cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical force measurements utilizing Lanthanide Binding Tags

The Lanthanide Binding Tag (LBT) is a motif comprised of 17 amino-acids with the sequence YIDTNNDGWYEGDELLA. The LBT has been crystallized in the presence of Tb3+ and thus it is known that this motif forms a loop in which the center is occupied by the Tb3+ ion, with the ion held in place by negatively charged amino-acids. Comparison with the highly related structure of an EF-hand revealed that only in the case of the LBT, water molecules are completely excluded from the interior of the loop (Nitz et al, 2004). This explains the high quantum yield of Tb3+ bound to the LBT.However, when encoded into a large “host molecule” the environment of the LBT is more constrained and it is possible that if inserted in the correct position, it will sense forces originating from conformational changes within the host. The forces exerted by these conformational changes may lead to a deformation or an unfolding of the motif, which would consequently change the emission properties of the bound Tb3+ ion. Here we show that Tb3+ emission from LBTs inserted on a particular position of the voltage sensor of Shaker K channels can be quenched by voltage dependent conformational changes. In order to understand this phenomenon, and with the attempt to calibrate this system for optical force measurements, we have employed molecular dynamic simulations. In these simulations an artificial force was applied to the ends of the LBT motif and the probability of water molecules interacting with the Tb3+ ion as a function of the applied force is used as a parameter related to the observed quenching of the emission.Supported by AHA 07257632(WS) and by NIH GM30376(FB) and GM68044(AMC).
Verticillium wilt resistant potato germplasm: A66107-51 and A68113-4.

Potato breeding selections A66107-51 and A68113-4 (Solanum tuberosum gptuberosum) are being released as germplasm that is highly resistant to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae Kleb.) These selections have been extensively evaluated for resistance to Verticillium as measured by symptom severity and degree of colonization byV. dahliae. They combine outstanding wilt resistance with good tuber maturity characteristics, high yield, and french fry processing tuber type. A66107-51 has long-oblong, russeted tubers, with high yield and variable processing quality. A68113-4 has long-oblong, partially russeted tubers with high yield and good processing quality. Both selections are fertile as female parents, and A66107-51 is occasionally pollen fertile. The Verticillium resistance of these two clones has been transmitted to progeny. These selections were developed by USDA-ARS in cooperation with the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station. Seed is available from USDA-ARS, Aberdeen, Idaho.
OVERVIEW OF THE KEPLER SCIENCE PROCESSING PIPELINE

The Kepler Mission Science Operations Center (SOC) performs several critical functions including managing the ~156,000 target stars, associated target tables, science data compression tables and parameters, as well as processing the raw photometric data downlinked from the spacecraft each month. The raw data are first calibrated at the pixel level to correct for bias, smear induced by a shutterless readout, and other detector and electronic effects. A background sky flux is estimated from ~4500 pixels on each of the 84 CCD readout channels, and simple aperture photometry is performed on an optimal aperture for each star. Ancillary engineering data and diagnostic information extracted from the science data are used to remove systematic errors in the flux time series that are correlated with these data prior to searching for signatures of transiting planets with a wavelet-based, adaptive matched filter. Stars with signatures exceeding 7.1? are subjected to a suite of statistical tests including an examination of each star's centroid motion to reject false positives caused by background eclipsing binaries. Physical parameters for each planetary candidate are fitted to the transit signature, and signatures of additional transiting planets are sought in the residual light curve. The pipeline is operational, finding planetary signatures and providing robust eliminations of false positives.
Transurethral resection combined with steroid injection in treatment of recurrent vesical neck contractures

Vesical neck contractures occur following 5 to 10 per cent of transurethral prostatectomies and an even smaller number of enucleative prostatectomies. Recurrences following both conservative and surgical treatment are common and present management problems to the urologist. Seven patients with recurrent vesical neck contractures were managed with reresection and steroid injection. One hundred per cent of patients responded to this although 1 patient required two procedures. The use of hydrocortisone sodium succinate (Solu-Cortef) versus triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog) preparations are discussed.
Energy decaying scheme for nonlinear elastic multi-body systems

This paper is concerned with the modeling of nonlinear elastic multi-body systems discretized using the finite element method. The formulation uses Cartesian coordinates to represent the position of each elastic body with respect to a single inertial frame. The kinematic constraints among the various bodies of the system are enforced via the Lagrange multiplier technique. The resulting equations of motion are stiff, nonlinear, differential-algebraic equations. The integration of these equations presents a real challenge as most available techniques are either numerically unstable or present undesirable high frequency oscillations of a purely numerical origin. An approach is proposd in which the equations of motion are discretized so that they imply an energy decay inequality for the elastic components of the system, whereas the forces of constraint are discretized so that the work they perform vanishes exactly. The combination of these two features of the discretization guarantees the stability of the numerical integration process for nonlinear elastic multi-body systems and provides high frequency numerical dissipation. Examples of the procedure are presented and compared with other available methodologies.
Power series link invariants and the Thurston norm

