cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oceanic Whitecaps and Their Role in Air‐Sea Exchange Processes

The book is based on the proceedings of the 1983 Whitecap Workshop, held at University College, Galway, Ireland. The 22 full-length papers and 18 abstracts of poster presentations that it contains cover a wide range of topics. The small-scale air-sea exchange processes triggered by the breaking of wind-generated gravity waves serve as the common ground from which specialized excursions are made into the fields of acoustics and optics of bubbly water, statistics and hydrodynamics of water waves, remote sensing, atmospheric electricity, and physicochemical hydrodynamics of bubbles, droplets, and water surfaces coated with organic films. The book opens with “The Life and Science of Alfred H. Woodcock” by Duncan Blanchard (State University of New York, Albany).
On the evolution of the karyorelict ciliate life cycle: heterophasic ciliates and the origin of ciliate binary fission.

Abstract Karyorelict ciliates have near diploid somatic nuclei (macronuclei) incapable of division. If selective pressure favors nuclear division, how could such macronuclei have evolved? I propose that they initially evolved in the context of a diplophase stage that consisted entirely of a non-dividing trophont that was terminated by the induction of meiosis. The diploid macronucleus then differentiated, functioned and was destroyed in the absence of cell division. Such a life cycle would necessarily be heterophasic, i.e. with alternating haploid and diploid generations. I call these ancestors heterophasic ciliates. I further propose that the ability of this diploid trophont to undergo binary fission arose de novo. Ciliate binary fission would then be a derived characteristic, which possibly evolved independently in more than one heterophasic ciliate lineage. A progression of steps, leading to the reduction of the haplophase and the generation of the karyorelict life cycle, is proposed. The shared possession of nuclear dimorphism with non-dividing macronuclei, conjugation, and a putative heterophasic ancestry, invites further investigation of the phylogenetic relationship between heterokaryotic foraminifera and karyorelict ciliates.
Feedback Control of an LVAD Supporting a Failing Cardiovascular System Regulated by the Baroreflex

The baroreflex is an internal feedback mechanism that stabilizes the blood pressure in the circulatory system. Its function in patients with congestive heart failure is preserved fairly well. When these patients are implanted with a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), the baroreflex plays an important role in interacting with the controller that regulates the pump speed. In this paper, we consider a combined model of the cardiovascular system, the baroreflex mechanism, and an LVAD. We present results that will describe the interaction mechanisms between these three subsystems. We then propose a feedback controller for the LVAD which automatically adjust its speed based on the Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR) and Heart Rate (HR) under varying patient conditions. Simulation results show that the combined model is capable of reproducing human responses to exercise and the proposed controller is able to respond to change in physiological state of patients with heart failure.
Biomimetics inspired surfaces for drag reduction and oleophobicity/philicity

The emerging field of biomimetics allows one to mimic biology or nature to develop nanomaterials, nanodevices, and processes which provide desirable properties. Hierarchical structures with dimensions of features ranging from the macroscale to the nanoscale are extremely common in nature and possess properties of interest. There are a large number of objects including bacteria, plants, land and aquatic animals, and seashells with properties of commercial interest. Certain plant leaves, such as lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) leaves, are known to be superhydrophobic and self-cleaning due to the hierarchical surface roughness and presence of a wax layer. In addition to a self-cleaning effect, these surfaces with a high contact angle and low contact angle hysteresis also exhibit low adhesion and drag reduction for fluid flow. An aquatic animal, such as a shark, is another model from nature for the reduction of drag in fluid flow. The artificial surfaces inspired from the shark skin and lotus leaf have been created, and in this article the influence of structure on drag reduction efficiency is reviewed. Biomimetic-inspired oleophobic surfaces can be used to prevent contamination of the underwater parts of ships by biological and organic contaminants, including oil. The article also reviews the wetting behavior of oil droplets on various superoleophobic surfaces created in the lab.
Carbon dioxide selective mixed-matrix membranes formulation and characterization using rubbery substituted polyphosphazene

Abstract Substituted polyphosphazene (PPZ) used in the formulation of mixed-matrix membranes conforms to make good interface contact with the molecular sieve particles due to its rubbery nature. The methoxy ethoxy ethanol (MEE) substituted polyphosphazene is CO 2 selective with CO 2 /N 2 and CO 2 /CH 4 ideal separation factors of 43 and 15, respectively, at 22 °C. This study shows the improvement of the CO 2 separation factor over light gases by formulating mixed-matrix membranes using silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO-34) and modified 2D layered aluminophosphate (ALPO). The synthesis and characterization of these molecular sieve materials is described. The CO 2 /CH 4 and CO 2 /N 2 ideal separation factors increase to 17 and 54 for the membrane formed by PPZ and SAPO-34. A more significant increase in separation factors is observed with decreasing membrane temperature. The pore blocking effect by CO 2 in the PPZ–SAPO mixed-matrix membranes was not observed even though this behavior was reported in literature for SAPO-34 molecular sieve membranes. This is potentially due to lower adsorption of CO 2 in the pores of SAPO-34 when dispersed in the continuous polymer phase as compared to SAPO-34 particles. The layered aluminophosphate zeolite was exfoliated to create particles with high aspect ratio that were dispersed in the PPZ polymer to form composite membranes. The CO 2 /H 2 separation factor observed in these composite membranes was 12.0 as compared to a value of 8.5 for PPZ membrane at 22 °C. The structure of these membranes is expected to be CO 2 selective flakes with high aspect ratio dispersed in the polymer which retard the transport of less interactive gases resulting in the improvement of separation factors. A comparison of gas transport data between the two types of mixed-matrix membranes also provides information regarding the structure of these membranes.
Breast-feeding and Wilms Tumor: A Report from the Children’s Oncology Group

