bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Studies of a Cerebral Disorder of Young Chickens
Authors: Delaplane John P. , Stuart H. O. , Hart C. P.
Published: October 2006

Chicks fed a diet in which corn was the principal ingredient, in contrast to other rations employed, were the only ones in which the typical nervous disorders were noted and typical brain lesions observed upon autopsy.

The preliminary data at hand, although not of a definite nature, would seem to indicate that some factor or factors of the corn used were responsible or at least contributory to this disorder.
Melatonin: Daily Cycle in Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid of Calves
Authors: Hedlund Laurence , Lischko Michael M. , Rollag Mark D. , Niswender Gordon D.
Published: October 2006

Melatonin was measured by radioimmunoassay in jugular vein plasma and lateral ventricle cerebrospinal fluid collected from calves at 12 times of the day and night. Melatonin in cerebrospinal fluid increased 17-fold from an average (± standard error) of 38 ± 8 picograms per milliliter during the day to an average of 637 ± 133 picograms per milliliter during the night (
P
< .001). Plasma concentrations of melatonin increased sixfold from an average, per milliliter, of 19 ± 4 picograms during the day to 121 ± 24 picograms during the night (
P
<.001).
Acute Systemic Effects of Cocaine in Man: A Controlled Study by Intranasal and Intravenous Routes
Authors: Resnick Richard B. , Kestenbaum Richard S. , Schwartz Lee K.
Published: October 2006

Nineteen healthy volunteer subjects who regularly administered cocaine to themselves were given placebo and 10 and 25 milligrams of cocaine hydrochloride intravenously and intranasally. A dose of 100 milligrams of cocaine was administered only by the intranasal route. By this route 10 milligrams of cocaine produced no changes different from placebo, and 25 milligrams of cocaine produced physiologic changes only in systolic blood pressure. The 100-milligram dose given intranasally and all of the doses given intravenously produced significant dose-related physiologic and subjective responses.
Two Open Complexes and a Requirement for Mg
2+
to Open the λP
R
Transcription Start Site
Authors: Suh Won-Chul , Ross Wilma , Record M. Thomas
Published: October 2006

Potassium permanganate (KMnO
4
) footprinting in the absence and presence of magnesium (Mg
2+
) at the λPR promoter identified two different open complexes with
Escherichia coli
Eσ
70
RNA polymerase (designated RP
o1
and RP
o2
). The single-stranded region in RP
o1
(formed in the absence of Mg
2+
) was at most 12 bases long, whereas that in RP
o2
(formed in the presence of Mg
2+
) spanned at least 14 bases. Only in RP
o2
did the single-stranded region extend to the start point of transcription (+1, +2). These results provide a structural basis for the requirement for uptake of Mg
2+
in the formation of RP
o2
from RP
o1
, as deduced from kinetic studies at this promoter.
Reversal of Left-Right Asymmetry: a Situs Inversus Mutation
Authors: Yokoyama Takahiko , Copeland Neal G. , Jenkins Nancy A. , Montgomery Charles A. , Elder Frederick F. B. , Overbeek Paul A.
Published: October 2006

A recessive mutation was identified in a family of transgenic mice that resulted in a reversal of left-right polarity (situs inversus) in 100 percent of the homozygous transgenic mice tested. Sequences that flanked the transgenic integration site were cloned and mapped to mouse chromosome 4, between the
Tsha
and
Hxb
loci. During early embryonic development, the direction of postimplantation turning, one of the earliest manifestations of left-right asymmetry, was reversed in homozygous transgenic embryos. This insertional mutation identifies a gene that controls embryonic turning and visceral left-right polarity.
Agricultural Research in China. II
Authors: Hayes H. K.
Published: October 2006

The rapid expansion of agricultural research in China in recent years is one indication of the widespread interest among Chinese leaders in improving the living conditions of the people. The present tendency is to work primarily on problems of an immediate practical importance. With the basic farm crops the immediate end in view is to make China self-sufficient. There is, however, in China a growing appreciation of the value of agricultural research as one means of helping to develop efficiency in agriculture.
The Biological and Social Phenomenon of Lyme Disease
Authors: Barbour Alan G. , Fish Durland
Published: October 2006

Lyme disease, unknown in the United States two decades ago, is now the most common arthropod-borne disease in the country and has caused considerable morbidity in several suburban and rural areas. The emergence of this disease is in part the consequence of the reforestation of the northeastern United States and the rise in deer populations. Unfortunately, an accurate estimation of its importance to human and animal health has not been made because of difficulties in diagnosis and inadequate surveillance activities. Strategies for prevention of Lyme disease include vector control and vaccines.
A Luminous Bacterium That Emits Yellow Light
Authors: Ruby Edward G. , Nealson Kenneth H.
Published: October 2006

A strain of
Photobacterium fischeri
that emits yellow light has been isolated from seawater. The bimodal spectrum, which is unique among the luminous bacteria, consists of a major band with a maximum at 545 nanometers and a minor band with a maximum at 500 nanometers. The former represents a heretofore unreported range of emission for luminous bacteria, while the latter coincides with the emission spectrum of typical blue-green-emitting strains of
P. fischeri
. The relative contributions of these two bands to the total in vivo luminescence changes as a function of ambient temperature. When luciferase is extracted and luminescence observed in vitro, the emission is entirely blue-green, identical with that of luciferase isolated from other strains of
P. fischeri
.
Determination of Ultra-Violet Light Absorption by Certain Bacteriophages
Authors: Sandholzer Leslie A. , Mann Marvin M. , Berry George Packer
Published: October 2006

