cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strain localization and percolation of stable structure in amorphous solids.

Spontaneous strain localization occurs during mechanical tests of a model amorphous solid simulated using molecular dynamics. The degree of localization depends upon the extent of structural relaxation prior to mechanical testing. In the most rapidly quenched samples higher strain rates lead to increased localization, while the more gradually quenched samples exhibit the opposite strain rate dependence. This transition coincides with the $k$-core percolation of atoms with quasi-crystal-like short range order. The authors infer the existence of a related microstructural length scale.
RELEASE OF UPPER AIRWAY MUSCLE INHIBITION DURING AIRWAY OCCLUSION

Control of upper airway(UA) muscles appears essential for maintenance of pharyngeal patency. Animal studies indicate that volume-related vagal inhibition during inspiration modulates UA muscles more than the diaphragm(DIA). To determine if preferential inhibition of UA muscles occurs in neonates during normal inspiration, we studied 9 infants (GA 30±3 wks, age 15±8 days, Wt 1.1±0.2 kg) by performing 9 (range 5-16) end expiratory nasal occlusions during sleep. We recorded UA EMG (via surface submental electrodes), surface DIA EMG, ventilation, esophageal and mask pressures.
Atmospheric Available Energy

AbstractThe total potential energy of the atmosphere is the sum of its internal and gravitational energies. The portion of this total energy available to be converted into kinetic energy is determined relative to an isothermal, hydrostatic, equilibrium atmosphere that is convectively and dynamically “dead.” The temperature of this equilibrium state is determined by minimization of a generalized Gibbs function defined between the atmosphere and its equilibrium. Thus, this function represents the maximum amount of total energy that can be converted into kinetic energy and, hence, the available energy of the atmosphere. This general approach includes the effects of terrain, moisture, and hydrometeors. Applications are presented for both individual soundings and idealized baroclinic zones. An algorithm partitions the available energy into available baroclinic and available convective energies. Estimates of the available energetics of the general circulation suggest that atmospheric motions are primarily drive...
Influence of pre- and post-partum nutrition on LH secretion in suckled postpartum beef heifers.

Abstract The influence of nutrition during the last trimester of pregnancy and the early postpartum period on postpartum LH secretion was evaluated in two-year-old Hereford and Simmental heifers maintained on a high or low plane of nutrition (experiment 1) or in Hereford heifers fed a high or low energy (150% vs 100% NRC) ration (experiment 2). Amount of LH released with 10 mg estradiol benzoate (IM) at 14 and 28 days postpartum in experiment 1 or at 14,32,50 and 74 days postpartum in experiment 2 was less (P
Endogenous protease inhibitors prevent undesired activation of prophenolase in insect hemolymph

Abstract Phenoloxidase activation in the whole hemolymph of Sarcophaga bullata and Manduca sexta larvae is shown to be achieved by proteolytic cleavage of the proenzyme. This process is inhibited by the serine protease inactivator, Diisopropyl phosphofluoridate. Endogenous protease inhibitors isolated from the larvae inhibit α-chymotrypsin mediated prophenoloxidase activation in the hemolymph. These observations suggest that the endogenous protease inhibitors prevent undesired activation of prophenol oxidase in the hemolymph by inhibiting the serine protease involved in the activation process.
Epidemiology of doublet/multiplet mutations in lung cancers: evidence that a subset arises by chronocoordinate events

Background: Evidence strongly suggests that spontaneous doublet mutations in normal mouse tissues generally arise from chronocoordinate events. These chronocoordinate mutations sometimes reflect ‘‘mutation showers’’, which are multiple chronocoordinate mutations spanning many kilobases. However, little is known about mutagenesis of doublet and multiplet mutations (domuplets) in human cancer. Lung cancer accounts for about 25% of all cancer deaths. Herein, we analyze the epidemiology of domuplets in the EGFR and TP53 genes in lung cancer. The EGFR gene is an oncogene in which doublets are generally driver plus driver mutations, while the TP53 gene is a tumor suppressor gene with a more typical situation in which doublets derive from a driver and passenger mutation. Methodology/Principal Findings: EGFR mutations identified by sequencing were collected from 66 published papers and our updated EGFR mutation database (www.egfr.org). TP53 mutations were collected from IARC version 12 (wwwp53.iarc.fr). For EGFR and TP53 doublets, no clearly significant differences in race, ethnicity, gender and smoking status were observed. Doublets in the EGFR and TP53 genes in human lung cancer are elevated about eight- and three-fold, respectively, relative to spontaneous doublets in mouse (6% and 2.3% versus 0.7%). Conclusions/Significance: Although no one characteristic is definitive, the aggregate properties of doublet and multiplet mutations in lung cancer are consistent with a subset derived from chronocoordinate events in the EGFR gene: i) the eight frameshift doublets (present in 0.5% of all patients with EGFR mutations) are clustered and produce a net in-frame change; ii) about 32% of doublets are very closely spaced (#30 nt); and iii) multiplets contain two or more closely spaced mutations. TP53 mutations in lung cancer are very closely spaced (#30 nt) in 33% of doublets, and multiplets generally contain two or more very closely spaced mutations. Work in model systems is necessary to confirm the significance of chronocoordinate events in lung and other cancers.
Joint relation of intimate partner violence and parenting stress to observed emotionally unsupportive parenting behavior

