cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evoked transmitter release increased by inorganic mercury at frog neuromuscular junction.

IT is well documented that calcium ions have an important role in the release of transmitter substances from nerve terminals1,2. There is, however, little information about the interactions of calcium with other chemical moieties within the nerve terminal which presumably are required to bring about transmitter release. Kosower and Werman3 postulated that calcium ions interact with two sulphydryl groups to form a calcium dithiolate complex. The formation of such a complex results in a decrease in the sulphur–sulphur distance which is presumed to produce a micro-contraction of the presynaptic membrane, thereby allowing for the quantal release of transmitter into the synaptic cleft. We show here that low concentrations of mercury ions (1 µM or less) increase the amount of transmitter released from motor nerve terminals. Since it is well known that mercury ions dissociating from inorganic mercury (HgCl2) form disulphide bridges in the presence of sulphydryl groups, we interpret our observations as being consistent with Kosower and Werman's hypothesis.
The inhibitory effect of dehydroascorbic acid on insulin secretion from mouse pancreatic islets

Abstract Intravenous doses of 200 mg/kg dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) produced hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, and decreased glucose tolerance in mice. This effect of DHA is mediated, at least in part, through a direct inhibition of pancreatic insulin release. Exposure of isolated pancreatic islets to a concentration of 2.0 mg/dl DHA reduces the responsiveness of the islets to both glucose (300 mg/dl) and tolbutamide (6±10 −3 m ). Exposure of isolated islets to DHA in a high concentration of d -glucose (300 mg/dl) partially protected them against the inhibitory effect of DHA. Exposure of islets to 4.0 mg/dl of DHA causes a leakage of insulin. Similarly, islets isolated from mice which had been treated with 300 mg/kg DHA iv exhibited increased insulin release in the presence of only 60 mg/dl glucose. Intravenous administration of either 200 or 300 mg/kg DHA prior to islet isolation results in increased insulin secretion in response to 300 mg/dl glucose. The results show that the pancreatic effects of DHA are similar to those of the diabetogen, alloxan.
Genomic and functional adaptation in surface ocean planktonic prokaryotes

The understanding of marine microbial ecology and metabolism has been hampered by the paucity of sequenced reference genomes. To this end, we report the sequencing of 137 diverse marine isolates collected from around the world. We analysed these sequences, along with previously published marine prokaryotic genomes, in the context of marine metagenomic data, to gain insights into the ecology of the surface ocean prokaryotic picoplankton (0.1–3.0 μm size range). The results suggest that the sequenced genomes define two microbial groups: one composed of only a few taxa that are nearly always abundant in picoplanktonic communities, and the other consisting of many microbial taxa that are rarely abundant. The genomic content of the second group suggests that these microbes are capable of slow growth and survival in energy-limited environments, and rapid growth in energy-rich environments. By contrast, the abundant and cosmopolitan picoplanktonic prokaryotes for which there is genomic representation have smaller genomes, are probably capable of only slow growth and seem to be relatively unable to sense or rapidly acclimate to energy-rich conditions. Their genomic features also lead us to propose that one method used to avoid predation by viruses and/or bacterivores is by means of slow growth and the maintenance of low biomass. Using newly derived genome sequences of 137 microbial isolates collected from a variety of marine environments around the world, together with previously obtained genome and metagenome data, Shibu Yooseph and colleagues have obtained an overview of the ecology of the ocean surface-dwelling plankton community. Two main microbial groups emerge. The first contains many microbial taxa that are rarely abundant and seem to be adapted to a 'feast or famine' lifestyle of rapid growth in energy-rich environments and slow growth during food scarcity. The second group consists of a few taxa of abundant and cosmopolitan plankton that are usually always plentiful. These largely uncultured microbes have relatively small genomes and may avoid predation by growing slowly and maintaining low biomass. Using newly derived genome sequences of 137 marine microbial isolates as well as previously obtained genome and metagenome data, this study presents a functional analysis of picoplankton residing in the ocean's surface layer.
What you see is not what you catch: a comparison of concurrently collected net, Optical Plankton Counter, and Shadowed Image Particle Profiling Evaluation Recorder data from the northeast Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Zooplankton and suspended particles were sampled in the upper 100 m of the Gulf of Mexico with the High Resolution Sampler. This towed-platform can concurrently sample zooplankton with plankton nets, an Optical Plankton Counter (OPC) and the Shadowed Image Particle Profiling and Evaluation Recorder (SIPPER), a zooplankton imaging system. This allowed for direct comparison of mesozooplankton abundance, biomass, taxonomic composition and size distributions between simultaneously collected net samples, OPC data, and digital imagery. While the net data were numerically and taxonomically similar to that of previous studies in the region, analysis of the SIPPER imagery revealed that nets significantly underestimated larvacean, doliolid, protoctist and cnidarian/ctenophore abundance by 300%, 379%, 522% and 1200%, respectively. The inefficiency of the nets in sampling the fragile and gelatinous zooplankton groups led to a dry-weight biomass estimate less than half that of the SIPPER total and suggests that this component of the zooplankton assemblage is more important than previously determined for this region. Additionally, using the SIPPER data we determined that more than 29% of all mesozooplankton-sized particles occurred within 4 mm of another particle and therefore would not be separately counted by the OPC. This suggests that coincident counting is a major problem for the OPC even at the low zooplankton abundances encountered in low latitude oligotrophic systems like the Gulf. Furthermore, we found that the colonial cyanobacterium Trichodesmium was the most abundant recognizable organism in the SIPPER dataset, while it was difficult to quantify with the nets. For these reasons, the traditional method of using net samples to ground truth OPC data would not be adequate in describing the particle assemblage described here. Consequently we suggest that in situ imaging sensors be included in any comprehensive study of mesozooplankton.
Sample handling for kinetics and molecular assembly in flow cytometry

