cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Tertiary Sulci to Map the “Cognitive Globe” of Prefrontal Cortex

Stuss considered the human prefrontal cortex (pFC) as a "cognitive globe" [Stuss, D. T., & Benson, D. F. Neuropsychological studies of the frontal lobes. Psychological Bulletin, 95, 3-28, 1984] on which functions of the frontal lobe could be mapped. Here, we discuss classic and recent findings regarding the evolution, development, function, and cognitive role of shallow indentations or tertiary sulci in pFC, with the goal of using tertiary sulci to map the "cognitive globe" of pFC. First, we discuss lateral pFC (LPFC) tertiary sulci in classical anatomy and modern neuroimaging, as well as their development, with a focus on those within the middle frontal gyrus. Second, we discuss tertiary sulci in comparative neuroanatomy, focusing on primates. Third, we summarize recent findings showing the utility of tertiary sulci for understanding structural-functional relationships with functional network insights in ventromedial pFC and LPFC. Fourth, we revisit and update unresolved theoretical perspectives considered by C. Vogt and O. Vogt (Allgemeinere ergebnisse unserer hirnforschung. Journal fur Psychologie und Neurologie, 25, 279-462, 1919) and F. Sanides (Structure and function of the human frontal lobe. Neuropsychologia, 2, 209-219, 1964) that tertiary sulci serve as landmarks for cortical gradients. Together, the consideration of these classic and recent findings indicate that tertiary sulci are situated in a unique position within the complexity of the "cognitive globe" of pFC: They are the smallest and shallowest of sulci in pFC, yet can offer insights that bridge spatial scales (microns to networks), modalities (functional connectivity to behavior), and species. As such, the map of tertiary sulci within each individual participant serves as a coordinate system specific to that individual on which functions may be further mapped. We conclude with new theoretical and methodological questions that, if answered in future research, will likely lead to mechanistic insight regarding the structure and function of human LPFC.
Historical Crucifixion: A Liberationist Response to Deep Incarnation:

In light of the social-ecological crisis facing Puerto Rico, this article offers a response to deep incarnation theologies. Though it notes that deep incarnation offers a helpful account of divine ...
Cyber-Physiotherapy: Rehabilitation to Training

Cutting-edge Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) technologies embedded with Machine Learning (ML) will cause a paradigm shift in various domains, including manufacturing and developing facilities and services for professional and personal use. ML implemented HCIs can help people overcome societal challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. We introduce a system for people to perform physical exercises at home. This system is intended to help a range of demographics, from non-critical physical therapy patients to experienced weightlifters. More specifically, we propose a method to assess the difficulty of an exercise for visual exercise tracking systems. Pose estimation tracks exercises and reinforcement learning provides autonomous feedback to the user (patient/athlete). This information is processed largely on the client side, allowing the application to run smoothly anywhere in the world.
Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power: Executive Power and the Virginia Executive

Before he became president in 1800, and before the Constitution was written in 1787, Jefferson proposed two constitutions for Virginia. He proposed the first in 1776, about the same time when, as a delegate to the national congress, he offered his famous declaration for independence. He proposed the second in 1783, when he distributed his Notes on the State of Virginia to friends. In the interval, Jefferson had served as a wartime governor, and had determined that that the Virginia Constitution was flawed. In particular, one inadequacy of the Virginia Constitution — and of his own 1776 draft — was that it did not do enough to secure independence for the executive power. Indeed, Jefferson's actions as governor reveal his attempt to make executive power strong enough to meet the necessities of war but also remain compatible with constitutional government. By looking at the 1783 constitution informed by both the Virginia Constitution and Jefferson's 1776 plan, and by examining Jefferson's tenure as governor, it is possible to detect movement toward his mature doctrine of executive power. The Virginia Constitution of 1776 A delegate to Congress in 1776, Jefferson made his famous argument for separation from Great Britain, but, at the same time, he was also thinking about forming a government in Virginia. When his request to return to participate in the Virginia legislature's attempt to write a constitution was turned down, he drafted a constitution of his own and sent it for Virginians to consider.
Approximating betweenness centrality

Betweenness is a centrality measure based on shortest paths, widely used in complex network analysis. It is computationally-expensive to exactly determine betweenness; currently the fastest-known algorithm by Brandes requires O(nm) time for unweighted graphs and O(nm + n2 log n) time for weighted graphs, where n is the number of vertices and m is the number of edges in the network. These are also the worstcase time bounds for computing the betweenness score of a single vertex. In this paper, we present a novel approximation algorithm for computing betweenness centrality of a given vertex, for both weighted and unweighted graphs. Our approximation algorithm is based on an adaptive sampling technique that significantly reduces the number of single-source shortest path computations for vertices with high centrality. We conduct an extensive experimental study on real-world graph instances, and observe that our random sampling algorithm gives very good betweenness approximations for biological networks, road networks and web crawls.
Abstract 1466: Regulation of colon cancer metastasis by sprouty-2

