cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recognizing hand gestures using the weighted elastic graph matching (WEGM) method

This paper proposes a weighted scheme for elastic graph matching hand posture recognition. Visual features scattered on the elastic graph are assigned corresponding weights according to their relative ability to discriminate between gestures. The weights' values are determined using adaptive boosting. A dictionary representing the variability of each gesture class is expressed in the form of a bunch graph. The positions of the nodes in the bunch graph are determined using three techniques: manually, semi-automatically, and automatically. Experimental results also show that the semi-automatic annotation method is efficient and accurate in terms of three performance measures; assignment cost, accuracy, and transformation error. In terms of the recognition accuracy, our results show that the hierarchical weighting on features has more significant discriminative power than the classic method (uniform weighting). The hierarchical elastic graph matching (WEGM) approach was used to classify a lexicon of ten hand postures, and it was found that the poses were recognized with a recognition accuracy of 97.08% on average. Using the weighted scheme, computing cycles can be decreased by only computing the features for those nodes whose weight is relatively high and ignoring the remaining nodes. It was found that only 30% of the nodes need to be computed to obtain a recognition accuracy of over 90%.
Nucleotide sequence and predicted amino acid sequence of a protein encoded in a small herpes simplex virus DNA fragment capable of trans-inducing alpha genes.

Abstract The five alpha genes of herpes simplex virus 1 are the first set of genes to be expressed after infection. Previous studies have shown that alpha genes resident in eukaryotic cells are induced by infection with herpes simplex virus 1 or 2 but not by other herpesviruses and indicate that the alpha trans-inducing factor was a structural component of the virion. This factor induces genes linked to a bona fide promoter and containing at the 5' end a small sequence derived from the promoter-regulatory domains of alpha genes. We report the sequence of a small DNA fragment shown previously to be capable of expressing the alpha trans-inducing factor in transient expression systems. The only gene encoded in its entirety in this fragment is predicted to specify a 479 amino acid protein with a Mr of 53,053. The precise termini of the 1.74-kilobase mRNA specifying this protein were determined in our 5' and 3' S1 nuclease protection studies.
Failure of enema reduction for ileocolic intussusception at a referring hospital does not preclude repeat attempts at a children's hospital

Abstract Background Some children with intussusception undergo attempted enema reduction at a hospital without pediatric radiology expertise and are transferred to a children's hospital (CH) if this is unsuccessful. We sought to determine whether a failed reduction (FR) at a referring hospital predicted failure of repeated attempts by a pediatric radiologist at a CH. Methods A retrospective review of all children with ileocolic intussusception admitted to a large CH over 9 years was performed. Differences in outcome between those who initially presented to the CH and those who had a FR elsewhere before transfer (FR → CH) were assessed. Results A total of 152 subjects were identified. There was no difference in the frequency of successful enema reduction at the CH for those who initially presented at the CH (60.5%) and those who were transferred after a FR elsewhere (60.7%). The only predictor of successful reduction was anatomy, whereby 64% of intussusceptions proximal to the splenic flexure were reduced, but only 35% of those distal to that point ( P Conclusions Children who are transferred to a CH after failed enema reduction elsewhere should undergo a repeat hydrostatic or pneumatic enema reduction in the absence of other contraindications.
Family Demography, Social Theory, and Investment in Social Capital

Many demographers trained in sociology frame their work with ideas from economics if only implicitly. While economic concepts are of great value the field of demography especially family demography can benefit from the introduction of sociological theory and conversely sociological theory can be enhanced and refined by the work of social demographers. The authors discuss social capital a concept based in sociology which is being widely incorporated into current social science. The social capital concept is an extension of the social exchange theory commonly used by family demographers. It shares with neoclassical economics and materialist anthropology the premise that demographic phenomena are the outgrowth of human behavior. According to social exchange theory exchange takes place in a variety of institutional contexts including but not limited to the markets which economists usually envision. Another premise of social exchange theory is that exchange occurs between individuals who are known to each other as well as between the anonymous traders of economic exchange. The authors advance and defend the notions that in the context of social exchange theory investing in social capital is a major motivation for human behavior and that the formation of sexual partnerships the birth and rearing of children and both intragenerational and intergenerational transfers are major forms of investment in social capital in almost all societies.
Embryofetal effects of pentamidine isethionate administered to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats.

