cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Mechanism of Electrophoretic Migration of DNA in Pluronic Gels

Capillary electrophoresis of nucleic acids has recently employed gels of self-assembled uncharged triblock copolymers as sieving media. Pluronic F127 contains poly(ethylene oxide) (EO) and poly(propylene oxide) (PO) with the block structure (EO)(106)(PO)(70)(EO)(106). Aqueous solutions of 30% w/w of this polymer are liquids at low temperatures but above 11 degreesC the polymers assemble to micelles that pack into a locally cubic lattice forming a gel-like lyotropic liquid crystal phase. Here we use linear dichroism spectroscopy to study the orientation dynamics of double-stranded DNA molecules during the electrophoresis. In 30% Pluronic F127, a 5400 by DNA migrates with substantial perpendicular orientation of the helix axis, which is in contrast to electrophoresis in agarose gels where the helix axis of DNA is aligned parallel to the field direction. Comparison between linear and circular DNA indicates that neither DNA forth enters the cubic microcrystals at low fields, and when combined with velocity measurements the kinetics of alignment buildup and relaxation suggests that migration instead occurs in grain boundaries between domains of microcrystals. (Less)
High definition, wide-format COTS displays for next-generation vetronic applications

The paper describes how military display users can benefit from emerging commercial market trends toward wideformat and high-resolution displays. This emerging display format offers several human factors benefits and more information along with high-definition sensor compatibility. The current commercial market trend highlights the growth of wide formats, which may affect the future availability of standard format COTS displays. The vetronics display that is being developed for the FCS family of combat vehicles is an example of a COTS wide-format, high-resolution display that is ruggedized for the next generation of soldiers.
Dysregulation of Protease and Protease Inhibitors in a Mouse Model of Human Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Mice deficient for the fibulin-5 gene (Fbln5−/−) develop pelvic organ prolapse (POP) due to compromised elastic fibers and upregulation of matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-9. Here, we used casein zymography, inhibitor profiling, affinity pull-down, and mass spectrometry to discover additional protease upregulated in the vaginal wall of Fbln5−/− mice, herein named V1 (25 kDa). V1 was a serine protease with trypsin-like activity similar to protease, serine (PRSS) 3, a major extrapancreatic trypsinogen, was optimum at pH 8.0, and predominantly detected in estrogenized vaginal epithelium of Fbln5−/− mice. PRSS3 was (a) localized in epithelial secretions, (b) detected in media of vaginal organ culture from both Fbln5−/− and wild type mice, and (c) cleaved fibulin-5 in vitro. Expression of two serine protease inhibitors [Serpina1a (α1-antitrypsin) and Elafin] was dysregulated in Fbln5−/− epithelium. Finally, we confirmed that PRSS3 was expressed in human vaginal epithelium and that SERPINA1 and Elafin were downregulated in vaginal tissues from women with POP. These data collectively suggest that the balance between proteases and their inhibitors contributes to support of the pelvic organs in humans and mice.
Metrial gland and other glycogen containing cells in the mouse uterus following mating and through implantation of the embryo.

Mouse uteri and embryos from 12 hours to seven days after mating were examined for RNA and glycogen following specific histochemical staining. Because of their greater basophilia, calls present throughout the endometrium which seem to be metrial gland cell precursors could be distinguished as early as two and three-quarter days. At this time, the uterus is just beginning to undergo “sensitization to decidualization.” By seven days, these precursor cells and metrial gland cells proper have disappeared from all regions of the endometrium except that of the future decidua basalis. Glycogen is present in cells which may be the metrial gland cell precursors, plasma cells and polymorphonuclear leucocytes as well as in the lumens and cells of the uterine glands at three and one-half days. Between four and one-fourth and five and one-half days, glycogen is found in the primary decidual zone. By six days, there is a heavy deposit in the “glycogenic areas.” At seven days, many of the metrial gland cells in the future decidua basalis are PAS-positive. These findings are discussed and the possible origin of the metrial gland cells from a cell of the lymphocytic series is suggested.
First-year PSA kinetics and minima after prostate cancer radiotherapy are predictive of overall survival

Purpose: We analyzed whether first-year prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics and minima are predictive of overall survival (OS). Methods and Materials: The data set contained 1,174 patients treated with external beam radiotherapy (RT) from 1987 to 2001. The relative rate of change (λ) in post-RT PSA values during the first year (13.5 months) was computed using regression analysis of ln(PSA) vs. time. We also computed the PSA minimum (mPSA) reached during the same period. Recursive partitioning analysis was used to identify the relevant cutpoints for the factors being investigated for its association with survival: age, pretreatment PSA, radiation dose, relative rate of change in PSA post-RT, and 1-year PSA minimum. For each of the other factors stage, Gleason score and risk group, all possible cutpoints were considered in the multivariate analyses. Significant factors were considered in the multivariate analyses to identify independent predictors for overall survival. Results: The median value of λ was −1.0 years−1 (range, −11.0–5.1 years−1). The 1-year minimum had a median of 0.8 ng/mL (range, 0.01–30.9 ng/mL). Recursive partitioning analysis and Cox proportional hazards analyses identified the following pretreatment or treatment factors adversely related to OS: age, Gleason score, stage, and dose. First-year mPSA ≥ 4 ng/mL and λ > 0 were post-RT independent prognostic factors for worse OS. Conclusion: First-year post-RT PSA kinetics and minima are early response parameters predictive of overall survival for prostate cancer patients. These factors may be useful in selecting patients for early salvage therapy.
Resveratrol potentiates effects of simvastatin on inhibition of rat ovarian theca-interstitial cells steroidogenesis