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Introduction: We earlier established that sprouty-2 is overexpressed in human colon cancer and up-regulates c-met and thereby increases the growth phenotype and metastatic potential of colon cancer cells (Oncogene, 29: 5241-53, 2010). To our knowledge, this was the first study to demonstrate the tumor oncogene phenotype of sprouty-2 in colon cancer metastasis. On the contrary, cancer protective role of sprouty-2 was noted in breast, liver and prostate cancers. However, a recent report on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) discovered that silencing of sprouty-2 reduced c-met expression and thus confirmed our findings in colorectal cancer (PNAS, 110: 8573-78, 2013). We further extended our studies to demonstrate that this pathway modulates gastrointestinal specific microRNAs (miRNAs) and regulates various oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in colon cancer cells. Methods: RNA from control and shRNA sprouty-2 transfected cells were labeled with Hy5 and Hy3 respectively and hybridized to miRCURY LNA arrays. Unsupervised miRNA clustering was carried out and a heat map prepared with Java TreeView. MicroRNA targets were identified by Real-time PCR, western blotting and 3′UTR luciferase assays. Migratory phenotype of colon cancer cells was confirmed by cell migration and invasion assays in trans-well chambers. Cancer cells were transfected by miRNA mimics to assess the expression levels of target genes. Human colon cancer tissue microarrays were utilized to assess the expression of miRNA target genes. Human tumor sections were evaluated by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining. Results: Sprouty-2 shRNA transfected stable cell lines demonstrated upregulation of tumor suppressive miRNAs and down-regulation of oncogenic miRNAs. Overexpression of gastrointestinal specific miRNA mimics inhibits colon cancer cells proliferation and metastasis. On the contrary, overexpression of miRNA inhibitor in colon cancer cells promotes proliferation and colonization. Studies further indicated that miRNA down-regulates expression of CDK7, RB1, AKT, FASL, IGF1R, EGFR and N-cadherin and up-regulates expression of P21 and E-cadherin. MiRNA regulated genes were responsible for cell cycle arrest, enhanced apoptosis and decreased metastasis. AKT was upregulated whereas E-cadherin was downregulated at the invasive fronts in human colon tumors. Conclusion: Sprouty-2/miRNA expression levels could be used to risk-stratify patients for CRC recurrence and sprouty-2 axis regulation may lead to the development of therapeutics in colon and lung cancer. Citation Format: Qiong Zhang, Vivek Vaish, Sharad Khare. Regulation of colon cancer metastasis by sprouty-2. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1466. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1466
News: Galileo and Einstein: Using History to Teach Basic Physics to Nonscientists

About ten years ago, the University of Virginia began encouraging faculty to give University Seminars, which could be rather informal one-semester two credit hours minicourses, intended mainly for first year students, with a maximum enrollment of twenty. I had been reading and enjoying Galileo’s Two New Sciences at the time, and it occurred to me that this text could perhaps be the basis of a University Seminar for nonscience students. The book covers a wide variety of topics. Admittedly, some sections are hopelessly obscure, but then whole stretches of the book are beautifully written and very illuminating. For example, Galileo gives a clear analysis of why there can be no giants, and the arguments he presents are as relevant as ever – easily applied to demolish many Hollywood fantasies, from giant ants to shrunken kids. His discussion of falling motion is of course a classic: why Aristotle had to be wrong, and, more practically, how to figure out the range of a cannon. When I began to put the Seminar together, I decided to add some selections from The Starry Messenger: Galileo’s memorable description of his discovery of the Moons of Jupiter, the phases of Venus, and mountains on the Moon, and how well it all fitted into Copernicus’ scheme.
Estimation of actual caries prevalence and treatment needs from field survey caries information on a child population in U.S.A.

Caries scores (DT + Dt) were recorded under simulated field survey conditions on 270 children ranging in age from 3 to 12 years. The children were subsequently diagnosed under optimum clinical conditions. The findings from the field and clinical examinations were statistically analyzed to determine the relationships between "survey" and "true" caries scores. It is proposed that the true mean caries score can be estimated from the survey mean score by adding 1.5 teeth in the primary dentition and 2 teeth in the mixed dentition. Tables were devised to estimate treatment needs for children at various survey caries scores in each dentition category.
The genotoxicity of enantiomeric aliphatic epoxides

The (R)- and (S)-optical isomers of 9 epoxides, benzyloxymethyloxirane, epichlorohydrin, glycidol, glycidyl 3-nitrobenzenesulfonate, glycidyl 4-nitrobenzoate, glycidyl tosylate, styrene oxide, glycidyl 1-naphthyl ether and glycidyl 4-nitrophenyl ether, have been compared for their in vivo and in vitro genotoxicity. The in vitro short-term test employed was the Ames mutagenicity assay with Salmonella strain TA100. The in vivo tests were chromosomal aberrations (CA) as well as sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) in bone-marrow cells of mice following intraperitoneal administration of these epoxides. Differences in mutagenicity between isomers were established with TA100 for all the compounds. While 13 of the isomers were genotoxic compared to a negative control by CA measurements, only in the case of glycidyl 4-nitrobenzoate could a significant difference be found between isomers by this test. However, with SCE evaluations, differences were detected between the (R)- and (S)-isomers for all the pairs of compounds with the exception of those for benzyloxymethyloxirane and glycidyl 4-nitrophenyl ether. At least in part, differences in the patterns of genotoxicity among compounds can be related to their differences in reaction pathways.
Private and Public Investment Growth: Macroeconomic Expectations and Fiscal Policy Uncertainty

