cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A transgenic mouse line for collecting ribosome-bound mRNA using the tetracycline transactivator system.

Acquiring the gene expression profiles of specific neuronal cell-types is important for understanding their molecular identities. Genome-wide gene expression profiles of genetically defined cell-types can be acquired by collecting and sequencing mRNA that is bound to epitope-tagged ribosomes (TRAP; Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification). Here, we introduce a transgenic mouse model that combines the TRAP technique with the tetracycline transactivator (tTA) system by expressing EGFP-tagged ribosomal protein L10a (EGFP-L10a) under control of the tetracycline response element (tetO-TRAP). This allows both spatial control of EGFP-L10a expression through cell-type specific tTA expression, as well as temporal regulation by inhibiting transgene expression through the administration of doxycycline. We show that crossing tetO-TRAP mice with transgenic mice expressing tTA under the Camk2a promoter (Camk2a-tTA) results in offspring with cell-type specific expression of EGFP-L10a in CA1 pyramidal neurons and medium spiny neurons in the striatum. Co-immunoprecipitation confirmed that EGFP-L10a integrates into a functional ribosomal complex. In addition, collection of ribosome-bound mRNA from the hippocampus yielded the expected enrichment of genes expressed in CA1 pyramidal neurons, as well as a depletion of genes expressed in other hippocampal cell-types. Finally, we show that crossing tetO-TRAP mice with transgenic Fos-tTA mice enables the expression of EGFP-L10a in CA1 pyramidal neurons that are activated during a fear conditioning trial. The tetO-TRAP mouse can be combined with other tTA mouse lines to enable gene expression profiling of a variety of different cell-types.
Construction of solitary wave solutions and rational solutions for the KdV equation by Adomian decomposition method

Abstract In this paper, we propose a reliable algorithm to develop exact and approximate solutions for the nonlinear dispersive KdV equation with initial profile. The approach rests mainly on Adomian decomposition method. The single soliton, the two-soliton and rational solutions are obtained by this method. Numerical examples are tested to illustrate the pertinent feature of the proposed algorithm.
Studies of vibrational surface modes in ionic crystals. I. Detailed shell-model studies for the unrelaxed (001) face of seven crystals having the rocksalt structure

We present a comprehensive, unified account of the lattice dynamics of unrelaxed (001) faces of seven crystals having the rocksalt structure, three of which have an absolute gap between the acoustical and optical bulk bands (RbF, RbCl, and NaI) and four of which have overlap between these bulk bands (NaF, NaCl, LiF, and MgO). The results are obtained from calculations of the normal modes of a thin crystal film in which the ionic interactions are described by the rigid-shell model. An outline of the formulation of the shell model for the film is given, and the rapid convergence of surface-phonon frequencies with increasing film thickness is demonstrated. Surface- and pseudosurface-phonon dispersion curves and bulk bands are displayed in the form of the dispersion curves of a 15-layer film over the two-dimensional surface Brillouin zone. The surface-excess phonon density of states ${f}^{s}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ is given, and its peaks and valleys are correlated with features in the film dispersion curves. The domains of existence and the vibrational character of the more prominent surface-phonon bands are discussed. We establish the relation between the surface modes of the lattice models and the macroscopic surface waves of the dielectric and elastic continuum theories (Fuchs-Kliewer and Rayleigh waves, respectively). Comparison with experiments is made; the agreement with low-energy atom scattering from single-crystal surfaces of LiF and with inelastic neutron scattering from microcrystallite samples of MgO is particularly notable, although the latter comparison also displays some significant discrepancies.
Contexts of reading instruction: Implications for literacy skills and kindergarteners’ behavioral engagement ☆

Abstract This observational study examined kindergarteners’ (n = 170) exposure to literacy instruction in their classrooms (n = 36), child-by-instruction interactions, and behavioral engagement in relation to literacy skills. Time spent in four instructional contexts was coded according to who managed children's attention (teacher-managed, TM or child-managed, CM), and the content focus (basic skills such as teaching letters and their sounds, or meaning-focused such as discussing a book); children's behavioral engagement and off-task behavior were also coded live five times over the year. Word-reading and phonological awareness skills were assessed in fall and spring. Hierarchical Linear Modeling results indicated that kindergarteners with lower initial skills gained more in word-reading, but not phonological awareness, when they were exposed to relatively more time in TM basic skills instruction. In contrast, more time in CM meaning-focused instruction did not interact with initial skills to predict either outcome. Engagement analyses indicated that students were more likely to be off-task in CM than in TM contexts. Children who spent more time off-task during TM contexts had lower spring scores on both outcomes. Discussion explores the implications of this work for both literacy learning and behavioral engagement in the transition year of kindergarten.
The philosophy of artificial intelligence: a general studies course with particular benefits to computer science majors

Over four years ago, we developed and implemented an upper division general studies course. “The Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence.” The course has since been team taught every semester by a computer scientist and a philosopher. Here, we draw on our four years' experience with the course to discuss its impact on computer science majors, for whom we feel that it fulfills two main purposes. First, having technical material presented within the coherent framework provided by this course offers students an accessible and consistent context. Secondly, an examination of the philosophical aspects of this material enables the students to look at their own discipline from without for the first time. We contend that a course of this nature neatly rounds off the education of computer scientists.
Corn oil supplementation to steers grazing endophyte-free tall fescue. II. Effects on longissimus muscle and subcutaneous adipose fatty acid composition and stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity and expression

