cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental Evidence for the Interplay of Exogenous and Endogenous Factors on the Movement Ecology of a Migrating Songbird

Movement patterns during songbird migration remain poorly understood despite their expected fitness consequences in terms of survival, energetic condition and timing of migration that will carry over to subsequent phases of the annual cycle. We took an experimental approach to test hypotheses regarding the influence of habitat, energetic condition, time of season and sex on the hour-by-hour, local movement decisions of a songbird during spring stopover. To simulate arrival of nocturnal migrants at unfamiliar stopover sites, we translocated and continuously tracked migratory red-eyed vireos (Vireo olivaceus) throughout spring stopover with and without energetic reserves that were released in two replicates of three forested habitat types. Migrants moved the most upon release, during which time they selected habitat characterized by greater food abundance and higher foraging attack rates. Presumably under pressure to replenish fuel stores necessary to continue migration in a timely fashion, migrants released in poorer energetic condition moved faster and further than migrants in better condition and the same pattern was true for migrants released late in spring relative to those released earlier. However, a migrant's energetic condition had less influence on their behavior when they were in poor quality habitat. Movement did not differ between sexes. Our study illustrates the importance of quickly finding suitable habitat at each stopover site, especially for energetically constrained migrants later in the season. If an initial period prior to foraging were necessary at each stop along a migrant's journey, non-foraging periods would cumulatively result in a significant energetic and time cost to migration. However, we suggest behavior during stopover is not solely a function of underlying resource distributions but is a complex response to a combination of endogenous and exogenous factors.
Characterization of human high-density lipoproteins by gradient gel electrophoresis

Gradient gel electrophoresis in conjunction with automated densitometry was applied to the identification and estimation of subpopulations of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the ultracentrifugal d less than or equal to 1.200 fraction from human plasma. The frequency distribution of relative migration distances (RF values) of subpopulation peaks in HDL patterns of a group (n = 194) of human subjects showed five apparent maxima: two in the RF range associated with the HDL2 subclass, and three in the RF range of the HDL3 subclass. HDL within RF intervals bounding these maxima were designated (HDL2b)gge, (HDL2a)gge, (HDL3a)gge, (HDL3b)gge and (HDL3c)gge and were shown to correspond approximately to material determined by analytic ultracentrifugation within the HDL2b, HDL2a and HDL3 components. Material represented by the HDL2a component, as resolved by three-component analysis of the ultracentrifugal Schlieren pattern, was found by gradient gel electrophoresis to be polydisperse in particle size. Mean hydrated densities and particle sizes of HDL corresponding to those with RF values of the frequency maxima were: 1.085 g/ml and 10.57 nm in the (HDL2b)gge; 1.115 g/ml and 9.16 nm in the (HDL2a)gge; 1.136 g/ml and 8.44 nm in the (HDL3a)gge; 1.154 g/ml and 7.97 nm in the (HDL3b)gge; and 1.171 g/ml and 7.62 nm in the (HDL3c)gge. The mean hydrated density values of the subpopulations within the (HDL3a)gge and (HDL3b)gge were comparable to those of the HDL3L and HDL3D components recently characterized by zonal ultracentrifugation. High order and statistically significant correlations between densitometric scans of the (HDL2b)gge, (HDL2a)gge and (HDL3)gge material, as obtained from gradient gels, and plasma concentrations of the HDL2b, HDL2a and HDL3 components, as obtained from analytic ultracentrifugation, were demonstrated.
Urinary Biomarkers: Alone Are They Enough?

The field of “novel” biomarkers for AKI is now well over 10 years old. During this era, tremendous amounts of time, effort, and money have been invested to develop clinically useful biomarkers for determination of risk, diagnosis, and prognosis. The search for clinical surrogate end points has
Importance of open-shell effects in adhesion at metal-ceramic interfaces

We demonstrate markedly enhanced adhesion between oxide ceramics and conducting metals via promoting open-shell electronic structure at the interface, by using a more covalent oxide or doping with early transition metals. Open-shell character suppresses closed-shell repulsions and permits local covalent and/or donor-acceptor bonding, even in the absence of a conventional reaction layer. The dramatic impact of such local bonding attractions, predicted from density-functional calculations, contradicts the idea of classical electrostatic forces dominating metal-oxide adhesion.
A new test methodology for evaluating scratch resistance of polymers

A new approach to conduct scratch tests on polymers is proposed. A brief review of the different definitions of scratch resistance and surface damages, currently available scratch test devices and the need for such a new approach is given. The new test methodology is developed using the concepts from materials science and solid mechanics, which include the consideration of material parameters, use of microscopy for image analysis and the finite element method (FEM). The consistency and reproducibility of test results are shown using a new scratch test device on two sets of neat and talc-filled polypropylene (PP) systems. Three different test conditions, i.e. linear load increase under constant speed, constant load under constant speed, and linear speed increase under constant load, have been conducted to determine the most effective, informative test conditions for evaluation of scratch resistance of polymers. The effect of loading and scratch speeds on the scratch-induced deformation of PP is also investigated using FEM simulations. Experimental observations and FEM results show a good qualitative correlation. The unique advantages of the new scratch test method for evaluating scratch resistance of polymers are discussed.
Precursors and the concentration dependence in activated chemisorption

