cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of formamidines with the platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake system.

1. 1. The activity of the insecticide/acaricide N′-(4-chloro-o-tolyl)-N, N-dimethylformamidine (chlordimeform), its two formamidine metabolites, N′-(4-chloro-o-tolyl)-N-methylformamidine (demethylchlordimeform) and N′-(4-chloro-o-tolyl) formamidine (didemethylchlordimeform), and 116 other formamidines and related compounds as inhibitors of rat platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) uptake was studied. Though several formamidines were more active than chlordimeform (pI50 3.9), none was as potent as imipramine. Didemethylchlordimeform (pI50 4.4) was the most potent formamidine examined. 2. 2. Inhibition of 5-HT uptake by chlordimeform was mixed. Moreover, chlordimeform inhibition of 5-HT uptake by reserpinized platelets was not significantly different from uptake by non-reserpinized platelets. 3. 3. Chlordimeform and its two formamidine metabolites caused release of platelet 5-HT, and their potency as releasers paralleled their activity as uptake inhibitors. 4. 4. Electron microscopy indicated that chlordimeform treatment changed platelet shape and size but apparently did not alter physical integrity of the membrane. 5. 5. It was suggested that platelet 5-HT storage vesicles were the most probable site of formamidine action.
Interparental Conflicts in Dyadic and Triadic Contexts: Parental Depression Symptoms and Conflict History Predict Differences

Using a family systems approach, this study investigated differences in interparental conflict behavior in dyadic versus triadic contexts, and considered the potential moderating roles of interparental conflict history and parental depression symptoms. The community sample included 74 couples with an infant between 6 and 14 months of age. Behavioral observations were made of parents during interparental conflict resolution tasks. Parents were observed in both a dyadic context with just the two of them and in a triadic context with their infants present. Task order was counterbalanced across families. Multiple parental conflict behaviors, emotions, and resolution were coded based on the behavioral observations. Parents self-reported on their conflict history and depression symptoms. Mothers and fathers displayed less depressive conflict in their infants’ presence versus absence and mothers additionally displayed decreased constructive conflict when their infants were present, but neither parent differed in their expressions of destructive conflict across contexts, indicating an overall lack of shielding children from conflict. Both interparental conflict history and parental depression symptoms moderated associations between parents’ conflict behavior and the conflict context for fathers and mothers. Results supported family systems theory’s notions that marital subsystem boundaries can be eroded as a function of family stress, allowing interparental hostility or depression symptoms to spill over into triadic family interactions. Implications for family therapists and community parent education programs are discussed.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Model Lung Surfactant Monolayers and Surfactant Protein B Fragment

Surfactant Protein B (SP-B) plays an essential role in the proper functioning of lung surfactant. However, the details of how SP-B interacts with lung surfactant lipids to support lung function are poorly understood. The interactions between an SP-B based peptide and lung surfactant lipid monolayers are investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. Mini-B, a peptide of 34 amino acid residues consisting of the N-terminal and C-terminal alpha helices of full-length SP-B, achieves a similar level of function to full length SP-B in rodent models of respiratory distress. The monolayers probed included pure DPPC, pure POPG, and a mix of 7:3 DPPC:POPG. First the most stable configuration of the peptide-monolayer system is sought by allowing the system to evolve through time from different starting configurations and peptide orientations. It is then determined what effect the counter-ion concentration has on the screening of the electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged headgroups of POPG and the positively charged residues of the peptide. Finally, by placing a bilayer of lipids adjacent to the monolayer, in resemblance to the co-existing lipid reservoirs, the influence Mini-B has on the interaction between the monolayer and bilayer is demonstrated.
Transvascular and Interstitial Migration of Neutrophils in Rat Mesentery

Objective: The consequential implications of the leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion reaction, as well as the subsequent migratory activity of the leukocytes within the interstitium proper, are currently known only in general phenomenological terms. Our objective was to carry out a detailed quantitative analysis of transendothelial and interstitial migration.Method: We incorporated several new features, such as the video recording of time-lapse photography in conjunction with the time history of individual leukocytes under the influence of representative stimulators and inhibitors. The mesentery was suffused with the chemical activator N-formyl-met-leu-phe (fMLP, 5 ± 10−8 M) and histamine (10−6 M) for periods up to 3 h. This leads to an attachment of neutrophils preferentially to the walls of small postcapillary venules followed by migration into the adjacent interstitium.Results: The time interval between the initial neutrophil adhesion to the luminal side of the venules and their first appearance on the...
Cellular interactions in the generation and expression of histamine-induced suppressor activity.

