but declined in period III. Over time, increasing numbers of elderly patients and women were referred for myocardial revascularization. Use of the internal mammary artery as a bypass conduit increased from 23% of cases in period I to 84% in period III. In surgical patients, perioperative myocardial infarction rates declined significantly from 5.7% to 2.0% from periods I to III. For coronary angioplasty, elderly patients, patients with diabetes, and patients with hypertension progressively increased. Multivessel coronary angioplasty increased from 10% of the cases in period I to 15% in period III. Operative mortality rates for both coronary bypass and angioplasty remained stable throughout the study despite the increasing number of high-risk patients. Conclusion This 10-year experience with coronary bypass and angioplasty at a major referral center reflects the national trend of an aging patient population with coronary artery disease undergoing revascularization procedures.
Serum Protein Changes Occurring in Degenerative Stages of Bright's Disease

ConclusionThere are 3 obvious changes in a salting out curve of serum of patients in the degenerative states of Bright's disease: (1) Decreased englobulin or absence of it. (2) Decreased albumin. (3) Presence of a fraction not occurring in normal serum. These changes are particularly pronounced where there is an acute infection. They can not be observed by making an albumin-globulin ratio.
Gene profiling of inflammatory genes in day 18 endometria from pregnant and non-pregnant mares.

Maternal recognition of pregnancy is a physiological process that primarily describes endometrial responses to a conceptus. Recognition of a conceptus prevents the release of prostaglandin F2α, thereby ensuring survival of the corpus luteum and continued progesterone production. Exactly how this occurs in the mare is poorly understood. Because prostaglandin F2α is a pro-inflammatory hormone, we hypothesized that differential gene expression in the endometrium at the time of maternal recognition reflects an anti-inflammatory event leading to decreased prostaglandin F2α secretion. Mares were inseminated, and endometrial biopsies were recovered from pregnant mares on Day 18 post-ovulation. In subsequent estrous cycles, mares were not inseminated and Day 18 post-ovulation endometrial biopsies were collected (non-pregnant control, matched per individual). Endometrial gene expression profiles were examined by screening an Affymetrix equine GeneChip containing probes specific for genes related to inflammatory processes. Microarray analysis revealed 118 genes that were up-regulated and 93 genes that were down-regulated (P < 0.001) at least 1.5-fold in the endometrium of pregnant versus non-pregnant mares. Quantitative, real-time RT-PCR confirmed the microarray results for three up-regulated genes homologous to TSC22D3, PPAPDC2, and KLF6, and three down-regulated genes homologous to ESR1, MARCKSL1, and EPSTI1 (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the presence of the equine embryo induces differential gene expression in the endometrium of Day 18 pregnant mares, and that these genes are associated with inflammatory processes and pathways involving cellular growth and proliferation. The results from this study provide important new insights into endometrial gene expression in response to early equine pregnancy. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79: 777–784, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interoffice trunking and signaling

EACH ENGINEER who for the first time concerns himself with the problems of telephone interoffice trunking discovers that practically the only source of information regarding equipment and operation comes from actual circuits and circuit description sheets which are not always available. This paper summarizes the information gained from a review of a number of trunk circuits with a view to providing the interested engineer with a basis for choosing the method of operation best suited to his particular need.
Application of 13C and 15N NMR spectroscopy to structural studies on nitramines

15N and 13C chemical shifts and the 1J(15N15N), 1J(15N13C) and 1J(13CH) coupling constants have been determined for a number of 15N-enriched cyclic and acyclic secondary nitramines. The results are interpreted in terms of both electronegativity effects and conformational factors.
First report of Alfalfa mosaic virus in Kura clover (Trifolium amgibuum) in Wisconsin.

Kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb.) has been reported to be resistant to several viruses, including Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), Clover yellow vein virus (CYVV), Peanut stunt virus, Red clover vein mosaic virus (RCVMV), and White clover mosaic virus (WCMV) (2). Furthermore, 54 of 61 kura clover plants were resistant to Clover yellow mosaic virus (CYMV). Field-grown kura clover plants had no visual symptoms of virus infection, but a small proportion of plant introductions tested positive for CYVV, WCMV, and RCVMV (1). These and similar studies have given kura clover the reputation of being highly resistant to most viruses that affect other forage legumes. Viral-like symptoms, characterized by mosaic, crinkling, and reduced size of leaflets were observed on 53 kura clover plants in an 88-plant collection (plant introductions and cultivars) growing in the field. A 20-plant subset was screened for AMV, Bean pod mottle virus, BYMV, Soybean mosaic virus, Tobacco ring spot v...
Vortex core size in superfluid3He-4He Mixture films

