cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Amino acid determinants that drive heparan sulfate assembly in a proteoglycan.

Abstract To study how cells regulate the composition of glycosaminoglycan chains on proteoglycans, we have examined the assembly of chains on chimeric proteoglycans containing segments of betaglycan (transforming growth factor-beta Type III receptors) fused to protein A. Transient expression of the chimeras in Chinese hamster ovary cells revealed that only two glycosaminoglycan attachment sites exist. One site at Ser535 supported both chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate synthesis, whereas the site at Ser546 supported only chondroitin sulfate. The compositions of the chimeras were the same in CHO-K1, CHOP-C4, BHK-21, and HeLa S3 cells and in chimeras containing polyhistidine fused to the C terminus. Deletion experiments showed that the assembly of heparan sulfate chains on the chimeras required a peptide segment of < or = 16 amino acids (SPGDSS535-GWPDGYEDLE) and the first 5 amino acids were not essential. Truncation of the acidic cluster (EDLE), site-directed mutation of the acidic residues in the cluster, or deletion of the sequence between the cluster and the Ser attachment site decreased heparan sulfate assembly. Mutation of Trp537 adjacent to the site also decreased heparan sulfate assembly. More importantly, introducing tryptophan next to three different Ser-Gly dipeptides in betaglycan and syndecan-1 chimeras stimulated assembly of heparan sulfate. Thus, one type of heparan sulfate attachment site consists of a Ser-Gly dipeptide and a flanking cluster of acidic residues. An adjacent tryptophan residue can augment the proportion of heparan sulfate.
Branched Chain α-Keto Acid Metabolism II. EVIDENCE FOR THE COMMON IDENTITY OF α-KETOISOCAPROIC ACID AND α-KETO-β-METHYL-VALERIC ACID DEHYDROGENASES

Evidence derived from physical, chemical, and kinetic studies of a partially purified branched chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase establishes that both α-ketoisocaproic and α-keto-β-methylvaleric acids are oxidatively decarboxylated by a single enzyme complex. This situation is consistent with the current clinical observations of branched chain ketoaciduria. The significance of this finding is discussed in relation to metabolic aspects of the disease.
Amino-terminal topology of thromboxane synthase in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Abstract The membrane topology of the NH2-terminal portion of human thromboxane synthase (TXS), a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily, has been investigated. By sequence alignment, the first 6 residues of the mature TXS polypeptide are likely to form a distinctive "tail" structure not found in many other mammalian cytochromes P450 in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Peptides with either the ultimate 10 or 15 residues of the NH2 terminus of TXS were synthesized and used to produce site-directed antibodies. The resulting peptide antibodies were highly specific and recognized human TXS, as shown by binding assays and Western blot analysis. Binding of the peptide antibodies to recombinant TXS in transfected COS-1 and to endogenous TXS in THP-1 cells was analyzed by immunocytochemistry. Selective permeabilization of the plasma membrane to immunoglobulin was achieved with streptolysin O; general permeabilization, including the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, was accomplished with Triton X-100. Permeabilization of the plasma membrane was sufficient to produce binding of both peptide antibodies to their epitopes, indicating that the epitopes for both of the peptide antibodies were exposed on the cytoplasmic side of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The results with the peptide antibodies provide direct experimental evidence supporting the topological model for membrane-bound cytochrome P450 proposed by Nelson and Strobel (Nelson, D. R., and Strobel, H. W. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 6038-6050), in which the NH2 terminus is oriented toward the cytoplasmic side of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.
The Ownership and Financing of Innovation in R&D Races

This paper develops a theory of the organization form and financing of innovation activities where integration, venture capital financing, and strategic alliances emerge as optimal responses to competitive pressures of the R&D race, the stage of the research and product development, and the severity of the financial constraints. We model the relationship between a research unit and its downstream firm in the context of a R&D race with a competing pair. We show that the choice of organization and financial structure of the R&D activity plays a strategic role by committing a research unit and its downstream firm to an accelerated R&D activity. We find that integrated organization structures are more likely to emerge when the downstream firm is more productive than the research unit, competition in the R&D race is more intense or the R&D cycle involves late-stage research, and when the research unit is financially constrained. Non-integration and independent venture capital financing are more likely to emerge when the research unit is more productive than the downstream firm, when competition in the R&D race is less intense or the R&D cycle involves early-stage research, and when the research unit is not financially constrained. Finally, corporate venture capital and strategic alliances are more likely to emerge when competition in the R&D race is more intense, the R&D cycle involves late-stage research, and when the productivity of the research unit is high.
Explaining leakage of public funds

Using panel data from a unique survey of public primary schools in Uganda we assess the degree of leakage of public funds in education. The survey data reveal that on average, during the period 1991‐5, schools received only 13 percent of what the central government contributed to the schools’ non-wage expenditures. The bulk of the allocated spending was either used by public officials for purposes unrelated to education or captured for private gain (leakage). Moreover we find that resource flows and leakages are endogenous to school characteristics. Rather than being passive recipients of flows from government, schools use their bargaining power vis-a-vis other parts of government to secure greater shares of funding. Resources are therefore not necessarily allocated according to the rules underlying government budget decisions, with potential equity and efficiency implications.
Keeping Them in Their Place: Migrant Women Workers in Spain’s Strawberry Industry