Abstract The effects of pentamidine isethionate on the developing embryo and fetus have not been previously published. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were given various doses of pentamidine during the period of embryogenesis. Animals were killed on days 18 to 20 of pregnancy and their fetuses were removed by hysterectomy. Autopsies were performed on all fetuses. There were significant differences among groups with regard to maternal weight gain and pregnancy resorption. More pregnancy resorptions were noted in the group that received normal human doses (4 mg/kg/day) of pentamidine than in the control group ( p
Substrate specificity, de novo synthesis and partial purification of polyphenol oxidase derived from the wood-decay fungus,Coriolus versicolor

Coriolus versicolor, a white-rot Basidiomycete, secretes cellulolytic and ligninolytic enzymes as well as polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Whereas the former degrade wood polymers, the latter can convert diphenols to diquinones and oligomerize syringic acid, a lignin derivative. Certain phenolic compounds can serve as disease-resistance factors controlling the proliferation of wood-decay fungi within host tissues. BecauseC. vesicolor can be ‘batch-cultured’, overproduction and enhanced secretion of enzymes of biological and commercial interests are feasible. Reported here are the results of attempts to define the timed appearances of intracellular and extracellular PPO, to assess substrate specificity as well as distinguish synthesis versus activation of intracellular PPO and to partially purify extracellular PPO. These efforts were to provide data enabling cell-free synthesis of PPO, cloning of the gene(s) for the oxidase and the establishment of its subcellular route of secretion. Whereas two protein peaks (6 and 12 days in a 16 day time-course) were observed for dialyzed mycelial homogenates, the homogenates' PPO specific activity rose between 4 and 12 days and then declined. Total extracellular protein content climbed from 6 to 15 days for dialyzed growth medium and the medium's PPO specific activity rose at 4 days post-inoculation and except at 9 days increased linearly to 15 days. When aliquots of dialyzed 12 and 15 day media were added to PPO assay mixtures containing catechol and either syringic or gallic acids, statistically significant differences in PPO specific activity between phenolic substrates were noted. Supplementation of cultures with 1.91 μg cycloheximide ml growth medium−1 (control, growth medium only) together with 0.5 μCi [14C]-leucine revealed that cycloheximide inhibited PPO activity and suppressed [14C]-leucine incorporation into TCA-insoluble cytoplasmic protein. As for PPO partial purification, growth medium dialysis followed by 0–30% (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and subsequent 12 000×g dialyzate centrifugation yielded a 3.27-fold enhancement in PPO specific activity within the 12 000×g supernatant. Chromatography of the latter upon DEAE-Sephadex indicated that PPO exchanged with the DEAE counterion as it could be eluted with high ionic strength salt. These results suggest that: the occurrences of intracellular and extracellular PPO are time-dependent, intracellular PPO is de novo synthesized, the preferred substrate for extracellular PPO appears to be catechol and extracellular PPO can be partially purified by a combination of dialysis and ammonium sulfate fractionation as well as possibly DEAE chromatography and/or Sephadex G-150 gel filtration.
Biomass and primary productivity of the cyanobacterium Trichodesmium spp. in the tropical N Atlantic ocean

Abstract Primary production and standing crop, as chlorophyll- a (chl- a ), of Trichodesmium spp., and other phytoplankton as well as the abundance and depth distribution of Trichodesmium were measured on three cruises to the tropical North Atlantic Ocean. Trichodesmium abundance was greatest on a cruise in May–June 1994, with average surface densities of 2250 trichomes l −1 and depth integrated abundance of 91×10 6 trichomes m −2 . Average surface densities were 292 and 222 trichomes l −1 and depth integrated abundance 21 and 8.6×10 6 trichomes m −2 for the April 1996 and October 1996 cruises, respectively. Total (phytoplankton plus Trichodesmium ) chl- a standing crop and the percentage as Trichodesmium averaged 47 (62%), 22 (13%) and 30 (11%) mg chl- a m −2 for May–June 1994 and April and October 1996. On the May–June 1994 and April and October 1996 cruises 89%, 93% and 92% of the trichomes were in colonies, and the remainder occurred as free trichomes. Peak abundances of Trichodesmium were generally in the upper water column, with an average biomass maximum at 12 m on the May–June 94 and October 96 cruises and at 40 m during the April 96 cruise. The average C:N ratio (atomic) of Trichodesmium was 6.5. Mean rates of total primary production ( Trichodesmium and other phytoplankton together) for May–June 1994, and April and October 1996 were 1080, 932 and 804 mg C m −2 d −1 , and Trichodesmium accounted for an average of 47%, 7.9% and 11%, respectively, of the total primary production for each cruise. These primary production rates exceed those typically reported at oligotrophic open ocean sites. Trichodesmium C assimilation numbers (mg C fixed mg chl- a −1 h −1 ) were highest at the surface and were always lower than those of other phytoplankton. Average nitrogen demand, as calculated from the mean Trichodesmium C fixation from all three cruises, was about 40 mg N m −2 d −1 , about 10% of concurrently determined rates of N 2 fixation.
A comparison of two delivery methods for aerosolized metaproterenol sulfate.

The bronchodilator response to metaproterenol sulfate delivered by metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer device (Aerochamber®) and by jet nebulizer was studied in 15 asthmatic patients. The mean percent increase in absolute forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) with an MDI plus Aerochamber was 28.6%, and 28.8% with jet nebuliza-tion. There were no significant differences in the mean percent increases in FEV1, forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum midflow rate (MMFR), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) with the two delivery methods. It is concluded that there is no difference in the bronchodilator responses to metaproterenol sulfate delivered by MDI plus Aerochamber or by jet nebulizer. The MDI plus Aerochamber has the advantage of being less expensive and more convenient to use.
PRINTZINA GEN. NOV. (TRENTEPOHLIACEAE), INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES1

Examination of Trentepohlia Martius species indicated significant morphological diversity within the genus. This diversity forms the basis for the description of a new genus, Printzina Thompson and Wujek. The generic taxonomy is based on the nature of its superficial growth on leaves or twigs and a papilla pore basal on the sporangium, adjacent to the area of attachment. Certain nomen-clatural treatments were required: the transfer of nine species from Trentepohlia and the description of one new species, Printzina ampla.
Acute and repeated exposure to caffeine: effects on reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-taking behavior in rats.