Abstract Employing a coculture assay and techniques for fractionation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), we have analyzed the cellular interactions required for the generation and expression of histamine-induced suppressor activity. PBMC cultured in the presence of histamine (10 −4 to 10 −3 M ) for 24 hr could function as suppressor cells. In order to determine the role played by monocytes in the generation phase of suppressor cell activation, PBMC were fractionated over nylon wool columns and depleted of adherent cells. The nylon wool nonadherent T (NWNA-T) cells were unable to be activated to express suppressor activity. However, suppressor cell function by NWNA-T cells was reconstituted by the readdition of autologous monocytes in the form of glass adherent cells. In addition, the requirement for intact monocytes to be present during the activation process could be bypassed by culturing the NWNA-T suppressor population in supernatants derived from mononuclear phagocytes stimulated by phagocytosis of heat-killed Staphylococcus albus . The role of monocytes in the effector phase of suppression was analyzed using NWNA-T populations cultured in the presence of monocyte supernatant factors for both the generation and effector phases of the coculture assay. Depletion of monocytes from both the suppressor and indicator populations resulted in a marked reduction in the expression of histamine suppressor activity despite the presence of monocyte supernatant factors. The addition of indomethacin at the time of co-culture (effector phase) abrogated histamine-induced suppression when monocytes were present in the indicator population. In contrast, indomethacin had no effect on the activation of suppressor cells. In related experiments, supernatants containing histamine-induced suppressor factor activity increased the production of PGE by human blood monocytes. Taken together, these results indicate that monocytes and/or monocyte factors perform a vital accessory function in the generation of histamine-induced suppressor T cells as well as during their subsequent modulation of lymphoproliferation. Furthermore, the monocyte factors involved in each phase (afferent and efferent) of the suppression process appear to be different.
Randomized pricing for the optimal coordination of opportunistic agents

In this work, we study the design of pricing mechanisms for the efficient and stable service of a large consumer base with deferrable demands, as envisioned in future smart electricity and data networks. When users with flexible demand are introduced into such large-scale dynamic markets with dynamic prices, they exhibit opportunistic behavior to minimize their cost per unit amount of service-received. This, in turn, generates highly fluctuating aggregate demand patterns that are destabilizing or costly to serve. To avoid this undesired outcome, we propose a randomized pricing mechanism that preserves the strengths of dynamic pricing in tracking a targeted aggregate demand while preventing the destabilizing effect of opportunistic users. Price randomization creates information asymmetry among consumers, but preserves fairness and also the economic benefits of the consumers. We show that the randomization operation can be captured by augmenting a related utility function to the cost minimization problem. This interesting connection enables the study of the steady-state behavior of our randomized pricing solution through the study of the associated optimization problem. Based on this connection, we investigate key metrics of supplier cost and profit and consumer payments.
Carrier-mediated transport of monocarboxylic acids in BeWo cell monolayers as a model of the human trophoblast

The monolayer-forming, human choriocarcinoma cell line, BeWo, was used to study the mechanisms of monocarboxylic acid transport across the human trophoblast. Benzoic acid, acetic acid, and lactic acid were used as markers for monocarboxylic acid carrier-mediated transport. The uptake of benzoic acid by BeWo cells was saturable (Kt = 0.6 ± 0.3 mM) at higher concentrations and significantly inhibited by typical metabolic inhibitors, sodium azide and 2,4-dinitrophenol. A selection of different monocarboxylic acids, including a natural substrate lactic acid, also substantially inhibited the uptake of benzoic acid and acetic acid by BeWo cells, whereas dicarboxylic acids did not affect the uptake of either marker. Monocarboxylic acid uptake was pH-dependent and inhibited by carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP), a protonophore. Kinetic analysis using Lineweaver–Burk plots revealed that monocarboxylic acids competitively inhibited the uptake of benzoic, lactic, and acetic acid by BeWo cells. In transport experiments, the permeation of benzoic acid from apical-to-basolateral side was greater than the permeation from the basolateral-to-apical side, and the transport of benzoic acid from apical-to-basolateral side was inhibited by mono-carboxylic acids. The findings obtained in the present study confirm the existence of an asymmetric, carrier-mediated transport system for monocarboxylic acids across the BeWo cell, a representative of the human trophoblast.
Quantitation of polymethoxylated flavones in orange juice by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract A quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedure for the determination of the five major polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) in organge juice has been developed. It employs a unique ternary solvent system with coupled UV-fluorescence detection. The dual detectors were employed to determine the presence of interfering substances and served as a cross check on quantitation. Stop flow UV and fluorescence scanning was used to identify peaks and determine the presence of impurities. Although all five citrus PMFs fluoresce, some HPLC fluorescence peaks were tool small to be much practical use. All five citrus PMFs could be quantitated satisfactorily with the fixed wavelength UV (313 nm) detector. The HPLC procedure has been used t evaluate each step in the preparation. The optimum extracting solvent was selected and one time consumingstep was eliminated, as it was found to be unnecessary. HPLC values for nobiletin and sinensetin are in good agreement with the thin-layer chromatographic 9TLC) values in the literature. HPLC values for the other three flavones were considerably lower than those reported in the literature. The HPLC procedure is considerably faster than the TLC procedure with equal or superior precision and accuracy.
Ontogeny of tolerance to haloperidol: behavioral and biochemical measures.