Grounded in Emotional Security Theory (Cummings & Davies, 1994), the present study examined the unique role of parenting stress in the transmission of conflict from intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization to observed emotionally unsupportive parenting behavior (i.e., hostility, psychological control, emotional unavailability) within a community sample. Participants included 64 demographically diverse mother-child dyads (children 8-11 years). Through a comparison of 2 models, indirect effects (mediation) and conditional effects (moderation), results indicated that the relation between maternal IPV victimization and observed emotionally unsupportive parenting behavior was both indirect via parenting stress and conditional upon the level of maternal parenting stress, such that higher levels of IPV victimization were related to emotionally unsupportive parenting behavior only when mothers also experienced higher levels of parenting stress. FINDINGS suggest intervention efforts designed to reduce maternal parenting stress and increase parental emotional support might be important in reducing risk for parental engagement in emotionally unsupportive parenting behavior in the wake of IPV victimization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved) Language: en
Water-soluble Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Formed by α7 Subunit Extracellular Domains

Water-soluble models of ligand-gated ion channels would be advantageous for structural studies. We investigated the suitability of three versions of the N-terminal extracellular domain (ECD) of the α7 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) family for this purpose by examining their ligand-binding and assembly properties. Two versions included the first transmembrane domain and were solubilized with detergent after expression inXenopus oocytes. The third was truncated before the first transmembrane domain and was soluble without detergent. For all three, their equilibrium binding affinities for α-bungarotoxin, nicotine, and acetylcholine, combined with their velocity sedimentation profiles, were consistent with the formation of native-like AChRs. These characteristics imply that the α7 ECD can form a water-soluble AChR that is a model of the ECD of the full-length α7 AChR.
Diurnal changes in the instantaneous water use efficiency of a soybean crop

Abstract Variations in the instantaneous transpirational water use efficiency for a soybean crop were evaluated as affected by time of day, water stress, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Canopy transpiration (TR) and photosynthesis (CER) rates were measured hourly during five days of a nine-day soybean field experiment. One treatment was subjected to a drying cycle and one treatment was well-irrigated during the nine-day period. Instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE i ) was calculated by dividing canopy CER by TR for each hourly measurement. Soybean canopy WUE i varied with time of day and with water stress. Theoretical considerations result in a predicted inverse relationship between WUE i and VPD with a crop-dependent slope. For well-watered conditions, the WUE i was well-described by this relationship. During water stress conditions, soybean CER was reduced more than TR. As a result, WUE i decreased as water stress progressed and was considerably lower than that of well-watered plants during the last three days of the drying cycle.
Cuticular hydrocarbons of the house fly, Musca domestica

Abstract The cuticular hydrocarbons, some of which serve as components of the sex pheromone, of the house fly Musca domestica L. were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The types of components identified in both sexes were n- alkanes , (Z)-9- alkenes , terminally (2-, 3- and 4-) and internally branched monomethylalkanes, and 3, x- , 4, x- and internally branched dimethylalkanes. The methylalkanes were minor components in males, whereas they were major components in females. (Z)-9- Tricosene , (Z)-9- hentriacontene and (Z)-9- tritriacontene were identified in females but not in males. In the male, 2- and 3-methyloctacosanes together with 2- and 3-methyltriacontanes were identified, whereas in the female the corresponding 4- and 3-methyl isomers were identified.
Evidence for Superfluidity in a Resonantly Interacting Fermi Gas

We observe collective oscillations of a trapped, degenerate Fermi gas of 6Li atoms at a magnetic field just above a Feshbach resonance, where the two-body physics does not support a bound state. The gas exhibits a radial breathing mode at a frequency of 2837(05) Hz, in excellent agreement with the frequency of nu(H) identical with sqrt[10nu(x)nu(y)/3]=2830(20) Hz predicted for a hydrodynamic Fermi gas with unitarity-limited interactions. The measured damping times and frequencies are inconsistent with predictions for both the collisionless mean field regime and for collisional hydrodynamics. These observations provide the first evidence for superfluid hydrodynamics in a resonantly interacting Fermi gas.
SEROUS OTITIS MEDIA.

Serous otitis media is arousing increasing interest among otologists, partly because the incidence of the disease seems to have grown and partly because its treatment in many cases affords difficult problems. If left untreated, it changes into chronic adhesive otitis and resultant severely impaired hearing. Treatment must be started before irreversible changes have occurred in the tympanum and the eustachian tube. Chronic cases of serous otitis media which are often refractory to all conventional therapy can be successfully treated by an indwelling plastic tube in the tympanum. The latent mastoiditis which frequently accompanies the condition must first be cured.
Predicting the precipitation of acid and direct dyes in natural waters