The absorption of ultra-violet light by three bacteriophages C13, C16 and C36, prepared with a strain of
Escherichia communior
has been determined. Each bacteriophage preparation showed a characteristic absorption curve, when the wave-length was plotted against the photographic density. Crude bacteriophage preparations absorbed more light than one such preparation obtained in a purer state, but the wavelength of maximum absorption remained the same.
Cannabinoids Inhibit Testosterone Secretion by Mouse Testes in Vitro
Authors: Dalterio S. , Bartke A. , Burstein S.
Published: October 2006

Addition of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or cannabinol to an incubation medium containing decapsulated mouse testes caused a significant reduction in the accumulation of testosterone in the medium. This result suggests that the reported effects of cannabis on male sexual and reproductive function may result from direct inhibition of testicular steroidogenesis by both psychoactive and nonpsychoactive constituents of marihuana.
Adriamycin: The Role of Lipid Peroxidation in Cardiac Toxicity and Tumor Response
Authors: Myers Charles E. , McGuire William P. , Liss Robert H. , Ifrim Ina , Grotzinger Karen , Young Robert C.
Published: October 2006

The antitumor antibiotic, adriamycin, induces severe cardiac toxicity associated with peroxidation of cardiac lipids in mice. Both this lipid peroxidation and cardiac toxicity of adriamycin are reduced by prior treatment of the animals with the free radical scavenger tocopherol. Such treatment with tocopherol does not, however, alter the magnitude or duration of the adriamycin-induced suppression of DNA synthesis in P388 ascites tumor, nor does it diminish the antitumor responsiveness of P388 ascites tumor. These results suggest that adriamycin has at least two mechanisms of tissue damage: one, which involves lipid peroxidation, is blocked by tocopherol and results in cardiac toxicity; the other, which involves binding to DNA, is not antagonized by tocopherol and is responsible for tumor response.
Age-Related Changes in the Hepatic Endoplasmic Reticulum: A Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Schumucker Douglas L. , Mooney Jill Sapinsley , Jones Albert L.
Published: October 2006

Morphometric analysis demonstrated a twofold increase in the surface area of the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum in Fischer 344 rats between 1 and 20 months of age, followed by a significant decrease in this parameter between 20 and 30 months. These changes are attributed to the smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, since neither the rough-surfaced variety nor the Golgi membranes underwent any significant change in surface area as a function of the age of the animal.
Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide Occurs in Nerves of the Female Genitourinary Tract
Authors: Larsson L.-I. , Fahrenkrug J. , Schaffalitzky de Muckadell O. B.
Published: October 2006

The vasoactive intestinal polypeptide occurs in a richly developed population of nerves that are abundant in the female genitourinary organs. In pigs, cats, rats, and mice these nerves seem to innervate vessels and smooth musculature. Evidence indicates that vasoactive intestinal polypeptide represents a peptide neurotransmitter. Its effects on uterine blood flow and contractility, for example, may be considerable.
Carcinogenic Risk Assessment
Authors: Cornfield Jerome
Published: October 2006

Carcinogenic risk assessment involves a mixture of statistical, scientific, and public policy considerations. Concepts in current use, such as "no observed effect levels" and "virtual safety," and the problems in implementing them by means of dose-response models, particularly the probit-log dose and linear models are reviewed. The upper limits to risk provided by some conservative procedures are inconsistent with coherent balancing of risks and benefits. A common basis to the dose-response curves describing both carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic effects is to be found in deactivating reactions. A simplified model in which a toxic substance is activated and deactivated in separate and simultaneous reactions is presented and the dose response curve implied by the model is deduced. This curve has the general form of a hockey stick, with the striking part flat or nearly flat until the dose administered saturates the deactivation system, after which the probability of a response rises rapidly. Such a curve describes the Bryan-Shimkin methylcholanthrene-tumor incidence dose response curve as well as the probit log-dose model. The concept of a saturation dose is relevant to risk assessments for carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic substances alike.
Fenfluramine and Fluoxetine Spare Protein Consumption While Suppressing Caloric Intake by Rats
Authors: Wurtman Judith J. , Wurtman Richard J.
Published: October 2006

The effects of fenfluramine and other anorectic drugs on the consumption of both protein and total calories by rats given simultaneous access to two isocaloric diets containing 5 or 45 percent casein were examined. Anorectic doses of fenfluramine failed to decrease protein intake but increased the proportion of total dietary calories represented by protein. In contrast, anorectic doses of d-amphetamine decreased protein and calorie consumption proportionately. Subanorectic doses of fenfluramine also increased the proportion of caloric intake represented by protein among animals given prior treatment with the serotonin precursor tryptophan. Fluoxetine, a drug that blocks reuptake of serotonin, similarly spared protein consumption while reducing caloric intake. These observations indicate that two distinct brain mechanisms, sensitive to different drugs, underlie the elective consumption of protein and calories.
Sex and the Single Hemisphere: Specialization of the Right Hemisphere for Spatial Processing
Authors: Witelson Sandra F.
Published: October 2006