Abstract Developing and adult Sprague-Dawley rats were tested after acute or repeated haloperidol administration. Although 8-day-old rat pups showed a form of immobility in response to a single injection of haloperidol (1 mg/kg), 14-day-old rats did not show any behavioral response to the neuroleptic. By 21 days of age, an acute dose of haloperidol induced a cataleptic response similar to that described for adult animals. Following 7 days of repeated haloperidol administration, the cataleptogenic effects of haloperidol were attenuated in animals aged 21 days and older, but not in 8- and 14-day-old rats. Subjects were sacrificed 70 min after the injection of the test dose of haloperidol or saline and the corpus striatum and olfactory tubercles were dissected for HPLC determination of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). In the corpus striatum, an area believed to be important for DA-related catalepsy, acute and repeated haloperidol induced a slight increase in concentrations of HVA in 8-day-old rats, and an increase in both DOPAC and HVA concentrations in animals aged 14 days and older. Tolerance after repeated haloperidol administration, in the form of an attenuation of the haloperidol-induced increase in DA metabolites, was not apparent until 35 days of age. These data contrast with the behavioral data, which indicate that the ability to develop a tolerance to the cataleptogenic effects of haloperidol matures by 21 days of age. The pattern of responses in the olfactory tubercles differed from those observed in the striatum. Following acute haloperidol, subjects did not show any increase in HVA until 14 days of age, and in both HVA and DOPAC until 21 days of age. At no age, including adults, was one week of repeated administration of haloperidol sufficient to induce tolerance to the effects of haloperidol on DA metabolites in the olfactory tubercles. In addition to providing information about the development of certain aspects of DA systems in rats these studies suggest that an attenuation of the haloperidol-induced increase in DA metabolites is not necessary for the development of tolerance to haloperidol-induced catalepsy.
Organic Research at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service is Taking Root

The U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS) began to coordinate its effort in organic agricultural research in 2000 by initiating a survey to determine the nature and extent of organic research being conducted by agency scientists. The survey revealed that approximately 9% of scientists within the agency were interested in organic agriculture but that less than 4% had actually participated in research in certified or certifiable organic production systems. With few exceptions, scientists conducted research on working or transitioning organic farms. Regardless of whether the research was conducted on farm or on research-station-managed land, farmer participation varied greatly. The USDA/ARS is in the process of coordinating the national organic research effort and has invited organic growers and other professionals to participate in the planning process in order to ensure that organic research at the agency continues to be rooted in its interactions with organic stakeholders.
Influence of the carbon fiber surface microstructure on the surface chemistry generated by a thermo-chemical surface treatment

a b s t r a c t Carbon fibers made of textile and aerospace grade polyacrylonitrile precursor fibers were surface treated by a continuous gas phase thermochemical treatment. The surface chemistry generated by the surface treatment was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The surface and the average entire microstructure of the fibers were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, respec- tively. Depending on the grade of the precursor, the final surface concentration of oxygen was comprised between 14% and 24%, whereas the typical commercial electrochemical surface treatments led to concen- trations of around 8% with the same fibers. The final concentration of oxygen was directly correlated to the size of the crystallites which was a function of the grade of the polyacrylonitrile precursor and to the corresponding surface microstructure. The thermochemical surface treatment enabled a better control of the nature of the oxygen-containing functionalities as well. Whatever the grade of the precursor, desired hydroxyl groups and carboxylic acid functionalities were preferably generated, which is observed to be difficult with electrochemical surface treatments. Published by Elsevier B.V.
The pressure dependence of the knight shift in the alkali metals and copper

Abstract Measurements of the pressure-dependence of the Knight shift in lithium, sodium, rubidium, cesium, copper and aluminum have been made at room temperature in the pressure range 1–10,000 kg cm 2 . The volume-dependence of 〈¦ψ F (0)¦ 2 〉  P F has been deduced from these data, using p ines' collective electron picture for the paramagnetic susceptibility of the conduction electrons. The results of recent calculations of the volume-dependence of P F are presented and compared with the experimentally deduced results. The Knight shift is shown experimentally to be an explicit function of the temperature at constant volume. A theory, which takes into account semiquantitatively the effect of the lattice vibrations on P F , is proposed. Comparison is made between this theory and the experimental observations.
3-mercaptopropionic acid: convulsant and lethal properties compared with other sulfur-convulsants; protection therefrom.