Abstract We generalize a result of Scharlemann and Thompson (1989) to obtain a relation between the Thurston norms of links related by “skein moves”, in irreducible homology 3-spheres. Then we apply this result to the study of “skein trees” of links and we formulate an obstruction to the convergence of the HOMFLY power series link invariants constructed by Kalfagianni and Lin (1998).
Kinetics and Mechanism of the C49 to C54 Titanium Disilicide Phase Transformation in Nitrogen Ambient

The kinetics of the C49 to C54 TiSi 2 phase transformation in nitrogen ambient have been investigated in a temperature range from 700 °C to 800 °C for a range of titanium film thicknesses (135 A to 350 A) using sheet resistance measurement, Auger electron spectroscopy(AES), Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy(RBS) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). About 80% of the titanium converts to titanium silicide with the rest converting to titanium nitride. The activation energies obtained for the C49 to C54 transformation in nitrogen ambient are lower, at least by 2–2.25 eV, than that obtained for the transformations occuring either in argon ambient or vacuum environment. This has been explained with a model involving stress state of titanium silicide film with titanium nitride overlayer.
Work Adjustment Theory: A Critique and Suggestions for Future Research and Application

Abstract This comment examines the four lead articles on Work Adjustment theory and uses them as a catalyst to discuss future research and application issues. Work Adjustment theory has already made and can continue to make an important contribution to vocational psychology.
An investigation of combustion of boron suspensions

A steady nitrogen jet transporting fine (0.04∼0.15 μ diameter) boron particles at low loading densities was injected coaxially into the hot combustion products of a flat-flame burner to study the kinetics of boron ignition and combustion. Three types of boron flame-plumes were found: a dark-yellow plume emitting, dark-brown smoke from its tip, at measured maximum flat-flame temperatures below 1800 K; a yellow plume surrounded in its lower part by green emission, between approximately 1800 K and 1900 K; and a bright-yellow plume entirely surrounded by bright-green radiation, above 1900 K. In these patterns, which were independent of the oxygen mole fraction in the product gas, over the range 0.08 to 0.80, the bright yellow was interpreted as boron ignition and the bright green as BO2 emissions from boron combustion products. Based on a theory for a one-step, Arrhenius, ignition process, a theoretical analysis of the jet flow was employed to extract overall, rate parameters from measurements of the height of the yellow plume as a function of the flat-flame temperature. The results were interpreted in terms of existing and new potential models for the ignition and combustion of boron particles.
The mouse CCR2 gene is regulated by two promoters that are responsive to plasma cholesterol and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ ligands

We have previously shown that the expression of monocyte CCR2, the receptor for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, is induced by plasma cholesterol. The present study examines the mechanisms that regulate monocyte CCR2 expression in hypercholesterolemia using a mouse model. Our data demonstrate that in the mouse, CCR2 expression in circulating monocytes is controlled by two promoters P1 and P2. The two distinct transcripts, which encode the same protein, are produced by alternative splicing in the 5'-untranslated region. Both promoters are constitutively active, but only P2 is stimulated by cholesterol. However, both promoters are repressed by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma.
The histochemistry of the human pituitary body. I. Preliminary report, including a differentiation between basophils of the anterior and posterior lobes.

THIS report presents preliminary results obtained by comparing consecutive sections of human pituitary glands stained with a variety of histologic and histochemical stains. This investigation has a twofold objective: 1) to determine the staining properties of the histologically defined groups of cells, and 2) to determine the homogeneity or lack of homogeneity of these cell groups, on the basis of cell-by-cell comparison of consecutive sections stained by different means. Demonstration of specific cellular sites of formation of the pituitary hormones has not kept pace with the number of hormones isolated from this gland. This discrepancy may be considered as casting doubt on either the distinctness of the hormones isolated or the functional unity of the cell types as defined by staining properties. Doubt appears to be more justified in the latter instance, but the acidophils, basophils and chromophobes of the pituitary body have, in the main, resisted further breakdown.
Hydrodynamic shockwave tenderization effects using a cylinder processor on early deboned broiler breasts

In separate experiments, chicken broiler breasts were deboned (45 min postmortem, 52 min, respectively) and either exposed to high pressure hydrodynamic shockwaves (HSW) 25 min after deboning (77 min postmortem) or after 24 h of storage (4°C) respectively, and compared to companion control breasts. HSW were produced in a cylindrical HSW processor with 40-g explosive. Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) values of the HSW breasts treated at 77 min postmortem were not different than the controls. HSW treatment decreased (P<0.05) the WBS values of the stored and cooked breasts by 42.0% as compared to non-treated controls. Cooking losses were not affected by HSW. In general, raw and cooked color characteristics (CIE L*a*b*) were not affected by the HSW. HSW treatment at 25 min after deboning (77 min postmortem) may require a higher pressure front or delayed treatment after postmortem aging to improve tenderness.
The assessment of portable, non-invasive blood pressure recorders.