The idea of guest-worker migration has resurfaced in recent decades as the global agri-food industry has confronted a shortage of workers willing to take low-wage and often seasonal jobs. To date, there have been very few cases studies of these twenty-first century guest-worker programs and their role in managing contemporary labor migration. This article examines guest-worker migration in the strawberry industry of southern Spain. In this case, guest-worker programs attempt to regulate and enforce the circular migration of foreign workers in Spain. By making future work contracts contingent on migrants’ return to their country of origin, by recruiting migrant workers from various countries, and by targeting women with dependent children, these programs help to discipline migrant workers into the rigors of circular migration. We argue that although the program has been lauded as a model of twenty-first century labor migration, it succeeds primarily by keeping foreign, low-wage, women workers ‘in their place’.
Imaging studies of plasma streamers in liquids for the production of hydrogen-rich gas

Plasmas contain highly reactive radicals and free electrons, both of which are known to enhance the rates of a variety of chemical reactions. We are using this principle to explore the use of plasma streamers as a means for reforming organic liquids into hydrogen-rich gas. In this analysis, imaging studies of plasma streamers formed in liquids are presented. These studies aim to characterize plasma streamers as a function of several parameters including electrode polarity, conductivity and molecular structure of the liquid, and input power. This data, when coupled with a chemical analysis, aids in the study of plasma-induced processes of liquid hydrocarbons and alcohols. The reactions took place in an adjustable gap point-plane electrode system, which was fully submerged in liquid and housed within a 300 ml cylindrical aluminum vessel. A 20 nF capacitor bank, charged by a high voltage dc supply and triggered with a pressurized gas switch, provided ± 12–35 kV, 1 μs pulses to induce the reaction.
Analytical performance of cervista HPV 16/18 in SurePath pap specimens

Background To evaluate the performance of Cervista HPV 16/18 in SurePath specimens, we compared the analytical sensitivity of Cervista HPV 16/18 with that of a previously validated PCR-based, commercially available HPV genotyping assay, EasyChip HPV Blot, in residual specimens collected after routine Pap tests at our cancer center. Methods We retrospectively selected 79 consecutive Cervista HPV HR (high risk)-positive SurePath residual Pap specimens. The cytology results for these specimens comprised 42 negative, 22 ASC-US/ASC-H, 10 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and 5 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. HPV 16/18 genotypes of the 79 specimens were analyzed by Cervista HPV 16/18 assay and EasyChip genotyping assay and compared with the patient's follow-up results. Results Of the 79 cases, 33 (42%) were positive for HPV16/18 by Cervista HPV 16/18 and 37 (47%) were positive by EasyChip. The overall agreement between the 2 assays, at 85% (67/79), was good (kappa = 0.698, 95% CI: 0.541–0.855). In the 65 patients with follow-up results, the sensitivity for predicting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or higher (CIN2+) was 77% for Cervista HPV 16/18 assay and 69% for EasyChip. The predictive values for CIN2+ in cases stratified by Pap results were highly consistent between the Cervista HPV16/18 and EasyChip assays; there was one false negative HPV16 result, in a specimen identified as NILM by EasyChip. Conclusion Our findings support use of the Cervista HPV 16/18 assay for HPV16/18 genotyping in SurePath Pap specimens. However, further studies of larger cohorts with clinical follow-up data are required to verify the efficacy of Cervista HPV16/18 assay in SurePath Pap specimens. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:301–306. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Principals' Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Inclusion

In this study, principals' attitudes toward and knowledge of inclusion were examined. Surveys sent to 115 randomly selected principals across the state of Illinois were designed to elicit information regarding definitions, leadership styles, and effectiveness and implementation of educational practices associated with successful inclusive education. No clear definition emerged, but principals generally viewed inclusion as most appropriate for students with mild disabilities. Additionally, results indicated that teachers were not adequately prepared to implement inclusive practices. Significant differences between extent of use and perceived effectiveness of 13 educational practices were found. Findings raise issues related to administrators' awareness of practices that facilitate inclusion and how prepared they are to implement and support inclusive education.
Treatment strategy for iatrogenic nasal vestibular stenosis in young children

