cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Targeting of proteins to the nucleus.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the targeting of proteins to the nucleus. Nuclear processes are involved in all aspects of plant cell growth and development. Understanding how proteins and nucleic acids are routed into and out of the nucleus is therefore of central importance to understanding how plant cells are regulated. The nucleus is a complex organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system through which macromolecular traffic must flow. Protein translocation into the nucleus, unlike other organelles, does not require the traversal of the lipid bilayers. The pores are composed of two stacked coaxial rings, each composed of eight subassemblies arranged symmetrically around a central plug. Although the diffusion exclusion limit of the pore is relatively high, permitting the passage of macromolecules of up to 60 kDa, transport of physiologically relevant proteins is dependent on cytosolic and pore-associated receptors that interact with one or more nuclear localization signals (NLSs) within the translocated protein.
Patterns of CCR5, CXCR4, and CCR3 Usage by Envelope Glycoproteins from Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Primary Isolates

Coreceptor usage by Envs from diverse primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates was analyzed by a vaccinia virus-based expression and assay system. Usage of recombinant CCR5 and CXCR4 correlated closely with fusogenicity toward macrophages and T-cell lines expressing endogenous coreceptors. Surprisingly, recombinant CCR3 was utilized by most primary and T-cell-line-adapted Envs. Endogenous CXCR4 in macrophages was functional as a coreceptor.
Relational Aggression and Academic Performance in Elementary School.

To investigate the relationship between relational aggression and school performance, this study examined the relative and combined associations among relational aggression, overt aggression, and victimization and children's academic performance. Additionally this study examined the relative associations among relational and overt aggression and verbal and performance IQ. Participants in this study were a subset of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. The study included 1,067 children (50% male) assessed during fourth and fifth grade. RESULTS indicated that for girls, relational aggression was negatively associated with school performance, while statistically controlling for both victimization and overt aggression. For boys, overt aggression was negatively related with school performance. Additional results indicated that for both girls and boys, victimization was negatively associated with school performance. Language: en
Pulse shaping and extraction of information from ultrasonic reflections in composite materials

Most ultrasonic inspections of materials involve sending elastic waves generated by a transducer through the investigated material, and monitoring either the transmitted waves as appear on the other side of the material, or the reflected waves which return back to the first side. Information about the state of the material is obtained by analyzing the received waves for global acoustic properties as well as local properties that may result from acoustic discontinuities such as defects in the material. Such analysis becomes more difficult when investigating composite materials. These materials have a complex structure, a complex acoustic wave propagation, and are limited to inspection by waves with relatively low frequencies due to high attenuation at high frequencies. All these contribute to more complex waveforms where overlapping of different signals make identification and investigation of discrete events very difficult. Digital signal processing can be used to help in this matter, increase the resolution, and facilitate analysis, as demonstrated here through description of three cases.
Methods for the Study of Ancient Hair: Radiocarbon Dates and Gene Sequences from Individual Hairs

Abstract Genetic data from archaeological specimens provides a potent new approach for addressing questions in prehistory. Hair from archaeological sites is an important but overlooked data source amenable to molecular analysis. To date DNA identification from hair is limited to modern samples. Our study is the first to report DNA recovery from a 9800-year-old specimen. We report methods used to extract mitochondrial DNA and obtain accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dates (AMS- 14 C) from hairs plucked from a piece of ancient bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis nelsoni ) skin found at Smith Creek Cave, Nevada. The ability to obtain reliable radiocarbon dates and DNA sequences from single ancient hairs opens new possibilities for addressing biological questions in prehistory.
Contextual cues and the retrieval of competing memories of goal events

In Experiment 1, four groups of rats were initially trained on a discrimination which established a stimulus as a signal for reinforcement. That signal was then presented during subsequent partial reinforcement training in a way that could potentially interfere with retrieval of the memory of nonreinforcement (SN) on the preceding trial either because (1) thestorage and retrieval contexts for SN were different (retrieval failure hypothesis), or (2) the memory of reinforcement produced by the signal acted as a competing memory (competing memory hypothesis). Experiment 1 supported the competing memory hypothesis. In Experiment 2, we investigated the effect of stimulus change on the capacity of the context to retrieve a competing memory of a temporally remote reinforcement event with which the context was strongly associated. Retrieval of a competing memory was impaired by differences between the storage and retrieval contexts in a manner analogous to the effect of context on retrieval of a reinforcement event memory from an immediately preceding trial.
Evaluation of peripartal calcium status, energetic profile, and neutrophil function in dairy cows at low or high risk of developing uterine disease

