cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of maternal expectations on early infant behavior

Parents are prepared for their roles with the new infant during pregnancy, the anxiety and turmoil serving as a source of energy for reorienting them to their new roles. The individuality of the neonate then shapes their responses to him and essentially creates an environment which is suitable to his particular needs. Rather than being at the mercy of the environment, the kind of infants a culture produces may perpetuate the culture and its outcome. The powerful intrauterine experiences of malnutrition, infection, and uterine depletion can seriously affect the genotype as it is reflected in neonatal behavior. When the mother can respond with expectation for his recovery, and when proper nutrition can be provided in the neonatal period, the infant is more likely to live up to his genetic potential. When the extrauterine environment does not provide necessary nutrients, and parents cannot respond to their psychological needs, the cycle of poverty and malnutrition must reproduce itself via infants who will b...
Experimental studies on red shift of nematic liquid crystals

Ultraviolet (UV) absorption of some nematic liquid crystals (LCs) with different conjugation length was investigated under polar and nonpolar diluted solutions, vapor phase, nematic phase, and isotropic phase. Results of the vapor phase and nonpolar solution are very similar. For nonpolar LC molecules, little red shift is observed. For polar molecules, the icelectron resonant wavelength exhibits a significant red shift in the nematic phase when compared with the results measured in solvents or vapor phase. Short range intermolecular interaction is thought to be responsible for the observed red shift.
Mosquito cells infected with Banzi virus secrete an antiviral activity which is of viral origin.

Abstract Culture media of Aedes albopictus cells which had been infected for 3 months with Banzi virus contain a factor of low molecular weight which inhibits the replication of Banzi virus in both mosquito cells and BHK-21 cells. This inhibition is virus specific in that the anti-Banzi viral factor has no effect on the replication of Japanese encephalitis or Eastern equine encephalitis viruses. The antiviral activity is blocked by treatment with anti-Banzi viral serum but not with anti-mosquito cellular serum. Incubation of anti-Banzi viral serum with the structural viral protein, V-1, results in a decreased ability of the serum to inactivate the inhibitory factor.
Problem‐solving processes used by students in organic synthesis

Students taking a graduate‐level course in organic synthesis were individually interviewed and asked to ‘think aloud’ as they solved several problems from the domain of organic synthesis. Based on analyses of these data, along with two models of problem solving and a constructivist epistemological stance, a new model was constructed stressing both psychological and cultural influences on problem solving. The cultural portion of the model describes how the knowledge constructed by the problem solver is rooted in those symbols in representational systems that have been constructed by the culture in which the problem was formulated. The culture assists the individual by providing often‐used strategic decisions about which representational systems are useful, and what tactics are most appropriate. The psychological portion of the model focuses on the cognitive activities that the individual engages in whilst problem solving. These activities include preparation (construction of a representation of the problem...
BEHAVIORAL RESPONSE OF THE PARASITOID CARDIOCHILES NIGRICEPS TO A KAIROMONE

The parasitoid Cardiochiles nigriceps Vierick responds to a kairomone from its host Heliothis virescens (F.) by exhibiting an increase in speed and turning over unit time. The parasitoid turns back toward the interior of the “patch” when the patch edge is encountered. Experienced C. nigriceps females are more responsive to the kairomone of H. virescens than inexperienced females. Oviposition results in the immediate departure of C. nigriceps from a kairomone patch. RESUME Reponses comportementales du parasitoide Cardiochiles nigriceps a une kairomone Le comportement de recherche de l'hote du parasite C. n. V (Hymenoptera: Braconide) est modifie lorsqu'il se trouve en contact avec la kairomone de son hote, Heliothis virescens. A l'interieur d'une enceinte renfermant la kairomone. C. n. presente une reponse cinetique en tournant en ce reles de tailles croissantes et avec une vitesse croissants par unite de temps. Lorsque le parasite rencontre le bord de l'enceinte il presente alors une reponse orientee qui l'entraine a nouveau vers l'interieur de l'enceinte. Des femelles de C. n. conditionnees reagissent de facon plus significative a la kairomone de l'hote que des femelles non conditionnees; celles-ci seraient toutefois capables d‘ “apprende” a repondre a la kairomone de l'hote. La ponte des œufs a pour effet de reduire de facon significative le temps passe par C. n. sur un tel site. Le type de repartition des larves de H. v. en plein champs peut etre la raison d'une telle diminution de temps passe sur le site.
SU‐E‐T‐772: Volume Matching for Brachytherapy Planning