Previous research has shown that breast-feeding offers many nutritional benefits to children including protection against infection and possibly a decreased risk of childhood cancer. We investigated the association between breast-feeding and Wilms tumor, a childhood kidney tumor. We used data from a large case-control study in the United States and Canada. Cases were children under age 16 years who were diagnosed with Wilms tumor from 1999 to 2002 and were participating in the National Wilms Tumor Study. Controls were identified by random-digit dialing and were age and region matched to cases. Mothers of 501 cases and 480 controls provided information on breast-feeding by telephone interviews. Breast-feeding was associated with a reduced risk of Wilms tumor [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.5–0.9]. Longer duration did not provide any additional reduction in risk. When stratified by maternal education, breast-feeding lowered risk among children whose mothers had less than a college education (OR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.4–0.8) but not for mothers who had a college degree or more (OR = 1.1; 95% CI = 0.6–1.9). The results of this study are suggestive of an association between breast-feeding and Wilms tumor, but further research is needed to confirm this relationship.
Phytophthora elicitor inhibits ferricyanide reduction by cultured rose cells

Abstract Suspension cultured cells of Rosa damascena Mill. cv. Gloire de Guilan exhibited normal plasma membrane electron transport activities, including the reduction of extracellular ferricyanide to ferrocyanide, the reduction of Fe(III) chelate, and the oxidation of exogenous NADH. Elicitor preparations from autoclaved cell walls of Phytophthora sp. or from clarified fungal growth medium inhibited ferricyanide reduction (and stimulated ferrocyanide oxidation) by the rose cells. The effect occurred after a lag period of 10–15 min and lasted for at least 60 min. There was no inhibition of reduction of Fe(III) chelate; there was a stimulation of oxidation of exogenous NADH. The effect was observed after a treatment of the cells with salicylate, but not after treatment with ultraviolet radiation or cycloheximide, agents that otherwise mimic the effect of elicitor on rose cell plasma membrane activities. There was no effect of elicitor added in vivo or in vitro on the NADH-ferricyanide oxidoreductase activity of isolated plasma membrane. The inhibition of ferricyanide reduction and oxidation of ferrocyanide could not be attributed to an elicitor-dependent accumulation of O−2 or H2O2, since added superoxide dismutase and catalase did not block the inhibition of ferricyanide reduction. It is suggested that the inhibition of ferricyanide reduction was related to a change in the redox state of cytoplasmic NADH/NAD+.
Clinical characteristics and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction frame counts in women with transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome

The characteristics of 16 women with transient left ventricular (LV) apical ballooning syndrome in a United States population are presented. Additionally, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame counts were evaluated during the acute period. Patients generally presented with anterior ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome in the absence of obstructive coronary disease. All patients had LV apical wall motion abnormalities. An acute emotional or physiologic stressor preceded most cases. TIMI frame counts were abnormal in all patients and often abnormal in all 3 major coronary vessels, suggesting that the diffuse impairment of coronary microcirculatory function may play a role in the pathogenesis of the syndrome.
Autoantibodies to the Ro/Ssa Autoantigen are Conformation Dependent II: Antibodies to the Denatured form of 52 Kd Ro/Ssa are a Cross Reacting Subset of Antibodies to the Native 60 Kd Ro/Ssa Molecule

The immune response to the Ro/SSA particles is conformation dependent. In sera with only anti-Ro/SSA precipitins, the autoantibodies to the 60 kD Ro/SSA are largely to the native 60 kD Ro/SSA while autoantibodies to the 52 kD Ro/SSA particle when present are exclusively to the denatured 52 kD Ro/SSA particle. Antibodies eluted from a recombinant 52 kD Ro/SSA fusion protein reacted in a sandwich ELISA which only measures antibody to native 60 kD Ro/SSA antigens and this reaction is largely inhibited by native homogeneous 60 kD Ro/SSA. In addition, antibody binding to the 52 kD Ro/SSA antigen in Western blot is also strongly inhibited by native 60 kD Ro/SSA. These experiment strongly suggest that reactivity of denatured 52 kD Ro/SSA antigen represents a cross reaction with autoantibodies directed to the native 60 kD Ro/SSA antigen. As a corollary of these experiments, data are presented that suggest the hY-RNAs are not associated with the 52 kD Ro/SSA protein but only with the 60 kD Ro/SSA protein. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the autoanti-Ro/SSA response is driven by native 60 kD Ro/SSA and the immune response to denatured 52 kD Ro/SSA is largely a cross-reactive subset of the immune response to native 60 kD Ro/SSA.
Surgically Managed Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Comparative and Prognostic Analysis