Eighteen steers were used to evaluate the effect of supplemental corn oil level to steers grazing endophyte-free tall fescue on fatty acid composition of LM, stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD) activity and expression as well as cellularity in s.c. adipose. Corn oil was supplemented (g/kg of BW) at 0 (none), 0.75 (medium), and 1.5 (high). Cottonseed hulls were used as a carrier for the corn oil and were supplemented according to pasture availability (0.7 to 1% of BW). Steers were finished on a rotationally grazed, tall fescue pasture for 116 d. Fatty acid composition of LM, s.c. adipose, and diet was determined by GLC. Total linoleic acid intake increased linearly (P 0.05) the percentage of total SFA, MUFA, or PUFA but linearly increased (P = 0.03) n-6:n-3 ratio from 2.4 to 2.9 in none and high, respectively. Among tissues, total SFA and MUFA were greater in s.c. adipose than LM, whereas total PUFA, n-6, and n-3 fatty acids and the n-6:n-3 ratio were lower. Trans-10 octadecenoic acid, VA, and CLA trans-10, cis-12 were greater (P 0.05) stearoyl CoA desaturase activity or mRNA expression. Corn oil supplementation to grazing steers reduced the percentages of highly atherogenic fatty acids (myristic and palmitic acids) and increased the percentages of antiatherogenic and anticarcinogenic fatty acids (VA and cis-9, trans-11 CLA).
Masculinity in Crisis: Aging Men in Thomas Mann's “Der Tod in Venedig” and Max Frisch's Homo faber

Reading Thomas Mann's “Der Todin Venedig” and Max Frisch's Homo faber as narratives of male aging and ageism, I show that the protagonists’ “midlife crises” are crises in representation located at the intersection of the body and socially constructed male images. As the main characters struggle with their declining bodies and the loss of status associated with aging, the close interconnection of age and gender norms and their significance for male identity formation emerge. Anticipating current scholarship in aging studies, these works reveal the performative nature of age and gender, and explore the tensions that arise where subjective, physiological, and social age meet and interfere with gender performance. In my reading, I demonstrate that the subversive potential of Mann's and Frisch's narratives lies less in their renditions of sexual deviance (incest, homosexuality), and more in the way these authors illustrate the potentially destructive effects of normative concepts of age and masculinity while tracing paths to subvert these categories.
Molecular phylogeny of the humbug damselfishes inferred from mtDNA sequences

The damselfish genus Dascyllus comprises nine species of both large- and small-bodied fishes distributed over the entire Indo-West Pacific. Most members of the genus have polygynous mating systems with protogynous sex change, while others are promiscuous with no sex change. Hypotheses linking presumed phylogenetic relationships with body size, sex change and mating structure have been proposed previously. However, lack of a strong phylogenetic hypothesis has prevented the careful testing of such hypotheses. In this study, the phylogenetic relationships between Dascyllus species based on mitochondrial DNA sequences (cytochrome b and 16SrRNA) have been established. The data also shed light on the relationship between mating structure and body size, as well as on the complex biogeographical patterns of the genus. ? 1999 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles
The Next Wave of Anticonvulsants

Since December 1999, 3 drugs have been cleared for marketing by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults with epilepsy — levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine and zonisamide. All are approved as adjunctive therapy; oxcarbazepine is also approved as monotherapy. Levetiracetam appears to have a novel mechanism of action, while the others block voltagesensitive sodium channels (oxcarbazepine and zonisamide) and T-type calcium channels (zonisamide). Levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine have short serum elimination half-lives and can be started at therapeutic dosages. All 3 drugs exhibit linear pharmacokinetics and have a low propensity for drug-drug interactions. There is extensive worldwide experience with oxcarbazepine and zonisamide, whereas exposure to levetiracetam has been limited to a relatively small number of patients in clinical trials. These 3 drugs are important additions to the armamentarium for the treatment of seizures and offer patients whose lives are compromised by epilepsy the potential to achieve a better quality of life.
Risk Factors for Invasive Fungal Disease after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Single Center Experience

Abstract Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). We performed a retrospective review of 271 adults with a hematologic malignancy undergoing allogeneic HCT to determine the incidence of and risk factors for IFD and to examine the impact of IFD on nonrelapse mortality and overall survival. We defined IFD using standard criteria and selected proven and probable cases for analysis. Diagnoses in the study group included acute leukemia (42%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (24%), myelodysplastic syndrome (15%), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (5%), and other hematologic disorders (14%). Conditioning included reduced-intensity (64%) and myeloablative (36%) regimens. Donor sources were HLA-matched sibling (60%), matched unrelated (20%), haploidentical (12%), and cord blood (8%). A total of 51 episodes of IFD were observed in 42 subjects (15%). Aspergillus spp (47%) was the most frequent causative organism, followed by Candida spp (43%). The majority of IFD cases (67%) were reported after day +100 post-HCT. In multivariate analysis, haploidentical donor transplantation (hazard ratio [HR], 3.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49-9.77; P = .005) and grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (HR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.07-6.10; P = .03) were risk factors for the development of IFD. Conversely, higher infused CD34+ cell dose was associated with a lower risk of IFD (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68-0.94; P = .006, per 1 × 106 cells/kg increase in CD34+ cell infusion). IFD-related mortality was 33.3%. Nonrelapse mortality was significantly higher in patients who developed IFD compared with those without IFD (P
Electron beam aging of BaSi2O5:Pb