Abstract For fast chemisorption processes, a sticking coefficient initially independent of the amount adsorbed has long been accepted as indicating chemisorption by conversion of a precursor state. The dependence of the sticking coefficient upon surface coverage is now examined for slow chemisorption, specifically for activated chemisorption occurring both from the gas phase directly and from a molecularly bound precursor state. It is demonstrated that for such chemisorption processes the initial sticking coefficient will depend sensitively upon the amount adsorbed whether or not precursors participate.
Patient Satisfaction in an Academic Chronic Pain Clinic

Objectives Patient perception of healthcare quality is of growing interest. It has been shown that patient satisfaction is associated with compliance with medical advice and clinical outcome. The 3-fold purpose of this study was to identify which attributes of the patient–physician interaction most strongly correlated with patients' perceptions of provider quality of care, to identify key drivers that move patients' perception of overall provider quality from “very good” to “excellent,” and to identify features of the pain clinic experience that were most important to patients but were simultaneously perceived as lacking. Methods Randomized patient satisfaction survey conducted via telephone approximately 3 weeks after the patient's pain clinic visit. Results A total of 999 patients participated in the survey over 5 years (estimated response rate 60.2%). Thoroughness, listening, and time spent with the provider were the 3 attributes most strongly associated with the patients' perceptions of provider quality of care, while thoroughness, listening, punctuality, and clear instructions were the drivers of “very good” vs. “excellent” patient perceived overall provider quality. Areas identified for clinic improvement include thoroughness, providing adequate explanations and instructions, and including patient preferences in decision making. Conclusions These results may guide pain clinic physicians as they seek to improve patient perceptions of their care and ultimately patient outcomes.
Engineered Manipulation of Signaling Networks: Control of Kinase Activation and Interactions Dissects Parallel Src Pathways

Activation of a kinase in a specific protein complex or subcellular location determines what signaling pathway will be initiated. Current methods typically cannot activate a specific kinase and simultaneously cause it to interact with one specific downstream target. Here we provide such a tool, and use it to determine the role of individual Src-mediated signaling pathways in stimulation of different cell morphological changes. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and p130Cas can bind and activate Src kinase, propagating signals through parallel pathways. Localization of Src in the cytoplasm or at the plasma membrane also determines the function of Src. We therefore focused on activation of Src acting through FAK, p130Cas, or at the cytoplasm versus the plasma membrane. An engineered, “insertable” FKBP12 protein (iFKBP) was introduced into the catalytic domain of Src, while FKBP12-rapamycin binding domain (FRB) was attached to the specific downstream effector. This rendered the kinase inactive until rapamycin induced heterodimerization with FRB. Using this technology we restricted Src activation to the complex it formed with FRB-bearing downstream targets. Activation of Src, without targeting specific downstream molecules, led to cell spreading, reorganization of focal adhesions, and the production of filopodia and lamellipodial protrusions. Using the new approach (RapR-TAP), we showed that activation of Src specifically in complex with FAK led to focal adhesion rearrangement and only slow cell spreading, while activation in complex with p130Cas led to rapid spreading and filopodia formation, but no apparent effects on focal adhesions. Comparing Src activation in the cytosol versus at the plasma membrane showed that membrane localization is necessary to stabilize protrusions, whereas cytoplasmic Src drives rearrangement of focal adhesions. This demonstrates a broadly generalizable strategy to activate specific kinase-mediated signaling pathways in living cells.
Age, but Not Pineal Status, Modulates Circadian Periodicity of Golden Hamsters:

The pineal gland and its hormone, melatonin, have been implicated in the regulation of rat circadian rhythmicity. The present study was designed to evaluate whether the pineal has a similar role in the hamster, and to clarify whether the marked rhythm responses to constant light (LL) previously seen in serotonin-depleted hamsters might be attributable to a functional pinealectomy. The results demonstrated that young, but not old, hamsters showed loss of the circadian wheel-running rhythm (mostly via splitting) in LL, and that young hamsters had longer circadian periods in LL than old animals. Neither effect was related to the presence of a pineal gland. In LD 14:10 old animals ran much less than young animals, regardless of pineal status, and the suppression of running by LL was greater in old animals. The activity phase duration was only modestly related to age and not to pineal presence. The data support a previous report of an age effect on incidence of rhythm splitting and circadian period length, but...
Chain initiation in primitive protein synthesis: a 60S intermediate in the formation of active 70S ribosomes.