Iatrogenic nasal vestibular stenosis is an uncommon complication of supportive care in neonates. There is minimal literature describing this entity; previous treatment strategies focus on correction with local flaps or skin grafts. We describe symptomatic iatrogenic vestibular stenosis treated successfully with endoscopic lysis of synechiae and nasal stenting. Three children with nasal stenosis were identified from 2003 to 2004 at a large academic tertiary care medical center. All patients were born premature (25-34 weeks). Two developed vestibular stenosis after extended use of nasal CPAP; one developed unilateral nasal stenosis 4 years after use of a nasal feeding tube. Age at time of surgical repair was from 4 months to 5 years. Two patients (4 and 5 months) presented with nasal airway obstruction, and difficulty breathing during feeding. One patient (5 years) presented with right-sided nasal obstruction and nasal whistling. Endoscopic lysis of nasal synechiae and release of vestibular scarring was performed in all three cases without complication. Nasal stenting with a modified endotracheal tube was used for 4-6 weeks. Topical Mitomycin C was utilized in two patients. All patients had complete resolution of airway symptoms after stent removal and all three remain asymptomatic 1 year after repair with no recurrence of vestibular stenosis. Nasal vestibular stenosis is a rare complication following supportive care in premature infants, causing airway and feeding difficulties in the obligate nasal breather. This can be successfully corrected with endoscopic repair, nasal stenting and application of Mitomycin C.
Levels and Sources of Indicator Bacteria Associated with the Buffalo River “Area of Concern,” Buffalo, New York

Abstract Elevated levels of indicator bacteria within an Area of Concern (AOC) are recognized by the International Joint Commission as a water quality impairment. Combined sewer overflows are assumed to be the major source of bacteria to the Buffalo River AOC and current remediation strategies largely disregard other potential sources, including waters entering the river from the upper watershed. To assess the influence of upstream sources on pollution indicator bacteria levels in the Buffalo River, fecal coliform (FC) and fecal streptococci (FS) densities were determined at 12 sites in the Buffalo River watershed during 1992–1993. FC and FS densities were highly correlated throughout the year (r = > 0.83) and the mean levels of both indicator groups increased at sites closer to the Buffalo River. The highest levels of indicator bacteria in the water column coincided with rainfall events but FC levels violated New York State water quality standards at the three sites closest to the Buffalo River in 79% of all samples. Total suspended solids were strongly correlated with FC (r = 0.86) in the upper watershed during the summer months when flow velocities were greatest, and solids may play an important role in transporting bacteria into the Buffalo River. The fluctuations and relative magnitude of indicator bacteria levels were similar in the Buffalo River and at the upstream sites in the absence of combined sewer overflow events. The data depict a strong influence of upstream waters on the Buffalo River AOC. Upstream tributaries may make important contributions to the pollutant loading in AOCs and should not be overlooked in remediation planning.
Memory for conversational behavior

Communication theory and research must be informed by memory research. This study investigated how much information from an initial interaction can be remembered with a recognition procedure, and how reorganization of information in memory affects retrieval of conversational behavior. Participants recognized 70–90% of specific verbal and nonverbal behavior, demonstrating that considerable information about conversational behavior is stored and can be retrieved. Retrieval tasks that require reorganization of information stored in memory reduce memory performance. Reorganization was operationalized in two ways: recoding of information about nonverbal conversational behavior into verbal form, and summaries of information about specific conversational behavior into estimates of the frequency of that behavior in the conversation.
Low-cost strategies to predict cardiovascular disease

In this commentary, we discuss the potential utility of low-cost screening algorithms for the prediction of risk for cardiovascular disease. Strategies such as these might enhance screening and prevention programs but require validation. Testing the usefulness of low-cost prediction models in developing regions is the next logical step in carrying this concept forward.
Inhouse Binding in Academic Libraries

As the costs of periodical subscriptions and the concomitant costs to preserve these types of materials have escalated, librarians have been challenged to balance ever increasing needs for binding with demands for new acquisitions. Due to budgetary restrictions at the Eastern Michigan University Library, we have been forced to find more economical methods of preservation than commercial binding. As alternatives, the library has utilized pambinding, handibind, and plastic coverups. Because we have received mixed results from these methods, a study was undertaken to find out how other libraries utilize inhouse processes, what alternative low-cost methods of inhouse binding they use, and how they commit their funds for commercial binding. Results of such a study, we believed, would be useful at budget time because they would indicate what priorities other libraries give to commercial binding and they would provide us with ideas for low-cost methods of inhouse binding that we could use at Eastern. In 1985, the acquisitions librarian at Eastern investigated the merits of purchasing the Advanced Handi-Bind Document and Paper Drill I distributed by our commercial binder. Utilization of pin binding had been advocated by Daniel Gore 2 as a permanent method of binding journals and has been suggested by Maxin, 3 and Stillings and Heath 4 as a means of stretching the bindery dollar. Pin binding is an economical and durable method of binding, allows for rebinding, and takes approximately fifteen minutes per volume. In addition, it can be performed by a clerical or student worker with little training.
Quantification of α-ketoglutarate cyanohydrin in swine plasma by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Determination of exposure to cyanide can be accomplished by direct cyanide analysis or indirectly by analysis of cyanide detoxification products, such as thiocyanate and 2-amino-2-thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid. A potentially important marker and detoxification product of cyanide exposure, α-ketoglutarate cyanohydrin (α-KgCN), is produced by the reaction of cyanide and α-ketoglutarate. Therefore, an ultra high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method to determine α-KgCN in plasma was developed. Swine plasma was spiked with α-KgCN and α-KgCN-d4 (internal standard) and proteins were precipitated with 1% formic acid in acetonitrile. After centrifugation, the supernatant was dried, reconstituted, separated by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. The method produced a dynamic range of 0.3-50μM and a detection limit of 200nM for α-KgCN. Furthermore, the method produced a %RSD of less than 13% for all intra- and inter-assay analyses. The stability of α-KgCN was poor for most storage conditions tested, except for -80°C, which produced stable concentrations of α-KgCN for the 30days tested. The validated method was tested by analysis of α-KgCN in the plasma of cyanide-exposed swine. α-KgCN was not detected pre-exposure, but was detected in all post-exposure plasma samples tested. To our knowledge, this method is the first reported analytical method for detecting α-KgCN in any matrix.
Metabolic and Hormonal Responses to a Protein-Glucose Meal in Normal Infants and in Marasmus and Marasmic Kwashiorkor