In rats, the newly discovered sulfur-convulsant, 3-mercaptopropionic acid at low doses (0.34 mM/kg) showed high convulsant activity (90%) without lethality (0%). Recovery from 3-mercaptopropionic acid seizures was rapid and complete, more so than from other well-known sulfur-convulsants tested (namely:dl-methionine-dl-sulfoximine,dl-penicillamine, thiosemicarbazide, and thiocarbohydrazide) which were generally lethal at a convulsant dose of 90% with the possible exception of thiocarbohydrazide. Protection against the convulsions of 3-mercaptopropionic acid could be effected by pretreatment with sodium phenobarbital and glucose, but not by pyridoxal phosphate. Somewhat similar reactions with respect to protection agents were observed with convulsions induced by 4-mercaptobutyric acid anddl-homocysteine, respectively. Because of its high convulsant activity without lethality and its different response to protection agents in comparison with the well-known sulfur-convulsants listed above, 3-mercaptopropionic acid may be a useful agent in studies of experimental epilepsy.
Loregic: A Method to Characterize the Cooperative Logic of Regulatory Factors

The topology of the gene-regulatory network has been extensively analyzed. Now, given the large amount of available functional genomic data, it is possible to go beyond this and systematically study regulatory circuits in terms of logic elements. To this end, we present Loregic, a computational method integrating gene expression and regulatory network data, to characterize the cooperativity of regulatory factors. Loregic uses all 16 possible two-input-one-output logic gates (e.g. AND or XOR) to describe triplets of two factors regulating a common target. We attempt to find the gate that best matches each triplet’s observed gene expression pattern across many conditions. We make Loregic available as a general-purpose tool (github.com/gersteinlab/loregic). We validate it with known yeast transcription-factor knockout experiments. Next, using human ENCODE ChIP-Seq and TCGA RNA-Seq data, we are able to demonstrate how Loregic characterizes complex circuits involving both proximally and distally regulating transcription factors (TFs) and also miRNAs. Furthermore, we show that MYC, a well-known oncogenic driving TF, can be modeled as acting independently from other TFs (e.g., using OR gates) but antagonistically with repressing miRNAs. Finally, we inter-relate Loregic’s gate logic with other aspects of regulation, such as indirect binding via protein-protein interactions, feed-forward loop motifs and global regulatory hierarchy.
Studies on the in vivo elution of 51Cr from baboon red blood cells.

. Four anticoagulant solutions were added to baboon red blood cells prior to labeling with 51Cr to determine how each would influence the distribution of 51Cr within the red blood cells, the loss of 51Cr from the red blood cells after transfusion, and the calculated red cell survival value. The 51Cr label was detected in the hemoglobin and in the low molecular weight compounds within the red blood cells. The elution of 51Cr from labeled baboon red blood cells following transfusion could not be explained by the distribution of 51Cr between hemoglobin and low molecular weight compounds within the red blood cells.
Carbides in low-temperature-carburized stainless steels

Abstract A novel, low-temperature (470 °C) gas-phase carburization treatment, developed by the Swagelok Company, increases the surface hardness of 316-type austenitic stainless steels from ≈200 to ≈1000HV25 via a colossal supersaturation of up to 12 at.% carbon in solid solution. Upon extended treatment, carbide precipitation does eventually occur. Transmission electron microscopy of carburized bulk, foil, and powder samples has revealed two different carbides: M 5 C 2 (“Hagg” or “χ” carbide) and M 7 C 3 . The particles of both carbides have the shape of long needles or laths, contain a high density of planar defects normal to the particle axis, and adopt special topotaxial orientation relationships with the austenite matrix.
An acetylcholinesterase enzyme electrode stabilized by an electrodeposited gold nanoparticle layer

Electrodeposition of colloidal gold nanoparticles onto a planar gold electrode was used to create a more favorable surface for the attachment of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Atomic force microscopy demonstrated that the gold nanoparticles roughened the surface consequently enhancing the interaction of the enzyme with the gold electrode. The enzyme-modified electrode sensor was utilized for the sensitive electrochemical detection of thiocholine at the gold surface after hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine by the immobilized enzyme. In the absence of the nanoparticle layer, the sensor response to acetylthiocholine was significantly reduced and the utility of the electrode was limited. The ability of the nanoparticle-based sensor to reliably measure concentrations of the organophosphate pesticide carbofuran at nM concentrations was demonstrated by monitoring the inhibition of the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine. This relatively straightforward strategy is potentially valuable for the development of new devices for the sensitive detection of potentially dangerous and deadly neurotoxins.
Requirements for a Credible Extrapolation Model Derived from Health Effects in Rats Exposed to Particulate Air Pollution: A Way to Minimize the Risks of Human Risk Assessment?

Abstract For some years, several regulatory agencies have attempted to develop rather simple mathematical and biostatistical models to yield quantitative assessments of human risk derived from data of experimental rat exposures to typical particulate air pollutants. In our view, these models have failed to adequately consider some important biological aspects. The assessments have to bridge the gap between the low levels of human exposures and the intentionally high levels used in rat exposure studies. This is controversial even without the interspecies problem. Four crucial questions may be raised that have not been addressed adequately in past efforts: (1) What constitutes the effective dose of biopersistent particulate matter in the lung? (2) Is the effective dose in humans mechanistically the same as in rats? (3) Are the slope and shape of dose–response curves of rats applicable to humans? (4) Are model extrapolations from high to low exposures and from rats to humans valid? As the mechanistic similar...
Chemical characterization of pigment gallstones using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance analysis.