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been shown to have marked clinical efficacy in patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). We performed a comparative and prognostic analysis of our experience with surgically managed GIST to determine factors associated with adverse oncologic outcomes. Oncologic outcomes of 191 patients with primary GIST surgically managed between 1978 and 2004 at a single institution were reviewed. Prognostic factors were analyzed by Cox analysis (hazard ratio [HR] and 95% confidence interval [95% CI]) and included age, sex, disease presentation (asymptomatic vs. symptomatic), tumor site (stomach, small bowel, colorectal), disease extent (localized vs. metastatic) and risk levels (high, intermediate, low, very-low) assigned on the basis of size and number of mitoses according to current National Institutes of Health recommendations. Primary end points were disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). A total of 186 patients (97%) had c-kit–positive GIST. There were 54% high, 22% intermediate, 18% low, and 8% very low risk GIST originating from the stomach (54%), small bowel (36%), and colon and rectum (10%). Median patient age was 65 (range, 13–91) years, and 108 subjects (57%) were male. Seventy-two percent of patients had symptomatic local disease, and 21% patients had synchronous metastases. Most (95%) underwent R0 resections of their primary tumor. Among 146 patients (76%) with localized disease at presentation undergoing R0 resection, the 5-year DFS was 65%. High-risk GIST (HR 12, 95% CI, 5–32, P < .0001), symptomatic presentation (HR 2.5, 95% CI, 1.1–6, P = .04), and GIST in the small bowel (HR 2.8, 95% CI, 1–5, P = .003) were independently associated with decreased DFS. After a median follow-up of 63 months among survivors, the 5-year DSS was 68%. High-risk disease (HR 14.3, 95% CI, 5–41, P < .0001), symptomatic presentation (HR 3.1, 95% CI, 1.2–7.9, P = .02), and GIST in the small bowel (2.6,3 95% CI, 1–5, P = .006) were independently associated with decreased DSS. High-risk GIST are associated with increased disease recurrence and decreased survival despite complete surgical resection. These patients should receive adjuvant therapy in the form of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Hyperlipidemia in Patients With Primary and Secondary Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. This observation may in part be related to the lipid abnormalities in patients with this condition. The lipid profiles of 268 patients with primary hypothyroidism and 27 with secondary hypothyroidism, who were examined in the Thyroid Clinic at the Mayo Clinic during a 1-year period, were reviewed. Hyperlipidemia was commonly associated with both primary and secondary hypothyroidism. The lipid values decreased with treatment of hypothyroidism. Type IIa hyperlipidemia was the most common lipid abnormality in patients with primary hypothyroidism, whereas type IIb was the most common in those with secondary hypothyroidism. Total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios were increased in both male and female patients with primary and secondary hypothyroidism, and they decreased with restitution of the euthyroid state, although this decrease achieved statistical significance only in female patients. Significant associations with total thyroxine were noted for total cholesterol and triglycerides and with thyroid-stimulating hormone (thyrotropin) for total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Thus, both primary and secondary hypothyroidism are commonly associated with an atherogenic lipid profile, which improves with replacement of thyroid hormone. Even after restitution of the euthyroid state, however, the lipid profile remains atherogenic in male patients. In comparison with primary hypothyroidism, the lipid profile is more atherogenic in secondary hypothyroidism because of the lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels associated with this condition.
Validity and reliability of reported dietary intake data

Abstract Objective To compare two training techniques for validity and reliability of dietary instruments and the measurement of total energy expenditure (TEE) to determine whether technique could influence the accuracy of food portion estimates. Design Adult women were randomized into a control group and an experimental group for comparison of training technique. Setting University and research center. Subjects Five hundred women were screened using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire to identify restrained eaters or disinhibitors. Other criteria for selection included good health; absence of thyroid, respiratory, or other diseases; normal menstrual cycles; between the ages of 18 and 50 years. Forty-nine were recruited, with an attrition rate of 10% for a total sample of 44 subject. Intervention The control group (n=26) was trained with food models and the experimental group (n=18) was trained with a combination of food models and life-sized food photographs. All subjects completed two 24-hour recalls and 14 consecutive days of food records. TEE was measured by the doubly-labeled water method. Main outcome measures Training would improve the accuracy of food portion estimates. Statistical analyses performed Analysis of variance, the paired t test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Wilcoxon's ranking test. Results The mean reported intake between instruments was found to be reliable; however, the comparison with TEE was underreported by 21.4% and was thus nonvalid. Training technique made no difference in validity or reliability. Both training techniques improved the accuracy of food portion estimates; however, improvement was enhanced with food photographs. Applications/conclusion The findings indicate that training can improve food portion estimates, and dietary instruments may provide reliable but nonvalid results.
Structural requirements in the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation by N,N′-bis(dichloroacetyl) diamines

Abstract The nature and extent of the disruption of mitochondrial function by bisdichloroacetamides depends on their chemical nature and lipid solubility (partition coefficient). Secondary and tertiary amides are active in the inhibition of electron transport as are mono-, di- and trichloroacetamides. Uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation is very much more dependent on chemical structure and it is shown that only lipid soluble secondary dichloroacetamides are active in affecting energy-linked mitochondrial function. Uncoupling phosphorylation from the oxidation of TMPD-ascorbate at the third site of phosphorylation appears to be less extensive than that supported by succinate or pyruvate plus malate. An apparant alkalization of the medium occurs when mitochondria are treated with the dichloroacetamide but not when treated with inactive acetamides. These data are discussed in light of the known respiratory effects of the dichloroacetamides on rodent testes.
Users Satisfaction with Library Services: A Case Study of Delta State University Library