Flow cytometry discriminates particle associated fluorescence from the fluorescence of the surrounding medium. It permits assemblies of macromolecular complexes on beads or cells to be detected in real-time with precision and specificity. The authors have investigated two types of robust sample handling systems which provide sub-second resolution and high throughput: (1) mixers which use stepper-motor driven syringes to initiate chemical reactions in msec time frames; and (2) flow injection controllers with valves and automated syringes used in chemical process control. In the former system, the authors used fast valves to overcome the disparity between mixing 100 {micro}ls of sample in 100 msecs and delivering sample to a flow cytometer at 1 {micro}l/sec. Particles were detected within 100 msec after mixing, but turbulence was created which lasted for 1 sec after injection of the sample into the flow cytometer. They used optical criteria to discriminate particles which were out of alignment due to the turbulent flow. Complex sample handling protocols involving multiple mixing steps and sample dilution have also been achieved. With the latter system they were able to automate sample handling and delivery with intervals of a few seconds. The authors used a fluidic approach to defeat turbulence caused bymore » sample introduction. By controlling both sheath and sample with individual syringes, the period of turbulence was reduced to {approximately} 200 msecs. Automated sample handling and sub-second resolution should permit broad analytical and diagnostic applications of flow cytometry.« less
Lightning: self-adaptive, energy-conserving, multi-zoned, commodity green cloud storage system

The objective of this research is to present an energy-conserving, self-adaptive Commodity Green Cloud Storage, called Lightning. Lightning's File System dynamically configures the servers in the Cloud Storage into logical Hot and Cold Zones. Lightning uses data-classification driven data placement to realize guaranteed, substantially long, periods (several days) of idleness in a significant subset of servers designated as the Cold Zone, in the commodity datacenter backing the Cloud Storage. These servers are then transitioned to inactive power modes and the resulting energy savings substantially reduce the operating costs of the datacenter. Furthermore, the energy savings allow Lightning to improve the data access performance by incorporation of high-performance, though high-cost Solid State Drives (SSD) without exceeding the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the datacenter. Analytical cost model analysis of Lightning suggests savings in the upwards of $24 million in the TCO of a 20,000 server datacenter. The simulation results show that Lightning can achieve 46% energy costs reduction even when the datacenter is at 80% capacity utilization.
Platelet aggregation and dense granule secretion in a colony of dogs with spontaneous hypertension.

AIM Since canine hereditary essential hypertension has been previously reported in a colony of Siberian husky dogs, we tested the suitability of this model for use in studies on the platelet defect identified in humans with essential hypertension. METHODS Platelet aggregation and dense granule ATP secretion were measured in dogs with essential hypertension and normotensive control dogs. RESULTS The platelets from the hypertensive group showed significantly increased aggregation and secretion in response to stimulation with ADP. There was no significant increase in aggregation or secretion when platelets from hypertensive dogs were stimulated by platelet-activating factor, thrombin, calcium ionophore A23187 or phorbol myristate acetate. CONCLUSION The increased aggregation and secretion responses in platelets from the hypertensive dogs suggest that a defect similar to that reported in humans with essential hypertension exists and that further investigation is warranted.
Modelling the plant canopy micrometeorology with higher-order closure principles

Abstract A canopy microenvironment turbulence model, based on higher-order closure principles, is presented. The model consists of equations for the mean quantities and their vertical turbulent fluxes. Approximate equations for the triple correlations are incorporated to bypass the need to make parameterizations for the triple correlations based on gradient diffusion assumptions. A canopy radiative transfer model provides the necessary information to a leaf energy balance equation which partitions the net absorbed energy into sensible and latent heat emission rates. The model is shown to simulate the microenvironment of a stressed and non-stressed soybean canopy, with good agreement between modelled and measured mean temperature, specific humidity, net radiation and mean wind speed profiles. A comparison of the terms in the budget equations for the tangential stress, turbulent kinetic energy, and heat flux shows favorable agreement with results from recent wind tunnel studies.
Evidence of structure-H hydrate, Gulf of Mexico Continental slope