Specialization of the right hemisphere for spatial processing was studied in 200 normal boys and girls between 6 and 13 years of age. Boys performed in a manner consistent with right hemisphere specialization as early as the age of 6. Girls showed evidence of bilateral representation until the age of 13. The results suggest a sexual dimorphism in the neural organization underlying cognition during a major period of childhood. The results, which have implications for reading instruction, are discussed in terms of a possible sex difference in neural plasticity during development and the clinical consequences of such a difference.
Thromboxanes: Selective Biosynthesis and Distinct Biological Properties
Authors: Needleman Philip , Minkes Mark , Raz Amiram
Published: October 2006

The prostaglandin endoperoxide ring structure alone does not establish suitability as a substrate for thromboxane synthetase, but the degree of unsaturation and carbon chain length are also essential features. Thus, human platelet microsomes can synthesize thromboxane A
2
, thromboxane A
3
, but not thromboxane A
1
from their respective endoperoxides. The potent vasoconstrictor property of thromboxanes can be dissociated from its capacity to produce platelet aggregation. Furthermore, thromboxane formation is not an essential process in platelet aggregation. The observations indicate the remarkable structural specificity of both the synthetic enzymes, cyclooxygenase and thromboxane synthetase, as well as the vascular and platelet receptor sites.
Malaria: Successful Immunization Against the Sexual Stages of
Plasmodium gallinaceum
Authors: Gwadz Robert W.
Published: October 2006

Gametocyte infectivity and oocyst development of the avian malaria parasite,
Plasmodium gallinaceum
, can be reduced or eliminated in mosquitoes by immunizing the chickens on which the mosquitoes feed with infected red blood cells that have been treated with formalin or x-rays. Protection of the mosquito appears to be related to the immobilization of the microgametes in its gut and is associated with the immunoglobulin G fraction of serum.
Mechanism of Sulfonamide Action. II. Inhibition of Bacterial Respiration by Sulfanilamide and by Its Inactive Isomers
Authors: Wyss Orville , Strandskov Frede B. , Schmelkes Franz C.
Published: October 2006

These data indicate that the inhibition of bacterial respiration is not a suitable criterion for the presence or absence of true sulfonamide activity.
Abnormal Auditory Evoked Potentials in Early Infancy Malnutrition
Authors: Barnet Ann B. , Weiss Ira P. , Sotillo Marta V. , Ohlrich Elizabeth S. , Shkurovich Z. Mario , Cravioto Joaquin
Published: October 2006

Computer-averaged auditory evoked potentials were found to be abnormal in infants hospitalized because of severe malnutrition (marasmus). They improved as the infants' somatic growth improved during the course of treatment, but were still deviant at the time of discharge from the hospital and at subsequent outpatient follow-up. Abnormalities in evoked potentials may reflect a long-lasting effect of malnutrition on brain function.
Quantitative Micro-Estimation of Antibodies in the Sera of Man and Other Animals
Authors: Heidelberger Michael , MacPherson Catherine F. C.
Published: October 2006

A micro-method is described by which as little as 10γ of specific precipitate nitrogen may be determined with a fair degree of accuracy. The error in repeated determinations is about ± 2γ.
NETWORK-BASED SIMULATION APPROACH FOR SCHEDULING TRAINS ON RAIL NETWORKS
Authors: LI KE PING , GAO ZI YOU
Published: October 2006

Simulations for the train schedule on a rail network is strongly characterized by the dynamics of train movement. In the past, several simulation approaches have been proposed in this aspect, however, they had not gotten a satisfactory result. This paper presents an approach with which a network model is considered for the simuleting the train schedule on rail networks. Here the stations and section tracks of the rail network are respectively regarded as the nodes and edges of the network model. Using the proposed model, we simulate the train schedule with double-track sections. The simulation results indicate that the proposed model can be successfully used for the simulations of the train schedule on a rail networks. Some phenomena observed in real rail networks can be reproduced, such as the characteristic behavior of train movement. Moreover, the proposed model can handle the perturbations in the train schedule well.
A Stochastic Framework for Evaluating Seizure Prediction Algorithms Using Hidden Markov Models
Authors: Wong Stephen , Gardner Andrew B. , Krieger Abba M. , Litt Brian
Published: October 2006

Responsive, implantable stimulation devices to treat epilepsy are now in clinical trials. New evidence suggests that these devices may be more effective when they deliver therapy before seizure onset. Despite years of effort, prospective seizure prediction, which could improve device performance, remains elusive. In large part, this is explained by lack of agreement on a statistical framework for modeling seizure generation and a method for validating algorithm performance. We present a novel stochastic framework based on a three-state hidden Markov model (HMM) (representing interictal, preictal, and seizure states) with the feature that periods of increased seizure probability can transition back to the interictal state. This notion reflects clinical experience and may enhance interpretation of published seizure prediction studies. Our model accommodates clipped EEG segments and formalizes intuitive notions regarding statistical validation. We derive equations for type I and type II errors as a function of the number of seizures, duration of interictal data, and prediction horizon length and we demonstrate the model's utility with a novel seizure detection algorithm that appeared to predicted seizure onset. We propose this framework as a vital tool for designing and validating prediction algorithms and for facilitating collaborative research in this area.
Factors Affecting Human IgE and IgG Responses to Allergen-Like Schistosoma mansoni Antigens: Molecular Structure and Patterns of in vivo Exposure
Authors: Fitzsimmons Colin M. , McBeath Rowena , Joseph Sarah , Jones Frances M. , Walter Klaudia , Hoffmann Karl F. , Kariuki H. Curtis , Mwatha Joseph K. , Kimani Guchuhi , Kabatereine Narcis B. , Vennervald Birgitte J. , Ouma John H. , Dunne David W.
Published: October 2006