Purpose: To perform brachytherapy treatment plan by comparing it with existing data base from earlier treatments of similar type. Method: When brachytherapy target to be treated is closely related in shape and volume to the target treated in the past for which we had well developed plan based on sources energy, activity and spatial distribution we can assume that plan of essentially the same quality will be achieved when the same distribution of sources that was used in the past will be imposed over the new, identical to one in the past treatment volume. The planning strategy under these circumstances relies on matching the volume under consideration with the volume of the target from earlier treatment. Characteristic scalar parameters of volumes will be compared first to filter the database (these will include volume, orientation of principal axes and moments of the characteristic set of the compared volumetric domains). When these parameters match closely between considered volume and one of stored in library volumes they are suspect of close similarity. The next stage of comparisons matches volumes by translating them in 3D space so that the maximal intersection between them is achieved. When closeness criterion is satisfied for this matching the distribution of sources is moved from the old plan to the new target completing the planning process. Results: The program for the algorithm has been written and sequence of plans have been computed for dose distributions obtained by sources placement based on domain comparison planning described above. Conclusion: The excellent agreement between set of plans based on geometrical planning approach and traditional planning optimization approach has been discovered. The domain comparison planning leads to enviable dose distribution in brachytherapy treatment and it is fast enough to be applicable to real time treatments.
Selective targeting of the LIGHT-HVEM costimulatory system for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease

Decoy lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) has potent immune inhibitory activities and thus represents a promising biologic for the treatment of inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). As this reagent interrupts multiple molecular interactions, including LTβ-LTβR and LIGHT-HVEM/LTβR, underlying molecular mechanisms have yet to be fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate that blockade of the LIGHT-HVEM pathway is sufficient to induce amelioration of GVHD in mouse models. Anti–host cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity following in vivo transfer of allogeneic lymphocytes was completely abrogated when LIGHT- or HVEM-deficient (KO) T cells were used as donor cells. Accordingly, survival of the recipient mice following the transfer of allogeneic bone marrow cells plus LIGHT-KO or HVEM-KO T cells was significantly prolonged. In the absence of LIGHT-HVEM costimulation, alloreactive donor T cells undergo vigorous apoptosis while their proliferative potential remains intact. Furthermore, we prepared a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific to HVEM and showed that administration of anti–HVEM mAb profoundly ameliorated GVHD and led to complete hematopoietic chimerism with donor cells. Collectively, our results demonstrate an indispensable role of LIGHT-HVEM costimulation in the pathogenesis of GVHD and illustrate a novel target for selective immunotherapy in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
Effect of cold work on the oxidation of iron from 400–650 °C

Abstract The oxidation of Fe cold-worked to various degrees has been investigated at 400–650 °C in oxygen. From 400 to 600 °C cold-worked Fe oxidizes faster than annealed Fe and the rate is higher the greater the degree of cold work; the oxide formed on annealed Fe is porous and separates from the metal. At 650 °C cold work has no effect and solid scale only is formed. On annealed Fe below 600 °C the cation vacancies diffusing inwards through the thickening Fe3O4 layer develop pores at the oxide-metal interface. This slows the oxidation rate by impeding metal transfer. On cold-worked Fe, the extra dislocations in the surface metal inhibit the nucleation of pores by acting as vacancy sinks.
Role of a key cysteine residue in the gating of the acetylcholine receptor.

Abstract We have examined changes in single-channel behavior that result from conservative amino acid substitutions at the Cys 230 residue in the putative first transmembrane region (M1) of the murine nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Mutations made in the y subunit altered the energy barrier for a single closing rate constant in proportion to the size of the substituted side chain. One of these substitutions, when made in the a subunits, had no effect on gating. No mutations altered permeation. We conclude that the region surrounding the M1 Cys is involved in the gating of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and that the y subunit contributes significantly to the control of channel closure.
Cocaine hepatotoxicity: Influence of hepatic enzyme inducing and inhibiting agents on the site of necrosis

Cocaine-induced hepatotoxicity has been reported in human beings and is well documented in mice. One interesting feature of this toxicity that appears to be common to both species is an apparent shift in the intraacinar site of necrosis under circumstances known to alter cocaine metabolism. However, the evidence in human subjects is limited, and studies elucidating the mechanism of this phenomenon cannot be performed in human beings. Although future studies in mice may define the basis of this mechanism, the current evidence is a somewhat fragmented composite of studies using different mouse strains and enzyme-inducing agents. Therefore a comprehensive pathologic investigation was initiated for the purpose of identifying and establishing an animal model suitable for studying this phenomenon. In naive ICR mice a single 60 mg/kg dose of cocaine was found to produce midzonal (zone 2) coagulative necrosis. In mice whose oxidative metabolism had been increased with beta-ionone or in which esterase metabolism had been inhibited by diazinon, the severity of the toxicity was increased but the intraacinar origin of the lesion did not change. However, when the oxidative microsomal metabolism of ICR mice was induced by phenobarbital or beta-naphthoflavone, the acinar zone affected was dramatically different. Phenobarbital induction produced zone 1 necrosis, whereas beta-napthoflavone induction caused necrosis in zone 3. The site of necrosis corresponded with the distribution of cocaine, and its metabolites were identified with colloidal gold-conjugated antibody probes. The results of this study suggest that the agents shifting the location of cocaine-induced hepatic necrosis alter the intraacinar site of protein binding of cocaine and its metabolites.
Migratory effects in predator-prey models