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by ovarian enlargement, hyperplastic theca compartment and increased androgen production due to, at least in part, excessive expression of several key genes involved in steroidogenesis. Previously, our group has demonstrated that simvastatin, competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), a rate-limiting step of the mevalonate pathway, reduces rat-theca interstitial cell steroidogenesis by inhibiting Cyp17a1 gene expression, the key enzyme of the androgen biosynthesis pathway. Recently, we demonstrated that resveratrol, a bioflavonoid abundant in red grapes, decreases rat theca-interstitial cell steroidogenesis and this suppressive effect is mediated through mechanisms independent of the mevalonate pathway. The present study evaluated the effect of combining simvastatin and resveratrol treatments on rat theca-interstitial cell steroidogenesis. Rat theca-interstitial cells isolated from 30 day-old female rats were cultured for up to 48 h with or without simvastatin (1 μM) and/or resveratrol (3-10 μM). Steroidogenic enzymes gene expression was evaluated by quantitative real time PCR and steroid levels were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Comparisons between groups were performed using ANOVA and Tukey test. Resveratrol potentiated inhibitory effects of simvastatin on androstenedione and androsterone production in theca-interstitial cells. This suppressive effect correlated with profound inhibition in Cyp17a1 mRNA expression in the presence of a combination of resveratrol and simvastatin. The present findings indicate that resveratrol potentiates the simvastatin-induced inhibitory effect on theca-interstitial cell androgen production, raising the possibility of development of novel treatments of PCOS.
Isobemisiose: an unusual trisaccharide abundant in the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii.

Abstract The major soluble carbohydrates in the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii, were glucose, α,α-trehalose and an unknown sugar. Analysis of the unknown sugar and its chemical and enzymatic digestion products by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that it was probably a trisaccharide, consisting entirely of glucose, and containing both α,α-trehalose and isomaltose moieties. Matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry, mass spectrometry and 13 C and 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed that the sugar was a trisaccharide with the following structure: O-α- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-α- d -glucopyranosyl-(1↔1)-α- d -glucopyranoside. This trisaccharide, found primarily in the bodies of B. argentifolii and not in their honeydew, is structurally similar to bemisiose [O-α- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-α- d -glucopyranosyl-(1↔1)-α- d -glucopyranoside], a sugar first identified in Bemisia honeydew. Consequently, the common name isobemisiose is proposed for the newly identified sugar. Isobemisiose, which has not been previously reported to occur in nature, constituted as much as 46% (w/w) of the ethanol-soluble sugars in adult B. argentifolii, equivalent to approximately 10% of their dry weight. It was also found in similar quantities in immature B. argentifolii. Isobemisiose was detected in two other whitefly species and in several species of aphids, but at lesser concentrations than in B. argentifolii. Labeling and pulse-chase experiments using [ 14 C ]sucrose supplied to B. argentifolii in an artificial diet revealed that label accumulated in and was chased from isobemisiose more slowly than for either glucose or trehalose. Incubation of isobemisiose with cell-free extracts of B. argentifolii demonstrated that these whiteflies contained the necessary complement of enzymes to fully degrade isobemisiose to glucose. These labeling and digestion experiments indicate that isobemisose is probably a storage carbohydrate in B. argentifolii.
Analysing legislative performance: a plebeian perspective

Legislative performance can be understood in terms of results (the quality of the laws enacted) or in terms of the literal performativity of legislators (the quality of their appearances on the public stage). This article examines two different ethical frameworks for evaluating legislative performance in this latter, performative sense: a deliberative model, which restricts just political performances to deliberative exchanges among citizens, and a plebeian model, which expands just political performances to include those where political and economic elites endure special burdens as a condition of their elevated status. Given certain drawbacks of the deliberative model and parallel advantages of the plebeian model, I endorse the plebeian approach to political performativity. The article concludes by elaborating one of the key contrasts between the two models with regard to political communication, namely the plebeian model's embrace of a distinct form of legislative disruption. Beyond the way deliberation...
The Association between Emergency Department Crowding and Hospital Performance on Antibiotic Timing for Pneumonia and Percutaneous Intervention for Myocardial Infarction