Background: The human IgE response is associated with allergy and with host defence against parasitic worms. A response to Sm22.6, the dominant IgE antigen in adult Schistosoma mansoni worms, correlates with resistance to re-infection after treatment. Sm22.6 is one of a family of EF-hand containing parasite proteins with sequence similarity to dynein light chain (DLC) and with major non-parasite allergens. Here we compare human IgE and IgG responses to other family members, Sm20.8 and Sm21.7, as well as to SmDLC1, relating these to antigen structure and expression in parasite life stages. Methods: Recombinant antigens were used in ELISA to measure antibody isotype responses in 177 cases from an endemic area, before and 7 weeks after treatment. Parasite antigen expression was assessed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results: Levels of antibodies to Sm22.6 and Sm20.8 (but not to Sm21.7 or SmDLC1) showed posttreatment increases in all but young children. Many produced IgE to Sm22.6 and Sm20.8 (2 EF-hands), few to Sm21.7 (1 EF-hand) or SmDLC1 (no EF-hands). Sm21.7 was expressed in cercariae, adults and eggs, Sm22.6 and Sm20.8 were concentrated in the adult. Conclusions: These studies suggest that IgE antigens Sm22.6 and Sm20.8 are only released to boost antibodies when adult worms die, whilst Sm21.7 and SmDLC1 are released constantly from eggs dying in host tissue. IgE responses to these allergen-like molecules may be influenced by patterns of exposure and the number of EF-hand motifs.
The Association of Colour Flow Doppler Sonography and Conventional Ultrasonography Improves the Diagnosis of Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Appetecchia M. , Solivetti F.M.
Published: October 2006

Objective: In the present study, we compared the results of conventional ultrasonography (US) and colour flow Doppler sonography (CFDS) with those of US guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and of pathologic staging of resected thyroid nodules, to assess the relative importance of US and CFDS in discriminating malignant thyroid nodules. Subjects and Study Design: We retrospectively reviewed records of 230 patients submitted to US-guided FNAB before surgery for solitary, not hot thyroid nodules. Before US guided FNAB, they were examined with conventional US and CFDS. Conventional US evaluated nodule size, echogenicity, presence of halo sign and microcalcifications. CFDS evaluated the vascular pattern classified as types I, II and III. Twenty-seven patients with inadequate cytology were excluded from this study (11.7%). Results: Two hundred and three patients underwent surgery. At histology a thyroid carcinoma was found in 36 patients (17.7%) and a benign nodule was observed in 167 patients (82.3%). We did not find any difference in cancer prevalence between nodules with a primary tumour size ≤1 cm and those >1 cm (17.6 vs. 17.7%; p = 0.99). A solid echo texture was not statistically significant to suggest malignancy (p = 0.32). Microcalcifications were seen in 83.3% (30/36) of malignant nodules and in33.5% (56/167) ofbenign nodules. These results were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The type III flow as determined by CFDS was a statistically significant criterion to suggest malignant disease (p < 0.005). The most predictive findings of malignancy on conventional US was the combination of microcalcifications plus the absence of halo sign (sensitivity 75%, specificity 71.9%, p < 0.0001). The combination of an absence of halo sign on conventional US and a type III pattern on CFDS presented the higher sensitivity (83.3%) for malignancy with a specificity of 43.7%. Microcalcifications on US in combination with a type III CFDS pattern showed a lesser sensitivity (80.6%) with an improved specificity (75.4%). In our opinion, the better balanced combination of US and CFDS features was the absence of halo sign plus microcalcifications and a type III CDFS pattern (sensitivity 72.2%, specificity 77.2%). Conclusions: The combination of conventional US and CFDS provides benefits in increasing the screening sensitivity and accuracy in distinguishing malignant thyroid nodules.
The Attitudes of Greek Teachers and Trainee Teachers Towards the Development of School Psychological and Counselling Services
Authors: Dimakos Ioannis C.
Published: October 2006

The purpose of the present study was to investigate what active as well as student teachers (i.e. future teachers) think about the provision of school psychological and counselling services within Greek elementary schools. Two hundred and eight active teachers and university students were asked to complete a Likert-type questionnaire rating the importance of nine roles and activities typically performed by a school psychologist. Results suggested that both active teachers and students regarded all activities very importantly with the exception of school-community liaison, an activity considered not so important by either side. However, student respondents differed from active teachers in how much importance they attributed to each activity. Given the structure and organization of the Greek educational system, the presence of additional support personnel is highly regarded by teachers who have been serving in it for several years. It is also encouraging to note a similar attitude in the responses of future teachers. Implications for educational policy regarding such additional personnel are considered.
Middle School Students’ Preferences for Anti-Bullying Interventions
Authors: Crothers Laura M. , Kolbert Jered B. , Barker William F.
Published: October 2006