Torsion oscillator measurements of the superfluid transition of3He-4He mixture films adsorbed on alumina powder have been carried out for superfluid coverages of less than one monolayer. The addition of3He substantially broadens the phase transition, indicating an increase in the vortex core size, by nearly a factor of two with the addition of about 0.13 layers of3He. The scaling of the core size with the superfluid coverage is similar to that found for pure4He films, in agreement with a simple Gross-Pitaevskii model for the core.
NAFTA: Old and new lessons from theory and practice with economic integration

Abstract The approval of Nafta in 1992–1993 brought Mexico into the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement and motivated a number of studies in an effort to assess the empirical content of international trade theory. In this paper we review the experiences from customs unions formed before and after World War II. A review of the European Union follows, including a discussion of the Treaty of Rome, of the Single European Act, and of recent experiences toward monetary union. In each case, we try to relate the experiences gained to NAFTA. Although NAFTA is not an advanced form of economic integration, the lessons of history provide useful insights for NAFTA.
The Antecedent Large-Scale Conditions of the “Perfect Storms” of Late October and Early November 1991

Abstract The “Perfect Storms” (PSs) were a series of three high-impact extratropical cyclones (ECs) that impacted North America and the North Atlantic in late October and early November 1991. The PSs included the Perfect Storm in the northwest Atlantic, a second EC over the North Atlantic that developed from the interaction of the PS with Hurricane Grace, and a third EC over North America commonly known as the “1991 Halloween Blizzard.” The PSs greatly impacted the North Atlantic and North America with large waves, coastal flooding, heavy snow, and accumulating ice, and they also provided an opportunity to investigate the physical processes that contributed to a downstream baroclinic development (DBD) episode across North America that culminated in the ECs. Downstream baroclinic development resulted from an amplification of the large-scale flow over the North Pacific that was influenced by anomalous tropical convection, the recurvature and extratropical transition of western North Pacific Tropical Cyclone...
The dynamics of carbohydrate metabolism in Candida albicans

Abstract The total cellular concentrations of the intermediary metabolites and the carbohydrate end products were determined for starved Candida albicans yeast cells and cells forming germ tubes during a 60-min incubation in imidazole-HCl buffer in the absence and presence of 2.5 m M glucose, 2.5 m M glutamine, and 0.2% serum at 37°C. These cells were also incubated in the presence of tracer [U- 14 C]glucose and the specific radioactivities of the metabolites and end products determined. The labeling data indicated (1) a minimum of two metabolically independent pools of glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, glucose 1-phosphate, and uridine diphosphoglucose; (2) compartmentation of the pathways of catabolism and anabolism; (3) channeling of the exogenous tracer glucose into the anabolic pathway compartments of the starved cells; and (4) a significant rate of turnover of cell wall carbohydrates in cells incubated under nongrowth conditions and rapid turnover of these pools in germ tube forming cells. The labeling data will be used to construct kinetic models of carbohydrate metabolism in C. albicans .
Cloud condensation nuclei as a real source of ice forming nuclei in continental and marine air masses

Cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) constitute a source of ice-forming nuclei (IFN) in continental and marine air masses. The mode of ice nucleation studied was condensation-followed-by-freezing. Concentrations of IFN formed by evaporation of cloud droplets and subsequent condensation of water vapor was found to be for marine aerosol particles 40 to 110 m−3 at Sw = 0.2% and 80 to 700 M−3 at Sw = 5%; for continental air masses it was 40 to 300 m−3 at Sw=0.2% and 5%. Concentrations of IFN of marine origin increased with increasing Sw, at a constant temperature; they were constant over a wide temperature range at a constant Sw. IFN concentrations in continental air masses were found to be independent of Sw at a constant temperature; they were constant for the Sw range of 0.2 to 5% (70% of data) and 0.5 to 5% (30% of data). The IFN produced through the evaporation-condensation cycle of marine aerosol particles have properties that are identical to IFN present in a marine atmosphere—their concentrations are independent of temperatures at Sw≥0.25%.
Withdrawal from extended‐access cocaine self‐administration results in dysregulated functional activity and altered locomotor activity in rats

Much work has focused on determining the consequences of cocaine self-administration on specific neurotransmitter systems, thus neglecting the global changes that occur. Previous imaging studies have focused on the effects of cocaine self-administration in the presence of high blood levels of cocaine, but have not determined the functional effects of cocaine self-administration after cocaine has cleared. Extended-access cocaine self-administration, where animals administer cocaine for 6 h each day, results in escalation in the rate of cocaine intake and is believed to model the transition from recreational use to addiction in humans. We aimed to determine the functional changes following acute (48 h) withdrawal from an extended-access, defined-intake self-administration paradigm (5 days, 40 injections/day, 6 h/day), a time point when behavioral changes are present. Using the 2-[14C]deoxyglucose method to measure rates of local cerebral glucose metabolism, an indicator of functional activity, we found reductions in circuits related to learning and memory, attention, sleep, and reward processing, which have important clinical implications for cocaine addiction. Additionally, lower levels of functional activity were found in the dorsal raphe and locus coeruleus, suggesting that cocaine self-administration may have broader effects on brain function than previously noted. These widespread neurochemical reductions were concomitant with substantial behavioral differences in these animals, highlighted by increased vertical activity and decreased stereotypy. These data demonstrate that behavioral and neurochemical impairments following cocaine self-administration are present in the absence of drug and persist after cocaine has been cleared.
Family Structure Among Urban, Rural and Farm Populations: Classic Sociological Theory Revisited