Background: Antibiotics within four hours of arrival for patients with pneumonia and percutaneous intervention (PCI) within two hours for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are standard measures of emergency department (ED) quality. Objectives: To assess the institutional-level association between measures of ED crowding and process measures for pneumonia and AMI. Methods: The authors used summary data from 24 academic hospitals in the University Health Consortium. Analysis included the 2004 ED cycle time survey and performance data from January to December 2004 regarding the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations’ PN-5b (initial antibiotic administration within four hours) for pneumonia and AMI-8a (PCI received within 120 minutes). Spearman correlation coefficients were used to determine associations between crowding and performance measures. Results: Across all institutions, 59% (range 43%–77%) of pneumonia patients received antibiotics within four hours, and 57% (range 22%–95%) of AMI patients received PCI within two hours. An increase in overall ED length of stay (0.44, p = 0.04) and for admitted patients (0.37, p = 0.08) was associated with a decrease in the proportion of pneumonia patients receiving antibiotics within four hours. An increase in chest x-ray turnaround time (0.83, p < 0.001) and an increase in the left-without-being-seen rate (0.51, p = 0.01) were also associated with a decrease in the proportion of pneumonia patients receiving antibiotics within four hours. No measures of crowding exhibited an association with time to PCI for AMI patients. Conclusions: Administrative measures of ED crowding showed an association with poorer performance on pneumonia quality of care measures but not with AMI quality of care measures. Hospitals might consider improving ED throughput, reducing boarding times for admitted patients, and reducing chest x-ray turnaround times to improve pneumonia care. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2006; 13:873–878 a 2006 by the Society for Academic Emergency
Non-Symmetric Thermal Bowing Of Flat Circular Mirrors

This paper presents a closed form solution of the biharmonic differential equation for the bending of a thin circular plate, which is kinematically supported and subjected to a generalized non-uniform thermal moment distribution. From this solution, normalized performance curves are developed for nonuniform thermal bowing and the ensuing RMS figure errors in flat circular mirrors. Several test cases of the closed form solutions were compared with independent Nastran based finite element solutions, and practically exact correlation between the two was obtained in all the cases. However, an analytical approach based on the closed form solution is significantly more efficient and cost-effective. The methodology of the closed form solution is not limited to flat circular mirrors. Some illustrative examples are included here from a similar, but somewhat more complex, closed form solution for curved circular mirrors.
Writing about patients: I. Ways of protecting confidentiality and analysts' conflicts over choice of method.

Thirty American psychoanalysts who have published articles using clinical material from their patients were interviewed about their method for ensuring confidentiality. Almost twice as many analyst...
Research Note: Influence of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the Performance of Commercial Laying Hens

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of adding 4 μg/kg of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2 D3] to the diet of 68-wk-old commercial egg production-type hens. The addition of the 1,25(OH)2 D3 to the diet for 21 days resulted in significantly decreased egg production, egg weight, and feed consumption, and significantly increased plasma P, and bone-breaking load. Specific gravity of eggs, plasma Ca, tibia ash, and fertility and hatchability of eggs were not significantly affected by the addition of 1,25(OH)2 D3 to the diet.
Mianserin as a discriminative stimulus in rats: asymmetrical cross-generalization with scopolamine.

The present study was conducted to determine if the tetracyclic antidepressant mianserin could be established as a discrminative stimulus in rats. One group of rats was trained to discriminate mianserin (4.0 mg/kg, IP) from saline in a two-lever drug discrimination procedure, and a second group of rats was trained to discriminate the muscarinic cholinergic antagonist scopolamine (0.25 mg/kg, IP) from saline. Generalization testing with the training drugs yielded an ED50 of 0.502 mg/kg for the mianserin-trained rats and an ED50 of 0.048 mg/kg for the scopolamine-trained rats. Asymmetrical cross-generalization between mianserin and scopolamine was observed, because scopolamine produced mianserin-appropriate responding, but mianserin did not produce scopolamine-appropriate responding. This study is the first demonstration that rats can be trained to discriminate mianserin from saline and that antagonism of muscarinic cholinergic receptors is sufficient to produce mianserin-appropriate responding.
Trends in the incidence of childhood and adolescent cancer in Connecticut, 1935-1979.

Trends in the incidence of childhood cancer in Connecticut are reported and analyzed for the period 1935-1979 by 5-year age groups (0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19 years), using a log linear model method. A threefold increase (P less than .001) in the incidence of ALL in males 0-4 years of age was observed, with significant increases of smaller magnitude seen in males aged 5-9 and 15-19 and females aged 0-4 and 5-9. The incidence of central nervous system cancers also increased in several age groups for both sexes with the largest increase seen in males 0-4 years old. Significant increases in incidence of large magnitude were also observed for Hodgkin's disease, in males aged 15-19 years and females aged 10-19 years, for neuroblastoma in both sexes at ages 0-4 years, and for testis and ovarian cancer at ages 15-19 years. This study of trends in incidence of childhood cancers by 5-year age groups has revealed significant changes, which would not have been as apparent if broader age groups had been used. These results provide relevant data for investigating the etiology of cancer during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Trends in Connecticut are compared with findings from other registries in the United States and other countries.
Equivalent local Dirac potentials

