cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Juan de Betanzos, the Man Who Boasted Being A Translator

This article draws the linguistic profile of a sixteenth century Colonial translator in the Andes, Juan Diez de Betanzos. This profile covers his linguistic background, and the knowledge of the languages he was in contact with when overseas. The identification and analysis of his translation techniques and strategies form the core of the article. What appears then is the image of the cultural translator of the times, a translator who was also a colonizer, and thus, a linguistic agent of colonization.
The ts 15 mutation of Escherichia coli alters the sequence of the C-terminal nine residues of Rho protein ☆

Abstract The segment of the rho gene that harbors the ts15 mutation was isolated and sequenced. The mutation, an IS/ insertion, changed the sequence of the C-terminal nine amino-acid residues, altering seven and eliminating the last two.
Central administration of serine causes hypothermia and inhibits fever in rabbits.

Abstract When serine, a precursor of taurine, was injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle (ICV), it caused dose-related decreases in rectal temperature of rabbits in a cold environment (10°C) but had little effect in a thermoneutral environment or in the heat (30°C). Induction of fever by IV leukocytic pyrogen was inhibited by serine given ICV in a single injection, in two injections 30 min apart, or when infused for one hour in a thermoneutral environment; a single injection also inhibited fever in the heat. Reduction of body temperature in the cold and prevention of fever development in a thernoneutral environment were associated with vasodilatation of the ears; the inhibition of fever development in the heat, with suppression of vasoconstriction. The hyperthermic response to ICV PGE 2 (500 ng) was also inhibited by pretreatment with serine in both thermoneutral and hot environments. When serine and taurine were injected together ICV in a cold environment, the reductions in body temperature were consistent with an additive action of the two amino acids. The increased effects of acute serine injections over infusions of even greater amounts of the amino acid suggest that large doses of serine can influence early inward transport of endogenous pyrogen. Serine appears to inhibit activity in central pathways which mediate both heat production and heat conservation, possibly at the same receptor sites as taurine. Unlike taurine, however, serine infusion does not augment and prolong fever when infusion is stopped and it is unlikely that this amino acid influences inactivation of endogenous pyrogen that reaches the brain.
Stimulation of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) production by actinomycetes after cyclic chlorination in drinking water distribution systems

The impact of fluctuation in chlorine residual on actinomycetes and the production of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) were studied in cast-iron and PVC model distribution systems. Actinomycetes were spiked in each system and continued operation for a 12-day non-chlorine experiment, resulting in no changes in actinomycetes and MIB concentrations. Three cyclic chlorination events were performed and chlorine residuals were maintained as follows: 1.0 mg L−1 for 24 h, 0 mg L−1 for 48 h, 0.5 mg L−1 for 48 h, 0 mg L−1 for 48 h and 2 mg L−1 for 24 h. After each chlorination event, 2 -3 log decrease in actinomycetes was noted in both systems. However, within 48 h at 0 mg L−1 chlorine, the actinomycetes recovered to the pre-chlorination levels. On the contrary, MIB concentration in both systems remained un-impacted after the first cycle and increased by fourfold ( 20 mg L−1) after the second cycle, which lasted through the third cycle despite the fact that actinomycetes numbers fluctuated 2–3 logs during this time...
Secure agent computation: X.509 proxy certificates in a multi-lingual agent framework

Mobile agent technology presents an attractive alternative to the client-server paradigm for several network and real-time applications. However, for most applications, the lack of a viable agent security model has limited the adoption of the agent paradigm. This paper describes how the security infrastructure for computational Grids using X.509 Proxy Certificates can be extended to facilitate security for mobile agents. Proxy Certificates serve as credentials for Grid applications, and their primary purpose is the temporary delegation of authority. We are exploiting the similarities between Grid applications and mobile agent applications, and motivate the use of Proxy Certificates as credentials for mobile agents. Further, we propose extensions for Proxy Certificates to facilitate the characteristics of mobile agent applications, and present mechanisms that achieve agent-to-host authentication, restriction of agent privileges, and secure delegation of authority during spawning of new agents.
Co-suppression of Si401, a maize pollen specific Zm401 homologous gene, results in aberrant anther development in foxtail millet

We previously reported that the maize pollen-specific gene Zm401 functions in anther development. In this study, a Zm401’s ortholog Si401 was amplified and cloned from foxtail millet (Setaria italica). Zm401 and Si401 are highly conserved with 99% of their coding sequences identical to each other. Southern blot and RT-PCR analysis reveal that Si401 has only one copy in the genome and is expressed exclusively in the panicle. Co-suppression of Si401 in foxtail millet results in multiple abnormalities during the late stages of anther development, including premature degeneration of the tapetum, pre-deposition of fibrous bands in endothecium cells, and aborted pollen grains. Our results demonstrate that Si401 plays an essential role in anther development in foxtail millet and might be useful for generation of male-sterile plants in cereal crops.
Immuno-enhancing effects of ricin.