As predicted by the classic sociological theories of Durkheim, Tonnies, and others, early sociological researchers found extensive differences between urban and rural residents in the United States. In recent decades, many of these differences have appeared to wane, or in some cases, totally disappear. Based on these classic theories, we maintain that many of the urban/rural differences found in the past were actually farm/nonfarm differences. Further, we argue that many of these differences continue to exist in rural America, but they have been suppressed by major demographic transitions. Utilizing Current Population Survey data on family structure, we found that there were few significant differences between urban and rural nonfarm residents, but both varied extensively from various segments of the farm population.
SuperDARN observations of ionospheric heater-induced upper hybrid waves

Observations are reported of an undocumented HF scattering mode detected by the Kodiak SuperDARN radar during an O-mode heating experiment recently conducted at the HAARP facility near Gakona, AK. The main features of these observations include enhancements to the Kodiak radar spectrum at frequencies equal to the radar plus the heater frequencies (f r + f H ) as well as somewhat weaker enhancements at (f r + f H ) ± 85 and (f r + f H ) ± 108 kHz. Observations were recorded for ∼20 minutes and enhanced spectra from the heated volume above HAARP were consistently observed by the Kodiak radar during times when the HAARP heater was transmitting. We suggest that the spectral enhancements indicate the presence of perpendicularly propagating upper hybrid (UH) waves which are believed to exist near the UH resonance layer.
Communication Networks with Simultaneous Flow Requirements

This paper considers the analysis and synthesis of communication networks with constant branch capacities, subject to a set of simultaneous flow requirements which are, in general, time-varying. Since the maxima of different flow requirements usually do not occur at the same time, savings in total capacity or total cost are possible through reassignments of flow paths. A set of necessary and sufficient conditions for a communication network to satisfy a given set of simultaneous time-dependent flow requirements is obtained. This set of conditions, when applied to the case of constant simultaneous flow requirements, is shown to be more conpact than those previously known. A synthesis procedure is then derived which enables one to obtain a communication network realization of minimum total branch capacity subject to the constraint that the network must assume a tree configuration.
Toward IP virtual private network quality of service: a service provider perspective

To complement classical enterprise wide area network infrastructures, IP (based) virtual private networks have been gaining ground, with the capability of offering cost-effective, secure, and private-network-like services. In order to provision the equivalent quality of service of legacy connection-oriented layer 2 virtual private networks (VPNs), IP VPNs have to overcome the intrinsically best effort characteristics of the Internet in this multimedia era. This article discusses the IP VPN quality of service (QoS) issue from a service provider point of view, where QoS guarantees are carried out at the network level as well as at the node level. It presents the whole picture by highlighting and stitching together various QoS enabling technologies from previous research and engineering work.
The Effect of Central Starbursts on the Interstellar Medium of Dwarf Galaxies

Major starburst events can last tens of millions of years, and in the process they can deposit significant amounts of energy into the surrounding interstellar medium. This energy from supernova and stellar winds imparts enough momentum to the interstellar medium (ISM) that portions of the ISM can become unbound and leave the parent galaxy, taking the metal-enriched stellar debris along. In dwarf galaxies, starbursts can produce enough total energy to unbind most or all of the ambient ISM. Whether this actually occurs is a strong function of the ellipticity of the ISM distribution, with flat disks and spheres being the limiting cases. We calculate whether 'blow out' along the symmetry axis of 'blow away' of the entire ISM occurs during a central starburst in dwarf galaxies as a function of galactic mass, starburst energy, ISM density, and ISM ellipticity. The calculations cover a range of 10(exp 7) to 10(exp 9) solar mass for dwarf galaxies and include 'normal' galaxies of 10(exp 11) solar mass as well. No massive dark matter halos are assumed to be present. We find that for physically reasonable values of total ISM mass and starburst energy a blow out along the symmetry axis occurs in the majority of cases, though a significant fraction of small dwarf galaxies can lose most of their ISM. As no dark matter halos or clumpy ISM distributions are included, it is apparent that the ISM in most dwarf galaxies may be generally resistant to significant disruption by a central starburst event. The effects of this range of behavi or on the metallicities that would be observed in these galaxies is discussed.
Can we make sense out of the measurement process in relativistic quantum mechanics