The study focused on users satisfaction with library services at the Delta State University main Library, Abraka, Delta State. The objective was to find out if users are satisfied with the services, facilities, the library environment, information sources and staff of the library. Using the descriptive survey design the population for the study consisted of all registered library users in the Site II of the Delta State University, Abraka Campus. The study employed the simple random sampling techniques in selecting the sample size for the study, and with a questionnaire data were collected. The findings revealed that the services offered at the Delta State University are inadequate and below average. Most users were satisfied with the availability of information sources in the library but also registered that most of these information sources are not available for loan. The findings also showed that there is a significant relationship between the assessment of library collection by users and their satisfaction with information sources. The library environment is clean and the reading carrels are adequate but, there are no effective lightening and toilet facilities.
The use of immunochemical binding and sephadex filtration in procedures toward the purification of ovine and piscine “prolactin”

Abstract The precipitin complex formed by antiovine Prolactin serum and the homologous antigen was dissociated in glycine-HCI buffer at pH 2.3 and the two antigenic components separated from each other by passage through a Sephadex G-100 column. Aliquots of the effluent tested immunochemically showed that the unretarded antibody was recovered first, followed by the antigen that was retarded. In order to quantitate the results obtained with ovine Prolactin radioactive iodine ( 131 1) was added as a tracer to 1 mg of ovine Prolactin and precipated in 9 ml of serum and the above fractionation repeated. The recovered fractions, subjected to bioassay and immunoassay showed the separation of active ovine Prolactin from the serum proteins. Crude fish “Prolactin,” extracted from the frozen pituitaries of pollack, was precipitated with antiserum to ovine Prolactin, the precipitate dissociated and separated as above. Again immunochemical studies showed that the unretarded antibody was recovered first followed by the greatly retarded antigen. The fish “prolactin” fractions were assayed solely by immunochemical methods. Similar results were obtained with ovine growth hormone and homologous antiserum. Electrophoretic studies in polyacrylamide gels showed that the separated antigen appears as a single band in the case of both ovine and piscine “prolactin” and that they migrate at a rate similar to biologically active ovine prolactin.
Lenacil degradation in the environment and its metabolism in the sugar beets.

14C-Lenacil photolysis and hydrolysis studies were conducted at 2 ppm in sterilized buffers at pH 5, 7, and 9 for up to 15 and 30 days, respectively. The degradation of 14C-lenacil in three soils and in two sediments systems was monitored for up to 100 days. Residue level and metabolites were analyzed in sugar beets following the application of 14C-lenacil at 4- and at 6-leaf stages at the rate of 204 g ai/ha and 321 g ai/ha, respectively. Lenacil was stable in the dark and at pH 5 and 7 under irradiation. At pH 9 under irradiation, the half-life (DT50) was 41 days. Lenacil DT50 in three soils ranged from 81 to 150 days. The DT50 in two sediments ranged from 32 to 105 days. In mature sugar beets, the total radioactive residue was 0.16 ppm in the tops and <0.03 ppm in the roots. The majority of lenacil metabolites identified were hydroxylated or oxidized products and their conjugates. Keywords: Lenacil; environmental fate; metabolism; soil degradation; sugar beet
U-Th-Pb systematics of selected samples from Apollo 17, Boulder 1, Station 2

Nine U-Th-Pb whole-rock analyses of selected brecciated materials from sample 72215 and one analysis of a pigeonite basalt clast from 72275 are presented. Both samples are from Boulder 1, Apollo 17. These data supplement previous Boulder 1 U-Th-Pb analyses of samples 72275 and 72255. U and Th concentrations indicate that most of the samples contain a moderate to large KREEP component. Samples containing the least KREEP are a noritic clast (72255,49; Civet Cat clast) and an anorthositic clast (72275,117). Evidence for the migration of Pb from Pb-rich matrix material into relatively Pb-poor clasts is presented for two clasts.
Can a pulsatile left ventricular assist device provide destination therapy for patients with severe heart failure

Can a pulsatile left ventricular assist device provide destination therapy for patients with severe heart failure?
RESTORING FREEDOM WHEN PRESSURED NOT TO SELECT ALTERNATIVES

40 college students majoring in art and 40 college students not majoring in art, role-playing, were pressured while selecting one of four similar watercolor paintings. Reactance theory would make two predictions: one, the paintings where pressure was exerted not to select would be chosen more frequently by the art majors than by the non-art majors; and two, the paintings which the subjects were pressured not to select would be chosen more frequently. The results supported the first prediction and the second prediction was supported for art majors but not for non-art majors. Thus, only in an area of concern to the individual does the reduction of his freedom to select alternatives produce behavior to restore that freedom.
Tomographic imaging of 3D seismic low-velocity anomalies to simulate monitoring of enhanced oil recovery