Abstract A simple screening test was used to determine whether acid and direct dyes precipitate at calcium concentrations typical of hard waters in the Southeastern Piedmont region of the United States. Of 52 dyes tested, only three direct dyes (Direct Black 19, Direct Black 22, and Direct Blue 75) and seven acid dyes (Acid Red 88, Acid Red 114, Acid Red 151, Acid Brown 14, Acid Black 24, Acid Orange 8, and Acid Blue 113) precipitated. Structures of all hut three of the dyes, or ligands in the case of complexes, are in the literature. Conditional solubility-product constants (K sp ) of calcium salts were also determined by titrimetric and batch-equilibration methods for five of the dyes (Acid Red 114, Acid Red 151, Acid Orange 8, Acid Blue 113, and Direct Yellow 28). The K sp values range from 3 × 10 −10 to 1·0 × 10 −7 M 2 and from 6× 10 −15 to 1 × 10 −9 M 3 for salts of divalent and monovalent dyes, respectively. Monitoring data show that maximum calcium concentrations in Southeastern Piedmont waters are approximately 2 × 10 −3 M and thus unlikely to precipitate most dyes of the types represented. However, it is not known whether these conclusions are valid for newer dyes that have structures not reported in the open literature.
Normalization, comparison, and scaling of adsorption data: arsenate and goethite.

Abstract Various approaches for analyzing adsorption data were examined to determine the best method for reporting and interpreting the results of adsorption experiments and ultimately extrapolating laboratory measurements to the field. The interactions of arsenate and goethite were used as representative adsorbate and adsorbent, respectively, although the general principles are applicable to other adsorbate–adsorbent systems as well. A modeling exercise was conducted first to determine the theoretical principles governing the comparison and scaling of adsorption data. These principles were then tested on a suite of experimental data, both new and previously published. Log K D is significantly more sensitive to variations in adsorbate (AsT) or adsorbent (FeT) concentrations than either adsorbed concentration (q) or percentage adsorbed. The sensitivity of K D relative to q occurs due to the non-linearity of the adsorption isotherm at a given pH, since as the equilibrium aqueous concentration approaches zero, q also approaches zero while K D approaches infinity. Varying AsT and FeT while keeping AsT/FeT fixed yields more consistent values of percentage adsorbed, log K D , and q, although the adsorbate-to-adsorbent ratios used in laboratory studies often have a rather narrow range compared to those possible in the field. Specific surface area is also a better scaling parameter than the mass of adsorbent, especially between systems with differing adsorbents with markedly different specific surface areas (e.g., natural versus synthetic goethite). Our results have significant implications to contaminant transport modeling, as the constant K D approach is the most common method of modeling contaminant transport, while contaminant concentrations in the field are typically low, precisely the conditions where K D is most sensitive.
Depletion of Cytotoxic T-Cells Does Not Protect NUP98-HOXD13 Mice from Myelodysplastic Syndrome but Reveals a Modest Tumor Immunosurveillance Effect

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and aplastic anemia (AA) patients both present with symptoms of bone marrow failure. In many AA patients, these features are thought to result from an oligoclonal expansion of cytotoxic T-cells that destroy haematopoietic stem or progenitor cells. This notion is supported by the observation that AA patients respond to immunosuppressive therapy. A fraction of MDS patients also respond well to immunosuppressive therapy suggesting a similar role for cytotoxic T-cells in the etiology of MDS, however the role of cytotoxic T-cells in MDS remains unclear. Mice that express a NUP98-HOXD13 (NHD13) transgene develop a MDS that closely mimics the human condition in terms of dysplasia, ineffective hematopoiesis, and transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We followed a cohort of NHD13 mice lacking the Rag1 protein (NHD13/Rag1KO) to determine if the absence of lymphocytes might 1) delay the onset and/or diminish the severity of the MDS, or 2) effect malignant transformation and survival of the NHD13 mice. No difference was seen in the onset or severity of MDS between the NHD13 and NHD13/Rag1KO mice. However, NHD13/Rag1KO mice had decreased survival and showed a trend toward increased incidence of transformation to AML compared to the NHD13 mice, suggesting protection from AML transformation by a modest immuno-surveillance effect. In the absence of functional Tcrb signaling in the NHD13/Rag1KO T-cell tumors, Pak7 was identified as a potential Tcrb surrogate survival signal.
In vitro and in vivo modulation of cholinergic muscarinic receptors in rat lymphocytes and brain by cholinergic agents.

Abstract A binding site for 3 H-quinuclidinyl benzylate (QNB) has been identified in rat lymphocytes which has the characteristics of a cholinergic muscarinic receptor (Costa, L. G., Kaylor, G. & Murphy, S. D. (1988). Muscarinic cholinergic binding sites on rat lymphocytes. Immunopharmacology , 16 , 139–149.) Here we show that prolonged exposures to cholinergic compounds in vitro and in vivo modulate muscarinic receptor binding in lymphocytes as well as in brain tissue. Exposure of rat splenic lymphocytes in vitro to oxotremorine caused a time- and concentration-dependent decrease in the density of 3 H-QNB binding sites. This decrease occurred only when incubation with oxotremorine was carried out at 37°C and not at 0–4°C, suggesting that it was not an artifact due to residual, unwashed, oxotremorine. The effect of oxotremorine was mimicked by two other cholinergic agonists, acetylcholine and carbachol, and was antagonized by atropine, which, when present alone, caused an increase in 3 H-QNB binding. In vivo exposures to oxotremorine or atropine (both at 20 mg/kg/day for 14 days via an ALZA minipump) caused a significant decrease (20–30%) and increase (13–30%), respectively, of 3 H-QNB binding in various brain areas as well as circulating lymphocytes. Repeated administrations of the organophosphorus insecticide disulfoton (2 mg/kg/day for 14 days, i.p.) caused significant reductions (59–88%) of acetylcholinesterase activity in brain, lymphocytes, plasma and red blood cells, as well as a 23–39% decrease of 3 H-QNB binding in brain areas and circulating lymphocytes. These results indicate that muscarinic receptor on lymphocytes and in brain can be modulated by cholinergic drugs in a similar manner, suggesting that lymphocytes might be used as markers for cholinergic muscarinic receptors in nerve tissue.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester profoundly modifies protein synthesis profile in type 5 adenovirus-transformed cloned rat embryo fibroblast cells