This study examines potential disparities in how specific adverse macroeconomic conditions impact variability in US private and public investment growth. Using quarterly time series data spanning the period 1960–2012 and array of econometric procedures such as ARDL-Bound Test technique etc.; effects of specific macroeconomic conditions such as recession and inflation expectations on private and public investment growth are estimated. Our results show that in the short run, only macroeconomic uncertainty and fiscal policy volatility among variables tested, drives significant fluctuations in private investment growth. This study also finds that recession expectations rather augments public investment growth in both the short and the long run; but constrains private investment growth in the long run. Additionally, comparative analysis further show that private investment growth tend to be more susceptible to adverse macroeconomic conditions tested in this study than public investment growth.
The failure of endogenous growth

Fifteen years have passed since Paul Romer published his seminal paper that launched the field of endogenous growth. Today seems like an appropriate time to reflect back on this field and assess its contribution. My own assessment is that this line of research has not proven useful for understanding the most important question faced by economists today, namely, why isn’t the whole world rich? Exogenous growth theory, in contrast, is. Endogenous growth may prove useful for understanding growth in world knowledge over time, but it is not useful for understanding why some countries are so poor relative to the United States today.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5a/b: Biomarker and therapeutic target in prostate and breast cancer

The search for new therapeutic strategies for prostate and breast cancer is of significant interest. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5a/b (Stat5a/b) controls viability and growth of prostate cancer. Nuclear active Stat5a/b expression is clustered to high grade prostate cancers, predicts early disease recurrence and promotes metastatic dissemination of prostate cancer. In breast cancer, the role of Stat5a/b is more complex. In rodent model systems, Stat5a/b may promote malignant transformation and enhance growth of the breast tumors. In contrast, Stat5a/b activation in established human breast cancer positively correlates with tumor differentiation, prevents metastatic dissemination, and predicts favorable clinical outcome of node-negative breast cancer. Here we review the molecular structure and biological functions of Stat5a/b and discuss the potential applications of Stat5a/b for therapy development and as a prognostic marker for prostate and breast cancer.
Characterization and intraspinal grafting of EGF/bFGF-dependent neurospheres derived from embryonic rat spinal cord

Recent advances in the isolation and characterization of neural precursor cells suggest that they have properties that would make them useful transplants for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. We demonstrate here that spinal cord cells isolated from embryonic day 14 Sprague-Dawley and Fischer 344 rats possess characteristics of precursor cells. They proliferate as undifferentiated neurospheres in the presence of EGF and bFGF and can be maintained in vitro or frozen, expanded and induced to differentiate into both neurons and glia. Exposure of these cells to serum in the absence of EGF and bFGF promotes differentiation into astrocytes; treatment with retinoic acid promotes differentiation into neurons. Spinal cord cells labeled with a nuclear dye or a recombinant adenovirus vector carrying the lacZ gene survive grafting into the injured spinal cord of immunosuppressed Sprague-Dawley rats and non-immunosuppressed Fischer 344 rats for up to 4 months following transplantation. In the presence of exogenously supplied BDNF, the grafted cells differentiate into both neurons and glia. These spinal cord cell grafts are permissive for growth by several populations of host axons, especially when combined with exogenous BDNF administration, as demonstrated by penetration into the graft of axons immunopositive for 5-HT and CGRP. Thus, precursor cells isolated from the embryonic spinal cord of rats, expanded in culture and genetically modified, are a promising type of transplant for repair of the injured spinal cord.
Progressive expression of immunomolecules on microglial cells in rat dorsal hippocampus following transient forebrain ischemia.

We show a differential up-regulation of immunomolecules in the rat dorsal hippocampus accompanying neuronal cell death as a consequence of transient forebrain ischemia (four-vessel occlusion model). Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), we have examined the time course of expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens class I (OX-18) and class II (OX-6), leukocyte common antigen (OX-1), CD4 (W3/25) and CD8 (OX-8) antigens, CR3 complement receptor (OX-42), as well as brain macrophage antigen (ED2). The study was performed at time intervals ranging from 1 to 28 days after reperfusion. Throughout all post-ischemic time periods, strongly enhanced immunoreactivity on microglial cells in the CA1 region and dentate hilus and, to a lesser extent, in CA3 was demonstrated with mAb OX-42. MHC class I-positive cells (OX-18) appeared on day 2, whereas cells immunoreactive with OX-1 and W3/25 became evident in the CA1 and hilar regions on post-ischemic day 6. In contrast, MHC class II (Ia) antigen was first detected on indigenous microglia by day 13. In some animals, the OX-8 antibody resulted in the labelling of scattered CD8-positive lymphocytes, but perivascular inflammatory infiltrates were absent. No changes in the expression of ED2 immunoreactivity on perivascular cells could be observed. The results show that following ischemic injury, microglial cells demonstrate a timedependent up-regulation and de novo expression of certain immunomolecules, indicative of their immunocompetence. The findings are compared with those obtained in other models of brain injury.
Asymptotic forms of two-electron wave functions with a monopole interaction