Assembly of the active complex from subunits and poly U requires uncharged tRNA and involves the formation of a 60S initiation complex which subsequently is converted into the 70S ribosome by addition of the ternary complex of Phe-tRNA, T-factor and GTP.
Transverse Stiffness of a Sinusoidally Corrugated Plate

Abstract An analytical model for the initial transverse stiffness of a sinusoidally corrugated plate is derived, incorporating deformations due to extension, shear, and bending. A nondimensional plot is developed for determining transverse stiffness based on thickness and corrugation for a range of plate geometries. This model shows that for most corrugated plates the transverse stiffness is dramatically decreased from that of an uncomigated plate of the same thickness. For thin plates, a simple approximate polynomial expression for initial transverse stiffness is obtained. For thick plates with a small degree of corrugation, transverse stiffness is not negligible relative to longitudinal stiffness. The exact model is verified using a linear-elastic two-dimensional finite element model.
In Situ thickness measurements of chemical bath-deposited CdS

Abstract Chemical bath-deposited (CBD) cadmium sulfide has been a component in some of the most efficient Cu(In,Ga)Se2-based solar cell devices. While accurate in situ measurements of the thicknesses of vacuum-based depositions can be accomplished with quartz crystal monitors, solution-based growth rates of CdS vary greatly on different substrates and are therefore difficult to measure. This work discusses the effectiveness of using an optical reflectance-based measurement of the growing film to determine the film’s thickness. On specular molybdenum films the measurement is accurate, while on the rough, poorly reflecting Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) films, the measurement is hampered.
The complex toxic components of the Russell's viper venom

Abstract Russell's viper venom has been fractionated on CM-cellulose, CM-Sephadex and Sephadex gel filtration and disc electrophoresis to obtain 4 toxins one of which is a glycoprotein with 2 subunits, one with 4 cationic subunits one of the subunits being dialysable, one with 3 cationic subunits and a dialysable low molecular weight minor toxin. The specific subunits of individual toxins were found to be necessary for their biological activities.
Novel interactions of non-pollinating ants with pollinators and fruit consumers in a tropical forest

The tropical ants Ectatomma ruidum and E. tuberculatum (Formicidae) regularly patrol leaves, flowers, and fruits of the understory shrub, Psychotria limonensis (Rubiaceae), on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Ant and pollinator exclusion experiments elucidated both positive and negative effects of ant attendance on plant reproductive success, including pollination, fruit set, fruit loss, and fruit removal. Ants did not pollinate flowers but did contribute to higher pollination success, probably by increasing the relocation frequency of winged pollinators and thus the rate of flower visitation. Ants also prevented fruit loss to herbivorous insects which were common during the early stages of fruit development. Thus, ant attendance strongly improved both pollination and fruit set whereby plants with ants set more fruit per flower and also lost fewer fruits during fruit maturation. In contrast, ants had a negative effect on the removal of ripe fruits by avian frugivores. Thus, ant attendance has a non-trivial influence on plant reproduction, this interaction being beneficial at some stages of the plant reproductive cycle and carrying costs at another stage. A tight ecological or co-evolved relationship between these Ectatomma spp. and P. limonensis is unlikely given that ant attendance of plants is detrimental to fruit removal.
The Compatibility of Omniscience and Intentional Action: A Reply to Tomis Kapitan

Cet article est une reponse aux theses de Tomis Kapitan sur la compatibilite de l'action de Dieu avec sa divine prescience. L'A. a deja argumente contre deux premices dans le cas de Kapitan en faveur de l'impotence omnisciente. En reponse a ces critiques, Kapitan a recemment offert de nouvelles defenses en faveur de ses deux premices. L'A. profite de cet article pour repondre a cette defense qui, selon lui, ne rehabilite pas la position a l'encontre d'un agir de Dieu omniscient
Screening for osteoporosis.

Abstract Purpose:To review evidence that screening for osteoporosis by measuring bone mass in postmenopausal women would reduce fracture incidence. Data Identification:An English-language literatur...
Balancing bias and precision in capture‐recapture estimates of abundance

Capture-recapture estimates of abundance using photographic identification data are sensitive to the quality of photographs used and distinctiveness of individuals in the population. Here analyses are presented for examining the effects of photographic quality and individual animal distinctiveness scores and for objectively selecting a subset of data to use for capture-recapture analyses using humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) data from a 2-year study in the North Atlantic. Photographs were evaluated for their level of quality and whales for their level of individual distinctiveness. Photographic quality scores had a 0.21 probability of changing by a single-quality level, and there were no changes by two or more levels. Individual distinctiveness scores were not independent of photographic quality scores. Estimates of abundance decreased as poor-quality photographs were removed. An appropriate balance between precision and bias in abundance estimates was achieved by removing the lowest-quality photographs and those of incompletely photographed flukes given our assumptions about the true population abundance. A simulation of the selection process implied that, if the estimates are negatively biased by heterogeneity, the increase in bias produced by decreasing the sample size is not more than 2%. Capture frequencies were independent of individual distinctiveness scores.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A CELL WALL-DEFECTIVE MUTANT OF CHLAMYDOMONAS MONOICA (CHLOROPHYTA)1

