cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase complementary DNAs in sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda

Abstract Background: Sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda (S-PCT) has been considered an acquired disease because of the generation of liver-specific inhibitors of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (URO-D) activity. Several families have been described with S-PCT in multiple generations, raising the possibility of an inherited basis for the disease. To determine if S-PCT is associated with mutant URO-Ds that might be sensitive to liver-specific inhibitors, a molecular analysis of genomic and hepatocellular URO-Ds was undertaken. Methods: Total RNA from lymphoid cell lines from three unrelated patients with S-PCT and poly A + RNA from liver biopsy samples from two additional patients was used as a template for single-stranded cDNA synthesis, and URO-D sequences were amplified and sequenced. DNA prepared from peripheral blood leukocytes was used as a template to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplify the promoter region of the URO-D gene. Sequencing of PCR products was performed completely in both directions by the chain termination method using a variety of custom oligonucleotide primers. Results: Ten URO-D alleles were sequenced, and no mutations were found. The promoter region of the URO-D gene was also normal. Conclusions: It is concluded that S-PCT is not due to mutations at the URO-D locus. If inherited factors are involved, other loci must be affected.
Discrete-time adaptive control of systems with multi-segment piecewise-linear nonlinearities

Inverse schemes are constructed for multi-segment piecewise-linear nonlinearities. Adaptive laws are proposed to update the inverse to cancel the effect of the unknown characteristic of such a nonlinearity which appears at the input of a linear part. Two adaptive control schemes using an adaptive inverse and a linear controller structure are developed: one for the linear part known and the other for the linear part unknown. Different adaptive designs are given based on different a priori nonlinearity knowledge necessary for the construction of an adaptive inverse. Simulation results show that the proposed adaptive inverse controllers achieve the desired tracking performance despite the presence of the unknown nonlinearity.
An alternative route for the folding of large RNAs: apparent two-state folding by a group II intron ribozyme.

Abstract Despite a growing literature on the folding of RNA, our understanding of tertiary folding in large RNAs derives from studies on a small set of molecular examples, with primary focus on group I introns and RNase P RNA. To broaden the scope of RNA folding models and to better understand group II intron function, we have examined the tertiary folding of a ribozyme (D135) that is derived from the self-splicing ai5γ intron from yeast mitochondria. The D135 ribozyme folds homogeneously and cooperatively into a compact, well-defined tertiary structure that includes all regions critical for active-site organization and substrate recognition. When D135 was treated with increasing concentrations of Mg2+ and then subjected to hydroxyl radical footprinting, similar Mg2+ dependencies were seen for internalization of all regions of the molecule, suggesting a highly cooperative folding behavior. In this work, we show that global folding and compaction of the molecule have the same magnesium dependence as the local folding previously observed. Furthermore, urea denaturation studies indicate highly cooperative unfolding of the ribozyme that is governed by thermodynamic parameters similar to those for forward folding. In fact, D135 folds homogeneously and cooperatively from the unfolded state to its native, active structure, thereby demonstrating functional reversibility in RNA folding. Taken together, the data are consistent with two-state folding of the D135 ribozyme, which is surprising given the size and multi-domain structure of the RNA. The findings establish that the accumulation of stable intermediates prior to formation of the native state is not a universal feature of RNA folding and that there is an alternative paradigm in which the folding landscape is relatively smooth, lacking rugged features that obstruct folding to the native state.
Developmental Gerstmann syndrome

Frank Benson and I published this paper for several reasons. Kinsbourne and Warrington had already reported the presence of Gerstmann’s syndrome in childhood. Our first case was of interest, however, since he was a child of superior intellectual capacities without any history of dyslexia.
A Review of “Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom”

Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom is based on the two-year Logo channel series Noah's Arc, which articulates the social and personal struggles of four male friends who identify as gay. Although this fi...
Barriers to condom use among heterosexual male and female college students.

Abstract The authors used a questionnaire to assess gender differences in barriers to condom use among 198 female and 89 male heterosexual undergraduate college students. Participants were divided into three groups—consistent users, inconsistent users, and nonusers—based on their reported condom use. Factor analyses on each gender revealed similar barrier factor structures, but the barriers explained more of the variance in condom use among women than among men. Of the 9 or 10 predictors assessed, the low perceived need barrier was the most powerful predictor of condom use for both genders. Male and female participants who were nonusers, in a current monogamous relationship, and using oral contraceptives were more likely to report a low perceived need to use condoms. Implications for future research are discussed.
Scanning Productivity in Interlibrary Loan

ABSTRACT The authors report findings of a research study conducted at the Iowa State University Library. Data was gathered on the scanning of library materials by students working in the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) unit. The goals of the study were fourfold: (1) Develop measures of scanning productivity in ILL, (2) Determine if it is more productive to scan from the original or copy and then scan with a document feeder, (3) Determine the best method of the copy and scan approach, (4) Determine the most productive method of scanning. The authors propose an extrapolation of their findings to other libraries involved in scanning for interlibrary loan.
Neuropsychological and MMPI Correlates of Patients' Future Employment Characteristics:

Surnmiwy.-Previous research has suggested that patients' neuropsychological test scores correlate not only with neurologic status but also with their success in coping with some of the demands of daily living. This study investigated the utility of such laboratory test scores in predicting several vocational variables. Patients who had received neuropsychological evaluations were recontacted and questioned about their employment over the previous 6 mo. Of the 78 individuals who participated, 25 had been chronically unemployed. The remaining 53 were asked about job stabiliry, hours worked, and wages earned, and were administered the Minnesota Job Requirements Questionnaire. Patients' scores on the Halstead-Reitan Batrery, the WAIS and the MMPI were highly correlated with employment status (employed or chronically unemployed), income, and skills required on the jobs held. The results suggest that these tests may have clinical utility in assessing patients' employability, as well as the types of jobs for which they are suited.
A fast-response near-infrared tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer for in situ measurements of CH4 in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere

We describe a near-infrared in situ tunable diode laser spectrometer developed for atmospheric measurements of CH4 in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UT/LS). The instrument is designed to provide fast-response (0.5–1 Hz) measurements and operate autonomously on the NASA WB-57F high-altitude aircraft. A single-mode InGaAsP distributed feedback laser diode operating at 1.6537 μm scans continuously over the R(3) rotation–vibration transition in the 2ν3 band. We use a direct absorption technique incorporating a custom-designed long path length (252 m) low-volume (3.6 L) astigmatic Herriott cell. The present detection sensitivity is 5×1010 molecules cm-3, corresponding to ∼20 ppbv in the UT/LS, with the main limit to instrument precision being background optical interference fringes. In-flight performance is demonstrated by presentation of recent data.
Analytical solutions for chemical transport with simultaneous adsorption, zero-order production and first-order decay

Abstract Analytical solutions are presented for the movement of a chemical in a porous medium as influenced by linear equilibrium adsorption, zero-order production, and first-order decay. Solutions, obtained by means of Laplace transforms, are given for different initial and boundary conditions. Some typical examples, furthermore, demonstrate the effects of the two rate terms on resulting chemical concentration distributions.
Visualization of vacuoplasts in isolated vacuole preparations from mesophyll protoplasts of periwinkle [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don]

A procedure was developed for the rapid detection of vacuoplasts in vacuole preparations isolated from mesophyll protoplasts of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (periwinkle). The procedure relies on the staining of surface carbohydrates on the plasma membrane surrounding vacuoplasts with fluorescein-labeled lectins. When isolated under conditions of constant osmotic strength, approximately 15–20% of the vacuoles isolated showed surface labeling with FITC-agglutinin from Abrus precatorius. Isolation of vacuoles after an initial osmotic shock showed much lower (<5%) surface labeling. This lower level of surface labeling correlated well with a lower level of other non-vacuolar marker enzyme activities. A thin layer of cytoplasm was visible in a small number of these stained structures, indicating that they were vacuoplasts.
Towards a Testbed for Modelling Application Service Provider (ASP)

The information system outsourcing arena has recently seen the introduction of a new player – the Application Service Provider (ASP). ASPs are third-party companies that rent commonly available packaged software applications and related services. The model offers certain important characteristics that could result in important advantages to users. Some of these include: firms get access to world-class applications offering the same set of features as used by larger rivals, software developers are assured a recurring stream of revenue from their software products and upgrades, users are protected from the tribulations of upgrading and maintaining their software and applications.In this paper, we examine the emerging ASP model of providing software services to organisations. We then suggest a classification scheme for potential online ASP marketplaces and work on building a testable prototype for these marketplaces. We will use this testbed to study the influence of different attributes of clients and vendo...
Introduction of a computer-based surgical platform in the surgical care of patients with newly diagnosed uterine cancer: Outcomes and impact on approach

Abstract Objective To assess the introduction of computer-based surgery (ie, robotic surgery [RBT]) in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed uterine cancer. Methods We identified all patients who presented to our institution for initial surgical care of newly diagnosed uterine cancer from 5/1/07–12/31/10. Perioperative outcomes of laparotomy cases were compared to those of laparoscopic (LSC) or RBT cases. Complications within 30days of surgery were graded. Results Of 752 patients, the planned approach was laparotomy in 103 (14%), LSC in 302 (40%), and RBT in 347 (46%). The rate of laparotomy for any reason (planned or converted) was 39% in 2007 compared to 18% in 2010 ( P P =0.049). The extent of procedure, total nodal counts, and overall complications were similar between the LSC and RBT cases. The median length of stay was shorter for RBT cases ( P P Conclusions Robotics can be efficiently introduced into the surgical care of patients with newly diagnosed uterine cancers. RBT cases require the same operative times as LSC cases after accounting for the 40-case learning curve. Both approaches result in similar excellent patient outcomes and remain reasonable approaches for this disease. The introduction of robotics may lead to further reduction in the rate of laparotomy.
Catecholamine-stimulated lipolytic activity in rat adipocyte ghosts

Abstract Adipocyte ghosts made from isolated cells pretreated with 10 −6 M norepinephrine and 10 −3 M theophylline prior to hypotonic lysis showed significantly greater lipolytic activity (hydrolysis of both tributyrin and endogenous triglyceride substrate) than did control ghost preparations, provided that the ghosts were resuspended in a substrate-containing medium. When the ghosts were taken up in buffer alone and substrate was added to the assay medium, no such stimulation of lipolytic activity was seen. It is suggested, therefore, that the hormone-sensitive lipase in rat adipocytes may be membrane-bound.
Set Theory and the Indicator Function.