AbstractThe effect of ricin on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was tested in vitro. At low concentrations (10–3 and 10−-1 μg/ml), rich potentiated the effect of lipopolysaccharide to induce interleukin 1 (IL-1). Ricin was not mitogenic or co-mitogenic with phytohaemagglutinin or concanavalin A in PBMC cultures at low concentrations ( 10−-3 μg/ml) inhibited production of IL-1 by PBMC and the mitogen-driven proliferation of PBMC cultures.
Repair of a Through-and-Through Gunshot Wound of the Aortic Arch Using a Heparinized Shunt

Abstract A patient is presented who survived an acute through-and-through injury of the aortic arch with avulsion of the origin of the left common carotid artery secondary to a gunshot wound. The problems associated with successful repair of this type of lesion are discussed.
Acute Administration of n-3 Rich Triglyceride Emulsions Provides Cardioprotection in Murine Models after Ischemia-Reperfusion

Dietary n-3 fatty acids (FAs) may reduce cardiovascular disease risk. We questioned whether acute administration of n-3 rich triglyceride (TG) emulsions could preserve cardiac function and decrease injury after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) insult. We used two different experimental models: in vivo, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to acute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and ex-vivo, C57BL/6 murine hearts were perfused using Langendorff technique (LT). In the LAD model, mice treated with n-3 TG emulsion (1.5g/kg body weight), immediately after ischemia and 1h later during reperfusion, significantly reduced infarct size and maintained cardiac function (p<0.05). In the LT model, administration of n-3 TG emulsion (300mgTG/100ml) during reperfusion significantly improved functional recovery (p<0.05). In both models, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, as a marker of injury, were significantly reduced by n-3 TG emulsion. To investigate the mechanisms by which n-3 FAs protects hearts from I/R injury, we investigated changes in key pathways linked to cardioprotection. In the ex-vivo model, we showed that n-3 FAs increased phosphorylation of AKT and GSK3β proteins (p<0.05). Acute n-3 TG emulsion treatment also increased Bcl-2 protein level and reduced an autophagy marker, Beclin-1 (p<0.05). Additionally, cardioprotection by n-3 TG emulsion was linked to changes in PPARγ protein expression (p<0.05). Rosiglitazone and p-AKT inhibitor counteracted the positive effect of n-3 TG; GSK3β inhibitor plus n-3 TG significantly inhibited LDH release. We conclude that acute n-3 TG injection during reperfusion provides cardioprotection. This may prove to be a novel acute adjunctive reperfusion therapy after treating patients with myocardial infarction.
Spectroscopic analysis of pH-induced changes in the molecular features of type A botulinum neurotoxin light chain.

Clostridial botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) cause neuroparalysis by blocking neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junctions. While the toxin's heavy chain (HC) is involved in binding and internalization, the light chain (LC) acts as a unique Zn2+-endopeptidase against a target protein in the exocytotic docking/fusion machinery. During the translocation of the LC to the cytosol, it is exposed to the endosomal low pH. Low pH showed a dramatic change in the BoNT/A LC polypeptide folding as indicated by differential heat denaturation. Furthermore, binding of 1-anilinonaphthalenesulfonate (ANS) revealed exposure of hydrophobic domains of BoNT/A LC at low pH. Low-pH-induced structural (and by implication the endopeptidase activity) changes were completely reversible. Exposure of BoNT/A LC to low pH (4.7) did not, however, evoke the loss of Zn2+ bound to its active site. Implications of these observations to the delivery of active BoNT/A LC to the nerve cell are discussed. We further analyzed the nature o...
Morphological aspects of α”-Fe16N2 precipitation in α-Fe

The intermediate precipitate ..cap alpha..''-Fe/sub 16/N/sub 2/ formed during the quench-aging of nitrogen-ferrite occurs via a nitrogen GP zone stage as thin disc-shaped plates on the three sets of matrix (001) planes. Its b.c. tetragonal structure can be considered as a tetragonal distortion of ferrite with an expansion (9.7%) in the c/sub -/-direction and a slight contraction (0.2%) in the a/sub -/-direction due to the ordered occupation by nitrogen atoms of two of the sixteen octahedral interstices whose tetrad axes are parallel with one of the cube directions, i.e. the c/sub -/-edge. Previous TEM studies on ..cap alpha..'' precipitation have been performed using bulk-aging and in-situ aging procedures and, irrespective of which aging treatment is adopted, individual disc-shaped ..cap alpha..'' particles always have a characteristic ''rosette'' contrast when viewed normal to the plate surface. This effect has not been explained but was thought to originate through variations of the plate thickness or anisotropy of surface energy. The present TEM analysis using high-angle tilting shows that this contrast arises because individual ..cap alpha..'' particles are comprised of several inclined segments near the same (001) plane.
A survey study of the use electropupillogram in predicting response to psychostimulants

To confirm the conclusions from a previous study supporting the usefulness of electropupillogram (E.P.G.) in predicting clinical response, data from three separate studies with hyperkinetic and learning disabled (L.D.) children treated with stimulants were surveyed. Change in extent of pupillary contraction (E.C.) after a test dose of stimulant as measured by E.P.G. did not correlate significantly with actual clinical rating change (with one exception out of 14 correlations calculated). These negative results are reported with a reservation regarding their validity because of technical difficulties in data collection.
Telencephalic lesions and behavior in the teleost, Macropodus opercularis: Further analysis of reproductive and operant behavior in the male