Abstract A research submarine was used to sample an amber-colored gas hydrate exposed on the sea-floor at 540 m water depth in the Gulf of Mexico continental slope, offshore Louisiana. The hydrate composition is novel for a natural occurrence because i -C 5 comprises 41.1% of the total C 1 –C 5 hydrocarbon distribution. The relative abundance of i -C 5 is consistent with an hexagonal (H) lattice structure that is capable of enclosing larger hydrocarbon molecules than either structure I or II hydrates. Structure H hydrate, which has not been identified previously in nature, coexists with structure II hydrate on the Gulf slope.
Civil–military coordination for operational effectiveness: Towards a measured approach

The last decade has witnessed a cascading proliferation of strategic concepts that emphasise the importance of civil–military cooperation, coordination, or integration for effectiveness in complex ...
Effect of manganese on the concentration of amino acids in different regions of the rat brain

Abstract The present study was designed to determine if chronic exposure of weanlings and adult rats to Mn produces significant alterations in amino acid concentrations in different regions of the rat brain. Weanling (30 day old) and adult (90 day old) male rats were exposed to 10 and 20 mg Mn/kg body weight per day, by gavage, for 30 days. Forty‐ eight hours after the last dose, animals were sacrificed by decapitation and brains were dissected into different regions to determine the concentration of amino acids by HPLC/EC. A dose dependent decrease in body weight gain was found in the adult, but not in the weanling rats. Significant increases occurred in concentrations of aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, taurine and y‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the cerebellum of the adult rats dosed with 20 mg/kg per day, Mn. A significant decrease in the concentration of glutamine was observed in caudate nucleus and hippocampus of weanling rats dosed with 10 mg/kg, Mn. These data suggest that chronic Mn exposure can pr...
Thyrotropin Release in Vitro: Stimulation by Cyclic 3′,5′-Adenosine Monophosphate

Dibutyryl cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate and theophylline increased pituitary TSH secretion in vitro. This stimulation was inhibited completely by L-thyroxine. Epinephrine also increased TSH release, and its effect was augmented by phentolamine, an alphaadrenergic inhibitor, and partially blocked by propranolol, a beta adrenergic inhibitor. It is concluded that a rise in pituitary cyclic 3′,5′- adenosine monophosphate can increase TSH secretion by the pituitary. (Endocrinology 84: 758, 1969)
Microwave-Driven Multifunctional Capability of Membrane Structures

A large, ultra lightweight space structure, such as solar sails and Gossamer spacecrafts, requires a distributed power source to alleviate wire networks, unlike the localized on-board power infrastructures typically found in most small spacecrafts. The concept of microwave-driven multifunctional capability for membrane structures is envisioned as the best option to alleviate the complexity associated with hard-wired control circuitry and on-board power infrastructures. A rectenna array based on a patch configuration for high voltage output was developed to drive membrane actuators, sensors, probes, or other devices. Networked patch rectenna array receives and converts microwave power into a DC power for an array of smart actuators. To use microwave power effectively, the concept of a power allocation and distribution (PAD) circuit is adopted for networking a rectenna/actuator patch array. The use of patch rectennas adds a significant amount of rigidity to membrane flexibility and they are relatively heavy. A dipole rectenna array (DRA) appears to be ideal for thin-film membrane structures, since DRA is flexible and light. Preliminary design and fabrication of PAD circuitry that consists of a few nodal elements were made for laboratory testing. The networked actuators were tested to correlate the network coupling effect, power allocation and distribution, and response time.
The functional organization of somatosensory cortex in primates

Our understanding of the functional organization of somatosensory cortex and thalamus in primates and other mammals has greatly increased over the last few years. It is now clear that higher primates have four strip-like representations of skin and muscle receptors corresponding to areas 3 a, 3b, 1 and 2 of anterior parietal cortex. Areas 3b and 1 receive cutaneous information from the ventroposterior nucleus, while a ventroposterior superior nucleus provides areas 3a and 2 with information from muscle receptors. Area 3b is the homolog of S-I in prosimians and non-primates and it provides most of the activating cutaneous inputs to areas 1 and 2. Most of the further processing that allows tactile recognition of objects involves somatosensory areas of the lateral sulcus, where both S-II and the parietal ventral area (PV) receive activating inputs from areas 3a, 3b, 1 and 2. S-II also projects to PV and to a parietal rostral area where further connections with the amygdala and hippocampus may occur to allow the formation of tactile memories. Areas of anterior parietal cortex also project to posterior parietal cortex, where regions of cortex are largely somatosensory, but the functional subdivisions remain uncertain. All of the somatosensory fields have access to motor areas of the frontal lobe, but the magnitude and targets of the projections differ.
Immunoreactivity of salivary gland apyrase of Aedes aegypti with antibodies against a similar hydrolase present in the pancreas of mammals

Eucaryotes have the ubiquitous enzyme apyrase or ATP diphosphohydrolase, known to catalyze the hydrolysis of the α and β phosphate groups of di- and triphosphonucleosides. In hematophagous arthropods, the salivary glands are the main source of this enzyme that helps the insects to locate blood in hosts by preventing platelet aggregation. A structural comparison between mosquito salivary gland and pig pancreas apyrase was performed using immunoblot analysis with specific polyclonal antibodies raised to the pancreatic enzyme. Strong reactivity was observed with a polypeptide of mol. wt close to 60 kDa in the Aedes aegypti salivary glands, providing evidence for structural homology between the apyrase present in vertebrates and invertebrates.
Association of apolipoproteins e4 and c1 with onset age and memory: a study of sporadic Alzheimer disease in Taiwan.