(1982). Set Theory and the Indicator Function. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 89, No. 9, pp. 694-695.
Introductory circuits: reference node r model impact

The impact of presenting the r model as a design tool to undergraduates within the introductory circuits course is reported. Classroom use of the r model permits integration of network topology principles and network diagnosis techniques, including modeling-simulation-construction-test. Corresponding laboratory use of the r model permits more effective utilization of instrumentation including spectrum and network analyzers. >
Nonspecific reactive hepatitis in aged and infirm people.

Nonspecific reactive hepatitis represents a group of abnormal histological findings including ductular proliferation, portal and periportal inflammatory infiltration, focal necrosis, Kupffer cell mobilization, and evidence of regeneration. These have been found in varying degree in 94 liver biopsy specimens from aged and infirm patients with no acute or gastrointestinal diseases. No correlation with results of hepatic tests could be obtained and these results were sometimes abnormal without any apparent reason. The use of this group of patients for various studies in which hepatic structural and functional integrity are of importance must be preceded by control liver biopsies and by repeated and careful evaluation of hepatic function.
Some approaches to the synthesis of fluorinated alcohols and esters. II. Use of F-alkyl iodides for the synthesis of F-alkyl alkanols

Abstract Free radical addition of an F-alkyl iodide (RFI) to an alkenol or ester, followed by appropriate reduction is an efficient method for preparing the corresponding F-alkyl-alkanols of the homologous series, RF(CH2)n−OH. When n = 2,4 or higher, the two steps take place smoothly. The 1,2,3-substituted systems RFCH2CHYCH2Z, however, are susceptible to surprising difficulties. Reduction of RFCH2CHICH2ON to RF(CH2)3OH by hydrogen and catalyst (strong base acid acceptor), can be done either in one step or via RFCHCHCH2OH; however, dehydrohalogenation may also give the epoxide, and reduction in this case leads to the secondary alcohol, RFCH2CH(CH3)OH. By contrast, reduction of RFCH2CHICH2OAc by tributyltin hydride or with hydrogen over palladium (diethylamine acid acceptor) goes smoothly. Zinc and acid reduction of RFCH2CHICH2OAc gives elimination to RFCH2CHCH2; even RFCHCICH2OH gives RFCHCCH2 besides RFCHCHCH2OH. RFCHCICH2CH2OH, however, with zinc and acid is reduced cleanly to RFCHCHCH2CH2OH.
Deciphering primate phylogeny from macromolecular specificities

A problem in deciphering primate phylogeny, morphological convergence between different evolutionary lines, can be overcome by species comparisons of proteins, macromolecules with specificities closely linked to the genetic code in DNA. Various chemical, electrophoretic, and immunological data on serum and tissue proteins in primates are reviewed with respect to their phylogenetic significance. Much of this data deals with protein specificities in the Hominoidea and depicts a particularly close genetic relationship between man and the African apes. Hominoidea, Cercopithecoidea, Ceboidea, and Lorisoidea are characterized by their proteins as monophyletic or natural taxa, even though the conventional subdivisions within several of these superfamilies are not in complete accord with the protein analyses. The protein evidence supports the conventional grouping of Cercopithecoidea with Hominoidea in the infraorder Catarrhini and the grouping of Catarrhini and Platyrrhini (Ceboidea) in the suborder Anthropoidea. Lemuroidea and Lorisoidea appear to be closer to one another than to either Tupaioidea or Anthropoidea and closer to the Anthropoidea than to the Tupaioidea. Comparisons of primate DNA's by Hoyer and coworkers are demonstrating genetic affinities among primates which agree with those deduced from the comparison of protein specificities. Species differences and similarities in the relative amounts of different protein macromolecules reflect the grade relationships of primates, but, unlike the comparisons of amino-acid sequences or antigenic specificities, are not reliable indicators of phyletic affinities. Data on the ratios of M(uscle) to H(eart) type lactate dehydrogenase in a series of primate brains provides a biochemical example of the concept that there are “lower” (primitive) and “higher” (advanced) grades of evolutionary development among the extant primates.
Effect of alloy composition on dispersion stability and catalytic activity for NO oxidation over alumina-supported Pt–Pd catalysts