The leading term in the Neumann expansion of $\frac{1}{{r}_{12}}$ is $\frac{1}{{r}_{g}}$, where ${r}_{g}$ signifies the greater of ${r}_{1}$ and ${r}_{2}$. Defining the monopole Hamiltonian (also called the radial-limit Hamiltonian) as the two-electron Hamiltonian with the replacement $\frac{1}{{r}_{12}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\frac{1}{{r}_{g}}$, the author presents asymptotic forms of the eigenfunction of this operator. The bound-bound, bound-free, and free-free cases are treated. "Asymptotic" means here that ${r}_{1}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$, ${r}_{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$, but $\frac{{r}_{1}}{{r}_{2}}$ is not restricted.
Narrative discourse in bilingual children: language and task effects.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of language on Spanish-English bilingual children’s production of narrative samples elicited in two ways. Method: Twelve bilingual (Spanish-English-speak...
Single cells and microcolonies of freshwater picocyanobacteria: a common ecology

Picocyanobacteria (Pcy) single-cells and microcolonies are common in lakes throughout the world, and abundant across a wide spectrum of trophic conditions. The single-celled Pcy populations tend to be predominant in large, deep oligo-mesotrophic lakes, while the microcolonies find optimal conditions in warmer, shallower and more nutrient rich lakes. Microcolonies of different size (from 5 to 50 cells) constitute a gradient without a net separation from single-celled types. Considering microcolonies as transitional forms from single-cells to colonial morphotypes it is conceivable to propose a common ecology where local communities are not isolated but linked by dispersal of multiple, potentially interactive, species. In this review abiotic forcing and biotic regulation of Pcy community structure and dynamics are examined to offer an updated view of Pcy ecology.
Continued Viability: A Review of the Life Sciences Library at Indiana University in a Time of Institutional Change and Proposed Branch Library Downsizing

There has been a growing realization that academic libraries need to change to serve a new generation of learners and researchers. Efforts to enhance the “main library” on campus with extended hours, coffee shops, and information commons have created modern, user-friendly environments that support changing student needs and expectations. Generally fewer resources have been given to upgrading smaller branch libraries. The need to modernize older spaces along with the availability of electronic collections, campus demands for classroom/lab space, and financial pressures on libraries have prompted a rethinking of the role of branch libraries. Actively pursuing initiatives to reenvision library spaces and services, Indiana University Bloomington set out to assess the needs of students and faculty of the Life Sciences Library. Quantitative as well as qualitative data were collected. All traditional performance indicators demonstrated that the library was doing a good job meeting the needs of its users. However...
Pyruvate and malate transport and oxidation in corn mitochondria.

Pyruvate oxidation and swelling in pyruvate solutions by corn (Zea mays) mitochondria were inhibited by alpha-cyano-4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid, an inhibitor of pyruvate transport in animal mitochondria; however, there was no inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, and malate and NADH oxidation were not affected. These results suggest the presence of a pyruvate(-)-OH(-) exchange transporter which supplies the mitochondrion with oxidizable substrate. Lactate appears to be transported also, but not dicarboxylate anions or inorganic phosphate. The rate of pyruvate transport was much slower than that of malate, however, and valinomycin was required to elicit appreciable swelling in potassium pyruvate.Malate oxidation contributed significantly to respiration supported by pyruvate plus malate, and malate did not act solely as a "sparker" for pyruvate oxidation. NAD(+)-malic enzyme activity was found in sonicated preparations, and comparison of O(2) consumption with CO(2) released from 1-(14)C-pyruvate indicated that transported malate was being converted to pyruvate, particularly as the malate to pyruvate ratio increased. The results suggest that pyruvate transport becomes limiting under conditions of high energy demand, but that rapid malate transport makes up the difference, supplying pyruvate via malic enzyme and replenishing losses of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates.
The growth of AlGaN/GaN heterojunction bipolar transistors by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Abstract The growth and properties of AlGaN/GaN heterojunction bipolar transistors grown by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) are described. The “emitter-up” structures are grown on (0 0 0 1) sapphire substrates. Common-emitter characteristics and Gummel plots were measured on 120×120 μm2 devices and useable DC current gains of β∼8–14 were achieved at room temperature. The resistance of the base was a limiting factor in high-current operation of these devices.
Cognitive function and cholinergic neurochemistry in weanling rats exposed to chlorpyrifos.