As the field of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring has broadened and become increasingly used for clinical hypertension research and practice over the last decade, the number and variety of recorders have increased at least 10-fold. However, now that the use of these recorders is fairly widespread in many nations, regulatory groups, investigators and editors of research journals are beginning to seriously question the absence of a rigorous, non-biased assessment of these devices before their use in clinical research or practice
The Sterol and Triterpene Content of the Labiatae Family

The nonsaponifiable fraction of three members of the Labiatae family yielded β-sitosterol. This sterol was accompanied by oleanolic acid and ursolic acid II in Ocimum basilicum , and ursolic acid in Satureia hortensis and Hyssopus officinalis. The diterpene sclareol in Salvia sclarea was accompanied by ursolic acid II and oleanolic acid. Carum carvi and Foeniculum vulgare yielded no acidic triterpenes or identifiable sterols in the nonsaponifiable fraction. The presence of sterols is not precluded, however, in the latter two plants, especially F. vulgare. It is believed that more thorough investigation of this plant family may reveal interesting relationships between sterol, diterpene, and triterpene.
Frequency response algorithms for H/sub infinity / optimization with time domain constraints

A very broad framework for control system design is considered that encompasses frequency-response methodologies for H/sub infinity / optimization that solve various aspects of the control design problem and that are less well known that state-space methods. The focus is on linear programming, Lawson's algorithm, and Trefethen's algorithm. A modified Lawson's algorithm is proposed and related to Trefethan's method. The modified algorithm is shown to be significantly faster than linear programming and Lawson's algorithm. It is also shown how to extend the modified Lawson's algorithm so as to handle time-domain constraints in addition to frequency-domain specifications, which distinguishes it from other H/sub infinity / optimization methods. Some steps are taken toward dealing with time domain constraints within an H/sub infinity / optimization framework. >
Organizations and the Media Structures of Miscommunication

The results of a recent survey of 140 randomly selected for-profit and nonprofit organizations covered in seven Maryland, Delaware, and District of Columbia newspapers, and field interviews with jo...
Imaging Findings and Evaluation of Metabolic Bone Disease

Bone is a dynamic organ of the endoskeleton, playing an important role in structural integrity, mineral reservoirs, blood production, coagulation, and immunity. Metabolic bone disease encompasses a broad spectrum of inherited and acquired disorders that disrupt the normal homeostasis of bone formation and resorption. For patients affected by these processes, radiologic imaging plays a central role in diagnosis, monitoring treatment, and risk stratification. Radiologists should be familiar with the diseases, intimately aware of the imaging findings, and possessive of multimodality expertise to wisely guide the best practice of medicine. The purpose of this paper is to review the imaging features and characteristics of the most common types of metabolic bone disease with highlights of clinically relevant information so that readers can better generate appropriate differential diagnoses and recommendations. For this review, a thorough literature search for the most up-to-date information was performed on several key types of metabolic bone disease: osteoporosis, osteomalacia, rickets, scurvy, renal osteodystrophy, hyperparathyroidism, Paget’s disease, osteogenesis imperfecta, acromegaly, and osteopetrosis. Although they all affect the bone, these diseases have both shared characteristic features that can be discerned through imaging.
Correlation of Aqueous-Phase Adsorption Isotherms

A correlation was developed to estimate the adsorption equilibrium capacity of various adsorbents and organic compounds using a combination of Polanyi potential theory and linear solvation energy relationships (LSERs). Polanyi theory provided the basic mathematical form for the correlation. LSERs were used to normalize the Polanyi theory based on the fundamental interaction forces between the solvent, adsorbate, and adsorbent expected in aqueous-phase adsorption. The correlation was developed using 56 organic compounds and eight adsorbents. The following classes of organic compounds were used: (i) halogenated aliphatics, (ii) aromatics and halogenated aromatics, (iii) polyfunctional organic compounds and (iv) sulfonated aromatics. The adsorbents were (i) three coal-based activated carbons (F-300, F-400, and APA), (ii) one coconut shell based activated carbon (580-26), (iii) one unspecified activated carbon, and (iv) three synthetic polymeric adsorbents (XAD-4, XAD-7, and XEN-563). The proposed correlatio...
Modulation of mitochondrial metabolic function by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate through increased mitochondrial translocation of protein kinase Cα in C2C12 myocytes

Abstract Protein kinase C (PKC) agonists including phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) not only induce the redistribution of cytosolic PKC to various subcellular compartments but also activate the kinase domain of the protein. In the present study we have investigated the nature of mitochondrial PKC pool and its effects on mitochondrial function in cells treated with PMA. Treatment of C2C12 myoblasts, C6 glioma and COS7 cells with PMA resulted in a dramatic redistribution of intracellular PKCα pool, with large fraction of the protein pool sequestered in the mitochondrial compartment. We also observed mitochondrial PKCδ accumulation in a cell restricted manner. The intramitochondrial localization was ascertained by using a combination of protection against protease treatment of isolated mitochondria and immunofluorescence microscopy. PMA-induced mitochondrial localization of PKCα was accompanied by increased mitochondrial PKC activity, altered cell morphology, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased complex I and pyruvate dehydrogenase activities, and increased mitochondrial ROS production. All of these changes could be retarded by treatment with PKC inhibitors. These results show a direct role for PMA-mediated PKCα translocation to mitochondria in inducing mitochondrial toxicity.
Influence of penicillinase production by strains of Bacteroides melaninogenicus and Bacteroides oralis on penicillin therapy of an experimental mixed anaerobic infection in mice