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis from bee hives, exerts a plethora of biological changes in diverse systems. These include antimitogenic, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory responses. CAPE directly induces programmed cell death (apoptosis) in type 5 adenovirus (Ad5)-transformed cloned rat embryo fibroblast cells, wt3A. To identify the gene and protein expression changes induced by CAPE in wt3A cells we used a strategy involving in vitro translation of mRNAs followed by high resolution two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis. This approach results in the detection of 745 spots, including 172 displaying differences in expression upon exposure to CAPE. A high proportion of spots show profound changes in spot intensity (42 spots with increased and 27 spots with decreased intensity) following CAPE treatment. These studies provide a basis for comparing these changes to known protein patterns of various cell populations with an ultimate aim of identifying families of polypeptides responsible for the up- and down-regulation of cellular proteins during CAPE-induced apoptosis. Specific newly appearing or completely disappearing spots (52 and 51 molecular species, respectively) will be used to attempt to identify and retrieve their cDNA counterparts from an ordered cDNA library. These approaches represent a novel strategy for cloning genes associated with and potentially mediating apoptosis.
First‐Year Growth, Recruitment, and Maturity of Walleyes in Western Lake Erie

Abstract In some lakes, first-year growth of walleyes Stizostedion vitreum has been identified as an important factor governing recruitment of juveniles to the adult population. We developed a regression model for walleye recruitment in western Lake Erie by considering factors such as first-year growth, size of the spawning stock, the rate at which the lake warmed during the spring, and abundance of gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum. Gizzard shad abundance during the fall prior to spring walleye spawning explained over 40% of the variation in walleye recruitment. Gizzard shad are relatively high in lipids and are preferred prey for walleyes in Lake Erie. Therefore, the high degree of correlation between shad abundance and subsequent walleye recruitment supported the contention that mature females needed adequate lipid reserves during the winter to spawn the following spring. According to the regression analysis, spring warming rate and size of the parental stock also influenced walleye recruitment. Our reg...
Length changes in solution accompanying the B-Z transition of poly (dG-m5dC) induced by Co(NH3)63+

Transient electric dichroism measurements have been used to observe the rotational relaxation times of 145 base pair fragments of poly (dGm5dC) and random sequence DNA to solution. From these the lengths of the fragments are calculated and the interbase pair separation or rise per base pair (RPB) calculated. The observations show that even in low salt, the addition of very low concentrations of trivalent Co(NH3)63+ results in a transition of the dGm5dC polymer from B-form to Z-form with a change in the RPB from 3.4 +/- .06A to 3.7 +/- .06A, the latter form defined by the criterion of an inverted circular dichroism spectra similar to that observed at high salt in the absence of Co(NH3)63+. The 145 base pair DNA and poly (dGm5dC) are found to be essentially fully extended rods in low salt (0.2 - 2 mM Na+) solutions.
Achieving What Political Science Is For

This article argues for a political science discipline and teaching framework predicated empirically on the study of “real-world problems” and normatively on promoting civic engagement among political science students. I argue for a rethinking of political science and political science education in view of the pragmatist thought of John Dewey as well as more recent ideas on higher education of David Orr. This way of thinking calls for that which is lacking from various theory- or method-driven approaches to political science: (1) a problem orientation that explicitly clarifies that political science is for responding to what Dewey called “concrete human woes” and (2) promotion of civic engagement, defined as concern for the well-being or improvement of state and society, as an explicit learning outcome of political science education.
Gastrointestinal-projecting neurones in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus exhibit direct and viscerotopically organized sensitivity to orexin.

