cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decitabine Rescues Cisplatin Resistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cisplatin resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) reduces survival. In this study we hypothesized that methylation of key genes mediates cisplatin resistance. We determined whether a demethylating drug, decitabine, could augment the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of cisplatin on SCC-25/CP, a cisplatin-resistant tongue SCC cell line. We showed that decitabine treatment restored cisplatin sensitivity in SCC-25/CP and significantly reduced the cisplatin dose required to induce apoptosis. We then created a xenograft model with SCC-25/CP and determined that decitabine and cisplatin combination treatment resulted in significantly reduced tumor growth and mechanical allodynia compared to control. To establish a gene classifier we quantified methylation in cancer tissue of cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant HNSCC patients. Cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant patient tumors had distinct methylation profiles. When we quantified methylation and expression of genes in the classifier in HNSCC cells in vitro, we showed that decitabine treatment of cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cells reversed methylation and gene expression toward a cisplatin-sensitive profile. The study provides direct evidence that decitabine restores cisplatin sensitivity in in vitro and in vivo models of HNSCC. Combination treatment of cisplatin and decitabine significantly reduces HNSCC growth and HNSCC pain. Furthermore, gene methylation could be used as a biomarker of cisplatin-resistance.
Event-related brain potentials during semantic categorization in normal aging and senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type

To assess the effects of normal aging and senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type (SDAT) on semantic analysis of words, we examined the N400 component of the event-related potential (ERP) elicited during the processing of highly constrained (opposites) and less constrained materials (category-category exemplars) in 12 young control subjects, 12 elderly control subjects and 12 patients with SDAT. We employed a priming paradigm in which a context phrase was spoken and a target word (congruent or incongruent) was presented visually. The N400 effect was reduced in amplitude and delayed in the elderly control group relative to that of the younger subjects, and was further attenuated in amplitude, delayed in latency and somewhat flatter in its distribution across the scalp in the SDAT patients. These findings are consistent with less efficient processing and integration of lexical items with semantic context in normal aging, which is further exacerbated by SDAT. Differences in the N400 range associated with the opposite and category conditions were observed only in the young subjects, suggesting less use of controlled attentional resources or perhaps weaker associative links with age.
Effects of fish predation and seaweed competition on the survival and growth of corals

On Caribbean coral reefs, high rates of grazing by herbivorous fishes are thought to benefit corals because fishes consume competing seaweeds. We conducted field experiments in the Florida Keys, USA, to examine the effects of grazing fishes on coral/seaweed competition. Initially, fragments of Porites divaracata from an inshore habitat were transplanted into full-cage, half-cage, and no-cage treatments on a fore-reef. Within 48 h, 56% of the unprotected corals in half-cage and no-cage treatments (62 of 111) were completely consumed. Stoplight parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) were the major coral predators, with redband parrotfish (S. aurofrenatum) also commonly attacking this coral. Next, we transplanted fragments of P. porites collected from the fore-reef habitat where our caging experiments were being conducted into the three cage treatments, half in the presence of transplanted seaweeds, and half onto initially clean substrates. The corals were allowed to grow in these conditions, with concurrent development of competing seaweeds, for 14 weeks. Although seaweed cover and biomass were both significantly greater in the full-cage treatment, coral growth did not differ significantly between cage treatments even though corals placed with pre-planted seaweeds grew significantly less than corals placed on initially clean substrate. This surprising result occurred because parrotfishes not only grazed algae from accessible treatments, but also fed directly on our coral transplants. Parrotfish feeding scars were significantly more abundant on P. porites from the half and no-cage treatments than on corals in the full cages. On this Florida reef, direct fish predation on some coral species (P. divaracata) can exclude them from fore-reef areas, as has previously been shown for certain seaweeds and sponges. For other corals that live on the fore-reef (P. porites), the benefits of fishes removing seaweeds can be counterbalanced by the detrimental effects of fishes directly consuming corals.
Electrochemistry of conductive polymer X: Polyaniline-based potentiometric sensor for dissolved oxygen