We study the instantaneity of the state-reduction process in relativistic quantum mechanics. The conclusion of various authors that this instantaneity will restrict the set of relativistic observables to purely local ones (i.e., that the measurement of any nonlocal property of a system at a well-defined time would give rise to violations of relativistic causality) is found to be erroneous, and experiments (of a kind not encountered before in measurement theory) are described whereby certain nonlocal properties of some simple physical systems can be measured at a well-defined time without violating causality. The attempts of certain authors to reconcile the reduction process with the covariance of the relativistic quantum state are considered and found wanting, and it is argued that the covariance of relativistic quantum theories resides exclusively in the experimental probabilities, and not in the underlying quantum states. The problem of nonlocal measurement is considered in general: distinctions (which are not to be met with in the nonrelativistic case) arise in relativistic quantum mechanics between what can be measured for fermions and what can be measured for bosons, between what can be measured for individual systems and what can be measured for ensembles, and between what kinds of states can be verified by measurement and what kinds of states can be prepared by measurement; and these pose difficult questions about the nature of measurement itself.
Effect of Cefamandole Nafate on the Toxicity of Tobramycin

Because of the potential for an interaction between cephalosporins and aminoglycosides leading to renal injury, an evaluation of the effect of a new cephalosporin, cefamandole nafate, on the toxicity of the aminoglycoside tobramycin was performed in laboratory animals. High doses of cefamandole nafate did not increase the acute toxicity (lethality) of tobramycin in rats or mice. In a subacute experiment in rats, dose-related tobramycin nephrotoxicity, as evidenced by blood urea nitrogen changes, increased kidney weights, and histologically determined tubular nephrosis and necrosis, was observed. Concomitant treatment with cefamandole nafate, 500 mg/kg, did not increase tobramycin nephrotoxicity, but protected against the aminoglycoside-induced renal injury. Determination of tissue radioactivity after administration of [(14)C]tobramycin indicated that cefamandole nafate treatment resulted in uniformly lower tobramycin tissue concentrations compared with the control, suggesting that the protective effect was produced by enhanced excretion of tobramycin after cefamandole nafate treatment.
Oxygen/hydrogen Space Station propulsion system concept definition for IOC

The potential for the reduction in propulsion system life cycle costs through the use of on-board water electrolysis to generate oxygen and hydrogen propellants, as well as the potential advantages of improved system safety and contamination impact, led to a study to evaluate candidate oxygen-/hydrogen-based propulsion systems. In this study a representative set of propulsion system requirements were compiled and candidate oxygen/hydrogen-based propulsion systems synthesized. These candidate concepts were screened and a systems evaluation was performed on the remaining eight candidate concepts. Detailed system schematics were prepared. Operational design conditions were determined and system weight, volume, energy requirements, and costs were calculated. Evaluation results indicated that the oxygen/hydrogen propulsion systems can provide simple, low cost, and viable systems for the IOC Space Station. Based on these data, a relative concept evaluation was conducted using as selection criteria reliability, safety, cost, technical risk, contamination, operational utility, growth potential, and integration potential. Top ranked candidate systems were recommended to NASA/MSFC for consideration for the IOC Space Station.
Size Effect on Adiabatic Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flow Map and Void Fraction in Micro-Channels

Adiabatic gas-liquid two-phase flow patterns and void fractions in micro-channels were experimentally investigated. Using nitrogen gas and water, experiments were conducted in near-square micro-channels with hydraulic diameters of 0.209mm, 0.412mm and 0.622 mm, respectively. The main objective was focused on the effects of micro-scale channel sizes. Gas and liquid superficial velocities were varied from 0.06-72.3 m/s and 0.02-7.13 m/s, respectively. Four defined flow patterns including bubbly-slug flow, slug-ring flow, dispersed-churn flow and annular flow were observed in both micro-channels of 0.412 mm and, 0.622 mm in hydraulic diameter. In the micro-channel of 0.209 mm, the bubbly-slug flow turned into the slug-flow and the dispersed-churn flow was not observed. The current flow regime maps showed that the transition lines shifted towards higher gas superficial velocity due to the stronger surface tension effect as the channel size was reduced. The micro-channel flow regime maps were found to be quite different from those of mini-channels. Measured time-averaged void fractions in our micro-channels held a non-linear relationship with the homogeneous void fraction as oppose to the relatively linear trend for the mini-channels. A new correlation was proposed to predict the non-linear relationship that fits most of the experimental data of the current three micro-channels and those of the 0.1 mm diameter tube reported by Kawahara et al. within ± 15%.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Characterization of the yeast mitochondrial locus necessary for tRNA biosynthesis: DNA sequence analysis and identification of a new transcript