Applying a synthesis procedure that promotes alloy formation, highly-dispersed alumina-supported Pt–Pd catalysts spanning the Pt-rich half of the composition range were prepared, aged under oxygen-rich hydrothermal conditions, and characterized by CO chemisorption, XRD, and TEM. Anomalously large particles, typical of pure Pt catalysts treated under such conditions, were not found in any of the Pd-containing catalysts, and the extent of particle coarsening due to aging was found to decrease with increasing Pd content. Alloying appears to have little effect on the NO oxidation turn-over frequency, which increases with decreasing dispersion.
Copepods (Siphonostomatoida) from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent at the Mariana Back-Arc Basin in the Pacific, including a new genus and species

Three siphonostomatoid copepods belonging to the family Dirivultidae were found in washings of tubes of a paralvinellid polychaete, Paralvinella hessleri Desbruyeres and Laubier, found in a depth of approximately 3,600 m at the Marine Back-Arc Basin (18°12·6′N, 144°42·4′E and 18°12·8′N, 144°42·4′E). Chasmatopontius thescalus gen. nov., sp. nov., differs primarily from other dirivultids in the urosome being 4-segmented in the female and 5-segmented in the male, in the inner seta on the coxa of leg 1 being enlarged, and the endopod of leg 4 being armed as 0–0; 0–3. Stygiopontius stabilitus sp. nov. resembles in many ways S. mucroniferus Humes, 1987, but differs notably in its much smaller size. Stygiopontius pectinatus Humes, 1987, previously known only from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, occurred at the same site.
Stable confinement in an azimuthally asymmetric FTICR ion trap

Abstract Gravity, magnetic field gradients, and trap electric field errors all break the two-dimensional, azimuthal symmetry of an idealized ion trap. It has been suggested that these forces cause drifts which ultimately limit the trapping time of an ion cloud in a Fourier-transform ion-cyclotron-resonance mass spectrometry cell (F.H. Laukien, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Processes, 73 (1986) 81 (Ref. [1]).) In this paper we show that magnetron motion prevents ion loss. The breaking of this adiabatic invariant by time-dependent phenomena such as vibration and electrical noise is also analyzed. Under most conditions, the effect on the ion cloud is negligible.
The California Tobacco Control Program and potential harm reduction through reduced cigarette consumption in continuing smokers.

Harm reduction for continuing smokers has been suggested as a public health priority. We evaluated whether tobacco control programs might reduce cigarette consumption among current smokers through strategies aimed primarily at protecting nonsmokers from secondhand smoke (SHS). Data were from adult (18+ years) respondents to multiple (1990, 1992, 1996, 1999), large, cross-sectional, population-based surveys of smoking behavior, conducted to evaluate the California Tobacco Control Program. Adult daily smoking prevalence decreased from 15.9 +/-0.4%(+/-95% confidence interval) of the California adult population in 1990 to 13.0 +/-0.3% in 1999. Concurrently, moderate-to-heavy daily smoking (>or= 15 cigarettes/day) decreased from 10.3 +/-0.4% in 1990 to 7.4 +/-0.3% in 1999, and heavy daily smoking (>or= 25 cigarettes/day) from 3.4 +/- 0.2% in 1990 to 1.9 +/- 0.1% in 1999. Decreased daily smoking was observed in all demographic subgroups except young adults. Among college graduates, the daily smoking prevalence in 1999 was 6.4 +/- 0.4%, a level previously observed only among U.S. physicians. In 1999, nearly 30% of current smokers did not smoke daily, and more than 60% said they now smoked less than previously. In 1999, self-reported cigarette consumption was inversely related to believing SHS is harmful to nonsmokers, having a smoke-free workplace, and living in a smoke-free home. In California, tobacco control strategies that educated the population about SHS and resulted in smoking restrictions may have led continuing smokers to smoke less, which should reduce the harm from smoking to the public health in the long term.
Reassessing the epidemiology of lip cancer

The risk factors associated with carcinoma of the lip are reviewed with an aim toward reassessing the epidemiology of the disease. Descriptive studies show lip cancer to occur most commonly in aging white men. The geographic distribution of the disease varies widely, both nationally and internationally; recent studies show that at the national level there is not a uniformly high risk of lip cancer across the sunny states, as has been believed. Secular disease trends show a decline in both morbidity and mortality while survival rates have remained stable. The risk factors consistently associated with lip cancer are rural residence and outdoor occupation, but the latter does not apply to all outdoor workers. In addition, both actinic radiation and tobacco smoking have long been considered to be causally related to lip cancer. An extensive review of the literature, however, reveals that the studies evaluating the association between these exposure variables and the disease do not yield consistent results; in addition, many recent, well-designed studies fail to support independent causal hypotheses. We conclude that (1) any risk factors considered to be causally related to lip cancer must be congruent with the descriptive factors (geographic distribution, secular disease trends, etc.) and (2) although sunlight and smoking are highly likely risk factors, their interrelationship as well as their interaction with other factors, such as genetic predisposition, needs reassessment.
Vaporization phenomena for ultrasound phase-change contrast agents assessed via high-speed optical microscopy