Summary A mixed infection in mice involving a penicillin-susceptible pathogen, Fusobacterium necorphorum and strains of either Bacteroides melaninogenicus or Bacteroides aralis was resistant to penicillin therapy when penicillin-resistant Bacteroides strains were used but not when penicillin-susceptible strains were used. The ability of penicillin-resistant strains of Bact. melaninogenicus and Bact. oralis to protect F. necrophorum from penicillin in vivo appeared to be due to β -lactamase production by these strains. In vitro β -lactamase activity could be demonstrated in Bacteroides strains which protected F. necropharum in vivo , but not in strains which failed to give protection.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis in an adult horse with enteric Salmonellosis

Objective: To report a case of enteric Salmonellosis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia in an adult horse. Case summary: A 7-year-old mare presented for signs of acute abdominal pain. Exploratory laparotomy allowed surgical correction of right dorsal displacement of the large colon with a 180° volvulus at the cecocolic ligament. Postoperatively, the mare developed fevers, leukopenia, and diarrhea. Salmonella newport was cultured from the feces and P. aeruginosa from 2 consecutive blood cultures. The mare responded well to intensive medical therapy. New or unique information provided: Bacteremia associated with colitis is unusual in an adult horse, although the percentage of animals that may be bacteremic is unknown. The bacteria isolated, P. aeruginosa, a common pathogen of other sites in the horse, has not, to our knowledge, been previously reported as a cause of bacteremia and septicemia in an adult horse.
Fatal alveolar hemorrhage and Abciximab (ReoProTM) therapy for acute myocardial infarction

We describe two cases of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and development of ARDS in patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stenting in whom Abciximab (ReoPro) was used in combination with other agents interfering with the hemostatic mechanism. The development of pulmonary infiltrates, associated with a fall in hemoglobin after the administration of Abciximab, should strongly suggest the possibility of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Physicians should be aware of the possible association between the use of Abciximab and the development of alveolar hemorrhage.
Citizens, Development Interests, and Local Land-Use Regulation

Local governments confer significant benefits and costs on individuals and businesses through their power to regulate private land use. This article analyzes such regulation by using discriminant analysis to test a model of rezoning decision making. The results indicate that the best predictor of a local governing body's decision in a rezoning case is the recommendation of the appointed planning commission. This is contrary to both scholarly and popular expectations that pressure by developers or public protest is the major factor influencing elected officials in rezoning cases. The results suggest that citizen advisory boards may have significant effects on local policy-making, and that elected officials use such institutions both to provide themselves a buffer from political pressure and to forge a consensus on issues.
Insanity in Islamic Law

Insanity in Islamic law is not considered as a separate or distinct category in the legal textbooks. It is discussed as a cause of legal disability or interdiction (hajr) and as a particular disabi...
KIR2DS2 and KIR2DS4 promoter hypomethylation patterns in patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT).

Abstract The killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR)–MHC class I pathway is an integral part of natural killer cell immunity, and its role in host protection from both cancer and infection is important. In addition, we have shown elevated KIR2DS2 and 2DS4 expression in PBMCs of patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) [1] . Since all inhibitory KIR promoters are known to be heavily methylated, the question asked here is how and when KIR2DS2 and 2DS4 promoters had changed their methylation profile in association with HCT. Genomic DNA, extracted from 20 KIR2DS2/4+ donor and recipient cells, was treated with sodium bisulfate that will modify the unmethylated cytosine into uracil. Sequencing chromatographs were examined for C/T double peak indicative of base conversion. A CpG island in KIR2DS2 promoter spans from −160 to +26 with six cytosine sites. In contrast, the KIR2DS4 promoter CpG island contains three cytosine sites. The noted increase of unmethylated sites was associated with increased KIR expression as measured by mRNA–cDNA Q-PCR. In addition, the frequency of unmethylated sites in the CpG island was increased after HCT. The mechanism through which hypomethylation occurs after HCT is not known but it suggests a linkage to NK clonal expansion during the process of NK education in response to transplant therapy or viral infection.
Prejunctional beta-adrenoceptors in human and canine saphenous veins