The unique ability of Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance analysis with cross polarization/magic angle spinning techniques to investigate chemical structures of solids is used to probe the chemical characteristics of several gallstone types. New pulse program techniques are used to distinguish various carbon atoms in studying the polymeric nature of the black bilirubinoid pigment of pigment gallstones. Evidence for the involvement of the carboxyl group and noninvolvement of vinyl groups of bilirubinoids in the polymeric bond formation is presented. Conjugated bilirubin structures are found to be present in some solid residues from pigment stones extracted with acidic methanol/chloroform.
Metabolism of three species of herbivorous loricariid catfishes: influence of size and diet

The questions of whether herbivorous loricariid catfishes are hypometabolic or reduce metabolic demand in response to poor dietary quantity and quality were addressed by comparing resting routine metabolic rates in the presence and absence of different fibre content diets for three loricariid species. Metabolic rates of the three species scaled inter-specifically as body mass 0.736 , similar to most other vertebrates. Metabolic rates did not vary with diet quality for two species; one Panaque species had a significantly lower metabolic rate when fed only wood. Comparisons with the literature led to the conclusions that loricariids in general and Panaque in particular do not have unusually low metabolic rates for quiescent catfishes of their size.
Differentiation of immortalized epithelial cells derived from cystic fibrosis airway submucosal glands

Cystic fibrosis (CF) involves abnormalities in mucus production and secretion of the airway. Studies of the regulation of airway mucin production and secretion has been difficult due to the lack of in vitro models of the airway epithelial cells which express functional differentiation. Because the majority of the mucin in the airway is apparently produced by the submucosal glands, we have focused our attention on the development of cell culture models of human airway submucosal glands. This report describes the propagation of CF airway submucosal gland epithelial cells which continue to express mucin production. The CF bronchus was obtained from a 31-yr-old patient who received a double lung transplant. The glands were dissected out and primary cultures prepared by the explant/outgrowth procedure. The cells were immortalized by infection with Adl2-SV40 hybrid virus. The cultures are maintained in serum-free keratinocyte basal medium supplemented with insulin (5µg/ml), hydrocortisone (0.5µg/ml), epidermal growth factor (10 ng/ml), bovine pituitary extract (25µg/ml), and antibiotics. Cultures were passaged using 0.125% trypsin in Ca(+2) and Mg(+2)-free Hanks', balanced salt solution. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis demonstrated that the cells were homozygous for the ΔF508 mutation. Morphologic observations showed that the cells were epithelial and were interconnected by sparsely distributed desmosomes. Their cytoplasm contained secretory-type structures including abundant Golgi, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and secretory vesicles. Immunofluorescent studies determined that all cells were positive for cytokeratins, mucin glycoconjugates, and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. The cultures secreted substantial amounts of mucin glycoproteins and expressed the MUC-2 mucin gene. Patch clamp experiments revealed that the cells expressed defective Cl(-) channels which were not activated by Forskolin.
NATIONALISM AND CIVIL SOCIETY: DEMOCRACY, DIVERSITY AND SELF-DETERMINATION

In the wake of communism, nationalism has regained prominence as a source of global tension and instability. These problems, and nationalism itself, are often dismissed as transitional difficulties rather than studied as basic to the modern world. This paper argues, to the contrary, that nationalism is produced by central features of the modern world, including the ongoing process of globalisation. Its centrality derives first of all from the need to identify the `self' implied by the notion of political self-determination. This ties nationalism to democracy. But nationalism is also shaped in problematic ways by modern individualism. Metaphorically, the nation is often treated as an individual. Nations are also commonly conceived of as categories of like individuals rather than as webs of social relationships. This places an emphasis on sameness which often makes nationalism an enemy of diversity. It also provides the basis for arguments that national identity should take precedence over other competing identities - regional, familial, gender, interest-group, occupational, and so on. Nationalism is particularly potent and problematic where diverse institutions of civil society are lacking or fail to provide for a diversity of public discourses and collective identities.
Addresses of Authors of Scientific Papers

MAY I be allowed, through the medium of your columns, to point out the inconvenience that is caused by the omission of an address on authors' separate copies of scientific papers?
Finite-temperature atomic structure of 180° ferroelectric domain walls in PbTiO3

In this letter we obtain the finite-temperature structure of 180° domain walls in PbTiO3 using a quasi-harmonic–lattice dynamics approach. We obtain the temperature dependence of the atomic structure of domain walls from 0 K up to room temperature. We also show that both Pb-centered and Ti-centered 180° domain walls are thicker at room temperature; domain wall thickness at T=300 K is about three times larger than that of T=0 K. Our calculations show that Ti-centered domain walls have a lower free energy than Pb-centered domain walls and hence are more likely to be seen at finite temperatures.
Trioxadiborolanes from the oxidation of methyldiborane