A platinum electrode coated with polyaniline (PA) was examined as a Potentiometric or an optical sensor for dissolved oxygen, and the results are reported. While the polymer-modified electrode behaved satisfactorily as a potentiometric sensor, its optical response (i.e., absorbance) gave a narrow linear region for varied oxygen concentrations. This conducting polymer-coated electrode was characterized to give approximately 97 mV/decade of the oxygen concentration and a voltage signal range of about 400 mV, representing at least three orders of magnitudes of dynamic linearity over the dissolved oxygen concentration. The potentiometric sensing electrode showed reasonably short response times, excellent reproducibility, and good stability. A detection limit of about 5 × 10−7 mol/L of dissolved oxygen was estimated from the potentiometric response of PA-coated electrodes.
Internal Battles and External Wars: Politics, Learning, and the Soviet Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Studies explaining the end of the cold war and change in Soviet foreign policy tend to emphasize the role of the international system: decision makers “learned lessons” about the international system, and this learning brought about Soviet accommodationist policies. Such systemic and cognitive learning approaches tend, however, to mask the political and highly contingent nature of the policy changes. To understand these changes, one must explore how certain ideas got placed on the political agenda and how others were forced off.This essay stresses the role of ideas about both the foreign and the domestic scene, as well as the role of a network of specialists that helped put these ideas on the national agenda. Ideas alone cannot explain any one outcome. They must be understood in terms of the political process by which they are selected. Ideas are more likely to be implemented and epistemic communities are more likely to be influential under three conditions: (1) access to the leadership, (2) salience of the ideas to the leadership, and (3) the ability of the leadership to control the political agenda.One critical example of great change in foreign policy was the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan. This study examines the interplay of ideas and politics over time and explains how the decision to withdraw was implemented and why it occurred when it did. It focuses on (1) the mobilization of an epistemic community before Gorbachev came to power, (2) massive personnel changes within Soviet institutions in the 1980s, and (3) the empowerment of the epistemic community once Gorbachev had consolidated his power.
Polymerization of a boronate-functionalized fluorophore by double transesterification: applications to fluorescence detection of hydrogen peroxide vapor

The double transesterification polymerization of 3′,6′-bis(pinacolatoboron)fluoran and pentaerythritol is reported. A model dimeric compound was synthesized to demonstrate the effectiveness of bis-diols to undergo a double transesterification, which is driven by formation of the energetically favored six-membered di-ester ring from a monomer containing a five-membered di-ester ring. This synthetic procedure provides a new route to boronate based polymers, avoiding unstable boronic acid monomers. Formation of poly-3′,6′-bis(1,3,2-dioxaborinane)fluoran, with a molecular weight of 10 000, is complete after 48 h at 50 °C. The thermodynamic stability of the six-membered boronic ester rings present in the polymer backbone also improves the stability of the polymer and its resistance to oxidation under ambient and UV light conditions. A surface detection method for the analysis of H2O2 vapor by a fluorescence turn-on response was explored. The fluorescent response results from oxidative deprotection of the boronate functionalities forming green luminescent fluorescein. Detection limits as low as 3 ppb were observed for H2O2 over an 8 h period. Detection of H2O2 in liquids can also be carried out through spot tests at concentrations as low as 1 ppm after 5 min. This new vapor-phase sensor for H2O2 provides a robust, low-cost alternative to current technology for potential applications as a self-integrating sensor for the detection of H2O2 as well as the direct monitoring of H2O2 levels in areas such as cargo shipments, chemical facilities, and pulp bleaching.
The interaction of silicomolybdate with the photosystem II herbicide‐binding site

Silicomolybdate and silicotungstate are unique among photosystem II electron acceptors in that they catalyze photosystem II-dependent electron transfer in thylakoid membranes that is resistant to inhibition by diuron. On this basis it is generally accepted that these compounds interact with the photosystem II electron transfer sequence prior to the site of diuron inhibition thereby creating an even more abbreviated partial reaction than is found with other photosystem II electron acceptors. The data presented here demonstrate that low concentrations of the silicomolybdate anion (10–30 μM) inhibit the binding of [14C]diuron to spinach thylakoid membranes. This effect of silicomolybdate is reversible and is a function of the redox state of silicomolybdate. Reduction of silicomolybdate leads to a loss of its ability to prevent herbicide binding. Thus, there is no reason to believe that silicomolybdate intercepts electrons from photosystem II prior to the site of diuron intervention or at a site different from any other photosystem II electron acceptor.
Relative hedonic value modulates anticipatory contrast

Intake of an initial substance (e.g., 0.15% saccharin) is suppressed when the presentation of this substance precedes the availability of a preferred solution (e.g., 32% sucrose) in brief daily pairings. The present experiments show that degree of this anticipatory contrast effect is related to the relative hedonic value of the substances paired each day. When the initial substance has low hedonic value relative to the second substance (e.g., water or empty tube paired with 32% sucrose), then a facilitation effect rather than contrast occurs. As the hedonic value of the initial substance increases (0.0015% saccharin, 0.5% sucrose, 0.015% saccharin, 1% sucrose, 2% sucrose, 0.15% saccharin), facilitation is replaced by contrast, which develops sooner and becomes larger the greater the hedonic value of the initial substance. The serotonin antagonist cyproheptadine increased absolute lick frequencies, but did not alter contrast. The serotonin1A agonist buspirone tended to decrease absolute lick frequencies, but did not alter contrast. The occurrence of contrast is discussed in terms of response competition, inhibition, and devaluation of the initial substance.
A unique friendship