Abstract Previous studies have shown that moderate to high levels of chlorpyrifos (CPF) alter cognitive function in adult and immature rats. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that lower-level exposure to CPF before or immediately after weaning causes deficits in cognitive function. A total of 78 Long–Evans rats were injected subcutaneously with 0, 0.3 or 7.0 mg/kg CPF every 4 days before or after weaning and were tested with the Morris swim task from postnatal day 24 through 28. Exposure to CPF before weaning did not cause signs of overt cholinergic intoxication or impaired growth nor did the exposures cause significant inhibition of regional brain cholinesterase (ChE) activity or reduction in muscarinic receptors 24 h after the last injection. However, spatial learning was impaired after 5 days of training in the group of weanling rats administered 7.0 mg/kg CPF. Rats administered 0.3 or 7.0 mg/kg CPF after weaning were also impaired in the task, without significant changes in brain ChE activity. These data indicate that low-level exposure to CPF caused deficits in cognitive function in weanling rats, and these effects did not appear to be mediated by the inhibition of brain ChE. It is suggested that the alteration of cognitive function in juvenile rats is an important functional correlate of the cellular and molecular effects of CPF in the immature brain. The mechanisms for CPF-induced cognitive dysfunction are unknown.
Plasmon enhancement of photoinduced resistivity changes in Bi1-xCaxMnO3 Thin Films

Considerable increase of the photoinduced resistivity changes was found in Bi0.4Ca0.6MnO3 thin films after depositing gold nanoparticles on the surface due to resonant enhancement of local electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the gold nanoparticles.
Porphyrins XXIII: Fluorescence of the second excited singlet and quasiline structure of zinc tetrabenzporphin

Abstract ZnTBP in Argon matrices at 20°K shows quasiline structure in the absorption S2 ← S0, in the absorption and emission S1 ↔ S0, and in the emission T1 → S0. A quasiline halfwidth of 6 cm−1 is observed for S2 ← S0, 4 cm−1 for S1 ↔ S0, and 3 cm−1 for T1 → S0. In octane solution at room temperature, the emissions S2 → S0 and S1 → S0 are observed with quantum yields Φ = 0.016 and 0.35, respectively. The phosphorescence in octane at 77°K shows a quantum yield very roughly Φ p ∼ ( 1 15 )Φ f (77° K ) and a lifetime of τ p ∗ = 52 msec . The quasiline halfwidth of S2 ← S0 observed in Ar is related to the fluorescence yield S2 → S0 observed in octane by the uncertainty principle.
Hepatitis B and C Among Veterans on a Psychiatric Ward

Hepatitis B and C are public health problems. Psychiatric patients may be at risk of hepatitis B and C exposure due to lifestyle and inadequate health care. We aimed to determine prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus exposure and associated risk factors in acutely hospitalized psychiatric veterans. A total of 234 individuals consecutively admitted to the psychiatric wards at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital were asked to participate. A total of 129 patients consented and were screened for viral hepatitis risk factors, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface and core antibodies, and hepatitis C antibodies. About 31 and 38% of the patients had been exposed to hepatitis B and C viruses, respectively. Several risk factors were associated with exposure. Inpatient psychiatric veterans seem to have increased rates of hepatitis B and C exposure. This highlights the need for prevention of risk behavior in this vulnerable population.
Selenium and glutathione peroxidase tissue distribution in rats: Effect of dietary intake and total body burden of selenium

Abstract A series of experiments was performed to determine theeffects of individual variability and dietary selenium (Se) concentration on tissue distribution of Se in rats. Experiment one used mature rats selected for high or low concentrations of Se in blood. Rats selected for high concentrations of Se in blood tended to have greater concentrations and amounts of Se in liver and erythrocytes than rats selected for low blood Se. Experiment two examined the distribution of Se in rats fed diets deficient, adequate or high (but not toxic) in Se. Kidney and liver accumulated Se in excess of dietary Se concentration at all dietary Se concentrations. Selenium concentrations in the muscle and vesicular gland reflected dietary Se concentrations, while the testes had the same amount of Se regardless of dietary intake. The largest Se pool in rats fed the deficient diet was the testes, whereas the muscle was the largest pool in rats fed a high Se diet. Changes in tissue distribution of Se suggest that some tissues have priority for Se when it is limiting. Other tissue pools of Se become saturated at high dietary intakes, and genetic differences may cause individual variation in deposition of Se into proteins other than GSH-Px.
Preferential loss of thin filaments during molt-induced atrophy in crab claw muscle.

The closer muscle of the claw of a land crab Gecarcinus lateralis consists of slow, or tonic, fibers that undergo a sequential atrophy and restoration during each molting cycle. We have examined the ultrastructural organization of claw fibers during the process of protein degradation that takes place in proecdysial muscle atrophy. The myofibril cross-sectional area is reduced fourfold by dissolution of peripheral myofilaments and by focal erosion within the fibrils. As degradation continues, there is a preferential loss of thin filaments relative to thick filaments: (1) the average distance between thick filaments decreases from 59 to 45 nm, causing a 72% increase in packing density of thick filaments in cross section and (2) the relative numbers of thin and thick filaments decrease from an average ratio of 9:1 to 6:1. Despite these significant structural changes, the general organization of the sarcomere is unaltered; the membrane surface density of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the A-band length remain unchanged. Although there is autophagy of some mitochondria, others retain their normal appearance, as do the nuclei. These data suggest that the specific degradation of contractile proteins in procedysial atrophic muscle includes the differential breakdown of thin versus thick filaments.
Local detection of strongly irreducible Heegaard splittings

Abstract Let S be a Heegaard splitting surface of a compact orientable 3-manifold M . If S is strongly irreducible, the manner in which it can intersect a ball or a solid torus in M is very constrained and the allowable configurations are simple and useful. Splitting surfaces not conforming to these simple local pictures must be weakly reducible.
On some generalized farlie-gumbel-morgenstern distributions

A multivariate generalization of the farlie-Gumbel-Morgenstern bivariate system of distribution is described. Certain properties, particularly those concerning orthant dependence, are investigated.
Optics in NASA-a Preface.