Blood sugar and plasma free fatty acids (FFA), immunoreactive insulin (IRI), and growth hormone (GH) responses to a protein-glucose meal were determined in normal infants and those with marasmus and marasmic kwashiorkor. Among the normal subjects, fasting blood sugar (BS), peak BS and IRI, and the IRI/BS ratio tended to decrease as age increased. Peak IRI was at least 13muU/ml above fasting in 21 of 24 infants. Fasting GH levels were high 38.5 +/- 13.6 (SD) and 26.3 +/- 14.0 ng/ml, in the two youngest groups (under 1 year) and were comparable with those of the late newborn period. They were slightly lower, 20.8 +/- 22.1, in those 12.5-18.5 months of age. Suppressions of FFA and subsequent rebounds were in close temporal relation to BS and IRI peaks and lows, but not the GH levels. GH was promptly suppressed by the meal, and in most infants secondary elevations were seen. Untreated marasmic infants had normal or low BS, correspondingly normal or low IRI, markedly elevated FFA (1,821 +/- 588 muEq/liter), and GH levels comparable with those of the control subjects. There was some delay in BS elevation and disappearance and poor insulin release after the meal, with only two of nine having elevations of at least 13 muU /ml The BS elevations and IRI responses, however, were adequate to block FFA release. GH levels were poorly suppressed by the meal but some infants had further elevations, possibly in response to protein. After partial rehabilitation, fasting BS and FFA and BS elevations after the meal were normal. A slight improvement in insulin release was apparent. Fasting GH levels and responses to the meal were normal. Fasting, minimally treated children with marasmic kwashiorkor (MK) had normal or low BS, normal or low IRI, normal FFA, and probably normal GH levels. There was considerable delay in BS elevation, moderately delayed glucose disappearance, and very poor or unmeasurable insulin release after the test meal; FFA and GH were poorly suppressed. After partial rehabilitation, fasting BS was normal, FFA levels were (630 +/- 163 muEq/l), IRI was still low, BS elevations and disappearance improved. IRI responses modestly improved, and GH responses were normal.
Infrared-transparent glasses derived from the fluorides of zirconium, thorium, and barium

Abstract Glasses consisting solely of high-purity ZrF 4 , ThF 4 , and BaF 2 have been synthesized using reactive atmosphere processing (RAP) techniques. RAP of the individual components and the molten material with anhydrous HF and CCl 4 is described. The glass molds easily at 312°C and 1920 psi with a high-fidelity replication of the die surface. The glass is water insoluble, unusually hard and strong, and continuously transparent from 0.3 to 7 μm.
Update on migration research and regulatory initiatives.

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) current research programme on migration from food packaging materials focuses on high‐temperature packaging applications. Results from two studies conducted by Arthur D. Little, Inc., under contract to the FDA, are presented as well as highlights of the FDA's research programme on migration from microwave heat susceptor packaging. Some regulatory policy issues affecting the FDA's future regulation of food packaging materials are also examined.
Earnings and dividend changes: An international study

Abstract The purpose of this research is to examine the international evidence concerning whether there are significant market adjusted earnings changes associated with large dividend changes. Using data from the US, Canada, France, Germany, Australia and the UK, this study finds that there are significant adjusted earnings changes right around the time of dividend changes. There is some support for Lintner's contention that permanent earnings changes precede dividend changes and little support for the signaling hypothesis that dividend changes foreshadow continual significant earnings changes.
Using the Mean-to-Sigma Ratio as a Measure of the Improperness of Binormal ROC Curves