Many studies have proposed phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) that vaporize to form bubbles ideal for contrast and cavitation. Understanding the phenomena involved with droplet vaporization to determine possible bioeffects will have a profound impact on designing agents to be effective in desired applications. In this study, we use ultra-high-speed microscopy to explore for the first time the vaporization phenomena of decafluorobutane (DFB) droplets. Results show that DFB droplets vaporize more rapidly than reported values for perfluoropentane droplets. As a result, bubbles from nanoscale droplets reach their final size within 200 ns, and are immediately subject to compression and rarefaction from the continuing pulse. DFB microscale droplets, in contrast, vaporize over the course of several microseconds, and tend to fuse with nearby bubbles. For very short pulses, the resulting bubbles show characteristic over-expansion and resonant oscillatory settling.
The maximum principle for viscosity solutions of fully nonlinear second order partial differential equations

We prove that viscosity solutions in W1,∞ of the second order, fully nonlinear, equation F(D2u, Du, u) = 0 are unique when (i) F is degenerate elliptic and decreasing in u or (ii) F is uniformly elliptic and nonincreasing in u. We do not assume that F is convex. The method of proof involves constructing nonlinear approximation operators which map viscosity subsolutions and supersolutions onto viscosity subsolutions and supersolutions, respectively. This method is completely different from that used in Lions [8, 9] for second order problems with F convex in D 2 u and from that used by Crandall & Lions [3] and Crandall, Evans & Lions [2] for fully nonlinear first order problems.
Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia at relapse. Cytogenetic, immunophenotypic, and molecular changes.

Background. There have been published reports on cytogenetic, immunophenotypic, and molecular changes at relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) including lineage switch and secondary leukemia. There are limited data, however, on the cytogenetic, immunophenotypic, and molecular parameters of adult ALL at relapse. Because, as in children, the cytogenetic and/or immunophenotypic changes observed in adult ALL at relapse may have prognostic significance, the authors investigated the significance of such changes. Methods. Fifty-three patients with relapsed adult ALL for whom cytogenetic, immunophenotypic, and/or molecular analyses were performed at diagnosis and at relapse were studied. Changes in any of the parameters at relapse were correlated with total survival and survival from the time of relapse. Results. Of the 32 patients for whom cytogenetic studies were performed at relapse, 21 (66%) showed clonal cytogenetic changes, 40% of which were clonal evolution. None of these cases, however, showed two entirely different abnormal karyotypes at diagnosis and at relapse. The immunophenotypes showed occasional gain or loss of one or two surface markers, and the molecular genetic configurations for JH, JK, and the T-cell receptor beta were stable throughout the evolution of the disease. Patients with clonal evolution had a shorter overall survival than the rest of the group (P = 0.02). This difference, however, was not significant with respect to survival measured from the time of relapse. Conclusions. The most frequent changes in the biologic profile of adult ALL at relapse are shifts in the karyotype, with or without clonal evolution. Clonal evolution detected at relapse is associated with a higher frequency of unfavorable karyotypes at diagnosis and with a worse overall prognosis. However, survival from the time of relapse is similar in patients with and without clonal evolution
Child care for preschoolers with autism: An exploration of mothers' beliefs, decision-making, and knowledge

Forty mothers of preschoolers with autism were interviewed about their children's child care programs and about factors that influenced program selection. Mothers also rated the importance of program features, their knowledge of the care settings, and their frequency of involvement in their children's settings. These mothers of children with autism had many of the same concerns as mothers of typically-developing children: they valued safety; warm, loving, and competent caregivers; and cleanliness. However, these mothers were also concerned about program features that might be especially important for their special-needs children, such as a focus on adaptive skills, the availability of special services, and an individualized program. In spite of relatively low levels of search behavior (e.g., visiting settings before making a decision) and uncertainty about some characteristics of their children's programs, mothers reported high involvement in activities such as field trips, parent-teacher conferences, and observing in the classroom. We highlight the need for additional research in this area.
Metabolism of histamine in the CNS of Aplysia californica: Cellular distribution of γ-glutamylhistamine synthetase

1. The cellular distribution of the histamine-metabolizing enzyme, gamma-glutamylhistamine synthetase, was studied in the CNS of Aplysia californica. 2. Enzyme activity was assayed in single, re-identifiable neuronal cell bodies, clusters of nerve cells and neuropil and capsule tissue surrounding the ganglia. 3. The "histaminergic" C-2 cells and all other single nerve cell bodies contained measurable gamma-glutamylhistamine synthetase activity. 4. The cerebral E cluster, which houses the C-2 cells and several of its post-synaptic neurons, had an apparently higher specific enzyme activity than other neuronal clusters. 5. The finding of measurable enzyme activity in the histamine-rich C-2 cell bodies and in clusters of cells responsive to this imidazoleamine supports the hypothesis that one function for gamma-glutamylhistamine synthetase is in the disposal of neuronally released histamine. 6. The average specific activity of gamma-glutamylhistamine synthetase in single cells was 3.64 +/- 0.32 mumol g protein hr. This represented only 5% of the enzyme activity measured in the whole ganglion. 7. The bulk of synthetase activity was found to reside in the capsule tissue.
Viral evasion of NK-cell activation

Viruses, such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), have developed mechanisms to evade recognition by, and activation of, natural killer (NK) cells, which are cells that provide crucial innate immune defense. Such mechanisms help viruses persist in the human host and attain a state of chronic infection. A recent report documents an antagonistic effect of the main HCMV tegument protein, pp65, on NKp30, a natural cytotoxicity-inducing receptor expressed uniquely on NK cells.
Ethanol-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species in developing rat cerebellum.