A feature on optics in NASA has been prepared. It will appear in two parts in the February and May 1970 issues.
Experimental tests of villin subdomain folding simulations.

Abstract We have used laser temperature-jump to investigate the kinetics and mechanism of folding the 35 residue subdomain of the villin headpiece. The relaxation kinetics are biphasic with a sub-microsecond phase corresponding to a helix–coil transition and a slower microsecond phase corresponding to overall unfolding/refolding. At 300 K, the folding time is 4.3(±0.6) μs, making it the fastest folding, naturally occurring protein, with a rate close to the theoretical speed limit. This time is in remarkable agreement with the prediction of 5 (+11,−3) μs by Zagrovic et al. from atomistic molecular dynamics simulations using an implicit solvent model. We test their prediction that replacement of the C-terminal phenylalanine residue with alanine will increase the folding rate by removing a transient non-native interaction. We find that the alanine substitution has no effect on the folding rate or on the equilibrium constant. Implications of this result for the validity of the simulated folding mechanism are discussed.
LANDSCAPE HOMOGENIZATION THREATENS THE GENETIC INTEGRITY OF THE ENDANGERED SAN DIEGO FAIRY SHRIMP BRANCHINECTA SANDIEGONENSIS (BRANCHIOPODA: ANOSTRACA)

Genetic threats to the integrity and persistence of endangered species can be significant and develop rapidly. These threats include the breakdown of locally adapted gene pools, and more extreme phenomena such as the dissolution of species boundaries. Anthropogenic homogenization of the landscape is often the underlying cause, manifested as an increase in biotic connectivity, and a decrease in structural and spatial habitat heterogeneity. In southern California, the narrowly endemic San Diego fairy shrimp Branchinecta sandiegonensis is federally endangered due to high levels of vernal pool habitat loss. Human disturbance is associated with the increased presence of the widely distributed generalist B. lindahli in the native range of B. sandiegonensis. Regional sympatry for these closely related species has now become local co-occurrence in anthropogenically created basins and disturbed pools, with possible hybridization. To assess this threat, we developed a new morphological hybrid index that ranges from 1.0 for typical B. lindahli adult females to 3.0 for typical B. sandiegonensis. Index scores in undisturbed habitats that are typical for each “pure” species are 1.3 and 2.6 respectively. In disturbed areas, females have a wider range of intermediate scores. Using mitochondrial DNA markers that are diagnostic to each species, we also determined that putative hybrids at all mixed sites share their maternal lineage with the more common species at the site. We hypothesize that anthropogenic activities have increased genetic, taxonomic and functional homogenization in southern California’s vernal pools, and may constitute a significant threat to the species integrity and persistence of the San Diego fairy shrimp.
Thymidine-modulated 5-fluorouracil metabolism in liver and RIF-1 tumors studied by 19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

19F Magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to study the impact of the biochemical modulator thymidine (TdR) on the 5-fluorouracil (5FU) metabolism in the livers and radiation-induced fibrosarcoma (RIF-1) tumors of 5FU-treated C3H mice. The liver spectra measured after administration of 5FU (65 or 130 mg/kg IP) showed the 5 FU resonance and its catabolites alpha-fluoro-beta-ureidopropionic acid and alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine. At the latter dose, fluoronucleotide signal was also detected. The liver spectra of TdR-pretreated (500 mg/kg, IP) mice showed additional signals of fluoronucleotide and fluoronucleoside at both 5FU doses, while alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine was not detected. TdR pretreatment increased the half-life of 5FU in livers from 24 +/- 2 to 126 +/- 46 SEM min at the 5FU dose of 65 mg/kg and from 28 +/- 2 to 95 +/- 22 min at the 130 mg/kg dose (P less than .1 and P less than .01, respectively). TdR-pretreated mice had higher 5FU anabolite (fluoronucleotide + fluoronucleoside) levels in their RIF-1 tumors than nonpretreated mice that received the same 5FU doses (56 +/- 15 SEM vs. 0 arbitrary units at the 5FU dose of 65 mg/kg, and 88 +/- 21 vs. 10 +/- 3 arbitrary units at 130 mg/kg 5FU; P less than .0001). The percentage drop in tumor volume was enhanced in the mice that received TdR, from 27 +/- 4 SEM to 52 +/- 2 at the 5 FU dose of 65 mg/kg and from 24 +/- 3 to 65 +/- 4 at the 130-mg/kg dose (P less than .0001, both).
Post-Transcriptional Regulation of UV Induced TNF-α Expression