In this study, 285 middle school students in the United States were surveyed to obtain their preferences regarding anti-bullying intervention strategies. Participants rated their preferences for 15 common anti-bullying intervention strategies involving teachers, students, and non-teaching staff. The strategies were generated based on a review of the literature. Overall, students rated seven of the 15 strategies as being ‘sometimes’ or ‘almost always’ helpful. Participants tended to prefer intervention strategies in which teachers effectively managed their classrooms, thereby deterring bullying, as well as providing direct assistance to students. The results were also suggestive of students desiring teachers to be proactive in helping them solve bully-victim conflicts. Students tended not to prefer strategies that involved non-teaching staff.
Acoustic neuroma surgery with emphasis on preservation of hearing
Authors: Cohen Noel L.
Published: October 2006

A review is presented of 37 cerebellopontine angle tumors surgically removed between 1973 and 1978 by the author at the New York University Medical Center. A diagnostic protocol is outlined: An acoustic PEG (small volume pneumoencephalogram with polytomography) is utilized where a medium to large tumor is suspected, and a Pantopaque fossagram for the smaller tumors. Indications are given for the middle fossa, translabyrinthine and suboccipital approaches, depending on tumor size and level of hearing. Hearing was successfully preserved at or near the preoperative level in 3 of 6 extracanalicular tumors operated upon using the suboccipital microsurgical approach. Audiometric data are given, demonstrating the preservation of hearing. The surgical technique is described. There were no fatalities in the entire series. The incidence of permanent facial nerve palsy was 8%. Nerve palsy occurred in large tumors only.
Mm of normal or cancerous laryngeal cartilages: Histopathologic correlation
Authors: Castelijns Jonas A. , Gerritsen Geerten J. , Kaiser Marc C. , Valk Jaap , Jansen Wicher , Meyer Chris J. L. M. , Snow Gordon B.
Published: October 2006

MRI appearances of laryngeal cartilages, normal or invaded by cancer, are still relatively unfamiliar to most clinicians. Twelve primary laryngeal tumors out of a series of 65 patients which have been investigated by MRI were examined postoperatively by macroscopic and microscopic sectioning of the surgical specimens. Images were obtained with a 0.6 Tesla superconductive system using a solenoid surface coil. The authors emphasize the value of a combined use of T1‐weighted and balanced (relatively T2‐weighted images with still T1‐characteristics) Spin Echo images. T1‐weighted images permit differentiation between pathological and normal bone marrow. Balanced images allow separation between nonossified cartilage and tumor tissue. MRI is an additional tool in the diagnostic workup of cartilage invasion by tumor.
That florid, swaggering gesture: Faulkners Thomas Sutpen as Southern Writer
Authors: Robinson Owen
Published: October 2006

This paper considers Absalom, Absalom!'s Thomas Sutpen as an artist figure, discussing his life in terms of Bakhtin's continual mutual interaction between work and world. By treating Sutpen's career as a self-constructed narrative, we can assess anew both his rise and fall, and
the extent to which he can be called a representative Southerner.
For a European Strategy at the turn of the Century
Authors: Rodrigues Maria Joo
Published: October 2006

At the dawn of the twenty-first century we must begin to think in the long term. With this endeavour in mind, the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union initiated a special interaction between the scientific and the political agenda. The purpose of this introduction is to reveal how this cross-fertilization was developed - leading to a new European strategy that aims to create a knowledge economy that is more competitive and socially cohesive. The main political dilemmas, the main theoretical issues, the new proposals and, finally, the political outcomes will be presented, providing a preliminary framework for what follows.
Science, culture and policy in Portugal: a triangle of changing relationships?
Authors: Gonalves Maria Eduarda , Castro Paula
Published: October 2006

The main objective of this paper is to analyse scientific culture as a new policy issue in Portugal, against the background of recent trends in the area of studies called Public Understanding of Science (PUS). We begin by drawing a brief historical overview of the PUS area, and of the
Portuguese case in particular. We proceed to examine the relationships that the public at large, the political institutions and the mass media have maintained with science during the last decades in Portugal. These relationships show a trend from isolation to integration. We conclude that
the current situation in Portugal is one of coexistence of contradictory and sometimes paradoxical discourses and practices in what concerns the public of understanding science, science-policy relations and science-public interactions.
The Sociology of Law as a sub-discipline of sociology
Authors: Guibentif Pierre
Published: October 2006

The division of sociology into different sub-disciplines plays an important role in the discipline's development, and the establishment of a particular sub-discipline has strategic and cognitive implications for those engaged in the research of the particular topic in question, as well
as for sociology in general. This is why the choice of actively contributing to such a field deserves to be thoroughly discussed. The present paper tackles the case of sociology of law, a sub-discipline whose position between jurisprudence and social sciences has always been rather uncomfortable,
but whose relevance is hardly questionable at a time of rapid change in the contents, modes of dissemination and implementation of social norms.
Manoeuvring and vibration reduction of a flexible spacecraft integrating optimal sliding mode controller and distributed piezoelectric sensors/actuators
Authors: Hu Qinglei , Ma Guangfu
Published: October 2006