A transformation is used to obtain sets of equivalent Lorentz scalar, Lorentz four-vector, and tensor optical potentials. These potentials are used in the Dirac equation for describing elastic scattering observables.
Excited state charge transfer in dyads of ZnO nanocrystals and organic or transition metal dyes

To better understand the specific charge transfer events that occur within a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), we synthesized well-defined ZnO:dye dyads. The ZnO nanocrystals were synthesized following literature procedures from zinc acetate and a hydroxide source in ethanol. The absorption onset of the ZnO nanocrystals was observed using UV-vis measurements, from which estimated nanocrystal diameters were determined. At room temperature, the synthesis yielded nanocrystals ranging in diameter from 2-4 nm. Dispersions of ZnO nanocrystals in ethanol were mixed with solutions containing 5??-phenyl-3?,4?-di(nbutyl)-[2,2?:5?,2??] terthiophene-5-carboxylic acid. Using FT-IR and fluorescence spectroscopy, it was verified that the dye molecules were adsorbed to the ZnO surface via their carboxylate groups while the number of dye molecules adsorbed to the surface was quantified using a combination of techniques. Adsorption isotherms were employed to probe surface coverage of the dye onto the nanocrystals to yield an adsorption equilibrium constant of 1.5 ± 0.2 x 105 M-1. The ability of ZnO nanocrystals to quench the emission of the dye by an electron transfer mechanism was observed and elucidated using ultra-fast laser spectroscopy where the time-scale for electron injection from the dye to the ZnO was determined to be 5.5 ps.
Photoperiodic and gonadal steroid regulation of pineal hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase and N-acetyl transferase in Coturnix quail.

Abstract The activities of the melatonin-synthesizing enzymes were determined in pineals of Coturnix quail in response to photoperiodicity and gonadal hormones. Both hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase (HIOMT) and N-acetyl transferase (NAT) were two-fold higher during exposure to darkness in female and male Coturnix maintained in a gonad-stimulating photoperiod (16L:8D). Castration decreased HIOMT activity in both female and male Coturnix. Administration of diethylstilbestrol, estradiol benzoate and progesterone into castrated females, and testosterone propionate and androstenedione into castrated males, restored HIOMT activity similar to that of intact controls. NAT was not affected by castration or gonadal steroids. These results suggest that the activity of pineal NAT is regulated primarily by photoperiodicity, while HIOMT activity is a consequence of photoperiodic and gonadal steroid regulation.
Reasoning about naming systems

This paper reasons about naming systems as specialized inference mechanisms, It describes a preference )-zierarch.v that can be used to specify the structure of a naming system’s inference mechanism and defines criteria by which different naming systems can be evaluated, For example, the preference hierarchy allows one to compare naming systems based on how dkcrzmznating they are and to identify the class of names for which a given naming system is sound and complete. A study of several example naming systems demonstrates how the preference hierarchy can be used as a formal tool for designing naming systems.
Improved Preparation of Tetrahydroselenophene (Selenacyclopentane) and Tetrahydroteliajrophene (Tellur Acy Clopentane)

Abstract Tetrahydroselenophene and tetrahydrotellurophene were prepared in yields between 80 to 90% by the reaction between disodium chalcogenides and 1,4-dibromobutane in a medium of aqueous sodium hydroxide in the presence of methyltrialkyl(C8-C10) ammonium chloride as the phase-transfer catalyst. The disodium chalcogenides synthesized from the elemental chalcogens and sodium formaldehyde-sulfoxylate in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution were used in situ.
Properties of spinal cord processing of femoral venous afferent input revealed by analysis of evoked potentials

Two characteristics of spinal cord interneurons which receive inputs from femoral-saphenous venous afferents were examined. The shortest pathway between primary femoral-saphenous venous afferents and alpha-motoneurons was shown to be a di- or tri-synaptic circuit. In addition, the largest focal synaptic field potentials elicited by venous afferent stimulation at short latency were recorded from Rexed's lamina V. It was thus concluded that most of the first interneurons excited by venous afferents are found in this lamina.
Effects of pre-existing grain boundary microvoid distributions on fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth in low alloy steel

Abstract The role of dispersions of pre-existing grain boundary microvoids is investigated in fracture toughness and fatigue crack propagation behavior in a low alloy steel. Microvoid damage is achieved by prior exposure of the steel to gaseous hydrogen atmospheres at high temperatures and pressures, where carbon within the steel reacts with ingressed hydrogen to nucleate methane bubbles along prior austenite grain boundaries (hydrogen attack). It is shown that, whereas the crack initiation and crack growth toughness (i.e. K Ic and the tearing modulus) are severely degraded, even for comparatively mild degrees of microvoid damage, rates of sub-critical crack growth by fatigue remain relatively unaffected. Such results are interpreted in terms of a mutual competition between microstructural damage generated by the grain boundary microvoids, which promotes crack growth by lowering the intrinsic resistance of the microstructure, and the resulting tortuous crack paths, which extrinsically retard crack growth at low stress intensities by lowering the local crack tip “driving force” (crack tip shielding). As shielding effects are minimized at high stress intensities, the degradation in intrinsic toughness is related to changes in ductility by means of a stress-modified critical strain model for ductile fracture, where the presence of small microvoid clusters is shown to promote coalescence through the easier onset of plastic strain localization. Fatigue behavior, conversely, is dominated by extrinsic shielding mechanisms and is modeled in terms of two-dimensional models of crack deflection and roughness-induced crack closure.
Two cases of male genital self-mutilation: an examination of liaison dynamics.