Abstract The effects of several parameters on the aging rate of BaSi 2 O 5 :Pb under electron bombardment have been investigated. Results showed that the aging rate increased (1) at lower beam current densities, (2) at higher electron energies, (3) with certain impurities (particularly group III-A) incorporated in the phosphor, and (4) at higher temperatures. A hypothetical mechanism involving oxygen release is proposed.
Survival of developing dopaminergic neurons in reaggregate tissue culture following treatment with methamphetamine.

Abstract Developing central dopamine (DA)-containing neurons in rotation-mediated reaggregate tissue culture exposed to 10 −4 M methamphetamine for 1 week (at a time corresponding to the 2nd week of postnatal development) exhibit decreased DA levels. DA neurons were visualized either by a histofluorescent method after ‘loading’ with exogenous DA, or by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry. An apparent loss of histofluorescent DA cell bodies was observed due to a methamphetamine-induced reduction in exogenous DA accumulation. No decrease in the number of TH-immunoreactive neurons was observed. Thus, developing DA neurons when visualized by TH immunocytochemistry survive despite methamphetamine-induced reductions in DA levels.
Sox2 and Fgf interact with Atoh1 to promote sensory competence throughout the zebrafish inner ear

Atoh1 is required for differentiation of sensory hair cells in the vertebrate inner ear. Moreover, misexpression of Atoh1 is sufficient to establish ectopic sensory epithelia, making Atoh1 a good candidate for gene therapy to restore hearing. However, competence to form sensory epithelia appears to be limited to discrete regions of the inner ear. To better understand the developmental factors influencing sensory-competence, we examined the effects of misexpressing atoh1a in zebrafish embryos under various developmental conditions. Activation of a heat shock-inducible transgene, hs:atoh1a, resulted in ectopic expression of early markers of sensory development within 2h, and mature hair cells marked by brn3c:GFP began to accumulate 9h after heat shock. The ability of atoh1a to induce ectopic sensory epithelia was maximal when activated during placodal or early otic vesicle stages but declined rapidly thereafter. At no stage was atoh1a sufficient to induce sensory development in dorsal or lateral non-sensory regions of the otic vesicle. However, co-misexpression of atoh1a with fgf3, fgf8 or sox2, genes normally acting in the same gene network with atoh1a, stimulated sensory development in all regions of the otic vesicle. Thus, expression of fgf3, fgf8 or sox2 strongly enhances competence to respond to Atoh1.
Copper(II) complexes of tetradentate thioether-oxime ligands

Abstract Two dinuclear copper(II) thioether-oxime complexes ([Cu(DtdoH)]2(ClO4)2 and [Cu(DtudH)]2(ClO4)2 · 2CH3OH) have been synthesized. [Cu(DtdoH)]2(ClO4)2 reacted with excess BF3 · OEt2 to yield [Cu(Thyclops)]ClO4, a BF 2 + -macrocyclized di-oxime. [Cu(DtdoH)]2(ClO4)2 and [Cu(DtudH)]2(ClO4)2 · 2CH3OH are the first representatives of copper(II) thioether oximes which exhibit the classical out-of-plane oximate oxygen-metal dimer structure. [Cu(DtdoH)]2(ClO4)2 and [Cu(Thyclops)]ClO4 have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The geometry about each copper(II) in [Cu(DtdoH)]2(ClO4)2 is a distorted square pyramid (τ = 0.14). The average copper–nitrogen(oxime) bond length is 1.984 A longer (∼0.03 A) than the average copper–nitrogen(oxime) bonds in copper(II) bis-glyoximates. The geometry of [Cu(Thyclops)]ClO4 reveals an almost perfect square pyramid (τ = 0.03) of N2S2O donors. Solution, cryogenic glass, and powder ESR spectra show a typical axial pattern, except for the powder spectrum of [Cu(DtudH)]2(ClO4)2 · 2CH3OH which displays a small rhombic distortion. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate very weak ferromagnetic interactions in [Cu(DtdoH)]2(ClO4)2, where J = +0.52 cm−1 and very weak antiferromagnetic interactions in [Cu(DtudH)]2(ClO4)2 · 2CH3OH, where J = −0.59 cm−1. Electrochemical measurements reveal that the mixed thioether-oxime coordination environment tends to stabilize Cu(II), as all electrochemical reductions were quasi-reversible or irreversible. [Cu(Thyclops)]ClO4 is more oxidizing than [Cu(DtdoH)]2(ClO4)2 by 0.14 V.
ZnO with Different Morphologies Synthesized by Solvothermal Methods for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