Objective: To identify clinical manifestations and neuropsychological effects of Alzheimer disease (AD) in apolipoprotein (ApoE) e4 carriers and to investigate the relationships between ApoE HhaI polymorphism and apolipoprotein C1 (APOC1) HpaI polymorphism in Taiwanese patients with AD. Participants and methods: A total of 127 patients with AD and 191 elderly individuals were screened for ApoE and APOC1 polymorphism. All patients underwent neuropsychological testing, including a Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), and/or the Visual Association Memory Test (VAMT) with Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument. Results: The frequencies of the e4 and A alleles were significantly higher in the AD group. In the patients with AD, the e4 and A allele effects on those with an age-of-onset of 60 to 79 years were stronger than those with an age-of-onset of 80 years or higher. Visual Association Memory Test performance was significantly worse in e4-allele carriers but not in A-allel...
ZnTeO3 crystal growth by a modified Bridgman technique

Abstract Zinc Tellurite (ZnTeO 3 ) crystals were grown for the first time using a modified Bridgman method with a 2.5 kHz radio frequency (RF) furnace. Single crystal growth of ZnTeO 3 was hindered by many complicating factors, such as the evaporation of TeO 2 above 700 °C and the formation of more than one phase during crystal growth. While there were several successful runs that produced ZnTeO 3 single crystals, it was found that large (≥10 cm 3 ) single ZnTeO 3 crystals resulted when the crucible was exposed to a steeper vertical thermal gradient and when the temperature of the melt was raised to at least 860 °C. The results of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were in accordance with the X-ray powder diffraction file (PDF) for ZnTeO 3 . Some optical, electrical and structural properties of ZnTeO 3 single crystals were reported in this paper.
The nearly aligned rotating‐monoplate compensator

A rotating-compensator polarimeter with a misaligned monoplate compensator generates first, third, and fifth harmonics as well as the zeroth (dc), second, and fourth harmonics that provide information about the sample. We outline a general procedure for calculating the detected intensity with misaligned components, then provide some results where multiple internal reflections in the component are ignored. The analysis involves several orders of tensors, and a quartic secular equation instead of the usual quadratic of a quadratic.
Evolutionary hypothesis of long-term memory.

Learning is concerned with the operations that place a relatively stable behavioral potential in memory. From this point of view, memory may be defined as the storage of learned behavioral potential over time. Memory may also be defined as a persistent change in the CNS brought about by environmental input and by the activity of the organism (including the self-generation of an image, ideas, or thoughts that are retained as memory). The operational definition of memory derives from the results of laboratory testing of individuals for memory processes. The individual is provided with some input and then tested for the amount of retention in the memory, which is measured by determining how closely the output matches the input for various types of material over time. Long term memory (LTM) implies a permanent record of events and learned material. Several synonyms include ‘long-term storage’, ‘secondary memory’, ‘delayed memory’, and ‘distant memory’. Tulving (1) distinguished between two major forms of LTM: episodic memory and semantic memory. The episodic memory consists of the events that have been given a spatial and temporal coding ‐ where and when something happened. The semantic (or categorical) memory contains stores of learned words, verbal symbols, and semantic relationships. Other classifications of memory may include declarative (memory of specific facts or events), and non-declarative memory (memory for skills and procedures). Long-term memories are extremely resistant to erasure, persisting through sleep, unconsciousness, excitation, and seizures. It is reasonable to assume that long-term memories are laid down through some permanent changes in the structure and function of neurons. Search for the location and the mechanisms of LTM have generated large number of theories and hypotheses, which may be grouped into two broad categories: 1. Molar theories ‐ focussing on events in the neuron at
The Electron-Diffraction Investigation of the Molecular Structure of Cyanogen and Diacetylene (with a Note on Chlorine Dioxide)

The structures of cyanogen and diacetylene have been previously investigated by the electron-diffraction method by Wierl,(1) who reported nonlinear models with 150° bond angles for both molecules. The improbability of this conclusion, which is incompatible with all other evidence for the angle between a triple and a single bond on the same carbon atom, led to a reinvestigation of these compounds by the electron-diffraction method.
Characterization of detergent purified recombinant rat liver monoamine oxidase B expressed in Pichia pastoris