Genital self-mutilation (GSM) presents to hospital surgical services in a dramatic fashion, requiring immediate surgical evaluation, often evoking strong countertransferential feelings, and eluding an easy categorical psychiatric diagnosis. It is defined as the direct destruction of genital tissue without suicidal intent. Psychiatric involvement is called for in many cases because of the obvious issue of self-harm, and to assist in discerning motivations for the injuries. We present two cases of GSM recently evaluated by our Consultation-Liaison (C-L) psychiatry service. They highlight not only the complexity and clinical heterogeneity of patients who present after GSM but also the importance of investigating whether both medical and non-psychiatric diagnoses could explain the cause for self-injury. We discuss the countertransference that may develop between the patient and the primary treating team, and liaison issues that C-L psychiatrists should be mindful of to improve patient care.
Tilted-Axis Precession and Phase-Sensitive Detection of Nuclear Magnetization

Abstract The precession of nuclear magnetization about tilted axes in the rotating frame and its consequences for phase-sensitive NMR detection are examined in detail in this work. Expressions for the frequencies and phases of a NMR spectrum acquired during tilted-axis precession are derived, and utilized to show how phase-cycling schemes that eliminate undesired artifacts in such spectra can be determined. The explicit use of these expressions is demonstrated in a calculation of efficient new phase cycles for three line-narrowing experiments (MREV-8, BR-24, and C-24) exemplifying precession of nuclear magnetization about axes not aligned with the static field direction. Experimental and simulated results that confirm the effectiveness of the phase cycles and illustrate their applicability under conditions of practical interest are reported. An analysis of artifacts not totally eliminated by these phase-cycling schemes is described. The source of these residual artifacts in multiple-pulse applications is shown to be large deviations of the effective offset Hamiltonian parameters from canonical values calculated using zeroth-order coherent-averaging theory. These deviations are an intrinsic characteristic of multiple-pulse line-narrowing techniques, and are not eradicated even when the experiments are performed under ideal conditions. The consequences of this shortcoming of the zeroth-order theory for the interpretation of multiple-pulse spectra are discussed.
Development and validation of a coastal surge and inundation prediction system

The development and validation of a coastal storm surge and inundation prediction system for operational use by the United States Navy is detailed. The system consists of the Delft3D-FLOW hydrodynamic model coupled with the Delft3D-WAVE wave model and a graphical user interface, the Delft Dashboard. The coupled system is used to model storm surge and inundation produced by Hurricane Ike along the Gulf of Mexico coast in September 2008. The hydrodynamic model is run in 2D depth averaged mode to develop a “best” simulation. The best simulation is developed after hundreds of test runs and it consists of a blended elevation dataset for use as the model bathymetry and topography, a spatially varying Manning's N coefficient, multiple nests, atmospheric forcing from re-analysis wind and pressure fields with directional land masking, an initial water level of 0.11 m, an updated air — sea drag coefficient, and dynamically coupled flow and wave fields. The simulation results compare very favorably with observed water level. To assess the system in an operational forecast environment, the system's sensitivity to the elevation dataset, bottom roughness, domain resolution, atmospheric forcing, drag coefficient, initial water level, and wave coupling was investigated and found to vary widely depending on the component.
Determination of the embryonic inner ear.

Inner ear induction, like induction of other tissues examined in recent years, is likely to be comprised of several stages. The process begins during gastrulation when the ectoderm is competent to respond to induction. It appears that a signal from the endomesoderm underlying the otic area during gastrulation initiates induction complemented by a signal from presumptive neural tissue. By the neural plate stage, a region of ectoderm outside the neural plate is “biased” toward ear formation; this process may be part of a more general “placodal” bias shared by several sensory tissues. Induction continues during neurulation when a signal from neural tissue (possibly augmented by mesoderm underlying the otic area) results in ectoderm committed to otic vesicle formation at the time of neural tube closure. Studies on several gene families implicate them in the ear determination process. Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) family members are clearly involved in induction: FGFs are appropriately expressed for such a role, and have been shown to be essential for inner ear development. FGFs also have inductive activity, although it is not clear if they are sufficient for ear induction. Activation of transcription factors in the otic ectoderm, for example, by Pax gene family members, provides evidence for important changes in the responding ectoderm beginning during gastrulation and continuing through specification at the end of neurulation, although few functional tests have defined the role of these genes in determination. The challenge remains to merge embryologic data with gene function studies to develop a clear model for the molecular basis of inner ear induction. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 53: 100–128, 2002
Colloque Victor Gelu: Marseille au XIXe siècle, Université de Provence-Marseille