Experiments were designed to compare the functional importance of prejunctional beta-adrenoceptors in human and canine blood vessels. Rings of saphenous veins were mounted for isometric tension recording in organ chambers filled with physiological salt solution. Isoproterenol caused concentration-dependent relaxations of comparable magnitude during contractions of canine veins caused by electrical stimulation or norepinephrine. In the human veins, isoproterenol caused smaller relaxations during norepinephrine-induced contractions, and augmented the contractile response to electrical stimulation. Helical strips of veins were incubated with [3H]norepinephrine and mounted for superfusion and isometric tension recording. Isoproterenol augmented the release of intact labeled transmitter during electrical stimulation more in the human than in the canine vein. In veins from both species the effects of isoproterenol were inhibited by propranolol. These experiments demonstrate that the adrenergic nerves of the human saphenous vein have a greater responsiveness to prejunctional beta-adrenergic activation than those of the corresponding canine vessel. As a consequence, in the human vein, beta-adrenergic agonists augment, rather than depress the contractile response to activation of the adrenergic nerve endings.
Rural Policing and the Drug Problem: An Examination of the Influence of Major Metropolitan Areas on Drug Offending in Surrounding Rural Communities

The purpose of this study is to examine criminal activity in rural America, particularly drug-related activity, by analysing trends in offending for four rural communities of the mid-west. The pres...
Comparative effects of diazepam and midazolam on paraoxon toxicity in rats

Abstract The present study was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of a new water-soluble benzodiazepine, midazolam, to diazepam, both administered im for protection against diethyl- p -nitrophenyl phosphate (paraoxon) toxicity. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with midazolam or diazepam (0.32–32.0 mg/kg) alone or in combination with atropine (10.0 mg/kg). Twenty minutes later 2× LD50 of paraoxon was injected sc and the incidence of seizures and death were recorded for 24 hr. In another series of experiments, the LD50 of paraoxon was evaluated in the rats pretreated im with atropine (10.0 mg/kg) and midazolam or diazepam (10.0 mg/kg). Pretreatment with atropine alone did not prevent paraoxon-induced seizures but did reduce mortality. Both benzodiazepines were very effective alone or when combined with atropine in reducing the incidence of paraoxon-induced seizures. When given alone, neither benzodiazepine protected against paraoxon-induced mortality. However, when combined with atropine both benzodiazepines dramatically decreased the lethality of 2× LD50 of paraoxon. In equal doses given im, midazolam proved to be more potent than diazepam.
Raman Measurements in the Presence of Fluorescence

A method for eliminating the direct effects of fluorescence on Raman spectra is described. It is based upon the differences in widths of Raman and fluorescence peaks and is intended for applications of Raman measurements in chemical analysis. It involves only calculations that are carried out after the measurement has been made and does not require any instrumental enhancement beyond that normally used for Raman measurements. The extent of improvement that can be expected is shown, and the conditions under which its limits are reached are indicated. A technique involving an empirical correction is described which allows extension of these limits in certain cases.
Determinants of the cytotoxicity of irinotecan in two human colorectal tumor cell lines.

Purpose: Irinotecan is a drug of the camptothecin family that has proven activity in advanced colon cancer, with about 20% responses in untreated as well as in 5-fluorouracil-resistant tumors. Irinotecan is considered as a prodrug which needs to be activated to SN-38 by carboxylesterases to become able to interact with its target, topoisomerase I. The work reported here intended to identify the determinants of the cytotoxicity of irinotecan in two human colorectal tumor cell lines, LoVo and HT-29, at the level of the target of the drug and at the level of the availability of the active metabolite to the target. Results: The cytotoxicity of irinotecan and SN-38 markedly differed in the two cell lines: irinotecan IC50 values were 15.8 µM for LoVo cells and 5.17 µM for HT-29 cells; SN-38 IC50 values were 8.25 nM for LoVo cells and 4.50 nM for HT-29 cells. Topoisomerase I expression (at the mRNA and the protein levels) and catalytic activity were similar in the two cell lines. Irinotecan induced similar amounts of cleavable complexes at its IC50 in both cell lines. SN-38 induced a concentration-dependent formation of cleavable complexes, which was not significantly different in the two cell lines. Expression of the carboxylesterase CES1 was higher in HT-29 than in LoVo cells. Expression of the carboxylesterase gene CES2 was comparable in the two cell lines and much higher than CES1 gene expression. Carboxylesterase activity was extremely low using p-nitrophenylacetate as a substrate (1.45 and 1.84 pmol/min per mg proteins) and could not even be detected using irinotecan as a substrate. Cell accumulation of irinotecan was markedly different, reaching consistently higher levels in HT-29 cells than in LoVo cells. Conclusions: Our results indicate that (1) the cytotoxicity of irinotecan was likely due to the drug itself and not to its metabolite SN-38, and (2) that irinotecan uptake was more predictive of its cytotoxicity than topoisomerase I availability and activity in these two cell lines.
Measurements of whole-house standby power consumption in California homes

Abstract We investigated the variation in standby power consumption in 10 California homes. Total standby power in the homes ranged from 14 to 169 W, with an average of 67 W. This corresponded to 5–26% of the homes’ annual electricity use. The appliances with the largest standby losses were televisions, set-top boxes and printers. A short-term measurement of a home’s utility meter can provide surprisingly good estimates of total standby power if certain precautions are taken. The large variation in the standby power of appliances providing the same service demonstrates that manufacturers are able to reduce standby losses without degrading performance. Replacing existing units with appliances using 1 W or less of standby power would reduce standby power use by 68%, achieving a 7% reduction in annual electricity consumption. At least 70% of new appliance purchases in these homes will have standby power consumption.
Successful immunosuppressive treatment of erythroid aplasia appearing after thymectomy.