ZnO materials with a range of different morphologies have been synthesized via a simple solvothermal method with different solvents. Zinc acetylacetonate was used as the zinc source in such solvothermal syntheses for the first time. XRD data showed that single-phase ZnO with the wurtzite crystal structure was obtained for all the solvents used. FE-SEM imaging showed that ZnO with cauliflower-like, truncated hexagonal conical, tubular and rodlike, hourglass-like, nanorods, and spherical shapes were produced when THF, decane, water, toluene, ethanol, and acetone were used as the solvent, respectively. The TEM data showed that the crystalline ZnO had different growth habits in the different solvents. The optical properties of the as-prepared ZnO materials were investigated by UV−vis absorption and room temperature photoluminescence. Photodegradation of phenol was used as a model reaction to test the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO samples. ZnO samples with different morphologies and crystal growth habits ...
Antagonizing the anticonvulsant effect of ethanol using drugs acting at the benzodiazepine/GABA receptor complex.

Abstract The ability of various benzodiazepine receptor ligands to antagonize the anticonvulsant action of ethanol was investigated using intravenous infusion of the GABA antagonist bicuculline. The partial inverse agonists FG 7142, RO 15-4513 and RO 15-3505 produced dose-related reductions in seizure threshold. These compounds also partially reversed the anticonvulsant action of ethanol. However, the magnitude of the effects in each case was only equivalent to the reduction in seizure threshold caused by each compound when administered alone. That is the proconvulsant effect of each compound merely subtracted from the anticonvulsant effect of ethanol. ZK 93426, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist which alone failed to alter seizure threshold, did not affect the anticonvulsant action of ethanol. Both RO 15-4513 and RO 15-3505 also lowered the seizure threshold of barbiturate-treated mice, again in a subtractive fashion. The ability of RO 15-4513 and other inverse agonists to antagonize the anticonvulsant effect of ethanol appears to result from their intrinsic proconvulsant properties.
Extraction of Strontium from Acidic Nitrate Media Using a Modified PUREX Solvent

ABSTRACT A new process for the extraction and recovery of strontium from acidic waste streams is described. In this process, a modification of the previously described SREX (for strontium extraction) process, strontium is extracted from acidic (≥ 2 M nitric acid) solution using a 0.2 M solution of di-t-butylcyclohexano-18-crown-6 in any of a variety of phase modifier / paraffinic hydrocarbon mixtures, among them a PUREX-like diluent comprised of a 1.2 M solution of tri-n-butyl-phosphate in Isopar L. Tests of this process solvent on a synthetic dissolved sludge waste show that only strontium and barium are appreciably extracted by the crown ether under the experimental conditions. As expected, uranium and plutonium are extracted even in the absence of the crown ether.
Effects of deprivation on salivary flow in the apparent absence of food stimuli.

Salivation performance in the absence of food-related stimuli was measured with an absorbent technique in 19 subjects under no (0–1h) and moderate (4–6h) levels of food deprivation. Overall, salivation was reliably (p <0.05) greater the higher the hours of deprivation. Results also revealed a reliable positive correlation between hours of deprivation and subjective ratings of hunger. For subjects whose hunger ratings coincided with hours of deprivation, analysis of the salivation data yielded highly reliable (p < 0.01) differences due to deprivation/hunger. For subjects who reported the same level of hunger at different hours of deprivation, there were no reliable differences in salivation due to deprivation.
The duality principle: irreducibility of sub-threshold psychophysical computation to neuronal brain activation

A key working hypothesis in neuroscience is ‘materialistic reductionism’, i.e., the assumption whereby all physiological, behavioral or cognitive phenomena is produced by localized neurochemical brain activation (but not vice versa). However, analysis of sub-threshold Weber’s psychophysical stimulation indicates its computational irreducibility to the direct interaction between psychophysical stimulation and any neuron/s. This is because the materialistic-reductionistic working hypothesis assumes that the determination of the existence or non-existence of any psychophysical stimulation [s] may only be determined through its direct interaction [di1] with a given neuron/s [N] that together forms the ‘neural registry’ computational level [NR/di1]. But, this implies that in cases of (initial) sub-threshold (sensory-specific) psychophysical stimulation which is increased above the sensory-specific threshold but below Weber’s psychophysical ‘dv’—the psychophysical computational processing [PCP] produces an apparently ‘computationally indeterminate’ output. This is because materialistic reductionism asserts the contingency of PCP upon the existence of a direct interaction between ‘s’ and ‘N’ within the NR/di1 level, but in the special case of Weber’s sub-threshold psychophysical stimulation the same PCP/di1 also asserts the non-existence of ‘s’ (as demanded by Weber’s psychophysical law). However, given robust empirical evidence indicating the capability of PCP to determine whether (or not) ‘s’ exists, we must conclude that PCP may not be carried out from within NR’s direct interaction between a particular psychophysical stimulation and any set of neuron/s in the brain. Hence, the Duality Principle asserts the conceptual irreducibility of sub-threshold psychophysical stimulation to any direct NR/di1: s-N interaction, thereby challenging the current materialistic-reductionistic assumption.
J. H. Chajes. Between Worlds: Dybbuks, Exorcists, and Early Modern Judaism . Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2003. 278 pp.