Abstract We consider the location of a predator and a prey species in each of N habitats, with migration between habitats allowed, as a vector problem in 2 N variables. First we identify general conditions under which limited migration can have a stabilizing influence on locally unstable predator-prey dynamics. In the case of identical habitats with migration, we reduce the stability question to an eigenvalue problem for a pair of 2×2 matrices, and interpret this reduction biologically.
Patterns of wetting behavior in multicomponent systems

When the equilibrium states of two coexisting fluid phases lie sufficiently near a critical point, one of the near-critical fluids is prevented from contacting any given solid or third fluid phase by a wetting film of the other near-critical fluid. The authors classify the possible patterns of wetting behavior in systems of two and three fluid phases and show that the observed patterns for many systems, including equilibrated microemulsion systems, are consistent with this so-called critical-point wetting behavior. Implications for enhanced petroleum recovery are discussed 69 refs.
Congenital afibrinogenemia; report on a newborn infant without fibrinogen.

Summary 1. A case of congenital afibrinogenemia in a newborn infant is presented. 2. The finding of a possible reduction in fibrinogen in the father and two brothers of the patient is reported. 3. The use of clotting techniques as a sensitive means of detecting fibrinogen deficits is discussed.
Linearization of Automatic Arrays and Weave Specifications

Grabmayer, Endrullis, Hendriks, Klop, and Moss [C. Grabmayer, J. Endrullis, D. Hendriks, J.W. Klop, and L.S. Moss. Automatic sequences and zipspecifications. In Proceedings of the 2012 27th Annual IEEE/ACM Symposium on Logic in Computer Science, pages 335-344. IEEE Computer Society, 2012] developed a method for defining automatic sequences in terms of @?zip specifications@? and proved that a sequence is automatic [J.-P. Allouche and J. Shallit. Automatic Sequences. Cambridge University Press, 2003] iff it has a zip specification where all zip terms have the same arity. This paper begins by investigating a similar definitional scheme for the higher-dimensional counterpart of automatic sequences, automatic arrays. In the course of establishing the results required for this machinery, we find an isomorphism-closely related to the z-order curve [G.M. Morton. A computer oriented geodetic data base and a new technique in file sequencing. International Business Machines Company, 1966]-between a final coalgebra for arrays and the standard final coalgebra for sequences. This isomorphism preserves automaticity properties: an array is k,l-automatic iff its corresponding sequence is kl-automatic. The former notion of automaticity (k,l-automatic, note the comma) is defined for arrays as in [J.-P. Allouche and J. Shallit. Automatic Sequences. Cambridge University Press, 2003], and the latter notion is the standard notion of automaticity for sequences. It also provides a convenient way to translate between stream zip specifications and array zip specifications.
Smart real-time cardiac diagnostic sensor systems for football players and soldiers under intense physical training

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) and acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs) have been reported to be up to 7.6 times higher in rate of occurrence during intense exercise as compared to sedentary activities. The risk is high in individuals with both diagnosed as well as occult heart diseases. Recently, SCDs have been reported with a high rate of occurrence among young athletes and soldiers who routinely undergo vigorous training. Prescreening Electrocardiograms (ECG) and echocardiograms have been suggested as potential means of detecting any cardiac abnormalities prior to intense training to avoid the risk of SCDs, but the benefits of this approach are widely debated. Moreover, the increased risk of SCDs and AMIs during training or exercise suggests that ECGs are of much greater value when acquired real-time during the actual training. The availability of immediate diagnostic data will greatly reduce the time taken to administer the appropriate resuscitation. Important factors to consider in the implementation of this solution are: - cost of overall system, accuracy of signals acquired and unobtrusive design. In this paper, we evaluate a system using printed sensors made of inks with functional properties to acquire ECGs of athletes and soldiers during physical training and basic military training respectively. Using Zigbee, we show that athletes and soldiers can be monitored in real time, simultaneously.
Investigation of metal cyclam complexes as potential catalysts for the production of dimethyl carbonate