Summary. A unique case of red cell aplasia appearing 2 yr after removal of a thymoma and a transient episode of myasthenic crisis is presented. When the marrow cells of this patient were incubated in vitro a marked increase in haem synthesis occurred, suggesting that the marrow had been freed from an inhibitor of erythroid function. An antibody to erythroblast nuclei was also present. The patient failed to respond to an initial course of immunosuppressive therapy, but after splenectomy he had a second course of immunosuppressive treatment which was followed by a complete haematologic remission. Guidelines for the future therapeutic use of immunosuppressive agents in pure erythroid aplasia are presented.
Orthodromic activation of hippocampal CA1 region of the rat.

Abstract (1) The posterior alveus (PA), the anterior alveus (AA) and the Schaffer collaterals (SCH) evoked field potential components which were organized as parasagittal strips of various widths. Spatially continuous and interactive lamellae are suggested. (2) By correlation with unit activities, the early postsynaptic components evoked by PA, AA and SCH were inferred to be extracellular excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and the late, long-duration components, the inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs). The hypothesis that interneurons as well as pyramidal cells generate the field is proposed and discussed. (3) One- and two-dimensional profiles of deep evoked potentials and current source-sink analysis revealed excitatory synapses in stratum oriens for the PA and AA inputs and in stratum radiatum for the SCH input. The late dipole field evoked by PA and AA possessed current sources in strata radiatum and pyramidale, the sites of the inhibitory synapses. The late dipole field evoked by SCH had another component possibly generated by recurrent activity, afterpotentials or relayed activity through CA3.
Recent Considerations in Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Gastropathy

Conservative calculations estimate that approximately 107,000 patients are hospitalized annually for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-related gastrointestinal (GI) complications and at least 16,500 NSAID-related deaths occur each year among arthritis patients alone. The figures for all NSAID users would be overwhelming, yet the scope of this problem is generally under-appreciated. The Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Aging Medical Information System (ARAMIS) Post-Marketing Surveillance Program (PMS) has prospectively followed patient status and outcomes, drug side effects, and the economic impact of illness for >11,000 arthritis patients at 8 participating institutions in the United States and Canada. Analysis of these data indicates that: (1) osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are 2.5-5.5 times more likely than the general population to be hospitalized for NSAID-related GI events; (2) the absolute risk for serious NSAID-related GI toxicity remains constant and the cumulative risk increases over time; (3) there are no reliable warning signals- >80% of patients with serious GI complications had no prior GI symptoms; (4) independent risk factors for serious GI events were age, prednisone use, NSAID dose, disability level, and previous NSAID-induced GI symptoms; and (5) antacids and H2 antagonists do not prevent NSAID-induced gastric ulcers, and high-risk NSAID users who take gastro-protective drugs are more likely to have serious GI complications than patients not taking such medications. Currently, limiting NSAID use is the only way to decrease the risk of NSAID-related GI events. Ongoing ARAMIS research is aimed at developing a simple point-score system for estimating individual risks of developing serious NSAID-related GI complications.
T cells and intestinal commensal bacteria-ignorance, rejection, and acceptance

Trillions of commensal bacteria cohabit our bodies to mutual benefit. In the past several years, it has become clear that the adaptive immune system is not ignorant of intestinal commensal bacteria, but is constantly interacting with them. For T cells, the response to commensal bacteria does not appear uniform, as certain commensal bacterial species appear to trigger effector T cells to reject and control them, whereas other species elicit Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells to accept and be tolerant of them. Here, we review our current knowledge of T cell differentiation in response to commensal bacteria, and how this process leads to immune homeostasis in the intestine.
Importance of posterolateral needle biopsies in the detection of prostate cancer.

Abstract Objectives. To determine whether needle biopsy of the posterolateral aspects of the prostate aids in prostate cancer detection. In the routine sextant biopsy strategy, the posterolateral aspects of the prostate are not sampled. Methods. Using an 18-gauge biopsy gun, we performed sextant biopsies and an additional nine needle biopsies in the pathology laboratory on 150 radical prostatectomy specimens performed for Stage T1c prostate cancer. The additional nine biopsies consisted of three midline biopsies and six (three each from the left and right) posterolaterally aimed biopsies from the apex, mid, and base regions of the gland. Significant tumors were defined as those greater than 0.5 cm3, or with a Gleason score of 7 or greater, or non-organ confined. Results. Of the 123 cases with cancer on repeated biopsy, in only 3 (2.4%) was the only cancer found in the midline biopsies. For the following analysis, we analyzed the data as if we had not done the midline biopsies. If one had performed only the routine sextant needle biopsies, in 31 (25.2%) of the 123 cases, tumor would have been missed; 20 of these tumors were significant, including 5 with extraprostatic extension. If one had performed only the more posterolateral six biopsies, in 15 cases (12.2%), tumor would have been missed; 5 of these tumors were significant, all of which were organ confined. Conclusions. Adding routine midline biopsies does not appreciably increase the detection of cancer. If one were to only perform six needle biopsies of the prostate, these biopsies should be aimed more toward the posterolateral aspect of the gland. Maximum cancer detection results from combining both routine sextant and posterolateral needle biopsies.
Observations on microbial percent respiration values in arctic and subarctic marine waters and sediments.