Most components necessary for the biosynthesis of mitochondrial tRNAs are coded by nuclear genes, but one mitochondrial locus other than the tRNA genes themselves is required to make functional tRNAs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. DNA sequence analysis of this yeast mitochondrial tRNA synthesis locus is reported here. This region of mitochondrial DNA is almost exclusively A+T-rich DNA with one G+C-rich element. Despite the unusual structure of the DNA in this region, we have demonstrated that it codes for a heretofore unidentified mitochondrial transcript about 450 bases in length. Since this RNA is the only RNA encoded by the tRNA synthesis locus, it must be the active agent of the locus. This RNA could either act autonomously through RNA-RNA interactions or as part of an RNA-protein complex to effect tRNA biosynthesis.
Cryogenic intracavity laser cooling using high power vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers (VECSELs)

A Yb:YLF crystal is laser cooled to 150 K from room temperature in an intracavity geometry using a high power InGaAs/GaAs MQW VECSEL operating at 1020 nm with <0.5 nm linewidth.
Converting tumor-specific markers into reporters of oncolytic virus infection

Preferential killing of transformed cells, while keeping normal cells and organs unharmed, is the main goal of cancer gene therapy. Genetically engineered trackable markers and imaging reporters enable noninvasive monitoring of transduction efficiency and pharmacokinetics of anticancer virotherapeutics. However, none of these reporters can differentiate between infection in the targeted tumors and that in the normal tissue. Thus, we constructed oncolytic measles virus (MV) armed with a human light immunoglobulin chain reporter gene for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Excessive production of monoclonal immunoglobulin is a key characteristic and marker for diagnostics of MM. Once expressed in infected target cells, vector-encoded λ protein recombines with myeloma IgG-κ immunoglobulin creating a unique IgG-κ/λ. A modified immunoassay technique allows precise quantification of converted marker molecules. Only antibody producing cells were able to assemble this chimeric immunoglobulin molecule, whereas other cells secreted only free λ light chain. Human myeloma xenografts inoculated with λ chain expressing MV secreted converted IgG-κ/λ in the plasma of tumor bearing animals and elevated reporter levels correlated with response to the therapy. This is the first report of a gene therapy vector engineered to discriminate between infection in malignant and normal cells by molecular modification of a tumor-specific protein.
A novel protein binds a key origin sequence to block replication of an E. coli minichromosome

Abstract A sequence of three tandem repeats of a 13-mer in the replication origin ( oriC ) of E. coli is the highly conserved site of opening of the duplex for initiation of DNA synthesis. A protein that binds this sequence has been discovered in E. coli and purified to homogeneity. This novel 33 kd polypeptide behaves as a dimer. Binding to the 13-mers is specific and limited to this region. At a ratio of 10–20 monomers per oriC plasmid, the binding blocks initiation by preventing the opening of the 13-mer region by dnaA protein. Once the 13-mers are opened by dnaA protein action, the 33 kd protein is without effect on the subsequent stages of replication. The specificity of binding and profound inhibitory effect suggest a regulatory role for this protein at an early stage of chromosome initiation.
The velocity correlation function for the Lorentz gas

The results of variational solutions of the repeated ring and self-consistent repeated ring equations for the two- and three-dimensional overlapping Lorentz gas (LG), as formulated in a previous report, are presented. Calculations of the full velocity correlation function (VCF) for the 2D LG, including long-time tails, are compared with those from molecular dynamics. The trial functions chosen lead to predictions for the long-time tails that improve as the density of the scatterers is increased. At a value of 0.24 of rho* (=rhosigma/sup 2/, where rho is the density and sigma the radius of scatterers), the self-consistent amplitudes of the long-time tail are within 40% of the molecular dynamics. A limited number of 3D results for the short-time behavior of the repeated ring VCF are presented. The 3D solutions agree with the molecular dynamics to within 10%.
Microorganisms and cancer: quest for a therapy.

Many microorganisms are known to cause cancer. Some examples are Helicobacter pylori, which causes gastric cancer in humans and animals (6), and Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which causes crown gall in plants (37). The use of microorganisms or their products in the treatment of cancer is, however, less widely known, particularly among the readership of the Journal of Bacteriology, as most of these papers are published in more medically oriented journals and very few relevant papers have been published in the Journal of Bacteriology.
A preliminary investigation of the roles and backgrounds of school interpreters: Implications for training and recruiting

The backgrounds and roles of school interpreters who provide interpretation services for limited English proficient students were investigated through a survey study. The results are based on a total of 89 interpreters working in schools throughout New York State. A total of 29 languages were represented in the two samples of interpreters with Spanish being the most frequently used language. Most of the interpreters had Bachelors Degrees or higher but very few had any formal training in interpretation. The results suggest that most interpreters work on a part-time basis. The interpreters reported providing services for a number of different school personnel while fulfilling numerous roles that included interpreting during assessment sessions as well as during parent meetings. The implications of the findings are discussed from the perspectives of the training and recruiting of school interpreters. The limitations of the findings are also examined.
Passively stuck: death does not affect gecko adhesion strength