The beginning of the friendship between myself and H.F. Schaefer (hereafter ‘Fritz’) took place in Berkeley. The development of this friendship is best described by the question: How did a red diaper baby become good friends with one who had a totally different view of ‘ultimate questions’? The essential role my wife, Christine Chapin Harris, plays in the friendship when Fritz moves to Georgia is next described. The story continues with Fritz's efforts over many years, finally successful, to encourage us to visit Georgia. This part of the history emphasizes Fritz's kindness towards Christine. I end this section with our adventures with Fritz in Georgia. The final section is about our old age common humanity.
Evidence of substances interfering with the Lowry test for protein in plant leaf tissue

Abstract Buffer soluble plant leaf proteins can be estimated by a modified Lowry technique provided they are first precipitated with trichloroacetic acid. If the proteins are not precipitated shortly after extraction, interfering substances contribute to large errors in the determinations. Precipitate proteins can be redissolved in buffer and treated with Lowry reagents as long as 48 hr later with little loss in precision.
High voltage series connected Si photovoltaic cells

This report describes the features of monolithic, series connected silicon (Si) photovoltaic (PV) cells which have been developed for applications requiring higher voltages than obtained with conventional single junction solar cells. These devices are intended to play a significant role in micro / mini firing systems and fuzing systems for DOE and DOD applications. They are also appropriate for other applications (such as micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) actuation as demonstrated by Bellew et. al.) where electric power is required in remote regions and electrical connection to the region is unavailable or deemed detrimental for whatever reason. Our monolithic device consists of a large number of small PV cells, combined in series and fabricated using standard CMOS processing on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers with 0.4 to 3 micron thick buried oxide (BOX) and top Si thickness of 5 and 10 microns. Individual cell isolation is achieved using the BOX layer of the SOI wafer on the bottom. Isolation along the sides is produced by trenching the top Si and subsequently filling the trench by deposition of dielectric films such as oxide, silicon nitride, or oxynitride. Multiple electrically isolated PV cells are connected in series to produce voltages ranging from approximately 0.5 volts for a single cell to several thousands of volts for strings of thousands of cells.
Influence of superimposed bedforms and flow unsteadiness on formation of cross strata in dunes and unit bars

Abstract Formation of angle-of-repose cross strata on the lee side of dunes and unit bars is dependent on three main grain-sorting mechanisms: (1) presorting of sediment that arrives at the lee side of the bedform, related to superimposed bedforms and longer-term variations in water flow and sediment transport; (2) sorting due to differential deposition of sediment on the lee side and associated grain flows, and; (3) movement of sediment on the lee side by the water currents in the lee side flow-separation zone. Although most emphasis has been put on mechanism (2), recent field and experimental studies of the dynamics of sandy and gravelly dunes and unit bars show that mechanism (1) is at least as important. Bedforms superimposed on the backs of dunes and unit bars are ubiquitous, and are composed of size sorted sediment. These superimposed bedforms travel faster than the host bedform and overtake it. If the overtaking bedform has a relatively large height, the lee side of the host bedform becomes reduced in slope and decelerates as the superimposed bedforms overtakes. This results in a “reactivation surface” that is commonly lined with relatively fine-grained sediment. However, if an overtaking superimposed bedforms has a relatively small height (e.g., a ripple or bedload sheet), the lee side of the host bedform remains at the angle-of-repose. The sediment within the overtaking bedform forms a relatively thick cross stratum on the lee side of the host bedform. Arrival of the trough of the next superimposed bedform at the crest of the host bedform results in deposition of a relatively thin stratum. The thickness of the cross stratum couplet formed in this way is related to the height and length of the superimposed bedform and the height of the host bedform, which are related to flow depth and dimensionless bed shear stress on the back of the host bedform. The grain size of the sediment in the superimposed bedforms varies with their height, and this is reflected in the grain size of successive cross strata. The formation of cross-stratified open-framework gravel is associated with size sorting of sand and gravel in superimposed bedforms, and further size sorting associated with flow-separation on the lee side of large host bedforms.
An emerging global knowledge management platform: The case of iBridge

Purpose – This paper seeks to serve as an introduction to a networking platform called iBridge, recently launched by the administrative office of Zhongguancun Haidian Science Park (HSP) in Beijing, China. With the goal of enabling knowledge sharing and collaboration between members and businesses across the world, iBridge has evolved to include features such as communities, blogs, search, recommendation and content customization. The emergence of iBridge is viewed in the context of China's national innovation policy, paying specific attention to the role that collaboration plays as a means of fostering the exchange of ideas and innovation. The paper also aims to discuss the challenges involved in adopting this approach.Design/methodology/approach – The information for this paper was gathered through visits by the author to HSP in 2006 and 2008, as well as through secondary written and web‐based sources.Findings – The paper finds that, since its inception in 2006, the iBridge platform has incorporated many...
Triceps denervation as a predictor of elbow flexion contractures in C5 and C6 tetraplegia.