Abstract Mass and IR spectra of unsymmetrical substituted methyltrioxadiborolanes are discussed.
SU-E-T-490: A Geant4 Implementation of the Generalized Boltzmann Fokker-Plank Method

Purpose: A geant4 implementation of the Generalized Boltzmann Fokker‐Plank (GBFP) method, an advanced, computationally efficient Monte Carlo method for charged particle transport, is studied. Methods: The GBFP method is a systematic approach for extending the mean free path (MFP) of particles while exactly preserving moments of the true differential cross section (DCS) to some order, $N$, and approximating higher order moments by the exact moments of the approximate DCS. The approximate DCS preserves important physical quantities like mean scattering cosine, stopping power, and energy straggling. The GBFP method is a single event method, so transport mechanics are restored and step size and boundary crossing limitations inherent to condensed history methods are a non‐issue. A geant4 application with GBFP physics was developed for testing speed and accuracy of the GBFP method dose calculations. Results: Initial testing revealed that speed‐ups for the discrete GBFP model are consistent with previous work on the GBFP method. Computed dose profiles using the discrete GBFP method are in agreement with benchmarks within statistical uncertainty (in most cases $< 1$\%) for sufficiently sampled regions. This indicates that the geant4 implementation was successful. A framework for further testing is now established. Conclusion: The GBFP method provides systematic control of calculation speed and accuracy for electron transport calculations. The GBFP method is single event Monte Carlo so pre‐existing production code transport algorithms are all that are needed for the implementation. Therefore, no major changes are necessary for incorporation of the GBFP method into production code systems.
Anatomical basis of sun compass navigation I: The general layout of the monarch butterfly brain

Each fall, eastern North American monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) use a time-compensated sun compass to migrate to their overwintering grounds in central Mexico. The sun compass mechanism involves the neural integration of skylight cues with timing information from circadian clocks to maintain a constant heading. The neuronal substrates for the necessary interactions between compass neurons in the central complex, a prominent structure of the central brain, and circadian clocks are largely unknown. To begin to unravel these neural substrates, we performed 3D reconstructions of all neuropils of the monarch brain based on anti-synapsin labeling. Our work characterizes 21 well-defined neuropils (19 paired, 2 unpaired), as well as all synaptic regions between the more classically defined neuropils. We also studied the internal organization of all major neuropils on brain sections, using immunocytochemical stainings against synapsin, serotonin, and γ-aminobutyric acid. Special emphasis was placed on describing the neuroarchitecture of sun-compass-related brain regions and outlining their homologies to other migratory species. In addition to finding many general anatomical similarities to other insects, interspecies comparison also revealed several features that appear unique to the monarch brain. These distinctive features were especially apparent in the visual system and the mushroom body. Overall, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the brain anatomy of the monarch butterfly that will ultimately aid our understanding of the neuronal processes governing animal migration.
Superconducting YBa2Cu3Ox particulate produced by total consumption burner processing

Abstract This paper summarizes the results on the characterization of fine particulates of YBa2Cu3Ox superconducting oxide produced by reacting an atomized nitrate solution containing yttrium:barium:copper in the atomic ratio 1:2:3 respectively, in an oxyhydrogen flame. The characterization of the resulting oxide compound includes microstructural analysis by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility measurements. SEM reveals the primary particle size (about 0.1−0.3 μm) and morphology of a substrate deposit, produced from solution concentrations ranging from 5 to 33 g l−1. X-ray diffraction measurements of oxygen-annealed particulate reveal a crystal structure identical with that of the conventionally produced superconducting oxide. Magnetic susceptibility measurements using a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer demonstrate that the material is superconducting with a Tc of about 93 K.
Expression and sequence analysis of the Drosophila blastoderm-specific gene bsg25A

Abstract By differential screening of a genomic library, we have cloned a gene expressed specifically during the blastoderm stage of Drosophila embryogenesis. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization to embryos reveal that the transcript is maximally expressed during the late syncytial blastoderm stage, disappears rapidly during the cellular blastoderm stage and is not detected at any other point in the Drosophila life cycle. On the basis of its temporally restricted expression and its polytene chromosomal map position at 25A1,2, we have designated this gene blastoderm-specific gene 25A (bsg25A). bsg25A encodes a novel protein of 23 kDa.
Effects of leaf age and plant life history patterns on herbivory