Jewish mystical and magical texts are remarkably relevant to some of the most central historiographical themes of early modern Europe; they are also remarkably esoteric and confounding to any nonspecialist. Providing a remedy to this incongruity, J. H. Chajes makes a major contribution to both Jewish and general early modern historiography with his first book, on Jewish spirit possession and exorcism. His work offers a useful narrative of the development of Jewish exorcism traditions, presenting the complex subject in terms that make it more approachable without over-simplification. At the same time, Chajes lends the material depth and relevance through sensitive analysis of the chronologically and geographically local circumstances of the most significant early modern treatments of the phenomenon. The appendix alone would be an offering of some significance, consisting of eleven original translations of early modern accounts of spirit possession, and this quality of presenting important raw material runs throughout the volume. Competent and detailed legwork is evident in the exposition of various exorcists' techniques from the ancient world and Middle Ages, through Luria's unique methods in sixteenth-century Safed, and up to later seventeenth-century attitudes to possession and demonology. Much of this material is in the first chapter, “The Emergence of Dybbuk Possession,” which argues that “there was something new in the sixteenth century” as a long percolation of diverse traditions culminated in the formation of the “classic” view of the dybbuk in a period of unprecedented frequency of possession and exorcism events.
Automated current health time-trade-off assessments in women's health.

Objective: To motivate the role for preference assessment in women’s health and to report pilot data addressing the performance of automated time-trade-off (TTO) valuations of current health, which were developed to estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in the women’s health setting. Methods: Values for current health relative to perfect health and death were assessed using an annual time trade-off (1-year horizon and sleep as the trading metaphor), a lifetime time trade-off, and a visual analog scale (VAS). All instruments were administered twice within a 12- to 14-day window among a convenience sample of 27 women. Results: Valuation of health was similar for both time trade-offs (mean of 0.95 for both), but was significantly lower for the VAS (mean of 0.84, Wilcoxon signed-rank p-value < 0.001). Reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.67 ± 0.09 and 0.75 ± 0.07 for the annual and lifetime time trade-offs, respectively, and 0.89 ± 0.03 for the VAS. Construct validity was supported by consistent trends in time-trade-off utilities across tertiles of the Short Form 36 (SF-36) general health subscale (trend test p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: Automated time trade-offs for current health provide a promising approach for use in women’s health studies where impact on QALYs must be measured. Natural areas of application include the economic evaluation of preventive interventions in postmenopausal
Effects of degassing and ionic strength on AFM force measurements in octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride solutions

Sakamoto et al. (Langmuir 2002, 18, 5713) conducted AFM force measurements between silica sphere and fused-silica plate in aqueous octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (C 1B TACl) solutions and concluded that long-range attractive force is not observed in carefully degassed solutions. In the present work, AFM force measurements were conducted by following the procedures described by Sakamoto et al. The results showed the presence of an attractive force that was much stronger than the van der Waals force both in air-saturated and degassed solutions. The force was most attractive at 5 x 10 -6 M C 18 TACl, where contact angle was maximum. At this concentration, which is close to the charge compensation point (ccp) of the glass sphere, the long-range decay lengths (D) were 34 and 38 nm in air-saturated and degassed solutions, respectively. At 10 -5 M, the decay length decreased from 30 to 4 nm upon degassing. This decrease in decay length can be explained by a pH increase (from 5.7 to 6.6), which in turn causes additional surfactant molecules to adsorb on the surface with inverse orientation. The attractive force was screened by an added electrolyte (NaCl), indicating that the attractive force may be of electrostatic origin. Therefore, the very long decay lengths observed in the absence of electrolyte may be ascribed to the fact that the ccp occurs at a very low surfactant concentration.
Dissociation of item and order spatial memory in rats following medial prefrontal cortex lesions

In order to test whether there is a correspondence in function of prefrontal cortex in rats and humans, rats with medial prefrontal cortex lesions were tested for item and order memory for a list of items (spatial locations in a maze). Results indicate that for order memory rats with medial prefrontal cortex lesions cannot remember the order of presentation of four or eight specific spatial locations. This inability to remember order information can be seen even when animals with lesions have to remember only two spatial locations, can self-order the sequence of four or eight spatial locations, or have been presented with the same study phase on every trial. In contrast, for item memory animals with medial prefrontal cortex lesions retain the first item of the list in the variable study phase situation and remember all the items of the list in a constant study phase situation. However, there are also deficits for the last items within a list in the variable study phase situation for both win-stay and win-shift procedures. This deficit might be a function of an impairment in the utilization of appropriate temporal strategies, which normally would facilitate recognition memory in the win-stay and win-shift tasks. In general, the data suggest a partial, but not complete, dissociation of item-order memory. Furthermore, the data suggest that the medial prefrontal cortex is involved in temporal structuring of information.
Reagentless oxidative folding of disulfide-rich peptides catalyzed by an intramolecular diselenide.