Abstract Bryden AM, Kilgore KL, Lind BB, Yu DT. Triceps denervation as a predictor of elbow flexion contractures in C5 and C6 tetraplegia. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004; 85:1880-5. Objective To determine whether the existence of elbow flexion contractures in persons with C5 or C6 tetraplegia is related to a lack of residual voluntary triceps function and triceps denervation (ie, lower motoneuron damage). Design A retrospective study of impairment data from 74 arms to identify the incidence of elbow flexion contractures and the contributing factors toward this deformity. Setting Five spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation centers in the United States, 1 in England, and 1 in Australia. Participants Forty-three subjects with motor complete C5 or C6 traumatic SCI. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measures Active and passive elbow extension, triceps voluntary muscle strength, and triceps response to electric stimulation. Results Subjects with weak voluntary triceps had significantly fewer and less severe elbow flexion contractures than those with paralyzed triceps ( P =.024). Subjects with completely denervated triceps (ie, no response to electric stimulation) had significantly more elbow flexion contractures than subjects with even a weak response to electric stimulation ( P =.003). Overall, 51% of the arms could not be passively extended to zero. Forty-six percent of the arms classified as C5 lacked full passive elbow extension, compared with 63% of the arms classified as C6 ( P =.302). Conclusions A relationship has been found between elbow flexion contractures and lack of residual voluntary triceps and triceps denervation in subjects with C5 or C6 tetraplegia. There should be a greater awareness of the elbow flexion contractures that may develop as a result of this relationship. A better understanding of this deformity and its characteristics can lead to more effective clinical treatment and prevention strategies.
Dual trigger of oocyte maturation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin to optimize live birth rates in high responders

Objective To compare live birth rates after dual trigger of oocyte maturation with GnRH agonist (GnRHa) and low-dose hCG versus GnRHa alone in high responders with peak E 2 Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting University-based tertiary-care fertility center. Patient(s) Patients 2 Intervention(s) GnRHa alone versus dual trigger. Main Outcome Measure(s) Live birth, implantation, and clinical pregnancy rates and OHSS. Result(s) The dual-trigger group had a significantly higher live birth rate (52.9% vs. 30.9%), implantation rate (41.9% vs. 22.1%), and clinical pregnancy rate (58.8% vs. 36.8%) compared with the GnRHa trigger group. One case of mild OHSS occurred in the dual-trigger group, and there were no cases of OHSS in the GnRHa trigger group. Conclusion(s) Dual trigger of oocyte maturation with GnRHa and low-dose hCG in high responders with peak E 2
Monocarbonyl Curcumin Analogues: Heterocyclic Pleiotropic Kinase Inhibitors That Mediate Anticancer Properties

Curcumin is a biologically active component of curry powder. A structurally related class of mimetics possesses similar anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Mechanism has been examined by exploring kinase inhibition trends. In a screen of 50 kinases relevant to many forms of cancer, one member of the series (4, EF31) showed ≥85% inhibition for 10 of the enzymes at 5 μM, while 22 of the proteins were blocked at ≥40%. IC50 values for an expanded set of curcumin analogues established a rank order of potencies, and analyses of IKKβ and AKT2 enzyme kinetics for 4 revealed a mixed inhibition model, ATP competition dominating. Our curcumin mimetics are generally selective for Ser/Thr kinases. Both selectivity and potency trends are compatible with protein sequence comparisons, while modeled kinase binding site geometries deliver a reasonable correlation with mixed inhibition. Overall, these analogues are shown to be pleiotropic inhibitors that operate at multiple points along cell signaling pathways.
A new pipoid anuran from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation at Dinosaur National Monument, Utah

ABSTRACT Rhadinosteus parvus is a small anuran whose diagnosis is based on several partial skeletons and some isolated bones representing metamorphic to newly transformed ontogenetic stages from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation at the Rainbow Park Microsite, Utah. This frog is a member of the Pipoidea on the basis of an azygous frontoparietal and parasphenoid that lacks lateral alae and is an important addition to the poorly known Jurassic frog fauna. Although other members of the Pipoidea have skeletal specializations for burrowing or swimming, Rhadinosteus possesses an unspecialized skeleton. Presence of ectochordal vertebrae suggest that Rhadinosteus is a member of the Rhinophrynidae, and if so, it is the most primitive member known. Being from the Late Jurassic, Rhadinosteus predates both the previous pipoid, Early Cretaceous, and rhinophrynid, Late Paleocene, records.
Environmental and seasonal influences on the free amino acid pool of the sea anemone Bunodosoma cavernata (BOSC) under natural conditions

Abstract 1. 1. Samples of the sea anemone, Bunodosoma cavernata, were collected monthly from their natural environment and frozen immediately for amino acid analysis. 2. 2. Major free amino acids (FAA's) found in B. cavernata were taurine, glycine, β-alanine, alanine and glutamate. 3. 3. β-alanine functioned as the primary osmotic effector, exhibiting a direct, log-linear relationship with salinity. Taurine, glycine and glutamate levels were also increased at high salinity. 4. 4. Temperature and salinity-temperature interactions resulted in only minor changes in the FAA pool. FAA's were more generally concentrated during the summer months than during the winter months. 5. 5. The total concentration of the FAA pool was associated with salinity and the season-year interaction.
Visual search with deep zoom to explore curriculum resources interactively