Current theories on plant–herbivore interactions suggest that plant species of different successional status and leaves of various ages differ in their degree of ephemerality and predictability to herbivores, and will therefore exhibit different anti-herbivore characteristics1–6. Old leaves and leaves of mature forest plants are expected to be better defended than ephemeral young leaves and leaves of early successional plants. These predicted patterns of plant defence and the resultant patterns of insect grazing are not well documented for natural communities. Field studies have shown that mammalian herbivores in a tropical forest prefer young leaves7 and that insect grazing in a temperate forest is heaviest on the young leaves8. Laboratory studies have shown that late successional species9,12 or plants with certain chemical defences13–17 are less palatable for generalist herbivores. Laboratory results depend, however, on the particular herbivore tested, and may not accurately predict rates of herbivory in natural systems. Here I report on rates of herbivory on young and mature leaves from tree species with different life history patterns. Grazing rates (% leaf area eaten per day) on mature leaves of fast growing, shade-intolerant species (pioneers) were an order of magnitude greater than those on slow growing, shade-tolerant species (persistents). Young leaves in both groups of species suffered significantly greater grazing damage than mature leaves.
Experimental measurements and numerical calculations of aspiration efficiency for cylindrical thin-walled aerosol samplers in perfectly calm air

A large experimental study has been conducted to make definitive measurements of the aspiration efficiencies of idealized cylindrical thin-walled aerosol samplers in perfectly calm air, using a method that involved the direct visual observation of falling streams of particles of well-defined size for sampling under specific conditions of sampling flowrate and orientation (downwards facing and horizontal). These data augment an earlier set of experimental data for upwards-facing sampling, and those results are included again in this article for the sake of completeness. In addition to the experimental study, a numerical study was also carried out, first for the purpose of comparison with the experimental results in ranges where such results are available, and second for providing information in ranges where experiments could not be conducted satisfactorily. From this combined approach, a very comprehensive set of new data was generated. In general, the experimental and numerical results were seen to be in ...
Effect of triiodothyronine on reactive oxygen species generation by leukocytes, indices of oxidative damage, and antioxidant reserve.

We have examined the effect of short-term triiodothyronine (T 3 ) administration on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by leukocytes in 9 euthyroid subjectsjtAt a dose of 60 μg/d orally for 7 days, T 3 induced a significant increase in ROS generation by mononuclear cells (MNCs) from 183 ± 102 mV at baseline to 313 ± 111 mV on the seventh day ( P P meta -tyrosine ( P ortho -tyrosine ( P α -tocopherol, vitamin A, β-carotene, lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin. The stimulatory effect on ROS generation may reflect a generalized increase in metabolic activity or may be a specific effect on NADPH oxidase in leukocyte membranes. The absence of a significant change in TBARS, carbonylated proteins, α -tocopherol, vitamin A, β-carotene, lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin may reflect the short duration of the increased ROS load.
Chaos: Choto delat?

Abstract I provide a brief overview of the current status of the field of deterministic “chaos” stressing its interrelations and applications to other fields and suggesting a number of important open problems for future study.
Morphologic and antigenic characteristics of plaque mutants of the prototype strain of ECHO 19 virus.

After a number of “rapid” passages in tissue culture, the prototype strain of ECHO 19 virus exhibited two morphologically different kinds of plaques, designated as S (small) and L (large) plaques, on monkey kidney monolayers. The tube progeny of S plaques showed always, besides many S plaques, also L plaques, and the ratio of L∶S varied between 1∶25 and 1∶50.000, whereas only S plaques were found by direct plating of S plaque extracts. Two pure clones of L plaques were obtained, one of them showing a further mutation, designated as L′ mutant. The L′ plaques differed from the L plaques by later appearance, slower growth, and incomplete destruction of the cells. The initial tissue culture passages of the prototype strain showed uniform plaques, designated as S+, which are larger than the S, but smaller than the L plaques. The change from S+ to S+L virus, which occurred between the 6th and the 10th tube passages, was accompanied by other changes of the virus properties, which indicated a better stage of adaptation to the tissue culture system, i. e. higher titer, more rapid cytopathogenic effect, and better neutralizability. No antigenic differences between S+, S+L, L, and L′ viruses could be found by quantitative cross-neutralization with rabbit antisera prepared against S+, L, and L′ viruses.
Age-related differences in auditory event-related potentials during a cued attention task

Abstract Objective : To determine if aging is associated with differences in attentional regulation using behavioral and event-related potential (ERP) measures. Methods : Younger ( n =13; M =20 years) and older ( n =12; M =76 years) subjects performed an auditory cued attention task. Verbal cues correctly (valid) or incorrectly (invalid) predicted the ear receiving a target tone 1.5 s later, or were uninformative (neutral). Targets were either ‘high' (2000 Hz) or ‘low' (1000 Hz) pitch monaural tones. Subjects pressed one of 4 buttons to indicate target ear and pitch. ERPs following cues and targets (P50, N100, P200, slow waves), and negative slow potentials (CNV) between cues and targets were assessed. Results : Cue information had significant effects on reaction time for both groups (valid valid) but not older subjects. Target slow waves were also affected by cue information (invalid>valid), and the difference was larger and lasted longer in older subjects. Slow waves following cues were significantly larger in older subjects, but the subsequent CNV amplitudes were comparable among groups. Conclusions : When performing a cued attention task, age differences are present in transient ERPs following cues and targets. Significance : Age differences in ERPs associated with attentional regulation support the hypothesis that attentional changes contribute to cognitive aging.
Mere Ownership Revisited: A Robust Effect?