Previously, we demonstrated that caffeine dose-dependently reinstated extinguished cocaine-taking behavior in rats. In the present study, we determined whether this effect of caffeine would extinguish with repeated exposures. Rats were first trained to self-administer cocaine intravenously. Once reliable self-administration was obtained, the pumps that delivered cocaine were turned off and the lever-pressing behavior was extinguished. Every 4 days the rats were given an injection of caffeine (20.0 mg/kg) and its ability to reinstate responding was measured. Some rats received each of four exposures to caffeine in the previously cocaine-associated environment. Other rats received the first three exposures to caffeine in the home cage and the last exposure to caffeine in the previously cocaine-associated environment. The results indicated that although caffeine was an effective cue for reinstatement of extinguished cocaine taking, the effect was reduced when repeated exposures occurred in the test environment. In addition, when 4 drug-free days were interspersed between self-administration and reinstatement testing, the caffeine effect was greater than when testing was conducted 1 day following the last self-administration session. Thus, extended withdrawal increases the priming effects of caffeine. The results are discussed in terms of the effectiveness of cue exposure as an adjunct to current therapies for cocaine abuse.
The use of heated capillary dissociation and collision-induced dissociation to determine the strength of noncovalent bonding interactions in gas-phase peptide-cyclodextrin complexes

Complexes of four peptides and permethylated-β-cyclodextrin are produced in the gas phase by using electrospray ionization. The four peptides—bradykinin (BK), des-Arg-1 bradykinin (dR1BK), des-Arg-9-bradykinin (dR9BK), and Gly-5-Gly-8-bradykinin (G5G8BK)—were chosen because the relative inclusion and protonation sites varied with each peptide. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) was performed to determine the dissociation threshold of the four complexes. Heated capillary dissociation (HCD) was used to determine the dissociation temperatures of the peptide complexes. CID and HCD indicate the same ordering of stability in the complexation of the peptides to the oligosaccharides. Increasing strength of interaction follows the order dR9BK < BK < dR1BK ≈ G5G8BK. The absence of Arg-9 destabilizes the complex, whereas the absence of Arg-1 stabilizes it relative to BK. Replacing both Phe residues with Gly similarly strengthens the interaction, suggesting that the Phe destabilizes the complex. CID and HCD are useful methods for obtaining relative strengths of interaction in noncovalent bound complexes.
Raman Study of Cluster Dynamics in Disordered Ferroelectrics.

We demonstrate for the first time that information on the dynamics of polar clusters in disordered ferroelectrics can be obtained from an analysis of the first order Raman scattering by hard phonon modes. The model developed allows one to separate the effect of the critical slowing down due to the divergence of the static dielectric susceptibility from that of the slowing down of the dynamics of local clusters. Raman results obtained on a ${\mathrm{K}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{TaNb}}_{x}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ crystal with $x\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}15.7%$ have revealed such a dichotomy of the cluster dynamics. The experimental results are consistent with the picture that, in disordered ferroelectrics, the slowing down of local clusters presents similarities to that in glasses and spin glasses.
Medication and Dreams: Changes in Dream Content After Drug Treatment

This case study examines the effects of sertraline (Zoloft TM ) on the dream content of a young woman with generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks. The study used the major categories of Hall and Van de Castle's (1966) system of content analysis to compare dream reports before and after drug treatment. Prior to diagnosis and treatment, the dreamer had high levels of aggression and low levels of friendliness in her dreams. The post-medication dreams more closely approximate the female norms. This pilot study suggests a new direction for research on the effects of medication on dream content.
Optimal capacity allocation for Web systems with end-to-end delay guarantees

Providing quality of service guarantees have become a critical issue during the rapid expansion of the e-Commerce area. We consider the problem of finding the optimal capacity allocation in a clustered Web system environment so as to minimize the cost while providing the end-to-end performance guarantees. In particular, we consider constraints on both the average and the tail distribution of the end-to-end response times. We formulate the problem as a nonlinear program to minimize a convex separable function of the capacity assignment vector. We show that under the mean response time guarantees alone, the solution has a nice geometric interpretation. Various methods to solve the problem are presented in detail. For the problem with tail distribution guarantees, we develop an approximation method to solve the problem. We also derive bounds and show that the solution is asymptotically optimal when the service requirement becomes stringent. Numerical results are presented to further demonstrate the robustness of our solutions under data uncertainty.
Estrogen pretreatment increases arachidonic acid release by bradykinin stimulated normal human osteoblast‐like cells