Many geckos use adhesive toe pads on the bottom of their digits to attach to surfaces with remarkable strength. Although gecko adhesion has been studied for hundreds of years, gaps exist in our understanding at the whole-animal level. It remains unclear whether the strength and maintenance of adhesion are determined by the animal or are passively intrinsic to the system. Here we show, for the first time, that strong adhesion is produced passively at the whole-animal level. Experiments on both live and recently euthanized tokay geckos ( Gekko gecko ) revealed that death does not affect the dynamic adhesive force or motion of a gecko foot when pulled along a vertical surface. Using a novel device that applied repeatable and steady-increasing pulling forces to the foot in shear, we found that the adhesive force was similarly high and variable when the animal was alive (mean ± s.d. = 5.4 ± 1.7 N) and within 30 min after death (5.4 ± 2.1 N). However, kinematic analyses showed that live geckos are able to control the degree of toe pad engagement and can rapidly stop strong adhesion by hyperextending the toes. This study offers the first assessment of whole-animal adhesive force under extremely controlled conditions. Our findings reveal that dead geckos maintain the ability to adhere with the same force as living animals, disproving that strong adhesion requires active control.
Industrial Applications of Hall-Effect Devices

The Hall effect can be employed to obtain an output proportional to the product of the current through the element and the field cutting through it. A qualitative explanation aids in the visualization of the phenomena. There are several semiconductor materials that may be selected to emphasize a particular characteristic such as power transfer, temperature stability, etc. Maximum efficiency and improvement of dynamic range can be realized if care is taken in the assembly of the element-magnet structure and appropriate compensation techniques are employed. Since the two inputs are current and flux density and these may result from a variety of sources, the application becomes multitudinous. This creates an entirely new family of transducers that in many cases are improved in size, response and cost over conventional devices. The following applications are described: wattmeter, varmeter, gaussmeter, clip-on ammeter, resolvers and synchros, and magnetic tape readers.
Can nanolithography ever be a manufacturing technology

Abstract Historically the move to finer dimensions has been accompanied by an enormous reduction in cost per function. Thus despite the cost of new exposure tools, optical lithography is continuing to evolve; transistors with 0.1 μm gates have already been fabricated optically using phase shifting masks and even without such enhancements features of 0.15 μm have been crisply resolved in conventional resist. Thus any sub-optical technology must have the capability of delivering controlled features well below 100 nm to justify the enormous cost of such a technology. There are some special techniques such as self assembly, that can form periodic patterns at nanometer-scale dimensions that we might be able to scale up to useful throughput, but obviously the applications are restricted. Realizing a ‘full service nanolithographic capability’ that can offer arbitrary patterns with well-controlled 50 nm features placed to within a small fractioin of 50 nm and, at the same time, cover 5 cm2 s−1 with less than a few defects per square meter will be an extraordinary undertaking that will have to generate enormous revenue to justify the investment. One possible approach is to use large dense arrays of proximal probes. Even if we have the fashioning capability there are other challenges to making useful product, such as that set by the resistivity of the interconnections.
Gelatinase activity in synovial fluid and synovium obtained from healthy and osteoarthritic joints of dogs.

Objective—To determine matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in synovial fluid (SF) obtained from the joints of dogs with degenerative joint disease (DJD) secondary to various underlying conditions. Sample Population—35 samples of SF obtained from 18 clinically normal (control) dogs and 34 samples of SF obtained from 17 dogs with DJD; dogs with DJD were from 2 populations (client-owned dogs and research dogs that had DJD secondary to the lysosomal storage disease mucopolysaccharidosis VII). Procedure—MMP activity in samples of SF was semiquantitatively examined by use of gelatin or casein zymography. Western blot analysis was performed by use of antibodies for MMP-2 and MMP-9. In addition, in situ MMP activity was observed in sections of synovial membrane obtained from healthy and osteoarthritic joints. Results—Samples of SF from osteoarthritic joints had higher MMP-2 activity and dramatically increased MMP-9 activity, compared with values for healthy joints. Substrate-overlay analyses indicated minimal...
Proton pumping in cytochrome c oxidase: The coupling between proton and electron gating

Cytochrome c oxidase is the terminal oxidase in cellular respiration. This membrane protein accepts electrons from ferrocytochrome c in the periplasmic space of the mitochondrion, one electron at a time, and transfers the reducing equivalents to the binuclear heme-iron copper site (the so-called Fea3, CuB site), where dioxygen binds and the O·O bond is subsequently cleaved (1). In this manner, the binuclear center is activated by the dioxygen, and the heme iron is oxidized by two oxidizing equivalents to form Fea3–oxyferryl, namely, Fea34+ = O2−, and the CuB site by two oxidizing equivalents to form the CuB2+–OH−/tyrosyl radical species (2). Subsequent inputs of addi-tional reducing equivalents from reduced cytochrome c to the low-potential CuA and Fea centers and the transfers of these electrons to the activated binuclear center are linked to proton pumping (3).
Review: Contributions of NMR spectroscopy to the study of hydrogen bonds in serine protease active sites