Rationale and Objectives A basic assumption for a meaningful diagnostic decision variable is that there is a monotone relationship between the decision variable and the likelihood of disease. This relationship, however, generally does not hold for the binormal model. As a result, receiver operating characteristic (ROC)-curve estimation based on the binormal model produces improper ROC curves that are not concave over the entire domain and cross the chance line. Although in practice the “improperness” is typically not noticeable, there are situations where the improperness is evident. Presently, standard statistical software does not provide diagnostics for assessing the magnitude of the improperness. Materials and Methods We show how the mean-to-sigma ratio can be a useful, easy-to-understand and easy-to-use measure for assessing the magnitude of the improperness of a binormal ROC curve by showing how it is related to the chance-line crossing. We suggest an improperness criterion based on the mean-to-sigma ratio. Results Using a real-data example, we illustrate how the mean-to-sigma ratio can be used to assess the improperness of binormal ROC curves, compare the binormal method with an alternative proper method, and describe uncertainty in a fitted ROC curve with respect to improperness. Conclusions By providing a quantitative and easily computable improperness measure, the mean-to-sigma ratio provides an easy way to identify improper binormal ROC curves and facilitates comparison of analysis strategies according to improperness categories in simulation and real-data studies.
SIZE FACTOR AND SUPERCONDUCTING PROPERTIES OF SOME TRANSITION METAL SOLUTIONS

Superconducting primary substitutional solid solutions, consisting of niobium, vanadium or tantalum (column V of the periodic table) alloyed with a metal of column IVA or VIA, show interesting correlations between size of solute and (a) lattice parameter, (b) critical temperature, (c) critical current, (d) coefficient of electronic specific heat, and (e) the Debye characteristic temperature. Solute atoms larger than the matrix atoms increase (a), (b), (c), and (d), but decrease (e). Solute atoms smaller in size decrease (a), (b), (c), and (d), but increase (e). ${T}_{c}$ is found to correlate better with an effective $\frac{e}{a}$ ratio, that contains a sizedependent correction than with the usual $\frac{e}{a}$ ratio. Magnetization studies indicate that these alloys approach an Abrikosov type of behavior when the sample is in powder form. In bulk form hysteresis is influenced by the relative size of solute and matrix atoms.
Application of Slice Theory to Account for the Horizontal Extent of Convective Precipitation Radar Echoes

Abstract Classical slice theory modified to take account of mixing and entrainment is used to explain the areal extent of 10-cm convective radar echoes in nonconvergent, barotropic situations in the subtropics. Relative humidity in the layer of convective cloudiness, which is taken as a measure of the ability of mixing and entrainment to destroy buoyancy and evaporate clouds, correlates very significantly with the ratio of observed scope coverage to slice-indicated maximum updraft area. Furthermore, the computed slice updraft area exceeds the observed scope coverage in all cases where surface convergence was absent. Incorporation of saturated air descent into the slice equations is performed in Appendix 1. The results show that the presence of saturated downdrafts increases the updraft area by an amount that is directly proportional to the area and velocity of these downdrafts.
Interpersonal partner violence and women in the United States: An overview of prevalence rates, psychiatric correlates and consequences and barriers to help seeking

Intimate partner violence Battered females At risk populations Mental disorders Help seeking behavior Epidemiology
Incorporating Biological Pathways via a Markov Random Field Model in Genome-Wide Association Studies

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) examine a large number of markers across the genome to identify associations between genetic variants and disease. Most published studies examine only single markers, which may be less informative than considering multiple markers and multiple genes jointly because genes may interact with each other to affect disease risk. Much knowledge has been accumulated in the literature on biological pathways and interactions. It is conceivable that appropriate incorporation of such prior knowledge may improve the likelihood of making genuine discoveries. Although a number of methods have been developed recently to prioritize genes using prior biological knowledge, such as pathways, most methods treat genes in a specific pathway as an exchangeable set without considering the topological structure of a pathway. However, how genes are related with each other in a pathway may be very informative to identify association signals. To make use of the connectivity information among genes in a pathway in GWAS analysis, we propose a Markov Random Field (MRF) model to incorporate pathway topology for association analysis. We show that the conditional distribution of our MRF model takes on a simple logistic regression form, and we propose an iterated conditional modes algorithm as well as a decision theoretic approach for statistical inference of each gene's association with disease. Simulation studies show that our proposed framework is more effective to identify genes associated with disease than a single gene–based method. We also illustrate the usefulness of our approach through its applications to a real data example.
FT i.r. and thermal analysis studies of blends of poly(ε-caprolactone) with homo- and copolymers of poly(vinylidene chloride)

Abstract FT i.r. and thermal analysis studies have been performed on blends of poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) with vinylidene chloride copolymers containing the comonomers vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile. The results indicate that the blends are compatible over the whole composition range in the amorphous state. Attempts were also made to obtain coherent blends of PCL and the homopolymer of vinylidene chloride. Evidence for the presence of specific intermolecular interactions has been obtained and the origin of these interactions is discussed.
Portable suction device for use in patients with postoperative pleural air leaks.