Abstract While Zn cyclam complexes are known to readily react with CO2 and methanol to provide carbonato complexes, we were interested in trying to extend this chemistry into a possible catalytic cycle for the production of dimethyl carbonate. This route would require a cleavage of the Zn-carbonato complex with methanol. Towards this goal we modified the cyclam ligands by attaching various Lewis basic donors as pendant groups on the cyclam that could potentially act as hemilabile arms. The crystal structures of 1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane 2, 1-(3-pyridylmethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane 3, and 1-propionitrile-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane 4 are presented. Ligand 2 was reacted with M[ClO4]2 (M = Zn, Cd) and the resulting complexes were structurally and spectroscopically characterized. Despite the modifications, again these complexes did not perform as catalysts for the formation of dimethyl carbonate. Ligand 4 was found to react with methanol in the presence of Zn[ClO4]2·6H2O to convert the nitrile group into a methyl propionimidate, forming the methyl propionimidate (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) zinc perchlorate. It is likely that the donor arms used bind too strongly to Zn or Cd to allow complexation of CO2 or methanol.
Trends in use of coronary angiography in subacute phase of myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUNDMost patients do not undergo acute reperfusion after myocardial infarction, and which of these patients should undergo coronary angiography is still debated.METHODS AND RESULTSWe analyzed the 1-year clinical outcomes and rates of coronary angiography performed as late as 60 days after myocardial infarction in 3,804 patients admitted between 1979 and 1988 and followed in six different centers. Patients less than 75 years old were classified into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups using a multivariate analysis of historical and clinical variables gathered during the first 8 hospital days. Patients who underwent early reperfusion (17%, all after 1984) were analyzed separately. To analyze time trends, patients were compared before and after mid-1984. Mortalities from day 9 through 1 year were similar for the two time periods in the low- (3.3% versus 2.5%) and medium-risk (7.4% versus 5.6%) groups, but mortality was lower for the high-risk group after 1984 (31.6% versus 20.0%). The proportion of pat...
The strategic gene

Gene-selectionists define fundamental terms in non-standard ways. Genes are determinants of difference. Phenotypes are defined as a gene’s effects relative to some alternative whereas the environment is defined as all parts of the world that are shared by the alternatives being compared. Environments choose among phenotypes and thereby choose among genes. By this process, successful gene sequences become stores of information about what works in the environment. The strategic gene is defined as a set of gene tokens that combines ‘actor’ tokens responsible for an effect with ‘recipient’ tokens whose replication is thereby enhanced. This set of tokens can extend across the boundaries of individual organisms, or other levels of selection, as these are traditionally defined.
Quantification of Biochemical Markers of Bone Turnover by Kinetic Measures of Bone Formation and Resorption in Young Healthy Females

The quantification of biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption with kinetic measures of bone turnover is an essential step in their validation. Some biochemical markers have been validated by quantification against formation and resorption rates measured by calcium kinetics in adults with bone disease. However, none has been validated in healthy individuals who are undergoing skeletal growth and bone consolidation. Therefore, we have measured biochemical markers of bone formation (serum osteocalcin [OC], bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [BAP], and total alkaline phosphatase [ALP]) and resorption (serum tartrate resistant acid phosphatase [TRAP], urinary cross-linked N teleopeptides of type I collagen/creatinine [NTx/Cr], and hydroxyproline/creatinine [OHP/Cr]) in healthy females aged 11-32 years (n = 31) after an overnight fast to determine their relationship with bone formation (Vo+) and bone resorption (Vo-) as measured by calcium kinetics and balance. All biochemical markers were highly intercorrelated (r > 0.6, p < 0.001) as were Vo+ and Vo- (r = 0.91, p < 0.001). Highly significant correlations were present between bone formation measured by calcium kinetics (Vo+) and serum levels of bone biochemical markers (OC, r = 0.82, p = 0.001; ALP, r = 0.92, p = 0.001; and BAP, r = 0.90, p = 0.001) and between bone resorption measured by calcium kinetics (Vo-) and fasting serum levels and urine creatinine ratios of biochemical markers (TRAP, r = 0.77, p < 0.001; OHP/Cr, r = 0.79, p < 0.001; and NTx/Cr, r = 0.70, p < 0.001). Thus, biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption can be used to predict calcium kinetic rates during skeletal growth and the early years of formation of peak bone mass, ages at which strategies to build peak bone mass are important. Biochemical markers of formation and resorption are equally useful in predicting either the bone formation rate or the resorption rate.
Ultraviolet photometry from the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory. XXVIII - Ultraviolet light curves for Alpha Lupi and BW Vulpeculae

Photometric data from the Wisconsin Experiment Package on OAO-2 have been used to construct light curves at three ultraviolet wavelengths for Alpha Lup and at seven wavelengths for BW Vul. Both stars are well-known variables of the Beta Cephei (Beta Canis Majoris) type. The light curves for Alpha Lup are in good agreement with the radial-velocity period. A temperature variation of 400-500 K is derived. The BW Vul light curves confirm recent ephemerides based on a secularly varying period and show a stillstand near light maximum at some wavelengths. Both stars exhibit increasing light amplitude at the shortest ultraviolet wavelengths. There is little evidence for cycle-to-cycle variations on a time scale of the order of 1 day.
The capacity for song memorization varies in populations of the same species

Abstract To compare the song learning capacity of migratory and sedentary birds, we contrasted the responses of males from two different populations of the white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys , to rich and lean regimes of early tutor experience. The two regimes were designed to simulate extremes in the variety of songs that young males might experience. Males from the migratory population, Z. l. oriantha , learned significantly more tutor material, from more tutor song types, and produced more song types themselves during vocal rehearsal from a rich tutoring regime than from a lean regime. Males of the sedentary nuttalli race learned similar amounts from rich and lean regimes. We argue that a migratory annual cycle introduces greater uncertainty into where a young male will breed for the first time, and that this has favoured the capacity to memorize more songs during the early sensitive phase for song memorization in migratory populations.
Mechanisms of aging in the naked mole-rat: The case for programmed aging