This investigation is to apply optimal sliding mode (OSM) control theory and distributed piezoelectric sensor/actuator technology to vibration control of a flexible spacecraft. An approximate analytical dynamic model of a slewing flexible spacecraft with surface‐bonded piezoelectric sensors/actuators is developed using Hamilton's principle with discretization by assumed model method. To satisfy pointing requirements and simultaneously suppress vibration, two separate control loops are adopted. The first uses the piezoceramics as sensors and actuators to actively suppress certain flexible modes by designing a positive position feedback (PPF) compensators that add damping to the flexible structures in certain critical modes in the inner feedback loop; then a second feedback loop is designed using OSM control to slew the spacecraft. The OSM controller minimizes the expected value of a quadratic objective function consisting of only the states with the constraints that the error states always remain on the intersection of sliding surfaces. The advantage in this method is that the vibration reduction and attitude control are achieved separately in the two separate feedback loops, allowing the pointing requirements and simultaneous vibrations suppression to be satisfied independently of one another. An additional attraction of the design method is that the selection of PPF gain is determined by introducing a cost function to be minimized by the feedback gains which are subject to the stability criterion at the same time, such that the feedback gains are selected in a more systematical way to avoid the arbitrary selecting of feedback gains. The proposed control strategy has been implemented on a flexible spacecraft, which is a hub with a cantilever flexible beam appendage and can undergo a single axis rotation. Both analytical and numerical results are presented to show the theoretical and practical merits of this approach. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Novel Nitrite Amperometric Sensor and Its Application in Food Analysis
Authors: Yang Chunhai , Lu Qing , Hu Shengshui
Published: October 2006

Brilliant cresyl blue (BCB), one of the phenoxazine dyes, was electropolymerized on the glassy carbon (GC) electrode. The resulting electroactive polymer film could provide more active sites for anodic oxidation of nitrite, based on which a novel nitrite sensor was developed. The optimized fabrication and sensing conditions were investigated. This sensor exhibited high sensitivity, low detection limit and simple operation toward the electrochemical oxidation of nitrite. It was successfully applied to the determination of nitrite in some food samples and the results were consistent with those obtained with the standard spectrophotometric procedure.
Identification of fibers at risk for degeneration by diffusion tractography in patients at high risk for MS after a clinically isolated syndrome
Authors: Simon Jack H. , Zhang Song , Laidlaw David H. , Miller David E. , Brown Mark , Corboy John , Bennett Jeffrey
Published: October 2006

Purpose

Focal inflammatory/demyelinating lesions are thought to be the source of Wallerian degeneration or other injury to local, transiting fiber tracts in the brain or spinal cord in multiple sclerosis (MS). A methodology is established to isolate connections between focal demyelinating lesions and intersecting fibers to permit explicit analyses of the pathology of secondary fiber injury distant from the focal lesion.

Materials and Methods

A strategy is described and feasibility demonstrated in three patients with a clinically isolated syndrome and positive MRI (at high risk for MS). The strategy utilizes streamtube diffusion tractography to identify neuronal fibers that intersect a focal lesion and pass through a region of interest, in this case the corpus callosum, where distal (to focal lesion) interrogation can be accomplished.

Results

A sizeable fraction of the normal appearing white matter (NAWM) in the early stages of disease can be defined in the corpus callosum, which is distinctive in that this tissue connects to distant demyelinating lesions.

Conclusion

The new class of tissue called fibers‐at‐risk for degeneration (FAR) can be identified and interrogated by a variety of quantitative MRI methodologies to better understand neuronal degeneration in MS. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improving the performance of hot-electron bolometers and solid state coolers with disordered alloys
Authors: Taskinen L. J. , Maasilta I. J.
Published: October 2006

Normal metal-insulator-superconductor tunnel junctions were used as thermometers at sub-Kelvin temperatures to study the electron-phonon (e-p) interaction in thin aluminum films doped with manganese, as a function of manganese concentration. The temperature dependence of the e-p interaction is consistent with an existing theory for disordered metals. The strength of the interaction decreases with increasing manganese concentration, providing a means to improve sensitivity of detectors and the base temperature of solid state coolers.
P2BAT: a massive parallel implementation of PBAT for genome-wide association studies in R
Authors: Hoffmann Thomas , Lange Christoph
Published: October 2006

Summary: The software tool P2BAT provides a massive parallel and user friendly implementation of the PBAT-analysis tools for family-based association tests (FBATs) in large-scale studies, including genome-wide association studies with several thousand subjects. Built on the original PBAT-implementation of the Lange–Van Steen algorithm to bypass the multiple testing problem in family-based association studies, P2BAT integrates all PBAT-analysis tools for binary and complex traits into R and makes them accessible through a user-friendly GUI. The genome-wide analysis tools are fully automated and can be ran massively parallel directly through the GUI. P2BAT is fully documented and contains graphical output tools for time-to-onset analysis. P2BAT also features the ability to test for gene and environment/drug interaction.

Availability: The P2BAT package is available as the R package ‘pbatR’ which can be downloaded from . The PBAT-software is available at .

Contact:  thoffman@hsph.harvard.edu
Hand‐held pulsed photothermal radiometry system to estimate epidermal temperature rise during laser therapy
Authors: Jung Byungjo , Kim Chang‐Seok , Choi Bernard , Stuart Nelson J.
Published: October 2006

Background/purpose: During laser therapy of port wine stain (PWS) birthmarks in human skin, measurement of the epidermal temperature rise (ΔTepi) is important to determine the maximal permissible light dose. In order to measure ΔTepi on a specific PWS skin site, we developed an AC‐coupled hand‐held pulsed photothermal radiometry (PPTR) system, which overcomes the in vivo measurement limitations of bench‐top systems.