In this poster session, we introduce and describe the Faculty Connection repository including Visual Search with Deep Zoom to help higher education academic faculty and instructors explore thousands of curriculum resources interactively -- from presentation slides to software tools.
Antiviral agents targeted to interact with viral capsid proteins and a possible application to human immunodeficiency virus

The tertiary structure of most icosahedral viral capsid proteins consists of an eight-stranded antiparallel beta-barrel with a hydrophobic interior. In a group of picornaviruses, this hydrophobic pocket can be filled by suitable organic molecules, which thereby stop viral uncoating after attachment and penetration into the host cell. The antiviral activity of these agents is probably due to increased rigidity of the capsid protein, which inhibits disassembly. The hydrophobic pocket may be an essential functional component of the protein and, therefore, may have been conserved in the evolution of many viruses from a common precursor. Since eight-stranded anti-parallel beta-barrels, with a topology as in viral capsid proteins, are not generally found for other proteins involved in cell metabolism, this class of antiviral agents is likely to be more virus-specific and less cytotoxic. Furthermore, the greatest conservation of viral capsid proteins occurs within this pocket, whereas the least conserved part is the antigenic exterior. Thus, compounds that bind to such a pocket are likely to be effective against a broader group of serologically distinct viruses. Discovery of antiviral agents of this type will, therefore, depend on designing compounds that can enter and fit snugly into the hydrophobic pocket of a particular viral capsid protein. The major capsid protein, p24, of human immunodeficiency virus would be a likely suitable target.
Interleukin-4 Does Not Influence Development of Hypercholesterolemia or Angiotensin II-Induced Atherosclerotic Lesions in Mice

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) has been detected in both human and mouse atherosclerotic lesions, although its effects on the development of the disease are undefined. We determined the role of IL-4 in the most commonly used murine models of atherosclerosis by defining the effects of exogenous delivery and genetic deficiency of this cytokine on both hypercholesterolemia and AngII-induced atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (apoE) −/− mice and different dietary stimuli in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor −/− mice. Exogenous administration of IL-4 (1.1 ng g −1 day −1 i.p. for 30 days) into female apoE −/− mice had no effect on lesion size or composition in mice fed normal or saturated fat diets. Also, IL-4 deficiency had no significant effect on the size or composition of atherosclerotic lesions in two vascular areas of male and female apoE −/− mice fed either a normal or saturated fat diet. IL-4 deficiency was also studied in age-matched male mice infused with AngII (1000 ng kg −1 min −1 ) for 28 days. Whereas AngII infusion augmented atherosclerotic lesion formation, IL-4 deficiency did not influence atherosclerotic lesion size or composition. Finally, different dietary stimuli also had no effect on atherosclerotic lesion size in female LDL receptor −/− mice. These data demonstrate that IL-4 does not significantly influence the development of atherosclerotic lesions in apoE −/− mice of either gender or in female LDL receptor −/− mice, irrespective of the mode of induction of atherosclerosis.
Cardiac myxoma with chondroid features.

We report a case of a cardiac myxoma with cartilaginous differentiation. Cardiac myxomas are the most common primary neoplasms of the heart. The cell of origin is thought to be a pluripotential cell called the “myxoma cell”, which is capable of differentiating towards various tissues, including endothelial, epithelial, and smooth muscle; however, cartilaginous differentiation is so uncommon that other entities such as metastatic chondrosarcomas must be considered in the differential diagnosis. These entities are discussed along with the radiologic-pathologic correlation.
Update of Radiance Calibrations for ISCCP

Abstract Since July 1983 ISCCP has collected, normalized, and calibrated radiance data (visible and thermal infrared) from the imaging radiometers on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration polar orbiters and from the geostationary satellites GOES, Meteosat, and GMS. Although analyzed by the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) to obtain information about clouds, this global radiance dataset also represents a valuable resource for other remote sensing studies. Examination of the 8-yr cloud climatology produced with the first version of the ISCCP calibration revealed artifacts in the global means that coincided with the changes in the afternoon polar orbiters (used as a reference standard), as well as some localized anomalies related to occasional errors in the geostationary normalizations. This paper reports the changes to the ISCCP normalization and calibration procedures (originally reported in Brest and Rossow) that have been made to reduce these artifacts and errors an...
Eating induced rise in LHA-dopamine correlates with meal size in normal and bulbectomized rats.