Tomographic velocity estimation of a three-dimensional (3D) anomaly as a function of time is implemented by the simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique (SIRT) using synthetic observed travel times as data. Rays are retraced every 6–7 iterations to ansure consistency between rays and velocities. An expanding steam front modeled within a shallow reservoir is imaged at two points in time using three different survey geometries containing both cross-well and well-to-surface paths. Synthetic data can be used to evaluate and optimize survey design and resolution prior to field data acquisition. Resolution is evaluated by computing point spread functions and can (theoretically) be made as high as desired (up to the limit imposed by wave phenomena and the noise in the data) by increasing the number of independent observations and correspondingly reducing the image voxel size. ©1994 John Wiley & Sons Inc.
The importance of spin flip in pion charge exchange reactions

Abstract Pion scattering from 3He is investigated in the context of a simple reaction model. It is shown that for energies below around 200 MeV the spin flip mode can dominate the 3He(π−, π0)3H differential cross-section at most angles, and contribute up to 50% of the total charge exchange cross-section.
Expression of voltage sensitive calcium channel (VSCC) L-type Cav1.2 (α1C) and T-type Cav3.2 (α1H) subunits during mouse bone development

Voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCCs) are key regulators of osteoblast plasma membrane Ca(2+) permeability and are under control of calcitropic hormones. Subtype specific antibodies were used to probe L-type Ca(v)1.2 (alpha(1C)) and T-type Ca(v)3.2 (alpha(1H)) subunit expression during mouse skeletal development. Commencing from E14.5 and continuing through skeletal maturity, immunoreactivity of Ca(v)1.2 (alpha(1C)) subunits was evident in regions of rapid long bone growth, including the perichondrium, periosteum, chondro-osseous junction and trabecular bones. Ca(v)3.2 (alpha(1H)) subunits appeared simultaneously and followed a similar distribution pattern. Both subunits were observed in osteoblasts and chondrocytes under high magnification. Interestingly, Ca(v)3.2 (alpha(1H)) subunits were present, but Ca(v)1.2 (alpha(1C)) subunits were absent from osteocytes. Western Blot and immunohistochemical assessment of in vitro cell culture models of osteogenesis and chondrogenesis confirmed the in vivo observations. We conclude that both L-type Ca(v)1.2 (alpha(1C)) and T-type Ca(v)3.2 (alpha(1H)) VSCCs are dynamically regulated in bones and cartilages during endochondral bone development.
Lysine 63-linked Ubiquitination Modulates Mixed Lineage Kinase-3 Interaction with JIP1 Scaffold Protein in Cytokine-induced Pancreatic β Cell Death

The mixed lineage kinase MLK3 plays a crucial role in compromising mitochondrial integrity and functions as a proapoptotic competence factor in the early stages of cytokine-induced pancreatic β cell death. In an effort to identify mechanisms that regulate MLK3 activity in β cells, we discovered that IL-1β stimulates Lys-63-linked ubiquitination of MLK3 via a conserved, TRAF6-binding peptapeptide motif in the catalytic domain of the kinase. TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination was required for dissociation of inactive monomeric MLK3 from the scaffold protein IB1/JIP1, facilitating the subsequent dimerization, autophosphorylation, and catalytic activation of MLK3. Inability to ubiquitinate MLK3, or the presence of A20, an upstream Lys-63-linked deubiquitinase, strongly curtailed the ability of MLK3 to affect the proapoptotic translocation of BAX in cytokine-stimulated pancreatic β cells, an early step in the progression toward β cell death. These studies suggest a novel mechanism for MLK3 activation and provide new clues for therapeutic intervention in promoting β cell survival.
Mass Balance on Surface-Bound, Mineralogic, and Total Lead Concentrations as Related to Industrial Aggregate Bioaccessibility

Previous investigations into lead bioavailability have focused on the solubility of the mineralogic fraction. However, the potential for surface-bound (sorbed) lead to contribute to the bioavailabl...
Immunotactoid (Microtubular) Glomerulopathy: An Entity Distinct From Fibrillary Glomerulonephritis?

Immunotactoid glomerulopathy (IT), or alternatively, microtubular glomerulopathy, is a term that has been used by some investigators to encompass those glomerulopathies characterized by the presence of fibrillar or microtubular deposits which are distinguished from amyloid principally by their larger size and lack of reactivity with the Congo red reagent. A case is presented here of IT as it was initially described. The present case, and a review of the literature, suggest that the diagnosis of IT be restricted to those glomerulopathies associated with large, at times organized, microtubular deposits. Terms such as fibrillary glomerulonephritis, or alternatively Congo red-negative amyloidosislike glomerulopathy, could then be used to describe those patients with smaller, fibrillar glomerular deposits having an appearance closely resembling amyloid. We believe it is possible to separate the entities fibrillary glomerulonephritis and IT on morphological grounds. This is a potentially useful distinction that identifies patients who are likely to have or develop clinical evidence of a lymphoplasmacytic disorder or dysproteinemia, which are associated with deposits of IT, and distinguishes them from patients with fibrillary glomerulonephritis, of whom only a single case has been linked to such clinical findings.
Tracking Time-Dependent Scalar Fields with Swarms of Mobile Sensors