Ablation of the telencephalic hemispheres blocked reproductive behavior and decreased the rate of operant responding for conspecific visual reinforcement. Repeated administration of operant conditioning sessions for 4 weeks following the ablation resulted in a partial recovery of the operant rate but not of reproductive behavior. Social isolation, which increases reactivity in Macropodus, had no significant effect on the operant rate in sham-operated or lesioned males. Lesioning resulted in a significant reduction of testes weight and the gonadosomatic index in 8 weeks.
The calibration of the National Bureau of Standards' tritiated-toluene standard of radioactivity

Abstract The difficulties encountered, and their solution, when calibrating a radioactivity standard of tritiated toluene by comparison with the NBS tritiated-water standard by means of liquid-scintillation counting, are described. Leaks in the seals of commercial vials, giving rise to uncontrolled oxygen quenching, were eliminated by modifying the seals. White plastic caps gave higher count rates than black plastic caps. A new and highly precise method of dilution was used. The ratio of the activities of the two standards was determined with a standard error of less than 0.1 percent.
Optical properties of self-assembled lateral superlattices in AlInAs epitaxial layers and AlAs/InAs short-period superlattices

Abstract Characterization of self-assembled lateral superlattices in AlInAs epitaxial layers and AlAs/InAs short-period superlattices is presented. These structures are spontaneously generated during the epitaxial growth by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the structural details and electro-modulated reflectance is used to characterize the energy and anisotropy of the optical transitions in the lateral superlattices. We demonstrate several properties of these self-assembled structures: (a) the band gap energy can be changed by as much as 350 meV, (b) the polarization anisotropy of the lowest energy transition exceeds 90%, (c) the superlattice axis and the direction of the optical anisotropy can be oriented along two non-equivalent directions in the plane of the substrate, and (d) the valence band splitting between heavy- and light-hole transitions is significant. We discuss the difference between the samples from the two growth techniques. Finally, we theoretically model the electronic states in these lateral superlattices and we demonstrate that the difference in average InAs composition between the well and barrier can be as high as 35%.
13C n.m.r. observation of poly(l-lactide) in the narrow channels of its inclusion compound with urea

Abstract The high resolution CP/MAS/DD 13C n.m.r. spectra of bulk, semicrystalline poly( l -lactide) (PLLA) and PLLA confined to the narrow channels of its urea clathrate (PLLA-U) are compared and contrasted to the recently reported CP/MAS/DD spectrum of the crystalline 1:1 stereocomplex (PLLA∗PDLA) formed by mixing dilute solutions of PLLA and poly( d -lactide) (PDLA) followed by their cocrystallization. Single resonances are observed for all three carbon types in PLLA-U, while the carbonyl carbons in PLLA∗PDLA and all three carbon types in bulk PLLA evidence multiple resonances. Differences in the conformations and packing of PLLA chains in these distinct, ordered solid-state environments are the likely sources of their very different high resolution, solid-state 13C n.m.r. spectra.
Polymerization of Styrene with a Polymerizable Cationic Surfactant in Three-Component Microemulsions

The polymerization of oil-in-water ternary microemulsions containing water, styrene, and vinylbenzyldodecyldimethylammonium chloride (VDAC) was investigated. VDAC has a polymerizable vinylbenzyl group in the hydrophilic head. Stable transparent microemulsions were prepared by the solubilization of styrene monomer without addition of any cosurfactant. Polymerization of the microemulsions using an oil-soluble free radical initiator leads to either a transparent latex suspension or a hydrogel, depending on the composition. The transparent hydrogels contain up to 92 wt % water and exhibit a reversible gel-to-sol transition on increasing temperature. The hydrogels can be diluted with water to form a clear solution above the gel-to-sol transition. The polymer structure was analyzed using NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Dynamic light scattering was used to measure nanoparticle size, while dynamic rheological experiments were performed to characterize the structure of the hydrogels.
Adverse effects of chronic opioid therapy for chronic musculoskeletal pain

The use of opioids for the treatment of chronic pain has increased dramatically over the past decade. Whether these drugs provide considerable benefits in terms of pain reduction and improved function to balance the risks associated with their use, however, is unclear. Of particular importance to clinicians treating chronic musculoskeletal pain is opioid-induced hyperalgesia, the activation of pronociceptive pathways by exogenous opioids that results in central sensitization to pain. This phenomenon results in an increase in pain sensitivity and can potentially exacerbate pre-existing pain. Opioids also have powerful positive effects on the reward and reinforcing circuits of the brain that might lead to continued drug use, even if there is no abuse or misuse. The societal risk of increased opioid prescription is associated with increased nonmedical use, serious adverse events and death. Patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain should avoid the long-term use of opioids unless the benefits are determined to outweigh risks, in which case, the use of chronic opioids should be regularly re-evaluated.
On a turbulent wall jet flowing over a circular cylinder