Eicosanoids are multifunctional autocrine/paracrine regulators of bone that are enzymatically derived from arachidonic acid (AA). The rate-limiting step in the eicosanoid biosynthetic pathways may be the release of AA from membrane glycerophospholipids by activated phospholipases. Free AA can serve as the substrate for cyclooxygenase(s) or lipoxygenases that catalyze the commitive steps in eicosanoid synthesis; alternatively, free AA may be used in reacylation processes, resulting in its reincorporation into cellular lipids. The hormones 17 beta-estradiol (17 beta-E2), dexamethasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid), and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) have been identified as regulators of AA metabolism, at various levels, in several tissues including bone. The possibility that these osteotropic steroids modulate the availability of free AA in bone cells was studied in the human osteoblast-like (hOB) cell model system. Following a 48-h steroid pretreatment, bradykinin or the calcium ionophore A23187 were used as agonists to stimulate hOB cell release of AA. The principal findings from these investigations were that (1) 17 beta-E2 pretreatment potentiated the appearance of free AA following bradykinin stimulation of the cells but, did not alter their response to A23187 stimulation; (2) dexamethasone pretreatment limited bradykinin-induced increases in free AA levels but did not alter cell response to A23187 stimulation; (3) hOB cells derived from different trabecular bone compartments (manubrium of the sternum, femoral head) differed quantitatively in their responses to bradykinin stimulation of AA release; and (4) 1,25(OH)2D3 did not effect AA release stimulated by either agonist. The ability of the steroids to modulate AA release by hOB cells suggests that these hormones may indirectly mediate bone cell responses to other osteotropic hormones that act through eicosanoid-dependent processes.
A General Technique for Top- $k$ Geometric Intersection Query Problems

In a top- $k$ Geometric Intersection Query (top- $k$ GIQ) problem, a set of $n$ weighted, geometric objects in ${\bb R}^d$ is to be pre-processed into a compact data structure so that for any query geometric object, $q$ , and integer $k>0$ , the $k$ largest-weight objects intersected by $q$ can be reported efficiently. While the top- $k$ problem has been studied extensively for non-geometric problems (e.g., recommender systems), the geometric version has received little attention. This paper gives a general technique to solve any top- $k$ GIQ problem efficiently. The technique relies only on the availability of an efficient solution for the underlying (non-top- $k$ ) GIQ problem, which is often the case. Using this, asymptotically efficient solutions are derived for several top- $k$ GIQ problems, including top- $k$ orthogonal and circular range search, point enclosure search, halfspace range search, etc. Implementations of some of these solutions, using practical data structures, show that they are quite efficient in practice. This paper also does a formal investigation of the hardness of the top- $k$ GIQ problem, which reveals interesting connections between the top- $k$ GIQ problem and the underlying (non-top- $k$ ) GIQ problem.
Macmod:A Simulation Model for Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Acari: Macrochelidae) Population Dynamics and Rates of Predation on Immature House Flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

The development, population dynamics, and predation rates on the eggs and first instars of the house fly, Musca domestica L., of the manure-inhabiting mite, Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli), were simulated in a FORTRAN77 model. Effects of mite crowding on fecundity were determined experimentally, and long-term population dynamics experiments were conducted under simulated field conditions for model development; other data used in development of the model were obtained from the literature. Features of the model include: nonlinear development, longevity, and attack rate routines for variable temperatures; mite fecundity as a function of temperature, mite crowding levels, physiological age, and prey quantity and type; attack rates as a function of mite crowding and prey quantity and type; mite survival as a function of crowding and habitat size and quality; and a house fly submodel that tracks deposition, aging, and destruction of fly immatures. Mite populations are updated by the model every 4 h. Comparison of predicted mite populations with actual populations from validation experiments were in close agreement, and improvements in agreement were achieved by empirical adjustments of mite survival as a function of changes in habitat quality over time.
Changes in forest structure following variable-retention harvests in Douglas-fir dominated forests