In this prospective cohort study, Holstein cows considered to be at high risk of developing metritis (dystocia, twins, stillbirth, retained placenta, or their combination) were matched with herdmates at low risk of developing metritis (normal calving) and monitored daily for rectal temperature and uterine discharge during the first 12 d in milk (DIM). Blood was sampled on d 0, 1, and 3 postpartum for assessment of neutrophil phagocytic and oxidative burst activities. Blood was also sampled at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 12 DIM for determination of serum concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, and glucose. On the basis of receiver operator characteristic curves, subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH) was defined as a serum Ca concentration ≤8.59 mg/dL in at least 1 sample in the first 3 DIM. The overall incidences of metritis and puerperal metritis were 47.3 and 30%, respectively. Concentration in blood and percentages of neutrophils undergoing phagocytosis and oxidative burst were all reduced in cows with SCH compared with normocalcemic cows. Cows with SCH were at a greater risk of developing fever, metritis, and puerperal metritis compared with normocalcemic cows. Among cows at low risk of developing metritis, those with SCH had a greater incidence of metritis (40.7%) compared with normocalcemic cows (14.3%). Similarly, among cows at high risk of developing metritis, cows with SCH had a greater incidence of metritis (77.8%) compared with normocalcemic cows (20.0%). Cows with SCH had elevated concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate compared with normocalcemic cows. The relative risk of developing metritis decreased by 22% for every 1mg/dL increase in serum Ca. Neither metritis nor SCH influenced the resumption of estrous cyclicity by 38 DIM, but cows with SCH had a reduced pregnancy rate and a longer interval to pregnancy compared with normocalcemic cows. Finally, the population risk to develop uterine diseases attributable to SCH was 66.6% for metritis and 91.3% for puerperal metritis in the present study.
External Resources and Development of Forest Landowner Collaboratives

Cooperation across private ownership boundaries is a potential pathway to realization of socioeconomic and ecological benefits from a large segment of U.S. forestland. Departing from the dominant tradition of focusing on private forest landowners' willingness to cooperate, we analyze resource dependency among actors in the institutional field of forest landowner collaboratives (FLC). Based on an empirical accounting of flows of three critical developmental resources—money, information, and legitimacy—we evaluate interorganizational structures supporting emergence and persistence of FLCs in Wisconsin and Minnesota, a center of relevant activity. We find that external organizational networks provide substantial developmental support to FLCs. Further, we identify important reciprocal flows of resources from FLCs to development organizations. Analysis of resource dependency highlights complementarities in roles of government agencies, philanthropies, commercial firms, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) ...
Using Children's Books as a Bridge to Other Cultures

(1992). Using Children's Books as a Bridge to Other Cultures. The Social Studies: Vol. 83, No. 1, pp. 36-40.
Performance of young hearing-impaired children on a test of basic concepts.

The Boehm Test of Basic Concepts was administered to 24 hard-of-hearing children and 24 normally hearing children, who ranged in age from six to eight years. The hearing-impaired children were enro...
Transport properties of tetrathiotetracene iodide ( TT T 2 I 3 − δ ) at low temperatures

We have performed a series of transport measurements on tetrathiotetracene iodide ($\mathrm{TT}{\mathrm{T}}_{2}{\mathrm{I}}_{3\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$) samples with varying degrees of disorder. These measurements include electrical conductivity from 300 to 0.2 K, magnetoresistance from 30 to 1.5 K, and magnetothermopower from 30 to 4.2 K. Microwave conductivity from 300 to 10 K and electric-field-dependent conductivity were measured to investigate frequency and voltage dependences. Our results indicate that disorder smears the metal-insulator transition so that the most highly disordered samples are best characterized at low temperatures as semiconductive with a high density of localized states in their gap. A sizable increase in the low-temperature resistance and thermopower with applied magnetic field indicates that the magnetic field reduces the density of localized states at the Fermi energy.
6-Hydroxylation: Effect on the Psychotropic Potency of Tryptamines

6-Hydroxy-5-methoxy-N,N dimethyltryptamine and 5-methoxy-N, N-dimnethyltryptamine were synthesized and their psychotropic effects compared on trained rats in a Skinner box. The nonhydroxylated form was the more po tent. The metabolism of 5-methoxytryp tophol acetate ester was also studied to determine whether hydroxylation might occur in other than the six position with exogenous indoles. One metabolite was formed, with properties of a hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid, which proved on chromatography not to be the 6-hydroxy structural isomer. Phar macologic and metabolic studies suggest that psychotropic activity of trypt amines may result from metabolites other than the 6-hydroxylated forms.
Diffusion Creep in Perovskite: Implications for the Rheology of the Lower Mantle

High-temperature creep experiments on polycrystalline perovskite (CaTiO(3)), an analog of (Mg,Fe)SiO(3) perovskite of the lower mantle, suggest that (grain size-sensitive) diffusion creep is important in the lower mantle and show that creep rate is enhanced by the transformation from the orthorhombic to the tetragonal structure. These observations suggest that grain-size reduction after a subducting slab passes through the 670-kilometer discontinuity or after a phase transformation from orthorhombic to tetragonal in perovskite will result in rheological softening in the top portions of the lower mantle.
Municipal Water Conservation Alternatives