Orexin (hypocretin)-containing projections from lateral hypothalamus (LH) are thought to play an important role in the regulation of feeding behaviour and energy balance. In rodent studies, central administration of orexin peptides increases food intake, and orexin neurones in the LH are activated by hypoglycaemia during fasting. In addition, administration of orexins into the fourth ventricle or the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) has been shown to stimulate gastric acid secretion and motility, respectively, via vagal efferent pathways. In this study, whole-cell recordings were obtained from DMV neurones in rat brainstem slices to investigate the cellular mechanism(s) by which orexins produce their gastrostimulatory effects. To determine whether responsiveness to orexins might be differentially expressed among distinct populations of preganglionic vagal motor neurones, recordings were made from neurones whose projections to the gastrointestinal tract had been identified by retrograde labelling following apposition of the fluorescent tracer DiI to the gastric fundus, corpus or antrum/pylorus, the duodenum or caecum. Additionally, the responses of neurones to orexins were compared with those produced by oxytocin, which acts within the DMV to stimulate gastric acid secretion, but inhibits gastric motor function. Bath application of orexin-A or orexin-B (30–300 nm) produced a slow depolarization, accompanied by increased firing in 47 of 102 DMV neurones tested, including 70 % (30/43) of those that projected to the gastric fundus or corpus. In contrast, few DMV neurones that supplied the antrum/pylorus (3/13), duodenum (4/18) or caecum (1/13) were responsive to these peptides. The depolarizing responses were concentration dependent and persisted during synaptic isolation of neurones with TTX or Cd2+, indicating they resulted from activation of postsynaptic orexin receptors. They were also associated with a small increase in membrane resistance, and in voltage-clamp recordings orexin-A induced an inward current that reversed near the estimated equilibrium potential for K+, indicating the depolarization was due in large part to a reduction in K+ conductance. Orexins did not affect synaptically evoked excitation, but did reduce membrane excitability in a subset of gastric-projecting DMV neurones by enhancing GABA-mediated synaptic input. Lastly, although many DMV neurones responded to orexins and oxytocin with excitation, for the most part these peptides modulated excitability of distinct populations of gastric-projecting vagal motor neurones. These results indicate that orexins act preferentially within the DMV to directly excite vagal motor neurones that project to gastric fundus and corpus. In this way, release of endogenous orexins from descending hypothalamic projections into the DMV may mediate the increase in gastric acid secretion and motor activity associated with the cephalic phase of feeding.
535: Influence of PPROM on abnormal neurodevelopmental testing in early childhood

neurodevelopmental testing in early childhood William Goodnight, Kelly Acharya, Allison Hastings, Lori Carter, Diane Marshall University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chapel Hill, NC, UNC School of Medicine, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, VCU/MCV School of Medicine, MCV/VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, UNC School of Medicine, Pediatrics, Chapel Hill, NC OBJECTIVE: Intrauterine inflammation in PPROM may predispose to CNS injury and abnormal development. The aim of this study is to determine if PPROM is associated with abnormal early childhood neurodevelopmental (ND) testing. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort of all non-anomalous UNC deliveries (1/2000-1/2009), 23-32 weeks EGA, was examined. ND testing was performed at 9-26 months chronological age via ELMS and Bayley MDI/PDI. Abnormal ND test was defined as any test score 2 SD below mean. Rates of abnormal tests were compared between PPROM and non-PPROM. Univariate analysis was performed with 2/Fisher or Wilcoxon. An aOR for abnormal ND test was calculated, adjusted by variables significant to 0.05 in univariate analysis. RESULTS: The cohort included 28626 deliveries; 1080 (3.8%) preterm deliveries (738 PTB, 342 PPROM). Complete data was available for 208 PTB and 98 PPROM children. EGA at delivery and NICU LOS were similar between PPROM and PTB groups (27.0 vs 28.0 weeks p 0.09 and 59.0 vs 64.0 days p 0.12), with no difference in NEC, RDS, IVH III/IV. Median PPROM to delivery latency was 4(1-9) days. The PPROM group demonstrated lower cesarean delivery rates (45.9% vs 67.3% p 0.01), higher rates of amnionitis (8.2% vs 2.4% p 0.03), lower rates of BPD (33.7% vs 46.4% p 0.05), larger birthweight (BW) (1076.5g vs 951.0g, p 0.01), and more likely to be Black race (51.0% vs 33.7% p 0.03). Overall, 30.9% had an abnormal ND test; 36.5% in the PPROM group, 28.5% in the PTB group, p 0.15. Associations with abnormal ND test include proven neonatal sepsis, BW, EGA at delivery, and total ventilator days (all p 0.01). After adjusted for race, delivery mode, amnionitis, and BW*EGA at delivery, any abnormal test was associated with a 1.8 times odds of PPROM, p 0.04. CONCLUSION: In this data, presence of an abnormal ND test is more likely following PPROM. Further investigation into factors associated with PPROM and abnormal ND testing is warranted. The presence of PPROM leading to PTB may be an indication for more intensive neurodevelopmental follow up to allow early developmental intervention. OR for Abnormal Neurodevelopmental Test
Analysis and prediction of calcium-binding pockets from apo-protein structures exhibiting calcium-induced localized conformational changes.

Calcium binding in proteins exhibits a wide range of polygonal geometries that relate directly to an equally diverse set of biological functions. The binding process stabilizes protein structures and typically results in local conformational change and/or global restructuring of the backbone. Previously, we established the MUG program, which utilized multiple geometries in the Ca2+-binding pockets of holoproteins to identify such pockets, ignoring possible Ca2+-induced conformational change. In this article, we first report our progress in the analysis of Ca2+-induced conformational changes followed by improved prediction of Ca2+-binding sites in the large group of Ca2+-binding proteins that exhibit only localized conformational changes. The MUGSR algorithm was devised to incorporate side chain torsional rotation as a predictor. The output from MUGSR presents groups of residues where each group, typically containing two to five residues, is a potential binding pocket. MUGSR was applied to both X-ray apo structures and NMR holo structures, which did not use calcium distance constraints in structure calculations. Predicted pockets were validated by comparison with homologous holo structures. Defining a “correct hit” as a group of residues containing at least two true ligand residues, the sensitivity was at least 90%; whereas for a “correct hit” defined as a group of residues containing at least three true ligand residues, the sensitivity was at least 78%. These data suggest that Ca2+-binding pockets are at least partially prepositioned to chelate the ion in the apo form of the protein.
Uniform Approximation by Neural Networks

LetD?Rdbe a compact set and let?be a uniformly bounded set ofD?Rfunctions. For a given real-valued functionfdefined onDand a given natural numbern, we are looking for a good uniform approximation tofof the form ?ni=1a1?i, with?i??,ai?R. Two main cases are considered: (1) whenDis a finite set and (2) when the set?is formed by the functions?v,b(x)?s(v·x+b), wherev?Rd,b?R, andsis a fixedR?Rfunction.
Goal-directed fantasy in hypnotic responsiveness: skill, item wording, or both?