In cysteine-rich peptides, diselenides can be used as a proxy for disulfide bridges, since the energetic preference for diselenide bonding over mixed selenium-sulfur bonds simplifies folding. Herein we report that an intramolecular diselenide bond efficiently catalyzes the oxidative folding of selenopeptide analogs of conotoxins, and serves as a reagentless method to substantially accelerate formation of various native disulfide bridging patterns.
Gain enhancement methods for printed circuit antennas through multiple superstrates

Reciprocity and a transmission line model are used to determine the radiation properties of printed circuit antennas (PCA's) in a multilayered material configuration. It is demonstrated that extremely high directive gain may result at any scan angle, with practical materials, if the thickness of the substrate and multiple superstrate layers is chosen properly. This model is also used to analyze the radiation characteristics of printed circuit antennas in inhomogeneous substrates.
Cross-layer optimization with complete and incomplete knowledge for delay-sensitive applications

In this paper, we first formulate the cross-layer design as a non-linear constrained optimization problem by assuming complete knowledge of the dynamically changing application characteristics and the underlying time-varying network conditions. By decomposing the cross-layer optimization problem, we determine the necessary message exchanges between layers for achieving the optimal cross-layer solution and explicitly show how the cross-layer strategies selected for one data unit (DU, e.g. packet) will impact its neighboring DUs as well as the DUs that depend on it. However, the attributes (e.g. distortion impact, delay deadline etc) of future DUs as well as the network conditions are often unknown in the considered real-time applications. The impact of current cross-layer actions on the future DUs can be characterized by a state-value function in the Markov decision process (MDP) framework. Based on the value iteration solution to the MDP, we develop a low-complexity cross-layer optimization algorithm using online learning for each DU transmission. This online optimization utilizes information only about the previous transmitted DUs and past experienced network conditions. This online algorithm can be implemented in real-time in order to cope with unknown source characteristics, network dynamics and resource constraints. Our numerical results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed online algorithm.
Translocation of Radioactive Kinetin

Kinetin has generally been thought to be immobile in plants. This was confirmed in the case of laminar applications in this study, but not in regard to petiole, vein, or root applications. Radioactivity from kinetin-8- 14 C (Kn * ) moved freely in the vascular system of several types of leaves. This movement was usually distal to the point of application and seemed to occur with the transpiration stream. Basipetal as well as acropetal translocation of radioactive kinetin was achieved in tobacco leaves. The translocated material was extracted from veinal tissue, shown to be radioactive, and to be able to retard senescence. Similar but less decisive results were obtained from agar blocks inserted into the vascular system of leaves receiving Kn * by petiole uptake. A bioassay employing disks from primary bean leaves was developed for the qualitative determination of substances like kinetin which possess the ability to retard chlorophyll breakdown and plant senescence. The use of radioactive kinetin provided a refinement in this bioassay because treated non-senescent areas could be correlated with exposed areas on radioautographs made from dried leaf disks. Root treatments showed that cotton seedlings did not take up Kn * but that similarly treated tobacco seedlings both absorbed and translocated the isotope readily.
Methylene blue prevents neurodegeneration caused by rotenone in the retina

An experimental optic neuropathy model was used to test the hypothesis that methylene blue may protect the retinal ganglion cell layer from neurodegeneration caused by rotenone. Rotenone is a widely used pesticide that inhibits complex I, the first enzyme of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Complex I dysfunction is linked to the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells in Leber's optic neuropathy. Methylene blue is a reduction-oxidation agent that can act as a powerful antioxidant and also as an enhancer of the electron transport chain, preventing formation of mitochondrial oxygen free radicals and promoting oxygen consumption. The neurodegeneration of the retina was studied in mice with intravitreal microinjection of rotenone alone, or in combination with increasing doses of methylene blue, in one eye, and the vehicle in the contralateral control eye. The effect of rotenone and rotenone plus methylene blue was investigated using two histological stains, complex I and Nissl, and two measurements, morphometric layer thickness and non-biased stereological cell counts. Rotenone induced neurodegeneration in the retinal ganglion cell layer 24 h after injection, as indicated by significant reductions in both the thickness and cell numbers of the retinal ganglion cell layer of eyes microinjected with rotenone as compared to the control eyes. This neurodegeneration was prevented in a dose dependent manner by the injection of methylene blue along with rotenone. It was concluded that rotenone-induced degeneration in the ganglion cell layer can be prevented by intravitreal injection of methylene blue. In vitro experiments showed that methylene blue is both a powerful antioxidant as well as an enhancer of cellular oxygen consumption and is able to reverse the oxidative stress and decrease in oxygen consumption induced by rotenone in brain homogenates. The findings suggest that methylene blue may be a promising neuroprotective agent in optic neuropathy and perhaps other neurodegenerative diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunction.
Experiments With A 35 GHz Cyclotron Autoresonance Maser (CARM) Amplifier