The neonatal cerebellum undergoes an early period of ethanol sensitivity in which profound neuronal loss is seen following acute exposure, while slightly later exposure produces no such loss. This study was designed to determine whether this differential susceptibility is related to differences in ethanol-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We found that ethanol treatment on postnatal day 4 (P4), the peak period of cerebellar vulnerability, resulted in ROS increases, but slightly later exposure (on P7) produced no immediate changes in ROS, but reductions were seen at 12 and 24 h following exposure. Exposure on P14 produced consistent decreases in ROS production. Thus, differential responsiveness in oxidative processes may play a major role in the differential temporal ethanol vulnerability of developing cerebellum.
Repeated-stimulus superiority and inferiority effects in the identification of letters and digits.

When a target stimulus in a predesignated location is identified by a keypress response, responses are slightly faster if noise stimuli in adjacent locations are identical to the target than if they are a different stimulus assigned to the same response (a repeated-stimulus superiority effect). An exception to this result has been found in experiments that used randomly intermixed letter and digit stimuli. These experiments showed slower responding for identical noise than for nonidentical, response-compatible noise (a repeated-stimulus inferiority effect). The present study investigated these phenomena in three experiments. Experiments 1 and 2 established that both the superiority and inferiority effects can be obtained in the same experiment. They also provided evidence that the repeated-stimulus inferiority effect is a function of the intermixing of letters and digits and not of the larger target-set size that has been used for mixed lists. Experiment 3 demonstrated that, with unmixed presentation, the repeated-stimulus superiority effect is enhanced by an increase in the number of stimuli assigned to each response. The experiments are consistent with accounts that attribute the repeated-stimulus superiority effect to competition that occurs when different internal recognition responses are activated. Moreover, the experiments suggest that the repeated-stimulus inferiority effect has its basis in processes that occur subsequent to feature extraction.
Does Prior Banking Experience Matter? Differences of the Banked and Unbanked in Individual Development Accounts

Using data from the 4-year American Dream Demonstration, this study compares saving performance and program participation of banked (n = 1,538) and unbanked participants (n = 466) enrolled in 14 IDA programs. The study shows banked participants had $2.74 higher average monthly net deposit (p < 0.05); 5% higher deposit frequency (p < 0.001); and 42% less odds of drop out than unbanked participants (p < 0.001). Moreover, program characteristics such as financial education, monthly saving targets, peer group meetings, and direct deposit are important predictors of program performances. Individual characteristics such as race/ethnicity, home ownership, and income are significantly associated with program performance.
MEDICAL STUDENTS' INTEREST IN SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS OF MEDICINE

A survey of 73 medical students' interests in four major units of micro and macro socio-medical analysis indicated most interest at the level of family, followed by individual status, but less in societal and community influences. Implications for medical education and practice are discussed.
Patterns of biomass allocation to male and female functions in plants with different mating systems.

Using dry weight biomass we examined the patterns of investment in male and female functions (prezygotic cost) in plants with different mating systems. All the flower parts of both xenogamous and facultatively xenogamous species were heavier, i.e., larger, than those of facultatively autogamous species. Likewise, the dry weights of all the flower parts of xenogamous species exceeded those of facultatively xenogamous species. On a relative basis, xenogamous species invested less in calyces and more in corollas compared to species with the other mating systems. Facultatively autogamous species invested relatively more in pistils. Xenogamous species invested relatively more in stamens than do facultatively autogamous species. The ratios of dry weight stamens to dry weight pistils were equivalent in xenogamous and facultatively xenogamous species.The available data from xenogamous species suggest a pattern of resource allocation that is independent of sexual system (perfect-flowered, monoecious, or dioecious) and pollen vector. The cost of mating (prezygotic cost) was male biased and frequently exceeded by parental investment (postzygotic cost). These results are not consistent with models that predict equal allocation of resources to male and female sexual function but are consistent with those that predict unequal allocation of resources to those functions in outbreeding hermaphroditic angiosperms. Two additional lines of evidence are inconsistent with the expectations of sex allocation theory. First, resource allocation to sexual function was not equal in wind-pollinated species. Second, relative amounts of the resources allocated to male vis-a-vis female function did not decrease between xenogamy and facultative xenogamy i.e., with an increase in the selfing rate.
Developing microbe–plant interactions for applications in plant‐growth promotion and disease control, production of useful compounds, remediation and carbon sequestration