William E. Sharpe, in his October 1978 article in this journal, has presented several methods (policies) for municipal water conservation. Moreover, Mr. Sharpe has expressed his opinion concerning the desirability of each. This was done without reference to a specific objective (what is formally referred to as an objective function).
Formation of Metallogenium -like structures by a manganese-oxiding fungus

Structures resembling Metallogenium spp. were observed in agar and in liquid cultures of a Mn-oxidizing basidiomycetous fungus only when Mn2+ was oxidized. Fungal viability was necessary for formation of the structures; Mn2+ concentration and the presence or absence of agar in the medium were important factors determining their morphology. Slide cultures revealed no identifiable cells in any stage of development. Fluorescent dyes that stained nucleic acids and polysaccharides in the fungal hyphae did not stain the Metallogenium-like structures. Likewise, Rhodamine 123, a fluorescent probe for membrane potential, stained fungal mitochondria, but did not stain the structures. Thin sections through the structures showed no biological membranes or other cellular features. Only the characteristic ultrastructure of biological Mn oxides were observed in serial thin sections. In agar, unfixed structures disappeared permanently during reduction of Mn oxides with hydroxylamine. Glutaraldehyde fixation stabilized these structures. Fixed structures lost most of their original phase density during reduction with hydroxylamine, but continuous microscopic observations showed that their phase density could be restored by staining with Coomassie blue. Structures that formed in liquid medium did not require stabilization with glutaraldehyde during reduction of Mn oxides. They, too, lost their original phase density during reduction with hydroxylamine; phase density could be restored by staining with cationic colloidal iron or Coomassie blue. The results suggest that the Metallogenium-like structures were formed as a result of Mn oxidation associated with exopolymers produced by the fungus.
Base Change for Higher Stickelberger Ideals

Abstract To a finite abelian extension of algebraic number fieldsK/kwith Galois groupG, one can attach annth Stickelberger idealI(n) for each non-negative integern. Whenk′ is an intermediate field, we also consider the extensionK/k′, and show that the associatednth Stickelberger idealI′(n) is contained inI(n). Consequently, if a conjecture on the annihilation of the QuillenK-groupK2nof the ring of integersOKbyI(n) holds forK/k, then it also holds forK/k′.
Analytic solution of a neural network theory based on an Ising spin system analogy

Abstract We obtain testable, physiologically interpretable solutions in the high “temperature” limit to a neural network model of memory based on an Ising spin system analogy. The solutions exhibit localization of firing activity and appear to be in striking analogy to magnetic domain phenomena. The theory must now be investigated in the nonlinear, low “temperature” regime where the domain analogy can hold.
Management Science and Group Behavior: Work-Unit Cohesiveness

Analyzes a conceptual and operational development in small-group behavior in management science. Focus of the analysis on cohesiveness; Specificity suggested by panels of small-group variables; Def...
Steering wheel photonic crystal fiber for monoclonal antibody detection

A solid-core photonic crystal fiber (SC-PCF) with a microstructured all-silica steering wheel lattice containing a 3 µm diameter core is used to identify dye-free monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in very small volumes (i.e. &#60; 0.1 µL). The samples used in this study are mAbs, which are useful in detecting the presence of the botulism toxin. A 0.66 m length of SC-PCF was used with a ∼ 0.008 µL sample with a broadband LED in the 1300-1700 nm range. Absorption characteristics associated with these mAbs were measured using a standard optical spectrum analyzer. A compact, efficient sensor could potentially benefit water quality monitoring, drug manufacturing and food quality control.
Emotion dysregulation mediates the relationship between lifetime cumulative adversity and depressive symptomatology.

Repeated exposure to stressful events across the lifespan, referred to as cumulative adversity, is a potent risk factor for depression. Research indicates that cumulative adversity detrimentally affects emotion regulation processes, which may represent a pathway linking cumulative adversity to vulnerability to depression. However, empirical evidence that emotion dysregulation mediates the relationship between cumulative adversity and depression is limited, particularly in adult populations. We examined the direct and indirect effects of cumulative adversity on depressive symptomatology in a large community sample of adults (n = 745) who were further characterized by risk status: never-depressed (n = 638) and “at-risk” remitted mood-disordered (n = 107). All participants completed the Cumulative Adversity Inventory (CAI), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Bootstrapped confidence intervals were computed to estimate the indirect effect of emotion dysregulation on the relationship between cumulative adversity and depressive symptomatology and to test whether this indirect effect was moderated by risk status. Emotion dysregulation partially and significantly mediated the relationship between cumulative adversity and depressive symptomatology independent of risk status. Overall, cumulative adversity and emotion dysregulation accounted for 50% of the variance in depressive symptomatology. These findings support the hypothesis that disruption of adaptive emotion regulation processes associated with repeated exposure to stressful life events represents an intrapersonal mechanism linking the experience of adverse events to depression. Our results support the utility of interventions that simultaneously emphasize stress reduction and emotion regulation to treat and prevent depressive vulnerability and pathology.
Possible Salt Movement in Northern Wasatch Plateau: ABSTRACT