Abstract Dopaminergic function in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) is important for processing intrinsic and extrinsic feeding related information. Brain microdialysis was used to examine if dopamine release in the LHA correlates with meal size in normal and bulbectomized rats. Food-deprived bulbectomized rats ate significantly less food (1.7 ± 0.1 g) than food-deprived sham operated rats (3.1 ± 0.5 g, p
Mammalian bombesin-like peptides

Abstract Mammalian bombesin-like peptides share structural homology with the large family of amphibian bombesin-like peptides. At present there is evidence for two classes of mammalian bombesin-like peptides, the gastrin-releasing peptides (GRP) and the ranatensin-like peptides. GRPs are distributed throughout the mammalian central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the lung where they act as neurotransmitters, autocrine hormones and growth factors. Less is known about the ranatensin-like peptides which to date have been detected only in the brain and spinal cord. The large number of amphibian bombesin-like peptides suggests that still more mammalian bombesin-like peptides remain to be characterized. The challenge will be to determine the key physiological roles of the entire family of these peptides.
Calcineurin associated with the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-FKBP12 complex modulates Ca2+ flux

The immunosuppressant drug FK506 binds to the immunophilin protein FKBP12 and inhibits its prolyl isomerase activity. Immunosuppressive actions, however, are mediated via an FK506-FKBP12 inhibition of the Ca(2+)-activated phosphatase calcineurin. Physiologic cellular roles for FKBP12 have remained unclear. FKBP12 is physically associated with the RyR and IP3R Ca2+ channels in the absence of FK506, with added FK506 disrupting these complexes. Dissociation of FKBP12 results in alteration of channel Ca2+ conductance in both cases. We now report that calcineurin is physiologically associated with the IP3R-FKBP12 and RyR-FKBP12 receptor complexes and that this interaction can be disrupted by FK506 or rapamycin. Calcineurin anchored to the IP3R via FKBP12 regulates the phosphorylation status of the receptor, resulting in a dynamic Ca(2+)-sensitive regulation of IP3-mediated Ca2+ flux.
Racism and Prejudice as Negative Impacts on African American Clients in Therapy

The effects of racism on African Americans may have deleterious consequences that necessitate their seeking counseling. This article addresses cultural considerations, economic factors, historical factors, and client expectations that may be salient when engaging African American clients in counseling. The article also discusses the possible need for counselors to be proactive when working with African American clients. Puede ser que los efectos del racismo en afro-americanos tenga consecuencias deletereas que hacen necesario que busquen consejeria. Este articulo habla de las consideraciones culturales, factores economicos, factores historicos y las expectativas del cliente que pueden ser destacados cuando afro-americanos estan en consejeria. Se discute tambien la posible necisidad de que los consejeros sean proactivos cuando trabajan con clientes afro-americanos.
Attitudes of Rural County Leaders in the United States Towards Intergovernmental Cooperation

The intent of this paper is to describe and explain attitudes of U.S. rural county policymakers toward intergovernmental relations. This paper examines rural policy-maker attitudes towards regional, state and federal intergovernmental relations. Second, it measures the variation in attitudes which may occur among rural policy-makers towards intergovernmental cooperation. Third, it explains the variation in attitudes towards intergovernmental relations by identifying and testing several of the prevailing theoretical explanations. The analysis reveals that county socio-economic characteristics and personal leader backgrounds are weak determinants of attitudes towards intergovernmental cooperation, while the state and particularly the local political environment help explain variation in attitudes towards intergovernmental cooperation.
TRANSLOCATED WOUND STIMULI AFFECTING PLANT VIRUS INFECTIONS.

Abstract Heating one primary Pinto bean leaf for 20 seconds at 70°C increased the number of lesions induced by the sweetpotato strain of tobacco mosaic virus in the opposite inoculated leaf to as many as 100 times the number in control plants. This translocated heat stimulus (THS) was greatest when the heat was applied within 1 hour after inoculation, but was clearly apparent when applied as much as 10 hours before or after inoculation. Manifestation of the THS was inhibited by high humidity, and this inhibition was complete when the heated and inoculated plants were held at high humidity for 10 hours after inoculation. The THS was greatest in plants held at about 26°, was similar for plants held for 48 hours in darkness after inoculation and heating and for plants in natural light but was less for plants held in darkness for 48 hours before inoculation and heating. When the heated leaf was removed within 2 minutes of heating, no translocation of the stimulus was noted, but when the heated leaf was removed at 5 to 1440 minutes after heating a progressive and possibly pulsating increase in lesion numbers resulted. The stimulus moved through a 1-mm column of water between the heated leaf and the stem. The rate of movement of the stimulus was estimated to be 4 mm per minute. When lesions manifested by starch staining, rather than necrotic lesions visible in unstained leaves, were the criterion of infection, the THS was much less, and it is believed that the stimulus is primarily on the necrotic reaction of the host, rather than on the establishment of infection. A similar increase in infection resulted from freezing the noninoculated leaf or treating the noninoculated leaf with certain chemicals which caused severe injury.
A general theory of extremals