Abstract Variable retention has been advocated for maintaining biological diversity after regeneration harvest of forest stands. The Demonstration of Ecosystem Management Options (DEMO) study was established to test the effects of varying levels and patterns of residual trees on a range of forest taxa, ecosystem processes, and public perceptions. Understanding responses to experimental treatments depends on how well stand structural targets defining those treatments are achieved, but also on inadvertent changes in non-target structural attributes. DEMO treatments were specified by six levels and patterns of retained basal area: 100% retention (control), 75% aggregated retention (three 1-ha gaps cut within the treatment unit), 40% dispersed retention (regular distribution of residual trees), 40% aggregated retention (five uncut 1-ha aggregates), 15% dispersed retention (regular distribution of residual trees), and 15% aggregated retention (two uncut 1-ha aggregates). Treatments were applied randomly to 13-ha experimental units at each of six blocks in western Oregon and Washington. Treatment implementation produced the desired range of non-overlapping proportions of residual basal area. Other unspecified stand attributes such as tree density, stand density index, and canopy cover generally paralleled reductions in basal area, but quadratic mean diameter increased in the dispersed treatments due to selective retention of larger trees. Resulting stand structures were strongly dependent on initial conditions. Many differences in relative diameter distributions were observed before and after treatment, although they were changed less by aggregated retention. Strong differences in stand structure among blocks were highlighted by principal components analysis of diameter distributions, but experimental units converged on more similar structures at successively lower levels of retention. Indices of vertical complexity depicted by canopy area profiles showed strong responses to treatments, as did indices of horizontal variability in crown-area profile. Changes in tree species composition were small, although Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ) became less dominant at lower levels of retention. The combination of differing initial conditions and differing treatments created variation in residual stand structure that is independent of the categorical treatments and that may help explain residual variation in responses to these discrete treatments.
Long-term exposure to β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) promotes transformation and invasiveness of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Due to its lipophilicity and persistence, an organochlorine compound, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), is known to frequently accumulate in human adipose and breast tissues. An epidemiological study has indicated that exposure to beta-HCH could be one of the significant environmental risk factors for the development of human breast cancers. Additionally, beta-HCH has recently been identified as an environmental estrogen capable of activating estrogen receptor (ER) through a ligand-independent pathway. In the present investigation, we examined the impact of long-term in vitro exposure to beta-HCH on cell transformation and the metastatic potentials of MCF-7 cells. We found that continuous exposure of MCF-7 cells to beta-HCH at 100 nM and 1 microM or to 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) at 1 nM for up to 13 months (33 passages) not only enhanced their transformation tendencies but also promoted their invasiveness. Western blot analysis revealed that beta-HCH induced transformation-related biochemical changes in MCF-7 cells, such as a decline in the levels of ERalpha and p44/42 MAP kinase and a significant increase in expression of c-ErbB2 and MMP-9 levels. In contrast, long-term E(2) treatment resulted in the downregulation of ERalpha and p44/42 MAP kinase and upregulation of MMP-9 only, but no changes in c-ErbB2. Together, these results indicate that these biochemical changes induced by beta-HCH are consistent with the events taking place in these cells to promote the phenotypical expression of transformed cells. Our results provide the in vitro mechanistic basis supporting the hypothesis that beta-HCH is one of the epigenetic risk factors assisting the progression of breast cancer cells to an advanced state of malignancy.
Carapace epibionts of nesting loggerhead sea turtles: Atlantic coast of U.S.A.☆

A survey of carapace epibionts was conducted on nesting loggerhead turtles, Caretta carettacaretta (L.), along a latitudinal gradient from South Carolina to Florida. The three-year survey on 138 turtles yielded 48 epibiotic species representing 6 phyla. Distribution of the epibionts on the carapace and factors that may influence the densities of the epibiont populations are discussed. Two distinct assemblages of carapace epibionts are recognized: a northern population and a southern population. The separation between the two populations is between Cape Canaveral and Daytona Beach, Florida. Indicator species within each carapace community are listed. Due to the nature of colonization by the epibionts, the presence of two distinct carapace communities suggests discrete northern and southern populations of loggerhead turtles along the Atlantic coast of the U.S.A.
Enterooxyntin Release from Isolated Perfused Canine Jejunum

Abstract A humoral factor may mediate the intestinal phase of gastric acid secretion. An ex vivo perfused segment of canine jejunum maintained by an oxygenated asanguinous physiologic perfusate was used to test for release of an enterooxyntin (EO) in response to balloon distention at 30 mm Hg for 15 min. Gastric acid secretion in guinea pig fundic mucosa was determined indirectly by a quantitative cytochemical bioassay (CBA) of oxyntic cell hydroxyl ion production (HIP). An increase in the optical density (OD) caused by the cytochemical stain in the oxyntic cells reflects HIP, an index of acid secretion. Basal OD for segments with distention was 16.6 ± 0.53 and for those without 15.5 ± 0.68 (NS). Results are expressed as mean change of OD from basal (mean ΔOD ± SEM). ∗ . Time (min) 10 30 60 120 Mean ΔOD, distention 4.9 ± 1.6 ∗ 5.9 ± 1.1 ∗ 7.2 ± 1.2 ∗ 5.2 ± 0.9 ∗ Mean ΔOD, no distention 0.6 ± 1.0 0.1 ± 0.8 0.58 ± 1.0 0.7 ± 1.2 ∗ Significant stimulation of HIP ( P ) by EO. EO caused greater stimulation of HIP than gastrin or histamine. EO was heat stable. Trichloroacetic acid treatment decreased EO activity as did pronase digestion suggesting that EO is composed of one or more peptides. Conclusion: EO, an acid secretagogue, is a humoral agent probably composed of one or more peptides and is released by small bowel distention. Mechanical distention of the small bowel may be an important mechanism for the perpetuation of gastric acid secretion. The ex vivo perfused jejunal segment in conjunction with the CBA are ideal tools with which to study mechanisms of release of EO and the mechanism of action of EO on the oxyntic cell.
5-Aminolevulinate synthase and the first step of heme biosynthesis