Maximum lifespan is an important species trait that generally scales with body size. Never the less there are many mammals that deviate from this allometric relationship and live more than double the expected lifespan predicted on the basis of body size. These exceptionally long-lived species appear to defy the expected rate of aging and provide powerful tools with which to elucidate if maximum species lifespan is indeed encoded in the genome; determine possible biological clocks and their downstream molecular mechanisms that may abrogate or regulate rates of aging. One such mammal is the naked mole-rat [NMR]. This, the longest-lived rodent known, lives 8.6-times longer than similar-sized mice, yet it maintains cancer-free, good health for more than 85% of its astonishing 30-year lifespan. NMRs, like other long-lived species, show pronounced resistance to most cellular stressors. This may be due to enhanced cellular protection and/or better maintenance of somatic integrity. In contrast, short-lived species generally direct many of their resources into rapid growth and early reproduction rather than fend off threats to their soma. Although the mechanisms facilitating this species divergence in somatic maintenance are poorly understood, these most likely represent an evolutionary trade-off between partitioning energy and resources into somatic maintenance (thereby contributing to the survival of the individual) versus investments in growth and reproduction and ensuring the rapid attainment of sexual maturity and the long-termsurvival of the species. This species-specific difference in resource and somatic management must be encoded in the genome, thus enabling cells and the organism to mount the appropriate level of cytoprotection, commensurate with their expected longevity. We explore this premise by reevaluating the various theories of aging in the light of what is known from the biology of the longest-living rodent, the naked mole-rat.
Carboxyhemoglobin and its correlation to disease severity in cirrhotics.

Goal To assess the correlation of serum carboxyhemoglobin (CO-Hb) to severity of liver disease as compared with Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, Child Pugh score, and clinical parameters. Background There are 2 sources of carbon monoxide (CO) in humans, exogenous sources include those such as tobacco smoke and inhaled motor vehicle exhaust. The endogenous source is via the heme-oxygenase pathway, in which a heme molecule is broken down into biliverdin with release of an iron (Fe) and CO molecule. Normal serum CO-Hb levels in nonsmokers is 0% to 1.5% and 4% to 9% in smokers. Activity of the heme-oxygenase pathway may be increased in the cirrhotic patient, as measured indirectly by exhaled CO and serum CO-Hb. This may be due to alterations in vascular tone in the splanchnic circulation in cirrhotics that may lead to elevated CO production. One published study also showed that those with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis had higher levels of both CO and CO-Hb. The MELD score uses prothrombin time (INR), creatinine, and bilirubin in the prediction of short-term mortality in decompensated cirrhotics while awaiting liver transplant. Measurement of endogenous CO-Hb may correlate to severity of liver disease. Study Retrospective analysis was done of 113 adult patients who were evaluated for liver transplantation between September 1996 and July 2003 and had pulmonary function testing with CO-Hb as part of their evaluation. We excluded any patients with a history of smoking. Clinical parameters used for comparison included grade of esophageal varices (n=75), spleen size (n=51) measured on abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography scan, aminotransferases, and disease duration. Serum CO-Hb levels were measured from whole blood, sent refrigerated to ARUP laboratories (Salt Lake City, UT) and analyzed via spectrophotometry. Bivariate analysis was performed by means of the Pearson product moment correlation. Results The mean CO-Hb level was 2.1%, which is higher than the expected normal population controls. No correlation was found, however, with MELD score, Child Turcotte Pugh score, or other biochemical or clinical measurements of disease severity. Conclusions Although CO and CO-Hb production may be increased in the cirrhotic patient, in this study no correlation was found to disease severity as measured by the MELD score. Further studies are needed to assess the role of CO in other complications of cirrhosis including infection and circulatory dysfunction.
The Theory That Won't Die: From Mass Society to the Decline of Social Capital

Though it lacks adequate empirical support, the hypothesis of declining social attachments as a source of American social problems persists. Both mass society theory in the mid-twentieth century and the theory of declining social capital in the late-twentieth century have had broad appeal. This paper demonstrates the continuities in argument and assumptions between these two theories as well as the modifications of the theory in the face of cultural change. It suggests that some of the weaknesses in the theory of decreasing social capital can be traced to the assumptions it shares with mass society theory—assumptions rooted in concerns about individualism.
Aminoglutethimide, a corticosteroid synthesis inhibitor, facilitates brain stimulation reward in food-restricted rats: an investigation of underlying mechanisms.