Abstract A general concept of extremality is introduced. This concept is shown to be central for a large class of constrained optimization problems. A general set of necessary conditions, which must be satisfied by all solutions of the previously indicated optimization problems. The hypotheses under which these necessary conditions are derived are discussed in detail. The general theory is applied to optimal control problems with restricted phase coordinates, and to an optimal control problems with an unorthodox criterion function.
A family study of memory processes and their relations to cognitive test scores

Abstract Members of 118 families (456 individuals) who had been tested on several measures of cognitive ability were retested on the same battery in order to determine test-retest reliability. They then were administered the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and tests of visual memory, auditory memory, and figure memory, as well as other measures not discussed herein. Intercorrelations of memory tasks were low to moderate. Factor analysis resulted in a four factor solution. The different factors appeared to represent auditory sequential memory (Factor I); visual memory, as measured psychometrically (Factor II); visual memory, as measured experimentally (Factor III); and figure memory (Factor IV). A second order factor analysis yielded two factors, one consisting of basically psychometric measures of memory and the other of measures of memory obtained in the experimental psychological tradition. Memory measures generally showed low to moderate positive correlations with scores on the cognitive test battery. Significant spouse correlations were found for 3 of the 11 measures of memory. Significant midparent-midchild regressions were found for 9 of the 11 memory measures.
Studies on the mechanism of the novel stimulatory effect of angiotensin-II on adenylate cyclase in rat fetal skin fibroblasts.

In contrast to other systems in which angiotensin-II (AII) inhibits adenylyl cyclase, in fetal skin fibroblasts the peptide stimulates cAMP accumulation. The mechanism of this novel effect was studied by analysis of the actions of AII and other regulators on the adenylyl cyclase system in cultured cells. In the presence of phosphodiesterase inhibitors, AII, isoproterenol (ISO), choleratoxin (CTx), and forskolin (Fk) stimulated cAMP accumulation by 2.0 +/- 0.26-, 26 +/- 0.9-, 75 +/- 5.6-, and 88 +/- 3.3-fold, respectively. AII potentiated the stimulatory effect of ISO and CTx by 1.5 +/- 0.1- and 1.25 +/- 0.03-fold, respectively, but had no effect on that of Fk. Preincubation of the cells with PTx did not prevent the stimulatory effect of AII on basal and ISO- and CTx-stimulated cAMP, indicating that the effect of AII was not due to interaction with Gi. Unexpectedly, pretreatment of the cells with PTx for 18 h inhibited cAMP production stimulated by ISO and Fk. Similar inhibition by PTx was observed in adul...
Study of phase-separation dynamics by use of cell dynamical systems. I. Modeling.

We present a computationally efficient scheme of modeling the phase-ordering dynamics of thermodynamically unstable phases. The scheme utilizes space-time discrete dynamical systems, viz., cell dynamical systems (CDS). Our proposal is tantamount to proposing new Ansa$iuml---tze for the kinetic-level description of the dynamics. Our present exposition consists of two parts: part I (this paper) deals mainly with methodology and part II [S. Puri and Y. Oono, Phys. Rev. A (to be published)] gives detailed demonstrations. In this paper we provide a detailed exposition of model construction, structural stability of constructed models (i.e., insensitivity to details), stability of the scheme, etc. We also consider the relationship between the CDS modeling and the conventional description in terms of partial differential equations. This leads to a new discretization scheme for semilinear parabolic equations and suggests the necessity of a branch of applied mathematics which could be called ``qualitative numerical analysis.''
The national cost of acute care of hip fractures associated with osteoporosis

During 1976, the median cost of the direct medical care for a fracture of the proximal femur related to osteoporosis in Rochester, Minnesota, was $5,644. Age- and sex-specific incidences for this fracture were determined for a 10-year period in the same population. When these data are applied to the United States population, it can be estimated that osteoporosis leads to over 150,000 hip fractures annually, with a short-term direct cost in excess of one billion dollars. Language: en
Creating Family-Centered Services in Early Intervention: Perceptions of Professionals in Four States

This article describes professional perceptions of the current status of family involvement in early intervention programs in four states. Significant discrepancies between current and ideal practices were found in four dimensions: parent involvement in decisions about child assessment, parent participation in assessment, parent participation in the team meeting and decision making, and the provision of family goals and services. In identifying barriers to ideal programs, professionals most frequently mentioned family barriers (35.8%) and system barriers (35.1%). Professional barriers, or those related to a lack of skill, accounted for only 14.8% of the barriers mentioned.
Highly Parallel Fast KD-tree Construction for Interactive Ray Tracing of Dynamic Scenes

We present a highly parallel, linearly scalable technique of kd-tree construction for ray tracing of dynamic geometry. We use conventional kd-tree compatible with the high performing algorithms such as MLRTA or frustum tracing. Proposed technique offers exceptional construction speed maintaining reasonable kd-tree quality for rendering stage. The algorithm builds a kd-tree from scratch each frame, thus prior knowledge of motion/deformation or motion constraints are not required. We achieve nearly real-time performance of 7-12 FPS for models with 200K of dynamic triangles at 1024x1024 resolution with shadows and textures.
Rat eosinophils: isolation and characterization of superoxide production