The Jump Creek 7 ½-minute quadrangle in the northeastern Wasatch Plateau is an area where Late Cretaceous to early Tertiary formations are fractured by at least two complex systems of faults. Southern and eastern sections of the area are dominated by north-south-trending faults, such as the Gordon Creek fault zone, whereas the northern section is dominated by northwest-southeast-trending faults. Strong evidence, including horst and graben structures, rim synclines, and other collapse-related features, suggests that north-south-trending faults may be related to salt movement within the underlying Jurassic sediments. Indeed, the Gordon Creek fault zone could represent part of the eastern boundary of the Arapian evaporite basin. The northwest-southeast-trending faults appear to parallel major lineaments that cut across the Wasatch Plateau, Book Cliffs, and San Rafael swell areas and suggest origins not related to salt tectonics. This fault system, however, may be part of these lineaments that have been accentuated by the salt movement. The possibility of the structures in the Jump Creek 7 ½-minute quadrangle producing excellent hydrocarbon traps cannot be overlooked. Structures similar to those found in this area are proven producers in Joes Valley and Pleasant Valley fields, both located within several miles of the Jump Creek quadrangle. End_of_Article - Last_Page 938------------
Proximate Analysis of Cooked Chuck and Round Roasts from Two Beef Breed-Types on Two Feeding Regimes

Cooked roast samples from two beef breed-types and from two feeding regimes were assayed for proximate composition. Three muscle roasts from the round primal cut (semimembranosus, SM; semitendinosus, ST; biceps femoris, BF) were similar to each other in composition. Roasts from chuck primal cut (shoulder clod roasts) differed considerably in composition from round roasts: clod roasts were higher in fat and lower in moisture, protein and ash. Breed-type had minimal effect on proximate composition, but feeding regime did significantly affect composition. Beef fed a higher energy regime produced roasted meat which was higher in fat and lower in moisture content.
Targeting VIP and PACAP receptor signalling: new therapeutic strategies in multiple sclerosis.

MS (multiple sclerosis) is a chronic autoimmune and neurodegenerative pathology of the CNS (central nervous system) affecting approx. 2.5 million people worldwide. Current and emerging DMDs (disease-modifying drugs) predominantly target the immune system. These therapeutic agents slow progression and reduce severity at early stages of MS, but show little activity on the neurodegenerative component of the disease. As the latter determines permanent disability, there is a critical need to pursue alternative modalities. VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) and PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide) have potent anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective actions, and have shown significant activity in animal inflammatory disease models including the EAE (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis) MS model. Thus, their receptors have become candidate targets for inflammatory diseases. Here, we will discuss the immunomodulatory and neuroprotective actions of VIP and PACAP and their signalling pathways, and then extensively review the structure–activity relationship data and biophysical interaction studies of these peptides with their cognate receptors.
Characterization of ts13 cells a temperature-sensitive mutant of the G1 phase of the cell cycle.

ts 13 cells are a temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant of BHK cells that are known to arrest in G1 when shifted to the nonpermissive temperature. We have determined the entry into S of ts13 cells in five different growth conditions, namely: 1) quiescent, sparse cultures stimulated to proliferate by serum. 2) Quiescent, dense cultures stimulated by serum. 3) Quiescent, sparse cultures stimulated by trypsinization and replating. 4) Quiescent, dense cultures stimulated by trypsinization and replating. 5) Mitotic cells collected by mitotic detachment. For each different growth condition we have also determined the execution point of the mutant function, i.e. the time at which a shift-up to the nonpermissive temperature no longer prevents the entry of cells into S. The median time of entry into S and the execution point varied in different growth conditions, but the distance between the median execution point and the median time of entry into S was remarkably constant, i.e. 3.2 hr. In addition we have fused ts 13 cells cells with chick erythrocytes and studied the ability of ts13 cells in heterokaryon formation to induce DNA synthesis in chick nuclei. Although ts13 cells can induce DNA synthesis in chick nuclei at the permissive temperature, they fail to do so when fused and stimulated at the nonpermissive temperature of 39.5 degrees C.
Twelve-lead QT dispersion is smaller in women than in men