The high level expression and purification of rat monoamine oxidase B (rMAOB) in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris is reported. Nearly 100 mg of purified rMAOB is obtained from 130 g (wet weight) of cells (0.5 L of culture). The MALDI-TOF mass spectrum of the purified protein shows a single species with a molecular mass of 59.228 +/- 0.064 kDa, which agrees with the calculated molecular weight of 59.172 kDa for the rMAOB protein sequence assuming one mole of covalent FAD per mole of the enzyme. Consistent with the MALDI-MS data, purified rMAOB shows a single band near 60 kDa in Coomassie-stained SDS-PAGE gel as well as on Western blot analyses performed using antisera raised against human MAOA and BSA-conjugated FAD. A partial amino acid sequence of the purified protein is confirmed to be that of the wild type rMAOB by in-gel trypsin digestion and MALDI-TOF-MS analyses of the liberated peptide fragments. Steady state kinetic data show that purified rMAOB exhibits a K(m)(amine) of 176 +/- 15 microM and a k(cat) of 497 +/- 83 min(-1) for benzylamine oxidation, and a K(m)(O2) of 170 +/- 10 microM. Kinetic parameters obtained for purified rMAOB are compared with those reported earlier for recombinant human liver MAOB expressed in P. pastoris.
Arboreal singing in a burrowing cricket, Anurogryllus arboreus

1. Anurogryllus arboreus males in north peninsular Florida sing at ground level or above the ground on the trunks of trees or on other vegetation. Their song is a continuous trill at 70–80 pulses/s and 5.0–5.5 kHz. Prevailing singing locations of individual males vary among and within denies (Fig. 2). Males of congeneric West Indian species sing only at ground level. 2. Females are flightless and climb plants only in response to male calls. Therefore the three-dimensional acoustic output of a male may be of less direct importance than the male'sbroadcast area — the area at ground level within which the intensity of his call exceeds the auditory threshold of the average female. 3. Assuming a threshold of 38 dB (SPL re 2 × 10−5N · m−2) we found that males calling 1 m above the ground had broadcast areas averaging 14 times the broadcast areas of males calling at ground level (119 vs. 1,642 m2) (Fig. 4A-D, Table 1). 4. In terms of broadcast area, the optimal height for singing is influenced by spreading loss at greater heights, by attenuation due to ground cover and low vegetation, and by acoustical shadows due to rough terrain. 5. On vertical surfaces, such as tree trunks, crickets more often (27∶1) sing facing right or left than up or down (Fig. 3) making the broadcast areas asymmetrical (Fig. 4B-D). 6. When crickets singing on vertical surfaces deviate more than 22.5° from the horizontal, they generally (7∶1) angle downward (Fig. 3). Facing downward apparently has no acoustical advantage over facing upward since sound levels behind a cricket calling on the ground are at least as intense as those ahead (Fig. 4E).
Multiple Scattering and the Many-Body Problem—Applications to Photomeson Production in Complex Nuclei

A study is made of the scattering of fast particles by atomic nuclei. A rigorous (formal) solution to the many-body Schr\"odinger equation is given which has the structure of a multiply scattered wave. The relation of this solution to the "impulse approximation" is discussed. A decomposition of the wave function into "coherent" and "incoherent" parts is effected. This makes it possible to derive the familiar "optical models" directly, as well as to find systematic corrections to these models. The theory is applied to a discussion of photomeson production in complex nuclei.
Self-energy of elliptical dislocation loops in anisotropic crystals and its application for defect-free core/shell nanowires

Abstract In this work we investigate the self-energy of elliptical dislocation loops in anisotropic crystals and determine the functional dependencies on loop circumference, shape, and dislocation core radius. Systematic numerical calculations using the anisotropic point force Green’s function method are carried out with the goal of developing an analytical expression for the self-energy associated with these loops. The resulting formula is shown to accurately predict the self-energies for elliptical loops in anisotropic crystals, as well as the self-energies for simple loop configurations in isotropic crystals, for which analytical expressions exist. We apply this expression to predict the critical shell thickness corresponding to defect-free core/shell nanowires (NW) and further for the first time consider the effect of image energy due to the finite size of NW in anisotropic media using the boundary element method. Consequently, self-energy in NWs is corrected by an energy factor. Moreover, we discuss the dependence of the critical shell thickness on growth direction, with 〈1 1 0〉 NW having the largest, 〈1 1 1〉 NW the next largest, and 〈1 1 2〉 NW the finest.
Cognitive flexibility-rigidity, repetition effects, and memory ☆

This experiment examined the role of cognitive flexibility-rigidity in memory. On the basis of several personality tests, subjects were classified as flexible, intermediate, or rigid, using a postexperimental blocking procedure. All subjects were given a perceptual grouping task, which masks the meaningful structure of the material. Subjects have the option of discovering the more meaningful structure consisting of word pairs, or alternatively, processing less meaningful chunks of letters. Results were that flexible subjects recalled substantially more items than intermediate and rigid subjects, in that order. In addition, subjects given different (varied) groupings of the letter chunks recalled substantially more than subjects given repeated presentations of the same grouping structure. Transfer tests indicated that subjects acquired different coding strategies under varied and constant input. Repetitious input led subjects to adopt inefficient strategies in processing the material to be remembered, whereas varied input led subjects to adopt efficient encoding strategies.
The low temperature removal of small quantities of nitrogen or methane from hydrogen gas by physical adsorption on a synthetic zeolite