It was previously observed that the corticosteroid synthesis inhibitor, aminoglutethimide (AG), markedly facilitates lateral hypothalamic self-stimulation (LHSS) in food-restricted rats. This effect is not present 30 min after injection when plasma corticosterone levels are suppressed, but rather at 2 h when corticosterone has recovered from suppression. In experiment 1, it was confirmed that AG (50.0 mg/kg, SC) lowers the threshold for LHSS in food-restricted rats but not in control rats that have ad libitum access to food. This effect occurred independently of whether food restriction, by itself, lowered threshold. Experiment 2 examined whether the facilitation of LHSS coincides with biosynthetic rebound of corticosteroid precursors. While a pregnenolone surge was demonstrated by radioimmunoassay, dose-response testing with exogenous pregnenolone and progesterone (0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, SC) failed to confirm the prediction that one of these precursors facilitates reward. Therefore, a general test of the involvement of adrenocortical biosynthetic events was conducted in experiment 3 where rats were adrenalectomized (ADX) or sham-operated prior to food restriction. Surprisingly, ADX did not diminish the effect of AG. This finding raises the possibility of a CNS, rather than adrenal, site of action. AG is known to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and exert weak anticonvulsant effects. The facilitation of reward may result from central inhibitory effects of the drug and share a common basis with the enhanced reinforcing potency of other CNS depressants in food- restricted rats.
Temperature-dependent supramolecular stereoisomerism in porous copper coordination networks based on a designed carboxylate ligand

Two novel temperature-controlled supramolecular stereoisomers of porous copper coordination networks have been synthesized and characterized.
New Frontiers Opened by the Exploration of Host Cell Receptors

The term virus receptor as used in this chapter is defined as a macromolecule or complex of macromolecules naturally occurring on the host cell surface which specifically binds the virus and through this binding facilitates the subsequent events of infection (Markwell et al., 1984b). The specificity of the recognition between the viral binding protein and its cellular receptor and the involvement of the biological process of infection are the two key elements of the definition.
Exothermic surface reactions in alumina–aluminum shell–core nanoparticles with iodine oxide decomposition fragments

A pre-ignition reaction (PIR) once thought to be unique to aluminum (Al) and fluorine-based oxidizer reactions is observed for aluminum and an iodine-containing oxidizer. This PIR is exothermic and precedes the main exothermic reaction corresponding to aluminum combustion. For the aluminum and iodine oxide system, exothermic surface chemistry was recently predicted for I–O fragments forming bridge bonds with the alumina passivation shell using first principle calculations, but now has been observed experimentally. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) were used to assess aluminum and iodine pentoxide (I2O5) powder mixtures. Various equivalence ratios were examined and found to affect the PIR onset temperature. Prior to this work, the PIR was attributed solely to surface reactions of the halogen with the Al2O3 surface, but, results shown here indicate that both the alumina surface and aluminum core contribute to a PIR and a minimum activation energy is necessary for PIR production.
Reproductive outcome after bariatric surgery: a critical review

Background After many cycles of weight loss and weight gain, more and more morbidly obese patients undergo bariatric surgery, like gastric banding or gastric bypass, as the ultimate treatment for their obesity-problem. Since women of reproductive age are candidates for bariatric surgery, concerns arise regarding the potential impact on future pregnancy. Methods English-language articles were identified in a PUBMED search from 1982 to January 2008 using the keywords for pregnancy and bariatric surgery or gastric bypass or gastric banding. Results The few reported case-control and cohort studies clearly show improved fertility and a reduced risk in obstetrical complications, including gestational diabetes, macrosomia and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, in women after operatively induced weight loss when compared with morbidly obesity women. The incidence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) appears to be increased, however. No conclusions can be drawn concerning the risk for preterm labour and miscarriage, although these risks are probably increased compared with controls matched for body mass index. Operative complications are not uncommon with bariatric surgery and several cases have pointed to the increased risk for intestinal hernias and nutritional deficiencies in subsequent pregnancy. Deficiencies in iron, vitamin A, vitamin B(12), vitamin K, folate and calcium can result in both maternal complications, such as severe anaemia, and fetal complications, such as congenital abnormalities, IUGR and failure to thrive. Conclusions Close supervision before, during and after pregnancy following bariatric surgery and nutrient supplementation adapted to the patient's individual requirements can help to prevent nutrition-related complications and improve maternal and fetal health, in this high-risk obstetric population.
THE EFFECT OF LAND PLANTS ON WEATHERING RATES OF SILICATE MINERALS