Abstract The relationship between goal-directed fantasy (GDF) and responsiveness to hypnotic items that have been historically associated with “deep” hypnosis, like hallucinations, was investigated. The degree to which the item suggestions contain material that would lead S to a GDF was also investigated as it relates to passing the item. The results supported the notion that GDF is positively related to passing these sorts of hypnotic items, and the more the item content suggests a task-relevant fantasy, the more likely it is that S will report a GDF and pass the item. The results raise interesting questions about the role of item wording in hypnotic responsiveness. However, alternative interpretations of the data are raised, and possibilities for further research are suggested.
Auditory assembly abilities of stuttering and nonstuttering children.

The auditory assembly abilities of 30 stuttering and 30 nonstuttering children were investigated. Subjects were first- through fourth-grade children matched for age, grade level, sex, and misarticu...
ECS perseveration effect following varying amounts of training

Forty-eight naive female albino rats were trained to leverpress for sucrose, using a free operant procedure. The Ss were trained on a continuous reinforcement schedule (CRF) and were allowed to make 100, 300, or 500 leverpresses. Following acquisition, half of the Ss in each group received ECS. The remaining Ss were given no treatment. Results showed that ECS produced perseveration of the learned response for Ss allowed to make 100 leverpresses, but did not produce perseveration for the 300- and 500-leverpress groups.
Adjudicative competence: Evidence that impairment in “rational understanding” is taxonic.

In Dusky v. United States (1960), the U.S. Supreme Court articulated 3 abilities that determine a criminal defendant's competence to stand trial: He or she must be able to consult with counsel, have a factual understanding of the proceedings, and have a rational understanding of the proceedings. Although the legal determination of a defendant's competence involves a dichotomous judgment, the latent structures of the constructs that underlie the abilities articulated in Dusky are unknown. The current study focused on the rational understanding prong of the Dusky standard. We hypothesized that, whereas factual knowledge of the legal system and ability to assist counsel may fall on a continuum, plausible (i.e., rational) beliefs about legal proceedings may be dichotomous in nature. Taxometric analyses of the Appreciation scale of the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool-Criminal Adjudication, with a sample of 721 defendants, provided support for a taxonic structure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
The Mycolytic Phenomenon and Biological Control of Fusarium in Soil

THERE have been many attempts to make use of biological control measures for the suppression of plant pathogens, borne by soil. Frequently, these attempts involve the inoculation into soil of organisms which antagonize the pathogens in vitro ; such procedures try to disturb the natural microbiological equilibrium by the simple introduction into the environment of individual isolates. The frequent failure of the added micro-organisms to become established is not surprising because the biological associations and antagonisms within the ecosystem determine the composition of the microflora, the climax population being a reflexion of the physical and chemical characteristics of the habitat. By modifying the habitat, however, it is possible to alter the composition of the microflora, and such microbiological alterations may destroy plant pathogens borne by soil.
THE ORIGIN AND EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS OF ‘HUAUZONTLE’ (CHENOPODIUM NUTTALLIAE SAFFORD), DOMESTICATED CHENOPOD OF MEXICO

A New World assemblage of tetraploid Chenopodium species (section Chenopodium, subsection Cellulata) includes two domesticates, C. quinoa of Andean South America and C. nuttalliae of Mexico. Both have been combined into a single species and the Mexican form has been considered as a possible derivative of C. quinoa. The domesticates and related, sympatric weed forms, C. berlandieri of North America and C. hircinum of the Andes, were examined for variation in morphological and biochemical characteristics and also were included in a program of artificial hybridization. Results indicate that the domesticated forms are more closely related to their sympatric weeds than to each other. The Mexican cultigen is placed as a subspecies of C. berlandieri, the taxon from which it most likely evolved under human selection in North America. Possible origins for the Andean weed-crop complex are considered. Southward migration of a North American tetraploid appears to be more likely than independent allotetraploidy in South America. Of the North American tetraploids examined, C. berlandieri var. zschackei of the western U.S. shows closest affinities to the Andean complex. CITIZENS of the Aztec nation in pre-Columbian Mexico were required to pay an annual tribute to their central government. Payment was often in the form of agricultural products and, from records of tribute paid after Spanish conquest (Cooper-Clark, 1938), we can ascertain relative importance of various crop plants in native Mexican agriculture. These records indicate that one of the most significant tribute items, with an annual payment of about 160,000 bushels, was a dicotyledonous, grain-producing "pseudocere
Promotoras in Action for the Prevention of HIV Perinatal Transmission

From 2000-2005, a participatory action research (PAR) process was initiated to explore strategies for the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV that could be implemented in selected service planning (SPAs) areas of Los Angeles County, California. The Los Angeles County (LAC) Department of Health Services (DHS), Office of AIDS Programs & Policy (OAPP) took the lead for the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV among women in LA in a state wide collaborative effort involving six counties. Realizing that the consultation process had to involve many stakeholders, including representatives of several inter-governmental departments, community organizations, and women affected by HIV, a PAR approach was seen as appropriate. I was hired as a practicing anthropologist because of my prior experience as an HIV/AIDS researcher and service provider in the region to implement the project. The majority of the funding originated from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the California State Office...
Summation model of pelvic pain in interstitial cystitis.