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation exerts multiple effects on skin cells, including the induction of several cytokines involved in immunomodulation. Specifically, UV irradiation has been shown to upregulate the level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA in keratinocytes. To determine whether the induction of TNF-α mRNA is regulated by transcriptional or post-transcriptional mechanisms, we examined cells of keratinocytic lineage (SCC12F) for steady state level, transcription rate, and stability of TNF-α mRNA after UV irradiation. Within 4 h there was a 20–40-fold induction of TNF-α mRNA that persisted at lower levels through 48 h. Consistently, TNF-α protein secretion increased at 24 and 48 h after UV irradiation. UV irradiation increased the half-life of TNF-α mRNA from ≈35 min to ≈10 h. Conversely, the transcription rate of the TNF-α gene increased bl 2-fold at the time of peak mRNA steady state levels. Thus, post-transcriptional mechanisms play a major role in UV induced TNF-α transcript level.
Induction of a Potential Paracrine Angiogenic Loop between Human THP-1 Macrophages and Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells during Bartonella henselae Infection

Bartonella henselae is responsible for various disease syndromes that loosely correlate with the immune status of the host. In the immunocompromised individual, B. henselae-induced angiogenesis, or bacillary angiomatosis, is characterized by vascular proliferative lesions similar to those in Kaposi's sarcoma. We hypothesize that B. henselae-mediated interaction with immune cells, namely, macrophages, induces potential angiogenic growth factors and cytokines which contribute in a paracrine manner to the proliferation of endothelial cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a direct inducer of angiogenesis, and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), a potentiator of VEGF, were detected within 12 and 6 h, respectively, in supernatants from phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-differentiated human THP-1 macrophages exposed to live B. henselae. Pretreatment of macrophages with cytochalasin D, a phagocytosis inhibitor, yielded comparable results, suggesting that bacterium-cell attachment is sufficient for VEGF and IL-1beta induction. IL-8, an angiogenic cytokine with chemotactic properties, was induced in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) within 6 h of infection, whereas no IL-8 induction was observed in infected THP-1 cells. In addition, conditioned medium from infected macrophages induced the proliferation of HMEC-1, thus demonstrating angiogenic potential. These data suggest that Bartonella modulation of host or target cell cytokines and growth factors, rather than a direct role of the bacterium as an endothelial cell mitogen, is the predominant mechanism responsible for angiogenesis. B. henselae induction of VEGF, IL-1beta, and IL-8 outlines a broader potential paracrine angiogenic loop whereby macrophages play the predominant role as the effector cell and endothelial cells are the final target cell, resulting in their proliferation.
The “Microblade Adaptation” and Recolonization of Siberia during the Late Upper Pleistocene

In Siberia, a scarcity of sites 22,000 to 18,000 years in age suggests that human populations unable to cope with extreme conditions of the last glacial maximum abandoned the region. After 18,000 years ago, as glaciers retreated and the tree line gradually advanced northward, humans wielding microblade technology recolonized the Asian north, ultimately spreading to the high arctic by 11,000 years ago. This chapter recounts the evidence for the timing of this colonization event and summarizes technological, subsistence, and settlement data from over 20 sites to reconstruct hunter-gatherer adaptations during the Siberian late Upper Paleolithic. Results suggest that late glacial microblade-producing populations were highly mobile hunters who commonly exploited single prey species from short-term camps.
Effects of the temperature and relative humidity on the structure of CSH gel

Abstract This paper describes the structural changes of CSH caused by curing at different relative humidities (R. H.) and temperatures using XRD, 29Si NMR and thermal analysis. The results show that within the relative humidity range studied (9%–100%), the polymerization of CSH does not change, but that the local structure becomes more disordered with decreasing R.H. Heating of CSH results in increasing polymerization and structural disorder, and decreasing basal-spacing. It appears that decreasing relative humidity removes interlayer water molecules but that heating removes both water molecules and OH− groups. Thermal behaviors of jennite and 1.4-nm tobermorite are also studied and compared with those of CSH.
The permissive role of endothelial NO in CO-induced cerebrovascular dilation.

Carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) are important paracrine messengers in the newborn cerebrovasculature that may act as comessengers. Here, we investigated the role of NO in CO-mediated dil...
Kinetic Studies of Reactions of Dioxygen with Carboxylate-Bridged Diiron(II) Complexes Leading to the Formation of (μ-Oxo)diiron(III) Complexes

Stopped-flow kinetic studies of the reactions of [Fe2(BIPhMe)2(O2CH)4] (1a), where BIPhMe = 2,2‘-bis(1-methylimidazolyl)phenylmethoxymethane, and [Fe2(OH)(Me3TACN)2(OAc)2]+ (2a), where TACN = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, with O2 are presented. In CHCl3, both reactions are first-order in [O2] and second-order in diiron(II) complex concentration. Mechanisms consistent with the kinetic data are proposed. The main feature of these schemes is a bimolecular pathway involving a tetranuclear (μ4-peroxo)diiron(II)diiron(III) species in the transition state. Evidence for carboxylate shifts in the oxidation mechanisms is presented, offering one possible way in which this class of structural equilibria might control the chemistry at related non-heme diiron centers in metalloproteins.
An alpha–gamma coincidence spectrometer based on the photon–electron rejecting alpha liquid scintillation (PERALS®) system