The effect of surface curvature on the development of a two-dimensional wall jet was investigated experimentally. A comparison was made between a wall jet flowing around a circular cylinder and its plane equivalent. Velocity surveys and surface pressure measurements in the curved wall jet suggest the existence of two primary regions of interest. The first region, ranging from the end of the potential core to an approximate angular position of θ=120°, is characterized by a constant surface pressure and a self similarity of the mean flow. The second region is marked by an adverse pressure gradient leading to separation around θ=230°. The rate of spread of this flow, even in the initial region, is much higher than in the plane wall jet and so are the levels of turbulence and Reynolds stress. The dominant lengthscale in this flow is the radius of curvature R and the dominant velocity scale is the square root of the kinematic jet momentum divided by the radius of curvature. Entrainment of ambient fluid which causes the jet to adhere to the curved surface is also the main reason for its separation which is preceded by a rapid rate of spread of the flow leading to the failure of the boundary-layer approximation.
Effectiveness of intense, activity-based physical therapy for individuals with spinal cord injury in promoting motor and sensory recovery: Is olfactory mucosa autograft a factor?

Background/objectives Rehabilitation for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) is expanding to include intense, activity-based, out-patient physical therapy (PT). The study's primary purposes were to (i) examine the effectiveness of intense PT in promoting motor and sensory recovery in individuals with SCI and (ii) compare recovery for individuals who had an olfactory mucosa autograft (OMA) with individuals who did not have the OMA while both groups participated in the intense PT program. Methods Prospective, non-randomized, non-blinded, intervention study. Using the American Spinal Injury Association examination, motor and sensory scores for 23 (7 OMA, 6 matched control and 10 other) participants were recorded. Results Mean therapy dosage was 137.3 total hours. The participants’ total, upper and lower extremity motor scores improved significantly while sensory scores did not improve during the first 60 days and from initial to discharge examination. Incomplete SCI or paraplegia was associated with gr...
High-pressure gas target of modular design

Abstract A relatively background-free gas target with replaceable foil windows is described.
Paddle-wheel multislice helical CT display of pulmonary vessels and other lung structures

The authors have now instituted the paddle-wheel method of CT reconstruction imaging of the lungs as a routine supplement to the standard axial multislice helical CT pulmonary angiography images for pulmonary embolism, and are exploring its role in other diseases. This unique way of viewing lung structures adds a new dimension to pulmonary imaging. Large-scale comparison studies of the traditional and the proposed paddle-wheel CT display method are necessary to quantitate their relative clinical effectiveness in the evaluation of the pulmonary vasculature, airways, and lungs.
Thermodynamics of nitroaromatic compound adsorption from water by smectite clay.

Nitroaromatic compounds enter the environment through their use as explosives, pesticides, solvents, and synthetic intermediates in the manufacturing of dyes, perfumes, and drugs. Recent studies have found that many nitroaromatic compounds are strongly retained by smectites, especially K+-saturated smectites. Sorption occurs when nitroaromatic compounds replace water associated with the clay and form complexes between K+ and −NO2 groups. This study seeks to further understand nitroaromatic-clay interactions from the viewpoint of energetics. Adsorption isotherms of 1,3-dinitrobenzene, 1,4-dinitrobenzene, and 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene from aqueous solution by K+- and Ca2+-saturated smectite (SWy-2) were measured at several temperatures between 4 °C and 37 °C to determine the molar differential adsorption enthalpies. Adsorption was found to be an exothermic process on both homoionic K+- and Ca2+-smectite. The smaller adsorption enthalpy on Ca-SWy-2 was consistent with its much smaller adsorption capacity for nit...
On typologies of situated interaction

Consideration of context raises issues of design. The complexity of these issues calls for a typological approach, in which conventional configuration of space plays a greater role. Theories of phenomenology, embodiment, and periphery underlie the argument that we must design for recurrent situations of everyday life, and that we must do so in a manner quite different from the anytime/anyplace universality so often held out as an objective for ubiquitous computing. Architecture, the more established discipline of physical context, demonstrates the importance of type to usable design. Not merely a functional classification, typology here is a generative abstraction, by which good design creates new instances from inexhaustible themes. This essay explains typology as a design philosophy, toward which its suggests possible steps forward from current developments in context-aware applications of computing.
Bird predation on insects reduces damage to the foliage of cocoa trees (Theobroma cacao) in western Panama

In the Neotropics, crops that are grown in agroforestry systems with shade trees support high levels of bird diversity compared with crops grown without shade (Estrada & Coates-Estrada 2005, Faria et al. 2006). Several experiments in shaded coffee farms have explored how insectivorous birds reduce herbivore numbers and their damage to plants and have simultaneously approached ecological questions that are applied (e.g. biological control) and basic (e.g. tri-trophic interactions) (Borkhataria et al. 2006, Greenberg et al., Perfecto et al. 2004). Here we used exclosures to test whether birds lower the densities of herbivorous insects and reduce insect damage to cocoa (Theobroma cacao L., Sterculiaceae) foliage in shaded farms of western Panama. Although bird predation has been shown to reduce insect damage to crops in other systems (Mols & Visser 2002), we provide the first test for shade-grown cocoa.
Gross slip fretting wear of CrCN, TiAlN, Ni, and CuNiIn coatings on Ti6Al4V interfaces