Beggan (1992) published a program of studies that tested the concept of mere ownership. His interesting results, in support of Nuttin's (1985, 1987) earlier work, detected that participants who receive an item as a gift (and hence who acquire ownership) evaluate that item more favorably than do participants who examine an identical item but do not own it. Beggan attributed these results to a private self-enhancement effect. Our research set out to better understand the operative theoretical mechanism and to test the robustness of the mere-ownership effect. Findings from our program of studies lead us to question whether the mere-ownership effect is as robust as Beggan's findings would suggest. We have demonstrated that the magnitude of effect is weaker than what Beggan detected. The prospect is raised that mere-ownership effects may simply represent a form of experimenter bias.
Monte Carlo simulation in reliability-based optimization using approximation concepts

A reliability-based optimization (RBO) methodology, that uses Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) techniques, is presented. An initial design is obtained from an RBO based on first order reliability method (FORM). Limit state approximations are constructed that are used in an approximate RBO during each iteration of the RBO methodology. A symmetric rank-1 (SR1) variable metric algorithm is used to construct and update quadratic limit state approximations during each iteration of the RBO methodology. An axis orthogonal simulation technique is used in the approximate RBO. The methodology was implemented for an analytic test problem and a control augmented structure test problem. The results indicate that the SR1 algorithm was able to give highly accurate limit state approximations for most of the cases. The methodology was able to give the exact solution for the problems considered and was shown to be very computationally efficient for the second problem
Autophagy: a pathway that contributes to connexin degradation

The function of connexins, which form gap junctions, can be rapidly modulated by degradation, because they have half-lives of only a few hours. Autophagy is a degradation pathway that has been implicated in several diseases and can be induced by cellular stresses such as starvation. We investigated the involvement of autophagy in proteolysis of the wild-type connexins CX50 and CX43, and a cataract-associated connexin mutant, CX50P88S, which forms cytoplasmic accumulations. We observed that cytoplasmic connexins were partially (cup-shaped) or completely (ring-shaped) enclosed by structures containing the autophagy-related protein LC3. Intracellular connexins also colocalized with p62, a protein that might serve as a cargo receptor for autophagic degradation. Starvation induced a decrease in connexin levels that was blocked by treatment with chloroquine, a lysosomal protease inhibitor, or by knockdown of the autophagy-related protein Atg5. These results demonstrate that autophagy can regulate cellular levels of wild-type connexins and imply that the persistence of accumulations of CX50P88S results from insufficient degradation capacity of constitutive autophagy.
Subsequent Chemotherapy Regimens Are Well Tolerated After Radioimmunotherapy With Yttrium-90 Ibritumomab Tiuxetan for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

PURPOSE: Yttrium-90 (90Y) ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin; IDEC Pharmaceutical, San Diego, CA) is an effective therapy for patients with relapsed B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The predominant toxicity of 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan has been myelosuppression, and concern has been expressed about the tolerability of further treatment after this therapy. The goal of this analysis was to evaluate the therapy given to patients who relapsed after 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 58 patients treated at a single institution on five separate protocols that used 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan 0.4 mCi/kg. All patients had experienced disease progression after 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan treatment and received subsequent therapy. The toxicity seen in this cohort of patients with subsequent treatment regimens was analyzed and compared with that of control groups who did not receive 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan. RESULTS: The median number of subsequent therapies was two (range, o...
Strong Ground Motion Inferred from Liquefaction Caused by the 1811–1812 New Madrid, Missouri, Earthquakes

Peak ground accelerations (PGAs) in the epicentral region of the 1811–1812 New Madrid, Missouri, earthquakes are inferred from liquefaction to have been no greater than ∼0.35 g . PGA is inferred in an 11,380 km2 area in the Lower Mississippi Valley in Arkansas and Missouri where liquefaction was extensive in 1811–1812. PGA was inferred by applying liquefaction probability curves, which were originally developed for liquefaction hazard mapping, to detailed maps of liquefaction by Obermeier (1989). The low PGA is inferred because both a shallow (1.5 m deep) water table and a large moment magnitude ( M 7.7) earthquake were assumed in the analysis. If a deep (5.0 m) water table and a small magnitude ( M 6.8) earthquake are assumed, the maximum inferred PGA is 1.10 g . Both inferred PGA values are based on an assumed and poorly constrained correction for sand aging. If an aging correction is not assumed, then the inferred PGA is no greater than 0.22 g . A low PGA value may be explained by nonlinear site response. Soils in the study area have an average V S 30 of 220±15 m/s. A low inferred PGA is consistent with PGA values estimated from ground‐motion prediction equations that have been proposed for the New Madrid seismic zone when these estimates are corrected for nonlinear soil site effects. This application of liquefaction probability curves demonstrates their potential usefulness in paleoseismology.