In previous work, we introduced a novel swarming interpolation framework and validated its effectiveness on static fields. In this paper, we show that a slightly revised version of this framework is able to track fields that translate, rotate, or expand over time, enabling interpolation of both static and dynamic fields. Our framework can be used to control autonomous mobile sensors into flexible spatial arrangements in order to interpolate values of a field in an unknown region. The key advantage to this framework is that the stable sensor distribution can be chosen to resemble a Chebyshev distribution, which can be optimal for certain ideal geometries.
Characterization of cDNA clones for human myeloperoxidase: predicted amino acid sequence and evidence for multiple mRNA species

Abstract Myeloperoxidase is a component of the microbicidal network of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The enzyme is a tetramer consisting of two heavy and two light subunits. A large proportion of humans demonstrate genetic deficiencies in the production of myeloperoxidase. As a first step in analyzing these deficiencies in more detail, we have isolated cDNA clones for myeloperoxidase from an expression library of the HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell line. Two overlapping plasmids (pMP02 and pMP062) were identified as myeloperoxidase cDNA clones based on the detection with myeloperoxidase antiserum of 70 kDa protein expressed in pMP02-containing bacteria and a 75 kDa polypeptide produced by hybridization selection and translation using pMP062 and HL-60 RNA. Formal identification of the clones was made by matching the predicted amino acid sequences with the amino terminal sequences of the heavy and light subunits. Both subunits are encoded by one mRNA in the following order: pre-pro-sequences--light subunit--heavy subunit. The molecular weight of the predicted primary translation product is 83.7 kDa. Northern blots reveal two size classes of hybridizing RNAs (approximately 3.0-3.3 and 3.5-4.0 kilobases) whose expression is restricted to cells of the granulocytic lineage and parallels the changes in enzymatic activity observed during differentiation.
Networks and history

Events and event structures compose the constituent elements of history. In order to construct historical accounts of event sequences, historians have to make cases. This article proposes a method for casing historical events. We illustrate the analytic strategy by considering a complex population of interrelated events that make up a narrative of revolution, counter revolution, and revolution in a small village in China. Implications for the methodology of historical social science are discussed.
Time series dynamics of short-term interest rates: evidence from Eurocurrency markets

Abstract This paper presents a short-term Eurocurrency rate model that integrates dynamics from the error correction, the lagged structure, the time delay and the underlying stochastic time series patterns. From testing eight Eurocurrency rates, the evidence indicates that both the short rate and the adjoining long rate are cointegrated. Estimations of the ‘transfer function-noise model’ suggest that the change in explaining long-term interest rate and error correcting term are highly significant. As these two variables are found to have longer time lags, the error-correction model integrated with the transfer function specification is more appealing than the traditional regression model.
Assessing Ecological Condition, Vulnerability, and Restorability of a Conservation Network Under Alternative Urban Growth Policies

ABSTRACT: Landscape connectivity is vital to the ecological health of many landscapes, and identification of linkages in working landscapes that are somewhat, but not irreversibly, degraded is needed. Assessment of the current ecological condition of habitat linkages can be used to determine appropriate management activities, including restoration. Forecasting the future ecological condition of identified linkages under multiple human-use scenarios can identify future patterns of vulnerability and degradation, and thus aid in prioritization of conservation and restoration actions. We forecast the ecological condition of a modeled conservation network of cores and habitat linkages in the San Joaquin Valley, California, a highly developed agricultural area. We assessed current and projected future impacts from modeled urban growth representing seven regional urban growth policy scenarios to determine conservation and restoration priorities. We characterized current ecological condition of the linkages using...
Isolated cleft palate in A-J mice after transitory exposure to drinking-water deprivation and low humidity in pregnancy.

When pregnant A/J mice were deprived of drinking water and exposed to circulating dehumidified (dry) air for 72 h starting at gestation day 12, 39% of fetuses alive on day 17 had isolated cleft palate (CP), whereas treatment begun at day 11 gave 23% CP and at day 13 6% CP. A 48-h exposure to dry air with deprivation of drinking water gave 7% CP. Deprivation of water alone for 72 h resulted in 12% CP and for 48 h gave 2% CP, not significantly above the 1% CP in controls. All treatments increased the fetal death rate but there was no evidence of an effect on the rate of cleft lip with or without cleft palate, a spontaneous defect in A/J mice. Extraembryonic membranes of day-17 fetuses, after treatment from days 12–15, frequently showed strongly benzidine-positivt pigment in the yolk-sac cavity alongside the vitelline vessels. Only rarely vere small amounts of pigment observed in controls. It was thought to be old fetal blood. Fetal red cell and serum loss are discussed in relation to CP resulting from water deprivation and other teratogenic treatments.
A Biophysical Solution to Prevent Hemolysis Interferences