Abstract An alpha–gamma coincidence spectrometer has been developed for the measurement of selected actinide isotopes in the presence of high beta/gamma fields. The system is based on a PERALS® liquid scintillation counter for beta/alpha discrimination and was successfully tested with both high purity germanium and bismuth germanate, gamma-ray detectors using conventional analog electronics.
Anatomy of a New Ethnic Settlement: The Chinese Ethnoburb in Los Angeles:

This paper proposes a new model of ethnic settlement, the ethnoburb. Ethnoburbs are suburban ethnic clusters of residential areas and business districts in large American metropolitan areas. They are multi-ethnic communities, in which one ethnic minority group has a significant concentration, but does not necessarily comprise a majority. The paper operationalises the ethnoburb model via an analysis of the demographic profiles and socioeconomic characteristics of the ethnoburban Chinese population in Los Angeles in order to understand the ethnoburb's role as a global economic outpost. This analysis also highlights social stratification by country of origin, and the micro-geographies of neighbourhood and workplace, features which reveal the ethnoburb's character as an urban mosaic.
Microbes, magnetism, and microscopy

Abstract An accurate quantification of magnetic force microscope images has been accomplished. The magnetosomes produced by magnetotactic bacteria, an ideal micromagnetic model system, were the specimens used for the quantification (a moment on the order of 10 −13 emu).
Optimization of Adaptive Modulation and Coding techniques for OFDM systems

Bit rates in flat-fading OFDM wireless systems can be improved through the use of Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC). In this paper, we propose two practical, efficient link adaptation algorithms that use fixed link tables defined by SNR ranges for supported spectral efficiencies. The purpose is to design non-iterative algorithms with acceptable performance and reduced computational complexity relative to the alternative iterative solutions. Our simulations indicate that the proposed algorithms come within 3 dB of the spectral efficiency of the optimal Water-Filling AMC method and 2 dB of the BL-AMC model, but with significantly reduced computational complexity.
Field results of a Kohler integrating photovoltaic system

A new two mirror concentrating photovoltaic system making use of Kohler integration is introduced. Brief design background is included to show on paper operation principles. Test results from the first units are given and a full sixty mirror system is under construction.
1458 FAILURE OF ACUTE CEREBROVASCULAR STRESSES TO PRODUCE INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE (IVH) IN THE NEWBORN BEAGLE (NB) MODEL

1458 FAILURE OF ACUTE CEREBROVASCULAR STRESSES TO PRODUCE INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE (IVH) IN THE NEWBORN BEAGLE (NB) MODEL
Studies in experimental pericardial tamponade; effects on intravascular pressures and cardiac output.

As intrapericardial pressure is increased by the introduction of saline into the pericardial cavity, cardiac output falls. Intravascular pressures, arterial and venous, pulmonary as well as systemic, approach the same value. This equalization of intravascular pressure is due to the decreasing ability of the heart to maintain normal distribution of blood within the vessels.
Novel measures of heart rate variability predict cardiovascular mortality in older adults independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors: the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS).

Abnormal heart rate variability (HRV) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in clinical1-4 and population-based studies.5,6 These studies have generally used time domain (statistical) or frequency domain (power spectral or autoregressive) measures of HRV that quantify how much HRV is present. More recently, novel measures of HRV have been developed. Among them are the short-term fractal scaling exponent (alpha 1 or DFA1) that quantifies the regularity of the heart rate. Another novel measure, heart rate turbulence (HRT), characterizes the response of heart rate to the perturbations associated with ventricular premature beats. Both of these measures have provided greater predictive power for CVD mortality than traditional HRV measures like SDNN (the standard deviation of normal-to-normal interbeat intervals) in clinical studies of patients with heart failure and in patients postmyocardial infarction.7-10 The ability of these two novel HRV measures to predict CVdth in an older population, with or without CVD, has not been tested. The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a multicenter, population-based study of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older adults offers the opportunity to test the impact of these measures.11 HRV measures were derived from 24-hour Holter monitoring in 1,429 participants ≥65 years old who volunteered to have a recording at the baseline examination and were followed for a median of more than 12 years.
Endovascular management of spontaneous carotid artery dissection.

Objective Despite medical therapy, a subset of patients with spontaneous carotid artery dissection (SCD) experience recurrent or progressive symptoms. In this study, we assessed the safety and efficacy of endovascular stent angioplasty in the treatment of SCD. Methods Seven consecutive patients with SCD underwent endovascular stent angioplasty of a total of 12 vessels. Indications included the presence of a large or enlarging pseudoaneurysm, a contraindication to anticoagulation, failure of anticoagulation, and compromised cerebral blood flow. Results Five patients had fibromuscular dysplasia. All patients tolerated the procedure well, with no adverse clinical events. All patients showed symptomatic improvement on clinical follow-up except for one patient, who had hemorrhagic conversion of a pre-existing large ischemic stroke 13 days after intervention; he made an eventual recovery to baseline. All stents have remained patent on radiologic follow-up. Conclusions This study provides additional evidence that endovascular stent angioplasty is a safe and effective treatment for SCD in patients for whom medical treatment is not adequate.