Cell wall–defective strains of Chlamydomonas have played an important role in the development of transformation protocols for introducing exogenous DNA (foreign genes or cloned Chlamydomonas genes) into C. reinhardtii. To promote the development of similar protocols for transformation of the distantly related homothallic species, C. monoica, we used UV mutagenesis to obtain a mutant strain with a defective cell wall. The mutant, cw-1, was first identified on the basis of irregular colony shape and was subsequently shown to have reduced plating efficiency and increased sensitivity to lysis by a non-ionic detergent as compared with wild-type cells. Tetrad analysis of crosses involving the cw-1 mutant confirmed 2:2 segregation of the cw:cw+ phenotypes, indicating that the wall defect resulted from mutation of a single nuclear gene. The phenotype showed incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. Although some cells had apparently normal cell walls as viewed by TEM, many cells of the cw-1 strain had broken cell walls and others were protoplasts completely devoid of a cell wall. Several cw-1 isolates obtained from crosses involving the original mutant strain showed a marked enhancement of the mutant phenotype and may prove especially useful for future work involving somatic cell fusions or development of transformation protocols.
Functionally acceptable substitutions in two α-helical regions of λ repressor

A method of targeted random mutagenesis has been used to investigate the informational content of 25 residue positions in two alpha-helical regions of the N-terminal domain of lambda repressor. Examination of the functionally allowed sequences indicates that there is a wide range in tolerance to amino acid substitution at these positions. At positions that are buried in the structure, there are severe limitations on the number and type of residues allowed. At most surface positions, many different residues and residue types are tolerated. However, at several surface positions there is a strong preference for hydrophilic amino acids, and at one surface position proline is absolutely conserved. The results reveal the high level of degeneracy in the information that specifies a particular protein fold.
Finite trigonometric sums and class numbers

Explicit evaluations of finite trigonometric sums arose in proving certain theta function identities of Ramanujan. In this paper, without any appeal to theta functions, several classes of finite trigonometric sums, including the aforementioned sums, are evaluated in closed form in terms of class numbers of imaginary quadratic fields.
FGT-1 Is a Mammalian GLUT2-Like Facilitative Glucose Transporter in Caenorhabditis elegans Whose Malfunction Induces Fat Accumulation in Intestinal Cells

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is an attractive animal model for biological and biomedical research because it permits relatively easy genetic dissection of cellular pathways, including insulin/IGF-like signaling (IIS), that are conserved in mammalian cells. To explore C. elegans as a model system to study the regulation of the facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT), we have characterized the GLUT gene homologues in C. elegans: fgt-1, R09B5.11, C35A11.4, F53H8.3, F48E3.2, F13B12.2, Y61A9LA.1, K08F9.1 and Y37A1A.3. The exogenous expression of these gene products in Xenopus oocytes showed transport activity to unmetabolized glucose analogue 2-deoxy-D-glucose only in FGT-1. The FGT-1-mediated transport activity was inhibited by the specific GLUT inhibitor phloretin and exhibited a Michaelis constant (Km) of 2.8 mM. Mannose, galactose, and fructose were able to inhibit FGT-1-mediated 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake (P < 0.01), indicating that FGT-1 is also able to transport these hexose sugars. A GFP fusion protein of FGT-1 was observed only on the basolateral membrane of digestive tract epithelia in C. elegans, but not in other tissues. FGT-1::eGFP expression was observed from early embryonic stages. The knockdown or mutation of fgt-1 resulted in increased fat staining in both wild-type and daf-2 (mammalian insulin receptor homologue) mutant animals. Other common phenotypes of IIS mutant animals, including dauer formation and brood size reduction, were not affected by fgt-1 knockdown in wild-type or daf-2 mutants. Our results indicated that in C. elegans, FGT-1 is mainly a mammalian GLUT2-like intestinal glucose transporter and is involved in lipid metabolism.
Birth Order and Conformity: An Interaction Approach to Integrating Research Results

This article describes an interaction model for integrating the apparently conflicting results of research on the relationships between birth order and conformity. Rhine presented the elements of that approach. Reconciling the apparently contradictory findings is linked to the larger problem of consistency versus specificity in human behavior.
Inactivation of pig heart NADP-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase by two affinity reagents is due to reaction with a cysteine not essential for function.

Abstract Pig heart NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase is 65% inactivated by 3-bromo-2-ketoglutarate ( Ehrlich, R. S., and Colman, R. F., 1987, J. Biol. Chem. 262, 12,614–12,619 ) and 90% inactivated by 2-(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutylthio)-1, N 6 -ethenoadenosine 2′,5′-bisphosphate (2-BDB-TϵA-2′,5′-DP) ( Bailey, J. M., and Colman, R. F., 1987, J. Biol. Chem. 262, 12,620–12,626 ). Both inactivation reactions result in enzyme with an incorporation of 1.0 mol reagent/mol enzyme dimer and both modified enzymes bind only 1.0 mol manganous isocitrate or NADPH/mol enzyme dimer as compared to 2.0 mol manganous isocitrate or NADPH/mol enzyme dimer for unmodified enzyme. The inactivation reactions, which occur at or near the nucleotide binding site, are mutually exclusive. Reaction with either affinity reagent led to the isolation of the same modified triskaidekapeptide, DLAG X IHGLSNVK. We have isolated from isocitrate dehydrogenase a peptide, DLAG C IHGLSNVK, that had been modified by N -ethylmaleimide (NEM) with no loss of enzymatic activity. We now show that enzyme modified by NEM in the presence of isocitrate plus Mn 2+ retains full catalytic activity but is not inactivated by either of the affinity reagents; thus, all three reagents appear to react at the same site. The analysis of HPLC tryptic maps of isocitrate dehydrogenase treated under denaturing conditions with iodo[ 3 H]acetic acid or [ 3 H]NEM demonstrates that both bromoketoglutarate and 2-BDB-TϵA-2′,5′-DP react with the cysteine residue of DLAG C IHGLSNVK. We conclude that the cysteine of this triskaidekapeptide is close to the coenzyme binding site but is not essential for catalytic function.
Intensities of muons underground at large zenith angles