A flow system was used to measure the physical adsorption isotherms of two mixtures of nitrogen and hydrogen and two mixtures of methane and hydrogen on a synthetic zeolite. The measurements were made at liquid nitrogen temperature and at pressures of 4 to 85 atm. Static systems were used to measure the pure component isotherms of nitrogen, methane, and hydrogen at the same temperature and over the appropriate pressure ranges. Although many different methods have been proposed for using pure component adsorption isotherms to predict the mixture isotherm, the only method giving quantitative agreement with the data of this study is the empirical “adsorption enhancement factor” (4). In addition to the adsorption isotherms, the concentration-time or breakthrough curves of the mixtures were measured at flow rates ranging from 40 to 300 lb./(hr.)(sq.ft.). The method proposed by Eagleton and Bliss (18) was used to correlate these curves.
Partial regularity for harmonic maps of evolution into spheres

(1994). Partial regularity for harmonic maps of evolution into spheres. Communications in Partial Differential Equations: Vol. 19, No. 5-6, pp. 761-790.
The birthday problem revisited

Introduction The birthday problem asks for the probability that at least two people in a group of k people will have the same birthday. The problem continues to attract interest in the classroom and its variations and generalizations provide context for further theoretical elaboration. References to some of this material are included at the end of this note. The present work was motivated by the need to provide an approximation formula for the solution of the birthday problem in a liberal arts course on the Nature of Mathematics. The main result enables students who have not yet studied calculus to approximate solutions to birthday-type problems. If each person in a group of k people chooses a number at random from a given set of n numbers, the probability p that there will be at least one repetition is
Effects of Weather Variability and Soil Parameter Uncertainty on the Soil-Crop-Climate System.

The variability of crop and soil states due to uncertain climatic inputs and soil properties is quantified using a mathematical representation of the physiological, biochemical, hydrological, and physical processes related to plant growth. The components of the state-space model of the soil-crop-climate interactions are a plant growth, a moisture transport, and a solute transport model. A linear model for the perturbations of the state and the inputs around the nominal (first-order mean) values is derived. The linear model is used for second-moment uncertainty propagation due to fluctuations of the climatic forcing in time and due to the spatial variability of the soil properties. The most important climatic variables affecting crop production are identified in a case study. Correlation of climatic inputs between days is found to increase the crop yield variance. Significant variance reduction is found in transforming random soil properties to soil-state variables and then to plant-state variables. 31 refs., 4 figs.
The selection of dependent variables for weight reduction studies

Abstract The various measures used as dependent variables in behavioral weight reduction research are described and their advantages and disadvantages discussed. Requirements for the selection of appropriate measures are stated and recommendations made for the composition of a standardized measurement battery.
Eight-plasmid rescue system for influenza A virus

Abstract Plasmid-driven synthesis of viral RNA and protein allows the recovery of infectious influenza virus without the need for helper virus infection. Because no selection system is required for this approach, genetic manipulation of all eight viral gene segments without technical limitations is possible. We have developed a system which requires the construction and transfection of only eight plasmids for the recovery of influenza A viruses. In this DNA transfection system, viral cDNA is inserted between the human RNA polymerase I (pol I) promoter and murine terminator sequences. The entire pol I transcription unit is flanked by an RNA polymerase II (pol II) promoter and a poly(A) site. As a first step to evaluate the utility of this plasmid-based system for the production of vaccines, we generated the master strain A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) currently used for the production of inactivated vaccines entirely from cloned cDNAs. The virus yield as determined by HA-assay after passage of the recombinant virus in eggs was as high as the virus yield of the parental wild-type virus. These results prove that the generated recombinant virus has the same growth properties as the parental egg grown virus and indicate that the eight-plasmid transfection method has the potential to improve currently used methods for the production of vaccine viruses.
A study of lupus erythematosus with particular reference to generalized discoid lupus.

SUMMARY The classification of lupus erythematosus (LE) is difficult because of variable and multisystem involvement, occurrence of transitional forms, and overlapping with connective tissue disorders. One of the earliest attempts at classification was made by O'Leary (1934), who classified LE clinically into four main types: (1) chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), or fixed type with the typical erythematous, scaly, well-demarcated eruption, usually showing follicular plugging and atrophy, confined to the head region; (2) generalized DLE, or chronic disseminated type differing from the localized discoid type in that the erythematous plaques are found not only on the head area but also below the neck region (O'Leary considered that constitutional systems were generally lacking in these two types); (3) subacute disseminated LE; and (4) acute disseminated LE. The last two categories reflect what we now call systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) of varying severity. Many authors have used O'Leary's clinical classification, but progress in laboratory medicine—in particular the discovery of the LE cell—has led to other schemes, the most widely accepted at present being that related to the American Rheumatism Association's (ARA) preliminary criteria for the diagnosis of SLE (Cohen et al., 1971). These criteria have been criticized by many authorities because they do not include important data, such as those relative to the antinuclear antibody test, serum anti-native-DNA, serum complement levels, many neurological abnormalities, renal biopsy changes, and cutaneous immunofluorescent (IF) findings. However, Dubois (1974b) pointed out that all categorizations of LE are arbitrary, and he accepted the ARA criteria as a successful method for differentiating LE. This report involves the clinical and laboratory findings in 123 patients with LE seen at the Mayo Clinic during the 3-year period 1971–1974 and an assessment of the validity and usefulness of O'Leary's classification.
On the temperature dependence of subthreshold currents in MOS electron inversion layers