Many patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) note that particular foods can exacerbate their symptoms. In this Review, Klumpp and Rudick propose a model, based on pelvic-organ crosstalk, for this association between pain symptoms from IC and dietary modification. Many patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) find that particular foods exacerbate disease symptoms. These patients may modify their diet to manage symptoms, but the mechanism by which dietary modification benefits patients with IC is unclear. We hypothesize that integration of neural signals from pelvic organs mediates the effects of diet on symptoms of IC. In animal models, pelvic inflammation is subject to crosstalk, so an inflammatory stimulus in one pelvic organ evokes a response in an independent organ. Recent data show that the colon can modulate bladder-associated pelvic pain in mice. As pelvic organs are innervated through shared circuitry, perceived pelvic pain might occur when spatial summation of individual pelvic inputs exceeds a threshold. Through this mechanism, a noxious dietary stimulus, which otherwise does not exceed the pain threshold in a normal individual, may substantially exacerbate pain in a patient with bladder symptoms. Repeated painful stimuli over time further contribute to symptoms by a process of temporal summation, resulting in enhanced responsiveness through central sensitization. Thus, pelvic organ crosstalk might modulate symptoms of pelvic pain by spatial and temporal summation, suggesting a mechanism for the benefits of dietary modification in patients with IC, as well as therapeutic opportunities.
Extraosseous uptake of99mtechnetium methylene diphosphonate: Neuroblastoma or radiation therapy

A child with a ganglioneuroblastoma and tumor uptake of99mtechnetium methylene diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) is presented. After surgical removal of an encapsulated tumor and radiation therapy, an interval bone scan demonstrated the same presurgical abnormality. Awareness of abnormal uptake of99mTc-MDP in irradiated renal tissue prevents interpreting radiation nephritis as recurrent tumor.
Slug is an Essential Target of TGFβ2 Signaling in the Developing Chicken Heart

Abstract An epithelial–mesenchymal cell transformation (EMT) occurs during the development of endocardial cushions in the atrioventricular (AV) canal of the heart. This is a complex developmental process regulated by multiple extracellular signals and signal transduction pathways. It was recently shown that the transcription factor Slug is expressed in the AV canal and is required for initial steps of EMT. Treatment of AV canal explants with either antisense oligodeoxynucleotides toward Slug or anti-TGFβ2 antibody inhibited initial steps of EMT. Others have identified roles for HGF and BMP during EMT in the heart. Both HGF and BMP are known to regulate Slug in other cell types. To determine whether TGFβ2 or other signaling factors regulate Slug expression during EMT in the heart, we cultured AV canal explants in the presence of anti-TGFβ2 antibody, anti-TGFβ3 antibody, pertussis toxin, retinoic acid, noggin, or anti-HGF antibody. Only treatment with anti-TGFβ2 antibody or retinoic acid inhibited Slug expression in AV canal explants. Consistent with these data, we found that retinoic acid disrupted initial steps of EMT, while antagonists of BMP and HGF signaling disrupted later steps of EMT. Transfection of AV canal explants with Slug rescued the inhibitory effect of anti-TGFβ2 antibody but not retinoic acid on EMT. Slug is thus an essential target of TGFβ2 signaling during EMT in the developing chicken heart.
Effects of submersed macrophytes on ecosystem processes

Abstract Both natural and managed ecosystems experience large fluctuations in submersed macrophyte biomass. These fluctuations have important consequences for ecosystem processes because of the effects of macrophytes on the physical/chemical environment and littoral biota. The first part of this paper reviews the effects of submersed macrophytes on the physical environment (light extinction, temperature, hydrodynamics, substrate), chemical environment (oxygen, inorganic and organic carbon, nutrients) and the biota (epiphytes, grazers, detritivores, fishes). This extensive literature suggests that variations in macrophyte biomass could have major effects on aquatic ecosystems. The second part of this paper considers the ecosystem consequence of several common changes in submersed macrophytes: replacement of vascular macrophytes by bryophytes during lake acidification; short-term biomass changes caused by invasions of adventive species, cultural eutrophication or macrophyte management; and changes in littoral grazers. These scenarios illustrate the importance of macrophytes in ecosystems, but raise any questions which cannot be answered at present. Controlled, whole-lake macrophyte experiments are needed to resolve these open questions.
Relaxation of 2D turbulence of vortex crystals

Abstract A magnetically confined electron column evolves in (r, θ) as an essentially inviscid, incompressible 2D fluid with a single sign of vorticity. Turbulent initial states with 50–100 vortices relax due to vortex merger and filamentation, in general agreement with recent scaling theories. However, this relaxation is sometimes halted when 3–20 vortices “anneal” into a fixed pattern, or “vortex crystal”. 2D vortex-indashcell simulations reproduce this effect, demonstrating that the vortex “cooling” is independent of fine-scale viscosity, but strongly dependent on the strength of the weak background vorticity. A new “restricted maximum fluid entropy” theory predicts the crystal patterns and background vorticity distribution, by assuming conservation of the robust flow invariants and preservation of the intense vortices.
Tissue response to single-polymer fibers of varying diameters: evaluation of fibrous encapsulation and macrophage density.