Experimental results are reported for an underground cosmic ray telescope measurement of the absolute muon intensity at zenith angle 69°±3° near sea level. Muons detected by the apparatus were incident normally on a steep, smooth bluff at ground level and traveled through large thicknesses ofrock on trajectories at 69°. The telescope was situated on the horizontal floor of an underground limestone quarry at various distances behind the bluff. Measured intensities in units s−1 cm−2 sr−1 at oblique depths from the bluff are: (4.48±0.32)·10−4 at 38.3 m w.e.; (1.66±0.13)·10−4 at 112 m w.e.; (4.94±0.37)·10−5 at 255 m w.e.; and (2.92±0.22)·10−5 at 354 m w.e. A curve through these data crosses the corresponding vertical intensity curve at a depth near 140 m w.e., beyond which the 69° intensity always exceeds the vertical intensity. Interpretation of this and other aspects of the results is based on the diffusion equation for high-energy pions in the atmosphere. The results are in general agreement with recent magnetic spectrometer work.
The applicability of jet-shear-layer mixing and effervescent atomization for low-NOx combustors

An investigation has been conducted to develop appropriate technologies for a low-NO(x), liquid-fueled combustor. The combustor incorporates an effervescent atomizer used to inject fuel into a premixing duct. Only a fraction of the combustion air is used in the premixing process. This fuel-rich mixture is introduced into the remaining combustion air by a rapid jet-shear-layer mixing process involving radial fuel-air jets impinging on axial air jets in the primary combustion zone. Computational modeling was used as a tool to facilitate a parametric analysis appropriate to the design of an optimum low-NO(x) combustor. A number of combustor configurations were studied to assess the key combustor technologies and to validate the three-dimensional modeling code. The results from the experimental testing and computational analysis indicate a low-NO(x) potential for the jet-shear-layer combustor. Key features found to affect NOx emissions are the primary combustion zone fuel-air ratio, the number of axial and radial jets, the aspect ratio and radial location of the axial air jets, and the radial jet inlet hole diameter. Each of these key parameters exhibits a low-NO(x) point from which an optimized combustor was developed Also demonstrated was the feasibility of utilizing an effervescent atomizer for combustor application. Further developments in the jet-shear-layer mixing scheme and effervescent atomizer design promise even lower NO(x) with high combustion efficiency.
Force-closure analysis of 6-dof cable manipulators with seven or more cables

A cable manipulator controls its end-effector by a number of cables. If the cables can balance any external and inertia wrenches at a certain pose of the end-effector, the cable manipulator is said to have a force-closure at this pose. Since a cable can work only in tension, the force-closure at a specific pose may not exist. Thus, how to check the existence of force-closure at a given pose is an important issue for design and control of cable manipulators. This paper describes a systematic method of verifying the existence of force-closure at a specific pose of a general 6-DOF cable manipulator with seven or more cables. By examining the Jacobian matrix of the manipulator, the method can determine whether a force-closure exists at the pose corresponding to the Jacobian matrix. The necessity and sufficiency of the proposed method are mathematically proven. Moreover, a convex-analysis-based simplification of the method for manipulators with more than seven cables is also discussed.
A note on products of Relative Difference Sets

Relative Difference Sets with the parameters k = nλ have been constructed many ways (see (Davis, forthcoming; Elliot and Butson 1966; and Jungnickel 1982)). This paper proves a result on building new RDS by taking products of others (much like (Dillon 1985)), and this is applied to several new examples (primarily involving (p i, p j, p i, p i−j)).
Brain stem tumors.