Summary Interactions between plants and microbes are an integral part of our terrestrial ecosystem. Microbe–plant interactions are being applied in many areas. In this review, we present recent reports of applications in the areas of plant-growth promotion, biocontrol, bioactive compound and biomaterial production, remediation and carbon sequestration. Challenges, limitations and future outlook for each field are discussed.
The Role of Statistics in Accounting, Marketing, Finance, and Production

(1988). The Role of Statistics in Accounting, Marketing, Finance, and Production. Journal of Business & Economic Statistics: Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 261-272.
Reaction of cyclodextrins with propylene oxide or with glycidol: Analysis of product distribution

Abstract Reaction of cyclomalto-hexaose, -heptaose, or -octaose with propylene oxide in strong aqueous alkali gave products in which distribution of the degrees of substitution was relatively narrow and nearly symmetrical, and increased with the average degree of substitution. When an equimolar mixture of cyclomalto-hexaose, heptaouse, or -octaose was used, the average degrees of substitution of all three carbohydrates were close to each other. These findings indicate that the reactivities of the hydroxyl groups of cyclomalto-hexaose, -heptaose, or -octaose, and of all their (2-hydroxypropyl) ethers formed in the reactions, are quite similar. Reaction of cyclomaltoheptaose with glycidol also yielded a product having a narrow distribution of degree of substitution, but which was slightly skewed towards the higher degrees. Thus, as it proceeds, this etherification leads to products having higher reactivity towards the epoxide.
On collineation groups of symmetric block designs

Abstract The question of possible collineation groups for a symmetric design with given parameters ( v , k , λ ) is considered. A new design with parameters (79, 13, 2) is constructed.
Tension shell structures for low density entry vehicles.

Tension shell configurations developed for low structural density entry capsules for exploration of Mars and other planets
Propionate, a source of β-alanine, is an inhibitor of β-alanine methylation in Limonium latifolium, Plumbaginaceae

Summary The origin of β-alanine was investigated in Limonium latifolium (Plumbaginaceae), an angiosperm species that methylates β-alanine to β-alanine betaine, an osmoprotective compound. The hypothesis that propionate metabolism leads to β-alanine in L. latifolium was tested using radiotracer labeling techniques. 2-[ 14 C]-Propionate was supplied to leaf and root tissues. Following incubation for defined periods, radiolabel was identified in β-alanine. However, in both the tissues, little radioactivity was found in the methylated derivatives of β-alanine namely N -methyl β-alanine, N,N -dimethyl β-alanine and β-alanine betaine, suggesting that propionate was inhibitory to β-alanine methylation. This conclusion was confirmed by in vitro assays wherein propionate was found to be highly inhibitory to β-alanine N -methyltransferase activity in a leaf protein fraction.
The decomposition of sociology

Sociology, writes Irving Louis Horowitz, has changed from a central discipline of the social sciences to an ideological outpost of political extremism. As a result, the field is in crisis. Some departments have been shut down, others cut back, research programs have dried up, and the growth of professional organizations and student enrollments have been either curbed or atrophied. In The Decomposition of Sociology, Professor Horowitz, for four decades a leading social scientist, offers a frank and full account of the maelstrom engulfing this field. Horowitz pulls no punches in this provocative volume. He charges that much contemporary sociological theory has degenerated into pure critique, strongly influenced by Marxist dogmatism. Such thinking has a strong element of anti-American and anti-Western bias, in which all questions have one answer--the evil of capitalism--and all problems one solution--the good of socialism. In criminology, for instance, he shows that high crime rates are seen as an expression of capitalist disintegration, and criminal behavior a covert expression of radical action. Indeed, in one area after another, Horowitz shows how this same formulaic thinking dominates the field, resulting in a crude reductionist view of contemporary social life. At a time when the world is moving closer to the free market and democratic norms, he concludes, such reductionist tendencies and ideological posturings are outmoded. Horowitz offers an alternative. He urges a larger vision of the social sciences, one in which universities, granting agencies and research institutes provide an environment in which research may be untainted by partisan agencies--where policy choices will not be hindered by the prevailing cultural climate. He counsels sociologists to move away from blind advocacy, to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century by incorporating the knowledge of other times and places, and to take into account the shrinking globe--in short, to develop and maintain a new set of universal standards in this era of a world culture. Here then is an eloquent plea for a revolution in sociology, written by one of the field's foremost figures. It offers as well a cautionary tale about the potentially devastating effect of ideology on scholarly pursuits.
1277 Parents' Perspectives on Their Children's Health Insurance

Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of underinsurance among families within the Southwestern Ohio Ambulatory Research Network (SOAR-Net). Methods: Cross-sectional study of Englishspeaking parents whose child had health insurance completed surveys during Summer 2009 at SOARNet practices. Results: 1978 parents completed the survey and 186 refused. Overall, 84.9% were mothers, 75.4% were Euro-American, 91.2% reported at least a high school education, 61.2% of study children had private insurance. During the 12 months prior to the survey, 5.5% of index children did not see a recommended specialist, 4.7% did not have a test and 8.7% did not fill a prescription because of parents' trouble paying for it. 7.8% reported that their child's health had suffered due to the cost of care. Compared to three years ago, 16.7% of parents reported it was more difficult to obtain the health care their children needed; this was more likely to occur in private vs public insurance subgroups (17.8% vs 12.8%, p< 0.0001) and middle income (about 20%) vs lowest and highest income subgroups (about 13%< p< 0.0001). Overall, 13.1% of parents reported not being able to comply with AT LEAST one of their child's clinician's recommendations in the past 12 months due to trouble paying for it. Conclusions: About one in six parents reported more difficulty obtaining health care for their children over the past three years. The lowest and highest income subgroups of parents were less likely to report increasing difficulty. Children's underinsurance in the United States has become a major public health issue.
The impulsive effects of momentum transfer on the dynamics of a novel ocean wave energy converter