Abstract A portable suction device is available that is powered by compressed air or oxygen. It is useful for transferring patients who have chest tubes and pleural air leaks and should have uninterrupted suction on the pleural drainage system.
Selective hippocampal lesions and behavior

Despite the often cited criticisms of the lesion technique (Gregory, 1961; Stein, 1979; Webster, 1973), much of the evidence that relates to our understanding of the functional involvement of different structures and systems in the brain is based on experiments involving damage to the brain. This is especially true of research involving the hippocampus.
Evaluation of noncovalent interactions between peptides and polyether compounds via energy-variable collisionally activated dissociation

Energy-variable collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) was used to analyze noncovalent interactions of protonated peptide/polyether complexes in a quadrupole ion trap complexes were formed with a series of four polyether host molecules and thirteen peptide molecules. Comparison of dissociation thresholds revealed correlations between the gas-phase basicities of the peptides and polyether molecules and the onset of dissociation. The dissociation thresholds of complexes containing the tripeptides or pentapeptides were inversely proportional to the gas-phase basicities of the sites of protonation of the peptides. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding of the pentapeptides affected the observed dissociation thresholds as well. The dissociation thresholds also scaled proportionally to the gas-phase basicities of the polyethers in the complexes, and the importance of the conformational flexibility of the polyether ligand was confirmed for one of the histidine-containing tripeptide complexes.
Furosemide. A Clinical Evaluation of Its Diuretic Action

The physiological effects of furosemide, a new diuretic agent chemically related to thiazide diuretics, have been evaluated in seven normal subjects and in 39 patients with edema of varied origin. The compound exhibited an unusually broad dose-response curve so that increasing diuresis could be induced with oral doses of from 40 mg once daily to 600 mg three times daily. At the higher dosages furosemide was significantly more effective than conventional thiazide diuretics and exhibited an order of potency which can be achieved with ethacrynic acid. In many of its diuretic properties furosemide resembled thiazide agents. The natriuresis and diuresis which it produced was associated with a disproportionate loss of chloride and potassium and the consequent production of degrees of hypokalemic alkalosis. However, physiological studies indicate that furosemide is qualitatively and quantitatively more similar to ethacrynic acid than to thiazide agents. Thus, furosemide, like ethacrynic acid and unlike thiazide diuretics acted to interfere with both urinary concentration (T c H H2 O ) during antidiuresis and to block urinary dilution (C H H2 O ) during water diuresis. It also caused a negative urinary hydrogen balance during diuresis. The data suggest that furosemide acts to block sodium chloride reabsorption in the ascending limb of Henle9s loop and in more cortical distal diluting segments. The magnitude of its effects suggests that it also may interfere with proximal sodium chloride reabsorption. Ion exchange sodium reabsorptive mechanisms appear unaffected and become overactive during drug administration thereby accounting for the observed increases in potassium and hydrogen ion excretions. Because of its properties furosemide was especially useful intravenously as an adjunct in the treatment of acute pulmonary edema and for oral maintenance therapy in the treatment of difficult or refractory edematous patients, many of whom exhibit associated electrolyte derangements or azotemias. In these difficult situations, for maximum diuresis and to avoid problems associated with K + , H + and Cl - depletion, intermittent therapy added to a maintenance schedule which utilizes aldosterone antagonists or chloride and potassium supplements appears advisable. Furosemide, also like ethacrynic acid, was capable of adding to the natriuretic action of all other types of diuretic agents. This observation provides additional evidence for the existence of a number of different tubular transport processes located at different sites in the nephron which can participate in sodium conservation.
Activation of bovine and baboon primordial follicles in vitro

Mammalian ovaries contain a large pool of non-growing, primordial follicles. The ability to initiate growth of this pool of resting follicles in vitro and to maintain follicular growth to a stage when the oocyte could be matured and fertilized would increase the reproductive potential of valuable domestic animals, endangered species and infertile women. This paper summarizes our progress to date in activating primordial follicles of cattle and baboons. Pieces of ovarian cortex, rich in primordial follicles, were obtained from fetal bovine and baboon ovaries during late gestation. Pieces were maintained in organ culture in serum-free medium containing ITS+ (insulin-transferrin-selenium-linoleic acid-BSA) for up to 20 days and at various times during culture some pieces were fixed for histological morphometry. As early as 2 days of culture, the number of primordial follicles had decreased by 88% or 55%, whereas the number of primary follicles had increased 2.5- or 5-fold, compared to tissue freshly isolated from bovine or baboon ovaries, respectively (P < 0.01). In baboon cortical pieces a small number of secondary follicles developed during a 20-day culture period. The development of primary and secondary follicles was accompanied by an increase in diameter of both the granulosa cell layer and the oocyte. The addition of FSH (1, 10, or 100 ng/ml) had no effect on the development of follicles in bovine cortical pieces after 7 or 14 days of culture, relative to control cultures without FSH. These results show that a high percentage of primordial follicles from cattle and baboons can be activated to grow in serum-free medium in the absence of gonadotropins. Conditions that will support further growth in vitro of follicles from these species remain to be elucidated. The culture system we have developed could be used to develop such conditions and to explore factors that regulate the movement of primordial follicles into the pool of growing follicles.
Superradiant Raman scattering in an ultracold Bose gas at finite temperature