The most common brain stem tumor in both the adult and pediatric population is the brain stem glioma. MR has significant advantages over CT in detecting the presence of the tumor as well as evaluating its extent. Diagnosis must be as precise as possible, since therapy is generally administered without biopsy material available for pathologic examination. Defining the extent of the tumor is mandatory so that appropriate radiation therapy margins are available and geometric misses do not occur. Unenhanced CT may yield some prognostic information regarding patients who have brain stem gliomas. Further work must be done to determine if any MR correlates, such as calculated T1- or T2-relaxation times, can provide similar information. Also, work relating to any prognostic information provided by the appearance of gadolinium enhancement should be undertaken. With MR, the ability to differentiate brain stem glioma from other posterior fossa tumors and from benign lesions that often do not require therapy now exists.
Ontogeny of Rat Myocardial A1 Adenosine Receptors

Adenosine functions as a counterregulatory hormone in the myocardium by decreasing work and thereby protecting the myocardium against ischemia. Functional adenosine A1 receptors could serve
Ribosomal DNA and Phylogeny of the Ascaridoidea (Nemata: Secernentea): Implications for Morphological Evolution and Classification☆

Nematodes of the superfamily Ascaridoidea are parasites of the alimentary tract of vertebrates and include species that are of medical and economic importance. Existing evolutionary hypotheses for these organisms have frequently been based on interpretation of one or few "key" structural or life history features. We used nuclear-encoded small (1764 characters) and large subunit (757 characters) ribosomal DNA sequences to estimate the phylogeny of representative taxa from this superfamily. Trees inferred by maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood methods strongly support clades that are primarily consistent with one recent classification of the group. In contrast, most previously proposed phylogenetic hypotheses were significantly worse when compared to the maximum likelihood tree by a statistical method. Hypotheses for the evolution of morphological and life history characters were explored by parsimony mapping these features on several tree topologies, including optimal molecular trees and alternative topologies reflecting traditional expectations deemed not worse in statistical tests. The results identify some consistent putative shared-derived morphological features, but also strongly suggest that some key features emphasized by previous workers represent ancestral states or highly homoplastic characters.
Experimental Determination of Hansen Solubility Parameters for Select POSS and Polymer Compounds as a Guide to POSS-Polymer Interaction Potentials

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) have been incorporated into a wide range of polymers over the past two decades in an attempt to enhance their thermal and mechanical properties. Properties of POSS/polymer blends/composites are highly dependent on the uniformity of POSS dispersion and thus are particularly sensitive to the magnitude of interaction between POSS and added fillers/polymers. Methods to characterize these interactions in terms of solubility parameters have been recently examined in the literature using group contribution calculations. The present work presents a method for measuring three-dimensional Hansen solubility parameters for polymers and POSS which allows for the direct calculation of interaction potentials. These measured solubility parameters predict POSS/polymer interactions more accurately than group contribution calculations and accurately predict the uniformity of POSS dispersion and the resultant property enhancements.
Kr 86 and Atomic-Beam-Emitted Hg 198 Wavelengths

Vacuum wavelengths are given for the Hg198 2537- and 3132-A lines and the Kr86 6013- and 5651 A lines, referred to the Kr86 primary standard line 6057 A. The light sources were an Hg198 atomic-beam and a Kr86 hot-cathode lamp. A vacuum Fabry-Perot interferometer was employed for the measurements. The wavelength of the Hg198 3132 A line was also determined by using the Hg198 2537-A line as the reference standard. The accuracy of measurement of the Hg198 lines is about a factor of 5 higher than that of the Kr86 lines.
Preliminary studies on the occurrence of local severe weather events in Friuli Venezia Giulia

In this work, the results obtained with the analysis of 3 years of data concerning the occurrence of local severe weather events (LSWE) in the plain of Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) are presented. These data are essentially collected by volunteers who personally observed the development of these phenomena or at least the damages produced by them. These data show that local severe weather events are much more frequent than previously expected just because of the occasional reports; moreover, they appear to be mainly associated to the approaching of a cold front over the Friuli region. The spatial distribution of these phenomena is not uniform, even if the study area is relatively small, but it is likely dependent from the interactions between synoptic perturbations and orography.
Physics and Chemistry of Sulfur Lakes on Io

A model for a convecting sulfur lake, heated from below by a silicate magma chamber, is constructed and applied to major hot spot regions on Jupiter's satellite Io. We use a two-layer parametrized convection scheme for sulfur and silicates based on a local boundary layer analysis to calculate temperature profiles in the system and the maximum flux which can be extracted from the silicate magma in steady state. The results indicate that the highest-component temperature of some observed hot spots (J. S. Pearl and W. M. Sinton, 1982, In The Satellites of Jupiter (D. Morrison, Ed.), pp. 724–755. Univ. of Arizona Press, Tucson) is consistent with a convecting molten sulfur system, and the total flux from the most energetic spot, Loki Patera, is close to the maximum which can be extracted from molten silicates by convection. Simple hydrodynamic models of evaporative outflow from sulfur lakes indicate that the intermediate-component temperature of hot spots such as Loki can be identified with the evaporative sulfur flux which condenses in the atmosphere and over a wide area surrounding the lake(s). The ratio of warm to hot component fluxes for Loki and other hot spots is consistent with this interpretation, and evaporation sets a strong constraint on the maximum surface temperature for a steady-state lake. The Voyager IRIS continuum spectrum can be fitted by a sulfur lake model in which sulfur vapor condensing on the shore is assumed to radiate as a blackbody. The lifetime of such a lake, in steady state, based on evaporation and silicate cooling time scales is 1–100 years, implying long-term Earth-based observations could detect variations in the Loki thermal output. The model provides a useful interpretive tool for possible variability because it gives predictions for the relative thermal fluxes at different wavelengths. The sodium-sulfur phase diagram is also presented and used to show the evaporated lakes may leave behind a sodium-rich residue which could supply the torus with sodium. Finally, uncertainties in the model are assessed, including the lack of sulfur emission features in the Loki spectrum, and the alternative possibility that the SO_2 plume observed at Loki could be supplying the excess thermal flux.
A symplectic structure for connections on surfaces with boundary