Background Although gender differences in the corrected QT interval (QTc) have been described, gender differences in QT dispersion (QTd) have not been carefully evaluated. This study was designed to measure QTd in 22 young healthy women and in 20 healthy men. Methods and Results Twelve-lead ECGs were recorded at rest and following double autonomic blockade with atropine 0.04 mg/kg and propranolol 0.2 mg/kg during the menstrual, follicular, and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, which was confirmed by hormone levels. Men were studied during three separate visits as controls. In women, there was no difference in QTd among the three phases of the menstrual cycle, and thus all three visits were pooled for comparison with men. The 12-lead QT dispersion (maximum — minimum QT) was larger in men than in women at baseline (41 ± 17 ms vs 35 ± 16 ms), and this difference tended to decrease after double autonomic blockade (35 ± 14 ms vs 32 ± 11 ms). The standard deviation of the QT interval across the 12 leads was larger in men than in women at baseline (12.6 ± 4.5 vs 10.8 ± 4.1), and this difference was no longer significant after double autonomic blockade (10.4 ± 4.4 vs 10.1 ± 3.5). QT dispersion was significantly reduced by autonomic blockade (P < 0.05). Conclusions (1) Double autonomic blockade slightly reduces QTd. (2) QTd is higher in men than in women at baseline but more similar after autonomic blockade. These findings may contribute to the gender difference in the corrected QT interval. (3) Increased female QTd is not the mechanism of increased female susceptibility to torsade de pointes. The clinical implications of gender differences in QTd and QTc remain to be defined. A.N.E. 1998; 3(1):25–31
Implantation Process for Removing a Reflection Inside a Circuit

This paper wi1l describe the use of implanting a theoretical reflection inside an experimental measurement to remove a junction capacitance. Time domain analysis will be used to examine what is happening inside the circuit using the frequency domain representation for the "Implant". The implant process is performed on a set of measurements to allow more detailed examination of the circuit. The theoretical circuit can be capacitive, inductive or an impedance change at a given location. This technique can allow the measured date to be experimentally changed. The procees is less expensive and faster than making physical tuning changes.
Extraction of correlated jet pair signals in relativistic heavy ion collisions

Multiparticle correlation techniques are frequently used to study jet shapes and yields in hadronic and nuclear collisions. To date, a standard assumption applied in such analyses is that the observed correlations arise from either jets and associated hard scattering phenomena, or from a background component due to combinatorial pairs connected only through whole event correlations. Within this assumption of two essentially independent sources, a fundamental problem centers around determining the relative contributions of each component. We discuss the methods commonly used to establish the background yield in jet correlation analyses, with a full explanation of the absolute background normalization technique which establishes the background yield without assumptions about the shape of jet correlations. This is especially important in relativistic heavy ion collisions where the jet shapes are significantly distorted from the well separated back-to-back dijets observed in proton-proton collisions.
The Alumni Survey as an Effective Assessment Tool for Small Engineering Programs

An alumni survey can be crafted which will evaluate even a small engineering program's success in imparting the abilities enumerated in the Engineering Criteria 2000 (EC 2000) guidelines. The core of the survey consists in its analysis of alumni ranking of both the importance of, and preparation in, the eleven key desired outcomes. Its originality lies in its establishing certain threshold percentages in the difference in perception of importance and preparation which indicate a level of under-preparedness demanding immediate attention, so that the survey can function as an objective assessment tool. The responses of specific aggregates can also be analyzed in this manner, providing insight on the different perspectives of alumni by degree program, career path, and other demographic groupings.
Virulence of six heterogeneous-origin Newcastle disease virus isolates before and after sequential passages in domestic chickens.

Four serial passages of six Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates were performed in two-week-old White Leghorns. The viruses were recovered from chickens (Ckn-Live Bird Market and Ckn-Australia isolates), exotic (Yellow Nape [YN] Parrot, Pheasant, and Dove isolates) and wild birds (Anhinga isolate). Infected chickens were monitored clinically and humanely killed to sample tissues for histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Pathogenicity tests, to assess the virulence of the isolates for chickens, and sequence analysis of the fusion protein cleavage site were performed before and after passages. The moderately virulent Dove isolate became highly virulent with serial passage. The originally highly virulent Pheasant isolate had an increase in the intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) and the intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI) with passages in chickens. Virulence increase was not observed with Ckn-LBM, YN Parrot, Ckn-Australia, or Anhinga isolates after four chicken passages. The results demonstrate ...
Determination of the activation parameters and the mechanism for atropisomerization of (S)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-[2-(6-diethylaminomethylpyridin-2-yl)vinyl]-6-fluoroquinazolin-4(3H)-one

Values of ΔH‡ = 111.6 ± 0.3 kJ mol−1 (26.7 ± 0.1 kcal mol−1) and ΔS‡ = −25.7 ± 0.9 J K−1 mol−1 (−6.1 ± 0.2 cal K−1 mol−1) have been determined for the atropisomerization of (S)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-[2-(6-diethylaminomethylpyridin-2-yl)vinyl]-6-fluoroquinazolin-4(3H)-one in decane. Based on molecular mechanics calculations in the literature and an observation that more polar solvent does not increase isomerization rate, it is proposed that the isomerization occurs via a planar non-ionic transition state in which the carbonyl oxygen and the 6-chloro substituent are coplanar with each other.
Stability of Neuroendocrine and Behavioral Responsiveness in Aging Fischer 344/Brown-Norway Hybrid Rats