In-vivo and in-vitro hemolysis, membrane rupture of red blood cells (RBCs) and release of their contents into blood plasma, is one of the major critical issues in medicine. For in-vitro blood-based molecular diagnostics, inhibitors (hemoglobin, potassium, mRNA etc.) released from RBCs due to hemolysis during blood plasma separation can cause serious difficulties in quantitative molecular analysis with sensitivity and selectivity. Here we describe an innovative biophysical solution to prevent hemolysis in blood plasma separation devices for precision molecular diagnostics. In order to avoid biochemical interferences, RBCs are exposed to both fluidic drag force and gravitational force after the computation of transition fluid velocity from vertical up-flow to sedimentation was in the range of 1.3 to 2.5 µm/sec in the design of microfluidic separation device. A membrane filter for filtration was positioned on top of a vertical up-flow channel to reduce clogging of RBCs by gravity-assisted cells sedimentation. As a result, separated plasma volume was increased about 4-fold (2.4 µL plasma after 20 min with 38 % hematocrit human whole blood) and hemoglobin concentration in separated plasma was decreased about 90 % due to the prevention of RBCs hemolysis in comparison to a filter-in-bottom configuration. On-chip plasma contains ∼90 % of protein and ∼100 % of nucleic acids compared to off-chip centrifuged plasma, showing comparable target molecules recovery. This simple and reliable blood plasma separation platform can be easily integrated with downstream detection module for sample-to-answer POC diagnostics.
Amelioration of Marek's disease and absence of vaccine protection in immunologically deficient chickens.

MAREK'S disease (MD) is a lymphoproliferative disease of chickens which is generally considered to be neoplastic1. It is probably the most commonly occurring neoplasm of any animal and until recently it caused extensive economic loss, estimated to be in excess of 150 million dollars annually, to the poultry industry2. Several viral vaccines which will effectively prevent the disease have been developed3 and the most extensively used is a herpesvirus isolated from turkeys (HVT)4, which will prevent the disease in laboratory and field trials5,6.
Interproton coupling over dual vicinal and homoallylic paths in 4-membered rings

A study is presented of cis and trans HH coupling over dual vicinal (HCCH) and homoallylic/interbenzylic/interbenzylic (HCCCCH) paths in the series of molecules cyclobutene and benzocyclobutanes, and a series of dihydrocyclobutacenaphthylenes. Both the experimental and calculated molecular orbital results for these molecules increase in magnitude as the π-bond order of the homoallylic (interbenzylic) path decreases. These trends appear to be consistent only with homoallylic (interbenzylic) coupling contributions of negative sign. At least qualitatively, these trends can be rationalized in terms of the increase in positive contributions associated with the ππ* transitions as the energy denominators decrease in the series.
5H-Dibenzo[c,h]1,6-naphthyridin-6-ones: novel topoisomerase I-Targeting anticancer agents with potent cytotoxic activity

5H-Dibenzo[c,h]1,6-naphthyridine-6-ones can exhibit potent antitumor activity. The effect of varied substituents at the 5-position of 5H-8,9-dimethoxy-2,3-methylenedioxydibenzo[c,h]1,6-naphthyridine on relative cytotoxicity and topoisomerase I-targeting activity was evaluated. Potent TOP-1-targeting activity is observed when the 5-position is substituted with either a 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl group, as in 3a, or a 2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl substituent, 3c. In contrast, the addition of a beta-methyl group or a beta-hydroxymethyl group to compound 3a, as in 3b and 3j, results in a loss of significant TOP1-targeting activity. While the presence of a 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)propyl substituent at the 5-position or a methyl(2-tetrahydrofuranyl) group allows for retention of TOP1-targeting activity, the 2-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)ethyl analogue, 3d, did not exhibit significant activity. Replacement of the N,N-dimethylamino group of 3a with either C(2)H(5) or OH, as in 3f and 3h, respectively, also had a negative impact on both cytotoxicity and TOP1-targeting activity. Treatment of 3a with LAH gave the 5,6-dihydrodibenzo[c,h]naphthyridine, 4a. This dihydro derivative has approximately 2/3 the potency of 3a as a TOP1-targeting agent. Compounds 3a, 3b, 3h, 3i, and 4a were evaluated for antitumor activity in the human tumor xenograft model using athymic nude mice. The non-estrogen responsive breast tumor cell line, MDA-MB-435, was used in these assays. Compound 3a proved to be effective in regressing tumor growth in vivo when administered either by ip injection or orally 3x week at a dose of 2.0mg/kg. Compound 4a when administered orally 5x weekly at a dose of 40 mg/kg also suppressed tumor growth.
The DNA-dependent ATPase Activity of Yeast Nucleotide Excision Repair Factor 4 and Its Role in DNA Damage Recognition

Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAD7 and RAD16 genes function together in the nucleotide excision repair of transcriptionally inactive DNA. The RAD7- and RAD16-encoded proteins exist as a tight complex named nucleotide excision repair factor 4 or NEF4. Previously, we showed that NEF4 binds UV-damaged DNA with high specificity and with a dependence upon ATP and that inclusion of NEF4 to the reconstituted nucleotide excision repair system consisting of purified NEF1, NEF2, NEF3, and replication protein A results in marked stimulation of damage-specific DNA incision. Here we show that NEF4 possesses an ATPase activity that is entirely dependent on a DNA cofactor and that double-stranded DNA is twice as effective as single-stranded DNA in activating ATP hydrolysis. Even though DNA binding is promoted by the nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue adenosine 5′-O-(thiotriphosphate) (ATPγS), damage binding is more proficient with ATP than with ATPγS. Interestingly, UV irradiation of double-stranded DNA results in a pronounced attenuation of the ATPase activity. Taken together, our results suggest a model in which ATP hydrolysis by NEF4 fuels the translocation of NEF4 on DNA in search of UV lesions and damage binding by NEF4 leads to a down-regulation of the ATPase activity. Damage-bound NEF4 could then serve as a nucleation point for the assembly of other repair components.
Esters of 6‐(4′‐fluorobenzylamino)‐β‐ carboline‐3‐carboxylic acid as potential benzodiazepine imaging agents for P.E.T.