Abstract Fretting is a low amplitude oscillatory wear that occurs at component interfaces and can accelerate crack initiation as well as interfacial degradation. Prevalent in Ti-alloy contacts, fretting wear often occurs at the blade/disk interfaces of fan and compressor stages in turbine engines, causing premature component failure. In many cases, plasma sprayed CuNiIn (copper–nickel–indium) coatings and solid lubricants are applied to blade roots to mitigate the fretting problem. However, the CuNiIn coatings can cause severe damage to the uncoated Ti-alloy counter parts once the solid lubricants wear out. In this study, bench level gross slip fretting wear tests were conducted at room temperature on unlubricated Ti6Al4V (titanium, 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium) surfaces mated with CuNiIn and commercially pure Ni plasma sprayed surfaces. Upon analysis, it was determined that the uncoated Ti6Al4V surfaces initially gall. Then the resulting adherent wear particles break up causing a transition into a third body type wear mode over time. This leads to an accumulation of wear that is similar to that of uncoated Ti6Al4V mating surfaces. Additional tests were conducted after applying 2-μm thick PVD deposited TiAlN (titanium–aluminium–nitride) and CrCN (chrome–carbon–nitride) coatings to the surfaces of a second set of Ti6Al4V mating pairs. When worn against the unlubricated CuNiIn and Ni coatings, the thin TiAlN and CrCN coatings wore gradually without delaminating or cracking and were able to mitigate galling and extend test life. The application of the hard coatings lead to a reduction in wear in all of the tests except with the combination of TiAlN worn against CuNiIn.
Semi-supervised learning for scalable and robust visual search

Unlike textual document retrieval, searching of visual data is still far from satisfactory. There exist major gaps between the available solutions and practical needs in both accuracy and computational cost. This thesis aims at the development of robust and scalable solutions for visual search and retrieval. Specifically, we investigate two classes of approaches: graph-based semi-supervised learning and hashing techniques. The graph-based approaches are used to improve accuracy, while hashing approaches are used to improve efficiency and cope with large-scale applications. A common theme shared between these two subareas of our work is the focus on semi-supervised learning paradigm, in which a small set of labeled data is complemented with large unlabeled datasets.
Natural history of the flail mitral leaflet syndrome: A serial 2-dimensional echocardiographic study

Abstract The syndrome of a flail mitral leaflet results in acute mitral regurgitation (MR). Twenty-nine patients with a flail mitral leaflet had serial 2-dimensional echocardiographic (2-D echo) examinations. Left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) volumes and ejection fraction (EF) were obtained using a computerized light-pen system. Fifteen patients with the 2-D echo criteria of a flail mitral leaflet were treated medically and followed for a mean of 19 months. Eleven patients did not undergo surgery (Group IA). Four patients initially were treated medically, but ultimately required surgery (Group IB). On initial examination there was no difference in volumes and EF between these 2 groups. On follow-up, Group IA patients remained in New York Heart Association class I or II. The LV end-diastolic volume increased in the Group IA patients from 164 ± 27 to 203 ± 54 ml (p Fourteen patients were initially treated surgically (Group II). All but 1 were in New York Heart Association Class III or IV. On Initial examination LVEF was lower than in Group IA patients (51 ± 5 versus 43 ± 7, p = 0.05), but there was no difference in LV or LA volumes. On follow-up, a mean of 19 months after surgery, LVEF and LA volumes decreased. We conclude that a subset of patients with a flail mitral leaflet may be followed clinically without deterioration in LV function. Initial LVEF and hemodynamics are reasonably normal. Because increasing LV and LA volumes and changing clinical status are not a function of time, frequent 2-D echo and clinical evaluations are warranted in these patients. After mitral valve replacement, LVEF decreases without a significant change in LV volume.
Effects of deoxycoformycin on adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid release from the hypoxemic rat cerebral cortex.

The effects of the adenosine deaminase inhibitor, deoxycoformycin, on purine release from the rat cerebral cortex were studied with the cortical cup technique. Deoxycoformycin (5 and 500 μg/kg i.v.) enhanced the hypoxia/ischemia-evoked release of adenosine from the cerebral cortex, indicating a marked rise in the adenosine content of interstitial fluid in the cerebral cortex. Inosine and hypoxanthine release were attenuated at the higher dose of deoxycoformycin, acid release into the cortical perfusates was enhanced at the higher dose level. These results demonstrate that low doses of deoxycoformycin can be used to elevate interstitial levels of adenosine in the brain during hypoxia, and to depress the formation of some of its metabolites. The elevation of hypoxia/ischemia-evoked adenosine levels can account for the previously reported potentiation of hypoxia-evoked increases in rat cerebral blood flow after deoxycoformycin administration. The potential therapeutic utility of these findings is discussed.
Vitellogenocytes in the Hepatopancreas of Carcinus maenas and Libinia emarginata (Decapoda brachyura)