Regionalism and popularism were the dominant themes at the Colloque Victor Gelu, organized at the Universit? de Provence-Marseille by the Regional Cen ter for Occitan Studies October 25-27, 1985 to mark the hundredth anniver sary of the death of Victor Gelu (1806-85), the Marseillais songwriter and poet. As if to set the tone for the conference, a poster on the walls of the stark ly functional Universit? de Provence-Marseille said: "No to Atlantic France!" One participant was so carried away be the spirit of the colloquium that he would speak only in Proven?al. The conference opened with a poem in Pro ven?al by J?rge Reboul, followed by J. Boisseau's paper on Marseille's resis tance to the protectionist M?line tariffs in the 1890s. Boisseau quoted the newspaper Le S?maphore de Marseille, which had gone so far as to say that Marseille is "a separate republic," not an appendage of France. In part, this local resentment of the tyranny of Paris was a legacy of Victor Gelu. J. Arrouye, speaking on "Moral Geography in [Victor Gelu's novel] Nove Granet, written in 1856, noted how Gelu had portrayed Paris as rich and evil, and Marseille as poor and good. Unlike Balzac's characters, who found Paris irresistible and who let it lure them to their spiritual deaths, Gelu's hero hates Paris and returns to Marseille as soon as he can. Gelu's hero, and Gelu himself, detested everything that Paris stood for: urbanization, capitalism, materialism, mechanization, speculation. He wanted a world in which there were no machines and the workers had work. Gelu's ideals came from his memories of the Marseille of his youth. His family was moderately wealthy, but he preferred to spend his time with the working people. According to Lucien Gaillard of the Universit? de Provence Marseille, a leading expert on Gelu and on popular mentality in nineteenth century Marseille, young Gelu had known among the workers only the Mar seille dockers, the portefaix de Marseille, whose exclusive corporation gave them spectacularly high wages and an iron grip on the loading and unloading of ships. The portefaix de Marseille had no desire to see their city mechanized; they could keep their jobs only so long as the port needed the sacks on their backs to unload its ships. Gelu shared their Luddist point of view, and he op posed schemes of mechanization all his life. He also opposed all of the social
The effect of substrates on the hydrogen-tritium exchange of the isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase from E. coli

Abstract Tritium-hydrogen exchange and optical rotation have been used to detect possible conformational changes of the E. coli isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase in the presence and and absence of substrates. The presence of isoleucine and ATP-MgCl2 prevent the exchange of about 40 hydrogens/mole of enzyme. In the absence of substrates these are rapidly exchanging hydrogens with a t 1 2 of 3–5 min. The optical rotation of the enzyme in the presence or absence of substrates is identical in the region of 600-300 mμ. A b0 of − 172 is obtained from Moffitt-Yang plots. There are two possible interpretations of the tritium-hydrogen exchange experiments: Either the substrates induce a conformational change in the enzyme or alternatively the substrates act by directly shielding some of the enzyme hydrogens from the solvent.
Immunocytochemistry of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone during spontaneous and thyroxine-induced metamorphosis of bullfrogs.

Double-bridge peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemistry was used to compare the developmental appearance of immunoreactive LH-RH (ir-LH-RH) in brains of bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles during either spontaneous or thyroxine-induced metamorphosis. During spontaneous metamorphosis, ir-LH-RH was localized in fibers of the external layer of the median eminence (ME) of stage XIII–XXV animals, while immunoreactive perikarya and other immunostained brain structures were absent. The extent and intensity of ME immunostaining increased concomitantly with measured ME morphological development. Tadpoles induced with thyroxine to metamorphic stages XIX–XXI exhibited ME structural development and neurohypo-physial neurosecretory staining similar to spontaneously metamorphosed individuals of equal stages. However, comparable ME ir-LH-RH immunostaining and gonadal size were both less developed in thyroxine-treated animals, although increased relative to non-metamorphic vehicle-injected controls. These results indicate that the hypothalamic LH-RH system changes concurrently with ME structural development during spontaneous metamorphosis. Reduced ME ir-LH-RH staining and gonadal size in thyroxine-treated animals suggest that during prometamorphosis, factors other than thyroxine alone may coordinate the normal maturation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis of the bullfrog.
'Magnetic structure of GdAgSb 2 determined by x-ray resonant exchange scattering'

X-ray resonant exchange-scattering experiments were performed on a single crystal of ${\mathrm{GdAgSb}}_{2}$ to determine the magnetic structure. Long-range antiferromagnetic ordering, characterized by a wave vector of $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\tau}}=(\frac{1}{2}00),$ develops below the N\'eel temperature ${(T}_{N}=13 \mathrm{K}),$ consistent with the dc susceptibility measurements. For the scattering geometry employed in these measurements, the resonant enhancement at the $(\frac{1}{2}08)$ magnetic peak arises from electric quadrupole transitions only while the resonant enhancement at the $(0\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}8)$ magnetic peak arises from electric dipole transitions. Q-dependent integrated intensity measurements were carried out, along with polarization analysis of the scattered beam, and demonstrated that the moments lie in the tetragonal basal plane and are perpendicular to the magnetic wave vector.
Reining in the SPACE COWBOYS

The Bush administration wants weapons in orbit. What can be done to keep those weapons from threatening the civilian use of space?
Sports-related genitourinary injuries presenting to United States emergency departments.