5-Aminolevulinate synthase catalyzes the condensation of glycine and succinyl-CoA to yield 5-aminolevulinate. In animals, fungi, and some bacteria, 5-aminolevulinate synthase is the first enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway. Mutations on the human erythroid 5-aminolevulinate synthase, which is localized on the X-chromosome, have been associated with X-linked sideroblastic anemia. Recent biochemical and molecular biological developments provide important insights into the structure and function of this enzyme. In animals, two aminolevulinate synthase genes, one housekeeping and one erythroid-specific, have been identified. In addition, the isolation of 5-aminolevulinate synthase genomic and cDNA clones have permitted the development of expression systems, which have tremendously increased the yields of purified enzyme, facilitating structural and functional studies. A lysine residue has been identified as the residue involved in the Schiff base linkage of the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate cofactor, and the catalytic domain has been assigned to the C-terminus of the enzyme. A conserved glycine-rich motif, common to all aminolevulinate synthases, has been proposed to be at the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-binding site. A heme-regulatory motif, present in the presequences of 5-aminolevulinate synthase precursors, has been shown to mediate the inhibition of the mitochondrial import of the precursor proteins in the presence of heme. Finally, the regulatory mechanisms, exerted by an iron-responsive element binding protein, during the translation of erythroid 5-aminolevulinate synthase mRNA, are discussed in relation to heme biosynthesis.
Intensity and linewidth measurements in the 13.7 μm fundamental bands of 12C2H2 and 12C13CH2 at planetary atmospheric temperatures

The absolute intensities and collision-broadened half-widths of several lines in the P-,Q-, and R-branches of the nu5-fundamental band of (C-12)2H2 have been measured at various temperatures between 147 and 295 K employing the Doppler-limited spectral resolution (about 10 exp -4/cm) of a tunable diode laser spectrometer. The absolute intensities of R(5), R(7), R(9), and R(20) in the same fundamental belonging to (C-12)(C-13)H2 have also been measured at 294 K. The temperature dependence of the collision-broadened half-width has been determined for some of the lines broadened by planetary atmospheric gases, namely, He, Ar, H2, and N2. Four self-broadened linewidths of (C-12)2H2, as well as three H2-broadened linewidths and a self-broadened half-width of (C-12)(C-13)H2, have also been retrieved from the measurements.
Predictors of depression among wife caregivers.

The relationship of caregiver health, past marital adjustment, and received social support to depression was studied in 78 wives who served as primary caregivers to husbands with irreversible memory impairment. In addition, socioeconomic status and attitudes toward seeking help were investigated. The mean age of the wives was 68 years, and the mean length of time they had been caring for their husbands in the home was 4 years, 10 months. Only caregiver health and attitude toward asking for help were significant, p = .001, predictors of depression and accounted for 27% of the total explained variance.
Selection of Resistance Exercise Intensity Using Ratings of Perceived Exertion from the OMNI—RES

This investigation evaluated the use of OMNI-Resistance Exercise Scale ratings of perceived exertion as a method for selecting training intensities that are appropriate for improving muscular fitness. 20 women (M = 21.3 yr., SD = 2.2) completed a one-repetition maximum for the chest press and knee extension. Participants returned for three sessions during which they were asked to select resistances which elicited the feelings of exertion associated with ratings of 3 (i.e., Easy to Somewhat easy), 6 (i.e., Somewhat hard) and 9 (i.e., Hard to Extremely hard). The average percentage of maximum lifted at a 3, 6, and 9 was 50, 69, and 88% for the chest press and 56, 74, and 90% for the knee extension, respectively. Effect sizes indicated large differences across the three ratings of perceived exertion within sessions and small differences between sessions. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from .69 to .95. The results indicated that OMNI-Resistance Exercise Scale ratings of 3, 6, and 9 can be used to accurately and reliably select intensities that are appropriate for improving muscular fitness.
Primal RNAs: The End of the Beginning?

The amplification of small RNAs and the assembly of heterochromatin are mutually dependent processes in fission yeast. But which comes first? Halic and Moazed (2010) propose that primal small RNAs initiate the amplification of small interfering RNAs that drive heterochromatin formation and chromatin silencing.
Cocaine-induced supersensitivity and arrhythmogenesis

AbstractThe mechanism of cocaine-related sudden death is unknown. To test whether cocaine potentiated changes in sinus cycle length, condaction in the atrioventricular node (AH interval) and ventri...
Power regeneration in active vibration isolation systems