Abstract Land plants and their associated microbiota directly affect silicate mineral weathering in several ways: by generation of chelating ligands, by modifying pH through production of CO2 or organic acids, and by altering the physical properties of a soil, particularly the exposed surface areas of minerals and the residence time of water. In laboratory experiments far from equilibrium, 1 mM oxalate (a strong chelator of Al) has a negligible effect on the dissolution rate of alkali feldspars, but some effect on calcic feldspars and olivine. By analogy to oxalate, the overall effect of organic ligands on the weathering rate of silicate minerals in nature is likely to be small, except perhaps in microenvironments adjacent to roots and fungal hyphae. The effect of pH on silicate mineral dissolution rate depends on pH: below pH 4–5, the rate increases with decreasing pH, in the circumneutral region the rate is pH-independent, and at pH values above around 8 the rate increases with increasing pH. Vegetation should thus cause an increase in weathering rate through the pH effect only where the pH is below 4–5. As an overall generalization, the effect of plants on weathering rate through changes in soil-solution chemistry is probably small for granitic rocks; it may be greater for more mafic rocks. It is the release of Ca and Mg from mafic rocks that has the greatest influence on the global CO2 budget. The effect of changes in soil physical properties on weathering rate can be major. By binding fine particles, plants can greatly increase weathering rates in areas of high physical erosion. Where erosion rates are lower, the effect of plants is less clear. On long timescales plants may decrease chemical weathering by binding secondary products and isolating unweathered minerals from meteoric water. A major unknown in estimating the effect of the advent of land plants on weathering rates is the nature (thickness, particle size distribution, permeability) of the regolith on the pre-Silurian continents. The indirect effect of vegetation through changing the regional distribution of precipitation may be as important as the direct effects.
Gender, Race, and Geography: Do They Matter in Primary Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection?

weeks, and by week 104 of follow-up, women had higher viral loads than men. Their data also suggest that women report fewer symptoms associated with the acute retroviral syndrome, which may delay or complicate early diagnosis in this population. These biologic differences between races and genders remain unexplained; however, there is little indication that these findings have major clinical significance. Nevertheless, a better understanding of the biologic factors leading to these differences may give insight into HIV pathogenesis. Although the lessons to be learned may be important, the likelihood is low that these will lead to interventions that will change disease course in the near future. The data of Meditz et al [4] also suggest that more immediate challenges lay at hand. The continued evidence of disparities in engagement in care and treatment based on race, gender, and geography is troubling, but not unexpected. In this era of ‘‘seek, test, and treat,’’ understanding these barriers to therapy is critically important, as appropriate interventions could have a rapid effect on disease course for significant numbers of HIV-infected individuals. This study focuses on individuals who receive appropriate HIV testing and are diagnosed in the early stages of infection, clearly a minority population among those living with HIV. Although the seek and test portions of the formula were performed optimally, the treat component proved not to be so easy. Women, nonwhites, and those living in the Southern United States were significantly less likely to start antiretroviral therapy and were
Genetic correlates of social behaviour in wild chimpanzees: evidence from mitochondrial DNA

This study explored some aspects of chimpanzee social behaviour using mitochondrial DNA sequence data as an index of matrilineal relatedness. The hypothesis tested was that matrilineal relatedness predicts social affiliative preference in wild chimpanzees. Several behavioural measures of individual social preference were examined for chimpanzees from Kanyawara community in Uganda's Kibale Forest. None of the four pairs of strongly affiliative males in this community could have been maternal brothers, since no pair shared the same mitochondrial DNA sequence. Fourteen chimpanzee communities outside Kibale, for which no direct behavioural data were available, were also studied by using communal nesting as a rough index of affiliative preference. Again, chimpanzees that nested together did not tend to be matrilineally related. The results suggest that kin selection is weaker than previously thought as a force promoting intra-community affiliation in chimpanzees.
Cardiovascular disease risk of dietary stearic acid compared with trans, other saturated, and unsaturated fatty acids: a systematic review

Background High stearic acid (STA) soybean oil is a trans-free, oxidatively stable, non-LDL-cholesterol-raising oil that can be used to replace trans fatty acids (TFAs) in solid fat applications. Objective The objective was to assess the cardiovascular health effects of dietary STA compared with those of trans, other saturated, and unsaturated fatty acids. Design We reviewed epidemiologic and clinical studies that evaluated the relation between STA and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including plasma lipids and lipoproteins, hemostatic variables, and inflammatory markers. Results In comparison with other saturated fatty acids, STA lowered LDL cholesterol, was neutral with respect to HDL cholesterol, and directionally lowered the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol. STA tended to raise LDL cholesterol, lower HDL cholesterol, and increase the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol in comparison with unsaturated fatty acids. In 2 of 4 studies, high-STA diets increased lipoprotein(a) in comparison with diets high in saturated fatty acids. Three studies showed increased plasma fibrinogen when dietary STA exceeded 9% of energy (the current 90th percentile of intake is 3.5%). Replacing industrial TFAs with STA might increase STA intake from 3.0% (current) to approximately 4% of energy and from 4% to 5% of energy at the 90th percentile. One-to-one substitution of STA for TFAs showed a decrease or no effect on LDL cholesterol, an increase or no effect on HDL cholesterol, and a decrease in the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol. Conclusions TFA intake should be reduced as much as possible because of its adverse effects on lipids and lipoproteins. The replacement of TFA with STA compared with other saturated fatty acids in foods that require solid fats beneficially affects LDL cholesterol, the primary target for CVD risk reduction; unsaturated fats are preferred for liquid fat applications. Research is needed to evaluate the effects of STA on emerging CVD risk markers such as fibrinogen and to understand the responses in different populations.
The Gradient Flow of ∫ M |Rm| 2