This article is a chronology of NMR studies over the past three decades which have led to our present understanding of active site H-bonding in serine proteases. The story of H-bonding in this highly scrutinized family of enzymes, as revealed by NMR and x-ray crystallography, is to a large extent the foundation upon which our understanding of the catalytic mechanism of this archetypical enzyme system rests. Various theories have come into and out of favor as each bit of hard-earned evidence has been established, particularly with regard to the active-site imidazole, its state of protonation, its acid–base and tautomeric equilibrium constants and its H-bonding. Specific bioincorporation of 15N and 13C isotopic labels at the active site has proven especially useful in revealing the locations of protons and H-bond interactions through chemical shift and spin-coupling information, the latter useful also for spectral editing that reveals only the resonances of interest. However, the final chapter in the serine protease mechanism is yet to unfold. Currently competing proposals for the catalytic mechanism, one involving a low-barrier H-bond and the other a reaction driven histidine ring flip, are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systemic haemodynamics in borderline arterial hypertension: responses to static exercise before and under the influence of propranolol

Young patients with borderline arterial hypertension respond to static muscular exercise with elevations of the brachial artery blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output, which are of similar magnitude as in normotensive control subjects. Intravenous propranolol did not abolish or significantly modify these responses. There is no indication of neurogenic hyperreactivity in borderline hypertension, and the acute regulation of the circulation is not abnormal.
Ocean Heat Transport, Sea Ice, and Multiple Climate States: Insights from Energy Balance Models

Abstract Several extensions of energy balance models (EBMs) are explored in which (i) sea ice acts to insulate the atmosphere from the ocean and (ii) ocean heat transport is allowed to have some meridional structure controlled by the wind, with minima at which the ice edge can rest. These new models support multiple stable ice edges not found in the classical EBM and a hysteresis loop capable of generating abrupt warming as the ice edge “jumps” from mid- to high latitudes. The new equilibria are demonstrated in two classes of model, in which the wind stress is either specified externally or generated interactively. Wind stress is computed by introducing a dynamical constraint into the EBM to represent the simultaneous meridional transport of energy and angular momentum in the atmosphere. This wind stress is used to drive ocean gyres, with associated structure in their meridional heat transport, so that the atmosphere and ocean are coupled together both thermally and mechanically.
Toxicity and metabolism of 2,4‐dichlorophenol by the aquatic angiosperm Lemna gibba

The toxicity and metabolism of 2,4-dichlorophenol with regard to the aquatic macrophyte Lemna gibba (duckweed), have been studied. Toxicity is described in terms of the effect of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) on the vegetative reproduction of duckweed over a 10-d growth period; the EC10 and EC50 were 2.5 and 9.2 [mu]M, respectively. Metabolism of 2,4-dichlorophenol was monitored by incubation of the plants with radiolabeled substrate, and periodic sampling and analysis by reversed-phase HPLC of the plant growth medium. Depending on the growth conditions, up to 95% of the 2,4-DCP was metabolized over a 6-d growth period. To analyze the metabolites, the plants were grown in the presence of sublethal concentrations of [U-[sup 14]C]-2,4-DCP. The growth medium was lyophilized and then mixed with the plants, extracted, and analyzed using reversed-phase HPLC, followed by scintillation counting of the fractions. The major metabolite was isolated and identified as 2,4-dichlorophenol-[beta]-D-glucopyranoside by high-field NMR and MS. The structure of the metabolite was confirmed by synthesis and by enzymatic cleavage of the [beta]-glucosidic linkage to afford 2,4-DCP. An important consequence of conjugate formation is the masking of the presence of 2,4-DCP to the usual analytical techniques used for its detection and quantitation. This finding is probably applicable tomore » other contaminants and organisms.« less
Person-Organization Congruence and the Maintenance of Group-Based Social Hierarchy: A Social Dominance Perspective

Using vocational choice theory and social dominance theory as guiding frameworks, this paper examines the interrelationships between the types of social institutions that a person occupies, on the one hand, and the sociopolitical attitudes and behavioral predispositions that a person displays, on the other. Beginning with Holland (1959, 1966), numerous researchers have documented the fact that people's work-related values tend to match the values of their work environments. Researchers have also found, as we might expect, that this value match yields superior job performance and greater employee satisfaction. Social dominance theory has proposed an important expansion of this research: people's sociopolitical attitudes (e.g. anti-egalitarianism) should also be compatible, or congruent, with their institutional environments (e.g. schools, workplaces). A growing body of research supports this claim. Specifically, recent research has shown that hierarchy-enhancing (TIE) organizations (e.g. police forces) tend to be occupied by those with anti-egalitarian beliefs, while hierarchy-attenuating (HA) organizations (e.g. civil liberties organizations) tend to be occupied by those with relatively democratic beliefs. This research has also provided evidence for five (non-mutually exclusive) processes underlying this institutional assortment: self-seleclion, institutional selection, institutional socialization, differential reward, and differential attrition. This paper reviews the literatures hearing on each of these processes, and suggests key paths for future research
Asymptotic properties of sample quantiles of discrete distributions