Summary In addition to the ovary, the hepatopanocreas of female decapod crustaceans, Carcinus maenas, and Libinia emarginata is a source of yolk protein. The specific cells in the hepatopancreas that localize vitellogenins on tissue sections are revealed with lipovitellin-specific antiserum. These cells, designated vitellogenocytes, are believed to be responsible for vitellogenin synthesis in the hepatopanocreas. This conclusion is based upon immunolocalization which demonstrates a temporal relationship with vitellogenin synthesis in the hepatopanocreas. Specifically, when the oocytes are most active in vitellogenin uptake, the hepatopanocreas is producing vitellogenins most abundantly. Vitellogenocytes are relatively large and polymorphic, similar to the reserve-inclusion cells that were described by others. Yolk protein was not detected in other cells of the hepatopancreas, male reserve-inclusion cells, or pre-vitellogenic oocytes by the same method of staining. Vitellogenocytes resemble cyanocytes, the...
Survey of insecticide resistance in Mexican populations of maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (coleoptera: curculionidae)

Topical application bioassays of DDT, lindane, malathion, pirimiphos-methyl, deltamethrin, and permethrin were undertaken with 11 field strains of maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, collected from nine states in Mexico. Concentration-mortality regression lines were estimated to compare the resistance ratios for each insecticide and strain. For each insecticide, resistance ratios were determined relative to the most susceptible strain. The field-collected strains showed low to moderate levels of resistance to DDT (1.3- to 14.1-fold), moderate to high levels of resistance to lindane (4.7- to 20.9-fold), low to high levels of resistance to malathion (1.6- to 31.4-fold), and low levels of resistance to pirimiphos-methyl (3.0- to 3.7-fold), deltamethrin (1.2- to 1.8-fold), and permethrin (2.3- to 3.5-fold). This is the first report of high levels of lindane and malathion resistance in strains of S. zeamais in Mexico. Given this information, I conclude that insecticide resistance in S. zeamais in Mexico is important, and may become a more serious problem in the future.
Etoposide Induces Protein Kinase Cδ- and Caspase-3-Dependent Apoptosis in Neuroblastoma Cancer Cells

In this report, we reveal that etoposide inhibits the proliferation of SK-N-AS neuroblastoma cancer cells and promotes protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ)- and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Etoposide induces the caspase-3-dependent cleavage of PKCδ to its active p40 fragment, and active PKCδ triggers the processing of caspase-3 by a positive-feedback mechanism. Treatment of cells with the caspase-3-specific inhibitor N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone or caspase-3-specific small interacting RNA (siRNA) prevented the etoposide-induced activation of caspase-8 and inhibited apoptosis. The silencing of the caspase-2 or caspase-8 genes using siRNAs did not affect the etoposide-induced processing of caspase-3, indicating that these caspases lie downstream of caspase-3 in this signaling pathway. Furthermore, the etoposide-induced processing of caspase-2 required the expression of caspase-8, and the etoposide-mediated processing of caspase-8 required the expression of caspase-2, indicating that these two caspases activate each other after etoposide treatment. We also observed that etoposide-mediated apoptosis was decreased by treating the cells with the caspase-6-specific inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Glu(OMe)-Ile-Asp-(OMe)-fluoromethyl ketone and that caspase-6 was activated by a caspase-8-dependent mechanism. Finally, we show that rottlerin blocks etoposide-induced apoptosis by inhibiting the PKCδ-mediated activation of caspase-3 and by degrading caspase-2, which prevents caspase-8 activation. Our results add important insights into how etoposide mediates apoptotic signaling and how targeting these pathways may lead to the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of neuroblastomas.
Krüppel-like factor KLF10 regulates transforming growth factor receptor II expression and TGF-β signaling in CD8+ T lymphocytes.

KLF10 has recently elicited significant attention as a transcriptional regulator of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling in CD4+ T cells. In the current study, we demonstrate a novel role for KLF10 in the regulation of TGF-β receptor II (TGF-βRII) expression with functional relevance in antiviral immune response. Specifically, we show that KLF10-deficient mice have an increased number of effector/memory CD8+ T cells, display higher levels of the T helper type 1 cell-associated transcription factor T-bet, and produce more IFN-γ following in vitro stimulation. In addition, KLF10−/− CD8+ T cells show enhanced proliferation in vitro and homeostatic proliferation in vivo. Freshly isolated CD8+ T cells from the spleen of adult mice express lower levels of surface TGF-βRII (TβRII). Congruently, in vitro activation of KLF10-deficient CD8+ T cells upregulate TGF-βRII to a lesser extent compared with wild-type (WT) CD8+ T cells, which results in attenuated Smad2 phosphorylation following TGF-β1 stimulation compared with WT CD8+ T cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that KLF10 directly binds to the TGF-βRII promoter in T cells, leading to enhanced gene expression. In vivo viral infection with Daniel's strain Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) also led to lower expression of TGF-βRII among viral-specific KLF10−/− CD8+ T cells and a higher percentage of IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells in the spleen. Collectively, our data reveal a critical role for KLF10 in the transcriptional activation of TGF-βRII in CD8+ T cells. Thus, KLF10 regulation of TGF-βRII in this cell subset may likely play a critical role in viral and tumor immune responses for which the integrity of the TGF-β1/TGF-βRII signaling pathway is crucial.
Peptidyl-CCA deacylation on the ribosome promoted by induced fit and the O3′-hydroxyl group of A76 of the unacylated A-site tRNA