Abstract In a recent paper by Orazov et al. [On the dynamics of a novel ocean wave energy converter. Journal of Sound and Vibration329 (24) (2010) 5058–5069], a wave energy converter (WEC) was proposed. The converter features a mass modulation scheme and a simple model was used to examine its efficacy. The simple model did not adequately account for the momentum transfer which takes place during the mass modulation. The purpose of the present paper is to account for this transfer and to show that the WEC equipped with a novel and more general mass modulation scheme has the potential to improve its energy harvesting capabilities.
Rate-distortion optimized 3D wavelet video coder

This paper presents a rate-distortion (R-D) optimized 3D wavelet video coder by extending the concept of space- frequency quantization (SFQ) from 2D to 3D. A lifting-based 3D (1T+2D) wavelet transform is deployed to process one part of the sequence at a time continuously, thus eliminating the boundary effects over GOPs. After 3D SFQ, in which an R-D based spatial-temporal tree-pruning process is used in conjunction with uniform quantization of wavelet coefficients, we apply an efficient progressive 3D entropy coder to further compress the quantized coefficients. Even without motion estimation, the new 3D SFQ video coder outperforms MPEG-4 and other 3D wavelet-based video coders for most sequences at the same bit rate.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Desert Woodrat: A Laboratory Colony

The success of laboratory or simulated epizoological studies and related research involving native mammals may be dependent upon an assured supply of the species being studied. If the research is purely bacteriological in nature, then it is often required that the animals be reared under standard conditions and have a known pedigree—preferably at least second or third generation laboratory-reared stock. After two years of study (1953–55), a breeding colony of desert woodrats, Neotoma lepida lepida Thomas, was established in the Faunal Colony of Ecological Research, University of Utah, at Dugway, Utah. Testing the practicability of this species as a laboratory animal was part of a program designed to examine the mass rearing possibilities in the laboratory of several rodents native to the western Utah desert. Bushy-tailed woodrats, Neotoma cinerea acraia (Elliot), also were reared but on a much smaller scale. This paper reports methods used to produce more than 200 laboratory-bred desert woodrats in close confinement. Other data, such as gestation period, litter size, age of puberty, longevity as breeders, sex ratio and yearly reproductive potential are given. Since a knowledge of the habits of an animal in nature is often helpful in keeping and rearing the species in captivity, certain pertinent field observations on this woodrat are also included. Dependable laboratory and field assistance from B. N. Day and Eddyjo Ekker is gratefully acknowledged. Other Ecological Research personnel who generously contributed advice and assistance include: A. M. Woodbury, Director; D. M. Allred, Chief Ectoparasitologist; E. D. Vest, Chief Ecologist; E. A. Shippee, John Smith and D. D. Parker. Acknowledgment is also extended to Robert Holdenried for reading the manuscript. This work was supported by U.S. Army Chemical Corps contract No. DA-18-064-CML-2639, with the University of Utah. Parent stocks for the colony were obtained from the south end of the …
Modifier effects in the supercritical fluid extraction of solutes from clay, soil, and plant materials

The effect of polar modifiers on matrix swelling has been examined under supercritical conditions. Plant materials and clays which would typically be used in supercritical fluid extraction have been examined. The extent of swelling of modifier saturated plant and clay matrices was observed via a high-pressure sapphire view cell. Extractions of radiolabeled solutes from these matrices were conducted separately. The relationship between the extractability and the swelling in these materials was determined. A correlation based on these results suggested a mechanism to explain the interaction between the supercritical fluid, the modifier, and the matrix
On the presence of non-additive contributions to constituent quark calculations of resonance photoproduction

It is shown by considering generalized Cabibbo-Radicati and Drell-Hearn-Gerasimov sum rules for all states in the 56, L = 0, baryon multiplet that it is essential for the current exciting the various higher resonance multiplets to contain non additive or non 35 contributions. This is in addition to the full structure for currents belonging to a 35 allowed by the Melosh transformation between current and constituent quarks, the only exceptions would be if the proton and neutron anomalous magnetic moments were in the ratio κp/κn = −32, instead of ≈ −1. The extra terms are also suggested by the requirement of maintaining pure M1, with E2 forbidden, photo-excitation of the Δ. Further a non-zero electric quadrupole moment for states in the decuplet is also derived. These results are all necessitated by paying careful attention to relativistic angular constraints.