The power requirements imposed on an active vibration control system are quite important to the overall system design. In order to improve the efficiency we analyze different feedback control strategies which will provide electrical energy regeneration. The active isolation system is modeled in a state-space form for two different types of actuators: a piezoelectric stack actuator and a linear electromagnetic (EM) actuator. During regenerative operation, the power is flowing from the mechanical disturbance through the electromechanical actuator and its switching drive into the electrical storage device (batteries or capacitors). We demonstrate that regeneration occurs when controlling one or both of the flow states (velocity and/or current). This regenerative control strategy affects the closed loop dynamics of the isolator which sees its damping reduced.
Nitrogen Fertilization of No-Till Cotton on Loess-Derived Soils

mature senescence and reduced yields (McConnell et al., 1995). Information on nitrogen (N) fertilization of no-till (NT) cotton Research conducted within the mid-South shows that (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is needed to optimize lint yields and earlithe optimum N rate for cotton production varies with ness. We evaluated five N rates and three application methods for NT cotton production on Loring silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, active, location, soil type, tillage system, winter cover, and apthermic Oxyaquic Fragiudalfs) with natural winter annuals as a cover; plication method. On conventionally tilled (CT) Dunand on Memphis silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, active, thermic Typic dee very fine sandy loam (fine-silty, mixed, active, therHapludalfs) having corn (Zea mays L.) stover as a cover and on mic Typic Endoaqualfs), Ebelhar and Welch (1996) Lexington silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, active, thermic Utlic Hapludalfs) reported optimum yields from banding 50% of the N having winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as a cover. Nitrogen rates at planting followed by banding 50% at pinhead square. of 0, 34, 67, 101, and 134 kg ha2 1 were either broadcasted as ammon- Their evaluation included N rates (67‐168 kg ha 21 ) and ium nitrate (AN) or injected as urea‐ammonium nitrate (UAN) at application timing (at planting and three splits) from planting. Additional treatments included broadcasting 67 kg N ha 21
(±)-α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid and kainate receptor subunit expression in mouse versus rat spinal cord white matter: similarities in astrocytes but differences in oligodendrocytes

Abstract Our recent study on ionotropic (±)-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA)/kainate (KA) type glutamate receptors in mouse spinal cord revealed differences compared with reports on other species. Inconsistencies in such findings may reflect real inter-species variability or differences in technique. To date, no comprehensive study has directly addressed this issue. Thus, we compared, side-by-side, AMPA/KA receptor expression in mouse and rat spinal cord white matter. Tissue from both species underwent identical processing, using the same reagents, immunofluorescence protocol, and confocal microscopy. Both mouse and rat white matter astrocytes displayed similar AMPA/KA subunit profiles (both species, GluR2/3 and GluR6/7). However, substantial inter-species differences were found for oligodendrocytes (KA2 in mouse; GluR4 and GluR2/3 in rat). Knowledge of such differences can aid in understanding the effects of variably selective AMPA/KA antagonists on glutamate excitotoxicity in white matter.
Temperature and ligand dependence of conformation and helical order in myosin filaments.

Mammalian myosin filaments are helically ordered only at higher temperatures (>20 degrees C) and become progressively more disordered as the temperature is decreased. It had previously been suggested that this was a consequence of the dependence of the hydrolytic step of myosin ATPase on temperature and the requirement that hydrolysis products (e.g., ADP.P(i)) be bound at the active site. An alternative hypothesis is that temperature directly affects the conformation of the myosin heads and that they need to be in a particular conformation for helical order in the filament. To discriminate between these two hypotheses, we have studied the effect of temperature on the helical order of myosin heads in rabbit psoas muscle in the presence of nonhydrolyzable ligands. The muscle fibers were overstretched to nonoverlap such that myosin affinity for nucleotides was not influenced by the interaction of myosin with the thin filament. We show that with bound ADP.vanadate, which mimics the transition state between ATP and hydrolysis products, or with the ATP analogues AMP-PNP or ADP.BeF(x)() the myosin filaments are substantially ordered at higher temperatures but are reversibly disordered by cooling. These results reinforce recent studies in solution showing that temperature as well as ligand influence the equilibrium between multiple myosin conformations [Malnasi-Csizmadia, A., Pearson, D. S., Kovacs, M., Woolley, R. J., Geeves, M. A., and Bagshaw, C. R. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 12727-12737; Malnasi-Csizmadia, A., Woolley, R. J., and Bagshaw, C. R. (2000) Biochemistry 39, 16135-16146; Urbanke, C., and Wray, J. (2001) Biochem. J. 358, 165-173] and indicate that helical order requires the myosin heads to be in the closed conformation. Our results suggest that most of the heads in the closed conformation are ordered, and that order is not produced in a separate step. Hence, helical order can be used as a signature of the closed conformation in relaxed muscle. Analysis of the dependence on temperature of helical order and myosin conformation shows that in the presence of these analogues one ordered (closed) conformation and two disordered conformations with distinct thermodynamic properties coexist. Low temperatures favor one disordered conformation, while high temperatures favor the ordered (closed) conformation together with a second disordered conformation.
Without Fear or Shame: Lynching, Capital Punishment and the Subculture of Violence in the American South

Recent studies of lynching have focused on structural theories that have been tested with demographic, economic and electoral data without much explanatory success. This article suggests that lynching was largely a reflection of a facilitating subculture of violence within which these atrocities were situationally determined by cultural factors not reported in census and economic tabulations, or election returns. Lynching declined in the twentieth century, in part, as a result of segregation and disfranchisement policies, but mainly because state executioners replaced lynch mobs in carrying out the will of the white majority.
The specificity of public service reform