The last step in ribosome-catalyzed protein synthesis is the hydrolytic release of the newly formed polypeptide from the P-site bound tRNA. Hydrolysis of the ester link of the peptidyl-tRNA is stimulated normally by the binding of release factors (RFs). However, an unacylated tRNA or just CCA binding to the ribosomal A site can also stimulate deacylation under some nonphysiological conditions. Although the sequence of events is well described by biochemical studies, the structural basis of the mechanism underlying this process is not well understood. Two new structures of the large ribosomal subunit of Haloarcula marismortui complexed with a peptidyl-tRNA analog in the P site and two oligonucleotide mimics of unacylated tRNA, CCA and CA, in the A site show that the binding of either CA or CCA induces a very similar conformational change in the peptidyl-transferase center as induced by aminoacyl-CCA. However, only CCA positions a water molecule appropriately to attack the carbonyl carbon of the peptidyl-tRNA and stabilizes the proper orientation of the ester link for hydrolysis. We, thus, conclude that both the ability of the O3'-hydroxyl group of the A-site A76 to position the water and the A-site CCA induced conformational change of the PTC are critical formore » the catalysis of the deacylation of the peptidyl-tRNA by CCA, and perhaps, an analogous mechanism is used by RFs.« less
Towards a Process Model of Individual Change in Organizations

This article analyses the way the individual change process unfolds when major; second-order changes are required. Using a framework that integrates both the cognitive and affective components of individual sensemaking and interpretation, we develop a process model that systematically analyses the psychology of the individual change process, and, in particular, the sources of resistance to change or inertia. A series of steps in the change process are identified if second-order change is to come about, and a series of testable propositions about the forces that may facilitate or stymie change are developed.
Coordination of Receptor Signaling in Multiple Hematopoietic Cell Lineages by the Adaptor Protein SLP-76

The adaptor protein SLP-76 is expressed in multiple hematopoietic lineages including T cells, platelets, and neutrophils. SLP-76 mediated signaling is dependent on its multiple protein interaction domains, as it creates a scaffold on which key signaling complexes are built. SLP-76 is critical for supporting signaling downstream of both immunoreceptors and integrins. The signaling molecules used both upstream and downstream of SLP-76 are similar among these receptors and across cell types; however, important differences exist. Appreciating how SLP-76 coordinates signal transduction across different cell and receptor types provides insights into the complex interplay of pathways critical for activation of cells of the immune system that are essential for host defense.
A Strategyproof Mechanism for Scheduling Divisible Loads in Distributed Systems

An important scheduling problem is the one in which there are no dependencies between tasks and the tasks can be of arbitrary size. This is known as the divisible load scheduling problem and was studied extensively resulting in a cohesive theory called divisible load theory (DLT). In this paper, we augment the existing divisible load theory with incentives. We develop a strategyproof mechanism for scheduling divisible loads in distributed systems assuming a bus type interconnection and a linear cost model for the processors. The mechanism provides incentives to processors such that it is beneficial for them to report their true processing power and process the assigned load using their full processing capacity. We define the strategyproof mechanism and prove its properties. We simulate and study the implementation of the mechanism on systems characterized by different parameters
Evolution of the Varrier autostereoscopic VR display: 2001-2007

Autostereoscopy (AS) is an increasingly valuable virtual reality (VR) display technology; indeed, the IS&T / SPIE Electronic Imaging Conference has seen rapid growth in the number and scope of AS papers in recent years. The first Varrier paper appeared at SPIE in 2001, and much has changed since then. What began as a single-panel prototype has grown to a full scale VR autostereo display system, with a variety of form factors, features, and options. Varrier is a barrier strip AS display system that qualifies as a true VR display, offering a head-tracked ortho-stereo first person interactive VR experience without the need for glasses or other gear to be worn by the user. Since Varrier’s inception, new algorithmic and systemic developments have produced performance and quality improvements. Visual acuity has increased by a factor of 1.4X with new fine-resolution barrier strip linescreens and computational algorithms that support variable sub-pixel resolutions. Performance has improved by a factor of 3X using a new GPU shader-based sub-pixel algorithm that accomplishes in one pass what previously required three passes. The Varrier modulation algorithm that began as a computationally expensive task is now no more costly than conventional stereoscopic rendering. Interactive rendering rates of 60 Hz are now possible in Varrier for complex scene geometry on the order of 100K vertices, and performance is GPU bound, hence it is expected to continue improving with graphics card enhancements. Head tracking is accomplished with a neural network camera-based tracking system developed at EVL for Varrier. Multiple cameras capture subjects at 120 Hz and the neural network recognizes known faces from a database and tracks them in 3D space. New faces are trained and added to the database in a matter of minutes, and accuracy is comparable to commercially available tracking systems. Varrier supports a variety of VR applications, including visualization of polygonal, ray traced, and volume rendered data. Both AS movie playback of pre-rendered stereo frames and interactive manipulation of 3D models are supported. Local as well as distributed computation is employed in various applications. Long-distance collaboration has been demonstrated with AS teleconferencing in Varrier. A variety of application domains such as art, medicine, and science have been exhibited, and Varrier exists in a variety of form factors from large tiled installations to smaller desktop forms to fit a variety of space and budget constraints. Newest developments include the use of a dynamic parallax barrier that affords features that were inconceivable with a static barrier.
Remembering William Goffman: Mathematical information science pioneer