We study superradiant Raman scattering from an ultracold, but finite, temperature Bose gas in a harmonic trap. Numerical simulations indicate the existence of distinct time scales associated with the decoherence of the condensed versus thermal fractions, and the concomitant preferred scattering from atoms in low-lying trap states in the regime where superradiance takes place on a time scale comparable to an inverse trap frequency. As a consequence the scattered atoms experience a modest reduction in temperature as compared to the unscattered atoms.
Cognitive Engineering of Training for Adaptive Battlefield Thinking

Individual military decision-makers and the military staff, as a decision-making team, are currently under increased pressure to make quick assessments more often and under more unusual conditions ...
A NEW DERMATOPHYTE, THALLOMICROSPORON KUEHNII BENEDEK, 1963.

A new species of a dermatophyte,Thallomicrosporon kuehnii Benedek, 1963, is described. In contradistinction to all other known dermatophytes, it reproduces exclusively by thallospores: 1) large, fusiform, macroconidia-like structures, 2) arthrospores and, 3) chlamydospores. Microconidia are present, rodlike or pyriform. The elicitation of a perfect form of fructification in hair-on-soil cultures was unsuccessful.
Through an Occupational Lens

The Dance of Life: The other dimension of time Edward T. Hall. 1983. Garden City, New York: Anchor Press/ Doubleday. 232 pp.
Turbulent Flow and Heat Transfer in Bends of Circular Cross Section: II—Pressure Distribution Experiments

Mesure de la repartition des pressions dans des couches a 90, 60 et 30° de conduites circulaires de 1,59 m de diametre parcourues par des ecoulements d'air turbulent pour des valeurs du nombre de Reynolds allant de 5000 a 100000
Web Based Interactive Medical Imaging Applications for Teaching Nuclear Medicine

Medical Imaging is a multidisciplinary field which combines the knowledge of physics, mathematics, electrical and computer engineering in order to create images of anatomy and function of the human body for clinical and research purposes. The necessity to know the techniques of Medical Imaging in clinical and research laboratories has made Medical Imaging a major training area in Biomedical Engineering. The tremendous amount of information and rapid changes in the medical imaging field require teaching material to be more flexible to fit into the available class hours. Internet/Web-based education is one of the tools with which education is popularly delivered. Web-based interactive teaching models increase students learning gain in the field of medical imaging. We have developed interactive simulations and animation of Nuclear medicine imaging. These learning applications provide an easy understanding of the physics, principles and methods behind nuclear medicine to successfully deliver information for students. We simulated PET physics; the diverse mathematical derivations for image generation, recognition and reconstruction, and the parameters that influence resolution in a PET camera .The metabolism rate of glucose using [18F] fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) with 3 compartmental models has been simulated. Animation of the major processes and routes in PET Reporter Gene Imaging using animal subject was also performed.
Adverse effects of artificial buffers on contractile responses of arterial and venous smooth muscle.

1 In vitro studies were undertaken on rat aortic strips and portal vein segments in order to determine whether or not several commonly used artificial buffers, i.e., tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (Tris), N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulphonic acid (HEPES), morpholine propanesulphonic acid (MOPS), N,N bis(2-hydroxyethyl) glycine (BICINE) and 1,4-piperazinediethanesulphonic acid (PIPES), can exert direct actions on vascular smooth muscle. 2 All artificial buffers used in 5 mM concentrations were found to inhibit development of spontaneous mechanical activity. 3 Tris, HEPES, MOPS, BICINE and PIPES markedly attenuated contractions induced by adrenaline, angiotensin and KCl. The fast phase components of the agonist-induced contractions were either obliterated or reduced in the presence of the artificial buffers. The sustained slow phase components were greatly reduced and retarded by the artificial buffers. 4 The relative order of artificial buffer potency (i.e., from 100% to 14% inhibition) seems to depend upon the agonist and type of smooth muscle. 5 All of these inhibitory effects were reversible, since normal contractile responses and spontaneous mechanical activity could be obtained by simply reincubating the smooth muscles in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer. 6 A variety of pharmacological antagonists failed to mimic or affect the inhibitory effects of Tris, HEPES, MOPS, PIPES and BICINE. 7 These data show that five of the most commonly used artificial buffers, to study muscles in vitro, exert adverse effects on contractility of arterial and venous smooth muscle.
Volumetric modulated arc therapy with simultaneous integrated boost for locally advanced rectal cancer.