Despite universal recognition of the decline of public services and the need for reforms, considerable divergence of views exists on the strategy and sequencing of reform for individual countries according to their capacities and level of development. This article reflects on the general contours of public service reform, emphasising past experience, the need to be pragmatic rather than idealistic, the mudding of the waters by the New Public Management movement, the complications of structural adjustment programmes of international financial institutions and the damage resulting from the imposition of universal solutions unfitted and unsuitable to local circumstances. Reform needs political and bureaucratic champions, careful preparation, patience and necessary investment, and capacity to neutralise opposition. Ultimately, one has to allow for a shifting combination of history, culture, politics, economics, sociology, ideology and values in each country. This analysis is applied to the possibility of reforming the public service of India, the second most populous country in the world, and the lessons to be gleaned for developing and implementing the strategy. The article then concludes with an outline of some universal problems facing public service reformers all around the globe such as corruption, the future role of government, shape of the civil service, reversing its erosion and addressing issues of fragmentation, compensation and diversity. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mineral acquisition by mycorrhizal maize grown on acid and alkaline soil

Abstract Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can enhance plant acquisition of mineral nutrients and function over relatively broad pH ranges. We have determined the effect of the AM fungi Glomus etunicatum WV579A (Ge), G. diaphanum WV579B (Gd), and G. intraradices WV894 (Gi) on the acquisition of minerals by maize ( Zea mays L.) grown on acid (pH 4.2 and 4.6) and alkaline (pH 7.8 and 8.0) soils in a greenhouse. Shoot concentrations of P, Ca, Mg, K, Cu and Si were lower and Mn, Fe and Zn were higher while the total shoot contents of N, P, S, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, B and Si were lower and Mn, Fe and Zn were higher in plants grown on acid compared to alkaline soil. With few exceptions, mycorrhizal (AM) plants had higher mineral concentrations and contents than non-mycorrhizal (nonAM) plants. The three AM isolates were generally comparable for enhancing acquisition of minerals in plants grown on acid soil, while Gi and Ge plants absorbed more minerals than Gd plants grown on alkaline soil. Many of the enhanced mineral acquisition effects were greater than could be accounted for by increases in shoot biomass. Reduced acquisition of P by Ge and Al by Gi plants grown on acid soil were noted. These results provide evidence that Glomus isolates effectively enhance mineral acquisition over wide ranges of soil pH (∼3.5 pH units), and that AM isolates varied extensively in enhancing or reducing mineral acquisition in maize.
Light scattering from twisted metal cylinders.

The twisting of polished cylinders beyond the elastic limit results in the formation of surface cracks in the smooth surface. These surface cracks scatter light in a characteristic way. For small plastic deformations, the light scattering properties of the surface depend linearly on the permanent twist angle. Therefore, light scattering may be used as a kind of strain gauge.
Rethinking Vittoria Colonna: Gender and Desire in the rime amorose

Though the rime spirituali of Vittoria Colonna (1490–1547) have benefited in recent years from increased critical examination, her rime amorose have gone largely unstudied. This lack of attention is due at least in part to a lack of excitement, as modern scholarship has come to consider her early secular verse to be competent but conventional, a brand of Petrarchism that is at once passively receptive and abstractly decorporealizing. This essay aims to show that Colonna’s is a reputation unjustly earned and that her rime amorose are not as ‘traditional’ or frigid as has typically been posited. On the contrary, her verse can be wonderfully bizarre and experimental, especially in terms of gender and sexuality.
Information Pick-Up by Infants: What Is It, and How Can We Tell?☆

Young infants spend the better portion of their 1st year merely looking around, and what they notice can have critical cognitive consequences. Although looking measures are commonly used to predict what information infants pick up about objects and/or their relationship to other objects, these predictions are often ambiguous. Ultimately, that knowledge can be unambiguously revealed only by giving infants an opportunity to directly act on or use it.
Esophageal strictures in children with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: an 11-year experience with fluoroscopically guided balloon dilatation.

Abstract Background Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is an inherited blistering skin disorder that is associated with significant esophageal strictures, resulting in dysphagia and nutritional failure. Although endoscopically guided balloon dilatation is a widely used treatment, the use of an endoscope carries the risk of oropharyngeal trauma. To minimize this risk, we have eliminated its use. Method We reviewed the charts of all RDEB patients who underwent balloon dilatation for esophageal strictures between August 1993 and March 2005. Balloon dilatation procedures were performed under anesthesia and with fluoroscopic control. Results We performed 92 dilatations on 25 RDEB patients. Most patients reported immediate relief of symptoms, rapid recovery, and resumption of adequate food intake within 1 day. The mean interval between dilatations was 1 year. Six patients (24%) have required only 1 dilatation, and 1 of these 6 has had a dilatation-free interval of 25 months. One patient with a history of multiple dilatations has remained dilatation-free for 5 years. No procedure-related complications have occurred. Conclusions Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilatation is a gentle, safe, effective, and repeatable technique that should be considered as a first line of treatment.