This paper reviews the career and legacy of William (Bill) Goffman, who served as a researcher, Professor, Dean and Emeritus at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, from 1959 to 2000. Goffman pioneered mathematical information science broadly and in several key areas. First, he applied disease epidemiology concepts to model accurately the spread of knowledge and the formation of knowledge systems and their ecologies, including the dynamics of scientific discovery. Second, he proposed significant improvements in information retrieval through the deployment of multi-valued logic, appropriate file ordering, effective and efficient retrieval measures, and simplified retrieval approaches, including early work in citation-based searching. Third, Goffman applied Bradford-like distributions to model effective core research literature collection development and usage. Fourth, he developed original epidemiology models, and was an early contributor in biomedical informatics. His mathematical contributions have stood the test of time and will continue to be applicable indefinitely.
A Review of NOx Formation Under Gas-Turbine Combustion Conditions

Abstract Gas turbines offer very high cycle efficiency, exceeding 50% in modern 250 MW-class combined-cycle units for power generation, as well as very low NOv in the lean premixed combustion mode with natural gas fuel. They also account for virtually all commercial aeropropulsion systems, in which case kerosene-based fuel is used. To meet future NOv and CO regulations, a higher level of understanding of turbulence, chemical kinetics and their interactions is required. NOv in particular has become a pacing consideration, although other constraints are present. Selected NOv data obtained at laboratory and machine conditions with gaseous fuel are reviewed here. Although the important chemical reactions cover a wide range in effective Damkohler number, the measure of turbulence-chemistry interactions, it appears that NOv is formed in a distributed zone manner. Equilibrium and superequilibrium effects can broaden the NOv-forming zones beyond the fine scales of turbulence, even in non-premixed flames. Pressure...
An Analysis of Collaboration in a State-Level Interagency Transition Team

Interagency collaboration facilitates strong linkages to adult agencies, which improves adult outcomes among youth with disabilities (Kohler & Field, 2003; Repetto, Webb, Garvan & Washington, 2002)...
The Value of Studying Occupation: An Example With Primate Play

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the value of a constraint-free study of occupation to occupational therapy. Constraint-free study refers to interdisciplinary scholarly inquiry that seeks to generate a deep understanding of how important occupations influence adaptation and health. Drawing on knowledge from animal behavior, anthropology, evolutionary biology, psychology, and primatology, primate play is discussed. Such knowledge enhances understanding of therapeutic play contexts and of play's integrative impact on occupational performance. Moreover, a robust understanding of vital occupations, such as play, empowers practitioners, thereby reducing the profession's vulnerability to external forces that diminish its economic and political position in the health care market. Precedents within and outside occupational therapy are described whereby control over the acquisition of basic knowledge has proven to be beneficial. It is concluded that both occupational therapy and occupational science will strongly benefit from their shared commitment to understanding the complexities of occupation.
Do Conscious Thoughts Cause Behavior

Everyday intuitions suggest full conscious control of behavior, but evidence of unconscious causation and automaticity has sustained the contrary view that conscious thought has little or no impact on behavior. We review studies with random assignment to experimental manipulations of conscious thought and behavioral dependent measures. Topics include mental practice and simulation, anticipation, planning, reflection and rehearsal, reasoning, counterproductive effects, perspective taking, self-affirmation, framing, communication, and overriding automatic responses. The evidence for conscious causation of behavior is profound, extensive, adaptive, multifaceted, and empirically strong. However, conscious causation is often indirect and delayed, and it depends on interplay with unconscious processes. Consciousness seems especially useful for enabling behavior to be shaped by nonpresent factors and by social and cultural information, as well as for dealing with multiple competing options or impulses. It is plausible that almost every human behavior comes from a mixture of conscious and unconscious processing.
The impossibility of temporal relations between non-identical times: new arguments for presentism

I argue that relations between non-identical times, such as the relations, earlier than, later than, or 10 seconds apart, involve contradiction, and only co-temporal relations are non-contradictory, which would leave presentism the only non-contradictory theory of time. The arguments I present are arguments that I have not seen in the literature.
Oxidative Stress–Mediated Cardiac Cell Death Is a Major Determinant of Ventricular Dysfunction and Failure in Dog Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Cell death has been questioned as a mechanism of ventricular failure. In this report, we tested the hypothesis that apoptotic death of myocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts is implicated in ...