Studies of a cyclotron autoresonance maser (CARM) are presented. The measurements are carried out at a frequency of 35 GHz using a mildly relativistic electron beam of 1.5 MeV energy and a 200 A current. The beam is generated by a field emission electron gun followed by an emittance selector that removes the outer, hot electrons. The entire system length (~2.0 meter), including the field emission gun, is immersed in a uniform solenoidal guide field of 7 kG. Perpendicular energy is imparted to the electrons by means of a bifilar helical wiggler having a period of 7 cm and a length of 56 cm. The cyclotron radiation is generated in a 1 meter long wiggler free region. Initial superradiant measurements give a small signal gain of 91 dB/m. Experiments are also underway in which a 35 GHz, 100 kW magnetron is used as the driver for our CARM amplifier.
Annual pattern in plasma testosterone in the male armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus

Abstract Thirty, mature, male armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) were captured from the wild and maintained in captivity for variable periods of time (> 3–16 months). Blood samples were taken weekly by femoral venipuncture and plasma was analyzed by radioimmunoassay for testosterone concentration. Testosterone concentration varied between 9 and 14 ng/ml during the year. Blood was collected every 4 h for 24 h from four animals during mid-July to examine diurnal variation in testosterone concentration. Fluctuations were not apparent.
Polarization and pressure dependence of 2p-1s transitions in He-like and Li-like neon recoil ions.

The pressure dependences of 2p-1s transitions in He-like and Li-like neon recoil ions produced in collisions with 1.4-MeV/amu Ar ions were studied for the purpose of assessing effects of polarization and nonstatistical population mechanisms on the relative intensities of prompt and metastable lines. A Johansson-type curved-crystal spectrometer was employed as an x-ray polarimeter by taking spectra with the plane of the focal circle oriented both parallel and perpendicular to the Ar-ion beam. The data indicate that the He-like $^{1}\mathrm{P}$ and $^{3}\mathrm{P}$ lines are only slightly polarized and that the intensity ratio I${(\mathrm{}}^{1}$P)/I${(\mathrm{}}^{3}$P) is not a linear function of pressure. Both of these results appear to be a direct consequence of serious contamination of the spectral region of interest by unresolved spectator-electron transitions.
Distal median to ulnar nerve transfers to restore ulnar motor and sensory function within the hand: technical nuances

ULNAR NERVE INJURIES can be severely debilitating and result in weakness of wrist flexion, loss of hand intrinsic function, and ulnar-sided hand anesthesia. When these injuries produce a Sunderland fourth- or fifth-degree injury, surgical intervention is necessary for functional recovery. Traditional methods for restoring hand intrinsic function after ulnar nerve palsy include interposition nerve grafting for timely presentations or tendon transfers for either complex injuries or late presentations. Distal median to ulnar nerve transfer to restore ulnar intrinsic nerve muscle function was first performed in 1991. We continue to find it advantageous for recovery of ulnar intrinsic function in patients with proximal ulnar nerve injuries by significantly reducing denervation time and directing motor fibers into this critical motor distribution. Several case reports have been published discussing the concept behind this approach, but none have outlined the specific steps involved in this operation. As such, this article discusses our operative methodology behind the distal median to ulnar neurotization, which includes a Guyon canal release, identification of donor median and recipient ulnar nerve fascicular anatomy within the forearm, and an operative tutorial on proper technique for neurotization to restore both ulnar motor and sensory function. We present the technical nuances of the following nerve transfers to restore ulnar nerve function within the hand: anterior interosseous nerve to deep motor branch of ulnar nerve, third webspace sensory contribution of median nerve to volar sensory component of ulnar nerve, and end-to-side reinnervation of ulnar dorsal cutaneous to the remaining median sensory trunk.
Quantum trajectory theory for cascaded open systems.

The quantum trajectory theory of an open quantum system driven by a photoemissive source is formulated. The formalism is illustrated by applying it to photon scattering from an atom driven by strongly focused coherent light.
Lifetime measurements in the vicinity of magnetically-induced avoided crossings in molecular crystals

Abstract Direct observation of the averaging of the optical decay constants of a photoexcited triplet state near level anticrossing fields is reported for the first time. Similar behavior is observed in the vicinity of cross relaxation fields. This is a consequence of rapid host spin relaxation rather than quantum-mechanical mixing.
Stem cell stages and the origins of colon cancer: a multidisciplinary perspective.