Aging in rodents and primates is accompanied by changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity. We examined behavioral and neuroendocrine responses in 3, 15-, and 30-month-old F344/Brown-Norway rats. Basal corticosterone and ACTH levels did not differ with age, although ACTH responses, but not corticosterone responses to restraint stress, were significantly lower in the 30-month-old group relative to 3- and 15-month-old rats. Induction of c-fos mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus from restraint was not affected by age. Furthermore, there was an enhanced sensitivity to dexamethasone suppression in aged animals as evidenced by lesser ACTH and corticosterone release after dexamethasone administration. Evaluation of emotional behaviors in the forced swim test revealed no differences between the age groups. With fear conditioning, aged rats had decreased freeze times relative to middle-aged or young rats. Regression analysis revealed no significant correlations between the behavioral and HPA axis data in any group. Overall, the data suggest that an apparent decrease in pituitary drive is compensated for at the level of the adrenal, resulting in stable patterns of glucocorticoid secretion. The lack of a correlation between HPA axis measures and emotional as well as fear conditioning-related behaviors indicates that corticosteroid dysfunction may not predict age-related behavioral deficits in this aging model.
On the finite completion of partial latin cubes

Trevor Evans has shown in [I] that any 12 x 12 partial latin square can be embedded in a 2n x 2n latin square. Apart from its combinatorial interest, this result has general algebraic consequences (for example, that finitely presented loops and quasigroups are residually finite, hopfian, and have a solvable word problem [4, 141). We examine here the higher dimensional analogues of these results. Unfortunately, any attempt directly to transfer the construction of Evans to the case of latin cubes or hyper-cubes encounters a fundamental combinatorial obstacle: in essence, what one confronts is a special instance of the classic unsolved problem of finding a common transversal for three or more families of sets [6, 9, lo]. However, this combinatorial obstacle can be circumvented by the device of composing latin boxes of various dimensions, and we are able to prove that any finite partial latin cube (or hyper-cube) can be embedded in a finite latin cube (hyper-cube). The algebraic consequences for finitely presented n-quasigroups are the same as those already mentioned for loops and quasigroups. There remains the problem of obtaining a “minimal” embedding corresponding to the result in [l].
Automatic real-time capture and segmentation of endoscopy video

Endoscopy is a medical technology used to inspect the inner surface of organs such as the colon. During endoscopic inspection of the colon or colonoscopy, a tiny video camera generates a video signal, which is displayed on a monitor for manual interpretation by physicians. In practice, these images are not typically captured, which may be attributed by lack of tools for automatic capturing, automatic analysis of important contents, and quick and easy access to these contents. However, this lack of tools is being addressed by recent research efforts. This paper presents the description and evaluation results of novel software that automates the capture of all images of a single colonoscopy into a single digitized video file. The system uses metrics based on color and motion over time to determine whether the images are derived from inside a single patient. During testing our system extracted 173 videos totaling 70 hours of endoscopic video, out of 230 hours of raw video, with a segment-based sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 99%. No procedures were missed. Two video files contained only a non-patient video signal. The features of our system are robust enough to be suitable for day-to-day use in medical practice.
The Limitations of the Principle of Limited Possibilities1

IN DEFENSE of his view that the course of cultural evolution is fundamentally multilinear and that it operates in a "fortuitous, not in a predictable or predetermined manner," Murdock (1959:131) is obliged to consider the contradictory evidence furnished by his own work on kinship. Murdock insists that there are only five major types of kinship organization. That only five major kinship systems emerge from a study of a representative sample of 447 societies, "drawn from all parts of the world and from all levels of culture," suggests the existence of extraordinarily powerful selective, deterministic, and anti-chance forces. We are urged to believe, however, that this is a superficial interpretation. "The resemblances," Murdock insists, "are typological, not historical or necessarily even functional" (1959:135). They indicate, not the operation of natural law in history, but rather "an inherent limitation in practical possibilities" (1959:134). Murdock goes on to explain further that the resemblances "... occur because only a certain limited number of combinations of rules of descent, residence patterns, forms of family organization, and methods of classifying kinsmen constitute configurations whose elements are genuinely consistent with each other, so that they represent states of equilibrium toward which other combinations tend to gravitate over time" (1959:135). Were it not for the stipulation contained in the immediately preceding sentence that the consistency and equilibrium in question are not necessarily functional, but may be merely typological, these remarks would serve as a deterministic approach to the explanation of parallel and convergent cultural evolution. It is clear that Murdock is making an energetic attempt to have his cake and eat it. Or worse, that mere euphemism here plays the role of counter-hypothesis. This gambit is falsely dignified by the name "the principle of limited possibilities."
Characterization of neutral and acid ester hydrolase in Wolman's disease

Wolman's disease is characterized by diffuse cellular accumulation of cholesteryl ester and triacylglycerol, steatorrhea, and death in infancy. Although lysosomal acid ester hydrolase has been reported to be absent in tissues from affected infants, full evaluation of the intracellular ester hydrolases in hepatic and nonhepatic tissues has not been performed previously. Studies on ester hydrolase activity in human liver and skin fibroblasts have permitted the following conclusions. (1) The ester hydrolase activity for cholesteryl oleate and triolein are parallel in human liver and skin fibroblasts. (2) There is a significant loss of activity for both of these substrates at pH 4 in both liver and skin fibroblasts in a subject with Wolman's disease. (3) At pH 7, however, ester hydrolase activity for both substrates in both liver and skin fibroblast preparations from a patient with Wolman's disease is preserved. (4) The patient's mother, an obligate heterozygote, does not demonstrate any loss of activity for either substrate at pH 4. THese data are consistent with the concept that acid and neutral ester hydrolases are different enzymes.
Derivation of learning process statistics for a general Markov model.