Methods: The developed hand‐held PPTR system consists of an infrared (IR) lens, AC‐coupled thermoelectrically cooled IR detector, laser hand‐piece holder, and positioning aperture. The raw AC‐coupled signal was integrated to obtain a higher signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). The experimental temperature difference (ΔT) calibration was compared with theoretical computations. In vitro and in vivo measurements of ΔT were performed with a tissue phantom as a function of radiant exposure and human subject as a function of melanin concentration, respectively.

Results: The integrated AC‐coupled signal provided higher SNR as compared with the raw AC‐coupled signal. The experimental ΔT calibration resulted in good agreements with the theoretical results. The in vitro and in vivo results also presented good agreements with theory.

Conclusions: A fiber‐free, hand‐held AC‐coupled PPTR system is capable of accurate epidermis temperature rise (ΔTepi) measurements of human skin during pulsed laser exposure.
Isolation, molecular cloning and in vitro expression of rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) prominin‐1.s1 complementary DNA encoding a potential hematopoietic stem cell antigen
Authors: Husain S. M. , Shou Y. , Sorrentino B. P. , Handgretinger R.
Published: October 2006

Human prominin‐1 (CD133 or AC133) is an important cell surface marker used to isolate primitive hematopoietic stem cells. The commercially available antibody to human prominin‐1 does not recognize rhesus prominin‐1. Therefore, we isolated, cloned and characterized the complementary DNA (cDNA) of rhesus prominin‐1 gene and determined its coding potential. Following the nomenclature of prominin family of genes, we named this cDNA as rhesus prominin‐1.s1. The amino acid sequence data of the putative rhesus prominin‐1.s1 could be used in designing antigenic peptides to raise antibodies for use in isolation of pure populations of rhesus prominin‐1+ hematopoietic cells. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no previously published report about the isolation of a prominin‐1 cDNA from rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BRAIN AND KIDNEY GLYCOLIPIDS IN METACHROMATIC LEUCODYSTROPHY*
Authors: Malone Michael J. , Stoffyn Pierre
Published: October 2006

Sulphatides and cerebrosides from white matter of brains of patients with metachromatic leucodystrophy (MLD) have been isolated and compared in fatty acid composition to those glycolipids found in MLD kidney tissue. A marked difference in glycolipid composition was found between the brain and kidney tissues. The sulphatides accumulated in MLD kidney have the same fatty acid profile as those found in normal kidney tissue and are typical‘kidney sulphatides.’The neutral glycolipids of MLD kidney retain larger amounts of the longer chain acids than do the cerebrosides of MLD brain white matter and thus resemble more closely in fatty acid composition, glycolipids of normal tissue.

Structurally, the sulfate group is located at the C‐3 position of the galactose molecule in sulphatides from normal and MLD tissue.

As in the brain white matter, the sulphatides which accumulate in the kidney tissue of patients with MLD are normal in structure and composition.
EFFECT OF RESERPINE ADMINISTERED DURING INFANCY ON BRAIN CATECHOLAMINES AND ADULT BEHAVIOUR IN THE RAT*
Authors: Kulkarni A. S. , Thompson T. , Shideman F. E.
Published: October 2006

Reserpine (0.1 mg/kg/day) was administered to rats from 11 through 30 days of age. During and after administration of reserpine, concentrations of catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine, in the brain were estimated. Levels of catecholamines were about 30 per cent of normal during the period of reserpine administration. Approximately 3 weeks were required for these levels to return to normal. When animals were 95‐100 days of age, they were deprived of food and were trained to press a bar for food. When the rate of responding became stable, the animals were subjected to three successive extinctions at daily intervals and the increase in response rate after the onset of each extinction was determined. This extinction‐induced increase in response rate was greater for previously reserpinized animals than controls during the second and third extinctions, but not the first. These findings are interpreted as a decreased ability of the animals, reserpinized during infancy, to learn to respond discriminatively during non‐reinforcement (extinction). Thus, an effect of reserpine administration during infancy on a type of behaviour in the adult has been demonstrated. This occurs after the catecholamine‐depleting effect of the reserpine has been fully dissipated.
IN VIVO INCORPORATION OF l‐[14C]SERINE INTO PHOSPHOLIPIDS AND PROTEINS OF THE SUBCELLULAR FRACTIONS OF DEVELOPING RAT BRAIN*
Authors: Abdel‐Latif Ata A. , Abood Leo G.
Published: October 2006

A study was conducted on the in vivo incorporation of l‐[14C]‐serine into the lipids and proteins of the various subcellular fractions of the developing rat brain before and during the stage of active myelination. The total radioactivity in the various fractions at 12 days of age was higher than that at 3 days, while the radioactive specific activity was reversed. The specific activities of the proteins and lipids were higher at 3 days of age with the exception of the subcellular fraction containing myelin. At both ages the lipids of the various cellular fractions had similar specific activities, a finding that suggests a common source for lipid biosynthesis. Incorporation of radioactivity into the various phospholipids was in the following order: phosphatidyl serine > phosphatidyl ethanolamine > phosphatidal serine > sphingomyelin and phosphatidyl choline. Of all the phospholipids, the plasmalogens increased most in total radioactivity during the period when meylination was most active. Serine‐containing phospholipids appear to be most tightly bound to proteins. The brain mitochrondrial fraction contained most of the phosphatidyl serine decarboxylase activity with some activity in the nuclei. Biosynthesis of phosphatdyil ethanolamine through decarboxylation of phosphatidyl serine could take place in rat brain. Four unidentified radioactive metabolites were found in the acid‐soluble fraction in addition to l‐[14C]serine.
ELECTROSHOCK‐INDUCED SEIZURES AND THE TURNOVER OF BRAIN PROTEIN IN THE RAT
Authors: Minard F. N. , Richter D.
Published: October 2006