Abstract Aims To report the feasibility of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for neoadjuvant radiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer in a dose-escalation protocol and simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) approach. Moreover, the VMAT technique was compared with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and fixed-field intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), in terms of target coverage and irradiation of organs at risk. Materials and methods Eight patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were treated with the SIB-VMAT technique. The VMAT plans were compared with 3D-CRT and IMRT techniques in terms of several clinically dosimetric parameters. The number of monitor units and the delivery time were analysed to score the treatment efficiency. All plans were verified in a dedicated solid water phantom using a two-dimensional array of ionisation chambers. Results All techniques meet the prescription goal for planning target volume coverage, with VMAT showing the highest level of conformality. VMAT is associated with 40, 53 and 58% reduction in the percentage of volume of small bowel irradiated to 30, 40 and 50Gy, compared with 3D-CRT. No significant differences were found with respect to SIB-IMRT. VMAT plans showed a significant reduction of monitor units by nearly 20% with respect to IMRT and reduced treatment time from 14 to 5min for a single fraction. Conclusions SIB-VMAT plans can be planned and carried out with high quality and efficiency for rectal cancer, providing similar sparing of organs at risk to SIB-IMRT and resulting in the most efficient treatment option. SIB-VMAT is currently our standard approach for radiotherapy of locally advanced rectal cancer.
Inference for heavy tailed distributions

Let X 1 , X 2 , ... be a sequence of independent and identically distributed random variables in the domain of attraction of a stable law of order a and asymmetry parameter β. This paper develops some large sample inference procedures for the population mean μ and parameters α and β. Three different approaches to the construction of confidence intervals for μ are proposed, two of them involving bootstrap. For the parameters α and β estimators are proposed that are straightforward, computationally simple and statistically intuitive. The consistency and asymptotically normality of these estimators are also established. It is shown that in addition to these estimators being simple their accuracy is comparable to that of more complicated estimators available in the current literature.
EFFECT OF UVA AND BLUE LIGHT ON PORPHYRIN BIOSYNTHESIS IN EPIDERMAL CELLS

To study porphyrin biosynthesis in normal human keratinocytes and A431 cells derived from human epidermoid carcinoma, cultured cells were incubated with delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), the precursor of porphyrin synthesis, and accumulation of porphyrins was measured spectrofluorometrically. Both human keratinocytes and A431 cells accumulated porphyrins in a time-dependent and a dose-dependent fashion. Protoporphyrin was the predominant porphyrin accumulated by both cell types. Porphyrin accumulation was enhanced by Ca Mg ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, a ferrochelatase inhibitor, and the enhancement was reversed by the addition of iron, suggesting the utilization of iron by ferrochelatase. The effect of light on porphyrin accumulation was evaluated by exposing the ALA-loaded A431 cells to ultraviolet-A (UVA) and blue light radiation, followed by continued incubation with ALA for 2-48 h. There was an enhancement of porphyrin accumulation 2-48 h after the radiation as compared with nonirradiated controls. Consistent with this finding, ferrochelatase activity decreased in these cells at 24 h and 48 h. These data demonstrate that human keratinocytes and A431 cells are capable of porphyrin biosynthesis, and that exposure of porphyrin-containing A431 cells to light, which includes the Soret band spectrum, decreases the ferrochelatase activity, which is responsible, at least in part, for the further increase in porphyrin level.
An overview of techniques for immobilizing and viewing living cells

Microscopists making observations on living cells are often faced with the challenge of getting those cells to hold still for extended observation times. This paper presents an overview/summary of a range of techniques for non-destructive immobilization of living cells (with an emphasis on protozoa), permitting microscopic observations and photography. A variety of chemical and physical immobilization techniques are discussed, but particular attention is paid to a comparative discussion of the mechanical devices (rotocompressors or microcompressors) used for reversible trapping of living cells.
Insemination patterns in HawaiianDrosophila species (Diptera: Drosophilidae) correlate with ovarian development

In 35 Hawaiian Drosophilaspecies collected from natural populations, all reproductively mature females were inseminated. Onset of receptivity to insemination broadly correlated with the vitellogenic stage of ovarian development, but species and species groups varied in the exact stage of vitellogenesis at which earliest insemination took place. A striking exception was observed in two picture-winged species of the adiastolasubgroup, which were precociously inseminated in previtellogenesis, close to the time of adult eclosion. For a given species, the range of ovarian stages from earliest receptivity to insemination of all females, termed the “insemination period,” also varied among species. This variability may be due to physiological variation between females in hormonal levels, low population densities, and lek behavior of males, or it may reflect variation in degree of female discrimination toward male courtship attempts. Consideration of the quantities of sperm observed stored in the female sperm storage organs, relative to the numbers of eggs produced, indicates obligatory multiple insemination for some species, notably the fungus breeders. In other species groups, there is no apparent necessity for remating, although it may occur.
Severe peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum: A case study

Pyoderma gangrenosum is an autoimmune disease that often manifests itself as painful ulcers. When these ulcers occur in the peristomal area, symptom management and wound care must be balanced against the need to pouch the stoma. Although the treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum is not standardized, systemic steroid therapy is frequently used as first-line therapy. The WOC nurse is often asked to manage both the pouching needs and topical therapy of the patient with peristomal pyoderma ulcerations. This article describes the management of severe pyoderma gangrenosum ulcerations in a 59-year-old woman with a long-standing ileostomy.