The asymptotic distribution of sample quantiles in the classical definition iswell-knowntobenormalforabsolutelycontinuousdistributions.However,thisisno longertruefordiscretedistributionsorsampleswithties.Weshowthatthedefinitionof sample quantiles based on mid-distribution functions resolves this issue and provides a unified framework for asymptotic properties of sample quantiles from absolutely continuous and from discrete distributions. We demonstrate that the same asymptotic normal distribution result as for the classical sample quantiles holds at differentiable points, whereas a more general form arises for distributions whose cumulative dis- tribution function has only one-sided differentiability. For discrete distributions with finite support, the same type of asymptotics holds and the sample quantiles based on mid-distribution functions either follow a normal or a two-piece normal distribution. We also calculate the exact distribution of these sample quantiles for the binomial and Poisson distributions. We illustrate the asymptotic results with simulations.
H I Absorption toward the Nucleus of the Radio Galaxy PKS 2322–123 in A2597

We present sensitive, high-resolution Very Long Baseline Array observations of the central 03 of PKS 2322-123 at 1.3 and 5 GHz. These observations reveal straight and symmetric jets emerging from both sides of an inverted spectrum core. The 21 cm line of atomic hydrogen is detected in absorption against the core and eastern jet with substantial opacities, but it is not seen toward the equally strong western jet. Both a narrow (110 km s-1 FWHM) and a very broad (735 km s-1 FWHM) line are seen, although the very broad line is seen only against the core. Both lines are redshifted (~220±100 km s-1) with respect to the systemic velocity. The most likely explanation for the observed H I kinematics are an atomic torus centered on the nucleus with considerable turbulence and inward streaming motions. The scale height of this torus is less than 20 pc. Although rare in flux-limited samples of compact radio sources, symmetric parsec-scale structure appears nearly ubiquitous among radio galaxies with H I absorption, probably because they are viewed more nearly edge-on through the torus.
Mouse Strain Does Not Influence the Overall Effects of Bisphenol A-Induced Toxicity in Adult Antral Follicles

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) widely used in common consumer products containing polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Previous studies indicate that other EDCs have species-dependent effects. Furthermore, some EDCs are known to have different effects in different strains within the same species. Little information, however, is known about whether the effects of BPA on the ovary differ by strain. Previous studies have shown that BPA inhibits follicle growth, induces atresia, and inhibits steroidogenesis and expression of steroidogenic enzymes in antral follicles from adult FVB mice. Thus, this study was designed to expand previous work by testing the hypothesis that mouse strain may differentially affect the susceptibility of adult antral follicles to BPA-induced toxicity. To test this hypothesis, antral follicles were mechanically isolated from adult FVB, CD-1, and C57BL/6 mice, individually cultured for 6–120 h and treated with either vehicle control (dimethylsulfoxide) or various concentrations of BPA (1.0 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml, or 100 μg/ml). After culture, media were subjected to measurements of hormone production via ELISA, and follicles were subjected to real-time PCR for analysis of genes known to regulate steroidogenesis, the cell cycle, and atresia. Overall, BPA inhibited follicle growth and steroidogenesis in all tested strains, but CD-1 follicles were slightly more sensitive to BPA at early time points than FVB and C57BL/6 follicles. These data suggest that CD-1, FVB, and C57BL/6 mice can all be used to investigate the effects of BPA on ovarian follicles.
Sperm morphology: Its relevance to compensable and uncompensable traits in semen

The nature of subfertility due to the male or inseminate is as complex as that of the female. Fertilization failure, and failure in embryogenesis, are both of seminal origin. Males also differ in the number of sperms required to reach their maximum fertilization rate. Males requiring more sperm are considered to have compensable seminal deficiencies. These include a number of known viability and morphology traits (including both abnormal heads and tails) and unknown factors (functional or molecular traits) precluding sperm access to the ovum or ability of the sperm to engage the ovum sufficiently to initiate fertilization and the block to polyspermy. Differences in fertility among males or inseminates independent of sperm dosage are considered uncompensable. These seminal deficiencies are associated with fertilizing sperm that are incompetent to maintain the fertilization process or subsequent embryogenesis (once initiated), with most failures occurring prior to maternal recognition of pregnancy; these sperm would pre-empt fertilization by competent sperm. Evidence now exists supporting the concept that the uncompensable effect is due to chromatin aberrations in morphologically normal or near-normal fertilizing sperm present in abnormal ejaculates (elevated content of abnormal sperm). Thus, sperm morphology may be our best indication for the presence of an uncompensable deficiency, although we have yet to identify the incompetent fertilizing sperm clinically.