Percent respiration was measured in over 1,100 arctic and subarctic marine water and sediment samples using14C-labeled glucose and glutamate. These measurements were made at different times of the year in 4 regions. Percent respiration values were typically lower in regions where the waters of large rivers mixed with seawater. They were also lower in sediments and in waters collected near the bottom than in surface waters. They were higher in winter arctic waters than water samples collected in the summer; however, a similar seasonal trend was not observed in subarctic waters. There were a number of studies in which there were significant positive rank correlations between percent respiration and salinity and between percent respiration and temperature. From what is known about the range of temperature and salinity encountered in samples collected during these studies and the results of temperature and salinity effects experiments, it was concluded that changes in these 2 variables did not explain the variation observed in percent respiration. Correlations between percent respiration and the inorganic nutrients PO4 −3, NH4 + and NO3 − showed that of the 3 variables, only NO3 − showed relatively high correlations with all the same sign. From this it was concluded that there may be situations in which NO3 − levels may influence percent respiration in nearshore marine waters. It is also likely that qualitative characteristics of the available organic nutrients may also influence percent respiration levels. Although no organic nutrient data is available for statistical analysis, the patterns of percent respiration near river plumes and the relatively strong negative correlation often observed between uptake rates (heterotrophic activity) and percent respiration suggests that organic nutrients may be a factor in controlling percent respiration. It is suggested that there are situations in which percent respiration measurements may be used to document stress in natural microbial populations due to nutrient deficiencies.
Specific gas chromatographic analysis of diethylcarbamazine in human plasma using solid-phase extraction

Diethylcarbamazine (DEC, 1-diethylcarbamyl-4-methylpiperazine) is an antiparasitic piperazine derivative used in the treatment of lymphatic filariasis. DEC-N-oxide is a major metabolite in humans which has antifilarial activity. Gas chromatographic analysis of DEC in plasma can be complicated by the presence of the metabolite, since the thermally unstable DEC-N-oxide is converted to a material which coelutes with DEC under the conditions of the analysis. We now report a method to separate DEC-N-oxide from DEC in plasma using solid-phase extraction with subsequent gas chromatographic analysis using a nitrogen specific detector. 1-Diethylcarbamyl-4-ethylpiperazine (E-DEC) was the internal standard. The standard curve of DEC is linear in the range of 10 to 200 ng/ml. The limit of detection is 4 ng/ml. Reproducibility at 10, 100 and 200 ng/ml concentration points of the standard curve gives coefficients of variation of 6.1%, 7.8% and 1.6%, respectively. Recovery following solid-phase extraction is 99.3% for DEC and 94.8% for the internal standard. This sensitive and specific analytical method is suitable for pharmacokinetic studies of DEC.
UTILIZATION OF CERTAIN SUBSTRATES BY LARVAL AND ADULT STAGES OF HIMASTHLA QUISSETENSIS.

Abstract Proline and glutamic acid increased the respiration rate of rediae of H. quissetensis, but glucose, fucose, mannose, and ribose were without effect. Succinate also caused increased oxygen uptake, and manolate sharply decreased the qO2. Glucose, proline, succinate, and malonate were without effect on the respiration rate of both whole cercariae and homogenates. Adult H. quissetensis showed greatest increases in respiration rate with glucose, mannose, and succinate; proline was only slightly effective in increasing the respiration rate.
RNA folds: insights from recent crystal structures.

An RNA fold is the result of packing together two or more coaxial helical stacks. To date, four RNA folds have been determined at near-atomic resolution by X-ray crystallography: transfer RNA, the hammerhead ribozyme, the P4–P6 domain of the Tetrahymena group I intron, and the hepatitis delta virus ribozyme. All four folds result in RNAs that are considerably more compact than isolated A-form duplexes. These structures illustrate, to varying degrees, three modes of fold stabilization: association of complementary molecular surfaces, stabilization of close RNA packing by binding of cations, and stabilization through pseudoknotting.
Directed introduction of DNA cleavage sites to produce a high-resolution genetic and physical map of the Acinetobacter sp. strain ADP1 (BD413UE) chromosome.