For compact surfaces with one boundary component, and semisimple gauge groups, we construct a closed gauge invariant 2-form on the space of flat connections whose boundary holonomy lies in a fixed conjugacy class. This form descends to the moduli space under the action of the full gauge group, and provides an explicit description of a symplectic structure for this moduli space.
Hormonal specificity of the melanotropin-sensitive adenylate cyclase of mouse melanoma and effect of cyclic amp on the tyrosinase activity of mouse melanoma cells, in vitro.

Transplantable mouse melanomas possess a melanotropin-sensitive adenylate cyclase system which is responsive to alpha-melanotropin, beta-melanotropin, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and prostaglandin E1. It was found that sensitivity to ACTH was not directed towards the ACTH activity but to the intrinsic melanotropin activity of the ACTH molecule. Therefore, the melanotropin-sensitive adenylate cyclase system is hormonally specific to the intrinsic melanotropin activity of peptide hormones and is unique in the melanoma tissue. The significance of the sensitivity to prostaglandin E1 is obscure at present. The melanotropin-sensitive adenylate cyclase requires the presence of Mg2+ or Mn2+, for its enzymic activity. Ca2+ inhibit the enzyme in the presence of a wide range of concentrations of Mg2+. The enzymic activity is ATP concentration-dependent and the saturation concentration appears to be 1 mM. The enzyme is very labile in the unfractionated tumor homogenates. A washed 11000 X g particulate fraction, representing about 30-60% of the total enzymic activity, was found to be more stable and could be stored at 5 degrees C for 2 h without appreciable loss of the activity. This fraction retained sensitivity to melanotropin, prostaglandin E1 and NaF. About 20% of the activity of the tumor homogenate could not be sedimented by centrifugation at 105000 X g for 60 min. This "soluble" fraction was not responsive to melanotropin, prostaglandin E1 and NaF and might be a degradative product produced by the fractionation. Cyclic AMP and alpha-melanotropin were able to increase the tyrosinase activity of isolated mouse melanoma-cells in vitro under the same conditions.
Apollo 11 Observations of a Remarkable Glazing Phenomenon on the Lunar Surface

Some glazing is apparently due to radiation heating; it suggests a giant solar outburst in geologically recent times.
Comparison of the surface features of two wood-based activated carbons

The surface features of two carbons of wood origin were compared. One sample was manufactured using phosphoric acid activation and the other using potassium hydroxide activation. To check the susceptibility to oxidation and the stability of the porous structure, the samples were oxidized with ammonium persulfate. Structural properties of carbons and their oxidized counterparts were determined using sorption of nitrogen. Surface acidity was evaluated using Boehm titration, potentiometric titration, inverse gas chromatography, and diffuse reflectance FTIR. It was demonstrated that, despite the same wood origin, the carbons significantly differ in their pore structure and surface chemistry. The carbon obtained using KOH activation is homogeneously microporous with high surface area around 2300 m2/g (BET). On the other hand, the carbon manufactured using phosphoric acid contains a high volume of mesopores and its surface area is significantly lower. The carbons also differ in their surface chemistry and susce...
Pancreatectomy, amino acids and glucagon: effect on canine renal autoregulation.

Abstract Using pancreatectomized (PX) dogs, we recently suggested the importance of glucagon in modulating amino acid-induced increases in renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We have now ascertained whether glucagon's modulatory effect is associated with an impairment in renal autoregulation. As renal arterial pressure (RAP) was reduced to 70 mmHg (the lower limit of the autoregulatory range) in both sham-operated control (C) and PX control dogs, RBF and GFR remained at values that were greater than 90% of their respective controls. In control dogs infused with amino acids (0.051 mmol/kg per min, i.v.), RBF and GFR rose by 26 and 27%, respectively, at baseline RAP. As RAP was reduced to 70 mmHg, RBF and GFR fell by 25 and 37%, respectively. In PX dogs infused with either amino acids or glucagon (0.86 pmol/kg per min, i.v.) alone, RBF and GFR did not increase appreciably at baseline RAP. As RAP was reduced to 70 mmHg in these dogs, RBF and GFR remained at values that were greater than 90% of their respective controls. Yet, in PX dogs infused simultaneously with amino acids and glucagon, RBF and GFR rose by 22 and 24%, respectively, at baseline RAP. Moreover, as RAP was reduced to 70 mmHg, RBF and GFR fell by 22 and 31%, respectively. These data suggest that the ability of glucagon to modulate the renal hemodynamic response to amino acid infusion involves an impairment in renal autoregulation.
Aminolysis of 2'-deoxyinosine aryl ethers : nucleoside model studies for the synthesis of functionally tethered oligonucleotides