Abstract It has been observed that the “ n ” factor which enters into the exponential dependence of drain current on gate voltage for MOS transistors operating in the weak inversion region, exhibits a significant temperature dependence. This effect is correlated with the increase of interface state density towards the band edges and the variation of the space-charge capacitance.
Isoforms of Selenoprotein P in Rat Plasma EVIDENCE FOR A FULL-LENGTH FORM AND ANOTHER FORM THAT TERMINATES AT THE SECOND UGA IN THE OPEN READING FRAME

Several forms of selenoprotein P that share the same N-terminal sequence have been identified in rat plasma, but only one selenoprotein P mRNA has been characterized. The open reading frame of the mRNA contains 10 UGAs that presumably code for selenocysteine residues. Using heparin-Sepharose, we isolated two of the protein forms from immunoaffinity-purified selenoprotein P. One of the forms, Se-P45B, migrates at 45 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the other, Se-P57B, migrates at 57 kDa. These two forms were cleaved with cyanogen bromide, and both yielded 40-kDa fragments that were consistent with those fragments being an inter-methionine peptide near the N terminus of the predicted polypeptide. A 20-kDa fragment present in the cleavage products of Se-P57B was absent from the products of Se-P45B. This result suggested that Se-P45B lacks the C-terminal region of the predicted polypeptide. Carboxypeptidase P digestion of Se-P45B indicated that its C-terminal amino acid is Ser244, the amino acid immediately upstream from the predicted second selenocysteine. C-terminal analysis of Se-P57B indicated that its final residue is Asn366, the last amino acid predicted by the cDNA sequence. Amino acid composition analyses of the two forms were consistent with both arising from the same mRNA. Immunoaffinity-purified selenoprotein P was digested with proteases, and the resulting peptides were separated and sequenced. Only amino acid sequences predicted by the cDNA were found, and 80% of the predicted amino acid sequence was confirmed. These results are compatible with Se-P45B arising from termination of translation at the second in-frame UGA codon and all of the 10 in-frame UGA codons being read through to produce Se-P57B. These findings demonstrate that selenoprotein P isoforms of differing peptide lengths are present in plasma. They raise the possibility that the second UGA codon in selenoprotein P mRNA can have alternative functions: coding for the incorporation of selenocysteine or coding for termination of translation.
Seasonal continuity of chloroplasts in white pine and Rhododendron

White pine and Rhododendron leaf chloroplasts were observed with the electron microscope in late as well as in mid-winter. It was clear that even in late winter there was no indication of chloroplast “disintegration,” fractionation, or retrogression.
Generation and behavior of fine particles in thermal plasmas—A review

The generation and processing of fine powders in thermal plasmas has attracted increasing interest over the past years, precipitated by a growing awareness that conservation of materials is no longer an option but rather a necessity. Plasmaspheroidization, densification, fuming, metallurgical reduction, and the production of refractory oxides, carbides, nitrides, and borides in thermal plasmas are fast developing technologies which, in some cases, have already reached industrial production scale.
Interactions of the antibiotics neomycin B and chlortetracycline with the hammerhead ribozyme as studied by Zn2+-dependent RNA cleavage.

Abstract We have investigated the interactions of two antibiotics, neomycin B and chlortetracycline (CTC), with the hammerhead ribozyme using two Zn 2+ cleavage sites at U4 and A9 in its catalytic core. CTC-dependent inhibition of Zn 2+ cleavage was observed in all cases. In contrast, we unexpectedly observed acceleration of A9 cleavage by neomycin under low ionic strength conditions similar to those used to study inhibition of hammerhead substrate cleavage by this antibiotic. This result provides evidence that the inhibitory mechanism of neomycin does not include competition with the metal ion bound to the A9/G10.1 metal-ion binding site, as previously proposed. Under high ionic strength conditions, optimized for Zn 2+ -dependent cleavage, we observed neomycin-dependent inhibition of cleavage at both A9 and U4. The ability of neomycin to both inhibit and accelerate Zn 2+ cleavage suggests that there is either more than one neomycin binding site or multiple binding modes at a single site in the hammerhead ribozyme. Furthermore, the accessibilities and/or affinities of disparate neomycin binding sites or binding modes are dependent on the ionic strength and the pH of the medium.
The etiology of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome

Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) is defined by a collection of core characteristics, which include mental retardation, epilepsy, growth delay and cranio-facial dysgenesis. The disorder is caused by sub-telomeric deletions in the short arm of chromosome 4. The severity of the core characteristics is highly variable, and additional problems, including midline fusion defects, occur at lower frequency. Only one gene, WHSC1 , is deleted in every case. However, recent evidence, from patient studies and mouse models, indicates that deletion of WHSC1 alone is insufficient for full-blown WHS. Instead a model is emerging in which deletion of WHSC1 is essential for pathogenesis, but deletion of linked genes contributes to both the severity of the core characteristics and the presence of the additional syndromic problems. In this article, we outline the progress being made in patient studies and in the development of mouse models, and relate the implications of this work for a broad group of sub-telomeric deletion syndromes.
Induced pluripotent stem cells as a next-generation biomedical interface

Recent advances in DNA sequencing technologies and subsequent progress in genome-wide association study (GWAS) are rapidly changing the landscape of human diseases. Our knowledge on disease-gene linkage has been exponentially growing, and soon we will obtain complete maps of SNPs and mutations linked to nearly all major disease conditions. These studies will undoubtedly lead us to a more comprehensive understanding of how multiple genetic modifications link to human pathobiology. But what comes next after we discover these genetic linkages? To truly understand the mechanisms of how polygenic modifications identified through GWAS lead to disease conditions, we need an experimental interface to study their pathobiological effects. In this study, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), retaining all the genetic information from patients, will likely serve as a powerful resource. Indeed, pioneering studies have demonstrated that disease-specific iPSCs are useful for understanding disease mechanisms. Moreover, iPSC-derived cells, when recapitulating some disease phenotypes in vitro, can be a fast track screening tool for drug discovery. Further, with GWAS information, iPSCs will become a valuable tool to predict drug efficacy and toxicity for individuals, thus promoting personalized medicine. In this review, we will discuss how patient-specific iPSCs will become a powerful biomedical interface in clinical translational research.
Teaching the teachers: library instruction through professional development courses

Abstract A team of three public services librarians at Emporia State University, KS, describes the process of teaching professional development courses to academic faculty, staff, and graduate assistants over the course of 2 years. Classes offered for university pass/fail credit were planned, advertised, and taught, with emphasis on various electronic databases. Tables illustrate the increase in total library instruction, due partially to the favorable reactions of university faculty who participated in these courses. The positive image of the library across the campus has been enhanced through the continued involvement of librarians as teachers and facilitators of learning.
Current concepts: large granular lymphocyte leukemia

Clonal diseases of large granular lymphocyte (LGL) disorders can arise from a CD3+ T-cell lineage or from a CD3- NK-cell lineage. CD3+ LGL leukemia is the most frequent form of LGL leukemia. T-LGL leukemia usually affects elderly people. Approximately 60% of patients are symptomatic; recurrent infections secondary to chonic neutropenia, anemia, and rheumatoid arthrititis are the main clinical manifestations. The most common phenotype is CD3+, alphabeta+, CD8+, CD57+. Clonality is detected by clonal rearrangement of the T-cell receptor gene. NK-cell LGL proliferative disorders include NK LGL leukemia which is a very aggressive disease and NK chronic lymphocytosis. Serologic findings show frequent reactivity to the BA21 epitope of HTLV-I env p21e, suggesting that a cellular or retroviral protein with homology to BA21 may be important in pathogenesis of these diseases. Clonal expansion may be facilitated by IL12 and IL15 cytokines expressed by leukemic LGL, and also by a defective Fas (CD95) apoptotic pathway. Leukemic LGL constitutively express Fas and Fas-Ligand but they are resistant to Fas-induced apotosis. Neutropenia could be due to soluble Fas-Ligand which is highly secreted in the patient's sera. Clinical and molecular remission can be obtained with oral low-dose methotrexate. Leukemic LGL express a multi-drug resistance phenotype (PgP+/LRP+) that could partly explain the chemoresistance observed in aggressive cases. It is suggested that LGL leukemia can serve as a useful model of dysregulated apoptosis as an underlying mechanism for both malignancy and autoimmune disease.
Serial electrophoretic studies of the serum glycoproteins and proteins in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Abstract The effects of pulmonary tuberculosis on the concentration and distribution of the protein-bound carbohydrates and proteins of serum have been investigated by filter paper electrophoresis in 101 patients and 30 normal individuals. Statistically significant increases in total serum glycoprotein and the protein-bound carbohydrates of the α 2 - and β-globulin fractions occurred in patients with extensive, exudative disease concomitant with increases in the protein components of the α 2 - and γ-globulin fractions and with a decrease in serum albumin. The serum glycoprotein and protein patterns in acutely ill patients who responded to chemotherapy rapidly returned to normal.
The Politics of the Plane: On Fatimah Tuggar's Working Woman

In her digital photomontage Working Woman (1997), U.S.-based Nigerian artist Fatimah Tuggar stages a disjunctive encounter between the aesthetic procedures of the historical avant-garde and a postcolonial feminist critique of the visual imagery of the “Afro-optimism” that became prominent in the late 1990s. Treating the “modern African woman” as a mediatic phantom rather than a taken-for-granted subject-position, Tuggar's work evokes the universal “right to communicate” increasingly claimed by anti-neo-liberal activists in the Global South over the past decade.