Abstract— A total of ten electroshock seizures (two seizures per day) were induced in rats beginning 3 days after an injection of [U‐14C]glucose. Despite the intense stimulation, the labelling of the protein and nucleic acid fractions in the brains of convulsed animals decreased only slightly and not significantly. During the first 2 days after administration of [14C]glucose to untreated animals, there was a slight decrease in the specific activity of protein‐bound glutamic acid relative to that of aspartic acid and the total protein fraction, suggesting the presence of a protein with a high content of glutamic acid and a rapid turnover.
DEOXYRIBONUCLEASES FROM RAT BRAIN*
Authors: Sung S.‐C.
Published: October 2006

Abstract—

Two distinctly different DNases were isolated from rat brain and could be separated easily by ammonium sulphate fractionation. One of the DNases acts optimally at pH 5.0 hydrolysing preferentially native DNA and requiring an optimal Mg2+ concentration of about 0.03 m. The other DNase has its optimal pH between 7.4 and 8.9, acts preferentially on heat‐denatured DNA and requires a lower Mg2+ concentration, the optimum being 1 × 10−4m.

Cerebellum from adult rat brain has a lower acid DNase activity and higher alkaline DNase activity, and therefore has a higher ratio of alkaline DNase to acid DNase than the other areas of brain studied. This unique activity ratio in cerebellum of adult rat brain was not observed in infant rat brain.
INCORPORATION OF LABELLED PHOSPHATE INTO PHOSPHOLIPIDS IN SQUID GIANT AXONS
Authors: Larrabee M. G. , Brinley F. J.
Published: October 2006

Abstract—

Inorganic phosphate labelled with 32P was applied to giant axons excised from squid (Loligo pealeii) by addition of 32Pi to the bathing solution, by injection into the axon, or by addition to axoplasm which had been separated from the sheath. The preparations were kept at 10 to 25° for various times up to 4 hr. When 32Pi was supplied by way of the bathing solution, axoplasm and sheath were usually separated at the end of incubation before extraction of the lipids. Lipids were extracted with chloroform‐methanol and resolved by paper chromatography.

The lipids which became labelled appeared to be the same in sheath and axoplasm. They were identified by cochromatography with known lipids and by chromatography of products formed from them by mild alkaline hydrolysis. They included phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidic acid, and probably somelysophosphatidylethanolamine. Some labelled components remained unidentified.

Phosphatidylcholine was apparently present, but did not become significantly labelled either in sheath or in axoplasm, or in a squid's stellate ganglion.

There was no evidence that separation from the sheath impaired the capacity of the axoplasm for lipid synthesis.
BRAIN 4‐AMINOBUTYRATE
Authors: Sims K. L. , Witztum J. , Quick Colleen , Pitts F. N.
Published: October 2006

Abstract—

A systematic study was made of aminobutyrate transaminase (4‐aminobutyrate: 2‐oxoglutarate aminotransferase, I.U.B.2.6.1.19) in the developing rat brain. Assays of enzymic activity were made in whole brain of seven to twenty‐one animals at each day of age from birth to day 30. The numerous analyses allowed statistical treatment and recognition of an abrupt change in the rate of synthesis of aminobutyrate transaminase, as judged by activity/g wet wt., beginning at day 12. From birth through day 11 there was a linear increase of low slope in enzymic activity, from day 12 through day 26 there was a linear increase of markedly increased slope. During the first period γ‐aminobutyrate increased from 14 to 25 m‐moles/kg fresh wt./hr; during the second the increase was from 25 to 113. The change of slope of linear increase in rat brain aminobutyrate transaminase began abruptly midway in the ‘critical period’ of rat brain development which extends roughly from day 10 to day 14. The onset of peak increase of rat brain succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (I.U.B.1.2.1.16) by contrast, occurred at day 6, heralded the ‘critical period’, and preceded by 6 days the onset of peak increase of the transaminase. These time‐locked changes in rate of increase of two enzymes of a biochemical pathway uniquely functional in neural tissue may be of significance in determining the development of the nervous system in the young animal.
TOPOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF ZINC IN HUMAN BRAIN BY ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETRY1
Authors: Hu K. H. , Friede R. L.
Published: October 2006

Abstract—

Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used for measuring the zinc content, in ppb (μg/1), of brain tissue. A new method for determining the correction factor of atomic absorption interference is described.

Measurements of the zinc content of twenty‐four regions of adult human brains showed the maximum zinc content in resistent sector and endplate of the Amnion's horn, corroborating the histochemical data. The distribution of zinc in other regions was relatively uniform, but white matter showed lower values than gray matter. The zinc content of seventeen regions of human newborn brains was below that in adult brains, for all regions. The blood content of brain tissue contributed only insignificantly to its zinc content.