An in vivo study was conducted to assess the sensitivity of fibrous capsule thickness and macrophage density to polymer fiber diameter. Single polypropylene fibers of diameters ranging from 2.1 to 26.7 microm were implanted in the subcutaneous dorsum of Sprague-Dawley rats. Results at 5 weeks demonstrated reduced fibrous capsule thickness for small fibers. Capsule thickness was 0.6 (+/-1.8) microm, 11.7 (+/-12.0) microm, 20.3 (+/-11.6) microm, and 25.5 (+/-10.0) microm for fibers in the ranges of 2.1 to 5.9, 6.5 to 10.6, 11.1 to 15.8, and 16.7 to 26.7 microm, respectively. Fibers very near to blood vessels had smaller capsules than did those with local vasculature further away. The macrophage density in tissue with fiber diameters 2.1 to 5.9 microm (23.03 +/- 8.67%) was comparable to that of unoperated contralateral control skin (18.72+/-10.06%). For fibers with diameters in the ranges of 6.5 to 10.6, 11.1 to 15.8, and 16.7 to 26.7 microm, macrophage densities were 33.90+/-13.08%, 34.40+/-15.77%, and 41.68+/-13.98%, respectively, all of which were significantly larger (p<0.002) than that for the control. The reduced fibrous capsule thickness and macrophage density for small fibers (<6 microm) compared with large fibers could be due to the reduced cell-material contact surface area or to a curvature threshold effect that triggers cell signaling. A next step will be to extend the analysis to meshes to evaluate fiber-spacing effects on small-fiber biomaterials.
Detection of HIV-1 by polymerase chain reaction and culture in seronegative intravenous drug users in an inner-city emergency department

Study background: After a health care worker's unprotected exposure to a patient's blood, the current recommendation is to obtain consent from the source for serologic testing for HIV. If the test is negative, no further follow-up of the exposed provider is usually indicated. Objective: To determine if patients testing negative for HIV-1 antibody on routine serology harbor occult HIV-1 infection. Design: Cross-sectional, identity-unlinked, patient-related data and blood sample procurement for HIV-1 infection. Setting: Inner-city university hospital emergency department with high HIV-1 seroprevalence among patients. Type of participants: IV drug users not known to have HIV-1 infection. Measurements: Serum samples were analyzed for HIV-1 antibodies by enzyme immunoassay and Western blot. Peripheral mononuclear cells were analyzed for HIV-1 provirus by polymerase chain reaction and viral culture. Main results: Of 131 patients, 36 (27.5%) were Western blot-confirmed seropositive for HIV-1. Of the 95 seronegative patients, six (6.3%) were polymerase chain reaction positive, and one of these was confirmed with culture. The negative predictive value of standard serology was 93.5% with polymerase chain reaction alone and 98.9% with concordant polymerase chain reaction and culture results. Conclusion: There may be a significant number of ED patients in HIV-1 prevalent populations who have occult HIV-1 infection not detectable by serology at the time of a health care provider exposure. Although these data suggest that further prospective study is warranted to better quantify the frequency of this phenomenon, these preliminary data suggest that current Centers for Disease Control recommendations regarding provider exposures may need to be reappraised for certain situations.
The effect of polypeptide hormones on lipid monolayers. III. The effect of insulin, vasopressin, oxytocin, albumin, and prostaglandin E1 on the specific resistance to the evaporation of water through monomolecular films of monoöctadecyl phosphate, stearic acid, and stearyl alcohol

Abstract The hypothesis that insulin and vasopressin increase the permeability of cells to water and water-soluble substances by decreasing the adsorption of Ca 2+ at the outer surface of the plasma membrane was tested in a model system. Changes in the specific resistance to the evaporation of water through monooctadecyl phosphate (mOP) monolayers were compared with simultaneous changes in Ca 2+ adsorption. Insulin and vasopressin cause a decrease in the resistance (or, alternatively, increase the transport of water) which can be accounted for only in part by the inhibition of Ca 2+ adsorption. The action is specific for these hormones and dependent on interaction between the hormone and monolayer molecules.
An index of responsiveness to patient needs: the synchrony ratio (PSI).

Indicators of the effectiveness of mental hospitals currently in use have severe limitations. Admissions, discharges, and occupancy rates are affected by multiple factors and determined largely by institutional policies. A rapidly calculable measure of responsiveness to patient requests for hospital admission is described. The synchrony ratio (psi) requires only that the number of emergency room visits and admissions be known accurately. If hospitals override patient needs, this is reflected in declining psi values. The utility of the synchrony ratio has been tested in a comparison of a general hospital psychiatric service and community mental health center inpatient wards.