The natural transformability of the soil bacterium Acinetobacter sp. ADP1 (BD413UE), formerly classified as A. calcoaceticus, has facilitated previous physiological and biochemical investigations. In the present studies, the natural transformation system was exploited to generate a physical and genetic map of this strain's 3780·191 kbp circular chromosome. Previously isolated Acinetobacter genes were modified in vitro to incorporate a recognition sequence for the restriction endonuclease Notl. Following transformation of the wild-type strain by the modified DNA, homologous recombination placed each engineered Notl cleavage site at the chromosomal location of the corresponding gene. This allowed precise gene localization and orientation of more than 40 genes relative to a physical map which was constructed with transverse alternating field electrophoresis (TAFE) and Southern hybridization methods. The positions of Notl, Ascl and l-Ceul recognition sites were determined, and the latter enzyme identified the presence of seven ribosomal RNA operons. Multiple chromosomal copies of insertion sequence IS1236 were indicated by hybridization. Several of these copies were concentrated in one region of the chromosome in which a spontaneous deletion of approximately 100 kbp occurred. Moreover, contrary to previous reports, ColE1-based plasmids appeared to replicate autonomously in Acinetobacter sp. ADP1.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIOLOGY OF PARARGYRACTIS CONFUSALIS, AN AQUATIC PYRALID (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE)

In northern California Parargyractis confusalis has two to three generations per year, depending on climatic conditions. Adults lead a terrestrial life, though the female re-enters the water to oviposit. The eggs, larvae, and pupae exist underwater and have been collected to a depth of 4.3 m. Larvae occur in lakes and streams and are most abundant in areas where the water velocity is between 0.4 and 1.4 m/sec. Factors influencing the distribution and density of this species include water temperature, concentration of dissolved oxygen, substrate texture, and algal growth.
Flirting with Capital: Negotiating Perceptions of Pan-Asian Ascendency and Western Decline in Global Sex Work

This study highlights how two developments in global finance—the 2008 financial crisis centered in the United States and Central Europe and the expansion of East Asian economies—created new openings for us to rethink the multiply inflected hierarchies woven through racialized, national, and class-based relations, which produce competing hierarchies of global masculinities. Drawing on 23 months of participant observation and ethnographic research from 2006-2007 and 2009-2010 in four niche markets of Vietnam’s global sex industry catering to Western budget tourists, Western transnational businessmen, Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese) men, and wealthy local Vietnamese entrepreneurs, I strategically bring together multiple performances of masculinities that simultaneously affirm and contest Western superiority. In lower-paying niche markets that cater to Western businessmen and Western budget travelers, sex bars provide men with the space to project their status anxieties onto women’s bodies, affirming Western superiority. In contrast, more expensive bars catering to Viet Kieu and local elite Vietnamese businessmen provide men with the stage to contest Western superiority by capitalizing on this particular moment of economic flux and engaging in acts of conspicuous consumption to display their financial dominance. Together, these four niche markets of Vietnam’s global sex industry provide a unique window to examine how multiple performances of masculinity unfold in relation to each other in the context of rapid economic change.
A boundary integral approach to analyze the viscous scattering of a pressure wave by a rigid body

The paper provides boundary integral equations for solving the problem of viscous scattering of a pressure wave by a rigid body. By using this mathematical tool uniqueness and existence theorems are proved. Since the boundary conditions are written in terms of velocities, vector boundary integral equations are obtained for solving the problem. The paper introduces single-layer viscous potentials and also a stress tensor. Correspondingly, a viscous double-layer potential is defined. The properties of all these potentials are investigated. By representing the scattered field as a combination of a single-layer viscous potential and a double-layer viscous potential the problem is reduced to the solution of a singular vectorial integral equation of Fredholm type of the second kind. In the case where the stress vector on the boundary is the main quantity of interest the corresponding boundary singular integral equation is proved to have a unique solution.
The Dynamics of Oxygen Exchange with Zirconia-Supported PdO

Isotopic tracer methods involving 18O and 16O were used to investigate the dynamics of O2 adsorption and desorption from the surface of zirconia-supported PdO and the dynamics of O atom diffusion through the bulk of PdO. The rate coefficient for the recombination of O atoms is found to be 1.4×1013 exp(−144,000/RT) s−1 and the diffusivity of O atoms through bulk PdO is 1.6×10−10 exp(−89,000/RT) cm2/s. In both cases, the activation energies are in units of kJ/mol. While oxygen exchange with pure ZrO2 was not observed under the conditions of the present experiments, such exchange did occur to a limited degree when PdO was supported on ZrO2, the degree of exchange increasing with decreasing PdO particle size.
Morphosyntactic forms of African American English used by young children and their caregivers

The study of African American English (AAE) has been historically focused on the dialectal variations of adolescent and adult speakers. More recent investigations of dialect used by very young AAE speakers were undertaken with the goal of describing the language produced by early elementary and preschool-aged children. One important outcome of these studies is increased attention to the importance of considering the impact of developmental influences in our characterizations of dialect use. In this study we explore the differences between primary caregivers and their young children in dialect use across generations by directly examining the dialectal variations apparent during play interactions between primary caregivers and their young children. We conclude that there is indeed evidence in these interactions of differences between the child and caregiver in the structure and use of individual AAE features. Another conclusion is that there are many similarities in the distribution of AAE between these older and younger interactants, highlighting not only their kinship ties but also their membership in the same linguistic community.