OBJECTIVE: To describe epidemiologic features of sports-related genitourinary (GU) injuries and determine patient cohorts and particular sporting activities associated with increased GU injury risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a data set validated to provide a probability sample of injury-related US emergency department (ED) presentations, was analyzed to characterize GU injuries between 2002 and 2010. A total of 13,851 observations were analyzed to derive national estimates. RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2010, an estimated 137,525 individuals (95% confidence interval, 104,490-170,620) presented to US EDs with GU injuries sustained during sporting activities. Nearly three-quarters of injuries occurred in the pediatric population. The most common product involved was a bicycle, representing approximately one-third of injuries in both adult and pediatric populations. Injuries related to team sports such as football, baseball or softball, basketball, and soccer were also common, particularly among boys where they represented a combined third of all injuries. Eighty-nine percent of all patients were evaluated and treated in the ED without inpatient admission. The large majority of injuries involved the external genitalia (60%), and significant injuries of paired GU organs (kidneys and testicles) requiring inpatient admission were rare (8.5%). CONCLUSION: Sports-related GU injuries are most commonly sustained during the use of a bicycle. However, there are other associated activities with identifiable high-risk cohorts, products, and situations. Consumers, practitioners, and injury-prevention experts can use our epidemiologic data to prioritize and develop strategies aimed at the prevention and limitation of such injuries, particularly when counseling at-risk cohorts, such as those with solitary kidneys or testicles. Language: en
Ovarian Hormone Fluctuation, Neurosteroids, and HPA Axis Dysregulation in Perimenopausal Depression: A Novel Heuristic Model

Objective:In this conceptual review, the authors propose a novel mechanistic candidate in the etiology of depression with onset in the menopause transition (“perimenopausal depression”) involving alterations in stress-responsive pathways, induced by ovarian hormone fluctuation.Method:The relevant literature in perimenopausal depression, including prevalence, predictors, and treatment with estrogen therapy, was reviewed. Subsequently, the growing evidence from animal models and clinical research in other reproductive mood disorders was synthesized to describe a heuristic model of perimenopausal depression development.Results:The rate of major depressive disorder and clinically meaningful elevations in depressive symptoms increases two- to threefold during the menopause transition. While the mechanisms by which ovarian hormone fluctuation might impact mood are poorly understood, growing evidence from basic and clinical research suggests that fluctuations in ovarian hormones and derived neurosteroids result ...
Kenneth and Mamie Clark Revisited: Racial Identification and Racial Preference in Dark-Skinned and Light-Skinned Black Children.

When repeated, Kenneth and Mamie Clark's famous study of 1947 produces sharply different results.
Speculative data dissemination and service to reduce server load, network traffic and service time in distributed information systems

We present two server-initiated protocols to improve the performance of distributed information systems (e.g. WWW). Our first protocol is a hierarchical data dissemination mechanism that allows information to propagate from its producers to servers that are closer to its consumers. This dissemination reduces network traffic and balances load amongst servers by exploiting geographic and temporal locality of reference properties exhibited in client access patterns. Our second protocol relies on "speculative service", whereby a request for a document as serviced by sending, in addition to the document requested, a number of other documents that the server speculates will be requested in the near future. This speculation reduces service time by exploiting the spatial locality of reference property. We present results of trace-driven simulations that quantify the attainable performance gains for both protocols.
Comparison of adaptive body bias (ABB) and adaptive supply voltage (ASV) for improving delay and leakage under the presence of process variation

Process variations as a percentage of nominal delay and power consumption are becoming more and more severe with continuing scaling of VLSI technology. The worsening process variation causes increased variability in performance, power, and reliability of VLSI circuits. Thus, performance and power consumption targets obtained during the design phase of VLSI circuits may significantly deviate from that of actual silicon resulting in significant yield losses. Adaptive body bias (ABB) has been shown to be an effective method of postsilicon tuning to reduce variability under the presence of process variation. Post silicon tuning can also be accomplished by using adaptive supply voltage (ASV). This paper compares the effectiveness of ABB and ASV in reducing variability and improving performance and power, and thus, yield.
Models of alternative life‐history strategies, population structure and potential speciation in salmonid fish stocks