Analysis of historical age-specific colorectal cancer rates, present day age-specific colonic adenoma prevalence and the few reports of direct measurements of genetic change in human tissues as a function of age in adults have led to a new set of hypotheses about carcinogenesis. A key observation, that the calculated rate of growth of preneoplasia is equal to the calculated growth rate of the juvenile colon, suggested that tumor initiation blocks the developmental step by which growing juvenile stem cells are transformed into or replaced by adult maintenance stem cells. In this hypothesis the slowly growing adenomatous polyps would simply be patches of highly organized juvenile tissue modified by the mechanical constraints of surrounding nongrowing adult tissue. As juvenile tissue presumably grows by net increase in stem cells creating crypts, tumor promotion could be achieved by transformation of an initiated stem cell into a fetal stem cell that would express the program of rapid net growth and differentiation into the heterogeneous cell types of fetal colonic organogenesis. (One additional interpretation of data from observations of point mutations in adult lung epithelium is that rates of genetic change in juvenile stem cells are markedly higher than in adult maintenance stem cells.) Unfortunately, the concept of a “stem cell” undergoing staged transitions in organ development and blocked or reverse transitions in carcinogenesis has lacked the physical embodiment of a cell that could be recognized, isolated, and analyzed. In an attempt to overcome this impediment we set reexamined fetal and adult colonic tissue, adenomas, and adenocarcinomas using a novel histological preparation method. Gostjeva then discovered that fetal and neoplastic tissues share a set of cells distinguished by specific nuclear morphotypes that appear to cooperate in creating the elements of the fetal organ, preneoplastic, and neoplastic lesions. In particular, microscopic examination of fetal gut at 5–7 wk gestation reveals tubular syncytia containing opened-mouthed, bell-shaped nuclei that account for some 30% of the nuclei in the protoorgan. These peculiar nuclei undergo both symmetric and asymmetric nuclear fissions, the latter creating all of the other nuclear morphotypes. These nuclear fissions are “amitotic” insofar as no general chromosome condensation is observed. Bellshaped nuclei are rarely found in adult colonic crypt bases but are found in preneoplasia and neoplasia. We infer that the bell-shaped nuclei represent stem “cells” that drive net growth and differentiation in fetal, neonatal, and juvenile development and in colon adenomas, adenocarcinomas, and metastases. Independent of our interpretation these cell types may be readily observed by others and homogeneous isolates may be obtained by microdissection to discover their molecular and biochemical characteristics.
Corn Meal Extrusion with Emulsifier and Soybean Fiber

Abstract Twin-screw extrusion of corn meal with monoacylglycerol (MAG) and soy fiber was investigated. The treatment variables studied were MAG and soy fiber contents, screw speed, and feed rate. MAG addition reduced torque, specific mechanical energy, and dough temperature, but increased die pressure. The significant increase in die pressure was caused by an increased length in filled flights. Die pressure and dough mass temperature increased with soy fiber addition at lower MAG contents ( 0.4 g/100 g). Moreover, MAG-starch complexation increased with MAG addition but was impeded by soy fiber addition.
Growth Retardation in Offspring of Female Rats Treated with Morphine Prior to Conception

Treatment of female rats with morphine sulfate for 5½ or 10 days, prior to drug withdrawal for 5 days and subsequent mating, results in retarded growth of offspring. The effect is not present at birth but appears at 3 to 4 weeks of age. It occurs even though offspring are not exposed to morphine in utero or postnatally. It is not eliminated by cross-fostering and is apparently of prenatal origin
Components of the metabolic syndrome are negative predictors of weight loss in obese children with lifestyle intervention

Summary Background and aims Insulin resistance has been proposed to be associated with weight gain in obesity. Therefore, we analyzed the impact of insulin resistance and its associated cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) summarized in the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) on change of weight status in obese children. Methods We analyzed 484 obese children who had participated in a lifestyle intervention and 533 obese children without lifestyle intervention. The changes of BMI-SDS in the time period of 1-year were related to baseline fasting insulin resistance index HOMA, blood pressure, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, lipids, uric acid, and HbA1c. Results In contrast to obese children without lifestyle intervention, BMI-SDS decreased and the majority of CRFs improved significantly in obese children with lifestyle intervention. Age, BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, blood pressure, uric acid, triglycerides, and HOMA were negatively significantly related to reduction of BMI-SDS in children with lifestyle intervention. In multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for gender, pubertal stage, and treatment center ( R ² = 0.26), waist circumference ( r = −0.016 [confidence interval −0.019 up to −0.013], p Conclusions Insulin resistance and components of the MetS were associated negatively with weight loss in lifestyle intervention. Waist circumference at baseline was the strongest negative predictor of weight loss suggesting that obese children with abdominal fat distribution need more intensive interventions. This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00435734).
Mechanism of psychological distress-driven smoking addiction behavior

Abstract This study investigates the role of psychological distress in different nicotine dependence symptoms (urge to smoke, rigid patterns of cigarette use, and decreased tolerance of smoking) that in turn lead to greater cigarette consumption. This research also examines the role of several moderators (gender, self-control, and risk perception) in the proposed mechanism to gain a deeper understanding of addictive consumption. The results from a sample of 8989 respondents to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health support the proposed model. Some counterintuitive findings related to self-control and risk perception deserve further attention. The findings of this study not only offer several useful implications for the literature on smoking addiction but may also help in developing strategies for preventing tobacco use.
Stochastic electric power system production costing and operations planning using a Hopfield artificial neural network

This paper presents a new method for stochastic electric power system production costing and operations planning. In the method we formulate a stochastic Hopfield/Chua-Kennedy neural network in which unit availability and system load demand are random parameters with known statistics. Unit outages are modeled as Markov processes. The unit commitment status variables are (0, 1) integers while the unit dispatch/loading levels take on decimal values. The unit commitment status variables together with the unit dispatch/loading levels are random processes satisfying appropriately derived deterministic equivalent differential equations. A review of the techniques that are currently employed by utilities for production costing and operations planning with particular emphasis on those for the stochastic problem is also presented.