Abstract Several O6-aryl-2′-deoxyinosines were synthesized and found to undergo conversion to N6-substituted-2′-deoxyadenosines upon treatment with aqueous amines. The kinetics for reaction of these nucleosides with various amines suggests that O6-phenyl- and O6-(p-nitrophenyl)-2′-deoxyinosine are suitable “convertible nucleoside” precursors for the site-specific introduction of functionally tethered 2′-deoxyadenosines into DNA.
Constrained Least Squares Projection Filtering: A New Technique for the Reconstruction of Emission Computed Tomographic Images

A new emission computed tomographic reconstruction technique has been developed. Each projection is fit with an arbitrary functional form which is constrained in shape by the sharpest response which can be obtained in a tomograph. The image is then reconstructed by backprojecting the best estimate projections which have been filtered by a ramp function in the frequency domain. This procedure reduces the variance in image pixel values while maintaining resolution which is near the intrinsic resolution of the tomograph. This paper presents results for both measured and simulated data from a tomograph designed to measure annihilation photons from the decay of positrons.
Quantitative anatomy of the guinea pig endolymphatic sac

The endolymphatic sac is believed to represent one of the primary loci for endolymph volume regulation in the inner ear. Quantitative analysis of physiologic measurements from the endolymphatic sac requires knowledge of the anatomy of the structure, specifically the luminal volume and the variation of cross-sectional area with distance along the sac. Recently techniques have become available to make these measurements. In the present study, fixed, isolated specimens of the guinea pig endolymphatic sac were imaged by high-resolution magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) or by histological serial sections. Structures were reconstructed and quantified using image analysis software. In specimens imaged by MRM the endolymphatic sac volume, including tissue and lumen, was 359 nl for the intraosseous region and 106 nl for the extraosseous region, totaling 465 nl for the entire structure. The luminal volumes were 131 nl for the intraosseous region and 13 nl for the extraosseous region, totaling 144 nl. In histological specimens the volume, including tissue and lumen, was 414 nl for the intraosseous region and 121 nl for the extraosseous region, totaling 535 nl for the entire structure. The luminal volumes were 152 nl for the intraosseous region and 26 nl for the extraosseous region, totaling 179 nl. Differences in volume estimates obtained by the two methods were not statistically significant and variation was dominated by inter-specimen variation. Pooling the data, the total volume of the endolymphatic sac in the guinea pig including tissue and lumen was 506 nl (S.D. 100, n=17) and the volume of the lumen was 169 nl (S.D. 48, n=14).
The dimorphism and infectivity of Histoplasma capsulatum

By examining mycelial cultures at regular intervals during incubation at 37° C in cysteine-enriched media, it was possible to detect differences in the conversion properties of six isolates ofHistoplasma capsulatum. The organisms varied according to conversion ability, rate and degree of transformation following yeast initiation, and cysteine sensitivity. These findings were unrelated to infectivity of the mycelial phase for mice as determined by percentage recovery of isolates from the cultured organs of inoculated animals.
Chelant-aided enhancement of lead mobilization in residential soils.

Abstract Chelation of metals is an important factor in enhancing solubility and hence, availability to plants to promote phytoremediation. We compared the effects of two chelants, namely, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS) in enhancing mobilized lead (Pb) in Pb-based paint contaminated residential soils collected from San Antonio, Texas and Baltimore, Maryland. Batch incubation studies were performed to investigate the effectiveness of the two chelants in enhancing mobilized Pb, at various concentrations and treatment durations. Over a period of 1 month, the mobilized Pb pool in the San Antonio study soils increased from 52 mg kg −1 to 287 and 114 mg kg −1 in the presence of 15 mM kg −1 EDTA and EDDS, respectively. Stepwise linear regression analysis demonstrated that pH and organic matter content significantly affected the mobilized Pb fraction. The regression models explained a large percentage, from 83 to 99%, of the total variation in mobilized Pb concentrations.
Automating prostate capsule contour estimation for 3D model reconstruction using shape and histological features

Currently there are few parameters that are used to compare the efficiency of different form of cancerous prostate surgical removal. An accurate assessment of the percentage and depth of extra-capsular soft tissue removed with the prostate by the various surgical techniques can help surgeons determining the appropriateness of surgical approaches. In order to facilitate the reconstruction phase and thus provide a more accurate quantitation results when analyzing the images, it is essential to automatically identify the capsule line that separates the prostate capsule tissue from its extra-capsular one. However the prostate capsule is sometimes unrecognizable due to the naturally occurring intrusion of muscle into the prostate gland. At these regions where the capsule disappears, its contour can be arbitrarily reconstructed by drawing a continuing contour line based on the natural shape of the prostate gland. In this paper, some mathematical equations that will be used to provide a standard prostate shape at various stages will be presented. This mathematical model can be used in deciding the missing part of the capsule. It will also be used in conjunction with Generalized Hough Transform to automatically determine the capsule line, thus provides more accurate results in the reconstruction phase as well as in the percentage of coverage and depth calculations of the extra-capsular tissue.