A Markov learning model may be stated in the form of a transition matrix, starting vector, and response probability vector. Utilizing these and some general properties of absorbing Markov chains, general expressions are derived for several statistics of the learning process which can be applied to any model of this form. Included are derivations for the mean learning curve, number of total errors, trial numbers of the first success and the last error, and the number of error runs. As an illustration, all derivations are worked out for the simple two-state one-element model.
A 43 kDa form of the GTP-binding protein Gi3 in human erythrocytes.

Abstract Purified preparations of human erythrocyte G-proteins contain a 43 kDa pertussis toxin substrate which appears to be the α-subunit of a heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein. The 43 kDa protein is recognized by antisera that are sequence-specific for peptides encoding a sequence common to all 39–53 kDa G-protein α-subunits. Gαo-specific antiserum did not recognize 43 or 40–41 kDa α-subunits. AS/6, which recognizes the αi proteins, recognized 43 kDa as well as 40–41 kDa proteins. Of the three antisera specific for individual members of the αi family, only the Gi3-specific antiserum recognized the 43 kDa erythrocyte G-protein. However, 40–41 kDa forms of all three αis are present. These observations indicate that human erythrocytes contain a novel 43 kDa form of Gi3.
Cellular electrophysiology—XVIII. Coulo-kinetic behaviour of escherichia coli spheroplasts☆

Abstract As a result of earlier studies it was thought that if the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli was in more intimate contact with the electrode surface during the period of active metabolism, that an increased coulombic output might be obtained with the coulokinetic technique. It was found in the present study that spheroplasts did indeed give an increased coulombic output as compared to the intact control. Of extreme interest was the finding that sucrose-stabilized spheroplasts metabolized sucrose whereas the intact bacteria did not do so. As a result it was necessary to use carbowax 4000 for the osmotic stabilization of the spheroplasts used in this investigation.
Effect of Electrode Configuration on the Frequency and Quality Factor Repeatability of RF Micromechanical Disk Resonators

A statistical evaluation of the standard deviations of the resonance frequencies and quality factors of polysilicon surface-micromachined micromechanical disk resonators with fully-surrounding and split electrode configurations has been conducted by fabricating and measuring a large quantity (>400) of devices. Through this analysis, respective single-wafer resonance frequency standard deviations as low as 642 ppm for fully-surrounding electrode devices; and 984 ppm for two-port split electrode devices; have been measured. Respective average quality factor standard deviations for fully surrounding electrode devices of 5.6% in vacuum; and 3.9% in air; have also been obtained. The standard deviations for both frequency and Q of each resonator type are well within values needed to achieve the -3% percent bandwidth requirements for filters presently used in the RF front-ends of wireless communication devices without trimming.
Thin-layer chromatography/desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: investigation of goldenseal alkaloids.

Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was investigated as a means to qualitatively identify and to quantify analytes directly from developed normal-phase thin-layer chromatography plates. The atmospheric sampling capillary of a commercial ion trap mass spectrometer was extended to permit sampling and ionization of analytes in bands separated on intact TLC plates (up to 10 cm × 10 cm). A surface positioning software package and the appropriate hardware enabled computer-controlled surface scanning along the length of development lanes or at fixed Rf value across the plates versus the stationary desorption electrospray emitter. Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and related alkaloids and commercial dietary supplements were used as standards and samples. Alkaloid standards and samples were spotted and separated on aluminum- or glass-backed plates using established literature methods. The mass spectral signal levels as a function of desorption spray solvent were investigated with acetonitrile pro...
Kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of Cl atoms with chloroethenes at 298 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure

Using a relative rate technique, rate constants have been determined for the gas-phase reactions of Cl atoms with the cholorethenes and ethane at 298 ± 2 K and 735 torr total pressure of air. Using a rate constant of 1.97 × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for the reaction of Cl atoms with n-butane, the following rate constants (in units of 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1) were obtained: vinyl chloride, 12.7 ± 0.2; 1,1-dichloroethene, 14.0 ± 0.2; cis-1,2-dichloroethene, 9.65 ± 0.10; trans-1,2-dichloroethene, 9.58 ± 0.18; trichloroethene, 8.08 ± 0.10; tetrachloroethene, 4.13 ± 0.23; and ethane, 6.17 ± 0.08 (where the indicated error limits do not include the uncertainties in the rate constant for n-butane). A small amount of cis-trans isomerization was observed for the reactions involving the cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethenes. These data are compared and discussed with the available literature data.
High efficiency AlGaInP-based 660-680 nm vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers

Record continuous-wave output power of 2.9 mW and 10% peak wallplug efficiency have been achieved from planar gain guided AlGaInP-based vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers. These results represent nearly an order of magnitude improvement in performance over previous AlGaInP-based vertical-cavity lasers.
Toxicological and Biochemical Studies with Field Populations of the German Cockroach,Blattella germanica

Abstract Topical bioassays with cypermethrin, λ-cyhalothrin, permethrin, propoxur, and chlorpyrifos were conducted on 12 German cockroach strains recently collected from the field. Resistance levels ranged from 3- to 159-fold for cypermethrin, 2- to 88-fold for permethrin, 4- to 55-fold for λ-cyhalothrin, 5- to 33-fold for propoxur, and 3- to 19-fold for chlorpyrifos. The synergists piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and S,S,S -tributylphoshorotrithioate (DEF) affected cypermethrin resistance to varying degrees depending on the strain. Piperonyl butoxide pretreatment decreased cypermethrin resistance in only 5 strains, but caused an increase in resistance level in 7 strains. Conversely, DEF pretreatment reduced the resistance level in 10 of the strains and increased the resistance level in only 2 strains. Correlation analysis of resistance ratios for each strain and insecticide indicated a direct relationship between resistance level of one insecticide and another, especially among the pyrethroids. All field strains exhibited significantly higher microsomal oxidase, glutathione S -transferase, and esterase activities toward surrogate substrates as compared with the insecticide-susceptible strain. However, levels of cytochrome P450 content, aldrin epoxidase activity, methoxyresorufin O -demethylase activity, and glutathione S -transferase activity were not correlated with pyrethroid resistance, suggesting that these activities are poor indicators of pyrethroid-resistance magnitude. Interestingly, significant correlations were found between general esterase activity and cypermethrin ( P = 0.002), permethrin ( P = 0.007), cyhalothrin ( P = 0.002), and propoxur ( P = 0.001) resistance levels. The data support the conclusion of esterase involvement in cypermethrin resistance determined by synergist (DEF) bioassay. However, the significance of this relationship, in the context of resistance detection, requires further examination.
Masitinib antagonizes ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2-mediated multidrug resistance

In this in vitro study, we determined whether masitinib could reverse multidrug resistance (MDR) in cells overexpressing the ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) transporter. Masitinib (1.25 and 2.5 µM) significantly decreases the resistance to mitoxantrone (MX), SN38 and doxorubicin in HEK293 and H460 cells overexpressing the ABCG2 transporter. In addition, masitinib (2.5 µM) significantly increased the intracellular accumulation of [(3)H]-MX, a substrate for ABCG2, by inhibiting the function of ABCG2 and significantly decreased the efflux of [(3)H]-MX. However, masitinib (2.5 µM) did not significantly alter the expression of the ABCG2 protein. In addition, a docking model suggested that masitinib binds within the transmembrane region of a homology-modeled human ABCG2 transporter. Overall, our in vitro findings suggest that masitinib reverses MDR to various anti-neoplastic drugs in HEK293 and H460 cells overexpressing ABCG2 by inhibiting their transport activity as opposed to altering their levels of expression.
Predicting in-hospital mortality among critically ill patients with end-stage liver disease

Abstract Purpose Critically-ill patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) are at high risk for death during intensive care unit hospitalization, and currently available prognostic models have limited accuracy in this population. We aimed to identify variables associated with in-hospital mortality among critically ill ESLD patients and to develop and validate a simple, parsimonious model for bedside use. Materials and methods We performed a retrospective chart review of 653 intensive care unit admissions for ESLD patients; modeled in-hospital mortality using multivariable logistic regression; and compared the predictive ability of several different models using the area under receiver operating characteristic (AU-ROC) curves. Results Multivariable predictors of in-hospital mortality included Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, mechanical ventilation, and gender; there was also an interaction between MELD score and gender ( P ). MELD alone had better discrimination (AU-ROC 0.83) than APACHE II alone (AU-ROC 0.76), and adding mechanical ventilation to MELD achieved the single largest increase in model discrimination (AU-ROC 0.85; P ). In a parsimonious, 2-predictor model, higher MELD scores (OR 1.14 per 1-point increase; 95% CI 1.11-1.16), and mechanical ventilation (OR 6.20; 95% CI 3.05–12.58) were associated with increased odds of death. Model discrimination was also excellent in the validation cohort (AU-ROC 0.90). Conclusions In critically ill ESLD patients, a parsimonious model including only MELD and mechanical ventilation is more accurate than APACHE II alone for predicting in-hospital mortality. This simple bedside model can provide clinicians and patients with valuable prognostic information for medical decision-making.