As potential P.E.T. imaging agents for the benzodiazepine receptor, two fluorine- 18 labeled analogues of the β-carbolines were prepared via N- alkylation of the corresponding desbenzyl amine precursors with [18F]fluorobenzyl iodide.
The Cultural Politics of Lesbian Asylum

Although asylum for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals has been on the international human rights agenda since the early to mid 1990s, lesbian asylum cases do not tend to figure centrally in analyses of the relationship between refugee law and international human rights law. While a number of regional and comparative studies of lesbian asylum exist by legal activists and scholars, a discussion of the politics of lesbian asylum claims has so far remained absent from both feminist and queer studies. In this contribution, I explore how the subject of lesbian asylum is treated within the context of film and visual media. Focusing particular attention on Angelina Maccarone's 2005 film Unveiled about an Iranian lesbian asylum-seeker, I consider the ways in which film and media might transform how we conceive of and imagine lesbian rights. As I will suggest, Unveiled offers important insights into the kinds of representational challenges that are specific to lesbian asylum claims. In this way, I argue, t...
Probing the configurational space of a metalloprotein core: an ab initio molecular dynamics study of Duo Ferro 1 binuclear Zn cofactor.

We present three theoretical models of various degree of completeness to explore the chemical phase space available to the Glu4His2Zn2 cofactor found in the four-helix bundle of de novo designed metalloprotein Duo Ferro 1. We have found that the planewave DFT geometry optimization of 94-atom Model I, which contains both the protein scaffold constraints as well as the second shell hydrogen bonding network, reproduces the crystal structure bonding with remarkable accuracy (0.34 A). Surprisingly, the geometry optimization of 66-atom Model II (lacking the second shell hydrogen bonding) and 48-atom Model III (being also free of the protein scaffold constraints) still result in the fidelity with the crystallographic structure (RMSDs 0.29 and 0.34 A, respectively). To examine whether these structures are close to the global minimum as well as to investigate various conformational transitions to which the di-Zn cofactor may be susceptible to, we have carried out a 10 ps Car−Parrinello Molecular Dynamics (CPMD) si...
Modelling skewness and elongation in financial returns: the case of exchange-traded funds

Recent studies have documented the importance of asymmetry and tail-fatness of returns on portfolio-choice, asset-pricing, value-at-risk and option-valuation models. This article explores the nature of skewness and elongation in daily Exchange-traded Fund (ETF) return distributions using g, h and (g × h) distributions. These exploratory data analytic techniques of Tukey (1977) reveal patterns that are hidden from a cursory glance at conventional measures for skewness and elongation. The g, h and (g × h) distributions provide parameter estimates that indicate substantial variation in skewness and elongation for individual ETFs; nonetheless, some trends are discovered when the funds are grouped by fund size and style of investing. Monte Carlo simulations suggest that these exploratory techniques are able to capture patterns found in commonly used Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) family of models.
Generic phytosanitary irradiation treatments

The history of the development of generic phytosanitary irradiation (PI) treatments is discussed beginning with its initial proposal in 1986. Generic PI treatments in use today are 150 Gy for all hosts of Tephritidae, 250 Gy for all arthropods on mango and papaya shipped from Australia to New Zealand, 300 Gy for all arthropods on mango shipped from Australia to Malaysia, 350 Gy for all arthropods on lychee shipped from Australia to New Zealand and 400 Gy for all hosts of insects other than pupae and adult Lepidoptera shipped to the United States. Efforts to develop additional generic PI treatments and reduce the dose for the 400 Gy treatment are ongoing with a broad based 5-year, 12-nation cooperative research project coordinated by the joint Food and Agricultural Organization/International Atomic Energy Agency Program on Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture. Key groups identified for further development of generic PI treatments are Lepidoptera (eggs and larvae), mealybugs and scale insects. A dose of 250 Gy may suffice for these three groups plus others, such as thrips, weevils and whiteflies.
THICKNESS VARIATION COMPENSATION IN A FABRY-PEROT MODULATOR ARRAY USING A SELF-TUNED FABRY-PEROT STRUCTURE

A method is presented for compensating cavity thickness variations in conventional Fabry–Perot devices through the replacement of the input mirror with a holographic mirror, resulting in a self-tuned Fabry–Perot (STFP) device. The technique is suitable for integrating large arrays of electro-optic Fabry–Perot modulators with silicon circuitry. Experimental results of a STFP modulator are presented showing cavity thickness compensation of an electrooptic 9/65/35 bulk lead lanthanum zirconate titanate crystal having thickness variations corresponding to ∼6 Fabry–Perot fringes in a 2.5×2.5 mm2 area. The compensated modulator used an in situ recorded Fe-doped LiNbO3 holographic mirror, and had a uniform backreflection over a 2.5×2.5 mm2 area.