Summary 1. High Arctic landlocked Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus L., are used as a reference system to examine the theory of alternative life history strategies in Salmonids and their implication for population structure and potential speciation. In these closed, autonomous systems, Arctic charr are the only fish species present and alternative life history strategies are represented by two distinct size modes, commonly known as ‘dwarf’ and ‘normal’ charr. 2. Simple mathematical models are used to caricature the density-dependent interactions within and between the dwarf and normal components of these bimodal populations. Two different assumptions concerning the genetic relationship between the two alternative life history strategies are investigated: complete reproductive isolation, or a single stock which chooses between the alternative strategies facultatively. 3. In constant environmental conditions, the evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) is not affected by the assumed genetic relationship, and the ESS proportions of dwarfs and normals are shown to depend on environmental parameters. The ESS proportions vary with these parameters along an evolutionarily stable continuum (ESC) and, in particular, a high proportion of normals is associated with high growth rate as a juvenile, and a ‘stunted’ or unimodal population with low growth rate. The predicted ESC for selection of the normal strategy is similar to that observed experimentally in the analogous case of smolting in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. 4. A difference in the ratio of fecundity to mortality rate between dwarf and normal sub-populations is shown to be essential to maintaining bimodal populations, and it is argued that cannibalism is one mechanism which could achieve this difference. 5. The model is extended to ask what ecological conditions would favour evolution toward the speciated or reproductively isolated state. It is concluded that short-term environmental fluctuations select against speciation and it is speculated that most natural bimodal Arctic charr stocks will achieve maximum individual fitness within a ‘semispeciated’ configuration which is maintained by incomplete assortative mating.
Interleukin 10 reduces the severity of acute pancreatitis in rats

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Previous studies have documented the effectiveness of interleukin (IL)-10 if given before the onset of experimental acute pancreatitis. This study examined whether IL-10, a cytokine that inhibits macrophage release of inflammatory mediators, would alter the severity of acute pancreatitis if given before or after the induction of disease. METHODS: Eighty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 received intravenous saline, and groups 2, 3, and 4 received intravenous cerulein (8.5 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1)). Group 3 was also given 150,000 U of intraperitoneal IL-10 1 hour before cerulein infusion and every 3 hours thereafter. Group 4 received 150,000 U intraperitoneal IL-10 2 hours after cerulein infusion and every 3 hours thereafter. Serum amylase and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha levels were measured before and 3, 9, or 15 hours after induction of pancreatitis. Animals were killed at these time points. Pancreata were analyzed for edema and TNF-alpha mRNA and TNF-alpha protein concentrations and were graded histologically. RESULTS: Serum amylase, TNF-alpha mRNA, and TNF-alpha protein levels, pancreatic edema, and histological score were significantly reduced when IL-10 was administered either before or after induction of pancreatitis. Serum TNF-alpha levels were undetectable. CONCLUSIONS: IL-10 attenuated the severity of experimental acute pancreatitis if given either before or after the induction of the disease. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the macrophage is important in determining the severity of acute pancreatitis in this model. (Gastroenterology 1997 Mar;112(3):960-7)
Reduction of Expansive Index, Swelling and Compression Behavior of Kaolinite and Bentonite Clay with Sand and Class C Fly Ash

Swelling behavior of expansive soil has always created problems in the field of geotechnical engineering. Generally, the method used to assess the swelling potential of expansive soil from its plasticity index, shrinkage limit and colloidal content. Alternative way to evaluate swelling behavior is from its expansive index (EI) and swelling pressure value. The present study investigates the reduction of EI and swelling pressure for kaolinite and bentonite clay when mixed with various percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. The percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash used were 0–50 % by weight. The results show that there is a significant reduction in the swelling properties of expansive soil with the addition of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. The reduction in EI ranged approximately from 10 to 50 and 4 to 49 % for kaolinite and bentonite clay, respectively. Also the maximum swelling pressure of kaolinite and bentonite clay decreased approximately 93 and 64 %, respectively with the addition of various percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. Standard index properties test viz., liquid limit, plastic limit and linear shrinkage test were conducted to see the characteristics of expansive soil when mixed with less expansive sand and fly ash. Also, for these expansive soils one dimensional consolidation test have been conducted with sand and fly ash mixtures and the results were compared with pure kaolinite and bentonite clay.
Mechanisms responsible for high levels of permethrin resistance in the house fly

The mechanisms responsible for > 6000-fold permethrin resistance in a pyrethroid-selected strain of house fly, Learn-PyR, were investigated. Through electrophysiological, in vitro metabolism, in vivo penetration and synergism studies it was demonstrated that the resistance mechanisms consisted of enhanced metabolic detoxification via the mixed-function oxidase (MFO) system, target-site insensitivity and decreased cuticular penetration. The major resistance mechanism was the MFO-mediated detoxification. The elevated MFO activity was correlated with higher levels of cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b5 and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity. The kinetics of the latter showed similar Km but greater Vmax values in the Learn-PyR than in the susceptible strain, suggesting that the elevated activity was due to an altered amount, but not an altered form, of the enzyme. The Learn-PyR strain showed widely varying levels of resistance to the pyrethroids tested. Comparison of the pyrethroid structures with the resistance ratios revealed that resistance was highest in the presence of an unsubstituted phenoxybenzyl alcohol moiety. Substitution or certain modifications of the alcohol moiety reduced the level of resistance. Structure of the acid moiety or the presence or absence of an a-CN group did not affect the resistance level. These results are discussed with reference to the resistance mechanisms present.