We study the gradient flow of the Riemannian functional ℱ(g):=∫M|Rm|2. This flow corresponds to a fourth-order degenerate parabolic equation for a Riemannian metric. We prove that the degeneracies may be accounted for entirely by diffeomorphism flow, and hence we show short-time existence using the DeTurck method. We prove L2 derivative estimates of Bernstein-Bando-Shi type and use these to give a basic obstruction to long time existence and prove a compactness theorem.
Monolithic capillary gel electrophoresis stage with on-chip detector

This paper describes the fabrication and initial measurements of an electrophoresis stage integrated with a substrate detector. The device is fabricated on a single silicon substrate using a 10-mask process. The separation channels are constructed with a polysilicon layer deposited on the surface of a substrate containing a buried, highly sensitive diffusion radiation detector. The buried detector can resolve single beta decay events from /sup 33/P- and /sup 32/P-labeled DNA. Initial experiments show migration of radioactive species in the channel at gel fields of 27 V cm/sup -1/.
A 3-D Integrated Intrachip Free-Space Optical Interconnect for Many-Core Chips

This letter presents a new optical interconnect system for intrachip communications based on free-space optics. It provides all-to-all direct communications using dedicated lasers and photodetectors, hence avoiding packet switching while offering ultra-low latency and scalable bandwidth. A technology demonstration prototype is built on a circuit board using fabricated germanium photodetectors, micro-lenses, commercial vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, and micro-mirrors. Transmission loss in an optical link of 10-mm distance and crosstalk between two adjacent links are measured as 5 and -26 dB, respectively. The measured small-signal bandwidth of the link is 10 GHz.
Rapid isolation of CA microsatellites from the tilapia genome

We have developed (CA)n microsatellite markers for the cichlid fish, Oreochromis niloticus using a variation of the hybrid capture method. The resulting genomic library was highly enriched in repetitive DNA with 96% of clones containing CA repeats. The number of repeats ranged from four to 45 with an average of 19. Two-thirds of the sequenced clones had 12 or more repeats and sufficient flanking sequence to design primers. The resulting markers were tested in an F2 cross of O. niloticus x O. aureus. Nearly 90% of the markers amplified in this cross and 74% of these were informative. This work demonstrates the importance of minimizing the number of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification cycles before and after the enrichment steps to reduce PCR recombination and the generation of chimaeric clones.
Exploitation of Time-Variations in Wireless Channels using Two Different CDMA Systems

The time-varying nature of radio channels deteriorates the performance of a wireless system. However, there are two code division multiple access (CDMA) based transmission systems which are capable of adapting to these variations efficiently. In one of these systems, information symbols are transmitted simultaneously and in the other system, information symbols are chip-interleaved before transmission. Both systems exploit temporal variations in the channels so efficiently that using the estimated channel coefficients they are capable of outperforming the conventional system with perfect channel state information (CSI) at the receiver. In this paper, we analyze the relative performance behavior of these two promising fade-resistant CDMA systems. We show that both fade-resistant transmission systems exhibit identical performance when the system load is high. However, when the system load is light, the chip-interleaved system slightly outperforms the system that transmits information symbols simultaneously due to higher self-interference in the latter.
Is there a role for consolidative stereotactic body radiation therapy following first-line systemic therapy for metastatic lung cancer? A patterns-of-failure analysis

Introduction. The pattern of failure (POF) after first-line systemic therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unknown. We evaluate the POF in this setting to estimate the potential value of consolidative stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Materials and methods. The records of consecutive NSCLC patients presenting to the University of Colorado, Denver (UCD) between January 2005 and June 2008 were reviewed. Patients with measurable advanced stage NSCLC who received first-line systemic therapy and follow-up at UCD were eligible. In these patients, sites of disease at maximal response were evaluated for theoretical SBRT eligibility, based on institutional criteria. All patients were followed to extracranial progression. The POF was categorized as local (L) for lesions known prior to treatment or distant (D) for new lesions. Results. Among 387 consecutive lung cancer patients (all stages), 64 met the eligibility criteria and 34 were SBRT-eligible. Among all eligible patients, first extra-cranial progression was L-only in 64%, D-only in 9% and L Di n 27%. Among SBRT-eligible patients, POF was L-only in 68%, D-only in 14% and LD in 18%. In SBRT-eligible patients, time to first progression was 3.0 months in those with L-only failure versus 5.7 month in those with any D failure (HR 0.44; 95% CI 0.220.90). Conclusions. The predominant POF in patients with advanced NSCLC after first-line systemic therapy is local-only. The current analysis suggests that SBRT could improve time to progression in a substantial proportion of patients. The estimated increase in time to progression using this approach would be approximately 3 months.