Studies with isolated cells are important to the understanding of mechanisms by which eosi- nophils participate in allergic inflammation. Due to species variability, isolation techniques and cell biol- ogy need to be defined for each source. We devel- oped methods to obtain rat eosinophils with purity and viability exceeding 90%, characterized the su- peroxide anion production of these cells in response to standard activators, and compared these results with those previously obtained in our laboratories with the use of human eosmophils. Rat eosinophils responded vigorously to phorbol myristate acetate and poorly to platelet-activating factor and to N-for- myl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, parallel to the responses of human eosinophils. In contrast, rat eosinophils responded unlike human eosinophils to other activators, having a larger response to calcium ionophore A23187, a smaller response to serum- treated or serum-opsomzed zymosan, and a negative rather than positive modulatory effect of cytocha- lasm B. We conclude that rat eosinophils can be obtained in high purity and with intact responsiveness to a number of different activators. J. Leukoc. Biol. 60: 101-105; 1996.
Behavior of separation constants for finite gyromagnetic plasmas

The type of the functions appearing in the expressions for electromagnetic fields in finite magnetoplasmas depends only on the properties of the medium manifested in separation constants. The \omega-\beta plane of the Brillouin diagram is partitioned into a definite number of zones characterized by the type of possible field solutions. The general behavior of the separation constants in the \omega-\beta plane including the complex region based on calculations covering a wide variation of the determining parameter is described. Effects of ion motions are discussed, and the generality of the presented approach is pointed out.
Sub-0.2 micron gate lithography using E-beam, X-ray and optical technologies-an overview

The number of options for performing sub-0.2 um GaAs FET gate lithography has expanded recently to include shaped-beam e-beam systems, prototype X-ray steppers and optical steppers using phase-shift mask (PSM) technology. An overview of the alternatives is presented which may aid in selection of the "best" technology option for a given application.
Zero-bias resonant sensor with an oxide-nitride layer as charge trap

We report on a capacitive resonant sensor with an oxide-nitride (ON) layer used as charge trap. The main idea is that we intentionally inject charges into the ON layer by biasing the device for 30 s with 160% of the pull-in voltage. We use a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) to demonstrate this idea. The CMUT is fabricated via high temperature assisted direct wafer bonding after a local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) to form evacuated cavities (vacuum gaps), and, thus, the device inherently has the ON layer beneath single-crystal silicon plates and vacuum gaps. Therefore, this device is ideal for this work. It allows us to test an elegant charge injection mechanism. By simply pulling in the plate a high electric field strength (∼ 8.9 MV/cm) is created in the ON layer for a designated time, which results in charge injection. These charges stay trapped in the ON layer and create an intrinsic electric field in the vacuum gaps, which would otherwise require an external dc bias voltage of 44% of the pull-in voltage. We successfully implemented a 5.3-MHz oscillator with this zero-bias resonator and achieved excellent noise performance of 0.06 Hz of Allan deviation.
The relationship between tibetan snow depth, ENSO, river discharge and the monsoons of Bangladesh

Using satellite estimates of snow depth, we examine the interannual variability of the monsoon rains of Bangladesh, an area greatly affected by land surface hydrological processes including Himalayan snowpack size, snowmelt river flooding, and Bay of Bengal storm surge. For the twentieth century, we found Bangladesh monsoon rainfall (BMR) to be uncorrelated with the All-Indian Monsoon Index. This result is consistent with previous findings for shorter time records. We next used a short 9-year record of satellite estimates of April snow
Herpes zoster in a 6-month-old infant with 13-year follow-up: a retrospective case report.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this report is to present a case of herpes zoster in a 6-month-old infant, conservatively managed without oral antivirals, and its 13-year follow-up, demonstrating no sequelae or recurrences. Clinical Features A 6-month-old white female infant presented with a vesicular rash of the right lower extremity to a chiropractic office. The rash consisted of grouped vesicles on erythematous plaques, the characteristic herpetiform lesion, distributed in the S1 dermatome of the right lower extremity only. The infant's history was significant for exposure to chicken pox at age 1 week through siblings. Consequently, only one vesicle developed, representing subclinical chicken pox. The clinical diagnosis of herpes zoster was made. Intervention and Outcome The infant was treated conservatively at home. Treatment consisted of aluminum acetate (Burow) solution compresses 3 times each day, followed by a loose dressing. The lesions crusted in 1 week and completely resolved in 2 weeks. Follow-up, consisting of 13 years of observation, demonstrated no evidence of sequelae, such as postherpetic neuralgia, or recurrence. Conclusion Herpes zoster is uncommon in infants; however, it may occur. The presentation of the rash is characteristic; but otherwise, the condition differs from that in adults in that it is mild and not associated with postherpetic neuralgia. In uncomplicated cases, conservative treatment measures support the quick resolution with no sequelae.